Your Blind Side is Covered! Worthy Christian Devotions | Thursday, June 30, 2016
John 14:26 But the Helper [Paraclete], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The Lord gave us His promise to send us a helper -- the Holy Spirit. The word for "helper" in the NT Greek is "paraclete". This word has more meaning then simply "helper" -- it was also an ancient term used in warfare. When Greek warriors went onto the battle field, they went out in pairs, so when the enemy attacked they could stand back-to-back, covering each other's blind side. The battle partner in Greek was called a "paraclete" -- he was there to watch your back!
The Holy Spirit is more than our helper and comforter – He's our battle partner who covers our blind side and protects our well being.
You're not in this fight alone. The Lord has given you a 'paraclete' to go along with you. Don't grieve Him – listen carefully – let Him lead as you fight the good fight of faith, and don't worry about your blind side -- He's got your back!
God Wants to Meet Your Financial Needs United Christian Broadcasters | Wednesday, June 29, 2016 First Posted June 25, 2016
‘You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion.’
2 Corinthians 9:11
When you give to fulfil the Lord’s Prayer, ‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth’ (Matthew 6:10 KJV), He will make sure you have everything you need when you need it. That’s His guarantee, and it should dispel your fears about giving. In fact, there’s really only one thing you should be concerned about when it comes to giving: holding back to the extent that God is no longer involved in your finances.
There’s nothing you can do to earn or deserve God’s love, but you must exercise faith and follow His instructions if you want to walk in His blessing. So here’s the question you should ask yourself: ‘Who’s better able to meet my needs, God or me?’ If you’re generous with God, He’ll make sure you have more than enough so that you can continue to be generous.
But first He wants to see you investing more in His kingdom - not in order to get what you want from Him, but because you value His eternal purposes more than your own interests. Are you prepared to step out in faith and take advantage of the law of the harvest by inviting God to get involved in your finances? Money is often the last door we open to God because we think it represents our security.
If you really want to become secure financially, get God involved in your finances as soon as possible. The sooner you start sowing seeds, the sooner you’ll begin reaping harvests. And when that happens, you’ll never go back to doing things the way you used to. 2 Chron 10-12, Acts 21:18-40
God Will Raise You Up! Daily Manna | Tuesday, June 28, 2016 Deeper Christian Life Ministry
MICAH 7:8-13
Life can sometimes, appear very harsh and tough, especially when it unbundles a series of difficult situations and confounding circumstances with no help in sight. At such a time, God may seem very distant and disinterested in your experiences and you may be tempted to turn to self-help or other methods for quick solutions. It gets worse when in your challenges, you are being taunted by detractors for trusting in God.
Yet, that is when God expects you to turn to Him solely, and confidently trust Him to intervene in your affairs. This was the message of Prophet Micah to Israel. He told them that God will not reject His children who had been beaten to the dust by life's experiences. Even though they were suffering because of their sins, God would soon lift them up. At such a time, the enemies who thought their end had come, shall see the hand of God in their lives, and they shall be put to shame.
You must, therefore, see tough situations as opportunities to draw close to God, recognise that He hears your cries, and that He will save you when help is most needed. God will never allow you to be destroyed by tough times, nor make you a permanent laughing stock of your enemies. You must be assured that irrespective of how long it takes, those enemies shall eventually be punished by God. Your duty is to trust Him without wavering and patiently wait for His intervention, which is certain to come.
Thought for the day: "A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again."
Bible Reading in one Year: 1 KINGS 19 - 20
Prayer: "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me" (Micah 7:8).
Choose Peace Over Worry Girlfriends in God | Monday, June 27, 2016 By Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth: Give all your worries to Him, because He cares about you (1 Peter 5:7, NIV).
Friend to Friend:
My husband often says there are two kinds of people in the world. Some people have ulcers, and some people give them. Can you relate? I certainly can.
Sandpaper people are definitely ulcer giving people unless we learn to choose peace over worry when dealing with them. Getting along with people who rub you the wrong way is difficult at best and can sometimes make peace seem impossible to find. That is only true if peace is dependent on outer circumstances.
It isn’t.
Peace is an inside job and comes only from God. Nothing can take the place of peace, and it is impossible to counterfeit.
Sandpaper people are not peaceful people. One of the very reasons they are rough around the edges is because they are not at rest – with God, with themselves or with others. They may not know God. If they do have a personal relationship with Him, they may not understand who they are in Him and who He wants to be to them.
Sandpaper people continually arrange the circumstances of their lives to set themselves up for failure, proving to everyone, including God and even their own heart, that what everyone believes about them is true – they are worthless. We must not be fooled by their temper tantrums, their boisterous antics, or their brooding silences – all traps of their own making that sooner or later will imprison them in disappointment and defeat. Worry is their jailor ... and can imprison each one of us unless we learn to deal with worry and anxiety.
Worry is a control issue. It is playing God, foolishly thinking we can handle difficult relationships on our own. Every time we choose to worry, we are choosing not to trust God.
Isaiah 26:3 “You, LORD, give true peace to those who depend on You, because they trust You.”
Have you ever noticed that the sandpaper people thrive on drama? Everything is a big deal! Drama flows freely through the veins of every sandpaper person I have ever met. Under the spotlight of opportunity, everything, no matter how insignificant it may seem, escalates into a major crisis filled with worry, distorting what is real.
In 1 Peter 5:7 we discover the secret of handling worry - by casting every care on Him. “Give all your worries to Him, because He cares about you.” I love this verse because in essence it is saying God has volunteered to be the dumping ground for every fear, every worry, and every difficult relationship. We must learn to take those difficult people to God and leave them there, in the palm of His hand. I know they will come crawling back into your peace, but stand firm in your resolve to keep taking them back to the place of wholeness.
Queen Esther is an amazing example of a woman who learned how to choose peace over worry. She was confronted with a frightening set of circumstances and had every right to worry:
· She was taken from her home for the second time since birth.
· She was thrust into the overwhelming role of queen.
· She was the wife of a king.
· She faced her foremost sandpaper person, an evil man named Haman who plotted to kill her and her people.
· She was responsible for the future of a whole nation.
Talk about the perfect chance to work up a huge mountain of worry! Instead, Esther chose to trust God. After fasting and praying, she threw every fear on God, including her fear of Haman. Because she chose peace over worry, Esther’s problem was resolved and peace reigned in her heart.
I think we sometimes miss the solution to handling our sandpaper people because we have allowed worry to take us hostage. Right now, choose peace and “do not worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. And God's peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace that God gives is so great that we cannot understand it” (Philippians 4:6-7 ICB).
When we choose peace, we are paving the way for difficult people to encounter the Prince of Peace Himself. Choose peace over worry!
Let’s Pray
Father, please forgive me when I give in to fear and worry instead of stepping out in faith and believing You. Help me learn how to capture my thoughts and train them to focus on You. I want to become a woman who trusts You – no matter how difficult some of the people in my life may be. My faith is small, but I now choose to place it in You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Think about the most difficult relationship in your life. How has worry about that relationship affected your life?
What step do you need to take that will help you choose peace over worry in this relationship? What is keeping you from taking that step? Choose now to relinquish that person to God.
Think about the most difficult relationship in your life. How has worry about that relationship affected your life?
What step do you need to take that will help you choose peace over worry in this relationship? What is keeping you from taking that step? Choose now to relinquish that person to God.
His Loving Presence Our Daily Bread | Friday, June 24, 2016 By Joe Stowell
Read: Hebrews 13:1–6 | Bible in a Year: Job 1–2; Acts 7:22–43
Never will I leave you. Hebrews 13:5
Our hearts sank when we learned that our good friend Cindy had been diagnosed with cancer. Cindy was a vibrant person whose life blessed all who crossed her path. My wife and I rejoiced when she went into remission, but a few months later her cancer returned with a vengeance. In our minds she was too young to die. Her husband told me about her last hours. When she was weak and hardly able to talk, Cindy whispered to him, “Just be with me.” What she wanted more than anything in those dark moments was his loving presence.
The writer to the Hebrews comforted his readers by quoting Deuteronomy 31:6, where God told His people: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). In the darkest moments of life, the assurance of His loving presence gives us confidence that we are not alone. He gives us the grace to endure, the wisdom to know He is working, and the assurance that Christ can “empathize with our weaknesses” (4:15).
There is peace in tyhe presence of God.
Together let’s embrace the blessing of His loving presence so we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid” (13:6).
