Quiet Time...
"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart;
And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
Psalm 34:18 KJV
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Thursday, August 31, 2023
“My Joy…Your Joy” / Oswald Chambers
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Seeing Obstacles through God's Eyes / Charles Stanley
Seeing Obstacles through God's Eyes
Jericho was the first city that the Israelites needed to conquer in their quest for the land of Canaan. When Joshua sent a pair of spies to check it out, he probably didn't realize that he would receive a glimpse of God's impressive behind-the-scenes activity.
God wants us to look at every obstacle through the lens of His unlimited strength and resources. Anything that appears to block His plans is an opportunity for Him to demonstrate His sovereign power. Just because we don't see anything happening, that doesn't mean He's inactive.
Always remember that God is at work on the other side of our obstacles, arranging the details and bringing His plans to fruition. When the spies returned to Joshua, they reported that the people of Jericho were scared to death. Having heard about the Jews' deliverance from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, they were gripped by fear of the Lord.
The stage was set for the conquest, yet by that point, Joshua had done nothing. Sometimes we think we need to be involved in the solution to our problem, but God is not limited with regard to whom or what He can use to accomplish His will. In this case, He worked in the hearts of the enemy by instilling demoralizing fear.
For Christians, great obstacles need not be reasons for discouragement. Although much of the Lord's activity is silent and invisible, we can be sure He is dynamically working out His will for our lives. When the pieces of His plan are in place, He will move us on to victory.
Can Religion Fill Your Heart? / Adrian Rogers
Can Religion Fill Your Heart?
John 4:13-14
Sermon: 1882 Stop Enduring Religion
Pray Over This
“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.’”
John 4:13-14
Ponder This
Most people in America don’t need religion. We’ve got enough religion. What we need is a personal, vital relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and true salvation with joy. Will you draw water from the well of salvation? What a wonderful lesson there is for us here today.
Is that your experience? Is there in you a river bubbling up? Is there in you a satisfaction because you have drunk deeply of Jesus? But more than satisfaction, are you being a blessing? Is your life overflowing with blessing? It’s amazing to me how many people today are trying to find the answer. Some people think the answer is intellectual. They think if they can just learn more facts, if they can just learn more theology, if they can just learn more history, if they can just learn more of this or that, then they will be satisfied. So, they go from class to class and church to church with their heads getting fuller and their hearts getting emptier.
The Pharisees thought the answer to life was the way they lived, primarily noted by what they did or didn’t do. Does that sound familiar? I don’t do this. I don’t do that. They had religion, but they didn’t have reality. It’s time to stop enduring religion and start enjoying salvation. It is time that you come to understand what the great heart of Jesus longed for.
- How would you describe the difference between religion and having a relationship with God?
- What are some ways you have tried to find satisfaction with life?
Practice This
Consider where you may be deferring more to religion than investing in a personal relationship with Jesus. Pray and repent about these things.
Unknown Route / ODB
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500 Circles / David Jeremiah
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Inescapable Light / Greg Laurie
Inescapable Light
“No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.” (Matthew 5:15 NLT)
When you are living for Jesus Christ, your very presence sometimes will bother others because His light is shining out of you.
You may even try to hide it. But it shouldn’t be that way. Just let His light shine for people to see.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house” (Matthew 5:14-15 NLT).
We’ve all heard the well-worn excuses and the so-called reasons as to why people don’t come to Christ. But here’s the reason that most people don’t come to Him. This, by the way, is according to Jesus Himself: “God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil” (John 3:19 NLT).
The reason people don’t believe is they don’t want their sin exposed. They don’t want to acknowledge their shortcomings. And the more godly a Christian is, the more obviously this will take place just by that believer’s great example.
Jesus went on to say, “All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants” (verses 20–21 NLT).
Few things are harder to put up with than a good example. And when you live it, it really gets people’s attention.
Light not only exposes what the darkness hides, but light also shows the way out. And in the same way, the light that shines from us not only shows people their shortcomings and their sins, but it also shows them the way out. It shows them the way to Jesus Christ.
The Spirit of Truth / Ann Graham Lotz
The Spirit of Truth
When he the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.
John 16:13, niv
The Holy Spirit is so identified with the Bible, one of His names is Truth! In fact, Peter reveals that the Holy Spirit is the inspirational Author of the Old Testament Scriptures. (2 Pet. 1:20–21) And Paul wrote to Timothy, encouraging him to stay in the Scriptures because, “all Scripture is God-breathed,” referring once again to the Spirit-inspired Word of God (2 Tim. 3:16, niv).
Have you been trying to work up some kind of emotional feeling? If you lack “it,” have you felt you didn’t have the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, which means He always works according to and through the Word of God whether youfeel Him or not. Have you been seeking some ecstatic experience, thinking that would be the Holy Spirit? Remember that He never acts independently; He always works throughthe Truth—the living Word of God, Who is Jesus, and the written Word of God, which is your Bible. He is never spooky or silly or superficial or self-promoting. He is the Spirit of Truth.
Set Down Some Stuff / Max Lucado
Set Down Some Stuff
Click below to listen to today's devotional
God has a great race for you to run. Under his care you’ll go where you’ve never been and serve in ways you’ve never dreamed. But you have to drop some stuff. How can you share grace if you’re full of guilt? How can you offer comfort if you’re disheartened? How can you lift someone else’s load if your arms are full with your own? For the sake of those you love, travel light. For the sake of the God you serve, travel light. For the sake of your own joy, travel light.
There are weights in life you simply cannot carry. Set them down and trust him. I can’t overstate God’s promise in 1 Peter 5:7: “Unload all your worries onto him, since he is looking after you.” What do you say we take God up on his offer? We might find ourselves traveling a little lighter.
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Verse of the Day / August 30
Quiet Time...
"This is my commandment, That ye love one another,
as I have loved you."
John 15:12 KJV
*****
Usefulness or Relationship? / Oswald Chambers
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Reasons to Surrender / Charles Stanley
Reasons to Surrender
As we learned yesterday, God tells us to surrender our lives to Him. This is no small task. All our plans, every desire we feel, each entitlement that once seemed our right—everything is put aside in order to make way for our King’s will. But perhaps you have wondered why God can ask this of us.
The Lord has every right to demand that we give Him our all. First, Scripture teaches us that He is sovereign—the King and Ruler over the entire universe. As a result, we are under His authority, whether we choose to submit or not. Next, through His death and resurrection, Jesus saved us from our sin and its consequences. Therefore, we are indebted to Him more than we could ever repay. And finally, He sustains us; we should consider each breath and heartbeat a gift from Him.
Undoubtedly, God is entitled to ask that we yield our life to Him. At the same time, surrender is in our best interest. The Father promises that following Him leads to hope and an established future. Psalm 31:19 states, “How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You . . .” So, while He is the Almighty One with all authority to demand our life, He promises to care for us and to do what will benefit us most.
Are you willing to put yourself aside in order to follow Jesus? His way is best, and it offers hope, joy, and peace. We will not always like everything He chooses at the moment, but He promises to work all things for good. Will you trust God enough to hand the reins over to Him?
Are You Blind to the Suffering Around You? / Adrian Rogers
Are You Blind to the Suffering Around You?
Luke 10:34-37
Sermon: 2004 How to Be a Good Friend
Pray Over This
“‘So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’ And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”
Luke 10:34-37
Ponder This
The English word compassion comes from two words, com, meaning with, and passion, which means to feel deeply. A person who has compassion sees people through the eyes of Christ. Compassion means with suffering, with feeling. The problem with so many of us is we just don’t see. We just don’t look! We’re so busy. We pay no attention. The suffering are all around us. Thank God that Jesus, the Good Samaritan, saw him.
A long time ago, back when they allowed smoking in airports, I was waiting for a flight. I needed to study so I spread out all my papers. After a while I felt the effect of people smoking around me, so I went to another gate to get a smoke-free space. After I got settled in a man followed me, took out a pack of cigarettes, and lit up. The old Adrian wanted to rise up, but Jesus said, “Down, boy.” As I was considering moving somewhere else, he said, “Don’t move, don’t move. I’ll put it out. Aren’t you Adrian Rogers? I need to talk to somebody. I need help. I’m hurting.” And I thought to myself, “Adrian, how blind you could’ve been that day. How obnoxious you could’ve been if you would have let your old nature take over.” I’m glad God overruled the old Adrian for a moment and let the new man come through because the suffering are all around us; they’re hurting, and they need help.
- Who do you know that is hurting and needs help?
- Have you ever felt God’s nudging toward compassion for someone else? What was that like?
Practice This
Think about a time someone had compassion for you. Thank that person for being an example of Christ to you.
Freedom on the Path / ODB
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What If…? / David Jeremiah
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Decaf Disciples / Greg Laurie
Decaf Disciples
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24 NLT)
Do you know certain Christians who, after you spend time around them, make you want to be more godly? There’s something about their lifestyle that causes you to say, “I want to be more like that. I want to walk with God like that, worship like that, and share my faith like that.”
Those Christians are doing their jobs because they’re stimulating a thirst for Christ in others.
The greatest compliment a nonbeliever can pay to a believer is when they say, “Why are you the way that you are? I want what you have.”
However, we cannot be an influence for purity in the world if we are compromised in our purity.
Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless” (Matthew 5:13 NLT).
These are some heavy-duty words from Jesus about unsalty Christians. Essentially, He’s saying that if we’re not making a difference, then what good are we?
We can’t sting the world’s conscience if we go against our own. We cannot stimulate spiritual thirst in others if we have lost our own. And God cannot use us to stop the corruption of sin in others if sin has corrupted us.
According to Jesus, if we are unsalty salt, we are good for nothing.
A Christian should have flavor—zest, zing, edge. Christians aren’t supposed to be bland. They aren’t supposed to go along with everything. They are to be salt, stopping the spread of evil and stimulating thirst for Christ in others. They are there to make a difference.
Otherwise, they are like tepid coffee, uncarbonated cola, or a nonfat, decaf latte. In short, they’re not living the life that God called them to live.
It’s Time to Simply Trust / Ann Graham Lotz
It’s Time to Simply Trust
“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”
John 11:40, niv
Having commanded the stone to be rolled away from the place where Lazarus was buried, Jesus challenged Martha not only to obedience but to expectant faith: “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (11:40). In essence, He was saying, “It’s time to place all of your small, mustard seed–sized faith in Me and My promise to you.”
Martha had said she had faith. She intellectually believed what Jesus had said. But Martha needed to make the transition from faith to trust. Because while belief is the consent of the mind and faith is a choice of the will, trust is a commitment of the heart.
The time had come for Martha to put her faith into action by surrendering all of her hopeful expectations and heartfelt longings and practical common sense and simply trust Him. And the time has come for you to simply trust Him. Trust HIM!
Lighten Your Load / Max Lucado
Lighten Your Load
Click below to listen to today's devotional
I’ve never been one to travel light. I’ve tried. Believe me, I’ve tried. I’m prepared – prepared for a baby dedication or a costume party. Prepared to parachute behind enemy lines. And, if perchance, the Dalai Lama might be on my flight and invite me to dine in Tibet, I carry snowshoes. I need to learn to travel light!
Haven’t you been known to pick up a few bags? The suitcase of guilt. A sack of discontent. An overnight bag of loneliness and a trunk of fear. A hanging bag of grief. No wonder you’re so tired at the end of the day. Lugging luggage is exhausting.
God’s saying to you, “Set that stuff down. You’re carrying burdens you don’t need to bear.” “Come to me,” he invites, “all of you who’re weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). If we let him, God will lighten our loads!
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