DAILY DEVOTIONALS: 4.17.21

Cursed So We Could Be Blessed - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. �John 1:12 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/cursed-so-we-could-be-blessed/- Listen God created you. He loves you. But you�re not automatically His child. You become a child of God by putting your faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says, �But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God� (John 1:12 NLT). Let�s say that I�m holding a gift in my hands, and I offer it to you. You reach out and say, �Thanks, Greg. I�ll accept that gift from you.� God is offering you the gift of eternal life, but you have to reach out and accept it. You�re not born with it; you have to accept and receive it. And when you do that,you become a child of God. Would you like to experience the blessings of God that the Bible talks about? Would you like to know the peace in your heart that the Bible promises? The Lord is very clear:He wants to bless us. But the blessings of the Bible are only for those who have put their faith in Christ. Why? Because Christ took the curse. Galatians 3:13 tells us, �But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing� (NLT). Jesus was cursed so we could be blessed. Jesus died so we could live. He was forsaken so we could be forgiven. So the choice is yours. Do you want to face the curse of your sin, the repercussions of your evil actions? Or, do you want the blessing of God in your life? God said, �Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, thatyou would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!� (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT). He wants to come into your life. He�s just a prayer away. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BibleAuthority “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto hiswords, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” (Proverbs30:5-6) The Bible is unique among all books. Not only is it different in its form, structure, and history, but it takes the position of supernatural superiority to all other communication. It insists on total accuracy for its content and absolute obedience to its commands.No other book is so demanding. The whole of the Bible abounds with the teaching that it has “given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2Peter 1:3). It is the word of God the Father. Jesus made it clear: “I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speaktherefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak” (John12:49). It was confirmed by the Holy Spirit. “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2Peter 1:21). It is the source of faith and salvation. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1Peter 1:23). It is not to be changed. “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you” (Deuteronomy4:2). It is the instrument by which “a young man [can] cleanse his way...by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalm119:9). It is to be reverenced and obeyed, “for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name” (Psalm138:2). “Yea, let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans3:4). HMM III -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Both / And by Shawn McEvoy Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. - Ephesians4:15 Consider the following sets of words: Which set best describes you? Sometimes it feels like we Christians divide ourselves into these two camps. Camp A rightly believes that "God is love," and as such they do a fairly good job of not alienating those they meet and know and care for. Of course, with every strength there'sa weak side, and sometimes our well-meaning Camp-A brethren can become wishy-washy and overly accepting, even false. Camp B, on the other hand, rightly believes that "God is holy," and as such they do a fairly good job of reminding those they meet and know and care for that sin is sin, and God can not tolerate it. Of course, sometimes our well-meaning Camp-B brethren can endup sounding a lot like gongs and cymbals, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. People know we're here, but they wish we'd quiet down for a bit. Perhaps all the conflict between our own camps has torn at your heart and worn down your spirit, too. Now consider... which set of words best describes Our Father? Think about it before answering. We'll come back to that thought in a minute. I have a close friend, a youth minister, who has served many years at his current church. Recently, he was summoned to a meeting with the personnel committee and several parents. The gist of their message was that he was teaching the students too much aboutdiscipline and truth and knowing what the Bible says and so on. The criticism apparently was that there wasn't enough about love and compassion in his messages. Reading between the lines, it was clear that fear was at work: fear that these students weren't being prepared for college and a world that is more about tolerance and acceptance and where Christian students who literally believe the Bible are ostracized.After all, who hopes for their child to face unpopularity, embarrassment, and harsh criticism while they're already struggling to get ahead in the world? My friend would point out that he's not opposed to compassion and love, not in the least. But what kindof foundation do you want to build in the youth? It's sad. Because at the end of the day... why can't we have both? I'm not talking about vacillating. I'm not talking about compromise. I don't want to be lukewarm. --------------------------------------------------------------------- RememberHis Benefits “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” (Psalm103:2) The benefits of the Lord are, indeed, great and marvelous, and it would be an act of ingratitude not to remember and appreciate them. Note the following partial list in this psalm: 1.Forgiveness. “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities” (v. 3). God forgives all! He “cleanseth us from all sin” (1John 1:7). 2.Healing. “Who healeth all thy diseases” (v. 3). The greatest and ultimate disease is that of aging and death, but one day “there shall be no more death” (Revelation21:4). 3.Redemption. “Who redeemeth thy life from destruction” (v. 4; see also 1 Peter 1:18-19). 4.Glorification. “Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (v. 4). 5.Provision. “Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things” (v. 5; see also James 1:17). 6.Strength. “Thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (v. 5). 7.Protection. “The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed” (v. 6). The greatest benefit of all, of course, is the gift of salvation, by the mercy of God. Note the testimoniesof God’s mercy: “Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (v. 4). “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy” (v. 8). “For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (v. 11). “But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him” (v. 17). Infinite as the universe, enduring as eternity—these are the dimensions of God’s mercy! “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (v. 12). No wonder this great psalm both begins and ends with the inspiring exhortation: “Bless the LORD, O my soul!” HMM -------------------------------------------------------------------------- You Can Do This By Ryan Duncan Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. – Luke 6:30 Every other day, just after finishing with work, I head to the gym and spend some time exercising. I like to work out. It’s a great way to stay healthy and burn off stress at the same time. My routine is pretty simple. I start by running on a treadmill, then I wander around the free-weight section for a variety of exercises. Finally, I try to finish off by swimming a few laps in the pool. When it’s over I always feel tired and sore, but goodthat I completed such a full workout. One day, I was invited to work out with a friend of mine. As we made our way around the weight room, my friend stopped at the bench press and placed two huge weights on the side of the bar. Immediately, I became nervous. I had done the bench press before,but never with that much weight. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to lift it. Pride got the better of me though. Instead of saying something, I just braced myself and lifted the bar with all my strength. To my surprise, it wasn’t that heavy. Sure, it took more effort than usual, but I realized my continuous workouts had made me a lot stronger. I had underestimated my own strength. I think Christians can sometimes have the same problem when it comes to their faith. We keep telling ourselves we are not ready, that we need just a little more time to prepare ourselves. We underestimate our ability to be of service to God. Take a moment to read this excerpt from the book of Acts. ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Cross: The Believer's Motivation 1Corinthians 2:1-5 Paul was single-minded in the message he preached. The cross was not only his primary subject; it was also his motivation for living. When we begin to understand all that Jesus did for us at Calvary, we, too, can receive fresh motivation to live for Him.For instance, we can... Walk humbly before God. Since the power to live the Christian life is supplied by Christ, there is no room for pride. When Jesus died, our "flesh" nature was crucified with Him so that we could live in newness of life. Any success we achievein living righteously or walking in obedience is possible only because He is working through us. Serve the Lord faithfully. At the cross, we were placed "in Christ," and He is in us (Gal. 2:20). We are now Hisbody on earth, created for good works which God has prepared for us to do (Eph. 2:10). Jesus wasn’t crucified so we could sit in pewseach Sunday and listen to sermons. He has specific tasks for each of us to achieve during our lifetime. Share our faith. Knowing all that Jesus accomplished at the cross should motivate us to share the gospel with others. This world is filled with hurting people who know nothing about salvation. Since their eternal destiny is at stake, how can we keep our mouths closed? Too often we view the cross only as a past event that secured our eternal destiny, and we fail to see how it can motivate daily choices and activities. Stop to contemplate all that God is continually accomplishing in you though the cross. Let it be yourmotivation to live wholeheartedly for Christ. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PrivilegedSuffering “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for hissake.” (Philippians1:29) Paul wrote in the previous verses that we are to conduct ourselves as though our only citizenship was worthy of the gospel message that we proclaim, and that in doing so we should be committed to a mindset held together by the Holy Spirit. Then, he encouragedus not to be “terrified by your adversaries” (Philippians1:28). Such adversaries—from the devil himself (1Peter 5:8) to business (Matthew5:25) and family problems (Luke12:13)—are part and parcel to those who would “live godly in Christ Jesus” (2Timothy 3:12). We should not be surprised when such challenges come; rather, we should be alarmed if all men “speak well of you” (Luke6:26). Curiously, Paul wrote that we are “gifted” (Greek verb charizomai, same idea as the related noun charis) with this privilege, in the interests of our Lord Jesus, to “suffer for his sake.” The apostles understood this paradox as they left the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem “rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name” (Acts5:41). Peter wrote that we should follow the example set for us by the Lord Jesus, “who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1Peter 2:23). In fact, we should “rejoice” when asked to share in the same kind of sufferings that our Lord endured, and whenever we are “reproached for the name of Christ” we should be happy, “for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you” (1Peter 4:14). Privileged suffering indeed! James wrote that we should “count it all joy” (James1:2) when we are tested. Those times increase our faith and allow us to demonstrate our allegiance to Christ. HMM III ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moving Past Our Mistakes with Hope and Purpose: Jesus Forgives and Calls Us Forward By Debbie McDaniel “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 In John 21 we read the story of when Jesus appeared to the seven disciples early one morning. It was just days after the Resurrection. They were out fishing, and hadn't caught a thing. Though they didn’t recognize Him, He called to them from the shore, "Throwyour net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." v. 6 So they did. And a miracle happened. They caught fish. So many in fact, that they were "unable to haul the net in because of the large number..." Our God of miracles. That’s when Peter recognized Him. But here's what I love too. Jesus had gone before them, He'd already prepared a fire with fish and bread for them. He'd been there waiting. He invited them to bring some of their fish and then, to "come and have breakfast." v. 10-12 And over a fire and some food, He had a heart to heart with Peter. Three times he asked Peter if he really “loved” Him, the kind of self-sacrificing love that was willing to give all. The kind of love that involved deep faithfulness, commitment, strong character,and active expression. Peter, who Jesus had previously called a "rock." Peter, who had claimed he would never deny Christ, yet denied him three times in the courtyard before his journey to the cross. Peter, who was impulsive or fearful at times, yet strong and bold at other times.Peter, who was probably not feeling like much a "rock" that morning as he sat with Jesus. Defeated. Guilt-ridden. Sense of failure hanging over. Maybe still rehearsing what he'd done, and beating himself up for it. Living under the weight of the "what if's." And here he was again by a fire, possibly a reminder of the very fire that he'd warmed himself over when he had denied Christ. Yet this time, Jesus had pulled up a seat. He sat with him, ate with him, talked with him, and got right to the heart of it all. Three times Peter had denied him. Three times Jesus asked Peter of his love and re-commissioned him into a life of service and purpose. He forgave. He instilled hope. ------------------------------------------------------------- The Cross The Believer's Victory 1 Corinthians 1:17-31 From a worldly perspective, Christ's death signaled His defeat. After all, dying in agony on a cross hardly seems like the path to victory. But it was! And He did it all for us. Because Jesus triumphed over death, we can be victorious in life. Just considerwhat He won for us by sacrificing Himself on the cross. Our Eternal Salvation: The cross was the means of our salvation. Without it, we'd have no hope of heaven. If Christ hadn't died in our place, we'd have to stand before God and receive the just punishment for every sin we've ever committed. Power over Sin: Jesus not only paid the penalty for our sin; He also brought us present victory over it. When He was crucified, our old sinful nature died with Him (Rom.6:6). The power of the "flesh" was broken, and Jesus now lives His triumphant life through us. That means we are no longer enslaved to sin and can choose obedience to God. Defeat of Satan: At the crucifixion, the list of decrees against us was nailed to the cross, and the Devil lost his power over our lives (Col.2:13-15). None of his accusations can stick, because God holds nothing against us anymore. And now every time we yield to the Spirit within us, Satan is defeated once again. Christ met all our needs on the cross. By making us a part of His family, He gave us a sense of belonging. When He died in our place, He affirmed our value. And by coming to live His life through each believer, He gives us the ability to live a victorious,obedient life. ---------------------------------------------------- Pleasuresat God's Right Hand “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasuresfor evermore.” (Psalm16:11) The 16th Psalm contains the Bible’s first reference to the resurrected Christ at the “right hand” of His heavenly Father, and this is important, for there are 20 other such references that follow this one. “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand,until I make thine enemies thy footstool” (Psalm110:1). This latter verse is quoted no less than five times in the New Testament (Matthew22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42-43; Acts 2:34-35; Hebrews 1:13). Then there are seven references to Christ being at God’s right hand in Paul’s epistles (Romans8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2), and seven in other books of the New Testament (Matthew26:64; Mark 14:62; 16:19; Luke 22:69; Acts 7:55-56). Lastly, “[Jesus Christ] is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him” (1Peter 3:22). It is noteworthy that the first reference speaks of Christ’s great joy at God’s right hand; the last of His great power there. One additional activity there is mentioned: “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Romans8:34). In fact, His continual intercessory ministry on our behalf is His main activity in God’s immediate presence during this present age (note Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2; etc.). Soon He will become God’s strong right hand of power, manifested until all His enemies become His footstool and we, His people, are taken up to be with Him (1Thessalonians 4:17). Then we shall enjoy with Him the pleasures and fullness of joy at God’s right hand forevermore. HMM -------------------------------------------------------- Is Doubting a Sin? by Debbie Holloway And [Jesus] said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (Luke24:38) There’s no doubt about it: faith is a gift. To be more specific, faith is a gift… and not all of us are born with this gift. Many of us have been through trials and struggles that make blind faith and unwavering belief difficult, almost impossible. Have you ever been lied to by atrusted friend? Let down by a parent? Abused by someone who was meant to care for you? Chances are, the answer is yes. Chances are, doubting God is sometimes (or often) something with which you struggle. Many of us grow up hearing the refrain from James, “the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind” (James1:6). Many of us are told over and over again that there is no room for doubt or skepticism in the Kingdom of God. But is that truly the message portrayed in Scripture? Should we really feel the sting of shame over asking questions and expressing hesitation? Jesus’ response to doubt was often, why? He proposed neither a condemnation nor an accolade, but a dialogue. Jesus cared about the hearts, motives, and fears of those who questioned him, who struggled with unbelief. Practically everyone to whomJesus ministered expressed genuine doubt or asked provoking questions. But Jesus healed them anyway. Jesus answered their questions (John3:1). Jesus told them things about themselves, causing them to look at life in a new way (John4:7). When extraordinary faith was shown (Luke7:1) Jesus was astounded and overjoyed. But he certainly did not condemn all others of lesser faith. He knew that it takes time for people to overcome cultures of fear and questions. God has big plans for us, plans to bless us richly through belief and faith. This is evidenced by what Jesus told Thomas: "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John20:29). Christ doesn’t deny Thomas’ belief or turn him out on the street in penalty for his doubt. Rather, he stresses again the blessings that will be available to all men through the power of faith and belief. God has such rich things in store for us – but wecannot see them all yet. Jesus wanted to drill that into his followers since he knew he would not be with them physically for much longer. ------------------------------------------------------------ The First Empty Tomb 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 Jesus is the only person who has an empty tomb. Everyone else who's died has returned to the dust, but Christ is alive and seated at the Father's right hand. Because He overcame death, His followers are also guaranteed empty tombs someday. When Jesus returnsfor His church, those who have died in Him will be resurrected into glorious bodies. And believers who are alive at that time will instantaneously be changed. Knowing this, we naturally wonder, What kind of body will I have? The best way to answer that is to see what Scripture reveals about Christ's body after He rose from the dead. He didn't come invisibly in the form of a ghost but rather had a literal,physical body. He talked, walked, and ate with His disciples. Yet although He was recognizable, He was somehow different, and at times it took His words or actions to jog their recognition. Here's one thing I can tell you about the resurrection: you will look better than you do today! God is going to give you a strong, glorious, eternal body which is perfectly fitted for your life in heaven. Believe me, you will not be disappointed, becauseGod has far more in store for us on the other side than we can ever imagine. You will be more alive there than you could ever be here. A more important issue we must face is how to get ready for that day. This life is just a puff of wind compared to our eternity. It's my personal opinion that the way we live here on earth will determine our capacity to enjoy heaven. The time to begin livingfor God is now. ---------------------------------------------- TheLiving Word “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begottenof the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John1:14) This is the great verse of the Incarnation, declaring to us that the Creator of all things, the eternal Word of God (John1:1-3) actually became a man, being “made flesh” (our text). Since this verse and the following verses unequivocally refer to “Jesus Christ” (v. 17), there is no legitimate escape (though many have tried) from the great truth that the man called Jesusof Nazareth was the great God and Creator, as well as perfect man and redeeming Savior. Furthermore, He has assumed human flesh forever, while still remaining fully God. He is Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew1:23). He is not part man and part God, or sometimes man and sometimes God, but is now the God-man, fully and eternally true God and perfect man—man as God created and intended man to be. See also Philippians 2:5-8 and 1 John 4:2-3. When He first became man, He “dwelt among us” for a while. The word “dwelt,” however, is actually the Greek word for “tabernacled.” As in the tabernacle (or “tent”) prepared by Moses (Exodus40:33) in the wilderness, the glory of God in Christ dwelled on Earth for a time in a “body” prepared by God (Hebrews10:5). We also “beheld his glory,” says His beloved disciple, John. The Greek word for “tabernacle” (skene) is a cognate word to shakan (the Hebrew word for “dwell”), both being related to what has come to be known as the Shekinah glory cloud that filled the ancient tabernacle (Exodus40:34). Eventually, when the Holy City descends out of heaven to the new earth, then “the tabernacle of God” will forever be “with men,” and He will “dwell with them” and “be their God” eternally (Revelation21:3). Thus, God’s “Living Word” is now and always our living Lord! HMM ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Greatest Act of Love Romans5:6-11 What do you think about when you see a depiction of Christ on the cross? Most of us are overwhelmed by the physical and emotional suffering that He endured—the scourging, beating, thorns, nails, mocking, and shame. We are horrified at the cruelty of theRomans and the hard hearts of the Jewish rulers. But during the crucifixion, far more was happening than the eye could see. God was carrying out His plan to rescue mankind, providing everything we need for salvation: 1. Redemption. Jesus paid the full price of the debt we owed for transgression: death. His payment set us free from bondage to sin. ----------------------------------------------------------------- God Will Keep Your Way Secure By Debbie McDaniel "It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." - 2 Samuel 22:33 I was sitting outside early one morning just before dawn. Rainstorms were all around, I could hear the distant thunder and feel the strong winds. But my little place under the roof awning with a hot cup of coffee, Bible, and favorite blanket was secure, safe, undisturbed, though all around me it was stormy. God's reminder came: "You are secure in Me. You are held strong by My protection overhead though the storms of life may surround you. The winds can blow, the rains can beat down hard, the times may look dark, but My Presence surrounds and I am greater thanthe storm." Just because I was under the roof awning, it didn’t stop the storm. But it did provide protection during the storm. Just because we are under God’s care, it doesn’t stop the storms from happening around us. But it does provide incredible strength and protection for every battle we face in this life. Many of you might find yourselves facing huge storms in life right now. Maybe your storm is caused by circumstances that are out of your control. Maybe your storm is caused by people, broken relationships, and betrayal or hurt that has wounded you deeply.Maybe the biggest storm you face is caused by the enemy himself whose main goal is simply to bring you down, stop you in your tracks from being a light in this world. God reminds us in His word, that the enemy's intent is always to steal, kill, and destroy.He will do all he can to prevent truth from being shared, and he is ruthless and cruel. But the storms never have full reign, for right in the midst He reminds us: You are held secure by a Mighty God. You may feel some wind, you may hear the loud thunder, and see darkness or rain all around. But His covering of protection and love surround,you don't face it alone. And in just a short time the storms will pass, the light will shine again, and you will be strengthened for a greater work ahead. Press on my friends who are facing hard times. ------------------------------------------------------------ OnBeing Faithful “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhortand to convince the gainsayers.” (Titus1:9) It is important to note that the adjective “faithful” can be applied both to people and to things if they are believable and trustworthy. Our text above refers to the Word of God as being faithful. Obviously, if any teacher of the Word is to hold fast the faithfulWord and teach sound doctrine, he too must be faithful. Paul also teaches that church leaders should have “faithful children” (Titus1:6) and that their wives should be “faithful in all things” (1Timothy 3:11). The Greek word translated “faithful” is closely related to the words “faith” and “believe.” The same relationships are even stronger in the corresponding Hebrew words used in the Old Testament. It is vital to believe God’s faithful Word, for indeed “faith comethby...the word of God” (Romans10:17). But genuine faith and faithfulness are not common commodities. “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs20:6). The one man who is absolutely believable and trustworthy, of course, is the Lord Jesus Christ. “If we believe not [that is, are unfaithful], yet he abideth faithful” (2Timothy 2:13). In the Bible’s climactic book, He is even introduced as “the faithful witness” (Revelation1:5). Among His closing words, He promises that “these sayings are faithful and true” (Revelation22:6). We can have absolute confidence that all His promises will be fulfilled, and all His warnings must be heeded. May God help each of us also to be—like Christ and like His Word—faithful and true. Remember also that they that are truly “with him are called, andchosen, and faithful” (Revelation17:14). HMM --------------------------------------------- Wisdom’s Benefit Package Proverbs 2 When someone applies for a job, a common question is: “What does the benefit package include?” Since the world’s advice about how to have a good life is in sharp contrast to what the Bible recommends, we might want to consider asking a similar question about the value of living according to God’s wisdom: What are the benefits? In other words, Why should we seek to live in obedience to the instructions given in the Scriptures? ------------------------------------------------------------------- Becoming the Gospel “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, orelse be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” (Philippians 1:27) The Greek word translated “conversation” emphasizes “citizenship,” with all of its attendant loyalties and expectations for appropriate behavior. The structure of the introductory word “only” indicates that it is an adjective, not an adverb. Thus, the openingphrase could be rendered, “Your only citizenship must be lived out so that it becomes the gospel.” The New Testament employs three different Greek terms that are translated “conversation.” Anastrepho is best understood as “dwelling” or “remaining” in a certain place. “Put off concerning the former conversation,” we are commanded in Ephesians 4:22. Tropos stresses the manner of life, perhaps implying the reputation one gains by the lifestyle. “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strangeflesh, are set forth for an example” (Jude 1:7). Politeuo, the term used by Paul in our text, conveys citizenship. “For our conversation is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20, politeuma). The emphasis of our text is on our lifestyle and testimony as “ambassadors” in a foreign land (2 Corinthians 5:20). As such, we areto live in a manner that “becometh” the gospel—“that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called” (Ephesians 4:1). We are to stand fast in a unity of one spirit with one mind. Paul closed his letter to the Philippians with this: “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Philippians4:1). HMM III ------------------------------------------------------------ Being Approachable By Debbie Holloway “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And beingfound in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!” - Philippians2:5 It is nigh impossible to be wholly truthful and also be universally liked. It is very difficult to believe strange things and be popular. It is unlikely that one who lives as a servant will draw fame and admiration from people in high places. Thankfully, Jesus calls us neither to be universally liked, popular, famous, or admirable in the eyes of wealthy men. But hold it – we can’t just stop there. Beware, lest we swagger with pride in the knowledge that being disliked, unpopular, and obscure will place us in high standing with our Lord. God has a distinct mission for us: to reach the world with the Gospel (thatis, John3:16). He has also set a distinct example for us to follow as we live and try to proclaim that gospel through our words and actions. All too often, however, we fall short of his example and become entirely unapproachable to the exact people we should beloving and reaching with God’s truth and love. Was Jesus unapproachable? Did his firm stances on God’s truth leave others afraid to challenge him, ask questions, or be imperfect in his presence? Let’s look to Scripture. 1. People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongsto such as these” (Luke18:15). Not only does this infer that children were at ease in the presence of Christ, but that parents were comfortable handing their infants to this man to hold and bless! If you are a parent, you understand the implications of these verses. If not, then know:it’s a big deal to give someone your kid. Jesus lived in such a way that not only did children trust him, but parents trusted him with their children. 2. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and taxcollectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark2:15). -------------------------------------------------------- Thoughtful Living Psalms 25:8-15 Are you living thoughtfully and intentionally—or automatically? It’s so easy to get up each morning, do our work, enjoy some relaxation or entertainment, and fall into bed each night without giving any thought to God’s involvement in our lives. But to beignorant of how He has blessed, guided, protected, and warned us is a foolish way to live. Just consider the benefits of keeping our spiritual eyes and ears open throughout the day. Those who are aware of the Lord’s presence during their daily activities enjoy the peace of knowing that He is always in control and working to accomplish His good purposes. Every day’s experiences with Him teach them to know and love Him more. -------------------------------------------------------- Pleasant Perplexities “For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Philippians 1:23-24) As we mature in the Lord, our fear of death recedes into the background and ultimately, as this verse demonstrates, becomes a desire to leave this sin-cursed world behind and pass into the presence of the Creator. The word choices in this passage are unusual. The verse could be translated “I am held together out of two pressures, a passion to be loosed to be with Christ; which is very much more serviceable for me: but remaining here in the flesh is, out of necessity,more critical for you.” Thus, the tension of the true saint of God. The more that is known about the joy awaiting us in the presence of our Lord, the less we see earthly values and goals as things to work toward. Yet, the needs of churches, new Christians, troubled souls, and challengessurrounding our lives require a commitment to complete the “course” that God has given us to finish (2 Timothy 4:7). The Lord Jesus insisted that we not worry about tomorrow because the evil of each day was “sufficient” (Matthew 6:34), since there is trouble enough in theworld among those who reject God’s authority (2 Timothy 3:1-7). The evil that surrounds us should motivate us to long for the eternal rest promised to thepeople of God (Hebrews 4:9). But to struggle with conflict resolution among the churches adds to the burden. Many in the ministry know this tension, as do most who serve regularly in their own churches. Perhaps our own peace comes when we finally determine that it is “far better” to serve.HMM III -------------------------------------------------------------------- The King's Test by Ryan Duncan The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out. - Proverbs 10:9 There’s an old folktale I’d like to share today. Once upon a time, there lived a king who was beloved by all his subjects. Though he was a wise and just ruler he was also old, and had no heir to take his place when he died. The king decided to hold a contest so that he might choose a successor, and sentout a decree for all the kingdom’s children to gather at his palace. Once the last boy and girl had arrived, the king placed them all in single-file and gave to each of them a seed. “Take these seeds and plant them in good soil.” He commanded, “In one year’s time, return to the palace with your flowers. I will examine how much they have grown and how well you have cared for them, the one who impresses me the most will become the newking.” So the children set off into the land and the kingdom waited eagerly for a year to pass. On the day of their return, a large crowd gathered at the palace to try and guess which shrub the king would choose. Some of the children appeared holding giant flowerswith strong stalks, others had beautiful petals that gave off a sweet aroma. The king examined them all with great interest until he came upon a boy holding nothing but a jar of dirt. “What have we here?” asked the king, “Didn’t I say to go plant your seed and return with it in a year’s time?” “My king,” the boy answered timidly, “I did everything you told me to do. I planted your seed in the best soil I could find. I gave it plenty of sunlight, and made sure it was watered every day, but it wouldn’t grow no matter what I did! So I’ve broughtyou all I’ve managed to accomplish, please forgive me.” --------------------------------------------------------- Risenwith Christ “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right handof God.” (Colossians3:1) The wise believer revels in the fact of Christ’s resurrection. Some things in Scripture may be easier to identify with and apply, including Christ’s substitutionary death, but it is the resurrection that gives us power to live victoriously. “Like as Christwas raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans6:4). We have been “crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed” (Romans6:6). Nevertheless, we are risen with Him, as our text and elsewhere clearly teaches (Romans6; Ephesians 2:1-10; etc.). This resurrection is an inward one, of course, but our bodily resurrection is also guaranteed by Christ’s bodily resurrection, should we physically die. “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus” (2Corinthians 4:14). Power to serve Him effectively comes through His resurrection, for we have access to the “exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead” (Ephesians1:19-20). We have authority over all human and demonic institutions through Him who even now operates as head of the living church of His followers. Perhaps the most precious of all benefits of the resurrection is that “we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens” who is sympathetic to “the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let ustherefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews4:14-16). JDM -------------------------------------------------------- The Power of Words By Anna Kuta �Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit� - Proverbs 18:21. We�ve all heard the phrase �Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.� In my mind, that statement couldn�t be further from the truth. Words are powerful. We�ve all, no doubt, been wounded at some point by careless, unkind or mean statements. Their effect on our lives, even years later, is undeniable. No matter how much we deny it, it still makes us cringe to remember the taunts of thesecond-grade bully on the playground and makes us want to crawl under a rock to think of that rumor spreading through the high school hallways. �Death and life are in the power of the tongue,� Proverbs 18:21 says. The impact our words have on others cannot be overstated. One small comment or remark can make the difference between building a relationship up or tearing it down. We have the power to either encourage or destroy others with our speech. The Bible speaks extensively about the power of words � especially positive ones � and warns about the dangers of careless ones. �A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger,� says Proverbs 15:1. �Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones,� Proverbs 16:24 adds. Ephesians 4:29 says, �Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.� And Matthew 12:36-37 says: �But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.� One particular instance of the power of words in my life stands out in my mind � one that, without exaggerating, very likely changed my whole course at that time. It was early in the second semester of my sophomore year of college, and I was trudging upthe stairs of the journalism building to turn in an assignment. Freshman year and the first half of sophomore year had been rough for a variety of reasons, and now I was struggling to juggle my classes, work and personal issues and keep my head afloat. I hadto officially declare my major in just a few weeks, but I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. It was one of those weeks where I seemed to be failing on every assignment, and to top it off, I had just come from a disastrous meeting with an econ professorwho made me feel stupid for not understanding an �easy� problem. Even in my journalism classes � my best subject � I couldn�t seem to get into the swing of things. The harder I tried, the worse the results seemed to be. I was beginning to worry that majoringin journalism would be the most terrible idea of my life, and I was, in all honesty, becoming more and more tempted to give it all up completely and go take a semester off somewhere. ------------------------------------------------------------- Don�t Bother Me with Details! by Katherine Britton So Joshua took the entire land, just as the LORD had directed Moses, and he gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal divisions. Then the land had rest from war. � Joshua 11:23 Every so often I take out my old �Dear Diary� from when I was eight years old, and thumb through it for the sake of hilarity. Most entries go something like this: �Today I woke up at 7:47 a.m. Then I ate pancakes for breakfast! I love pancakes! Then I did school, and I brought my magnifying glass with binoculars with me to co-op. Then we played outside in the afternoon. I scraped my knee when I fell off my bike, butI rode all the way around the house on the grass!� Riveting, no? Amusement carries me through about three (very short) �Dear Diary� entries, then I close the flowery notebook and get back to my current life. After I�ve read through a week of what I had for breakfast, I�m done observing my former status as a �cute kid.� Every little detail that I thought was so important when I was eight just doesn�t thrill me now. Unfortunately, I�ve had a tendency to take the same approach to certain portions of Scripture. You know the ones I�m talking about � �This is what Moses had given the tribe of Gad� from Heshbon to Ramath Mizpah and Betonim, and from Mahanaim to the territoryof Debir.� All the territories and distances and kings of what city etc. are very much like those breakfast entries. That�s nice, God, but frankly, I don�t really care anymore. I didn�t think it was possible to make a sermon out of such details, but a pastor proved me wrong on Sunday. In fact, he made a sermon out of all nine chapters detailing which tribes and clans got what land when the Israelites finally took Canaan. And � unbelievably � I found myself reveling in the �inane� details. Consider that this doling out of territory was 600 years in making. A promise made to Abraham six hundred years before this moment, before Egypt happened, before Abraham even had an heir of his own kin. Six hundred years later, God�s promise that Israelwould possess the land of Canaan finally comes through � and in all that time, God has not lost sight of the details. In the midst of this plan that span more than half a millennium, the Lord of Israel comes from the span of heaven and picks out every plotof earth that every clan will inherit. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- What Is Your True Purpose 1 Samuel 16:6-13 What do you live for each day? A pay raise? Retirement? Then perhaps you've discovered the reality that basing aspirations on getting ahead in this world typically ends in disappointment. People with a misguided sense of direction often wonder why they feelunfulfilled. Maybe you've already realized a goal of saving for the future or moving up the corporate ladder. You give to charity and volunteer at church, but somehow still feel a sense of insignificance or aimlessness. If so, there is a truth you need to hear: God giveseach of us life for a very specific reason: to serve Him. Nobody finds inner peace without reconciling this fact. Our society teaches us that pleasure, prosperity, position, and popularity will make us happy--but living in the service of self always leavesan emptiness no earthly reward can fill. Besides, worldly philosophy won't stand the test of time. Few of us are going to live even 100 years. So whatever we'll become in this life, we're in the process of becoming that right now. Consider David: he was anointed king long before actually assumingthe role (1 Sam. 16:12). He spent many years serving the purpose of God in insignificant places while developing into a great man.As his story shows, discovering God's purpose for your life is the surest path to success. Our heavenly Father's purpose for our lives comes from His heart of love--which is perfect. None of us can foretell the great things He has in store for us, but we can trust His plan completely. Surrender to Him today and say, "Not my will, Lord, but Yoursbe done." -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Inspiration �All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,for instruction in righteousness.� (2 Timothy 3:16) The Bible insists its writers were supernaturally influenced by God to such an extent that their words were given divine accuracy. The unique word translated �inspiration� in our text could be rendered �God blowing� or �God puffing.� Peter speaks of �holy menof God� who �spake� as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). David was conscious that his own �tongue� was speaking words that the Holy Spiritof the Lord gave him (2 Samuel 23:2). Jeremiah was given audible instruction and told to reproduce those words precisely (Jeremiah30:1-2; 26:2), as was Isaiah (Isaiah 6:8-10), who clearly knew he was being controlled by God (Isaiah59:21). These are samplings of some 2,600 claims in the Old Testament for direct inspiration of the text of Scripture. God used several methods to make sure that His Word was �puffed� out, and on one occasion even wrote them with His own finger on tables of stone�twice(Exodus 31:18; 34:1). Those words were not only inspired but inscribed! The writings of the 27 books of the New Testament are also full of declarations of God�s personal inspiration of the words. Jesus claimed to speak only what God the Father instructed Him to say (John12:46-50). Paul knew he was given revelation (Ephesians 3:3-4) and insisted on equivalent standing with God�s commands (1Thessalonians 2:13). Peter demanded remembrance of the apostles� teachings (2 Peter 3:1-4, 15-16), John insisted on the accuracy of what he shared (1John 1:1-3), and Jude verified the words of the other apostles (Jude 1:3, 17). It seems we are confronted with an all-or-nothing proposition. Either all Scripture is inspired or none of it is. HMM III ------------------------------------------------------------ Seven Habits of Truly Effective Living by Alex Crain "They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green." Psalms 92:14 The phrase, "begin with the end in mind" may sound familiar if you've read the popular life management book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. But even if you aren't familiar with the phrase (or the book), you get the general idea. Simply stated, before you begin a task or project, it's a good idea to ask the question "How do I want this to turn out?" This question helps sharpen your focus and should produce effective action. What is missing from the book, however, is the God-sized perspectivethat we see in Psalm 92. If your only source of vision and motivation is the self, frustration will actually result; even though you may lead a life of effective action and reach your goals. People typically envision the ideal life as one that's surrounded by beauty, valuable things, and great people. We want plenty of leisure time and the health to enjoy these things. But without God, such a life is depicted inScripture as empty and deceptive. It is a self-absorbed dream that springs from a heart tainted by sin. If we are to be truly effective at living, we must humbly begin with God's end foremost in our minds. In Psalm 92, the ideal end that God depicts for our life is that of being a righteous person who is filled with spiritual vitality. As Psalm 92:14 says, "full of sap and very green." Even at the end of life when the temptation to grumble and express radical selfishness is often the strongest, we are to be full of spiritual health. Instead of complaining,his lips are filled with praise�declaring that there is no unrighteousness in God, his Rock (v. 15). The roots for such vigor of soul are woven throughout the preceding verses where we see seven habits of truly effective living unfolded. They are: #1 Seeing thankfulness and praise to God as desirable, not as duty (v. 1). #2 Focusing on God's lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness at night (v. 2). For the righteous man, each day begins and ends with God, implying that God is central in his thoughts throughout the entire day. Literally, lovingkindness refers to God's covenant loyal love, which features His promise of salvation. The righteous person is not self-righteous, or just externally moral. Rather, he looks to God's promises and unchanging character as the basis for his right standing before his Creator-Judge. Twentieth-century author, Francis Schaeffer, speaks of this in chapter eight of his book True Spirituality: "It is not honoring to the finished work of Christ to worry about [forgiven sins] as far as our relationship to God is concerned. Indeed, to worry about them is to do despite to the infinite value of the death of the Son of God.My fellowship with God is restored upon the basis of the value of the blood of Jesus Christ." #3 Enjoying resounding music and singing for joy at God's great works (vv. 1, 3-4). ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Value of Seeking the Lord Psalms 119:1-8 We all have ambitions and desires. And while these are not necessarily wrong, we should analyze our priorities: Where do I invest my time and energy? What or who occupies my thoughts? As important as our earthly pursuits, responsibilities, and relationships may be, they cannot compare to the value of a life spent seeking the Lord. First of all, consider what it means to seek something. The word connotes a strong desire and an energetic quest to achieve it.Suppose you discovered a very productive vein of gold on your property. You wouldn�t just stroll out and look at it occasionally.No, you would gather some equipment and diligently go out each day to chip away at the rocks and collect the precious metal. In the same way, seeking the Lord is not a quick and occasional encounter, but a wholehearted effort to know Him more intimately and follow Him more closely. Those who unreservedly pursue this kind of fellowship with God are determined to spend time withHim; they also want to forsake anything that could hinder growth in their relationship with the Lord. God�s committed followers boldly claim His promises and trust Him to fulfill His Word. Their experiences with the Lord bring amazing satisfaction yet causethem to hunger for more of Him. The Christian life is meant to be a pursuit of God. To walk through the door of salvation and stand still, never drawing any closer to Him, is to miss the treasures that are available in Christ. Those who seek Him soon discover that knowing Him is the greatest reward of all. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ When...Then �Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy withthem that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.� (Deuteronomy 7:9) Moses knew Israel would tend to succumb to various temptations in the Promised Land and encouraged them not only to obey God�s law but to use temptations as an opportunity for growth in character. Standing on the border, he proposed three �when...then� situationsand exhorted the people to decide in advance how they would react. �When the LORD thy God shall have brought thee into the land...to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildest not,...Then beware lest thou forget the LORD� (6:10, 12). Moses knew that a satisfied people, recipients of easy wealth, would forget theLord. The remedy: �Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name� (v. 13), and �ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God� (v. 17). Next, �when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What mean the testimonies...which the LORD our God hath commanded you?� (v. 20), the fathers were to instruct them with: �The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand� (v. 21). �And the LORD commandedus to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive� (v. 24). God also knows our tendencies to compromise, and �when the LORD thy God...hath cast out many nations before thee,...thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them;...Neither shalt thou make marriages with them;...For they will turn away thy son from followingme� (7:1-4). In these and other situations, we would do well to follow Moses� exhortation and decide beforehand how we will react. JDM ------------------------------------------------------------------- A Heart for God A Vision for the World Acts 13:16-22 I sometimes like to walk through a cemetery and read the epitaphs on the tombstones. It's interesting to see what words are used to sum up a person's life. This may seem like a morbid pastime, but it's actually a great way to reassess our own lives. We'reeach going to leave a testimony of some kind when we die. Have you ever wondered what your loved ones will write on your gravestone? What words do you want inscribed there? In our passage today, the apostle Paul tells us God's evaluation of David: He described him as "a man after My heart, who will do all My will" (v. 22). What an awesome testimony of a life well lived! The Lord wasn't describing a perfect man, but one whoselife was centered on God's interests and desires. David's many psalms attest to the fact that his relationship with the Lord was the most important aspect of his life. His passion was to obey God and carry out His will. However, that doesn't mean he was always obedient. Who can forget his failure with Bathsheba?But even when he sinned by committing adultery and murder, his heart was still bent toward God. The conviction he felt and his humble repentance afterward proved that his relationship with the Lord was still his top priority. If God was writing a summary of your life, how would He describe you? Does your heart align with His, or have you let it follow the pleasures and pursuits of this world? Unless we diligently pursue our relationship with the Lord, we will drift away fromHim. Maybe it's time for a course correction. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Preserved and Protected - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. �2 Thessalonians 3:3 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/preserved-and-protected/- Listen If you were to go to an amusement park with your children, you wouldn�t forget about them, would you? Of course not. Because you love your children, you�re aware of wherethey are. You don�t forget someone that you care about. God cares about you too, and He�s continually keeping you. Hebrews 7:25 says, �Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He livesforever to intercede with God on their behalf� (NLT). In fact, there are many passages in the Bible that remind us of the keeping and protective power of God. We read in 2 Thessalonians 3:3, �But the Lord is faithful; he willstrengthen you and guard you from the evil one� (NLT). And Jude 1:24 says, �Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault� (NLT). Also, 1 Peter 1:5 reminds us, �And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last dayfor all to see� (NLT). The original language uses a perfect tense, meaning that God is continually protecting you. An older man who was known for his godly life was asked what he did when he was tempted. He replied, �Well, I just say, �Lord, your property is in danger.�� You are God�s property. You belong to the Lord. The Bible says, �You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price� (1 Corinthians 6:19�20 NLT). So God preserves you. He protects you. He keeps you by His power. So the next time the Devil comes knocking at your door, just say, �Lord, would you mind getting that?� That�s the way to deal with the enemy�s attacks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- When He Leads Us Through - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm. �Exodus 14:14 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/when-he-leads-us-through/- Listen There was no way the Israelites could get across the Red Sea. And if that wasn�t bad enough, the Egyptian army was in hot pursuit. The people got so upset that they turned to Moses and said, �Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren�t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What haveyou done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt?� (Exodus 14:11 NLT). You know the rest of the story. The Lord caused the waters of the Red Sea to part, and the Israelites crossed through on dry ground. Then those same waters closed on thepursuing Egyptian army. God didn�t keep the Israelites from the trial, but He kept them through it. The same is true of the three courageous teenagers Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar had them thrown into a fiery furnace because they wouldn�t worshipa false god. Of course, God could have delivered them from the furnace altogether. Instead, He allowed them to be thrown into the furnace. But when the king looked in, he said, �I seefour men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!� (Daniel 3:25 NLT). Again, we see that the Lord kept them through the trial but not necessarily from it. But what about when an accident or a tragedy happens in the life of a child of God? Where�s the keeping power of God then? In asking a question like that, we�re assumingthat we somehow have the inherent right to live long, easy lives and die peacefully in our sleep one day. The Bible says that our �future is in [His] hands� (Psalm 31:15 NLT). This means that the Lord will walk with us through life, no matter what we�re facing. We�ll never bealone. -------------------------------------------------------------------- TheTrumpet of God �And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answeredhim by a voice.� (Exodus19:19) This is the first reference to trumpets in the Bible, and it is significant that the �voice� of the trumpet was coming not from man but from God. The setting was the awesome scene at Mount Sinai, when the Lord gave Moses the Ten Commandments for His people. The last reference in the Old Testament to trumpets again refers to God�s trumpet. �And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the LORD God shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south� (Zechariah9:14). The trumpet as used in Israel (Hebrew shofar) was made of rams� horns and was used on many important occasions. One of the most notable was when the Israelites finally entered the Promised Land at Jericho. �So the people shouted when the priests blewwith the trumpets: and...the wall fell down flat,...and they took the city� (Joshua6:20). These were human trumpets, of course, but they were sounded with the authority of God, and God gave the victory. We also today can speak with the authority of God if we speak His Word plainly and clearly. But �if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?� (1Corinthians 14:8). We ourselves may soon hear the trumpet of God, for the return of Christ is drawing near. �For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven...with the trump of God� (1Thessalonians 4:16). As we are caught up to meet the Lord in the air, we (like John long ago) will hear a voice �as it were of a trumpet,� saying, �Come up hither� (Revelation4:1), and then �shall we ever be with the Lord� (1Thessalonians 4:17). HMM ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Why We Need God�s Grace - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. �Matthew 6:11�12 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/why-we-need-gods-grace/- Listen Let�s imagine for a moment that you loaned something valuable to someone, and they ended up destroying it. If you said, �I want you to get me a brand-new one,� that wouldbe justice. But let�s say that you dealt with them in mercy instead. You said, �You don�t have to get me a brand-new one. I forgive you.� Then again, let�s say that you dealt with them in grace. You wouldn�t insist they give you a new one. Rather, you�d buy them their own and then take them out for dinner,too. That�s an example of grace, which is God�s unmerited favor. The Bible tells us, �God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can�t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good thingswe have done, so none of us can boast about it� (Ephesians 2:8�9 NLT). Why do we need God�s grace? Because we sin every day. We sin more than we think we do. In fact, the Bible says, �If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselvesand not living in the truth� (1 John 1:8 NLT). Yes, sin is when we think a lustful thought or we lose our temper. But sin also can be when we say no to the Lord�s promptings to read His Word or pray or share the gospelwith someone. It�s knowing what we should do but not doing it. So we need God�s grace every day. Jesus taught us to pray, �Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us� (Matthew6:11�12 NLT). Just as surely as we need daily bread or provision from God, we need daily forgiveness as well. That�s where grace comes in. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Human Logic vs. Spiritual Wisdom: How God Changes Our Hearts by Kelly-Jayne McGlynn Proverbs3:5-6 says: �Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.� Ah, my own understanding� How I love thee. So limited, and yet seemingly so inviting to lean on as I attempt to take charge of my own repentance. When I was in college, I double-majored in English and Philosophy. Every paper I wrote--and there were a lot of them--would end in a clear conclusion neatly supported by every line of the rest of my argument. I could always back up my opinion in class. Ieven used to do Logic homework problems for fun. The truth is, I love my brain. What God has been teaching me recently, though, is that when it comes to matters of my heart, I cannot rely on my own brain� even if my brain is telling me the truth. Even when our �own understanding� is based on Scripture, and the step-by-step process of repentance is clear in our minds�it is still the hand of God that we must rely on transform our hearts. In all our ways we must submit to him, because he will be the one to make our paths straight! Last week, I was on the phone with one of my Moms-in-the-Faith. You know, the type of woman in your life who knows how to ask you just the right question. I was expressing frustration to her about a situation with my friend, who is a new follower of Christ. As her sister, I had been trying to get her to fully understand an aspect of her life in which in order to please God, shewould have to give something up. I was frustrated because to me, it seemed so simple. The scriptures about it were right there. As I would have done in Philosophy class, I had stated Premise 1, then Premise 2, which led to the Conclusion. Boom. Why wasn�t she getting it? But my Spiritual Mom reminded me, �Kelly-Jayne�sometimes it isn�t that easy. If [last year] someone had tried to get you to fully believe in God�s love and protection for you that same way, would that have been helpful? Would that have really convinced you?� She, of course, was right. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ VISIT: PROPHECY WATCHER WEEKLY NEWS: HTTP://PROPHECY-WATCHER-WEEKLY-NEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM