Tuesday, October 2, 2012
“Scripture speaks & thoughts are heard by His”
Luke 11:9 (KJV)
And I say unto you,
Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
You may not give others what you have experienced, but you may cause them to have the desire to seek such an experience for themselves.
Are you showing others the good and joy that your experience has given you ?
Be Content
October 2, 2012
Contentment is hard to attain.
I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. —Philippians 4:11
Even the apostle Paul, a hero of the faith, had to learn to be content. It was not a natural character trait for him.
For Paul to write that he was content in every situation is truly amazing. At the time of this writing, he was in jail in Rome. Charged with sedition, treason, and other serious crimes, he had appealed to the highest court: Caesar himself. Without other legal recourse and friends in high places, he had to wait for his case to be heard. It seems as if Paul had the right to be an impatient and unhappy person. Instead, he wrote to the Philippians to say that he had learned to be content.
How did he learn this? One step at a time until he could be satisfied even in uncomfortable environments. He learned to accept whatever came his way (v.12) and to receive with thanks whatever help fellow Christians could give (vv.14-18). And most important, he recognized that God was supplying all he needed (v.19).
Contentment is not natural for any of us. The competitive spirit in us drives us to compare, to complain, and to covet. Few of us are in a predicament such as Paul’s, but we all face difficulties in which we can learn to trust God and be content.
Contentment is hard to attain.
I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. —Philippians 4:11
Even the apostle Paul, a hero of the faith, had to learn to be content. It was not a natural character trait for him.
For Paul to write that he was content in every situation is truly amazing. At the time of this writing, he was in jail in Rome. Charged with sedition, treason, and other serious crimes, he had appealed to the highest court: Caesar himself. Without other legal recourse and friends in high places, he had to wait for his case to be heard. It seems as if Paul had the right to be an impatient and unhappy person. Instead, he wrote to the Philippians to say that he had learned to be content.
How did he learn this? One step at a time until he could be satisfied even in uncomfortable environments. He learned to accept whatever came his way (v.12) and to receive with thanks whatever help fellow Christians could give (vv.14-18). And most important, he recognized that God was supplying all he needed (v.19).
Contentment is not natural for any of us. The competitive spirit in us drives us to compare, to complain, and to covet. Few of us are in a predicament such as Paul’s, but we all face difficulties in which we can learn to trust God and be content.
O Lord, give me the grace to be
Content with what You give to me.
No, more than that, let me rejoice
In all You send, for it’s Your choice! —Anon.
Content with what You give to me.
No, more than that, let me rejoice
In all You send, for it’s Your choice! —Anon.
Contentment is not possessing everything but giving thanks for everything you possess.
Monday, October 1, 2012
How To Get Respect
Acts 15:13
When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me."
Thoughts for Today:
Taking the floor now was James, the half brother of Jesus, also called James the Just and James the righteous. Hegesippus tells us that James spent so much time in prayer that "his knees were reputed to have acquired the hardness of camel knees." Many Bible historians and commentators believe that James was the head of the church in Jerusalem (which was the center of the new Christian faith). This is further supported by the comment made by Peter when he was miraculously freed from prison and had to flee Jerusalem -- he asks in Acts 12:17 for James to be informed; in our text today as well as in numerous other passages it appears that James at minimum was one of the key leaders if not the leader of the church.
So how did James acquire such great respect and authority? If we asked some of our business leaders or young people today, they would say that respect comes from "personal power." From their perspective, it comes from the power you have over other people, in the sense that you can manipulate or threaten them. But is that really respect, or fear?
Respect comes from the positive of who you are, what you've done, and how you do it; fear comes from the negative. One is the definition of security, the other is based in insecurity. One leader knows who he is, the other is trying to prove something. Which are you?
James the Just, James the Righteous, James the camel-kneed one -- that is the kind of earthly man I respect. How did James rise to this position of great respect? By getting on his knees and staying on his knees -- not asking for power and position -- but asking for wisdom, knowledge and the humility to do the Lord's will, not his own. If you want real respect, follow James' example.
So how did James acquire such great respect and authority? If we asked some of our business leaders or young people today, they would say that respect comes from "personal power." From their perspective, it comes from the power you have over other people, in the sense that you can manipulate or threaten them. But is that really respect, or fear?
Respect comes from the positive of who you are, what you've done, and how you do it; fear comes from the negative. One is the definition of security, the other is based in insecurity. One leader knows who he is, the other is trying to prove something. Which are you?
James the Just, James the Righteous, James the camel-kneed one -- that is the kind of earthly man I respect. How did James rise to this position of great respect? By getting on his knees and staying on his knees -- not asking for power and position -- but asking for wisdom, knowledge and the humility to do the Lord's will, not his own. If you want real respect, follow James' example.
Questions to Ponder:
Are you respect-worthy? How much time each day do you spend in prayer? What do you pray for? Is it for the Lord to take the desire to sin away from you (righteousness or right living)?
Wisdom comes from the ability to look past the surface and the superficial into the heart of a problem. When was the last time you prayed for wisdom? Just means to be fair. That would be an awesome trait to possess; to be known as someone who will make a fair or just decision. So how do we become known for such characteristics? We become known for something because we do it repeatedly; over and over again in our workplaces, our marriages, and our homes.
A big problem in our society is we want respect without being respectful; we want to be thought of as wise but we don't want to be a student first; and we want to be thought just when our position is always every man for himself. Take a long hard look at yourself: What will it take to make you worthy of respect? Start with the example of James -- on your knees.
Wisdom comes from the ability to look past the surface and the superficial into the heart of a problem. When was the last time you prayed for wisdom? Just means to be fair. That would be an awesome trait to possess; to be known as someone who will make a fair or just decision. So how do we become known for such characteristics? We become known for something because we do it repeatedly; over and over again in our workplaces, our marriages, and our homes.
A big problem in our society is we want respect without being respectful; we want to be thought of as wise but we don't want to be a student first; and we want to be thought just when our position is always every man for himself. Take a long hard look at yourself: What will it take to make you worthy of respect? Start with the example of James -- on your knees.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thankfulness to God
One of the clearest indicators that the Holy Spirit is working in our lives
is our contentment and our thankfulness for what we have.
Then, instead of experiencing jealousy, we are able to genuinely celebrate
the gifts and blessings of others.
is our contentment and our thankfulness for what we have.
Then, instead of experiencing jealousy, we are able to genuinely celebrate
the gifts and blessings of others.
God, You are so good!
You have provided all we need and so much more.
Help us to be content with what we have,
knowing that without You we would have neither life nor breath.
(excert from Daily Bread 9/24 Fighting Off Jealousy)
Thursday, September 27, 2012
In Jesus’ final message to His disciples,
He said,
“You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Every corner of our world, no matter how remote, must be touched by the message of the cross.
The Savior died for the world—and that includes people both near and far.
Each of us has the opportunity to take the gospel to people in our “end of the earth.”
No matter where you are, you can tell someone about the love of Christ.
Who can you tell today?
“You shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Every corner of our world, no matter how remote, must be touched by the message of the cross.
The Savior died for the world—and that includes people both near and far.
Each of us has the opportunity to take the gospel to people in our “end of the earth.”
No matter where you are, you can tell someone about the love of Christ.
Who can you tell today?
People can’t believe in Jesus
If the gospel they don’t hear,
So we must proclaim its message
To the world—both far and near. —Sper
If the gospel they don’t hear,
So we must proclaim its message
To the world—both far and near. —Sper
Any place can be the right place to witness for Christ.
Our Daily Bread is published and distributed in more than 40 languages worldwide by RBC Ministries.
Our Daily Bread is published and distributed in more than 40 languages worldwide by RBC Ministries.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
What Yoke Do You Bear?
Acts 15:10b
[Peter speaking] "...by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?"
Thoughts for Today:
Previously, Peter made the point that God purified the Gentile's hearts (and gave them the Holy Spirit) because of their faith, not because they adopted the traditions and customs of the Jews.
Peter now asks the question of the day, "Why do you want to put a yoke on the necks of new believers that neither we nor our fathers were able to bear?" Wow, that's a really insightful question. You see for thousands of years the Jews had been living under the Mosaic Law which had become incredibly complicated and intricate. For example the Lord said, "Keep the Sabbath Day holy." The Jews said, "It's not that easy." So they wrote and added seven volumes into the Talmud which created rules, regulations and interpretations of what that meant exactly -- the Do's and Don'ts of keeping the Sabbath. One of those rules said you couldn't travel on the Sabbath; this was further defined as more than a thousand paces from your home; so if a Pharisee had to travel more than thousand paces he would lay down a rope from his home stretching one thousand paces, thereby creating a "hallway" which extended his home; if he had to travel farther he would simply lay down another rope, and so on ! until he arrived at his destination. He kept the Law literally, but did he keep the intention of the Law spiritually?
That is the problem with laws -- there is a never ending need to create more laws to clarify the intent of the original law. For example: no sugar means no candy, no donuts, and only certain types of cereals with less than 10 grams of sugar, etc.
You can see how quickly things can become complicated if we try to define every possibility. The bottom line is you can't. So why is this whole Law thing necessary at all? Because we, like Amanda, and the Jews who struggled greatly with the Law, we're always looking for a loophole.
So Peter asks the question, "If all these rules and regulations didn't help to bring us closer to God, then why do we want to place this same burden upon the Gentiles? Do we really want them to be as miserable as we and our fathers before us have been?" What would your answer be?
Peter now asks the question of the day, "Why do you want to put a yoke on the necks of new believers that neither we nor our fathers were able to bear?" Wow, that's a really insightful question. You see for thousands of years the Jews had been living under the Mosaic Law which had become incredibly complicated and intricate. For example the Lord said, "Keep the Sabbath Day holy." The Jews said, "It's not that easy." So they wrote and added seven volumes into the Talmud which created rules, regulations and interpretations of what that meant exactly -- the Do's and Don'ts of keeping the Sabbath. One of those rules said you couldn't travel on the Sabbath; this was further defined as more than a thousand paces from your home; so if a Pharisee had to travel more than thousand paces he would lay down a rope from his home stretching one thousand paces, thereby creating a "hallway" which extended his home; if he had to travel farther he would simply lay down another rope, and so on ! until he arrived at his destination. He kept the Law literally, but did he keep the intention of the Law spiritually?
That is the problem with laws -- there is a never ending need to create more laws to clarify the intent of the original law. For example: no sugar means no candy, no donuts, and only certain types of cereals with less than 10 grams of sugar, etc.
You can see how quickly things can become complicated if we try to define every possibility. The bottom line is you can't. So why is this whole Law thing necessary at all? Because we, like Amanda, and the Jews who struggled greatly with the Law, we're always looking for a loophole.
So Peter asks the question, "If all these rules and regulations didn't help to bring us closer to God, then why do we want to place this same burden upon the Gentiles? Do we really want them to be as miserable as we and our fathers before us have been?" What would your answer be?
Questions to Ponder:
As you look at your life in the context of our devotion today, do you see any rules or laws you have created to define God's intention? Jesus said in Matthew 11:30, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." What does that mean to you? How have you made being a Christian burdensome and difficult? What has been your witness to others -- the freedom of Christ or the yoke of rules? What is God's intent? What steps can you take today to loosen the yoke of rules in your life and begin to experience freedom and joy in your journey with God?
Saturday, September 22, 2012
What is the 'Good News'?
Acts 13:32-33a
[Paul speaking] "We tell you the good news: What God promised our fathers he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus."
Thoughts for Today:
Take a minute right now and grab your wife, child or friend and tell them the "good news" of Jesus Christ. Can you do it? What are some of the holes in your explanation? I did an internet search for "good news" and I came across this succinct explanation of how to talk to someone about your faith. It starts with three Bible verses:
* "For you are a mist that appears for awhile and then disappears..." James 4:14b
* "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
* "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:17
"Okay. So where does that leave me?" someone might ask. "How exactly does one call on the name of the Lord? Why would He want to save me?"
First, know that God is perfect and holy. He made everything in this universe including you and me. Second, because He made you, He also knows every detail about you. He loves you. Because of His great love for you, He sent His Son to die for you, in your place so that you might live.
"Well, how does His Son dying for me save me?"
There is a part in each of us that is eternal. It makes you a unique and eternal being. God cannot be near sin or those who practice sin. Those who perish without the saving grace of His Son will be eternally separated from God. To be allowed into God's presence we will have to be completely pure and holy. It is only by asking His Son, Jesus, to take your sin from you and forgive you, will you be made clean. Jesus takes your sin from you and puts it on that cross on which he died. He did not stay dead. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:4B - "he was raised on the third day."
"I'm confused. What must I do to be saved?"
Pray and tell God that you know that you have done things that you know were wrong and God knows are wrong. Ask Him to forgive you because Jesus paid the price for those things that you did wrong. Ask Jesus to come into your life and change you. That's it! If you prayed those things with a sincere heart you are saved. Now find a Bible centered church and grow in love for God and others!
* "For you are a mist that appears for awhile and then disappears..." James 4:14b
* "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13
* "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." John 3:17
"Okay. So where does that leave me?" someone might ask. "How exactly does one call on the name of the Lord? Why would He want to save me?"
First, know that God is perfect and holy. He made everything in this universe including you and me. Second, because He made you, He also knows every detail about you. He loves you. Because of His great love for you, He sent His Son to die for you, in your place so that you might live.
"Well, how does His Son dying for me save me?"
There is a part in each of us that is eternal. It makes you a unique and eternal being. God cannot be near sin or those who practice sin. Those who perish without the saving grace of His Son will be eternally separated from God. To be allowed into God's presence we will have to be completely pure and holy. It is only by asking His Son, Jesus, to take your sin from you and forgive you, will you be made clean. Jesus takes your sin from you and puts it on that cross on which he died. He did not stay dead. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:4B - "he was raised on the third day."
"I'm confused. What must I do to be saved?"
Pray and tell God that you know that you have done things that you know were wrong and God knows are wrong. Ask Him to forgive you because Jesus paid the price for those things that you did wrong. Ask Jesus to come into your life and change you. That's it! If you prayed those things with a sincere heart you are saved. Now find a Bible centered church and grow in love for God and others!
Questions to Ponder:
When was the last time you shared the "good news" of Jesus Christ with someone? Has it been a day, a week, a month, a year, or maybe never? Don't feel alone if you have never shared Jesus with anyone, there are a lot of us just like you. The question is why haven't you? Is it because you didn't know what to say? I have a challenge for you: print out this devotion and tell someone the "good news" of Jesus Christ before the end of the day with this phrase in mind -- "Successful evangelism is sharing Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God."
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