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Archives for March 2015

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365 devotional

Reflection (Proverbs 2:20–22)

Morning Verses

Genesis 41:16,39–40

  • Joseph rightly acknowledged that all abilities and insights come from the hand of God.
  • God honors those who honor him. He elevated Joseph from imprisonment to prominence and authority in less than one day.

Evening Verses

Matthew 14:14; Proverbs 2:20–22

  • Jesus’ earthly life was consistently marked by compassion and concern for the needs of the people to whom he ministered.
  • God ensures the welfare of those who walk in the way of fidelity, trust and righteousness.

Taken from Once a Day Morning & Evening

https://meetmyfriend.com/922/

Streams in the Desert – March 22

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And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush… saying… I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt (Acts 7:30-34).

That was a long wait in preparation for a great mission. When God delays, He is not inactive. He is getting ready His instruments, He is ripening our powers; and at the Appointed moment we shall arise equal to our task. Even Jesus of Nazareth was thirty years in privacy, growing in wisdom before He began His work.
–Dr. Jowett

God is never in a hurry but spends years with those He expects to greatly use. He never thinks the days of preparation too long or too dull.

The hardest ingredient in suffering is often time. A short, sharp pang is easily borne, but when a sorrow drags its weary way through long, monotonous years, and day after day returns with the same dull routine of hopeless agony, the heart loses its strength, and without the grace of God, is sure to sink into the very sullenness of despair.

Joseph’s was a long trial, and God often has to burn His lessons into the depths of our being by the fires of protracted pain. “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver,” but He knows how long, and like a true goldsmith He stops the fires the moment He sees His image in the glowing metal.

We may not see now the outcome of the beautiful plan which God is hiding in the shadow of His hand; it yet may be long concealed; but faith may be sure that He is sitting on the throne, calmly waiting the hour when, with adoring rapture, we shall say, “All things have worked together for good.”

Like Joseph, let us be more careful to learn all the lessons in the school of sorrow than we are anxious for the hour of deliverance. There is a “need-be” for every lesson, and when we are ready, our deliverance will surely come, and we shall find that we could not have stood in our place of higher service without the very things that were taught us in the ordeal. God is educating us for the future, for higher service and nobler blessings; and if we have the qualities that fit us for a throne, nothing can keep us from it when God’s time has come.

Don’t steal tomorrow out of God’s hands. Give God time to speak to you and reveal His will. He is never too late; learn to wait.
–Selected

He never comes too late; He knows what is best;
Vex not thyself in vain; until He comes–REST.

Do not run impetuously before the Lord; learn to wait His time: the minute-hand as well as the hour-hand must point the exact moment for action.

God’s Story… For My Life – Be an Encourager

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Gods story

Be an Encourager

Read 1 Timothy 4:6-16

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.
(1 Timothy 4:7-16)

Reflect

Timothy’s commission as a church leader was confirmed by prophecy (1 Timothy 1:18) and by the laying on of hands by the elders of the church. He was not a self-appointed leader. As a young leader in a church that had a lot of problems, he may have felt intimidated. But the elders and prophets encouraged him and charged him to use his spiritual gift responsibly. We can have the same effect on others.

Respond

Each day we have many opportunities to support and inspire discouraged family members, fellow workers, and even total strangers. Paul modeled six important principles to help us encourage others: (1) Begin with encouragement. People who know we will encourage them will be happy to work with us. (2) Expect of others only what you expect of yourself. People will resist being held to unfair standards. (3) Develop expectations of others with consideration for their skills, maturity, and experience. People will reject or fail to meet expectations that do not fit them. Be patient with distracted or slow learners. (4) Monitor your expectations of others. Changing circumstances sometimes require revised or reduced expectations. (5) Clarify your expectations with others. People are not likely to hit a target that no one has identified. (6) End with encouragement. People love to be thanked for a job well done.

The Fallen State of People

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365 devotional

The Fallen State of People (Matthew 25:41)

In the parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus divides people into two groups: the righteous and the unrighteous. Jesus defines the righteous as those who helped others in need, sheltered the poor, fed the hungry, clothed the naked and ministered to the sick. The unrighteous are the ones who were too concerned about themselves to do any of these. These unrighteous people are thrown out from God’s presence.

Taken from NIV Essentials of the Christian Faith

Streams in the Desert – March 21

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According to your faith be it unto you (Matt. 9:29).

“Praying through” might be defined as praying one’s way into full faith, emerging while yet praying into the assurance that one has been accepted and heard, so that one becomes actually aware of receiving, by firmest anticipation and in advance of the event, the thing for which he asks.

Let us remember that no earthly circumstances can hinder the fulfillment of His Word if we look steadfastly at the immutability of that Word and not at the uncertainty of this ever-changing world. God would have us believe His Word without other confirmation, and then He is ready to give us “according to our faith.”

When once His Word is past,
When He hath said , ‘I will,’ (Heb. 13:5)
The thing shall come at last;
God keeps His promise still. (2 Cor. 1:20)

The prayer of the Pentecostal age was like a check to be paid in coin over the counter.
–Sir R. Anderson

“And God said… and it was so.” (Gen. 1:9.)

God’s Story… For My Life – Pray for All

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Gods story

Pray for All

Read 1 Timothy 2:1-15

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, There is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.
(1 Timothy 2:1-7)

Reflect

Paul’s command to pray for kings was remarkable considering that Nero, a notoriously cruel ruler, was emperor at this time (a.d. 54–68). When Paul wrote this letter, persecution was a growing threat to believers. Later, when Nero needed a scapegoat for the great fire that destroyed much of Rome in a.d. 64, he blamed the Roman Christians so as to take the focus off himself. Then persecution erupted throughout the Roman Empire. Not only were Christians denied certain privileges in society, some were even publicly murdered in cruel ways.

Although God is all-powerful and all-knowing, he has chosen to let us help him change the world through our prayers. How this works is a mystery to us because of our limited understanding, but it is a reality. Paul based his instruction about prayer for everyone (1 Timothy 2:4) on his conviction that God’s invitation for salvation extends equally to all people. The word everyone captures the nature of the gospel. The world that God loves includes every person (John 3:16). He loves us as individuals whom he knows intimately (Psalm 139:13-18). Paul urges us to pray for “all people.” Our earnest prayers will have powerful results (James 5:16).

Respond

When our lives are going along peacefully and quietly, it is difficult to remember to pray for those in authority. It’s easier to remember to pray when we experience problems. Pray for those in authority around the world so that their societies will be conducive to the spread of the gospel. Ask God to raise up wise leaders.

How could David be so certain of his own righteousness?

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365 devotional

How could David be so certain of his own righteousness? (Psalm 18:20–24)

In the Old Testament, Israel could know God’s moral will for his people through the laws set forth in the covenant made at Mount Sinai (Ex 20:1—24:18; Lev 26:1–46; Dt 4:1—11:32). If David lived in a manner consistent with those covenant stipulations, he could legitimately speak of his righteousness.

David was not perfect by any means—a fact he readily acknowledged (Ps 51:1–19). But while it is a great sin to violate God’s law, the covenant provided a means by which confession, repentance, restitution and restoration to God and the community could take place. The sacrificial system outlined in Leviticus 1:1—7:38 provided the Israelites with a process by which to make amends to God and their neighbors when they sinned. But more important than sacrifice is a humble and penitent heart that casts itself entirely on the mercy of God (Ps 51:1,16–17). When we do this, God “imputes” righteousness to us—that is, he credits the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ to us (2Co 5:21).

Taken from NIV Quest Study Bible

Streams in the Desert – March 20

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As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing (2 Cor. 6:10).

The stoic scorns to shed a tear; the Christian is not forbidden to weep. The soul may be dumb with excessive grief, as the shearer’s scissors pass over the quivering flesh; or, when the heart is on the point of breaking beneath the meeting surges of trial, the sufferer may seek relief by crying out with a loud voice. But there is something even better.

They say that springs of sweet fresh water well up amid the brine of salt seas; that the fairest Alpine flowers bloom in the wildest and most rugged mountain passes; that the noblest psalms were the outcome of the profoundest agony of soul.

Be it so. And thus amid manifold trials, souls which love God will find reasons for bounding, leaping joy. Though deep call to deep, yet the Lord’s song will be heard in silver cadence through the night. And it is possible in the darkest hour that ever swept a human life to bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Have you learned this lesson yet? Not simply to endure God’s will, nor only to choose it; but to rejoice in it with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
–Tried as by Fire

I will be still, my bruised heart faintly murmured,
As o’er me rolled a crushing load of woe;
The cry, the call, e’en the low moan was stifled;
I pressed my lips; I barred the tear drop’s flow.
I will be still, although I cannot see it,
The love that bares a soul and fans pain’s fire;
That takes away the last sweet drop of solace,
Breaks the lone harp string, hides Thy precious lyre.
But God is love, so I will bide me, bide me–
We’ll doubt not, Soul, we will be very still;
We’ll wait till after while, when He shall lift us
Yes, after while, when it shall be His will.
And I did listen to my heart’s brave promise;
And I did quiver, struggling to be still;
And I did lift my tearless eyes to Heaven,
Repeating ever, “Yea, Christ, have Thy will.”
But soon my heart upspake from ‘neath our burden,
Reproved my tight-drawn lips, my visage sad:
“We can do more than this, O Soul,” it whispered.
“We can be more than still, we can be glad!”
And now my heart and I are sweetly singing–
Singing without the sound of tuneful strings;
Drinking abundant waters in the desert,
Crushed, and yet soaring as on eagle’s wings.
–S. P. W.

