When Jesus asked a question, it was not because He didn't know the answer. You can be sure He was making a point.
Jesus and His disciples were in Caesarea Philippi, away from their own territory. It was a place of idolatry and oppression - a threatening place both politically and spiritually. In this environment, Jesus posed 2 important questions about the perception of His identity. He wasn't interested in His popularity rating. He wanted His followers to be sure about the One they were following.
Today, our culture is just as hostile and opposed to Jesus as when He first asked the question: "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" (Matt.16:13). As in Jesus' day, people offer a long list of inadequate and incorrect ideas about Jesus, ranging from "just a good teacher"all the way to "divisive" and "intolerant."
The real question was and continues to be: "Who do you say that I am?" (16:15). Peter boldly declared, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (v. 16). Jesus said that Peter's accurate confession was a God-given insight and that he was blessed because of his declaration (v.17).
Join Peter in confessing that Jesus is your Savior. Your life will be bolstered and blessed. (DB)
Thought: Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God! (1 John 5:1)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Enslavement to Sin
Almost anyone who has even been physically addicted to something will tell you that it all began with a small, innocent step-just one taste or one little moment of exposure. Then the experience gradually took over his mind and desires and body, until the addiction absorbed his attention day and night without relenting.
Maybe this was your experience or perhaps still is. And physical addiction isn't the only kind of consuming entrapment; any kind of sin or wrong desire can lead to emotional and spiritual enslavement. What is so devastating about bondage to sin is that it progresses slowly at first, allowing you the luxury to rationalize and justify what you perceive as your growing need. By the time you understand what is occurring, your problem has progressed to a serious condition - probably fatal!
King David experienced this process in his life in his sin with Bathsheba, a transgression that began when he first saw her bathing on her rooftop (2 Samuel 11). When he realized how far he had gone, he immediately repented, confessed his sin to God, and experienced God's grace anew. David had an advanced understanding on how sin operate. (CS)
He prayed: "Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man, that i may keep You precepts."
(Psalm 119:133-134)
Maybe this was your experience or perhaps still is. And physical addiction isn't the only kind of consuming entrapment; any kind of sin or wrong desire can lead to emotional and spiritual enslavement. What is so devastating about bondage to sin is that it progresses slowly at first, allowing you the luxury to rationalize and justify what you perceive as your growing need. By the time you understand what is occurring, your problem has progressed to a serious condition - probably fatal!
King David experienced this process in his life in his sin with Bathsheba, a transgression that began when he first saw her bathing on her rooftop (2 Samuel 11). When he realized how far he had gone, he immediately repented, confessed his sin to God, and experienced God's grace anew. David had an advanced understanding on how sin operate. (CS)
He prayed: "Direct my steps by Your Word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of man, that i may keep You precepts."
(Psalm 119:133-134)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
He Would Not Go In
Some theologians divide transgressions into "sins of the flesh" and "sins of the spirit." This means that some sins originate in our physical passions; others come from our "heart or disposition. In the story of the prodigal sons, the elder brother's attitude gives us an example of the latter.
We're inclined to single out the prodigal son as worse than his brother. But it's worth noting that when the story ends, the prodigal is restored, forgiven, and full of joy, while the elder brother stands outside and refuses to go in.
The stay-at-home son is more than background filler. He makes us think about the state of our heart, for sour moods create untold misery.
Discontent, jealousy, bitterness, resentment, defensiveness, touchiness, and ingratitude are the dispositions that ruin our marriages, with our children, alienate our friends, and embitter every life - including our own.
It's easy to defend our bad moods and to slide into deception and hypocrisy. But we must guard our hearts against such destructive attitudes. When they arise, we need to confess them, let them go, and experience God's forgiveness.
Don't let your bad attitude cause you to lose out while others enter into joy. (DB)
Resentment comes from looking at others; contentment comes from loking at God!
We're inclined to single out the prodigal son as worse than his brother. But it's worth noting that when the story ends, the prodigal is restored, forgiven, and full of joy, while the elder brother stands outside and refuses to go in.
The stay-at-home son is more than background filler. He makes us think about the state of our heart, for sour moods create untold misery.
Discontent, jealousy, bitterness, resentment, defensiveness, touchiness, and ingratitude are the dispositions that ruin our marriages, with our children, alienate our friends, and embitter every life - including our own.
It's easy to defend our bad moods and to slide into deception and hypocrisy. But we must guard our hearts against such destructive attitudes. When they arise, we need to confess them, let them go, and experience God's forgiveness.
Don't let your bad attitude cause you to lose out while others enter into joy. (DB)
Resentment comes from looking at others; contentment comes from loking at God!
Friday, August 28, 2009
Changing the World
It's a full-time job trying to get people to change. Oh, what a perfect world it would be - if only other people would do what we want!
Jesus told a parable about the problem of not seeing our own faults. He said, "How can you say to your brother, "Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye" (Luke 6:42)
Being able to see other people's faults easily without ever noticing my own is not just an indication of hypocrisy. It can be a wake-up call that the problem in a struggling relationship may be me. Perhaps it's my attitude that needs to change. Or I'm the one who needs to apologize. Maybe I'm the person who needs a humble spirit.
It's a lesson some of us have to learn over and over. We can't change others, but with God's help we can change our own behavior. And when our attitude changes, it may seem as if others have changed as well. (DB-CHK)
Thought: When God works a change in us, He can change others through us!
Jesus told a parable about the problem of not seeing our own faults. He said, "How can you say to your brother, "Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye" (Luke 6:42)
Being able to see other people's faults easily without ever noticing my own is not just an indication of hypocrisy. It can be a wake-up call that the problem in a struggling relationship may be me. Perhaps it's my attitude that needs to change. Or I'm the one who needs to apologize. Maybe I'm the person who needs a humble spirit.
It's a lesson some of us have to learn over and over. We can't change others, but with God's help we can change our own behavior. And when our attitude changes, it may seem as if others have changed as well. (DB-CHK)
Thought: When God works a change in us, He can change others through us!
Monday, August 24, 2009
We Need God and People
In 2006, while promoting the film Rocky Balboa, Sylvester Stallone surprised Christians with what he revealed. He said that his faith in Jesus Christ had not only influenced the writing of the first Rocky film but that his decision to create the final movie was inspired by his renewed affiliation with Christianity. As part of this transformation, Stallone realized that a poor choice had previously guided his life - self-reliance. He says, "You need to have the expertise and the guidance of someone else."Stallone learned something that many people are beginning to acknowledge - we need God and we need other people.
The Bible confirms our need for God and others. (See Psalms 5:2) And in Ecclesiastes we read that Solomon encouraged a proper reliance on others. In fact, he said helping each other can strengthen us, but individualism and self-reliance are dangerous and make for weakness. Two acting together are better than one self-reliant individual (4:9-12).
God gave us each other. Let's passionately rely on His power and draw from the help of others. (MW)
Please visit www.gty.org
The Bible confirms our need for God and others. (See Psalms 5:2) And in Ecclesiastes we read that Solomon encouraged a proper reliance on others. In fact, he said helping each other can strengthen us, but individualism and self-reliance are dangerous and make for weakness. Two acting together are better than one self-reliant individual (4:9-12).
God gave us each other. Let's passionately rely on His power and draw from the help of others. (MW)
Please visit www.gty.org
Thursday, August 13, 2009
The Great Pandemic
In March 1918, Albert Gitchell, an Army cook at Fort Riley, Kansas, was diagnosed with the flu. Before the year was out, it had spread around the world, killing perhaps as many as 40 million people. This highly contagious virus became a pandemic - a global epidemic (which is now happening again todate.. 2009).Fortunately, the influenza then disappeared mysteriously as it had begun.
Ancient Israel also suffered a devastating plague, but they knew its cause and asked Moses for a cure. They were ungrateful and complained about God's provision of manna. In righteous anger, God sent serpents whose poisonous bite left a lethal wound. He then told Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. All who looked at it were healed (Numbers 21:1-9).
Centuries later, Jesus spoke of this as a symbol of His death on the cross. "Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:14-15)
Have you trusted Jesus to heal your soul? Accept Him now as your Lord and Savior!! (DF)
Thought: Look to Christ today, or you may be lost forever!
Ancient Israel also suffered a devastating plague, but they knew its cause and asked Moses for a cure. They were ungrateful and complained about God's provision of manna. In righteous anger, God sent serpents whose poisonous bite left a lethal wound. He then told Moses to make a bronze serpent and put it on a pole. All who looked at it were healed (Numbers 21:1-9).
Centuries later, Jesus spoke of this as a symbol of His death on the cross. "Even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:14-15)
Have you trusted Jesus to heal your soul? Accept Him now as your Lord and Savior!! (DF)
Thought: Look to Christ today, or you may be lost forever!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Spiritual Passion
WHY does spiritual passion fade so easily? When we first experience God's love, we spend hours thinking about Him, studying His Word, and telling others how much He means to us. Then it happens. Our busy schedules slowly dampen our passion. Our longing for Jesus and our study of His character become an occasional glance. Surely the object of our affection hasn't changed!
The church at Ephesus wrestled with maintaining its spiritual passion. Although He commended this church for their work, Jesus saw that they had abandoned their first love - HIM (Rev. 2:4)
Have you allowed something to steal your passion? If so, it can be restored and maintained when you consistently remember His amazing love demonstrated at Calvary. Repent of your sinful, unloving attitudes, and out of love for Jesus repeat your "first works" (v.5) (DB)
Thought: Devotion to Jesus is the key to spiritual passion!
The church at Ephesus wrestled with maintaining its spiritual passion. Although He commended this church for their work, Jesus saw that they had abandoned their first love - HIM (Rev. 2:4)
Have you allowed something to steal your passion? If so, it can be restored and maintained when you consistently remember His amazing love demonstrated at Calvary. Repent of your sinful, unloving attitudes, and out of love for Jesus repeat your "first works" (v.5) (DB)
Thought: Devotion to Jesus is the key to spiritual passion!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
A Winnable War
In 1860, the USA was embroiled in a bitter civil war - one part of the country pitted against the other. In the 20th century, America fought in wars with and against other nations.
As a believer, you participate in a spiritual battle with consequences that are just as deadly. Understanding the nature of the conflict, however, can greatly alter the outcome.
Here's why: when you received Jesus Christ as Savior, you received a new spirit, and you became a distinctly new person. Your old identity apart from Christ was done away with.
How does that affect your walk with Christ? Tremendously. As a new creature in Christ, you are no longer at war with yourself. It is not a civil war--the old John Doe versus the new John Doe. If that were the case, you would always be at odds with yourself, and that would be frustration at best. Such tensions often leads to a mediocre Christian experience--winning some and losing a lot.
The truth that sets you free is this: the battle you face is partisan -- the new you against the principle and power of sin that still indwell you. This is a winnable war! (CS)
"It is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me." (Romans 7:17)
As a believer, you participate in a spiritual battle with consequences that are just as deadly. Understanding the nature of the conflict, however, can greatly alter the outcome.
Here's why: when you received Jesus Christ as Savior, you received a new spirit, and you became a distinctly new person. Your old identity apart from Christ was done away with.
How does that affect your walk with Christ? Tremendously. As a new creature in Christ, you are no longer at war with yourself. It is not a civil war--the old John Doe versus the new John Doe. If that were the case, you would always be at odds with yourself, and that would be frustration at best. Such tensions often leads to a mediocre Christian experience--winning some and losing a lot.
The truth that sets you free is this: the battle you face is partisan -- the new you against the principle and power of sin that still indwell you. This is a winnable war! (CS)
"It is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me." (Romans 7:17)
Sunday, July 12, 2009
What Money Can't Buy
Money is a necessary part of living. Without it, we couldn't secure the necessities or luxuries of life. But there are many things money can't buy. As preacher W.A.Criswell said, "Money will buy luxuries, but it will not buy spiritual power. Money will buy advancement and preferment, but it will not buy the recognition of God. Money will buy..favor and accolades, but it will not buy soul respect.
We'll never accumulate enough riches to purchase a place in the paradise of God. But there's good news! Salvation can be ours "without money and without price," according to the Book of Isaiah 55:1.
Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? You need only to stretch out your empty hands in childlike faith to the Lord (John 1:12). Cry out to Him and confess your sin. "He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7) DB-VG
"Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6
We'll never accumulate enough riches to purchase a place in the paradise of God. But there's good news! Salvation can be ours "without money and without price," according to the Book of Isaiah 55:1.
Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? You need only to stretch out your empty hands in childlike faith to the Lord (John 1:12). Cry out to Him and confess your sin. "He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7) DB-VG
"Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6
Thursday, May 21, 2009
OMNIPRESENT GOD!
The Lord is a personal God, not limited by time or space, One who inhabits the hearts of all who believe in Him. Therefore, no temple or building can contain His presence because He is eternally present throughout the universe, an omnipresent God!
Have you ever thought that God is with you in all you do and say throughout the day? He is not just present in the morning when you awake. He is with you in the grocery store, in the doctor's office, at work even at play. No matter where you go, God goes with you. Praise Him for His care over your life, for His devotion that never slumbers. (IP)
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your constant care over me. Your devotion never slumbers. You are with me every moment of each day!
Have you ever thought that God is with you in all you do and say throughout the day? He is not just present in the morning when you awake. He is with you in the grocery store, in the doctor's office, at work even at play. No matter where you go, God goes with you. Praise Him for His care over your life, for His devotion that never slumbers. (IP)
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your constant care over me. Your devotion never slumbers. You are with me every moment of each day!
Someone who Cares For You!
Many God's people became frightened and filled with discouragement especially so with the present situation of losing a job, foreclosed houses, unable to enroll their children to school and with so many problems that set in. The victory that was theirs as children of God was lost, and they chose to believe Satan's lie and doubted God's ability to grant them blessings and victory over crises.
God allows obstacles so you can learn to trust Him and praise Him in every circumstance. His goal is not to harm you but to bless you. Don't allows life's obstacles to keep you from enjoying God's plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). God has allowed them for a purpose. Nothing is too hard for God for He cares for You!
Trust Him, and realize that when you feel out of control, He is never shaken. He is sovereign Deliverer, and in Him there is eternal hope for every situation.... so praise Him!
Jeremiah 29:11-12 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you."
God allows obstacles so you can learn to trust Him and praise Him in every circumstance. His goal is not to harm you but to bless you. Don't allows life's obstacles to keep you from enjoying God's plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11). God has allowed them for a purpose. Nothing is too hard for God for He cares for You!
Trust Him, and realize that when you feel out of control, He is never shaken. He is sovereign Deliverer, and in Him there is eternal hope for every situation.... so praise Him!
Jeremiah 29:11-12 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you."
Friday, May 8, 2009
AFFLUENZA
As people in affluent societies stock up on Blackberrys and flat-panel TVs, it's hard to deny the increasing wealth in many parts of the world. You might call it "affluenza." There is anxiety, however, amid so much prosperity. It is the economic "puzzle of our time," said Robert J. Samuelson in the Washington Post. We wonder if this is true because we are attempting to find security in "more stuff" - stuff that is temporary and fleeting.
The Bible calls the pursuit of more stuff "greed." Jesus warned His followers about greed by telling a story about a rich man. The problem with this rich man was not that he had an abundance of bumper crops, or that he decided to build more storage space (Luke 12:16-18). The problem was that he invested his entire life in his possessions (v. 15) He drew his security from his material goods and failed to be "rich toward God" (v. 21) Rejecting the knowledge and precepts of God as the basis for life made him a fool. He was living for the moment while presuming on the future (vv. 19-20).
The "good life" cannot be found in things. Instead of seeking our security by acquiring "more stuff," may we find true satisfaction by investing our resources and our lives in and for God's Kingdom. (MW-DB)
He possessed all the world had to give him,
He had reached every coveted goal;
But, alas, his life was a failure,
For he had forgotten his soul! - Denison
The Bible calls the pursuit of more stuff "greed." Jesus warned His followers about greed by telling a story about a rich man. The problem with this rich man was not that he had an abundance of bumper crops, or that he decided to build more storage space (Luke 12:16-18). The problem was that he invested his entire life in his possessions (v. 15) He drew his security from his material goods and failed to be "rich toward God" (v. 21) Rejecting the knowledge and precepts of God as the basis for life made him a fool. He was living for the moment while presuming on the future (vv. 19-20).
The "good life" cannot be found in things. Instead of seeking our security by acquiring "more stuff," may we find true satisfaction by investing our resources and our lives in and for God's Kingdom. (MW-DB)
He possessed all the world had to give him,
He had reached every coveted goal;
But, alas, his life was a failure,
For he had forgotten his soul! - Denison
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Taking Out the Trash
Just as we need trucks to pick up the garbage that accumulates in our homes, we need to let Jesus remove the "trash" that inevitably accumulates in our hearts. When we forget to take out the trash, it's not a pretty picture. Jesus wants us to dump it regularly at the foot of the cross. In fact, He has promised to remove it and forget it.
Taking out the trash begins with confession, and then counting on Jesus to get rid of it. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)
Prayer: Lord, help me not to cover sin, Those secret wrongs that lurk within;
I now confess them all to You; Transparent I would always be.
Confession is the key that opens the door to forgiveness. (DB)
Taking out the trash begins with confession, and then counting on Jesus to get rid of it. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)
Prayer: Lord, help me not to cover sin, Those secret wrongs that lurk within;
I now confess them all to You; Transparent I would always be.
Confession is the key that opens the door to forgiveness. (DB)
Thursday, April 16, 2009
EL ROI
Many locator devices are on market today that promise to help us keep track of elderly parents, children, pets, wallets even kidnapping victims.
As useful as these gadgets are, they would have done Hagar no good. No one seemed to care enough about Hagar and her unborn child to monitor their well-being in the desert. No one but El Roi - Hebrew for "You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees" (Genesis 16:13)
Hagar served Sarai, Abram's wife. Sarai felt like a weak link in the chain of God's promise to bless Abram with many descendants. She was barren, so she told Abram to sleep with her maidservant and build a family through her. This ill-advised suggestion - born amid intense cultural pressures to provide an heir - led to nothing but trouble. When Hagar became pregnant, she despised Sarai for her inability to have children. Then Sarai treated Hagar so badly that she ran away. There in the desert, feeling the misery of her past and the uncertainly of her future, Hagar met God, who saw her and took care of her.
El Roi sees your past misery, your present pain, your uncertain future. HE is so watchful that HE knows when the smallest sparrow perishes (Matthew 10:29-31) And HE is the GOD who sees and cares for you today. (DB'07)
Keep your eyes on the Lord; He never takes His eyes off you!
As useful as these gadgets are, they would have done Hagar no good. No one seemed to care enough about Hagar and her unborn child to monitor their well-being in the desert. No one but El Roi - Hebrew for "You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees" (Genesis 16:13)
Hagar served Sarai, Abram's wife. Sarai felt like a weak link in the chain of God's promise to bless Abram with many descendants. She was barren, so she told Abram to sleep with her maidservant and build a family through her. This ill-advised suggestion - born amid intense cultural pressures to provide an heir - led to nothing but trouble. When Hagar became pregnant, she despised Sarai for her inability to have children. Then Sarai treated Hagar so badly that she ran away. There in the desert, feeling the misery of her past and the uncertainly of her future, Hagar met God, who saw her and took care of her.
El Roi sees your past misery, your present pain, your uncertain future. HE is so watchful that HE knows when the smallest sparrow perishes (Matthew 10:29-31) And HE is the GOD who sees and cares for you today. (DB'07)
Keep your eyes on the Lord; He never takes His eyes off you!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A Matter of the Heart
The Lord tells us in His Word that when we seek Him, we will find Him (1 Chronicles 28:9; Jeremiah 29:13). But have you ever thought about what is actually involved in seeking God? It is not a matter of just attending church or following a certain religious tradition.
Seeking God is a matter of the heart. This one activity leads you to a cross over being a "churchgoer" to becoming a follower of "the way of Christ." You seek Him, not in a mysterious mythical sense, but through intimate devotion. In your seeking, you thirst after God much like the psalmist who wrote:"As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God" (Ps.42:1) A longing to your seeking ushers you into the presence of God where you experience the fullness of His love and undivided care for your soul.
God desires your love and devotion. By itself, memorizing amounts of Scripture will not draw you closer to Him. What grabs God's heart is the humble, abiding love of someone who seeks Him above everything else. (In Touch Devotional)
Prayer: Give me a heart to seek You above all else, Lord. I want to experience Your presence on an intimate level.
Seeking God is a matter of the heart. This one activity leads you to a cross over being a "churchgoer" to becoming a follower of "the way of Christ." You seek Him, not in a mysterious mythical sense, but through intimate devotion. In your seeking, you thirst after God much like the psalmist who wrote:"As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God" (Ps.42:1) A longing to your seeking ushers you into the presence of God where you experience the fullness of His love and undivided care for your soul.
God desires your love and devotion. By itself, memorizing amounts of Scripture will not draw you closer to Him. What grabs God's heart is the humble, abiding love of someone who seeks Him above everything else. (In Touch Devotional)
Prayer: Give me a heart to seek You above all else, Lord. I want to experience Your presence on an intimate level.
Monday, March 2, 2009
WANTED; SINNERS!
In Luke 15 the Lord tells 3 interrelated stories about a lost sheep, a lost coin, and a lost son. Taken together, they show God's love in seeking to rescue and restore sinners. They also depict man's predicament and what he must do to be saved. Notice that in the account of the lost sheep we see the reason for man's unhappiness - he has wandered away from God. The lost coin graphically portray his useless and helpless condition. And in the story of the prodigal son, we are shown what part of man must play. He must acknowledge his hopeless condition, repent of his sin, and return to the loving Heavenly Father. We see then that only those who admit they are sinners qualify for salvation.
Yes, the Lord Jesus receives every John, Mary, Peter and Paul who will acknowledge their lost condition and come to Him in faith. Remember, you can be "too good" to receive salvation, but never too bad. JESUS WANTS ONLY SINNERS!
Salvation is for only one class of people - SINNERS! (Daily Bread '79)
Yes, the Lord Jesus receives every John, Mary, Peter and Paul who will acknowledge their lost condition and come to Him in faith. Remember, you can be "too good" to receive salvation, but never too bad. JESUS WANTS ONLY SINNERS!
Salvation is for only one class of people - SINNERS! (Daily Bread '79)
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Presumptuous Praying
Many people today think they are praying in faith when in reality they are being presumptuous.
Real praying involves heart searching, confession of sin, and discerning God's will. The Lord may give grace to go through a very difficult experience rather than deliver us from it. Therefore, whether we seek His face for our own needs or those of others, we must do so with an intense desire to please Him. Notice Paul's entreaty in Romans 15:30.."Now I beseech you, brethren... that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me."
This suggests strenuous effort, but its rewards are beyond measure. We may not always receive what we would like, but we will always be given His best. And that's what really counts! (DB)
When praying, don't give God instructions - report for duty!
Real praying involves heart searching, confession of sin, and discerning God's will. The Lord may give grace to go through a very difficult experience rather than deliver us from it. Therefore, whether we seek His face for our own needs or those of others, we must do so with an intense desire to please Him. Notice Paul's entreaty in Romans 15:30.."Now I beseech you, brethren... that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me."
This suggests strenuous effort, but its rewards are beyond measure. We may not always receive what we would like, but we will always be given His best. And that's what really counts! (DB)
When praying, don't give God instructions - report for duty!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Try It and See!
Perhaps you question some of the things JESUS said and did when He lived on this earth, yet you want to know the way. Trust Him as your personal Savior and be willing to do His will. Then you will know that His doctrine is from God. Try it and see!
If man but wills to do God's will, to follow what is right,
God will confirm to him His truth and give him greater light.
God always speaks loud enough to make a willing soul hear! - D.J.D
John 7:17 "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God."
If man but wills to do God's will, to follow what is right,
God will confirm to him His truth and give him greater light.
God always speaks loud enough to make a willing soul hear! - D.J.D
John 7:17 "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine,
whether it be of God."
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Christ's Cleansing Power!
Just as cars require periodic washings to remove harmful dirt and grime, so Christians need continual cleansing to keep their lives bright and useful!
We do become "dirty" from our contact with the world just by being exposed to it. But through daily reading of the Bible we experience the "washing of water by the word" (Ephesians 5:26).
God's Spirit uses His Word to uncover our sins, and then assure us of forgiveness as we confess them. Just as we became clean through the Word at conversion (born-again experience), so we are continually cleansed through that same Word. Regular washing pays off - it keeps us spiritually unsoiled, useful, and attractive. (DB)
"Search me, O God, and know my heart today; Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray
See if there be some wicked way in me; Cleanse me from every sin and set me free!"
There is no stain of sin that Christ's cleansing power cannot remove.
We do become "dirty" from our contact with the world just by being exposed to it. But through daily reading of the Bible we experience the "washing of water by the word" (Ephesians 5:26).
God's Spirit uses His Word to uncover our sins, and then assure us of forgiveness as we confess them. Just as we became clean through the Word at conversion (born-again experience), so we are continually cleansed through that same Word. Regular washing pays off - it keeps us spiritually unsoiled, useful, and attractive. (DB)
"Search me, O God, and know my heart today; Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray
See if there be some wicked way in me; Cleanse me from every sin and set me free!"
There is no stain of sin that Christ's cleansing power cannot remove.
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Laws of a Godly Mother - Proverbs 6:20
The author of this writing concluded that the "law of thy mother" represented the Mosaic and Levitical laws of Israel. The righteous parents in this verse were good examples to their sons because they obeyed the will of God as set forth in the commandments.
She recalled some unique "laws" of her own mother that have helped her many times. The first, she called "the law of the warm kitchen." It seemed that when they got home from school on a cold winter's day or when the holidays rolled around, the kitchen was always so warm from baking and cooking that the windows were steamed. It also warm with a mother's love! The second, was "the law of a mother's perspective." When they come to her all upset over some childish matter, she'd often say, "Pay no attention, pay no 'tention." Or she'd say, "Ten years from now you'll have forgotten all about it." That helped the author put things back into perspective. But above all was Mother's "law of faith." Like Lois and Eunice in 2 Timothy 1:5, she had an unswerving trust in God that kept her strong and gentle amid the fears, pressures, and sacrifices of the war years and of the 1950s. (DB)
Christian mother, you too are writing "laws" for your children. Are they worth remembering?
"No man is poor who has had a godly mother!" - Abraham Lincoln
My Mom's been with the Lord now for more than 27 years (November 6, 1982-January 2009).
Yet I'm still very grateful for her "laws," because her laws on discipline, family relationships, and laws on our walk worthy of the Lord, have helped us ( me and my siblings) through many difficult days. I LOVE MY MOM!
She recalled some unique "laws" of her own mother that have helped her many times. The first, she called "the law of the warm kitchen." It seemed that when they got home from school on a cold winter's day or when the holidays rolled around, the kitchen was always so warm from baking and cooking that the windows were steamed. It also warm with a mother's love! The second, was "the law of a mother's perspective." When they come to her all upset over some childish matter, she'd often say, "Pay no attention, pay no 'tention." Or she'd say, "Ten years from now you'll have forgotten all about it." That helped the author put things back into perspective. But above all was Mother's "law of faith." Like Lois and Eunice in 2 Timothy 1:5, she had an unswerving trust in God that kept her strong and gentle amid the fears, pressures, and sacrifices of the war years and of the 1950s. (DB)
Christian mother, you too are writing "laws" for your children. Are they worth remembering?
"No man is poor who has had a godly mother!" - Abraham Lincoln
My Mom's been with the Lord now for more than 27 years (November 6, 1982-January 2009).
Yet I'm still very grateful for her "laws," because her laws on discipline, family relationships, and laws on our walk worthy of the Lord, have helped us ( me and my siblings) through many difficult days. I LOVE MY MOM!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)