“Pain Is Inevitable, But Misery Is Optional”

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2-3

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

James 1:2 is an interesting verse because it has the phrase “when” instead of “if.” You see, some people think that life is going to be all rose petals and sunlight. If I told you that, I would be speaking from a closed Bible and an empty head.

Whether you are saved or lost, life guarantees one thing – difficulty. Someone once wrote, “Pain is inevitable, but misery is optional.” There will be trials, oppression, and misunderstandings. And when you become a Christian, you do not become immune to these things.

Trials are a part of life, but how Christians behave in response is what causes an unbelieving world to sit up and take notice. 

How are you responding this week to the difficulties in your life? Thankful for the opportunity to learn patience? Or resentful for every speed bump your vehicle of life has to pass over? You can tell the size of a Christian by what it takes to stop him.

ACTION POINT:

Open yourself up to accountability on this issue. If you are married, ask your spouse to answer these questions. If you are single, ask a trusted friend: “How would you rate the way I have responded to trials in my life this year on a scale of 1-10? ‘One’ means I’ve been thankful for the opportunity to learn patience, and ‘10’ means I’ve been resentful for every speed bump my vehicle of life had to pass over.” Did you learn anything new about yourself, anything you need to work on?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Joy or Sadness—You May Choose

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
In his book You Can Have Joy! Arnold Prater wrote about an Englishman named John Deckard who had an award-winning passion for roses.

One year, John grew a rose among roses to enter in the annual Garden Show. But before he got the rose, his son rushed in and exclaimed, “Daddy, look what I have for you!” And in his little hand was the prize rose. Visitors to the Garden Show were astonished when they saw John’s entry. For in the flowerpot was a photo of his son with the rose in his hands, along with an honorary blue ribbon.

Sometimes your plans may go awry, and sometimes your dreams may be crushed. But in their place, God sends His own Son, Jesus. And when that happens, nothing else matters but the love of His Son.

ACTION POINT:
What disappointment have you experienced this week? Did you choose joy or sadness? What can you learn from today’s devotional thought to apply to your life the next time a disappointment happens?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Saved by Faith but Rewarded by Works

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:14-15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I believe salvation is attained by grace through faith. That’s not Baptist rhetoric. That’s Biblical doctrine. But do you know what some people do with that?

They say, “Hot dog! I don’t have to do a thing to be saved. I can just get in the top berth of a Pullman car and glide along until we pull into the New Jerusalem.” You know, just catch the next sleeper car to glory.

These people don’t like the idea that as Christians we are all going to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ. And we are all going to give an account for how we used our time, our resources, and our faith. We are not saved by works, but we are rewarded by works.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

ACTION POINT:
Read Romans 14:10-12. How do you plan to spend your day knowing this truth?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Our Thirsty Soul

What does your soul need to be satisfied? 

Is it a certain thing, or maybe a person?

Or do you just not know what you are searching for? 

Do you even believe in an eternal soul?
Do you even believe in an Almighty Sovereign God?
Do you even acknowledge your need for a Savior?

Let us explore the implications of this"eternal soul".


Our eternal soul:
Ecc.12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

This verse plainly says we(our earthly bodies) return to dust and our soul returns to  the Creator.

My thirsty soul longs for Christ!
His word is better than life!
I'm not searching anymore!
I have found my soul's constant craving!
I am satisfied!

Ps.63:
1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. 3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 

Our days are fleeting! Look at the disasters that happen everyday, tornadoes, earthquakes, plane crashes, car crashes etc. Do I even need to mention the diseases we are exposed to?

Almighty Sovereign God:
Rev.1
8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Rev.11:
16 And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying, "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign. 18 The nations raged, but your wrath came, and the time for the dead to be judged, and for rewarding your servants, the prophets and saints, and those who fear your name, both small and great, and for destroying the destroyers of the earth." 

Savior:
1 Tim.4:
10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. 

2 Tim.1:
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, 10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

1 John 4:
14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

Rev.11:
15 Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever."


My prayer for You:
Jude 1:
17 But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions." 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

Who Are You When No One Else is Around?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Philippians 2:12

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

 “While I’m gone, I want you to be on your best behavior.” Has someone ever said that to you? This is what Paul means when he gives us the directive to work out our salvation even when he is not around.

A pastor is successful when he trains his flock to love the Lord, share their faith, and minister to others when no one else is looking. It is the true test of a person’s walk with God.

