BIBLE MEDITATION:
Genesis 1:1 - “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
An eloquent preacher said, “God stepped from behind the curtain of nowhere and stood upon the platform of nothing and spoke a world into existence.” God is the creator of all that your hand can touch, your eye can see, your ears can hear, and your nose can smell. If you see a watch, I hope you assume there’s a watchmaker. And if you see the precise atomic flux of the universe, I hope you don’t believe that happened by chance. The evolutionists believe that if you take billions of years, if you add time plus chance, you can turn frogs into princes. In school they call that fairy tales. In the laboratory they call it science.
ACTION POINT:
God spoke your life into existence. His Word sustains your breath. His Word can silence your breath. Thank Him for your life today!
Showing posts with label N.F.L.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label N.F.L.. Show all posts
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Who's righteousness do you have ?
Romans 4:6 - “Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
God imputes righteousness to you through His Son. What does “impute” mean? It means “to put on your account.” At the moment you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God makes you righteous. Romans 4:8 says, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” A woman was asked one day what it felt like to be saved, and she replied, “It feels as though I’m standing in Jesus’ shoes and He is standing in mine.” A scholar or theologian couldn’t have said it any better. “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
ACTION POINT:
If you’re saved, thank God that though you are a sinner, He doesn’t impute it to you, and though you are not righteous, He does impute that to you!
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
God imputes righteousness to you through His Son. What does “impute” mean? It means “to put on your account.” At the moment you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God makes you righteous. Romans 4:8 says, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” A woman was asked one day what it felt like to be saved, and she replied, “It feels as though I’m standing in Jesus’ shoes and He is standing in mine.” A scholar or theologian couldn’t have said it any better. “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
ACTION POINT:
If you’re saved, thank God that though you are a sinner, He doesn’t impute it to you, and though you are not righteous, He does impute that to you!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Sticks and stones do hurt......but we must continue on.
Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
Luke 4:30
Recommended Reading
Luke 4:20-30
When Yogi Berra started playing in the major leagues, he was subjected to cruel criticism and cutting remarks. Fans and foes called him a Neanderthal man or an ape because of his odd looks and awkward style. An umpire inducted him into the "All Ugly" club. He was compared to a gorilla in flannels. He later wrote, "As the razzes kept coming, I just tried to ignore or play along.... Some of the opposing players would hang from the top of the dugout, like an ape in a jungle. I'd just brush that stuff off and tell anyone it didn't matter if you're ugly in this racket, because all you've got to do is hit the ball and I never saw anybody hit one with his face."1
Jesus was violently criticized after His sermon in Nazareth, but passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
When criticized, we must ask ourselves if the criticism is true. If so, we should change our behavior and learn from the rebuke. If it's not, brush that stuff off, trust God with your reputation, and go your way.
When you throw mud at someone, you're the one who is losing ground.
Anonymous
1Yogi Berra, Ten Rings (NY: Perennial Currents, 2003), 26.
Luke 4:30
Recommended Reading
Luke 4:20-30
When Yogi Berra started playing in the major leagues, he was subjected to cruel criticism and cutting remarks. Fans and foes called him a Neanderthal man or an ape because of his odd looks and awkward style. An umpire inducted him into the "All Ugly" club. He was compared to a gorilla in flannels. He later wrote, "As the razzes kept coming, I just tried to ignore or play along.... Some of the opposing players would hang from the top of the dugout, like an ape in a jungle. I'd just brush that stuff off and tell anyone it didn't matter if you're ugly in this racket, because all you've got to do is hit the ball and I never saw anybody hit one with his face."1
Jesus was violently criticized after His sermon in Nazareth, but passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
When criticized, we must ask ourselves if the criticism is true. If so, we should change our behavior and learn from the rebuke. If it's not, brush that stuff off, trust God with your reputation, and go your way.
When you throw mud at someone, you're the one who is losing ground.
Anonymous
1Yogi Berra, Ten Rings (NY: Perennial Currents, 2003), 26.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Kings and Kingdoms: David
"For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption."
Acts 13:36
Recommended Reading
2 Samuel 7:8-9
It's human nature for us to focus, most of the time, on the wrong thing. If we're not regretting the past (wrong), we're worrying about the future (also wrong)--"wrong" in the sense that they divert our attention from the one thing that is most important: the present. Our focus should be on discerning and obeying God's will for us today rather than how we wish the past or the future might be different.
King David was, in the eyes of those who came after him, a man who recognized what God had called him to do during his lifetime: the two most important were being the king of Israel and building God a "house" (the temple, completed by David's son, Solomon). David's focus was on serving "his own generation" according to the will of God (Acts 13:36). And that's what we should do as well. The past is irretrievable and unchangeable. The future we can plan for but cannot control. The present, however, is what God has given us today.
Like David, our focus should be on God's will for today. The more each "today" is lived obediently, the fewer regrets about the past we will have in the future.
To obey God's will is to find the fulfillment of our lives.
Acts 13:36
Recommended Reading
2 Samuel 7:8-9
It's human nature for us to focus, most of the time, on the wrong thing. If we're not regretting the past (wrong), we're worrying about the future (also wrong)--"wrong" in the sense that they divert our attention from the one thing that is most important: the present. Our focus should be on discerning and obeying God's will for us today rather than how we wish the past or the future might be different.
King David was, in the eyes of those who came after him, a man who recognized what God had called him to do during his lifetime: the two most important were being the king of Israel and building God a "house" (the temple, completed by David's son, Solomon). David's focus was on serving "his own generation" according to the will of God (Acts 13:36). And that's what we should do as well. The past is irretrievable and unchangeable. The future we can plan for but cannot control. The present, however, is what God has given us today.
Like David, our focus should be on God's will for today. The more each "today" is lived obediently, the fewer regrets about the past we will have in the future.
To obey God's will is to find the fulfillment of our lives.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Seek the Kingdom of God first...
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Matthew 6:33 - “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you know what the problem with many of us is? Our faith is something tacked onto our lives. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters…” (Matthew 6:24). Do you believe that? You are to have but one goal in your life, and that is to know Jesus Christ personally, powerfully, passionately, and preeminently. Everything else will flow out of that. You say, “But wait a minute. I’ve got other things to do! I’ve got a job. I’ve got to rest. I’ve got to have recreation. I’ve got to have friends. I can’t just narrow my interests to one.” When you bring your life into a burning focus, all of these other things will contribute to the main thing.
ACTION POINT:
What is the burning focus of your life? Make it Jesus and you’ve made it!
Matthew 6:33 - “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you know what the problem with many of us is? Our faith is something tacked onto our lives. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters…” (Matthew 6:24). Do you believe that? You are to have but one goal in your life, and that is to know Jesus Christ personally, powerfully, passionately, and preeminently. Everything else will flow out of that. You say, “But wait a minute. I’ve got other things to do! I’ve got a job. I’ve got to rest. I’ve got to have recreation. I’ve got to have friends. I can’t just narrow my interests to one.” When you bring your life into a burning focus, all of these other things will contribute to the main thing.
ACTION POINT:
What is the burning focus of your life? Make it Jesus and you’ve made it!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Do you have piece with God ?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Romans 5:1 - “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
It’s faith that enables us to live the Christian life. In order to know what faith is, let me tell you what faith is not. Faith is not a hunch. Nor is it positive thinking. Faith is not responding to emotions, feelings, or icicles up and down your spine or miracles, signs and wonders. Faith is not believing that God can do something. Faith is knowing that God will. Faith is taking God at His word. Real faith dies to doubt. It is dumb to discouragement. It is blind to impossibilities. Now this is the kind of faith we need.
ACTION POINT:
What kind of faith do you have? Do you have the faith that is small as a mustard seed, but can move a mountain? Ask God for it today.
Romans 5:1 - “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
It’s faith that enables us to live the Christian life. In order to know what faith is, let me tell you what faith is not. Faith is not a hunch. Nor is it positive thinking. Faith is not responding to emotions, feelings, or icicles up and down your spine or miracles, signs and wonders. Faith is not believing that God can do something. Faith is knowing that God will. Faith is taking God at His word. Real faith dies to doubt. It is dumb to discouragement. It is blind to impossibilities. Now this is the kind of faith we need.
ACTION POINT:
What kind of faith do you have? Do you have the faith that is small as a mustard seed, but can move a mountain? Ask God for it today.
Are you forgiven ?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Romans 4:7 - “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There was a king who asked slaves on a ship, “Why are you in chains?” One replied, “I don’t know. I was in a crowd when a crime was committed. I am innocent.” He asked another who said, “I am not guilty, but am a victim of false witnesses.” The king proceeded to ask each man the same question and each had a reason why he was innocent. That is, until one man responded, “I am here because I deserve to be here. I have sinned against my God and against my king. And now I am paying the penalty.” The king stepped back and said, “What are you doing here among so many honest men? Guards, release him!”
ACTION POINT:
Not until we admit our sin are we going to know the mercy and the forgiveness of the King. Bow before Him today and admit you are lost without Him.
Romans 4:7 - “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There was a king who asked slaves on a ship, “Why are you in chains?” One replied, “I don’t know. I was in a crowd when a crime was committed. I am innocent.” He asked another who said, “I am not guilty, but am a victim of false witnesses.” The king proceeded to ask each man the same question and each had a reason why he was innocent. That is, until one man responded, “I am here because I deserve to be here. I have sinned against my God and against my king. And now I am paying the penalty.” The king stepped back and said, “What are you doing here among so many honest men? Guards, release him!”
ACTION POINT:
Not until we admit our sin are we going to know the mercy and the forgiveness of the King. Bow before Him today and admit you are lost without Him.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
What would you do ?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
1 Peter 3:15 - “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Sometimes during an interview, a reporter may ask me, “Do you think a Jew without Jesus is lost?” If I say, “Yes,” then I will look like a racist or a bigot. If I say, “No,” then, I have dishonored the Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for the sins of all people. So how do I answer? I say, “Friend, I believe that one of my own children without Jesus would be lost. It doesn’t matter whether he’s a Jew or a Gentile. You see, God demands absolute perfection and none of us can provide it. That’s why we need the gospel. We need Jesus. We need the righteousness of God that comes by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
ACTION POINT:
What would you say if someone asked you that question? Ask the Lord to prepare you.
1 Peter 3:15 - “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Sometimes during an interview, a reporter may ask me, “Do you think a Jew without Jesus is lost?” If I say, “Yes,” then I will look like a racist or a bigot. If I say, “No,” then, I have dishonored the Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for the sins of all people. So how do I answer? I say, “Friend, I believe that one of my own children without Jesus would be lost. It doesn’t matter whether he’s a Jew or a Gentile. You see, God demands absolute perfection and none of us can provide it. That’s why we need the gospel. We need Jesus. We need the righteousness of God that comes by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
ACTION POINT:
What would you say if someone asked you that question? Ask the Lord to prepare you.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Are you ashamed of the Gospel ???
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Romans 1:16 - “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Are you ashamed to put a Bible on your desk at work? Are you ashamed to bow your head in the cafeteria? Are you ashamed to invite people to Jesus Christ? Are you ashamed of the One who died for you? A little boy had a dog, and somebody asked him what kind of dog he was. He was just a mongrel, but the little fellow said, “Well, he’s a police dog.” The friend said, “He doesn’t look like a police dog.” The little guy replied, “He’s in the secret service.” I’m afraid that there are many of us who are in the secret service. We ought to be open and bold for the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
ACTION POINT:
Ask God to lead you out in strength and boldness today to live for Him and proclaim His love to others.
Romans 1:16 - “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Are you ashamed to put a Bible on your desk at work? Are you ashamed to bow your head in the cafeteria? Are you ashamed to invite people to Jesus Christ? Are you ashamed of the One who died for you? A little boy had a dog, and somebody asked him what kind of dog he was. He was just a mongrel, but the little fellow said, “Well, he’s a police dog.” The friend said, “He doesn’t look like a police dog.” The little guy replied, “He’s in the secret service.” I’m afraid that there are many of us who are in the secret service. We ought to be open and bold for the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
ACTION POINT:
Ask God to lead you out in strength and boldness today to live for Him and proclaim His love to others.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Righteousness....
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Romans 6:19 - “...now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
After a splendid victory at sea, Lord Nelson confronted the French admiral who was surrendering. The admiral, dressed in all of his regalia, approached Nelson to surrender. With his sword swinging by his side, the admiral put out his hand to the British commander. Lord Nelson stepped back and said, “Your sword first.” There are a lot of people who think they can walk up and glad-hand the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “Your sword first.” Surrender first! Jesus is not an appeaser, and He will never make a truce with sin. Never! We have to abdicate the throne. We have to surrender to Him.
ACTION POINT:
Read Romans 6. Count the number of times the word “yield” is written. What does Paul want us to yield?
Romans 6:19 - “...now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
After a splendid victory at sea, Lord Nelson confronted the French admiral who was surrendering. The admiral, dressed in all of his regalia, approached Nelson to surrender. With his sword swinging by his side, the admiral put out his hand to the British commander. Lord Nelson stepped back and said, “Your sword first.” There are a lot of people who think they can walk up and glad-hand the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “Your sword first.” Surrender first! Jesus is not an appeaser, and He will never make a truce with sin. Never! We have to abdicate the throne. We have to surrender to Him.
ACTION POINT:
Read Romans 6. Count the number of times the word “yield” is written. What does Paul want us to yield?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
This world is not our home......
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Colossians 3:1 - “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
First Peter 2:11 says that we are aliens and strangers in this world. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. We are twice-born in a world of once-born people, and we’re going to find ourselves going against the tide most of the time. It’s like a deep sea diver who is underwater and outside his natural environment. He could not live if he weren’t linked to his life supply above. That’s the way we need to live. If we are to survive, we must stay linked to Jesus who is our life. The Bible says we’re not to set our affections on things beneath, but on things above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of the Father. (Colossians 3:1)
ACTION POINT:
It’s time to check your lifeline...are you trusting in anything in this world? Are you making friends with the things of this world?
Colossians 3:1 - “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
First Peter 2:11 says that we are aliens and strangers in this world. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. We are twice-born in a world of once-born people, and we’re going to find ourselves going against the tide most of the time. It’s like a deep sea diver who is underwater and outside his natural environment. He could not live if he weren’t linked to his life supply above. That’s the way we need to live. If we are to survive, we must stay linked to Jesus who is our life. The Bible says we’re not to set our affections on things beneath, but on things above where Christ sitteth at the right hand of the Father. (Colossians 3:1)
ACTION POINT:
It’s time to check your lifeline...are you trusting in anything in this world? Are you making friends with the things of this world?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
How does God reconcile us to Him ?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Ephesians 2:16 - “And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Up in heaven is the holy God; down below is the sinful man. And sin is the dividing rod that separates. Man has an empty void, so man is constantly trying to reach God. But he keeps rebounding off the sin barrier. Then God, moved in mercy by the pitiful plight of sinful man, said, “I will do something.” God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to make a way. And upon the rough hewn timbers of a cross, Jesus gave His life so you and I could live forever and live forgiven. Jesus built a bridge between man and God. It’s a bridge man could never build and a bridge that man can never take away. God made a way that we couldn’t make — for you and for me.
ACTION POINT:
Since Jesus built a bridge of love for you to be reconciled to God, it’s your turn to build a bridge of love to someone who is lost and searching.
Ephesians 2:16 - “And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Up in heaven is the holy God; down below is the sinful man. And sin is the dividing rod that separates. Man has an empty void, so man is constantly trying to reach God. But he keeps rebounding off the sin barrier. Then God, moved in mercy by the pitiful plight of sinful man, said, “I will do something.” God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to make a way. And upon the rough hewn timbers of a cross, Jesus gave His life so you and I could live forever and live forgiven. Jesus built a bridge between man and God. It’s a bridge man could never build and a bridge that man can never take away. God made a way that we couldn’t make — for you and for me.
ACTION POINT:
Since Jesus built a bridge of love for you to be reconciled to God, it’s your turn to build a bridge of love to someone who is lost and searching.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
How can we show the love of Christ ?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Luke 6:35 - “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I’ve seen bumper stickers that exhort us to “show random acts of kindness.” I think that’s a good thing. And what is kindness? It’s love in the little things. A woman came down the aisle of a church to give her heart to Christ, and the preacher wanted to know what had impacted her life for Christ. She said, “You did.” The pastor said, “Well, I’d be interested to know what it was that I said that brought you to Christ.” She said, “It was nothing you said. It was something you did. I was standing nearby when somebody criticized you very unfairly. I saw the kindness with which you responded, and I knew that your faith was real.”
ACTION POINT:
What random act of kindness can you do today that will demonstrate that your faith is real?
Luke 6:35 - “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I’ve seen bumper stickers that exhort us to “show random acts of kindness.” I think that’s a good thing. And what is kindness? It’s love in the little things. A woman came down the aisle of a church to give her heart to Christ, and the preacher wanted to know what had impacted her life for Christ. She said, “You did.” The pastor said, “Well, I’d be interested to know what it was that I said that brought you to Christ.” She said, “It was nothing you said. It was something you did. I was standing nearby when somebody criticized you very unfairly. I saw the kindness with which you responded, and I knew that your faith was real.”
ACTION POINT:
What random act of kindness can you do today that will demonstrate that your faith is real?
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Should we show the lovingkindness of God in our lives ?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Isaiah 63:7 - “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
One time a man came into a village and asked an old man living there, “Any great men born here?” The old man said, “No, just babies.” Great men are not born; great men are made, investing in the lives of others, sharing God’s love, and showing His mercies. There is not a magic formula that instantly makes us sanctified. Sanctification is a process. Our calling is to be poured out into the lives of others for His glory.
ACTION POINT:
How can you show His mercies to a lost co-worker or neighbor today? Pray about it and then watch for how God provides!
Isaiah 63:7 - “I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
One time a man came into a village and asked an old man living there, “Any great men born here?” The old man said, “No, just babies.” Great men are not born; great men are made, investing in the lives of others, sharing God’s love, and showing His mercies. There is not a magic formula that instantly makes us sanctified. Sanctification is a process. Our calling is to be poured out into the lives of others for His glory.
ACTION POINT:
How can you show His mercies to a lost co-worker or neighbor today? Pray about it and then watch for how God provides!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Are you robbing God ??
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Malachi 3:10 - “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
You can say all you want about getting right with God, but if you don’t get right with God in your finances, you are not right with God. The kind of repentance that does not reach the bank account has never reached the heart. In Malachi 3:7, God says, “Return unto me, and I will return unto you.” And the people said, “Wherein shall we return?” God’s answer in verse 8 reveals that they were to return in tithes and offerings. The point of return is the point of departure. If you’re going to come back to God and if you’re going to renew your fellowship, you’re going to have to begin with the tithe.
ACTION POINT:
It’s time to put the good book to the checkbook! How are you doing in the area of your tithes and offerings to the Lord?
Malachi 3:10 - “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
You can say all you want about getting right with God, but if you don’t get right with God in your finances, you are not right with God. The kind of repentance that does not reach the bank account has never reached the heart. In Malachi 3:7, God says, “Return unto me, and I will return unto you.” And the people said, “Wherein shall we return?” God’s answer in verse 8 reveals that they were to return in tithes and offerings. The point of return is the point of departure. If you’re going to come back to God and if you’re going to renew your fellowship, you’re going to have to begin with the tithe.
ACTION POINT:
It’s time to put the good book to the checkbook! How are you doing in the area of your tithes and offerings to the Lord?
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Pray for real preachers...
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Matthew 10:34 - “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A pulpit committee approached me one time and said, “We need a pastor for our church.” I said, “I know just the guy. He is a fantastic preacher and has a fiery evangelistic spirit, but he has health problems and he’s kind of old.” I continued, “He’s also been in jail several times.” They began to shake their heads, and one said, “Well, we don’t know whether he’s the man we want or not.” I said, “Well, don’t worry; you couldn’t get him. He’s already in heaven, and his name is Paul.” You don’t want a guy who can rub shoulders with the people of this world and not rub any salt in their wounds. Where there is no offense, there is no effect.
ACTION POINT:
Pray for the men who occupy the pulpits in our churches that they would not water down the truth of God’s Word, but be strong to proclaim its power.
Matthew 10:34 - “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A pulpit committee approached me one time and said, “We need a pastor for our church.” I said, “I know just the guy. He is a fantastic preacher and has a fiery evangelistic spirit, but he has health problems and he’s kind of old.” I continued, “He’s also been in jail several times.” They began to shake their heads, and one said, “Well, we don’t know whether he’s the man we want or not.” I said, “Well, don’t worry; you couldn’t get him. He’s already in heaven, and his name is Paul.” You don’t want a guy who can rub shoulders with the people of this world and not rub any salt in their wounds. Where there is no offense, there is no effect.
ACTION POINT:
Pray for the men who occupy the pulpits in our churches that they would not water down the truth of God’s Word, but be strong to proclaim its power.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Does God still answer prayers ?
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Jeremiah 33:3 - “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I read about some children in a Sunday School class who wrote a missionary to let him know that they were praying for him. The teacher of the class said, “Now children, the missionary is a very busy person, so don’t expect him to write you back.” One little girl’s letter read, “Dear Brother Brown, We’re praying for you. We don’t expect an answer.” Sadly, this is how we pray! We don’t really expect an answer. But God has promised He will answer us when we call upon His name. Psalm 91:15 says, “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.”
ACTION POINT:
What are you praying for today? Do you believe that God can answer? Do you believe that He will answer? Thank Him now for answering.
Jeremiah 33:3 - “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I read about some children in a Sunday School class who wrote a missionary to let him know that they were praying for him. The teacher of the class said, “Now children, the missionary is a very busy person, so don’t expect him to write you back.” One little girl’s letter read, “Dear Brother Brown, We’re praying for you. We don’t expect an answer.” Sadly, this is how we pray! We don’t really expect an answer. But God has promised He will answer us when we call upon His name. Psalm 91:15 says, “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.”
ACTION POINT:
What are you praying for today? Do you believe that God can answer? Do you believe that He will answer? Thank Him now for answering.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Where do you stand ??
BIBLE MEDITATION:
Isaiah 5:20 - “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
People can become so warped in their thinking that they don’t know the difference between right and wrong. I was listening to the radio one morning, and they were talking about what scientists want to do with the tissue of aborted babies. They said that some women are thinking about having babies, aborting them, then selling the tissue for research. The scientific community is promoting this propaganda because of the good they say the research will have on the whole of humanity! But what about the whole of humanity that begins in the womb? People today will play enough tricks on their minds that they will literally approve evil with a good conscience.
ACTION POINT:
Where do you stand on this issue? What is right and what is wrong? Take some time this morning to read Psalm 139 and ask God to show you His truth.
Isaiah 5:20 - “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
People can become so warped in their thinking that they don’t know the difference between right and wrong. I was listening to the radio one morning, and they were talking about what scientists want to do with the tissue of aborted babies. They said that some women are thinking about having babies, aborting them, then selling the tissue for research. The scientific community is promoting this propaganda because of the good they say the research will have on the whole of humanity! But what about the whole of humanity that begins in the womb? People today will play enough tricks on their minds that they will literally approve evil with a good conscience.
ACTION POINT:
Where do you stand on this issue? What is right and what is wrong? Take some time this morning to read Psalm 139 and ask God to show you His truth.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Are you Saved ???
BIBLE MEDITATION:
John 21:12a - “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Is Satan whispering that God is not for you in your daily battles? Is he whispering lies that God is going to erase your name from the Book of Life for something you’ve done, yet repented over? Satan never had it so wrong! And Jesus never had it so right! Salvation in Christ is not a funeral, but a feast! The Bible is a continual feast from Genesis right through to Revelation. Covenant meals and meals of fellowship are frequent occurrences in Scripture. Our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, has given many examples of His open invitation to be replenished and restored, to remember, and to rejoice at His table.
ACTION POINT:
Call your family together and celebrate the Lord’s Supper this week as a family...remembering the powerful promise of His resurrection, replenishment, and restoration.
John 21:12a - “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Is Satan whispering that God is not for you in your daily battles? Is he whispering lies that God is going to erase your name from the Book of Life for something you’ve done, yet repented over? Satan never had it so wrong! And Jesus never had it so right! Salvation in Christ is not a funeral, but a feast! The Bible is a continual feast from Genesis right through to Revelation. Covenant meals and meals of fellowship are frequent occurrences in Scripture. Our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, has given many examples of His open invitation to be replenished and restored, to remember, and to rejoice at His table.
ACTION POINT:
Call your family together and celebrate the Lord’s Supper this week as a family...remembering the powerful promise of His resurrection, replenishment, and restoration.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Grace
BIBLE MEDITATION:
2 Corinthians 9:8 - “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The devil wants you to live your life from an empty cup. He wants you to think that God’s cup of grace has dried up for you. He wants you to be disenchanted with God. Most especially, he wants you to feel that God is a cosmic killjoy…that God is always thinking of ways to rob you of joy and peace. Satan knows that if you start to feel negatively about God, then he can have his way with you in other areas. Take courage. Be strong. Jesus has won the victory for you! Send those lies back to the pit where they came from and claim the promises of God.
ACTION POINT:
Wish someone the peace and joy of the Lord today.
2 Corinthians 9:8 - “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The devil wants you to live your life from an empty cup. He wants you to think that God’s cup of grace has dried up for you. He wants you to be disenchanted with God. Most especially, he wants you to feel that God is a cosmic killjoy…that God is always thinking of ways to rob you of joy and peace. Satan knows that if you start to feel negatively about God, then he can have his way with you in other areas. Take courage. Be strong. Jesus has won the victory for you! Send those lies back to the pit where they came from and claim the promises of God.
ACTION POINT:
Wish someone the peace and joy of the Lord today.
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