October 31 / Evening... by Charles Spurgeon

October 31

 

Evening...

 

Hosea 13:5

I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought.

 

Yes, Lord, Thou didst indeed know me in my fallen state, and Thou didst even then choose me for Thyself. When I was loathsome and self-abhorred, Thou didst receive me as Thy child, and Thou didst satisfy my craving wants. Blessed for ever be Thy name for this free, rich, abounding mercy. Since then, my inward experience has often been a wilderness; but Thou hast owned me still as Thy beloved, and poured streams of love and grace into me to gladden me, and make me fruitful. Yea, when my outward circumstances have been at the worst, and I have wandered in a land of drought, Thy sweet presence has solaced me. Men have not known me when scorn has awaited me, but Thou hast known my soul in adversities, for no affliction dims the lustre of Thy love. Most gracious Lord, I magnify Thee for all Thy faithfulness to me in trying circumstances, and I deplore that I should at any time have forgotten Thee and been exalted in heart, when I have owed all to Thy gentleness and love. Have mercy upon Thy servant in this thing! My soul, if Jesus thus acknowledged thee in thy low estate, be sure that thou own both Himself and His cause now that thou art in thy prosperity. Be not lifted up by thy worldly successes so as to be ashamed of the truth or of the poor church with which thou hast been associated. Follow Jesus into the wilderness: bear the cross with Him when the heat of persecution grows hot. He owned thee, O my soul, in thy poverty and shame-never be so treacherous as to be ashamed of Him. O for more shame at the thought of being ashamed of my best Beloved! Jesus, my soul cleaveth to Thee.

"I'll turn to Thee in days of light,

As well as nights of care,

Thou brightest amid all that's bright!

Thou fairest of the fair!"

Our Labor of Love by Charles Stanley

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

The moment that we place our trust in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, we become new creations. This is an act of love by the heavenly Father—He gives us new life and adopts us into His family. He also has a custom-designed plan for every believer, with specific work for each one to accomplish.

Once we are saved, the rest of our days are to be spent fulfilling God’s purposes for our life. We are called to be Jesus’ disciples—acting on His behalf and working zealously for God, as the Savior did. The world is hungry for the good news, which we are to deliver.

Redemption is God’s gift, offered to us free of charge (Eph. 2:8-9). Salvation is by grace, not by grace-plus-works. Once we are saved, however, works are God’s will for us—the Holy Spirit carries out Jesus’ agenda on earth through His followers.

God has committed Himself to guide and equip believers to act as His servants. No matter what He calls us to do, He will provide the necessary abilities and resources. His Holy Spirit will teach us whatever we need to know—such as effective ways to relate, to pour ourselves out on behalf of others, and to share our faith. He expects us to make serving Him a priority, and to surrender our time, talent, and treasure for His use. Age does not disqualify us from His service, and there is never a time for retirement.

While we are living on earth, our lifestyle is to be one of enthusiastic, committed service in the cause of Christ. Let your work for God be a genuine labor of love.

God is in Charge by Max Lucado

The 10/31/2016 edition:

God is in Charge

It does twice as much good to think about God as it does to think about anyone or anything else. The more we focus up there, the more inspired we are down here. The Psalmist said, Oh Magnify the Lord with me!  (Psalm 34:3). When you magnify an object, you enlarge it so that you can understand it. When we magnify God, we do the same. We enlarge our awareness of him so we can understand him more. This is exactly what happens when we worship. We take our minds off ourselves and set them on God. I love the way the final phrase of the Lord’s Prayer as translated in The Message (Matthew 6:13): You’re in charge! You can do anything you want! You’re ablaze in beauty! Yes. Yes. Yes.  Could it be any simpler? God is in charge! From God is With You Every Day For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Reformation Day by D. James Kennedy

