DAILY DEVOTIONALS: 7.10.21

The Pathway of Spiritual Growth Romans 8:29 God predestined us to grow into His likeness, but this doesn't happen at the moment we are saved. While we are redeemed by the Savior's precious blood and immediately have a new heart, our transformation is a lifelong process. The Holy Spirit enables this journey. Growth is impossible without Him, regardless of our efforts. Yet we can welcome or hinder His transforming hand. One way we give God willing access to our lives is by obeying this mandate in Romans 12:2: "And do not be conformed to this world, butbe transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Everyone chooses either a biblical or worldly philosophy as his or her source of truth--and that choice shapes the mind and spirit. Therefore, the Lord tells us to immerse our mind in Scripture, allowing Him to mold us into His beautiful image. The Bible story about the Israelites wandering in the wilderness illustrates this principle. After saving them from Pharaoh's abuse, God did not bring them immediately to the Promised Land. The Lord knew doing so would bring sinful ways with them. Instead,He led them to the wilderness and gave the Ten Commandments. Only after they learned to obey and turn to almighty God were they ready for the next step. The process of sanctification isn't always pleasant. In fact, it's often painful for us, just as it was for the Israelites. In God's amazing wisdom and love, however, He knows what we need to leave our old ways that lead to death. And He builds new characterin us--full of life and joy. ------------------------------------------------------------- The Sisyphus Complex by John UpChurch Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew5:10, ESV) I used to have nightmares about King Sisyphus—not really the wake-up-in-a-sweat dreams of childhood, but more the kind of gut-punching thoughts that plague the daytime. Those are worse because you don't wake up. But I'm getting ahead of myself. First, let's talk about who this king was. According to Greek mythology, King Sisyphus was the Machiavellian politician of his day. While responsible for a number of advancements in navigation, he also made a name for himselfby inviting potential rivals to stay at his place and then killing them off to boost his own influence. He had enough wit to stay ahead of the game for many years—until he got caught. His punishment for all his misdeeds, according to the story, was to push a heavy rock up a hill for eternity. He heaved and puffed and shoved and moved the massive boulder inch by inch up the slope. Then, just as the top came in sight—no matter what thewily king did—the boulder slipped from his grasp and rolled right back down the hill. Sighing, Sisyphus plodded after it and started all over. Heave, puff, roll, sigh. Heave, puff, roll, sigh. During my younger days, when I fooled myself into thinking the universe had no Creator, that's how I envisioned my life: a useless toiling toward a goal that didn't exist. I pressed forward . . . toward nothing. I strived . . . for nothing. I aimed . . .at nothing. All I knew was the effort. There could be no ultimate goal. My rock went up; my rock came down. As I said, it was a walking nightmare. After God took the rock of my own efforts and smashed it with the sledgehammer of His grace, I somehow imagined Christianity would be easier. I envisioned taking up this cross He spoke of and skipping through daisies toward the celestial city. I assumedthe narrow path went straight to the gates without the least resistance. What can I say? I was naïve. ----------------------------------------------------- Mockers--Ancientand Modern “But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation,and mocked the Jews.” (Nehemiah4:1) The art of mocking God and His people has changed little through the ages. The pagan enemies that surrounded the Jews as they were trying to rebuild Jerusalem 400 years before Christ tried various means to defeat them—essentially the same devices used by God’senemies today. They tried political and sociological means, after their efforts at infiltration failed, but these also failed (see Ezra 5:6, 17; 6:6-7; 9:1; 10:11-12). Then, when Nehemiah actually began work on the city’s wall, they tried discouragement by ridicule (Nehemiah2:19; 4:1-3), by threat of violence (4:7-8), and by attempted treachery (6:2). Likewise, the enemies of God’s Word and God’s plan today are trying all these devices in a modern format. They use political means (such as the ACLU), compromising infiltration (liberal teachers in once-sound Christian schools), and even persecution (as incommunist countries). The strategy of “mocking” is often especially effective against Christians in education, science, or other professional fields. Such people place a high premium on peer recognition and thus are sensitive to snide remarks about the Bible. Thus, when, in thewords of 2 Peter 3:4, latter-day scoffers come saying: “Where is the promise of his coming?...all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation” (which is essentially a denial of God and creation), there is great pressure to tacitly agree withthe scoffers, and many Christians will seek some compromise. But Nehemiah did not compromise, and neither should we. The Bible says that those who ridicule God’s Word are “willingly ignorant” (2Peter 3:5), and there is no need to pander to willful ignorance of God’s invulnerable truth. HMM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Just Keep Swimming!" by Katherine Britton “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” - Hebrews 12:1 On Saturday night, I let myself go limp in front of the TV. The blur of activity, newness, and ridiculously hot weather the week before had exhausted me, so a complete mind/body check-out seemed in order. I don’t have cable and I didn’t bother to turn oninstant streaming, so my viewing selection was pretty limited. I soon found myself watching Finding Nemo. Remember the part where the all-important scuba mask slips down, down, down into the dark gorge? Marlin panics and goes after it, only to swim frantically back out of the darkness. Then the crazy blue fish with a short term memory problem frolics her wayinto that same blackness with nary a care. A moment later Dory comes back to encourage Marlin. “Hey, Mr. Grumpy Gills,” she says, “When life gets you down, you know whatcha gotta do?” “No, I don’t want to know watcha gotta do.” “Just keep swimming! Just keepswimming! Just keep swimming!” Not that I’m taking lessons from a digitized blue fish, but Dory’s attitude reminded me what perseverance should look like. It’s not that sitting on the couch and taking a break was evil in itself, but my can’t-go-any-farther attitude was. That attitudeindicated that I was slogging away in my own strength and had run out of energy without looking to the Lord for supernatural help. At points like that, even though I know the answer, “I don’t want to know watcha gotta do” to keep pursuing what God has calledme to do. Wallowing in my exhaustion seems so much easier. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TheWord of Life “Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neitherlaboured in vain.” (Philippians2:16) The Bible is always the best commentary on itself—especially when the word or phrase is not frequent. In this case, “the word of life” is only used twice and might be interpreted in various ways without this qualifier: “That which was from the beginning, whichwe have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life” (1John 1:1). In the context of Philippians 2, the emphasis is obviously on the person and work of our Lord Jesus. We who bear His name are His “sons” and are charged with the responsibility of being “lights” (Philippians2:15) to a world that is steeped in darkness. The light that we shine is the word of life—and that is, according to the Scriptures, the person and work of Jesus Christ. Thus, the word of life must certainly involve who Christ is (Creator, Lord, incarnate Word, King) as well as the “glorious gospel” of salvation by grace (2Corinthians 4:4). Charged with the responsibility of “holding forth the word of life,” we are to be “the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God” (1Corinthians 4:1). Thus, we should be well-versed in the written Word, since Jesus specifically said: “Search the scriptures...they are they which testify of me” (John5:39). Ultimately, of course, our “light” comes from “the Light.” Since we have been delivered “from the power of darkness” (Colossians1:13) by our Lord’s substitutionary atonement, we who “were sometimes darkness” are now “light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians5:8). HMM III ----------------------------------------------------------------- Whenthe Boughs Break “When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: forit is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favor.” (Isaiah 27:11) Like a mighty tree towering over the forest, God raises up a mighty nation from time to time, with a great leader, to accomplish some purpose in the divine plan. He “hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hathdetermined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation” (Acts 17:26). But when that nation and its leaders become proud, and its people become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God, it becomes like a tree whose branches wither and whose core becomes riddled with insect-caused decay. Finally, the boughs break, the kingdomwill fall, and down will come that nation, its leaders and all! That happened even to God’s chosen nation, Israel, though only for a time, since God’s promises cannot fail. One after another, the mighty nations that God used to chastise His wayward people—Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, Rome, etc.—have in turn been judged fortheir own rebellion against the God who “made them” and “formed them.” God has warned that “the wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God” (Psalm9:17). Is that about to happen to our beloved USA as well? The signs of self-seeking power and pride among our leaders and moral decay and spiritual rebellion among our people are widespread and growing worse. Our prayer should be that of the ancient prophet. “O LORD,revive thy work in the midst of the years,...in wrath remember mercy” (Habakkuk 3:2). “Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?” (Psalm 85:6). HMM --------------------------------------------------------------------- God's Good Grace by Ryan Duncan For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9 I was driving back to my apartment when I came to a stop sign on the side of the road. Now, I knew this area didn’t get much traffic, and I was in a big hurry to be home. So instead of coming to a complete stop, I made a quick glance to make sure there wereno cars coming… and coasted through to the next street. That’s when I looked in my rearview mirror and saw there was a car behind me, specifically a white car with spinning lights and the word “police” stamped across it. In that moment I knew I had to be thedumbest driver in the history of automobiles. Sure enough, the lights went on and I got pulled over. After the officer had taken my license and registration, I sat in my car feeling like an idiot. All I’d needed to do was stop for a full second and I wouldn’t be in this mess. I attempted to calculate the cost of the ticket, and which part of my budget I’dhave to slash in order to pay it. I suspected it would be the grocery section, and that I’d be eating a lot of ramen noodles in the following week. Instead, the officer walked back to my car, handed me my license, and said, “I’ll just give you a warning thistime. Drive safely.” I was floored. When I think about the relief that came over me in that moment, I begin to truly understand how much grace God has shown me in my life. Running a stop sign has been the least of my sins. It’s very humbling to look through the darker moments of your lifeand realize God has forgiven you if you’ve asked him to. Christians can get so lost in the concept of grace that we forget what it’s like to really experience it, to feel the weight of guilt and shame – and sometimes even consequence – suddenly lifted fromour shoulders. With Grace, you immediately get a clean slate, every mistake from the past is gone, and once you’ve experienced that you begin to understand the power that lies in verses like John 1:17: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Holy Spirit’s Dwelling Place 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Every time the news programs report a story about vandalism at a church, believers cringe. It’s hard for us to bear the thought of anyone spray-painting graffiti on sanctuary walls or damaging the stained glass windows, let alone setting fire to a placeof worship. It’s a desecration! The church is a sacred place. I’m saddened by the fact that many Christians don’t have the same qualms when it comes to harming the temple of the Holy Spirit—their own bodies. Some put junk into their stomachs, their veins, or their lungs. Others wear themselves down under a weight ofstress or exhaustion. Some folks justify these abuses as their right: It’s my body, I can do what I want. But that isn't true. First Corinthians 6 says that believers are the Lord’s possession (v. 19). He has fashioned these earthen vessels to serve Him and carry out the work He’s planned for us to accomplish. God created us with a mind, body, and spirit—of the three aspects, thebody is the one that allows us to interact with our environment. People cannot reach their full potential while neglecting the proper care of their bodies. What good are education, talent, and gifts if we’re too tired or sick to complete tasks well? Here in the world, we can do nothing apart from our physical body. Since it is the only one we’ll have in this life, we should do our best to keep it in good condition. Believers should also recognize their responsibility to treat the earthly frame likethe sacred and special dwelling place that it is. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Lights in the World “The sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine aslights in the world.” (Philippians 2:15) The Hebrew and Greek terms for “sons of God” are essentially the same, but the Old Testament always uses the phrase in reference to angels, whereas the New Testament always references the twice-born saints of God. Our text for this day emphasizes the precise reason that our Lord Jesus prayed: “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world....They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John17:15-16). We who share this marvelous relationship bear both the “love the Father hath bestowed upon us” and the unique rejection that “the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not” (1John 3:1). Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), and we who are His disciples are “the light of the world” (Matthew5:14. We, unlike the angels, are to remain in this unfair and distorted world as lights. Consider this! We are the light that the Lord Jesus left in this world to represent Him and His message after He returned to heaven (John9:5). That is why the Scriptures refer to us as saints (holy ones) and disciples (followers); even the pejorative “Christians” (Acts 11:26) identify us as representingthe King! We must therefore shine with the truth (John 3:19) and shed the “light of the glorious gospel of Christ” (2Corinthians 4:4), attempting to “lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). Finally, we are surely commanded to “walk in the light, as he is in the light” (1 John 1:7). Our light should never be covered in a “bushel” (Matthew5:15) but set on a “hill” for all to see (Matthew 5:14). HMM III ------------------------------------------------------------------------ BehaviorChecklist “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God,without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians2:14-15) The Holy Spirit makes sure that we do not take lightly the obligation to live godly lives. This “list” contains both warnings and promises. Everything is to be done without “murmurings” and “disputings.” Both words are very interesting synonyms of heart attitudes that produce ungodly behavior. The Greek word translated “murmur” is goggusmos, and it is almost an onomatopoeia (sounds like what it actually is)—a secret debate, muttering to oneself. The “dispute” (Greek dialogismos) suggests a logical debate with oneself. We are commanded to excise that kind of behavior from ourselves so that we may well be blameless and harmless as the “sons of God,” living “without rebuke.” These words are powerful in their description of God’s expectations for us. The blameless condition is first an eternal promise that comes with salvation: “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God” (1Thessalonians 3:13). That condition “works out” in this life as a faultless reputation that is harmless. Paul uses the term this way: “I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil” (Romans16:19). Finally, if we eliminate “murmuring and disputings” from our inner thoughts and actively seek to be “blameless and harmless” with our external behavior, we will be “without rebuke” in the middle of this sadly sinful world. “Be diligent that ye may be foundof him in peace, without spot, and blameless” (2Peter 3:14). HMM III --------------------------------------------------------------------- CaughtAway - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. �1 Thessalonians4:17 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/caught-away/- Listen Some people say the teaching of the Rapture is escapism. Yes, that�s exactly what it is. Christ will come for His Church and take us off this earth. In 1 Thessalonians 4, we find probably the most definitive passage on the Rapture: �For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel,and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord� (verses 16�17 NKJV). The term caught up is an interesting one because there are many shades of meaning. One way to translate it is �to catch away quickly.� This is the same translation in Acts8:39, where we read that after Philip led the Ethiopian official to Christ, �the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away� (NKJV). In the same way, the Rapture will take place in a quick period of time. The Bible says, �In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet willsound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed� (1 Corinthians 15:52 NKJV). In fact, �the twinkling of an eye� reportedly lasts about one thousandth of a second. That means if you�re a Christian, one moment you�ll be going about your life on Earth,and the next moment you�ll find yourself the presence of Christ Himself. The Rapture could take place so rapidly that we wouldn�t even know it, except that we�d be hurtled into God�s presence. In light of this, we should live each day in expectationof the Lord�s return. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Submission �Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.� (Ephesians5:21) Normally in today�s world we are told to strive for the top. Desire to be �Number 1� overshadows the biblical injunction of submission. But when we are truly in a right relationship with God, we will be submitting to one another. Christ taught that servanthoodwas of much greater value in the eyes of God than mastery. We all know too many examples of churches that have been split by conflicts arising from selfishness among the believers or an unwillingness to serve. �From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?� (James 4:1). A Spirit-filled Christian (Ephesians 5:18)desires to submit and serve rather than to assert and rule. The same thought is reflected throughout Scripture: �Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble� (1Peter 5:5). �Obey them [i.e., spiritual leaders] that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls� (Hebrews 13:17).We must also submit to �every ordinance of man for the Lord�s sake� (1 Peter 2:13). The word �submit� is a translation of two Greek words meaning �to line up under.� It usually reflects a military hierarchy, �to rank lower than.� Our goal, therefore, should be to place others above ourselves and to be in submission to and in service of them. This attitude, of course, was the attitude that Christ exhibited as He left heaven to come and serve, and die, who �took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and becameobedient unto death, even the death of the cross� (Philippians 2:7-8). JDM ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seeking God for the Right Reasons by Sarah Phillips For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians1:21 I ran across an article years ago that really touched me. In her piece "AChange of Plans," Lindsy Pike details the excruciating decision to call off her wedding to a man she loved dearly. Reflecting on the mix of pain and peace that comes with any situation where we must give up something precious, Pike rewinds a few centuriesto Abraham�s willingness to sacrifice his son, Isaac: "God promised to give Abraham a son and finally, after years of waiting, God came through, with Isaac. Why in the world would God ask Abraham to give up that gift? In my opinion, it is for the same reason He asked me to call off my wedding. God wants usto love Him more than we love His promises. The minute we get those out of order, He readjusts us.� While we don�t fully know the mind of God in Abraham�s situation, Pike�s simple thought sheds light on a struggle I think all of us encounter at some time in our lives � the struggle to love God above everything else, even His blessings. God wantsus to love Him because of who He is, not what He can give us. Yet, how often do we confuse our love of God�s promises with love of Him? How often do we see Him as the divine blessing machine, ready to dole out happiness on our terms? The popularity of "prosperitytheology" reveals how easy it is for believers to twist love of God into the pursuit of earthly happiness. To be honest, it�s not just greed that gets in the way of loving God. It�s also a limited understanding of who God is. I used to wonder how some Christians could sit for over an hour praying. Is God really that interesting? I�d wonder. This type of thinking reveals a fundamental flaw in how I perceived God, and I think that flaw is what keeps many from coming to Christ in the first place. It�s easy to see Him as limited like we are limited.It�s easy to forget that God is truly our all in all. As C.S. Lewis once said, �God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.� Still, had I not gone through a similar situation, I might not have believed Pike�s sincerity when she says: "I am thankful for His grace that saved me from ruining my life by pursuing my dream." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Breaking Down the Faith Barrier Exodus 4:1-13 A faith barrier is made up of attitudes that short-circuit our trust and prevent us from obeying the Lord's will. A negative self-image can hinder us in this way, as can ignorance of God's character and promises. Three other attitudes can also trip us up:doubt, feelings of inadequacy, and fear of failure. Moses doubted that the Israelites would believe he had been chosen by the Lord to lead them. But God graciously provided reassurance--in the form of evidence that He could accomplish everything He'd promised (Ex.4:1-5). When doubt invades our minds, it can be overcome with diligent study of Scripture and persistent prayer, which will dislodge uncertainty and replace it with biblical truth. Moses wasn't eloquent, and a perceived lack of skill left him feeling inadequate for the job--he was afraid trying to speak would make him stumble. God patiently reassured him of divine help in that task. The Lord often chooses unlikely people to carry outHis plan because He looks at the heart, not human qualifications (1 Sam. 16:7). He can overcome all our inadequacies. Sadly, Moses did not embrace what God promised but instead asked to be relieved of the assignment. A fear of failure can prevent us from saying yes to the Lord. Carrying out God's will requires a heart that trusts Him, a soul that steps out in obedience, and a mind that leaves success or failure to Him. As we break down the faith barrier, we will be able to see the evidence of God's presence and power--and experiencethe joy of obedience. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TheEternal God �Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlastingto everlasting, thou art God.� (Psalm90:2) This verse was written by Moses as the children of Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land. Perhaps the most basic of all the attributes of God is that He �inhabiteth eternity� (Isaiah57:15). He is �from everlasting to everlasting,� the God who ever was and ever shall be. Creatures of time cannot really comprehend the idea of past eternity. �But who made God?� children ask. �Nobody made God,� we answer. �He always was.� The alternative would be to believe in the eternity of �space� and �matter,� but these in themselves are utterlyincapable of producing our complex universe. God, however, is an adequate First Cause to explain all the effects of our infinite, intricate cosmos. There are many other Scriptures assuring us that God has always been. �Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting� (Psalm93:2). He is �the everlasting God, the LORD� (Isaiah40:28). And this truth applies to God the Son as well as to God the Father. The Lord Jesus could say, �I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last� (Revelation22:13). We find it somewhat easier to contemplate the fact that God will live forever. Still, certain foolish men have imagined that God is dead, but �the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king� (Jeremiah10:10). The most glorious fact of all is that this living God did also become man, in the person of Christ Jesus, and He did die. But He soon defeated death and now can say, �I am alive for evermore� (Revelation1:18). And now, since �we believe that Jesus died and rose again,...so shall we ever be with the Lord� (1Thessalonians 4:14, 17). HMM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An Eternal Impact - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? �1 Thessalonians 2:19 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/an-eternal-impact/- Listen When the Rapture takes place, not only will we meet the Lord in the air, but we�ll also rejoin friends and loved ones who have already gone on to be with the Lord. Isn�t that wonderful to know? If you�ve lost loved ones who were believers, then you will see them again. That�s a great comfort for anyone who has ever lost someone they cherished in life. Death isthe great separator, but Jesus Christ is the great reconciler. Jesus will bring together those whom death has separated. The Bible also reveals that we�ll not only be reunited with Christian relatives and loved ones, but we�ll also be reunited with those who trusted in Jesus through our witness. For example, the apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Thessalonica, �For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our LordJesus Christ at His coming?� (1 Thessalonians 2:19 NKJV). Paul was saying that his spiritual children would be his crown of exaltation in the Lord�s presence when He returns. From this it would appear that in Heaven, each of uswill have those whom we helped to believe in Jesus grouped around us. Think about that. Understand, God gives the increase in evangelism. I�ve never saved anyone, and neither have you. But God, by His grace, does allow us to participate in the wonderful processof seeing people to come to faith. You might have sown seeds of the gospel in someone�s life, or you may have had a key role in watering a seed that another Christian had sown as you shared your faith inthe Lord. Ultimately, when we get to Heaven, we�ll be able to see what kind of impact that our lives on Earth have had. ------------------------------------------------------ AMind to Work �So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had amind to work.� (Nehemiah4:6) The ambitious project of rebuilding Jerusalem�s wall, with all its gates and other structures, was completed in less than two months (Nehemiah6:15), for all �the people had a mind to work.� This was in spite of the danger from the external enemies who wanted to delay the work if they could. The third chapter of Nehemiah has a remarkable list of the workmen on the wall. Men of all walks of life participated, each with an assigned portion of the work as organized by Nehemiah. The first verse of the chapter tells of the work done by Eliashib, thehigh priest, and all the other priests; the last verse lists the contribution of the goldsmiths and the merchants. There were the Nethinims (v. 26), apothecaries (v. 8), rulers (i.e., �mayors,� vv. 9, 12, 14-16), and various others. At least one man even hadhis daughters working (v. 12). Only the nobles of the Tekoites �put not their necks to the work of their LORD� (v. 5). This would be a good model for any doctrinally sound, Bible-believing church, school, or other Christian ministry. It�s a lesson we would do well to learn. The mission and its goal are surely more important than the special desires or interests of any individualor group. At the same time, enforced cooperation will only breed resentment and inefficiency. The people themselves must be led to understand it as not just a job to do, but as a divine calling they themselves must have �a mind to the work.� Otherwise theyshould probably be encouraged to work elsewhere. The early Christians served �daily with one accord...and singleness of heart,...And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved� (Acts2:46-47). That�s the way it should be. HMM ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Are You Bearing Fruit? by Ryan Duncan "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.� � Luke 8:16 One of the traditions my family had while I was growing up was that every fall we would go apple picking at a place called Edwards Orchard. It was a great place. There were barn animals for kids to feed, a maze that my siblings and I would always cheat towin, and a small kitchen that made the best apple doughnuts on this continent. Once we had exhausted ourselves on all the activities and eaten enough doughnuts to last us for days, our parents would load us up on the orchard's wagons, and we would go intothe trees to pick apples. Afterwards, we'd enjoy a long stretch of apple-related meals at home, and I was particularly fond of my mother�s upside-down apple pie. Then one year, as we clambered out of our van like usual, we were met by an employee who informed us the orchard had closedthat season. I don�t remember exactly why -- I think a storm had damaged most of the trees -- but the absence of our usual Macintosh apples was pretty noticeable the following week. This was the memory that jumped to my mind a few days ago, as I was readingthe book of Luke. Take a look at the following verses, And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?' And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'" �Luke 13:6-9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Source of Our Adversity Isaiah 45:5-10 When we experience hardships, we usually wonder why God allows these painful situations to come our way. It just doesn't seem to fit with His role as our loving heavenly Father. We struggle to reconcile our suffering with His love for us and His power toprevent or stop it. In order to understand what's going on, we need to consider the possible sources of adversity. A Fallen World: When sin entered the world, suffering came with it. God could have protected us from these harmful effects by making us like puppets who could not choose sin, but that would mean we'd also be unable to choose to love Him,because love must be voluntary. Our Own Doing: Sometimes we get ourselves into trouble with our foolish or sinful choices. If the Lord stepped in and rescued us from every negative consequence, we'd never grow into mature believers. Satanic Attack: The Devil is our enemy. To hinder anything the Lord wants to do in and through believers, Satan will never cease to harass us. His goal is to destroy our lives and our testimonies, thereby making us weak and useless for God'spurposes. God's Sovereignty: Ultimately, the Lord is in charge of all adversity that comes our way. To deny His involvement contradicts His power and sovereignty over creation. For us to accept that God allows--or even sends--afflictions, we must see adversity from His perspective. Is your focus on the pain of your experience or on the Lord and His faithfulness? As believers, we're assured that no adversity comes our way unlessHe can use it to achieve His good purposes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Rescuer - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. �Revelation3:10 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/our-rescuer/- Listen As believers, we�re going to go through hardships. In fact, trials are part of the Christian life. James tells us to rejoice when we go through trials (see James 1:2�4).And Jesus said, �Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world� (John 16:33 NLT). But there is a difference between these and the Great Tribulation. The Great Tribulation is a seven-year period that is coming upon the earth in which God will judge humanity.And as a Christian, I do not expect to go through that time. In 2 Peter 2, we find an argument that Peter laid down for the fact that Christ will deliver us from the Great Tribulation: �And God did not spare the ancient world�exceptfor Noah and the seven others in his family. . . . Later, God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and turned them into heaps of ashes. . . . But God also rescued Lot out of Sodom because he was a righteous man who was sick of the shameful immoralityof the wicked people around him. . . . So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while keeping the wicked under punishment until the day of final judgment� (verses 5�7, 9 NLT). Peter was saying, �Look, God delivered Noah and Lot. In the same way, Christ will come for His church before this judgment falls upon Earth.� It�s important to note that we cannot find any instance in the Scriptures where God, when He was judging nonbelievers, also poured out His judgment upon His people. Theyalways were spared and delivered. God will protect His people. The Bible tells us, �For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ� (1 Thessalonians 5:9 NKJV).He will rescue us before this time of judgment comes. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HowDoes God Hear? �Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall maketoward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.� (2 Chronicles 6:21) No less than eight times in Solomon�s prayer of dedication for the temple does he beseech God to �hear from heaven� (see 2 Chronicles 6:21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 33, 35, 39). But the obvious question is just how can God hear our prayers, especially those uttered only in silence? The answer is in both God�s omniscience and His omnipresence. Although God is indeed on His heavenly throne, He is also right here! �O LORD,� David prayed, �thou hast searched me, and known me....thou understandest my thought afar off� (Psalm139:1-2). He can, and does, hear our prayers. �He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?� (Psalm 94:9). In a manner of speaking, He hears the prayers of redeemed children today even more directly than in David�s day, for we who trust in Christ have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit. �God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them� (2Corinthians 6:16). �The eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers� (1 Peter 3:12). God can indeed hear our prayers. But there are times when He refuses to hear! �If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me� (Psalm 66:18). �Behold, the LORD�s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God...that he will not hear� (Isaiah59:1-2). Yes, but if we ask anything according to His will (and this implies first living according to His will), �he heareth us: and... we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him� (1John 5:14-15). HMM ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Peace, Joy, and Contentment Nehemiah 2:1-8 Discouragement can rob peace, joy, and contentment. But I have great news if you feel disheartened: You�re not stuck! I�ve known people who appeared to be in an impossible situation. A few years later, however, they were in a terrific place, either in terms of their circumstances or their emotions. The reason? They never gave up. Instead of sulking in self-pity, they choseto believe God, step out in faith, and climb out of the emotional pit. Nehemiah is a good example. He had every reason to feel defeated, because his people were in trouble. After receiving news that the city wall had been destroyed, this man of God acknowledged profound disappointment and grieved. Though pain flooded his soul,he didn�t allow himself to stay in that low place. Instead, Nehemiah cried out to God, seeking direction. Sadness in the presence of royalty was punishable by death. But the Lord answered Nehemiah�s prayer with amazing power, prompting the king to notice his servant�s sad countenance and then toask what he could do to help. This miracle led to the rebuilding of the wall and the redemption of God�s people. The Lord can take an impossible situation�no matter what it is�and move in ways mightier than you can imagine. Do you live in eager expectation of what the Lord will do? Or have you chosen to linger in the depths of despair? Like Nehemiah, turn your disappointment into a petition for God�s help. He can restore your hope and prevent negative emotions from gaininga stranglehold on your life. ------------------------------------------ Welcoming His Return - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. �Hebrews 9:28 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/welcoming-his-return/- Listen After the Rapture, I think there will be some churches that hold services as they always have. That�s because it�s possible to attend church yet have no real relationshipwith God. Jesus said of His return, �Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will begrinding at the mill: one will be taken and the otherleft. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming� (Matthew 24:40�42 NKJV). Some will be taken, and some will be left. What will happen to you? Are you ready for His return? Are you looking for His return? To look for Christ�s return isn�t just intellectually acknowledging that it�s true. It isn�t simply a matter of saying, �I know that Christ will come again.� Rather, itmeans living your life in anticipation of it and being ready to meet Him. It should touch your heart. It should be something that moves you deep inside. It�s waiting for Him and welcoming His return. To put it another way, to look for Christ�s return means that you shouldn�t do things that could hinder your spiritual life. We should be on our toes spiritually. The teaching of Christ�s return should motivate us. And it should comfort us. Hebrews 9:28 says, �So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerlywait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation� (NKJV). And 1 John 3:3 tells us, �Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself� (NKJV). If there�s anything in your life that should be changed, anything in your life that isn�t right with God, or any sin in your life that you�re practicing, then I urge youdeal with it now.