In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley.....March

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March 2, 2009
In Step With God
Ephesians 4:1-3

People are saved when they trust Jesus Christ as Savior and choose to follow Him. Right then, most Christians realize that they will dwell with Him forever in heaven. But many don't understand what they can expect for the remainder of their lives on earth.

One benefit that's available immediately is a growing relationship with the Lord. The Father's oneness with Jesus (John 10:30) illustrates the intimacy God wants to have with His children. He had this type of closeness in mind at creation--a relationship with man is an avenue for Him to express His love and for us to worship and understand our Maker.

Another advantage is that Christ-followers are promised clear guidance through God's Holy Spirit. Decision making is a part of everyday life. It is impossible for a mere human to know every variable and nuance before choosing which path to take. But the Lord knows all things--past, present, and future. With godly wisdom available, it's hard to understand why anyone would prefer to trust his own hunches.

Provision is yet another blessing guaranteed for believers. There will be hard times, but God gives Christians everything necessary for following Him (Phil. 4:19). And His grace will always prove more than sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9).

How abundantly God gives to His children! One word of caution, though: these gifts are effective only when believers walk obediently with Him. Sin can stifle them.

The heavenly Father desires that all of His sons and daughters have these blessings; if you're living in obedience before Him, they are available to you. Is anything getting in the way of your total submission to Him?

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March 3, 2009
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
Acts 2:38

On Pentecost, Jesus' followers gathered in an upper room to pray and worship God. Most likely, many of them had observed Christ's gruesome death, and some had seen Him after He was raised back to life.

As incredible as it must have been to witness His resurrection first-hand, these followers were about to experience yet another miracle. The sound of a great wind captured their attention, and suddenly, they were filled with God's Holy Spirit. One result was that they began speaking in different languages (Acts 2:4).

Before that day, the Spirit of the almighty God came upon certain people temporarily to help them. But on the day of Pentecost, for the first time, our heavenly Father placed Himself inside people to dwell permanently.

How does this affect Christians today? Starting at the moment of salvation, the Spirit lives within each child of God, sealing that believer for the duration of his or her life on earth. (Eph. 1:13). There is nothing that can steal one's eternal security.

In our daily life, the Spirit is our helper--a built-in teacher who gives discernment to see things as they really are, not as they may appear. Furthermore, the third person of the Trinity convicts us of sin and reveals the truth (John 16:8). And when we don't know how to pray, He intercedes on our behalf (Rom. 8:26).

If you are a follower of Jesus, the Holy Spirit resides in you and is always at work. But sin, business, and distractions could prevent your ability to hear Him. Are you able to sense His direction and conviction of sin? If not, ask Him to reveal anything you need to confess and to show you how to listen.

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March 4, 2009
Confidence to Face Trials
John 14:1-15

Few people enjoy conflict. As Christians, however, we are guaranteed trouble and persecution, particularly when we proclaim Jesus as Lord (John 16:33; 2 Tim. 3:12).

The very nature of the gospel divides people. One source of tension is the exclusivity of certain biblical claims. For example, many people find John 14:6 infuriating because Jesus stated that He was the only way to the Father. But as the same verse states, Christ is also "the truth and the life." So while we must be kind when explaining God's message, we need not be apologetic.



And when we face difficulty for honoring Christ, we do not need to be afraid. There are three reasons that we, as children of our heavenly Father, should have confidence to face the hardships of life. First, we know that Jesus faced trials just as we do, and He is with us in all of our adversity. Second, Scripture tells us that when we walk in step with Him, He allows only challenges that will strengthen, mature, and equip us. In that way, we can help others who deal with similar tribulations. Third, we are assured that He will provide everything we need--and with God's help, this trial will not be more than we can handle.

Are you comfortable telling others about Jesus and explaining why you believe in Him? Spend time thinking about how to express the Savior's involvement and significance in your life. In that way, you will be prepared to confidently share your faith. Then, pray for strength, courage, clarity . . . and opportunities.

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March 5, 2009
Serving Christ
Matthew 25:34-40

Stop for a moment and consider the purpose of your life. Are you living to pursue your own interests or success? Does your energy revolve around your family members? Perhaps your ambition is to change the world for the better.

All of these aims--even the last one, which sounds so selfless--are futile. The only goal of lasting value and fulfillment is serving Christ. As His followers, we should model our life after His. And Mark 10:45 tells us that "even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." We honor Him by doing likewise.

Yet, sometimes we can feel overwhelmed when we consider the amazing ways that other believers are serving the Lord. With God on His side, King David led great armies into war. Today, there are evangelists who speak to tens of thousands, and many lives are saved. How could anything we do compare to accomplishments like these? And while comparisons may discourage us, Christians use other excuses for not trying--such as a lack of experience or having the wrong personality for the task. But God's call for each person is unique. He will provide the words, ability, and circumstances so that you can achieve what He wants done. Remember, our Father is the one who makes the difference. We are merely tools, and we're blessed to be used by Him.

EL: Are you demonstrating your love for the Lord by serving others? Live in such a way that each evening you can tell Him, "Lord, as best I know how, I have attempted to serve Your purpose today."

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March 6, 2009
To Believe or Not to Believe
John 20:24-31

I have a friend whose heart was broken when his son decided he no longer wanted to be married. The father prayed that God would reconcile that broken relationship, but soon the divorce was final. My friend felt as though the Lord had let him down.

After Christ's death, Thomas struggled with a similar issue. He had envisioned his Messiah ruling as King of the whole earth--but now Jesus was dead, and Thomas's hopes were buried with Him. Had he believed a lie? Why had his Lord not done what the biblical prophecies said He would do?

When the other disciples reported that the Lord had risen from the dead, Thomas refused to believe unless he could actually see Christ's wounds of crucifixion (John 20:25). Having been disappointed after putting faith in Jesus before, he hesitated to do so again without tangible proof.

Our trust in God can take a nosedive when expectations of what He will do are unfulfilled. Perhaps you can think of a time you asked the Lord for something and believed with all your heart that He would do it--but then He didn't. What are we to do when it looks as if God has failed us? Keep believing! Jesus said, "Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed" (v. 29).

Thomas's huge disappointment--Christ's death--ultimately led to the greatest hope for mankind. When we feel that the Lord has let us down, we need to realize that in His great wisdom, He is doing something even greater than we asked.

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March 7-8, 2009
A Person God Can Use
Acts 2:1-14

Called by the Lord to a life of discipleship and service, Peter left a career of fishing to become the leader of the church at Jerusalem. We can learn from his transformation, which had both high and low points.

Peter was the first to publicly acknowledge that Jesus was the Messiah. When the Lord asked the disciples who they believed He was, Peter spoke up and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16). Boldly confessing his faith in front of the others, he didn't hold back for fear of their opinion. In a similar way, the basis for our identity, both in public and in private, ought to be that we are followers of Christ. Our words and actions should proclaim that we belong to Him.

After Jesus' arrest, Peter's faith faltered. When challenged about having been with Jesus, he denied it. Just as Jesus had predicted, the apostle refused to acknowledge their relationship three times. How bitterly the disciple wept about what he'd done (Matt. 26:69-75). Following the resurrection, Jesus forgave Peter and then called him to love the "lost sheep" of the world (John 21:15-17). At Pentecost, after being filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter began his ministry by sharing the gospel with thousands (Acts 2:6-11, 41). Through God's power, many were saved.

Peter is a good example of the type of person our heavenly Father can use--someone with strengths and weaknesses, who learns from his mistakes, and is surrendered to the Lord for His purposes. Have you committed yourself to following God's plan?

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March 9, 2009
The Key to Financial Blessing
Malachi 3:7-12

We could all use our own personal financial adviser to help us navigate the economic turmoil of our times. And according to the prophet Malachi, we have one--God Almighty. He has a plan worked out for our financial security.

His key to financial blessing is the simple principle of Exodus 23:19 "You shall bring the choice first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord." In offering God the first of our earnings, we acknowledge that He is the source of everything and we are completely dependent upon Him. Old Testament believers were asked to set aside merely a tithe--or ten percent--of all that the Lord generously gave. Malachi equates keeping God's portion for oneself to robbing the Almighty of what belongs to Him (Mal. 3:8).

The Lord doesn't need our money, but He knows that we need to give. Doing so with a generous and willing heart displays the character of Christ in our lives. Remember, Jesus is a giver who gave His life for our salvation.

Generosity is a way to honor and worship the Lord. If our only expression of worship comes from the lips, we are missing the opportunity to demonstrate our love and gratitude for all that God has given us.

You can never out-give your loving heavenly Father. As you obediently offer Him the first part of your income, you'll find that He is faithful to His Word: He will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessing until it overflows (v. 10). In reality, there is greater financial risk in keeping than in giving.

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March 10, 2009
Trusting God With Your Finances
Proverbs 3:9-10

Yesterday we learned about God's plan for financial security: giving back to Him the first part of our earnings. Some of us, however, find it a challenge to put the principle into practice. Although we know what the Lord has said, the thought of giving that way can cause anxiety about not having enough. Then, there may be a temptation to replace God's plan with our own because His feels so uncertain. We should be careful not to let fear override faith.

The problem is not with the Lord's plan but, rather, with unbelief. Fear reveals doubt that God can do what He has said He will do. In today's Scripture verses, the Lord promises to provide all that is needed if we will honor Him with the first part of our wealth.

Can you trust all of God's Word? Many of us have staked our eternal security on believing what the Lord has said in the Bible about our salvation, yet some may doubt what He says about money and His provision for us. What conflicted creatures we are. We take one part of Scripture and say it is true, and yet we discount another section, feeling that the Lord cannot be trusted in the area of our finances.

God tells us to "test [Him] in this" and see if He is faithful (Mal. 3:10). In giving to the Lord, we have the privilege of watching Him fulfill His Word. Which is more reliable--our feelings or the Word of Almighty God? Say no to fear and step out in faith. Our God is believable.

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March 12, 2009
Focusing on God
Genesis 37:5-11

"Man is born for trouble" (Job 5:7). There is no way to avoid or escape this common condition of mankind. As we continue to look at Joseph's life, we get a glimpse of the anchor that held him steady while, one after another, the waves of affliction rolled over him.

When Joseph was a teenager, he was given two dreams about the Lord's future plans for his life. They revealed that he would one day be in a place of authority and honor, and his family would bow down to him. Scripture had not yet been written in those days, and the Lord would sometimes speak to men in their dreams.

Previously, God had spoken to Jacob in a dream and given him a promise (Gen. 28:10-16). And now his son was hearing from the Lord in the same way. Joseph followed his father's example of faith and believed the message.

The Lord knew that Joseph was going to need a promise to get him through the difficulty that would soon follow. God's Word to him was his anchor. During all the trials, Joseph kept on believing that the Lord would fulfill His promise. He focused on the faithfulness of the God, not on his circumstances.

When the Lord speaks to our hearts through Scripture, we can hold onto what He says as an anchor for our souls. He will keep His promises to us, just as He did for Joseph. When we focus on God and His Word, our fears will dwindle, our sense of need will diminish, and our doubts will be cleared away.

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March 13, 2009
The Judge and the Judgment
John 5:22-24

Anyone who's been in a courtroom knows the atmosphere of authority and fear that surrounds the judge as he enters and takes his seat. One day, everyone will stand before the ultimate Judge--the Lord Jesus Christ.

Coming before a judge can be a frightening experience, but knowing that he is good and fair can bring reassurance. When we appear before Jesus, we will be standing before the One who is righteous and just. The Lord is impartial, and He will make decisions with all wisdom and complete knowledge. His standard for justice will be truth, not opinions.

Jesus is the only one qualified to be the judge of all mankind. He has been given this job by His heavenly Father. Being the God-Man, He can sympathize with our weaknesses and understand our temptations. That is because He, too, has suffered and been tempted, and yet He never sinned (Heb. 4:15).

Scripture promises believers that they won't be condemned in the judgment, but will stand before Christ to give an account of their lives (Rom. 14:10-12). God's purpose is not to punish or shame them but to evaluate their lives and reward them for their good works. This will not be a public humiliation, but a private time of revelation with the Lord.

What comfort we have in knowing that our Judge is also our Savior, who loved us enough to die for us. Christ is for us, not against us. May this motivate us to love and live for the one who has delivered us from the fear of punishment (1 John 4:16-18).

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March 14-15. 2009
The Judgment of Believers
2 Corinthians 5:9-10

The judgment seat of Christ is probably not our primary consideration as we live our daily lives. However, we ought to give it some serious thought, because it could motivate us to live a life that pleases the Lord.

All believers will one day stand before Christ to be evaluated for who they are and what they have done. Jesus will reveal the hidden things of the heart, disclose every motive, and assess all our works for their eternal value (1 Cor. 4:5). Unlike earthly courts, this will not be a time for making a defense; we will have none. Instead, we will be in complete agreement with the Lord's verdict.

God's purpose in this judgment is to repay us for what we have done, whether good or bad (meaning worthless). The deeds which are good will receive a reward, but those that are worthless will not. The Lord will consider three issues in this judgment:

1. How much truth did you know?
2. How many opportunities did He give to you?
3. What did you do with all that He entrusted to you?

We will shed some tears of regret over lost opportunities to serve the Lord, but He will wipe them all away with His great love and forgiveness.

The certainty of our future judgment should affect the way we live now. If we are not careful, the busyness of our culture will steal our motivation to live for that which is of eternal importance. Let us adopt one ambition in life--to be pleasing to the Lord.

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March 16, 2009
The Words of Our Mouth
2 Timothy 2:23-3:5

Gossip is often regarded as a relatively harmless pastime, particularly when compared to wrongs like murder or adultery. Satan has painted talebearing as innocuous, but if we peel away that deception, we see the ugly truth. In the Bible, God lists gossip among the most depraved sins (Rom. 1:28-31).

Nothing about gossip is harmless. Whether the talk is intentionally hurtful or simply some idle musing, the subject can be hurt or embarrassed. A friend of mine decided to trace a damaging story about himself back to its source. He asked one man after another, "Where did you hear this?" Seventeen pastors later, he finally found the person who had originated the tale. This fellow admitted he had speculated aloud regarding a situation about which he knew little. A destructive chain reaction began with just one man jumping to a false conclusion while chatting with a friend.

Even if the victim never learns of the chitchat going on behind his or her back, gossip still has consequences. The people who spread a tale reveal their inner thinking: "For the mouth speaks out that which fills the heart," (Matt. 12:34). A poisonous tongue flows with the jealousy, resentment, or pride residing inside.

Gossip has the power to hurt feelings, destroy reputations, and divide churches. We do not have the right to bring such damage into anyone's life. In fact, God is the only One we should turn to when we hear a story. Those facing trials need prayer rather than tongues wagging over their misfortunes (Gal. 6:2).

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March 17, 2009
The Danger of Idle Talk
Proverbs 12:13-22

Ask a few people to define gossip, and most will mention something about spreading rumors. That is correct, but it's not the whole truth. Gossip includes any idle or malicious talk that harms someone else. In other words, damaging speech is a universal sin--we have all been guilty.

For example, have you ever commented negatively on how a person dressed? Suggested to a friend that someone you both know should consider changing jobs or hobbies? Told an acquaintance about another man or woman's personal life? Let me ask you a final question: Did you feel a check in your spirit while you were speaking? All of these can be examples of gossip--words that do damage despite sounding innocent.

Idle comments are often delivered in a way that makes them seem unlike the traditional definition of talebearing. Three common ways that people mask gossip are 1) by speaking in jest, 2) by offering others' personal details "as an example," and 3) by disguising the spread of information as a prayer request. Of course, not every tease or illustration is gossip. And the body of Christ is certainly called upon to pray for those facing hard times. Therefore, we must know the difference between worthless chatter and wise speech.

What makes the difference is the heart's motivation. (Ps. 19:14). Lips move loosely when the intention is to mar a person's good name or create instant camaraderie--which often happens while discussing someone's misfortune. However, a desire to please God and show His grace toward our fellow man prompts us to speak only that which is good for building up others (Eph. 4:29).

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The Life Principles Bible

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March 18, 2009
The Influence of a Godly Parent
2 Timothy 1:1-5

Over the years, a number of people have expressed a desire to hear more about my mother Rebecca. I mention her often in sermons because she was one of my greatest influences. In the next two days, I'll share with you a few of the fundamental life lessons she taught me. These are instructions I believe every parent should give children.

My mother taught me to pray. Every night we knelt together next to my bed while she spoke with the Lord. I listened to her words and her tone, which gave me a pattern for my own prayers.

My mother brought every need before God. Every week she worked 40 hours in a textile mill to bring home $9.10. I can still picture those checks. Yes, times have changed and inflation must be taken into account, but poor is poor. With less than 10 dollars a week, we had to cover rent, food, clothing, bus fare, and all the little expenses that crop up. I would get nervous sometimes and ask Mother how we were going get by. She said, "We're going to trust God. We read in the Bible how He answered prayers then, and He's going to meet our needs now."

Mother had never heard the word "theology," but she had plenty of it. She did not attend seminars or study child-rearing books. Rebecca read the Bible and applied God's principles to her life. Then she made sure her son knew how to do the same. Moms and Dads, that is what it means to be a godly parent.

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March 19, 2009
Parents Setting a Course
Ephesians 6:1-4

God gives parents the responsibility to set a course for their children's lives. Are you "building a highway" or "digging a ditch"? A child is influenced by our words, decisions, and character. No parent can raise perfect offspring, but we can and should do our best to bring up youngsters who serve Him.

My mother enforced obedience. I learned quickly that the degree to which I disobeyed was the degree to which she disciplined me. She occasionally used a switch to bring me around to her way of thinking. But even more painful were her well-deserved lectures. Mother gently but firmly explained that she worked hard to care for us. While she was at the mill, she expected me to do what was right. By the time her talk ended, I was usually in tears. I understood repentance long before I knew the word.

My mother loved me, so she demanded obedience. And when I didn't comply, she used discipline. She realized that I had to learn to follow her direction before I would listen to other authority figures or my heavenly Father. Of the Lord she always said, "Obey Him because He is God." Mother offered no more explanation than that, but with those words, she paved the way for someone else to extend my faith highway.

My grandfather continued my spiritual education. He said, "If God tells you to run your head through a brick wall, start running. When you get to the wall, He'll make a hole for it." In other words, obey God and leave the consequences to Him--the very lesson I encourage parents to model for their children.

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The Life Principles Bible

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March 20, 2009
The Final Exam
Matthew 25:31-40

"Pay attention because there will be a test later." Upon completing their schooling, most people are relieved not to have to hear those words anymore. Well, your testing days are not quite over, because God has a final exam for believers. Below is a brief "study guide" outlining what the Lord's faithful can expect at His judgment throne.

The Questions. Examining each believer's life from the moment of salvation to death, God looks for the answers to three questions:

1.How much truth did he or she know?

2.How many opportunities did the person have to use that truth?

3.What did he or she do with those opportunities?

So you see that we are actually preparing for the final exam right now. On judgment day, no excuses or arguments can stand, nor will anything unrighteous, selfish, or evil be permitted in His holy presence. All we will have to show is what we did in God's name.

The Rewards. Every person who receives Jesus Christ as Savior shares in the gift of eternal life. However, just as each one is judged by his or her own life, so are rewards given individually. Though the Bible is not specific about the nature of heavenly blessings, the promise of receiving them permeates its pages (Matt. 5:12, 6:4; 1 Cor. 3:8; Rev. 2:23).

God has given us so many big and small ways to honor Him. Do not waste a moment of preparation time! On the appointed day, you will want to stand before Him, certain that you used your opportunities to the fullest.

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The Life Principles Bible

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will post as soon as i get it.

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March 23, 2009
Reasons to Believe The Bible
1 Peter 1:22-23

Scripture is meant to have a positive influence on our conversation, conduct, and character. Therefore, we must trust in the Bible's accuracy and supremacy. Today I'm going to give you three reasons to believe God's Word.

Jesus believed Scripture. Our Savior affirmed the validity of the Old Testament by using it. He quoted Isaiah's prophecies to poke holes in the Pharisees' false piety (Mark 7:6-13). Later, after His resurrection, He explained to two believers the things that Moses and the prophets had written about Him (Luke 24:27). Finally, Christ promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit would enlighten their minds and jog their memories, which ensured that the New Testament books were written accurately (John 14:26).

Scripture is inexhaustible. Like a well that never runs dry, the Bible offers readers a fresh taste of living water each time they open it. Men and women who have dedicated their lives to studying this amazing book admit that they have only skimmed its surface. Personally, I cannot count the times that a passage I knew by heart suddenly yielded new insights.

Scripture is indestructible. For centuries, various governments and leaders have tried in vain to destroy God's Word, or at least restrict access to it. The most hated book in history keeps circulating and winning hearts for the Lord.

The Bible is the Lord's way of revealing Himself to humanity. Through its pages, we learn how to please Him with our life and service. Believing only those passages that suit one's worldview is foolish because every word is God-breathed.

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March 24, 2009
How the Bible Is Structured
Psalm 119:103-106

The Bible has an organized structure: it is designed to take readers systematically through God's plan for redeeming mankind from enslavement to sin. The steps include:

Redemption Plan. God foresaw humanity's need of salvation. Therefore, He was laying the groundwork for Jesus Christ's sacrifice, even as He created the world in Genesis 1 and 2 (Eph. 1:4).

Redemption Need. Over the course of the first nine chapters, people clearly demonstrate how much they need to be saved. Wickedness swells until God must intervene with an animal sacrifice (Gen. 3:21), a flood (Gen. 6:13), and forced separation (Gen. 11:9).

Redemption Preparations. The remainder of the Old Testament tells Israel's story. The nation forms and matures with a two-fold purpose: 1) to proclaim Jehovah as the one true God and 2) to receive God's Son Jesus Christ as the Messiah.

Redemption Achieved. The four gospels document the fulfillment of God's plan through Jesus Christ. His death fully pays the penalty for all of mankind's sin.

Redemption Shared. The book of Acts tells of the gospel spreading far and wide.

Redemption Explained. Jesus' followers write epistles--or letters--revealing the Holy Spirit's teaching so that all believers may grow in wisdom.

Redemption Realized. Revelation shows God's faithful followers joining Him eternally in a new heaven and new earth.

Even though God's Word must necessarily be read and studied in pieces, do not forget that it does function as a whole. Once you understand the Bible's outline, you can see how the Lord works in individual books and chapters. All of the diverse elements--law, prophecy, poetry, gospel, epistle, etc.--connect to make one exciting story!

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March 25, 2009
The Price of Prayerlessness
Isaiah 40:28-31

The heavenly Father wants His children talking with Him. Jesus gave an invitation to speak with God about anything. He said that if you have a need, ask; if you seek answers, you will find them; if you want opportunities to open up, knock and He will respond (Matt. 7:7-8). Even so, there are believers who do not bother communicating with the Lord, except in emergencies.

Forsaking prayer is costly to a person's well-being. Those who will not make time for God daily are on a slippery slope. They slide through weariness, discouragement, and doubt to land in a testimony-damaging situation. Today we will focus on the first phase--weariness. Tomorrow we can examine the rest of the descent.

Certain situations take an emotional, physical, and spiritual toll--we call these burdens. Such low points can wear us out if we try to endure them alone. But God does not intend for that weight to fall on our shoulders. In fact, the Bible commands that those loads be cast upon Jesus Christ (Ps. 55:22). "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden," cries David in Psalm 68:19. Remember, He is doing all the work to straighten out your circumstances anyway. So there's no point in both Him and you carrying that weight.

Hauling all our worries and cares around is wearying because we are not built for such loads. In God's design, His strength fills the believer to capacity. Picture Jesus' shoulders just above your own--with Him bearing your problems. The burden does not disappear, but it feels blessedly lighter when you hand it over to the Lord.



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March 26, 2009
The Damage of Prayerlessness
Colossians 4:2-6

Prayer is a priority for any person who is used mightily by God. Jesus often slipped away to spend quiet moments with His Father. If the Son of God needed prayer time, then we certainly cannot live well without it! Yesterday we saw that those who go it alone become weary bearing unnecessary burdens. Today we will look at the results of slogging through life under that extra weight.

When someone is spiritually, emotionally, or physically drained, he or she becomes susceptible to discouragement. Joshua was exhorted to meditate upon the Law, because his success was dependent upon following God's will (Josh. 1:8-9). Keeping the Lord at the center of one's focus builds confidence. Without prayer and Bible reading--which cannot be separated--believers enter a vicious cycle where troubles loom ever larger as man-made solutions fail. Under such conditions, discouragement is unavoidable.

Loss of confidence is soon followed by doubt. A believer immersed in prayer and Scripture reading will find security in the Lord's power and presence. But someone who questions God's faithfulness will look for refuge everywhere except in those disciplines. Eventually, he or she is going to step out of God's will while chasing a counterfeit solution. Sadly, a testimony-damaging situation often results.

Forsaking prayer results in a downward slide, but the good news is that the direction can be reversed at any time. The corrective steps are simple: confess your prayerlessness and then prioritize a regular quiet time with the Lord. In those moments of communion, He will make burdens light, offer encouragement, and fill His children with confidence.

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March 27, 2009
Our Eternal Rewards
1 Corinthians 3:5-15

The Lord is not only our Savior and Judge; He is also our Rewarder. God will generously recompense us for our deeds which survive the fire of His judgment. These rewards can be for something as simple as giving someone a cup of cold water (Matt. 10:40-41) or as momentous as dying a martyr's death for Christ. Nothing will be overlooked by our God.

Matthew 25:21 describes these rewards as praise from the Lord, increased responsibility in the kingdom, and entrance into the joy of Christ. Scripture also speaks of several crowns which God will give to those who have faithfully lived for Jesus rather than for themselves. In heaven, we will have the opportunity to cast them before Christ's throne in worship (Rev. 4:10-11).

Daniel 12:3 says that those with insight will shine like the brightness of the heavens. The more obediently we have lived for Christ, the greater will be our capacity to reflect His glory for all eternity.

Our greatest reward will be the Lord Himself. We'll have a relationship with Him that will be absolutely perfect. No sin will ever come between us. As much as we enjoy the Lord on earth, our relationship will prove even richer and more satisfying in heaven.

What we do in this life will determine to a great degree how God blesses us in the life to come. If we live for Him now, we will have the privilege of laying our crowns at His feet. Since no one will want to come to His throne empty-handed, we should view each day on earth as an opportunity to invest for eternity.

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The Life Principles Bible

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Will post as soon as i get it. Sorry for the delay.

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March 30, 2009
Discerning John the Baptist
Matthew 3:1-12

Who couldn't use a little discernment? We desperately need the Lord's help to determine truth and reality in a world filled with confusing grey areas and insidious deceptions.

John the Baptist was a man of tremendous discernment. This rough and rugged preacher came thundering onto the scene of staid, orthodox Judaism with a message that rocked the whole Jewish nation. John's job was to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. His message was simple: "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand" (v. 2).

As the multitudes flocked to hear this unique prophet and to repent of their sins, John discerned that some of them were frauds. The Pharisees and Sadducees came to check him out, not to repent. John saw the reality hiding behind their religious exterior.

A discerning spirit is one that is in tune with the Spirit of God. As John lived in submission to the Lord, he gained insight which was beyond anything that could have come from his own mind.

He saw the situation from God's perspective and delivered a strong rebuke to that "brood of vipers" (v. 7). Although we may never be as forthright as John, there will be times when a discerning spirit will lead to confrontation.

God wants His children to develop spiritual discernment in order to be guard against deception. We must know how to recognize erroneous philosophies of this world as well as false doctrines that sneak into the church. What's more, insight from the Lord can guard us in our relationships and even help us see the truth about ourselves.



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March 31, 2009
Developing Discernment
Hebrews 5:12-14

We live in a fast-paced world that demands instant results. For many people, waiting has become a lost art. God's way of maturing us in our faith is quite different. The character qualities that He values take time to develop.

Discernment is a trait that does not come instantaneously. Rather, it is cultivated by saturating the heart and mind with Scripture. The transcendent Lord of the universe wants to share His thinking with us through His Word. What could be more important or valuable in life than having the capacity to know the mind of God?

Our lives are filled with situations that require discernment. Sometimes we can be so busy trying to find the will of God and direction for our next step that we fail to hear His voice. He is calling us to come to Him and spend some quiet, unhurried time absorbing the truth of His Word.

After listening to the Lord, we can begin applying what we have learned. Only as we put His Word into practice in our lives will we have our "senses trained to discern good and evil" (v. 14). The Scriptures open our eyes to see all of our experiences from God's perspective so that we can make wise choices.

Our challenge for today and every day is to make it a priority to spend time with the Lord in His Word. We may have to reorganize our schedule or wake up earlier. But it's worth the effort--discernment and wisdom await us if we put into practice the truths we absorb each day.

FEATURED RESOURCE






The Life Principles Bible