Lord, thank You for the promise that You will never leave me. May the reality of Your constant supporting presence fill my heart with comfort, confidence, and courage.
INSIGHT:
The opening verses of Hebrews 13 are among the most practical in the New Testament. The chapter begins with a reminder that as followers of Christ we are to love one another (v. 1). The writer then challenges us to show hospitality to others (v. 2), followed by a strong call to give mercy, help, and kindness to those imprisoned and those who have been mistreated (v. 3). Verse 4 challenges us to sexual purity in marriage, while verse 5 calls believers to a contentment that can defeat covetousness. These practical statements find their culmination in the challenge to rest in the never-failing presence of God (vv. 5–6).
Straight Up Our Daily Journey | Thursday, June 23, 2016 By Regina Franklin
Read: Psalm 36:1-12 Pour out your unfailing love on those who love you; give justice to those with honest hearts (Psalm 36:10).
Carefully lifting each piece of paper, I sorted the stacks on my desk—again. I searched through file drawers, bookcases, computer folders, and email messages while praying fervently that the missing item would be found. Disappointed and frustrated, I took a deep breath and informed my supervisor before emailing the originator of the document for another copy. My prayers were answered in an unexpected fashion when I received a message in reply letting me know that the item hadn’t yet been sent to me!
Few people enjoy failure, but even fewer relish admitting their deficiencies. Fear of punishment, or even distaste for disappointing others, can drive us to less-than-honest responses when we’ve missed the mark. In the moment, we wrongfully believe we can deflect the consequences by spinning the information. But practicing deception only leads us into greater sin and eventual ruin. Thriving in hidden places, “Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts” (Psalm 36:1). Instead of believing our circumstances are the litmus test for our behavior, however, it’s vital we grasp that God is “the fountain of life, the light by which we see” (Psalm 36:9).
The Lord’s presence and all-knowing ways call us to integrity, but not because we fear His finding out our every sin like a cosmic police officer. Instead, we can live out the reality of His good and “unfailing love” by His strength (Psalm 36:5-6,10). Because He’s a God who rewards and also desires to bless His people, “He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity” (Proverbs 2:7). May we live straight-up lives for Him—empowered by His powerful and compassionate ways.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 4:16-30
More: Read Proverbs 11:1-10 to see the contrast between the godly and those who rely on deception for their well-being.
Next:Is there a current situation in your life where you’ve been less than honest? What will you do to rectify it? To what extent does our view of God affect whether or not we walk in integrity?
With Prayer, We Cannot Fail CBN | Wednesday, June 22, 2016 By Eddie Jones
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the [Lord's people]. Ephesians 6:18 (NIV)
"Chaplain, sit for a moment. I want to talk to you about this business of prayer." George S. Patton stood by the window watching the steady rain. For days the Third Army had been bogged down due to the weather. "Chaplain," asked Patton, "How much praying is being done in the Third Army?" The Chaplain admitted that lately, not much.
"Chaplain, I am a strong believer in prayer. There are three ways that men get what they want: by planning, by working, and by praying. Any great military operation takes careful planning or thinking. Then you must have well-trained troops to carry it out: that's working. But between the plan and the operation there is always an unknown. That unknown spells defeat or victory, success or failure. Up to now, God has been very good to us. We have never retreated; we have suffered no defeats, no famine, no epidemics. This is because a lot of people back home are praying for us. We were lucky in Africa, in Sicily, and in Italy: simply because people prayed. But we have to pray for ourselves too. We must ask God to stop these rains. This Army needs the assurance and the faith that God is with us. With prayer, we cannot fail."
But what if we are forbidden to pray for the protection of our nation, the wisdom of our leaders, and the freedoms of our people? On August 29, 2011, a three-judge panel of the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled officials could not pray before public meetings. The ruling, in the case of Joyner v. Forsyth County, admonished public officials to refrain from invoking the name of Jesus.
To pray is to call upon God and to invite Him into conversation.
The Greek word enteuxis is often translated "intercession." In the New Testament the word is used to describe a petition presented to a king on the behalf of another. A petition is not an unspoken request but a bold supplication that carries with it the signatures of those who dared to come before the ruling authorities.
Jesus told this parable of the persistent neighbor:
"Suppose the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can't get up and give you anything. I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.'" Luke 11:7-8 (NIV)
God listens to our silent prayers, but He also longs to hear our voices raised to the heavens, demanding justice for the oppressed and assistance for the wounded and hurting.
Between December 12 and December 14, 1944, two hundred and fifty thousand copies of General Patton's Prayer Card were distributed to the troops. On December 20, the rains ceased. For almost a week, American warplanes bombarded the German army that had been advancing under the cloak of fog. General Patton prayed for fair weather and God sent it.
Perhaps it's time to gather in our homes, churches, public squares, and courtrooms and ask God to have mercy on us and to forgive our sins. Each year the United States recognizes a national day of prayer. What our country needs is citizens who will pray without ceasing.
Can God change your life?
God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Discover how you can find peace with God. You can also send us your prayer requests.
When There Seems To Be No One To Trust Daily Manna | Tuesday, June 21, 2016 By Deeper Christian Life Ministry
MICAH 7:1-7
Key Verse:"Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me" (Micah 7:7).
Occurrences in the world at large give serious cause to worry. Institutions that were once relied upon to help build a strong formidable society where mutual love and trust can thrive are fast collapsing. Prime communal values which once provided real succour and support for the ordinary man have been eroded. Government institutions like the judiciary and security agencies for instance, in many climes have failed as well.
Worse hit is the family institution which is closest to the individual. Here too, mutual trust and dependency appear to have been lost. This is similar to the time that the prophet Micah prophesied. The decay and corruption in the society during his time was so widespread that it was almost becoming very difficult to trust one's own shadow! Yet, with vast nature of corruption and decay in the land, the prophet resolved to keep his confidence in the Lord. If there was no one else to trust, God was still there for him. Thus, he was determined not to toe the line of the corrupt society and deviate from the holy standard of God. This is the same challenge we face today.
The society we live in does not want to encourage uprightness and sincere living. There are those who want you to bend the rules, cut corners and do all sorts of unwholesome things before you can get what is legitimately yours. Unfortunately, many are already being carried away with the slogan: "if you can't beat them, join them!" However, the Lord reminds us that though all around us may be changing, He is still on the throne. If there is no one you can trust, the Lord is available to be trusted. He is ever reliable and will not change.
Thought for the day: When we trust the Lord, we will keep His words.
Bible Reading in one Year: 1 KINGS 5-7
Give It to God Global Christian Center | Monday, June 20, 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
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)
A Good and Perfect Father Abide In Christ | Friday, June 17, 2016 By Wil Pounds
God the Father loves us just as much as He loves His Son, Jesus Christ.
Since that is a true statement can we ever have another anxious thought or rebellious attitude toward Him? Because our heavenly Father loves us with such love as He has for His Son He will not let us want for anything good in His divine will. He will take care of us in the very best possible manner (Psa. 23:1; Eph. 1:3). It is absolutely safe to put our trust in a perfect Father.
“Just as a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust” (Psalm 103:13-14).
Jesus came to reveal the LORD God as a loving and kind Father (John 14:7-9; Matt. 11:27). It is only in the revelation of God by the Lord Jesus Christ that the idea of God the Father is fully developed. The title “Father” is a distinguishing feature in the New Testament in the teaching of Jesus, especially in the Gospel of John. He reveals Jehovah God as Father. He is not the Father of all men, but only those who come to Him through Jesus Christ. “No one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). There is a distinction between God as our Creator and as Father to the believer.
God is a good and perfect Father (1 John 3:1-2; John 10:15; 14:2; Eph. 3:14; Phil. 2:11).
We have been adopted and placed as His full-grown children in His family. He chose us to be His children; therefore we must allow Him to take care of the responsibilities as a caring Father.
Are we not worth more than many sparrows? As a loving Father He always takes a greater care of His children (Matt. 6:24-26, 30-33).
God has revealed Himself as a true Father, full of love and mercy. Do I respond to Him as His child?
The Father gives His very best to His children (Matt. 7:11; Lk. 11:13). He even gives us His kingdom (Lk. 12:28-32). The context like Matthew chapter six speaks of all our needs. Our heavenly Father wants to give far more than we are able to receive.
Since this is true of our Father why should we fear coming to Him boldly and asking? Why should we fear that He will fail to give us His very best? If He failed to meet these needs of His children then His very integrity would be at stake. He will protect His Name because it reveals His perfect character. He will always give in such a manner that His Name will be glorified.
Will I do anything to cause others to doubt the integrity and trustworthness of my heavenly Father? Our doubting attitudes cast suspicion upon the faithfulness of our God. Why would we dare libel our heavenly Father when we would never cast any suspicion on our earthly father?
Our responsibility is to trust a loving Father. We go through life as His children acting as if we were left orphans with no Father who cares about us. He is worthy of our confidence and absolute trust.
Have you taken time to acquaint yourself with your heavenly Father? Do you know the “spirit of adoption” that cries out “Abba, Father”? How tragic that many children are trapped by a “spirit of bondage.”
Am I willing to trust all my cares to my heavenly Father? Why should I want to hold on to my fears, anxiety, and selfish cares when He is fully aware of all my most profound needs? He is ready to meet them in the very best way possible.
One of the great needs we have is for security. The believer in Jesus Christ is eternally secure because there is a divine double grip around the believer (John 10:28-30). Jesus teaches us that no one can pluck us out of His secure hands, and “no one is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand: I and the Father are one.”
Have you come to know our great God and Savior as your Father?
Light in Our Darkness Truth For Life | Thursday, June 16, 2016 By C.H. Spurgeon
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalms 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation." Here is personal interest: "my light," "my salvation"; the soul is assured of it, and therefore declares it boldly. Into the soul at the new birth, divine light is poured as the forerunner of salvation; where there is not enough light to reveal our own darkness and to make us long for the Lord Jesus, there is no evidence of salvation.
After conversion our God is our joy, comfort, guide, teacher, and in every sense our light: He is light within us, light around us, light reflected from us, and light to be revealed to us. Note, it does not just say that the Lord gives light, but that He is light; nor that He gives salvation, but that He is salvation; so, then, whoever by faith has laid hold upon God has all the covenant blessings in their possession. Once this fact is assured, the deduction from it is put in the form of a question, "Whom shall I fear?" A question that is its own answer. The powers of darkness are not to be feared, for the Lord, our light, destroys them; and we need not dread the damnation of hell, for the Lord is our salvation.
This is a very different challenge from that of boastful Goliath, for it rests not upon the conceited vigor of human strength, but upon the real power of the omnipotent I AM. "The LORD is the stronghold of my life." Here is a third glowing quality showing that the writer's hope was fastened with a threefold cord that could not be broken. It is no surprise that we accumulate terms of praise where the Lord lavishes deeds of grace.
Our life derives all its strength from God; and if He deigns to make us strong, we cannot be weakened by all the cunning movements of our adversary. "Whom shall I fear?" The bold question looks into the future as well as the present. "If God is for us, who can be against us,"1 either now or in time to come?
1 Romans 8:31
Family Bible reading plan
• Isaiah 48
• Revelation 18
Get Moving! (1) My Utmost For His Highest | Tuesday, June 14, 2016 By Oswald Chambers’
Abide in Me… — John 15:4
In the matter of determination. The Spirit of Jesus is put into me by way of the atonement by the Cross of Christ. I then have to build my thinking patiently to bring it into perfect harmony with my Lord. God will not make me think like Jesus— I have to do it myself. I have to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). “Abide in Me”— in intellectual matters, in money matters, in every one of the matters that make human life what it is. Our lives are not made up of only one neatly confined area.
Am I preventing God from doing things in my circumstances by saying that it will only serve to hinder my fellowship with Him? How irrelevant and disrespectful that is! It does not matter what my circumstances are. I can be as much assured of abiding in Jesus in any one of them as I am in any prayer meeting. It is unnecessary to change and arrange my circumstances myself. Our Lord’s inner abiding was pure and unblemished. He was at home with God wherever His body was. He never chose His own circumstances, but was meek, submitting to His Father’s plans and directions for Him. Just think of how amazingly relaxed our Lord’s life was! But we tend to keep God at a fever pitch in our lives. We have none of the serenity of the life which is “hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).
