Friday, January 30, 2015

Shining Brightly in the Twilight Years

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”  2 Corinthians 4:16

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
So many people think they can’t do much for the Lord as they enter their twilight years. God doesn’t change just because your health may take a turn or you feel weaker. The faith that is inside of you has not weakened, unless you stop feeding it with works of faith. The things that God calls us to do in life do not hinge upon our physical stamina or financial strength.

Do you know where one of the great strengths of a church lies? In its seniors who have walked with God for years. With their reservoir of wisdom and fortress of faith, they get hold of God, and though their bodies are wearing a bit, they are as strong as they ever were—because God is their strength.

Douglas MacArthur once said, “You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts, as young as your self with confidence, as old as your fears, as young as your hope, as old as your despair.” God gives unfading strength for His undiminishing promises.

ACTION POINT:
Latch onto the truth in this verse and let it become the hallmark of your later years: “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Hungering for God

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matt.5:6
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
When Jesus said that the one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness will be blessed, He was not talking about someone who had a mere appetite, He was talking about a starving man.

God made us in such a way that we couldn’t exist long without food. What is a starving man interested in? The latest football scores? The flower arrangement at the pink lemonade society? The number of stars in the universe? No! He’s only interested in one thing – food!

In fact, I did some research and discovered that a man can exist about forty days without food, about three days without water, and only eight minutes without air. In the spiritual realm of eternity, man cannot exist one second without Jesus Christ.
ACTION POINT:
May God help us narrow our focus to the glory of God and the saving of souls.
LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

The Infinite God Allows Us to Know Him

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“All things are delivered unto Me of My Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal Him.” Matt.11:27

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
When God condescends to make Himself known to us, the Bible calls that “revelation.” The Infinite reveals Himself to the finite. Now, what is the agent in this revelation? The Holy Spirit.  Only the Holy Spirit knows the mind of God and searches the deep things of God.

You and I cannot know God apart from the Holy Spirit revealing Him to us. Isaiah 55:9 says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” 

ACTION POINT:
Even in the human realm, the only way you and I know anything about each other is when we reveal ourselves to one another. And the only way that man will ever know God is for God to reveal Himself. Praise God that He has chosen to do that!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

A Defense Attorney Has Been Appointed For You


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The way to deal with your sins is for you to confess – that means, you are to begin by agreeing with God as to what He says about your sin. You need to also confidently deal with your sin. Now, what do I mean by that?

You have your own attorney when you go into the judge’s chambers for adjudication. According to God’s Word, you have an Advocate, which is another name for attorney.

The devil is the prosecuting attorney who points the accusing finger at us and says, “Look at him!” And Jesus, the defense attorney, stands by our side and says, “But Father, look at Me. I shed My blood for him.” Because Jesus died, our debt is paid. Hallelujah! Though our sins are as scarlet, He will wash them white as snow!

ACTION POINT:
Praise God today that your defense attorney is the Judge’s Son!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Monday, January 26, 2015

LIVING FOR THE TRUTH

3 John
The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth.

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. Demetrius has received a good testimony from everyone, and from the truth itself. We also add our testimony, and you know that our testimony is true.

I had much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink. I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.

Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.


Our mission is based on the truth of the manger.
• Truth is the good news of Jesus Christ coming in the flesh with the
purpose of giving himself as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 1:1-3, 1 John 4:2, 2 John 7).
• Key to living for the truth is to imitate others who are walking in the truth.
Imitate John’s example of loving in the truth.
• Care humbly for those you lead. (1)
• Comprehensively pray for their prosperity. (2)
• Consider your joy in their faithfulness. (3-4)
• Commend those who are walking in the truth. (5-8)
• Confront those who are walking in sin. (9-10)
• Constantly point to others who have a good testimony. (11-12)
• Confidently trust that peace can prevail even in conflict. (13-15)
Imitate Gaius’ example of laboring in the Truth.
• Show hospitality to strangers who are sent out for the truth. (5)
• Send them on as brothers to advance the truth. (6)
• Share generously with them in a way that honors the truth. (6)
• Select carefully those you support based on their purpose for going out. (7)
• Spend your life as a fellow worker for the truth. (8)
Senders and goers are both essential in the advance of the truth to the nations.
Loving others in the truth and laboring together for the truth are essential to living for the truth, but this is only possible when our ultimate passion is for the glory of Christ.

Thanks Jonathan B!

COMMUNITY BY THE BOOK

Nehemiah 8:1-12
1 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel.
2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month.
3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.
4 And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand.
5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood.
6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.
7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places.
8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.





1. We value the Bible together. (Nehemiah 8:1) • Rally around it.
• Require it of your leaders. • Receive it as God’s voice.
2. We study the Bible together. (Nehemiah 8:2-8) • Expound its truth.
• Understand its meaning. • Worship its God.
3. We obey the Bible together. (Nehemiah 8:9-12) • Let it convict you.
• Let it strengthen you. • Let it change you.
• Let it mobilize you.

Thanks Pastor Jim!!

A MODEL OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP


Nehemiah 1-6, 13


Humility Turns Us to God (1:4-11)
• The primary theme of Nehemiah is the Lord’s protection of His people, and prayer is a means through which God accomplishes that end.
• What kills self-reliance more effectively than prayer? What makes a louder statement of God-reliance than prayer?

Love Drives Us to People (2:1-5)
• Spiritual leadership is unavoidably personal in nature.
• Love isn’t content to send notes or a check. Love goes.

Task Brings Us Together (3:1-6:16)
• We have a shared and soul-thrilling assignment from God.
Faith Sends Us to Bed (13:1-30)
• The work, which began with an open hand of trust in the grace and goodness of God, ends the same way.
• Nothing and no one – not even Nehemiah – but Jesus Christ can ensure the preservation of our faith.

Thanks Matt!

Born To Be Hope

Matthew 2:13-23
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him."
14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt
15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son."
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more." 
19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
20 saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead."
21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.
23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.




Jesus is the fulfillment of...

• God’s care for us.
(Matthew 2:13-15; cf. Exodus 4:22; Jeremiah 31:9; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 6:25-33; John 10:11-15; 1 Peter 5:6-7)
• God’s faithfulness to us.
(Matthew 2:16-18; cf. Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 1:11-12, 17; 1 Corinthians 1:4-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24; Revelation 19:11)
• God’s identification with us.
(Matthew 2:19-23; cf. Psalm 22:6-7, 13; 69:9, 19-20; Isaiah 49:7; 50:6; 53:3; Daniel 9:26; John 1:14, 46; Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 4:14-16)

Thanks Jim!

LIVING WITHOUT A BACK-UP PLAN

Ezra 8:21-23
21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.
22 For I was ashamed to ask the king for a band of soldiers and horsemen to protect us against the enemy on our way, since we had told the king, "The hand of our God is for good on all who seek him, and the power of his wrath is against all who forsake him."
23 So we fasted and implored our God for this, and he listened to our entreaty.


What does it look like?
• Taking risks that make us
completely dependent upon God (Ezra 8:21)

• Being jealous for God’s honor by trusting Him to be faithful (Ezra 8:22)

• Humbling ourselves before God through prayer and fasting (Ezra 8:21, 23)

How can we do it in 2015?
1. Take one risk for the sake of the gospel that will leave you hanging if God doesn’t show up.
2. Participate in all four Brook Hills quarterly Days of Prayer and Fasting, including the corresponding Prayer Gatherings.
m February 4 m June 3
m September 2 m November 4
3. Find a creative way to have a monthly prayer gathering with some members of your small group at a time other than your regular meeting.
4. Pray for our Senior Pastor Search Team by following the 30-Day Prayer Guide.

Thanks Pastor Jim!

Finding God's Will

Acts 1:15-26

15 In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120) and said,
16 "Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.
17 For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry."
18 (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out.
19 And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.)
20 "For it is written in the Book of Psalms, "'May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it'; and "'Let another take his office.' 
21 So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
22 beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us-one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection."
23 And they put forward two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also called Justus, and Matthias.
24 And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen
25 to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place."
26 And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.




1. Make every decision in life in view of God’s plan of redemption. (Acts 1:15-26)
• What are the immediate ramifications for the gospel? (Mark 3:13-15; Acts 10:39-42; Ephesians 2:19-22; 4:11-16)
• What are the eternal ramifications for the gospel? (Matthew 19:28; Revelation 21:12-14)
2. Distinguish between God’s revealed will and God’s concealed will.
• God’s revealed will = stuff that IS in the Bible
• God’s concealed will = stuff that is NOT in the Bible
3. Always start with God’s revealed will.
• Trust the Bible as your authority. (Acts 1:16;
cf. John 17:12; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20-21)
• Let the Bible interpret your life. (Acts 1:16-20; cf. Psalm 69:25)
• Do what the Bible says. (Acts 1:20-22)
4. Look for God’s concealed will through the lens of God’s revealed will.
• Gather all the information. (Acts 1:23)
• Seek God in prayer. (Acts 1:24)
• Make sure your heart is right. (Acts 1:24)
• Trust in God’s sovereignty. (Acts 1:24-25; cf. 1 Chronicles 29:11-12)
• Make a decision and go with it! (Acts 1:26; cf. Psalm 37:3-5; Proverbs 16:33; 18:18)

Thanks Pastor Jim!

Born To Be Worshipped


3 responses to Jesus...

Matthew 2:1-12
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
2 saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him;
4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
5 They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'" 
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him."
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
11 And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

1. Rebellion against Jesus
We become threatened by him. (Matthew 2:1-3)
We become hostile toward him. (Matthew 2:7-8,12; cf. 2:13-18)
2. Religion without Jesus
We know the scripture but not the Savior. (Matthew 2:4-6)
We have the answers but not the action. (Matthew 2:4-6)
3. Reverence for Jesus
We diligently seek after him. (Matthew 2:1-2,9)
We gladly rejoice in him. (Matthew 2:10)
We humbly submit to him. (Matthew 2:11)
We sacrificially give to him. (Matthew 2:11)
Thanks Jim!
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BORN TO BE GOD

Matthew 1:18-25
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.
19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us). 
24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife,
25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Getting bogged down in the virgin birth...
1. The defense of the supernatural (Matthew 1:18-20)
2. The dilemma of Joseph (Matthew 1:18-20)

Getting the big deal of the virgin birth...
1. The virgin birth was necessary for God to be present
with us. (Matthew 1:22-23; cf. Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 7:13; Isaiah 7:14)
2. The virgin birth was necessary for us to be saved from our sins. (Matthew 1:20-21; cf. Genesis 3:15; Romans 5:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18)
3. The virgin birth was necessary for us to fulfill
our mission. (Matthew 1:22-23; cf. Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 24:46-49; John 20:21-23; Acts 1:8)

Thanks Jim!!

What Is Your Cross?


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:27

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The cross not only saves us, but it continues to sanctify us. Have you read where Jesus said, “Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34b)?

Many people think that this means that our “cross” is a sickness, an unsaved spouse, or a cruel boss. However, a cross is not something that is forced upon you, over which you have no choice. A cross is something you willingly take up.

Jesus willingly laid down His life. He calls us to do the same. 

ACTION POINT:
Your cross is when you willingly die to yourself. You do this by saying no to sin and self, and yes to Christ.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Sunday, January 25, 2015

The Greater Miracle


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“I, even I, am the LORD; and beside Me there is no Savior.” Isaiah 43:11

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
It takes more of God’s power to save a soul through the cross of Jesus than it does to do any other thing. God had no difficulty creating the universe. The Bible tells us He spoke and it was so. But when God wrote salvation’s story, He went to great difficulty. Let me illustrate.

What if I held a service and had the power to straighten a cripple’s legs or to bring sight to the blind? The next service would be standing room only. Now I certainly want God to heal, but let me suggest a different scene. What if I held a service and a little girl walked down the aisle and gave her heart to Jesus? That is a greater miracle than opening the eyes of the blind, because the Son of God had to hang on a cross in agony and blood to purchase her salvation! Jesus did not come as a great healer or teacher, He came as a Savior.

ACTION POINT:
Ask God today to give you the heavenly view—for the angels in heaven rejoice each time one lost person receives eternal life. This is the greatest miracle.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Faithfulness, Not Miracles


BIBLE MEDITATION:
 “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” Matthew 24:45-46

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
It is sinful for us to ask God to prove Himself by a miracle or sign, though I guess we have all done it.

When I was at Stetson University as a young boy having my quiet time in the prayer room, I asked God to move a chair from one side of the room to the other. I told him, “I already believe You and I don’t want to insult You, but what a confirmation it would be to my heart and life if You would just do this small miracle.” Isn’t that dumb?

I am so glad that God didn’t let the devil nudge that chair across that room and get me hooked on some kind of hocus-pocus. Jesus said that asking God for a sign, like this, is evidence of an evil, adulterous heart (see Matthew 12:39). Oh, that God would find us not looking for miracles but faithful in all we do in His name.

ACTION POINT:
Singer/songwriter Steve Green has sung, “May all who come behind us find us faithful.” Are those coming behind you looking ahead and finding an example in you? Are you faithful?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Friday, January 23, 2015

Complete Payment for Your Sin


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” Romans 3:25

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Propitiation is a big word that means satisfaction. Because God is a holy God, His anger and justice burns against sin. And He has sworn that sin will be punished.

There must be a satisfactory payment for sin.  But God said, “If I punish man for his sin, man will die and go to hell. On the other hand, if I don’t punish man for his sin, My justice will never be satisfied.”

The solution? God said that He would become our substitute. He would take the sin of mankind upon Himself in agony and blood – a righteous judgment and substitute for sin. 

His wrath burned out on the cross when His only Son died as man’s propitiation for sin. And this is love (see 1 John 4:10).

ACTION POINT:
Question: What can you bring Jesus today to repay Him for what He has done for you? Answer: Nothing could suffice. But “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my ALL!”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Promoted from Guilt to Righteousness


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Justification is God’s act whereby He declares those who have trusted in Christ to be as righteous as His Son is righteous. Salvation is not based on our works. Do you know what God sees when He looks at me today? He sees Jesus Christ. You may be thinking, “That’s arrogant, Adrian.” 

No, it’s not. It is the Bible. I am in Christ and therefore God cannot see my sins (see 1 Corinthians 1:30). He only sees the righteousness of His Son. Justification is more than just a pardon. It is a promotion. God doesn’t just forgive our sins, He makes us righteous. Only God can take someone who is guilty and give that person righteousness. It is the saving work of God. What is the basis of our justification? His grace.

ACTION POINT:
Do you see yourself today as defeated, wrapped in the guilt of failure and regret? Look through another lens: the Father sees you clothed in white—the righteousness of His Son.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

His Safety Deposit Box


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Here are three reactions you need to have when you encounter suffering. First, you are to rejoice in what God is allowing to happen. (see 1 Peter 4:13)  Second, you need to review your life (see 1 Peter 4:17-18). Am I suffering because of something I have done? If the Holy Spirit convicts you that your suffering is a result of your sin, then you need to repent.

Third, when you review your life and discover that your suffering is for the cause of Christ, then simply rely on Him (see 1 Peter 4:19). It is not your problem. It is His problem. 

ACTION POINT:
In 1 Peter 4:19 we see the word “commit.” That is a banking term. It means to deposit something of value with someone else, to keep it safe. He will take care of you. You can bank on it.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Hammers and Chisels at Work


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the Husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” John 15:1-2

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
When Solomon built his temple, he employed eighty thousand stonecutters. They chipped and shaped those stones in the quarry before bringing them to the temple mount. Why? Because Solomon didn’t want the sound of the hammers and chisels heard on the temple mount.

In the same way, you are part of the living stones of His temple and God is shaping you here in the “quarry” of earth. Part of your shaping is in the form of persecution. So don’t look at your persecutors as enemies, but as God’s stonecutters. 

ACTION POINT:
Next time someone reviles you, say “Thank God, another stonecutter.” God is shaping you to be what you ought to be.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Monday, January 19, 2015

Submission and Humility

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
To be “clothed” in 1 Peter 5:5 means to tie a knot or put on a servant’s apron. Basically this verse tells us to tie on the apron of a slave and be humble.

Why do you think Peter used that figure of speech? I think it was because Jesus laid aside His garments, girded Himself with a towel, and washed their feet. Peter would never forget that moment. The Scripture records, “Peter saith unto Him, ‘Thou shalt never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me,’ ” (John 13:8). 

ACTION POINT:
There are two lessons here: 1. We must be clothed in humility. You can’t look down on somebody when you’re washing their feet.  2. Even though we are saved, we walk in a dirty world. We need to come to Jesus daily to cleanse us from our sins, restore and refresh us.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Sunday, January 18, 2015

No Joking Matter / Eternity Is Real


Why do you think the world is fascinated with death stories made by the Entertainment Industry?
They deem it entertaining but is it?
The bible says "to think on things that are lovely, pure, true, honorable, just, or commendable."
The Entertainment Industry did not learn this, nor do they respect this truth!
It really makes life seem worthless as they characterize all matter of death so lightly!
I think it makes people de-sensitized to finality of death and the realization of the aftermath which is eternity.
Life is precious!
As a society, we have allowed abortion!
As a society, we are allowing thoughts of assisted suicide for people who are ill.
These things do have eternal consequences!
I am not judging, these apply to me also!
There are two places for you to end up, Heaven or Hell.
God is Creator and His Son, Christ Jesus will judge you.
Do you really want to make it a joke about your eternity?
I pray that as you read this, you will understand that there is no escape from Hell.
It is real!
It is eternal, it is hopeless, and it is a horrifying place reserved for unrepentant sinners who deny the power God has given Christ who alone can offer salvation and will judge man.
Will you trust Christ or will you deny His power?

Things to consider before you opt for any forms of entertainment:
Phil. 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.


No escape:
Luke 16
19 "There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,
23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'
25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.l
26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'
27 And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house-
28 for I have five brothers-so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'
29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'
30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'
31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"

Salvation by Christ alone:
Acts 4:
10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead-by him this man is standing before you well.
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Lord, help us to be very strict in what we watch and read. Help us to keep Your word in our heart so we can rightly judge what is pure! Amen


So Teach Us How to Number Our Days. . .”


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The difference between people is not that one has more time than the other. The difference is whether they use their time wisely.

You say, “Well, I’m just killing time.” To kill time is to commit suicide by degrees. You are just killing yourself because you + time = life.

Now that doesn’t mean you are going to be busy every moment.There needs to be balance in your life – checking in with God first before you make plans and add things to your agenda.  
ACTION POINT:
Make sure you are doing what God wants you to do. Jesus came to the end of His life and do you know what He said?

“I have glorified Thee on earth: I have finished the work that Thou gavest Me to do” (John 17:4).

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Resting Tomorrow or Borrowing Trouble?


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee.”Psalm 116:7
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I heard of a woman who woke up her husband because she thought she heard a burglar downstairs. He went down with a flashlight and was shining it around. Sure enough, there was a burglar in their home. He said, “Hold it right there. I’ve got a gun on you.”

He picked up the phone and dialed the police. “And another thing,” he said, “Before you go, I want my wife to come down here and meet you. She’s been looking for you for 24 years.”

A lot of people are that way. They borrow trouble by anticipating or worrying about what may happen. What you need to do is stop looking to yesterday in guilt or anticipating tomorrow with anxiety. 

ACTION POINT:
Simply rest in the day the Lord has given you today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Love Draws the Curtain of Mercy

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” Proverbs 10:12
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are people in every fellowship who take joy in finding something bad about somebody else. When they hear something ugly, they take great delight in exposing it.

Love does not rejoice in iniquity. Love wishes that it never happened. Love tries to cover it up. That doesn’t mean we condone sin, we cover it. Not “cover-up,” but cover. Let me illustrate.

Noah had three sons, Ham, Shem, and Japheth. Ham came and saw his father’s nakedness and was quick to tell others. Shem and Japheth walked backward into the tent and covered their father to help him cover his shame – not to condone what he had done, but to cover it. 

ACTION POINT:
Wouldn’t the world be a lot better place if we had that spirit? When the enemy tempts you to “stir the pot,” remember that love rejoices not in iniquity.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The First Step to Setting Things Right

“With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26

The Lord Jesus said, “Moreover if thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault” (Matthew 18:15). You say, “He’s the one that did wrong. If he wants forgiveness let him come and ask for it.” But Jesus said, “No, you go to him.” Whether you are in the right or whether you are in the wrong, as a child of God, you are to go to that individual. Isn’t that what God did in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve sinned against God and the Bible tells us that God came looking for them: “Adam, where art thou?” That was not the voice of a detective. That was the voice of a God Who pursues us to forgive us.

Stop right now and ask God to show you if you have an unforgiving spirit toward someone. Then, in His power and strength, call that person and ask his/her forgiveness. It’s going to be impossible in your strength, but remember, God does the impossible.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Living Each Day Like It’s THAT DAY


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” 1 Peter 4:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Years ago, G. Campbell Morgan was a great expositor of the Word of God. He said, “I never lay my head on the pillow without thinking that perhaps before I awake the final morning may have dawned. I never begin work without thinking that He may interrupt it to begin His own.”

Every night before we go to sleep, we ought to say, “Jesus may come tonight."And every day when we get our tools and go to work, this may be the last day of work that we do. We are to be looking for His return. We are also to be longing for His return.

ACTION POINT:
Are you praying for Jesus to return? If you love Him, you ought to be longing for His return. I have Him in my heart, but I long to lay my eyes upon Him and walk with Him and talk with Him. “Even so, come Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Submission Must Come Before Victory


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.” Proverbs 29:23

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Have you ever taught someone to drive? What was the first thing you showed him? If you’re like me, even before I showed my children the ignition switch, the accelerator, or the blinker, I showed them the brakes.

Now suppose your learner said, “I don’t want to know anything about the brakes. I just want to know how to make this thing go!” You would probably reply, “You aren’t ready yet to learn to drive! Forget the accelerator. Before you can go, you’ve got to learn to stop.”

ACTION POINT:
Put this in a spiritual realm. What if I asked you to submit to God and you said, “I’m not interested in submission. I want the victory!” God is not going to pour out His power upon you until He sees in you a spirit of submission.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Facing the Giants


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.” Mark 11:23

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Did you ever play “king of the mountain” as a child? 

When you were on high ground, you could shove the others down, even though they were entrenched and determined to overtake you. In Joshua 14, we read that Caleb faced a city of giants, and yet because he had wholly followed the Lord, he had the strength of the Lord and said, “Give me this mountain” (Joshua 14:11-12).

All of us face giants every day – giants of doubt, fear, discouragement, financial ruin, sickness, broken relationships. Do you think the giants in the Promised Land took God by surprise? God knew they were there all the time – they were part of His purpose to strengthen His children’s faith.

ACTION POINT:
It’s time you got a bulldog grip on the Word of God and believe what He says to be true.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Reasoning Together—Being Reconciled One to Another


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Every rebel has a reason for his or her actions. You've probably heard a young person say, “Well, my dad drinks, so I smoke pot.” Do you know what kind of reasoning that is? Brute beast reasoning, like Peter mentions in 2 Peter 2:12. This young person doesn't think he has to obey his father. And he further reasons, “He’s not worthy of my obedience.”

Do you know the only people who can demand perfect parents? Perfect children. The only people who can demand a perfect pastor is a perfect church member. The only person who can demand a perfect politician is a perfect citizen!

There is never a license for rebellion. There are ways to reason together in a church, home, and government. 

ACTION POINT:
A spirit of rebellion will bring a nation to its knees. Jesus gave His life to reconcile us. Can you live otherwise?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers