In My Fallen State TruthForLife | Monday, October 31, 2016 Written by C.H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg
It was I who knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought. Hosea 13:5
Yes, Lord, You did indeed know me in my fallen state, and You did even then choose me for Yourself. When I was loathsome and self-abhorred, You received me as Your child, and You satisfied my longings. Blessed forever be Your name for this free, rich, abounding mercy. Since then, my inward experience has often been a wilderness; but You have kept me still as Your beloved and poured streams of love and grace into me to gladden me and make me fruitful. When my outward circumstances have been at the worst, and I have wandered in a land of drought, Your sweet presence has comforted me. Men have ignored me, and I have been scorned; but You have known my soul in adversities, for no affliction dims the luster of Your love. Most gracious Lord, I magnify You for all Your faithfulness to me in trying circumstances, and I deplore the fact that I have at times forgotten You and been proud of heart when I have owed everything to Your gentleness and love. Have mercy upon Your servant in this matter!
My soul, if Jesus acknowledged you in your lowly condition, be sure that you own both Himself and His cause now that you are in prosperity. Do not be puffed up by worldly successes, and do not be ashamed of the truth or of the poor church with which you have been associated. Follow Jesus into the wilderness: Bear the cross with Him when the persecution heats up. He owned you, O my soul, in your poverty and shame—never be so treacherous as to be ashamed of Him. Let me know more shame at the thought of being ashamed of my best Beloved! Jesus, my soul cleaves to You.
I'll turn to Thee in days of light,
As well as nights of care,
Thou brightest amid all that's bright!
Thou fairest of the fair!
Family Bible reading plan
• Hosea 5 , 6
• Psalms 119:145-176
Mending Hearts Our Daily Bread | Wednesday, October 26, 2016 By Dennis Fisher
Read: Matthew 5:1–16 | Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 9–11; 1 Timothy 6 You are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14
Not long ago I went to a seamstress to have some clothing altered. As I entered her shop I was encouraged by what I saw on the walls. One sign read, “We can mend your clothes but only God can mend your heart.” Near it was a painting of Mary Magdalene weeping in anguish as the risen Christ was about to reveal Himself to her. Another sign asked, “Need prayer? Let us pray with you.”
The owner told me that she had run this small business for fifteen years. “We’ve been surprised how the Lord has worked here through the statements of faith we have posted in different places. A while back someone trusted Christ as their Savior right here. It is amazing to watch God work.” I told her I too was a Christian and commended her for telling others about Christ in her workplace.
God pours His love into our hearts to flow out to others’ lives.
Dear Father, use me to be a light today to the world around me. I love You and want others to know and love You too.
How can you be a light in your world? Read Truth With Love: Sharing the Story of Jesus by Ajith Fernando at discoveryseries.org/hp141.
God pours His love into our hearts to flow out to others’ lives.
INSIGHT:
Today’s reading deals with the Beatitudes in our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount. Those who recognize their own spiritual bankruptcy will be helped as they “seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). The gift of God’s grace in our lives manifests itself in doing good to others, which brings glory to God (5:16). We are blessed by God so we can bless others.
Bonded DCLM - Daily Manna | Tuesday, October 25, 2016 By Deeper Christian Life Ministry
SONG OF SOLOMON 6:1-13 Key Verse:"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine; he feedeth among the lilies" (Song of Solomon 6:3).
In God's divine plan for marriage, He abhors unfaithfulness. The Holy Scripture says, "marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled". In this series of Solomon's love songs, through divine inspiration, he revealed the very heart of God. In the passage today, in a poetic manner, he imagined what a woman could have said to her beloved: and vice versa.
Solomon was eminently qualified to speak on love, nay, the downside of multiple relationships. He had many women — legitimately and otherwise; but he had great regrets and later confessed that, "All is vanity and vexation of spirit" (Ecclesiastes 1:14).
Although Solomon used the romantic interaction between a groom and his bride, drawing the closeness that must exist in a God- controlled union, he was, however, painting a picture of the type of relationship that should exist between our Lord Jesus Christ (the Groom) and believers (the bride). As the writer uses "perfect love" to describe what should exist between a couple, believers should therefore be reminded of their commitment to their marital vows, and must cherish their spouses even as Christ cherishes His bride.
Our homes must always radiate the true essence of Christian union. Every genuine believer must appreciate and treat his/her spouse with utmost respect and lavish him/her with the conviviality that promotes peace and unity in the home. It is totally against the will of God for believers to abandon their spouses and begin to lavish love on others outside the union. They must be bonded in their homes.
Thought for the day: God, give us a Christian home.
Prejudice Is Weakness Billy Graham Evangelistic Association | Monday, October 24, 2016 By Billy Graham
Judge not, that ye be not judged. - Matthew 7:1
The word prejudice means “prejudging” or “making an estimate of others without knowing the facts.” Prejudice is a mark of weakness, not of strength. Prejudice is measured by computing the distance between our own biased opinions and the real truth. If we would all be perfectly honest before God, there would be no prejudice.
Prayer for the day
You love each one of us with a love that breaks through all prejudicial barriers, Father. Forgive me for the times I judge others. Purify my heart, that I may be used to draw people together into the bond of Christ's unifying love.
Finding Refuge Oiur Daily Journey | Friday, October 21, 2016 By Poh Fang Chia
Read: Matthew 26:36-46 My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me (Matthew 26:38).
Who do you turn to in moments of deep distress? Some seek the counsel and comfort of family—a spouse, parents, siblings; and some call on close friends. We appreciate the words of advice, but mostly the comforting presence of those who know us. It’s reassuring to know that we don’t have to go it alone.
Jesus sought out His friends in a time of deep distress. The night before He was crucified, He revealed His anguish to three close friends, saying, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.” And He asked them for their company and prayer support: “Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38).
Loving family and friends can help take the edge off of an unbearable situation. So it’s important that we build strong relationships during the smooth-sailing days of life, preparing for the times when the storms of life will come with their cold, howling winds.
Jesus understands our need for human companionship. He didn’t stop at seeking His friends’ support, however. Ultimately, Jesus turned to His heavenly Father. In complete honesty, He laid out His request to God (Matthew 26:39); and in total submission, He asked that His Father’s will be done (Matthew 26:42).
Christian poet Annie Johnson Flint wrote: “ ‘His will be done,’ we say with sighs and trembling, expecting trial, bitter loss and tears. And then how doth He answer us? With blessings, and sweet rebuking of our faithless fears. God’s will is peace and plenty and the power to be, and have the best that He can give: A mind to serve Him, a heart to love, and faith to die, and the strength to live. It means for us all good, all grace, all glory.”
Our heavenly Father is our loving, faithful, true refuge.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 9:20-31
More: Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 to see some advantages of companionship; and read Psalm 62:5-8 for more words about God being our refuge.
Next: How can you build stronger relationships with others? What does it mean for God to be your true refuge?
Let the rivers flow! worthydevotions.com | Thursday, October 20, 2016 By Worthy Christian Devotions
"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)
Genesis 26:18-19 And Isaac digged again the wells of water, which they had digged in the days of Abraham his father; for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham: and he called their names after the names by which his father had called them. And Isaac's servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.
There are times in our lives that we are going through a spiritual valley and we want to obtain victory -- we want to have answers -- we want God's power to flow through us again.
In this passage, Isaac found springing water after digging up the wells of his father Abraham again. In Hebrew, the phrase springing water is "mayim chayeem". It literally means "living waters".
Yeshua (Jesus) made us a promise during the feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles), "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." - John 7:38
The Lord promises us rivers of living water -- not a puddle, not a pond, not a lake -- He said rivers! These waters are not meant to be stagnant and not meant to be dammed up! They need to be flowing -- unrestricted!
We, who are believers in Messiah, have those living waters within us -- but we must clear out the obstacles in our lives that prevent them from flowing! Sins of unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness, and clinging onto pet sins are just a few of the barriers which can damn up the "rivers" of living water! Let's seek the Lord and ask him to search us deeply and thoroughly that we know how to destroy those obstacles that clog the free movement of His Spirit in our lives!
Let's seek the Lord this Sukkot -- and purpose to re-dig our wells again! And I expect the Lord has a great blessing for us if we do!
Not For Destruction DCLM - Daily Manna | Wednesday, October 19, 2016 By Deeper Christian Life Ministry
2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-11
Key Verse:"For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed"n(2 Corinthians 10:8).
Lord Acton was not wrong when he said: "Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely". In our society, we often see the reckless use of power by those who are privileged to be vested with power to serve the people. Instead of exercising the power for the benefits of the common man who they are expected to serve and defend, they turn the power to an object of oppression with which they victimize and oppress the poor.
Paul consciously reminded himself and his congregation that the authority the Lord has given him and his team was not for the destruction of the people but for their edification. Even in the face of obvious provocation by the people, ministers must not turn around to use their authority to vex the people. Some people in the Corinthian church had questioned the apostleship and authority of Paul which necessitated his explanation in the text. But in proving his apostleship and authority over them, he made it clear that it was for their own edification.
When ministers of God bear in mind the source of power they possess,they will be careful not to misuse it. Paul was mindful of this. He stated that their authority was given to them by God. They did not scheme or lobby their way into power. Those who get to a place of power through carnal scheming and worldly politics will believe they earned the power, so would not care how they use it. How do you use your God-given privilege and authority as a husband, parent, pastor or a leader in the society. Are you so power-drunk that you derive pleasure in oppressing people?
Do you help to build up, encourage and edify others with your power, or delight in crushing people with it? People who are privileged to hold power, especially among the people of God, must be conscious of the purpose of holding it. They need to constantly remind themselves that such privilege is not to destroy or victimize their flock but to edify them.
Thought for the day: An unbridled tongue is an open sepulcre.
From the Heart Our Daily Bread | Tuesday, October 18, 2016 By David McCasland
Read:Joel 2:12–17 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 53–55; 2 Thessalonians 1
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate. Joel 2:13
In many cultures, loud weeping, wailing, and the tearing of clothing are accepted ways of lamenting personal sorrow or a great national calamity. For the people of Old Testament Israel, similar outward actions expressed deep mourning and repentance for turning away from the Lord.
An outward demonstration of repentance can be a powerful process when it comes from our heart. But without a sincere inward response to God, we may simply be going through the motions, even in our communities of faith.
After a plague of locusts devastated the land of Judah, God, through the prophet Joel, called the people to sincere repentance to avoid His further judgment. “ ‘Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning’ ” (Joel 2:12).
God wants to hear your heart
Then Joel called for a response from deep inside: “Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity” (v. 13). True repentance comes from the heart.
The Lord longs for us to confess our sins to Him and receive His forgiveness so we can love and serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Whatever you need to tell the Lord today, just say it—from the heart.
Lord, please give me a heart of repentance to see myself as You do. Give me the grace to respond to Your merciful call for change.
God wants to hear your heart. INSIGHT:
In today’s reading we find remarkable insights on the theme of repentance. Key phrases punctuate this exhortation. “Even now” (Joel 2:12): Despite a pattern of disobedience that has merited the righteous judgment of God, He extends grace to a repentant heart. “Return to me with all your heart” (v. 12): The repentance God is calling for is not lukewarm but rather a full commitment of the heart. “Declare a holy fast” (vv. 15–17): The act of fasting does not carry a meritorious element but is a means of self-denial and sets the foundation for turning from selfishness to God. In the spiritual life of Israel both a national and individual repentance were keenly related.
EXAMPLE OF JESUS kayannan@gmail.com/024 642 5541 | Monday, October 17, 2016 By K. Essibrey-Annan
"...Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them... And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man..." (Luke 2:51-52).
Submitting to authority is an issue we should take seriously, because even God would not usurpe authority. The sovereign LORD could have asked Moses to walk over Pharaoh when it was time to deliver Israel from Egypt, but He did not. Because He instituted authority, He respected its functioning. We saw similar trend in Jesus ( Rom 13:1-4).
Even Jesus as a teen and could reason with the authorities, thus "and all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers", (Luke 2:46-47 KJV ), submitted to his parents. Jesus was to go about his Father's business, yet he went down to Nazareth with his parents and was obedient to them (Luke 2:49-51).
The reason was that, at the age of twelve (V 24), he was still a minor, and was not allowed to take decisions on his own. This was the God Man, through whom all things were made and for him (Col 1:16). We have to learn from His example. Young man, learn to submit to the authority of your parents, teachers, pastors, leaders or anyone placed above you.
You may be having a challenge with those above you; it could be your boss, your senior pastor; your board of directors; your husband; your parents; your senior sibling; even the government etc. Let's learn from the examples of God as in the case of Pharaoh and Jesus, in the case of his parents and submit to any authority placed over us.
Slaves ( employees) are asked, in reverent fear of God, to submit to their "masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh" (1 Peter 2:18). You will realize that Jesus having submitted to his parents thereafter, "grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man". Likewise, we shall learn the act of submission and be goodly authorities in future if we willingly submit to those placed over us among other blessings.
Prayer
I thank you my Lord and King for the command that, I should submit to all authority, whether am treated fairly or otherwise. I am determined to obey, knowing that at the end of the day, I would be blessed by you, so help me, Holy Spirit. Thank you for an answered prayer. In Jesus' name have I prayed, amen.
Further Studies
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves" (Rom 13:1-2)
Choose to Rejoice! worthydevotions.com | Friday, October 14, 2016 Worthy Christian Devotions
Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This weekend we'll enter into the feast of Tabernacles -- in Hebrew -- Sukkot. Sukkot is known as "The Feast" in which God commands us to rejoice. As we enter this feast of rejoicing on Sunday night, I think it is only fitting that we commit ourselves to a life of joy. "But how?" you say. We need to make a choice -- a choice to rejoice! Wow, I’m a poet and didn’t know it, lol!
Let's reflect on what the Lord has done for us this year and commit to live above our current circumstances and look ahead toward what He is going to do for us in the future!
As we look to our Lord we recognize that He suffered the agony of the crucifixion -- yet while facing His death -- JOY was set before Him! The author and finisher of our faith looked past the here and now -- and was focused on what was coming! Let's do the same.”
Despite today's problems, let’s look toward eternity. For truly, eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, the things that God has prepared for those of us who love Him!!
DON’T BE BLIND TO THE TRUTH rightfromtheheart.org | Thursday, October 13, 2016 By Right From The Heart
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12
Illinois used to have a governor, Rod Blagojevich, who was accused of having seriously abused his political power and was in the process of being impeached. He was very articulate in defending himself, saying he was unjustly accused and hadn’t done anything worthy of being kicked out of office or going to prison. Then, he was voted 59 to zero by both Republicans and Democrats to be impeached – a universal, overwhelming vote of judgment. He was doomed. They said he was guilty. He said he was not.
Sadly, that situation represents how most people are with God. We look around at others and think, “Well, I’m not as bad as they are. I’m pretty good most of the time, so I should be able to get into heaven.”ť “You see, me and God, we’ve got an agreement. We’ve got things worked out.”ť Let me make this clear – if you feel you can be right with God in your “own” way, you’re going to get to the end of your life, stand before God, and the vote will be unanimous: you’ll be doomed. All of us are sinners, yet amazingly, God loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for our sins – to be a substitute in facing the sentence we actually deserve. So, if we feel like there is any way we can receive salvation other than through Jesus Christ, we are showing blindness to our own sinful ignorance. It’s absolutely appalling to God.
Continue on that course and you’re doomed. But God’s Word gives us some great news. “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”
The Holy Spirit's Role Truth For Life | Wednesday, October 12, 2016 By Alistair Begg
"The Helper, the Holy Spirit." - John 14:26
This age is peculiarly the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, in which Jesus cheers us not by His personal presence, as He will do soon enough, but by the indwelling and constant abiding of the Holy Spirit, who is forever the Comforter of the church. It is the Spirit's role to console the hearts of God's people. He convinces of sin; He illumines and instructs; but the main part of His work still lies in gladdening the hearts of the renewed, confirming the weak, and lifting up all those who are bowed down. He does this by revealing Jesus to them. The Holy Spirit consoles, but Christ is the consolation.
If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the Physician, but Jesus is the medicine. He heals the wound, but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ's name and grace. He does not take of His own things, but of the things of Christ. So if we give to the Holy Spirit the Greek name of Paraclete, as we sometimes do, then our heart confers on our blessed Lord Jesus the title of Paraclesis. If one is the Comforter, the other is the Comfort.
Now, with such rich provision for his need, why should the Christian be sad and despondent? The Holy Spirit has graciously committed to be your Comforter: Do you imagine, weak and trembling believer, that He will neglect this sacred trust? Do you suppose that He has undertaken what He cannot or will not perform? If it is His special work to strengthen you and to comfort you, do you suppose He has forgotten His business or that He will fail in fulfilling His loving task of sustaining you? Don't think so poorly of the tender and blessed Spirit whose name is the Comforter.
He delights to give the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Trust in Him, and He will surely comfort you until the house of mourning is closed forever, and the marriage feast has begun.
Family Bible reading plan
• Ezekiel 45
• Psalms 99 , 100 , 101
Bless the Blesser crosswalk.com | Tuesday, October 11, 2016 By Zondervan - NIV Devotions for Men
Verse: Numbers 6:22-27
Recommended Reading Psalms 80; Ephesians 1:3-14; 1 John 1:5-7
Do you ever wonder what motivates people?
Not so much what moves someone to do something goofy, like wearing plaid knickers on the golf course or pouring ketchup on an otherwise perfectly good plate of scrambled eggs. Instead, you wonder what motivates a guy to bring coffee to a harried coworker during a normal workday or to take the kids out for dinner so his wife can enjoy an uninterrupted bubble bath. What causes someone to take an action that remains forever unknown to all but a few?
What motivated the person who carefully and skillfully etched the priestly blessing that would later be identified as Numbers 6:24–26 onto two small silver scrolls, each barely an inch long?
“The Lord bless you and keep you …”
Did this anonymous silversmith realize that he was recording the very words of Almighty God?
“The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you …”
Did he know that his work would survive thousands and thousands of years, until rediscovered one day in a burial cave in modern Jerusalem?
“The Lord turn his face toward you …”
Did this artisan know that what he inscribed on finger-sized scraps of silver would, in the 21st century, become the oldest known record of any written Scripture text?
“… and give you peace.”
And did he know that, as you read these words, you would need God’s blessing to provide heavenly light and grace and peace in your life this very day?
Do you ever wonder what motivates people?
To Take Away
• What incites you to take small actions that benefit other people but seem to offer no reward for you?
• How have others shown kindness to you recently?
• In what specific ways has God blessed you, kept you and turned his face toward you during the past year? How can you pass on the blessing?
God's Spokesperson Global Christian Center | Monday, October 10, 2016 By Mary J. Yerkes
Today's Scripture: Jeremiah 15:19
Central Thought: We have something worth saying when we meditate on God's Word.
Sweaty palms, pounding heart, dizziness, dry mouth, nervous shaking, squeaky voice. Let's face it, not everyone likes to stand up before a crowd and speak. Many Christians would rather die than to preach a sermon or even pray aloud in public. Even in one-on-one situations, we often hold back on sharing our faith because we just aren't sure what to say.
If you want to be used by God and speak on His behalf, Jeremiah gives a simple formula. 'If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless, you shall be as my mouth” (15:19). You don't have to be brilliant. You don't need a special degree. You don't even have to be a preacher. You can be God's spokesperson by simply avoiding worthless speech and uttering what is precious.
We live in an information age, constantly bombarded by communication from satellite television to the Internet. Yet, very little of what we hear can be considered precious. How much of our conversation revolves around what we are hearing in the media rather than what we are reading in God's Word? Our speech will be a reflection of what we are hearing and reading.
Philippians 4:8 is a challenge to our thought life. 'Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Make time today for reading God's Word and reflecting on His goodness.
Devotional Prayer: Father, thank you for giving me Your Word to meditate on day and night. Your Word is a light to my feet and a lamp to my path.
Ignore And Continue DCLM-Daily Manna | Friday, October 07, 2016 Deeper Christian Life Ministry
Key Verse: "The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity" (Psalm 94:11).
Ajudge was constantly annoyed by the sneering remarks of an abu-sive attoey. Instead of cracking down on the lawyer and silencing him, he would only smile and chew his pencil until people wondered at his patience. One day at a dinner someone asked him, "Judge, why didn't you slap down that lawyer?" The judge laid down his knife and fork and rest- ing his chin on his hands said, "Up in our town, there lives a widow who has a dog which whenever the moon shines, goes out and barks all night at the moon.
But the moon just keeps shining on!" In our text, the psalmist had a lot of questions and brought them before God in prayer: how long will the wicked and the proud be allowed to gloat in their evil? How long will they be allowed to maintain their arrogance? How long will evil people continue to boast? He goes on to describe their evil actions. They are crushing God's people. They hurt the righteous. Some evil doers even kill widows and orphans.
Though painful, suffering should be used as God's training tool. God knows the thoughts and actions of all. Everyone will be repaid. No one gets away with anything. The wicked will be judged and the righteous will be vindicated. With this understanding, just ignore the wicked and keep shinning the light knowing that your moon cannot be dimmed by a barking dog. Do not repay evil for evil. We are not to fight fire with fire, but rather with cool water. We leave all vengeance to God and try to over- come evil by doing good to our enemy or op- ponent.
Thought for the day: Your moon cannot be dimmed by a barking dog.
What Christ’s return will do for you Crosswalk.com | Thursday, October 06, 2016 By Senior Living Ministries
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. - >Romans 8:22-23
A music composer had a mischievous son who used to love to get under his father’s skin. Often, he would come in late at night when his father and mother were in bed. Before going to his room, he would go to the piano and loudly play a simple scale, all but the final note, thus leaving the scale incomplete.
The father, hearing the scale minus the final note, would writhe in his bed, unable to relax after hearing the unresolved scale. Finally, he would stumble downstairs to the piano and hit the final note. Only then would he be able to sleep.
It’s called catharsis… that felt need every single one of us has to resolve things that seem out of balance to us. It’s an innate feeling given to us by God to help us work toward and anticipate a time when every tension we have will be released and all things will be made new.
That day will happen when Jesus returns. That event will be the final note in the unfinished scale of history. It will be the day when all the wrongs are made right, all our sadness turns to joy, and our faith is made sight.
For now, we writhe and wait for the final note to be played. But trust in the Lord that the day is coming when all things will be complete and we’ll enter the rest He has for us!
Prayer Challenge
Pray that God would give you the strength to endure any hardship you face by trusting in the promise of Christ’s return.
Questions for Thought
When you think about Christ’s return, what unresolved problem that you have today are you most looking forward to being resolved?
How does the promise of Christ’s return help you endure hard times today?
Suffering as a Christian Billy Graham Evangelistic Association | Wednesday, October 05, 2016 By Billy Graham
Blessed is the man whom [the Lord] chasteneth . . . Psalm 94:12
God sometimes allows Christians to suffer, in order that they might learn the secret of obedience. The Psalmist said, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now have I kept thy word” (Psalm 119:67). It was not until after great sorrow and much affliction that David learned obedience to God.
My dear Christian friend, if you are today suffering at the hand of God and you have asked a thousand times, “Why?” I beg of you to be patient and quiet before God, and listen to the still, small voice. Bow under His loving hand and recognize that above the clouds the sun is shining. God has a purpose and design for your life, and what is happening to you is for your good.
Prayer for the day
The human in me says, “Why, Lord?” whenever I have to bear suffering—but the Spirit-filled me that was born again says, “I trust You, Father.”
When Never Becomes Now CBN.com | Tuesday, October 04, 2016 By Sandra Hastings
The young man was enthusiastic, energetic, and highly motivated. He was determined to stand true to his leader regardless of the cost. Confident in his own ability, he boasted, “Even if all the others desert you, I will never!”
Yet, only a few hours later, this young man hung his head in shame when he heard a cock crow. He had not only deserted his leader, but he had denied three times that he even knew him. What Peter thought would never happen became reality.
We raised our two daughters to love the Lord and I was sure if they married young, active, Christian men, they would surely live happily ever after. My children would never experience divorce. However, as time went on their marriages encountered major problems and both my daughters went through the heartbreaking, devastation of a divorce. My emotions recoiled in protest. What I had believed would never happen, became reality.
How many of us have said a particular situation or event would never happen to us or to those we love: addiction to alcohol, pornography or drugs, sexual abuse, divorce, an incurable disease, criminal behavior, missing in action or an affair? The list is long of those things which we hope will not and somehow refuse to accept could happen to us personally or to members of our family, and yet, they happen.
I realize many factors contribute to the above scenarios, but I do want to draw our attention to one in particular. We are involved in a serious, spiritual war. This is not a fantasy or the imagination of fanatics. It is reality.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)
Our enemy Satan with his angels, though created beings, are more cunning and powerful than we are and have one plan in mind—destruction. Satan is out to destroy testimonies, marriages, families, churches and lives. To accomplish his plan, he cunningly lays traps, waits for the perfect opportunity and preys on our weaknesses and blind spots.
It is easy for us to become busy and preoccupied with life--to become confident in ourselves. However, when this happens, we let down our guard, and our enemy has an open door to attack. As a result, life can take an unexpected turn and we experience like Peter, “never” becoming reality. In our selves, we are no match for our enemy.
The good news is we don’t have to rely on ourselves. We have Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to help us. (James 4:7) Our Lord has also provided the spiritual armor we need and given us the weapon that can defeat anything our enemy throws our way. This weapon is the Word of God and we need to have it in our heart and minds, sharp and ready for action. (Ephesians 6:13-17)
Although our enemy is ruthless, we do not need to be afraid. It is needful for us to take the battle seriously, never to forget we have an enemy, and learn to daily put on our spiritual armor. As the rapture draws closer, our enemy grows stronger. May we heed Peter’s warning to us:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith,” (1Peter 5:8)
May we claim the victory that is ours.
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:35 KJV)
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No Outsiders Our Daily Bread | Monday, October 03, 2016 By Tim Gustafson
Read: Deuteronomy 10:12–22 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 17–19; Ephesians 5:17–33
What does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him. Deuteronomy 10:12
In the remote region of Ghana where I lived as a boy, “Chop time, no friend” was a common proverb. Locals considered it impolite to visit at “chop time” (mealtime) because food was often scarce. The maxim applied to neighbors and outsiders alike.
But in the Philippines, where I also lived for a time, even if you visit unannounced at mealtime, your hosts will insist on sharing with you regardless of whether they have enough for themselves. Cultures differ for their own good reasons.
Heavenly Father, help us bless others today
As the Israelites left Egypt, God provided specific instructions to govern their culture. But rules—even God’s rules—can never change hearts. So Moses said, “Change your hearts and stop being stubborn” (Deut. 10:16 nlt). Interestingly, right after issuing that challenge Moses took up the topic of Israel’s treatment of outsiders. God “loves the foreigner residing among you,” he said, “giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt” (vv. 18–19).
Israel served the “God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome” (v. 17). One powerful way they were to show their identification with God was by loving foreigners—those from outside their culture.
What might this small picture of God’s character mean for us today? How can we show His love to the marginalized and the needy in our world?
Heavenly Father, help us bless others today by showing Your love in some small way.
In Christ, there are no outsiders.
INSIGHT:
God commanded His people to allow the poor to feed on their lands (Lev. 19:9–10; 23:22; Deut. 24:19–21). “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner” (Lev. 19:9–10; 23:22).
