Sunday, July 31, 2016

Run

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

The New Testament authors portray the Christian life as a race - not a sprint but a marathon.
We run the race through a grace-empowered pursuit of repentance and faith.

Repentance: "Let us run... laying aside every weight and sin". (vs. 1)
Can I identify consistent areas of temptation and struggle? 
Am I fighting against sin on a daily basis?
Are there weights which need to be laid aside-things that may not be sinful in themselves-that are keeping me from a fuller enjoyment of God?
Am I humble enough to invite others to help me cultivate a life of repentance?

Faith: "Let us run...looking to Jesus. (v.2-3)
Is my Christian faith fixated on my failures or successes?
Do I tend to live by a list of do's and don'ts?
Do I find it difficult to respect Christians or churches who don't see things as I see them?
Am I taking ten looks at Christ for every one look at self?


Thanks Pastor Matt!!!

What You Leave Behind


Life, physical life, has a time limit!
Life, spiritual life, is eternal!
Both are God given!
The really big question is, what are you leaving behind when your physical time is up?
Will your legacy be one of never ending benefits to those you know?
Do you stand on God's word?
Do you pass that word of hope through Christ on to those who seek Him?
There is no hope without Christ!!!!
God had ordained Him Lord of all!!!!
Tell the world!!!

11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,
16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
17 For it is witnessed of him, "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." 
18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath,
21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever.'" 
22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.
23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,
24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. - Hebrews 7:11-28

How Do I Get More Light?



BIBLE MEDITATION:
Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” Psalm 119:34

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Is God righteous? Yes! How is the righteousness of God revealed? “From faith to faith.” How does that work? God gives you truth…you believe that truth…God gives you more truth.

The more you obey the light, the more light you get.

The reason some of us don’t understand the Bible any more than we do is because we have not been living up to the light God has already given us! If you want to understand the part of the Bible you don’t understand, begin to obey the part you do understand and you’ll understand what you didn’t understand. Do you understand?

ACTION POINT:
Ask God for faith that will reveal to you the hidden truths of His Word that are hard for you to understand right now.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Saturday, July 30, 2016

Your Virtual Reality—Newness of Life!



BIBLE MEDITATION:
“We are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
I was in an airport one day looking for something to pass the time. I saw a virtual reality motorcycle ride. I sat down and buckled my seat belt as instructed. The screen came on and I couldn’t believe it. I felt like I was riding a motorcycle, but I was just sitting in a room!

Sometimes our mind tells us something is true when it’s not true. Other times when something is true, we fail to believe that it is true!

How critical it is for us to focus on the truth! Jesus died for you. He lives for you. You died with Him. You live for Him. Day by day, you need to take those facts and turn them into faith.

ACTION POINT:
Tell yourself this truth today. Write it down. Post it all around you! You are buried with Him. You rose with Him. You can walk in newness of life!


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Friday, July 29, 2016

You Are Not a Speck—You Are Cherished!


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“. . . the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
The Lord sees you. He knows all about you. And I guarantee you on the authority of the Word of God, that He loves you.

This is amazing when you realize that we are just specks on a globe that’s about the size of a grain of sand or less compared to the size of the universe.

There’s no more reason that the Lord of Glory should be interested in us than we should be interested in an ant floating on a piece of cheesecake in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. And yet our Lord looks down and He sees us as cherished individuals that He loves one by one.

The great God that runs the universe is concerned about you as though that were His only goal.

ACTION POINT:
When was the last time you counted the hairs on your head? Can you trust a God who has them numbered?


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Thursday, July 28, 2016

One Burning Focus


BIBLE MEDITATION:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Do you know what the problem with many of us is? Our faith is something tacked onto our lives. Jesus said, “No man can serve two masters…” (Matthew 6:24). Do you believe that? You are to have but one goal in your life, and that is to know Jesus Christ personally, powerfully, passionately, and preeminently. Everything else will flow out of that.

You say, “But wait a minute. I’ve got other things to do! I’ve got a job. I’ve got to rest. I’ve got to have recreation. I’ve got to have friends. I can’t just narrow my interests to one.” When you bring your life into a burning focus, all of these other things will contribute to the main thing.

ACTION POINT:
What is the burning focus of your life? Make it Jesus, and you’ve made it!


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Failure Is Not Final


BIBLE MEDITATION:
 “O love the Lord, all ye His saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful.” Psalm 31:23
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
Ty Cobb and Babe Ruth were two of the greatest baseball players of all time. Ty Cobb was known for his record number of stolen bases, and Babe Ruth was known for his record number of home runs. What you may not know is that Ty Cobb was also thrown out more than any other man in baseball trying to steal bases. And Babe Ruth struck out more than any other man in baseball! These fellows didn’t let their failures stop them, and neither should you!
Fix your goal.
Face your faults.
Forget your failures.
Failure in the Christian life is not final.
ACTION POINT:
Maybe you or someone you know is feeling discouraged today. Remind them or yourself of the promise in Philippians 4:13.


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers