Do Not Compromise Billy Graham Evangelistic Minitry | Thursday, September 29, 2016 By Billy Graham
Out of his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you the mighty inner strengthening of his Holy Spirit. — Ephesians 3:16 (TLB)
Horace Pitkin, the son of a wealthy merchant, was converted and went to China as a missionary. He wrote to his friends in America, saying, “It will be but a short time till we know definitely whether we can serve Him better above or here.” Shortly afterward, a mob stormed the gate of the compound where Pitkin defended the women and children. He was beheaded and his head was offered at the shrine of a heathen god, while his body was thrown into a pit with the bodies of nine Chinese Christians.
Sherwood Eddy, writing about him, said, “Pitkin won more men by his death than he ever could have won by his life.” Christ needs people today who are made of martyr stuff! Dare to take a strong, uncompromising stand for Him.
Prayer for the day:Thank You, Lord, for the examples of those who have gone before us. Help me to take hold of Your unlimited strength, too.
Polluted Gains DCLM - Daily Manna | Wednesday, September 28, 2016 By Deeper Christian Life Ministry
JAMES 5:1-11
Key Verse:"Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are en- tered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth" (James 5:4).
The writer of today's text, having dealt with various issues of interest in previous chapters, now turned his attention to the wealthy class. He had stiff warning for the rich, not because of their riches but for their oppression and wicked exploitation of the poor. The truly rich leaves no debt behind him and he definitely owes no one their just wages or due. The wicked rich is not so. His wealth is largely the result of ruthless and godless business principles and oppression of the poor like delaying, decreasing or keeping back the wages of labourers and workmen. This attitude offends God.
Those who become affluent through dishonesty and exploitative domination of others sin greatly against men and God. It may seem such practice is an acceptable norm in our society today; yet, the Lord puts a curse upon gains got by dishonesty. To live in affluence and luxury on the travails and labours of others who groan under oppression and poverty is the height of insensitivity and wickedness.
Christian masters and employers of labour owe it a duty not only to honour their obligation to their employees but also to help see to the removal or reduction of poverty in the society and in the church. Money, it is said, is like manure: it does no good till it is spread. The poor man's wages is for his survival and support of his family. It should be paid promptly as it is earned.
Thought for the day: God avenges the blood of the innocent and the sweat of the oppressed.
Words for the Weary Our Daily Bread | Friday, September 23, 2016 By David McCasland
Read: Isaiah 50:4–10 | Bible in a Year: Song of Solomon 1–3; Galatians 2
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. Isaiah 50:4
A few days after his father died, 30-year-old C. S. Lewis received a letter from a woman who had cared for his mother during her illness and death more than two decades earlier. The woman offered her sympathy for his loss and wondered if he remembered her. “My dear Nurse Davison,” Lewis replied. “Remember you? I should think I do.”
Lewis recalled how much her presence in their home had meant to him as well as to his brother and father during a difficult time. He thanked her for her words of sympathy and said, “It is really comforting to be taken back to those old days. The time during which you were with my mother seemed very long to a child and you became part of home.”
When we struggle in the circumstances of life, an encouraging word from others can lift our spirits and our eyes to the Lord. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote, “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary” (50:4). And when we look to the Lord, He offers words of hope and light in the darkness.
Help me to speak words of hope and encouragement to others.
Heavenly Father, help me to hear Your word of hope today. And help me to speak words of hope and encouragement to others, pointing them to You.
Kind words can lift a heavy heart.
INSIGHT: The Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary gives this description of Jesus Christ as the Suffering Servant: “[In Isaiah 50:1–11] it is revealed how the Servant learned through his own rejection to comfort the weary and discouraged. The phrase ‘Sovereign Lord’ occurs four times and may be better translated ‘My Master God.’ It emphasized that the Servant had a Master (God) to whom he submitted and in whom he found help. The ‘words of wisdom’ (50:4) was a reference to his speaking or prophetic ministry. The followers of the Servant were called upon to trust in God, who would bring judgment upon the disobedient (50:10–11).”
Salvation Is An Act of God BillyGraham.org | Thursday, September 22, 2016 By Billy Graham
There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other name for men to call upon to save them. — Acts 4:12 (TLB)
Salvation is an act of God. It is initiated by God, wrought by God, and sustained by God. The faith that saves the soul is described as faith in Christ as the Son of God-not as a good man or a great man, but as the uniquely begotten Son of the living God!
This is consistent with the witness of the entire New Testament and with the proclamations of the first preachers of the Gospel. All proclaim the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ as deity.
Prayer for the day
Lord Jesus, Son of God, I worship You unreservedly and praise Your holy name.
Christ: The Key to Contentment InTouch Ministries | Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Philippians 4:6-7
While in prison, Paul penned precious words about the sufficiency of Christ. We tend to attach the idea of contentment to beach vacation spots and mountain retreats, but the apostle wrote that we are not to be anxious anywhere or at any time, because we have the Lord’s peace.
Contentment is the believer’s birthright. Peace is part of the spiritual fruit that’s ours when we trust in the Savior (Gal. 5:22); it is an inward serenity that passes all understanding (Phil. 4:7). Jesus lived through conflict with a sense of inner quiet, and because of His indwelling Spirit, that remarkable calm belongs to God’s children, too. That is important because there are times when we come across a problem that has no earthly solution. In situations like those, we learn that self-sufficiency is a lie. We cannot cope alone, but Christ is all we need.
Here is the flip side of the coin: “‘There is no peace for the wicked,’ says the Lord” (Isa. 48:22). Modern culture slaps the word wicked onto only the vilest of actions and people, but God’s definition is much broader. The wicked are those who willfully reject His right to forgive their sins and take Lordship over their life. If you are not a believer, you cannot experience true and lasting contentment.
When we are born again (John 3:3-8), we become children of the living God and rightful heirs to every good thing He has to offer. This includes the deep inner peace and joy that can withstand any trial. What can man do to the one who belongs to the Lord (Heb. 13:6)?
Not Coming Back Our Daily Journey | Tuesday, September 20, 2016 By Russell Fralick
Read: Luke 14:25-33 If you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:27).
To paraphrase pastor and writer A. W. Tozer: “One thing you knew about a man walking out of town with a cross on his back: He wasn’t coming back!”
This may sound straightforward and perhaps even a little flippant, but Tozer didn’t mean it that way. He was helping us see what true commitment means. In essence, he was asking: “Are we really dead to ourselves, to the world?”
It must have been confusing for Jesus’ listeners when he said, “If you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27). The crowds had enthusiastically followed Him and now He offered them what? A form of torture and execution? This wasn’t something they would have expected from Him. He was at least a rabbi—a teacher—to them, and perhaps the promised Messiah. So why would He refer to such a hideous Roman punishment? It’s possible the crowd thinned out a bit at that point!
Jesus also talked about “hating” one’s own family (Luke 14:26). Now we can get around this one quite comfortably by saying that our love for Jesus should be so great that, in comparison, all other affections seem as hatred. But let’s ponder these things. Jesus wants all of our attention, every scrap of our lives. By taking up the cross we’re saying that we have died, are dying, and will die each day to all that we want, all our agendas, hopes, dreams, and plans. Why? Because of our love for Him, our understanding of our need for Him, and our certainty that we will spend eternity with Him.
What a huge challenge the crowd heard from Jesus that day—a challenge for us today. But Jesus’ loving example makes sense of it all. He “gave up his life for us” (1 John 3:16). By His power, may we do the same for Him and others!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 14:26-52
More: Read Galatians 2:20 and think about what it means to be crucified with Christ.
Next: How can you find the joy and the freedom that comes to all who die to self and are made alive in Christ? How does Jesus’ sacrificial example inspire you today?
Faith for the Future CBN | Monday, September 19, 2016 By Pat Robertson
As you look forward, are you viewing the future with fear -- or faith? As believers, we should move forward with confidence, based on the eternal truth of God's Word.
Take your cue from Joshua. After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites are finally poised to enter the Promised Land when Moses dies! God tells Joshua, "You must lead My people across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. Everywhere you go, you will be on land I have given you. For I will be with you ... . I will not fail you or abandon you.'" (Joshua 1:2,3,5 excerpts).
God had promised His people a land flowing with milk and honey, filled with vineyards they didn't plant and cities they didn't build. It was theirs for the taking. But first they would have to fight!
So God fortifies Joshua for battle by exhorting him three times, "Be strong and courageous" (Joshua 1:6,7,9). In faith, Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan to a miraculous triumph over Jericho ... then to victory after victory throughout the land!
But this was only possible because Joshua and his warriors took God at His word. And -- knowing the Lord was with them -- they could not fail!
Today, God continues telling His people, "I will be with you! Be strong and courageous!"
Forgiveness is the Key to Unlocking God's Miracle Power
Take the leap! www.worthydevotions.com | Thursday September 15, 2016
John 11:40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"
One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee flames by jumping to the ground from the roof. His father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." But the boy was afraid -- he couldn't see his father -- all he could see was flame, smoke, and blackness. He was afraid. Still, his father kept yelling: "Jump son! I will catch you!" But the boy refused, crying, "Daddy, I can't see you!" His father replied, "It's ok son -- I can see you -- and that's all that matters!"
Sometimes we find ourselves in the midst of the fiery trials of life and all we can see is the smoke and the flames. But faith is knowing who will catch us when take that leap. In Hebrew, the word 'truth' in this verse, is em-oo-nah, which is also translated faith. God delights in responding to our faith. He wants us to jump into His arms --- especially when we can't see Him.
George Mueller said, "Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends."
Let's practice some faith today. Our Father's arms are biggest and strongest they come!
True Friendship Billy Graham Evangelistic Ministry | Wednesday September 14, 2016 By Billy Graham
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
—John 13:35
The human soul is a lonely thing. It must have the assurance of companionship. Left entirely to itself, it cannot enjoy anything. God said in the beginning, “It is not good that man should dwell alone” (Genesis 2:18). The creation of Eve was the beginning of human companionship. God’s people are a body, not intended to function separately, not intended to be unconcerned for one another. The only true body in the world is the Church. The world may talk grandly of brotherhood, but in reality its philosophy is “each man for himself.”
Prayer for the day: Father, teach me true brotherhood in Jesus Christ.
This Man TruthForLife | Tuesday September 13, 2016 By Alistair Begg
This man receives sinners. Luke 15:2
Observe the condescension of this fact. Jesus, holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners, who towers above all other men—this Man receives sinners. This Man, who is no other than the eternal God, before whom angels veil their faces—this Man receives sinners. It requires an angel's tongue to describe such a mighty stoop of love. That any of us would be willing to reach the lost is nothing wonderful—they are, after all, our own race; but that He, the offended God, against whom the transgression has been committed, should take upon Himself the form of a servant and bear the sin of many and be willing to receive the worst of sinners—this is marvelous.
"This man receives sinners"; not in order for them to remain sinners, but He receives them in order that He may pardon their sins, justify their persons, cleanse their hearts by His purifying word, preserve their souls by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and enable them to serve Him, show forth His praise, and have communion with Him. Into His heart's love He receives sinners; He takes them from the refuse pile and wears them as jewels in His crown; He snatches them like branches from the fire and preserves them as costly monuments to His mercy. None are so precious in Jesus' sight as the sinners for whom He died.
When Jesus receives sinners, He does not have an outdoor reception, no public square where He charitably entertains them in the way men treat passing beggars, but He opens the golden gates of His royal heart and receives the sinner right into Himself. He admits the humble penitent into personal union and makes Him a member of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. There was never such a reception as this! This fact is certain. Even this evening, He is still receiving sinners: It is our prayer that sinners will receive Him.
Family Bible reading plan • Ezekiel 16 • Psalms 58 , 59
Another View Our Daily Journey | Monday September 12, 2016 By Regina Franklin
Read:Job 36:1-25 Everyone has seen these things, though only from a distance (Job 36:25).
I do not enjoy being at a loss for words. I feel helpless when I can’t offer comfort to someone who’s hurting. Facing unexpected circumstances with a loved one is difficult enough, but sometimes we feel powerless in not being able to answer their question, “Why?” In our desperation, we rifle through our thoughts in an attempt to at least ease their pain. But those who’ve been through deep waters of trial can attest that the silence of a friend is more golden than misspoken words, especially when the attempt to form answers only produces more pain.
The story of Job serves to prove this eternal truth: We can’t answer for God. Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us, “God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” The working of His hands is simply beyond our finite understanding (Romans 11:33-34)—something we find difficult to accept..
Job’s friends spoke a measure of truth, but their understanding was limited. Yes, God is powerful above our circumstances, and He sees the disobedience of the wicked and will bring justice to those who serve Him (Job 36:5-6). He also knows that suffering can help us grow in our faith and our ability to help others.
Job’s friend Elihu, though he did more than just try to get Job to repent of some unconfessed sin as others had done, still didn’t get the full picture. Job’s suffering wasn’t simply about his relationship with God. Times of suffering do reveal our level of dependency on and trust in God (Job 1:21-22, 2:9-10). But the journey through deep waters also becomes an opportunity for revelation and growth for ourselves and for others.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 13:1-20
More: Read Romans 12:15 and consider what it means to truly come alongside someone who’s hurting.
Next: How did you respond when a friend’s words to you during a difficult time seemed harsh and grating rather than comforting? How can the suffering of another person be used by God to help others grow in Him?
Everything Comes from God Our Daily Bread | Thursday, September 08, 2016 By Keila Ochoa
Read: 1 Chronicles 29:14–19 | Bible in a Year: Proverbs 3–5; 2 Corinthians 1
All of it belongs to you. 1 Chronicles 29:16
I was 18 years old when I got my first fulltime job, and I learned an important lesson about the discipline of saving money. I worked and saved until I had enough money for a year of school. Then my mom had emergency surgery, and I realized I had the money in the bank to pay for her operation.
My love for my mother suddenly took precedence over my plans for the future. These words in the book Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot took on new meaning: “If we hold tightly to anything given to us, unwilling to let it go when the time comes to let it go or unwilling to allow it to be used as the Giver means it to be used, we stunt the growth of the soul. It is easy to make a mistake here, ‘If God gave it to me,’ we say, ‘it's mine. I can do what I want with it.’ No. The truth is that it is ours to thank Him for and ours to offer back to Him, . . . ours to let go of.”
I realized that the job I had received and the discipline of saving were gifts from God! I could give generously to my family because I was sure God was capable of seeing me through school another way, and He did.
Everything Belongs To God
Today, how might God want us to apply David's prayer from 1 Chronicles 29:14, “Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us”? (nlt).
Lord, we know there is nothing that we have that we obtained on our own. It’s all Yours. Help us to have open hands for You
to give and take as You please. Increase our faith.
INSIGHT: Today’s reading puts the true object of worship front and center. David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:14–19 appears nowhere else in the biblical account and focuses the reader’s attention on God rather than on the temple or on King David. This makes perfect sense given the timeframe and audience of the book. Although we cannot be certain, Jewish tradition identifies Ezra as the chronicler. And it’s believed he wrote between 450 and 400 bc, with his primary audience being those who had recently returned from exile in Babylonia. The books of 1 and 2 Chronicles are unique in that they are historical accounts written long after the events they describe. About half of Chronicles is material repeated from earlier Old Testament books.
Sweeping Generalizations Our Daily Journey | Wednesday, September 07, 2016 By Roxanne Robbins
Read: Romans 3:21-26 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard (Romans 3:23).
Sometimes we can make sweeping generalizations about all sorts of things—or even about people. “No ___________ are friendly,” we might say. “All ___________ are corrupt,” we insist.
Staunch judgments, prejudices, and unbendable views often result when individuals and groups assume every person belonging to a particular ethnic group, religion, or region believes and behaves the same way.
I vividly remember when I was walking down the streets of a major city with a friend and uttered a blanket statement about the people who lived there. Rather than agreeing with me, my friend urged me to seek the exceptions. “In the midst of the powerful, there will be the meek. Look for them,” she said. “Among the proud, seek the humble, and you’ll find some in the midst.”
Unlike our own opinions that are often uninformed and laden with stereotypes, in Scripture we find a holy God who makes perfectly accurate generalizations. When He says “everyone has sinned” (Romans 3:23), He’s referring to every person ever born—without exception. But rather than condemn us for our sins, God has extended grace to all who will believe in Jesus and receive salvation. “God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins” (Romans 3:24).
Through His one and only Son, God makes forgiveness of sins and salvation available to all—the poor and the rich, the kind and the unkind, the meek and the proud. As Paul wrote, “[Jesus] died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them” (2 Corinthians 5:15). God clearly knows our sinful hearts but has chosen a way for us to know and live for Him!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 21:1-24
More: Read Romans 5:8 and consider what God has done for you.
Next: What does God’s grace mean to you? How does He view us once we’ve received salvation in Jesus?
Dealing with Conflict CBN.com | Tuesday, September 06, 2016 By J. Stephen Lang
Where there are two human beings, there is the potential for fighting. Part of the human condition is that people do quarrel. And some of the bitterest fights are between people who are closest -- husband and wife, parent and child, siblings, longtime friends, ... even fellow Christians.
The Bible has a lot to say about the sources of conflicts and how to squelch them.
Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love covers all offenses.
Proverbs 10:12
Pride leads to arguments; those who take advice are wise.
Proverbs 13:10
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin; anyone who speaks boastfully invites disaster.
Proverbs 17:19
Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
Proverbs 20:3
A hot-tempered person starts fights and gets into all kinds of sin.
Proverbs 29:22
He will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and practice evil deeds.
Romans 2:8
You are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don't belong to the Lord.
1 Corinthians 3:3
Next: What does God’s grace mean to you? How does He view us once we’ve received salvation in Jesus?
About Jesus - The Christian Message of Salvation heavensinspirations.com | Monday, September 05, 2016
How To Become A Christian
In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. ~John 1:1-3 (Amp)
If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. ~1 John 1:9 (Amp)
Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation. ~Rom 10:9-10
I've dedicated this page to share Jesus with you.
We believe that everyone has sinned and fallen short of what God requires. God sent Jesus Christ to die on the cross, so that we may be forgiven and reconciled back to God, to have a daily personal relationship with Him. It is only through Jesus Christ that we come into this relationship with God.
We believe Jesus was raised to life so we may have eternal life with Him. In a sense when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we become a brand-new person - we are Born Again.
Yes we still have struggles in our daily lives, but we know that Jesus is with us always and helps us when we give it over to Him.
Here’s how to establish a spiritual BASE for your life from the bible.
B - Believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and showed He was God by coming back to life. Do you believe that? (1 Corinthians 15:2-4)
A - Accept God’s free gift of forgiveness for your sins. Do you want to do that? (Romans 3:22)
S - Switch to God’s plan for your life. The bible word for that is repentance but it just means switch to God’s plan for your life. Do you want to do that? (Mark 1:15, Romans 12:2)
E - Express your desire for Christ to be the director of your life - (Lord and Saviour). (Romans 10:9)
If you’re willing to take these four basic steps, here’s a simple prayer you can pray.
"Dear God, I believe you sent your son, Jesus, to die for my sins so I can be forgiven. I am sorry for my sins and ask for your forgiveness, so I can live the rest of my life the way you want me to. I ask that Jesus would come into my heart and that you will fill me with your Holy Spirit. Amen”.
If you have prayed this prayer the next step is to find a church where you will be built up in your faith. Ask God to lead you where He will have you go. It is important to connect with other Christians. God bless you as you walk with Him.
