By The Will Of God

20 "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,

21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. - John 17:20-21

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. - 1 Corinthians 1:9

9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

10 and repays to their face those who hate him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates him. He will repay him to his face. - Deuteronomy 7:9-10

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. - 1 Corinthians 1:17

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. - 1 Corinthians 2:2

so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. - 1 Corinthians 2:5

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. - 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

Surprising Qualities of a Peacemaker

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

I remember reading about a preacher boy who was in a class in a liberal college, and the professor said, “Christians ought never to have any enemies. We ought never to be controversial.” Then he said, “What we need to do is to follow the example of Jesus.”

The boy lifted his hand and asked, “If Jesus Christ was so beautifully tactful and diplomatic, how did He manage to get Himself crucified?”

Peace is not appeasement. It is a right relationship with God that leads to a right relationship with self and guides us into right relationships with others. Literally, peace is a fruit of righteousness. It is the righteousness of God ruling and reigning in your heart.

ACTION POINT:

Read Hebrews 12:14. Are there conflicts which you can resolve by becoming a peacemaker? If so, confidently place your hand in His and bring peace.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Difficulties Suffering and Thanksgiving

What?

Are you nuts?

How can you have thanksgiving while suffering or going through difficult times?

Well, let's see!

Immediately, I know when I suffer, I am humbled.

Suffering causes us to call on God for help!!

Brokenness brings humility, driving you straight to your knees!

Suffering reminds us that our time is limited.

We immediately praise God when we are delivered.

We can relate to others that we've been through that struggle.

A 90 year old family member of mine died recently.

He was a kind and caring man of God. 

He was a Pastor, teacher, friend and servant.

As I sat at his funeral, I saw brief sadness, but most of all, I saw extreme joy that he had gone to be with Jesus!!!

For months he suffered, frail in body, bedridden and not lucid a lot of the time. 

This was never God's plan for man!

Sin changed everything.

It caused us to have a temporary body, one that will decay!

But God rich in His mercy, created us with a part that will not decay.

It is our eternal soul!

That's is why salvation in Christ is urgent!

The reality of eternity is Heaven or Hell!

Faith, in Christ alone, will change that!!

He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind that passes and comes not again.  - Psalm 78:39

Seeing Him Who is Invisible

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Let me tell you how to experience God: Get your heart pure, and you will see God with the eyes of faith.

You see, Jesus is not talking about your physical body. You get your spiritual heart right and your spiritual eyes will see.

Hebrews 11:27 says that Moses “endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” You get your heart right and you’ll see the invisible God…

...in circumstances

...in nature

...in the face of your spouse, your child, your grandchild.

You’ll see Him in the Scriptures. God will become a bright, living reality to you.

ACTION POINT:

Put on the eyes of faith today and find God creating and sustaining life. Maybe there is a garden newly abloom with spring flowers. Do you see the hand of God?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Mourning with Purpose

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

We’ve done all  we can do to keep ourselves from feeling any pain. We have psychologists who numb our neurosis. Counselors who absolve us of guilt. Doctors to sedate our pain. Insurance agents to take away our worries. And even at death we have the mortuary to try to beautify death for us.

But Jesus was a man of sorrows. He saw the sin around Him and it broke His heart. In Matthew 23:34-39, we read how Jesus’ heart ached for Jerusalem and the destruction sin had wrought in the hearts of men.

ACTION POINT:

Do the things that break the heart of Jesus, break yours? Do you have a dry eye in a hell-bent world? It’s time to be like Jesus.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

What Is Meekness?

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. " Matthew 5:5

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

What does it mean to be meek? First, let me tell you what it is not before I tell you what it is.

Meekness is not weakness. The word “meek” means yielded. It literally has the idea of strength under control. When an animal, especially a horse, is domesticated, it is trained so a rider can sit on its back or so it can pull a plow. The proper term for this process is that the animal has been ”meeked.” It has been broken. Now it yields to the rider or the yoke. Now the animal exhibits strength under control. That’s what meekness is.

ACTION POINT:

Read Matthew 11:29 and 21:5. What does Jesus say about Himself and how can you emulate Him?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Poor in Spirit – What Does It Mean?

BIBLE MEDITATION:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt.5:3

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What does it mean to be “poor in spirit”? Jesus is talking about being a beggar. He is saying, “Blessed are the beggars.” He’s not talking about finances here. He’s talking about a person being poor spiritually.

Before a person can enter into the kingdom of heaven, he must first admit that no matter how much he may have in the material realm or psychological realm, he is absolutely and totally spiritually bankrupt and a beggar before God.  If he doesn’t see that, he will never, ever get into the kingdom of heaven.

ACTION POINT:
I’ve often said that I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find food. Do you see yourself as a beggar in need of the Bread of Heaven?

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers