April 30 / One Minute Devotionals

Spontaneous Love by Oswald Chambers

Spontaneous Love

April 30, 2016

Love suffers long and is kind…

 —1 Corinthians 13:4

Love is not premeditated– it is spontaneous; that is, it bursts forth in extraordinary ways. There is nothing of precise certainty in Paul’s description of love. We cannot predetermine our thoughts and actions by saying, “Now I will never think any evil thoughts, and I will believe everything that Jesus would have me to believe.” No, the characteristic of love is spontaneity. We don’t deliberately set the statements of Jesus before us as our standard, but when His Spirit is having His way with us, we live according to His standard without even realizing it. And when we look back, we are amazed at how unconcerned we have been over our emotions, which is the very evidence that real spontaneous love was there. The nature of everything involved in the life of God in us is only discerned when we have been through it and it is in our past.

The fountains from which love flows are in God, not in us. It is absurd to think that the love of God is naturally in our hearts, as a result of our own nature. His love is there only because it “has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit…” (Romans 5:5).

If we try to prove to God how much we love Him, it is a sure sign that we really don’t love Him. The evidence of our love for Him is the absolute spontaneity of our love, which flows naturally from His nature within us. And when we look back, we will not be able to determine why we did certain things, but we can know that we did them according to the spontaneous nature of His love in us. The life of God exhibits itself in this spontaneous way because the fountains of His love are in the Holy Spirit.

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

Jesus Christ reveals, not an embarrassed God, not a confused God, not a God who stands apart from the problems, but One who stands in the thick of the whole thing with man.   Disciples Indeed, 388 L

The Only Way by D.James Kennedy

Today’s devotional reading for: SATURDAY, APR 30, 2016   The Only Way Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going. How can we know the way?” —John 14:5 Devotion: All pagan religions have a “way.” Whether it is the eightfold path of Buddha, the teachings of the Qur’an, the Analects of Confucius, or whatever it is, all pagan religions say, “Here is the way. Walk in that way, and you’ll make it to . . .” wherever it is you are supposed to make it to. If you get to Nirvana or Paradise, and you get there by walking in that way, I have a question: Who got you there? I hope you know. You did. You followed the way. You walked in the path. You kept these teachings. You did it. You . . . You . . . YOU saved yourself. You are your savior, because, you see, pagan religions have no savior, except you. But Jesus says, “I am the way.” It is not the teachings of Jesus, it is not the preaching of Jesus, it is not the example of Jesus, it is not the Sermon on the Mount, it is not the Beatitudes, or anything else that He taught or said that is the way. The way is Christ Himself, the divine second Person of the Trinity, the Creator of the galaxies that came into this world. He is the way, He is the Truth, and He is the Life. We have life only ultimately through Him. Question to ponder: What does it mean in your life that Jesus is the only way?

Megaphones for Christ by Charles Stanley

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Have you ever attended a professional sports event? Thousands upon thousands of people scream and cheer loudly, as if their shouts were actually willing their side to victory. People certainly get excited about their favorite sports teams.

How many believers do you know who put that same passion and intensity into their faith? How often do you proclaim the saving truth of Jesus Christ as loudly as a football fan proclaims his or her allegiance?

In his letter to the church at Thessalonica, the apostle Paul rejoices in the young congregation’s passion for telling the world about Christ. Because the city was a busy seaport, he knew that the church there had the ear of the entire world. Travelers would hear the gospel and then take it back and share it with their own communities.

Paul praised the Thessalonians because “the word of the Lord … sounded forth” from them (1 Thess. 1:8). Our heavenly Father wants the same to be true of His children today. Before there were any microphones or loudspeakers, a long, curved device known as a sounding board was used to amplify a public speaker’s voice. We can think of the Thessalonians as living amplifiers who proclaimed Jesus Christ to the world. And we should emulate them.

If you’re a “fan” of Jesus, then you have the responsibility of sharing with the world who He is and what He has done for you. Shout it from the rooftops! Fill entire stadiums with the thunder of your praise! Don’t just show the people around you who your favorite sports team is. Make sure they know who your Savior is as well.

Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 24-25

April 30 / Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

Streams in the Desert

And the ill favored and lean-fleshed kine did Eat up the seven well favored and fat kin…and the thin, ears swallowed up the seven rank and full ears (Gen. 41:4, 7). There is a warning for us in that dream, just as it stands: It is possible for the best years of our life, the best experiences, the best victories won, the best service rendered, to be swallowed up by times of failure, defeat, dishonor, uselessness in the kingdom. Some men's lives of rare promise and rare achievement have ended so. It is awful to think of, but it is true. Yet it is never necessary. S. D. Gordon has said that the only assurance of safety against this tragedy is "fresh touch with God," daily, hourly. The blessed, fruitful, victorious experiences of yesterday are not only of no value to me today, but they will actually be eaten up or reversed by today's failures, unless they serve as incentives to still better, richer experiences today. "Fresh touch with God," by abiding in Christ, alone will keep the lean kine and the ill favored grain out of my life. --Messages for the Morning Watch

Bitterness by Adrian Rogers

Love Worth Finding

APRIL 30 Bitterness “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.” - Ephesians 4:30-31 Bitterness creates a climate for the devil. Did you know the devil is bitter? In Revelation 12:17, you find the devil pursuing the nation Israel—the dragon pursuing after the woman. The devil has bitterness, a vendetta against God’s holy people, and he is pursuing. He’s trying somehow, someway, to hurt them. I’ve seen some Christians with bitterness in their hearts. I don’t know where they got it. Evidently someone hurt them. But the real problem is, there’s a root of bitterness down there in their heart, and they’re like the devil. Are you bitter? If so, in that regard, you are like the devil. If you’re not careful, before long you’re going to be full of the devil. Don’t let another day go by without bringing that bitterness to God and asking Him to help you release it.

Always be Vigilant by Billy Graham

Day By Day With Billy Graham

Day 121 of 366 Always Be Vigilant When I was in the hospital in Hawaii, I read again of the shocking events which led up to the destruction of the United States fleet at Pearl Harbor. On that fateful day of December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked. We know now that that attack was invited by our failure to be always vigilant. The result was the destruction of our fleet-the cause was tragic indifference. When comfort and ease and pleasure are put ahead of duty and conviction, progress is always set back. What makes us Christians shrug our shoulders when we ought to be flexing our muscles? What makes us apathetic in a day when there are loads to lift, a world to be won, and captives to be set free? Why are so many bored, when the times demand action? Christ told us that in the last days there would be an insipid attitude toward life. Daily Prayer Take away the apathy, Father, that so often blinds my vision. 1 Peter 5:8 1 Peter 5:8 KJV 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

NIV 365 / God Gives Success in Fighting Satan

The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Plan

Day 121 of 365 God Gives Success in Fighting Satan Someone has quipped that temptations are like stray cats: if you treat one nice, it'll be back shortly with a whole bunch of its friends. There's a lot of truth in that old joke. The more we yield to sin, the more enticements to sin we seem to encounter. But the opposite is also true. The more firmly and consistently we resist temptation, the stronger our resolve becomes. Sin becomes less attractive. Holiness becomes more desirable. It's worth noting that when Jesus bluntly rejected Satan's overtures in the wilderness (see Luke 4:1 - 13), the devil departed in a huff. He didn't leave for good, and he didn't give up his diabolical fight. But Satan did get a small taste of his ultimate defeat and humiliation, which is the same thing he gets whenever we tell him to take a hike (see Romans 16:20). God's Promise to Me *If you firmly resist Satan, he will flee from you. My Prayer to God O God, my enemy is strong and sinister. But you are stronger. Give me the grace to recognize the attacks of the enemy and the strength to spurn his sinful offers. Taken from Once a Day Bible Promises James 4:7 James 4:7 KJV 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Turning Point April 30 / Weekend Edition

Today's Devotional: April 30 Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. 1 Peter 1:8 Recommended Reading: 1 Peter 4:7-11 It’s that time of year when we begin to put away the accumulation of things we have had in our homes during the winter—the space heaters and extra blankets, and even our sweaters and heavy coats can be moved out of sight as we prepare for spring. Whether it is dusting off our shutters and blinds, washing our windows, or just taking a walk to enjoy the fresh air, the change in season seems to call for a change in us as well. For seasons occur not only on the calendar but also in our lives. With the springtime comes the reminder to begin anew and to look for fresh opportunities to serve the Lord. There isn’t an abundance of encouragement in our world today, so if you can find a place where you can bless those around you, take that opportunity to make a difference. There is joy in serving the Lord! I have found the joy no tongue can tell, how its waves of glory roll! It is like a great o’erflowing well springing up within my soul. It is joy unspeakable and full of glory! Barney E. Warren

Doing Right in God's Sight / Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread -- Doing Right in God’s Sight April 30, 2016

Read: 2 Kings 12:1-15 Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 8-9; Luke 21:1-19 Joash did what was right . . . all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. —2 Kings 12:2 “Cowboy builders” is a term many British homeowners use for tradespeople who do shoddy construction work. The term is bandied about with fear or regret, often because of bad experiences. No doubt there were rogue carpenters, masons, and stonecutters in biblical times, but tucked away in the story of King Joash repairing the temple is a line about the complete honesty of those who oversaw and did the work (2 Kings 12:15). However, King Joash “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (v. 2) only when Jehoiada the priest instructed him. As we see in 2 Chronicles 24:17-27, after Jehoiada died Joash turned from the Lord and was persuaded to worship other gods. The mixed legacy of a king who enjoyed a season of fruitfulness only while under the spiritual counsel of a godly priest makes me stop and think. What will our legacies be? Will we continue to grow and develop in our faith throughout our lives, producing good fruit? Or will we become distracted by the things of this world and turn to modern-day idols—such as comfort, materialism, and self-promotion? —Amy Boucher Pye Go deeper: How does this passage compare with Jesus’ letter to the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2? How do these passages apply to your life? For help in understanding and applying the Bible, read A Message for All Time at discoveryseries.org/hp142 Living well and doing right require perseverance and spiritual direction. INSIGHT: When a rival attempted to exterminate the royal family, Joash (whose name means “Yahweh has helped”) was rescued and protected by the high priest Jehoiada (whose name means “Yahweh knows”). Jehoiada would later see Joash installed as king (2 Kings 11:1-16). Joash was the eighth king of Judah, and he became king when he was only seven years old. Dennis Moles

A Scrapbook of Jesus' Life by Max Lucado

The 04/29/2016 edition:

A Scrapbook of Jesus’ Life

The story of Jesus reads a bit like a scrapbook. Headline clippings; Jesus’ favorite stories and lesson outlines; and Luke’s snapshot of Jesus riding in Peter’s boat. Matthew took the group photo when the seventy followers met for a party after the first mission trip. John pasted a wedding napkin from Cana in the book as well as a funeral program from Bethany. There are so many other things Jesus did. In fact, in his gospel record, John says if they were all written down, each of them…I can’t imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books. (John 21:25) Who was this man, Jesus Christ? No question matters more. Consider reading the entire story from the Bethlehem manger to the vacated tomb. Keep in mind that the final entries of the story are yet to come, including the snapshot of you and your Savior at heaven’s gateway! From 3:16

April 29 / One Minute Devotionals

Gracious Uncertainty

April 29, 2016

…it has not yet been revealed what we shall be… —1 John 3:2

 
 
 

Our natural inclination is to be so precise– trying always to forecast accurately what will happen next– that we look upon uncertainty as a bad thing. We think that we must reach some predetermined goal, but that is not the nature of the spiritual life. The nature of the spiritual life is that we are certain in our uncertainty. Consequently, we do not put down roots. Our common sense says, “Well, what if I were in that circumstance?” We cannot presume to see ourselves in any circumstance in which we have never been.

Certainty is the mark of the commonsense life– gracious uncertainty is the mark of the spiritual life. To be certain of God means that we are uncertain in all our ways, not knowing what tomorrow may bring. This is generally expressed with a sigh of sadness, but it should be an expression of breathless expectation. We are uncertain of the next step, but we are certain of God. As soon as we abandon ourselves to God and do the task He has placed closest to us, He begins to fill our lives with surprises. When we become simply a promoter or a defender of a particular belief, something within us dies. That is not believing God– it is only believing our belief about Him. Jesus said, “…unless you…become as little children…” (Matthew 18:3). The spiritual life is the life of a child. We are not uncertain of God, just uncertain of what He is going to do next. If our certainty is only in our beliefs, we develop a sense of self-righteousness, become overly critical, and are limited by the view that our beliefs are complete and settled. But when we have the right relationship with God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful uncertainty and expectancy. Jesus said, “…believe also in Me” (John 14:1), not, “Believe certain things about Me”. Leave everything to Him and it will be gloriously and graciously uncertain how He will come in– but you can be certain that He will come. Remain faithful to Him.

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

The great thing about faith in God is that it keeps a man undisturbed in the midst of disturbance. Notes on Isaiah, 1376 R

I Rejoice, You Rejoice by D.James Kennedy

Today’s devotional reading for: FRIDAY, APR 29, 2016   I Rejoice, You Rejoice Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi … —Philippians 1:1 Devotion: Rejoicing is the theme of Paul’s epistle to the Philippians. It could be summed up in four words: I rejoice; you rejoice. This theme of rejoicing is like an underground stream that bubbles its way along and then, ever and anon, it breaks forth into the sunshine, sparkling with joy. It is a continual, reiterated refrain in this harmony of joy that Paul gives to us. It is in the Lord Jesus that we can rejoice. We rejoice in Him . . . in His goodness . . . in His grace . . . in His mercy . . . in His long-suffering . . . in His faithfulness. We rejoice in what He has done for us upon the Cross and through the empty tomb. It is precious to the Lord if we can rejoice when we are going through hard times. If we rejoice only when all is well, that is not such a great accomplishment. We should make thanks and praise a part of our daily life. Even now He is turning the bad things to our good. And He has promised that He will lead us forth to ultimate triumph and bring us forth into that gladsome city where tears shall be no more and singing shall be ever heard. Therefore we can rejoice in Christ Jesus! Question to ponder: We are to let the joy of God fill our heart—when is it easiest for you to be joyful?

A Special Purpose by Charles Stanley

Psalms 150

The Lord has made us a special people in order that we may fulfill a special purpose. Isaiah 43:21 says, “The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.” An integral part of worshipping the Lord is proclaiming His greatness. 

To praise our Father is to applaud Him for who He is and what He has done in our life. This involves the release of our emotions, which frees us to express our unrestrained adoration for the Lord. When someone loves another person, the most natural response is to speak highly about the cherished one. In the same way, those who love Christ find that praise for Him comes easily to their lips.

Praising the Lord is good for us. In our self-centered society, people are primarily interested in getting their own needs met. Sadly, this same attitude has infiltrated some churches. But the Lord doesn’t want us to come to church concerned only about ourselves. Praise lifts our eyes to Jesus Christ and fills our hearts with the contentment that eludes us when we focus exclusively on our own needs and problems.

Praise and worship are usually associated with church services, but they should characterize us wherever we are. Some of the most intimate and precious experiences of worship can happen when we’re alone with the Father.

If you find that your praise lacks vitality, tell the Lord you want to learn to extol Him with your whole heart. The focus of worship is the key. Remember how God has cared for you, and look for daily evidence of His hand on your life. Then tell Him how great He is.

Revive Us Again by Adrian Rogers

Love Worth Finding APRIL 29 Revive Us Again! “Wilt thou not revive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?” - Psalm 85:6 What we need in America is a sweeping revival. They tell us that a nation’s decay occurs in nine cycles. 1.  People go from bondage to spiritual faith. 2.  From spiritual faith to courage. 3.  From courage to liberty. 4.  From liberty to abundance. 5.  From abundance to selfishness. 6.  From selfishness to complacency. 7.  From complacency to apathy. 8.  From apathy to dependence. 9.  From dependence back again to bondage. This cycle is being revealed today in our nation’s current status. But I'm telling you, it is time some of us took our place and prayed for God to send a mighty revival and for our nation to return to Him. It’s not too late with God!

April 29 / Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

Streams in the Desert Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are (James 5:17). Thank God for that! He got under a juniper tree, as you and I have often done; he complained and murmured, as we have often done; was unbelieving, as we have often been. But that was not the case when he really got into touch with God. Though "a man subject to like passions as we are," "he prayed praying."  It is sublime in the original--not "earnestly," but "he prayed in prayer." He kept on praying. What is the lesson here? You must keep praying. Come up on the top of Carmel, and see that remarkable parable of Faith and Sight. It was not the descent of the fire that now was necessary, but the descent of the flood; and the man that can command the fire can command the flood by the same means and methods. We are told that he bowed himself to the ground with his face between his knees; that is, shutting out all sights and sounds. He was putting himself in a position where, beneath his mantle, he could neither see nor hear what was going forward. He said to his servant, "Go and take an observation." He went and came back, and said--how sublimely brief! one  word--"Nothing!" What do we do under such circumstances? We say, "It is just as I expected!" and we give up praying. Did Elijah? No, he said, "Go again." His servant again came back and said, "Nothing!" "Go again." "Nothing!" By and by he came back, and said, "There is a little cloud like a man's hand." A man's hand had been raised in supplication, and presently down came the rain; and Ahab had not time to get back to the gate of Samaria with all his fast steeds. This is a parable of Faith and Sight--faith shutting itself up with God; sight taking observations and seeing nothing; faith going right on, and "praying in prayer," with utterly hopeless reports from sight. Do you know how to pray that way, how to pray prevailingly? Let sight give as discouraging reports as it may, but pay no attention to these. The living God is still in the heavens and even to delay is part of His goodness. --Arthur T. Pierson Each of three boys gave a definition of faith which is an illustration of the tenacity of faith. The first boy said, "It is taking hold of Christ"; the second, "Keeping hold"; and the third, "Not letting go."

Questioning by Billy Graham

Day By Day With Billy Graham

Day 120 of 366 Questioning It is not unusual for persons in their early twenties to defect from their early teaching. The reasons are many. Perhaps their exposure to unbelief "took" better than their exposure to belief. This is often the case, for the Bible says, "The heart of man is deceitful above all things."The human heart is as prepared by sin to accept unbelief as faith. Some person they regard highly has undoubtedly influenced their thinking; and for the time being they look on their early training as "bunk." As someone has said, "A little learning may take a man away from God, but full understanding will bring him back." Some of the staunchest Christians I know are people who had periods in their life when they questioned the Bible, Christ, and God. But as they continued to examine the matter, there was overwhelming evidence that only "the fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." Daily Prayer I pray for all the questioning people today, Lord, remembering times in my own life when unbelief reigned. Psalms 51:12 Psalms 51:12 KJV 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

NIV 365 / The Real Battle

The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Plan

Day 120 of 365 The Real Battle It's hard to believe your struggles aren't against flesh and blood when your two year old is screaming and you can't get them to stop. When your teenager is belligerent and you're getting nowhere. That's not your real battle. Although these are obvious flesh and blood issues we tackle, the point of Ephesians 6:12 is that it's the inner fight against the evil of darkness that's causing all these struggles. Don't diminish this. Don't pretend it doesn't exist. But don't overdramatize it either. More importantly, find a balance in recognizing where evil comes from and how it's affecting your family. Pray for God's protection over your family. Remember, the power of Christ is far greater than the power of Satan. That battle has already been won. Christ defeated the grave and evil has lost. Claim that promise over your family and seek to honor God in all you do as a parent. God will provide, bless, protect and defend you as you seek him. Parenting Principle Know that Satan is your real enemy, not your children. Points to Ponder *How much time do you spend fighting flesh and blood? *How could you get a better understanding of who the real enemy is in your house? *How are you seeking God to grow in victories? Taken from Once a Day Nurturing Great Kids Ephesians 6:12 Ephesians 6:12 KJV 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Your Heart, His Home by Max Lucado

UpWords from Max Lucado

Your Heart, His Home by Max Lucado • April 9 The crowning attribute of Christ was this: his heart was spiritual. His thoughts reflected his intimate relationship with the Father. Our hearts seem so far from his. He is pure; we’re greedy. He is peaceful; we’re hassled. He is purposeful; we’re distracted. He is pleasant; we’re cranky. The distance between our hearts and his seems so immense! How could we ever hope to have the heart of Jesus? Ready for a surprise? You already do. One of the supreme yet unrealized promises of God is simply this: if you’ve given your life to Jesus, Jesus has given himself to you. He has made your heart his home. It would be hard to say it any more succinctly than Paul does in Galatians 2:20, “Christ lives in me.” God is willing to change us into the likeness of the Savior. Shall we accept his offer? From Just Like Jesus Listen to UpWords with Max Lucado at OnePlace.com