Making Suffering Your Servant

BIBLE MEDITATION: 

“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

How do you enlist suffering to make it your servant? 

First, you receive it as a gift from God. Job said, “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21b). 

Second, rely on God’s grace, because with the gift comes His grace. 2 Corinthians 9:8 promises, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” God is going to be near you in a special way.

Finally, reflect on the glory of God. There is no greater Christian who ever lived than the Apostle Paul. His greatest motive in all he endured was the glory of God. His pain became a platform from which he declared the glory of God.

ACTION POINT:

Receive it as a gift. Rely upon God’s grace. Reflect upon God’s glory. Choose to glorify Him through it. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Satisfied Just Skimming the Surface?

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A little boy fell out of bed and was crying. His mother came, picked him up, and said, “Honey, what’s wrong? How did you fall out of bed?” He said, “Well, I guess I went to sleep too close to where I got in.”

I think there are a lot of people who have done exactly that. They get into Christ and somehow they just seem to go to sleep right there. They say, “I’m saved and that’s it.” But friend, that’s not it. It’s just the beginning of a relationship that will last through all eternity.

ACTION POINT:
God wants to move you further into a knowledge of Himself. I don’t know about you, but I’m not satisfied with the status quo of my life. I want to go deep into the heart of Jesus. I desire the same for you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Christ of God

Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered, "The Christ of God." - Luke 9:20

And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!" - Luke 9:35

saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised." - Luke 9:22

42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God. Jesus Again Foretells His Death But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, - Luke 9:42-43

And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!" - Luke 23:35

But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. - Acts 3:18

10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.

11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!" - Revelation 12:10-12

So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. - Matthew 1:17

Do you know The Christ of God and His miracle of salvation?

God is pleased in His Son!

His Son died in your place so that you could have ever lasting life!

He can heal your body but also heals your spirit!

His story was prophesied and fulfilled!

He has conquered death and Satan!!! 

Where will you place your faith???

God’s Large Down Payment—for You

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” 2 Corinthians 1:22

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What does this mean, that God has given us the “earnest of the Spirit in our hearts”? When a man in Jesus’ day intended to buy something he couldn’t afford to purchase at that moment, he would put down “earnest” money. The greater the down payment, the greater the indication that full payment will be made.

For instance, if you’re selling your home for $100,000 and a prospective buyer gives you $5, don’t look for that person again. But if he gives you $50,000, he means business, and you know he’s coming back.

In today’s terminology, we would say that God has given us a down payment of the Spirit.

ACTION POINT:

Do you think God is going to forfeit His Holy Spirit? No. God is not going to forsake you! He has too much invested in you!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Voice Of Thanksgiving

Definition of thanksgiving:

A prayer expressing gratitude 

But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you; what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the LORD!"  - Jonah 2:9

14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, 

15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me." 

16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? 

17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you.  - Psalm 50:14-17

Do you praise God with thanksgiving? 

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. - Hebrews 13:15

O Lord, the blessings You shower man with are undeserved. We are wicked, there is none good! Forgive us as we strive to repent and obey You. Press Your word into our hearts as we study so that we may teach others. Amen 

Thankful When You’re Counting Pennies

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

In Habakkuk’s day, there was an economic recession. There were no cows in the barn. “Yet…” he writes. Oh, how I love that “yet” in verse 18. “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Where was his joy? In the Lord, not circumstances. 

If you depend on circumstances, you can’t say “rejoice always,” because circumstances change. You lose your job. You lose your health. You lose your friends. You lose your prestige. If that’s where you’re getting your joy, and that changes, you can’t say, “Yet will I rejoice.” But Habakkuk said, “Yet will I joy in the God of my salvation.”

Where are you getting your joy? From the Lord? I hope you are. There’s one way we can find out. If you’re getting your joy from your job, we can take your job and see if you still have your joy. Maybe you’re getting your joy from your health. You say, “No, it’s from the Lord.” If your health fails, see if you still have your joy. 

ACTION POINT:

The only joy anyone can have is in the Lord, because He never changes. Your joy can be threatened if you get it anywhere else. It’s not wrong to joy in your health or your job. But that kind of joy that can be threatened. You need a joy which supersedes that. Psalm 16:11: says, “Thou will show me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy.” Rejoice in the Lord always.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Thanksgiving: The Highest Expression of Faith

BIBLE MEDIATION:

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.” Psalm 100:4. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Colossians 3:15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

If worry is the opposite of faith, then thanksgiving is the expression of faith—in fact, the highest expression. You say, “I don’t know if I have as much to thank God for as some other people.” Well, the apostle Paul was in a filthy Philippian jail waiting possible beheading when he wrote, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” 

I’ve noticed that unthankful people are never happy people. They’re filled with bitterness, fear, negativism, selfishness and self-pity.

You see, God has blessed you. You may not think so because you’re measuring blessings by the barometer of health, wealth, and happiness. 

My friend, let me tell you what blessings we have. “Blessed be the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits…” (Psalm 68:19). God has loaded your wagon. How often? Every day! “It is of the LORD’S mercies we’re not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning…” (Lamentations 3:22-23). Every day you wake up to blessings. 

ACTION POINT:

Thank Him for spiritual blessings and thank Him for simple blessings: good, clean water. Enough food. Shelter. The simple things. We are so blessed. Refuse to worry, but carry everything to God in prayer. Rejoice in the presence of the Lord. Rely upon the power of the Lord. Reflect on the provision of the Lord. Rest in the peace of the Lord. Do everything with thanksgiving. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Within the Holy of Holies

BIBLE MEDITATION: 

“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Hebrews 6:19-20 KJ

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The Old Testament temple had three parts: the outer court, the inner court, and the innermost court. The innermost court was called the “inner sanctum” or the “Holy of Holies.” Only the priest could go in there. 

Once a year, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the people. He would lift up a corner of the heavy veil and slip under. Then, he would sprinkle blood upon the Mercy Seat. If anyone went in without the blood, there was sudden death.

When the veil of the temple was torn at Jesus’ death, it was torn from top to bottom so no one would think a person did this. By His death, Jesus was saying that there were no more animal sacrifices necessary. Now, every believer can enter the Holy of Holies. 

ACTION POINT:

Have you been there today?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Do You Have a Difficult Boss?

BIBLE MEDITATION: 

“Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God.” Colossians 3:22

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Do you work for a difficult person? 

“Yes! That slave driver, penny pincher, bully!” 

Well, let’s see what the Bible says about that slave driver.

“Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward [harsh]” (1 Peter 2:18). 

“You mean I’m supposed to submit to that two-legged devil?” 

That’s right. And you are to serve him.

ACTION POINT:

You can shut the mouth of criticism and bring that one to Jesus Christ when you practice the mightiest force upon the face of the earth—submission through obedience.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Be an Encourager

BIBLE MEDITATION: 

“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Someone has well said that discouragement is a darkroom where the negatives of fear and failure are developed.

Some people are encouragers and others are discouragers. Have you ever met a discourager? They’re like a drink of water to a drowning man. They can brighten up a room by leaving it. They leave you drained and depressed. 

But an encourager leaves you full and refreshed. God has cornered the market on encouragement. All encouragement comes from God. You’re never more like God than when you’re encouraging people and never more like the devil than when you are discouraging people.

ACTION POINT:

Find a needy person and enrich him; a lonely person and include him; a misunderstood person and affirm him; an undiscovered person and develop him; a failing person and restore him.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Random Acts of Kindness

BIBLE MEDITATION: 

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great.” Luke 6:35

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I’ve seen bumper stickers that exhort us to “show random acts of kindness.”  I think that’s a good thing. And what is kindness?  It’s love in the little things. 

A woman came down the aisle of a church to give her heart to Christ, and the preacher wanted to know what had impacted her life for Christ. 

She said, “You did.”

The pastor said, “Well, I’d be interested to know what it was that I said that brought you to Christ.” 

She said, “It was nothing you said. It was something you did. I was standing nearby when somebody criticized you very unfairly. I saw the kindness with which you responded, and I knew that your faith was real.”

ACTION POINT:

What random act of kindness can you do today that will demonstrate that your faith is real?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Power In Suffering

We don't like it!

We try to avoid it!

Actually, the thought of suffering brings terror to our hearts!!

But, is that biblical?

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

These verses say, there is power from the Lord gained through suffering! Why? To keep us aware that our weakness is made perfect through His grace. That's so powerful to hold onto as you age or as you walk through a crisis. As our body begins its journey to death, then every-lasting life with Jesus for those who trust Him for salvation, we comfort each other with His words!!

We all know that the minute trouble, illness, disaster or a host of other calamities hit, we call on God.

Even the ones who ignore His grace, cry out to Him.

So, even deep in our souls, we know that He is able!!!

28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 

29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 

30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 

31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.  - Isaiah 40:28-31

so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 2:5

2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 

3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.  - Isaiah 43:2-3

As Christ followers, we know Satan is defeated and Christ is King!!

Let us cling to that knowledge in a trials!!!

Today Is Tomorrow

BIBLE MEDITATION: 

“Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I read some research by psychologist William Morriston who reported that 94% of the 3,000 persons he surveyed were enduring today in order to get to tomorrow.

Do you know anyone like that? Perhaps you are one of those.I read some research by psychologist William Morriston who reported that 94% of the 3,000 persons he surveyed were enduring today in order to get to tomorrow.

Tomorrow, you’re going on vacation. Tomorrow, you’re going to get the house cleaned. Tomorrow, you’re going to start your diet. Tomorrow, you’re going to balance your checkbook. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.I read some research by psychologist William Morriston who reported that 94% of the 3,000 persons he surveyed were enduring today in order to get to tomorrow.

The only problem is…tomorrow never arrives. When it gets here, it is today. And today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. I read some research by psychologist William Morriston who reported that 94% of the 3,000 persons he surveyed were enduring today in order to get to tomorrow.

ACTION POINT:

It is always today. Act accordingly!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

An Extreme Make-Over is Underway

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.” Romans 8:30

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Dr. Scofield, who edited the Scofield Bible, says that “predestination is the effective exercise of the will of God by which things before determined by Him are brought to pass.” That is, God says He is determined to do something and then He does it. God’s wisdom is sovereign.

What did God predestinate? That those whom God foreknew will be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, who is the Firstborn. 

God had one Son and He said, “I want more just like Him.” And so God is redeeming a whole race of people, so that all these people might be conformed to the image of God’s Son.

If you are saved, you are predestined to be like Jesus. When God foreknew that you would receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then He said, “It is settled. You will one day be like My Son.”

ACTION POINT:

Thank God for what He has done and is going to do, in shaping you into the image of the Lord Jesus Christ.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Happiness is a Choice

BIBLE MEDITATION: 

“I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.” Psalm 7:17

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Did you know that happiness is a choice? 

A man said to a beggar one day, “Good day my friend.” 

The beggar answered, “Well, thank you, but I never have a bad one.” 

The man responded, “Well, may God give you a happy life, my friend.” 

And the beggar replied, “I thank God that I am never unhappy.”

The man was speechless. And the beggar continued, “When I have plenty to eat, I thank God. When I am hungry, I thank God. If it is God’s will for me to endure this, then whatever is God’s will for me makes me happy.”

He chose to be happy. 

ACTION POINT:

What do you want? Do you want to be happy? Then choose to be happy today no matter your circumstances…by praising God.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Stronger, Not Weaker

BIBLE MEDITATION: 

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What does Paul mean in this verse when he says that he “takes pleasure” in all of these difficult circumstances? He is trying to communicate that if his money were taken, he would have greater riches. His weakness becomes his strength.

When Paul was isolated and placed in solitary confinement, then Jesus was near. His weakness became his strength. If they beat him and he hurt, then he had the fellowship of Christ’s suffering—his weakness became his strength. If his body became crippled and he was no more able to lean upon the arm of his flesh, then he had to lean on the Everlasting Arms. Paul took pleasure in these things.

ACTION POINT:

God is waiting to make you strong. There is power in our suffering. Suffering is not going to hurt you; it is going to strengthen you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Running Together

BIBLE MEDITATION: 

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” 1 Corinthians 9:24

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I have a race to run. God has given you a race to run as well. Every man runs his own race. We’re not racing against each other to win the victor’s crown. We are in a pilgrimage together. I’m not trying to outrun you. And you’re not trying to outrun me. That is good news!

God has a plan for your life with particular speed bumps, detours, and hurdles to cross. And you are to stay in the race until it is over. But you are not running alone!

ACTION POINT:

Though we are not in the same race, we are in the journey together, so we encourage one another to win. And I want you to win the victor’s crown today! Run, my friend, run!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

People God Chooses to Do His Work

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” - 1 Corinthians 1:27

The people God chooses to do His work are plain, simple folks. All you have to do is look at the twelve men Jesus chose to be His disciples. Fishermen, a tax collector, a “zealot.” What a ragtag bunch! But they ended up “turning the world upside down.” And those who watched them exclaimed, “Why, these are ignorant and unlearned men!” (Acts 4:13). Maybe you didn’t make the “Who’s Who,” or worse, the “Who’s Not”! That’s all right. God has a plan for you. God knows what He is doing. He turns the table on the world’s idea of success. Wealth, fame, acclaim. None of these are necessary for you to be used of God.

What a glorious truth for you to share with someone today who may be feeling like they’re not worth much. Ask God to lead you to that someone right now.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Tell Us About This Jesus

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins

2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience-

3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

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-

6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:1-9

This is a story straight from missionaries in the field.

We are in a hostile country for sharing the gospel of Jesus. 

We have seen people beaten, killed and taken away to where no one knows.

It is a reality, the gospel has a cost in this dark place.

Surrounded by men we didn't know, we are taken with no explanation to a strange place.

Door shuts tightly, darkened room, light comes on and we are surrounded by a group of male strangers.

We look at each other to say goodbye because surely we are about to meet Jesus face to face.

We silently pray, and then this man says "tell us about this Jesus".

We smile. 

They say"tell us about this Jesus".

They say "we want to know the reason for the peace the men who were beheaded on the video had, they showed such calm as they went to their death".

We smile again, knowing God alone has prepared the heart of these men for the gospel story!

Amazing truth, Lord we praise You!!!

5 Thus says God, the LORD, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: 

6 "I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 

7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.  - Isaiah 42:5-7

18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:18-20

Who Is Keeping You In God’s Hand?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations.” Deuteronomy 7:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

When I talk about eternal security, inevitably I will hear, “Well, maybe your sins can’t take you out of the hand of God, but Satan can.”

In all due respect, I respond, “Pardon me. But that is foolishness. If Satan could take you out of the hand of God, why hasn’t he done it yet? Hasn’t he been nice to you? That would be a strange doctrine. You’re going to heaven by the grace of the devil!”

God saves us. God keeps us. What has been settled in eternity can never be undone by the ways of men or the schemes of the devil.

ACTION POINT:

Read Romans 8:38-39 today. These would be important verses for you to memorize.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Path of Choice

Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.  - Psalm 146:3

You do have a choice!

You can repent from sin, turn towards Christ for forgiveness and walk in newness of life by way of His incredible gift of salvation.

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

Your other choice is to follow pagan idols and false religions to your eternal destruction.

We will not kill you if you deny the power of Christ.

We do not demand you follow Him but pray you will see the light that comes from serving a risen Savior.

to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' - Acts 26:18

Now as with all choices, their will be a cost.

God has called you to be holy as He is holy. 

14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, - 1 Peter 1:14-15

Now that is not to say we will be perfect, we still have a heart that is prone to sin.

There is a constant battle between our spiritual side and our sinful heart.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 

10 "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."  - Jeremiah 17:9-10

Christ said, "he would draw all ".

31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.

32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself." - John 12:31-32

Satan is defeated and Christ is King and Lord.

So your choice is yours!

Your choice to kill in the name of a false religion is yours!

Your choice to follow a path that leads to destruction is yours!

There is an eternity!

Your soul, created by almighty God, was made for an eternity.

Man will be without excuse! 

God has made His glory know to all by His creation!!!

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. - Romans 1:19-21

and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. - Ecclesiastes 12:7

When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.  - Psalm 146:4

There is coming a time of judgement for you.

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, - Hebrews 9:27

Jesus gave His life for you!!

His death and resurrection provided the way for you to be reconciled to God for all eternity!!

What are you going to do with this choice?

Is There Enough “Goodness” in Your Cup?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There is none good, no not one. If you asked every single human being on planet earth to deposit in a cup all of his or her goodness, there would not be enough goodness in that cup to save even one person!

Isaiah 64:6 says our righteousness is as “filthy rags” in the sight of God. The cross of Jesus Christ is our only hope. Jesus took our sin upon the cross. Jesus took our shame upon the cross. Jesus took our suffering upon the cross. And by His death, He paid the sin debt and now we have His righteousness.

In 1906, Jessie Brown Pounds wrote these words: “I must needs go home by the way of the cross, there's no other way but this; I shall ne'er get sight of the gates of light, if the way of the cross I miss.”

ACTION POINT:

Get this clear with yourself: Whose righteousness are you depending on? Your own? Your accumulated lifetime of “good works”? Or the righteousness of the sinless Lamb of God, Who became your substitute on the Cross and paid your sin debt in full?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Hungry for God

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” Psalm 91:16

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

One day I was eating in a cafeteria in New York when the door of the restaurant opened and a man ran in. He rushed to a table that had been abandoned by patrons just shortly before. He began to stuff his mouth with the leftovers when the management discovered him. He rushed out like a squirrel scurrying to safety. No pride. He didn’t care what people thought.

A man who is starving is dead serious about the matter of getting food. He’s focused. He’s only got one thing on his mind—where is his next meal? He’s not concerned about popularity, position, or possessions.

What are you hungry for today? Is Jesus enough to satisfy your appetite?

ACTION POINT:

When a person is thirsty or hungry enough, he will pay any price. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Ask for Help from the Teacher

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” Psalm 119:18

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Have you ever thought you could just go to the Bible and pull some truth out of it for your life? Let me tell you friend: you cannot do that. Your mind will never comprehend the things of God apart from the Holy Spirit illuminating you.

First, we must lay our intellectual pride in the dust, and with open arms and a heart of faith, approach God’s Word for wisdom, discernment, and knowledge. Then He will teach us.

ACTION POINT:

It took a supernatural miracle to write the Word of God. It takes a supernatural miracle for you to understand it. When God begins to write His Word upon your heart, you are going to lead a supernatural life! Ask Him for that!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

When Your Feet Are Slipping…

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.” Psalm 73:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Asaph, the author of Psalm 73, started his psalm by talking about the purity of a person’s heart and the goodness of God. Then he says, “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped” (Psalm 73:2).

He had the idea that when he got right with God, that he wouldn’t have any more troubles. Are you sure about that? Yes! Psalms 73:13-14 says, “Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.”

He said, “I got right with God and I still have problems!” He had a false expectation that the Bible doesn’t necessarily give. Christians are not due preferential treatment. 

ACTION POINT:

Seek the Lord through His Word and in prayer. You will find the presence of God is enough, even in the midst of our trials.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

MADE SONS AND DAUGHTERS: THE GOSPEL & ADOPTION

Adoption, in Scripture, is both theological and missional. (Rom. 8:15; Jas. 1:27)

The World is Fallen (Gen. 3:16-19; Tit. 3:3; Eph. 2:1-3)

• The Fall has changed our experience of family in this world.

• There is no aspect of the institution of family where Satan is not actively working to steal, kill, and destroy.

• The road to adoption led Jesus to a cross.

God is a Father (Matt. 3:17; Gal. 4:4-5; Heb. 2:10; Hos. 1:1-3)

• Jesus came so that God could adopt us as sons and daughters. 

• Christian, God loves being your Father.

• God wants His children to come to Him in prayer, remembering that we aren’t simply subjects in His kingdom, we are sons and daughters in His family.

The Faith is a Family (1 Jn. 3:1-2; Gal. 2:11-16; 3:27-29; Gen. 12:1-3; Eph. 1:3-5; Rom. 8:15-19, 

21, 23)

• To come into “the faith,” is actually to be connected to a family.

What is a Christian? The question can be answered in many ways, but the richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father.... If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all.... Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption. (J.I. Packer, Knowing God, 225-226)

• The gospel creates a family that transcends the boundaries of biology, culture, economics, race.

• “Adopted” is a verb, not an adjective. We were adopted, and now we’re God’s children.

Thanks Matt!!! 

Understanding the Spirit of Adoption

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.” - Romans 8:15

It is tragic, but many will never accept their sainthood. A while back, it was in vogue for believers to make comments like “I’m saved, but I’m not a Christian.” Then the person would explain, “Well, I’m not worthy to call myself a Christian because I’m not living like one.” Let me nail this down for you. Have you believed upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and repented of your sins? Have you called upon Him to save you from the judgment of hell? If so, then you are the next of kin to the Trinity. You are a child of the King! Since you are part of God’s family, Jesus is not only your Lord and Savior, but He is your Friend and Brother.

Have you felt like you couldn’t call yourself a Christian because of your sin? Then get on your knees and repent of the sin of unbelief that keeps you from knowing you are a child of the King!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Showing Genuine Love for Others

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great.” Psalm 18:35

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Can a person donate to the poor and not have love? Can a person work in a soup kitchen for the homeless and not have love? Yes. You say, “A person wouldn’t do that!” Oh yes, they would…if they had a guilty conscience. Sometimes it is neater to write a check or donate some used things than to give of our time.

Do you know what the world needs? Not more money, though I’m sure they’d be glad to take it. First Corinthians 13:3 says, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving of yourself to others.

ACTION POINT:

Ask God to show you the ways you can show His genuine love to others. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Accusation vs. Conviction: Learn to Tell the Difference!

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:7-8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The devil accuses you of sin. The Holy Spirit convicts you of sin. Do you know the difference? The devil accuses you to drive you from Christ. The Holy Spirit convicts to draw you to Christ.

The devil wants you to get under a load of guilt so you’ll say, “I’m no good. I can’t live the Christian life. There’s something wrong with me. God doesn’t hear my prayers. It doesn’t do me any good to go to church.”

When you believe those lies, you let the devil drive you away from God! He accuses you to destroy you.

The Holy Spirit convicts you to reclaim you. He is trying to correct you and bring you back, that you may know the fullness of joy. The Holy Spirit draws you to Christ that you may confess your sins and be cleansed!

ACTION POINT:

Confess, be cleansed, and go your way rejoicing!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Shake Off Fear—Embrace Blessing!

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Did you know that fear can cause you to forget things? Now, I’m not talking about forgetting a phone number or someone’s name, though it may cause you to forget things like that. Instead, I’m referring to fear that causes you to forget the blessings, the anointing, the power of God—all these possessions you have because you are saved!

It happened to Timothy, who was mightily gifted and graced by God for the ministry that God had given him.  Yet he forgot this in the midst of fear, and Paul had to remind him (see 2 Timothy 1:6). He had taken his eyes off of God and focused on fear so much that he couldn’t see anything else.

Let me tell you something friend: You are tremendously blessed! If you get your mind distracted by fear, then you will fail to see your blessings in Christ. Fear will blow out every light in your soul, take the blue out of your sky, and the joy out of your life.

ACTION POINT:

Friend, wake up and count your blessings. Rejoice, for you are in Christ!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Warning of the Wicked

17 "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me.

18 If I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand.

19 But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

20 Again, if a righteous person turns from his righteousness and commits injustice, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die. Because you have not warned him, he shall die for his sin, and his righteous deeds that he has done shall not be remembered, but his blood I will require at your hand.

21 But if you warn the righteous person not to sin, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he took warning, and you will have delivered your soul." - Ezekiel 3:17-21

As a Christ follower, you are intimate with God.

You know His word.

You are to repeatedly warn of what God says about sin.

Notice I said warn!

Not through acts of physical violence but with stern words!

2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. - 2 Timothy 4:2-4

As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. - 1 Timothy 5:20

Belief in Christ as Lord and Savior is everything!

We have nothing to offer God to satisfy His wrath.

He demands a spotless sinless lamb, which is Christ the Lord!

I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins." - John 8:24

28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

30 I and the Father are one." - John 10:28-30

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

A warning about denying God:

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. - Romans 1:18-21

Are you listening to the devil? 

 1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" 

2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,

3 but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'"

4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die.

5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. - Genesis 3:1-6

See how easy Satan leads man to sin?

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. - 1 Peter 5:8-10

God's word is a warning!

God's word is a lifeline to eternity.

Be faithful!! 

Go And Sin No More

Your sins are forgiven!

And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." - Luke 7:48

Go and sin no more!

10 Jesus stood up and said to her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"

11 She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."]] - John 8:10-

These words hold a miracle paid by Christ on your behalf!

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-

22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. - Romans 3:21-26

A time of judgement is coming!

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

26 For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. - Hebrews 10:26-27

Wisdom filled words that are precious to a forgiven sinner!!

7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,

8 which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight

9 making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ

10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. - Ephesians 1:7-10

The Pain and Struggle Of Mourning

God's Plan

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  - Genesis 1:27

God's Power

There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. - 1 Corinthians 15:40

Spirit and body connection

and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. - Ecclesiastes 12:7

42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.

43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.

44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

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.

48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.

49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. - 1 Corinthians 15:42-49

God's order of death and life

53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

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 15:53-57

13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak,

14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.

15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

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. - 2 Corinthians 4:13-18

Praise be to God for He alone is worthy!!

He made you in His image.

When sin perverted His marvelous creation, He made a way, through Christ, to redeem your soul!!!

Yes we mourn the loss of precious loved ones!

Yes we suffer as we die.

Sin is the cause of death and suffering.

If you believe Christ died and has risen and that He alone is your only hope for redemption, thank God, shout Amen and praise Him!! 

Christ is coming soon to receive His church, be ready!!

No More Running from Bugaboos!

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

God has endowed us with His power and enriched us with His love. Not only that, He has enlightened us with a sound mind. Now, this phrase “sound mind” does not mean the opposite of insanity. It actually means discipline and self-control. Along with that, it is the ability to discern between truth and falsehood.

So often, the devil gets us running from bugaboos. Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Have you ever heard of phobias? This is what this verse is talking about.

ACTION POINT:

We must pull back the mask of darkness from the devil’s ploys and expose them for what they are and see the things that count in eternity. God has given you a sound mind by trusting in His Word, not in the devil’s schemes.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Excuses or Obedience?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Romans 6:22

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

In First Samuel 15, we read the story of how Saul failed to destroy the animals that God said were to be utterly put to death. Samuel confronted Saul about this and Saul told a lie: that he was going to sacrifice them, but he just hadn’t done it yet.

And Samuel said, “Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:22-23a). To rebel against the Lord “is as the sin of witchcraft” because it puts you in the realm of the devil.

ACTION POINT:

When God gives a clear command from His Word, we are not to parade it past the judgment bar of our human wisdom. We are to obey whether we understand it or agree with it. It is either God’s Word or it is not.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Strengthened by Your Foes

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” Numbers 14:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Joshua and Caleb faced formidable foes in the Promised Land, and yet what was their response to their enemies? “They are bread for us.” (Numbers 14:9). 

What is bread? It is the staff of life. What happens when you eat bread? You are strengthened by it and you grow by it. 

Paul also faced formidable foes. He wrote, “For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries” (1 Corinthians 16:9). 

Why isn’t the door to victory easy? Because if it were easy, then you would become weak in your effort to work out your faith in God. God places obstacles in 

your path to give you strength. “Wheaties” is not the breakfast of champions— giants are. God wants you to feed upon your difficulties and depend upon Him 

to make you a conqueror.

ACTION POINT:

What does it take to strengthen your body? What does it take to build your intellect? What does it take to grow love in relationships? Work. Read 

Philippians 2:12-13 and apply it to your life today. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Renouncing the Rebel Inside

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Is there stirring in your heart a spirit of rebellion today? Maybe you don’t even recognize it. But if you do, let me plead with you to do something about it 

right now.

Ask God to cleanse you from your desire to rebel. 

Ask Him to root out the rebel in you. 

He is not going to remove it until you renounce it. It is your choice. 

Ask Him to forgive you for the foolish and careless words you have spoken. 

Ask Him to take out that spirit of rebellion against authorities. 

Ask Him to teach you how to lovingly respect people when they are in the wrong. 

Either you crown Jesus as Lord, or you crucify Him. Are you with Jesus today or are you against Him?

ACTION POINT:

Is there someone who has wronged you and you seek revenge? Do you have a need to have your rights exalted above others? Read and apply the truth of 

Philippians 2:3-11.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Which Category Are You In?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Who fed thee in the wilderness with manna, which thy fathers knew not, that He might humble thee, and that He might prove thee, to do thee good at thy latter end.” Deuteronomy 8:16

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There are three categories of people reading this: those who are in trouble; those who are just getting out of trouble; and those who are going into trouble. Job 14:1 says, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” 

The Spanish have a proverb: “There’s no home without its hush.” Sooner or later, we will all know sorrow, heartache, and trouble. What we need to know is that troubles are not a sign that things have gone wrong or things have gotten out of hand. We are often in trouble by the providence, plan, and purpose of Almighty God.

When the Israelites were delivered from Pharaoh’s army through the Red Sea, they went into the wilderness. Had God lost control? No. God led them there by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. 

ACTION POINT:

In the unfailing providence of God, we are often led into a place of trouble. The wilderness is God’s proving ground for your faith. How are you doing?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Giving the Devil Plenty to Mourn About

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." Colossians 2:12

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

People often ask me, "Why do Baptists immerse people—put them fully under the water—when a new convert to Christ is baptized?" Because that’s what God’s Word teaches. When you go under the water, that is a picture of your death and burial. When you come up out of the water, that is a picture of your resurrection. "Buried with Him." "Risen with Him."

If I died and you took me to the cemetery and sprinkled a few granules of dirt on my head, have you truly buried me? No. The very word "baptism" means to immerse. 

ACTION POINT:

Your baptism is a funeral service: Dead to the old life. Raised to newness of life. And the devil doesn’t like that. The baptismal is a liquid tomb, and the mourner who comes to that funeral is the devil. Let’s be sure he has plenty to mourn about.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

God Is Invested in You!

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For the LORD your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” Deuteronomy 20:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Do you remember the miracle God performed when He brought the Israelites through the Red Sea, when they were being hunted down by Pharaoh’s army? It was incredible. 

Now let me ask you: What happened three days later? The Israelites began grumbling because there was no water! 

Do you think God would invest such a miraculous deliverance in them, then abandon them just days later? Absolutely not!  But what happens to us when we are down in the dumps and wondering where God is taking us? We become just like the Israelites! 

And yet God did something more for you than He did for them! He sent His precious and only Son to die on Calvary’s tree for you. God redeemed you. 

More than God bringing you out of a watery grave, He delivered you from eternal damnation into glorious communion with Him forever! God saved you! What more could you possibly want?

ACTION POINT:

Are you down in the dumps today? Do you feel like the victim of a bad situation? Do you feel like God has abandoned you? Then write down Deuteronomy 

20:4 on a piece of paper and meditate on it until you believe it.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Steadfast Love

Definition of steadfast:

Firm in belief, unwavering, dutifully firm

For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.  - Hosea 6:6

In mercy, God has pursued you!

Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. - Luke 15:7

In love, He has provided a Savior to rescue you from Hell.

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? - Romans 8:31-32

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised-who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. - Romans 8:34

He doesn't want you to follow Him for the sake of traditions.

5 And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat with defiled hands?"

6 And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 

7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' 

8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men."

9 And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! - Mark 7:5-9

He wants your commitment!

He wants His word written on your heart, in your mind and for you to obey!

He wants you to share His word with others!

The sickness of sin leads to eternal sorrow.

12 But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." - Matthew 9:12-13

Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind." - John 9:39

And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices." - Mark 12:33

Would You Turn Down a Pardon?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:28

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

In 1829 George Wilson was adjudicated guilty and given the death sentence for murder. But Wilson had some friends who petitioned President Andrew 

Jackson for a pardon. 

Jackson granted the pardon, and it was brought to prison and given to Wilson. To everyone’s surprise, Wilson said, “I am going to hang.” 

There had never been a refusal to a pardon, so the courts didn’t know what to do. Discussion went all the way to the Supreme Court, and Justice John 

Marshall gave this ruling: “A pardon is a piece of paper, the value of which depends upon the acceptance by the person implicated. If he does not accept the 

pardon, then he must be executed.” 

God loves you and wants to pardon you, but if you refuse Him, you will die and go to hell. Cast yourself upon Him completely, and receive the free gift of His 

forgiveness today.

ACTION POINT:

Have you repented of your sin and believed upon the atoning work of Christ’s blood on the cross? Being good doesn’t get you to heaven. It is only Jesus.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Soul Winners, God's Spiritual Warriors

They are many in number!

They come from all walks of life!

Rich men, poor men, wounded in spirit, and some with broken bodies but they all have a common trait!

They worship a risen Savior, Christ the Lord!!

Some we are blessed to know! 

Others we will only meet in Heaven!

While all WERE born sinners, most of us come from loving parents that taught respect and the consequence of a sinful life!

While others come from a background of challenge, from an insurmountable amount of sin all around them and the truth be told, if we had walked in their shoes, we could have very well crumbled under the weight of sin!

Praises and shouts of worship to a merciful Most High God for the gift of unmerited grace and the blessing we received through Christ for the forgiveness of sin!

I'm saying this to say, every once in a while there comes along a man, just a good ole country boy, who never missed an opportunity to speak of the love Christ showed sinful man and the effect it will have on his eternity!!!

His mission was to tell you and I that without Christ, we are doomed to Hell for eternity!

The man of whom I speak died last week!

As with all Christ followers, he wanted no accolades!

He lived his life knowing praise and worship only belongs to God for He alone is worthy!!!

He lived life TOTALLY resting on Christ for salvation!!

His family and friends mourn his passing but we know by his repeated words of faith that salvation comes through the blood of Christ alone!!!

Friend, did know that Christ is pursuing you? 

He died for you!!

Grace and faith are marvelous gifts that should not be ignored!!

Where you spend eternity depends on it!!

Bow before the blood stained Cross of Christ for salvation, regeneration, forgiveness, restoration, and redemption!!!

Be that person who is assured that the last breath here on Earth will be followed by your first breath in the presence of our sweet Savior, Jesus!!!

Hallelujah, our God reigns forever!!!

12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.

13 For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. - Romans 10:12-17

Lord, speak to the hearts of those who are not searching for You, forgive them, open their eyes to hope that comes from Christ alone. Amen

Purchased at a Precious Price

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” - 1 Corinthians 6:20

Matthew 26:28 says, “For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” 

The word “testament” is from the Greek word diatheke, which means “covenant.” Christ has purchased us with His blood. We have entered into a covenant with Him. The church is the bride, He is the bridegroom. We are betrothed to Him in a covenant bought with His blood.

Samuel J. Stone wrote these powerful words in a hymn we sing in our church,

“The Church’s One Foundation.”— “From heaven He came and sought her to be His holy bride; With His own blood He bought her, and for her life He died.”

Let this powerful truth sink deep into your heart today. Meditate on what it meant that Jesus came and sought you, then bought you with His blood.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

”…to Live is Christ…to Die is Gain”

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise.” - Luke 23:43

I read about a man who was on an airplane in a bad storm. Even the flight attendant was nervous. But there was a little lady humming “Blessed Assurance.” She seemed to be at ease. This man said to her, “Lady, aren’t you afraid?” She replied, “Not at all. I’ve given my heart to Jesus Christ. Not so long ago, I had a daughter who died. She was a radiantly beautiful Christian and is now in heaven. I have another daughter who’s in Denver, where this airplane is going. But, I tell you the truth. It really doesn’t make much difference to me which daughter I visit.”

Jesus told a man on a bloody cross, “Today you’ll be with Me in paradise.”

If you were to die today, where would you spend eternity? And what about your family?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers