DAILY DEVOTIONALS: 1.16.21

How God Heals a Nation - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgivetheir sin and heal their land. �2 Chronicles 7:14 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/how-god-heals-a-nation/- Listen I can�t help but notice there�s a parallel between the late 1960s and the times in which we�re living. Back in those days, we were shooting rockets into space. We had riotsin the streets, social unrest, and incredible racial tension. It was a difficult time, and some thought the country would completely unravel. But guess what happened? God sent a spiritual awakening. We called it the Jesus Movement, or as Time magazine dubbed it, the Jesus Revolution. It was a move of God. In fact,some experts say that not only was it the last great American revival, but it may have been the greatest revival in all of human history. I can tell you this much about it: I came to Christ at the age of 17 during that spiritual awakening. We need to be praying for a spiritual awakening to take place again, and we need to be praying for it with great passion. God said, �And it shall come to pass afterwardthat I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions� (Joel 2:28 NKJV). In 2 Chronicles 7:14 we find a promise that God made to Israel, and I believe that in principle, it applies to any nation, anywhere in the world, including the United Statesof America. God said, �If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land� (NKJV). We�d like to see a healing in our land, wouldn�t we? It starts with God�s people getting right with Him and praying for that healing to take place. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TheRighteous Word “Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded arerighteous and very faithful.” (Psalm119:137-138) The writer of the book of Hebrews called God’s Word “the word of righteousness” (Hebrews5:13). Nehemiah declared that God had “performed thy words; for thou art righteous” (Nehemiah9:8). Those two concepts merge in the beauty of the Word. “For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth” (Psalm33:4). The written Word is righteous; the cause of the Word is righteous. That theme pervades this stanza of Psalm 119. Several synonyms describe this characteristic of the Scriptures. •The Lord is righteous, and therefore His judgments are upright. “Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way” (Psalm25:8). •God’s Word is very pure (Psalm119:140), like refined gold. “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (Psalm12:6). •Because the righteous acts of the Lord have everlasting consequences, the “law is the truth” (Psalm119:142)—“the righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting” (v. 144). Since the psalmist dedicated his heart and life to the clarity of God’s Word, righteous jealousy consumedhim on behalf of God because the enemies of the Lord forgot His Word (v. 139). Furthermore, even though he felt “small and despised” (v. 141) and trouble and anguish surrounded him, he still delighted in understanding God’s righteous commandments (v. 143). May the Lord God strengthen our resolve this day to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James1:22). HMM III ------------------------------------------------------- Is Suffering Inevitable? by Shawn McEvoy For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. 1Peter 3:17, NAS Suffering. It's not standard daily devotional fare, because let's face it, usually we want to begin or end our day being uplifted, or even better, lifting up God, rather than focusing on our pains and problems. But there's the rub... we all have pains and problems. Christian and non-Christian. Lifelong disciple and baby believer. Red and yellow, black and white. Everyone, from the moment he or she was born, has struggled, tried, failed, hurt, sinned, misunderstood,and reacted. Humanity shares a true brotherhood over suffering, one that we might understand a lot better if suffering weren't also so relative. By which I mean, one person's issues may sound simple, easy-to-solve, even petty to another. "That's nothing compared to what I've had to endure!" But the fact is, your sorrows and difficulties are real to you. It's one reason why I'm no fan of when people say a certain place or time in their lives isn't "the real world," as if the spot they are currently tucked away at is immune from any degree ofdifficulty. Suffering is very real, and there's certainly no reason any Christian would expect life to be otherwise. We purport to follow a "Suffering Savior." His stripes have healed us, and wow do we seem to feel them sometimes, which is as it should be, as we deservedthem instead of Him. If we agree that no person but One - no matter where they lived or how easy or hard they had it - has escaped sin's corruption, then how much more must we agree that truly NO person has escaped suffering? Look at what Peter suggests in today's verse: you can suffer for doing good, or you can suffer for doing bad. By extension, some of the problems in your life may be a result of your own rebellious choices, while other hurts may naturally result from walkingso closely with Christ that you ache at the injustice and hardship around you, with the world despising and persecuting you. In the classic allegory Hinds' Feet on High Places, Much-Afraid journeys with companions named Sorrow and Suffering, and these two assist her in her climb up the Injury Precipice, which is a part of her transformation into "Grace and Glory." The same is true for you. Your sufferings have informed you, educated you, helped you along in your journey. You may despise them, but they are yours. And they will be with you whether you are doing right, or not. Of course, the nature of them will be quitedifferent. There may yet be one way, though, to avoid suffering. There's a third option, left out here by Peter, but not left out by John in the Revelation. It's the middling, lukewarm response to life, the do-nothing approach. This is the approach that cocoons itselfoff from life and all of its pain (but also all of its involvement). And make no mistake, "Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something," says that famous theologian the Man in Black in The Princess Bride. You may not feel anything from inside a cocoon; in fact, it may be an abundance of pain and suffering that forced you in there. But remember, no creature that cocoons itself is intended to stay locked up forever. The point is to be rested, healed, matured,transformed. To become more beautiful, useful. Even the emerging process itself carries a degree of struggle, but one that, if the insect did not go through unhindered, would leave it too weak to fly. --------------------------------------------------- The Hope of Peace Romans15:4-13 Despite man's best efforts, the world's longing for peace remains unfulfilled. Each new generation has high hopes for reconciliation among people and nations but in the end faces disappointment. One day Christ will return and make everything right. Until then, believers are called to be His ambassadors of peace. However, becoming a Christian does not automatically change us into people who pursue kindness and unity. At times we're quick-tempered and impatient and find it hard to live in harmony with others. We may have trouble letting go of attitudes or habits that hurt those around us—and occasionally we don't even want to. God knows our true character and has providedthe Holy Spirit to transform us into Jesus' likeness. The Spirit opens our minds to understand and apply Scripture. He gives us the power to say no to ungodliness and to replace me-centered thinking with a Christ-centered viewpoint. He patiently produces Hisfruit in us, which includes love, joy, and peace (Gal. 5:22-23). With His help, we can becomepeacemakers who work to bring about reconciliation between God and others (Matt. 5:9). While our world keeps hoping for peace through man's solutions, we know the only source of lasting unity is Jesus Christ. The Lord wants our hearts to be ruled by His peace (Col. 3:15) and our relationships to be marked by a spirit of oneness. Howencouraged other people will be when they realize it's the transforming power of God in our lives that brings about reconciliation in our marriages, families, and churches. ---------------------------------------------------------- A Mighty Man “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty manof valor.” (Judges 6:12) Gideon was not a very promising leader to all outward appearances. He was of the undistinguished and divided tribe of Manasseh, and “my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house” (v. 15). But that’s exactly the kind of man God knows He can use, for “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Corinthians1:27). God, therefore, greeted him thus: “The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor” (text verse). As a matter of fact, there were other qualities in Gideon that must have commended him to God. He was already busy threshing “wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites” (v. 11). He was not sitting idly but was already doing what he could for hispeople. Furthermore, even though he lived in a time of great apostasy when even his own father kept an altar for the god Baal, he still worshipped the true God and was greatly exercised that “the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of theMidianites” (v. 13). He was burdened for his people, but all he had been able to do was to try to feed them, hiding his wheat from the invaders. Before the Lord could use him further, however, he had to destroy the family idol and offer his own sacrifice tothe true God, even though he knew his family and neighbors might try to kill him (vv. 25-32). God, then, did indeed “save Israel from the hand of the Midianites” through Gideon (v. 14). If we would be mighty for God, like Gideon, we must begin like him: poor yet faithful, burdened for the Lord’s truth, and doing what we can—putting away every idol of the mind, and acknowledging our Savior’s sacrifice for us. HMM ------------------------------------------------------------- Missing the Forest for the Trees By Debbie Holloway "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied:”‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighboras yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew22:36). I just read an article about how being technically "overweight" might not actually, in and of itself, carry a higher mortality risk. It discussed how previously established governmental standards of healthy, "normal" weight might have sprung more from oursociety's visual obsession with thinness, than with any inherent physical dangers of weighing more than your neighbor. As mind-blowing as this conclusion may seem, perhaps the real problem isn't a number on a scale. Perhaps it's when too much extra weight for a person’s body brings on unnatural fatigue, immobility, illness, or discomfort. Perhaps the problem is eating toomuch, or too poorly, for our bodies to function correctly. Perhaps we're missing the big picture of health and wellness and zooming in too close on the raw numbers of weight. I would venture to say that we do that in our spiritual lives as well. Perhaps you’ve diagnosed a fellow believer as having a spiritual "illness" – let's say they don't attend church on Sunday morning. Knowing only this raw data can lead to a judgmentalshake of the head, with a sigh of "Hebrews10:25!" But, if you were to ask this person about their health and habits, perhaps you might be surprised. But I do meet together with other believers regularly, they may say, citing a weeknight Bible study or regularly occurring night of intentional fellowship. I travel weekends for my job, so traditional church is pretty impossible, they might say. There are many things they might say, many things that might remind us that a single suspicioustree might not be representative of the forest of someone’s life. Jesus said that everything we learned from the Law and from the Prophets could be summed up like this: --------------------------------------------------------------- Godly Living in an Ungodly Age Titus 1 Our Founding Fathers created a governing framework based upon biblical principles. Slowly, we have changed from “one nation under God” to a group of people who no longer want Him to be involved. Tragically, we’ve become, in numerous ways, an ungodly nation: many are driven by materialism and power; immorality and rebellion are prevalent; empty philosophy and false doctrine are widely acceptable. Underlying it all is a vocal decision to take Godout of the nation’s “official business.” Yet even in an unbelieving society, people can, as individuals, follow Jesus. But the world will continually disseminate faulty teachings, so believers must be discerning. Otherwise, erroneous messages can lead Christians to compromise their convictions.Then affections and priorities may change. Don’t let the world’s clamor make the Spirit’s voice less audible. Without His guidance, our minds become vulnerable to lies. The Word of God is a compass that keeps us headed in the right direction—even in the midst of confusing messages all around. We need to be consistently filled with truth by reading, believing, meditating upon, and applying Scripture. God also tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1Thess. 5:17). If our minds are focused upon Him, unholy beliefs will not be able to take root. The Word is our guidebook. We will still face difficulty as we live in this imperfect world—it is a confusing, dark place that entices us but never fulfills our true longings. Yet God’s truth will bring confidence and boldness, and His Spirit will directand strengthen, enabling us to live victoriously. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ManyBooks “And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is aweariness of the flesh.” (Ecclesiastes12:12) It seems amazing, at first, that we should be reading a complaint from almost 3,000 years ago that too many books were already being published. The greatest book, of course, is the collection of 66 books known as the Bible—that is, the Book (which is the meaningof “Bible”). This Book has been “for ever...settled in heaven” and “endureth for ever” (Psalm119:89, 160). The first mention of “book” in the Bible is found in Genesis 5:1: “This is the book of the generations of Adam.” Similarly, the first mention of “book” in the New Testament is Matthew 1:1: “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ.” These “books” are now incorporated into the Book and, in a striking way, emphasize the continuity of Old and New Testaments—the one dealing with the first Adam, the other with the last Adam. The final mentions of “book” also are very important, again dealing not with books that are temporal but with books that are eternal. In the Old Testament we have the beautiful promise of Malachi 3:16: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another:and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.” The final mention of “book” in the Bible, on the other hand, is a sober warning not to tamper with the Book. “If any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city,and from the things which are written in this book” (Revelation22:19). Let us honor it, guard it, believe it, and follow it. HMM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fits Any Niche by Shawn McEvoy Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.- Psalm 119:105 All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness. - 2Timothy 3:16-17 As the editor responsible for all devotional content here at Crosswalk, one of the questions I'm asked most frequently by our beloved users goes something like this: "Your devotional offerings are great, but could you please include one for cousins of divorcees with sleeping disorders who have befriended agnostic vegetarians? Because that would be really great." Okay, that's an exaggeration (but only barely). And it's not like we dislike filling niches. We have devotionals for women, the workplace, weight loss and the list goes on. We're continually adding to the selection and have plans for more. To an extent, we're at the mercy of what's well-written, theologically sound, recognizable, and most of all, available. But when I'm asked a question like, "My fiance and I are interested in a devotional for yet-to-be-married couples living in the mid-Atlantic from different church backgrounds who are both post-millennialists. What do you recommend for us?" my answer is alwaysthe same: Just study the Word, man. Whether you find it here or somewhere else, locate a ministry, author, preacher, or regular old Joe/JoAnn whom God has gifted with insight into his holy scriptures, and read their take regularly. Follow that with your own deeper individual study. Take that into prayingwith a spouse, accountability partner, disciple, or mentor. Join a group Bible Study. And take notes during sermons. It's not much more complicated than that. We sometimes make it so. We pigeonhole ourselves or our current life situation or level of belief, and so risk hindering the effective wholeness of the Word. Besides, if there's one thing I've noticed through almost a biblical generation of life, it's that our specific situations are many times made more complex by our non-stop obsession with them, and are often made more simple by backing off and getting atthem indirectly through solid study that may not at first seem related to what we are going through. There's nothing wrong with wanting to hear which verses were blessings to folks who have gone through heartbreaks or challenges similar to what you are now experiencing. What I'm suggesting is that the Word of the Lord never returns void. And that therehave been several topics I've tried to understand (and been disappointed in the lack of direct guidance the Bible appears to give on the subject), or several life situations I've wanted to study (and not known where to start or how to find others who havebiblical wisdom to offer in the form of a devotional) that have been solved when I stepped away and just studied sound teaching with prayer. One example is when, as a young man, I wanted to find everything the Bible said about the "big sins" our youth ministers were so concerned with keeping us from -- sex and drinking. I shortly exhausted all the verses that dealt directly with these topics.But it wasn't until I backed away from a focus on these issues and began more comprehensive studies of what God had to say about all things that the picture grew bigger and the reasons for abstinence, purity, sobriety, and not causing others to stumble becameclear in the light of grace, righteousness, sacrifice, real love and ministry. Another example is the time I was battling a crippling depression. I found few answers and little comfort in attacking the problem directly -- even if there didn't seem to be a lack of correlative verses or devos, which only would have reminded me doubleof the state I was in. What did help was reading other topics from the Bible, and books from established Christian authors and preachers about the Bible itself, about faith, about truth. A pathway out of anxiety was lit, to my surprise, by Brennan Manning's Furious Longing of God. I could not have guessed that a meditation on God's intense love for me would have lit the way. Eventually the clouds lifted, and I was stronger for having gone through the darkness and for the overarching principles that broughtme home. And even today, when I travel again through old and familiar verses, passages and chapters, I see them under new lights, different words stick out, related to my current trials, temptations and tribulations. It's quite a thing to see happen on the page. Let me encourage you today not to wall yourself off from the full richness of the Word, but to seek out sound doctrine and study on general principles regularly that I promise will apply to your specifics, whether directly or indirectly, immediately or eventually. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Touch Not Mine Anointed “And [David] said unto his men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the LORD’s anointed,to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 24:6) These words have been widely misappropriated in later times as a warning to any who would presume to question or rebuke an erring pastor or other Christian leader. In the theocracy of Israel, there were three groups of men specially chosen by God and then anointedfor their offices—prophets, priests, and kings—and God indeed “suffered no man to do them wrong” (Psalm 105:14). However, all three offices were completelyfulfilled in Christ. The Levitical priesthood has been abolished, and Christ is our eternal high priest. The prophetic office ceased with the completion of the Scriptures, and Christ has inherited David’s throne forever. As far as New Testament anointing is concerned, this is now accomplished in every true believer. “Now he which...hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2Corinthians 1:21- 22). No longer are we dependent on special instruction and guidance from priests and prophets, for we have the inerrant, infallible, written Word of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit. “The anointing which ye have received of himabideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him” (1John 2:27). Christians can, and should, learn and grow spiritually from godly teachers of the Word and faithful pastors of the flock, but all—leaders as well as learners—must continually be subject to correction from God’s Word, “neither as being lords over God’s heritage,but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3). HMM ------------------------------------------------------------------- Godliness Matthew9:11-13 There is a common misconception that believers should be perfect. Pretending to have our lives in order, many of us wear happy faces and speak words that sound acceptable. At times we’re ashamed to admit our shortcomings, as if they should not exist. Salvation through Jesus, however, doesn’t change the fact that sin is present in our life. When we’re born again, God forgives us and sees us as righteous. Yet our battle with sin continues till we arrive in heaven. In fact, striving for perfection actually can be a trap that pulls us away from living a godly life. Functioning in this way is a form of relying on our own capability. Jesus said that He came to heal the spiritually sick because they recognized their weakness.With an awareness of our inadequacy comes the realization of our need for Him. The world sees successful individuals as powerful and self-sufficient, but Jesus didn’t care about these qualities. Instead, He wants people to be aware of their own brokenness. This is the foundation for godliness. We should accept our neediness and seek God passionately. Doing so allows the following attributes to develop: a hunger for God’s Word, faithful service, deepening trust, and decision-making based upon principle rather than preference. Patiently and mercifully,God matures us. Be careful not to cover up your sins in order to look like a “good Christian.” Without recognition and confession of our sinfulness, we are unable to rely fully on God. It is only with this awareness that we can passionately seek Him, obey in His strength,and confess with repentance when we miss the mark. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- His Love Endures Forever by Ryan Duncan Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! - 1 Chronicles 16:34 Last December I had the privilege to be part of a short-term mission trip to Vladimir, Russia, where I worked alongside Russian Christians in the city’s orphanage. The trip was incredibly challenging, but the opportunity did help me learn a lot about Godand about myself. In particular, I remember the Sunday morning where our interpreters invited us to attend their Church. The building they met in was small, and as I took my seat with the rest of the team, I realized there couldn’t be more than thirty peoplein the congregation. I found that number rather depressing. My own Church here in the states wasn’t what I’d call big, but it certainly had more than thirty people in it. A small voice in the dark part of my mind wondered if this was a sign of change in our world, that maybeChristianity was beginning to die out. I was still in this dismal frame of mind when the congregation stood for the first song, and it was at that point something extraordinary happened. The people of that small Church began to sing together, and I was amazedat the passion they displayed toward God as they worshiped. Afterward, my interpreter took me aside and began to tell me about the history of the Church. Apparently, this little Church had been in the community for ten years, and it wasn’t shrinking, it was growing. My interpreter told me how it was through thisChurch that he had first come to know Christ. He was the only Christian in his family and was doing his best to witness to them, but in the meantime, he considered the people here just as close as any brother or sister. Nearly everyone in the Church was involvedin some kind of outreach, some even worked with the orphanages full time. All of this from a Church of thirty people. Sometimes I lose sight of who God really is, and what he can do with the smallest of offerings. God will never be threatened or hindered by our world. He will always be there for us no matter how far we stray orhow hard mankind tries to remove him. Through the rise and fall of countless empires, all the advancements of science, through war and pain, the spirit of God has endured. I guess the writer of Psalms knew what he was talking about when he wrote, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; to him who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever;” – Psalm 136:1-4 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Lighting Up the Dark - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. �Matthew 5:16 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/lighting-up-the-dark/- Listen I heard about a man in his senior years who was walking beside a lake when he suddenly heard a voice. �Hey you!� someone said, �Come over here and kiss me, and I�ll turninto a beautiful princess.� He looked around but didn�t see anyone. Again, a voice said, �Hey, you! Come over here and kiss me, and I�ll turn into a beautiful princess.� Then he noticed a little frog by the water�s edge. The frog said, �Hey, you! Kiss me, and I�ll turn into a beautiful princess.� So the man reached down, carefully picked up the frog, and put it into his shirt pocket. Then he turned and walked away. The frog called out, �Hey, didn�t you hear what I said? I said, �Kiss me, and I�ll turn into a beautiful princess.�� The man replied, �At my age I�d rather have a talking frog.� That�s how it can be when we study Bible prophecy. We can miss the whole point. In Luke 12, Jesus tells us how we ought to be living as we anticipate His imminent return: �Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning, as though you were waiting for your master to return from the wedding feast� (verses 35�36 NLT). Jesus was describing a first-century Jewish wedding, which could go on for days or even a week. They didn�t know when the groom would arrive, so everyone would be dressedand ready. To have your lamps burning meant that you�d have sufficient oil in them. If you weren�t prepared, then you�d miss the wedding. This world is a very dark place, and it seems to be getting darker. But Jesus said, �Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenlyFather� (Matthew 5:16 NLT). As followers of Jesus Christ, we should be shining lights in a dark place. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If This Were the Day - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. �Luke 12:40 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/if-this-were-the-day/- Listen I received a letter awhile ago from someone who was working at an abortion clinic in North Carolina. One day she was listening to A New Beginning on the radio when she heardme ask this question: If Christ were to come back tonight, are you doing anything you would be ashamed to be doing? Immediately she thought of what she did for a living. So she quit her job, and now she�s involved in pro-life work. Let�s say that Jesus was returning today. Would you be ready? Or, are you doing something you�d be ashamed to be doing if He were to come back? If so, you need to change that behavior. You need to be ready to go because you don�t know when Jesus will return. When I go on a trip, I always pack the night before. I�ll admit, however, that I tend to over pack because I want to have what I need for the trip. But I have everythingon wheels now, so I can just drag it behind me. When Jesus said, �Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning� (Luke 12:35 NLT), He was saying, �Have your bags packed and your comfortable shoes on.� What if this were your last day on earth? Or what if this were the day that Christ came back? I know that I�m going to Heaven either through death or the Rapture. Both arefine with me. So periodically ask yourself, �This place I�m about to go, this thing that I�m ready to do, would I be ashamed or embarrassed if I were doing this when Jesus Christ returns?� If the answer to that question is yes, then stop doing those things. We need to be ready. We should live every day as though it were our last, because one day it will be. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- White Walls By Meghan Kleppinger Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, "Build houses and live {in them;} and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters,and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfareyou will have welfare." - Jeremiah 29:4-7 If we were playing the word association game and someone said, "Military life," I would answer "white walls." Thanks to our travel agency, otherwise known as the U.S. Army, I moved with my family 13 times before I graduated from college. Many of our abodes were Army quarters (houses on army installations for military families). The walls were always white. I determinedearly on that when I moved out on my own there wouldn't be a single white wall in my home. From the time I graduated college until now, I've continued to be in transition which has meant more white walls in my apartments. Well, I just bought my first house and, of course, I'm not thinking about the practical purchases that need to be made (likea washer and a dryer for example), I'm considering color! I'm thinking about the things that need to be done to help me feel settled and at home. Eventually, I could move to a different town, or I could marry (this one gets my parents' vote), or a number of other things could happen that would require me to move out of this house. Will my probable future keep my belongings in their boxes or the paintin its can? Of course not! If there is one thing I learned as a military kid, it's to make home wherever I am for as long as I am there. This world is not our permanent home and God tells us our days are like a breath (Psalms 144:4), but He has also given each of us the opportunity to unpack our boxes and make an impact while we are here. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seeking God's Will 1 John 5:14-15 Parents train their children to do many tasks�from knowing which clothes match to handling money. Perhaps the most important skill we can teach is how to follow God�s direction. We are blessed that our omniscient and mighty Father is willing to make His way known to us. He wants to reveal exactly what to do in every situation. In fact, He promises this: �I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counselyou with My eye upon you� (Ps. 32:8). Let�s explore how to discern God�s will at each crossroad of life. The first step is to make sure that we have repented of all sin. Listening to God while holding onto iniquity in our heart is like using a foggy and unreadable compass. After confessing and repenting, we can ask for direction. Next, we should read Scripture regularly with a seeking, open heart. The Bible is like a lamp on a dark path (Ps. 119:105). The last step involves God�s indwelling Holy Spirit�the wonderful gift that the heavenly Father has given each of His children. The Spirit provides truth and guidance as we read the Word and pray. We should listen patiently for His leading, which is often communicated quietly to our hearts aswe spend time with Him. When asking the Lord to reveal His will, we shouldn�t expect instant answers. The discipline of waiting builds character, and besides, rushing the process may lead to a path that misses God�s best. Take the time to seek Jesus� plan for your life, rememberingHe'll provide all you need to follow Him. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An Attitude of Anticipation - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org He who testifies to these things says, �Surely I am coming quickly.� Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! �Revelation 22:20 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/an-attitude-of-anticipation/- Listen We once had a dog that slept outside our bedroom door every night. He leaned against the door, so in the morning when I opened it, he�d roll into the room. Then he�d jumpto his feet and run around in circles because he knew he was going on a walk. That�s how we ought to be as Christians who are waiting for the Lord�s return. Jesus said, �You yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return fromthe wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching� (Luke 12:36�37 NKJV). For instance, let�s say that a loved one whom you haven�t seen for months was coming to visit. They text you to say their plane just landed. Then you get another text sayingthey picked up their luggage. A few minutes later, you get another text telling you they�re on the way. You�re anxiously awaiting their arrival. In fact, you can�t even wait until they knock on the door, so you run outside to meet them in the driveway. We should be that way as we wait for the return of Jesus Christ. We should be looking forward to it, not dreading it. For example, if we knew that Jesus was coming backat 3:00 PM tomorrow, I�m sure we�d be wearing our Sunday smiles and our come-quickly-Jesus attitudes at 2:45. So shouldn�t we live every day with that very attitude? Jesus said, �Surely I am coming quickly.� Along with the apostle John, the answer of the true Christian always will be, �Even so, come, Lord Jesus!� (Revelation 22:20 NKJV). If there�s anything that would stop you from saying that today, then you shouldn�t hesitate to remove it from your life. -------------------------------------------------------------------- For Such a Time as This By Debbie McDaniel �And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" - Esther 4:14 God is the only One, who has the power to turn trials into blessings. Don�t ever doubt that He is Able. Nothing is impossible with Him. He�s always at work even when we can�t see the whole story, even when things look uncertain. And that sets the stage for great things to happen, ��for such a time as this.� - Esther 4:14 Queen Esther had a choice. When Mordecai sent word to her about the great danger their people were facing, she could have simply tried to save herself. She could have kept quiet. Just hoped for the best, or turned the other way. But she and Mordecai bothknew that God had given her great purpose in her position. She was wise, she made a plan, she didn�t stay stuck in fear or worry, she prayed and fasted, and asked for their people to do the same. She was willing to act, to follow God�s lead, to save the livesof her people, even if it meant she might lose hers. (Read the whole story in the book of Esther) Though our current situations may look different than what Esther faced, we might still be struggling with great fear or uncertainty. The future may look dark. A hard diagnosis or recent loss may have sent us spiraling. Yet often God places us in positionsof influence, or in strategic locations, with great purpose in mind. Many times, the places where we find ourselves is not really �all about us.� It�s about Him. It�s about His bigger plan. May God help us to follow His lead, believing that His timing is perfect, remembering that He�s always faithful. If you find yourself facing times of trouble or testing right now, be assured that God is at work in your situation. He�s working within you, and on your behalf in all the events that surround you, no matter how difficult. In whatever we face, God is stillon the throne. He is powerful, nothing is too difficult for Him. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Developing a Vibrant Faith Acts 9:1-16 The apostle Paul had a strong commitment to know and serve Jesus Christ. His passion and love for the Lord was obvious�Jesus was always central in his thinking, whether he was working as a tent maker, preaching to the crowd, or even sitting in chains at prison.What fueled his love for the Lord? Paul's conversion experience on the Damascus Road was a motivating force in his life. Grateful for the gift of grace he had received at salvation, the apostle told many people about his encounter with the resurrected Christ and its impact on him. We, too,have a story to tell of God's mercy in saving us and of the new life we have in Him. Paul's zeal also came from his firm conviction that the gospel message was true and available to everyone (John 3:16). On the cross, Jesustook all our sins�past, present, and future�upon Himself (1 Pet. 2:24). He suffered our punishment so that we might receive forgivenessand be brought into a right relationship with God. Through faith in Christ, we've been born again, and the indwelling Holy Spirit helps us every day (John14:26). The more we understand what Jesus has accomplished on our behalf, the greater will be our passion to share the gospel. Developing a vibrant faith requires time and energy plus a commitment to obey God. Regularly studying the Bible will strengthen your beliefs and give you courage to speak. Caring about the spiritual welfare of others will move you into action. Do you have a passion to serve Jesus wherever He leads? ------------------------------------------------------------------- Full �Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full of years; and was gatheredto his people.� (Genesis 25:8) With the words of our text, Abraham ended a life of faith having walked in such close fellowship with God that �he was called the Friend of God� (James 2:23).But when he died at 175 years old, his standing in the world from a human perspective might not seem to have warranted his nomadic life of sacrifice and faith. He had sojourned in the land given to him by covenant, but he had not taken possession of it inany real sense. Although he had gained a measure of worldly possessions (Genesis 13:2), he had evidently given up a stable and satisfying life of luxuryamong his people to follow God into the land of promise. Once there, his nephew, Lot, had deserted him, taking the fertile land as his own (13:10-11). Abraham had seen war (chapter 14), famine (12:10), compromise (12:13; 20:2), fighting between his two wives,and had not had children until his old age (chapters 16 and 21), had lived in poor relationship with his neighbors (chapter 20), and had eventually lost his dear wife, Sarah (23:2). But when Abraham died, Scripture says he died completely satisfied, the literal meaning of the word �full� in our text (the words �of years� added by the translators). He had learned to measure time by eternity, to weigh the value of earthly things by the Spirit. �For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God� (Hebrews 11:10). He had �believed God, and it was counted unto him forrighteousness� (Romans 4:3). The fullness of Abraham was that of a wealth that death could not touch. The seeming fullness of those who walk by sight, and not by faith, is emptied in death. Men and women of faith carry their fullness with them. When the time comes, may we all die as Abrahamdied�full. JDM --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A Dangerous Denial - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. �2 Peter 3:3 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/a-dangerous-denial/- Listen I think it�s a very dangerous thing when you arrive at a theology that tells you Jesus Christ isn�t coming back. There are different views on this topic, but if your so-called theology says to you that Christ is not returning at any moment, then something is wrong with your theology. Jesus warned, �But if that servant says in his heart, �My master is delaying his coming,� and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk,the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him� (Luke 12:45�46 NKJV). In contrast to the believer who is watching and working, Jesus was describing an unprepared servant. To me this is probably a description of someone who thinks he or sheis a believer but isn�t. Jesus also could be referring to a disobedient believer. Either way, this is someone who isn�t right with God. Not only should we be anxiously waiting for the Lord�s return, but we also should be working. Jesus said, �Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master willmake ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes� (Luke 12:42�43 NKJV). The word Jesus used for blessed also could be translated as happy. In other words, if you live this way, if you live in constant anticipation of the imminent return of Christ,then you will be a happy person. It�s not a miserable, repressive, or confining way to live as we look for Christ�s return. Really, it�s happy, it�s joyful, and it�s purposeful. It�s the way to live. Watching for the Lord�s return will help us prepare our own lives, but working will assure that we bring others with us. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VISIT: PROPHECY WATCHER WEEKLY NEWS: HTTP://PROPHECY-WATCHER-WEEKLY-NEWS.BLOGSPOT.COM