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Finding True Rest
~ God is faithful to deliver those who trust Him for help.
Scripture Reading:
"I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken." ~ Psalm 62:1-2
Have you ever carried a heavy object for so long that your arms start to burn from its weight? You count the steps until you can finally set it down, and when you do, relief floods your body as the pain subsides. We can feel something similar in our spirit when we surrender our burdens to the Lord.
David understood this kind of relief well. With his enemies in relentless pursuit, he was forced to hide to save his life. The weight he carried was evident as he cried out in distress, “How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1). Yet, through his extended season of challenges, David experienced God’s faithfulness as well as His consolation in the anguish.
Remembering that God is faithful will bring release from the weight of our worries. So let’s hold to the perspective that God is at work and keep our eyes fixed on the solution rather than the problems. Then, like David, we will be able to say, “I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:2).
While you are learning to release your burdens, be sure to talk to God in prayer (Psalm 62:8) and wait in hope for Him (Psalm 62:5). And never forget that He is your rock and salvation.
That is true relief.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/finding-true-rest
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I've been reading through the Book of Jeremiah for the past month, and I agree with you on the resemblance of the peoples of Israel turning their back on the LORD God who saved them time-after-time, and with the today's people of the USA. In spite of all the wickedness that the people did, Jehovah - their God, continued to give them opportunities to turn-back to Him, and He would relent on the destruction that was about to happen to them. I believe - like then - God is giving the USA similar opportunities to repent, and turn away from our iniquities - or, in His wrath our nation will be destroyed. As "Christians", it is our duty - as it was Jeremiah's - to sound the alarms to all of those within our "circle of influence" that the time to repent has never been greater than it is today.
Thanks for the shared Word brother Plugger!
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Renewal of Purpose
~ May the Holy Spirit reveal within us the true reason we were created, and guide us down the path of purpose today in His presence.
You and I were born with a deep desire to live with purpose. As children, we dream of doing something significant with our lives. We dream of being a person who makes a difference in the world. Inherent in all of us is a longing to make a deep and lasting impact. Our longing for purpose only becomes a problem as we begin seeking out its source. Most of us live our lives in constant pursuit of finding out why we’re here, seeking the answer to the question: “What am I uniquely made for?” And we look for the answers in all the wrong places. We look for our purpose in each other, in the ever-changing whims of society, or internally, in what seems to make us feel good in the moment. But God has a better purpose for our lives than we could ever find in the world. He has a purpose so great, so powerful, and so lasting that when we get a glimpse of it, we will forever be changed. God has a page in His grand narrative written just for you, to use you to make a unique and eternal impact on the earth.
Jeremiah 29:11 says:
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Let us not miss the importance of what God would reveal to us today because we’ve heard something before. Instead, let’s dive in deeper and see what God’s Word would reveal to us about that purpose. In John 15:16 Jesus says, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.” You are chosen by God. You aren’t secondary to someone else in God’s kingdom. He has formed you and chosen you to “go and bear fruit.” And Jesus desires that our fruit would “abide.” He has chosen you to make a lasting impact on the earth.
So, what lasting fruit does God intend for you here?
Answering this question should start with the Words of Jesus. Allow God’s commandments to lay the defining foundation of your purpose. In response to the question of what the greatest commandment is, Jesus replies, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31). Your purpose here on earth is to love God and love others. God has chosen to use love to bring about salvation. He’s chosen to use love as the catalyst for spiritual awakening. It’s love that is God’s driving force, and it’s love that He longs to instill in us as our highest goal. Understand today that you are formed and called to love above all else.
Scripture also tells us that we have been chosen to be carriers and ministers of the kingdom of God. Jesus said in Mark 1:15, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” God’s kingdom is here on earth. And Revelation 5:10 says, “You have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” We are not purposed to merely suffer and wait for heaven. God’s kingdom is here on earth, and we are His workmanship. We are His priests. Acts 26:16 says, “Rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you.” Matthew 28:19 says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,”
Your life here is of eternal value.
A life spent simply waiting for heaven is a life wasted. God has placed an eternal purpose on your life, a purpose meant to be pursued and lived out every minute of every day. You don’t have time to waste. And the compelling truth is, you will never be satisfied until you devote your life to ministering this incredible gospel of restoration and love. Until you pursue seeing God’s kingdom come through your job, relationships, and time, you will never experience the joy and passion only God’s purpose can bring you. God doesn’t have a cookie-cutter mold He tries to fit all believers into. He’s formed you for a specific and unique purpose no other believer will be able to accomplish. His plans for you are your own and no other’s. So, choose today to live your life for your heavenly Father. Work with Him in all that you do. Love Him and others with every fiber of your being. And experience the joy of making a deep, eternal impact with all that you do. May God renew your sense of purpose today.
• What will God say about your life when you get finished here?
• Will your life have been spent in pursuit of Him and His kingdom, or, in building up a small kingdom here that will pass away like the changing of seasons?
• Will your life be of fleeting or eternal impact?
Only you can choose how you will live your life. May you make the choice today and every day to live the only life that truly matters. God has incredible plans and purposes in store for you if you will simply open your heart and your hands to Him and say, “Use me.”
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~ published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/devotionals/renewal-of-purpose-2023/
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Learning to Stand Still
"...Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation He will provide for you today;" ~ Exodus 14:13
The Israelites had just left 400 years of slavery in Egypt. They had fled to the desert, but they had come to a dead end at the Red Sea. Word reached them that Pharaoh had changed his mind. He was sending his troops to recapture the Israelites. They cried out to their leader Moses, complaining that he had brought them that far only to die in the desert.
Learning when to move and when to stand is the greatest challenge for a believer. We are trained for action. We are not trained to sit idly and wait. We are trained to solve problems, not wait for them to resolve themselves. However, God says there are times to wait. We are to wait until He says go. If we go before He says go, we likely will make our situation worse.
If the Israelites had attempted to cross the Red Sea before it parted, they would have drowned. If they had fled north to try to avoid the Egyptians, God would not have moved in a miraculous way. God cannot work on our behalf if we continually try to solve our problem when He has instructed us to stand still. Standing still is sometimes the greatest action we can do, although it is the most difficult thing to do in the Christian walk.
Stand still when He says stand and see the deliverance of the Lord!
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~ published by: The Daily Encourager
To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
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The Renewal of Your Mind
~ May God guide each of us down the path to renewing our minds in His presence, and through His Word today, that we might experience a greater measure of abundant life in Him.
The mind is the vehicle in which thoughts and ideas become emotions, beliefs, and actions. You hear things every day that attempt to influence the way you see yourself and your life. Advertising tells you that you are constantly in need of something bigger and better to be happy. People tell you who you are and what you should do based only on their limited perspectives. You also have a very real enemy who hates you, working to convince you that you aren’t worth love, you’re good at nothing, and you’ll never amount to anything.
But God, because of His incredible love for you, has given you the Holy Spirit and His Word.
He’s given you the ability to renew your mind to the truth of how He sees you and feels about you, the truth of who you really are. Every day, you have the chance to experience the much-needed renewal of your emotions, perspectives, and beliefs. Every day, God longs to speak the truth of your identity through His Word and Spirit.
So, let’s look today at the power of renewing our minds and how we can consistently experience that renewal.
Romans 12:1-2 says:
“Therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
When we renew our minds, we are presenting ourselves as worship to God. You worship God when you choose to believe His Word over others’ words. You love God when you trust Him over your feelings and limited perspective. And when you renew your mind, you are conforming no longer to the world, with its destruction and many lies. God puts conforming to the lies of the world and renewing your mind to the truth in stark contrast.
Romans 8:5-6 further illustrates the point:
“For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.”
When you set your mind on the Spirit, you will begin to experience life in your thoughts. Your way of thinking will be transformed from being negative and destructive to positive and responsive to God’s boundless love and grace. What you choose to trust and believe will impact every area of your life for either good or bad.
So, in light of the incredible promises of God’s Word, how can you experience the fruit of renewing your mind? How can you continually set your mind on the things of the Spirit?
First, you have to make time to open your mind and heart to Scripture every day. The best time to experience renewal in your mind is when you first wake up. Every morning, you can lay the foundation for what you will believe and how you will think for the rest of the day.
Second, you have to read Scripture while listening to the Holy Spirit. Scripture will come alive when you spend time reading it with the guidance and teaching of the Spirit. In John 14:16-17 Jesus says:
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of Truth. The world is unable to receive Him because it doesn’t see Him or know Him. But you do know Him, because He remains with you and will be in you.”
Spend time allowing your Helper, the Spirit of Truth, to reveal the ways in which He desires to apply Scripture to your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to be your Teacher as you read.
Third, you have to live in obedience to God’s Word. The Bible isn’t merely historical, but a book full of practical and applicable truth that has the ability to change your life. When you open your heart to God’s Word and choose to believe it, you will experience transformation. When you obey God’s commands, they will bear incredible fruit in your life. God’s Word is meant to direct you to the abundant life He has planned for you. Have faith in the Words of Scripture. Choose to believe God’s promises.
Last, you must see yourself in light of God’s Word. You have the choice to believe God or not.
The Bible says incredible things about your identity in Christ:
“He made the One who did not know sin to be a sin offering for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21
The Bible says that you are God’s child, that you are worth the death of Christ and that you are free from the bondage of sin and the world. Those are powerful promises. But in order for you to experience the fullness of what Scripture says, you must renew your way of thinking to be like God’s. Paul says that “we have the mind of Christ” as people born of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:16).
So, set your mind every day on the things of God. Read Scripture with the help of the Spirit, walk in obedience to God’s Word, and see yourself as God does. If you will do these things daily, your entire outlook on life will be one of contentment, joy, purpose, and abundance.
• Where do you need to renew your mind today?
• What area of your life seems to be plagued by negativity, insecurity, or anger?
Spend time reading God’s Word with the Holy Spirit. Receive revelation from the very God who authored the Word you’re reading. Meditate on the Words that stand out to you, and allow them to change the way you think, feel, and act. Experience renewal today in your way of thinking, and watch as renewing your mind changes your entire day for the better.
How great is the love of God that He would give us the incredible gift of His Word to mold and shape us! Your heavenly Father loves you too much to let you stay where you are. Every day He has a plan to lead you into more and more abundant life. When you wake up, take a minute to ask yourself what you want your day to be like. What sort of life do you want to live today? Then ask the Spirit to help you renew your mind to God’s Truth so you can live that life. Walk in freedom today. Live with your mind set on the Spirit. And experience the incredible life God has planned for you as His child. You’ll never have a better day than one where your mind is renewed to the Truth of God’s unfathomable love.
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~ published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/devotionals/the-renewal-of-your-mind-2023/
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James: The Recipe For Victory Part One: Ore to Gold
"Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing." ~ James 1:2-4
The worldly perspective about winning is clear. We measure winning by what we accumulate:
Fame. Money. Followers. Our success is measured by the physical treasures we put in our storage sheds.
On the other hand, the Biblical view of winning is not about what we can accumulate but who we are:
Character. We win life by being, not by getting. True victory is about learning to encounter our trials with character.
Only by taking this view of success can we celebrate struggle. Like ore refined by pressure, we become who we are by facing our trials with courage and a proper perspective. Coal is turned into diamonds by the stress put upon it. And the same is true for us.
If we take the earthly view of success, it makes sense to avoid pain as a priority. What accumulation is there in suffering? What tangible prize do we get from our sorrow? In a strictly practical sense, our suffering has no market value. It is a setback. Endurance is an obstacle to be diminished rather than an opportunity to grow.
But in God’s economy, suffering is a path. Trials are a testing ground, an arena to develop and exercise our character.
James tells us to “consider it joy” when we encounter trials because winning requires a test. James presents life as a championship match. An opportunity to overcome self-seeking and choose instead to walk with the Lord. To endure and persevere and overcome when we encounter trials.
We are ore being refined into gold. We are not pirates gathering treasure. We are people becoming treasure. Pursuing the character and perspective of God. The opportunity presented is for us to become complete, to be all God created us to be. Material wealth ends up in a landfill, but spiritual wealth is a gold that endures.
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~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net/devotional/ore-to-gold/
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Why God Closes Doors
~ We may not always understand what God allows, but we can always trust who He is.
Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 10:23-24
Yesterday we discussed closed doors. Now let’s look at some reasons why God might block our way.
Closed doors:
1. Prevent mistakes.
Just because a path is clear doesn’t mean it’s the one God wants us to follow. Sometimes we won’t have the information we need to make a wise decision, so He bars the way either spiritually or physically. The Holy Spirit can see the whole road map for our life, which is why we are to follow His guidance.
2. Redirect our walk.
Sometimes God has a different opportunity in mind — one that will yield bigger fruit, more contentment, and greater impact for the kingdom.
3. Test faith and build perseverance.
Waiting for the Lord to speak or act is hard. But we’ll learn wisdom, patience, and trust by pausing prayerfully until He reveals His will.
4. Buy us time.
God may temporarily hold shut an opportunity for service until a believer is properly equipped for kingdom work.
Despite the repeated references to “closed doors” in this devotion, the real message is that God opens doors. He has created a perfect pathway for us to follow. Keep your feet on it, and you will walk over thresholds leading to service, satisfaction, and glory for the Lord. Amen
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/why-god-closes-doors-2
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Empty No More
~ Are you restless and yearning for something you can't identify? Spend time with God.
Scripture Reading:
"You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore." ~ Psalm 16:11
In a posthumously published work called "Pensées" (the French word for “thoughts”), religious philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal discussed the hunger mankind feels that can’t be satisfied by human effort. The passage is well worth reading, so let’s take a look at it together.
Pascal wrote:
“What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace? This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him ... though none can help, since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words, by God Himself.”
There’s a reason why life feels empty: God created us with a yearning — one that He alone can satisfy. We can’t be fulfilled until we experience the Lord’s transforming and unconditional love. Jesus said, “I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). In other words, God wants us to feel complete, but that can happen only through a relationship with Him.
We can know joy and contentment when we seek God above all else.
Pray for His guidance, and ask Him to fill your life as only He can:
"O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen You in Your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You! I will praise You as long as I live, lifting up my hands to You in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise You with songs of joy." ~ Psalm 63:1-5
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/empty-no-more
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The New Covenant Prophecy Fulfilled
“Look, the days are coming” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt — a covenant they broke even though I had married them” — the Lord’s declaration. “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days” — the Lord’s declaration. “I will put My teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. No longer will one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least to the greatest of them” — this is the Lord’s declaration. “For I will forgive their wrongdoing and never again remember their sin.” ~ Jeremiah 31:31-34
God established the "New Covenant" with all peoples - not just the nation of Israel. The "New Covenant" is through the sacrificial death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The writing upon our hearts of the "New Covenant" is by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to those that have accepted the "New Covenant" through Jesus Christ.
If you have not yet received this "New Covenant" of God, then send me a message, and together we will explore this wonderful and free gift from God.
Be blessed my friends!
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Confronting a Closed Door
~ When God closes a door, He will always open a better one.
Scripture Reading: Acts 16:5-10
• Have you ever faced a closed door?
• It’s extremely frustrating, right?
The apostle Paul knew exactly how that felt. On his second missionary journey, he repeatedly found the way blocked by the Holy Spirit. Eventually the apostle arrived in Troas with nothing but the sea in front of him and closed doors behind.
It must have seemed strange to Paul that God would prevent him from spreading the gospel. But instead of getting angry or trying to force his way into new territory, Paul waited for the Lord’s direction. The Bible doesn’t tell us how long he and Timothy lingered in Troas, but the apostle didn’t move until the Lord revealed the entrance to a new mission field.
If you’re in a period of waiting, try doing what Paul did. Look at your situation as a chance to seek God’s purpose and guidance. Ask the Lord why He has barred the way forward — perhaps the timing is wrong or there’s some unconfessed sin to deal with. Whatever the reason, it’s important to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading — and to be ready for the door that will open.
When an opportunity is blocked, God has a reason. He is providing love and protection, even when we don’t see it. And He’s keeping His promise to work everything for our good:
"We know that God works together in all things for the ultimate good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose." ~ Romans 8:28
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/confronting-a-closed-door
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From the Pastor’s Heart – February 2024
~ The apostle Paul learned to trust God always, and you can too.
Here in Atlanta, Georgia, we’re noticing that even in winter, when the rosebushes are dormant, they still have their thorns. Isn’t that how it can be in the spiritual life? Some trials persist, though we plead with God to bring them to an end. But His grace carries us through. We pray that the following message from Dr. Stanley will encourage you to endure tenacious problems in your life — just as Paul endured his “thorn.”
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As a pastor, I’ve often helped people walk through trying times. Some responded by drawing closer to the Lord, growing in trust and dependence on Him. But I’ve also seen people give up, saying, “If this is the Christian life, I don’t want anything to do with it.”
• How do you respond in tough times?
• Are you confident that the Lord knows what He’s doing and will bring you through it?
• Do you begin to doubt that He loves you?
• If the outward evidence that He’s working on your behalf isn’t apparent, do you still trust that He is?
Most Christians I’ve met would like to trust God in every situation, but it’s not always easy.
Jesus didn’t promise us a problem-free life. In fact, He said the opposite: “In Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation” (John 16:33).
This is our reality, but if we keep our focus on Him instead of our troubles, we can endure anything thanks to His perfect peace. Isn’t that what we want?
The apostle Paul endured unimaginable suffering, but he never gave up on the Lord.
At one point, he was so afflicted by what he called “a thorn in the flesh” that he fervently begged God three times to remove it (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Yet the only answer he received was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (v. 9).
How would you feel if after praying for relief, God gave you that answer?
No promise of a change in circumstances, just the grace to go through them. What if the situation went on for years? Could you respond like Paul, saying, “Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me” (v. 9)?
Thorns teach us that God’s grace is sufficient.
When we’re at our weakest, without control of the situation, we must rely on the Lord and His strength. And He always comes to our rescue. Sometimes He rescues us from the situation. But other times, deliverance comes through His superabundant grace to go through the trial for as long as it lasts.
God’s grace is His provision for us at the point of our need. Not almost enough, but all-sufficient, overflowing provision. No matter how long or how great the trouble or suffering, the Lord will strengthen us to walk through it. Not with defeated resignation, but with confident assurance.
Troubles are opportunities to learn contentment.
After hearing God’s reason for letting the “thorn in the flesh” remain, Paul responded, “Therefore, I delight (am content) in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10).
You’re probably wondering how you could ever be content with these things. Well, you can’t manufacture it with pep talks. It comes only through God’s grace working in your life.
Paul had to learn contentment (Philippians 4:11-13). It had nothing to do with favorable circumstances, but with his focus. If we fixate on the problems, they’ll grow insurmountable in our eyes. But when our minds are centered on the Lord and the truths of His Word, we’re able to accept every circumstance, knowing that He’s sovereign, His grace is sufficient, and He walks with us through it.
Difficulties stimulate spiritual growth.
How many spiritual lessons have you learned when life was easy? Probably not many. It’s usually in the darkest periods of life that we grow the most because all distractions are stripped away, and the Lord is the only one who can help us. After passing through the valley with Him at our side, we come out with a more accurate understanding of the Lord and His ways and deeper trust in His sovereign choices for our lives.
Isn’t it a great encouragement to know that you can walk through thorny experiences in a way that transforms your life and glorifies God?
You have the promise of His sufficient grace and strength to handle whatever comes your way. So trust Him, and let each trial be an opportunity to experience the peace of Jesus Christ, learn contentment, and grow in spiritual maturity.
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We’re always blessed to remember Dr. Stanley’s grace under pressure. He not only observed the trials of others but experienced many of his own during his long ministry.
May you find patience in your difficulties and know that you are not alone: “The family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:9). Till next time, God bless you.
For His Glory,
Your Friends at In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/from-pastors-heart/february-2024
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God's Plan for Renewal
~ May God teach and guide us into daily renewal as we make space every morning for Him to fill.
God has an incredible plan for renewal in your life. He knows better than anyone the trials, circumstances, and people that wear you down. And He knows that you need time to be refreshed by Him. Often, we seek rest and renewal from people and entertainment. Our friends, family, and entertainment can be great sources of fun and rest to be sure, but the only consistent and true source of renewal we have is spending time with our heavenly Father. Only He knows to the full extent what you need. And only He can give it to you. So, before we dive into the process of having specific areas of our lives renewed by God this week, let’s allow Him to simply reveal how to rest in His Word and presence.
First, let’s look at what Scripture says about our need for renewal. 2 Corinthians 4:16 says, “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” Because of the nature of sin and separation from God, we as humans will not live in our fleshly bodies forever. Genesis 3:19 says, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” But we also have the promise of Jesus in John 11:26 that “everyone who lives and believes in [Him] shall never die.” We live on the earth knowing one day our earthly bodies will pass away, and we will at the same time be taken from this world to the next. But God’s desire is that while you are here in this body you would be renewed in your spirit every day. Though your body will grow weary, He desires to strengthen your spirit with the hope of an everlasting life with an all-loving God who cares for you. You can meet with God every day. You’ve been given the ability through the Spirit to rest in God’s presence, to know His nearness and love. You can have the same experience as Paul in being “renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16).
So, how can we experience God’s promised renewal? How do we rest in God’s presence and allow Him to revive us?
First, it starts with trusting that God will reveal His love to you when you meet with Him. In Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17, He asks God to love us with the same love with which He loves Jesus (John 17:26). When you ask Him to show you His love, He will. When you make space to encounter Him, He will fill you with His presence. Trust that God loves to meet with you and renew you.
Also, foundational to experiencing renewal is engaging in worship. You and I are created to worship. It is both our highest goal and greatest success. When you engage in worship daily, you will experience a renewed sense of purpose and direction.
Lastly, spend time reading God’s Word, allowing it to change you and lead you to obedience. You must experience renewal in areas of your life that are not aligned with God’s Word. You have to spend time allowing yourself to be shaped and transformed by what God says is best for you. So much of being renewed by God is choosing to believe His Word over our experience of what we feel is true.
Let your faith be stirred to encounter your heavenly Father today. You can earnestly desire to meet with Him without any fear or reservation that you won’t experience His renewal. Know that when you wake up every morning, God has a plan for the time you spend with Him and the ability to reveal it to you through the Holy Spirit.
God earnestly desires to renew you this week. He longs to heal the wounded and dry places in your life. Spend time today meditating on God’s promise of renewal, and allow your desires to be stirred to receive all that your heavenly Father longs to give you.
May the prayer of your heart today be like David’s in Psalm 63:1-3:
“God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. So, I gaze on You in the sanctuary to see Your strength and Your glory. My lips will glorify You because Your faithful love is better than life.”
Just as David looked upon the Lord in His sanctuary, you can see God daily. Just as he beheld God’s power, glory, and love, you can experience God. May you be renewed today as you step out into the world, and may God’s strength be your source as you seek to live in light of His glorious nearness.
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~ published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/devotionals/god's-plan-for-renewal-2023/
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Rolling Stone tells the story of Hobby Lobby founders, “He Gets Us,” and God’s love
Given its obvious biases, I don’t usually turn to Rolling Stone for objective reporting on cultural issues. But that fact makes my point today.
The magazine is currently carrying the headline: “This Evangelical Billionaire Family Wants to Convert You on Super Bowl Sunday.” The article profiles the Green family, founders of Hobby Lobby, and their support for “He Gets Us,” a media campaign to share the good news of God’s love.
As expected, the profile puts the family’s positions on birth control, transgender bathrooms, and other moral issues in the worst possible light. But the very fact that Rolling Stone is telling the story of the campaign and its planned ads for Sunday’s Super Bowl advances the campaign’s mission.
The article quotes David Green’s statement in a podcast interview:
"What we’re known as, as Christians, we’re known as haters. We’re beginning to be known as haters — we hate this group, we hate that group. But we’re not. We are people that have the very, very best love story ever written, and we need to tell that love story. So, our idea is, let’s tell the story. As a Christian, you should love everybody. Jesus loved everybody."
Now, through God’s mysterious providence, even Rolling Stone is telling that “love story” to its readers.
Stories change the world.
In a lost culture experiencing a burgeoning crisis of meaning, stories of hope like the "He Gets Us" campaign resonate powerfully.
Conversely, due to the intrinsic power of stories, false narratives can do much harm.
For example, many have been telling children struggling with gender dysphoria the story that they need to “transition” their bodies to align with their preferred gender. No questions or exceptions are permitted. If parents or others disagree, they are castigated as “transphobic” and discriminatory.
Now the New York Times is reporting that, despite this pervasive story, eight in ten cases of gender dysphoria resolve themselves by puberty. In addition, 30 percent of people on gender-transitioning hormone therapy discontinue its use within four years, even though its effects, including infertility, are often irreversible.
Nonetheless, the article notes that advocates for “transitioning” are often so rigid and doctrinaire that they refuse to admit the drawbacks to so-called “gender-affirming care.”
In his book "Social and Cultural Dynamics", the famed Harvard sociologist Pitirim Sorokin distinguished between “ideational” and “sensate” cultures.
He explained that for the latter, “reality is that which can be perceived by the organs of sense.” People with this mentality “try to adapt themselves to those conditions which appear to the sense organs,” believing the world to be whatever they perceive it to be.
By contrast, “ideational” people “do not try to adapt themselves to what now seems superficial, illusory, unreal. They strive to adapt themselves to the true reality which is beyond appearances.”
In the mid-1950s, Sorokin was one of the few scholars to foresee the harmful trends of the sexual revolution that burst into social consciousness in the 1960s. America has clearly shifted from an ideational culture centered in objective truth and biblical morality to a sensate culture driven by subjective opinions and personal pleasure.
Have the trends Sorokin foresaw come to pass?
• Declining birth rates and a diminished parental commitment to the welfare of children.
• Vastly increased erotic content in movies, plays, novels, magazines, television shows, radio programs, song lyrics, and commercial advertising.
• Increased divorce, promiscuity, premarital sex, extramarital sex, homosexuality, spousal abandonment, and out-of-wedlock births.
• A growing increase in juvenile delinquency, psychological depression, and mental breakdowns.
In short, how is our “sensate,” post-truth culture working for us?
The good news is that the Christian story resonates deeply with human beings. Its promise to forgive our mistakes and alleviate our guilt, to give us a new start and an abiding hope, to make our lives abundant and eternally significant, speaks to the “God-shaped emptiness” in us all.
When we experience this transformation personally, our story magnifies the story (John 8:31–32). Then, when we tell our story with compassion and candor, “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), the Spirit speaks to the souls of those we influence.
As missiologist and Oxford University visiting scholar Ed Stetzer notes:
“God has made relationships his chosen delivery system for the gospel of hope.”
David Green explained why "He Gets Us" advertises during the Super Bowl, the most expensive TV event of the year:
“We really feel that we need, as a group of Christians, to tell 350 million people that he cares about you and he gets you.”
How will you join them today?
______________
~ published by: Denison Ministries
https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/rolling-stone-hobby-lobby-founders-he-gets-us-gods-love/
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To Know Christ
"That I may know Him (Christ Jesus)..." ~ Philippians 3:10
To know Christ is our desire.
To serve Christ is our privilege.
To follow Christ is our goal.
To preach Christ is our calling.
To see Christ is our reward.
Amen.
_____________
~ by Ray Pritchard (https://www.keepbelieving.com)
To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
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Ask Confidently
~ Our Father wants us to realize that we can ask for what we need and trust Him to care for us.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:7-11
Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus had been teaching the crowd how to walk with Him — to be pure in heart, to have mercy, to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:1-48; Matthew 6:1-34). Imagine Him looking around at each person whom He loved so very much. He must have known every laugh line, wrinkle, and scar on their eager faces. Even more amazingly, He also knew their hopes and dreams, their fears and doubts. And so He concluded His revolutionary sermon by saying, “Ask, and it will be given to you” (Matthew 7:7). But did they — and do we — really understand what that means?
Asking the Father for anything requires faith — not only in His capacity to meet our needs but also in His desire to do so. That’s why Jesus reassured His listeners with visible, tangible examples of a fish, snake, loaf, and stone (Matthew 7:9-10). If we want nothing more than to give good things to our loved ones, He says, we can trust that God in His perfect love desires to give us even greater blessings.
When Jesus tells us to ask, He affirms our identity as beloved children. He’s more than able and willing to meet our needs; our part is believing we are loved enough to make a request. Whatever you need today, ask with confidence and thanksgiving, knowing that your prayer will be answered in whatever way He deems best.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/ask-confidently
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Iran is “closer than ever” to a Nuclear Bomb
~ Why this is a global threat, and how Christians should respond.
The world is watching the latest negotiations in the Israel–Hamas war amid ongoing attacks by the Houthis and Hezbollah. In the meantime, we should not miss this headline from the Jerusalem Post: “Iran closer than ever to weaponizing uranium, building nuclear bomb.”
The "Institute for Science and International Security" is sounding the alarm and has upgraded its threat level to “Extreme Danger,” the highest of its six ratings, for the first time since the group began following the Iranian nuclear program in the 1990s. They warn that the country could make enough highly enriched uranium to fashion a nuclear explosive in a week and could build and deliver a weapon in “about six months.”
Why would Iran choose to do so?
And why is this such an “extreme danger” to the world?
At first glance, today’s news seems less than alarming on the assumption that Iran knows a nuclear attack on Israel or the US would lead to a swift and devastating nuclear retaliation against their country.
But this goes both ways: a nuclear-armed Iran would likely feel protected from aggression by its enemies and thus emboldened to escalate its proxy war on Israel and the West. It would pose an immediate threat to countries without nuclear weapons such as Turkey and Saudi Arabia and would probably incite them to seek such weapons, further heightening tensions in the region.
Military action against Iran (likely from Israel) to prevent its acquisition of nuclear weapons would likely escalate the ongoing regional conflict. And there is always the chance of a catastrophic — if not apocalyptic — nuclear accident.
But there’s one other crucial factor we dare not overlook:
An Iranian apocalypse.
As I noted in my book, "The War in Israel", Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) views its ultimate mission as preparing the way for the Mahdi (a Muslim messianic figure) to return and dominate the world for Islam. Preparations for this return escalated after Ayatollah Khamenei assumed the mantle of supreme leader in 1989 and especially in the aftermath of the 2009 anti-regime protests.
The IRGC views the existence of Israel as the “greatest barrier” to the reemergence of the Mahdi. Iran’s hardline clergy now claim that the “Jewish state will be destroyed before Mahdi’s arrival.”
If Iran can employ its regional proxies to force Israelis to abandon Israel, it will have achieved this necessary step in hastening the Mahdi’s return. If this strategy proves unsuccessful, will it turn to direct war with Israel?
If so, given the Israel Defense Forces’ overwhelming military superiority, would Iran utilize a strike-first nuclear weapon?
Bernard Lewis, the Princeton professor and renowned Middle East scholar, warned that the threat of many Iranians perishing in a war does not deter Iran’s leadership, which believes “it would be doing them a favor by giving them a free pass to heaven” as martyrs in a jihad. In a Wall Street Journal article, he added that to Iran’s leaders, an attack on Israel that killed Muslims would only speed them to heaven. And a response that devastated Iran “would have no meaning” since “what will matter will be the final destination of the dead — hell for the infidels, and heaven for the believers.”
For people with such a mindset, Lewis warned, mutually assured destruction “is not a constraint; it is an inducement.” And since many in Iran believe that the Mahdi will kill all the Jews when he comes, some may even believe that he would return to protect them from such retribution.
“Bad ideas have victims”
Israel and the West should obviously respond to this apocalyptic scenario by doing whatever is necessary to keep Iran from possessing nuclear weapons. Christians should also respond by praying fervently for a spiritual awakening that would transform Iran’s leaders from genocidal persecutors to Christ-following peacemakers. (If you doubt such a possibility, remember what Jesus did with Saul of Tarsus.)
But today’s discussion highlights one other point today:
Worldviews change the world.
Thousands have died and millions are being affected by Hamas’s vow to kill the Jews as demonstrated by its October 7 atrocities. From Russia to China to North Korea and Cuba, Marx’s communist ideology continues to impact and enslave millions. Moral relativism is fueling an epidemic of pornography, sexual confusion, drug overdoses, euthanasia, and suicide in the US.
I often quote this observation by my friend John Stonestreet: “Ideas have consequences. Bad ideas have victims.”
But here’s the good news: biblical ideas have victors.
Consider these facts:
"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. . . .By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward" ~ Psalm 19:7–9, 11
How fully will you experience the “great reward” of your Father today?
________________
~ published by: Denison Ministries
https://www.denisonforum.org/daily-article/iran-closer-than-ever-to-nuclear-bomb/
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A Different Kind of Slow
~ God's timing is perfect — He doesn't rush and is never late.
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-9
Bakers of sourdough bread learn to wait patiently. Sourdough is a “slow” bread that requires more time, effort, and attention than some other kinds. And because it depends on natural processes, it cannot be rushed. The result, though, is worth the patient waiting that it demands.
In a similar way, certain spiritual benefits can be gained only through waiting. For example, some of the early Christians felt frustrated by God’s delay. They had believed Jesus would return very soon, in their lifetimes. But time was moving on, and none of the promises they expected to see fulfilled were coming to pass. In fact, Peter warned believers that mockers would say “all things continue just as they were” (2 Peter 3:4). He reminded the people that our perception of time differs from God’s. For Him, decades and millennia pass like moments and days. So saying God is “slow” to keep His promise suggests a serious misunderstanding.
Not only is God not slow, Peter says, but what seems like slowness is actually God’s patience. Like the sourdough baker, God unhurriedly waits for something better — to see more people accept His gracious gift. We can wait patiently, too, if we understand that God’s delays always lead to something better than we can imagine.
_________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/a-different-kind-of-slow
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The Guiding Light of God’s Deliverance
~ When you are afraid, give God your fears and trust Him to provide the strength and peace you need.
Scripture Reading: Psalm 34:1-7
During times of trial and uncertainty, worry can engulf our heart. But today’s passage serves as an unwavering beacon of hope: “I sought the Lord and He answered me, and rescued me from all my fears” (v. 4). When we feel vulnerable and assailed by doubt, God stands ready to be our guiding light, leading us through the darkness of fear into the comforting embrace of His love.
Like a lighthouse whose beam pierces the night, God’s presence offers reassurance in our life. When we earnestly seek Him, pouring out our fears and worries, He answers with a love that transcends our understanding. In the warmth of His compassion, we find strength to face our fears head-on, knowing we are not alone on a dark sea. God’s deliverance doesn’t mean our circumstances will change. Instead, it offers a transformative inner peace that steadies our mind and heart. It empowers us to walk through life’s challenges with the realization that our faith in Him is stronger than the grip of fear.
Let us take solace in knowing that even when we feel afraid, God is ever-present, guiding us with His divine light. In the darkest moments, His love shines through, illuminating the path ahead. As we seek Him, He becomes our rock, our refuge, and our source of courage.
______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/the-guiding-light-of-god-s-deliverance
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Wearing You Down
"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." ~ 1 Peter 5:8
When I was 14, my dad would allow me to back the car out of the drive and put it under our only shade tree if I agreed to wash and polish it. Since I would do just about anything for the opportunity to drive, the car got washed and polished often.
One day while polishing the front bumper, I was shocked to discover that I was buffing the paint off. I had worn down a spot to the primer. Dad wasn't all that surprised but I was.
That is exactly how Satan works. He wears you down. Watchman Nee explains the work of the devil like this:
"Satan has in fact a plan against the saints of the Most High which is to wear them out. What is meant by this phrase, "wear out"? It has in it the idea of reducing a little this minute, then reducing a little further the next minute. Reduce a little today, reduce a little tomorrow. Thus the wearing out is almost imperceptible; nevertheless, it is a reducing.
The wearing down is scarcely an activity of which one is conscious, yet the end result is that there is nothing left. He will take away your prayer life little by little, and cause you to trust God less and less and yourself more and more, a little at a time. He will make you feel somewhat cleverer than before. Step by step, you are misled to rely more on your own gift, and step by step your heart is enticed away from the Lord.
Now, were Satan to strike the children of God with great force at one time, they would know exactly how to resist the enemy since they would immediately recognize his work. He uses the method of gradualism to wear down the people of God." (Watchman Nee)
But God has promised us hope and we need only to remember the words of Isaiah:
"Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary." ~ Isaiah 40:31
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~ by Jim Lee
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Letting Go of Anxiety
~ Will you trust God with everything that burdens your heart?
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:6-7
Amidst life’s hardships, God lovingly tells us to cast our anxieties on Him (1 Peter 5:7). He knows our heart and cares deeply about every aspect of our life. As we surrender our fears and worries to Him, we experience the peace that surpasses all understanding and find comfort in His unfailing love.
In a world marked by stress and anxiety, God offers an anchor for our restless souls. Many of us are beset by storms and feel as if we must navigate life’s challenges on our own. But the truth is, we have a heavenly Father who is ever-present and eager to handle our anxieties.
As believers, we’re not exempt from worry, but we are called to approach our fears with a different perspective. That is, we’re invited to shift our focus from the problems surrounding us to the One who holds the universe in His hands. God’s care for His children is not limited to the grandiose; it extends to the tiniest details of daily life.
Casting our anxieties upon the Lord is an act of surrender, which requires acknowledging our limitations and embracing His sovereignty. Though submitting in this way may not eliminate life’s challenges, doing so helps us face them with courage and trust.
_______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/letting-go-of-anxiety
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Good word brother! Thanks for the share!
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Embracing God’s Love in Our Relationships
~ God offers wise guidance for relationships: Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving.
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:25-32
Ephesians 4:32 is a heartwarming invitation from God: “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
These words serve as a loving blueprint for our relationships and urge us to mirror the Father’s love in our interactions.
God’s instruction is clear: Be kind. Compassion must be the foundation of our actions. It helps us to be tenderhearted and empathetic. Understanding the joys and sorrows of others enables us to create spaces where love thrives and wounds are healed. Christ also taught us to be forgiving — holding a grudge only weighs us down and blocks the freedom that comes with extending forgiveness. But by following God’s example, we break the chains of bitterness and embrace the liberating power of love.
In our daily life, we encounter countless opportunities to practice this divine kindness. A smile to brighten someone’s day, a listening ear to ease a burden, or a gentle word of encouragement — these simple acts can transform hearts and deepen connections. Let us not forget that we are called to love others as God loves us. His love is unconditional, extravagant, and all-encompassing. Today, let Ephesians 4:32 be our guiding light, reminding us to live as we are meant to: full of kindness and love.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/embracing-god-s-love-in-our-relationships
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Godly Living
"You must put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to all, because we are members of one another. Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil a foothold. The thief must no longer steal. Instead, they must do honest work with their own hands, so that they will have something to share with anyone in need. No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear. And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit. You were sealed by Him for the day of redemption. All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ Jesus."
~ Ephesians 4:25-32
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Victory Over Discouragement
"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the brokenhearted; He saves those crushed in spirit. Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers His children from them all." ~ Psalm 34:17-19
According to legend, the devil once had his tools for sale at a public auction. When the prospective buyers gathered, there was one oddly shaped tool which was labeled "Not for sale". When the buyers asked him to explain why that was, he answered, "I can spare my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is the most useful tool I have. It is called Discouragement, and with it I can work my way into hearts that would otherwise be inaccessible. When I get this tool into a person's heart, the way is open to then plant anything there I may desire".
Satan uses discouragement as a means of tempting us to give up. If he could discourage enough Christians to quit and not pursue the work we are doing for God's Kingdom, he would love it because it would mean he would have less threats to worry about!
Satan will try to use negative people, challenging circumstances, heartbreak, health issues, financial problems, or several other things to discourage us. But when discouragement comes, let us cling to the hope we have in today's verse.
First, who is it that will face troubles?
According to Psalm 34, the righteous person will. So, if you are being attacked, then you are doing something right! You are a bigger threat to Satan and all his schemes than you think. Gather strength knowing that greater is HE that is IN you!! God has given you the victory.
Second, when we are attacked (because at one point or another we will be), let us trust that the Lord hears us when we call and will come to our rescue EACH TIME.
Wow… this sends chills up my spine! Let this be a motivation to get back up and keep going. Whatever the task God has set before us, we are not alone. Satan can try all he wants, but we are children of the Almighty King and we will not be shaken because we are standing on Christ our Rock.
Suggested Prayer: Dear God, thank you because you hear me when I call and will come to my rescue. When temptation comes, or discouragement wants to bring me down, I pray you would remind me of who I am in you. Death could not defeat you and that same power is in me through your Holy Spirit. I ask that you reenergize me, motivate me, strengthen me, and allow me to refocus on you and the work that you have set before me. Thank you for never leaving or forsaking me. You are a good and caring Father in whom I can place my trust. In Jesus' precious name I pray, amen.
______________
~ published by: Daily Encourager
To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
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Renewal of Joy
~ May God guide us today into a meaningful renewal of joy as we set our eyes and hearts on Him.
When I think of the word “joy” I often picture the unadulterated smile of a child’s face. Children have this ability to have joy simply because they’ve found the delight of their parents. The joy of a child is unlike anything most of us experience as we grow up. For most of us, true joy has been crowded out by the pressures and cares of responsibility. Joy becomes contingent upon the circumstances of our lives. Most of us feel the pressure of finances, work, relationships, and even serving God consistently to the point that joy is a pursuit we’ve almost given up on. But God has a message and a plan for you for a renewal of consistent and unshakable joy. Let’s open our hearts and minds to dive into everything God has in store for us as we spend time encountering His desire to bring us joy.
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Our joy is not to be of this world, but of God. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The fullness of joy will only be found in God’s presence, and the Bible tells us that God’s presence is everywhere! Psalm 139:7-10 says, “Where shall I go from Your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.” Because God is everywhere and in His presence is fullness of joy, joy is available to you 24/7. And Scripture teaches us in Romans 14:17 that “The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” God’s lordship in our lives is all about “righteousness and peace and joy.” Our heavenly Father desires to bring about those incredible fruits of the Spirit in you today. He has a plan to lead you to perfect, unshakable joy. But in order to receive the incredible gift your God wants to give you today; you will have to make a choice to place your hope and trust in Him.
Scripture tells us that our joy is to be wholeheartedly found in God and not in the world.
The joy our heavenly Father longs to bring us is meant to transcend anything this world could ever do to us. But in order for God’s desire to come to fruition in our lives, we have to place our hope and trust solely in Him. Psalm 33:21 says, “Our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name.” Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
What we place our trust and belief in becomes the rudder that guides our emotions.
If you place your trust in your job, people, or finances, you are building a foundation for your joy that can be crushed at a moment’s notice. But if you will choose today to place your trust and hope in your Lord Jesus Christ, you will have a sure foundation unshakable by any trial or circumstance that comes your way. In fact, those very trials that had the power to destroy your joy will, in God, become yet another source of it.
James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” When you place your hope and trust in God, your eyes will be opened to see the incredible work He is doing in you through any and every circumstance. Whether you have success in this life or not, you will have joy because your life will be wholly lived with your relationship with God as first priority.
When your goal is to see God’s kingdom come to earth, the circumstances of your job and relationships won’t have the power to shake your joy and satisfaction any longer. You see, God’s plan to is to redeem your life totally and completely. God’s plan is to renew your joy every morning as you place your hope and trust in Him alone.
Spend time today with your heavenly Father doing that very thing. Reflect on your life and see what has had the ability to shake your joy. May your joy become like that of a child’s today, who simply delights in the love of the Father.
“May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy” ~ Colossians 1:11
How incredible is the heart of our God that He would consistently and constantly bring us joy!
Our God has such a love for you that He never wants you to go a day without it. He never wants you to have a moment without His unshakable joy. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Experience the abundant life your God has in store for you as you live your life in a wholehearted pursuit of the joy of your good and present heavenly Father.
_______________
~ published by: Denison Ministries
https://www.first15.org/devotionals/renewal-of-joy-2023/
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A God of Unwavering Love
~ We are precious in the sight of our heavenly Father.
Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 3:16-17
Today’s passage gives us a beautiful promise: “The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will rejoice over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy”. This verse paints a picture of God not only as a powerful warrior but also as a tender and loving Father who delights in His children.
When we face trials, we can find comfort in knowing that God stands by us as a victorious warrior. He fights on our behalf, triumphing over adversity and defeating the forces that seek to harm us. In His strength, we discover resilience, courage, and hope.
At the same time, God reveals His gentler side. He exults over us with joy, taking delight in our growth and successes. Even in our imperfections, we are tenderly embraced by His unconditional acceptance and reminded that we’re cherished with immeasurable love.
When we feel alone or unheard, God’s love is there. He loves us, not from a distance, but intimately — as a compassionate Father who knows our heart’s deepest longings and whispers words of comfort to our soul.
______________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/a-god-of-unwavering-love
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The LORD is my Salvation
"I love You, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
~ Psalm 18:1-2
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Renewal of Your First Love
~ May God guide us to a deeper love of Him today as we open our hearts and hands to meet with Him.
Out of God’s great desire to be truly loved by His people, we have been given the gift of free will to choose who and what we will give our affections to. God, knowing full well that not all of us would choose to love Him, still created us out of His longing for close relationship with us. You see, so great is our heavenly Father’s desire for relationship with us that He suffers as He watches His children choose to love people, ideas, and possessions that will never fully love us in return. So great is His love for us that He responds to our sin of idolatry with grace and mercy every single time. And so vast is His affection for us that He sent His only Son so that we might be restored to close relationship with our heavenly Father once again. But still, we choose to love things other than God. Still, we seek out satisfaction and love from creation rather than the Creator. Still, we choose to place our hope and affections in the world instead of in God. If we are to live the life God intends for us - the only fulfilling life possible - we need a renewal of our first love.
Thousands of years ago, the church in Ephesus was much like we are today. Revelation 2:4 says in reference to the church in Ephesus, “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.” The Ephesians were still working and waiting for God. They hadn’t abandoned their faith, just their first love. But Scripture makes it clear that when it comes down to it in the end, what will be most important is the way in which we have loved God. When asked what the most important commandment was, Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27). Loving God is our first priority. Our love for God is the foundation on which all of life is to be lived. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” This life is all about the posture of your heart.
Reflect for a minute on just how incredible the love of our God is. Scripture makes it clear that He isn’t after our service first, but our love. He only desires us to work with Him if it is done out of our love for Him. If we prophesy, show incredible acts of faith, or even give up our lives for Him out of anything but love, He calls it “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” God is after your heart. More than anything else in the world, He wants to love you and be loved by you. Of course He wants you to co-labor with Him and obey His commandments, but only out of love for Him. Yes, He wants you to lead others to Him, but out of the desire to share the incredible love you’ve been shown. Too often we size up our relationship with God based on how often we’ve gone to church, how many mission trips we’ve been on, how many people we’ve won to Jesus, how many committees we’ve served on, or how much of our finances we’ve given to God. And too often we do all of that trying to win over a God who already loves us more than we could ever ask or imagine. God is the father in the prodigal son story running out to meet you and celebrate you regardless of anything you’ve ever done or will do. He’s the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one. He’s the God who leaves His throne to die for the very people who shouted, “Crucify him, crucify him!” And He’s the God who waits patiently every day to show you the depth of His love, that nothing you could ever do will change the way He loves you.
Nothing could be more important than living your life on the foundation of God’s greatest commandment: to love Him. And while it’s incredibly important to spend your life loving God, He knows you will only be able to do so if you’ve encountered His love first. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us." Experiencing God’s love is the beginning and end to everything we do as His children. It’s out of encountering the affections of our heavenly Father that our hearts will be stirred to love Him back. Let’s take time today to encounter the love of our heavenly Father and let His kindness draw us to repentance:
"Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" ~ Romans 2:4
Encounter the heart of God, and let His love renew within you your first love.
The Bible is clear that God will forgive our sins as believers. His heart is always for restoration. He always desires to lead us to a life where our hearts are in no way veiled before Him. Idols and sin tie us down to the world in ways that keep us from the fullness of relationship available in God. Engage in the act of confession...receive the healing and renewal He longs to bring you. May your day be filled with peace as the result of God’s forgiveness, nearness, and loving-kindness.
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~ published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/devotionals/renewal-of-your-first-love-2023/
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Reconciliation: Guided by Grace
~ Conflict in relationships is natural, but we can grow closer through it when we follow the Lord's leading.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:15-20
Picture this: You find yourself in a bitter dispute with a member of your church. Your relationship turns sour, affecting both the environment and your peace of mind. Frustrations mount and gossip spreads, deepening the divide. Yet, amidst the turmoil, you remember today’s passage, and the Holy Spirit nudges you to seek reconciliation.
Jesus’ words offer a compassionate guide to handling conflict within relationships. He calls us to approach our brothers and sisters in Christ with grace and humility. Through private, loving conversations, we can restore relationships and, in doing so, foster an atmosphere of love and unity within the body of Christ. In the midst of broken relationships, Jesus extends His hand of grace and invites us to be agents of reconciliation. When tensions arise, it’s natural to have hurt or angry feelings — or a desire to prove ourselves right. However, the path Christ sets before us involves a humble journey of communication, grace, and understanding.
Let us heed Christ’s call to address conflicts directly rather than allow them to fester. Our goal isn’t to win an argument but to win back our brother or sister. It’s an opportunity to exhibit love and grace, listen with empathy, offer forgiveness, and acknowledge our own imperfections as we extend understanding to others.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/reconciliation-guided-by-grace
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Friendships That Last
~ For authentic connection, quality matters more than quantity.
Scripture Reading:
"A person of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother or sister." ~ Proverbs 18:24
Imagine a busy coffee shop. The aroma of freshly brewed beverages fills the air, and conversations echo off the walls. People come and go, exchanging pleasantries with each other, but not connecting on a deeper level. It’s a familiar scene in our fast-paced world, where many of our relationships remain shallow and transient. But God designed us for more.
Today’s scripture says, “A person of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother or sister.” The verse reminds us that true joy is not about the quantity of friends — rather, it has to do with the quality of our relationships.
When we encounter someone who stands by us through thick and thin, who lends a listening ear without judgment, who offers support and encouragement, we glimpse the reflection of Christ’s love. Just as Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that a person will lay down their life for their friends” (John 15:13). True friendship echoes this sacrificial love.
In a world that often seems too busy for genuine connections, let us cherish and cultivate the friendships that draw us closer to God’s heart. May we be the kind of friend who sticks closer than a brother, reflecting the love of our Savior in every word, action, and embrace we offer to others.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/friendships-that-last
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Light Overcomes the Darkness
"And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." ~ John 1:5
Careful readers of Scripture have noted that the book of Genesis and the Gospel of John begin the same way: “In the beginning.” John used Genesis as a template for introducing Jesus Christ to his readers. God began overcoming the chaos and darkness of the pre-creation world by speaking light into existence (Genesis 1:3). Using the theme of light overcoming darkness, John portrayed Jesus as the Word of God that brings spiritual order into a spiritually dark and chaotic world (John 1:1-4).
But, John writes, the world did not recognize (John 1:10) or understand (John 1:5) the light that God sent into the world in Jesus Christ. In translating John 1:5, interpreters differ as to whether the world did not “comprehend” the light or “overcome” the light — the original text allows for either translation. Actually, both translations are true! Not all the world has comprehended the light of God, and the world (“the darkness”) has certainly not overcome the light which is Christ.
Both in Creation and the Incarnation, God’s light in Christ has penetrated and conquered the darkness of this world. Give thanks today that God’s Light can overcome every darkness.
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~ by David Jeremiah (https://www.davidjeremiah.org)
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Battles Within
"What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you?" ~ James 4:1
Most of our inner turmoil is a result of the battle within each of us. Like it or not, we all have a bit of the flesh in us. The part of us that just wants to have everything go our way, that doesn’t care that much about others, and is not sure God is really looking out for us (or that this is His exclusive role). The flesh fights to make us god, the center of the world.
On the other hand, we also have within us the image of God. The spirit. The part of us that wants to participate in something greater than ourselves, needs and values community, appreciates the unique joy of others, and trusts in the mystery of God.
We are not just one of these things. They both exist within us. We can never be fully rid of either. And this internal wrestling match spills out and affects the way we interact with others. Our external battles are often projections of our internal battle; flesh versus spirit.
For as long as we are human, both of these internal desires will exist, to some degree, within us. The great opportunity of a human soul is the ability to choose between the two. We get to decide, over and over, moment by moment, which to give heedance to and which to relegate into captivity.
The more we choose the spirit, the easier it becomes to do so. The flesh will adapt and always try to speak up, but we can develop a pattern of righteousness just as easily as we can develop patterns of wickedness.
It all begins by sorting through our desires, sifting and separating what is from the flesh and what is from the spirit. As we choose the spirit within ourselves, we will more readily see and appreciate it in others.
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~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net/devotional/battles-within/
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Exhaustion
"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.'" ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9
Difficult situations or heavy responsibilities often leave us mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually exhausted.
I found myself feeling this exhaustion last week. We had just come out of a "ministry filled weekend" which was amazing, but I was already feeling the physical strain. Then I went into a new week with my workload, taking care of our 3 children, managing our home, and just the day to day running around, and I started feeling a bit overwhelmed! Some nights, I was working until midnight because it was the only time I actually had the quiet time necessary to concentrate. There were a couple of times I told the Lord, "Please give me the strength and energy I need to complete the tasks before me!"
I was reminded of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:1-9. Elijah had killed the prophets of Baal, and now Jezebel is threatening to kill him. Afraid, Elijah runs for his life. He finally comes to a bush, sits under it and prays that he might die. He tells the Lord in verse 4, "I have had enough, Lord." Then he lays down and falls asleep. The angel of the Lord comes to him twice and tells him to get up and eat. After feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, the Lord meets Elijah and gives him the strength he needs to continue.
Have you ever felt this exhaustion? Sometimes we, too, need to allow the Lord to be our strength in weakness and be encouraged by Him. With Elijah, the Lord sent an angel. For us it may come in the form of a conversation with a friend or loved one, a worship song we hear, or by simply coming to God in prayer and allowing Him to speak to us. Whatever the situation, let us remember that our strength comes from the Lord. Call out to Him because He will answer.
Suggested prayer: Dear God, thank you for being my strength when I have nothing left. You are faithful and never leave nor forsake us. Thank you because we can always trust that you will meet us where we are. You are a good Father who cares for us. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.
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~ by Crystal B.
~ To receive The Daily Encourager FREE each weekday, click on the following link: http://go.netatlantic.com/read/all_forums/subscribe?name=thedailyencourager
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Following God into the Light
~ May you feel better equipped to face temptation and sin today as you encounter Jesus and His truth for you on this subject.
The Holy Spirit dwelling within is always leading us out of darkness and into the light. He is ready and available to guide us through every decision, temptation, trial, tribulation, and circumstance - that we might experience all the abundance available to us in His light.
God promises us in Isaiah 42:16:
“I will lead the blind by a way they did not know; I will guide them on paths they have not known. I will turn darkness to light in front of them and rough places into level ground. This is what I will do for them, and I will not forsake them.”
You serve a loving, good Father who doesn’t leave you to figure out life on your own. He doesn’t even leave you just with Scripture to find your way into the light. He knows that we are blind without Him. He knows that we are in immense need of His help. And He is constantly leading us into the better things He has for us.
1 Corinthians 10:13 encourages us that:
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
With every temptation the enemy brings, God is leading us in a great escape. You and I so often don’t know the way out of temptation. It feels impossible to find the path to righteousness when all we feel is wrongful desire welling up within us. But if we will acknowledge that we are indeed blind and reach out our arms for the guiding hand of God, He “will turn the darkness before [us] into light” (Isaiah 42:16). He is our faithful Shepherd to the abundant pastures available to us on the other side of temptation.
Hebrews 2:18 says:
“For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Our God is compassionate because He has felt the temptations we feel. He has walked through this life and lived in the light. You are not alone in your sin. You are not alone in your temptations. You are not alone in the trials, decisions, and circumstances that seem to draw you into darkness. Your Savior has compassion on you and longs for you to simply lean on His strength, trust Him, and follow Him.
“He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” ~ 1 John 4:4
You will overcome your enemy if you reach out for the help of God. He will lead you away from the sin that entangles you and direct you to His perfect, peaceful paths of righteousness. Have faith in the love and ability of your God and follow Him throughout your day to the still, calm waters of His presence.
May Psalm 23:1-6 fill your heart with a longing for a close, open relationship with your good Shepherd today as you seek to live in the light:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”
________________
~ published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/devotionals/following-god-into-the-light-2023/
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Feasting As Warfare
~ The habit of gratitude protects us from the trap of discontentment and endless striving.
Scripture Reading:
"Even when I go through the darkest valley, I will fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff — they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." ~ Psalm 23:4-6
Psalm 23 portrays feasting as a form of trust amid adversity. Imagine the courage it would take to sit down at a banquet with a horde of angry enemies surrounding you. Yet this is God’s invitation to us in every struggle and trial: Come. Sit at My table and rest. I’ve prepared a place for you in the presence of your enemies.
What keeps us from sitting at God’s table and rejoicing in the story of God’s faithfulness in our own life?
Three obstacles come to mind: striving, discontentment, and deception.
Striving is the internalized sense that we must always keep moving forward in pursuit of success, money, and acclaim. We think, More is always better, and rest is for the weak. This inability to slow down and appreciate God’s gifts breeds a profound sense of unfulfillment, making joy and peace elusive. The world’s competitive striving and restless dissatisfaction are fueled by the enemy’s most ancient and insidious deception: My way is better than God’s way.
But when we feast, we declare that God’s way of gratitude, rest, and simplicity is better than the world’s deceived way of striving and discontentment. We feast to challenge the enemy’s lies. In this way, feasting — slowing down to savor God’s gifts and remember His faithfulness — is an act of spiritual warfare.
To feast is to trust in the Lord.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/feasting-as-warfare
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I am rejoicing with you over the salvation of your mother! I am praying for her continued spiritual growth, and physical health and well-being. Please refer to my private message concerning the other aspects of your post. God bless!
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Looking at the Light
~ As we re-train ourselves to seek God first for satisfaction, may we find how abundantly beyond our imaginings the Lord’s sufficiency is for us.
We live in a world filled with darkness of all forms. On any given day we are inundated with temptation after temptation, lie after lie, darkness after darkness. But in the person of Jesus a powerful hope has entered into the story of humanity.
Matthew 4:16 says:
“The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the shadowland of death, light has dawned on them.”
You and I now have the choice to fill our lives with the light of God. We’re delivered from a life marked by darkness and set free to fill ourselves with the things of God.
But still, there is a choice set before us. The light has come, but we have a real enemy trying to draw us back to the darkness at every turn. It’s for this reason Jesus said in Luke 11:34, “Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light. But when it is bad, your body is also full of darkness.” You and I must choose to look to the light if we want to be spiritually healthy and full of light. We must look to the light if we want the abundant life God offers us throughout every season of this life.
Paul writes in Philippians 4:8:
“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
I pray that God would train us to look upon only that which will fill us with more of Him. I pray that He would train our minds to think about only that which will truly satisfy the deep desires of our hearts.
Darkness is often only tempting to look at because we have yet to experience the immense satisfaction found in the light. So often God is characterized as a taskmaster out to ruin all the fun. And so often our church services, speech, and lives depict our Father as anyone but a fun, satisfying God. But if we will take some time to trust the truth of Scripture and get to know our heavenly Father as a friend, we will discover a wellspring of life to which no darkness could ever compare. The pleasures of the enemy are nothing but a shadow of the satisfaction we have in the light. Lust, adultery, earthly glory, the opinion of man, and pride in possessions are nothing compared to total, open, and eternal relationship with a good, near, and loving God.
Look to the light today for all you need. Cultivate a hunger and thirst for the things of God that can only be quenched in relationship with your heavenly Father. Run to God with your temptations, needs, and desires and ask Him to lead you to satisfaction. And open your heart to Him today that you might receive a wealth of love, purpose, joy, affection, and enjoyment from the only true source of life in this earth.
At times, the desires we feel are wrong desires that God cannot satisfy. However, these wrong desires are always indicative of a deeper desire that God does want to satisfy. Lust and adultery are desires indicative of a need to be loved, liked, seen as beautiful or handsome, or simply enjoyed. Wrongful ambition and glory-seeking are wrong desires indicative of a true need to have passion and make a deep and lasting impact on the earth. The temptations of the enemy and satisfactions we find in darkness are mere shadows compared to the true satisfaction available in God. Discover the root of your wrongful desires. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the true needs within your heart and to guide you to a lifestyle of fulfillment in God. May your eyes be wholly focused on the light today as you seek fulfillment in your heavenly Father.
________________
~ published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/devotionals/looking-at-the-light-2023/
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Growing Deeper [maybe it's time to share your faith]:
“So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” ~ Colossians 1:10
At age six, Henry John Heinz began helping his mother tend the small garden behind their family home. At twelve, he was working three and a half acres of garden, using a horse and cart for his three-times-a-week deliveries to grocery stores throughout the city of Pittsburg. He went on to found his own company and named it Heinz 57 Varieties, a name brand now known around the world.
Heinz was well-known for his Biblically-based business principles and his Christian treatment of employees. However, there was an incident in his life that changed this godly man to grow even more deeper in his faith. One day after an evangelistic service, the speaker turned to him and said:
"You are a believer, but with all your energy why aren't you up and at it for the Lord?"
Heinz went home in anger. That night, however, he couldn't sleep, thinking about the question he’d been asked. At four o'clock in the morning, he prayed that God would use him to lead others to the Savior. A day or so later at a meeting of bank presidents, he turned to the man next to him and told him of his joy in knowing Jesus. His friend looked at him in surprise and said, "Because I knew you were a Christian, I've wondered many times why you never spoke to me about salvation." That gentleman became the first of 267 converts - people of different varieties, from all walks of life - that Mr. Heinz eventually won to Christ!
In his will, Henry John Heinz said: "I desire to set forth at the very beginning of this will, as the most important item in it, a confession of my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I also desire to bear witness to the fact that throughout my life, in which there were unusual joys and sorrows, I have been wonderfully sustained by my faith in God through Jesus Christ."
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~ published by: The Daily Encourager
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Marriage of the Lamb Announced
"Then I heard something like the voice of a vast multitude, like the sound of cascading waters, and like the rumbling of loud thunder, saying:
"Hallelujah, because our Lord God, the Almighty, has begun to reign! Let us be glad, rejoice, and give Him glory, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has prepared herself. She was given fine linen to wear, bright and pure. For the fine linen represents the righteous acts of the saints."
~ Revelation 19:6-8
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