Friday, August 15, 2014

Faithful in Little and Much

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” Luke 16:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What would you do if you had a million dollars? Well, let me tell you a good test of what you would do—it’s what you’re doing with that hundred dollars you have right now. Are you saving it? Spending it? Sharing it? 

The test of what you would do in the spiritual realm is seen by what you do in the physical realm. Many of us do not have spiritual blessings because we simply haven’t been faithful with the small things in our lives.

ACTION POINT:
Are you hoping for something in your life? How could you be faithful in something little so that you’ll be faithful when the other comes along?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

Thursday, August 14, 2014

The Law of Life in Christ

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I’ve always found airplane flight amazing. They are so heavy, yet they fly! The pilot gets behind the controls, moves the throttle, and those great engines begin to roar. And the first thing you know, you’re flying. 

Has the law of gravity been canceled? No, but there’s another law that comes into effect called the law of aerodynamics, which is a greater law than the law of gravity. When you get right with God, the law of sin and death is still there. But there’s a new law. It’s the law of life in Christ Jesus that sets you free from the law of sin and death. As long as you abide in Jesus Christ, then you are free from the law of sin and death.

ACTION POINT:
Have you been set free? Then, it’s your turn to set another captive free with the Good News. Go out and share this free gift with someone today.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Love That Turns The World Upside Down

Acts 17:1-9
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ."
4 And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
5 But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
6 And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, "These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,
7 and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus."
8 And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things.
9 And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.

1 Thess. 2:1-20
1 For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.
2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive,
4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed-God is witness.
6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children.
8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers.
11 For you know how, like a father with his children,
12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews,
15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind
16 by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved-so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!
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.
19 For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
20 For you are our glory and joy.

Four expressions of our Love for God...

Love for God’s Word
In our conversation (Acts 17:2) 
In its completeness (Acts 17:2) 
In our confidence (Acts 17:3)

Love for God’s Gospel
The simplicity of the message (Acts 17:3) 
The supremacy of the measure (Acts 17:4)

Love for God’s Purpose
Focused on the praise of Christ (Acts 17:6)
Filled by the power of Christ (1 Thess. 2:2)
Fueled by the pleasure of Christ (1 Thess. 2:4, 6)

Love for God’s People
Gentle in our conduct (1 Thess. 2:7)
Genuine in our connection (1 Thess. 2:8)
Generous in our care (1 Thess. 2:7-8)
Gracious in our confrontation (1 Thess. 2:11-12) 

Grateful for our community (1 Thess. 2:17-20)

Three exhortations as We Love...
Love with Abandon (Mark 12:30)
Love with Assurance (1 John 4:7-12) 
Love with Action (1 John 3:18)

Thanks Tate!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Knowing Jesus


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Years ago my wife gave me a little card to carry in my billfold. On it she had written her dress size, shoe size, glove size and more. That was nice to have so I could know all about her when I went to do some shopping. But it didn’t provide much companionship or encouragement when I was away from her.

It’s one thing to have the facts about Jesus, it’s another thing to have a relationship with Jesus.

ACTION POINT:
Do you know Jesus...really know Him? Or are you just gathering facts about Him?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

The Destroyer's Prey or The Abundant Life Lived In Christ


Satan uses many mental or physical ailments to torment!
In light of the epidemic of depression, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual abuse and sexual sin, theft, love of self and love of money. 
I began searching the Bible for the role Satan might play in this torment. Could it begin with man's rebellion toward God? 
As I began to read the Bible and articles, I was reassured of the consequences that come from denying God and the power given to Christ to bring salvation to the nations!
I began to see how, even when you've repented from sin, Satan still will remind you, that in the past, you were indeed a sinner!
We tend to forget that, in His mercy through our faith in Christ, Almighty God forgave us!
What is the more excellent way, mercy or torment?
In the words of Job, "shall we accept only good from God?"
No, the trials of this world are to build our faith by the realization that God alone gives His strength in our weakness!
By our rejection of God, our lack of knowledge of His precious Word, and a will bent to sin, it's no surprise that sin leads to bondage and that in turn leads to emptiness that we try to fill to no avail!
Our unbelief is the reason for our broken hearts!


Acts 10:38
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.

Job 2:10
But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

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

Is.53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 

1 Sam.16:14
Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a harmful spirit from the LORD tormented him.

John 5:14
Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you."

Matt.9:2
And behold, some people brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven."

Ps.29:11
May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace! 

Matt.5:44
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

John 1:9
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Is.61:3
to grant to those who mourn in Zion- to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. 

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

Prov.4:20-23
20 My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 
21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 
22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. 
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. 

Phil.4:
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me-practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Prov.18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 

Is.58:10
if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. 

1 Peter 5:7
casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Believe in Christ for God has given Him all power and authority!
You will not live forever!
God has numbered your days!
We must not hold onto anger, the feeling of getting even, bitterness, or fear.
You choose to forgive just as God forgives!
Repent!
Study God's word!
Share God's word!
Rejoice in God's word!
Count your blessings!



Thanks Deb and Duane for your insight!










Tuesday, August 12, 2014

The Mystery That Is God


Dan.2:22
22 he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. 

Ps.139:12
12 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you. 

While a saint of The Lord lays in a hospital bed, whether dying or not, we don't know! 
But God knows! 
She waits, for God's call of life or death!
She is resting in total peace!
Her broken body hurts!
Her spirit sings hallelujah!
By God's design, we know the moment we are born, we begin to die! 
He alone determines our time here! 
We have a clock ticking, a breath and heartbeat counter that is set for a certain number of breathes and beats and cells that will renew only so many times!
Man, in all his God given knowledge, hasn't a clue! 
God alone knows!
We want that knowledge, but it remains hidden waiting for The Master's call of life and death!
God gives life!
God takes it back again!
Christ has been given the power of salvation!
To every man woman or child who will believe.
He paid the price, He lived the perfect life, He was obedient, yes even unto death on the cross!
Don't you see how everything we do in the name of religion will fail?
It's Christ alone that saves!!
There is nothing else!
No deed, no prayer to a false god, no tithe, no sacraments of religious elements, only the blood of Christ!  
The world is blinded by the darkness of Satan!
We are commanded to bring light through the Word of Christ to a sinful world!
They wait for the light!

Luke 4:18 
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 

John 9:
31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.
32 Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind.
33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing."
34 They answered him, "You were born in utter sin, and would you teach us?" And they cast him out.
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?"
36 He answered, "And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?"
37 Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you."
38 He said, "Lord, I believe," and he worshiped him.
39 Jesus said, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind."

Ps.146:
1 Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 
2 I will praise the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 
3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. 
4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. 
5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, 
6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; 
7 who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; 
8 the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. 
9 The LORD watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. 

Acts 13:
16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: "Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 
17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.
18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.
19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance.
20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, 'I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.'
23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.
24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, 'What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.'
26 "Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.
27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him.
28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed.
29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.
30 But God raised him from the dead,
31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.
32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers,
33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, "'You are my Son, today I have begotten you.' 
34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, "'I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.' 
35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, "'You will not let your Holy One see corruption.' 
36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption,
37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption.
38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you,
39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
41 "'Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.'" 
42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.
43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.
46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.
47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" 
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.
50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.
51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus as Lord and Savior


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Have you ever thought that salvation was like a cafeteria where you can pick and choose the aspects of Jesus you want? “I’ll have a little Saviorhood, but please, no Lordship today.” If Jesus is not your Lord, Jesus is not your Savior. What’s the difference? 

Well, suppose I perform a wedding ceremony and say to the young man, “Would you take Susan to be your lawfully wedded wife?” And he responds, “Well, I’ll take Susan as housekeeper.” And then I say to her, “Would you take John to be your lawfully wedded husband?” And she says, “Well, I’ll take him as provider.” We can’t pick and choose what we want from Jesus. We take Jesus as Lord over all!

ACTION POINT:
Is Jesus Christ Lord of every area of your life? Take time to today to examine your life—your finances, your relationships, your hopes and dreams.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers