DAILY DEVOTIONALS: 9.19.20

A Call to Common Courtesy by Max Lucado Perhaps you've never placed the word courteous next to Christ. I hadn't until I wrote this chapter. But you know how you never notice double-cab red trucks until your friend says he wants one—then you see a dozen of them? I had never thought much about the courtesy of Christ before, but as I began looking, I realized that Jesus makes Emily Post look likeArchie Bunker. He always knocks before entering. He doesn't have to. He owns your heart. If anyone has the right to barge in, Christ does. But he doesn't. That gentle tap you hear? It's Christ. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock" (Rev.3:20 NASB). And when you answer, he awaits your invitation to cross the threshold. God Acts On Our Behalf Philippians4:6-7 We have become so accustomed to this hurried world that we've begun to demand speed in our spiritual life too. However, God "acts on behalf of those who wait for him" (Isa.64:4 niv). Wise believers endure until the fruits of His labor appear. In this devotion, we'll look at three reasons believers are called upon to wait. First, God may be preparing us to receive His blessings. Perhaps we need new skills or greater maturity. Sometimes people require fresh spiritual insight before their handsare ready to hold what their hearts desire. For example, David waited years to sit on his appointed throne. But when he did, he was a wise, strong, and battle-tested king. For Me to Intercede “Wherefore, he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth tomake intercession for them.” (Hebrews7:25) The second verse of the moving old hymn “Arise, My Soul, Arise” speaks of Christ’s intercessory work on our behalf and the basis on which His prayers are accepted. He ever lives above; For me to intercede, His all-redeeming love, His precious blood to plead. His blood atoned for all our race And sprinkles now the throne of grace. Christ is our intercessor, pleading with the Father to save us from our sins, for which the penalty has been paid by His “sacrifice...for this he did once, when he offered up himself” (Hebrews7:27). It is “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1Peter 1:19) that pleads for our forgiveness. He does this for us because He “loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood” (Revelation1:5) as we come to God in repentant faith. Because Jesus was Himself a fully righteous man, He could die on another’s behalf; because He was fully God the Son, His death was sufficient to pay the penalty for the whole human race: “Jesus Christ the righteous; And he is the propitiation for our sins:and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1John 2:1-2). “Thou art worthy...for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Revelation5:9). Only in this way can we come “to the general assembly and the church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood ofsprinkling” (Hebrews12:23-24). JDM God Does Big Things with Small Deeds by Max Lucado "Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin" (Zech.4:10 NLT). Begin. Just begin! What seems small to you might be huge to someone else. Just ask Bohn Fawkes. During World War II, he piloted a B-17. On one mission he sustained flak from Nazi antiaircraft guns. Even though his gas tanks were hit, the plane did not explode,and Fawkes was able to land the plane. On the morning following the raid, Fawkes asked his crew chief for the German shell. He wanted to keep a souvenir of his incredible good fortune. The crew chief explained that not just one but eleven shells had been found in the gas tanks, none of whichhad exploded. Technicians opened the missiles and found them void of explosive charge. They were clean and harmless and with one exception, empty. The exception contained a carefully rolled piece of paper. On it a message had been scrawled in the Czech language. Translated,the note read: "This is all we can do for you now." The Riches of God's Grace Ephesians1:1-14 Do you think of yourself as rich? No matter how much money you have, if you're a believer in Jesus, you're extremely wealthy because God has lavished the riches of His grace upon you. At the moment of salvation, He deposited into your account "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (v. 3). Why, then, do so many believers live in spiritual poverty? 1. Ignorance. Some Christians don't know about this unlimited spiritual "bank account," and, therefore, they never draw upon it. 2. Confusion. Too many believers just don't know how to access the treasures of God's grace. As a result, they worry and complain about their needs and problems or in desperation come to the Lord begging and pleading for help, never realizingHis abundant supply has already been deposited into their account. 3. Competing Interests. Distraction by things of this world may be the most common reason. Christians in this category focus on possessions, pressing responsibilities, and advancement but lack interest in God's spiritual blessings. The riches of God's grace supersede any earthly wealth. They give the peace and contentment that money can never buy, and their benefits reach all the way into eternity. The only way to access God's spiritual riches is by faith. We don't have to beg or persuade the Lord to give what He has already made available to us. Instead, we simply choose to believe that we are who He says we are and can do what He has called us to accomplish. Arise, My Soul, Arise “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to helpin time of need.” (Hebrews4:16) The beautiful old hymn “Arise, My Soul, Arise” was written by the great hymn writer Charles Wesley. Let us use its five verses to focus our thoughts these next five days. Arise, my soul, arise; Shake off thy guilty fears; The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears: Before the throne my surety stands, My name is written on His hands. At first reading, the theme of the song seems unclear, until we recognize that the sinner is being enjoined to come to salvation and by the power of the sacrificial blood shed on his behalf receive forgiveness and eternal life. Because “Christ...hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God” (Ephesians5:2), “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access” (Romans5:1-2) to the Father, who alone has the power to forgive our sins. We have no need to fear rejection, for “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1John 2:1). We can arise and “come boldly unto the throne of grace,” where God the Father reigns. We have assurance of access because our “surety of a better testament” (Hebrews7:22) is “a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God” (Hebrews4:14), and “who is [seated] on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens” (Hebrews8:1). Here He requests the Father’s “mercy, and...grace” on our behalf, for He knows us by our names, which are already “written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation21:27) “from the foundation of the world” (Revelation17:8). JDM Pursue the Virtue of Contentment by Max Lucado A businessman bought popcorn from an old street vendor each day after lunch. He once arrived to find the peddler closing up his stand at noon. "Is something wrong?" he asked. A smile wrinkled the seller's leathery face. "By no means. All is well." "Then why are you closing your popcorn stand?" "So I can go to my house, sit on my porch, and sip tea with my wife." The Writing of God “And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.” (Exodus32:16) In this verse is the first occurrence in the Bible of the word “writing” and, appropriately enough, it is speaking of “the writing of God” rather than the writings of men. The reference, of course, is to the two tables of the law, the Ten Commandments, “writtenwith the finger of God” (Exodus31:18) and rewritten on a second set of stone tables to replace the first, once they were shattered (Exodus34:1). All Scripture is divinely inspired, but the Ten Commandments were divinely inscribed! This testimony of their unique importance is a sobering condemnation of any who ignore them or distort their meaning (including the one referring to the six-day creation inExodus 20:11). But there is another writing of God—this one recorded in the New Testament, one of even greater personal significance to the Christian: “Ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ...written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; notin tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart” (2Corinthians 3:3). No longer an external standard divinely engraved in stone by the finger of God, but an internal conviction inscribed in the heart by the Spirit of God! “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord,I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them” (Hebrews10:16). This remarkable writing of God’s law in our hearts and minds has been accomplished because Christ came not “to destroy, but to fulfill” the law (Matthew5:17) and “hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us” (Galatians3:13). Now, with the law in our hearts, we have become epistles of God, “known and read of all men” (2Corinthians 3:2), and it is vital that the writing read true and clear through our lives. HMM Unfailing Love by Max Lucado "Love," Paul says, "never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV). The verb Paul uses for the word fail is used elsewhere to describe the demise of a flower as it falls to the ground, withers, and decays. It carries the meaning of death and abolishment. God's love, says the apostle, will never fall to the ground,wither, and decay. By its nature, it is permanent. It is never abolished. Love "will last forever" (NLT). It "never dies" (MSG). The Judgment 2 Corinthians 5:9-10 Every Christian is answerable to Jesus for how he or she lived life. We will not stand before the Great White Throne of Revelation20:11--that is where unbelievers will be judged. Instead, we will go before Christ's judgment seat and give an account of ourselves. Perhaps this seems like a contradiction: Believers will not be judged but will stand before Christ's judgment seat. The Greek word that 2 Corinthians uses for "judgment seat" is bema, which means a place of accountability. So those who believe in the Saviorwill not be condemned to death but will live and be accountable to Him. Do not confuse accountability with giving a defense. We won't defend our worthless actions--those things we said and did that brought no honor to the Lord or shamed His name. God likens our selfish works to wood, hay, and stubble, which are items fit onlyfor the fire (1 Cor. 3:13). The valuable thoughts, words, and deeds that serve the Lord are exchanged for rewards in heaven. What we'll be judged on is the quality of our work. God has given every believer an individual purpose, along with the personality, talents, and spiritual gifts needed to fulfill it. The question that will be answered at Christ's judgment seat is, Did Ilive out my purpose to honor and glorify God? Standing before Christ's judgment seat is something to look forward to. We need not fear, since we are beloved co-heirs with Christ (Rom.8:17, 34). Because of His sacrifice, we have a right to the treasures of heaven. He is eager to bestow them as a reward for faithfulness and obedience. Revival Through the Word “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.” (Psalm119:25) Sometimes the battle takes its toll, we feel like the enemy is winning, and our soul “melteth for heaviness” (v. 28). Many psalms share these intense emotions and seek God’s face for relief and revival. These eight verses in Psalm 119 provide a concise remedythat every Christian needs sometimes. •Open confession and supplication: “I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me” (v. 26). •Clear request for understanding: “Teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts” (vv. 26-27). •Reaffirmation for personal witness: “So shall I talk of thy wondrous works” (v. 27). •Bold request for spiritual strength: “Strengthen thou me according unto thy word” (v. 28). •Request to gain victory over habitual sin: “Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously” (v. 29). •Conscious declaration of personal commitment: “I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments I have laid before me” (v. 30). •Remembering past righteous behavior: “I have stuck unto thy testimonies” (v. 31). •Plea for God’s favor and mercy: “O LORD, put me not to shame” (v. 31). •Expectant promise for future lifestyle of holiness: “I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart” (v. 32). Personal revival is as sure as the Word of God. But revival assumes our own deep desire to live in accordance with God’s Word. God will “enlarge” (fill, expand) our heart when we seek His face (Psalm81:10). HMM III The Gift God Has Given You by Max Lucado A cynic asked an elderly woman about the security of her salvation. He said, “How can you be so sure that after all these years God won’t let you sink into hell?” Her answer: “He would lose more than I would. All I would lose would be my own soul, but He would lose his good name.” What a gift God has given to you! You’ve won the greatest lottery in the history of humanity, and you didn’t even pay for the ticket. Your soul is secure, your salvation guaranteed. Your name is written in the only book that matters. This is the messageof God, the promise of grace. The Bible says “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ” (Romans 8:1). This is a promise from God. And because God’s promises are unbreakable ourhope is unshakable! Learning to Listen - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. -John 17:17 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/learning-to-listen-2/ - Listen There are different ways to listen. We can listen passively. We can choose not to listen at all. Or, we can listen intently. If you were going skydiving, you would listen very carefully to your instructor. You would listen when he or she tells you how to use the parachute, where the ripcord islocated, and when to pull it. Why? Your life depends on it. If you want to hear God speak to you from His Word, it comes down to how you listen. You need to listen as though your life depends on it, because it does. If you want to be a true disciple of Jesus, then you need to slow down and learn to listen. Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shallknow the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32 NKJV). Sometimes that verse is taken out of context. We hear people using it to describe all kinds of so-called truths they want to pass on to someone else. But this verse is veryspecific. It isn't referring to just any truth; this is specific, absolute truth found exclusively in the pages of Scripture. The context is reading, studying, knowing, and living the Scriptures. That truth will set us free. The truth we find in the Bible is the only absolute truth. Jesus prayed, "Your word is truth" (John 17:17 NKJV) and said "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6NKJV). This is the only absolute truth we can be certain of. And when we understand what God is saying in His Word, it sets us free. If you want to be a disciple of Jesus, then you will carefully read, study, and live according to God's Word. Imitate Me - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. -1 Corinthians 11:1 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/imitate-me-2/ - Listen I heard about a man who desperately wanted to get married. He found a girl he was in love with, and he took her home to meet his parents. But his mother didn't like her.So he went out and found another girl and brought her home. Still, his mother didn't like her. Then he found a girl who looked like his mother, talked like his mother, and dressed like his mother. In every way, this girl was just like his mother. Then hisfather didn't like her. Like it or not, people are making evaluations about God according to the way we live as followers of Christ. Being a disciple is walking with Jesus in such a way that youget to say to someone else, "Follow my example." I know that we mess up sometimes. But that doesn't excuse us from being examples. The apostle Paul said, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1NKJV). What if the church were filled with people just like you? What if everyone else in the church were exactly like you? What if everyone in the church read the Bible as faithfullyas you do? Would we be a Bible studying church? What if everyone in the church worshipped God just like you do? Would we be a worshipping church? What if everyone in the church gave of their finances as faithfully as you do? Would we have a supported church? What if everyone in the church shared the gospel as often as you do? What would the church be like? What if other believers were just like you? As believers, we should be living godly lives in such a way that we could say, as the apostle Paul did, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." Accountability Is Scriptural James 5:13-16 There are plenty of biblical directives about making ourselves accountable to one another. But for many, the idea of revealing personal information seems restrictive or even an invasion of privacy. Such confession seems a hindrance to the pursuit of pleasure,prosperity, and prestige. Most people prefer to keep to themselves and not involve others in their business. The Bible, however, makes it clear that Christians are to support each other in this regard: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed" (James5:16). Accountability in the body of Christ is a biblical principle. Church members take direction from their pastor (Heb. 13:17). Paul tellsus to be subject one to another (Eph. 5:21). Yet he was answerable to the church (Acts14:27), just as Timothy was subordinate to him (1 Tim. 4:13-16). The apostles were certainlyunder the authority of Jesus (Luke 10), even as Jesus was subject to the Father (John8:28-29). Of course, the Bible tells us that the whole church is obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph. 5:24). Regardless ofone's position, everybody is accountable to somebody. And this holds true for the entire family of faith--from the congregation to the ministers to Jesus Himself, who served God the Father. People avoid accountability for various reasons, including pride, ignorance, fear, and self-reliance. This is a dangerous approach to life. Our Enemy knows our weaknesses and how to exploit them. But we can prevail with the support of friends. There is strengthin the body of Christ. His Spirit Answers to the Blood �But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ fromthe dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.� (Romans 8:11) The fourth verse of �Arise, My Soul, Arise� speaks of God the Father answering the request of God the Son and granting salvation to a repentant sinner, adopting him into His family. The Father hears Him pray, His dear Anointed One; He cannot turn away the presence of His Son. His Spirit answers to the blood, And tells me I am born of God. As Christ the Messiah hung on Calvary�s tree, God the Father turned away, unable in His holiness to look upon Christ as He bore �the sins of many� (Hebrews 9:28). �My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?� (Psalm 22:1) He cried in His agony. But once God�s righteous justice was satisfied, the Father turned backand answered Christ�s prayer, even from the horns of the altar, as it were (Psalm 22:21). �I and my Father are one,� Christ had said (John10:30), and once sin�s penalty was paid, there would be no more separation. And when a sinner comes to God, claiming the blood of Christ as a full payment for his sins, and Christ Himself prays for the sinner�s full forgiveness and acceptance, the Father cannot turn away, for �he loved us, and sent his son to be the propitiation forour sins� (1 John 4:10). In our text, the same Spirit that raised up Christ grants the spiritually dead sinner new life and declares him to be born of God. �Marvel not that I say unto thee, Ye must be born again [literally, �born from above�]� (John3:7). �Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God� (1 John 3:1). JDM Through the Valley of Death by Max Lucado It seems most people think death is to be avoided or postponed and ignored. But God promises that death will be swallowed up in victory! (1 Corinthians15:54). Jesus rose from the dead, not just to show us his power, but also to lead us through the valleyof death. Recently I discovered it�s possible to record a message for my tombstone. And if I do, this may be what you�ll hear: Thanks for coming by. Sorry you missed me, but I�m not here. I�m home. Finally home! At some point my King will call, and this grave will be shown for the temporary tomb it is. You might want to step to the side in case that happens while you are here.Hope you�ve made plans for your own departure. All the best, Max. Our Eternal Rewards Revelation 4:9-11 Throughout Scripture, we find references to "crowns." Let's take a look at these eternal rewards for a victorious Christian life and a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. The Crown of Victory. To finish life well, believers need Olympic endurance. Athletes in those ancient games received a perishable circlet of laurel leaves. But when we are effective in our God-given ministry and triumph over sin, we'll be given an imperishablecrown (1 Cor. 9:25-27). The Crown of Exultation. The believers that we had a hand in bringing to Christ will be "our glory and joy" before the Lord (1Thess. 2:18-20). Just imagine how you will rejoice in heaven upon seeing and talking with the people who recognize your contribution to their spiritual development. The Crown of Righteousness. The Christian life is not easy, but there is great reward for living righteously when facing temptation or hardship. Believers who pursue godliness are always thinking about the life to come and striving to meet God with a pureconscience (2 Tim. 4:5-8). The Crown of Life. Heartache and pain are unavoidable in this life, but we can take heart because much spiritual growth happens in adversity. Hang in there to receive the crown of life that the Lord promised to those who love Him (James1:12). In heaven, what will we do with the crowns we have earned? We will cast them before Jesus' feet (Rev. 4:10), laying them downas a tribute to the One who saved us, gifted us, equipped us, and lived in us. Everything good and right came to us through the Lord, so He deserves our crowns. Forgive Him, Oh Forgive �Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live untorighteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.� (1 Peter 2:24) The third verse of the majestic hymn �Arise, My Soul, Arise� relates how the crucified but risen Intercessor, Christ, pleads with the Father to save a sinner and why His prayers are heard. Five bleeding wounds He bears, Received on Calvary. They pour effectual prayers; They strongly plead for me. �Forgive him, oh, forgive,� they cry, �Nor let that ransomed sinner die.� When Jesus was crucified, they �pierced [His] hands and [His] feet� (Psalm 22:16) and �pierced his side� with a spear (John19:34). After His resurrection, His disciples would view these five wounds (Luke 24:39; John 20:27). It was from these wounds that His blood flowed, �and without shedding of blood [there] is no remission� of sins. �So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many� (Hebrews9:22, 28). Our text for today declares that it was His �stripes,� literally �wounds,� that heal us of our deadly sin sickness. His death provides life and health and righteousness. If �the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much� (James 5:16), surely the pleadings of Christ, a perfectly righteous man, are of infinitestrength. �Neither pray I for these alone [i.e., His disciples], but for them also which shall believe on me through their word...[that they] be with me where I am� (John17:20, 24). As a truly repentant sinner comes in faith to God seeking forgiveness for his sins, Christ pleads, �Forgive him, oh, forgive.� �For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all� (1Timothy 2:5-6). JDM It Will Cost You the World - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. -John 15:7 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/it-will-cost-you-the-world-2/ - Listen Someone once approached a great Bible teacher and said, "Sir, I would give the world to know the Bible as you do." The teacher looked at him and replied, "And that's exactly what it will cost you." Romans 12 tells us, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfectwill of God" (verse 2 NKJV). How can our minds be transformed? It will happen through the study of God's Word. In Acts 17 we read about those in the synagogue at Berea who listened very carefully whenPaul and Silas showed up: "These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also nota few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men" (verses 10-11 NKJV). I love that they listened eagerly and checked up on what they had to say. They were checking out none other than the apostle Paul, who wrote a good part of the New Testament.That is the right way to listen. Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (John 15:7 NKJV). The word abide means planting yourroots deeply into Christ, soaking up the nutrients, growing each and every day, staying in a given place. It is staying in fellowship with Him. That means you study God's Word. That means you memorize it. And ultimately it means that it affects your thinking,your living, and everything you do. We need to approach God's Word this way. What Legacy Will You Leave? - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. -2 Timothy 4:7 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/what-legacy-will-you-leave-2/ - Listen There was a man who had the unique opportunity of reading his own obituary. One day over his morning toast, he opened the paper and saw his name in the obituary column. Obviously it had beenprinted by mistake, but what really distressed him was the fact that he was remembered as the man who created dynamite. He thought, "Of all of the things I'll be remembered for, it will be my creation of something that is used for mass destruction." So he decided to make some dramatic changes in his life. Theman's name was Alfred Nobel, and he went on to create the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2 Timothy 4, the apostle Paul stated his legacy. His turbulent life was coming to an end, but he had truly made a difference. Paul said, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished therace, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing" (verses 7-8 NKJV). Notice that Paul didn't say, "I ran the race." Rather, he said, "I finished the race." It is not enough to start well. We need to finish well. It is not enough to run fast. We need to runfast and long. The goal is to make it across the finish line and have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of God (see 2 Peter 1:11). You are running a race. Keep running. If you have slowed down, it's time to move forward, because you will leave a legacy. What will you be known for? Your life can make a difference if you'reon the right course. Father, Abba, Father �They are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have receivedthe spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.� (Romans 8:14-15) Charles Wesley�s great hymn �Arise, My Soul, Arise� concludes with a stirring testimony of the joy of salvation. My God is reconciled; His pardoning voice I hear. He owns me for His child; I can no longer fear. With confidence I now draw nigh, And, �Father, Abba, Father,� cry. �If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ� (2Corinthians 5:17-18). As our text explains, once we have received the spirit of adoption, we are the sons of God�He owns us as His child. This is a �new� thing. We who formerly were estranged from our Creator have been reconciled to Him. �Old things,� such as the bondage to fear, are �passed away.� The close-knit ties are strong, �for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee....I will not fear what men shall do unto me� (Hebrews13:5-6). Now that He is our Father, we have direct access to Him. �Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you� (James 4:8). As an earthly father desires the bestfor his children, �how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?� (Matthew 7:11). �And this is the confidencethat we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And...we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him� (1 John5:14-15). This father/child relationship goes deep. The term �Abba, Father� reflects a most sensitive and loving bond, perhaps best rendered �O Sweet Daddy.� �We pray you in Christ�s stead, be ye reconciled to God� (2Corinthians 5:20). JDM Taught by the Word �Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.� (Psalm119:33) This eight-verse section (vv. 33-40) closely parallels a similar passage in Proverbs 2:1-5. Both focus on being taught, gaining understanding, and keeping �the way� of God�s Word. Certainly worth noting is the manner in which the psalmist asked to �go in the path of thy commandments� (v. 35). In every case, the request is for God�s hand to control the process. There is no indication that the psalmist assumed the capability of findingthese truths on his own. •�Teach me, O LORD� (v. 33). •�Give me understanding� (v. 34). •�Make me to go� (v. 35). •�Incline my heart� (v. 36). •�Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity� (v. 37). •�Stablish thy word� (v. 38). •�Turn away my reproach� (v. 39). •�Quicken me in thy righteousness� (v. 40). However, having prayed for God�s intervention and oversight in his life, the psalmist promised to act on the given insight and order his life around �the way� so illumined by God�s instructions. He acknowledged his �delight� and his �longing� in the holylife and character revealed in the Scriptures and, like the Proverbs 2 passage, showed a willingness of the spiritual consciousness of his heart and mind to �understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God� (Proverbs2:5). May our prayer always be like this: �Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting� (Psalm139:23-24). HMM III Open Your Door, Open Your Heart by Max Lucado Long before the church had pulpits and baptisteries, she had kitchens and dinner tables. "The believers met together in the Temple every day. They ate together in their homes, happy to share their food with joyful hearts" (Acts2:46 NCV). "Every day in the Temple and in people's homes they continued teaching the people and telling the Good News�that Jesus is the Christ" (Acts 5:42 NCV). Even a casual reading of the New Testament unveils the house as the primary tool of the church. "To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer . . . and to the church in your house" (Philem. vv. 1-2). "Greet Priscilla and Aquila . . . the church thatis in their house" (Rom. 16:3, 5). "Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house" (Col. 4:15). It's no wonder that the elders were to be "given to hospitality" (1 Tim. 3:2 KJV). The primary gathering place of the church was the home. Consider the genius of God's plan. The first generation of Christians was a tinderboxof contrasting cultures and backgrounds. At least fifteen different nationalities heard Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost. Jews stood next to Gentiles. Men worshipped with women. Slaves and masters alike sought after Christ. Can people of such variedbackgrounds and cultures get along with each other? Advantages of Accountability Hebrews 10:24 Far too often, people turn a good situation into slavery by ignoring wise boundaries of personal freedom. A godly accountability partner can help you enjoy privilege without abusing it. The benefits are plentiful: Clearer direction. Honesty about faults and failures will open you to receive right counsel and encouragement. This process will increase your potential to do and become all that God has in mind for you. Increased integrity. If you have to give an account to somebody, you'll be honest and transparent. Even when the truth hurts, the result is heightened integrity. No Forwarding Address - by Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went withoutknowing where he was going. -Hebrews 11:8 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/no-forwarding-address-5/ - Listen I think sometimes we'd like God to give us a detailed blueprint of our lives. We want to know whom we'll marry, where we'll live, what our professionwill be, and how many children and grandchildren we will have. But God leads us one step at a time. We need to take that step before He will reveal the next one. A world changer named Abraham was called by Godto leave his homeland, leave his relatives, and go to an unknown destination. Abraham lived in a super pagan culture. His family worshipped false gods, and he probably was an idol worshipper himself. Despite this, God handpicked Abraham. God came to him andsaid, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you" (Genesis 12:1 NLT). God didn't tell Abraham what that land was. He didn't tell Abraham where that land was. He didn't even tell Abraham where he and his wife Sarah wouldlive. But Abraham listened to God. He packed up his bags and left no forwarding address. Ultimately he was headed toward a heavenly destination. The Bible tells us that "it was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as hisinheritance. He went without knowing where he was going" (Hebrews 11:8 NLT). Abraham had an eternal perspective, and he changed his world. We need people who will change their world today. America so desperately needs God. Americaso desperately needs to hear the gospel. But for a moment, let's just talk about your world and your sphere of influence where you can make an impact like Abraham did. Do you want to change the world? Start by changing your world. VISIT: PROPHECY WATCHER WEEKLY NEWS: HTTP://PROPHECY-WATCHER-WEEKLY-NEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM