Obeying God / Charles Stanley

 Obeying God

Acts 5:27-32

The high priest ordered Peter and the apostles to stop teaching about Jesus, but they ignored the order. When questioned about their actions, Peter replied, “We must obey God rather than men” (v. 29). What motivated them to follow the Lord with such conviction?

God’s Sovereignty. Peter and the other disciples recognized that God had carried out His divine plan of redemption in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Convinced that salvation was found in Christ alone, they had the courage to speak boldly about their faith. They didn’t alter their words, even in front of a powerful authority. Instead, they gave allegiance to God and obeyed Him.

Thankfulness. Their obedience was also motivated by gratitude. After betraying the Lord, Peter had wept over his failure (Mark 14:72). Think of the disciple’s joy to realize that Christ had forgiven him for his mistakes and restored him to a right relationship with God (Mark 16:7; John 21:15-17). With his past behind him, Peter became a leader of the Jerusalem church, with a passion to obey fueled by a thankful heart.

God is in charge of our lives. He has rescued us from the bondage of sin, forgiven us, and brought us into His family. Grateful obedience should be our response too.

Each day we have a choice. We can acknowledge God’s sovereignty and trust Him, or we can turn away and follow our own plan. Cultivating a thankful spirit will motivate us to stay the course and obey the Lord. Like Peter, let’s commit to following our heavenly Father wherever He leads.

Root and Fruit / David Jeremiah

 

Root and Fruit But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 Every gardener knows two things: The fruit depends on the root, and fruit happens naturally—fruit cannot be “willed” to appear. “Root” refers to the kind of plant it is—tomato, squash, bean, or other plant. Plants naturally produce their own kind of fruit, not the fruit of a different plant. And healthy plants naturally produce their fruit; it cannot be forced to appear.

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 5: 8 – 9

In spiritual terms, the New Testament speaks of both root and fruit. In Colossians 2:7, Paul wrote that we are “rooted and built up in [Christ].” In other words, we are in Christ, born again to become different beings than we were before. In plant terms, whatever fruit Christ produced in His life, we should reproduce in our life. Paul also wrote of that fruit, calling it “the fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23). That fruit cannot be willed into existence by us. It is the result of the Spirit living in us. If you want to manifest love, joy, peace, and other attributes of Christ, you must be rooted in Him by faith. From the root comes the supernatural fruit. Make it a priority to demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit to others today. Fruit is evidence of the root. John Blanchard

Is Anyone Truly Satisfied? / Adrian Rogers

  Is Anyone Truly Satisfied? 

Psalm 23:1 

Sermon: 1359 The Secret of Satisfaction Part 1 

Pray Over This 

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” 

Psalm 23:1 

Ponder This 

How many truly satisfied people do you know? People can have all of the things of this world and not be satisfied. John Muir, the great naturalist, was speaking to a Mr. Harriman—a man of great wealth and influence. John Muir said to Mr. Harriman, “I am richer than you are.” Mr. Harriman responded, “Well, how is that?” He said, “Because you don’t have all you want, and I do. So, I am richer than you.” 

Ecclesiastes 5:10 says, “He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver.” But it's not just money that fails to truly satisfy. There’s really nothing that can satisfy us apart from the Lord. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” That's the only way that anyone will ever have satisfaction. It is only when you can say that phrase wholeheartedly that you can also say, “I shall not want.” 

• Is there a time in your life that you were truly satisfied?
• How does living with the Lord as our Shepherd change our struggle with contentment?

Practice This 

Make a list of different things in which you have tried to find satisfaction. Write down the outcome of pursuing those things. Pray and ask God to help you find satisfaction in Him.

Better Together / ODB

 

Better Together All the believers were together and had everything in common. Acts 2:44 READ Acts 2:42–47 Marie, a single working mom, rarely missed church or Bible study. Each week, she rode the bus to and from church with her five children and helped with set up and clean up. One Sunday, the pastor told Marie that some church members had donated gifts for the family. One couple provided the family a house with reduced rent. Another couple offered her a job with benefits at their coffee shop. A young man gave her an old car he’d rebuilt and promised to serve as her personal mechanic. Marie thanked God for the joy of living in a community devoted to serving God and each other. Though we may not all be able to give as generously as Marie’s church family, God’s people are designed to help each other. The gospel writer Luke described believers in Jesus as “devoted” to the “apostles’ teaching and to fellowship” (Acts 2:42). When we combine our resources, we can work together to help those in need like the first believers in Jesus did (vv. 44–45). As we grow closer to God and each other, we can care for one another. Witnessing God’s love demonstrated through His people’s actions can lead others to a saving relationship with Jesus (vv. 46–47). We can serve others with a smile or a kind deed. We can offer a financial gift or a prayer. As God works in and through us, we’re simply better together. By Xochitl Dixon Why is it important to experience a community devoted to serving God and each other? How can you serve someone selflessly and generously this week? Loving Father, please help me see those in need and serve You by serving others. For further study, read Understanding the Bible: The Book of Acts.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT After writing an account of the life and ministry of Jesus (Luke 1:1–4), Luke wrote the book of Acts, an account of the life and ministry of His disciples. Jesus had promised that the Holy Spirit would indwell them and empower them to share the gospel (Acts 1:8). Luke documented the acts of the disciples and early believers in bringing the gospel to those “in Jerusalem” (chs. 1–7), “in all Judea and Samaria” (chs. 8–12), and “to the ends of the earth” (chs. 13–28). He described the first church in Jerusalem as growing and generous. The believers had “fellowship” (2:42) with one another. The Greek word for “fellowship” (koinonia) means “close relationships, participating in and sharing the common among them.” Together they worshiped, learned spiritual truths, depended on God, and cared for one another (vv. 43–44). They especially cared for the needy and poor in their midst, showing extravagant acts of generosity (v. 45). K. T. Sim

We Have an Anchor / Chuck Swindoll

 We Have an Anchor

by Pastor Chuck SwindollScriptures: Hebrews 6:19

The word picture of an anchor is used often in ancient literature, but it's used only once in the New Testament in picturing hope as an anchor for our soul. Lots of hymns and gospel songs make use of this anchor metaphor. Every one of them comes back to Hebrews 6:19: "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul . . . " 

There's something beautiful in this word picture that I would have missed without the insight of one very capable scholar: 

The picture is that of an ancient sailing vessel finding its way through the narrow entrance to a harbor. This was one of the trickiest maneuvers the captain of a ship had to make. As his ship moved through the opening, he had to guard against a gust of wind running it onto a reef or a sandbar. The skeleton of many a ship could be seen on the rocks, giving testimony to the fact that its captain had failed his navigation test. 

To minimize the risk, the olden-day skipper would lower the ship's anchor into a smaller boat, which would then be rowed through the narrow entrance of the harbor. The anchor would then be dropped and this ship, with sails down, would be pulled past the obstacles, through the narrow opening and into the safety of the harbor.1

The point of all of this, of course, is not anchors and skippers, ships and harbors. The point is this: That is exactly what Jesus Christ does when the bottom of life drops out. Look closely at the verse: 

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil. (v. 19)

The imagery of that verse may not be clear at first glance. Let me put it in today's terms. In the days of the Tabernacle, the Hebrews gathered around it and within it as a place of worship. Within the Tabernacle were veils; behind the innermost veil was the holiest place on earth, the place we might call the "God-room." In this God-room, the light (it was actually called the shekinah) of God resided. It's my understanding that the light of God was a brilliant, blazing radiance that shone down into the God-room. Within that room was an ark, or a small chest, much lower and smaller than most pulpits. On top of that chest was a grail, with golden cherubim on either end (angel-like creatures with their wings folded in front of them). That entire piece of unique furniture was too holy for words. 

Once a year, the high priest of the Israelites would enter that God-room with a small pan of blood which, precisely as God required it in the Law, he poured out on the grail (which was called the "mercy seat") there between the golden cherubim. God, witnessing the spilling of the blood and pleased with the sacrifice that had been made correctly by the priest, graciously forgave the Hebrew people for their sin. It was an annual event, the most sacred of all events. The Hebrews must have held their breath as the high priest went in with the pan, poured the blood, and came out of this room where God dwelled. The first-century Jews who read this word veil in Hebrews 6understood all that. Look closely: 

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (vv. 19–20)

In other words, our Savior has gone through life, has taken all of life's beatings and buffetings, and has gone before us. And now? Now He pulls us toward Himself! He invites His followers within the veil. He says, "Come in. Find healing for your stress fractures. Find here the rest that you need, the relief from the burdens and buffetings of doubt." 

Doubt, you see, will always try to convince you, You are all alone. No one else knows. Or cares. No one else really can enter in and help you with this. In Hebrews, however, the writer says that Christ is a constant priest—not once a year, but forever. He lives in the God-room. He is there, sitting alongside the Father, representing your needs to Him. And, child of God, there is nothing so great for you to endure that He does not feel touched by it and stay by you through it.

God is Love! / Billy Graham

God is Love!

As I read the Bible, I find love to be the supreme and dominant attribute of God. The promises of God’s love and forgiveness are as real, as sure, as positive, as human words can make them. But the total beauty of the ocean cannot be understood until it is seen, and it is the same with God’s love. Until you actually experience it, until you actually possess it, no one can describe its wonders to you. 

Never question God’s great love, for it is as unchangeable a part of God as His holiness. Were it not for the love of God, none of us would ever have a chance in the future life. But God is love! And His love for us is everlasting.

Daily Prayer

Knowing myself as I do, Lord, the knowledge of Your love and forgiveness never ceases to amaze me. In the knowledge of this, help me to communicate to others that this love is theirs too, if they will only reach out for it.

“the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭31‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ 

How to Avoid Spiritual Deception / Senior Living

 How to Avoid Spiritual Deception

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:1-2

An article years ago in U.S. News & World Report brought to light a very sneaky practice by some manufacturers of common household goods. In an effort to save costs, these companies were reducing the amount of product in their packaging without reducing the size of the package. And it was going completely unnoticed by the general public!

A box of a well-known laundry detergent, for example, that once held 61 ounces now only holds 55 ounces. Same size box, less soap!

It’s interesting how something can be wrapped in a certain way in order to disguise what’s really on the inside. Take people, for example. How many of the people you see at church on Sunday are well dressed with their best smiles, yet inside they’re struggling deeply? Most people would probably be shocked to find out the struggles their ‘super-spiritual’ friends are having!

Be authentic. Now, that doesn’t mean you vent your struggles and frustrations to everyone, but it does mean you’re open and honest about what’s going on in your life. Peel back the pretty wrapping and show others what’s really on the inside.

Prayer Challenge:

Pray and ask God to help you open up to others and be honest about the struggles you’re facing.

Questions for Thought:

What’s your biggest apprehension about how others would react to your complete honesty about what’s really going on in your life? Is that fear from God?

What’s one struggle you have today that you’ve been keeping to yourself? To whom can you open up about that struggle?

Wisdom from the Psalms / November 1

 Psalm 131:1

Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.

 

When John had started out, all his superiors told him that he was destined to go far in the firm. Now they all shook their heads in wonder that he had never climbed the corporate ladder. John just smiled to himself. Dog-eat-dog was fine for some, but John was content to just do the work he loved. He didn't care what anyone else thought, he was happy, and that was worth more than all the prestige in the world.

 

Grow where you're planted, the saying goes. When you find a place of contentment, guard it. Don't be ready to throw it away for what may or may not be better. Too often we get into situations over our heads, and then it is too late to go back. God will not be impressed by your fame or wealth. What pleases the Lord is someone who uses his talents and makes peace for himself in the work that he does.

 

Prayer: Make my aspiratio ns for myself realistic and worthwhile. Help me to keep my wits about me, to do the things I like rather than those things that are done merely to impress others. Amen.

The Kinsman-Redeemer / Alistair Begg

The Kinsman-Redeemer

I am Ruth, your servant. 

Spread your wings over your servant, 

for you are a redeemer.

Ruth 3:9

Here is a truth that makes all the difference: you have a kinsman-redeemer.

The second chapter of Ruth ends with Naomi revealing that Boaz is a distant relative and “one of our redeemers” (Ruth 2:20). Long before Ruth’s story took place, God had established practices that would affect not only her but also the people of Israel and all His people throughout redemptive history. 

The two longstanding Old Testament practices that we need to understand in order to appreciate the context and joy of this story are the levirate and the goel. The levirate process regulated Israelite remarriage customs so that if a man died, his name and family line would not die with him or be vulnerable to the whims of other people (Deuteronomy 25:5-10). Goel, meanwhile, is a Hebrew verb meaning “to recover or redeem” and is often (and best) translated “kinsman-redeemer.” The Law of Moses lays out this responsibility in Leviticus 25, where it makes provision for a relative who can care and provide for a less fortunate family member under certain circumstances. The kinsman-redeemer had a responsibility to do all that was necessary to secure the land and to support his relative. 

Boaz willingly upheld both of these customs, providing and caring for Naomi and Ruth in their vulnerability and need. Not only was Boaz one of Jesus’ ancestors but in this he foreshadowed Christ’s coming as our own Kinsman-Redeemer. 

As Ruth cast herself at Boaz’s feet, desperately needy and dependent on his care, so we cast ourselves at the feet of Christ, seeking His mercy. And as Boaz dealt with Ruth, so Christ deals with every sinner who comes to Him in repentance, covering them with the blood of the covenant, by which He welcomes us into all the peace, security, and contentment of being under His wing (Psalm 91:4). He soothes our sorrows, calms our fears, and dries each one of our tears. Ruth came to Boaz as a penniless alien and became enriched by all his blessings. We come to Jesus in spiritual poverty and become fellow heirs with Him (Romans 8:17). As Boaz took Ruth and made her his bride, so Christ takes us and makes us His bride (Revelation 19:7-8).

The Bible is full of examples of God providing for and preserving His people long before they realize they need it. God’s redemptive plan for Ruth in Israel, and for all His people throughout history, was laid out not only from the establishment of the role of kinsman-redeemer, but from the very beginning of time (Ephesians 1:3-7). 

Today, rest assured that Jesus is the Bridegroom and Kinsman-Redeemer of His church. Rest assured that He has taken the responsibility to do all that is necessary to care for and provide for you and to bring you securely to His eternal promised land. Rest assured that whatever assails you within and without, you are safe under His wing.

Psalm 57 

Folly of Doubt / Spurgeon

 

Folly of Doubt

… And they were unaware until the flood came, 

and swept them all away, so will be 

the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew 24:39

The doom was universal. Neither rich nor poor escaped: the learned and the illiterate, the admired and the despised, the religious and the profane, the old and the young all sank in one common ruin. Some had doubtless ridiculed the preacher, but where were their merry jests now? Others had threatened Noah for his zeal, which they regarded as madness. What happened to their boastings and hard speeches? The critic who judged the old man's work drowns in the same sea that covers his sneering companions. Those who spoke patronizingly of the good man's faithfulness to his convictions, but did not share them, have sunk to rise no more, and the workers who for pay helped to build the wondrous ark are all lost also. The Flood swept them all away and made no single exception. Even so, outside of Christ, final destruction is sure to everyone; no rank, possession, or character will be enough to save a single soul who has not believed in the Lord Jesus. My soul, consider this widespread judgment and tremble at it.

How incredible was the general apathy! They were all eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the awful morning dawned. There was not one wise individual upon earth outside of the ark. Folly duped the whole race: folly as to self-preservation, the most fooling of all follies. Folly in doubting the most true God: the most malignant foolishness. Is it not strange, my soul? All men are negligent of their souls until grace gives them reason; then they leave their madness and act like rational beings, but not until then.

All, blessed be God, were safe in the ark; no ruin entered there. From the huge elephant down to the tiny mouse all were safe. The timid hare was equally secure with the courageous lion, the helpless lamb as safe as the laborious ox. All are safe in Jesus. My soul, are you in Him?

Are You Spiritually Hungry? / Greg Laurie

 Are You Spiritually Hungry?

‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.’ (Matthew 5:6 NKJV)

I’m amazed at how I can go from being not hungry at all to starving four minutes later. On Thanksgiving Day, for example, I can hardly wait for the big meal. And when the time for it finally comes, I eat too fast and too much.

The Bible talks about a different kind of hunger—a spiritual hunger. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6 NKJV). A blessed or happy person will passionately desire a righteous life.

God wants us to have a desperate hunger for righteousness, a real passion for spiritual things. The writer of Psalm 42 described it this way: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (verses 1–2 NKJV).

When the prodigal son was hungry, the Bible tells us that he turned to his father: “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father’” (Luke 15:17-18 NKJV).

In the same way, only God can satisfy the spiritual thirst deep within our souls. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35 NKJV).

Only God can satisfy our spiritual hunger and thirst. Do you starve for a holy life? Do you hunger for the best that God has in store for you?

Here’s a little secret you need to know: If you live for happiness, you’ll never find it. But if you instead channel your energy into being holy, you’ll be happy. Holy people are happy people because happiness is a fringe benefit of holiness.

Daily Blessings / November 1

 Daily Blessings

“The entrance of your words gives light.” - Ps 119:130

The blessed Spirit is pleased sometimes to give some testimony concerning Jesus, to open up some passage of Scripture which speaks of Jesus, to cast a divine light before the astonished eyes, and to throw some of the blessed beams of gospel truth into our souls, whereby we see Jesus. We are brought sometimes in soul feeling to the desires of those Greeks who came up to worship at the feast, and went to Philip, saying, “Sir, we would see Jesus;” and from some apprehension of his beauty and loveliness, we pour out our soul before God, and say, “We would see Jesus.” We want to feel his love, to have our eyes anointed to behold his glory, to look upon him as crucified for us and bearing our sins in his own body on the tree, that we may have a sweet and blessed fellowship with him as our suffering Surety, and thus, by faith, enter into the length and breadth and depth and height of that love of his “that passes knowledge.”

Wherever there is a work of grace upon the soul, there will be this pining after Christ. The soul that is really taught of God can never rest satisfied short of Jesus. “There remains a rest to the people of God,” and they can never be satisfied short of that rest, which consists in an experimental knowledge of the Son of God, as revealed by the Holy Spirit to their souls. But before the enjoyment of this spiritual rest, there is often long delay; clouds of darkness for months and years together often envelope the mercy-seat; the cross of Christ cannot be seen; the Holy Spirit does not fulfill his covenanted office in taking of the things of Christ, and showing them to the soul; and in the absence of these heavenly manifestations, we cannot realize our saving interest in the things of salvation, nor can we feel our hearts sweetly composed and settled down in the blessed assurance, that when this life shall come to a close, we shall inhabit mansions prepared for us before the foundation of the world. When “with clouds he covers the light, and commands it not to shine by the cloud that comes between,” there are many doubts and fears, suspicions, surmises, and jealousies whether we are not deceived and deluded altogether. At such seasons, everything seems to be against us, and to stamp us as being nothing but nominal professors.

It is in such dark and gloomy seasons as these that “the entrance of God’s words gives light.” For instance, some such promise as this is made sweet to the soul—“Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” As that promise is brought home with power to the heart, and is shed abroad with some sweetness in the soul, it draws forth and strengthens faith, and the toiling pilgrim comes to the Lord, feeling himself “weary and heavy laden,” and as he comes, he is indulged sometimes with a few sweet moments of rest. He is enabled to look out of fallen self, with all its miseries, and to look upon Jesus in his grace and beauty. He is favored to cast himself simply, as he is, upon Jesus, and some sense of his atoning blood, dying love, and complete atoning sacrifice for sin is opened up to his heart. Faith springs up to lay hold of and embrace it, and he begins to taste the savor and sweetness and healing efficacy of a Savior’s blood and love.

Thus “the entrance of God’s words gives light,” and he feels by the divine coming in of what God has externally revealed, that inward light is shed abroad in the recesses of his soul, and he can, in some measure, realize the power of the cross of Jesus in his heart.

Waiting is Hard / Streams

 Waiting is Hard

When the cloud tarried ... then the children of Israel ... journeyed not - Num 9:19

This was the supreme test of obedience. It was comparatively easy to strike tents, when the fleecy folds of the cloud were slowly gathering from off the Tabernacle, and it floated majestically before the host. Change is always delightful; and there was excitement and interest in the route, the scenery, and the locality of the next halting-place. But, ah, the tarrying.

Then, however uninviting and sultry the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however irksome to the impatient disposition, however perilously exposed to danger—there was no option but to remain encamped.

The Psalmist says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” And what He did for the Old Testament saints He will do for believers throughout all ages.

Still God often keeps us waiting. Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock. May we not go? Is it not time to strike our tents? Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse? May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters?

There is no answer. The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense. God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies.

Wait, young man, do not be in a hurry to make a change! Minister, remain at your post! Until the cloud clearly moves, you must tarry. Wait, then, thy Lord’s good pleasure! He will be in plenty of time!—Daily Devotional Commentary

An hour of waiting!  

Yet there seems such need  

To reach that spot sublime!  

I long to reach them—but I long far more  

To trust HIS time!

“Sit still, my daughter”—  

Yet the heathen die,  

They perish while I stay!  

I long to reach them—but I long far more  

To trust HIS way!

’Tis good to get,  

’Tis good indeed to give!  

Yet is it better still—  

O’er breadth, thro’ length, down depth, up height,  

To trust HIS will! —F. M. N.

Your “Only God” Moments / Max Lucado

 

Your “Only God” Moments

Click below to listen to today's devotional

YOUR “ONLY GOD” MOMENTS

There is something unique about your story. Would you be willing to share it? Become well versed in your “only God” moments – those precious events in your life that only God could have orchestrated.

There was an occasion when Jesus healed a deranged man. The fellow had made his home in a cemetery and cut himself with rocks. When Jesus delivered him from the affliction, the man wanted to go with Jesus. Christ, however, said, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you…” (Mark 5:19 NKJV).

In other words, speak up. Do you feel ill equipped to do so? That’s okay. You have God’s Spirit to help you. And God’s plan is reduced to one strategy: ordinary folks telling the extraordinary story of Jesus with the extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit.