The Powerful Influence of Music

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“. . . and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ

2 Corinthians 10:5.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Satan is waging a battle to control the thought life of America’s teenagers. The typical teenager listens to an average of 10,500 hours of rock music from the seventh to the tenth grade. That’s only 500 hours shy of all the time he/she spends in school from first through twelfth grade!

Do you have any idea of the fatalism that is bombarding the airwaves everyday into young people’s heads? The National Education Association estimates that a percentage of the 5,000 teenage suicides we have in America every year are caused by the fatalistic music of today’s youth. Somebody has said, “You let me write the songs that a nation sings, and I don’t care who makes its laws.”

ACTION POINT:

Is there a teen in your life? If so, spend some time this week talking with them about the music they listen to and the healthy choices they need to make to take back the ground that Satan is trying to conquer with his onslaught of fatalistic music.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Fear Not

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The devil is the sinister minister of fear. When he clamps his icy fingers of fear on your heart, do you become afraid of what he’ll do to you if you take a stand for God? Don’t be afraid. Fear is an insult to God, who said, “I will be with thee.” Fear will destroy you. 

Are you a worrywart? One lady said, “Don’t tell me it does no good to worry. Most of the things I worry about never come to pass.” Be not dismayed. God will take care of you. 

ACTION POINT:

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what your fears are, then confess them as sin. Repent, then reach up and take hold of His right hand that is outstretched to sustain you and give you the victory!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

What Is Salvation?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” 1 John 5:1.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What is salvation? Not a creed. You say, “Well, I believe the plan of salvation.” You can believe the plan of salvation and go straight to hell. You’re not saved by the plan of salvation, you’re saved by the man of salvation. 

Salvation is not a creed. It’s not a code. You say, “Well, I believe if you live right you’ll go to heaven.” If you could be saved by living right, then Calvary was a blunder. It’s not a cause. You say, “I’m a member of a good, fundamental, Bible believing church.” It’s not any of these things. It’s Christ. 

Salvation is not believing something, it is receiving Someone. The true gospel is one that centers in Jesus Christ. 

ACTION POINT:

Ask God to give you a divine opportunity to boldly share Jesus with someone today. Maybe it’s a co-worker, maybe it’s your child. Maybe it’s a stranger that sits next to you at a restaurant. Be strong and of good courage, God will go before you to prepare the way.

LWF  Dr. Adrian Rogers

The True Gospel

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”  Ephesians 2:8.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

How can you tell whether or not you have the true gospel? Paul gives you three tests. 

First, the source of the gospel. Where did it come from? God gave it. It is direct and divine revelation. The gospel is authenticated by its source. 

Secondly, by its salvation. Any gospel that is not the gospel of grace is not the true gospel. You can’t beg it. You can’t buy it. You can’t borrow it. You can’t steal it. You can’t earn it. It was bought by Christ on the cross. It is the supernatural work of God. 

The third test is its subject. It is the grace of Christ. Jesus is the subject. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is all about Jesus. 

ACTION POINT:

Take an hour or two this week and find the prophecies about Jesus in the book of Isaiah. Take comfort in knowing that Jesus is the One Who was, Who is, and Who is to come!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Anchored

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Fear thou not, for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” - Isaiah 41:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I was raised in South Florida, in what you might call hurricane alley. When we knew a hurricane was coming, my dad would say, “Boys, go out there in the back yard and tie things down,” patio furniture and things like that. Sometimes we would go out after a hurricane, and the thing we tied down was gone and the thing we tied it to was gone!

ACTION POINT:

Friend, you’d better be tied to Jesus. He won’t blow away.  Where is your hope?  Where is your security?  What have you anchored your hope to?  I hope it’s in the solid rock, the Lord Jesus Christ.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Your Adversary, The Devil

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against . . . the rulers of the darkness of this world.” Ephesians 6:12.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There is a ruthless, cruel underworld system that wars against you. The crime bosses are but amateurs compared to this syndicate, ruled by the Master of Deception. He’s called the “destroyer,” “liar,” “accuser,” “tempter,” and “prince.” Satan is indescribably wicked, brilliantly stupid, and hideously beautiful. If he can’t convince you that he does not exist, then he tries to spread the lie that he is only in hell. He is not in hell. Hell was prepared for the devil and his angels, but he is not there yet! 

Be warned . . . Satan comes against you to obsess, depress, and possess. But, be encouraged . . . Jesus has purchased your victory by His blood! 

ACTION POINT:

Satan is portrayed as a roaring lion in 1 Peter 5:8. Put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18) and claim the victory that only faith in King Jesus can achieve.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Controlling Your Thought Life

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” Proverbs 23:7.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There was a sign in a business that said, “We are not what we think we are; what we think—we are.” 

What are you allowing into your mind and thereby controlling your heart, your actions, and your words? God made you where you can’t think two thoughts at one time. If you’re thinking what’s right, you can’t be thinking what’s wrong. And as you think, you will become. Guard your mind. Center your mind upon the Lord Jesus. Don’t let the devil take away your pure-hearted devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Stay in love with Jesus and there won’t be any room for those filthy, dirty, wicked, lascivious, lustful, and prideful thoughts that bombard us all.

ACTION POINT:

Start today to become more active in marshalling your thoughts and bringing them into obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Use Phil. 4:8 as a sieve through which you pass each thought.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Expressing Our Praise to the Lord

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.” Psalm 100:1.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There’s nothing wrong with getting excited in church. I heard about a man who came to a cold church. The preacher said something he agreed with and he said, “Amen.” Everybody turned around and looked at him. 

After awhile he said, “Praise the Lord.” Then people arched their eyebrows. 

Next time he said “Amen” an usher tapped him on the shoulder to quiet him down. 

The usher said, “What is wrong with you?” 

He said, “Well, nothing. I’ve just got religion.” 

To which the usher curtly replied, “Well, mister, you didn’t get it here.”

It’s easier to cool down a zealot than it is to warm up a corpse. 

ACTION POINT:

What does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord? How do you make a joyful noise to Him . . . not just on Sundays in church, but all week long? Sing one of your favorite hymns throughout the day today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

What Do You Do When You Don't Know What To Do

Remember The Battle Belongs To The Lord

In the Face of Danger

Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. - 2 Chronicles 20:3

and said, "O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you. - 2 Chronicles 20:6

Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? - 2 Chronicles 20:7

7 Did you not, our God, drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel, and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?

8 And they have lived in it and have built for you in it a sanctuary for your name, saying, - 2 Chronicles 20:7-8

'If disaster comes upon us, the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we will stand before this house and before you-for your name is in this house-and cry out to you in our affliction, and you will hear and save.' - 2 Chronicles 20:9

A Response of Faith

O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." - 2 Chronicles 20:12

The Reply From Heaven

O our God, will you not execute judgment on them? For we are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you." - 2 Chronicles 20:12

You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you." - 2 Chronicles 20:17

Then Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the LORD. - 2 Chronicles 20:18

The Result of Worship

And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, "Give thanks to the LORD, for his steadfast love endures forever."  - 2 Chronicles 20:21

23 For the men of Ammon and Moab rose against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction, and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they all helped to destroy one another.

24 When Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked toward the horde, and behold, there were dead bodies lying on the ground; none had escaped. - 2 Chronicles 20:23-24

The Rejoicing of Victory

26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, for there they blessed the LORD. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Beracah to this day.

27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat at their head, returning to Jerusalem with joy, for the LORD had made them rejoice over their enemies.

28 They came to Jerusalem with harps and lyres and trumpets, to the house of the LORD.

29 And the fear of God came on all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard that the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel.

30 So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around. - 2 Chronicles 20:26-30

Persecution

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness,

11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra-which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.

12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. - 2 Timothy 3:10-13

Worship God before disaster

God's Encouragement

Be strong and courageous 

God gives wisdom to His worshippers 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. - James 1:5

God will punish 

saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!"  - Psalm 105:15

Worship God after deliverance 

Thank God 

God gives joy to His worshippers

God gives honor to His worshippers 

Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,' but now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed. - 1 Samuel 2:30

God gives protection to His worshippers 

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.  - Proverbs 30:5

God gives peace

So the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around. - 2 Chronicles 20:30

Thank You Steve Gaines!!

Hunger for the Word of God

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“I rejoice at Thy Word.” Psalm 119:162.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Job said, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12). When God’s Word is as important to you as your physical food, then you’re going to start to grow in your Christian life. 

I wonder if one day the dust on our Bibles is not going to testify against us. The following poem sobers my heart. 

These hath God married and no man shall part, 

Dust on the Bible and drought in the heart.

Oh, that we would hunger for the Word of God! 

ACTION POINT:

Fast one meal today. Sense just a touch of the hunger our hearts are to have for the Word of God. And remember to pray for those who need the pure milk of His Word!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

True Hope for a World in Turmoil

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

For the first time in history, man is afraid of what he knows. His head and his hands have outrun his heart and we are being faced with things for which we have no answers—the plague of AIDS, the tinderbox in the Middle East, the outbreaks of famine, the irregular weather disturbances, and much more. But we don’t have to wring our hands and say, “What is the world coming to?” We can look up and say, “Who is the world coming to? It’s coming to Jesus! Praise God!” 

ACTION POINT:

Call your church today and ask if there is a place where you can volunteer in the area of community outreach. Perhaps there is a soup kitchen, a nursing home, a homeless shelter, or a children’s center where you can serve.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Yielded and Still

Yield:

To give in

Synonyms:

Surrender-submit-relent 

The will of God:

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. - Romans 6:13

so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. - 1 Peter 4:2

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. - 1 Peter 2:24

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1-2


So according to God's will, we present ourselves as a living sacrifice, instruments for righteousness, holy and acceptable, by the power of Christ and His death and Resurrection and for God's glory.

Yielding Yourself to Christ

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“…yield yourselves unto God…” Romans 6:13.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I heard about a man who entered an interstate out of a side road and did not even slow down. A big eighteen-wheeler pulled over, almost wrecking him. The truck driver leaned out of the window and yelled, “Hey, didn’t you see that sign?” 

The man said, “What sign?” 

The trucker said, “That sign that said Y–I–E–L–D.” 

“Oh,” he said, “I opened the window and yield as loud as I could.” 

In the matter of victory, it is not your ability or your responsibility that counts. It is not even your response to His ability. You must choose to yield to Christ. You are to yield with all of your heart to the power, the presence, and the provision of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

ACTION POINT:

Look up the definition of “yield.” What does it say about the right of way? Who has the “right of way” in your life? Come before the Lord and surrender all of you to all of Him today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Staying Focused on God’s Plan for Your Life

BIBLE MEDITATION:

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

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The devil would love to get you distracted and get you off the course on which God has placed you. God has something He wants you to do and you had better not substitute the good for the best. Find out what God wants you to do and refuse to be distracted by the devil. You need to say as the apostle Paul said, “This one thing I do!” Know what it is that God wants you to do and do it with all your strength for His glory!

ACTION POINT:

Take a few minutes to write out a mission statement focusing on “that one thing” (TOT) that you think God has called you to do. Then, post the letters TOT everywhere to remind yourself to stay focused on the calling of God in your life.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Truly Living the Christian Life

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.”  Colossians 3:17.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The sign over the church door where I attended as a boy read, “The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silent.” I mistakenly took that to mean that I had just entered the holy temple and had better start acting religious. We are the temple of God, not a building made of brick and mortar. Wherever we go, whatever we do, we are to be doing all in the name of Jesus. The secular is to be sanctified so that Jesus will be glorified in everything. Because He lives in you, every day is a holy day, not just Sundays. The spiritual life is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all eternity.

ACTION POINT:

Have you ever had a home appraised? Get a trusted friend or loved one to give you an appraisal of the home where the Holy Spirit dwells—you! Are there areas that need repair, restoration, or removal?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Flourishing in Body, Soul and Spirit

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“…dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves….” 2 Corinthians 7:1.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

You were created to know three worlds—the spiritual, psychological, and material worlds. These can be considered the world above us, the world within us, and the world around us. These worlds are related to the three parts of our human nature—spirit, soul, and body. 

When you are rightly related to the material world with your body, you are healthy. When you are rightly related to the psychological world with your soul, you are happy. And when you are rightly related to the spiritual world in your spirit, you are holy. 

God’s aim is that ultimately you are to experience all three realities: health, happiness, and holiness. 

ACTION POINT:

Take a snapshot inventory of your life. Where do you need to start making changes to live a healthier lifestyle? What is your emotional barometer telling you about how you see others and yourself? Do you know of any area in your life where you are not living in obedience to the call of holy living?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Devil’s Most Prized Tool

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord…” Psalm 25:15.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There’s a story about the devil auctioning off his tools. He had a high price on pride, laziness, arrogance, hate, envy, and jealousy. But there was one tool that had a sign under it, “Not For Sale.” 

Someone said, “What is that tool and why isn’t it for sale?” 

“Well,” he said, “I can’t afford to get rid of that one. It’s my chief tool, discouragement. With this tool, I can pry open a heart, and once I get in I can do most anything I want.” 

Do you want me to tell you why you get discouraged? I’ll give it to you in a nutshell—you’ve taken your eyes off God! 

ACTION POINT:

Are you discouraged? If not, praise God! And find someone who is so that you can give them the encouragement they need in Jesus Christ. Maybe it’s your next-door neighbor, maybe it’s a coworker, maybe it’s your spouse.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Hope Even In Death

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.  - Psalm 4:8

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. - John 6:63

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law,

28 he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, 

29 "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; 

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 

31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 

32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel."  - Luke 2:25-32

For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.  - Psalm 33:9

By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible. - Hebrews 11:3

as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"-in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. - Romans 4:17

It's different when a Christian dies.

I mean the dying part is the same because when a human body gives up its spirit, the earthly body ceases it's life.

I'm speaking of a hope that continues even after death. 

That hope is Jesus Christ!

His promise of eternal life through His death and resurrection for all who trust Him gives a hope and joy that death can't destroy!!

So even in the midst of the greatest sorrow of death, we have hope in Christ!!!

Death is the great unknown!

We only have our faith in Christ and God's written word to comfort us!

Death is a great mystery but a bigger mystery still is life after death.

Do you believe you will have eternal life through Christ? 

Or do you believe death is the end?

I pray you will seek God while you have breath!!

The one and only true God is not a religion.

He is sovereign God, who was and is and is to come!!!

He has no beginning, no end and reigns eternally!!! 

Out of invisible things, He made the world, everything in it and the universe!

He spoke and there it was!!!!

Your Invitation 

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

Your Forgiveness 

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. - 

Colossians 2:13-14

Your Response???

In the Face of Discouragement and Ridicule

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“…He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

One evening I overheard my father and a friend of our family talking. 

“What’s Adrian going to do when he gets out of high school?” 

My dad replied, “Well, he wants to go off to college and study to be a preacher.”

That man just laughed and said, “He won’t make it. He’ll never stick it out. He’ll quit.” 

This was a man that I admired and respected very much. I almost felt like crying. That’s what the world says about Christians, “They won’t stick it out. They won’t make it.” You see, the devil hasn’t changed his tactics. He’s still mocking and throwing cold water on our walks with the Lord. Get ready. If you don’t feel the flames of ridicule now, just wait.

ACTION POINT:

Have you ever told someone that they wouldn’t amount to anything? Has anyone ever told you? Send those lies back to the pit of hell and rest in the promises of His Word that you are deeply loved and bought with the price of the Savior’s own blood.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The First Step to Setting Things Right

BIBLE MEDITATION:

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

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

The Lord Jesus said, “Moreover if thy brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault” (Matthew 18:15). 

You say, “He’s the one that did wrong. If he wants forgiveness let him come and ask for it.” 

But Jesus said, “No, you go to him.” 

Whether you are in the right or whether you are in the wrong, as a child of God, you are to go to that individual. Isn’t that what God did in the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve sinned against God and the Bible tells us that God came looking for them: “Adam, where art thou?” That was not the voice of a detective. That was the voice of a God Who pursues us to forgive us.

ACTION POINT:

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

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Imperfections or Infirmities

Labels! These definitely hurt others but the facts are; we all have labels applied to us.

Male or female, boy or girl, black or white, skinny or chubby, red or black hair, Christian or non-believer, etc.

Judgement of others!

Perception of judging, such as pointing out sin.

There can be physical or mental imperfections.

Definition of imperfection:

Flawed

Here are some synonyms of imperfection:

Scarred, defect, deformity, disfigurement etc 

Physical imperfections, you were most likely born with them but not always. Sometimes your actions or the action of others cause them. Sovereign God has allowed them.

Mental imperfections, you can be born with one but sometimes they are directly caused by your actions of alcohol consumption, or perhaps some would argue environmental poisons and most definitely drug abuse.

As we age, we can have dementia or Alzheimer's.

We can be injured. 

What if: 

The child with autism holds the keys to cure cancer?

The old person with dementia could soothe the ache of loneliness that orphans have.

The wounded soldier creates some wonderful invention that changes our lives for the better. 

We want perfect people in an imperfect world! God created this world to be a paradise and Satan has corrupted it! So, what can we do? Trust God! Trust Him to change you. Trust Him for salvation! 

And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. - Genesis 1:31

even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love - Ephesians 1:4

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. - 1 John 3:2

20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. - Philippians 3:20-21

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope

21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.

23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees?

25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. - Romans 8:18-25

Our Hope

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." - Revelation 21:1-4

God's Provision In Your Life

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A philosopher once said, “To whom little is not enough, nothing is enough.” 

I know what I want and I know what you want. I want to have some money in the bank and I want to have something there so that when tomorrow comes, then I don’t have to worry about it. Isn’t that what you want? We call that security. 

Question: is that really security? Who is more secure – the man who has a warehouse full of stale bread that the rats or thieves can get, or the man who has a father who is a very, very rich baker?

ACTION POINT:

Begin your prayer time today with the Lord’s Prayer and ask Him to help you be content. Bow before Him in humble adoration of His provision in your life. Then share the Bread of Life with someone who is hungry today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Faith Without Works Is Dead

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26 .

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

When you ask God for something, do you just sit back and do nothing and say, “Well, I’m going to show my faith by doing nothing.”? To the contrary, you will show your faith by doing something. For faith without works is what? Dead! (see James 2:20) 

Do you want a house? Pray for it. Then say “Amen” with a hammer and saw. 

Do you want a wife? Pray for one. Then go shave, put on some cologne, learn some manners, and learn how to be thoughtful and loving.

ACTION POINT:

What have you been praying earnestly about the last week? What is your heart’s desire? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can put feet to that prayer. Then, walk the talk!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Praying, "Thy Will Be Done On Earth..."

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.” Matthew 6:9-10.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

When you pray, “Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done . . . on earth as it is in heaven” do you realize that this prayer has not yet been answered, but it will be answered? 

Jesus Christ is literally, actually, visibly, bodily coming back to this earth. Do you believe that? Do you think that Jesus Christ would have taught us to pray this prayer if it would not have been answered? His kingdom has not come yet on earth. His will is not being done on earth. But it shall be; it will be because our Lord taught us to pray that.

ACTION POINT:

When you read or watch the news today, how do you see God’s will not being done on earth? Ask the Lord that His will would be brought to earth – praying for the people involved in each story for their welfare and their salvation.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

How To Know The Will Of God

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Do you want to know the will of God in your life? Here’s a test: how much time do you spend reading the Bible? Do you think God really believes we want to know His will when we don’t take even 15 minutes a day to read the one book above all books that God has specifically written to show you His will, to reveal His will to you, to unfold His will to you? 

Your first step in knowing His will is the surrender principle—surrendering our will to His. Your second step is the scripture principle. Read His word, meditate upon it, share it, and study it. When you bow to His will and read His will, you’ll know His will.

ACTION POINT:

Commit to read God’s Word at least 15 minutes a day for 30 days. When the month is over, re¬evaluate what you have learned and ask God to help you be obedient to daily Bible reading from this day forward.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

God the Father and God the Creator

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“…that we may be partakers of the divine nature.”  2 Peter 1:4.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Have you heard the phrase, “The universal fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of men”? It sounds warm and fuzzy, but it is cold and barren of truth. God is not the Father of all people; God is the Father of those who are born into His family. 

But you say, “But pastor, didn’t God create all human beings?” Yes. “And if God created all human beings, wouldn’t that make God the Father of all human beings?” No, it makes God the creator of all human beings. There’s a difference between fatherhood and creation. God created rats, roaches, buzzards, and rattlesnakes. He’s not their father. God becomes our Father not by creation, but by conception when we’re born into His family. 

ACTION POINT:

Read the story of creation in Genesis—making the distinction between the creations of God and the Creator called God. Go on a nature walk and thank God that He rules over creation, causing the sun to shine, the rain to water the earth, and for you to have your next breath.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Gathering in His Name

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There is something wonderful about unity.

I heard about a fellow who courted a girl by writing her a beautiful love letter every day for two years. He thought that would be a wonderful way to court her. Do you know what happened? She married the mail carrier! 

There is nothing like being there. There is nothing like personal contact. There is a sense in which Jesus Christ is present when His people gather that’s not in any other sense. You cannot get it the same way at home.

ACTION POINT:

Do you have a church home? If not, I encourage you to find one today. If church attendance isn’t important, I wonder why Satan works so hard to keep folks away. If you do have a church home, make a special effort this week to meet a new friend and find a need they have which you can meet.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Burning Brightly For The Glory Of God

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.” Exodus 3:2.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Major Ian Thomas has imagined Moses saying something like this when he encountered God in the burning bush, “Would you look at that bush? It just keeps on burning for God. I wish my life could burn for God like that and keep on burning.” Then Major Thomas imagined God replying, “Moses, you think this bush is so wonderful? Do you see that bush over there? I could do the same thing with it. Moses, it’s not the bush—it’s God in the bush. Any old bush will do.” 

It’s not you! It’s not me! We are only the vessels of God’s anointing. As you surrender yourself to God today, He will fill you and use you for His glory. 

ACTION POINT:

Surrender yourself to God today. And as you do, He will use you. Allow His flame to burn brightly for all to see.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

He Alone Is Worthy

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing.”  Revelation 5:12.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There’s an interesting story about how a gifted violinist named Fritz Kreisler acquired a Stradivarius violin. Kreisler heard about the violin owned by an old Englishman and offered to buy it, but the old man said it wasn’t for sale. One day Kreisler ventured to the old man’s house and said, “If I can’t buy it, may I touch it?” 

The old Englishman invited him in and even allowed him to begin making music with it. Great tears welled up in the old Englishman’s eyes and he said, “It is not for sale, but it is yours. You are the Master and alone are worthy of it!” 

That is what worship is all about. God is the Master and He alone is worthy. 

ACTION POINT:

Starting with the letter “A” and going through the alphabet, praise Him for all that He is, has been, and will be!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Sword Of Jesus

Jesus offered Himself as a living sacrifice to pay for your sin!

But this offer will end soon with your death or His return!!!

He is coming back soon!!

Will you be ready?

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. - Matthew 10:34

Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. - Luke 12:51

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

but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. - 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

4 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious,

5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

6 For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." 

7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," 

8 and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. - 1 Peter 2:4-10

He is our coming King!!!

He will come to execute judgment against the rebellious heart of the wicked!!

Now is the time for forgiveness!!

Now is the time for mercy, freely given if you repent!!!

The Blessed Hope of His Glorious Appearing

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:13.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Each time I have walked the shores of the Sea of Galilee, I’ve longed to see Jesus walking there. I would love to see Him walk on the water—planting His footsteps on the sea with the wind in His hair and His garments flowing. I think I’d be a better preacher had I seen Him dying in agony and blood, and to have experienced that Easter morning. Wouldn’t it have been wonderful to see Him ascend into the glory! 

I didn’t see Him any of those times, but I’m going to see Him. And you’re going to see Him! There’s a blessed hope awaiting us as God’s children. When He returns, He’s not coming as the carpenter, He’s coming as the conqueror!

ACTION POINT:

Thank God for this Good News right now. And ask Him to bring you someone today with whom you can share this particularly Good News of Christ’s return!

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Light of God’s Countenance

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us.” Psalm 4:6.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

How easy it is to be deceived when we are not walking in the light of God’s Word. 

Charles Lindbergh tells about the time he was flying in a dense fog over Newfoundland. He noticed moisture beginning to freeze on the wings of his plane and thought, “This great adventure is going to come to an untimely end. What shall I do?” Then, he had a moment of inspiration. He pulled his plane up and out of the fog and burst into the dazzling sunlight. 

Have you ever felt like you were living in a fog? Friend, He has a word of encouragement for you. You can get near to the heart of God. His light can shine even in the darkest corner of your heart.

ACTION POINT:

Ask God to shine His light into the darkness of your heart. Ask Him to reveal your doubts and fears. Ask Him to reveal your sin that lies covetously in your heart. Then get ready for a blessing. Draw up close, because when you repent, He’ll reach in with healing forgiveness.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Finding Your Contentment in Jesus

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“…and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, ‘I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’” Hebrews 13:5-6.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

As you face the new year, find your contentment in Jesus, your companionship in Jesus, and your confidence in Jesus. Then you’ll find your comfort and your courage in Jesus. When you are contented in Jesus and He is closer to you than any one on earth could possibly be; when you are confident in the midst of trials and testing that He will provide…then, and only then, will you know the courage that comes from His comforting presence.

ACTION POINT:

Pray, “Lord, with all my heart, with all I am, I want to know you. I want our relationship to be close and my faith to grow. Cleanse me and make me new that I may be all that You want me to be this year.”

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

When Opportunity Knocks

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” John 10:9.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

We need to practice the presence of the Lord this coming year. You’re going to be tempted to rush into life because of the fast pace to which society is stepping. Many doors will open for you. Many doors will close. What will you do? 

Remember that through it all, Jesus Christ will be behind each and every door as you seek Him with all your heart. He has promised never to leave you, nor forsake you. When the devil comes and knocks at your heart’s door this next year, simply say, “Jesus, please go answer the door.” The Lord is there with us to take care of us.

ACTION POINT:

When the door of opportunity knocks for you today, reflect on His goodness, His mercy, and His faithfulness. Trust in Him to give you what you need.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Unexpected

Unexpected definition:

Not expected

Synonyms:

Unforeseen, sudden, abrupt

These terms are often used referring to death.

Death is sudden!

Death is tragic!!

Eternity doesn't have to be tragic!

Shouldn't we really think about our eternity?

The physical life span of man is short.

The spiritual life span of man's soul is eternal.

God has secured your spiritual eternity by raising Christ from the dead and making Him our propitiation for sin.

Your gift of salvation was made possible by God's grace and mercy. 

By your testimony of faith in Christ alone! 

By faith in Him who is able to redeem your soul from Hell.

By your repentance from a sinful life to a righteous life resting on God's promise that you are buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life.

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.  - Psalm 90:12

The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.  - Psalm 90:10

Jesus Meets the Heart’s Deepest Need

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” - Philippians 4:11-12

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

When Paul wrote this he was in prison. But he said, “I've learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

The word “content” literally means “self-contained.” We're hearing a lot today about the "r" word, recession. Back in 1929 and 1930 when the stock market crashed, there were men who jumped out of skyscrapers, committing suicide. Why? Because the things they were trying to satisfy their heart with, they lost. That's where their security was. Friend, you’d better have your security, sufficiency and satisfaction in something that can't be tampered with.

ACTION POINT:

Paul continues, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." That literally means, I can do all things through Christ who is pouring His life into me. Learn a life of contentment. Have the contentment of His provision—Christ Himself. The deepest need of your heart can be met in the Lord Jesus Christ.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

All Died In Faith

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. - Hebrews 11:13

Under Sin:

22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.

24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.

25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,

26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. - Galatians 3:22-29

What is the greatest gift that you can give a person?

To share the Gospel!

When we are healed of various diseases here on earth, it is just a glimpse of what God has promised those who love Him!

God has given us a written record of Who He is!

He has given us a written record of what He wants from man!

To know Him, we study the word and pray.

We share Him with the lost world!

This record, we except by faith!

He sent His Son as a Savior for sinners!

The Importance of the Gospel and Your Witness:

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 10:14-17

Deeper Faith:

1 Faith comes by hearing what God says about himself!

2 Faith comes by hearing what God says about life in this world!

3 Faith comes by hearing what God says is valuable!

4 Faith comes by hearing what God says about salvation!

Live By Faith:

10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, "Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them."

11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for "The righteous shall live by faith."

12 But the law is not of faith, rather "The one who does them shall live by them."

13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us-for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree"-

14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith. - Galatians 3:10-14

Heirs:

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,

5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. - Galatians 4:4-5

Jesus:

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 12:1-2

God:

28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

29 for our God is a consuming fire. - Hebrews 12:28-29

Thanks Matt!!

Setting God-Given Goals

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“We ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.” Hebrews 2:1.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Have you ever written some God–given goals to keep you from being a drifter?

Without goals, you’re a ship without a rudder, a compass, a sail and an anchor. What kind of ship is that? One that is doomed to failure. Most people don’t plan to fail. They simply don’t plan. How can you tell whether or not your goal is a God–given goal? 

First, have you prayed over it and asked for God’s blessing?

Second, does it create in you enough spiritual enthusiasm and excitement to see it fulfilled? 

Third, does it demand the very best in you? 

Fourth, does it touch every area of your life? There is no area of your life that is out–of–bounds from God.

ACTION POINT:

Take time today—or surely this week—to write down some goals and even a mission statement focused on the following areas of your life: spiritual, physical, relational, intellectual, and financial.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Setting Sail for a New Year

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Proverbs 29:18.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Helen Keller was born with sight, but became blind as a young child. Yet she had vision. 

A reporter asked Miss Keller, “Is there anything worse than losing your sight?” 

“Yes,” she said, “It is to have sight but no vision.” 

Do you have a vision for your life at the threshold of a new year? On New Year’s Day, I review the goals for my life. These are spiritual, relational, intellectual, physical, and financial goals. I pray over these and ask for God’s will to be done in each one. I hold them in an open hand and ask that God would give me wisdom as to the direction He wants for my life. I don’t want to be a man without vision. I don’t want you to be one, either.

ACTION POINT:

Begin to think about some goals you would like for your life. Pray and seek the Lord’s face as you ponder the future.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

A Vision for Your Life in the New Year

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“…which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast…even Jesus.” Hebrews 6:19-20.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A New Year is like an ocean. There will be untested winds and waves. We’ll meet ships we never knew and we’ll have all kinds of opportunities as we sail into an uncharted sea. In our quest to discover the good life this year, we must be careful that we do not drift into an aimless life. 

The worst thing that could happen to us this coming year is that we just let this year happen to us rather than charting a course and getting into God’s appointed harbor. More than likely, you won’t decide to drift. It’ll just happen. You’ll be coasting along at a good clip, and then before you know it you’re drifting away. . . that is, unless you have an anchor.

ACTION POINT:

Take a few minutes to reflect on this past year. What were some things you did right... what were some things you would do differently this next year?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers