“If you give up your life for me, you will find true life.”
Matthew 16:25 NLT
When you’re full of yourself, God can’t fill you.
But when you empty yourself, God has a useful vessel. Your Bible overflows with examples of those who did.
In his gospel, Matthew mentions his own name only twice. Both times he calls himself a tax collector. In his list of apostles, he assigns himself the eighth spot.
John doesn’t even mention his name in his gospel. The twenty appearances of “John” all refer to the Baptist. John the apostle simply calls himself “the other disciple” or the “disciple whom Jesus loved.”
Luke wrote two of the most important books in the Bible but never once penned his own name.
From: Max Lucado
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Importance of the Bible?
0
comments
Labels: Bible Devotionals, Christian Lifestyles, Daily Devotions, Early Light Devotional, Importance of the Bible, Instant Daily Devotion, Reality of Faith, Spiritual Reminder, Youth Devotionals
Labels: Bible Devotionals, Christian Lifestyles, Daily Devotions, Early Light Devotional, Importance of the Bible, Instant Daily Devotion, Reality of Faith, Spiritual Reminder, Youth Devotionals
READ | 2 Timothy 3:14-17
The importance of Scripture cannot be overstated. It is the source of all truth about God and about ourselves.
A primary purpose of the Bible is to lead us to salvation. Without the Scriptures, we would never discover that we have a spiritual problem which separates us from the Lord: we are sinners from birth (Rom. 3:23) and have no way to rescue ourselves. The Father wants us to know that Jesus died to save us, and if we accept His sacrifice as payment for our sin-debt, we’ll be forgiven. The Word also makes clear that God desires to adopt us into His family so we can live with Him forever. Faith in Christ—not good works—is the one and only means of salvation and eternal life (John 14:6; Eph. 2:7-8; ). Everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus will be saved (Acts 16:31).
Another purpose of the Bible is to provide instructions on how we are to live. A godly life is characterized by surrender to the Lord’s control, submission to His plan, and a daily yielding to the Holy Spirit’s guidance (Gal. 2:20). The Scriptures also reveal the Creator’s standard for living—namely, what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
If you earnestly seek to know the Father better and please Him, time spent in His Word will never be wasted. Through it, you will experience both the joy of a personal relationship with God and the power to affect our world for Him. Have you accepted His gift of salvation? If so, how does He manifest His transformational power in your life?
From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals
The importance of Scripture cannot be overstated. It is the source of all truth about God and about ourselves.
A primary purpose of the Bible is to lead us to salvation. Without the Scriptures, we would never discover that we have a spiritual problem which separates us from the Lord: we are sinners from birth (Rom. 3:23) and have no way to rescue ourselves. The Father wants us to know that Jesus died to save us, and if we accept His sacrifice as payment for our sin-debt, we’ll be forgiven. The Word also makes clear that God desires to adopt us into His family so we can live with Him forever. Faith in Christ—not good works—is the one and only means of salvation and eternal life (John 14:6; Eph. 2:7-8; ). Everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus will be saved (Acts 16:31).
Another purpose of the Bible is to provide instructions on how we are to live. A godly life is characterized by surrender to the Lord’s control, submission to His plan, and a daily yielding to the Holy Spirit’s guidance (Gal. 2:20). The Scriptures also reveal the Creator’s standard for living—namely, what is acceptable behavior and what is not.
If you earnestly seek to know the Father better and please Him, time spent in His Word will never be wasted. Through it, you will experience both the joy of a personal relationship with God and the power to affect our world for Him. Have you accepted His gift of salvation? If so, how does He manifest His transformational power in your life?
From: InTouch - Early Light Devotionals
I WILL BE YOUR GOD
0
comments
Labels: Bible Devotionals, Christian Lifestyles, Daily Devotions, Instant Daily Devotion, Literature International Ministries, Obeying God, Spiritual Reminder, Youth Devotionals
Labels: Bible Devotionals, Christian Lifestyles, Daily Devotions, Instant Daily Devotion, Literature International Ministries, Obeying God, Spiritual Reminder, Youth Devotionals
"Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people."
Jeremiah 7:23
What a simple statement, yet how profound are the results when we follow the covenant God offers us. Obedience is not following the Lord and regarding His Word with casual consideration. It's not applying its truth to our lives according to how it fits our life-style. God does not speak to us in generalities but in direct specific commands. This verse gives the basic principle of how we can be His people and how He will be our God. "Obey my voice!"
Obedience is the starting point in our relationship with God. It is also the constant virtue God demands in the life of anyone who seeks to be His disciple. It is the hallmark of Christian character that enables God to manifest His hand of blessing upon our life and His power in our walk and ministry to others. Obedience is initiated and born of love, is inspired by it, and opens the way for God to reveal Himself to us as in no other way.
"If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever...He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him" (John 14:15-16, 21, 23). Can you fathom the incredible truth these verses reveal to us? They also reveal the unmistakable value Christ puts on obedience. We cannot please God in any other way than through childlike obedience. It is the foundation on which our whole spiritual relationship rests. God will not coerce us, nor will He impose Himself upon us to obey. He has set the "standard" upon which rests our relationship and upon which determines the manifestation of Himself to us. That's why the Lord used the conditional "IF" regarding those who would follow Him. He said, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). Obedience is the fruit of love, and love leads us to unwavering obedience, and obedience opens the floodgates of God's presence and power in our lives!
There are numerous examples in the Scriptures of the response of those to whom God spoke. When God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac upon the altar, we read, "By faith Abraham obeyed" (Hebrews 11:8). Obedience was the watchword of Noah when God spoke to him to build the ark, to Moses when God spoke to him out of the burning bush, to Isaac when he wrestled with the angel at Bethel, to Saul on the way to Damascus, and to all the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. The measure of their usefulness to God was in direct proportion to their obedience to His commandments.
Oswald Chambers writes so meaningfully in regard to our obedience. He says, "When I have to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate come in, I am bringing in an element that is not of God." Obedience coupled with faith means we step out where I see no evidence on which to lean. We simply dare to trust Him regardless of circumstances, with a deliberate commitment to Jesus Christ when I see no way.
When we live in childlike obedience to God, it is but the fruit of walking daily in the reality of a committed life to the person of Jesus Christ, initiated by His love to us and governed by our love to Him. "Obey my voice, and I will be your God."
From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell
Jeremiah 7:23
What a simple statement, yet how profound are the results when we follow the covenant God offers us. Obedience is not following the Lord and regarding His Word with casual consideration. It's not applying its truth to our lives according to how it fits our life-style. God does not speak to us in generalities but in direct specific commands. This verse gives the basic principle of how we can be His people and how He will be our God. "Obey my voice!"
Obedience is the starting point in our relationship with God. It is also the constant virtue God demands in the life of anyone who seeks to be His disciple. It is the hallmark of Christian character that enables God to manifest His hand of blessing upon our life and His power in our walk and ministry to others. Obedience is initiated and born of love, is inspired by it, and opens the way for God to reveal Himself to us as in no other way.
"If you love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever...He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. If anyone loves me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him" (John 14:15-16, 21, 23). Can you fathom the incredible truth these verses reveal to us? They also reveal the unmistakable value Christ puts on obedience. We cannot please God in any other way than through childlike obedience. It is the foundation on which our whole spiritual relationship rests. God will not coerce us, nor will He impose Himself upon us to obey. He has set the "standard" upon which rests our relationship and upon which determines the manifestation of Himself to us. That's why the Lord used the conditional "IF" regarding those who would follow Him. He said, "If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9:23). Obedience is the fruit of love, and love leads us to unwavering obedience, and obedience opens the floodgates of God's presence and power in our lives!
There are numerous examples in the Scriptures of the response of those to whom God spoke. When God told Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac upon the altar, we read, "By faith Abraham obeyed" (Hebrews 11:8). Obedience was the watchword of Noah when God spoke to him to build the ark, to Moses when God spoke to him out of the burning bush, to Isaac when he wrestled with the angel at Bethel, to Saul on the way to Damascus, and to all the heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11. The measure of their usefulness to God was in direct proportion to their obedience to His commandments.
Oswald Chambers writes so meaningfully in regard to our obedience. He says, "When I have to weigh the pros and cons, and doubt and debate come in, I am bringing in an element that is not of God." Obedience coupled with faith means we step out where I see no evidence on which to lean. We simply dare to trust Him regardless of circumstances, with a deliberate commitment to Jesus Christ when I see no way.
When we live in childlike obedience to God, it is but the fruit of walking daily in the reality of a committed life to the person of Jesus Christ, initiated by His love to us and governed by our love to Him. "Obey my voice, and I will be your God."
From: Literature International Ministry - Ed Powell
Operation Shoebox
0
comments
Labels: Bible Devotionals, Christian Lifestyles, Crosswalk Devotionals, Instant Daily Devotion, Path To Follow God, Youth Devotionals
Labels: Bible Devotionals, Christian Lifestyles, Crosswalk Devotionals, Instant Daily Devotion, Path To Follow God, Youth Devotionals
James 1:17 (NIV) “Every good action and every perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars, who does not change like their shifting shadows.”
Friend to Friend
Before you hit the malls and plunge into the Black Friday frenzy, set aside some time to pray, asking God to direct your shopping trip and give you insight as you purchase each gift. Interesting thought, isn’t it? I have to admit that I tend to plan, think and worry about Christmas gifts more than I pray about them. However, I recently heard a true story that has changed my perspective on Christmas giving.
Each Christmas, Operation Shoebox collects and sends over eight million shoeboxes stuffed with small gifts such as candy, school supplies, small toys, toothbrushes, soap, and shampoo to children across the world. In Mexico, hundreds of boys and girls gathered at the church in a small village, excitedly anticipating the arrival of their precious shoeboxes.
Delightful chaos erupted as bulging shoeboxes, wrapped in brightly colored paper and ribbon were passed into the small, eager hands of each child. Wrapping paper was hurriedly ripped into pieces and tossed aside, a smile spreading across the face of each child as their long awaited Christmas treasures were revealed.
However, one little boy dissolved into tears as he lifted the lid of his box and peered inside to see what he had received for Christmas this year. One of the Operation Shoebox volunteers spotted the little boy and hurriedly made his way across the church to see what the problem could possibly be. With the help of an interpreter, the volunteer asked the now sobbing little boy, “What is wrong? What is in your box?” With tears streaming down his face, the little boy said, “Socks!” The worker instantly understood and assured the little boy that he could trade his box of socks for another box that might have crayons or a piece of candy in it. Alarm spread across the face of the child as he vigorously shook his head and quickly jerked the box away from the now somewhat confused worker.
Clutching the shoebox to his chest, the boy began sobbing out an explanation to the interpreter who listened for a few moments and then, with tears spilling out of his own eyes, turned to the volunteer and said, “You won’t believe this!” Taking a deep, steadying breath, the interpreter explained, “This little boy has a rare skin condition with which he was born. It seems to affect his feet more than any other part of his body. The doctors have tried various medications and treatments but finally told the little boy that nothing will work and his feet will never heal unless he begins wearing cotton socks. His parents cannot even afford food for this boy; much less provide socks for their son. So, all year long, he has been praying for socks.”
Have you ever considered the idea that your Christmas gift may very well be an answer to someone’s prayer? I have to admit that I have rarely, if ever, made a Christmas gift list with that criterion in mind. Always in a hurry, my first thought is usually how to find the greatest deal at the lowest price in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of effort and hassle at the first store I enter – and hope the person likes it – because that is what he or she is going to get. Ah, yes. That is certainly the heart of God, isn’t it?
Join me in making this Christmas season different. Do not allow television ads, catalogues or shopping fliers dictate the gifts you give this year. Turn your Christmas list into a prayer list and you may very well end up giving an “operation shoebox” gift to someone you love.
Let’s Pray
Father, I so want to make this Christmas all about You. I pray that the gifts I give this year will be encouraging and truly helpful and not just items checked off of a list or obligations that have been met. Please direct my thoughts, my heart and my shopping trips. Help me to spend wisely, in a way that pleases and honors You. Give me Your heart, Lord, and remind me that Christmas really is all about You.
From: CrossWalk Devotionals
Friend to Friend
Before you hit the malls and plunge into the Black Friday frenzy, set aside some time to pray, asking God to direct your shopping trip and give you insight as you purchase each gift. Interesting thought, isn’t it? I have to admit that I tend to plan, think and worry about Christmas gifts more than I pray about them. However, I recently heard a true story that has changed my perspective on Christmas giving.
Each Christmas, Operation Shoebox collects and sends over eight million shoeboxes stuffed with small gifts such as candy, school supplies, small toys, toothbrushes, soap, and shampoo to children across the world. In Mexico, hundreds of boys and girls gathered at the church in a small village, excitedly anticipating the arrival of their precious shoeboxes.
Delightful chaos erupted as bulging shoeboxes, wrapped in brightly colored paper and ribbon were passed into the small, eager hands of each child. Wrapping paper was hurriedly ripped into pieces and tossed aside, a smile spreading across the face of each child as their long awaited Christmas treasures were revealed.
However, one little boy dissolved into tears as he lifted the lid of his box and peered inside to see what he had received for Christmas this year. One of the Operation Shoebox volunteers spotted the little boy and hurriedly made his way across the church to see what the problem could possibly be. With the help of an interpreter, the volunteer asked the now sobbing little boy, “What is wrong? What is in your box?” With tears streaming down his face, the little boy said, “Socks!” The worker instantly understood and assured the little boy that he could trade his box of socks for another box that might have crayons or a piece of candy in it. Alarm spread across the face of the child as he vigorously shook his head and quickly jerked the box away from the now somewhat confused worker.
Clutching the shoebox to his chest, the boy began sobbing out an explanation to the interpreter who listened for a few moments and then, with tears spilling out of his own eyes, turned to the volunteer and said, “You won’t believe this!” Taking a deep, steadying breath, the interpreter explained, “This little boy has a rare skin condition with which he was born. It seems to affect his feet more than any other part of his body. The doctors have tried various medications and treatments but finally told the little boy that nothing will work and his feet will never heal unless he begins wearing cotton socks. His parents cannot even afford food for this boy; much less provide socks for their son. So, all year long, he has been praying for socks.”
Have you ever considered the idea that your Christmas gift may very well be an answer to someone’s prayer? I have to admit that I have rarely, if ever, made a Christmas gift list with that criterion in mind. Always in a hurry, my first thought is usually how to find the greatest deal at the lowest price in the shortest amount of time with the least amount of effort and hassle at the first store I enter – and hope the person likes it – because that is what he or she is going to get. Ah, yes. That is certainly the heart of God, isn’t it?
Join me in making this Christmas season different. Do not allow television ads, catalogues or shopping fliers dictate the gifts you give this year. Turn your Christmas list into a prayer list and you may very well end up giving an “operation shoebox” gift to someone you love.
Let’s Pray
Father, I so want to make this Christmas all about You. I pray that the gifts I give this year will be encouraging and truly helpful and not just items checked off of a list or obligations that have been met. Please direct my thoughts, my heart and my shopping trips. Help me to spend wisely, in a way that pleases and honors You. Give me Your heart, Lord, and remind me that Christmas really is all about You.
From: CrossWalk Devotionals
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
