Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Waiting for Your Sunrise


BIBLE MEDITATION:
For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
God allows us to have “blue” seasons where there is more weeping than laughing. What we must remember is, it is only for a season. That is crucial. Joy will come in the morning, just as sure as the sunrise.

If you get up tomorrow morning to see the sunrise, let me tell you what not to do. Don’t try to make it hurry up. You can’t do it. You can get a brass band and some cheerleaders, but that sun is not going to come up one second sooner than God intends.

ACTION POINT:
Waiting on the Lord is like waiting on the sun to come up. You can’t hurry it. You also can’t stop it. God is going to bring a sunrise to your soul. Just wait for it. And trust Him while you wait.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Monday, February 27, 2017

The Wake-Up Call


11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. - Romans 13:11-14

Let us not sleep but be ready to do battle!!!
Satan is about his business, wake up!
The hour of battle has come, preach the gospel!

Your days grow short!

yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. - James 4:14

Your opportunities are fleeting.

We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. - John 9:4

It's time to wake up.
But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. - 1 Thessalonians 5:4

Be alert, the world is going to hell around you.

It's time to clean up.
Your sin is evident, fall before the Lord and beg His forgiveness.
You go to clubs, you gamble in the casinos, you live together unmarried, you men chase women, you women cheat on your spouses, and you think these things are OK but they are sin in its purest form.

Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous. - Hebrews 13:4

18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. - 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

Order your life according to God's commands!!
Where has our shame gone?
We are arrogant before the Lord!!

Were they ashamed when they committed abomination? No, they were not at all ashamed; they did not know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be overthrown," says the LORD.  - Jeremiah 6:15

For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.  - Isaiah 3:9

We are wrapped up in strife and envy!
We are not satisfied, wanting all the things the world has to offer and turning our backs on God.

Let us testify to the forgiving grace that Christ offers!!

It's time to dress up in the Lord Jesus Christ!
As Master for direction, as Savior for deliverance, as Messiah for dominion, wearing Jesus as your armor! 

Turn from your sin, do not make a provision to go back to sin!!
Flee!!

Thank you pastor Adrian Rogers!!!

Open the Windows—Let in the Light


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:
If you want victory, you must expose the place of your doubts and fears. Many of us are not willing to do that. The devil has intimidated so many of us that we hide our eyes from the sunshine of God’s light. There is really nothing to be afraid of when it comes to the devil.

Do you know what fear is? False Evidence Appearing Real. You can be fooled by false evidence. Take a bank robber with his hand in his coat pocket pretending it is a gun. His power comes from the power of deception. His power is the power of fear!

ACTION POINT:
Friend, victory’s arrows cannot be shot through closed windows. Is there any area of your life that you have been unwilling to open the window on? Turn your face to the light and give it to God.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Like Father, Like Son?



BIBLE MEDITATION:
“And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of His glory.” Isaiah 6:3

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Of all the reasons I can think of for living a holy life, one of the most important is for us to identify with God. He is the thrice-holy God of Israel. Holy is the Father, holy is the Son, and holy is the Spirit.

What does it mean to be identified with God’s character of holiness? Have you ever heard the expression “like father, like son”? That’s what it means to be identified with God.

I am a Rogers. My father’s name is Arden Duncan Rogers. I have become a partaker of his nature, and you would expect to find his characteristics in me because in the physical realm, he has fathered me.

Because we are God’s children, there ought to be His likeness in our lives and His likeness is holiness.

ACTION POINT:
In prayer today, ask the Lord to point out to you any area in your life that violates His holiness or is holding you back from reflecting His likeness.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Saturday, February 25, 2017

Is Trusting God a Challenge for You?


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” Psalm 37:3
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
This word “trust” is an interesting word. Its root is from the word that means “to lie face down on the ground.”

The idea is that a person is totally helpless. He has been cast down and has nothing to stand upon. Some would say his pins have gone out from underneath him. He has no visible means of support.

That is the place where God wants to bring us—where we have no physical means of support and all we have is God.

As a matter of fact, did you know that God will sometimes knock your feet out from beneath you so that you might learn to trust Him? At that point, faith is no longer an option or a luxury; it is a necessity. To the world your situation looks hopeless, but that is right where God wants to show Himself powerful in your life.

ACTION POINT:
Is there an area in your life today for which you must trust God completely? Perhaps you need some “face time”. . .face down on the ground before the Lord. Bring that issue before Him in total surrender.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Friday, February 24, 2017

Single-mindedness



BIBLE MEDITATION:
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.” 1 Peter 1:13-14

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
“Gird up your loins” is a figure of speech mentioned a few times in God’s Word. Here’s a phrase we use today to say the same thing: roll up your sleeves. It means to get serious about what you’re doing.

We need to get serious about being Christians and living for God. One aspect of that is to have “a single mind.”

Have you ever heard the expression “Don't put all your eggs in one basket”? I believe Peter would tell us to do just that, then label that basket, “Jesus is coming back!”

We need to be single-minded, living with a passionate, burning focus upon His return.

ACTION POINT:
What are you doing today in anticipation of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ? Are you living with the understanding that Christ could return at any moment?


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Thursday, February 23, 2017

What Will Remain?


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A thousand years from now, some of the things that you think are so important are not going to be so important—your meticulously groomed lawn, who won the Super Bowl, your date for the Senior Prom, the make and model of your car.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with these things, but I want to ask you: What is there about your life that is going to remain when the mountains have crumbled? When the stars have fallen from their sockets?

Wood, hay, and stubble are going up in flames! But “if any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward” (1 Corinthians 3:14). Things are going to look much different in the light of eternity.

ACTION POINT:
In your day today, ask yourself what are you doing, what are you building upon, that will remain?


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

A Desire for Holiness



BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22-23

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
God expects us to be holy. But when most people talk about holiness, they get a little nervous. They’re interested in heaven and the hereafter but not holiness in the here and now. They’re interested in health, happiness, even helpfulness, but not holiness.

I had the privilege years ago to spend a day in prayer with Dr. Billy Graham and some other men. As we were sitting around a table sharing, Billy Graham said something I shall never forget. He said, “Gentlemen, I long to be holy. I want to be a holy man. Pray for me, that I will be holy.”

ACTION POINT:
Can you say, “More than anything in this world, I long to be holy”? If you can’t, then spend some time today asking God to turn your heart to His and give you the desire to live a holy life.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Is It Really A Surprise?

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler.
16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
17 For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18 And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" 
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. - 1 Peter 4:12-19


This world is not our home!
We are sojourners, only here but a short time, but have we become too comfortable in what we are accustomed to? 
This is what we are used to, our beloved comfort zone!
We have lost sight of our real home!

It's coming!
Fiery trials!
Persecutions, trials of all kinds, and yes possibly even death.
We are warned!
Christ suffered!
Christ was persecuted!
He was thrown out of the temple, despised, reviled, beaten, stabbed, spit on, slandered, falsely accused, shamed, mocked and crucified. 
Settle it in your mind and heart, trials are coming.


Stand firm in the knowledge of a Lord who is able!
Our Creator has you!
He has shown you by His example.

Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!" And having said this he breathed his last. - Luke 23:46

22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
24 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 2:22-24

No shame!
No shame in persecution, no shame in being ridiculed, no shame in being mocked, or despised, or snubbed, or the endless sarcasm we face.

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, - 1 Peter 2:4

"Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets. - Luke 6:26

Remembering this:
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

Rejoice!
Can we see the beauty in suffering?
Can we see the beauty in Christ suffering death on the cross?
We know the cost.
We know what His death conquered!
We know what His Resurrection did and all the glory it has brought!!!
We give our life as a witness!


11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. - Matthew 5:11-12

40 and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. - Acts 5:40-41

2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance,
4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope,
5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. - Romans 5:2-6

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. - James 1:2-3

Good deeds!
Hope in the Lord!

14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, - 1 Peter 3:14-18

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. - 1 Peter 3:9 

In good, in bad, whatever the circumstance, glorify God!
By God's grace, glorify God in your refining judgement.
Show the world that God satisfies!!!

Thank you Pastor John!!!

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

Holding Back—Nothing!


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying.” Mark 14:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Mary loved Jesus so much that she gave all she had. She didn’t just pour out a little perfume to anoint Him, she gave it all (see Mark 14:3-9). She couldn’t put that perfume back in the bottle. She had broken it! Maybe it was her inheritance or hope chest. She didn’t hold back any for a rainy day or her retirement.

Most of us would have said, “Lord, I would like to give You a little of this perfume. It cost me a year in wages, so I can’t give it all to You. But I want You to have some of it to show You how much I love You.”

ACTION POINT:
Does this speak to your heart as much as it does mine? Confess, “Lord, I’m not willing to break the alabaster box. Forgive me. Enable me to give my all. Here I am. Take all of me.”


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Secret of Effectual Prayer


For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. - Romans 11:36

The Divine Triangle 
Sovereign God

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

It's of Him-the origin
It's through Him-the operation
It's to Him-the objective

The origin of effectual prayer roots in the purpose of God.
The prayer that gets to heaven starts in heaven.
God allows man to pray.

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

God gives us the privilege to work with Him.
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. - 2 Corinthians 6:1

Prayer bonds us with God.

Prayer disciples us.
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.  - Psalm 66:18

Prayer finds the will of God.

1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on him to hear the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret,
2 and he saw two boats by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.
3 Getting into one of the boats, which was Simon's, he asked him to put out a little from the land. And he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."
5 And Simon answered, "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets."
6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.
7 They signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.
8 But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord."
9 For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish that they had taken,
10 and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men."
11 And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him. - Luke 5:1-11

The operation of effectual prayer relies on the power of God.
Our desire to pray comes from God.
10 as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; 
11 no one understands; no one seeks for God.  - Romans 3:10-11

God gives the desire to pray.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. - Romans 8:5-7

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" - Romans 8:15

God gives you the direction to pray.
So you can find the will of God.
Look into heaven.
Present yourself as a holy sacrifice to be consumed by God.

So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. - John 5:19

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. - Romans 12:1

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 12:2

God causes you to pray in faith.
Be alone with Him.
Speak Lord we are listening.

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

The objective of effectual prayer is the praise of God.
To God be the glory with our thanksgiving.

Prayer is the Holy Spirit finding a desire in a follower, putting that desire in your heart, and then sending it back by the power of the cross in the name of Jesus for the glory go God.

Thank you Pastor Adrian Rogers!! 










Monday, February 20, 2017

God's Mission Through Us



God saved you for His mission of sharing the gospel hope with the world.

How does this look?
Sharing God's word, medical and dental missions, building churches, teaching farming techniques, giving seeds, giving tools, showing God's love by being there, teaching Pastors, giving the gift of clean water, teaching the importance of cleanliness, fun street fairs for children, giving clothes and shoes and many other ways.

We must share the hope of Christ with those who sit in the darkness of sin!
His blood cleanses our sin, there is no other way!

How does God work through me?
Be ready for the opportunities God will supply.

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place. - Acts 8:26

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, - 1 Peter 3:15

Pay attention!

27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship
28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah.
29 And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot." - Acts 8:27-29

Get busy!

30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" Acts 8:30

And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. - Acts 8:31

Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. - Acts 8:35

Jesus will save the lost!

God has a design for you.
You are a sinner.
You are broken.
You must repent.
He will forgive you

For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." - Romans 10:13

Why is it important for God to work through me?

Heaven is awesome.
Hell is awful.
Life is brief.
Judgement is coming.
Eternity is forever.

Thank you Pastor Kevin!!!

What God Wants Most


BIBLE MEDITATION:
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
If you asked a Christian brother or sister why God made us, they would probably say that we were made to serve God. But don’t you believe it. If God wanted servants, He could do a lot better than mere mortals.

When the scribes asked Jesus what was the first commandment, He said, “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strengthl: this is the first commandment” (Mark 12:29-30).

The first commandment is not to do something for God, but to love God. He made you and me in the likeness of His image, that He might have fellowship with us and that we would praise Him.

ACTION POINT:
Meditate throughout the day on this wonderful thought: God isn’t asking for your performance. He wants your love.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Sunday, February 19, 2017

No Longer Hungry, But Satisfied


BIBLE MEDITATION:
The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the Lord that seek Him: your heart shall live for ever.” Psalm 22:26

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Have you ever wondered why people stumble into pornography? Perhaps you even struggle in that area. It’s because they are not feeding on Jesus. They are seeking satisfaction in the evil pleasures of this world, rather than the eternal promises of eternity.

Suppose you just finished a wonderful meal and somebody knocks on your front door. You answer it, and they hold forth a plate full of stale crumbs saying, “Take this. Eat.” You would say, “No thank you, I don’t need that. I’m already satisfied.”

ACTION POINT:
When you feast on the goodness of Jesus, you won’t be down a dark alley eating tin cans with the devil’s billy goats. “And Jesus said unto them, I am the Bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that  on Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35).


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Saturday, February 18, 2017

What You Really Believe, You Will Act Upon


BIBLE MEDITATION:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Fifteen college professors who taught human motivation were asked to write a concise statement on human motivation. After hours of study, they said: “What the mind attends to, it considers. What the mind does not attend to, it dismisses. What the mind attends to continually, it believes. What the mind believes, it eventually does.”
How much of the Bible have you read? More importantly, how much are you applying to your life?
Many read the Bible like a math book rather than a love story. They get the words, but they don’t get the music.

ACTION POINT:
It is not enough to simply read the Word. You must ask God to teach you. Psalm 119:18 says, “Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.” Go to Him today and ask for that.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Friday, February 17, 2017

Take This Challenge



BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalm 119:11

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The home is a nice place for the Bible. The hand is a good place, as well. But I tell you, the heart and the head are the best places to store the Bible.

Do you ever ask yourself, “Why do I always cave in when temptation comes? Why can’t I be an overcomer? Where is my breakthrough?”

Well, let me ask you this question: How much time are you spending reading, meditating, and studying the Word of God?

ACTION POINT:
Take this challenge this week. For each hour you spend watching television, spend that time in the Bible. For every hour you work out at the gym, spend that time in the Bible. Then write me and tell me what a difference this has made in your life.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Doing Life With God


God is with you.
God knows you.
Find a body of believers to share life with.


How is God involved with you.
God created you.
It is deep within your soul that you belong to God.

26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  - Genesis 1:26-27

Male or female, He created you.
You may struggle with your identity but your Creator made you as He wanted you to be.
Yielding to temptation leads to sin.
The battle is real.
The struggle is hard.
Be who God created you to be.
Find your true identity in Christ.
Surround yourself with a body of believers who will love and pray for you.
He has a plan for you.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. - 1 Corinthians 10:13


For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! - Ecclesiastes 4:10

God redeems you.

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.  - Isaiah 43:1

21 Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. 
22 I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.  - Isaiah 44:21-22

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble  - Psalm 107:2

God satisfies you.

It seems we are never satisfied.
Our lives are full of "if only I had".
Only Christ will satisfy the longing of your soul.

3 I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine-my heart still guiding me with wisdom-and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.
4 I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.
5 I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees.
6 I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees.
7 I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem.
8 I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man.
9 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
10 And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.
11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. - Ecclesiastes 2:3-11

Community life provides ownership.

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. - Romans 12:4-5

Community life provides encouragement.
Be a part of a small group.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. - 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Community provides fellowship.
Get to know those people in your small group.

Community provides accountability.

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25

God restores you.

When you fail He will help you.
He alone takes away your guilt and shame.
Let Christ take away your remorse, don't listen to Satan, you are worth it!!!

Thank you Pastor Kevin!!

Here’s My Heart—O Take and Seal It



BIBLE MEDITATION:
“With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments.” Psalm 119:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
In 1758 Robert Robinson wrote a hymn that echoes in my heart from time to time:

“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
Here’s my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.”
Do you ever wander from God? Then you know how it feels and how hard it is to return. If you feel far from God today, I implore you with all that I am to return to Him with all your heart.



ACTION POINT:
Make Psalm 86:11-13 your prayer today, “Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name. I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify Thy name for evermore. For great is Thy mercy toward me: and Thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.”


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

You Can Have A Clean Heart and Renewed Mind

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to Thee; but his heart is not with Thee.” Proverbs 23:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A teacher asked a little boy to finish this proverb: “Cleanliness is next to...” And he said, “Cleanliness is next to impossible.” Well, friend that little boy wasn’t that far wrong, was he?

It’s amazing what people do to try and purify themselves – fast, pray, kneel, walk, self-flagellate, hibernate, isolate. But sadly, they discover that human efforts aren’t the pathway to purity because they keep doing what Zig Ziglar calls “stinkin‘ thinkin‘.” Before we can hope to have a life of purity, we must have a clean thought life.

God works from the inside out. He knows that you cannot purify the water by painting the pump.

ACTION POINT:
When was the last time you memorized a verse of Scripture? It’s easier to stay away from “stinkin’ thinkin’” when your mind is focused on the Word of God.


This is a good time to memorize yesterday’s passage, Psalm 51:10-13: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.”
Start working on memorizing this passage today.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

Fellowship with Jesus When Our Heart Is Clean


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” Psalm 24:4-50

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
James Nicholson wrote a song which expresses the desire of my heart:
“Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

Nothing beats closer to my heart than the yearning to be pure before my Lord. I know that sweet fellowship with Jesus that comes when my heart is clean. And nothing, no nothing, surpasses that in this world.

Are you failing in your Christian life because you are not pure? If you are, you’re not alone. It seems as though a sewer pipe of filth and debauchery has broken and poured out into our world. Someone has well said, “Not since Manhattan Island was sold for 24 dollars has so much dirt been sold so cheaply as it is here in America.”

ACTION POINT:
Take the words of that song and make them your prayer to the Lord right now.
Then close with Psalm 51:10-13: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.”


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Monday, February 13, 2017

God's Love Changes Everything



He loves you and always has!

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. - 1 John 4:8
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. - 1 John 4:16

Love is Who He is!!

Description of God's love:

It's unwarranted and unmerited.
Love flows from God to you.

God's love is spontaneous. 

God's love is unending.

God's love is unlimited.

God's love is unchanging.

God's love is uncomplicated.

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:6-8

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

"But will God indeed dwell with man on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this house that I have built! - 2 Chronicles 6:18

27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
28 for "'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, "'For we are indeed his offspring.'  - Acts 17:27-28

"For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. - Malachi 3:6

The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.  - Psalm 33:11

25 Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 
26 They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, 
27 but you are the same, and your years have no end.  - Psalm 102:25-27

God loves His Son.

and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased." - Matthew 3:17

He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him." - Matthew 17:5

God loves Israel.

May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!  - Psalm 72:5

May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!  - Psalm 72:17


God loves those who believe in Christ.

I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. - John 17:23

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, - Colossians 3:12

God loves the world.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

God loves you!

Thanks Pastor David!!!

The Pure Heart


BIBLE MEDITATION:
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.” Psalm 119:9
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
A child delights in what he has.
A youth delights in what he does.
An adult delights in what he is.
The more mature you are, the more you will desire to be something—not just to have something or to do something, but to be something.
What do you desire to be today? Someone who is known for the way they dress? The deals they close? The house they live in? Or do you want others to know that you have a pure heart—a heart that is utterly devoted and surrendered to God.
ACTION POINT:
Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” They will know the unknowable, they will do the impossible, and they will see the invisible. I want to have a heart like that. What about you?


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Our Only Answer


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The world wants to know what we should do about the problems of the world. What about the overcrowded prisons? Poverty? Rape? Murder? Do you know why we never solve the problems? Because we don’t see the real problem.

The sociologist says it is just a cultural lag. The psychologist calls it an emotional disturbance. The philosopher calls it irrational behavior. The communist calls it the human class struggle. The humanist calls it human weakness. The criminologist calls it anti-human conduct. The Bible calls it sin.

And the only answer for sin is Jesus, Who executes the will of God, expresses the love of God, and expounds the mind of God.

ACTION POINT:
The problems of our world are beyond solution—apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. God moves in answer to our prayers. Your effectual, fervent prayer “availeth much.” (James 5:16)


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Releasing the Old—Taking Hold of the Best


BIBLE MEDITATION:
I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength.” Psalm 18:1

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Have you ever tried to get a bone away from a dog? It’s not too easy, unless you have something better for him. Try offering a T-bone steak, and that dog will drop his bone like a bad habit.

In the same way, the writer of Hebrews tried to encourage the Jewish Christians, new believers who had a tendency to cling to the old customs of the Old Testament, to leave the dry bones of ceremonies and feast upon the delights of the Lord Jesus Christ.

ACTION POINT:
It’s a lesson we all must appropriate in our lives. It can become comfortable for us to hold to our traditions, rather than try something new. But friend, there is no one and nothing that can compare with Jesus. You may learn to love Jesus better, but you can never love anything better than Jesus. Ask God to begin showing you the delights of a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Friday, February 10, 2017

Those Who Went Before You Have Set Your Pace



BIBLE MEDITATION:
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2a

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There are a lot of athletes with natural ability, but what is it that turns a mediocre athlete into a gold medal champion? One athlete is willing to hurt more than the other. When you can’t take another step, your muscles are sore, your body is aching—this is what it means to be running the race with perseverance, as mentioned in Hebrews 12:1. You are bearing up under tremendous pressure. You are running to build endurance.

ACTION POINT:
Today you may be hurting because a family member, coworker, or classmate has been unfair to you. A spouse has left. A friend walked away. Perhaps you were passed over for a promotion. Run with patience, as others have done before you. These are the ones in that “great crowd of witnesses.” They testify to the fact that no matter how hard, it can be done. Look to Jesus. Building a faith that will go the distance takes both patience and time.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Self Authenticating God


How do you view God?
How do you view the bible?

Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." - John 8:58

77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, 
78 because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."  - Luke 1:77-79

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. - 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

God is, was and will be.
God has no beginning or will have no ending.
He is "I Am".
He spoke the world into existence.
He created man and was sorry when He saw his wickedness.
He sent His Son to save man from sin.

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. - Ephesians 1:17-23

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.
4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. - 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. - John 14:6

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. - John 1:1-5

Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." - John 1:46

3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. - Jude 1:3-4

24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." - 1 Corinthians 1:24-31

The bible is God's inspired word.
It introduces us to sin.
It introduces us to repentance.
It introduces us to judgement.
It introduces us to forgiveness.
It introduces us to eternity and how the choices you make effect your eternity.
It is more than believing, it's obeying.

Thank you Pastor John!!

Encouragement for Your Race Today

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:
Heaven is intently interested in what is happening here on earth. There is a grandstand in heaven filled with heroes of the faith. They are watching us and cheering us on. We are the runners; they are the spectators.

If the runners of that day were inspired when they ran their race, how much greater should our effort be today with these saints behind us? Do you feel inspired? I do! It encourages me to know that I am not alone out there in the race and that I have men and women who have run the race knowing the pitfalls that are out there.

ACTION POINT:
Friend, I hope you feel encouraged and inspired to run the unique race God has set for you today. Know that we are praying for you and would be honored to hear how God is fulfilling your every need along the way.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Seeing the Unseen—Moving Beyond Your Five Senses


BIBLE MEDITATION:
 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Many Christians are so materialistic that they never look past the physical world to the transcendent Christ above. They only experience what their five senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing) bring to them.

When a problem arises, it blows out every candle in their souls, knocks the sun out of their sky, and they can’t enjoy the daily bread of life that Jesus promises.

ACTION POINT:
For some reading this, you have a gigantic problem that to the world has “disaster” written all over it. If you are seeking first His righteousness, God will give you all that you need. You have God on your side—the King of kings, the Lord of lords. And don’t you forget it.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

His Searchlight Upon Our Hearts


BIBLE MEDITATION:
 “Shall not God search this out? For He knoweth the secrets of the heart.” Psalm 44:21

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Christian author and speaker S. D. Gordon said, “In every man’s life there is a throne. And when self is on the throne, Christ is on the cross. But when Christ is on the throne, self is on the cross.”

There is something you hold to be the highest good that captivates your attention and controls your life. Your decisions are made in light of whatever this thing is. Is it Christ? Or something else?

God’s plan is not that Christ have “a place” in your life or that He have prominence in your life. Jesus Christ deserves and even demands preeminence in your life. That means there is no rebuttal, no refusal, and no rival.

ACTION POINT:
Ask God to reveal to you if there is anything is your life that is controlling your decisions, apart from the Lord Jesus Christ. Give Him permission to reveal that today.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Monday, February 6, 2017

It Is Yours, Lord—Everything


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Very early in our marriage, Joyce and I got on our knees and made a solemn vow before God that all we had would belong to Jesus Christ. We would not really own title to anything.
Now, we might hold title as far as men were concerned, but everything we owned would belong to the Lord. If He wanted it, He could have it. If He wanted to use it, if He wanted to destroy it, if He wanted to give it away, if He wanted to give more, that was His business.
Have you done that? Have you transferred everything to Christ? It’s not your fame, it’s your faith. It’s not your ability, it’s your availability. It’s not your scholarship, it’s your sacrifice.
ACTION POINT:
Stop now this moment and think about what you have. Are you willing to “transfer the title”? Tell the Lord Jesus Christ that He is the true owner of all you have—including your abilities.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Sunday, February 5, 2017

God's Faithfulness To Us

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 
3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.  - Psalms 23

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned-every one-to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  - Isaiah 53:6

even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:28

1 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 
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.  - Isaiah 43:1-2

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. - 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. - Genesis 50:20

"The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways. - Deuteronomy 28:7


Be so confident in God's faithfulness!
How can I see God's faithfulness to me?

God is your Defender.
God is our Shepherd.
We are His sheep.
We are weak and try to follow our own way.
We fail, but God is ever faithful!
Christ has laid down His life for us, His sheep.

God is sufficient.
We lack nothing!
He supplies our every need.
He is, He was and He will be!

God is your Deliverer. 
Valleys are not permanent.
He is with you during your struggles.
You will have hard seasons.
Satan tells you your troubles will never end, but we know different for our faith is in Christ. 
God the Creator will deliver you.

Shadows can't hurt me.
Death is a shadow.
Even death can't hurt you.
Death can't keep you.
Death is our beginning if you know Jesus as Lord.
We have victory over the grave!

God is your Destroyer.
We have victory over our enemies.
God is for us!
God is able!
Jesus has conquered death!!!

Thank you Pastor Kevin!!!

Keeping the Faith

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“…Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” Luke 18:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I believe with all my heart that the call needs to go out today more clearly than ever before for Christians to keep the faith.

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, said, “The chief danger of the 20th century will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and Heaven without Hell.”

We are but one generation away from paganism. If this generation doesn’t keep the faith and pass it to the next, there will be no faith.

ACTION POINT:
Are you passing the faith to the next generation? Here is your commission from the Lord: “Therefore shall ye lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates.” Deuteronomy 11:18-20


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Saturday, February 4, 2017

How to Stay the Course and Finish Well


BIBLE MEDITATION:
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you know the way to finish the course? Keep looking to Jesus.

I’ve been preaching the Gospel for over 50 years, and God knows I have my faults and sins. He also knows I have repented and aim to get right with Him each and every day. I am far from perfect, but I can say that this same God has kept me on course. He has kept me preaching the Gospel.

Finishing the course that God has planned for us is never easy. It takes discipline and hard work. It takes picking ourselves up, dusting ourselves off, and starting over. One of these days you are going to have to look back on your life. And I hope you will be able to say that you fought as a warrior and finished as an athlete.

ACTION POINT:
“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a). Keep short accounts with God. Confess quickly. Get back on the track.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Friday, February 3, 2017

After “Fighting the Good Fight”



BIBLE MEDITATION:
Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Some of the greatest spiritual defeats you will ever have will follow some of your highest spiritual victories. Jonah, Moses, and Elijah – all these men learned this. Why does this happen?

Because we are tired and feel we can just coast awhile. We think, “Didn’t God bless and give us a great victory?”  But what we forget is that the devil is clever. He knows just when to pull the rug out from under us.

Let me give you a little advice: Although the residual effects of yesterday’s blessings will bless you, you cannot coast on yesterday’s blessings. God has made you so that you cannot live by experiences. You must live by Jesus Christ one day at a time.

ACTION POINT:
Every time you experience victory, be on your guard. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) This is the time to be “on alert,” and more submitted than ever to Jesus as Lord.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Thursday, February 2, 2017

Prioritizing Your Work and Rest


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so He giveth His beloved sleep.”  Psalm 127:2

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
In the book of Jonah, we learn that Jonah reached a place of physical despondency (see Jonah 4:3 and 8). He wanted God to kill him.

Have you ever reached a place of despair and thought that everything and everyone was against you and you didn’t know what to do? Maybe you just needed to lie down and get some sleep.

Now, that may not sound like the most spiritual thing to do, but we cannot abuse our bodies without suffering the consequences. And being a child of God does not make you immune to physical exhaustion.

ACTION POINT:
Have you ever heard of burn out? Where do you think we got that phrase? There is enough time in the day to gracefully do everything God wants us to do. We must determine what that is—and isn’t. Begin each day with the prayer: “Father, what do You have for me today?  Help me to focus on that, and not the distractions.”


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Satan Is Against You

so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs. - 2 Corinthians 2:11

9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world-he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
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. - Revelation 12:9-10

31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. - John 12:31

Satan is your supernatural enemy.
He uses pain and pleasure to entice you to sin.
He will make you blind, stupid and miserable-forever!

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8

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- - Ephesians 2:1-2

Satan wants you in bondage, and wants you to lead others there also!

18 This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, - 1 Timothy 1:18-19

Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. - 1 Peter 5:9

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. - James 4:7-8

and give no opportunity to the devil. - Ephesians 4:27

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. - Ephesians 6:11

Fight the good fight daily with resistance, refusal and standing on God's word as your shield!!

God is sovereign over Satan.
God has Satan on a leash and God must give His permission for him to unleash havoc.
Satan does have a purpose, under God's authority, in this world but his time is limited. 

31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,
32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." - Luke 22:31-32

3 And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason."
4 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life.
5 But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face."
6 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life." - Job 2:3-6

and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. - Revelation 20:10

Fight the good fight for this will refine our faith whether we die in battle matters not in the least!
God is the great General and prayer is our lifeline.
God sees his impending moves but has our winning strategy written in His holy wartime manual, The Word!

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. - 1 Timothy 6:12

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. - Revelation 2:10

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. - 1 Peter 1:6-7

May we be trained by God.
Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;  - Psalm 144:1

Satan's great deception.
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. - John 8:44

Satan blinds the unbelieving mind.
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. - 2 Corinthians 4:4

Satan is the great pretender.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. - 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,
2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,
3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. - 1 Timothy 4:1-5

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. - Matthew 7:15

29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock;
30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. - Acts 20:29-30

9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, - Philippians 1:9-10

Satan does signs and wonders.
9 The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders,
10 and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. - 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. - Matthew 24:24

22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' - Matthew 7:22-23

Satan is a tempter.
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.
3 And the tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread."
4 But he answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" 
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple
6 and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, "'He will command his angels concerning you,' and "'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.'" 
7 Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
9 And he said to him, "All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me."
10 Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, "'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. - Matthew 4:1-11

3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve.
4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.
5 And they were glad, and agreed to give him money.
6 So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd. - Luke 22:3-6

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. - 2 Corinthians 11:3

Satan will steal God's word from your heart and choke your faith.
1 Again he began to teach beside the sea. And a very large crowd gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat in it on the sea, and the whole crowd was beside the sea on the land.
2 And he was teaching them many things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:
3 "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow.
4 And as he sowed, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.
5 Other seed fell on rocky ground, where it did not have much soil, and immediately it sprang up, since it had no depth of soil.
6 And when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it had no root, it withered away.
7 Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no grain.
8 And other seeds fell into good soil and produced grain, growing up and increasing and yielding thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."
9 And he said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." - Mark 4:1-9

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.
18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."  - Romans 10:13-18

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain. - 1 Thessalonians 3:5

Satan causes some sickness and disease.
And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?" - Luke 13:16

how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. - Acts 10:38

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. - 2 Corinthians 12:7

Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. - John 9:3

Satan is a murderer.
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. - John 8:44

We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. - 1 John 3:12

Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. - Revelation 2:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. - John 10:10

Satan fights against the plans of missionaries.
17 But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face,
18 because we wanted to come to you-I, Paul, again and again-but Satan hindered us. - 1 Thessalonians 2:17-18

Satan accuses Christians before God.
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. - Revelation 12:10

9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason?
10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face."
12 And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand." So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. - Job 1:9-12

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. - Hebrews 7:25

Satan will not win.
Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. - 1 John 3:8

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,
15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. - Hebrews 2:14-15

14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
15 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. - Colossians 2:14-15

But no one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. Then indeed he may plunder his house. - Mark 3:27

and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. - Revelation 20:10

Resist!
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. - James 4:7

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. - Revelation 12:11

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, - Ephesians 6:16-19

But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man." - Luke 21:36

The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. - 1 Peter 4:7

31 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,
32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." - Luke 22:31-32

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  - Matthew 6:13

No neutral zone!
We are in this war, whether we want to be or not!
Our triumph is the blood of The Lamb!!

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- - Ephesians 2:1-2

Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. - 1 Peter 5:9

Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. - 2 Timothy 2:3

This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, - 1 Timothy 1:18

Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;  - Psalm 144:1

Thank you for this awesome teaching John!!!