How Do I Get More Light?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” Psalm 119:34

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Is God righteous? Yes! How is the righteousness of God revealed? “From faith to faith.” How does that work? God gives you truth…you believe that truth…God gives you more truth. 

The more you obey the light, the more light you get. 

The reason some of us don’t understand the Bible any more than we do is because we have not been living up to the light God has already given us! If you want to understand the part of the Bible you don’t understand, begin to obey the part you do understand and you’ll understand what you didn’t understand. Do you understand?

ACTION POINT:

Ask God for faith that will reveal to you the hidden truths of His Word that are hard for you to understand right now.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Your Virtual Reality—Newness of Life!

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“We are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I was in an airport one day looking for something to pass the time. I saw a virtual reality motorcycle ride. I sat down and buckled my seat belt as instructed. The screen came on and I couldn’t believe it. I felt like I was riding a motorcycle, but I was just sitting in a room! 

Sometimes our mind tells us something is true when it’s not true. Other times when something is true, we fail to believe that it is true! 

How critical it is for us to focus on the truth! Jesus died for you. He lives for you. You died with Him. You live for Him. Day by day, you need to take those facts and turn them into faith.

ACTION POINT:

Tell yourself this truth today. Write it down. Post it all around you! You are buried with Him. You rose with Him. You can walk in newness of life!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

You Are Not a Speck—You Are Cherished!

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“. . . the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The Lord sees you. He knows all about you. And I guarantee you on the authority of the Word of God, that He loves you. 

This is amazing when you realize that we are just specks on a globe that’s about the size of a grain of sand or less compared to the size of the universe. 

There’s no more reason that the Lord of Glory should be interested in us then we should be interested in an ant floating on a piece of cheesecake in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. And yet our Lord looks down and He sees us as cherished individuals that He loves one by one. 

The great God that runs the universe is concerned about you as though that were His only goal.

ACTION POINT:

When was the last time you counted the hairs on your head? Can you trust a God who has them numbered?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

One Burning Focus

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Do you know what the problem with many of us is? Our faith is something tacked onto our lives. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters…” (Matthew 6:24). Do you believe that? You are to have but one goal in your life, and that is to know Jesus Christ personally, powerfully, passionately, and preeminently. Everything else will flow out of that. 

You say, “But wait a minute. I’ve got other things to do! I’ve got a job. I’ve got to rest. I’ve got to have recreation. I’ve got to have friends. I can’t just narrow my interests to one.” When you bring your life into a burning focus, all of these other things will contribute to the main thing. 

ACTION POINT:

What is the burning focus of your life? Make it Jesus, and you’ve made it! 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Failure Is Not Final

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“O love the Lord, all ye His saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful.” Psalm 31:23

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth were two of the greatest baseball players of all time. Ty Cobb was known for his record number of stolen bases, and Babe Ruth was known for his record number of home runs. What you may not know is that Ty Cobb was also thrown out more than any other man in baseball trying to steal bases. And Babe Ruth struck out more than any other man in baseball! These fellows didn’t let their failures stop them, and neither should you! 

Fix your goal. 

Face your faults. 

Forget your failures. 

Failure in the Christian life is not final. 

ACTION POINT:

Maybe you or someone you know is feeling discouraged today. Remind them or yourself of the promise in Philippians 4:13.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Charting Our Course by His Word

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But whoso keepeth His word, in Him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him.” 1 John 2:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The word “keepeth” in 1 John is a derivative of a word that sailors used years ago to refer to their practice of steering their course by “keeping” the stars. 

This did not mean, of course, that a sailor would not be blown off course or that he might not over-steer. It didn't mean that he might not nod at the wheel or somehow be distracted, or fail to keep a perfect chart. But the goal, the aim, the desire, and the controlling principle in his life were those stars. He knew that in them he could find direction to his destination. 

In the same way, John says God’s commandments are to be the standard by which you and I chart our courses in life. 

ACTION POINT:

What is determining your steps today? God’s Word? Or your word? 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Penetrating Power of the Word of God

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” Hebrews 4:12

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I have found that when you don’t apologize for the Bible but accept and teach the Bible, it goes through the devil’s lies like a white-hot cannonball through a crate of eggs. 

There is power in the Word of God, and Satan does not want you to understand the authority of the Word of God. He doesn’t want you to get the power that will divert his fiery attacks away from your heart — his prime target. When the Word of the Lord and the Lord of the Word become your authority, then Satan and all of his demonic forces will flee, and you are going to have authority for your life. 

ACTION POINT:

How is the Word of God penetrating your heart? Are you even allowing it to do so? Take a few minutes and ask God to begin a mighty work in you through the power of His Word. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Enduring Word of the Lord

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“The grass withers, and the flower thereof falls away: But the word of the Lord endures forever.” 1 Peter 1:24-25

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Many centuries ago there was a Roman emperor named Diocletian who was known for his hatred of Christianity. He hated the Bible so much that he took a Bible and burned it. Then on top of that burned Bible he erected a monument. 

Chiseled on that monument were these words: 

“Extincto nomini christianorum” — “The name of Christian is extinct.” 

Over the years many like Diocletian have sought to eradicate the Bible and Christianity, but for naught. The Bible is the incorruptible Word of God, and the foul breath of time and the gnawing tooth of decay cannot destroy the Word of God! 

ACTION POINT:

Purchase a Bible this week for the sole purpose of giving it away. Then ask God to find that special someone for you to give it to. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Jesus Paid It All

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ (by grace ye are saved). Ephesians 2:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Suppose your best friend offered to buy you a new car. You tell him that you can’t accept it outright and offer to help pay for the car. Then you say, “Here’s a quarter. Thank you!” 

Now you’re driving around, and somebody compliments you on your new car. You say, “Thanks! My friend and I bought this car.”

Wouldn’t that be ridiculous? Well, that’s what we’re doing with God when we add our two bits-worth of self-effort to His grace. If you do that, you take the glory from Almighty God. When you get to heaven, all you’re going to be able to say is, “Jesus paid it all.” 

ACTION POINT:

Spend some time reading Ephesians 2 today and praise God for His divine plan of salvation. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Bringing Up Godly Children in an Ungodly World

Bible Meditation:

O God, Thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared Thy wondrous works.” Psalm 71:17

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Satan is on a killing spree—he wants to kill our memory and set us awash in the sea of forgetfulness without any recollection of our Christian heritage as a nation.

Tragically, he’s aiming his artillery at our children, and particularly in the place where they used to grow in the knowledge of good things—the public school. Prayer is out. Police are in. Bibles are out. Values clarification is in. The Ten Commandments are out. Social engineering is in. Creation is out. Evolution is in. History is out. Revisionism is in. God says we need to remember the generation to come. 

ACTION POINT:

You have an important job—to influence the lives of those who will come after you. Teach them to walk in the ways of the Lord and against the tide of the world.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Strong Faith Glorifies God

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.” Psalm 18:2

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Do you know the greatest thing you could do to give God glory? It’s not to give a million dollars. It’s not to give your body to be burned. It’s not to go overseas as a missionary. 

The greatest thing you could do to glorify God is to believe God. Faith says, “God, You are trustworthy.” Don’t just sing about your belief in a great God or pray about your belief in a great God or even read about your belief in a great God. You must believe Him. A strong faith glorifies God! 

ACTION POINT:

Meditate on the names of God today: Prince of Peace, Lamb of God, Bright and Morning Star, Dayspring, The Good Shepherd, Messiah, Alpha and Omega.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

A Chain of Ten Links

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

So many people have the idea that God is going to grade on the curve. We say to ourselves, “We’re bad, but we’re not as bad as so-and-so.” 

But God doesn’t grade on a curve. He grades on an absolute standard of holiness. Can anybody say that they’ve kept all of God’s Ten Commandments? Of course not. But let’s suppose you had only broken one. What would happen? Well, let me illustrate. If a man was dangling over a fire by a chain of ten links and nine of those links were made of forged steel and one was made of crepe paper, what would happen? 

ACTION POINT:

Use this illustration with someone today as a testimony of God’s mercy in sending His Son for the salvation of all mankind. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Grumbling or Grateful?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

One day a preacher was riding on a train. He saw a well-dressed man and magnificently dressed woman with expensive jewelry. The woman was complaining about everything—the train ride, the weather, the news, the food, the service. 

The preacher decided to engage this couple in a conversation. He asked the man what kind of business he was in and the man told him. Then he asked, “And what does your wife do?” 

The man replied, “Oh, she’s in the manufacturing business. She manufactures her own unhappiness.” 

You know, there are a lot of people like that today. They manufacture their own misery because they fail to be grateful. Only Christ can turn our lives around and stir up a grateful heart within us.

ACTION POINT:

Go through the alphabet and thank the Lord for something beginning with each letter and choose to be grateful. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Doubting Our Salvation

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life.” 1 John 5:13

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A woman told the great evangelist Dwight L. Moody, “I’ve been saved twenty-five years, and I’ve never had one single doubt.” 

He responded, “Madam, I doubt you’ve been saved.” 

That would be like a couple saying they’ve been married 50 years and never had an argument. I’d say, “I doubt you’ve been married.” 

We all have doubts. You see, doubt is to your spirit what pain is to your body. It is a signal that something is wrong. And just as you seek to find a remedy for your pain, you should seek to find a remedy for your doubts. Jesus is your remedy. Get into His Word and know the assurance of your salvation. It’s not you, it’s Jesus that makes it possible. 

ACTION POINT:

Are you doubting your salvation? Then run to Jesus. Soak yourself in these truths from God’s Word: 

* Romans 10:13

* Ephesians 2:1-10 

* Titus 3:5

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Fire of Affliction

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

God wants to build spiritual steel and rock-solid faith into you. And the way He will do this is through the fire of affliction. Why? To test you. The faith that can’t be tested, can’t be trusted. 

The times I have grown the most were not when everything was going fine. The times when we go through sorrow, pressure, and trouble are the growing pains of our lives with Christ. Isn’t that true? Someone wrote these lines, 

“I walked a mile with pleasure, she chatted all the way.

But left me none the wiser, for all she had to say. 

I walked a mile with sorrow and not a word said she. 

But oh the things I learned from her, when sorrow walked with me.” 

ACTION POINT:

Are you in the fire of affliction? Trust that He will see you through and make you stronger when the test is over.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

God Knows

Psalm 139:1-6

1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 

3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 

4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. 

5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 

The primary theme threaded throughout Psalm 139 is the omniscience of God. 

Omniscience: God’s perfect knowledge of all things

Key Question: Does God really know everything...and if he does, how should that affect the way I live?

3 Things to Know About the Knowledge of God...

God’s knowledge is both intuitive and immense.

(Isaiah 40:13-14; Matthew 10:30; Psalm 147:4; Proverbs 15:3; Psalm 50:11; Acts 15:18; Psalm 139:12; Psalm 90:8; Matthew 11:21)

All knowledge past, present, and future resides in him.

God’s knowledge is not confined to the things on this earth. 

Nothing can be hidden from him!

God not only knows what “is” – he also knows what

“could have been.”

God’s knowledge is both intimate and infinite. 

God knows everything about me. (v. 1) 

God knows when I move. (v. 2a)

God knows what I think. (v. 2b)

God knows where I go. (v. 3) 

God knows what I say. (v. 4)

God has me surrounded. (v. 5)

God’s knowledge has implications for my life. 

It should fuel my worship. (v. 6)

It should drive me to the Word.

It should eliminate my worry.

It should transform my walk.

Thanks Dennis!

In Collusion or Collision?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.” Romans 8:16

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A farmer and his farmhand went duck hunting. The farmer said to his friend, “You’re always talking about fighting with the devil. I’m not a Christian, and I never have to fight with the devil.” 

The farmhand answered, “Boss, if you and I shot two ducks, one was wounded and one was dead, which one would you go after first?” 

The farmer said, “Well, I guess the wounded duck.” 

“That’s right. The devil knows you’re a dead duck.” 

If the devil doesn’t bother you, it’s because he doesn’t have to bother you since you and he are traveling in the same direction. If you turned around, you’d have a collision with him. Right now, you are in collusion with him. 

ACTION POINT:

Are you a child of God? Then praise Him that He has given you the power over Satan and placed you on the pathway to see Him face to face! 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Freedom from the Bondage of Sin

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Therefore, as by the offense of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Romans 5:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

One day Abraham Lincoln was in a slave market and saw a beautiful young slave girl being auctioned. Lecherous men were bidding on her, so Lincoln began to bid. Finally, she was sold to Lincoln. He took the certificate of sale and handed it to her saying, “You’re free.” 

She asked, “What do you mean, free?” 

He said, “You are free.” 

She said, “Free to do what I want to do?” 

He said, “Yes.” 

“Free to say what I want to say?” 

He said, “Yes.” 

“Free to go where I want to go?” 

He said, “Yes.” 

She said, “Then I am going with you.” 

Friend, Jesus made you free. You have been redeemed by His precious blood. And in gratitude, your life is to be devoted to Him. 

ACTION POINT:

Do you know someone who is in bondage to sin today? Share with them the free, redeeming love of Jesus Christ. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

You Are Valuable—Because You Are Loved!

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Grace is the most beautiful word in the Bible other than Jesus. Grace is why God loves us when there is nothing lovely about us. We are not loved because we are valuable. We are valuable because we are loved. 1 John 4:10 says, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” That, friend, is God’s amazing grace. We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. I love Him for His grace. It is all Jesus. It’s not the church. It’s not good deeds. Amazing grace is in the Lord Jesus Christ. He loves you. He died for you.

ACTION POINT:

Thank God for the justification you have through Jesus Christ. Thank God for the grace He has abundantly given you.

 LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Hands Of The Master

Ps.123:

1 To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! 

2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us. 

How beautiful are these words? Servants looking toward their Master's hands for holy help. Till He has mercy on us, thank You Lord for mercy!

Ps.124:

Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. 

The hands of the Master made the heaven and earth!

Ps.125:

Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. 

We shall not be moved! By God's power, alone!

Restore Such a One

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

As a young boy in Florida, I loved to collect coconuts and sell them. One day while up a tree, I was using my right hand to disconnect a coconut when the palm frond let go. I fell on the grass, but my left arm fell on the sidewalk. It was a bad situation. My brother was there, and he saw what happened to me. 

As I was lying there, having fallen, what did I need? Well, I didn’t need a lecture. I didn’t need my brother to go around to the community and say, “Did you hear about Adrian?” I didn’t need for him to come along and shoot me to put me out of my misery. What I needed was restoration. 

ACTION POINT:

Do you have a brother or a sister in Christ who is overtaken with a fault? If so, go and restore him; restore her. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Forgiveness of the King

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There was a king who asked slaves on a ship, “Why are you in chains?” 

One replied, “I don’t know. I was in a crowd when a crime was committed. I am innocent.” 

He asked another who said, “I am not guilty but a victim of false witnesses.” 

The king proceeded to ask each man the same question and each had a reason why he was innocent. That is, until one man responded, “I am here because I deserve to be here. I have sinned against my God and against my king. And now I am paying the penalty.” 

The king stepped back and said, “What are you doing here among so many honest men? Guards, release him!” 

ACTION POINT:

Not until we admit our sin are we going to know the mercy and forgiveness of the King. Bow before Him today and admit you are lost without Him. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Real Faith: What It Is—What It’s Not

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

It’s faith that enables us to live the Christian life. In order to know what faith is, let me tell you what faith is not. 

* Faith is not a hunch. 

* Faith is not positive thinking. 

* Faith is not responding to emotions, feelings, or icicles up and down your spine or miracles, signs and wonders. 

* Faith is not believing that God can do something. 

Faith is knowing that God will. Faith is taking God at His word. Real faith dies to doubt. It is deaf to discouragement. It is blind to impossibilities. Now this is the kind of faith we need. 

ACTION POINT:

What kind of faith do you have? Do you have the faith that is small as a mustard seed, but can move a mountain? Ask God for it today. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Ready to Give an Answer

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Sometimes during an interview a reporter may ask me, “Do you think a Jew without Jesus is lost?” If I say, “Yes,” then I will look like a racist or a bigot. If I say, “No,” then, I have dishonored the Lord Jesus Christ who died for the sins of all people. So, how do I answer? 

I say, “Friend, I believe that one of my own children without Jesus would be lost. It doesn’t matter whether he’s a Jew or a Gentile. You see, God demands absolute perfection and none of us can provide it. That’s why we need the gospel. We need Jesus. We need the righteousness of God that comes by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

ACTION POINT:

What would you say if someone asked you that question? Ask the Lord to prepare you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Not Allowing Past Sins to Silence Our Witness

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A young preacher was called out of a life of sin to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. While in the pulpit one day, he received a note in which someone had written all his past sins. In addition it read, “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? And you’re up there telling people to get right with God!” 

Do you know what the young preacher did? He read that note, bowed his head in prayer, stood up and said, “Ladies and gentleman I have received a note, and here is what it says.” Then, in front of that whole crowd, he read every one of those sins. Then he said this: “Yes, I am ashamed of myself, but I am not ashamed of my Savior!” 

ACTION POINT:

What are some past sins in your life that are holding you back from fully proclaiming God’s power to others? Confess them and bury them in His sea of forgetfulness. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You in the Secret Service?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Romans 1:16

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Are you ashamed to put a Bible on your desk at work? Are you ashamed to bow your head in the cafeteria? Are you ashamed to invite people to Jesus Christ? Are you ashamed of the One who died for you? 

A little boy had a dog, and someone asked him what kind of dog he was. He was just a mongrel, but the little fellow said, “Well, he’s a police dog.” The friend said, “He doesn’t look like a police dog.” The little guy replied, “He’s in the secret service.” 

I’m afraid there are many of us who are in the secret service. We ought to be open and bold for the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

ACTION POINT:

Ask God to lead you out in strength and boldness today to live for Him and proclaim His love to others. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Only One Life Ever Lived to Perfection

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There has never been a man like the Lord Jesus. I was deeply stirred by these words, written by John Phillips about Jesus:

“He never uttered a hasty, unkind, untrue, or frivolous word. He never entertained an impure thought. His talents never debased for selfish ends. His influence, never bad. His judgment, never wrong. He never had to apologize for anything that He did or retract a single word He said. He was never too late or too soon, never upset, never insipid, never shallow or afraid. . . He had absolute victory from the moment He drew his first breath in that Bethlehem barn until the moment He closed His eyes in death on the cross of Calvary.” 

ACTION POINT:

If you’re looking for a hero, let me suggest mine. His name is Jesus. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

For Darkness Is As Light

Ps.139:12

even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 

Dan.2:22

he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. 

John 1:

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

1 Cor.8:6

yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Heb.4:13

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Job 34:21

"For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. 

Rom.11:33-34,36

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" 

36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Jer.23:

23 "Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away?

24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.

It is my desire to speak God's word in truth to "whosoever will" heed His call of repentance. 

You have been given a free will to make the choice to repent, that is turn from rebellion, and follow Christ. No one makes the choice for you, it's yours alone to make. Both have eternal implications, one an eternity of worshiping the living God or one doomed to Hell and torment. My task given me by God is simply to speak His word. God alone gives salvation through Christ! Amen and Amen!!!

Lord, we cry out to You for the lost. Our souls are heavy with the prospect of Hell being an eternal place for sinners. Give us bold mouths to speak Your word of mercy! Amen

THE GOSPEL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

1 Peter 2:13-17

13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,

14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Biblical Truth...

We are submissive citizens of a government.

Government is given by God for the restraint of evil.

Government is given by God for the promotion of good.

We are free servants of God.

We use our freedom in Christ to model good lives. 

We use our freedom in Christ to show God’s love.

We honor everyone, especially our leaders. 

We care for the church.

We fear God.

Cultural Application...

We believe religious liberty is not primarily a political issue; it is a gospel issue.

Freedom of religion is ultimately given by God, not just granted by government.

Faith, in its essence, cannot be forced.

Religion is a matter of voluntary choice, not involuntary coercion. 

We work for religious liberty for all.

m Religion exists to explore the questions of life and apply our conclusions to life.

Government exists to protect this fundamental human privilege.

Government does not exist for the establishment of religion. Government does not exist for the elimination of religion.

n Government exists for the free exercise of religion.

Not just in episodic gatherings, but in everyday life.

Those who gather for worship in private settings scatter to live

out their beliefs in the public square. 

We obey our government unless it requires us to disobey God.

Four options...

God alone is our authority.

The government alone is our authority.

God and government are authorities with government in the

dominant position.

God and government are authorities with God in the

dominant position. 

One conclusion...

We must obey God rather than men.

We speak and serve on behalf of the persecuted church around the world.

We speak...

To God on their behalf.

To our government and other governments on their behalf. 

We serve...

We give and go to our persecuted brothers and sisters. 

We identify with our persecuted brothers and sisters. 

By following Christ no matter what it costs.

By proclaiming the gospel to people around us and people around the world.

Thanks Pastor David!

Surrender First

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“. . . now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” Romans 6:19

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

After a splendid victory at sea, Lord Nelson confronted the French admiral who was surrendering. Dressed in all his regalia, the admiral approached Nelson to surrender. With his sword swinging by his side, the admiral put out his hand to the British commander. 

Lord Nelson stepped back and said, “Your sword first.” 

There are a lot of people who think they can walk up and glad-hand the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “Your sword first.” Surrender first! Jesus is not an appeaser, and He will never make a truce with sin. Never! We have to abdicate the throne. We have to surrender. 

ACTION POINT:

Read Romans 6. Count the number of times the word “yield” is written. What does Paul want us to yield? 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Jesus Lives Forevermore

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.” Revelation 1:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I went to see Lenin’s tomb when I was in Moscow. He is sealed in a crystal case. You can see his waxen face and his trimmed beard, and on that tomb these words are written: “He was the greatest leader of all peoples of all countries of all times. He was the lord of the new humanity. He was the savior of the world.” 

Do you notice it’s all past tense? He was. Jesus is alive. He is the great I AM. It is an encounter with the living Christ that makes the difference in our lives. We serve a Savior who is alive and listening to our every prayer. He is bottling every tear and rejoicing with every victory.

ACTION POINT:

Thank God for His plan of love that sent His Son to die for you. Praise Him that Jesus lives forevermore!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

America in Crisis

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Jesus answered and said...if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.” Matthew 21:21

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

When a nation loses its ability to discern morality, it embarks on a slippery slope toward self-destruction, especially when it comes to basic sexual morality. 

When a nation turns its back on the commands of God, He will say, “That’s the last step. I wash My hands. You asked for it. You got it.” 

America is in a crisis, and unless we have a moral rebirth, we will join the graveyard of the nations—it’s time to wake up. Time is passing—it’s time to look up. Jesus is coming—it’s time to sober up. Satan is working—it’s time to pray up. Mountains need moving.

ACTION POINT:

Ask the Lord to heal our land, forgiving the iniquities of the wicked by bringing salvation to their souls. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Remembering Our Spiritual and Political Heritage

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.” Psalm 78:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

On June 8, 1845, Andrew Jackson said, “The Bible is the rock upon which our Republic rests.” Just a few years prior, in 1820, another of our forefathers, Daniel Webster, said, “Let us not forget the religious character of our origin.” In the days of our founding fathers, people didn’t quibble about the Bible’s importance. Our forefathers brought hither their high veneration for the Christian religion, being journeyed in its light and labored in its hope. They sought to incorporate, listen to, and infuse its influence through all their institutions: civil, political, and literary. 

ACTION POINT:

American heritage is important, but so is your personal spiritual heritage as a believer and as a family. Why not take some time this week to write down the spiritual heritage of your family? 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

This World Is Not My Home

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.” Colossians 3:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

First Peter 2:11 says that we are aliens and strangers in this world. We are in the world, but we are not of the world. We are twice-born in a world of once-born people, and we’re going to find ourselves going against the tide most of the time.

It’s like a deep sea diver who is underwater and outside his natural environment. He could not live if he weren’t linked to his life supply above. That’s the way we need to live. If we are to survive, we must stay linked to Jesus who is our life. 

The Bible says we’re not to set our affections on things beneath, but on things above where Christ sits at the right hand of the Father. (Colossians 3:1)

ACTION POINT:

It’s time to check your lifeline...are you trusting in anything in this world? Are you making friends with the things of this world?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A man named Solomon Peas died. His tombstone in London reads:

“Beneath these clouds and beneath these trees 

Lies the body of Solomon Peas. 

But this ain’t Peas - it’s just the pod.

Peas shelled out and went to God.” 

I like that. That’s what your body is. It’s just a pod. What happens to a child of God who has trusted Christ as his personal Savior? When he closes his eyes in this life, he opens them in the next. Jesus did not say, “After two or three thousand years, you’ll be with Me in paradise.” Jesus said, “Today, truly, you’ll be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). 

ACTION POINT:

Are you confident that if you died today you’d be with Jesus in paradise? If not, then confess your sins and believe upon His name to save you. Now, go and tell someone! 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers