Alone With God by Dr. Charles Stanley

Alone With God

by Dr. Charles Stanley

"35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.36 Simon and his companions searched for Him; 37 they found Him, and *said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." 38 He *said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for." 39 And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons."

- Mark 1:35-39

Where does prayer fit in your daily schedule? I'm not talking about the times you pray on the way to work or while eating breakfast, but the occasions when you are alone with God and it's just the two of you. Although prayer at any time is good, we also need to have a set time and place where we meet with the Lord each day—preferably in the morning.

Even though Jesus was the Son of God, He knew the importance of solitary prayer time. He didn't do anything on His own initiative but instead lived in dependence upon the Father, acting only on the instructions God communicated to Him. In today's reading, we don't know exactly what Jesus prayed, but when the disciples interrupted His morning prayer time, He had obviously received His Father's direction for that day—to "go somewhere else" so that He could preach.

Jesus was the perfect example of a Spirit-led life, and prayer played a vital role. Since we are to follow in His footsteps, wouldn't it make sense for us to meet with God early each morning in preparation for the day? This is the time to lay our concerns at His feet, seek guidance for whatever the day holds, trust Him for provision and protection, and intercede for others.

Although many things demand our time and attention, we can't afford to neglect prayer. The fruit of prayerlessness is spiritual weakness, unmet needs, anxiety, and ingratitude. But when we make prayer a priority, we'll have a firm foundation for the day ahead, no matter what it brings. And in the evening, we can look back with a heart of gratitude for answered prayer.

Bible in One Year: Mark 15-16

The Heart's Desires by Dr. Charles Stanley

The Heart's Desires by Dr. Charles Stanley  "The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will hear their cry and save them.The Lord preserves will who love Him, but the wicked He will destroy. My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord, and all the flesh shall bless His holy name forever and ever."  - Psalms 145:17-21 If you could have anything in the world, what would it be? Your answer reveals a lot about you. The psalmist writes, "Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart" (Ps. 37:4). There is nothing wrong with desires—they motivate us to achieve great things. But not all of our yearnings come from God. Consider your aspirations and what they say about who you are: • Do you hope for a position of authority in order to be in control? Longing for personal advancement in order to manipulate others reveals a lack of integrity, whereas a godly person craves righteousness. • Do you dream about wealth and fame? Perhaps there's a void in your spirit that you're trying to fill. But only God can meet the insatiable needs of the human heart. • Are you afraid to ask the Lord for what you want? Maybe you think He won't listen, but God tells us to approach His throne with boldness and confidence (Heb. 4:16). If the Lord doesn't respond affirmatively to your prayers, ask Him to make your desires conform to His will. Whatever you do, don't take matters into your own hands and go after what you want. There is always a high price to pay for rebelling against God. God cares for us bountifully, but that doesn't mean we can expect Him to deliver whatever we want, whenever we want it. Only when our dreams align with His plan for our life will He fulfill them. The thoughts that preoccupy us are an accurate barometer of the state of our relationship with Christ. The greatest desire of your heart will reveal a lot about you.  Do you hope for a position of authority, dream of wealth and fame or are you afraid to ask the Lord  for what you want? There is nothing wrong with desires for they motivate us to do great things, but our dreams must conform with His will.  Are you guided by your will or God's? Bible in One Year: Luke 1

While We Wait by Pastor Greg Laurie

"Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone." —Matthew 25:14

Jesus told a story about a man who went on a journey and left his money with his servants. This was not an uncommon practice in those days. A wealthy man or king would have many servants in his household, from those who would do basic labor to those who would oversee the financial affairs of his home, even managing his business. In many cases, some of the man's slaves would be better educated and skilled than he was.

Highly trusted slaves had a virtual free hand within prescribed areas of responsibility while the owner was at home. And when the owner would go on a journey, he would leave full authority in the hands of these key servants who would have the ancient equivalent of a power of attorney.

Jesus said the man "gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities" (Matthew 25:15).

Jesus is like that wealthy man who went on a journey, and we are the servants in which He has made an investment. This story, like so many in the Scriptures, reminds us to take advantage of opportunity while it is available. Ecclesiastes says, "Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you. . . . Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don't know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both" (11:1, 6).

The emphasis of this parable is to be productive with your life. Be productive with your time. Seize the opportunities that God has given. We are to take what He has given us and use it for His glory while we await His return.

God Chose Marriage by Greg Laurie

God Chose Marriage "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." —Romans 5:8 Of all of the pictures that God could have chosen to show His love for us, He chose marriage.  Husbands are told to love their wives as Christ loves the church. Wives are told to be submissive to their husbands as unto the Lord. Here is what the Lord is essentially saying: "Hey world, want to know how much I love My people? Check out the way that Christian husband loves His wife. Hey nonbelievers, want to see how much My people love Me? Check out the way that Christian wife loves her husband." From that perspective, can't you see how bad it is when Christians divorce? It devastates our witness. We tell the world how to live—how to be changed by Jesus—but then we can't work out our problems in our own marriages. It should not be so.  God has chosen marriage as a representation to a lost world. Therefore, when you have a strong marriage, you are a powerful witness. How did God show His love for His bride, the church? By sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross for us. Talk is cheap. Words are easy to say. But God put His own Son on the cross to die in our place, in order to demonstrate how much He loves us. "But Greg," you might say, "Those are tall orders! There's no way we can love like that on our own!" That's true; we can't.  We need the Holy Spirit's power to be the husbands God has called us to be. We need the Holy Spirit's power to be the wives God has called us to be. We need the Holy Spirit's power to be the parents God has called us to be. We need His help. So be filled with the Spirit, walking thought by thought, decision by decision, act by act under His control.

Simple Acts of Obedience

Simple Acts of Obedience

by Dr. Charles F. Stanley

Obeying God in small matters can bring blessing to many. Today’s passage illustrates this principle.

Today's Scripture - Luke 5:1-2 

 "On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.."

Simon Peter, a fisherman, had worked hard all night without catching anything. He was on the shore finishing his work when Jesus approached him. The Lord wanted to speak from the boat to the crowd on the beach. Despite a long, fruitless night of work, Peter agreed to take Jesus in the vessel. The crowd was blessed by listening to Christ. God’s requests can come to us at unexpected moments. We may be tempted to let someone else respond to His call, thinking it will not matter who is the one to comply. But remember, His plans are designed for our benefit (Jer. 29:11). Later, Jesus made a second request to Peter—to move the boat into deeper water and let down the nets. The fisherman commented about the unlikelihood of catching anything but nevertheless did as Christ asked. Peter’s cooperation resulted in an abundance for the crowd, the other fishermen, their families, and himself. Peter didn’t obey in order to be rewarded, yet that is precisely what happened. His simple acts of obedience led to greater opportunities for service and occasions for abundant blessing. Some of us act as if obedience in the little things is unimportant. Peter’s story teaches us the opposite. Let’s commit to carrying out the Lord’s instructions in small matters as well as large ones, trusting that He will bring good from all obedience. Following God is always the right choice to make. Obedience is key to abundant blessing.  Obedience in little things lead to obedience in big things.  The lesson today illustrates this principle..Simon, later called Peter did as the Lord commanded and was blessed. We all love to be blessed, but we need to turn that key to receive it.  Will you? Bible in One Year: Zephaniah 1-3, Haggai 1-2

Giving Jesus First Place

Giving Jesus First Place

By Dr. Charles Stanley

Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

When Christ has first place in our lives, we will experience many blessings. These include . . .

A quiet spirit. As we turn our attention to the Lord and meditate on His Word, He “leads [us] beside quiet waters,” where we find rest for our souls (Ps. 23:2). The Holy Spirit will help us shut out the noise of worldly distractions so He can provide assurance of our Father’s love and support. With a quieted heart and mind, we will be able to discern what God is saying to us.

A stronger faith.Studying Scripture will enlarge our view of God and give us insight and direction. Reading how the Lord has helped others, we will gain confidence that He is at our side, enabling us to meet life’s demands. Our faith will grow as we follow His direction and watch how He works on our behalf.

A purified heart. Like a mirror, the Bible reflects back to us who we truly are and reveals where we need to change. When we confess our sin, God promises to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

A prepared mind. We don't know what’s in our tomorrows, but God does. He wants to prepare us for the future—both the joyous times and the hard ones. Through the Holy Spirit’s ministry, we will be equipped for whatever life brings (2 Peter 1:3).

Paul’s life demonstrates what it means to give Jesus first place. Because the apostle made Christ the Lord of his life (Gal. 2:20), he knew joy amid trials and received the strength to face turmoil and difficulty. These blessings will also be ours when we give highest priority to our relationship with Jesus.

How would you like to have a quiet spirit, a strong faith, a purified heart and a prepared mind?  Then give first place to Jesus.  Just like Paul as he placed Jesus in first place in his life, he knew joy amid trials and received the strength to face turmoil and difficulty.  Is knowing Jesus a priority in your life?  Would you like all these blessings to be yours or would you rather have the passing pleasure this world offers?

Bible in One Year: Luke 17-19

Daily Devotion for October 16 - The Battle is the Lord's

The Battle Is the Lord's

"Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands."
—1 Samuel 17:47

The giants of life defeat us again and again because we face them in our own strength. The battle belongs to the Lord. That is why David said to Goliath, "Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands" (1 Samuel 17:47).

Ephesians 6 tells about the various pieces of armor that believers are to wear. But before a single piece of armor is applied, Paul gives us these words: "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" (Ephesians 6:10).

I recognize I am weak, but at the same time, I acknowledge that God is great and powerful. I need to know that I cannot win the spiritual battle in my own strength. Jesus said, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

We need to know about the incredible resources God has made available to us as Christians. Paul prayed that the believers at Ephesus would discover what God had done for them. He said, "Therefore I . . . do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (Ephesians 1:15–18).

You don't fight for victory. You fight from it. Start living in that power.

Living Through Restlessness

Listening Through Restlessness

Esther 6:1-11

     "That night the king could not sleep.  So one was commanded to bring the book of the records of chronicles and they read before the king.  And it was found written that Mordecai had told of the Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs, the doorkeepers who had sought to lay hands on King Ahasuerus.  Then the King said, ‘What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” And the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”
     So the king said, “Who is in the court?”  Now Haman who just entered the outer court of the king’s palace to suggest that the king hang Mordecai on the gallows that he had prepared for him.  The king’s servants said to him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” and the king said, “let him come in.” 

      So Haman came in, and the king asked him, “What shall be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?”  Now Haman thought in his heart, “Whom would the king delight to honor more than me?”

     And Haman answered the king, “For the man whom the king delights to honor, let a royal robe be brought which the king has worn, and a horse on which the king has ridden, which has a royal crest placed on its head.  Then let this robe and horse be delivered to the hand of one of the king’s most noble princes, that he may array the man whom the king delights to honor.  Then parade him on horseback through the city square and proclaim before him:  “Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!”

     Then the king said to Haman, “Hurry, take the robe and the horse, as you have suggested, and do so for Mordecai, the Jew who sits within the king’s gate!  Leave nothing undone of all that you have spoken.”

     So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square and proclaimed before him, “Thus it shall be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!”'

When we’re too preoccupied to hear God’s voice, He will often get our attention by giving us a restless spirit. The book of Esther gives us a wonderful example of this. In the sixth chapter, we see that King Ahasuerus “could not sleep so he gave an order to bring the book of records, the chronicles, and they were read before the king” (v. 1). As a result, the king became aware of an assassination plot against him that had been foiled by a man named Mordecai. Filled with gratitude for this act of service and loyalty, the ruler made plans to honor him.

What the king could not have known, though, is that Haman, one of his royal advisors, had targeted the hero Ahasuerus wanted to celebrate. Not only had Haman plotted to hang Mordecai the Jew (5:14); he was also planning to exterminate the entire Jewish population. As a result of Esther’s request, the king intervened, and Mordecai and all the other Jews were saved.

Now, what started this process? It was a restless night. The king did not know why he couldn’t sleep, but we know—he had insomnia because God was trying to get his attention. The Lord had something important to say to Ahasuerus, and His way of getting through to him was an unpleasant night of sleeplessness.

How often has this happened to you? You go about your career and activities, but restlessness seems to hang over you, often causing sleepless nights. In such moments, dare to bow and pray, “Lord, what is it that You want to tell me?” You’ll discover that God can and will speak in your unrest.

God always has a way of getting our attention.  One of them is in the life of King Ahasuerus who had a sleepless night and out of that Mordecai received the honor that he deserved, saving the king from the people who sought to slay him.  Haman who had every intention of killing Mordecai and all the Jews, ended up as the man sent by the king to give honor to Mordecai.  God can thwart the evil intentions of evil men and turn it into one that brings honor to one who is deserving.

We all have had sleepless nights, tossing and turning and hoping daylight would come so the misery can end.  Do we take these moments as an undue aggravation, or do we ask God what He wants us to know? Let us not waste anymore of these sleepless nights hoping for daylight, but instead go to His word..He has a message for us.

Bible in One Year: Matthew 25-26

What is the Church?

What is the Church?

Colossians 1:18

"And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."

      When most people hear the word “church,” the first thing they think of is a certain type of building. But let’s see what Christ said about the church so we can more fully understand its biblical meaning.

     In Matthew 16:18, Jesus proclaimed, “I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (KJV). He obviously had in mind something much greater than a mere architectural structure. In fact, He was referring to the whole body of Christ, which is comprised of all believers worldwide—everyone who has trusted Jesus as personal Savior and is a child of the heavenly Father. The church began on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came and anointed a group of Jesus’ followers (Acts 2). It will continue until an event referred to as the rapture of the church, when every believer in Christ will be caught up to meet Him in the sky (1 Thess. 4:17).

    The church is not merely a place for social action or fellowship, though these are important aspects of its ministry. Rather, the church is the entire body of Christ, both corporately and individually filled and enabled by the Holy Spirit to carry out the task designated by Jesus Himself. In other words, the purpose of the church is to bring people to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and to make disciples, instructing them and growing them up in the things of God (Matt. 28:19-20).

     Our responsibility is to obey. Have you asked yourself what role you should be playing in the ministry of the church?

     The church is not merely a building where we worship, but rather is the entire body of Christ, both as individuals and a group filled by the Holy Spirit to do the work of Christ.  The church is there to bring people to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus and to make disciples, teaching them to grow in the knowledge and obedience to the One who is all in all. If we then being part of the body, we are to use the gift God has given us to abide and to be fruitful in our personal ministry.

     Have you discovered your own ministry yet?

Bible in One Year: Matthew 8-10

One Step at a Time by Greg Laurie

Monday, October 5, 2015

One Step at a Time

"Now the Lord said to Samuel, 'You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.'"—1 Samuel 16:1

     I wish I could say that throughout my life, I have always had a detailed blueprint of everything I should do. But it hasn't been like that at all. I have never started a day with the theme from Mission Impossible playing in the background and a voice saying, "Good morning, Greg. This is God. Here is your mission for today."

     For the most part, it has been a matter of taking steps of faith based on what I've read in the Scriptures. God has led me one step at a time.

     Interestingly, when God told Samuel that He had chosen a new king to reign over Israel, the Lord had not revealed to Samuel exactly whom it was. God basically said to him, "Go to Bethlehem. I will tell you what to do after that." And that is exactly what Samuel did.

     When the Lord told Philip to go to the desert, he had been preaching the gospel in Samaria. People were coming to faith. Revival was breaking out. Yet God told him to go to the desert, and He didn't tell him anything else. How easily Philip could have asked why: And preach to whom? Camels? Lizards? But Philip did exactly what the Lord told him to do. Philip shared the gospel with the man he found there, and he came to the Lord.

     God led Samuel and Philip one step at a time, and that is typical of how God leads us. God's way becomes plain when we start walking in it. If God already has shown you to do something and you haven't done it, then don't ask Him to show you something new to do. Go back and do what you were already supposed to do.

     Obedience to revealed truth guarantees guidance in matters unrevealed.