Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Simple Acts of Obedience


Simple Acts of Obedience


Luke 5:1-7

Obeying God in small matters can bring blessing to many. Today's passage illustrates this principle.
Simon Peter, a fisherman by trade, had worked hard the entire night without catching anything. He was on the shore finishing his work when Jesus approached him. The Lord wanted to speak from the boat to the crowd onshore. Despite a long, fruitless night of work, Peter agreed to take Jesus in the vessel. The crowd was blessed by seeing and hearing Christ preach.
God's requests can come to us at inopportune or unexpected moments. We may be tempted to let someone else respond to His call, thinking it will not matter who is the one to comply. But remember, His plans are designed for our benefit (Jer. 29:11).
Later Jesus made a second request to Peter—to move the boat into deeper water and let down the nets. The fisherman commented about the unlikelihood of catching anything but nevertheless did as Christ asked. Peter's cooperation resulted in an abundance for the crowd, the other fishermen, their families, and himself.
Peter didn't obey in order to be rewarded, yet that is precisely what happened. His simple acts of obedience led to greater opportunities for service and occasions for abundant blessing.
Some of us act as if obedience in the little things is unimportant. Peter's story teaches us the opposite. Let's commit to carrying out the Lord's instructions in small matters as well as large ones, trusting that He will bring good from all obedience. Following God is always the right choice to make.

The Christian is to obey the government and love his fellow man.


Romans 13

The Christian is to obey the government and love his fellow man.

INSIGHT

Love is the central characteristic of the Christian. In Matthew 22:37-40, a lawyer asks Jesus which is the greatest commandment. Jesus says: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." Then the Lord gives the second greatest commandment: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul writes that love is the greatest characteristic–even greater than faith or hope. Now in Romans this theme is picked up again. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; love, therefore, is the fulfillment of the Law. God is love. If we are to be like Him, we also must love.

PRAYER

Thank the Lord that He loves you, and praise Him that through Him you can love others:
You who love the Lord, hate evil!
He preserves the souls of His saints;
He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.
Light is sown for the righteous,
And gladness for the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
(Psalm 97:10-12)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. . . .
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
(Isaiah 53:3, 6)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
To me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • Greater sensitivity to sin
  • Your role in the ministry of your church
  • Your activities for the day
  • Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Never Thirst Again, Part 2

Never Thirst Again, Part 2

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:9-14

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. John 7:37

     Thirst is a perception associated with the body's need for water. The body's internal environment, the organs and tissues, requires certain amounts of water and mineral salts to function properly. Too much or too little water or salt can damage or destroy cells. Therefore, people and animals must control the balance of water and salt within their bodies. This balance is maintained mainly through the kidneys, which remove water and salts as urine, and the behaviors associated with seeking out and consuming water and other liquids.

      Not drinking enough water can lead to dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration usually begin with thirst and progress to more alarming manifestations that are often fatal.

     Now if dehydration is the removal of water from an object, then the treatment of dehydration to reverse its effects would be rehydration. To prevent dehydration you simply need to replenish the liquids that are lost throughout the day.

     At the end of the feast Jesus knew that there were those in the midst who were still hungry not for food but for God. He also knew by whom their thirst could be satisfied. He said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. (John 7:37).”  My friend, we all need that “last day” experience where we come to the end of ourselves. We all need to come to that place where after “that great day of feasting” we realize that we are still dehydrated. Thank God that Jesus made a way for us so that we don’t have to die of thirst. Today I encourage you to daily “rehydrate” through bible study, prayer, and fellowshipping with other believers.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

When We Act Deceptively


When We Act Deceptively


2 Samuel 11:1-27

From his youth, King David was a committed follower of God. Yet there was a time when this devoted believer gave in to temptation and committed adultery with Uriah's wife. His walk of integrity was severely compromised.
Ethical and moral failings have beset Christians throughout the ages. When a believer decides to do whatever it takes to obtain something he wants, then selfishness or greed is the root cause. At other times the desire for acceptance can tempt us to manipulate people and circumstances—or fabricate lies in order to seem more desirable. And fear of conflict can result in compromised standards; many people try to fit in so they can avoid arguments.
At first, even those close to us may not notice our deception. But God sees. He will use our conscience to produce guilty feelings so we might confess our sin and turn from it. Self-protection will take over if we continue in unrighteousness—we will try to quiet our conscience by justifying the behavior. Over time, we will draw away from certain people so they won't discover our ungodly behavior. By keeping them at a distance, we hope to avoid their scrutiny. Habitual sin may result in lost job opportunities, damaged friendships, and broken families.
When confronted by Nathan, David recognized his sin, acknowledged it, and received forgiveness (2 Sam. 12:13). How do you respond when the Holy Spirit convicts you of ungodliness? Do you see the reality of your behavior and repent? Or do you try to justify and persist in your conduct?

The Christian life is a life of total dedication and service to others.


Romans 12

The Christian life is a life of total dedication and service to others.

INSIGHT

To better understand the implications of the first two verses of chapter 12, it is helpful to read them backwards. We all want to be a living demonstration of the fact that the will of God is "good and acceptable and perfect." In order to do that, we must have our minds transformed and renewed. In order to have our minds transformed and renewed, we must make our bodies "a living sacrifice" to God. We all want the will of God in our lives. We can experience it if we present ourselves as a living sacrifice to Him.

PRAYER

Praise the Lord for the bond of love that binds us to Him and to other Christians:
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord my God, You are very great:
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment,
Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. . .
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
May the Lord rejoice in His works. . .
May sinners be consumed from the earth,
And the wicked be no more.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 104:1-2, 31, 35)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
"For a mere moment I have forsaken you,
But with great mercies I will gather you.
With a little wrath I hid My face from you for a moment;
But with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you,"
Says the Lord, your Redeemer. (Isaiah 54:7-8)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love." (John 15:10)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • That others will see Christ in you
  • That the Lord of the harvest will send forth laborers
  • Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:10-11)

Never Thirst Again, Part 1


Never Thirst Again, Part 1

Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle?  Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:9-14

     A reservoir is a place where large quantities of water are stored to be used for irrigation, power generation, water supply, and recreation. Reservoirs may also serve as a means to control flooding. A reservoir may be either natural or artificial. Natural lakes form reservoirs from which some cities obtain their water supply. Reservoirs that supply water for large cities contain billions of gallons of water.

     The word reservoir also means “storehouse.” A “storehouse” is simply a place where things are stored. A refrigerator is a storehouse. A pantry is a storehouse. Where ever things are kept for present or future use can be considered a storehouse. In other words a “storehouse” is a source the place from which anything comes or is obtained and a resource a place of any supply that will meet a need.

     This woman of Samaria had a need. Jesus let her know that He was her abundant, unlimited supply. Her abundant, unlimited reservoir; her abundant, unlimited storehouse; her abundant, unlimited source and her abundant, unlimited resource. Jesus let her know that He was the answer to her thirst.
     There have been times when I have felt what I thought was hunger. Thinking that I was hungry, I mistakenly would eat something. Afterward, I still wasn’t satisfied. That’s when I knew that I was not hungry I was thirsty. It was water that I craved.
     The woman of Samaria thought that “five husbands” (v18) was a way to satisfy her felt need of thirst. The number five represents the “grace of God.” Her real need was for what only Jesus could give her. She thought the one she was with was the one that she needed. Jesus let her know He was the only One who should be number one in her life.
     My friend, are you thirsty? Don’t make the mistake of seeking after the things of the world to fulfill your hunger. Seek the Lord. He alone is your abundant, unlimited supply; your abundant, unlimited reservoir; your abundant, unlimited storehouse; your abundant, unlimited source and your abundant, unlimited resource. He alone can satisfy your thirst.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Are You a Threat to Satan?


Are You a Threat to Satan? 

On two separate occasions, the Bible records that Satan petitioned the Lord to test a believer (Job 1:6-12; Luke 22:31-34). In both cases, God agreed. The Devil did his best to break the faith of first Job and later Peter, but he failed both times.
Do you suppose that Christ and Satan have ever discussed you? I think most people are too humble to assume such a conversation has happened. So let me ask the question a different way: Is your life making an impact worth talking about? I had to ask this of myself—am I serving God sufficiently to make Satan feel threatened?
Preachers and missionaries aren't the only people who make the Enemy nervous. Any believer who is determined to obey the Lord is a threat to the Devil, particularly when sharing the gospel. God calls on you to witness to certain people because you have just the right knowledge, story, or temperament to reach them. Fearing that the unbeliever might choose salvation because of your testimony, Satan gives you plenty of opportunities to fail. He hopes you'll be too discouraged to continue serving the Lord. The Enemy would like nothing better than to thwart God's plan for believers' lives by undermining their faith. That being the case, we might all be surprised how often our names pass between Jesus and Satan!
Although you may think you aren't important, God knows your true value. Friend, as a Spirit-filled believer, you have amazing potential to serve the kingdom. Satan sees that, and he will try to make you stumble.
If you fall, lean on the Lord as you get to your feet and carry on.

God has delivered us from sin through Christ.


Romans 8

What the Law cannot do in delivering us from sin, God does through Christ.

INSIGHT

In Greece, a little boy might run into the kitchen and call "Mama, Mama!" when he wants to find his mother. And late in the afternoon as he hears familiar masculine footsteps approaching the house, he may run out to his father and cry "Abba, Abba!" "Mama" and "Abba" are terms of close family endearment. God loves the whole world, but He loves His spiritual children in a different, special way. With respect and joy, we can express our love back to Him with the tender name, "Abba, Abba." It's a term of endearment in the spiritual family.

PRAYER

Because the Lord has made us a part of such a loving entity as the body of Christ, offer your praise to Him:
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
(Psalm 100:1-5)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving, and pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Achan answered Joshua and said,
"Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel."
(Joshua 7:20).

Show me Your ways, O Lord;
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;
On You I wait all the day. (Psalm 25:4-5)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." (Romans 8:15)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • Health and strength to serve Him
  • His will to be done on earth
  • Today's activities
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
"I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. . . . I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You." (Job 42:2, 5)

The Time is Always Right for Praise


The Time is Always Right for Praise



And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. - Acts 16:23-26
     What is praise? Praise means to commend; to applaud; to express approval of admiration of, to exalt in words or in song, to magnify, to glorify, Isaiah exhorts us “to lift up our voice with strength, lift it up, be not afraid” (v40:9). Praise is preoccupied with who God is and what He has done. Praise is characterized by celebration and exhilaration and is expressed through singing, shouting, playing instruments, dancing and other external forms. Praise is an act of the will (Psalms 103:1) and not emotions, “And when ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the LORD, offer it at your own will” (Leviticus 22:29).
     God loves praises more than anything. We are created to bring forth praise unto God. We are created to praise Him continually. We are created to praise Him when our souls are at rest. We are created to praise Him in the midst of the trial. We are created to praise Him when the trial is over. We are created to praise Him by lifting hands like a child running toward his daddy. We are created to give Him a Todah praise by extending our hands in thanksgiving; a Yadah praise by worshiping Him with extended hands; a Shabach praise by shouting; a Zanar praise by singing; a Tehillah praise by singing in the Spirit; a Hallel praise of vigorous, excited celebration; a Barak praise by blessing and declaring God as source of power, prosperity, and success, etc.
     After being beaten and thrown into prison it would seem that Paul and Silas had nothing to praise God for. But they were not focused on the biggest of their problem. They were focused on the biggest of their God. And the more they magnified – made God greater in size, the earth had to quake, the foundations of the prison could not help but shake, and the doors could not help but open.
     My friend if you would change the way you see your midnight, not see it as a time of darkness, but the dawn of a new day and praise God with all you heart, mind and strength your prison doors will open.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

A civil war rages in the life of every Christian.


Romans 7

A civil war rages in the life of every Christian.

INSIGHT

The "inward man" (v. 22) is created in righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:24), wills to do good (v. 21), joyfully delights in the law of God (v. 22), and serves "the law of God" (v. 25). However, the "flesh" (v. 18) practices the thing the inward man hates (v. 15). "Nothing good" dwells in the flesh (v. 18). It wars against the law of the mind (v. 23) and serves "the law of sin" (v. 25). As a result of this civil war, our lives do not run smoothly. We do things we don't want to do, and we fail to do things we want to do. Who can deliver us from "this body of death" (v. 24)? Only Jesus. When we receive Him as our personal Savior, the spiritual forces are put into place to free us from the bondage of sin. Then we must begin the process of dying to sin on a daily basis.

PRAYER

Offer your praise to the Lord because He frees you from the bondage of sin and gives you glorious, eternal life:
All the gods of the peoples are idols,
But the Lord made the heavens.
Honor and majesty are before Him;
Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.
Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
Give to the Lord glory and strength.
Give to the Lord the glory due His name;
Bring an offering, and come into His courts. . . .
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;
Let the sea roar, and all its fullness. (Psalm 96:5-8, 11)

Pause to express your praise and thankfulness.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful,
And have forgotten the God who fathered you.
(Deuteronomy 32:18)

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

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • Faithfulness in sharing Christ
  • The Lord´s work in world affairs
  • Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
(2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Satan's Strategy


Satan's Strategy 

All of us make tracks through the valley of failure. The question is, How are you going to respond? Plenty of people give up and exchange a vibrant kingdom-serving life for a defeated existence. But failure need not be an end. It's a chance for a new beginning living in Christ's strength.
Peter had a life-altering failure. Jesus warned that Satan had asked permission to "sift" the disciple like wheat (Luke 22:31)—vigorous shaking is required to separate wheat kernels from debris. The Enemy wanted to shake Peter's faith hard in hopes that he'd fall away from Jesus like chaff.
Peter fervently believed the promise he'd made to Jesus: "Even though all may fall away, yet I will not" (Mark 14:29). But Satan knows a few things about the power of fear. What's more, he realized that the disciple would be wounded by his own disloyalty. A man with tattered pride can't help but question his usefulness.
When Satan sifts believers, his goal is to damage our faith so much that we're useless to God. He wants us shelved far from the action of the Lord's kingdom. Therefore, he goes for our strengths—the areas where we believe ourselves to be invincible, or at least very well protected. And when the Devil succeeds, we are disappointed and demoralized. But we don't have to stay that way.
If we are willing, God can use failure to do spiritual housecleaning. Peter laid down his pride and instead put on the Holy Spirit's courage. Thereafter, he risked humiliation, persecution, and death to proclaim the gospel. Failure was the catalyst that brought forth greater faith and true servanthood.
Extra column
On the Enemy
"The Devil often transforms himself into an angel to tempt men, some for their instruction, some for their ruin."
—Augustine of Hippo
"The deceit, the lie of the Devil consists of this, that he wishes to make man believe that he can live without God's Word."
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"The existence of the Devil is so clearly taught in the Bible that to doubt it is to doubt the Bible itself."
—Archibald G. Brown
"The Devil can counterfeit all the saving operations and graces of the Spirit of God."
—Jonathan Edwards
"The Enemy will not see you vanish into God's company without an effort to reclaim you."
C. S. Lewis
"For where God built a church, there the Devil would also build a chapel."
—Martin Luther
"That there is a Devil is a thing doubted by none but such as are under the influences of the Devil."
—Cotton Mather
"The more God uses us, the more Satan will attempt to harass us."
—Dr. Charles F. Stanley
"The Devil is a better theologian than any of us and is a devil still."
—A. W. Tozer
"The Devil does not tempt unbelievers and sinners who are already his own."
—Thomas à Kempis 

We are to present our bodies to God as instruments of righteousness.


Romans 6

We are to present our bodies to God as instruments of righteousness.

INSIGHT

Micky Cohen, a noted gangster of a past generation, said that after he embraced Christianity, he felt betrayed. No one had explained that God would require a change in his behavior. "There are Christian athletes and Christian businessmen. Why not Christian gangsters?" he reasoned. But when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are no longer free to continue living as we did in the world. Our affections and activities must change to reflect the God whom we serve. The term "Christian gangster" contradicts itself because the activities of a gangster generally oppose the character of Christ.

PRAYER

Use the following psalm to offer the Lord your praise for all He has done for you:
Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonders among all peoples.
For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;
He is to be feared above all gods. (Psalm 96:1-4)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving, and pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
O God, You know my foolishness;
And my sins are not hidden from You.
Let not those who wait for You, O Lord God
of hosts, be ashamed because of me;
Let not those who seek You be confounded
because of me, O God of Israel. (Psalm 69:5-6)

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

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."
(John 6:37)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • Greater love for others
  • The work of missions worldwide
  • Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling,
And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24-25).

Friday, September 23, 2011

The Spiritual Discipline of Fasting


The Spiritual Discipline of Fasting
Acts 13:1-3
Fasting has two important components. One is abstention from food or activities, which eliminates distractions. The other is undivided attention on God, which allows connection with Him on a deeper level.
Daniel was living under captivity in Babylon when he read God's promise to free the Israelites after a certain period of time. He earnestly sought the Lord by means of prayer and fasting (Dan. 9:2-3). Then through the angel Gabriel, God gave the young man greater understanding of what He had previously pledged.
Scripture has other examples as well. When King Jehoshaphat learned that a powerful army was on the offensive, he called for all Judah to come together and fast (2 Chron. 20:1-4). God gave encouragement and strength for the future. Fasting was also part of the early church's preparation for choosing its first missionaries. The Holy Spirit directed the commissioning of Barnabas and Saul for the work (Acts 13:2).
Fasting does not bring us a quicker answer from God or persuade Him to follow our plan. Instead, it prepares us to see our situation through His eyes and to act on what we learn. At times I have sought the Lord to get His assessment of how I am doing. This discipline has helped me gain His perspective on my life and work.
Fasting involves a strong desire to hear from God, a period of time to connect with Him, and a willingness to abstain from food or some activity. If the idea intimidates you, remember its purpose is preparation so we might draw closer to God and receive His encouragement and direction.

Having been justified by faith


"Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 1).

INSIGHT

Paul spells out in specific terms how our salvation is accomplished. We learn that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

We also discover that "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

"Sin entered the world" through Adam "and death through sin," for all sinned (5:12). But salvation is offered to all through the God-Man, Jesus Christ. We can escape death by trusting in Christ as our Redeemer.

PRAYER

Praise the Son for His glorious sacrifice on the cross:
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions. . .
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart
These, O God, You will not despise. (Psalm 51:1, 17)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
The love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
(2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • An attitude of gratefulness
  • Unsaved family members
  • Your activities for the day
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
Therefore God also has highly exalted [Jesus] and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:9-11)

Requirement for Service


Requirement for Service
"He has showed you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (6:8)
     Micah is not quite like most of the other prophets, pronouncing doom and gloom, but more proclaiming of judgment and the promise of future blessing for Israel and Judah.  Although he gave them simple instructions, he let them know it would take a lifetime of discipline and self-denial to bring them to these three places of obedience.  First, in following the Lord, a person could not practice social injustice, but was instead obligated to do the right thing.  Secondly, they would have to love mercy.  To love mercy meant that they would have to have a loyal and steadfast love.  A lot like the love which Jesus told his disciples to have in Luke 6:27 "love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."  Finally, Micah called for the people to walk humbly before God.  This would mean being dependent upon the Lord rather than mere human efforts to obtain resources. 
     Micah was also not afraid to confront the leaders of the house of Israel and the house of Judah.  "They build up Zion with blood and Jerusalemwith iniquity.  The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priest thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say is not the Lord among us? None evil can come upon us.  Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest" (3:8-12). The leaders had abandoned the call of God on their lives and because of this judgment was coming.  Both Judah and Israel would fall, but God would later restore the Jewish people.
     Ezekiel 33:35 says: "He heard the sound of the trumpet, and took not warning; his blood shall be upon him. But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul. Have you ever had the oil warning light come on in your car?  Once that light comes on it is a sure sign that something is wrong, and you need to do something about it.  If you choose to ignore the warning, you could end up with major engine problems.  This is in a sense, the message Micah brought to the people of God.  God gives warnings so we will not have to suffer His wrath. If God's warnings are not heeded and His provision for sin in the sacrifice of His Son is rejected, Judgment is certain. For the believer in Christ, God will discipline us "not from hate" but because He loves us. He knows that sin destroys and He wants us to be whole. This wholeness which is the promise of restoration awaits those who remain obedient to Him.  If we are going to enjoy future blessings we need to do the right thing, have a loyal and steadfast love for those around us, and look to the Lord our everything.  It is a requirement for service!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

The Powerful Practice of Fasting


The Powerful Practice of Fasting


Nehemiah 1:1-11

Nehemiah's brother arrived from Judah with some bad news: the Israelites living in Jerusalem were in great trouble. After hearing about their plight, Nehemiah fasted and prayed to the Lord for several days. During this time, he discovered God wanted him to ask the king of Persia for help.
Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps us center our attention on the Lord and discover His will so we may act according to it. People fast in different ways: some abstain from food while others refrain from various activities. The period of time can vary as well. But the focus in each case is to be the same—to seek God and know His will.
When we begin to deny ourselves, several things happen. First, the Holy Spirit will enable us to set aside earthly matters. Relationships, work, and pleasure will take a lesser place in our mind as we concentrate on Him and His purposes. Second, our attention will shift from ourselves to the Lord. Thinking will become clearer, and our ability to understand God's plans will sharpen because we are not distracted by other things.
Third, the Lord is probably going to do some spiritual housecleaning in our lives. His Spirit will convict us of sinful attitudes or behavior. Upon confession of our sin, we'll be forgiven and cleansed (1 John 1:9).
When unexpected news greets us, we—like Nehemiah—may find our emotions in turmoil. He wisely sought the Lord through fasting and prayer. This powerful practice can also help us to hear clearly from our heavenly Father, who knows the best way through every situation.

He is the Father of us all.


Romans 4

Justification by faith is illustrated in the Old Testament through the lives of Abraham and David.

INSIGHT

To impute something means "to apply something to your account." The Bible teaches that no one can earn salvation. However, God will give it to us freely if we have faith in Him. God honors the attitude of our hearts and imputes righteousness to our accounts. To be able to impute righteousness to those living during Old Testament times, God looked ahead to the work of Christ on the cross. Now He looks back to the Cross. But in both cases, God´s people have been saved by grace through faith.

PRAYER

Offer praise to God for His righteous works:
I will praise the name of God with a song,
And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
This also shall please the Lord better than an ox or bull,
Which has horns and hooves.
The humble shall see this and be glad;
And you who seek God, your hearts shall live.
(Psalm 69:30-32)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Have we not all one Father?
Has not one God created us?
Why do we deal treacherously with one another
By profaning the covenant of the fathers?
(Malachi 2:10)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Your name, O Lord, endures forever,
Your fame, O Lord, throughout all generations.
For the Lord will judge His people,
And He will have compassion on His servants.
(Psalm 135:13-14).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • A humble spirit
  • Evangelism in Russia
  • Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
To Him who alone does great wonders,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who by wisdom made the heavens,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who laid out the earth above the waters,
For His mercy endures forever;
To Him who made great lights,
For His mercy endures forever
The sun to rule by day,
For His mercy endures forever;
The moon and stars to rule by night,
For His mercy endures forever.
(Psalm 136:4-9)

Your Enemy Is Going Down!


Your Enemy Is Going Down!


 3The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground?  4Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. (Obadiah 1:3-4)
The Edomites lived in a rocky mountain range south of the Dead Sea.  Every now and then they would go and raid Israel's camp and then run back to their strongholds in the mountains.  These descendants of Esau were in constant conflict with the Jewish people, even refusing to allow them passageway through their land.  God of course was not pleased.  Obadiah predicted that "Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame, you will be destroyed forever." (1:10). God protected Israel, and punished anyone who opposed them.  The Edomites thought that their stronghold was impregnable.  They became very arrogant with their sense of security.  This was the message Obadiah gave the them from the God: "Listen to this, EdomI'm turning you to a no-account, the runt of the godless nations, despised. you thought you were so great, perched high among the rocks, king of the mountain, thinking to yourself, nobody can get to me! Nobody can touch me!  'Think again. Even if, like an eagle, you hang out on a high cliff-face. Even if you build your nest in the stars, I'll bring you down to earth." God's sure Word. (verses 2-4 Message Bible) 
When someone is lead to believe that all is well before attacking or doing someone bad, it is called a false sense of security.  This describes the Edomites. So sure of themselves that they continued to do bad things to the children of Israel thinking nobody could stop them.  The last time I heard such arrogance was in the case of the Titanic.  It was reported that not even God himself could sink this ship.  On April 10th 1912 the Titanic set sail from Southampton with 2,200 passengers and crew, four days later the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sank. 1500 people died and 700 survived.  As well built as it was, the Titanic was still stoppable.
The message of Obadiah serves well to encourage us that God will fight for us.  Sometimes people will do you wrong and think that you can't do anything about it and nobody can stop them.  They can do what they want, when they want, to whom they want.  You might be experiencing this right now.  It may look as if your enemy is winning and things are not going to change, but hold your peace, and let the Lord fight your battle.  He will give you the victory!!  The same words that God spoke to the Edomites when they came against his chosen people; he speaks to your enemies.  "Even if you build your nest in the stars, I'll bring you down to earth (vs. 4). Your enemies arms are too short to box with God, so don't worry about it anymore.  Your enemy is going down!!

Wisdom for the Trials of Life


Wisdom for the Trials of Life


James 1:5-8

At first glance, today's passage on wisdom doesn't seem related to the subject of trials, but James is actually continuing His thoughts from the previous three verses. We need wisdom to know how to respond to suffering. This means we should see trials from the Lord's viewpoint and understand His purposes in allowing them in our lives.
If you want to profit from struggles, be sustained in them, and come through with joy and victory, you must be persuaded of the following truths:
1. God is in full control of the timing and intensity of your trial and will not allow it to go beyond His boundaries.
2. He has a specific purpose for your suffering which you may not understand until it is over.
3. This trial will prove to be profitable if you submit to God and trust Him through it.
4. Trying situations are opportunities for faith to prove genuine and grow stronger.
5. When you endure extreme pressure with unexplainable peace and joy, the Lord will demonstrate His sustaining power to a watching world.
6. Your difficulties are used by the Father to produce Christ-like character.
7. God will walk with you through all trials.
8. The Holy Spirit will enable you not only to survive but also to come out a conqueror.
If you believe all these principles, they will shape how you respond to difficulties in your life. This perspective eliminates the negative reactions normally elicited by trials and makes supernatural responses possible. Instead of feeling miserable and hopeless, you'll experience amazing peace and joy.

The world stands guilty before God


Romans 3

The world stands guilty before God, and can only be forgiven through Christ.

INSIGHT

There are several commonly held misconceptions about how God evaluates the deeds of men. One idea is that as long as we don't do anything "terrible," God will overlook our "little" sins. Another is that God weighs all our good works on one side of a scale and all our bad works on the other. If the good outweighs the bad, we're okay. A third incorrect notion is that God lines up all the people who have ever lived from the best to the worst and then divides them in half. If you make the cut, you're okay. The truth the Bible teaches is that God demands sinlessness. And since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, all people are condemned. There is only one way out: Receive Jesus as your personal Savior. Through Him, all your sins can be forgiven.

PRAYER

Offer your praise to the Lord for His grace and salvation:
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;
To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning,
And Your faithfulness every night . . .
To declare that the Lord is upright;
He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.
(Psalm 92:1-2, 15)

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
You have forgotten the exhortation
which speaks to you as to sons:
"My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives."
(Hebrews 12:5-6).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world.
He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life" (John 8:12).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • A stronger desire to be like Christ
  • Churches across the nation
  • Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
To Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ . . . to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. (Romans 16:25, 27)

The Dilemma of Sin (Part 2)

The Dilemma of Sin (Part 2)

 1And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.  2The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:  3But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.  4And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.  5And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:  6And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.  (2nd Samuel 12:1-6)

On the matter of Bathsheba; David could have chosen to stop and turn from what he was doing at any point, he however kept going deeper and deeper into sin.  We should understand that once sin gets started, it is difficult to stop. James 1:14-15 says:  "14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." The deeper we get into our mess, the less we want to admit to having caused it in the first place. We make excuses for evil thoughts, and wrong actions.  Excuses like: "everybody's doing it" or "nobody's perfect."  James is saying that when we play around with out own desires (like David did), we are dragged away and enticed.  Then after your desire has conceived (formed), It gives birth to sin.  If we stop our messes in the onslaught, we have a better chance of not going into sin. It is easier to stop sliding down a hill when you are near the top than when you are halfway down. Stop it before it starts, because once it gives birth to sin, you are in trouble.  Sin will grow, and once sin becomes fully grown, it will give birth to death!

How do we stop it in the onslaught?  First, take responsibility for your wrong thoughts and actions. "The Devil did not make you do it, nobody else is to blame, yes, you could have helped yourself, and no, no one pressured you." Secondly, confess!  James 1:9 says: If we confess our sins, he is faithfuland just to forgiveus our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When confronted with the dilemma of sin, David confessed his sins. In Psalms 51:1-4, David prayed this prayer:  "1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest."Finally, ask God for forgiveness.  In verses 9-12, David cries out for his iniquity to be blotted out, the creation of a pure heart, a renewed stedfast spirit, the joy of salvation, and a willing spirit that would sustain him. 

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Trials and Joy

Trials and Joy

James 1:2-4,12

"Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials" (James 1:2)—what a preposterous statement! How can that make sense when joy and trials don't fit together? But James is presenting a divine vantage point, not a human one. There are some surprising benefits in suffering which are not readily discerned by most people.
First of all, we need to understand that these verses are not telling us to be happy in our pain, but rather to rejoice in the blessings that accompany suffering. The word consider is an accounting term that means "to evaluate." When we look at hardships from God's perspective and place the proper value on them, we can rejoice in the beneficial outcome, even while experiencing pain. Humanly speaking, trials hurt; but from the Lord's point of view, they help.
The only way to rejoice during trials is to understand what God designed them to accomplish. Regardless of the difficulty's source, we can know that the Lord wants to use it to test our faith and thereby produce endurance and spiritual maturity. In every trial, He has hidden a beautiful and precious character gem, but whether we receive it depends upon our response. Those who really want to be transformed into the image of Christ can rejoice in the many benefits that accompany suffering.
How about you? Does your hunger to know the Lord and be transformed by Him exceed your dread of suffering? None of us want to experience pain, but since it's an unavoidable reality in this fallen world, why not respond in a way that produces eternal benefit? Let's not waste our suffering.

How To Determine Right or Wrong

Romans 2
The Jews have no partiality with God because they live for the Law.
INSIGHT
Without God, there is no right and wrong; there is only preference. We can say that we prefer something to be or not to be; but unless we appeal to God, we cannot use the words right and wrong. If one person says something is right and another says it is wrong, their opinions cancel each other out unless they can appeal to a higher authority. Mankind needs God not only for salvation but also for the normal functioning of society. It is sobering to ask, "If everyone were exactly like me, what kind of society would we have?"
PRAYER
Give praise and thanks to the Lord for the matchless gift of eternal life through Christ:
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord!
Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the Lord is the great God,
And the great King above all gods. . . .
Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
For He is our God,
And we are the people of His pasture,
And the sheep of His hand. (Psalm 95:1-3, 6-7)
Pause for praise and thanksgiving, and pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits. (Psalm 103:1-2)
Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
I have sworn and confirmed
That I will keep Your righteous judgments. . . .
Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your judgments. (Psalm 119:105-106, 108)
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
Greater personal discipline
Christians worldwide who are persecuted for their faith
Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
To the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)

The dilemma Of Sin (Part 1)

The dilemma Of Sin (Part 1)
1And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.  2The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds:  3But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.  4And there came a traveler unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him.  5And David's anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die:  6And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.  (2nd Samuel 12:1-6)
     In the 11th chapter of 2nd Samuel, we find that it is springtime. This is a good time to go to war because the roads were dry, making travel easier for troop movements, supply wagons, and chariots.  Israel went off to war, but David stayed behind in Jerusalem.  One evening, he decided to walk around on the roof of the palace.  While on the roof he saw Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite, bathing.  To make a long story short, he became filled with lust for her, he found who she was, sent for her, slept with her, impregnated her, and had her husband killed on the front line, to cover up his sin.    David allowed himself to fall deeper and deeper into sin, because: he abandoned his purpose by staying home from war (11:1), he focused on his own desires (11:3), when temptation came, he looked into it instead of turning away from it (11:4), he sinned deliberately (11:4), he tried to cover up his sin by deceiving others (11:6-15), he committed murder to continue the cover-up (11:15, 17).  Eventually David's sin was exposed, punished, and he had to deal with the consequences.
     David thought that he had gotten away with his dilemma of sin; Uriah the Hittite was dead, and nobody else knew his secret.  Or so he thought.    For a whole year David kept his secret but one man was aware of the secret.  Nathan the prophet.   As a prophet, Nathan was required to confront sin; even the sin of a king.  Nathan told David the story of a poor man with one ewe sheep, and a rich man that had stolen that one little sheep.  David was angry and pronounced that the man is worthy of death.  Because he thought his secret was safe, and due to his insensitivity to his own sin, David did not even know the story pertained to him.  Nathan the prophet had to point it out to him.
     We must come to understand that when we do wrong, although, God does forgive us, there are still consequences for the sin.  The question is what will it be?  It is foolish to believe that when choose sin over righteousness, that nothing comes of it.  Romans 6:23 says: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."  If you choose to sin it will cost you something, and chances are, leave you in a dilemma.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Wait Upon the Lord

Wait Upon the Lord

Psalm 40:1

Practicing patience is hard work! This is especially true when we are waiting upon the Lord, who keeps to His own timetable. But believers who trust God to deliver are richly rewarded with the desires of their heart.
A person's willingness to wait reveals the value of what he or she desires. Imagine, for example, a young woman who yearns for a husband. She must decide whether to place greater importance upon a) getting married or b) waiting patiently for a mate chosen by God. If her priority is the former, she may accept an offer that is less than the Lord's best for her. The fellow in question might be a good Christian but not a man suited for this particular young lady.
No one goes wrong waiting for the Lord to send His best in His perfect timing. Of course, believers don't receive everything they request. At times God simply says no. In other cases, He adjusts our desire to match His own. In our humanness, we can't possibly know all the details of a situation. So we ask for what we think we need, based on our limited information. A submissive heart accepts the omnipotent Father's gentle redirection. When the awaited object of desire comes, it may not look like what the believer originally requested, but it will be exactly what he or she needs.
Waiting patiently on the Lord is an awesome witness. When He responds, others see the reality of God, His faithfulness, and the wisdom of our commitment. In addition, our own faith is strengthened. Fools rush to seize their prize. But wise believers know that blessing will come in God's good time.

Importance of Gospel Message

Romans 1
Paul emphasizes the importance of the gospel message.
INSIGHT
According to Romans 1:18-20, all people have two avenues for beginning to learn about God. First, all human beings have an inner awareness of God or conscience (v. 19). Second, they can look at nature and learn several truths about God: (1) His invisible attributes—beauty, intelligence, etc.; (2) His eternal power—what awesome power it takes to put the stars in place!; (3) His divine nature—that there is a God who is higher than man and nature. Whenever anyone looks at nature and honestly searches his own heart, he can know that there is a God.
PRAYER
The righteousness of God has been imputed to you if you are a child of God, and you can praise Him in holiness and truth:
The Lord reigns, He is clothed with majesty;
The Lord is clothed,
He has girded Himself with strength.
Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.
Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting. (Psalm 93:1-2)
Pause for praise and thanksgiving, and pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
(Psalm 51:16-17)
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven
given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
The development of an eternal perspective
Your activities for the day
Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

Never Forget!

Never forget!

All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.  (Deuteronomy 8:1-3) 
In this chapter and in these first three verses, Moses brings a reminder to the nation of .  He is reminding of how God took a people in bondage and listened to their cries. He then took them into the wilderness where they might learn to depend upon God’s provision for their needs. Again and again, Moses reminds them how God humbled them that they might recognize that their God was faithful to provide for their every need.  Moses also reminded the nation of Yahweh’s (the redemptive name of God) unfailing love for those with no protector, and how He showed this people undeserved mercy in bringing them out of bondage. 
People do forget!!  When we are going through distress, misfortune, mishap or other unpleasant circumstances, we tend to cry out to God, but when everything is better we almost forget that we know how to pray.  This was the point of Moses sermon.  They had been in the wilderness a long time and the whole time, God totally provided for them.  This made it easy for them to depend on God.  It is simpler to trust God when there is no other way to live.  Moses’ warning was meant to bring the people into preparation for the time that was coming - God’s blessing and provision.  He knew that if they could remember the things God had done for them, even in the promise land they would still cry out to Yahweh for aid in those times of need.  They were to remember manna in the wilderness and water in barren and dry places.  He also wanted them to remember how for forty years their clothes did not get old and they didn’t have to buy new shoes for their feet.  He wanted them to never forget - what God had one. “But without faith it is impossible to please him:” (Hebrews 11:6a).
Where do we lose our faith in God?  Most people might say it is when we go through such tremendous trouble, pain, distress, and hardship. I believe that our faith is more quickly lost during times of comfort, abundance, and material blessing. During these times, you don’t have to cry out and have faith in God for what you already have.  Moses did not worry about the people losing their faith when the water ran out or when there was nothing to eat, but he did know that once they were in the promise land - It might be different.  “Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God” (vs. 11).  We should always remember God’s blessings, and never forget what he’s done for us, and where he brought us from.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Trusting The Lord


Acts 28

Paul finally arrives in Rome after a harrowing journey by sea.

INSIGHT

Our lives are a constant struggle between our own wills and the will of God. The circumstances of God's will are often strange and enigmatic; they do not always make sense. However, His will is being worked out even in ways we cannot see or understand. When we relinquish control of our lives and yield to God's will, then peace, love, and joy will characterize our lives. Paul must have wondered from time to time how shipwreck and imprisonment were working into God's will; yet with historical perspective, we can see that good came of these events. In the words of the old hymn, we must: "Trust and obey, for there´s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey."

PRAYER

Thank the Lord and praise Him because He is good and can be trusted:
Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
Or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting,
You are God. . . .
Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy,
That we may rejoice and be glad all our days!
(Psalm 90:1-2, 14)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

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

Now pray this affirmation to the Lord:
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye. (Psalm 32:8)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • Faithfulness with your finances
  • Revival in America
  • Whatever else is on your heart
Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Saturday, September 17, 2011

God Acts On Our Behalf


God Acts On Our Behalf 
Philippians 4:6-7
We have become so accustomed to this hurried world that we've begun to demand speed in our spiritual life too. However, God "acts on behalf of those who wait for him" (Isa. 64:4 niv). Wise believers endure until the fruits of His labor appear.
In this devotion, we'll look at three reasons believers are called upon to wait. First, God may be preparing us to receive His blessings. Perhaps we need new skills or greater maturity. Sometimes people require fresh spiritual insight before their hands are ready to hold what their hearts desire. For example, David waited years to sit on his appointed throne. But when he did, he was a wise, strong, and battle-tested king.
Second, the Father is often teaching His children to have confidence in Him. How would believers ever learn faith if God immediately fulfilled their every request? In my own life, the Lord has often said two words: "Trust Me." And He has never been late to meet my needs. No matter how we justify rushing ahead of God, doing so amounts to saying, "I don't trust You."
Finally, the Lord will at times withhold blessing to protect us from harm we can't see. We may never find out what caused the delay. But be assured that God examines the object of our desire closely before placing it in our hands.
Waiting is rarely easy, particularly in this instant-everything world. But rushing ahead of the Lord short-circuits His plan. Believers who do are left unsatisfied, and they often must live with terrible consequences. Be patient while the Lord works out details. His best is on the way.

Paul exercises his right as a Roman citizen to take his case before Caesar.


September 17

Acts 27

Paul exercises his right as a Roman citizen to take his case before Caesar.

INSIGHT

One of the secrets of peace is believing the promises of God. There are many things that we think we believe, but our anxiety level reveals that we do not. The Lord promises to meet all our needs, but our labor and worry reveal that we are not so sure. Paul receives a word from God that he will not perish. In relating this to the sailors, Paul says: "Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me" (v. 25). If we believe, we can be at peace; if we do not believe, we will fret. Review the promises of Scripture when you are troubled. What among them are you not believing? If you are trying to believe but still struggle, you may pray the prayer of the father regarding his son who had an evil spirit: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24).

PRAYER

Praise God that He rewards our faith, even if it is as small as a mustard seed:
Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who only does wondrous things!
And blessed be His glorious name forever!
And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen and Amen. (Psalm 72:18-19)

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
O Israel, return to the Lord your God,
For you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
Take words with you,
And return to the Lord.
Say to Him,
"Take away all iniquity;
Receive us graciously,
For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips."
(Hosea 14:1-2)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
"I am the living bread which came down from heaven.
If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever;
and the bread that I shall give is My flesh,
which I shall give for the life of the world." (John 6:51)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • Greater love for your family
  • Missions in North America
  • Your activities for the day
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
"The Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." (Matthew 16:27)

Friday, September 16, 2011

The Truth about Salvation


The Truth about Salvation
Acts 16:31
Do you ever wonder if faith in Jesus is really the only way to be saved? Satan is a crafty liar who will twist God's Word to cause confusion. In order to steer people away from following Christ, he tries to create the impression that eventually everyone will make it to heaven. But that is not what Scripture teaches.
The truth is that we can choose to reject the salvation that Christ freely offers. John's gospel tells us, "God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (3:17-18).
God clearly states that whoever believes in Jesus Christ will be saved (v. 16). And the Bible stresses that we have only this earthly life in which to make a choice—there are no second chances after death.
So if you would like to be sure of your salvation, you can do so by inviting Jesus to be your personal Savior today. God, who wants you to spend eternity with Him, offers compelling reasons to make this all-important decision: "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but the wrath of God abides on him who does not obey Christ" (v. 36).
The possibility of a second chance is seductive, but do not be fooled. There are no more chances to be saved after death. The free gift of salvation is available only in this life—and only through Jesus (14:6). Receive the Savior now, and you never have to wonder what awaits you in eternity.

Goodness of Repentance.


Acts 26

Paul is given an audience with King Agrippa.

INSIGHT

To repent means to turn around, to go in the opposite direction, or to think opposite thoughts. If you have not received Christ, you must repent to do so. In his defense before King Agrippa and Festus, Paul says he preaches to everyone that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance (v. 20). One cannot repent without changing. Repentance toward Christ brings new birth and the power to change. Have you repented and turned to God?

PRAYER

Praise the Lord for His patience and love:
I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart;
I will tell of all Your marvelous works.
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
(Psalm 9:1-2)

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy. (Psalm 33:1-3)

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Lord, I hope for Your salvation,
And I do Your commandments.
My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.
I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are before You. (Psalm 119:166-168)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • Power to become more Christ-like
  • Your activities for the day
  • Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
The Lord is righteous,
He loves righteousness;
His countenance beholds the upright. (Psalm 11:7)

Never Alone


Never Alone


God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (New International Version)
     In a book entitled “Never to Leave Us Alone: The Prayer Life of Martin Luther King Jr.,” award-winning historian Lewis Baldwin discloses the key to Dr. King’s strength of spirit in the face of seemingly insurmountable opposition. Through Martin Luther King Jr.’s persistent prayer life he was able to bear the burden of leadership. In prayer, he was able to experience the Divine companionship that enabled him to persevere. It was only in private prayer and meditation that Dr. King received his own spiritual fulfillment. The author details how he would steal away to a retreat of self-imposed isolation to wrestle with his own feelings of loneliness, pour out his heart to God, and emerge renewed, reinvigorated, strengthened, and sustained. During those times of prayer he received guidance, direction, courage, and learned discipline. It was also a time of humility and intercession for all of God’s children under oppression.
     Prayer is a lifestyle of utter dependence on God. Prayer is an expression to God that without You I can do nothing! It is a surrendering of self in order to be one with God. I can only imagine the feelings of isolation experienced by great men and women of God who dare to step out and be agents of change. But there is a promise in the Word of God today that God will NEVER leave you alone. He will NEVER forsake you.
     Hosea 6:3 (NLT) Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” May we all commit to spend uninterrupted time with God in prayer each day. For it is only in the face of the Sovereign Lord that He can restore us.

Thursday, September 15, 2011

The Riches of God's Grace


The Riches of God's Grace
Ephesians 1:1-14
Do you think of yourself as rich? No matter how much money you have, if you're a believer in Jesus, you're extremely wealthy because God has lavished the riches of His grace upon you. At the moment of salvation, He deposited into your account "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (v. 3). Why, then, do so many believers live in spiritual poverty?
1. Ignorance. Some Christians don't know about this unlimited spiritual "bank account," and, therefore, they never draw upon it.
2. Confusion. Too many believers just don't know how to access the treasures of God's grace. As a result, they worry and complain about their needs and problems or in desperation come to the Lord begging and pleading for help, never realizing His abundant supply has already been deposited into their account.
3. Competing Interests. Distraction by things of this world may be the most common reason. Christians in this category focus on possessions, pressing responsibilities, and advancement but lack interest in God's spiritual blessings.
The riches of God's grace supersede any earthly wealth. They give the peace and contentment that money can never buy, and their benefits reach all the way into eternity.
The only way to access God's spiritual riches is by faith. We don't have to beg or persuade the Lord to give what He has already made available to us. Instead, we simply choose to believe that we are who He says we are and can do what He has called us to accomplish.

God's Ways Are Not Our Ways.


Acts 25

Felix vacates his office without resolving Paul's status.

INSIGHT

How strangely God fulfills His own word: "So you must also bear witness at Rome" (Acts 23:11). Paul knows he will have to go to Rome, but he doesn't expect to go under Roman guard and at Rome's expense. After two years the Jews still thirst for his blood! Had he been transferred to Jerusalem, his life would have been imperiled. However, God had called him to preach the Gospel in Rome. Through these circumstances, Paul is transferred.

PRAYER

Let's praise God for His wonderful ways:
Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplications!
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart greatly rejoices,
And with my song I will praise Him. (Psalm 28:6-7)

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
They have bowed down and fallen;
But we have risen and stand upright.
Save, Lord!
May the King answer us when we call.
(Psalm 20:7-9)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You are holy,
Enthroned in the praises of Israel.
Our fathers trusted in You;
They trusted, and You delivered them.
They cried to You, and were delivered;
They trusted in You, and were not ashamed.
(Psalm 22:3-5)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
  • Careful speech
  • Troubling current events
  • Whatever else is on your heart
Finally, close with this prayer to the Lord:
I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will praise You.
You who fear the Lord, praise Him!
All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him,
And fear Him, all you offspring of Israel!
For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted;
Nor has He hidden His face from Him;
But when He cried to Him, He heard. (Psalm 22:22-24)

Divine Enablement




“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 New Living Translation
     In September 1857, at the North Dutch Reform Church on Fulton Street in New York City, there began what is now known as The Prayer Revival of 1857. However, unlike other revivals, this awakening had no well-known preacher at the center. In fact, it is sometimes called the “Layman’s Revival.” God raised up an ordinary businessman named Jeremiah Lanphier to call a noon-day prayer meeting at his church. He felt a burden to have those working in this business area of New York to come during their lunch time and pray and intercede.
     The first meeting started September 23, 1857. It started small; only a handful of people showed up at the end of the prayer hour. But within a short period of time the meeting grew and expanded throughout New York. Soon every auditorium in New York City was being used at noon every day for prayer. In fact, these prayer meetings were extended throughout the entire day with New York City churches crowded with people crying out to God.
     These meetings were inter-denominational, and evangelistic. People were described as being drawn by the Holy Spirit feeling compelled to pray. Not only Believers, but non-Christians were coming and actually being converted at the prayer meetings. The city, and the nation, began to seek God. The most important person at the meetings was not Jeremiah, but the Person and the work of the Holy Spirit! Prayer was the catalyst for this great revival.
     No situation is beyond God’s power to redeem. Jesus said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20).  Then He continued in verse 21, “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things that the glory may be His alone. But ordinary people don’t live on the mountain-top. Ordinary people experience struggles, confusion, and setbacks. Just remember whenever you experience a setback, the greatest Revivalist in history – the Holy Spirit, is in you. Turn to God, and let prayer be the catalyst to your comeback. The change in you may just be the beginning of the change around you!