What happens when you are alone on a business trip and there are free movies in your motel room? How fast do you drive when the speed limit says 35 and you are late for a meeting? How much money do you leave for a tip when there is no one to impress?

ACTION POINT:

When was the last time you did something nice for someone who could never pay you back, from whom you had nothing to gain, and no one would ever know about it? Do you talk the talk or do you walk the walk?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

“Salvation” by Being a Good Person?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.” Romans 10:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The world thinks that sin is being bad and righteousness is being good. They say, “If I am just a good person, then I will go to heaven.” God seems like a Santa Claus, making a list and checking it twice, trying to find out if we are naughty or nice. That is just not so.

Righteousness lies only in Jesus Christ. He left heaven, came to earth, lived a perfect, righteous life. Then He suffered, bled, and died on a cross to atone for our sins. He was buried and raised to life by the power of God and has ascended into glory. His blood was applied to the mercy seat of God. That is righteousness.

Galatians 2:21 tells us, “If righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” Do you know what that means? If you could be saved by being good, then Calvary was a blunder. If there were some other way for you to be saved, God would not have let His Son die upon a cross.

ACTION POINT:

Are you depending on your own good works to “get you into heaven”? What will enable you to stand before a holy God? “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

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Sting Of Death Is Sin

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 

55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.  - Hosea 13:14

8 He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. 

9 It will be said on that day, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation."  - Isaiah 25:8-9

It's as if part of you has been ripped away!!! For indeed it has been!!! That constant sweet presence of that person you hold most dear to your heart has gone into eternity. This can be a comfort or it can bring shear terror! Why? The soul that dies in Christ goes to Him but the rebellious wicked unbelieving soul goes to Satan. There is no other place to which the soul can go, no holding place to see what your life merits. Why? Because our eternal destination is dependent on the power of the cross. Christ alone brings salvation! Not any merit of your life only your faith in Christ!!! The blood of Christ is the only ransom!!! 

For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."  - Revelation 7:17

13 Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,

14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." - John 4:13-14

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45

And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,  - Revelation 5:9

Recently an old friend died, he was in his 90's. He was a dear sweet man who loved his Lord, his friends and his family. We grieve but our grief is momentary because then comes the joy in the knowledge that through his faith "he is with Jesus"!!!

He is Risen!

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.” Romans 6:9-10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The best news this old world has ever heard came from a graveside just outside Jerusalem. He is risen! On that day, life and death met in a tomb in mortal combat. Life won. Death died. In that tomb, Jesus won the victory over death.

There is no more timeless truth than this: Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. That’s a truth science cannot explain, history cannot repeat, and time cannot erode away. It is the Truth of all truths. And the Truth that proves Jesus is the Son of God.

Someone has said, “If Jesus Christ is still in that grave, nothing matters. But if He came out of the grave, nothing but that really matters.”

ACTION POINT:
Who are you going to tell today that Jesus is alive and has paid their sin debt? Ask God to lead you to someone and give you the boldness to share this life-changing Truth!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Running Your Race Without Distraction

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Runners train themselves to be focused on one thing – the finish line. They have one desire, and they are not going to let what is going on in the stands or who is lagging behind distract them.

Paul had the same sense. He, too, believed that you could not win a race by looking over your shoulder or glancing to the right or the left. You can’t see what is ahead when you’ve got your headlights on the rear bumper.

ACTION POINT:

Paul forgot his past glory, past mistakes, past grief, past everything. Paul refused to let his past keep him from reaching his goal. What are you doing in your race to claim the prize of a closer walk with God? Take a few minutes over the next couple of days to reflect upon what Jesus Christ did for you on the Cross. In light of that, analyze how you are running your race. What changes do you want to make to better run the race?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Does God Really Answer Prayer?

Yes! Every single sincere from the heart prayer, God does indeed answer.

We might not momentarily understand the answer.

We might think it was not answered in the way we wanted.

It was definitely answered according to His will in a manner that will glorify Him. 

He has a purpose for you also with whatever manner of circumstance He places you in.

The only way to know Him is through your intimate time in His holy word and fervent prayer for Him to reveal Himself. 

Our Power:

2 Corinthians 4:

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.

8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 

Our Hope:

2 Corinthians 4:

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,

18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 

Our Prayer:

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith." - Matthew 21:22

6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;

8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. - James 1:6-8 

You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. - James 4:3

1 Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; 

2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.  - Isaiah 59:1-2

Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.  - Proverbs 21:13

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. - John 15:7

God Alone:

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. 

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  - Isaiah 55:8-9

What God Will Do:

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; 

12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. 

13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. 

14 For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust. 

15 As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; 

16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.  - Psalm 103:11-16

All peoples in the whole Earth will praise His name for He alone is worthy!!!

10 Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God;

11 for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God." 

12 So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. - Romans 14:10-12

3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. - 1 Timothy 2:3-6

What Did the Thieves on the Cross Really Want?

39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?

41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong."

42 And he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

43 And he said to him, "Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise." - Luke 23:39-43

One thief blasphemed Jesus while the other begged for mercy!!!

Isn't that what today's man does?

Deny God's power and then beg for mercy?

It's not that the one thief was innocent and the other wasn't.

It's that one realized his need for a Savior and one mocked the Savior.

Eternity demands your soul!!

Where will you reside?

3 He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one-to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 

8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 

9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 

10 Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 

11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 

12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.  - Isaiah 53:3-12

Are You in the “School of Trials”?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12-13

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Andrew Murray said, “Every child of God must at one time or another enter the school of trial.” And the Scriptures teach us that we are to count it a joy when God takes us into this school.

Just as there is no profit in the ground being made wet by rain or broken up by the plough if no seed is cast into it, so are children of God who enter into trial and have little blessing from it. The heart is softened for a time, but they know not how to obtain an abiding blessing from it. They know not what the Father has in view since they are in the school of trial.

Are you in the middle of a trial? Trust that the Lord will bring blessing as you trust in Him with all your heart. 

ACTION POINT:

Let 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 encourage you: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment (this slight distress of the passing hour) worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!]; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal (brief and fleeting); but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Our Sins, “Paid in Full”

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:25

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There was a skeptic who was talking with a little girl one day. She loved the Lord Jesus with all of her heart. He was trying to shake her faith and he said, “Young lady, Christianity is not the only religion, you know. There are plenty of religions in the world. There are plenty of Christs. Which Christ do you believe in?” She thought for a minute and said, “I believe in the One who was raised from the dead.” Amen! That’s the One I believe in, too!

The death of Christ on the cross without His resurrection cannot save you. If Christ died on the cross and that is all that happened, then Jesus was just one more religious leader. Do you know the proof positive that God accepted His payment for sin? He raised Him from the dead. If Jesus is still in the grave, your hope of heaven is not worth half a hallelujah.

ACTION POINT:

Why not celebrate the Lord’s Supper this week, remembering the powerful promise of His resurrection, replenishment, and restoration?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Practicing Purity

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Christian young people have asked me what specific things they can do to practice moral purity. Three of those are:

• First, watch the crowd they hang out with. Choose their friends wisely (see Proverbs 13:20). 

• Second, guard what they put into their minds from books, movies, and music (see Psalm 101:3a, Proverbs 6:27). 

• Lastly, control their thought life (see Proverbs 23:7a, Philippians 4:8). The thought is the father of the deed. Someone has well said, "We cannot keep the birds from flying over our heads, but we can keep them from making a nest in our hair."

ACTION POINT:

Walk with God today as you never have before. Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23, Ephesians 5:3-5). Make a covenant with your eyes (Job 31:1). Set a guard over your lips (Psalm 141:3). Take charge of your thought life: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Parenting Isn’t for Cowards!

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Thou shalt keep therefore His statutes, and His commandments, which I command thee this day, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, and that thou mayest prolong thy days upon the earth, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, for ever.” Deuteronomy 4:40

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What happened to letting children be children? May God have mercy on us who stand by while boys and girls date at the age of ten, go steady by the time they’re thirteen, get married by the age of seventeen, and get divorced before they’re old enough to vote. As Dr. James Dobson has written, “Parenting isn’t for Cowards.” May God give us wisdom to help young people who are standing in tall dry grass with boxes of matches!

ACTION POINT:

Are you a parent? I challenge you today to get back to the Word of God. Stand up to the pressures of society. Corral your teens into your home with love. Form a prayer group of parents and teens. Do whatever it takes to rescue your children before it’s too late.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

“I'm Okay—You’re Okay”?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.” Proverbs 30:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Postmodernism tells us that there is no absolute truth. Whatever you believe is okay. Whatever I believe is okay, too. Whether they agree or not doesn’t matter. 

But in this age of postmodern thought, we must contend with this basic truth: Truth stands alone. It doesn’t require human interpretation. And let me add that in discussing Christian Truth, there is a divine disturbance that occurs. I don’t believe we can be neutral about real truth. If Jesus is God, then we must bow down and worship. If Jesus is not God, we ought to boot Him out the door as a liar and a lunatic. You must decide. There is no neutral ground. Either you are with Him, or you are against Him.

ACTION POINT:

Pray for the hundreds of believers who are in jail around the world because they did not stand on neutral ground. They boldly proclaimed Christ knowing that doing so would cause them to be imprisoned or even killed.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Saved from Sin’s Penalty, Power, and Presence

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess.5:23
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Some people get confused about when salvation happens. Let me see if I can shed some light on this subject. Salvation can be explained by using three verbal tenses in the English language. The moment you repent and believe upon Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are saved from the penalty of sin. After that, you enter a process of sanctification where you are being saved from the power of sin. When you get to heaven, you will be saved from the presence of sin. What happens when you enter into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? You are justified immediately in your spirit. You are sanctified progressively in your soul. And you will be ultimately glorified in your body.

ACTION POINT:
Using Psalm 32:7, 41:2, 121:7-8, praise God that the preservation of your salvation is His job and not yours.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Seeing Him Who is Invisible

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

Let me tell you how to experience God: Get your heart pure, and you will see God with the eyes of faith.

You see, Jesus is not talking about your physical body. You get your spiritual heart right and your spiritual eyes will see. Hebrews 11:27 says that Moses “endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” You get your heart right and you’ll see the invisible God…

...in circumstances
...in nature
...in the face of your spouse, your child, your grandchild.

You’ll see Him in the Scriptures. God will become a bright, living reality to you.

Put on the eyes of faith today and find God creating and sustaining life. Maybe there is a tree ablaze with the red and gold of fall. Do you see the hand of God?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Victory Is Just a Prayer Away

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Uphold me according unto Thy Word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.” Ps.119:116

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Paul did much of his writing from a prison cell. Maybe you also feel like you are in a prison of sorts today with every door shut in your face. Maybe you are in a prison of despair and doubt. Perhaps you just heard from the doctor and received a bad report, or are dreading a visit this week. Maybe you’re in a financial prison of debt or a domestic prison of abuse and you feel there is no way out. Friend, I want to tell you that there is a way out for you. God is still on His throne. He hears and answers every prayer.

Victory over your situation is just a prayer away. The circumstances may not change, but your perspective and attitude will change as you begin to pray and praise God. You and I don’t have a need that God cannot meet.

ACTION POINT:
Pray this prayer today: “Father, I need You. I need You to forgive me where I have failed You. I need You to change my heart and strengthen my faith so I see my prison as a palace. Change my attitude from dread to joy, from jealousy to contentment, from worry to trust. I love You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Mourning with Purpose

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” - Matthew 5:4

We’ve done all we can do to keep ourselves from feeling any pain. We have psychologists who numb our neuroses, counselors who absolve us of guilt, doctors to sedate our pain, insurance agents to take away our worries, and even at death we have the mortuary to try to beautify death for us.

But Jesus was a man of sorrows. He saw the sin around Him, and it broke His heart. In Matthew 23:34-39 we read how Jesus’ heart ached for Jerusalem and the destruction sin had wrought in the hearts of men.

Do the things that break the heart of Jesus, break yours?
Do you have a dry eye in a hell-bent world?
It’s time to be like Jesus. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Who is in the Spotlight?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, He shall testify of Me.” John 15:26

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The Holy Spirit has one cause: to testify of Jesus Christ. He is very single-minded. He’s not interested in doing ten things for God – just one.

There are some who get caught up in the Holy Spirit. They focus on what He is doing – through miracles, healings, tongues, and more. Friend, beware of those who focus on making the Holy Spirit the figurehead of their faith.

The mark that a man is filled with the Holy Spirit is that he is always talking about Jesus Christ. He can’t do any more. He can do no less. 

ACTION POINT:

I challenge you to make this pledge to God: I will bring my talents, my business, my time, and my resources – all for the cause of Christ. This one thing I do – sink or swim, live or die – Jesus will be glorified in my life today and every day!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Willing to Travel Under Sealed Orders

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” Hebrews 11:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Who knows what marvelous opportunity God has waiting for you if you are sensitive enough to listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you right now. Don’t say, “Show me what You want me to do; then I’ll decide whether or not to do it.” Instead, we need to say, “I’ll do it – whatever it is. You tell me. If You explain it, fine. If You don’t explain it, fine. But God, I’m going to do it.” It’s just as bad to run ahead of God as it is to run behind Him. The Bible says that Abraham went out without knowing where God was sending him. Are you ready to travel under sealed orders?

ACTION POINT:

Are you married? Talk to your spouse this week about your availability to God. Are you willing to sell your home, take your children, and go to the remotest corner of the world to share God’s plan of salvation if He called you there? If not, ask God to change your heart. He is the potter; you are the clay.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Are you…Available? Expendable? Adaptable?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Jesus never approved of putting the traditions of men above the Word of God (see Mark 7:1-13). What about you? Are you willing to change your life in order that God may use you, or had you rather hold onto your traditions? There are three qualities I believe every Christian should exhibit: availability, expendability, and adaptability. We need to be walking with the Lord so closely that we ought to be ready to witness at a moment’s notice. It is God’s ability and your availability. It is His power and your personality. It is His work and your witness. That’s God’s plan!

ACTION POINT:

Let’s pretend that someone is walking toward you right now with the sole purpose of asking you how they can have a personal relationship with God. What would you say? Get ready today to give an answer for the hope that is within you (see 1 Peter 3:15).

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Blessed Families

1 Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways! 

2 You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you. 

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. 

4 Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. 

5 The LORD bless you from Zion! May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life! 

6 May you see your children's children! Peace be upon Israel! 

Psalms 128:1-6

The fear of God. Ps.128:1

Take away:

Obey God's word and enjoy God's blessings. 

The man of God. Ps.128:2

Take away:

Work hard to provide for your family for God's glory.

The family of God. Ps.128:3

Take away:

Value our women and children as God's gifts.

The church of God. Ps.128:4-6

Take away:

Assume responsibility for our families in view of God's mission.

Thanks Pastor Jim!

Are You Ashamed of Jesus? Or Will He Be Ashamed of You?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Are you willing to spend and be spent for the Lord today, or are there just too many other things on your agenda? Are you willing, no matter if it causes blood, sweat, and tears, to be used by the Lord, or are you more interested in where you are going to spend your next vacation?

So many of us are chicken when it comes to witnessing for Jesus Christ. We cluck and duck when the subject of God or religion is raised. We hope no one is looking when we ask God to bless our food in a public place.

We need more of the spirit of the saints who are suffering for the sake of the Gospel this very minute in prisons, in torture, in abuse – all because they profess a love for Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38).

ACTION POINT:

God is calling you to leave your comfortable Christianity behind and tell someone that Jesus loves them and wants to save them. Will you do it, or will you be too ashamed? Let this be the year you bring the light of Christ to your dorm, your neighborhood, your apartment building, your baseball team – wherever God has placed you. Let Him use you for His glory!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Out of Our Comfort Zone

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For whosoever shall be ashamed of Me and of My words, of him shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He shall come in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.” Luke 9:26

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

How much have you suffered because you have named the name of Jesus? Have you refused to budge on an issue that would dishonor His name? Second Timothy 3:12 says, “All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”There’s no escaping persecution for true Christians. We will be persecuted when we endeavor to “live godly in Christ Jesus.” 

Now, on the other hand, if you’re not being persecuted, don’t say you must be doing a wonderful job. Very frankly, you’re doing a poor job. Let me ask you: If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Regrettably, most people would have to say no. 

ACTION POINT:

Get out of your comfort zone today. Check into a short-term mission trip; start a Bible Study; witness to your neighbor; take a homeless person to lunch; take a walk in the park and tell someone that Jesus loves them.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Mission of the Church

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:34

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A man and his wife were walking through a wheat field in Alberta, Canada, early one evening with their young son. They forgot for a moment that their son was with them, and then suddenly they realized he wasn’t there.

They searched to no avail, and then ran back to the village to get help. Many people returned with the couple to search through the night. Then one man said, “Let’s lock arms and we’ll sweep across the field.” Then there was a cry: “I found him!” And everyone rushed together to the lifeless form of the little fellow who had died of exposure. 

I wonder if there are people who are going to slip into a Christless eternity because we, as a church, haven’t joined hands soon enough.

ACTION POINT:

What are you doing in your church to welcome newcomers, disciple younger believers, or minister to the needs of others? Ask God to give you opportunities to redeem the 168 hours He has given you this week in selfless acts of love for others.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers