DAILY DEVOTIONALS: 9.17.22

ThoseWho Depart “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continuedwith us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” (1John 2:19) One of the most hurtful experiences in the life of a Bible-believing fellowship is when an ostensibly Christian leader, teacher, or pastor decides to abandon his faith and even to teach against it. This sort of thing does happen all too often, and it obviouslyraises difficult questions. Can a true believer, a teacher of the Word, a soul-winner, actually lose his salvation? Can a born-again Christian go back and be unborn? Can one who has received everlasting life through faith in Christ not really have eternal life? If so, what about the many promises that have assured us that “ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1John 5:13) and that we “shall never perish” (John10:28)? The answer to this vexing question is apparently in our text verse above. When such people, who once seemed to be genuine Christians, become apostates, denouncing the truth they once taught, it is because “they were not of us” at all, no matter what they professedat one time. This fact implies a sober warning. When professing Christians fall away, assuming they have truly understood the facts and evidences of the Christian faith, it is impossible “to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son ofGod afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Hebrews6:6). How important it is, therefore, for all professing believers to “give diligence to make your calling and election sure” (2Peter 1:10). We must be “rooted and built up in him” (Colossians2:7), “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1Peter 3:15). HMM ------------------------ Deliverancefrom Fear “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalm34:4) There are many things in such a world as ours that can bring fear into human hearts—fear of want, fear of war, fear of rejection, fear of the dark, and a multitude of others. Some fears are rational, some are foolish, but all are very serious to those who experiencethem. The good news of the gospel, however, can set us free from every fear. Remember that fear entered the world when sin entered the world. “I was afraid,” Adam explained when God found him hiding in the garden after eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis3:10). The second reference to fear in the Bible, on the other hand, was when “the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward” (Genesis15:1). The Lord protects us and provides for us; we have His Word and need “fear no evil” (Psalm23:4). At least 19 times in the New Testament we hear the words “fear not” or “be not afraid” on the lips of Christ. Whenever phobias beset us or fears discourage us, deliverance is ours when we seek the Lord. Then “we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and Iwill not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews13:6). Even if we must sometimes “suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled” (1Peter 3:14). Perhaps the greatest fear of all is the fear of death, but the Lord delivers us even from this fear, for He has conquered death. In His glorified body, He has said, “Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I amalive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation1:17-18). HMM ------------------------- Earnestof the Spirit “Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of theSpirit.” (2Corinthians 5:5) This is a fascinating concept and a wonderful reality. The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is said to be an “earnest”—that is, a pledge or deposit—on an ultimate fulfillment of a magnificent promise from God Himself. The wordtranslated “earnest” (Greek arrhabon) is essentially a transliteration of its Hebrew equivalent (arabown), translated “pledge” in the Old Testament (see Genesis 38:17-20). Now if the guiding presence of God, through the Holy Spirit, is merely an earnest payment, the fulfillment must be glorious beyond comprehension. This “selfsame thing,” as our text calls it, is a wonderful “house which is from heaven,” the spiritual body weshall receive when we go to be with the Lord (2Corinthians 5:1-2). The phrase also occurs in 2 Corinthians 1:22: “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” In context, the earnest payment here is associated with the “sealing” of God and the assurance that “all the promises of God in him areyea, and in him Amen” (v. 20). The third and last use of this word in the New Testament is in Ephesians 1:13-14: “In whom also trusted...after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession.” We are “joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans8:17), and He is to inherit all things. Thus, the Holy Spirit, a present possession of all who have received Christ as Savior, is also God’s pledge of a glorious future—a perfect body, a great inheritance, and the certain fulfillment of all of God’s gracious promises. HMM ------------------ 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 Revelation 20:11--that is where unbelieverswill 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 I live 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. --------------------- The Judge Acts 10:42-48 During our life on earth, Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. However, as our days here draw to a close, and especially at the end of time, He takes His seat as Judge and prepares to reward believers for the good things they did in His name. I think there is a widespread misconception that God the Father will be our judge. But it is Christ who gave us, His followers, the charge to go into the world and make disciples (Matt.28:19). Therefore, He has been given the right to determine which of our actions and thoughts furthered His goal (John 5:22). Christ is an impartial judge. He is not influenced by what others think or say, but rather, He determines what is right and good based on His honorable, just standard. We'll be stripped of our worthless works--in other words, the actions and words we usedfor selfish ambition or vain conceit. All that will remain are the worthwhile things we thought, said, and did to honor God. These are the valuable parts of our lives for which we will be rewarded. Reward is the whole point of placing believers before the judgment seat of Christ. Shame and guilt over past sin and mistaken motivation have no place there (Rom.8:1). Our loving Savior is eager to show us our heavenly treasure. Christ will expose the real you at the judgment seat by casting away the worthless things you've done. What remains will be the man or woman who endeavored to please the Lord. Let us determine to be powerful reflections of our Savior, both on earth and inheaven. ----------------------- The High Cost of Unforgiveness - by Greg Laurie – www.harvest.org Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,just as God through Christ has forgiven you. —Ephesians 4:31–32 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/the-high-cost-of-unforgiveness/- Listen There will come a moment in your life when you’ll have your last conversation with someone you love. You may not realize it’s your last one, which is why it’s always a goodthing to end your conversation with the words “I love you.” When the Lord called our son Christopher home, he knew that we loved him because we always told him that we did. It’s a very important thing to do. Our loved ones can’t read our minds. Think about those you love, those who mean a lot to you. Tell them that you love them, even if you think they already know. Don’t waituntil it’s too late. Also, keep short accounts and forgive. Realize that people will disappoint you, even people you love. We all will face hurt and pain in life, but what we don’t want to dois harbor grudges. Studies suggest that those who don’t forgive are more likely to experience high blood pressure, bouts of depression, and problems with anger, stress, and anxiety. When weforgive others, we’re not letting them off the hook. Rather, we’re avoiding misery in our own lives. I’ve said before that when you forgive someone, you set a prisoner free: yourself. The apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus, “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted,forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32 NLT). I think of the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis and the horrible things that Joseph suffered because his brothers betrayed him. At the time that he could have had themall executed, he instead forgave them and said, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV). Forgive. Don’t live in a self-imposed prison of anger, bitterness, and resentment, which can ruin your life. ---------------------------------------- DarkSayings of Old �I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: Which we have heard and known, andour fathers have told us.� (Psalm 78:2-3) Most people do not think of parables�especially the parables of Christ�as dark (i.e., hidden) sayings but rather as figurative illustrations to help people comprehend some spiritual teaching. But Christ used parables to conceal truth, not to reveal truth! �Therefore speak I to them in parables,� He said in response to the disciples� question as to why He was speaking in parables, �because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand� (Matthew 13:13). The principle is this: a person must first believe and obey the light he has already received before God will give him further light. �Forwhosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath� (v. 12). Thus, the parables of both Old and New Testaments are not of any obvious interpretation. They require study, meditation, and obedience to comprehend, but then they bring great blessing. �Every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like untoa man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old� (v. 52). The �dark sayings� of Scripture are not to be associated with occultism or darkness, of course. The word in Greek simply means something hidden from the world but transparent to eyes of faith and love. �We speak the wisdom of God in a mystery....Which noneof the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory....But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God� (1Corinthians 2:7-8, 10). HMM ------------------ The Riches of God's Grace Ephesians 1:1-14 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. --------------------- Who Gets Weary? �Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends ofthe earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.� (Isaiah 40:28) Everyone gets weary, and everyone must rest. Even in Eden before sin came into the world there was a weekly day of rest, and each day of work in the Garden was followed by a night of rest in sleep. The Lord Jesus Christ, in the days of His sinless human flesh,occasionally became �wearied with his journey� (John 4:6) and had to rest. On one occasion, He was so weary that during a violent storm on the Sea of GalileeHe was �asleep on a pillow� (Mark 4:38) while the disciples tried to keep their ship from destruction. He once advised these fretful and busy disciplesto �come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while� (Mark 6:31). We sometimes need to come apart before we fall apart! In the New Jerusalem, with our new bodies, we perhaps will not need rest and sleep, for �there shall be no night there� (Revelation 22:5). In our presentfrail tents of clay, however, we do need rest, for God made us so. In one area of life, on the other hand, we are twice admonished to �not be weary in well doing� (Galatians 6:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:13). And when we do get weary and perhaps are not yet able to stop and rest, we can draw on God�s strength, for He �fainteth not, neither is weary.� �He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep� (Psalm121:4). �Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and notfaint� (Isaiah 40:30-31). HMM -------------------- God Acts On Our Behalf Philippians 4:6-7 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. Second, the Father is often teaching His children to have confidence in Him. How would believers ever learn faith if God immediately fulfilled their every request? In my own life, the Lord has often said two words: "Trust Me." And He has never been late to meet my needs. No matter how we justify rushing ahead of God, doing so amounts to saying, "I don't trustYou." Finally, the Lord will at times withhold blessing to protect us from harm we can't see. We may never find out what caused the delay. But be assured that God examines the object of our desire closely before placing it in our hands. Waiting is rarely easy, particularly in this instant-everything world. But rushing ahead of the Lord short-circuits His plan. Believers who do are left unsatisfied, and they often must live with terrible consequences. Be patient while the Lord works outdetails. His best is on the way. ---------------------------- Redemptive Power By Emma Danzey Jeremiah 31:4 says, �I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels andgo out to dance with the joyful.� Build You Up Again Before this chapter in Jeremiah, the people of God had rejected Him continuously and ignored His initiation to repentance repeatedly. Sometimes the Lord is the One who breaks us when we run away from Him and make idols out of other people and things. Have youever felt like God was trying to get your attention? Well, He had been attempting to get the attention of the Israelites for many years, but they muted His voice in their lives and went after sinful desires. We have all sinned and gone after various idols,when we look at the Israelites, we can think about how often in our lives we too have rejected God and gone after our own idols. And You, Virgin Israel, Will Be Rebuilt In Jeremiah 5:7, God says, �How shall I pardon you for this? Your children have forsaken Me And sworn by those that are not gods. When I had fed them to the full, Then they committed adultery and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots� houses.� Israel had committed spiritual adultery time and time again; they played the harlot against the Lord. It can be easy to point the finger at them and get frustrated with their behavior; however, we, too, have committed spiritual adultery. Before Jesus savedus from our sins, we were harlots too. We rejected God and were not holy enough to be reunited with Him. I love how this part of the verse addresses the Israelites as Virgin Israel in their rebuilding. A virgin is the exact opposite of a harlot or a prostitute. A virgin is set apart and 100% pure for her groom. We, the church, who were harlots in our sin, havebeen reconciled by Jesus as the bride of Christ and are pure and perfect in holiness by His blood and sacrifice. He has made us whiter than snow not because of anything that we did but because of everything that He did for us. Again You Will Take Up Your Timbrels and Go Out to Dance with the Joyful The Israelites, at one point in time, were following the Lord and dedicated to living for Him. However, they took a huge detour and fell into sin and rebellion. After they repented, God, in His mercy, brought them back to Himself. They were able to return totheir music and dancing. These are activities often associated with happiness and joy. The truth is that the Lord was their joy. He told them that He was their joy and their strength. They forgot their first love and when they returned there was a great celebration. We have been given the best gift of salvation through Jesus. We earned eternal separation from God, but Christ has given us eternal life. We were filthy, and He made us perfectly clean. We who believe in Jesus have every reason to celebrate. Where we appeared to be doomed for destructionand out of reach of our Creator, we now have everlasting life with Him because of Jesus. Not only that, He has sent His Holy Spirit to live within us as a permanent gift of His presence with all believers. Whether we were broken in sin for a short period oftime or many years before discovering this good news, we have reason to celebrate. We have been brought back to God. For those who are in Christ Jesus, today and each day is a victory party. The devil has no hold on us, we have eternal life in Him. If you have not accepted the beautiful gift of salvation from Jesus on behalf of your personal sin, take a moment to ask Himto be your Savior and Lord. It is only by Jesus that we are saved and given eternal life. Once we believe in Him, we are His forever. Intersecting Faith and Life: How have you been broken before God? How has He worked in the brokenness to show His great love for you? How does thinking about Israel�s spiritual adultery cause you to think about your own? In what ways has Jesus spoken restoration over the areas of sin andrebellion in your own life? How can you celebrate this gift today? Further Reading: •Isaiah 1:8 •Isaiah 41:10 •Romans 5:8 ------------------------------ The Value of Discipleship - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, �It is more blessed to give thanto receive.� �Acts 20:35 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/the-value-of-discipleship/- Listen A true mark of spiritual maturity is taking our eyes off ourselves and thinking of others. As believers, we should be looking for ways to tell others about Jesus and �disciple� them. Jesus said, �Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe allthings that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age� (Matthew 28:19�20 NKJV). This is called the Great Commission, and Jesus is saying here that He will be with the person who does this. What does it mean to �disciple� people? It means taking them under your wing and helping them get on their feet spiritually. Discipling is important not only for new believers but also for older believers. The older believers discipling the younger believers stabilize them and are in turn energizedby doing so. When you�ve been going to church for 10 or 20 years, you might start critiquing things. The music is a little too loud, or the sermons seem a little too long. Maybe you gripeand complain sometimes. But if you have a brand-new believer with you, you won�t be critiquing the sermon or criticizing the church. After the service, that new believer might say, �The pastor said this, and I�ve never heard that before.� Suddenly, you findyourself elaborating on the message. It�s helping you and them. Yet, many of us aren�t sharing the truth; we�re hoarding it. But there�s joy in sharing. Jesus said, �It is more blessed to give than to receive� (Acts 20:35 NKJV). Look for opportunities to initiate conversations about Christ. To the best of your ability, seek to lead people to the Lord and then �disciple� them. ----------------------- Lifein Christ �In him was life; and the life was the light of men.� (John1:4) A host of biochemists and other scientists have tried for over a century to determine how life evolved from non-life. Such a quest is absurdly impossible, for the simplest imaginary self-replicating system would be infinitely more complex than the most elaboratemachine ever designed by man. Life can come only from life. The first human life, indeed the first living system of any kind, could only have come by special creation from the living God. �For I am fearfully and wonderfully made� (Psalm139:14). Thus, �in him we live, and move, and have our being,� and He is �not far from every one of us� (Acts17:28, 27). The Lord Jesus Christ is the one �by whom also he made the worlds� and who now is �upholding all things by the word of his power� (Hebrews1:2-3). The beating of our hearts, the breathing of our lungs, the very atoms of our bodies are continually sustained by Him. Were He to withdraw His power for a moment, life would cease, and all light would become darkness. Even those who reject Him andblaspheme His name owe their very existence to His power and grace. �As the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself� (John5:26). Life is �in him�; He alone can conquer death and raise the dead. �As the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will� (v. 21), for as �the first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was madea quickening spirit� (1Corinthians 15:45). Thus, �he that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life� (1John 5:12). Through faith in His sacrificial death and resurrection life, �ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.� Henceforth is Christ Himself �our life� (Colossians3:3-4). HMM ------------------- 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. -------------------- Deliver Me from Temptation By Aaron D�Anthony Brown �Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.� (1 Peter 5:8) �No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it.� (1Corinthians 10:13) The Temptation Since the Fall of Man in the Book of Genesis, our world has become replete with all kinds of foul and evil deeds. The limits of sin are only the limits of human imagination. And with our propensity to do wrong comes temptation, the temptation to commit newsins or to return to something familiar. Jesus experienced temptation in the desert when Satan tested Him and even offered Him all the kingdoms of the Earth. Job was tempted by his wife to curse God. And Joseph was tempted by the pharaoh�s wife to commit infidelity. What does temptation offer you? For some believers, addiction promises a sweet release from the day�s troubles, a fulfilling escape. Others think that entering into a relationship, any relationship, will add to their lives a sense of purpose. Then there are those who are tempted at everyturn to put themselves first because they don�t truly see themselves as worthy. Temptation wears many faces and makes many promises, but they�re all the same. False. Jesus spoke the truth over the deceit Satan offered Him. And Satan fled. Job overcame his trial, as did Joseph. The same can be true for us if we don�t answer when temptationknocks. The Deliverance Despite how we often feel in the moment, the temptation is not stronger than us - not with the help of God and other people. The mistake we make is neglecting to ask for help. As Scripture states, nothing has overtaken us that someone somewhere has not alsoexperienced. This means we can learn from the mistakes that others have made. Scripture also says that God will help us bear whatever burden we are experiencing. He provides a way out of the sin if we choose it. The next time an urge to sin hits, we can find solace in knowing that we are supported and that the urge will pass if we give it enough time. With every temptation, we can experience deliverance, but we have to make the effort to get there. The choice isours. Intersecting Faith and Life: The next time temptation appears before you and starts making false promises consider using one or even all of these strategies. The less of a foothold we give Satan, the less power he will have over our minds and bodies. Flee The easiest time to flee temptation is when the thought first enters your head. A seed is easier to move than a mountain. Fleeing can look like physically running, but fleeing can also mean turning off the computer if you struggle with pornography or postponinga conversation if you�re prone to angry outbursts. Fleeing requires time, effort, and a whole lot of commitment, but rest assured that by fleeing, you�re weakening the temptation. Eventually, the desire to sin will go away. And when temptation reappears, and it will repeat the process. The more we committo fleeing, the easier the process becomes, and the less we will struggle with any particular sin. Pray What can any of us do against sin without the help of God? When we pray to God, we have the opportunity to bring before Him any and every temptation, any and every thought that is not reflective of the kingdom. God knows our situations and struggles. Prayer helps us let Him in in our process of overcoming. He offers deliverance, but we have to seek Him. Set Boundaries One way to flee temptation before actually fleeing is to set boundaries. If we live by certain restrictions, we protect ourselves from going astray. Scripture already gives us certain boundaries for avoiding sin. Examples are not being captivated by lust, avoidinglies and deceit. However, sometimes we need to add more boundaries to our lives. If you struggle with social media, consider setting a time limit or getting rid of your online profiles together. If you binge television, set a time limit for viewing and make a plan to exercise. With more boundaries, we will struggle less with temptation. Stay Accountable No matter how much we plan or don�t, or how much we pray or don�t, there�s only so much we can do on our own as individual flawed, sinful humans. We need accountability from others to call us out when we do wrong or even commend us when we do right. None ofus has all the answers. None of us is perfect. Thankfully, there is no need to be when we have the help of God and other people in our lives. Further Reading: •Psalm 13 •James 4:7 •2 Corinthians 10:5 •Proverbs 5 ----------------------- Carry It Forward - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on toothers. �2 Timothy 2:2 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/carry-it-forward/- Listen When I was a brand-new Christian at age 17, I knew a lot of people my own age, but I went out of my way to find older Christians to spend time with. I met people like PastorChuck Smith and his wife, Kay, at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa. I also met Pastor Romaine, an associate pastor there. I had meals with them, spent time talking with them, and saw what Christians looked like, especially older, more mature believers. A little later,I became friends with the great British preacher Alan Redpath, who wrote a number of amazing commentaries. I also became friends with Billy and Ruth Graham. Spending time with these godly people had an impact on me. When you�re young, you may want to spend time only with young people. But I encourage you to find some older, godly people you can learn from. And if you�re an older believer, find a younger believer you can take under your wing. The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, �You have heard me teach things that have been confirmedby many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others� (2 Timothy 2:2 NLT). Regarding His commands, God said to Moses, �Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when youare at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up� (Deuteronomy 6:7 NLT). If you�re an older Christian, you need to share God�s truths with younger people. And if you�re younger, you need to spend time with older, godly people. As Christians, we�re in a race. This race has a beginning, middle, and end, and it�s a relay. Our job in this race is not to hold on to the baton forever. We must hand itover to the next runners, who will carry it forward. ---------------------- FruitlessTrees and Fruitless Lives �He was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thingthereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.� (Mark11:12-14) Many detractors of our Lord have pointed with glee to what on the surface seems like a fit of petty anger on Christ�s part, spawned by His selfish appetite. In reality, it was probably unrealistic to expect figs at that time of year, a fact that He must haveknown quite well. Perhaps the key to the whole passage is in the fact that �his disciples heard it.� When we look at the surrounding passages, we see that Christ was using the barren fig tree to teach His disciples something they desperately needed to know. This might be calleda living parable. Our Lord had just come from His triumphal entry into the city, having been proclaimed as King by the multitude (vv. 7-11), knowing their shallow adoration would soon turn into cries for His death. Leaving the fig tree, he drove the money changers from the templegrounds, having recognized that they were not only exploiting all the Jews who entered but had taken over the court of the Gentiles, using it as a shortcut through town (v. 16) and a place of business (v. 15), thus denying the possibility of true worship toall, both Jews and Gentiles. The fig tree was an object lesson on barrenness, typifying the Jewish nation�s condition in spite of their privileged heritage. This type of hypocritical fruitlessness receives condemnation (vv. 20-21), exhibits a lack of faith (vv. 22-23), and hinders ourprayers (vv. 24-26). Our desire must be to bear much fruit in our worship, in our faith, in our prayers, and in our lives. JDM ---------------------- 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 strength in the body of Christ. ---------------- Living Free from the Fear of Death By Lynette Kittle �For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain�--Philippians 1:21 The world has been gripped by the fear of death, so much so that many believers have gotten caught up in it, isolating themselves from fellow believers and even close family members. Yet, 2 Timothy 1:7 explains, �For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.� Sadly, many have embraced the imposed restrictions and guidelines, incorporating them into their beliefs and way of life. Insteadof going out into the world to preach the gospel, many have been paralyzed by fear, preventing them from reaching out to a lost world. Now Is the Time But rather than hiding away, now is the time for the Church to shine, to walk in the confidence of the truth of God�s Word, that the fear of death is no longer a ruler in the life of believers. The Church has been given the opportunity to share the life Christgives us with a world being held hostage by the terror of dying. Although sadly, people are passing away, the truth is since sin entered the world, people have been dying every day from all kinds of sicknesses, diseases, conditions, accidents, natural disasters,and violence. As a hospice chaplain, my husband works daily with those who are passing from this life because death has been present in our world since the fall of mankind. So, although nothing new, it no longer has the power to be victorious in the lives of believersin Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 1:10, explains, �But it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed deathand has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.� As well, Revelation 12:11 reveals, being unafraid of death defeats the enemy and brings victory into our lives. �They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.� Crossing Over Although no one wants to suffer or die, being afraid to the point of living in fear is to live in unbelief of what Jesus has promised us. Although death appears to take our life from us, as believers, we are assured it cannot touch the everlasting life Godgives us. �Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys My word will never see death� (John 8:51). As Christians, we will pass from life to life. �Verytruly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life� (John5:24). At the cross and through the His resurrection, Jesus swallowed up death forever, and we now have the assurance that we will pass from life to life, as �Jesus said to her, �I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even thoughthey die�� (John 11:25). Living Fear Free Because we believe God�s Word as truth, rather than living fearfully behind closed doors and seeing other people as life-threatening, we as Christians have a calling to share the new and everlasting life God has given us, a life free from the fear of death.Even though believers in Jesus Christ do not need to fear death, there is a world of lost people, individuals who don�t know God. Because they have not received the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ, their fear of dying is very valid. As Christians, while we have nothing to fear and everything to gain in death, non-Christians have everything to lose, including their eternal soul. Unlike most people believe, God is not sending people to eternal death, but sadly, by rejecting Jesus andHis gift of eternal life, they are choosing it for themselves. When those who reject Jesus Christ die in their spiritually dead condition, they pass from physical death to eternal death. As John 3:36 explains, �Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God�s wrath remains on them.� Intersecting Faith and Life: Because Christians have no need to fear death, we have the opportunity to share with family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and even strangers how they can live fear free, too, and pass from life to life. ------------------------- Run to Win! - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org Don�t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! �1 Corinthians 9:24 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/run-to-win/- Listen My son Christopher was a great runner, and we used to race on the beach. For many years, I somehow managed to beat him, probably because I was a sprinter and he was a long-distancerunner. But one day, we were walking along the beach, and I said, �Let�s race to that rock. Ready?� Christopher not only won the race that day, but he won big. Then he went to Heaven before me when his race ended at age 33, so he beat me in that race as well. In the race of life, we should be running for gold. The apostle Paul wrote, �Don�t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run towin!� (1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT). We want to run to win. We want to do the best we can with the life that God has given us. There will come a time in our lives when we�ll have our last meal, give our last statement, and breathe our last breath. Hopefully, we can say, as Paul said, �I have foughtthe good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me�the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerlylook forward to his appearing� (2 Timothy 4:7�8 NLT). Maybe you�ve thought, �Well, I have a long way to run in this race. Maybe I�ll get right with God when I�m in my 80s or 90s.� But you don�t know when the end of your racewill come. It may be coming to an end more quickly than you planned. Always be able to say, �I fought the good fight. I kept the faith. I finished the course.� Run your race well�and finish it well.