God’s Story… For My Life – Put It Behind You

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Gods story

Put It Behind You

Read Philippians 3:12–4:1

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.

Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ.
(Philippians 3:12-18)

Reflect

Paul’s goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ has in mind for him. This goal absorbed all of Paul’s energy. Paul gave up everything—family, friendship, and freedom—in order to know Christ and his resurrection power. He had reason to forget what was behind—he had held the coats of those who stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:57-58; Paul is called Saul there), and zealously sought to end the movement known as “the Way.” But God called Paul to his way.

We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become.

Respond

With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians. What, if anything, is holding you back? Don’t dwell on your past. Instead, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with him now. Realize that you are forgiven and loved, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of your hope in Christ.

How Can We, Imperfect People, Live the Way Jesus Wants Us to Live?

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365 devotional

How Can We, Imperfect People, Live the Way Jesus Wants Us to Live? (Mark 9:19–24)

Jesus is never unsettled by our imperfections. Actually, he is most at ease and hopeful with those who are glaringly imperfect. He dined with hated tax collectors and “champion” sinners (see Mt 9:10). He offered grace to a woman caught in adultery (see Jn 8:3–11). His own disciples—the men hechose—were sometimes dull, fickle and unbelieving (see Mt 15:16; Mk 9:19; 14:66–72). Even in his last hour, as he hung on the cross, Jesus welcomed a criminal into the kingdom (see Lk 23:43).

It seems Jesus sees potential in our imperfection. When we are the most acutely aware of our weakness, we reach the end of our rope. Those who have run out of self-reliance are ready to rely on Jesus to give them new life.

But Jesus is frustrated by dishonesty. He reserved his sharpest words for the religious frauds who did not realize they were in desperate trouble. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor” (Mt 9:12), he told them. So an important step toward living the way Jesus intends is being brutally honest about our radical imperfections. Bringing our sins into his light by giving them a specific name—lust, anger, gossip, gluttony, greed and so on—makes it possible for us to experience deep-soul healing from the Great Physician (see 1Jn 1:8–9).

But the goal is not to merely admit our imperfections and offenses. The goal is to transform our sinful natures by the Spirit of God so that we become the kind of people in whom the life of Jesus is most vividly expressed. Because we are human, imperfections are inevitable. But through Jesus, what’s old can become new (see 2Co 5:17).

Taken from NIV Essentials Study Bible

? (Mark 9:19–24)

Jesus is never unsettled by our imperfections. Actually, he is most at ease and hopeful with those who are glaringly imperfect. He dined with hated tax collectors and “champion” sinners (see Mt 9:10). He offered grace to a woman caught in adultery (see Jn 8:3–11). His own disciples—the men hechose—were sometimes dull, fickle and unbelieving (see Mt 15:16; Mk 9:19; 14:66–72). Even in his last hour, as he hung on the cross, Jesus welcomed a criminal into the kingdom (see Lk 23:43).

It seems Jesus sees potential in our imperfection. When we are the most acutely aware of our weakness, we reach the end of our rope. Those who have run out of self-reliance are ready to rely on Jesus to give them new life.

But Jesus is frustrated by dishonesty. He reserved his sharpest words for the religious frauds who did not realize they were in desperate trouble. “It is not the healthy who need a doctor” (Mt 9:12), he told them. So an important step toward living the way Jesus intends is being brutally honest about our radical imperfections. Bringing our sins into his light by giving them a specific name—lust, anger, gossip, gluttony, greed and so on—makes it possible for us to experience deep-soul healing from the Great Physician (see 1Jn 1:8–9).

But the goal is not to merely admit our imperfections and offenses. The goal is to transform our sinful natures by the Spirit of God so that we become the kind of people in whom the life of Jesus is most vividly expressed. Because we are human, imperfections are inevitable. But through Jesus, what’s old can become new (see 2Co 5:17).

Taken from NIV Essentials Study Bible