Stand Firm in His Peace

“And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace.”

EPHESIANS 6:15

 

PONDER THIS

Do you have peace right now? Or are you churning on the inside? If you don’t have peace right now, I’ll tell you why. It’s not because of circumstances. Peace in the Bible is not the subtraction of problems from life. Peace is the addition of power to meet those problems. The Bible says, “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Psalm 119:165). The only way you can live that way is to put on the shoes of peace. Jesus made peace with the blood of His cross, and if you don’t have this, you’re going to slip and fall in the battle. So many people fall, not because of a lack of integrity or a lack of purity, but because of a lack of tranquility. Something will happen, some sickness, some disappointment, some financial reverse, some wayward child, and they lose their peace. You put on the shoes of peace so you can have a firm place to stand. If you don’t, you may slip and you may fall.

How can you practically “put on the shoes of peace”?

How has God’s peace helped you stand firm in past spiritual battles?

PRACTICE THIS

Write out what God is showing you about the truth of your peace in Jesus. Meditate on this throughout the day, seeking to memorize what you’ve written.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Don’t Reject the Truth

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”

HEBREWS 6:4-6

 

PONDER THIS

This passage tells us it is impossible to renew some people to repentance. It is absolutely, totally, one hundred percent impossible that these people could ever repent and get right with God. Who are they? These are people who were enlightened; their eyes were opened. These are people who have tasted the power of the Word of God. The writer was not talking about people who have been saved and then lose their salvation. He meant people who come to the very brink of salvation, who with their eyes wide open, crucify Jesus again, so to speak. They refuse Christ, they trample the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ beneath their feet. And they know what they're doing—they do this after they know the truth.

What warning is there in this passage?

What good news is there for those who read this passage and are struck by the truth?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time this week to share the truth of the Gospel with another person. Pray that God will do what only He can.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Man’s Predictions May Fail, God’s Prophecies Will Stand

“Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’” ISAIAH 46:9-10

 

PONDER THIS

In 1870, a bishop named Milton Wright heard a person prophesy that one day men may fly like birds. When this bishop heard that, he said, “That’s preposterous.” He said, “Flight is reserved for the angels, and I beg you not to repeat your statement lest you be guilty of blasphemy.” Thirty-three years later, Wilbur and Orville Wright, the sons of this bishop, made their wonderful flight at Kitty Hawk.

Thomas Watson, who was the chairman of IBM said in 1943, “I think that there’s a world market for maybe five computers.” Then in 1977, Ken Olsen, who was the president, chairman, and founder of Digital Equipment said, “There’s no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.” Looking back on these statements today, they seem silly. Though the predictions of men are never certain, we can remember that God’s prophecies will always come to pass.

What are some prophecies of man you know that did not come true?

What examples do you know of God’s prophecies that have been fulfilled?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time today to thank God that His prophecies always come true and His promises never fail. Reflect on a specific promise of God that is dear to you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Power of His Word

“And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.”

REVELATION 19:19

 

PONDER THIS

In Revelation 19, the battle is set. Here is the Antichrist and his armies. They have come to make war on Heaven’s King. But this is laughable. Jesus, followed by the armies of Heaven, is coming this time not for His Church, but this time with His Church after the seven years of the Great Tribulation. Here’s the Antichrist, this braggart, with his followers, speaking blasphemies, ready to make war with Jesus. And the battle ensues, the moment of anticipation has come, but it’s over with two words. Jesus says, “Drop dead.” He destroys them with the sword that goes out of His mouth. (See Revelation 19:21.) His word, the same word that spoke them into existence, will speak them into oblivion.

How often do you reflect on the power of God’s Word?

How does the reminder that Satan is no match for Jesus change the way you view the problems you are facing today?

PRACTICE THIS

Take time today to read Genesis 1 and John 1; reflect on the truth and power of Jesus as God’s Word.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Believing Everything Except the Truth

“And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, ‘Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’” ACTS 8:18-19

 

PONDER THIS

There are people who claim to be believers in Jesus, but they don’t believe the doctrines of the Bible. They don’t necessarily believe Jesus is the only way to Heaven. They believe in astrology. They believe in reincarnation. These things are emphatically taught against in the Word of God. We have today a generation of people who are “very spiritual” but do not believe the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

But the reality is we better get a bulldog grip on God’s Word and God’s truth. Thousands of churches are filled with moral people who had spiritual experiences but were not born again. Simon the sorcerer said he believed. But Peter said, “You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God” (Acts 8:21).

How can you know your faith is truly faith in Jesus and not in someone or something else?

How does clinging to God’s Word help you make this distinction?

PRACTICE THIS

Make a list of things you believe come from Scripture. As you are able, note specific references that show you these things are real.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Passionate for God and Truth

What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.” (Romans 3:3–4)

Our concern with truth is an inevitable expression of our concern with God. If God exists, then he is the measure of all things, and what he thinks about all things is the measure of what we should think.

Not to care about truth is not to care about God. To love God passionately is to love truth passionately. Being God-centered in life means being truth-driven in ministry. What is not true is not of God.

Ponder these four sets of texts on God and truth:

1) God Is the Truth

Romans 3:3–4 (God the Father): “What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar.”

John 14:6 (God the Son): Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 15:26 (God the Spirit): “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”

2) Not Loving the Truth Is Eternally Ruinous

Second Thessalonians 2:10: The wicked will perish “because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.”

3) Christian Living Is Based on Knowledge of the Truth

First Corinthians 6:15–16: “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her?”

4) The Body of Christ Is Built with Truth in Love

Colossians 1:28: “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

May God make us passionate for him and for truth.

John Piper 

Clothe Yourself in Truth

“Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” TITUS 2:9-10

 

PONDER THIS

We might use the word becoming to mean, “to make beautiful.” For example, if a lady buys a new dress and her husband says, “That is becoming on you,” what he means is, “That is very beautiful. That looks good on you.” That is what Paul is talking about in this passage: He’s saying to make truth beautiful. Verse 10 says: “They may adorn the doctrine of God.” Adornment is what makes something beautiful. We need to put on the cosmetics of the Word of God. Adorn yourself with the truth of God.

Some people use the Bible as a club rather than as a sword, but this is not how it is meant to be used. It is a beautiful gift that shows us who God is and how He has designed us to live. It is something that shows us who we really are and who we are made to be as God’s people. It is a beautiful gift we are to share with others. Have you adorned your life in this way? Does God’s Word form your life, or do your desires form your life? To be adorned with the Word of God is becoming of God’s people.

What is beautiful and valuable about Scripture? How has that been made evident in your life?

What are some things that need to change for you to adorn your life with God’s Word?

PRACTICE THIS

Pray and ask God for help to adorn yourself with His truth, and work on the things that need to change in your life for that to happen.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Sacrificing Truth for Pragmatism

“Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.” ROMANS 2:1-2

 

PONDER THIS

What’s the judgment going to be like? First, the judgment is going to be according to truth, and there will be no disguise. The word hypocrite originally referred to a play actor. In Jesus’ time, the actors would put on disguises. If they were supposed to be happy, they would put on a happy face disguise. If they were to be sad, they’d put on a sad face mask. If they were to be fierce, they’d put on a fierce face mask. Jesus said, “In the religious world, some are hypocrites. They’re actors wearing disguises.” But God will pull off the mask, and there will be no disguise.

God’s judgment is according to truth. Many of us have forgotten the truth. We have sacrificed truth for pragmatism. We don’t ask, “Is it true?” We ask, “Does it work?” “Do I like it?” We’ve sacrificed truth for style. We don’t say “Does he or she tell the truth?” We say “Do I like him? Do I like her?” God’s measure is different than ours. We are to come to Him, be changed by Him, and ask Him to give us discernment as we walk through life lest we become hypocrites ourselves.

What are some ways we try to hide our sinful nature from God? Why is it ineffective?

How can you pursue God’s truth? Has your life been shaped by pursuing God and His truth? Why or why not?

PRACTICE THIS

Write out a list of some of the masks you wear. Confess these to God and ask Him to guide you in His truth.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Taste and See

“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him.”

PSALM 34:8-9

 

PONDER THIS

I love mangoes. They are delicious when they are fresh. But suppose somebody brings you a mango. It’s beautiful on the outside. You could say it looks good. If you put it up to your nose and smell it, you might say it smells good. But how do you really know it’s good? Somebody may tell you, “I enjoy mangoes. They’re wonderful.” That’s their testimony. But when someone says, “Here, try,” that’s an invitation to experience. A Christian with an experience is never at the mercy of any argument. When you have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, no one can argue against that.

Do you remember the story of the man born blind who Jesus healed? The Pharisees and rulers said, “Who healed you? What were his credentials? Explain all of it.” He couldn’t explain it all, but he said, “One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25). A believing person has the evidence on the inside.

God saved me in my middle teens. I had a passing interest in the Word of God, and over time God grew my interest. I’ve spent my life studying this book, pouring over it. I am more convinced that the Bible is the Word of God than I was when I started as a young preacher. I’m not finding hidden flaws. I’m finding hidden beauties. I have experienced the Word of God to be true. I hope you have too.

What have been some of your formative experiences with God? What have you learned about Him from those experiences?

What are some ways you experience God today? What does it look like to make your relationship with Him a priority?

PRACTICE THIS

Listen to someone’s experience with God and share yours.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

The Captain of Camouflage

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”

MATTHEW 7:15-17

 

PONDER THIS

Satan is the captain of camouflage. He is the master of deceit. Again and again, the Bible warns us of false prophets.

Some say the Bible is not true, the Bible is a bundle of blunders, or the Bible is a book of lies. But even in their attempts to dismiss the Bible, they do not point out falsehood—they authenticate the Bible. If there were no false prophets, the Bible would not be true. The Bible says they’re coming and to beware. These things confirm and authenticate our faith.

There are many today trudging to churches, but they do not hear salvation by Jesus’ blood preached. But many will not call those who neglect this teaching false prophets. I don’t care how great of a speaker he is. I don’t care how many good works he does in the neighborhood. If the Gospel of Jesus is not the center of all things, it is false teaching. People can be fooled by a nice building, but God knows the sincere places of worship, the places that seek Him over a name for themselves or the desires of their hearts.

What are some ways to discern if the teaching you hear is true or false?

What are some things that distract us from seeking discernment?

PRACTICE THIS

Write down some of the reasons you are part of your church. Consider whether those reasons point to Christ.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

How You Can Really Know Jesus

 

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” JOHN 14:21

 

PONDER THIS

If you read and study the Bible but don’t apply it, it’ll backfire on you. Inspiration apart from obedience will cause the Word of God to sour in you just like food you eat but fail to digest. You must put these things into practice. Don’t sing, “O How I Love Jesus” if you’re not receiving and keeping His commandments.

Many of you are saying, “Jesus Christ is not real to me. I wish He were real to me. Why isn’t God more real to me? Why is it that some people seem to be so happy in Jesus? Why is it that some people say God is very real and dear and precious to them? He is not to me!” Listen to the words of Jesus in today’s Scripture. You can study the Bible and learn about God, or you can obey the Bible and know God. Bible study gives knowledge about God; walking in His way gives knowledge of God.

You must receive the saving author of the Bible; you must recognize the sovereign authority of the Bible; you must resolve a serious analysis of the Bible; and you must respond with a steadfast application of the Bible. Act on the truths of God’s Word, and I promise this Bible will become real to you.

When is it challenging to apply the Word of God? Why?

What is some truth from the Word that you need to apply to your life?

PRACTICE THIS

Ask God to help you obey His commands.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You Guided by God’s Truth?

PRAY OVER THIS

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Hebrews 4:12

 

PONDER THIS

The Word of God is such a sharp instrument that if it were a literal sword, it could divide joints and marrow. Since it’s a spiritual sword, it divides the soul and the spirit. Do you know the difference between the soul and the spirit? I was preaching for a long time, and I didn’t know the difference between the soul and the spirit. I just thought that was the invisible part of a human being. You could call it his soul, you could call it his spirit—six of one, half a dozen of another. But the more I studied, the more I found out that the spirit is what makes man absolutely unique and in the image of God.

Plants have bodies, but they don't have souls. Animals have bodies and souls, but they don’t have a spirit. Only Man has a spirit because Man is made in the image of God and God is spirit. “Those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). How important it is, then, that we have an instrument that can divide between soul and spirit.

So much of the trouble we get into in the spiritual world is because we cannot divide between soul and spirit. The reason we don’t divide between soul and spirit is that we do not know the Word of God as we should.

How have you been guided by God’s truth in the past? How is it guiding you today?

Why do you think we struggle to use the powerful tool of Scripture in our lives?

PRACTICE THIS

Write down a verse to memorize this week.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

What Do You Meditate on Each Day?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Because Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips. When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.”

(Psalm 63:3-6 

 

PONDER THIS

An illustration of the path to God’s victory is found in this passage, where young David was fleeing from wicked and jealous King Saul who was chasing him for his life. David was wondering whether he would be killed. How could David live victoriously like that? He’d been meditating.

Do you know what a constant habit of mine is? I like to get a verse of Scripture and go to sleep with it. I’ll run it through my mind, chew on it, and soak on it. It’s a wonderful thing to do. Let the last word be His Word and go to sleep thinking about the Word of God. That’s what David did. It was in his mouth because it was in his mind, and because it was in his mouth and in his mind, it was in his manner of life. The Word of God is not given to satisfy your curiosity and to scratch your intellectual itch. It’s given to lead you to obedience that leads to a knowledge of God that leads to victory. 

The real proof that we believe in the Bible is that we obey it. And when we obey it, God reveals Himself to us in such wonderful ways. You’re saying to God, “I trust You so much that I’m going to obey You in everything You tell me.” And God says, “I’m going to manifest Myself to you.”

 

What are some habits that remind you of God’s truth?

Why is it hard for us to obey God’s Word?

PRACTICE THIS

Choose a verse to read before bed and meditate on that verse as you go to sleep.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

How Do You Discern Truth?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

1 John 3:4-9

 

PONDER THIS

Once I’m saved, I have a new dynamic: God’s life is in me. I have a new desire: I want to be like Him because He’s in me, and I'm in Him and abiding in Him. I also have a new deterrent. It says here in this verse, “And he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” This is a present continuous sense. If the God of the Bible lives in you, you cannot habitually live in sin—you just can’t do it. If Jesus Christ is in you, you cannot go on carelessly, thoughtlessly, continuously, practicing a lifestyle of sin. The Holy Spirit of God in you will tear you up. You will be under conviction, and the Holy Spirit of God will live in you, work in you, and dwell in you. He is delivering you, not only from the penalty of sin and the power of Satan, but from the principle of self. You are born again. You have received a new nature, and with that new nature, you have a new dynamic, a new desire, and a new deterrent. You’re living for Jesus.

When have you been convicted by the Holy Spirit?

What is the difference between conviction and guilt? Why is it important to know this?

PRACTICE THIS

Pray and confess your sins, acknowledging the areas of conviction in your life.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You Growing in God’s Truth?

PRAY OVER THIS

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

 

PONDER THIS

All Scripture is the breath of God. When I speak, you’re hearing my breath. I’ve taken breath into my lungs. My diaphragm is pushing against my lungs and pushing that breath up out of my throat, over my larynx, and over my tongue. My lips and teeth are taking that breath and my vocal cords are making noise, and my lips, my teeth, and my tongue are forming sounds you hear. What you hear when I speak is actually my breath. The Bible is the breath of God.

God saved me in my middle teens. I had a passing interest in the Word of God. I was in high school, just goofing off, playing ball, not studying. But then I got serious about studying. I made better grades in college than I did in high school. I made better grades in seminary than I did in college. As the work got harder, the grades got better. The reason is I began to be interested in this book, the Bible. I have grown more convinced that the Bible is the Word of God than when I started as a young preacher many years ago. I’m not finding hidden flaws. I’m finding hidden beauties. There’s no way you can explain the Bible apart from divine inspiration. Faith is rooted in evidence. Faith goes beyond evidence. Faith then becomes its own best evidence.

How has the Bible changed your life? How have you grown in your belief of the Bible?

Why is it important to trust and believe Scripture is God-breathed?

PRACTICE THIS

Spend some extra time in the Word today, thanking God that He has chosen to communicate with us.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers