Jesus Meets the Heart’s Deepest Need

BIBLE MEDITATION:

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

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

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

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

ACTION POINT:

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

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

All Died In Faith

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

Under Sin:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

To share the Gospel!

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

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

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

To know Him, we study the word and pray.

We share Him with the lost world!

This record, we except by faith!

He sent His Son as a Savior for sinners!

The Importance of the Gospel and Your Witness:

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. - Romans 10:14-17

Deeper Faith:

1 Faith comes by hearing what God says about himself!

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

3 Faith comes by hearing what God says is valuable!

4 Faith comes by hearing what God says about salvation!

Live By Faith:

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

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

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

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

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

Heirs:

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

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

Jesus:

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

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

God:

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

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

Thanks Matt!!

Setting God-Given Goals

BIBLE MEDITATION:

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

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

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

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

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

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

Third, does it demand the very best in you? 

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

ACTION POINT:

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

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Setting Sail for a New Year

BIBLE MEDITATION:

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

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

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

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

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

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

ACTION POINT:

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

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

A Vision for Your Life in the New Year

BIBLE MEDITATION:

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

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

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

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

ACTION POINT:

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

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Sinners Are Equal At The Foot Of The Cross

What would be the best New Years resolution you could make?

Wouldn't you think it would be the one thing that would effect your present life and your eternity?

Bow before Christ and receive mercy!

Your rebellion towards God will get you judgement!


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

When I look at myself in the mirror, I see a sinner. 

When I look at you, I see a sinner. 

Not judging, just stating fact according to God's holy word!!! 

Everyone is equal at the foot of the cross! 

We all have sinned! 

If you say you have no sin, then the truth is not in you!!

But there is a difference in sinners according to their response to the power of Christ on the cross! 

God sent His power filled Son to make that difference among sinners who trust Him for salvation.

The world will mislead you by lying through books, movies, false religions and by capturing your attention so that you will not pursue God. 

The feel good mentality will lead you to hell.

The world puts you in the lead role based upon your works or deeds. 

No one is good, not one of us!!

If we were good, why would God send His Son to die on the cross? 

What would be the point? 

Sinners need a Savior!! 

This is the true gift of love given to repentant sinners as God's richest gift of mercy!!!! 

Mercy from God to you is your only hope!!!! 

Your works can't buy forgiveness. 

All Sin:

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-

22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. - Romans 3:21-26

Judgment:

"Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts. - Malachi 3:5

24 For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.

25 Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own,

26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, - Hebrews 9:24-27

3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.

4 They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."

5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God,

6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished.

7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. - 2 Peter 3:3-7

Believe:

30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;

31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. - John 20:30-31

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. - 1 Peter 1:3-5

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. - 1 Peter 1:8-9

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. - Hebrews 11:6

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. - 1 John 4:10

and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood  - Revelation 1:5

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. - 1 Peter 1:3-5

What will you do this New Year? 

Will you seek the only true God or deny Him?

Hope For The Approaching Year

BIBLE MEDITATION:

"For thou hast delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling." Psalm 116:8.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Yes, believers can experience loneliness. I believe the Holidays are the loneliest time of the year. People are told everywhere they're supposed to be happy and they realize they're not. They see everybody else acting happy, and they feel so lonely. 

Death, divorce, desertion—even travel can make you lonely. Success can make you lonely. You often hear “it's lonely at the top.” You can be lonely in a big crowd. You can be lonely in a mall. Old age makes you lonely. Loneliness is one of the chief maladies of our age, but Jesus promised, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." 

What I am saying, my dear friend, is that when I am discouraged, His presence sees me through. When I am lonely, His presence cheers me up. And when I am worried, His presence calms me down. 

ACTION POINT:

When you are tempted—and oh, you will be tempted this coming year—His presence will help you out. Begin now to practice the presence of the Lord as you enter this new year.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers