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Saturday, April 28, 2018
What You Will Get by Oswald Chambers
The High Cost of Compromise by Charles Stanley
In the world of politics, compromise is the name of the game. One thing must be surrendered in order to gain something else that is desired. We also make concessions in many other areas of life. Some compromises are good, such as giving up our desire to watch television when our children ask us to play a game with them. However, anytime we compromise issues of morality, integrity, obedience to God, or the truth of Scripture, we will pay a high price.
There is a battle going on within each of us. As believers, we have the indwelling Holy Spirit, who convicts us of sin, prompts us toward obedience, and teaches us truth. However, there is also a fleshly part of us that longs for selfish pleasures and values the priorities of this fallen world. As much as we may try, we cannot straddle the fence between the flesh and the Spirit. James 4:4 says that friendship with the world is enmity toward God. We must make a choice—and not just one time but daily and even hourly.
Compromising by giving in to our fleshly desires leads to internal corruption (Eph. 4:21-24). We may not notice it at first, but stepping beyond the boundary of obedience affects our mind and future choices. Each concession makes the next one easier. Satan first gains a toehold, which eventually becomes a foothold and then a stronghold. The final result is ruin, as God allows us to reap what we’ve sown.
Instead of sitting on the fence, let’s make up our mind ahead of time to follow the Lord wholeheartedly and reap the benefits of a life fully devoted to Christ.
Draw Near / LITTLE NAPOLEON
LITTLE NAPOLEON
General George B. McClellan became "the goat" of the Civil War. This was largely because of his personal attitude. The press began calling him "Little Napoleon" because he habitually struck Napoleonic poses for reporters and photographers. He seemed to lack any show of humility, referring to the army as "my army" and "my soldiers." He often took Commander-in-Chief Abraham Lincoln to task, assuming he knew more than the President. Before long, he was dismissed in disgrace.
A wise leader is truly humble. He knows that victory depends not on his own strength but on that of God and others. Asa, a good king, had lived long and served God. When his kingdom was threatened by Zerah, Asa wisely talked to God first about the problem and victory was gained (2 Chronicles 14:9-15). Asa understood that as long as God was with him, no man could prevail.
In our effort to teach our children self-sufficiency, we often overdo it. The wise person recognizes the battles of life will never be won by his own powers, but by wisdom and guidance from Christ. A wise man goes through life not referring to "my armies" but giving credit to Christ through Whom we have peace and accomplishment. Dependence on Christ is not a sign of weakness but of strength.
General George B. McClellan became "the goat" of the Civil War. This was largely because of his personal attitude. The press began calling him "Little Napoleon" because he habitually struck Napoleonic poses for reporters and photographers. He seemed to lack any show of humility, referring to the army as "my army" and "my soldiers." He often took Commander-in-Chief Abraham Lincoln to task, assuming he knew more than the President. Before long, he was dismissed in disgrace.
A wise leader is truly humble. He knows that victory depends not on his own strength but on that of God and others. Asa, a good king, had lived long and served God. When his kingdom was threatened by Zerah, Asa wisely talked to God first about the problem and victory was gained (2 Chronicles 14:9-15). Asa understood that as long as God was with him, no man could prevail.
In our effort to teach our children self-sufficiency, we often overdo it. The wise person recognizes the battles of life will never be won by his own powers, but by wisdom and guidance from Christ. A wise man goes through life not referring to "my armies" but giving credit to Christ through Whom we have peace and accomplishment. Dependence on Christ is not a sign of weakness but of strength.
“And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O Lord, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.”
2 Chronicles 14:11 KJV
The Resurrection: Motive for Sanctification by John MacArthur
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In Only 3 Words, Adrian Rogers States Mankind’s 3 Problems by Adrian Rogers
APRIL 28
In Only 3 Words, Adrian Rogers States Mankind’s 3 Problems
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” - 1 Corinthians 1:18
I once met a lawyer on an airplane. We began to talk about what we liked to read. I said, “I read newspapers, books, journals, devotional studies, but primarily the Bible.”
He said, “If you don’t read any further than that, how do you know what to talk about when you speak to people?”
I said, “Sir, man only has three problems: sin, sorrow, and death.”
He answered, “There are more than that.”
I replied, “No, only three.”
“Oh,” he said, “there are other problems.”
I said, “All right, tell me another.”
He went off for a while, came back, and said, “Man only has three problems.”
That’s true. And the cross of Jesus Christ is the only answer to those three problems. You give me all of the wisdom of this world....but there is no other answer apart from the cross.
The Jews want a sign; it is the Cross. The Greeks want wisdom; it is the Cross. To this world it is foolishness, but to God it is not foolishness. Now, thank God for the message of the Cross.
April 28 / Streams in the Desert by L.B. Cowman
When the Israelites cried out for help to the Lord, he raised up a deliverer for the Israelites who rescued them. His name was Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. The Lord’s spirit empowered him and he led Israel. When he went to do battle, the Lord handed over to him King Cushan-Rishathaim of Aram and he overpowered him (Judg 3:9-10)
God is preparing His heroes; and when opportunity comes, He can fit them into their place in a moment, and the world will wonder where they came from.
Let the Holy Ghost prepare you, dear friend, by the discipline of life; and when the last finishing touch has been given to the marble, it will be easy for God to put it on the pedestal, and fit it into its niche.
There is a day coming when, like Othniel, we, too, shall judge the nations, and rule and reign with Christ on the millennial earth. But ere that glorious day can be we must let God prepare us, as He did Othniel at Kirjath-sepher, amid the trials of our present life, and the little victories, the significance of which, perhaps, we little dream. At least, let us be sure of this, and if the Holy Ghost has an Othniel ready, the Lord of Heaven and earth has a throne prepared for him.
--A. B. Simpson
--A. B. Simpson
“Human strength and human greatness
Spring not from life’s sunny side,
Heroes must be more than driftwood
Floating on a waveless tide.”
Spring not from life’s sunny side,
Heroes must be more than driftwood
Floating on a waveless tide.”
“Every highway of human life dips in the dale now and then. Every man must go through the tunnel of tribulation before he can travel on the elevated road of triumph.”
Spring Cleaning—Let in the Cleansing Wind by David Jeremiah
Spring Cleaning—Let in the Cleansing Wind
APRIL 28, 2018
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:2
Acts 2:2
Recommended Reading: Acts 4:31-35
There was a day when homes weren’t equipped with vacuum cleaners, central air and heat, and multi-pane windows that seal the home from outside impurities. That meant that a regular part of spring cleaning was flinging open the windows to let fresh air in and hanging rugs on a clothesline and beating the dust out of them.
While those practices are no longer routine, the notion of using fresh air as a cleanser is very biblical. In both the Old and New Testaments, the words in the original language for spirit were also the words for wind or breath. It is no wonder that Paul admonished believers to be “filled with the Spirit” on an ongoing basis (Ephesians 5:18). Like the wind, the Spirit of God blows where He will (John 3:8). And He is always willing to come into your life afresh for new power, fruit, gifts, and guidance.
Purpose today to invite the Spirit to fill you with kingdom breath, kingdom wind—to air out the house of your heart with the wind of the Spirit.
The word is the chariot of the Spirit, the Spirit the Guider of the word.
Stephen Charnock
Stephen Charnock
On-the-Job Training / Our Daily Bread
On-the-Job Training
April 28, 2018
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Of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.—2 Timothy 1:11
When my son’s teacher asked me to serve as a chaperone for their science camp, I hesitated. How could I be a role model when mistakes littered my past, when I still struggled, stumbled, and slipped into old bad habits? God helped me love and raise my son, but I often doubted He could use me to serve others.
Sometimes I still fail to recognize that God—the only perfect One, the only One who can change hearts and lives—transforms us over time. Then the Holy Spirit reminds me how Paul encouraged Timothy to embrace his on-the-job training, persevere in faith, and use the gifts God had given him (2 Timothy 1:6). Timothy could be courageous because God, his power source, would help him love and be disciplined as he continued to grow and serve those within his sphere of influence (v. 7).
Christ saves and empowers us to honor Him with our lives, not because we have special qualifications but because we’re each valuable members of His family (v. 9).
We can persevere with confidence when we know our role is to simply love God and others. Christ’s role is to save us and give us a purpose that extends beyond our small vision of the world. As we follow Jesus daily, He transforms us while using us to encourage others as we share His love and truth wherever He sends us. —Xochitl Dixon
Lord, thanks for affirming we can depend on You completely as we share You cheerfully, confidently, and courageously.
Knowing our Power-Source personally gives us confidence in our role as servants to the King.
INSIGHT: In today’s reading Paul notes how God has “called us to a holy life” (2 Timothy 1:9)—a life set apart for Him. Such a life involves God’s calling and our obedience. So Paul urged Timothy to “fan into flame” his spiritual gift (v. 6).
What does it mean to “fan into flame” our gift? One key is to acknowledge God in everything. Perhaps we need to trust Him in a big trial. We may need to acknowledge Him in “trivial” matters. As we give Him our huge challenges and the aggravating details, He completes His work in us. He loves us enough to work on us for a lifetime. Tim Gustafson
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Friday, April 27, 2018
What Do You Want? by Oswald Chambers
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The Source of Strength by Charles Stanley
Nobody brags about weaknesses. In a culture where independence, physical fitness, and self-sufficiency are highly valued, we try hard to hide any inadequacy or limitation. We want to appear competent and capable of handling whatever comes our way.
But self-reliance is not highly valued by the Lord. Salvation itself requires that we humble ourselves, admit we are helpless sinners, and come empty- handed to Jesus Christ, relying on Him to save us. Even in the church, we are called to share our struggles, confess our sins to one another, and pray for each other.
Weakness is our friend, not an enemy. Human pride is a potent force, which must be uprooted. And weakness is often the tool God uses. In Paul’s life, it was a “thorn in the flesh”; in ours, it might be illness, aging, financial need, or anything else that brings us to our knees. But what a good place this is—kneeling before God, asking for His help.
Everyone has a certain amount of fortitude, but human capacity can carry a person only so far. Some situations sap every drop of energy we have and demand still more. When we can’t take another step, Christ will carry us through.
Our weakness brings us to a place of humility and lets God demonstrate His power in us. Only then do we find the energy, courage, and peace we need to go on living for His glory. He will empower us not only to endure the ordeal but also to go through it with inexplicable gladness.
Draw Near / MONUMENTS
MONUMENTS
Thousands of monuments dot the rolling hills of Pennsylvania and Maryland where the bloody battles of the Civil War were fought. These stone reminders recall the valor of the soldiers from the North and South. However, one finds no monuments to the real victors of that bitter battle: destruction and death. These are the true victors of all wars and over every nation involved in conflict.
Man never seems to learn his lesson about war. In the last two hundred years, America has been involved in many major conflicts, an average of one every twenty-five years. Today, the threat of more conflicts looms over us as we seem destined to continuously repeat our sordid history. Because we are slow to learn and quick to forget, David asked God to stamp His truth deeply into the thoughts and imaginations of the people (1 Chronicles 29:10-19).
Why should we have to continually "reinvent the wheel"? Why can't we learn once and for all that war produces nothing but sorrow, despair, and death? God can help us break this vicious cycle of despair if we but pray. Our personal battles can cease at Calvary. Today, it would be well to pray with David that our minds and imaginations be thoroughly absorbed in and captured by God's desires. May our lives be monuments to the greatest victor of all: Jesus Christ, Who conquers sin, hell, and the grave.
Thousands of monuments dot the rolling hills of Pennsylvania and Maryland where the bloody battles of the Civil War were fought. These stone reminders recall the valor of the soldiers from the North and South. However, one finds no monuments to the real victors of that bitter battle: destruction and death. These are the true victors of all wars and over every nation involved in conflict.
Man never seems to learn his lesson about war. In the last two hundred years, America has been involved in many major conflicts, an average of one every twenty-five years. Today, the threat of more conflicts looms over us as we seem destined to continuously repeat our sordid history. Because we are slow to learn and quick to forget, David asked God to stamp His truth deeply into the thoughts and imaginations of the people (1 Chronicles 29:10-19).
Why should we have to continually "reinvent the wheel"? Why can't we learn once and for all that war produces nothing but sorrow, despair, and death? God can help us break this vicious cycle of despair if we but pray. Our personal battles can cease at Calvary. Today, it would be well to pray with David that our minds and imaginations be thoroughly absorbed in and captured by God's desires. May our lives be monuments to the greatest victor of all: Jesus Christ, Who conquers sin, hell, and the grave.
“O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:”
1 Chronicles 29:18 KJV
The Resurrection: Motive for Service by John MacArthur
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God Will Make a Way by Stephen Davey
God Will Make a Way
Romans 15:13
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Thousands of Christians in North America have heard one of Don Moen's praise songs which he wrote to affirm God's sovereignty in the Christian's life. However, most Christians who have sung this song do not know the kind of hopelessness from which the lyrics came.
Don Moen was awakened in the middle of the night by a phone call from his mother-in-law; a tragic car accident had just occurred. Don's sister-in-law, Susan, her husband, and their four little boys were on an automobile trip when tragedy struck. They all were seriously injured, and their eight-year-old son was dying from his injuries.
As Don and his wife grieved and poured out their hearts to the Lord, they felt helpless to communicate any hope to Susan and Craig. Don recalls asking the Lord to help him express hope to the family members. In a very short time, Don scribbled some lyrics and composed the music for a chorus that, to this day, gives believers a deep sense of hope in the midst of difficult times. The lyrics read:
God will make a way,
Where there seems to be no way;
He works in ways we cannot see,
He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide,
Hold me closely to His side;
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way. He will make a way!
Where there seems to be no way;
He works in ways we cannot see,
He will make a way for me.
He will be my guide,
Hold me closely to His side;
With love and strength for each new day,
He will make a way. He will make a way!
To put it simply, the only way to have hope is to have Him. The only way to have peace is to have Him.
As Paul reminds us in Romans 15:13, hope--as well as peace and joy--come through faith. It is true that many people claim to have faith in God during the good times, but when trials come their way, their faith is clearly lacking. In times when our vision of God becomes blurred by sorrow, the eyes of faith are more important than ever.
George Macdonald, author and mentor to C.S. Lewis, once wrote: "I think faith can never have a greater victory than when it will trust even in the midst of darkness and doubt and temptation." What a great definition of victorious faith!--faith in our victorious God who never loses control of His people . . . and His planet.
The truth is, God's will for us isn't even nullified by our suffering, nor does it end at the grave. Our hope rests in the promise that our lives will stretch far beyond these few fleeting moments on earth, into an eternity of heavenly joy and satisfaction.
Are you willing to believe that God will make a way where there seems to be no way? He works in ways we cannot see . . . He will make a way!
Prayer Point: Faith in the promises of God naturally leads to a hopeful expectation of their fulfillment. Pray that God will increase your faith in Him, not allowing it to waver amidst difficult circumstances, but instead, causing it to grow stronger through them.
Extra Refreshment: Read Psalm 42.
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