In The Shelter of His Wings

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of Thy wings.” Psalm 61:3-4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Of the 6500 hymns written by Charles Wesley, surely none is considered finer than the one titled “Jesus, Lover Of My Soul.” Many accounts have been shared as to the inspiration behind this song, but whether any are true, indeed the song’s lyrics are a poignant picture of a young man’s journey into discovering the love of his life—Jesus.

The third verse of this great hymn begins, “Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find.”  

ACTION POINT:

Where is your heart today? Are you suffering from a broken relationship or the loss of a loved one? Run, don’t walk, into His waiting arms of love. He wants to bind up your hurt and bring hope to your heart.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

God Never Takes His Eyes from You

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“O Lord, Thou hast searched me, and known me.” Psalm 139:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

God sees everything you do. God knows all about you. God loves you. It is an amazing thing that the Lord would feel this way about any of us, when we are about the size of a grain of sand compared to the universe that He created.There is no more reason for God to be interested in us than for the President of the United States to be interested in an ant floating on a piece of cheesecake in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. And yet God is interested...very interested.

The sun that stays in the sky and warms the earth will ripen a bunch of bananas like it has nothing better to do. In the same way, Almighty God runs the universe and is concerned about you as though you were His only concern.  

ACTION POINT:

Don’t close this email until that sinks deep into your heart.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Recipe for Misery

“...remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” - Acts 20:35

Unhappiness comes from mirrors. Happiness comes from windows.

If you want to be miserable, then think about yourself first...what you want, what people are saying about you, what you ought to have done for you, how down you feel, how good you feel. Just focus on yourself.

Feeling good yet? If you are, then something is wrong. Selfishness and happiness just don’t go hand in hand. If you are thinking it is better to receive than to give, you’ll never be happy. You’ll never experience the blessing of giving that Jesus taught.

Hold out your hand and make a fist for at least one minute. Now, relax. Which feels better? Now imagine if your spirit is tight and how that will quench His work in your life.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Captain Comes to Take Over

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” James 4:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Joshua had an encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ in the Old Testament near Jericho (see Joshua 5). His first words to Him were, “Art Thou for us, or for our adversaries?” (v.13). Joshua was on his guard, not wanting anyone to harm God’s people. Notice the Lord’s response, “Nay; but as Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come” (v. 14). Basically, He didn’t come to take sides, He came to take over.

Jesus is the Captain of the host of heaven, and this Conqueror with the drawn sword came to give Joshua a message of victory. 

ACTION POINT:

You will never know victory until you lay your sword at His feet, bow yourself prostrate before His Mighty Throne, and worship Him. Before you can be a conqueror, you must be conquered. I pray you will soon be on the sunny side of Hallelujah Avenue where the glory roads intersect!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Pinched Off From A Piece Of Clay

Job 33:6

Behold, I am toward God as you are; I too was pinched off from a piece of clay.  

Well now, doesn't that just put things into perspective!! 

We came from clay, plain old dirt! Ha!!

Made by God, creator of the universe, in His image, we were made from what a dog pees on!!!

You still think high thoughts of yourself?

But, God wanted you, loved you and made you!

2 Corinthians 3:5

Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 

1 Corinthians 15:45-47

45 Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.

47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.

Christ Our Ransom

Psalms 49:7-8

7 Truly no man can ransom another, or give to God the price of his life, 

8 for the ransom of their life is costly and can never suffice, 

Job 33:23-24

23 If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him, 

24 and he is merciful to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom; 

Our Mission

2 Corinthians 3:2-3

2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all.

3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

From Crimson to Wool, from Scarlet to White

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Have you ever done something so awful that you are serving or have served time in prison? Maybe you murdered someone, abused a child, embezzled money, or raped someone. To many, you are a heinous criminal and the judicial system has declared you have no redeeming value to humanity. Well, I’m here to tell you, God can change all that.

God says, “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 1:18b). Every blur, every blemish, every stain that ever came upon your soul can be cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

ACTION POINT:

Jesus said, “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). Jesus will save you if you ask Him.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Emotion of Anger

Definition:

A strong feeling of displeasure, wrath, rage

As a human being, I have expressed this emotion many times. I have prayed many times to the good Lord for deliverance from this wicked thing called anger. Anger leads to many other rebellious things such as cursing others! I have a terrible temper which leads to anger. I am reminded often in my reading of God's Word that anger is not a good thing. I want to make the right choice and not be prone to anger, but sometimes I fail. I can't think of anger without thinking of the wrath of God on the sinner who will not repent, which makes me think of His forgiveness toward sinful man, which makes me think of Christ and the mercy that was shown to us when we will repent!

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:18-21

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-

Ephesians 2:4-5

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

Acts 17:30-31

Clothed with the Righteousness of Christ

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Philippians 3:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A woman worked as a maid in the house of a mean innkeeper. One day God saved her and she could not hide her happiness. What used to be drudgery turned into joy. The innkeeper was furious and began to belittle her. He hated her for being happy.

Finally, he said to her, “You say you’re saved and I can see your happiness. Can you tell me what being saved means?” And she said, “To me, it feels as though I am standing in Jesus’ shoes, and He is standing in mine.” A theologian couldn’t have said it better.

2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

ACTION POINT:

Have you come to realize that, in Jesus, you have been made “the righteousness of God”? It is the gift of God, in Him. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Wash Me, Savior, Or I Die

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.” Romans 4:6

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The same year America declared its independence from England, Augustus Toplady wrote a song declaring complete dependence upon God. He penned, “Rock of Ages.” The third verse declares, “Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless, look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die.”

It’s hard sometimes to let go of our sins AND our righteous deeds in order to completely trust in God for our salvation.

Did you know there is something about human nature that doesn’t want to do this? We want to somehow help God with our good deeds. And yet “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b). 

ACTION POINT:

Lay your knapsack of righteous works at His feet. Pray, “God makes us righteous. Wash me, Savior, or I die.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Only Thing That Will Save You

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”Titus 3:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Paul said, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8).

What does Paul mean by loss? He means that even good things are bad things if they become a substitute for the best thing. Suppose you are on a plane trip. The plane is going down and you grab your knapsack instead of your parachute and jump out. Is the knapsack bad? No, it’s just not the best choice to save your life!The worst form of badness may be human goodness when that human goodness becomes a substitute for the new birth.

ACTION POINT:
No knapsack full of “works of righteousness” will save you. Cast yourself completely upon the work of redemption—the work of the cross. You cannot add to what Jesus did.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Nothing In My Hands I Bring

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Have you ever laid your head on the pillow at the end of a long day and satisfyingly said, “Well, I was a good person today, so if I died tonight I will go to heaven”?

If you have, you’re not alone. I would venture to say that most people believe if you go to church, tithe your money, and do good to others, that God is going to let you into heaven.

If being religious could get you to heaven, then why was a religious man like Paul struck down on the Road to Damascus and asked by the Lord, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” (Acts 9:4b).

More importantly, if we could save ourselves with our good deeds, God did not need to send His only Son into the world as a sacrifice for the likes of you and me. No, it is Jesus’ righteousness that saves us. And Him alone.

ACTION POINT:
Take stock: What “religious” things are you doing, hoping to score a few more “brownie points” with God? This is “works doctrine.” Abandon it. Come to Jesus and say, “Nothing in my hands I bring. Simply to Thy cross I cling.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

How Far Does His Forgiveness Reach?

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind. Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
People have the idea today that it is okay to live in immorality and that God is going to overlook their little indiscretions. Is that so?

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). God doesn’t miss a beat of our lives. He is the righteous judge and will judge accordingly (see Hebrews 13:4).

“Well Pastor, does that mean that if I have done any of these things, I can’t be saved?”

No! 1 Corinthians 6:11 promises: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” Hallelujah! There is no sin so awful that the blood of Christ cannot cleanse. He makes the vilest sinner clean. 

ACTION POINT:
Nothing—not your worst offense—stands between you and the Cross. . .between you and forgiveness. . .between you and a loving Heavenly Father—nothing but your hesitation. Come to Him. He longs to receive you. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

When It’s a Good Thing to Turn and Run

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is outside the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” 1 Corinthians 6:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The sin of immorality is not a sin we are told to fight in the Bible. It is a sin we are told to flee! (See 2 Timothy 2:22.) God tells us to get out of a compromising situation. Read what Joseph did when he was approached by Potiphar’s wife in Genesis 39:7-18. In a word, he fled!

If there is a person who works in your office and that person is immorally flirting with you, it would be better for you to quit your job than to stay in that office. 

“But—my job!” 

But—your purity!

ACTION POINT:

Perhaps you are fighting a pornography addiction and you are alone in your motel room with free X-rated movies. Do you sneak a peak? Don’t see how far you can come to the edge without falling over. See how far you can stay away!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Wisdom You Need Is There for the Asking

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.” Proverbs 2:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

In Christ there is soundness, strength, security, and satisfaction. When you come to Him with urgency, fervency, persistency, and expectancy, you will hear from Him. He is not going to think you are pestering Him; He is pleased when you ask Him for His wisdom.Annie Johnson Flint, that blessed hymn writer, wrote: “His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His power no boundary known unto man; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth and giveth and giveth again.” 

ACTION POINT:

Ask Him, “Lord, I need to make a decision. What college do I choose? Should I marry this man or not? Is this the job You want me to have? What mechanic do I use to repair my car? Where do you want me to live? Do I rent or own?” Cast all your cares upon Him today, for He longs to fill you with Himself.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Living Wisely

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

When men built the Temple in the Old Testament, the Bible tells us that God gave them a spirit of wisdom. Some translators have called this the spirit of “skill” because these words are tightly linked.

Do you know what wise living is? It is living skillfully and making the most out of your life. You become an artist, a practitioner, a cabinet maker, an accountant, a teacher, or a mother. You live your life with skill.

ACTION POINT:

Now, don’t fail to study and gain knowledge, but remember this: All our knowledge is but splendid ignorance apart from the wisdom of God.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Is It Written All Over Your Face?

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Somewhere in California during the gold rush of 1849, the story is told of two gold miners who struck a particularly rich vein of gold one day. They decided not to tell anyone else, so they could keep it for themselves. They went into town to get better equipment to mine the gold, but when they left, scores of people followed. Their jubilation was written all over their faces.

ACTION POINT:
Is what is in your heart written all over your face? Oh, how I pray that each person reading this today will not hide what they have found in Jesus Christ. I want people who see you today to say, “I don’t know what is going on with her, but I want what she has. I want what he has.” The gift of salvation is for you, but it is also for others to behold and desire in you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Jesus Above All Other Gods

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:68-69

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Have you ever wondered why Christians were so persecuted in the days of the liberal Roman government? The Romans didn’t persecute other religious people, only Christians. Why did they pick on the Christians? Because the Christians proclaimed Jesus as Lord, and not Caesar.

The Romans were a polytheistic nation—they even built the Pantheon, which was a temple for all the gods that were worshiped in ancient Rome. When they subjugated and conquered a people, they let them keep their gods—on one condition—that they remember that Caesar was Lord.

ACTION POINT:

As the world becomes more and more syncretized and headed toward a “One World” order, men and women who say that Jesus is the only true Lord are going to be persecuted. Will you stand and proclaim Jesus as Lord no matter what?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

No Hands But Our Hands

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me.” Psalm 18:20

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

During WWII, a beautiful cathedral in Europe was destroyed by the Nazis. When the people came together to rebuild the temple, they found a statue of Christ with His hands outstretched. They repaired the statue as best they could, but they could not recover the hands. Because they loved the statue as it was, they put a plaque underneath that reads: “He has no hands but our hands.”

Remember this—Jesus Christ is the invisible part of the Christian. The Christian is the visible part of Christ. He is seen in us and through us. We are the visible part of the invisible Christ.

ACTION POINT:

What we do in His name is representative of Him to the world. What are you doing with your hands today that is a testimony of Jesus Christ to a watching and lost world?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

When Tempted, You Have a Choice

When Tempted, You Have a Choice

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” 1 John 5:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Do you know why the devil couldn’t get to Jesus in the midst of a 40-day fast when He was starving? He was already satisfied. You see, Jesus didn’t have an itch that the devil could scratch.

Temptation really comes down to this: A temptation is an inducement by the devil to satisfy a legitimate desire in an illegitimate way. That’s all there is to it. Take a God-given desire and satisfy it in a God-forbidden way. The devil says, “Hey you’ve got a need, and I can satisfy it.”

When tempted, you are given a choice. Do you get that need satisfied by the devil, or by the Lord? You see, the devil is a pervert. He has no raw material. All he can do is take what God has created and pervert it.  

ACTION POINT:

Do you want to overcome temptation? Find out the legitimate way to satisfy that desire, and then you will not need the illegitimate way.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Our Way of Escape

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.” Psalm 63:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The devil tempted Jesus to turn stones into bread. I have been to Palestine and seen stones that looked amazingly like little loaves of bread. I can just see the devil looking on the ground, knowing that Jesus had been fasting for 40 days, and saying, “Well, look here. Just turn this into bread!”

Now, there’s nothing wrong with eating bread. In fact, Jesus taught us to pray for our daily bread. Yet Jesus had been led into the wilderness to fast and pray and seek the face of God. The devil was trying to put the bread above the will of God, saying “Pamper your flesh.” But what he was really saying was, “Commit spiritual suicide.” Jesus refused. 

ACTION POINT:

Jesus overcame the flesh, and you can, too. He overcame by the Word of God. Take this verse and make every effort to commit it to your memory this week: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Tempted? Jesus Has Already Been There

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

When some people read that Jesus “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin,” some eyebrows raise. You may not say anything out loud, but you think, “Was He really tempted in every way? Has He ever been tempted to run a red light? Or smoke pot? Or have immoral sex?” We don’t know, and yet the Bible is very clear that He was tempted in all points.

ACTION POINT:

There are only three temptations, and Jesus was tempted in all three. 1 John 2:16 lists them: the lust of the flesh (temptation for us to do something—our passions), the lust of the eyes (temptation for us to have something—our possessions), and the pride of life (the temptation for us to be something—our pride). If you doubt it, then read about the temptation He faced in Luke 4:1-13.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

“The Devil After the Dove” Principle

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Have you ever gotten into an argument with a family member on the way to church? Don’t look so pious! Every preacher knows that the devil will try to attack God’s children right before church, after church—on the way home in the car! There is a spiritual principle here that we need to learn. It is what I call “the devil after the dove” principle.

Just as when Jesus was baptized and a dove descended, then right after He was led into the wilderness and tempted, so it will be with you.  When God does something great or when you get the approval of God about something, you can expect the attack of the enemy.

ACTION POINT:

Leonard Ravenhill said, “When God opens the windows of heaven to bless us, the devil is going to open the doors of hell to blast us.” Have you had a wonderful spiritual experience recently? Then you better not start coasting. If the devil tempted Jesus, be sure he will tempt you as well.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Blessed When Persecuted?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Before you can really understand what Matthew 5:10 means, you have to understand and be living the rest of the Beatitudes. 

If you are living a life that is poor in spirit, that mourns over your sin, that lives meekly through His strength, that hungers and thirsts after righteousness, that is merciful, pure in heart, and making peace…then you will be exceedingly glad for the persecution that comes your way.

You see, the world is going in the opposite direction and they are trying to push you into their mold. Yet you are a twice-born man among once-born people, and you are going to go against the tide.

ACTION POINT:

It costs to serve Jesus Christ—every day and every step. But you are blessed! When was the last time you took some flack for Jesus? Great is your reward in heaven.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Are You a True “Peace Corps” Member?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Several decades ago, you were really somebody if you joined the Peace Corps. But all this time later, how much peace has been established between brothers and sisters around the world as a result? 

Do you know how to bring peace to earth and goodwill to all men? Introduce men, women, boys, and girls to Jesus Christ. That is the only way.

Churches are filled every Sunday, yet where do people go during the week? Are they sharing God’s salvation story with the lost? It’s not your faithful attendance to church that is going to bring peace to earth but your faithful sharing of the Gospel.

ACTION POINT:

Jesus said His mission was not to be a diplomat, not to be a peacemaker, but to bring death to hatred, strife, and sin through His reconciling blood. There is no other way to a holy God, but through the cross. Are you living like a child of God and telling others about Jesus?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

What Does It Mean to Be “Pure in Heart”?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

This beatitude narrows our focus into one rich goal—to be pure in heart. Now, “pure in heart” doesn’t just mean you don’t look at pornography or think vile thoughts. That will be a result of being pure in heart. But to be pure in heart really means to have an undiluted heart. That is, there is no substance in your heart that is adulterated. You have a singleness of mind. You are undivided in your devotion. . .all of the issues of your life are brought down into one burning focus—to be pure in heart before God.

ACTION POINT:

Is Jesus Christ the burning focus of your life? Then the promise is that you will see God. “Now, wait a minute,” you say. “No one has seen God.” You’re right. You will see God not with your physical eyes, but with your spiritual eyes. He will become all the more clear!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Are You Merciful?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Those who have received mercy are those who show mercy. And only those who show mercy will be those who continue to receive mercy. Showing others mercy isn’t just sentiment or softness. It is sympathy that serves. Jesus doesn’t merely save us from something, He saves us for something. He wants to express His life through us as we serve others.

I thank God for our beautiful churches, but I believe the thing that is going to touch the lives of our communities are not our buildings but our merciful acts of kindness.

ACTION POINT:

One by one, we can make a change as we go out and show the love of Christ to our neighbors. People do not care how much we know, until they know how much we care.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

“Happy” Without Christ?

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matt.5:6
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Jesus tells us that when we seek after righteousness, we will be filled. Sounds like we’ll be happy, don’t you think? But happiness is not something we find by hungering for it, it is something we receive by serving the Lord.

God doesn’t want us to be happy without Christ. God allows us to experience unhappiness in our lives in the same way we experience pain when we step on a nail. The pain tells us something is wrong.

ACTION POINT:
Now, for us to seek happiness without seeking righteousness would be like breaking our arm and then not taking a pain killer and getting it set. Blessing comes when we find the Deliverer. When you hunger for Him, you will have Him. How much of God do you want today?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

True Meekness Is Strength Under Discipline

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Meekness is one of the most confused adjectives in all of the Beatitudes because most people confuse meekness with weakness. Jesus said He was “meek and lowly” (see Matthew 11:29). but He wasn’t weak. 

The word “meek” means “strength that is brought under control.”

When horse trainers “break” horses, they describe what they do as “meeked.” They don’t cripple the horses or take away their strength. They train them to use their strength in control.

In the same way, God doesn’t come into your life to cripple you. Why would He follow with “for they shall inherit the earth”? God did not make this world for the devil’s crowd. He made the world for you.

ACTION POINT:

Ask your heavenly Father today to break the strongholds in your life, break your strong will, and replace it with His strength under discipline. He will do it, if you give Him permission. This is the heart of true meekness.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers