Being Fruitful - Soul Winning Weekly Bible Lessons - Ref. Week 34 | Wednesday, August 31, 2016 By The Methodist Church Ghana
Key Verse:"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," - Matthew 20:19
Sripture Lesson: John 17:4-9, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:18
How To Be Fruitful In Soul Winning Compassion for Souls
The Christian calling is a call to witness an encounter with Christ to others who have not yet encountered Him. It is true that whatever one loves he preservs therefore one of the sign of love for souls is soul winning. Seeking to win a soul for Christ has always been motivated by love for Christ and humanity.
God was moved through Christ by love to save the depraved human race regardless of all that cost Him and this has been the core motivation for all soul winners. It is therefore impossible to seek to embark on fruitful soul winning enterprise without love for souls. The word martyr comes from the Greek word for "witness".
Early Christians were often put to death for their "witness" to Christ. Clearly, these people were so motivated for winning souls that gave all they had including their lives to that cause of winning and bringing others to encounter Christ Jesus
Being Fruitful - Soul Winning Weekly Bible Lessons - Ref. Week 34 | Tuesday, August 30, 2016 By The Methodist Church Ghana
Key Verse:"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," - Matthew 20:19
Sripture Lesson: John 17:4-9, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:18
How To Be Fruitful In Soul Winning Discover The Need
Jesus is not the Savior of just a certain nation or race, nor of a certain group predetermined uncondionally before the world began. Rather, He offers salvation to everyone in the world, because everyone needs it. All people eventually commit sin (Romans 3:23) because sin is the result of the absence of the presence and power of God.
Sin actually is a seperation from the life of God and sets people into eternal punishment. This is the reason why people need to receive salvation which has been made available in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 7:25 - provides that "Jesus is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him". Once we know that Christ Jesus gave the Christian Community the mandate to make this known in all nations we have then discovered the need to win souls.
What is True Spirituality? Crosswalk | Monday, August 29, 2016 By Alex Crain, Crosswalk.com Contributor
"When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate." -Genesis 3:6 NASB
It seems clear to me that the root of all human sin is unbelief. Doubt. I've heard people argue that the most basic sin is pride, and well, I suppose that's somewhere lurking on the other side of the coin. But if we start at the beginning of the bible, the Genesis 3 account shows that Eve first doubted God. That was her sin. After her unbelief came the outward act of disobedience.
Francis Schaeffer, commenting on this, said: "By her doubting she called God a liar. Eve doubted… mankind in revolt doubts God" (chapter seven, True Spirituality).
On the contrary, the person who is at peace with God does not doubt Him. Rather, he/she trusts God. Schaeffer says this is the simplest way to describe true spirituality: it is believing God.
But it is more than just believing God at one isolated point in life. It is believing God and having ongoing belief in Him. There must be moment-by-moment personal communion with Him.
God created us to be relational, not mechanical. Healthy relationships depend on good communication. But communication is an always-in-flux, moment-by-moment kind of thing. That is why all our mechanical efforts at the Christian life fail. It's not about reading a set number of chapters of the Bible each day. It's not about praying for so long.
No. What is needed first, and what inspires trust is, throughout the day, seeing before us the most basic teachings of the Bible:
God exists and He is personal.
God is holy and sin will be judged, but Christ's atonement removes the guilt of sinners.
We are saved from condemnation by the finished work of Christ, and we are brought into a proper relationship with God in a personal way.
We are joined to Christ spiritually.
We can enjoy communication with the Creator on the basis of what Christ has done. (1 John 1:5)
These truths don't change, regardless of how I feel at any given moment.
The rediscovery of believing God and these truths moment-by-moment is what lifted Francis Schaeffer out of a long, dark season and re-energized his life.
In our lives, what generally causes us to distrust Christ and run elsewhere is that we often think that we have a better way. We think that, somehow, God really doesn't have our best interests at heart. Like Eve, we think that God is withholding something good from us.
Intersecting Faith & Life: The rediscovery of believing God and these truths moment-by-moment is what lifted Francis Schaeffer out of a long, dark season and re-energized his life. If you've come to see that God doesn't deserve our suspicion, seek His aid to maintain this moment-by-moment walk of faith with Him.
For Further Study: Isaiah 30:15 "Thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said, ‘In repentance and rest you will be saved, In quietness and trust is your strength.'"
Rejoicing in Deep Need Our Daily Journey | Friday, August 26, 2016 By Andy Rogers
Read: Habakkuk 3:1-6: In this time of our deep need, help us again as you did in years gone by (Habakkuk 3:2).
I read an online obituary for a friend’s father. My heart ached for my friend as I imagined how painful it would be to lose a parent. I sent him an email of condolence and was surprised by his quick response. “It’s been a tough year, but I’m rejoicing in our hope in Christ.” Even as he mourned, he spoke of hope and faith.
Similarly, the words of Habakkuk 3:2 surprise me. The prophet sang that “in this time of our deep need,” he was “filled with awe by [God’s] amazing works.”
The time of deep need Habakkuk referred to was the tumultuous period before the exile of God’s people. The ruthless Babylonian empire was growing in power. Meanwhile, Judah was turning away from God (Habakkuk 1:2-4). Habakkuk lamented the disobedience of the people and called out to the Lord.
He must have been startled to learn that the Babylonians would be God’s chosen instrument for disciplining His people (Habakkuk 1:6-11). Yet, in a culture of sin, with war on the horizon, Habakkuk marveled at God and said, “Help us again . . . remember your mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2). What an amazing response.
Sometimes I’m tempted to question God’s sovereign rule when bad things happen. When all I can see is the proliferation of sin and injustice, I grow tired and complain like Habakkuk did. But his small book also shows me how to respond after the complaints are over. The prophet famously said, “The righteous will live by their faithfulness to God” (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11).
My friend’s email reflects this response of enduring loss with hope. Habakkuk said, “[God’s] coming is as brilliant as the sunrise. . . . When he looks, the nations tremble. . . . He is the Eternal One!” (Habakkuk 3:4,6). May we find the hope and strength we need in God today.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 10:35-52
More: Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and think about what it means to trust God when you’re in deep need.
Next: What happens when you choose to rejoice in God even when you’re in deep need? Meditate on some of God’s attributes and consider why they fill you with hope and trust.
The Beauty Of His Creation DCLM - Daily Manna | Thursday, August 25, 2016 By Deeper Christian Life Ministry
SONG OF SOLOMON 7:1-13
Key Verse:"How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince's daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman" (Song of Solomon 7:1).
Among those who've seen it in person, the conclusion is unanimous: Venice is the most beautiful city in the world, and the only one that can truly be described as unique. Each building is a work of art, with their beauty enhanced when reflected on the canals that cross the city. Its magical scenery is fascinating and breathtaking at first sight, evoking the feeling of entering the setting of a real life fairy tale. It is perhaps even unfair to all other cities to call Venice a city, as it is a place that no other can compare to.
The author of Song of Solomon repeatedly admired the beauty of the maiden in the text of today with detailed description of her immense favour from her head down to her toes. The passage today may look romantic to some, but to the curious reader, you cannot but see the hand of God being credited for all the beauty humanity possesses. Those who teach and propagate the theory of evolution about man's ancestors of apes and monkeys are clearly deluded and misguided.
We see evidence of the creative element everywhere, from the beautiful flowers and trees of the field, to the singing birds in the air; from the beautiful scenery, the waterfalls, to the beauty and wonders of the human body. All should combine to convince man that it is impossible to argue against the incredible - man is a masterpiece created by the almighty God and made for the purpose of showing forth His glory and majesty.
Thought for the day: Every living soul should not forget to give praise to God. Bible Reading in one Year: PSALM 31 - 35
Receive Power! Worthydevotions.com | Wednesday, August 24, 2016 Worthy Christian Devotions
Acts 1:6-8Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own power. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses unto Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
I love this passage of scripture. If you can imagine the disciples on this day -- they had gone through a roller coaster ride of emotions over the past 50 days. They had seen their Lord crucified. And then had gone into hiding ... until they discovered in amazement, He was alive! Just over 7 weeks had transpired and they were now watching Yeshua (Jesus) departing Earth and returning to His Father. The disciples were understandably unsure what was next, and so they asked a very reasonable question -- "Lord, will you at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?"
Notice that Yeshua did not answer the question directly or give them the details they were expecting. He merely said, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons...." But then He set His own precedent and called them to be Holy Spirit-empowered witnesses for Him and His Kingdom.
We don't know the exact timing of His return and the coming of His Kingdom either, but just as those disciples were, we also are called to receive the power of the Holy Spirit and be His witnesses. We must seek the fullness of His Spirit, become empowered, and eagerly participate in this great end-time mission, a harvest that likely will dwarf all that has gone before, and be part of a rich welcome for our glorious and awesome God!
God Grows Us One Step at a Time Worthydevotions.com | Tuesday, August 23, 2016 By Rick Warren
“So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to — the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy” (Ephesians 4:22-24 TEV).
Although God could instantly transform us, he has chosen to develop us slowly. Jesus was deliberate in developing his disciples, just as God allowed the Israelites to take over the Promised Land “little by little” so they wouldn’t be overwhelmed (Deuteronomy 7:22). He prefers to work in incremental steps in our lives.
Why does it take so long to change and grow up? There are several reasons:
•We are slow learners. We often have to relearn a lesson 40 or 50 times to really get it. The problems keep recurring, and we think, “Not again! I’ve already learned that!” But God knows better. The history of Israel illustrates how quickly we forget the lessons God teaches us and how soon we revert to our old patterns of behavior. We need repeated exposure.
•We have a lot to unlearn. Since most of our problems — and all of our bad habits — didn’t develop overnight, it’s unrealistic to expect them go away immediately. There is no pill, prayer, or principle that will instantly undo the damage of many years. It requires the hard work of removal and replacement. The Bible calls it “taking off the old self” and “putting on the new self” (Romans 13:12; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:7-10, 14).
•Growth is often painful and scary. There is no growth without change; there is no change without fear or loss; and there is no loss without pain. Every change involves a loss of some kind. We fear these losses, even if our old ways were self-defeating, because, like a worn-out pair of shoes, they were at least comfortable and familiar.
•Good habits take time to develop. Remember that your character is the sum total of your habits. You can’t claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind. Your habits define your character.
There is only one way to develop the habits of Christ-like character: You must practice them — and that takes time! There are no instant habits. Paul urged Timothy, “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15 GW).
Talk It Over
•Why do you think God allows us to go through pain and loss while we are growing spiritually?
•What is the bad habit that you’ve had trouble changing in your life?
•What one thing do you need to practice doing every day so that you are developing Christ-like character?
God Provides Billy Graham Evangelistic Association | Monday, August 22, 2016 By Billy Graham
For we know that when this tent we live in now is taken down-when we die and leave these bodies-we will have wonderful new bodies in heaven, homes that will be ours forevermore, made for us by God himself, and not by human hands.
—2 Corinthians 5:1 (TLB)
Death, to the Christian, is the exchanging of a tent for a building. Here we are as pilgrims or gypsies, living in a frail, flimsy home; subject to disease, pain, and peril. But at death we exchange this crumbling, disintegrating tent for a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. The wandering wayfarer comes into his own at death and is given the title to a mansion which will never deteriorate nor crumble. Do you think that God, who has provided so amply for living, has made no provision for dying? The Bible says we are strangers in a foreign land. This world is not our home; our citizenship is in heaven. When a Christian dies, he goes into the presence of Christ. He goes to heaven to spend eternity with God.
Prayer for the day: Dear Lord, today keep me mindful that as Your child my real home is not on this earth, but that one day I will exchange this tent for a house made by You in heaven.
Show Mercy daily-devotions.net | Friday, August 19, 2016
2 Chronicles 28:9-11 (NIV): 9. But a prophet of the LORD named Oded was there, and he went out to meet the army when it returned to Samaria. He said to them, "Because the LORD, the God of your fathers, was angry with Judah, he gave them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches to heaven. 10. And now you intend to make the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem your slaves. But aren't you also guilty of sins against the LORD your God? 11. Now listen to me! Send back your fellow countrymen you have taken as prisoners, for the LORD's fierce anger rests on you."
After Jotham died, his son Ahaz reigned. God gave the people a king that they deserved so that hardship would turn them back to Him. Ahaz' army was defeated by the Arameans. Their treasures were robbed, and many of the people went into captivity. Then the Northern Tribes inflicted heavy casualties and took two hundred thousand women and children captive and a great deal of plunder.
As the army of the Northern Tribes returned to their capitol Samaria, a prophet of God named Obed met them. The message from God was that their victory was due to God's anger against Judah, but they had gone overboard in executing it. God's question to them was this, "Aren't you also guilty of sins against the LORD your God?"
There are times when we find ourselves with the upper hand over those who oppose us, but we take it to the extreme. We should consider that it may not be so much that God is favoring us as God punishing them. God's justice is always tempered with mercy, but man's justice rarely is. We should consider that we could be in their shoes, and that we are to apply the Golden Rule. If we desire mercy, then we will act with a great deal more mercy. Aren't we also guilty of sins? The Northern Tribes showed great wisdom and fear of God when they listened to the prophet and returned the captives along with the spoils of war.
Remember: How you act gives permission for others to act the same way toward you. God says, "To those who show mercy, I will be merciful." (Matthew 5:7; James 2:13)
DARKNESS AND LIGHT daily-devotions.net | Thursday, August 18, 2016 By Elin Ulmo Hunnes (Norway)
Read: Genesis 1:14-19
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. - John 1:5 (NIV)
My mother was a teenager in Norway during World War II. She has told me what it was like to grow up in a country under siege. Among other things, she has mentioned how totally dark it was at night. Everyone had to darken their windows, and no streetlights were lit — to prevent enemy bombers from seeing their targets.
One evening, during a rather difficult period of my life, I was praying. Suddenly, I envisioned a house situated in complete darkness, with all the blinds drawn but fully lit on the inside. Then the blinds were pulled aside, and the light streamed out into the darkness. But the darkness did not stream into the light!
This vision renewed my hope. The despair that had threatened to overwhelm me could not stand against the love of Jesus Christ. He is in me and he surrounds me. Life’s struggles are unavoidable. But when we stay close to Jesus in all circumstances, we will be safe: “Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord” (Rom. 14:8).
Thought for the Day: Despair can never conquer the love of Christ.
Prayer:Thank you, Jesus, for carrying me through the hard days. Amen.
Absolute But Incorruptible Power DCLM - Daily Manna | Wednesday, August 17, 2016 By Deeper Christian Life Ministry
JOB 9:12-24
Key Verse: "For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause" (Job 9:17).
With unregenerate man, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. But with a holy and righteous God, wielding an awesome and overwhelming power tempered with love, mercy, justice and wisdom, it is impossible for corrupting influences to come into play. In his suffering, Job acknowledges this greatness of the power of the Almighty to do anything. But unfortunately, he displays a limited and flawed understanding of this power.
He believes God will destroy people wilfully. Such is this dim view that Job even believes that the righteous Judge would not spare the righteous on the day of His wrath. Man encounters challenges allowed by God or sent by Him to either chastise us for our wrongdoing or to grow and mature us for fruitful service in His Kingdom. Our contemplation of these trials must not be seen from the narrow prism of suffering. Would a woman in labour lament she is suffering?
Job is right in ascribing absolute power to the Almighty. He is also right in stating that we cannot question God's wisdom when He decides to punish the wicked who refuses to repent on His conditions. But the Scripture does not support the position that God would multiply a person's "wounds (sufferings) without a cause".
God challenges us to "reason together" with Him and plead our case so He can show us mercy. It is the great love and compassion flowing from His power that enabled Him listen to the intercessory pleas of Abraham, Moses, Samuel, Daniel and the Apostles of the early Church. It was that same love and mercy that finally led Him to send Jesus Christ His only begotten Son to break the wall of partition between man and his Creator. Trust Him and you will never be disappointed.
Thought for the day: God is mercy and love personified: repose your confidence in Him.
David: A Picture of God’s Sovereignty InTouch Ministries | Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Psalms 103:19-22
Sometimes it’s hard to understand God’s purposes for adversity. In the midst of a personal tragedy, the Lord’s sovereignty may seem like impractical and unrealistic theology. But the truth is, God works all things together for the believer’s good (Rom. 8:28).
David’s writings illustrate the importance of trusting that the Lord is in control, no matter how difficult the situation. Sometimes it’s easy to think of the biblical writers as perfect, almost Christlike figures. But David’s life was full of adversity, temptation, sin, and forgiveness.
When he was running for his life from King Saul, God spared him. When he yielded to temptation with Bathsheba, God spared him. When his son attempted to take David’s throne, God spared him and kept him as king.
Through all of these unfortunate circumstances, David discovered God was protecting and guiding him every step of the way—and using him for extraordinary purposes, despite his human failings. These experiences taught David to trust wholeheartedly in the Lord’s sovereignty.
For those of us in similar situations, the question is, Do we believe God is in control? If He’s not, then who is? In other words, if life events are random and without purpose, then to whom do we turn in trials?
In 1 Chronicles 29:12, David says that God rules over everything and His hand strengthens everyone. Have faith in the Lord’s ability to strengthen you with His sovereign hand. Though you may not always understand His reasons, you can surely trust His purposes.
A Legacy Life Our Daily Bread | Monday, August 15, 2016 By Joe Stowell
Read: Proverbs 22:1–12 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 91–93; Romans 15:1–13
A good name is more desirable than great riches. Proverbs 22:1
While staying in a hotel in a small town I noticed that the church across the street was having a service. People were jammed into the church with a standing-room-only crowd of both young and old flowing out onto the sidewalk. When I noticed a hearse by the curb, I realized it was a funeral. And given the crowd, I assumed that it was the celebration of the life of some local hero—perhaps a wealthy businessperson or a famous personality. Curious, I said to the desk clerk, “That’s an amazing turnout for a funeral; it must be for a famous person in town.”
“No,” he replied. “He wasn’t rich or famous but he was a good man.”
Lord, help me to pursue a life that is pleasing to You and honors Your name.
This reminded me of the wisdom of the proverb that says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches” (Prov. 22:1). It’s a good idea to think about what kind of legacy we are leaving for our family, friends, and neighbors. From God’s perspective it’s not our resumé or the amount of money we’ve accumulated that matters but rather the kind of life we have lived.
When a friend of mine passed away, his daughter wrote, “This world has lost a righteous man and in this world that is no small thing!” It’s that kind of legacy that we should be seeking for the glory of God.
Lord, help me to pursue a life that is pleasing to You and honors Your name.
Live to leave a legacy for God’s glory.
INSIGHT:
The Proverbs hold wisdom to help us live for the Lord and leave a legacy. Just the first 8 verses of Proverbs 22 are loaded with wonderful insights about many different aspects of life. Verse 1 tells us of the value of a good name. The Hebrew word for “good name” carries with it the idea of “good repute” (see Eccl. 7:1).
Freedom from the Bonds of Sin Crosswalk | Friday, August 12, 2016 By Alex Crain, Crosswalk.com Contributor
"...if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Romans 8:13
While reading this week in chapter eight of Francis Schaeffer's True Spirituality where he is speaking about freedom from the bonds of sin, I was reminded of the story of an experienced, 27 year-old rock climber named Aron Ralston. One beautiful spring morning in 2003, he jumped into his truck with just enough food and water for the day. He took off by himself and drove a hundred and fifty miles south of Salt Lake City to his favorite spot—a remote canyon area that used to be the hideout for wild-west outlaws Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
By afternoon, he was suspended seventy-five feet high off the canyon floor—climbing in a crevice that was just a few feet wide. It was a perfect day. But then without warning, a boulder suddenly broke loose from the rock wall above him, hurtled down and trapped Ralston's right arm against the wall, completely crushing his hand. At that instant, Aron's hand—one of his greatest assets—had now become his greatest liability.
Five whole days passed as he tried various ways to free himself—all to no avail. His efforts to chip away at the boulder with a pocket knife only made a small dent. Rigging up a pulley system to move the boulder proved fruitless.
Finally, a moment of decisive clarity came. The thoughts came fast and furious: he could break his forearm, cut through the muscle with his dirty pocket knife, detach his arm, and use a piece of rope as a tourniquet.
Aron explains that he was driven by "some sort of autopilot" as he went about the gruesome task of amputating his own right arm just below the elbow. After he was finished, Aron lowered himself down and began trudging slowly in the direction of his truck. Later, he stumbled across two hikers who used a mobile phone to call in a rescue helicopter. Amputating his right arm was a radical act, but it was one that saved his life and reunited him with his family.
God calls us to deal with sin in our life in a way that is surprisingly similar. The Bible doesn't offer a laid-back, live-and-let-live approach at all. It's so radical, that we don't really like hearing about it or talking about it. Recall what Jesus said in Matthew 5:30, "If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell." While Jesus was not literally talking about physical amputation, He was saying that sin's deadly effects call for extreme measures. Even though it hurts, we must rid sin from our lives. In fact, our eternal destiny hinges on how we deal with sin.
Really? Well, why else would Jesus talk about hell in the same breath that He talks about how we are to deal with sin if He didn't mean to teach that our eternal destiny hangs in the balance? Clearly, it's a matter of preferring one destiny over the other. Outward behavior indicates what the heart primarily loves. If Aron Ralston had stayed there on the canyon wall with his hand pinned down by the boulder, he would have died. But because he was willing to kill his hand, his life was saved.
The same goes with us as we deal with sin. It really comes down to what we value most. Colossians 3:5 says, "Put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." The world may tell us to laugh about sin, to lighten up about it, to tolerate it, and just let it be… that it's not idolatry; it's not an issue of worship. God says the opposite is true.
Intersecting Faith & Life: What is robbing you of the blessings of peace with God?
What is keeping you from treasuring the Lord Jesus Christ above all other things?
Pray for grace to heed God's radical call to amputate sin from your life in His strength.
Steps to Forgiveness Global Christian Center | Thursday, August 11, 2016 By Melisa Turner
Forgiveness means to stop being angry at someone or about something. We have spoken before about the need to forgive (here and here). Today I want to help you with how to do this difficult task.
Learning how to forgive is a skill we will use over and over again. Our earthly life is full of hurts, offenses and disappointments, so we need practical ways to overcome.
Take 3 Steps to Forgiveness
1) We must decide we are going to forgive
Choosing to forgive is different than simply knowing that we should forgive. Deciding to forgive an offense is not saying that the offense is a good thing. It only says that we no longer wish to be angry or bitter about it. Some say that what angers you controls you. Choosing to forgive breaks us free from the power that offenses have over our thoughts and emotions.
“Father God, today I choose to forgive because I wish to walk in freedom. Help me to turn over my anger and hurt to you and choose to treat others with the mercy you have shown me.”
2) We must choose to keep forgiving every day
Forgiveness is not a one-time event. Over and over again we will be reminded of our hurts and over and over again we must still choose forgiveness. When we remember our hurts and offenses we must take control of those thoughts so that they will not take control of our mind.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV).
“Father God, today I choose to think thoughts of forgiveness. I refuse to keep the argument or anger alive in my mind. Please help my thoughts to be obedient to you.”
3) We must be patient with the process of living in forgiveness
God makes available to us new strength every day because we often have used up yesterday’s amount. We must remember to offer forgiveness each day to those who hurt us.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22 ESV).
“Father God, help me to remember how much mercy I need from you each day. Please give to me the mercy I need to be forgiving to others each day as well.”
Melisa Turner is a pastor’s wife and women’s Ministry leader.
God's Awesome Power DCLM - Daily Manna | Wednesday, August 10, 2016 By Deeper Christian Life ministry
JOB 9:1-11
Great is God's faithfulness and In will fear no evil about the future. There is no room for then word disappointment in the happy life of entire trust in Jesus and satisfaction with His glorious will" -Frances Ridley Havergal. God has power and whatever He has is without limit.
Therefore God isnOmnipotent, Infinite, and Almighty. nOur text reveals the unquantifiable power of He over nature. He removes mountains, shakes the earth and its pillars through earthquakes. The sun and the stars function in accordance with His dictate. He single-handedly spreads out the heavens and subdues the waves of the sea.
He also performs marvels beyond human comprehension. All these He does without prompting from any quarter. nWisdom demands that no man should do anything contrary to this great God of heaven and earth because nobody can be against Him and prosper. Therefore, there is no reason in then world why a true believer in Christ should be timid of making it in life or afraid God can't keep them.
God keeps the stars in their courses and the planets in their orbits. The galaxy - a massive ensemble of hundreds of millions of stars - is the vast display of His might and He sustains it by His power. Surely, God can and will keep you. Trust Him when bark doubts assail you. Trust Him when your strength is small. And trust Him when everything seems to have failed. He will not disappoint. When your come to your wit's end, then will the strong arms of the Lord surface. God is worth trusting till the very end..
Thought for the day: God is a circle whose centre is everywhere, and its circumference is nowhere!
Bible Reading in one Year: TITUS 1-3
Prayer:"Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars. Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number" (Job 9:7, 10).
Abraham - The Father of Faith NIV Devotions for Men | Tuesday, August 9, 2016 By Zondervan
After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” (Genesis 15:1)
You lived before monotheistic religion existed. How did you know there was a God?
I’ve always believed in God, even when others didn’t. I remember getting up early as a young boy and watching the morning sun light up the mountains as if they were on fire. It stirred something inside me, and I remember thinking, “There must be something that made all this beauty.” Or I’d see the moonlight dancing on the ripples in the Euphrates River at night, and local people would say it was a moon god, but that didn’t quite sit right with me. So it didn’t surprise me when the Lord showed up on my doorstep one day. Looking back on it, I think he’d been calling to my heart for a long time.
One of your defining moments was when God made a covenant with you. What do you remember about that moment?
Actually, I remember my fear more than anything else. Looking back, I wish I’d had more faith. But the Lord had promised so many things that seemed, in my mind, impossible. Most of my life I’ve been afraid. Afraid that things were too good to be true. Afraid that my land or my wife or my life would be snatched by desert raiders or evil foreign leaders. I’m ashamed to admit this now, but I had trouble believing that the covenant promises would come true.
So what changed?
It all changed that night. I brought the cow, goat, ram and birds and cut each in half as God directed. Traditionally, I would have walked between the two sections as a pledge to keep my promise. But I fell into a deep sleep and saw a vision of a blazing torch passing between the animal pieces. It was God taking the covenant walk, telling me that he would never break his promises! My heart leaps with joy whenever I remember that vision.
Another defining moment of your life had to be the near sacrifice of Isaac. How did you know that God was going to come through when he told you to kill your son?
I can’t begin to put into words the anguish I felt on that long, three-day journey. And tying Isaac to the altar was more difficult than you could ever imagine. But I had courage because God had already proven to me that he was a God of life. He had helped my wife Sarah—who had never been able to have children—to have a son. I knew he was a miracle-working, life-creating God. The only way I was able to fathom the thought of driving a knife into my son was that I knew Yahweh was fully capable of bringing life back into being.
Back to the Future
• What tests of faith are you facing right now?
• In what ways has God been faithful to his promises to you in the past?
• How can you develop a greater trust in God and his promises?
For the full story of Abraham, read Genesis 12:1—25:11.
Overflowing Fruit Our Daily Journey | Monday, August 08, 2016 By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Read: Colossians 1:1-8 - [The gospel] is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere (Colossians 1:6).
On an early morning walk, I spotted something blocking the path ahead of me. Several yards down the sidewalk, a massive bunch of tree branches had spilled over a white fence. The branches were weighed down with mature, red apples! The fruit was everywhere—far too many to count. As I neared the tree, I had to step off the sidewalk and move into the wet grass to get around the overflowing mass.
Like a thriving fruit tree during the harvest season, Paul noted that the gospel message was bearing fruit everywhere in the ancient world (Colossians 1:6). The fruit, he said, was lives that had been changed. Paul’s observation wasn’t simply hearsay. He had been spreading the message himself and watching the fruit multiply—both within the lives of Christ-followers and numerically as more and more people came to understand God’s grace.
The good news of Jesus is still changing lives today. When a person believes in the power of Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sin (Romans 3:23-25), that person receives salvation and a deep sense of hope. It’s a “confident hope of what God has reserved for [us] in heaven” (Colossians 1:5). According to Paul, this hope perpetuates our faith and stimulates our love for other people—especially toward our believing brothers and sisters (Colossians 1:4).
Anyone who has this hope should want to share it (Acts 20:24). And yet, it can be hard to know when and how to pass on the message. Thankfully, the effectiveness of the gospel—its ability to bear fruit everywhere—doesn’t depend on the delivery or the messenger. The power is in the message itself. Paul said, “[The good news] is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 13:1-21
More: Read John 4:35-36 to see what’s in store for the sharer and the receiver of the good news.
Next: How would you summarize the gospel message? How has it changed your life?
The Bewildering Call of God My Utmost For His Highest | Friday, August 05, 2016 B
"…and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished."…But they understood none of these things… —Luke 18:31, 34
God called Jesus Christ to what seemed absolute disaster. And Jesus Christ called His disciples to see Him put to death, leading every one of them to the place where their hearts were broken. His life was an absolute failure from every standpoint except God’s. But what seemed to be failure from man’s standpoint was a triumph from God’s standpoint, because God’s purpose is never the same as man’s purpose.
This bewildering call of God comes into our lives as well. The call of God can never be understood absolutely or explained externally; it is a call that can only be perceived and understood internally by our true inner-nature. The call of God is like the call of the sea— no one hears it except the person who has the nature of the sea in him. What God calls us to cannot be definitely stated, because His call is simply to be His friend to accomplish His own purposes. Our real test is in truly believing that God knows what He desires. The things that happen do not happen by chance— they happen entirely by the decree of God. God is sovereignly working out His own purposes..
If we are in fellowship and oneness with God and recognize that He is taking us into His purposes, then we will no longer strive to find out what His purposes are. As we grow in the Christian life, it becomes simpler to us, because we are less inclined to say, “I wonder why God allowed this or that?” And we begin to see that the compelling purpose of God lies behind everything in life, and that God is divinely shaping us into oneness with that purpose. A Christian is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, not in his own abilities. If we have a purpose of our own, it destroys the simplicity and the calm, relaxed pace which should be characteristic of the children of God.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS
Christianity is not consistency to conscience or to convictions; Christianity is being true to Jesus Christ. Biblical Ethics, 111 L
Give It to God Christian Global Center | Thursday, August 04, 2016 By Lauren Miramonti
Have you ever been so worried that you couldn't sleep? Maybe your job is really stressful or a family member is sick. Worrying is a natural reaction, but lingering on it is unhealthy to both your spirit and your mind. You can waste hours doing nothing but thinking about the possibilities when worrying won't fix it. After all: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:28)
Worry comes from fear of outcomes. We want things to turn out well and are afraid of them turning out badly. The good news is that God can give you peace of mind. All you have to do is pray. In your own words, ask him to help your situation and to take your worries away. The next step is to actually let go of those thoughts. He can't take them if you continue to cling to worry and think about all the possibilities. Trust that God is powerful enough to handle them and remember: The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. (Psalm 118:6a ) God knows how it will end. Trust Him to guide you in the way that is right. Trust that no matter what happens, He will take care of you. If you can truly let go of worrying thoughts, God is fully able to give you peaceful thoughts to replace them. And if you find yourself worrying again, remind yourself that God is in control.
Key Verses to Remember
Memorize some verses about worrying and fear:
. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30 ESV)
. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (John 14:27 ESV)
. Cast your burden on the Lord,and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22 ESV)God knows how it will end
. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 ESV)
. When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. (Psalm 56:3 ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV)
. When you feel anxious, reflect on the reassuring words. The Israelites, God's chosen people, wandered in the desert for 40 years. God took care of them the whole time, and He still had to remind them of it later. Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)
Remember that it's okay to worry, as long as you immediately give those concerns to God and don't dwell on them ever again. He has everything under control. The next time you start to worry, remember that everything will be okay, and pray for peace. Put your trust in God and He will never let you down.
Lauren is a freelance writer in Springfield, Missouri.
Touch Not The Unclean Thing DCLM - Daily Manna | Wednesday, August 03, 2016 By Deeper Christian Life Ministry
DEUTERONOMY 7:12-26
Key Verse:"The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God" (Deuteronomy 7:25).
It is extremely difficult to imagine what society would have turned out to be without rules, regulations and laws to govern man's behaviour and regulate interpersonal relationships. Israel had a taste of a lawless society, one without a leader, when everyone did that which was right in their sights. The Bible is replete with uncountable instances of God's pronouncement of blessings upon the children of Israel, His chosen people. As should be expected of a Holy God, these blessings were usually predicated upon the people's obedience to divine laws and commandments. But more often than not, the commandments were flagrantly disobeyed and discarded.
Even then, the people would not go too far in disobedience before calamities of disastrous dimensions would befall them. Then they would remember their God and plead for forgiveness. The ever forgiving and long-suffering God would forgive them, but their promised steadfast walk with him would fizzle out like early morning vapour. Here, the God-chosen law giver, Moses warned them on what they were to keep away from, particularly those practices that amounted to abomination in God's sight - gold and silver on the idols of the Canaanites, and their graven images.
Christian believers must be careful not to allow the influences of the world - immorality, bribery corruption, murderous instincts, unforgiving spirit - to penetrate their homes and places of assembly. Our hearts should be stayed on God alone. Mercifully, He possesses all that pertain to life and godliness which we can always access through faith.
Thought for the day: Evil association corrupts good manners.
Be Wise: Look Ahead and Face Reality rickwarren.org/ | Tuesday, August 02, 2016 BY RICK WARREN
“The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts” (Proverbs 14:8 TLB).
Many people in life start out well, but they end up progressing poorly because they don’t plan for the pitfalls. But the Bible says the wise man looks ahead and faces reality.
As we make plans for our future, we all face pitfalls, such as cultural distractions, voices of doubt, tempting shortcuts, and discouraging delays. Just look at Noah: He had pitfalls after God told him to build the ark, but he overcame them — and you can, too.
Now, this doesn’t mean God will give you a goal as audacious as building an ark, but I pray he’ll give you a big goal — even an audacious one — for your next 10 years.
The Bible says, “The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts” (Proverbs 14:8 TLB). By looking ahead, we’ll not only be prepared to spot the pitfalls when they come into our lives; we’ll also be equipped to make plans that help us become the man or woman God wants us to be.
Ask God to help you establish goals for the next decade of your life. Then you’ll be ready to move forward and learn how to handle the pitfalls that could potentially keep you from getting where God wants you to go.
Talk It Over
. What are the lessons from your last 10 years that you can apply to your next decade?
. When you look to the future, who do you want to become? What do you want God to accomplish in your life?
. How do your goals reflect the power of God in your life? Do you dream big because you serve a big God?
God Is At Work Everymanministries.com | Monday, August 01, 2016 By Every Man Ministries
“Jesus gave them this answer, I tell you the truth the son can do nothing by himself, he can only do what he sees his father doing because whatever the father does the son also does. For the father loves the son and shows him all he does and yet to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these." John 5: 19-20
ou see this picture of father and son, mutual commitment, mutual co-operation, creative mind, agent of expression. Then, you see in John chapter 5:17 just how that works out. What does it look like, the Father Factor commanding the purpose of the son. “Jesus said to them my father is always at his work this very day and I too am working.” What do you see? God’s always at work. What’s he working on? He’s working on His purpose; He’s working on advancing His kingdom and His people through His church on earth. God’s always at work, God’s at work right now. He’s advancing His kingdom in you and He wants to advance His kingdom through you and then through us together and then through his church, and his purpose is moving forward. Jesus said the kingdom of God is advancing forcefully through forceful men who lay hold of it. We see that God is always at work and that the son is working with him. You see the father factor commanding the purpose of Jesus.
The father factor commands me personally, I am his son. The Father factor commands me practically, in how I relate to my wife my kids and how I relate to others. I reproduce my relationship with my Father, good or bad. The Father factor fuels my purpose, my commitment, my cooperation with Him giving me His priorities, His attitude, His will, leaking on to me like father like son working together.
Father, You have wrapped me in Christ, it is your will.
