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Friday, July 31, 2020
Pressing on Toward Heaven by David Jeremiah
Thursday, July 30, 2020
The Teaching of Disillusionment by Oswald Chambers
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A Pattern for Servanthood by Charles Stanley
Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant” (Matt. 20:26). In Bible times, the lowest servant of the house washed dusty feet. So the disciples must have been surprised when Jesus performed this humble task for them. He explained His shocking behavior by saying, “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
Based on those words, many churches have turned foot washing into an ordinance; they believe that this act shows Christlikeness and demonstrates willingness to serve. Perhaps that’s true for some believers, but many perform the ceremony by rote. Jesus’ message to the disciples and to modern believers is not literally to wash dirty feet, but rather to serve one another with humility and love.
True servanthood is not a popular topic because many people regard it as beneath them. But God wants us to see ourselves as living sacrifices. To serve the Lord well, we must be willing do whatever He asks for whomever He asks. Our Christlikeness is evident when we love God and others so much that we willingly humble ourselves for their sake.
Jesus performed one of the lowliest tasks of His day to demonstrate His servanthood. What are you willing to do for Him?
Touch the Needy by Estera Pirosca Escobar
Touch the Needy
It wasn’t surprising when Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize. True to form, she received the award “in the name of the hungry, of the naked, of the homeless, of the blind, of the lepers, of all those who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society.” Those were the people she ministered to for most of her life.
Jesus modeled how to care for and love the marginalized, regardless of circumstances. Unlike the synagogue leaders who respected the Sabbath law more than the sick (Luke 13:14), when Jesus saw an ill woman at the temple, He was moved with compassion. He looked beyond the physical impairment and saw God’s beautiful creation in bondage. He called her to Him and said she was healed. Then He “put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God” (v. 13). By touching her, He upset the leader of the synagogue because it was the Sabbath. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5), compassionately chose to heal the woman—a person who had faced discomfort and humiliation for nearly two decades.
I wonder how often we see someone as underserving of our compassion. Or maybe we’ve experienced rejection because we didn’t meet somebody else’s standard. May we not be like the religious elite who cared more about rules than fellow humans. Instead, let’s follow Jesus’ example and treat others with compassion, love, and dignity.
Jesus modeled how to care for and love the marginalized, regardless of circumstances. Unlike the synagogue leaders who respected the Sabbath law more than the sick (Luke 13:14), when Jesus saw an ill woman at the temple, He was moved with compassion. He looked beyond the physical impairment and saw God’s beautiful creation in bondage. He called her to Him and said she was healed. Then He “put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God” (v. 13). By touching her, He upset the leader of the synagogue because it was the Sabbath. Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath (Luke 6:5), compassionately chose to heal the woman—a person who had faced discomfort and humiliation for nearly two decades.
I wonder how often we see someone as underserving of our compassion. Or maybe we’ve experienced rejection because we didn’t meet somebody else’s standard. May we not be like the religious elite who cared more about rules than fellow humans. Instead, let’s follow Jesus’ example and treat others with compassion, love, and dignity.
How have you experienced God’s healing and touch? Who can you show compassion to this week?
Jesus, thank You for Your infinite love and incredible compassion for all humans, including those marred by disease and difficulties.
July 30 / C.S. Lewis
Of a book’s meaning…its author is not necessarily the best, and is never a perfect, judge. One of his intentions usually was that it should have a certain meaning: he cannot be sure that it has. He cannot even be sure that the meaning he intended it to have was in every way, or even at all, better than the meaning which readers find in it.
Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories. Copyright © 1966 by C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. Copyright renewed © 1994 by C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved. Used with permission of HarperCollins Publishers.
WHERE TO FIND IT / Draw Near Bible App
WHERE TO FIND IT
Probably every Bible reader has had the frustrating experience of remembering a phrase from Scripture without recalling where it is found. This can haunt us and only a good concordance can help. Often we do not appreciate how fortunate we are in having so many Bible aids. For example, consider what a terrible time you would have if the Bible were not divided into chapters and verses. Readers did have that problem for fifteen hundred years; when God moved men to write the Scripture, they did not put it down in chapters and verses.
Not until the thirteenth century A. D. did two men, Spanish Cardinal Hugo and British Archbishop Langton, divide the Old Testament into chapters. Some years earlier, Masorete monks had broken the Old Testament text into verses. The division of the New Testament into chapters and verses occurred two hundred years later when Robert Stephens introduced them into his Greek and Latin translations. The whole Bible first appeared in 1557. What a blessing this time-consuming work has been to all who love to read and memorize the Bible.
The psalmist notes a benefit of the Bible we often overlook. Most of us think only in terms of immediate value when reading God's Word. However, the psalmist says His Word can be stored in our hearts to help us during times of temptation and trial. During these hours, God's Holy Spirit brings Scripture verses to our memory just as He did for Jesus in His hour of great temptation. And in our modern day, it is easier for us to find and remember the references because faithful men who loved God and His Word took time to divide it into chapters and verses.
Probably every Bible reader has had the frustrating experience of remembering a phrase from Scripture without recalling where it is found. This can haunt us and only a good concordance can help. Often we do not appreciate how fortunate we are in having so many Bible aids. For example, consider what a terrible time you would have if the Bible were not divided into chapters and verses. Readers did have that problem for fifteen hundred years; when God moved men to write the Scripture, they did not put it down in chapters and verses.
Not until the thirteenth century A. D. did two men, Spanish Cardinal Hugo and British Archbishop Langton, divide the Old Testament into chapters. Some years earlier, Masorete monks had broken the Old Testament text into verses. The division of the New Testament into chapters and verses occurred two hundred years later when Robert Stephens introduced them into his Greek and Latin translations. The whole Bible first appeared in 1557. What a blessing this time-consuming work has been to all who love to read and memorize the Bible.
The psalmist notes a benefit of the Bible we often overlook. Most of us think only in terms of immediate value when reading God's Word. However, the psalmist says His Word can be stored in our hearts to help us during times of temptation and trial. During these hours, God's Holy Spirit brings Scripture verses to our memory just as He did for Jesus in His hour of great temptation. And in our modern day, it is easier for us to find and remember the references because faithful men who loved God and His Word took time to divide it into chapters and verses.
“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Psalms 119:11 NLT
A Covenant With Eyes by Billy Graham
A Covenant With Eyes
Someone has said, “You cannot help the first look, but the second is sin.” Jesus indicated that you can engage in immorality by a look. The Bible places the “lust of the eye” right along with other major sins. Listen: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” Peter spoke of having “eyes full of adultery.” No wonder Job said, “I have made a covenant with my eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” Your eyes see only what your soul allows them to see.
Daily Prayer
May my eyes be on You, Lord Jesus, for I need Your purity and love to fill my heart and mind.
“Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.”
1 Timothy 5:22 NLT
Radical Measures by Greg Laurie
Radical Measures
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life” (Proverbs 4:23nlt).
The film 127 Hours tells the true story of Aron Ralston, who was rock climbing alone in Utah when a boulder shifted and pinned his arm. He tried everything he could to get out from under the boulder, but nothing was working.
Two days passed, and he was hungry, thirsty, and cold. He realized that no one was coming to rescue him. He also knew there was only one way he could get out of there. He would need to take the worst step imaginable if he wanted to live. He needed to cut off his own arm.
So he did. He used a pocketknife, and it took a long time. Then he rappelled 65 feet to the canyon floor and walked out. I guess he figured it would be better to be alive with only one arm than to be dead with two. So, he took radical action.
In Matthew 5 Jesus said, “So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your hand—even your stronger hand—causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell” (verses 29–30 nlt).
Now, Jesus wasn’t speaking literally here, because even if you cut off your right hand, for instance, you could still sin with your left hand.
The heart of the problem is the problem of the heart. It all comes down to the heart. That’s why you must decisively and quickly deal with whatever causes you to fall into sin.
So, do what needs to be done.
You Are Known by the Master You Follow by Adrian Rogers
You Are Known by the Master You Follow
He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. John 12:25-26
You know, sometimes it’s hard to look at a person and know whether they’re saved or not saved. One way to illustrate it is, if a group of people is standing around and there’s a dog in the midst, it’s hard to tell which man that dog belongs to. Let’s say two men are having a conversation, and the dog is sitting on the floor. When the two men part, you’re going to find out who the dog belongs to, because the dog will follow his master, right?
I made up my mind long ago that if a dog can follow his master, I’m going to follow mine. You’ll be known by which master you follow.
In high school, some kids will go this way and Jesus will go a different way, and you’ll go His way because Jesus is your Master.
In business, some men are going to go this way and Jesus is going to go that way. Mr. Christian Businessman, you’ll go that way because Jesus is your Master. You will be known by the Master you follow.
Make it your purpose to do what Jesus said so long ago: “Follow me.”
July 30 / Streams in the Desert
A cup of cold water only (Matthew 10:42).
What am I to do? I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good work, therefore, any kindness, or any service I can render to any soul of man or animal let me do it now. Let me not neglect or defer it, for I shall not pass this way again.
--An Old Quaker Saying
--An Old Quaker Saying
It isn't the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache
At the setting of the sun;
The tender word unspoken,
The letter you did not write,
The flower you might have sent, dear,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.
The stone you might have lifted
Out of your brother's way,
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried too much to say;
The loving touch of the hand, dear,
The gentle and winsome tone,
That you had no time or thought for,
With troubles enough of your own.
These little acts of kindness,
So easily out of mind,
These chances to be angels,
Which even mortals find
They come in night and silence,
Each chill reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
And a blight has dropped on faith.
For life is all too short, dear.
And sorrow is all too great,
To suffer our slow compassion
That tarries until too late.
And it's not the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache,
At the setting of the sun.--Adelaide Proctor
It's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache
At the setting of the sun;
The tender word unspoken,
The letter you did not write,
The flower you might have sent, dear,
Are your haunting ghosts at night.
The stone you might have lifted
Out of your brother's way,
The bit of heartsome counsel
You were hurried too much to say;
The loving touch of the hand, dear,
The gentle and winsome tone,
That you had no time or thought for,
With troubles enough of your own.
These little acts of kindness,
So easily out of mind,
These chances to be angels,
Which even mortals find
They come in night and silence,
Each chill reproachful wraith,
When hope is faint and flagging,
And a blight has dropped on faith.
For life is all too short, dear.
And sorrow is all too great,
To suffer our slow compassion
That tarries until too late.
And it's not the thing you do, dear,
It's the thing you leave undone,
Which gives you the bitter heartache,
At the setting of the sun.--Adelaide Proctor
Give what you have; to someone it may be better than you dare to think.
--Longfellow
--Longfellow
A Permanent Promise by Alistair Begg
A Permanent Promise
Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.John 6:37
There is no expiration date on this promise. It does not merely say, "I will not cast out a sinner at his first coming," but "I will never cast him out." The original reads, "I will not, not cast out," or "I will never, never cast out." The text means that Christ will not at first reject a believer, and that as He will not do it at first, so He will not to the last.
But suppose the believer sins after coming? "If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."1 But suppose that believers backslide? "I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them."2 But believers may fall under temptation! "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."3 But the believer may fall into sin as David did! Yes, but He will "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."4
Once in Christ, in Christ forever,
Nothing from His love can sever.
Nothing from His love can sever.
Jesus said, "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand."5 What do you say to this, O trembling, feeble mind? This is a precious mercy. Coming to Christ, you do not come to One who will treat you well for a little while and then send you about your business, but He will receive you and make you His bride, and you shall be His forever! Live no longer in the spirit of bondage to fear, but in the spirit of adoption, which cries, "Abba, Father!" Oh, the grace of these words: "I will never cast out."
How Jesus became “real” / Senior Living
How Jesus became “real”
But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. - Hebrews 2:9
A young boy who grew up in England during the dark years of World War II had a picture of his father on the kitchen table. His dad had gone off to fight in the war when the boy was very young. And years later, the boy couldn’t even remember him in the flesh. All he knew was the picture.
One morning over breakfast, the boy’s mother caught him staring at the photo of his father. She asked him what he was thinking about, and he said, “I wish daddy could step out of that picture and be real.”
When Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago, God Himself stepped off the pages of Scripture and became “real” to the world. What had only been written about and experienced by the prophets of old was now a reality for all people – the Messiah had come in the flesh!
We don’t serve a God who exists only in the mystery of the heavenlies. Our God stepped out of the shadows, came to earth, lived, and died so that we could know Him. So as you reflect on Jesus this Christmas, give thanks that He’s not some far-off God who couldn’t relate to us. He’s a real Savior who loved you enough to become real!
Prayer Challenge:
Praise God that Jesus is real – not some far-off deity, but God Himself in the flesh!
Questions for Thought:
Christianity is unlike any other religion in that we have a God who came to earth, lived, and died so we could know Him. How does that make our faith different than all the others?
What does Christ’s coming to earth say about God’s love for you?
July 30 / Wisdom from the Psalms
Psalms 95:8
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness.
Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness.
Edgar was being a brat. Whenever Edgar didn't get his way, he was a brat. As if a secret button had been pushed, the minute Edgar heard the word no, he began to whine, kick, scream, stomp, pout, throw things, and cry. After that, he would do nothing that was asked of him. He became stubborn and rebellious. At those times, everyone just backed off and left Edgar alone. Who wants to be too close to a brat?
Sometimes we're brats. We don't get things the way we want them, so we pout and harden our hearts toward God. God is patient with us, but sometimes He has to put some distance between us until we settle down. God doesn't want to deal with our bratiness any more than we want to deal with the bratiness of children. In time, we learn to deal with our disappointments, and like children, we finally learn that pouting gets us nowhere.
Prayer: Lord, help me to grow up, to be a mature Christian, one who has learned to accept disappointment and adversity. Strengthen my heart, and give me patience. Amen.
Now and Then by David Jeremiah
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