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Jesus - the Light
~ Our Savior came to illuminate our lives and enable us to shine for Him in a dark world.
Scripture Reading: John 1:4-5; John 1:9
In the Bible, God’s first spoken words are “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). O Oriens, the next antiphon from “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” is translated “O Dayspring.” Originally meaning the dawn of a new day, the term refers to the illuminating presence that God’s Word brought to the dark and formless world.
The same language describes the new creation that the Lord brings to us. John says that in Jesus — the eternal Word — is life, which is the “Light of mankind that shines in the darkness” (John 1:4-5). The other Gospel writers don’t miss the connection either. When Jesus moves to Capernaum after John the Baptist’s arrest, Matthew recalls Isaiah’s prophecy about the light coming to a dark place. People “sitting in darkness … sitting in the land and shadow of death” were visited by that light (Matthew 4:16).
Though parts of the world remain in shadow, we know that the Light has come — and He shines brighter than any sun. Today, ask God to illuminate every corner of your life “to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). And remember: As we “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7), we receive God’s forgiveness and are reconciled to Him. Then He makes us shine in a dark world.
_________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/
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Hindsight Is Clearer
"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
The ability to see, with both eyes, an object clearly from twenty feet away is referred to as 20/20 vision. (In Europe, it is called 6/6 since they use a distance of six meters instead of twenty feet.) While not everyone has 20/20 vision, it is often said that hindsight is always 20/20. That is, we may not be able to see everything clearly as it happens, but after the fact we can see things much more clearly.
While hindsight is not always perfect, from a biblical perspective it means that we sometimes have to wait to see what God’s purpose was in allowing something to happen. There are certainly enough biblical examples to prove that premise. Job, Joseph, David, Daniel, Esther, Paul, and others were puzzled at what God allowed to happen in their lives — but soon came to see God’s hand at work. Especially Esther who saved the Jewish people from genocide in Persia.
When God allows circumstances in your life, the purpose of which is not clear, remember the examples and promises of Scripture: “All things work together for ultimate good.”
__________________
~ by David Jeremiah (https://www.davidjeremiah.org)
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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Remaining in Jesus
"I will build My church, and the forces [gates] of Hades will not overpower it.” ~ Matthew 16:18
Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-19
A fire burned Balsora Baptist Church to the ground. As emergency workers and community members gathered after the blaze subsided, they were surprised to see a charred cross standing upright amidst the smoke and ashes in the air. A firefighter commented that the fire “took the structure, but not the cross. [This is a reminder] that the building was just that, a building. The church is the congregation.”
The church is not a building, but a community united by the cross of Christ — the One who died, was buried, and rose again. When Jesus lived on earth, He told Peter He’d build His worldwide church, and nothing would destroy it (Matthew 16:18). Jesus would gather believers from all over the globe into a group that would continue throughout time. This community would face intense difficulty, but they’d ultimately endure. God would dwell within them and sustain them (Ephesians 2:22).
When we struggle to establish local churches only to have them stagnate and sputter, when buildings are destroyed, or when we’re concerned about believers struggling in other parts of the world, we can remember that Jesus is alive, actively enabling God’s people to persevere. We’re part of the church He’s building today. He’s with us and for us. His cross remains.
~ By Jennifer Benson Schuldt
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Reflect & Pray:
• In what ways might you support fellow believers?
• How does sharing the good news relate to God’s plan for the church?
"Dear God, please strengthen Your people everywhere. Fill them with wisdom, protect them, and help them stay faithful to You. Amen."
_________________
Scripture Insight:
How are we to interpret Jesus’ reference to “the gates of Hades” (Matthew 16:18)? The setting for Christ’s great question to Peter, “Who do you say I am?” (v. 15) is Caesarea Philippi, which lies at the southern base of Mount Hermon. The area in and around Caesarea Philippi had historically been known as Bashan, which scholars and the Scriptures connect to the worship of several false gods and to child sacrifice. People commonly believed this region to be the entrance to the underworld — the place of the dead. Jesus knew that the phrase “the gates of Hades” would be understood as our great enemy — death. Christ’s statement is a declaration that He’s the Messiah who overcomes even death. Peter answered Jesus’ question by saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (v. 16). Christ called Peter “blessed” for this response (v. 17).
~ by Tim Gustafson
https://odb.org/2024/09/09/what-remains
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Do You Need a Breakthrough?
“As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in my extreme weariness, about the time of the evening offering. He explained to me, “Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding.’” ~ Daniel 9:21-22
There are times in our lives when we simply need a breakthrough from God. Maybe you need a new job or a breakthrough in your finances, direction on a big business deal, or maybe physical healing from an illness. Sometimes we need to hear from God directly for situations in our lives.
Daniel was seeking God to understand why the nation had been in captivity for 70 years. He began to fast and pray. At the end of this time an angel of the Lord appeared to him. It is clear the angel came to Daniel because of his fasting and prayer and his seeking God for answers.
The prophet Jeremiah says, “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). The problem with most of us is we are unwilling to seek God for the answers. Seeking God requires an intentional focus that may require prayer and fasting.
Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ said, “I believe the power of fasting as it relates to prayer is the spiritual atomic bomb that our Lord has given us to destroy the strongholds of evil and usher in a great revival and spiritual harvest around the world. The longer I fasted, the more I sensed the presence of the Lord. The Holy Spirit refreshed my soul and spirit, and I experienced the joy of the Lord as seldom before. Biblical truths leaped at me from the pages of God's Word. My faith soared as I humbled myself and cried out to God and rejoiced in His presence.”
Do you need a breakthrough? Consider committing to a time of fasting and prayer.
___________________
~ by Os Hillman, TGIF (Today God Is First)
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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You have said a mouth-full there brother…
I understand you brother. Pray that you are having a blessed Sunday!
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Oh Buddha - The Imperials
Our Help in Prayer
~ The Holy Spirit intercedes for us and shows us what petitions to bring to the Lord.
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:26-27
Does this sound familiar? Determined to spend more time in prayer, you kneel, open your mouth to speak to the Lord, and — draw a blank. Sure, you manage a few words about what you need Him to do for you and your family, but you should be praying for more than that, right?
Yes, you should. Believers’ needs are indeed the Father’s concern; nothing escapes His notice. However, He tells His children to imitate Jesus — they should “not merely look out for their own personal interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). Selfless prayer likely isn’t natural to us, but thankfully, God has supplied a Helper. The Holy Spirit, our willing and able partner in praying effectively, intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).
How should we cooperate with the Spirit’s intercession for us?
• First, we must recognize God’s authority, holiness, and glory.
• Then, we need to submit to His leadership.
• Finally, we must entrust our future to Him, believing that He will bring great good out of negative as well as positive events in our life.
In submission to the Holy Spirit, we’ll discover greater peace and joy. And as we bring petitions inspired by the Spirit, we’ll also find new words for praying to the Father. Even more importantly, we will develop a deeper understanding of God’s greatness.
________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/our-help-in-prayer
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United at Last
"All my springs [source of joy] are in You.” ~ Psalm 87:7
Scripture Reading: Psalm 87
In 1960, Otto Preminger provoked controversy with his movie Exodus. Based on Leon Uris’ novel, it provides a fictional account of Jewish refugees emigrating to Palestine after World War II. The film concludes with the bodies of a young European-Jewish girl and an Arab man, both murder victims, buried in the same grave in what would soon be the nation of Israel.
Preminger leaves the conclusion to us:
• Is this a metaphor for despair, a dream forever buried?
• Or is it a symbol of hope, as two peoples with a history of hatred and hostilities come together — in death and in life?
Perhaps the sons of Korah, credited with writing Psalm 87, would take the latter view of this scene.
They anticipated a peace we still await. Of Jerusalem, they wrote, “Glorious things are said of you, city of God” (v. 3). They sang of a day when nations — all with a history of warring against the Jewish people — will come together to acknowledge the one true God: Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, the Philistines, Tyre, Cush (v. 4). All will be drawn to Jerusalem, and to God.
The conclusion of the psalm is celebratory. People in Jerusalem will sing, “All my fountains [springs] are in You” (v. 7). Who are they singing of? The One who is the Living Water, the Source of all life (John 4:14).
Jesus is the only one who can bring lasting peace and unity.
~ By Tim Gustafson
__________________
Reflect & Pray:
• What conflicts, both global and personal, cause you distress?
• How will you trust God to bring about His peace?
"I pray, Father, for the peace and unity of all people as they’re drawn to Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen"
__________________
Scripture Insight:
The word Zion is mentioned more than 150 times in the Bible. It’s used literally to refer to Jerusalem (city of David/city of God) and spiritually to refer to God’s heavenly kingdom (see Hebrews 12:22-24). It occurs mostly in Old Testament prophetic literature (about fifty times in Isaiah) and the Psalms (about forty times). The first reference is, in a way, a blueprint for future usage: “David captured the fortress of Zion — which is the City of David” (2 Samuel 5:7). The ancient fortress, previously held by Jebusites/Canaanites, was taken by David and his soldiers. Zion was a significant place occupied by a significant person (God’s anointed) who would rule over a significant people (God’s chosen people).
Psalm 132:13-14 beautifully captures the importance of Zion:
“The Lord has chosen Zion, He has desired it for His dwelling, saying, ‘This is My resting place for ever and ever; here I will sit enthroned, for I have desired it.’”
~ by Arthur Jackson
https://odb.org/2024/09/08/united-at-last
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Entertaining Angels
“Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” ~ Hebrews 13:1
We often think life in the plains is mundane, boring, or uneventful. If we measure our behavior on what gains us the praise of fickle mankind, we can easily overlook things like hospitality, simple acts of kindness.
When, instead, we chose these everyday behaviors, they are neither boring nor meaningless. They delight the angels. They bring heaven into applause.
Chapter 13 of Hebrews begins with an admonition to love one another. It implores hospitality, remembering prisoners, healthy marriage, and stewarding good character. All of these things are fascinating to the heavenly hosts. To watch us exercise a life of faith, trusting in God, taking what is unseen and bringing it into vision.
We may not know it, but the angels are tuned in. They are watching from Heaven. And they are watching from Earth. Our choices are powerful and awe-inspiring. They have an effect (and a reward) in the heavenly realm.
The author of Hebrews reminds us the angels are witnesses on our account. Celebrating our choices the way a soccer fan does when his team scores a goal. Rooting us on in the kindness we show to one another. Amazed by the incredible opportunity we have and astonished when we take advantage of it exactly the way God designed. It is our great opportunity.
Let’s give the angels something to cheer about.
__________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net/
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Strange Company
“So they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze within us while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?”” ~ Luke 24:32
The road to Emmaus was not particularly dangerous. It was not hard or scary. The journey was pretty straightforward. Or so it seemed. Until a stranger asked to join their company.
What ensued began as an ordinary conversation about current events. Instead of the weather, they discussed the news. The stranger had an interesting twist on recent events they had not considered.
They could have ignored the stranger. Who is he that we ought to listen anyway?
But they didn’t ignore. They listened. As they listened their hearts burned. It turns out the stranger was Jesus.
The Emmaus company got a great blessing because they were ready to listen during a routine activity.
How many times, and in how many ways is Jesus speaking to us in ways not readily visible?
• Perhaps through others.
• Through circumstances.
• Through nature, or through the still small voice within.
Practicing listening to God during routine, daily activities aligns everything we do with genuine purpose, the truest meaning of our lives.
There is nothing more routine than walking on a familiar road. Jesus is there. If we look to circumstances and events for fulfillment, they will disappoint. Boredom or disillusionment are the likely outcome.
If we look for Jesus along the familiar road, our hearts will be filled.
_______________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Godly Advice
"Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters."
~ 1 Timothy 5:1-2
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Well Done
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’” ~ Matthew 25:21
“Glory” in the Bible is a translation of the Greek word “doxa” and it means “the essence of something being clearly displayed and observed.” Our great privilege is to exhibit God’s truth through the way we live, in a way that it is clearly seen by others. We are promised that if we show God’s true essence through our lives, God will grant us the glory of His approval.
The greatest end of our life will be to sit with Jesus as He reviews our life and continually hear: “This was very well done.” That is a glory that will never fade.
Life is an opportunity where we can display to others the essence of God by the way we live. The choices we make. The perspective we choose.
We participate in glory when we make decisions that manifest the goodness of God.
The whole process is modeled in this parable in Matthew 25. The voice of the master speaks and makes clear the connection between the master and the servant, the joy of approval, and the blessing for continued action.
In all our striving, this is what we truly desire. We all long to hear “well done” from an earthly father. Even more, each of us, is longing for the approval of the Heavenly Father. We want to be counted among His faithful servants. We want to be entrusted with His vision. We want to participate in His kingdom.
Each day begins anew, and is an opportunity to walk in obedience, and hear “well done.”
_______________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net/
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How to End Well
~ In every season of life, God calls us to serve others.
Scripture Reading: Numbers 14:17-24
It’s easy to become so focused on someone or something that we’re unable to hear the Lord. In those times, one of God’s most effective methods of getting our attention is through disappointments. But oh, how we dislike this approach!
Disappointment is one of the ways the Lord spoke dramatically to the nation of Israel. In Numbers 13, He directed His people into the Promised Land. However, fear of the inhabitants so invaded their hearts that they refused to enter. As a result, God said the Israelites who were disrespectful would “by no means see the land” (Numbers 14:23). And the rest would have to wait 40 years.
The postponement was so disheartening that they decided to change their minds. Sadly, it was too late, and the people were distraught with grief. At that moment, do you think God had their attention? Absolutely. The next time He gave Israel a command, don’t you imagine they listened a bit more intently?
We are hesitant to believe that our loving Father could be responsible for our frustrations. Yet God is perfectly willing to use disappointments to realign our thoughts and plans with His. Consider the difficulties you have faced in your own life — and whether the Lord might have been trying to say something in the midst of them.
__________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/how-to-end-well
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Buyer's Remorse
"I greatly rejoice in the Lord, I exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of righteousness, as a groom wears a turban and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” ~ Isaiah 61:10
Have you ever experienced buyer's remorse? I have. Just prior to making a purchase, I feel the surge of excitement that comes with getting something new. After buying the item, however, a wave of remorse sometimes crashes over me. Did I really need this? Should I have spent the money?
In Genesis 3, we find the first record of a buyer's remorse. The whole thing began with the crafty serpent and his sales pitch. He persuaded Eve to doubt God's Word (v. 1). He then capitalized on her uncertainty by casting doubt on God's character (v. 4-5). He promised that her eyes would "be opened" and she would become "like God" (v. 5).
So Eve ate. Adam ate. And sin entered the world. But the first man and woman got more than they bargained for. Their eyes were opened all right, but they didn't become like God. In fact, their first act was to hide from God (w.7-8).
Sin has dire consequences. It always keeps us from God's best. But God in His mercy and grace clothed Adam and Eve in garments made from animal skins (v. 21) - foreshadowing what Jesus Christ would do for us by dying on the cross for our sins. His blood was shed so that we might be clothed with His righteousness - with no remorse!
__________________
~ 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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Grace Now
“[Love] does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.” ~ 1 Corinthians 13:5
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
We hurried to a fast-food restaurant to have lunch together on my friend Jerrie’s short work break. Arriving at the door about the same time, six young men got inside just in front of us. Knowing we didn’t have much time to spare, we grumbled inwardly. They stood as a group at both registers to be sure each of them could order first. Then I heard Jerrie whisper to herself, “Show grace now.” Wow! Sure, letting us go first would have been nice, but what a great reminder to think of others’ needs and desires and not only my own.
