DAILY DEVOTIONALS: 1.7.23

 TrueDeliverance “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, andthe glory, for ever. Amen.” (Matthew6:13) Certain Christian workers practice what they call a “deliverance ministry,” but true biblical deliverance is better defined in terms of today’s verse, which, of course, is the last petition in the prayer that Christ taught His disciples to pray. True deliveranceis deliverance from evil, whatever form that evil might take, and preservation until God’s kingdom comes. Let us observe several scriptural accounts of true deliverance. Note that the Greek word for deliverance has the connotation of “rescue,” and this is its first occurrence in the New Testament; that makes its usage here especially significant. That the Lord will indeed provide such deliverance, if we pray for it in sincerity,is affirmed in many testimonies and promises. Burdened with the problems of his old sin nature, Paul cried out, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” But then the answer comes: “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans7:24-25). Even as his anticipated martyrdom was approaching, Paul could still testify, “The Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom” (2Timothy 4:18). Peter also assures us that “the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” (2Peter 2:9). He is able to deliver His people from all the evils of this present evil world, to keep them and prepare them for the glory and the power of His coming kingdom, for He Himself is the Deliverance. “As it is written, There shall come out of Sionthe Deliverer [same word], and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob” (Romans11:26). HMM ------------------- InfallibleProofs “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them fortydays, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” (Acts1:3) To the first Christians, faith in the deity of Christ was not a blind leap into the dark. Only God could defeat death, and they knew—beyond all doubt—that Jesus Christ had risen bodily from the tomb. They had seen Him, touched Him, and eaten with Him, aloneand in crowds, in closed rooms, and out in the open. The term “infallible proofs” translates a Greek word used only this one time, meaning literally “many criteria of certainty,” and it is significant that the inspired Word of God applies it only to the resurrection of Christ. It is not too much to say that Christ’sresurrection is the most certain fact in all history, and many large volumes have been published setting forth the evidences thereof. No wonder the apostle Peter could say, “We have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the powerand coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty” (2Peter 1:16). The apostle John testified thus: “The life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us” (1John 1:2). John not only saw Him in His resurrection body but also in His glorified body, hearing Him say, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore” (Revelation1:18). It is true that we, like the first Christians, must believe on Christ to receive salvation, but this faith is not a credulous faith, a leap into the dark. It is a reasonable faith, based on many infallible proofs, and we can, therefore, trust Him with our eternalsouls. HMM ---------------- SeekingWorshipers “But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” (John4:23) Here is an amazing revelation—that the omnipotent God of creation should actually be seeking those among His creatures who would freely come to love and worship Him! How could He possibly have to seek anything? Yet, Jesus said He does! In some inscrutable way, it satisfies the infinite heart of God when we respond to His sacrificial love in gratitude and worship. We see this also in the experience of the 10 lepers. All 10 had been cleansed of their leprosy, but only one, a Samaritan, returned to give thanks to Jesus. Note the wistfulness in Jesus’ reply to the cleansed leper: “Were there not ten cleansed?” He asked, “But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger” (Luke17:17-18). The Lord indeed takes note both of the few who truly appreciate Him and also of the many who take His blessings for granted. In the house of Simon the Pharisee, for example, the Lord Jesus took special note of the woman who washed His feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair, anointing them with the precious ointment in her alabaster box. But He also noted that self-righteous,critical Simon had provided no such services at all. Then He said, “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little” (Luke7:47). Whether or not we fully understand, the Lord does seek those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. Therefore, “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew6:33). HMM --------------- AllThings New “And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for thesewords are true and faithful.” (Revelation21:5) The coming of a new year is a good time to consider that glorious time to come when Christ will make everything new again. In the present age, all things “shall wax old as doth a garment” (Hebrews1:11) under the bondage of the universal law of decay and death; indeed “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans8:22). “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2Peter 3:13). There, in the “new Jerusalem,” we shall each have “a new name” and sing “a new song” (Revelation21:2; 2:17; 5:9). We shall have new bodies, “fashioned like unto his glorious body” (Philippians3:21), and a new dwelling place, prepared by Christ Himself among the “many mansions” in His “Father’s house” (John14:2). And all the old and dying things will be completely and forever gone. “There shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation21:4). “And the ransomed of the LORD shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah35:10). What a “Happy New Year” that will be! In the meantime, we have His “new covenant” and have each been made “a new creature” in Christ (Hebrews12:24; Galatians 6:15). Since all His words “are true and faithful,” we know His promises are sure. Therefore, already, “old things are passed away; behold all things are become new” through faith in Christ (2Corinthians 5:17). HMM ------------------- GlorifyingGod Through Praise “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvationof God.” (Psalm50:23) The great summarizing commandment of the apostle Paul was, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1Corinthians 10:31). That is, every aspect of our lives should be so ordered as to glorify God in whatever we say and do. This is a difficult rule to follow, for how do we determine whether such and such an action glorifies God or not? Nevertheless, there is one thing we can do that we can be absolutely certain does glorify Him—that is, offering to Him our praise and our thanks.We should offer praise for His person and work in general, thanks for what He is and does for us in particular. “Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me!” This is His assurance and our incentive to praise Him in all things. “In every thing give thanks,” says the apostle, “for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1Thessalonians 5:18). On this last day of the year, especially, praise and thanks should pour from our hearts and lips if we would “ordereth our conversation aright.” “Bless the LORD, O my soul,” says the psalmist, “and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm103:2). Most of us all too commonly tend to forget all His benefits and fret over our troubles and burdens. If we desire to glorify God, on the other hand, we should recount all our blessings and leave our burdens with Him. In the words of the old hymn: “Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!” Then will “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians4:7) fill our hearts and minds, enabling the indwelling Holy Spirit to “shew the salvation of God” not only to us, but in us and through us to others. HMM ------------------- WhatReally Matters - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly �John 10:10 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/what-really-matters-4/- Listen If you were to sum up your life right now, your purpose on this earth, what truths would you want to emphasize to your friends and family? What regrets would you have? In Acts 20 the apostle Paul gave his final words to the elders of the church he had started in Ephesus. He essentially was summing up what really mattered to him in life.Among them was this statement: �But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God� (verse 24 NKJV). There�s an important word in Paul�s statement: �joy.� Paul was saying, �I�m looking back on my life and on what I have done here, and one word seems to sum it up well: joy.� This word could be translated �exceedingly happy.� Joy is an operative word in the life of the Christian. Maybe you�re thinking that things must have been going reasonably well for Paul. But look at the preceding verses, where Paul said, �And see, now I go bound in the spiritto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me� (verses 22�23 NKJV). Paul knew what adversity was. He knew what suffering and hardship were. But in the midst of it all, he was saying there is joy. Sometimes people think Christians live the most boring lives conceivable. But the fact is that the happy life is the holy life, the life lived for God. Jesus not only promised us life beyond the grave, but He also promised us a dimension of life on earth that is worth living. ------------------------------- What Nonbelievers Don�t Know About Christians - by Greg Laurie � www.harvest.org But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. �1 Corinthians2:14 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/what-nonbelievers-dont-know-about-christians/- Listen When most people think of the Christian life, the life that is dedicated to God, they envision something full of misery, rules, and regulations. They imagine a life of gloomand boredom and can�t fathom the appeal of something like that. The Bible says, �But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spirituallydiscerned� (1 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV). Nonbelievers don�t know that when you walk with the Lord, there is a �joy inexpressible� (1 Peter 1:8 NKJV). It is not joy that comes from the buzz of alcohol, drugs, or otherthings. In fact, those things come with a hefty price tag in the end. When you know God, you realize the Bible is not a mere book but God�s living Word to you. And it takes on a whole new meaning. When you realize that prayer is not a mere ritual but is instead communication with the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving God, that means a lot. And when you sing His praises, you are not just singing a few songs with other Christians. Rather, you are lifting up the name of the Lord together. That is something the world doesn�t have. So, there are two ways we can live our lives: the right way or the wrong way. There are two paths we can take: the narrow way that leads to life or the broad way that leadsto destruction. And there are two foundations we can build on: the rock or sinking sand. We can live either a happy and holy life or a miserable and unholy life. There�s nothing out there like the Christian life. And when you truly come to know God, you realize it�s the greatest life there is. ----------------------- Training Tips for the Race of Life - by GregLaurie � www.harvest.org Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. �1 Corinthians 9:24 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/training-tips-for-the-race-of-life/- Listen When I became a Christian, I signed up to follow Jesus. People have let me down at times, but Jesus never has. He has never forsaken me, disappointed me, or abandoned me. The writer of Hebrews tells us, �Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnaresus, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith� (Hebrews 12:1�2 NKJV). Jesus is the One for whom I�m running this race. I am not running for the applause of people or some earthly reward. I am running it for Him because He did so much for me. This is a long-distance run, and the key to finishing this race is to keep our eyes on Jesus. If we do that, we�ll make it. We�re not competing against each other in thisrace. Our enemies aren�t our brothers and sisters in Christ. Rather, our enemy is the devil. The most important aim in running this race is to hear Jesus say in that final day, �Well done, good and faithful servant� (Matthew 25:21, 23). Sometimes we will be discouraged. Sometimes we will be overwhelmed. But we want to keep our eyes on Christ and finish this race with joy. The apostle Paul said to the elders of the church at Ephesus, �But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy� (Acts 20:24 NKJV). Can you look back on your life so far and say, �Up to this point, I have finished my race with joy�? If not, then make a change while you can. ------------------------ It�s Your Choice - by Jasel Mena � www.harvest.org And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment. �Hebrews 9:27 https://harvest.org/resources/devotion/its-your-choice/- Listen On January 5, 1996, Richard Versalle, a tenor with New York�s Metropolitan Opera, was performing in The Makropulos Case. As part of the scene, he climbed up a ladder and sangthe words �You can only live so long.� Then he suddenly fell from the ladder. Tragically, the singer died of a heart attack. He didn�t realize those would be his last words. Every one of us will utter our last words someday. It doesn�t matter whether you are an opera singer or a business executive, a world leader or a gang member, or someone famousor unknown. We all will take our final breath. What if yours was today? Where would you spend eternity? The Bible says that �it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment� (Hebrews 9:27 NKJV). There are no second chances after death, but there are thousands, maybe even millions, before. There is no purgatory. You are not reincarnated. There is no opportunity totry to work it out. Once you die, that�s it. But before you die, you determine where you will spend eternity. Today you are living one of two ways. You are living either the right way or the wrong way, taking either the narrow road that leads to life or the broad way that leads todestruction. You are living the happy Christian life, the joyful life, the life with purpose and meaning, or you are living the miserable, empty life separated from God. If you will say yes to Him now, He will say yes to you on that final day. If you say, �Come in now, Lord,� then on that final day in eternity, He will say to you, �Enter in.� But if you say no to Him now, He will say no to you then. It is your choice. The ultimate destination is Heaven or Hell. You decide where you are going to go. ----------------------- WithGod Salvation Is Possible �For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.� (Luke19:10) One week before Passover, Jesus entered the bustling city of Jericho and encountered Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector. Being �little of stature,� Zacchaeus climbed a sycamore tree �to see Jesus who he was� (v. 3). Looking up at Zacchaeus, Jesus commandedhim to quickly come down. Why? Because that day the Lord was going to show Zacchaeus and His disciples that salvation comes even to the most undeserving. Before entering Jericho, Jesus met a rich ruler (Luke 18:18-34). Despite his genuine interest, he ultimately rejected Jesus� invitation, leading the disciplesto ask, �Who then can be saved?� (v. 26). Jesus responded, �The things which are impossible with men are possible with God� (v. 27). When Jesus called Zacchaeus, he joyfully (chairon) hurried to greet Him. And when Zaccheus gave half his possessions to the poor and repaid four times those he defrauded, the disciples saw the answer to their question. With this outward manifestationof Zacchaeus� inward repentance, the Lord stated, �This day is salvation come to this house� (Luke 19:9). What is the implication of this for you and me? It isn�t wrong to be rich and use our wealth for kingdom business (Hebrews 13:16). But like the rich rulerwho walked away sorrowful after rejecting our Lord Jesus (Matthew 19:22), it�s wrong to cling tightly to our worldly possessions and forsake the offer ofsalvation. Like Zacchaeus, our salvation comes only through God, who does the impossible. Are your material goods blinding you to the gospel? Have you repented of your sin? Are you trusting in the Lord solely for salvation? There is no other way. CM -------------------