Today’s devotional reading for: MONDAY, OCT 31, 2016

Reformation Day

The just shall live by faith. —Romans 1:17 Devotion: If you asked the average American what October 31 is, the response would be instantaneous: “It’s Halloween.” Yes, but it is also something far more important. It is Reformation Day, the birthday of the Protestant Reformation. It is the day when we celebrate the reclaiming of the Gospel of grace from out of the mist and darkness of the Dark Ages. Beginning in Germany with Martin Luther, the Reformation transformed many of the nations of Europe, spread over to Great Britain and sailed across the Atlantic. The Pilgrims and the Puritans were all followers of John Calvin, who was a follower of Martin Luther. Interestingly, those nations that have accepted the Reformation have been blessed by God, and those that have rejected it have become a part of the backwash of history. It is true not only of every nation, but of every soul as well. The Reformation was simply a rediscovery of the apostolic message—the truth that we can’t work our way to heaven. Eternal life is a free gift that we are to receive. It is faith alone that saves us, but that faith never stands alone. That faith produces good fruit in our lives. Question to ponder: What does it mean in your life that “the just shall live by faith”?

...you can do nothing...

The Trial of Faith by Oswald Chambers

The Trial of Faith

October 31, 2016

If you have faith as a mustard seed…nothing will be impossible for you. —Matthew 17:20

We have the idea that God rewards us for our faith, and it may be so in the initial stages. But we do not earn anything through faith— faith brings us into the right relationship with God and gives Him His opportunity to work. Yet God frequently has to knock the bottom out of your experience as His saint to get you in direct contact with Himself. God wants you to understand that it is a life of faith, not a life of emotional enjoyment of His blessings. The beginning of your life of faith was very narrow and intense, centered around a small amount of experience that had as much emotion as faith in it, and it was full of light and sweetness. Then God withdrew His conscious blessings to teach you to “walk by faith” (2 Corinthians 5:7). And you are worth much more to Him now than you were in your days of conscious delight with your thrilling testimony.

Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God’s character must be proven as trustworthy in our own minds. Faith being worked out into reality must experience times of unbroken isolation. Never confuse the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life, because a great deal of what we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith, as the Bible teaches it, is faith in God coming against everything that contradicts Him— a faith that says, “I will remain true to God’s character whatever He may do.” The highest and the greatest expression of faith in the whole Bible is— “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

Both nations and individuals have tried Christianity and abandoned it, because it has been found too difficult; but no man has ever gone through the crisis of deliberately making Jesus Lord and found Him to be a failure. The Love of God—The Making of a Christian, 680 R

October 31 / Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman

Likewise also the Spirit helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what to pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God (Rom. 8:26, 27).

This is the deep mystery of prayer. This is the delicate divine mechanism which words cannot interpret, and which theology cannot explain, but which the humblest believer knows even when he does not understand.

Oh, the burdens that we love to bear and cannot understand! Oh, the inarticulate out-reachings of our hearts for things we cannot comprehend! And yet we know they are an echo from the throne and a whisper from the heart of God. It is often a groan rather than a song, a burden rather than a buoyant wing. But it is a blessed burden, and it is a groan whose undertone is praise and unutterable joy. It is "a groaning which cannot be uttered." We could not ourselves express it always, and sometimes we do not understand any more than that God is praying in us, for something that needs His touch and that He understands.

And so we can just pour out the fullness of our heart, the burden of our spirit, the sorrow that crushes us, and know that He hears, He loves, He understands, He receives; and He separates from our prayer all that is imperfect, ignorant and wrong, and presents the rest, with the incense of the great High Priest, before the throne on high; and our prayer is heard, accepted and answered in His name.
--A. B. Simpson

It is not necessary to be always speaking to God or always hearing from God, to have communion with Him; there is an inarticulate fellowship more sweet than words. The little child can sit all day long beside its busy mother and, although few words are spoken on either side, and both are busy, the one at his absorbing play, the other at her engrossing work, yet both are in perfect fellowship. He knows that she is there, and she knows that he is all right.

So the saint and the Saviour can go on for hours in the silent fellowship of love, and he be busy about the most common things, and yet conscious that every little thing he does is touched with the complexion of His presence, and the sense of His approval and blessing.

And then, when pressed with burdens and troubles too complicated to put into words and too mysterious to tell or understand, how sweet it is to fall back into His blessed arms, and just sob out the sorrow that we cannot speak!
--Selected

October 31 / Morning... by Charles Spurgeon

October 31

 

Morning...

 

Psalm 51:10

Renew a right spirit within me.

 

A backslider, if there be a spark of life left in him will groan after restoration. In this renewal the same exercise of grace is required as at our conversion. We needed repentance then; we certainly need it now. We wanted faith that we might come to Christ at first; only the like grace can bring us to Jesus now. We wanted a word from the Most High, a word from the lip of the loving One, to end our fears then; we shall soon discover, when under a sense of present sin, that we need it now. No man can be renewed without as real and true a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's energy as he felt at first, because the work is as great, and flesh and blood are as much in the way now as ever they were. Let thy personal weakness, O Christian, be an argument to make thee pray earnestly to thy God for help. Remember, David when he felt himself to be powerless, did not fold his arms or close his lips, but he hastened to the mercy-seat with "renew a right spirit within me." Let not the doctrine that you, unaided, can do nothing, make you sleep; but let it be a goad in your side to drive you with an awful earnestness to Israel's strong Helper. O that you may have grace to plead with God, as though you pleaded for your very life-"Lord, renew a right spirit within me." He who sincerely prays to God to do this, will prove his honesty by using the means through which God works. Be much in prayer; live much upon the Word of God; kill the lusts which have driven your Lord from you; be careful to watch over the future uprisings of sin. The Lord has His own appointed ways; sit by the wayside and you will be ready when He passes by. Continue in all those blessed ordinances which will foster and nourish your dying graces; and, knowing that all the power must proceed from Him, cease not to cry, "Renew a right spirit within me."

Giving the Devil Plenty to Mourn About by Adrian Rogers

October 31

Giving the Devil Plenty to Mourn About

“Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead.” - >Colossians 2:12

People often ask me, “Why do Baptists immerse people--put them fully under the water--when a new convert to Christ is baptized?”  Because that’s what God’s Word teaches. When you go under the water, that is a picture of your death and burial. When you come up out of the water, that is a picture of your resurrection. “Buried with Him.” “Risen with Him.”

If I died and you took me to the cemetery and sprinkled a few granules of dirt on my head, have you truly buried me? No. The very word “baptism” means to immerse.

Your baptism is a funeral service:  Dead to the old life. Raised to newness of life.  And the devil doesn’t like that. The baptismal is a liquid tomb, and the mourner who comes to that funeral is the devil. Let’s be sure he has plenty to mourn about.

---

Triumph in Affliction by Billy Graham

Day By Day With Billy Graham

Day 306 of 366 Triumph in Affliction May I remind you that physical illness is not the worst thing that can happen to you? Some of the most twisted, miserable people I have ever met had no physical handicap. Some of the world's greatest and most useful people have been handicapped. "The Messiah" was composed by Handel, who was suffering from a paralyzed right side and arm. Catherine Booth, in the last year of her life, said that she could not remember one day free from pain. Helen Keller has written, "I thank God for my handicaps, for through them I have found myself, my work, and God." Some of the most radiant Christians I have ever met were "wheelchair" saints. May God give you grace to "triumph in affliction." Daily Prayer When physical afflictions come into my life, may they draw me closer to You, my beloved Lord Jesus Christ. John 13:7 John 13:7 KJV 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

What essential element is Christ looking for in our character? by John MacArthur

Faith and Theology: Dr. John MacArthur Q&A

Day 10 of 21 What essential element is Christ looking for in our character? To be directly confronted by Christ with sin in your heart, as the disciples were in Mark 9.33, must have been powerfully convicting and embarrassing. We are told that "they kept silent"-they were speechless at His inquiry. They were caught in a dispute over "who would be the greatest" (v. 34), possibly triggered by the privilege granted Peter, James, and John to witness the Transfiguration. The disciples' quarrel highlights their failure to apply Jesus' explicit teaching on humility (Matt. 5.3) and the example of His own suffering and death (vv. 31, 32; 8.30-33). It also prompted them to ask Jesus to settle the issue, which He did-though not as they had expected. Jesus "sat down" (v. 35)-rabbis usually sat down to teach-and said that "if anyone desires to be first," as the disciples undeniably did (v. 34; see 10.35-37), "he shall be last of all and servant of all." The disciples' concept of greatness and leadership, drawn from their culture, needed to be completely reversed. Not those who lord their position over others are great in God's kingdom, but those who humbly serve others (see 10.31, 43-45; Matt. 19.30-20.16; 23.11, 12; Luke 13.30; 14.8-11; 18.14; 22.24-27). Then Jesus took "a little child"-the Greek word indicates an infant or toddler. If the house they were in was Peter's, this may have been one of his children. The child became in Jesus' masterful teaching an example of believers who have humbled themselves and become like trusting children Mark 9:33 NKJV 33 Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?” Matthew 5:3 NKJV 3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Mark 8:30-33 NKJV 30 Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him. Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection 31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Mark 10:35-37 NKJV 35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.” 36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” 37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” Mark 10:31 NKJV 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Mark 10:43-45 NKJV 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.  44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.  45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:1-16 NKJV 1 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard.  2 Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.  3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,  4 and said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.  6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle, and said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’  7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right you will receive.’ 8 “So when evening had come, the owner of the vineyard said to his steward, ‘Call the laborers and give them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.’  9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius.  10 But when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received each a denarius.  11 And when they had received it, they complained against the landowner,  12 saying, ‘These last men have worked only one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the heat of the day.’  13But he answered one of them and said, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Matthew 23:11 NKJV 11 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.

Hope - A Holy Promise / Day 27 by Oswald Chambers

Oswald Chambers: Hope - A Holy Promise

Day 27 of 30 There is no reasonable hope for countless lives, and it is shallow nonsense to tell them to “cheer up.” Life to them is a hell of darkness of the most appalling order. The one who preaches at such a time is an impertinence, but the one who says “I don’t know why you are going through this, it is black and desperate, but I will wait with you,” is an unspeakable benediction and sustaining. Job has no one to do this for him, his one-time friends simply add to his bitterness. The decrees of despair lie underneath everything a man does when once he rules out his relationship to God and takes rationalism as the basis of life. Solomon sums up the whole matter—unless a man is rightly related in confidence to God, everything he tries to do will end in despair. Reflection Questions: Are my conversations more likely to inspire hope or hopelessness? In what ways can I offer hope to someone in despair? Quotations taken from Baffled to Fight Better and Still Higher for His Highest, © Discovery House Publishers Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 NKJV 13 Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? 14 In the day of prosperity be joyful,

NIV 365 / Where is Jesus Now?

The NIV 365-Day Devotional Reading Plan

Day 305 of 365 Where Is Jesus Now? Acts 7:55 records that the dying martyr Stephen had a vision of Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Ironically, Saul/Paul was present and rejected Stephen's words, giving approval for Stephen's death (see Acts 8:1). Later, however, Paul accepted Stephen's words and, in a letter to Timothy, declared that Jesus "was taken up in glory" (1 Timothy 3:16). Old Testament prophecies also indicated that the Messiah would reign in heaven. The promised Son of God would ascend into heaven (see Psalm 68:18) and reign over all his enemies (see Psalm 110:1). Strong evidence can be found in Jesus' own words. In Mark 14:62 Jesus stated that the "Son of Man," a term he often used to refer to himself (see, for example, Mark 2:10,28), would sit at the right hand of God. In Matthew 19:28 he told his disciples, "At the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Jesus also told his disciples he was going to his "Father's house" - heaven - to prepare a place for them (see John 14:1 - 4). Further, the disciples themselves witnessed the resurrected Jesus ascend to heaven, reinforcing all that Jesus had told them (see Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9 - 11). The Bible consistently teaches that Jesus is now in heaven, seated at God's right hand (see, for example, Romans 8:34; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; 1 Peter 3:21 - 22). That right-hand position symbolizes his equality with God, which includes divine authority, glory and power. Taken from The Case for Christ Study Bible 1 Timothy 3:16 1 Timothy 3:16 KJV 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Knockout by David Jeremiah

Monday, October 31

Knockout 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 

Recommended Reading Philippians 1:3-11

A single blow; the boxer crumples to the ground. The rules dictate that no one can help him get up. He is alone in his struggle—the silence of the crowd is palpable—the referee slowly counts to ten. Although we may not be knocked out in a boxing ring, unexpected situations can give our hearts and souls a beating: work stress, relocation, conflict, loss of a loved one, or unfulfilled and shattered dreams.

Professional athletes know the importance of having a coach or team who help equip them for success. Many of us treat the verse above like a cliché instead of a timely reminder. This is more than simply making a list of people we like. Who are the people who encourage our faith? It’s never too late to ask God for friends and to intentionally become a better friend.

We should recognize rather that such fellowship is a spiritual necessity; for God has made us in such a way that our fellowship with Himself is fed by our fellowship with fellow Christians.
J. I. Packer

It Never Runs Out / Our Daily Bread

It Never Runs Out October 31, 2016

Read: 1 Peter 1:3-9 Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 22-23; Titus 1 He has given us new birth into . . . an inheritance that can never perish.—1 Peter 1:3–4 When I asked a friend who is about to retire what she feared about her next stage of life, she said, “I want to make sure I don’t run out of money.” The next day as I was talking to my financial counselor he gave me advice on how I might avoid running out of money. Indeed, we all want the security of knowing we’ll have the resources we need for the rest of our lives. No financial plan can provide an absolute guarantee of earthly security. But there is a plan that extends far beyond this life and indefinitely into the future. The apostle Peter describes it like this: “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” (1 Peter 1:3-4). When we place our faith in Jesus to forgive our sins we receive an eternal inheritance through God’s power. Because of this inheritance, we’ll live forever and never run short of what we need. Planning for retirement is a good idea if we’re able to do so. But more important is having an eternal inheritance that never runs out—and that is available only through faith in Jesus Christ. —Dave Branon Dear God, I want that assurance of an eternal inheritance—the certainty of everlasting life with You. I put my faith in Jesus to forgive my sins and make me His child. Thank You for saving me and reserving a place for me in Your eternal kingdom. The promise of heaven is our eternal hope. INSIGHT: Revelation 21:15-21 describes heaven by referring to twelve sparkling, colorful gems and “gold as pure as transparent glass” (v. 21). Those who belong to Christ are heirs of heaven—it is called our “inheritance” (1 Peter 1:4). And we “are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (v. 5). Peter says that this reality fills the believer with “inexpressible and glorious joy” (v. 8). The Bible assures us that even though we “may have . . . to suffer grief in all kinds of trials,” we can be assured that even the worst imaginable pain or problem is only “for a little while” (v. 6). Jim Townsend

October 31 / One Minute Devotionals

October 30 / Evening... by Charles Spurgeon

October 30

 

Evening...

 

Song of Solomon 8:13

Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to Thy voice: cause me to hear it.

 

 

 

My sweet Lord Jesus remembers well the garden of Gethsemane, and although He has left that garden, He now dwells in the garden of His church: there He unbosoms Himself to those who keep His blessed company. That voice of love with which He speaks to His beloved is more musical than the harps of heaven. There is a depth of melodious love within it which leaves all human music far behind. Ten of thousands on earth, and millions above, are indulged with its harmonious accents. Some whom I well know, and whom I greatly envy, are at this moment hearkening to the beloved voice. O that I were a partaker of their joys! It is true some of these are poor, others bedridden, and some near the gates of death, but O my Lord, I would cheerfully starve with them, pine with them, or die with them, if I might but hear Thy voice. Once I did hear it often, but I have grieved Thy Spirit. Return unto me in compassion, and once again say unto me, "I am thy salvation." No other voice can content me; I know Thy voice, and cannot be deceived by another, let me hear it, I pray thee. I know not what Thou wilt say, neither do I make any condition, O my Beloved, do but let me hear Thee speak, and if it be a rebuke I will bless Thee for it. Perhaps to cleanse my dull ear may need an operation very grievous to the flesh, but let it cost what it may I turn not from the one consuming desire, cause me to hear Thy voice. Bore my ear afresh; pierce my ear with Thy harshest notes, only do not permit me to continue deaf to Thy calls. To-night, Lord, grant Thine unworthy one his desire, for I am Thine, and Thou hast bought me with Thy blood. Thou hast opened mine eye to see Thee, and the sight has saved me. Lord, open Thou mine ear. I have read Thy heart, now let me hear Thy lips.

my unbelief...

Faith by Oswald Chambers

Faith

October 30, 2016

Without faith it is impossible to please Him… —Hebrews 11:6

Faith in active opposition to common sense is mistaken enthusiasm and narrow-mindedness, and common sense in opposition to faith demonstrates a mistaken reliance on reason as the basis for truth. The life of faith brings the two of these into the proper relationship. Common sense and faith are as different from each other as the natural life is from the spiritual, and as impulsiveness is from inspiration. Nothing that Jesus Christ ever said is common sense, but is revelation sense, and is complete, whereas common sense falls short. Yet faith must be tested and tried before it becomes real in your life. “We know that all things work together for good…” (Romans 8:28) so that no matter what happens, the transforming power of God’s providence transforms perfect faith into reality. Faith always works in a personal way, because the purpose of God is to see that perfect faith is made real in His children.

For every detail of common sense in life, there is a truth God has revealed by which we can prove in our practical experience what we believe God to be. Faith is a tremendously active principle that always puts Jesus Christ first. The life of faith says, “Lord, You have said it, it appears to be irrational, but I’m going to step out boldly, trusting in Your Word” (for example, see Matthew 6:33). Turning intellectual faith into our personal possession is always a fight, not just sometimes. God brings us into particular circumstances to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make the object of our faith very real to us. Until we know Jesus, God is merely a concept, and we can’t have faith in Him. But once we hear Jesus say, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9) we immediately have something that is real, and our faith is limitless. Faith is the entire person in the right relationship with God through the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

WISDOM FROM OSWALD CHAMBERS

Defenders of the faith are inclined to be bitter until they learn to walk in the light of the Lord. When you have learned to walk in the light of the Lord, bitterness and contention are impossible.
Biblical Psychology

How God Works by Charles Stanley

Genesis 45:3-8

God has been at work since verse one of the Bible, and He is still orchestrating events involving nations, families, and individuals. While He uniquely tailors His plan for individual lives, our Father wants all people to come to saving faith. And He works to conform every Christian to His Son’s image.

Transforming believers into reflections of Jesus is a long process of small changes, which means God’s work may at times seem slow to us. The Lord assured Abraham he’d be the father of nations, but he had to wait decades for the promised son (Gen. 15:1-5). Even though God was at work the entire time, Abraham must have wondered if the pledge had been forgotten. God’s patient timing lets Him coordinate every detail perfectly.

Believers like to share stories about the Lord’s dramatic intervention in their lives. Knowing that He provides, rescues, or heals is exciting and reassuring. But He also works in ways that may seem inconsequential. For example, upon arriving in Egypt, Joseph was just a menial servant in Potiphar’s household—yet this was his first step toward becoming the country’s second-in-command (Gen. 39:1-4; Gen. 41:41). God has a purpose for everything that comes into our life—including friendships, jobs, situations, and conversations. Nothing is trivial.

If you want to experience God in action, you don’t have to wait for Him to do something big in your life. Be attentive, because every day is an opportunity to see Him at work. Get into His Word so you can understand how He has acted in the lives of others. Then watch for His involvement in your own. 

What was the purpose of John's baptism? by John MacArthur

Faith and Theology: Dr. John MacArthur Q&A

Day 9 of 21 What was the purpose of John's baptism? The Gospels all introduce John the Baptist's ministry by quoting Isaiah 40.3 (see Matt. 3.3; Luke 3.4; John 1.23). John was called "My messenger" (Mark 1.2), the divinely promised messenger, sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. In ancient times, a king's envoys would travel ahead of him, making sure the roads were safe and fit for him to travel on, as well as announcing his arrival. As the last Old Testament prophet and the divinely ordained forerunner of the Messiah, John was the culmination of Old Testament history and prophecy (Luke 16.16) as well as the beginning of the historical record of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Not surprisingly, Jesus designated John as the greatest man who had lived until his time (Matt. 11.11). John's baptism, being the distinctive mark of his ministry (Mark 1.4), differed from the ritual Jewish washings in that it was a one-time act. The Jews performed a similar one-time washing of Gentile proselytes, symbolizing their embracing of the true faith. That Jews would participate in such a rite was a startling admission that they needed to come to God through repentance and faith just like Gentiles. Luke 3:4 NKJV 4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord ; Make His paths straight. Isaiah 40:3 NKJV 3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord ; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God. Matthew 3:3 NKJV 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord ; Make His paths straight.’ ” John 1:23 NKJV 23 He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the Lord ,” ’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” Mark 1:2 NKJV 2 As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.” Luke 16:16 NKJV 16 “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. Matthew 11:11 NKJV 11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Mark 1:4 NKJV 4 John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

Hope for the Future by Billy Graham

Day By Day With Billy Graham

Day 305 of 366 Hope For the Future If you are moving to a new home, you want to know all about the community to which you are going. And since we will spend eternity some place, we ought to know something about it. The information concerning heaven is found in the Bible. When we talk about heaven, earth grows shabby by comparison. Our sorrows and problems here seem so much less, when we have keen anticipation of the future. In a certain sense the Christian has heaven here on earth. He has peace of soul, peace of conscience, and peace with God. In the midst of troubles and difficulties he can smile. He has a spring in his step, a joy in his soul, a smile on his face. But the Bible also promises the Christian a heaven in the life hereafter. Daily Prayer Father, as I face whatever trials come my way, I will take heart in the glorious promise of heaven-knowing I shall be with You! Philippians 3:20 Philippians 3:20 KJV 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Hope - A Holy Promise / Day 26 by Oswald Chambers

Oswald Chambers: Hope - A Holy Promise

Day 26 of 30 The disciples had given up everything for Jesus; they had followed Him for three years; Peter and the other disciples think this is the time when He will introduce His kingdom; instead, the whole thing ends in humiliating insignificance. Peter never dreamed he was going to see Jesus Christ give himself up meekly to the power of the world, and he was broken-hearted and “followed Him afar off.” To call Peter a coward for following Jesus afar off is an indication of how we talk without thinking. Peter and all the disciples were broken-hearted, everything they had hoped for with regard to Jesus Christ had failed, and now their worst fears were realized. Many a Christian since Peter has suffered complete heartbreak, not because he fears anything personally, but because it looks as if His Lord is being worsted. Reflection Questions: What circumstances cause me to think that God is losing the battle against evil? What does Christ’s death and resurrection tell me about God’s power over evil? What fear do I have that isn’t overcome by the hope of resurrection? Quotations taken from He Shall Glorify Me, © Discovery House Publishers John 18:12 NKJV 12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. John 18:15-16 NKJV 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. 16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.