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01-18-2009, 06:54 PM
Epaphroditus Praised
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. Philippians 2
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Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice, Psalm 95:1-7
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Come and dine
Be patient in all things and in all things be slow to anger.
Wait for the Lord and do not run ahead of Him, because he who waits for the Lord shall mount up with wings like eagles and shall soar to spiritual heights never known before.
Ye shall soar with the wind of God's Holy Spirit in your wings carrying you to the lofty heights of the Father's Throne.
There you shall dine with God of heavenly things, a heavenly feast.
He shall sup with you and you with Him, feasting of the heavenly manna that brings everlasting life to all who eat thereof.
Brethren, where else but with God can you find such an abundance of spiritual fulfillment and spiritual wealth?
Come and dine.
Feast of the fruits of His Spirit and drink of rivers of truth that flows from His Throne.
©01/19/2001 Jim Welch
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The Defense Rests
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels (2 Tim. 2:23).
Many areas of Scripture continue to surface in 'religious' conversations as an issue of debate. Although "no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" (2 Pet. 1:20); many continue to hold to the interpretations which best support their own personal ideology. While it is true that we can only with extreme difficulty, escape surrounding influences and personal biases, it is necessary for us to examine the scriptures apart from these influences to the best of our ability. This is not to separate ourselves to the point that we do not apply the Scriptures to our own lives, rather it is to enable us to discover God's truth, not ours, regarding His Scripture. And then to accept the truth--and then to apply it.
So what is truth? There is only one Truth and that is God's Truth. Only by seeking God's Truth can we truly align ourselves with Him in purpose and in heart. After all, we claim this very thing to be our goal. That is, to imitate the Father, and be like Him in purpose and in heart. This then being the intent that we claim, it is surprising that we do not seek God's Truth all the more. Sure, we say that we seek His Truth; but when it is given it is then that we often run the other way. For we seek to avoid pain more readily than to bathe in pain which accompanies Truth. "For the Word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). Knowing this very thing to be Truth, how is it then that we turn the more quickly to accept the pleasant truth. Which is really no truth at all but instead the bliss of ignorance. Ignorance is not living, or powerful, or piercing; but it is dead, weak, and dull. It seeks to pacify to the point of regression, and never promotes perseverance and growth.
As for those who claim not only to seek God's truth, but to also have obtained it. God's truth is not something to be obtained but applied. After all who's truth is it? Is it yours or God's? I cannot obtain it as to possess it. It is God's alone. So then, why the controversy? Why the debate? Did God give it to us for us to argue? Certainly not. So why then do we argue? Is it because we are defending God's Truth--or our truth? God's Truth is a defense to itself. It is a stable rock and does not require defense from the unstable. It is not in the Spirit then that we argue the truth. (Search your own spirit and see if this is not so). But it is more often prideful boastings that are being defended; and human intellect being exalted. For if it were for truth sake that we debate, the Spirit would be in it. As it is, the Spirit removes Himself when the quest for Truth becomes a debate of issues. The Spirit has no regard for points to be proven through lengthy discussion, but that the truth might be known, and to the edification of those who receive it. Therefore accept God's Truth as He reveals it, and apply it as He directs. For only in so doing can the truth become part of you.
And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hop that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 24-25).
Day by Day Devotionals
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Read Exodus 5 -- 7 http://www.studylight.org/desk/?l=en&query=ex+5-ex+7§ion=0&translation=kjv&oq=
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Step-by-step the battle intensifies as Pharaoh brashly questions: Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice? (5:2). Do we occasionally ask the same question by our actions?
Instead of the Israelites being freed from slavery, their pain and suffering had increased because of Moses and Aaron. Whenever God is ready to do something through us for others, there often is a breaking before there is a making. Moses and Aaron not only experienced ridicule and resistance from Pharaoh, but they were criticized by those whom they attempted to liberate from slavery. One would think that the Israelites would be so determined to be free from their 400 years of slavery and so thankful to be the generation chosen to fulfill the Covenant promise of God to Abraham that, surely, they would accept any suffering necessary. But they criticized Moses and Aaron, accusing them of having increased their burdens and of turning the Egyptians against them. The Israelites had an outward need to be freed from slavery but they had an inward need to exercise faith in the Word of God.
What a pity that some today react as the children of Israel did. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (II Tim. 3:12). Like the Israelites, some Christians complain rather than seek to fulfill the will of God. The reaction of Moses to God was: Wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that Thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy Name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast Thou delivered Thy people at all (Ex. 5:22-23). Once God begins to move in our lives to free us from sin or to use us to witness to others, Satan attempts to frustrate God's purposes and discourage the child of faith from fulfilling the will of God. However, in faith, Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them (7:6).
Like Moses, the servant of God seeks to persuade others to unconditionally give their hearts and lives to the Lord. He delights to see his Savior glorified in the eyes of others. Don't become discouraged about the Word of God or when you are ignored by those preoccupied with earthly matters.
Jesus said a person must take up his cross daily, and follow Me. . . . And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple (Luke 9:23; 14:27).
Thought for Today:
Don't be surprised when Satan comes against you when you begin to serve the Lord. He didn't have to fight you when you were on his side.
Christ Revealed:
As the Redeemer from the bondage of sin. I am the Lord, and I will bring you out . . . I will redeem you (Ex. 6:6). Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things . . . But with the precious blood of Christ (I Pet. 1:18-19).
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I Won’t Hold it Against You
1 Samuel 7:10-11
The Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Car.
God Forgives
The past three days have focused on an incident in Israel’s history, an incident in which they messed up. They placed the most precious object of their nation in harm’s way by bringing it out to the battlefield as a good luck charm. When the Philistines captured it, they became sick and their god fell over. Finally, the Ark was returned to Israel, but some of the Jews didn’t live to tell about it because they treated it as a curiosity. We have seen God’s power, his jealousy, and his holiness in the progress of the story so far. The end of the story will reveal yet another important characteristic of God—his forgiveness.
Twenty years after the Ark was returned to Israel, the Philistines were on the warpath again. This time, Israel did the right things in seeking God’s help. They all came together to pray and offer sacrifices, hoping God would forgive them and come to their rescue. Rather than relying on the Ark of the Covenant, the sought God’s presence and power.
Things were different now, though. Israel had learned about God’s holiness. They had also learned something about themselves. They realized that they had sinned. As they cried out to God, confessing their sins, the Philistines attacked. This time, though, God fought for them. He thundered and the sound of the thunder sent the Philistine army into a panic. They fled wildly across the countryside with the Israelites in hot pursuit. The Israelites won because God fought for them. He had turned the tables and rescued Israel from her enemy.
Our history with God is often very much like what Israel experienced. We take him for granted, often acting like he’s no more than a good luck charm. We expect him to rescue us whenever we’re in trouble because of our bad choices. Friends, possessions, and activities may keep us from focusing on God as our very best friend. Day after day we leave him out of our lives. God often lets us lose for a while so we see how disastrous life if don’t have his power and presence on our side. Then, wham! Satan puts a temptation in our way and we just know we’re dead. But, somehow God turns the attack around, sends the tempter running, and shows us just how very much he loves us. At that point we realize how valuable our relationship to God really is. Truly, nothing is more important.
God forgives us. That is the best news we could ever hear, especially when we know the mess we’re in is our own fault. God responds to our cries for help just like he did for the Israelites. He drives away the enemy of our soul and gives us victory—not because we deserve it, but because he loves us too much to let us lose forever.
Psalm 103:10-11 says it this way: “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.” Jesus said that God is our loving father who loves to give us good gifts. One of the very best gifts he gives is forgiveness.
Today’s Prayer:
Holy, powerful, jealous, and forgiving God, how I love you. I know I don’t tell you as often as I should. I goof off and mess up all the time. Thank you for forgiving me over and over again. Thank you for allowing me to start over new every time I need to. Thank you for loving me, even when I don’t deserve it. Amen.
Written by Martha E Menne
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Goliath's Derision
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 17:42-44; 1 Peter 4:14; 1 John 4:4.
When Goliath saw God's little champion approach, he despised David, insulted that a mere boy would dare defy him. Did David think that mighty Goliath was a puppy dog that he could chase away with a stick? When we go out to fight God's battles, armed only with His Word, not only the devil, but the world will meet us with laughter and scorn: "You do not look like mighty warriors!"
But the enemy's derision at our supposed helplessness does not change the fact that when we obey God's Word, in Jesus' Name we have the backing of all the power of heaven. Our enemy's apparent strength crumbles when met with God's power, and we are triumphant in Christ Jesus.
Moment of Meditation: All Heaven cheers for God's warriors, no matter how puny they may otherwise seem.
A Talk with Jesus: Jesus, I thank You that I am never helpless, no matter what my circumstances are, as long as I obey Your Word. Amen.
For Further Study: 2 Chronicles 20:15; 32:7-8; Psalm 24:8; 989:13; Proverbs 24:5; Isaiah 63:12; Zechariah 4:6; Luke 10:19; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:3.
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Lovers of Darkness
Daily Devotional for January 19
John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
Have you ever seen a well - lit bar room? The bar room is dark, for the lovers of darkness would not enjoy themselves in a well - lit setting. There is much demon activity within a bar room. One is the spirit of lust, another is the spirit of destruction.
We have had a jail ministry in the past. The men would share in many cases the reason they were facing a jail sentence. It was because of a drinking problem. We would share Christ Jesus with them and their lives did change. They found something much better than a drink. They found love and peace in the Master's arms.
Please come to the Light of Life and you will be delivered from the destruction of darkness. Jesus loves you.
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The Plight Of The Overprivileged
January 19th
READ: Mark 10:13-31
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:25).
This is a remarkable statement that Jesus makes. In it He highlights the terrible danger of affluence. This, He says, does horrible things to the soul. Most of us, if not openly then at least secretly, are envious of rich people. We wish we had money. And yet, if we really understood what Jesus is saying, we would not feel that way. We would feel sorry for them. We think them overprivileged; Jesus says they are underprivileged. They are deprived people. There is so much they are robbed of by the things they have. So Jesus goes on to point out the terrible danger of affluence. "It is impossible," He says, "for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Let us not minimize His language here. Some commentators attempt to soften this by explaining that the "eye of a needle" referred to a tiny gate, about four feet high, located in the wall of Jerusalem, and that by squirming and wriggling a camel could conceivably get through it. I do not see much evidence to support that view. I think Jesus meant a literal needle. Try to imagine a huge, humpy camel trying to squeeze through a needle's eye. Jesus is saying to them, "It's impossible."
Why is it impossible? It is clear from the context that riches tend to destroy the qualities you must have in order to enter the kingdom of God. They destroy the childlikeness of life. Affluence creates a concern for secondary values. Rich people are not worried about where their next meal is coming from; they worry about what it will taste like. They are not concerned about whether they worship God rightly but whether they are in a beautiful building. Riches transfer their concern from the necessary things to secondary.
Furthermore, affluence destroys teachability because it creates a false sense of power and authority. Those who have power because of their money begin to feel that they ought to be the teacher. They do not need to learn--they already know everything! This makes for arrogance, indifference, and for insensitivity to the needs of others, for isolation and a lack of concern.
Finally, affluence gradually enslaves those who are attached to it. It builds an increasing dependence upon comfort, upon "the good life," until people reach a point where they cannot give it up. They are owned by their possessions. Like to a habit-forming drug, they become addicted to things, addicted to comfort and ease. Therefore it destroys the responsive spirit that is ready and willing to follow truth whenever it is revealed.
That is why Jesus said it is impossible--with people. But not with God. This is the note of grace. God can break that enslavement to riches. Isn't it interesting that if a rich person does come to Christ, he or she must come in exactly the same way as the poorest bum on skid row! Rich people have to acknowledge their complete and utter need and come as guilty sinners, wretched and miserable, and receive the gift of life at the hands of Jesus from the cross. There is no other way to come.
Lord, let me be ready to give up my possessions and put them back into Your hands.
This daily devotion was inspired by one of Ray's sermons
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A Spotless Example
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15.
The life of Christ had been so secluded at Nazareth that the world did not know Him as the Son of God--their Redeemer. He was regarded as nothing more than the son of Joseph and Mary. His life in childhood and youth was remarkable. His silence in regard to His exalted character and mission contains an instructive lesson to all youth. His faithful obedience to His parents until He was 30 thirty years of age is a pattern for youth to imitate more than the Jesus in Gethsemane and upon Calvary.
We shall never be required to endure the agony of the Son of God which He bore for a guilty world; but His life of submission and faithful obedience to His parents is the pattern for all children and youth. Although they may never experience, as did the Redeemer, the agony of Gethsemane or Calvary, they are required to imitate the life of Christ in humility, self-denial, self-sacrifice, and in filial, respectful obedience to their parents. . . .
The Lord had revealed to John that Jesus would be among the candidates who were to receive baptism at his hands, and that He would give him a special token whereby he might know the Lamb of God, and call the attention of the people to Him as the long-expected Messiah.
John had heard of the sinless character and spotless purity of the life of Christ, and that He claimed to be the Son of God. He had been informed of His wise questions and answers in the Temple, which astonished the grave doctors. He had listened to the recital of the Galilean youth silencing the doctors by His deep reasoning. He thought this must be the Son of God, the promised Messiah. . . .
As soon as the discerning eye of John rested upon Jesus, his spirit was stirred with the deepest emotion. He knew that He was not like any other man that had received the ordinance at his hand. He had strong convictions that this was the Christ of whom Moses and the prophets had written. His heart went out to Christ with intense love and reverence that he had never felt before. The very atmosphere of His presence was holy and awe-inspiring. . . . His heart had never been stirred with such emotions as when in the presence of Christ. . . .
Christ came to receive baptism, not with confession of sins to repentance, for He was without the taint of sin. . . . Through the perfection of His character He was accepted of the Father as a mediator for sinful man. . . . The Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, and thus qualified to help fallen man just where he needed help (Youth's Instructor, January 1874).
From Lift Him Up - Page 25
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PLAYING SAVIOR
“Our present anxieties and troubles, we cry, are caused by the behavior of other people -- people who really need a moral inventory.” 12&12 p.45
“How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?” Luke 6:42
For what it's worth: You would drink, too, if the injustices done to me had been done to you. That is how I saw it until I was sober in Alcoholics Anonymous. There Step Four forced me to take my own inventory, and Step Ten keeps me honest about who and what I am to judge. When I mind my own business and care for my own soul, I can be at peace. However, I throw serenity right out the window as soon as I concern myself with what others say and do. If I wrap myself up tight in self-righteousness, I choke out any semblance of joy. And it is hard to find anything more pitiful than an alcoholic playing savior.
God bless you!
Joe W.
25 Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; 26 since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28 Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29 Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; 30 because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. Philippians 2
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Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if you hear his voice, Psalm 95:1-7
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Come and dine
Be patient in all things and in all things be slow to anger.
Wait for the Lord and do not run ahead of Him, because he who waits for the Lord shall mount up with wings like eagles and shall soar to spiritual heights never known before.
Ye shall soar with the wind of God's Holy Spirit in your wings carrying you to the lofty heights of the Father's Throne.
There you shall dine with God of heavenly things, a heavenly feast.
He shall sup with you and you with Him, feasting of the heavenly manna that brings everlasting life to all who eat thereof.
Brethren, where else but with God can you find such an abundance of spiritual fulfillment and spiritual wealth?
Come and dine.
Feast of the fruits of His Spirit and drink of rivers of truth that flows from His Throne.
©01/19/2001 Jim Welch
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The Defense Rests
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels (2 Tim. 2:23).
Many areas of Scripture continue to surface in 'religious' conversations as an issue of debate. Although "no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation" (2 Pet. 1:20); many continue to hold to the interpretations which best support their own personal ideology. While it is true that we can only with extreme difficulty, escape surrounding influences and personal biases, it is necessary for us to examine the scriptures apart from these influences to the best of our ability. This is not to separate ourselves to the point that we do not apply the Scriptures to our own lives, rather it is to enable us to discover God's truth, not ours, regarding His Scripture. And then to accept the truth--and then to apply it.
So what is truth? There is only one Truth and that is God's Truth. Only by seeking God's Truth can we truly align ourselves with Him in purpose and in heart. After all, we claim this very thing to be our goal. That is, to imitate the Father, and be like Him in purpose and in heart. This then being the intent that we claim, it is surprising that we do not seek God's Truth all the more. Sure, we say that we seek His Truth; but when it is given it is then that we often run the other way. For we seek to avoid pain more readily than to bathe in pain which accompanies Truth. "For the Word of God is living, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart" (Heb. 4:12). Knowing this very thing to be Truth, how is it then that we turn the more quickly to accept the pleasant truth. Which is really no truth at all but instead the bliss of ignorance. Ignorance is not living, or powerful, or piercing; but it is dead, weak, and dull. It seeks to pacify to the point of regression, and never promotes perseverance and growth.
As for those who claim not only to seek God's truth, but to also have obtained it. God's truth is not something to be obtained but applied. After all who's truth is it? Is it yours or God's? I cannot obtain it as to possess it. It is God's alone. So then, why the controversy? Why the debate? Did God give it to us for us to argue? Certainly not. So why then do we argue? Is it because we are defending God's Truth--or our truth? God's Truth is a defense to itself. It is a stable rock and does not require defense from the unstable. It is not in the Spirit then that we argue the truth. (Search your own spirit and see if this is not so). But it is more often prideful boastings that are being defended; and human intellect being exalted. For if it were for truth sake that we debate, the Spirit would be in it. As it is, the Spirit removes Himself when the quest for Truth becomes a debate of issues. The Spirit has no regard for points to be proven through lengthy discussion, but that the truth might be known, and to the edification of those who receive it. Therefore accept God's Truth as He reveals it, and apply it as He directs. For only in so doing can the truth become part of you.
And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hop that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 24-25).
Day by Day Devotionals
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Read Exodus 5 -- 7 http://www.studylight.org/desk/?l=en&query=ex+5-ex+7§ion=0&translation=kjv&oq=
Highlights In Today's Reading:
Step-by-step the battle intensifies as Pharaoh brashly questions: Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice? (5:2). Do we occasionally ask the same question by our actions?
Instead of the Israelites being freed from slavery, their pain and suffering had increased because of Moses and Aaron. Whenever God is ready to do something through us for others, there often is a breaking before there is a making. Moses and Aaron not only experienced ridicule and resistance from Pharaoh, but they were criticized by those whom they attempted to liberate from slavery. One would think that the Israelites would be so determined to be free from their 400 years of slavery and so thankful to be the generation chosen to fulfill the Covenant promise of God to Abraham that, surely, they would accept any suffering necessary. But they criticized Moses and Aaron, accusing them of having increased their burdens and of turning the Egyptians against them. The Israelites had an outward need to be freed from slavery but they had an inward need to exercise faith in the Word of God.
What a pity that some today react as the children of Israel did. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (II Tim. 3:12). Like the Israelites, some Christians complain rather than seek to fulfill the will of God. The reaction of Moses to God was: Wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that Thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy Name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast Thou delivered Thy people at all (Ex. 5:22-23). Once God begins to move in our lives to free us from sin or to use us to witness to others, Satan attempts to frustrate God's purposes and discourage the child of faith from fulfilling the will of God. However, in faith, Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded them (7:6).
Like Moses, the servant of God seeks to persuade others to unconditionally give their hearts and lives to the Lord. He delights to see his Savior glorified in the eyes of others. Don't become discouraged about the Word of God or when you are ignored by those preoccupied with earthly matters.
Jesus said a person must take up his cross daily, and follow Me. . . . And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple (Luke 9:23; 14:27).
Thought for Today:
Don't be surprised when Satan comes against you when you begin to serve the Lord. He didn't have to fight you when you were on his side.
Christ Revealed:
As the Redeemer from the bondage of sin. I am the Lord, and I will bring you out . . . I will redeem you (Ex. 6:6). Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things . . . But with the precious blood of Christ (I Pet. 1:18-19).
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I Won’t Hold it Against You
1 Samuel 7:10-11
The Philistines drew near to engage Israel in battle. But that day the LORD thundered with loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites. The men of Israel rushed out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, slaughtering them along the way to a point below Beth Car.
God Forgives
The past three days have focused on an incident in Israel’s history, an incident in which they messed up. They placed the most precious object of their nation in harm’s way by bringing it out to the battlefield as a good luck charm. When the Philistines captured it, they became sick and their god fell over. Finally, the Ark was returned to Israel, but some of the Jews didn’t live to tell about it because they treated it as a curiosity. We have seen God’s power, his jealousy, and his holiness in the progress of the story so far. The end of the story will reveal yet another important characteristic of God—his forgiveness.
Twenty years after the Ark was returned to Israel, the Philistines were on the warpath again. This time, Israel did the right things in seeking God’s help. They all came together to pray and offer sacrifices, hoping God would forgive them and come to their rescue. Rather than relying on the Ark of the Covenant, the sought God’s presence and power.
Things were different now, though. Israel had learned about God’s holiness. They had also learned something about themselves. They realized that they had sinned. As they cried out to God, confessing their sins, the Philistines attacked. This time, though, God fought for them. He thundered and the sound of the thunder sent the Philistine army into a panic. They fled wildly across the countryside with the Israelites in hot pursuit. The Israelites won because God fought for them. He had turned the tables and rescued Israel from her enemy.
Our history with God is often very much like what Israel experienced. We take him for granted, often acting like he’s no more than a good luck charm. We expect him to rescue us whenever we’re in trouble because of our bad choices. Friends, possessions, and activities may keep us from focusing on God as our very best friend. Day after day we leave him out of our lives. God often lets us lose for a while so we see how disastrous life if don’t have his power and presence on our side. Then, wham! Satan puts a temptation in our way and we just know we’re dead. But, somehow God turns the attack around, sends the tempter running, and shows us just how very much he loves us. At that point we realize how valuable our relationship to God really is. Truly, nothing is more important.
God forgives us. That is the best news we could ever hear, especially when we know the mess we’re in is our own fault. God responds to our cries for help just like he did for the Israelites. He drives away the enemy of our soul and gives us victory—not because we deserve it, but because he loves us too much to let us lose forever.
Psalm 103:10-11 says it this way: “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him.” Jesus said that God is our loving father who loves to give us good gifts. One of the very best gifts he gives is forgiveness.
Today’s Prayer:
Holy, powerful, jealous, and forgiving God, how I love you. I know I don’t tell you as often as I should. I goof off and mess up all the time. Thank you for forgiving me over and over again. Thank you for allowing me to start over new every time I need to. Thank you for loving me, even when I don’t deserve it. Amen.
Written by Martha E Menne
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Goliath's Derision
Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 17:42-44; 1 Peter 4:14; 1 John 4:4.
When Goliath saw God's little champion approach, he despised David, insulted that a mere boy would dare defy him. Did David think that mighty Goliath was a puppy dog that he could chase away with a stick? When we go out to fight God's battles, armed only with His Word, not only the devil, but the world will meet us with laughter and scorn: "You do not look like mighty warriors!"
But the enemy's derision at our supposed helplessness does not change the fact that when we obey God's Word, in Jesus' Name we have the backing of all the power of heaven. Our enemy's apparent strength crumbles when met with God's power, and we are triumphant in Christ Jesus.
Moment of Meditation: All Heaven cheers for God's warriors, no matter how puny they may otherwise seem.
A Talk with Jesus: Jesus, I thank You that I am never helpless, no matter what my circumstances are, as long as I obey Your Word. Amen.
For Further Study: 2 Chronicles 20:15; 32:7-8; Psalm 24:8; 989:13; Proverbs 24:5; Isaiah 63:12; Zechariah 4:6; Luke 10:19; 2 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 3:16; 2 Peter 1:3.
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Lovers of Darkness
Daily Devotional for January 19
John 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
Have you ever seen a well - lit bar room? The bar room is dark, for the lovers of darkness would not enjoy themselves in a well - lit setting. There is much demon activity within a bar room. One is the spirit of lust, another is the spirit of destruction.
We have had a jail ministry in the past. The men would share in many cases the reason they were facing a jail sentence. It was because of a drinking problem. We would share Christ Jesus with them and their lives did change. They found something much better than a drink. They found love and peace in the Master's arms.
Please come to the Light of Life and you will be delivered from the destruction of darkness. Jesus loves you.
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The Plight Of The Overprivileged
January 19th
READ: Mark 10:13-31
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Mark 10:25).
This is a remarkable statement that Jesus makes. In it He highlights the terrible danger of affluence. This, He says, does horrible things to the soul. Most of us, if not openly then at least secretly, are envious of rich people. We wish we had money. And yet, if we really understood what Jesus is saying, we would not feel that way. We would feel sorry for them. We think them overprivileged; Jesus says they are underprivileged. They are deprived people. There is so much they are robbed of by the things they have. So Jesus goes on to point out the terrible danger of affluence. "It is impossible," He says, "for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
Let us not minimize His language here. Some commentators attempt to soften this by explaining that the "eye of a needle" referred to a tiny gate, about four feet high, located in the wall of Jerusalem, and that by squirming and wriggling a camel could conceivably get through it. I do not see much evidence to support that view. I think Jesus meant a literal needle. Try to imagine a huge, humpy camel trying to squeeze through a needle's eye. Jesus is saying to them, "It's impossible."
Why is it impossible? It is clear from the context that riches tend to destroy the qualities you must have in order to enter the kingdom of God. They destroy the childlikeness of life. Affluence creates a concern for secondary values. Rich people are not worried about where their next meal is coming from; they worry about what it will taste like. They are not concerned about whether they worship God rightly but whether they are in a beautiful building. Riches transfer their concern from the necessary things to secondary.
Furthermore, affluence destroys teachability because it creates a false sense of power and authority. Those who have power because of their money begin to feel that they ought to be the teacher. They do not need to learn--they already know everything! This makes for arrogance, indifference, and for insensitivity to the needs of others, for isolation and a lack of concern.
Finally, affluence gradually enslaves those who are attached to it. It builds an increasing dependence upon comfort, upon "the good life," until people reach a point where they cannot give it up. They are owned by their possessions. Like to a habit-forming drug, they become addicted to things, addicted to comfort and ease. Therefore it destroys the responsive spirit that is ready and willing to follow truth whenever it is revealed.
That is why Jesus said it is impossible--with people. But not with God. This is the note of grace. God can break that enslavement to riches. Isn't it interesting that if a rich person does come to Christ, he or she must come in exactly the same way as the poorest bum on skid row! Rich people have to acknowledge their complete and utter need and come as guilty sinners, wretched and miserable, and receive the gift of life at the hands of Jesus from the cross. There is no other way to come.
Lord, let me be ready to give up my possessions and put them back into Your hands.
This daily devotion was inspired by one of Ray's sermons
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A Spotless Example
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Heb. 4:15.
The life of Christ had been so secluded at Nazareth that the world did not know Him as the Son of God--their Redeemer. He was regarded as nothing more than the son of Joseph and Mary. His life in childhood and youth was remarkable. His silence in regard to His exalted character and mission contains an instructive lesson to all youth. His faithful obedience to His parents until He was 30 thirty years of age is a pattern for youth to imitate more than the Jesus in Gethsemane and upon Calvary.
We shall never be required to endure the agony of the Son of God which He bore for a guilty world; but His life of submission and faithful obedience to His parents is the pattern for all children and youth. Although they may never experience, as did the Redeemer, the agony of Gethsemane or Calvary, they are required to imitate the life of Christ in humility, self-denial, self-sacrifice, and in filial, respectful obedience to their parents. . . .
The Lord had revealed to John that Jesus would be among the candidates who were to receive baptism at his hands, and that He would give him a special token whereby he might know the Lamb of God, and call the attention of the people to Him as the long-expected Messiah.
John had heard of the sinless character and spotless purity of the life of Christ, and that He claimed to be the Son of God. He had been informed of His wise questions and answers in the Temple, which astonished the grave doctors. He had listened to the recital of the Galilean youth silencing the doctors by His deep reasoning. He thought this must be the Son of God, the promised Messiah. . . .
As soon as the discerning eye of John rested upon Jesus, his spirit was stirred with the deepest emotion. He knew that He was not like any other man that had received the ordinance at his hand. He had strong convictions that this was the Christ of whom Moses and the prophets had written. His heart went out to Christ with intense love and reverence that he had never felt before. The very atmosphere of His presence was holy and awe-inspiring. . . . His heart had never been stirred with such emotions as when in the presence of Christ. . . .
Christ came to receive baptism, not with confession of sins to repentance, for He was without the taint of sin. . . . Through the perfection of His character He was accepted of the Father as a mediator for sinful man. . . . The Captain of our salvation was made perfect through suffering, and thus qualified to help fallen man just where he needed help (Youth's Instructor, January 1874).
From Lift Him Up - Page 25
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PLAYING SAVIOR
“Our present anxieties and troubles, we cry, are caused by the behavior of other people -- people who really need a moral inventory.” 12&12 p.45
“How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?” Luke 6:42
For what it's worth: You would drink, too, if the injustices done to me had been done to you. That is how I saw it until I was sober in Alcoholics Anonymous. There Step Four forced me to take my own inventory, and Step Ten keeps me honest about who and what I am to judge. When I mind my own business and care for my own soul, I can be at peace. However, I throw serenity right out the window as soon as I concern myself with what others say and do. If I wrap myself up tight in self-righteousness, I choke out any semblance of joy. And it is hard to find anything more pitiful than an alcoholic playing savior.
God bless you!
Joe W.