Ready to Give an Answer

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Peter 3:15

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Sometimes during an interview a reporter may ask me, “Do you think a Jew without Jesus is lost?” If I say, “Yes,” then I will look like a racist or a bigot. If I say, “No,” then, I have dishonored the Lord Jesus Christ who died for the sins of all people. So, how do I answer? 

I say, “Friend, I believe that one of my own children without Jesus would be lost. It doesn’t matter whether he’s a Jew or a Gentile. You see, God demands absolute perfection and none of us can provide it. That’s why we need the gospel. We need Jesus. We need the righteousness of God that comes by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.” 

ACTION POINT:

What would you say if someone asked you that question? Ask the Lord to prepare you.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Not Allowing Past Sins to Silence Our Witness

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

A young preacher was called out of a life of sin to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. While in the pulpit one day, he received a note in which someone had written all his past sins. In addition it read, “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? And you’re up there telling people to get right with God!” 

Do you know what the young preacher did? He read that note, bowed his head in prayer, stood up and said, “Ladies and gentleman I have received a note, and here is what it says.” Then, in front of that whole crowd, he read every one of those sins. Then he said this: “Yes, I am ashamed of myself, but I am not ashamed of my Savior!” 

ACTION POINT:

What are some past sins in your life that are holding you back from fully proclaiming God’s power to others? Confess them and bury them in His sea of forgetfulness. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Are You in the Secret Service?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Romans 1:16

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Are you ashamed to put a Bible on your desk at work? Are you ashamed to bow your head in the cafeteria? Are you ashamed to invite people to Jesus Christ? Are you ashamed of the One who died for you? 

A little boy had a dog, and someone asked him what kind of dog he was. He was just a mongrel, but the little fellow said, “Well, he’s a police dog.” The friend said, “He doesn’t look like a police dog.” The little guy replied, “He’s in the secret service.” 

I’m afraid there are many of us who are in the secret service. We ought to be open and bold for the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

ACTION POINT:

Ask God to lead you out in strength and boldness today to live for Him and proclaim His love to others. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Only One Life Ever Lived to Perfection

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

There has never been a man like the Lord Jesus. I was deeply stirred by these words, written by John Phillips about Jesus:

“He never uttered a hasty, unkind, untrue, or frivolous word. He never entertained an impure thought. His talents never debased for selfish ends. His influence, never bad. His judgment, never wrong. He never had to apologize for anything that He did or retract a single word He said. He was never too late or too soon, never upset, never insipid, never shallow or afraid. . . He had absolute victory from the moment He drew his first breath in that Bethlehem barn until the moment He closed His eyes in death on the cross of Calvary.” 

ACTION POINT:

If you’re looking for a hero, let me suggest mine. His name is Jesus. 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

For Darkness Is As Light

Ps.139:12

even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 

Dan.2:22

he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. 

John 1:

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.

1 Cor.8:6

yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

Heb.4:13

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Job 34:21

"For his eyes are on the ways of a man, and he sees all his steps. 

Rom.11:33-34,36

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

34 "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" 

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

Jer.23:

23 "Am I a God at hand, declares the LORD, and not a God far away?

24 Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the LORD.

It is my desire to speak God's word in truth to "whosoever will" heed His call of repentance. 

You have been given a free will to make the choice to repent, that is turn from rebellion, and follow Christ. No one makes the choice for you, it's yours alone to make. Both have eternal implications, one an eternity of worshiping the living God or one doomed to Hell and torment. My task given me by God is simply to speak His word. God alone gives salvation through Christ! Amen and Amen!!!

Lord, we cry out to You for the lost. Our souls are heavy with the prospect of Hell being an eternal place for sinners. Give us bold mouths to speak Your word of mercy! Amen

THE GOSPEL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

1 Peter 2:13-17

13 Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme,

14 or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.

15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.

16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

17 Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Biblical Truth...

We are submissive citizens of a government.

Government is given by God for the restraint of evil.

Government is given by God for the promotion of good.

We are free servants of God.

We use our freedom in Christ to model good lives. 

We use our freedom in Christ to show God’s love.

We honor everyone, especially our leaders. 

We care for the church.

We fear God.

Cultural Application...

We believe religious liberty is not primarily a political issue; it is a gospel issue.

Freedom of religion is ultimately given by God, not just granted by government.

Faith, in its essence, cannot be forced.

Religion is a matter of voluntary choice, not involuntary coercion. 

We work for religious liberty for all.

m Religion exists to explore the questions of life and apply our conclusions to life.

Government exists to protect this fundamental human privilege.

Government does not exist for the establishment of religion. Government does not exist for the elimination of religion.

n Government exists for the free exercise of religion.

Not just in episodic gatherings, but in everyday life.

Those who gather for worship in private settings scatter to live

out their beliefs in the public square. 

We obey our government unless it requires us to disobey God.

Four options...

God alone is our authority.

The government alone is our authority.

God and government are authorities with government in the

dominant position.

God and government are authorities with God in the

dominant position. 

One conclusion...

We must obey God rather than men.

We speak and serve on behalf of the persecuted church around the world.

We speak...

To God on their behalf.

To our government and other governments on their behalf. 

We serve...

We give and go to our persecuted brothers and sisters. 

We identify with our persecuted brothers and sisters. 

By following Christ no matter what it costs.

By proclaiming the gospel to people around us and people around the world.

Thanks Pastor David!

Surrender First

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“. . . now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” Romans 6:19

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

After a splendid victory at sea, Lord Nelson confronted the French admiral who was surrendering. Dressed in all his regalia, the admiral approached Nelson to surrender. With his sword swinging by his side, the admiral put out his hand to the British commander. 

Lord Nelson stepped back and said, “Your sword first.” 

There are a lot of people who think they can walk up and glad-hand the Lord Jesus Christ. He says, “Your sword first.” Surrender first! Jesus is not an appeaser, and He will never make a truce with sin. Never! We have to abdicate the throne. We have to surrender. 

ACTION POINT:

Read Romans 6. Count the number of times the word “yield” is written. What does Paul want us to yield? 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers