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.

Building Lasting Friendships by Dr. Charles Stanley

Oct 02, 2015

Building Lasting Friendships

Romans 12:10

"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another."

How many true friends do you have? At first, a lot of names may come to mind, but the longer you consider the question, the more likely it is that the number will start to dwindle. The reality is, we do not have many genuine friends—the ones who will remain loyal no matter what circumstances arise.

This dependable, intimate closeness is what the Lord wants for us, but it’s a rare treasure. The biblical account of David and Jonathan can help us learn how to foster such a relationship (1 Samuel 18-20). Their story demonstrates that genuine friendships are built upon a foundation of mutual respect, love, and authentic commitment. Today, let’s explore the first component.

For true companionship, each party must appreciate the other’s godly qualities. This starts with an attitude of valuing all people. After all, if Jesus chose to die in their place even before they acknowledged Him as Savior, they must certainly have great worth. But at the same time, the high regard that David and Jonathan had toward one another was greater than mere respect; it revealed admiration for qualities that Scripture commends. These included loyalty to the nation of Israel, courage in battle, and strong faith in God.

Consider the question asked earlier about the people you deem “true friends.” Do these individuals exhibit godly attributes that you respect? And do they, in turn, have admiration for the biblical characteristics they see in you? This mutual, scriptural respect is a necessary foundation for genuine and lasting friendship.

The lesson for today teaches about friendship, genuine friendship and like it says, is rare. A friend is one who will remain loyal no matter what.  It  is built on mutual respect, love, and authentic commitment.  Above all, scriptural respect is a necessary foundation for genuine and lasting friendship.

 

Who do you deem as your true friend?

Bible in One Year: Malachi 1-4

Remembering God's Goodness by Dr. Charles Stanley

Remembering God’s Goodness

Some people are exceptionally good at remembering images or information. Yet forgetting God’s goodness is all too common, even for those with the sharpest of minds.

In light of the human tendency to forget, today’s verses offer a good example for us to follow. God had brought the Israelites out of Egypt and safely through the divided Red Sea. Now, He miraculously provided another dry path by piling up the Jordan’s waters in an enormous heap upstream.

The Lord knew that the people were about to enter Jericho, and by His power, they would overcome the city. How compassionate to encourage them with a tangible illustration of His strength and presence prior to such a battle.

But God also knew how easily they would forget Him. We do the same today—when the Lord works in big and obvious ways, it’s easy to trust Him. But as time goes on, we drift toward self-reliance until we are reminded of our need for Him and repent. So the Father had a plan to help His loved ones recall the miracle at the river. He asked them to create an altar of 12 stones, each stone representing a tribe of Israel that had passed safely through the waters. This way, they would have a physical reminder of divine rescue.

When it comes to blessings, do you tend to be forgetful? If so, try to create reminders of God’s faithfulness. Some people journal; others make a gratitude jar, keep it in a prominent place in their home, and fill it all year long. There are many ways to make expressing thankfulness a part of your daily schedule. Whatever you do, make sure you have a way to remember the Lord’s involvement in your life.

How easy it is to forget the times the Lord has come to our rescue.  How quick we forget the times He has bailed us out of trouble.  In good times we hardly think of Him, but in bad times...He is our stronghold!  Ah, the hearts of men...quick to ask but slow to be grateful.  He is the same God who divided the waters of the Red Sea and the Jordan for His people to pass through and get to their destination.  He is the same God we pray to and ask for help to cross the rivers of our life...how can we treat Him with ingratitude and forget all His benefits?

Can you think of the many times He has bailed you out? Is He worthy of all your praise and thanksgiving?

Bible in One Year: Zechariah 11-14

Joshua 3:14-4:7

"So it was, when the people set out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people,
'Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off.  and these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.'”

The Way of Faith

Read | Hebrews 11:23-28

"By faith Moses, when he was born was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child and they were not afraid of the king’s command.  By faith Moses , when he became of age , refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater than the treasures in Egypt, for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.  By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them."

Many people consider Moses a biblical “pillar” of Old Testament days—a man without equal in godliness. And certainly, he encountered the presence of the Almighty in a most unusual way and was called to do mighty things with the Lord’s help. But, like us, he was a normal, sinful human being. What the New Testament commends him for is something we all can have: belief.

Today’s verses come from the passage known as the Bible’s “Hall of Faith.” Those honored with inclusion in this chapter were chosen because they acted obediently, and God achieved great things through them.

We, too, can watch His hand in our lives as we act on faith. When we trust Him and obey, God demonstrates His power and shows that He truly is Lord. By operating out of His strength and through our weakness, He teaches us to rely upon Him.

That’s not to say the path is easy; Jesus warned that the way of faith includes suffering. Indeed, many early Christians were beaten or killed for His sake, and faith is still met with harsh persecution in various places around the world. While that may not be our experience, each of us has encountered ridicule, misunderstanding, or lost friendships because we follow Christ.

Even mild persecution can cause us to question whether living out our faith is worth the sacrifice. The truth is, it’s the best way to live. God responds to faith by enabling His children to endure difficulty, demonstrating His power in their circumstances, and providing joy.

In our weakness God displays His power.  When we can’t, He can.  As children of God, we too suffer as everyone else.  But it is through these times that God builds us up.  Like the bible says, “Count it all joy!”  Through suffering, we learn to endure, and when we endure we achieve victory, when we are victorious, we receive joy..joy unspeakable.

How is your faith lately?

Jesus Is Lord

Read | Philippians 2:5-11

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation , taking the form of a bondservant and coming in the likeness of men. After being found, in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 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 under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

What does it mean when we say that Jesus is Lord? We hear the word used so frequently that we are in danger of losing the significance of its sheer power and magnitude.

Lord is far more than a mere title that Scripture bestows on Jesus. The second chapter of Philippians emphasizes this fact by repeatedly mentioning the word name. We see that God gave Jesus the “name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus,” all of heaven and earth will bow down and “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (vv. 9-11).

In that passage, the name given to Jesus is none other than “Lord.” You see, that word is not used to describe what Jesus does; it’s simply who Jesus is. He is, and will always be, the sovereign ruler of everything in heaven and on the earth.

Therefore, if we echo the confession, “Jesus is Lord,” then our lives must reflect that confidence. Is there anything in your life that you attempt to hide from Christ? Have you refused to do something that He has called you to do? These are acts of rebellion, and they simply demonstrate our lack of faith in Jesus as Lord of our lives.

One day everyone will recognize that Christ is Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15). We who are His children should show our faith by inviting Him into any dark areas of our life and allowing Him to conform us to His image. We can begin with the simple yet profound confession: “Jesus is Lord.” And when we confess those words, we should be mindful of their meaning.

No one is called “Jesus.”  Others may have the same spelling, but never called “Jesus” as He is called in every language and tongue.  His name is above all names, for at the mention of His name, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess..that Jesus Christ is Lord, lord of all.  The only name by which one can be saved.

Do you marvel at the mention His name..Jesus?

The Resurrection: Does It Matter?

Read | Acts 2:22-24

“Men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know – Him being delivered by the determined purpose and fore-knowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.”

Believing that the Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead is essential for Christians. Merely recognizing that He died for our sins is not enough; we must accept His resurrection in order to receive eternal life. Christ paid our debt, but His sacrifice on the cross means nothing unless He possesses power over the grave. In vanquishing evil and death, the Lord made our salvation possible.

Jesus’ resurrection proved He was able to remove sin and its penalty. Assuming Christ remained dead would mean accepting the opposite—that believers are still in sin. And the inevitable end of a sinful life is death. Consequently, a person who denies Christ’s eternal nature looks toward a void future. Bertrand Russell, a famous atheist philosopher, offered this sad description of such hopelessness: “Brief and powerless is Man’s life; on him and all his race, the slow, sure doom falls pitiless and dark.”

Instead of enjoying Christian liberty and anticipating a home in heaven, those who reject resurrection are slaves to the present, with no real hope or meaning in life. Career, family, and good works can offer brief pleasure but not the kind of joy that comes from knowing we are right with the Lord and working in His will.

Resurrection is not a denominational issue or a point for theological debate. Either we believe Christ rose from the dead and ascended to heaven or we do not. If we reject His victory over the grave, we deny ourselves a place in eternity. But if we accept the truth, we will be saved.

The Resurrection – if there was no resurrection, then we really don’t have a future and a hope.  Then Jesus would have suffered and died in vain.  But Jesus did rise up, He did conquer sin and death. He is sitting at the right hand of God interceding for us, waiting for us to join Him in His kingdom for all eternity.  This hope erases all fears, even death itself for we know what awaits us!  Thank You Jesus for Resurrection!!!

The Way to Acquire Wisdom

Read | Proverbs 2:1-7

My son, if you receive My words, and treasure my commands within you, so that you may incline your ears to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; for He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.

Knowledge is a prized commodity in the world, but more important than knowledge is wisdom (Prov. 8:11). God wants us to view life from His viewpoint and evaluate everything according to biblical principles.

How are believers to acquire this God-given insight? The obvious answer is that we must seek it. Too often, however, people who say they want to be wise do little to actually make that happen. Like any worthwhile treasure, wisdom must be actively pursued and carefully gleaned from its sources.

The first source is the Bible. Proverbs teaches that we should pay attention to God’s life-giving words and hold His commands in our hearts (4:20-22). These days information is broadcast with the slant of the people who packaged it. The only way to know the right perspective—namely, God’s—is to read His ancient “broadcast” and apply its principles (8:33).

Another source of wisdom is the counsel of godly men and women (12:15). The Lord at times brings fellow believers into our life to offer biblical advice, encouragement, or reproof. In Proverbs, those who ignore the words of a righteous person are labeled “fool.” Don’t be foolish. Surround yourself with other followers of Christ who are also seeking wisdom as their treasure.

Our heavenly Father ensures that those who seek wisdom will find it (8:12, 17). Diligent believers will discover they possess abundant treasure: In addition to godly insight, they'll have knowledge, discernment, and prudence—rare riches in the modern world. Use them well.

Willing to Wait for God’s Way

Read | Lamentations 3:24-26

"'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I hope in Him!'The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

Many Christians struggle to discipline themselves in the area of self-gratification. There are so many things we want right now. And to make matters worse, we usually have the ability to follow through on our desires. That’s what the credit card industry is all about: Have it now; pay later.

But finances aren't the only area where we get into trouble. Some people are in a hurry to be married and therefore make an unwise choice regarding a mate. Others don’t even see marriage as necessary and opt for premarital sex instead of waiting for the right person. Then there are those who are just in a hurry to become successful and well-respected in their career, never giving any thought to whether the pursuit aligns with God’s plans for them.

One reason the Lord wants us to wait is to protect us from our own self-destructive ways. Those who can’t say no to their own desires end up enslaved by them. God wants us to be mature believers with the character and self-restraint to wait for His provision in His perfect time. Because the heavenly Father is omniscient, He alone knows what’s best. You can trust that if He asks you to wait, He has something more wonderful in mind than you could ever provide for yourself.

Does anything seem to have power over you? If so, it may be an area that requires the practice of self-restraint. Yield to the Lord and submit your desires to Him. Then begin saying no to temptations as you wait for God to reveal His will for your life.

The Priority of Prayer

Read | Luke 5:15-16

"However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities.

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed."

Have you ever forgone your daily prayer time, thinking, I am just too busy to pray today?Whenever we surrender quiet time for something else, we are making a statement about our priorities. It is a not-so-subtle way of saying, “Jesus, my calendar is more important to me than You are today. I’ll have to catch up with You later.”

We all do this on occasion, don’t we? Skipping prayer now and then is all too easy because, since we know the Lord is always there, we figure we can make up the time later. It’s as though we have taken God’s eternal, indwelling presence for granted with the thought, The Lord will still be here tomorrow, but I've got to get this done today!

What we fail to realize is that our quiet time with God is what empowers us to face the challenges of the day. Therefore, the busier our day, the more time we should spend in prayer preparing for it!

The Bible clearly shows that Jesus Himself protected His private time with the Father. I cannot imagine any person having more on his mind, having more things to do, or being in greater demand than Jesus. And yet the times when He was busiest are the times we see Him pulling away from the crowds in order to pray.

Is prayer the first thing you cut from your daily agenda when the schedule fills up? Protect that time every day at all costs. Remember, Jesus is God; if He considered prayer necessary to prepare for His busiest days, then it is an absolute essential for the rest of us!

Will a car run without gasoline?  Will the grass grow without water?  Can we fight the good fight without a weapon?  But this is what we do when we neglect to pray.  Prayer is powerful...it is a time to harness God’s supply of strength to give us victory over everything we have to do for the day.  If we are too busy to do so, it is stepping back instead of forward, losing instead of gaining.  Ephesians 6:10-20 is a perfect prayer for times when we don’t know what to pray for.

Is prayer a priority in your life and why?

Self-Reliance: An Unwise Habit

Read | Psalm 55:22

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."

Imagine walking through a crowded airport. You cannot move without bumping into someone, you're late for your flight, and the wheels just broke on your over-packed suitcase. With no other option, you are forced to carry the luggage in your arms and slowly maneuver through the congested lobby toward the ticketing area.

Almost immediately, a young man approaches and offers to carry your bags, but you refuse, saying, “No, thanks. I can do it myself.” Realizing that the ticket counter is two levels up, you make your way to the stairs. Someone asks, “Wouldn't it be easier to take the elevator? It’s right over there.” But you reply, “No, I can do it myself.”

As you finally make it to the top of the staircase, your arms feel numb from the pressure of your bags. Your legs are starting to buckle from the weight. Your back aches from supporting the heavy load. Then you spot a collection of unused baggage carts but ignore them, thinking, No, I can do it myself.

This is a silly story, isn't it? Who would prefer to carry such a heavy burden, ignoring every opportunity to set it down? Yet many believers are doing just that.

Our heavenly Father has called us to lay our cares at His feet. But when we fail to come to Him in prayer, we are just as foolish as the person staggering through the airport, mumbling, “I can do it myself.”

Are you trying to carry a burden that is greater than you can bear? Don't ignore God’s offer to help. The truth is, we really can't “do it ourselves”—and He never wanted us to try.

To rely on the Lord is to cast pride away.  There is a difference between self-reliance and God-reliance.  We can do it or He can!  Let us not forget, the Holy Spirit who dwells in us empowers and enables us, not our own puny self.  Are you trusting God today?

 

All Our Anxiety

Read | 1 Peter 5:6-10

"Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hands of God that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you."

Did you ever wonder why a passage dealing with anxious thoughts mentions Satan prowling like a roaring lion? Worry can feel like an attack—we get torn up on the inside by fears, frustration, and helplessness. Anxiety is a tormenting emotion, and today’s reading reminds us that the devil wields it skillfully.

But we don't have to live with worry, because God closes the mouths of lions that threaten His followers (Dan. 6:22). Peter described how to keep clear of anxiety’s jaws. First, we humble ourselves before God. What causes worry is a sense of helplessness in a given situation, so the best response is yielding yourself to God—submitting to Him with the confidence that He has the power to control your life. Another thing that builds trust is the realization that God is always engineering circumstances for your good and His glory (Rom. 8:28).

Remember, prayer is a declaration of dependence. When you humble yourself, you’re kneeling before omnipotent God. And since nothing is a challenge for His power, the second step in casting cares on Him is the simple exercise of telling the Lord your troubles and then trusting Him to deal with them. He assumes responsibility for meeting believers’ needs; your part is to prioritize obeying Him and living a righteous life (Matt. 6:31-33).

Lastly, resist Satan by remaining firm in faith. In other words, don't snatch those concerns out of God’s hands to worry over them anew. When the devil’s ways make you tremble with anxiety, reject his lie and affirm that the Lord is adequate to handle the situation.

Anxiety is a tormenting emotion and left unchecked can debilitate you allowing Satan to take control over your life.  How sad it is to let him take our joy away when we can call on the name of Jesus and feel His soothing, comforting arms around us.  We have been made overcomers by the blood of Jesus, and no one can take our joy away unless we give it.  Are you filled with joy today?

Jesus: Our Seeking Savior

Read | Revelation 3:14-22

"And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen,the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God:  “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I would wish you were neither cold or hot. So then because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked -  “I  counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that shame of your nakedness may not be revealed, and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten, therefore be zealous and repent.  Behold I stand at the door and knock.. If anyone opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.  To him who overcomes, I will grant to sit with me on My throne, as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father on His throne, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

The Christians at Laodicea pictured themselves as rich and self-sufficient, when in reality, their spiritual blindness and self-righteousness had prevented them from recognizing their true poverty. Though they had closed a door between themselves and Jesus, He never gave up on them. Can you relate to this idea of a loving Savior reaching out to you?

Revelation 3:20 shows that Jesus . . .

• Stands at the door—The Lord takes the initiative. He’s ready and willing to seek us, even when we've erected a barrier.

• Knocks at the door—He tries to get our attention through a variety of means, including circumstances, pain, trials, conviction, sleeplessness, and/or His Word. Then He patiently awaits our response.

• Invites us to open the door—Though Christ is omnipotent, He never pushes His way into a relationship with us. He lets us respond.

• Enters through the door—If we open up to Him, He will come into our lives. Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, we’ll actually partake of Christ’s divine nature and be transformed into His image.

• Dines with us indoors—Now that nothing stands between us and Jesus, we can begin to enjoy all the benefits of an intimate relationship with Him and be nourished by His Word.

Where are you in this process? Have you built a barrier between yourself and the Lord? The Laodiceans show us how miserable we are when we try to keep Jesus at arm’s length. Only when we let Him have unhindered access to our lives will we experience the joy of intimacy with Him.

Oftentimes we fail to appreciate what it is to be called a child of God and heir of heaven.  We get so busy pursuing the things of this earth with the notion it satisfies, only to find out it lasts only for a while.  When we pursue the things of God, we discover the lasting, deep satisfaction our souls yearn for.  Jesus keeps knocking because He loves us so!  will you open your door and let Him in?

The God Who Comforts Us

Read | 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Even though we experience seasons of celebration, all of us go through difficulties and hardships in life. At times we may find ourselves in despair, wondering if the Lord understands or even notices us. The truth is that He does understand, and He cares so deeply that He sent His only Son to rescue us from our sinful state. Not only that—He loves us and cares enough to comfort us when we hurt.

If you look up comfort in the dictionary, you will find one definition of the word. But take a look at John 14:16 (KJV), and you’ll discover quite a different meaning. In that verse, Jesus describes the work and ministry of the Holy Spirit and calls Him “the Comforter.” That term means “the one who comes to stand by our side—the one who comes to our aid.”

Because believers have the Comforter residing within, there is no need to search elsewhere for comfort. We don’t have to look to drink, drugs, entertainment, travel, or other distractions and pleasures in order to escape our trials and heartaches. We have the source of all comfort dwelling within us.

This means that when we feel as if we’re collapsing on the inside and crying out to God, “I cannot handle any more!” we can expect to sense a little inaudible whisper that encourages us: “You are going to make it because I am here.” When you discern the God-breathed comfort of the Holy Spirit—the One who stands with you no matter what sadness or difficulty you are facing—it is worth more than anything this world has to offer.

 

We have the Holy Spirit living in us, comforting us, strengthening and encouraging in all the moments we feel overwhelmed and discouraged. We don’t have to resort to outward source to alleviate the need, we only have to look inside and listen to that small, still voice saying..”I am here, you are not alone.”  Have you listened to Him the last time you felt needy?

 

Identifying Self-Rejection

Read | Romans 15:7

As news reports indicate, mistreatment of children is tragically widespread. And kids wounded by abuse can be scarred for life. Fortunately, most people’s experiences aren't that extreme. But even mild hurts can fester, affecting relationships and self-image.

The Origin. The bondage of self-rejection can often be traced to feeling unaccepted by someone close. Trauma like divorce or a loved one’s death may also contribute to a distorted self-image. Once internalized, this type of thought pattern can lead to negative behaviors.

The Symptoms. If a person has difficulty accepting himself, he may have a tendency to criticize others and interpret innocent comments as personal attacks. Perfectionism and feelings of inferiority are also common. As a result, fear of failure and criticism may lead to procrastination.

Another outcome of self-rejection is unpredictable anger. People who are hurt may find themselves easily frustrated. Such individuals might become loners or feel overly concerned about others’ opinions. For example, instead of focusing on a church service, one may notice what people are wearing and feel insecure about her own outfit. Someone with this mindset can be hard to love because she questions whether she’s worthy of care and affection. Sadly, she may then behave in a way that “proves” her theory.

We find the solution in today’s scripture: We are to accept one another as Jesus accepts us. This includes accepting ourselves. Ask God to search your heart and reveal any areas of self-rejection.

What Makes a Person Wise by Greg Laurie

The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

—Psalm 19:7

As we look at all of the so-called government solutions that are supposed to improve our way of life in America, we see that they really haven't done so at all. That is because changing a person's environment does not change a person's heart.

The Bible doesn't teach that man is basically good, yet he does bad things because of bad influences. Rather, it teaches that man is basically sinful, and he is born sinful. He is not a sinner because he sins; he sins because he is a sinner. Sin comes naturally to all of us. The Bible tells us that. And it also tells us that human beings are capable of very evil things.

Those who believe that we can bring about a utopia on Earth through manmade solutions must be very disappointed by now. Because in spite of all our advances in technology, we still can't change the human heart.

Yet Psalm 19:7 tells us, "The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple." The Word of God gives us incredible wisdom.

A number of years ago someone asked me, "Well, Greg, what do you do when you come to a verse in the Bible that you don't agree with?"

I said, "Change your opinion, because you are wrong."

I don't think that individual liked my answer all that much. But as Romans 9:20 says, "Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, 'Why have you made me like this?' "

The Word of God transforms us and makes us wise. And if you don't agree with the Bible, then change your opinion—because the Bible is always right.