Think of the things that take you out of the position of abiding in Christ. You say, “Yes, Lord, just a minute— I still have this to do. Yes, I will abide as soon as this is finished, or as soon as this week is over. It will be all right, Lord. I will abide then.” Get moving— begin to abide now. In the initial stages it will be a continual effort to abide, but as you continue, it will become so much a part of your life that you will abide in Him without any conscious effort. Make the determination to abide in Jesus wherever you are now or wherever you may be placed in the future.
Wisdom From Oswald Chambers We are in danger of being stern where God is tender, and of being tender where God is stern. The Love of God—The Message of Invincible Consolation, 673 L
Bible in One Year: Ezra 9-10; Acts 1
Giving To Others HeavensInspirations | Monday, June 13, 2016 By M.S.Lowndes
"...Give, and [gifts] will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will they pour into [the pouch formed by] the bosom [of your robe and used as a bag]. For with the measure you deal out [with the measure you use when you confer benefits on others], it will be measured back to you..." ~ Luke 6: 38 (AMP)
As we are giving to others, God gives us all that we need. God loves it when we are giving to others, whether it is our finances, time or talents. We can be a blessing to others by giving to them with a thankful and generous heart. Whatever measure we use in giving to others, it will be used in measuring back to us. It's the same principle as 'what you sow you shall reap'.
God has been so generous towards us - in all that He has given us. He has blessed us all in so many ways, so we, too, can bless others.
Let us today, give with a generous heart!
Giving to others pleases the Lord And He, in turn, will bless us more
Our New Name Our Daily Bread | Friday, June 10, 2016 By Amy Boucher Pye
Read: Revelation 2:12–17 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 34–36; John 19:1–22
I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it. Revelation 2:17
She called herself a worrier, but when her child was hurt in an accident, she learned how to escape that restricting label. As her child was recovering, she met each week with friends to talk and pray, asking God for help and healing. Through the months as she turned her fears and concerns into prayer, she realized that she was changing from being a worrier to a prayer warrior. She sensed that the Lord was giving her a new name. Her identity in Christ was deepening through the struggle of unwanted heartache.
In Jesus’s letter to the church at Pergamum, the Lord promises to give to the faithful a white stone with a new name on it (Rev. 2:17). Biblical commentators have debated over the meaning, but most agree that this white stone points to our freedom in Christ. In biblical times, juries in a court of law used a white stone for a not-guilty verdict and a black stone for guilty. A white stone also gained the bearer entrance into such events as banquets; likewise, those who receive God’s white stone are welcomed to the heavenly feast. Jesus’s death brings us freedom and new life—and a new name.
Followers of Christ have a brand-new identity.
What new name do you think God might give to you?
INSIGHT:
In the book of Revelation, the Lord Jesus is referred to as having a “sharp, double-edged sword” (1:16; 2:12). In chapter one, John described this sword as coming out of Jesus’s mouth (v. 16). In today’s passage, Jesus is seen using this sword to fight against and slay His enemies (2:16). In a later vision, John saw Jesus as the “Faithful and True” rider of a white horse (19:11), whose name is “the Word of God,” using the “sharp sword” to conquer the nations (vv. 13–15). Christ, the Word of God (John 1:1–4), will come again to judge this world and will rule it “with an iron scepter” (Rev. 19:11–15).
Hunt for Truth Truth For Life | Thursday, June 9, 2016 By C.H. Spurgeon
Search the Scriptures. John 5:39
The Greek word translated search signifies a strict, close, diligent, curious search, the kind men make when they are seeking gold, or hunters when they are in pursuit of game. We must not be content with giving a superficial glance to one or two chapters, but with the candle of the Spirit we must deliberately seek out the meaning of the Word.
Holy Scripture requires searching—much of it can only be learned by careful study. There is milk for babies, but also meat for strong men. The rabbis wisely say that a mountain of matter hangs upon every word, indeed, upon every title of Scripture. Tertullian declared, "I adore the fullness of the Scriptures." The person who merely skims the Book of God will not profit from it; we must dig and mine until we obtain the treasure. The door of the Word only opens to the key of diligence. The Scriptures demand to be searched. They are the writings of God, bearing the divine stamp and imprimatur—who shall dare to treat them casually? To despise them is to despise the God who wrote them.
God forbid that any of us should allow our Bibles to become witnesses against us in the great day of account. The Word of God will repay searching. God does not ask us to sift through a mountain of chaff with only here and there a grain of wheat in it, but the Bible is sifted corn—we have only to open the granary door and find it. Scripture grows upon the student.
It is full of surprises. Under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, to the searching eye, it glows with splendor of revelation, like a vast temple paved with gold and roofed with rubies, emeralds, and all manner of gems. There is no merchandise like the merchandise of scriptural truth. Finally, the Scriptures reveal Jesus: "They that bear witness about me." No more powerful motive can be urged upon Bible readers than this: He who finds Jesus finds life, heaven, and all things. Happy are they who, in searching the Bible, discover their Savior.
Family Bible reading plan: • Isaiah 41 • Revelation 11
Courage to Stand Billy Graham Evangelistic Ministries | Wednesday, June 8, 2016 By Billy Graham
It is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being in Christ's family and being called by his wonderful name! — 1 Peter 4:16 (TLB)
A great problem in America is that we have an anemic and watered-down Christianity that has produced an anemic, watered-down, and spineless Christian who is not willing to stand up and be counted on every issue. We must have a virile, dynamic, aggressive Christian who lives Christ seven days a week, who is ready to die, if necessary, for his faith. We need Christians who are ethical, honest, gracious, bold, strong, and devoted followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer for the day:
I realize how spineless and pampered my Christian walk is. Give me Your courage, Lord Jesus, to follow You more devotedly.
A Servant’s Rewards In Touch Ministries | Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Hebrews 6:10
In His grace, God freely gives salvation to those who believe His Son Jesus died on the cross for their sins. We cannot earn this gift, nor do we deserve it. Our Father does notice our good works, though, and He promises to reward us accordingly.
Genuine service occurs when we cooperate as the Lord works through us for His glory and honor. True ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels.
Revelation 22:12 encourages us, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.” Whether large or small, service done in Jesus’ name will be blessed. We must be careful, though, that our actions are for Christ’s glory and not our own. If our motives are self-serving, the only benefit we receive is the praise (if any) that we hear from people in this life. And we know that man’s approval is not satisfying or lasting.
While some rewards will be given in heaven, other blessings can be experienced here on earth. For example, we know great joy when God blesses others through us. And there is deep satisfaction in realizing that we are pleasing Christ. In addition, there’s a profound sense of fulfillment when we lead a person to Jesus and teach him or her how to walk by faith.
Serving others is both a great benefit and responsibility for Christians. We should prayerfully consider our motives to make sure that our goal is to glorify Christ. Only then will we receive God’s full blessings—rewards given not just in eternity but here on earth as well.
Bible in a Year: Job 26-30
Controlling Your Tongue Just Between Us | Monday,June 6, 2016 By Jill Briscoe Wisdom of Silence - Do you have problems with tongue control?
“My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” ~ Daniel 6:22 (NLT)
We were enjoying a prayer meeting. Fifteen women had gathered to talk to God. To encourage our hearts, we were reading together from the Word. We marveled at Daniel, noting that something wonderful happened every time he prayed.
“How brave and courageous he was,” said one.
“How close he kept to the Father,” exclaimed another.
“How special his gifts – and how faithful a servant!” added a third. There was silence…
“What I like best about this story,” said one of my friends, “is the bit about the lions. Daniel said in 6:22, ‘My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me.’ If God shut the lions’ mouths, I know he can surely shut mine!”
We prayed about that – all of us.
As a young man and a slave under a foreign king, Daniel had relied on his God and learned when to open and when to close his mouth, so Daniel’s wisdom was esteemed by four great rulers – Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darious, and Cyrus. Even Belshazzar’s mother recommended listening to Daniel’s words of wisdom: “There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods” (Dan. 5:11). Daniel was wise – and his words reflected it.
When you can control your tongue, God gets the glory and people are amazed.
Lord, thank You for the assurance that I can rely on You for wisdom to control my tongue. I know it is too easy to say words that are hurtful and discouraging. Keep the importance of my every word before me each day. Help my words and conversation bring glory to You. Amen.
Living His Word Bible Gateway | Friday, June 3, 2016
Isaiah 55:6 ERV: So you should look for the LORD before it is too late. You should call to him now, while he is near.
God comes near to us by revealing Himself to us, but in order for this revelation to be effective there is something we must do. We must look for the Lord. Hebrews 11:6 says that we should “sincerely try to find Him.” Jeremiah 29:13 quotes the Lord as saying “when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” It is our sin that has alienated us from God and it is necessary, therefore, that we turn from our sin and look for God. We should turn from looking anywhere and everywhere else and look for Him.
Our verse for today tells us that we should turn to God and look for Him before it is too late. The most obvious example of this is that we must turn to God before we die. Death ends all opportunity to turn back to God. We must also turn to God before Jesus returns. The Second Coming also ends all opportunity to turn back to God. Further, we must turn to God before time passes us by. Hebrews 3:7-8 tells us that there are times of opportunity to turn back to God. If we miss them, we may be too late.
Our verse for today also tells us that we should call to God while He is near. There are times when God comes closer to us than normal. These are the times when God reaches out to us and reveals Himself to us with more urgency. Instead of just letting us continue on our way apart from Him, He comes close and calls out to us. Isaiah 65:1 says there are times when God cries out “Here I am, here I am.” When we hear His voice, we should turn to Him, look for Him, and call out to Him. We should not harden our hearts and ignore Him.
Amos 5:6 tells us that if we will seek the Lord we will live. God commands us to look for Him because He wants to be found by us and bless us. It pays to look for the Lord.
James 4:8 promises that if we come near to God He will come near to us. Let us draw near to God and live.
Where to Discover Who God Really Is Crosswalk.com | Thursday, June 2, 2016 By PowerPoint Today from Pastor Jack Graham
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Matthew 4:4”
In Greensboro, North Carolina, there’s an institute called the Center for Creative Leadership that exists solely for the purpose to advance the understanding, practice, and development of leadership all over the world.
Years ago, the institute conducted a study to determine how ideas are transmitted from person to person. They looked at secular organizations, government entities, and churches, and found that the most effective way of communicating truth to an individual and having him or her retain it is by telling compelling stories.
As we read the Bible, we see that’s how the authors (and the ultimate Author) communicated truth to us as well. Yes, there are some sections that are theological treatises, but more is actually communicated about God through story than any other way!
The Scriptures were designed for the real purpose of us being able to immerse ourselves into them. It’s His story of creation, fall, redemption, and glory that pulls us in and reveals who God really is. Dive deeply into the pages of God’s Word. It’s meant to be savored!
FEAST ON THE SCRIPTURES REGULARLY AND DISCOVER WHO GOD IS AS YOU IMMERSE YOURSELF IN HIS WORD!
Not a Simple Story Our Daily Bread | Wednesday, June 1, 2016 By Tim Gustafson
Read: 2 Chronicles 16:7–14 | Bible in a Year: 2 Chronicles 15–16; John 12:27–50
The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
Life seems straightforward in the laws of the Old Testament. Obey God and get blessed. Disobey Him and expect trouble. It’s a satisfying theology. But is it that simple?
King Asa’s story seems to fit the pattern. He led his people away from false gods and his kingdom thrived (2 Chron. 15:1–19). Then late in his reign, he depended on himself instead of God (16:2–7) and the rest of his life was marked by war and illness (v. 12).
In God’s eternal plan, His blessings arrive in due time.
It’s easy to look at that story and draw a simple conclusion. But when the prophet Hanani warned Asa, he said that God will “strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (16:9). Why do our hearts need strengthening? Because doing the right thing may require courage and perseverance.
Job got the starring role in a cosmic tragedy. His crime? “He [was] blameless and upright” (Job 1:8). Joseph, falsely accused of attempted rape, languished in prison for years—to serve God’s good purposes (Gen. 39:19–41:1). And Jeremiah was beaten and put in stocks (Jer. 20:2). What was the prophet’s offense? Telling the truth to rebellious people (26:15).
Life is not simple, and God’s ways are not our ways. Making the right decision may come at a cost. But in God’s eternal plan, His blessings arrive in due time.
Lord, thank You for the examples of courage and obedience in Your Word. Help us learn from their mistakes and from their wise choices, as we make our choice to serve You.
God helps those who depend on Him.
INSIGHT: <
The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles cover much of the same historical ground as 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. One of the differences, however, is that the books of Samuel and Kings come primarily from a prophetic perspective, while 1 and 2 Chronicles have a more priestly influence.