The Bible teaches that love is patient, kind, and unselfish; it’s “not easily angered”. “It often . . . prefers [others’] welfare, and satisfaction, and advantage, to its own,” wrote commentator Matthew Henry of this love. God’s kind of love thinks of others first.
In a world where many of us are easily irritated, we frequently have occasion to ask God for help and the grace to choose to be patient with others and to be kind. Proverbs 19:11 adds, “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
That’s the kind of loving action that brings honor to God, and He might even use it to bring thoughts of His love to others.
With God’s strength, let’s take every opportunity to show grace now.
~ by Anne Cetas
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Reflect & Pray:
• In what ways might you need to not act out of frustration?
• How could turning to God help you?
I’m in need of Your help, God. I face many levels of irritation but want to instead be filled and overflowing with Your kind of love.
_________________
Scripture Insight:
Writing to a divided church in conflict and deficient in love, Paul instructed the believers at Corinth how to love one another and described what true love looks like (1 Corinthians 13:4-13). Jesus taught that love is a requirement for those who believe in Him. Loving God and our neighbor are the most important commandments for “the entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:40). Building on the original standard of “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39), Christ sets a higher standard, patterned now after His sacrificial love. He wants us to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). Calling it a new commandment, Jesus said love was the distinguishing mark of those who believe in Him (John 13:35). Loving others is proof that we’re God’s children who’ve experienced His love (1 John 4:7-12, 19-21).
~ by K. T. Sim
https://odb.org/2024/09/05/grace-now
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The Lord is indeed good - all the time.
"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
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” ~ Psalm 23:4
God bless!
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The Importance of Drawing Near
~ Even as believers filled with the Holy Spirit, we can choose to live as if God is still far off. So, may we choose to open our hearts to the living God that we might experience fullness of joy in His loving presence.
James 4:8 contains a profound promise of God. Scripture says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” For a while I thought this verse seemed backwards. Doesn’t God do the drawing? Isn’t God the one who’s constantly pursuing us?
After diving deeper into the meaning of James 4:8 I discovered an important truth that’s foundational to living in communion with God: the door of God’s heart is always open to us. His love is always for us. His presence is always available. The Father turned away from Jesus as our sins rested squarely on His shoulders ensuring He would never have to turn away from us.
To draw near to God is to simply open our hearts to what was always available. It’s not that God ever withholds His presence from us. It’s that He never forces us to abide in Him. If we want to go our own way, He willingly and patiently waits for us. And the moment that we turn our hearts back to Him, He is there to fill us with a revelation of His loving nearness and unwavering devotion.
In his book, “The Pursuit of God”, A. W. Tozer describes two veils. The first veil was the veil between the Holy of Holies and the world that was torn at the death of Jesus, signifying the availability of God’s manifest presence to all. The second veil is the veil of our own hearts that’s our decision to tear by God’s grace.
Whether it’s the effects of sin and shame or a lack of understanding what’s available to us in Christ, all of us have the ability to veil places in our hearts. All of us can shield our beliefs about our identity, our possessions, or our relationships from the abiding presence of Jesus and live apart from communion with Him. We all have the ability at any given moment to go our own way and miss out on abundant life.
But the truth is that the Christian life isn’t about our ability to abide in God perfectly, but about God’s grace to draw near to us in response to repentance. God has no expectation that we would live this life perfectly. He remembers our frame and knows we are dust (Psalm 103:14). What He desires from us is to allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate any parts of our lives that aren’t His that we would be quick to repent and enjoy His grace-filled presence once again. God is not angry with you for veiling your heart. He knows better than you do the reasons you aren’t letting Him fully in. His heart is filled with the fullness of compassion for you that you might live to experience His grace rather than strive and condemn yourself for your imperfection.
Take time today to rend the veil of your own heart, draw near to God, and experience the glory of His manifest presence.
May Hebrews 10:19-22 provide joy and hope to your heart as you seek to draw near to your heavenly Father:
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By His death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting Him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.”
___________________
~ published by: First 15
https://www.first15.org/
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True Food
“Yes, He [God] humbled you by letting you go hungry and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that people do not live by bread alone; rather, we live by every Word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.” ~ Deuteronomy 8:3
When Jesus was tempted by Satan, He answered each of the three tests with a quote from the Bible. In each case, from the book of Deuteronomy, the book of the Bible that explains Israel’s time in the wilderness, and prepares them to enter the Promised Land. When tempted to use His power to turn stones to bread to satisfy his hunger, Jesus replied “Man does not live by bread alone, but by every Word of God.”
This passage is taken from Moses’ speech to the people, looking back over a forty-year journey in the wilderness, and explaining God’s purposes in the journey. God wanted the people to learn a lesson, the lesson that spiritual food is our truest and most important source of sustenance. And the core spiritual food is the Word of God.
No matter what life throws our way, we are on an epic journey through the wilderness that is this world. And it will be over before we expect. The Lord is speaking to us every day in every circumstance, imploring us to make the most of our trek. To be healthy on the journey, we need sustenance, and God’s Word is our truest source.
Sometimes it is easy to hear His voice and obey and sometimes it is difficult. But the truth remains, and God’s word is truth. God is available in every situation. When we hunger, let’s remember to turn to the true source to be filled, God’s Word.
_________________
~ published by: Yellow Balloons
https://yellowballoons.net
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Praise (feat. Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore) | Official Lyric Video
Building Trust When Faith Is Unsteady
~ If believing God is difficult in this season of your life, draw closer to Him for the help you need.
Scripture Reading: Mark 9:21-24
Since trust in God is foundational for Christians, the consequences of wavering faith can be far-reaching. Sometimes, after praying for direction, we might receive an answer that leads us to think, I can’t do that. So, instead of obeying and asking God to strengthen our faith, we may choose to postpone or compromise our obedience.
But partial obedience is actually disobedience, and when our faith falters, it can result in poor choices that prove costly. For example, the Israelites wandered 40 years in the desert because the nation allowed unbelief to overtake their faith. Their wavering trust made them miss out on God’s intended blessings.
When we are spiritually unsteady, we can easily be shaken by little things. Instead of standing firm, we may find our confidence eroding. Then we become less willing to take a risk when God asks us to do so. Rather than acting with certainty, we question and doubt what we are hearing from the Lord. We may also find joy diminishing because our wavering faith has led us away from God’s will (Hebrews 10:23). The inner peace that we once enjoyed evaporates as our faith weakens.
No matter how unsteady our faith, God invites us to draw near so He can strengthen our trust in Him. When He does, accept His invitation and give Him the glory.
__________________
~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/building-trust-when-faith-is-unsteady
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Just Do It!
"But don't just listen to God's Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” ~ James 1:22-24
A man walking into church late one day asked one of the ushers, "Is the sermon done yet?" The usher replied, "The sermon has been preached, but it has yet to be done."
What a great answer this was! The Word of God is not meant only to be preached to us Sunday after Sunday. It is meant to be done by living it out daily. Once we hear the Word of God, we are responsible for doing what God is asking us to do.
I often encounter fellow believers who spend countless hours listening to sermons and audible Bibles because they want to know more. They criticize others who are not spending every minute learning from God's Word, and find it easy to base a person's faith, and salvation for that matter, on how much they "know" from the Bible.
While it is extremely important to read and mediate on God's Word to grow in faith and go deeper in our relationship with Christ, that is only the first part of what we are supposed to do. Today's scripture says it clearly, "Don't just listen to God's Word. You MUST DO what it says." You can have hundreds of verses memorized, but if you can't love your neighbor, it is for naught. You can listen to sermons all day long, but if your heart is full of pride, your ministry to others will be limited because you are not able to practice all you have heard.
You don't have to be a Bible scholar to be used by God. He is looking for people who are willing to surrender themselves and submit to His will. He is looking for hearts full of humility, mercy, and love. He is looking for people who want to be used, not because of what they know, but because of what God can do through them.
If you know one verse, great! Put it to practice and move on to the next verse. If you know every parable in the Bible by heart, that's awesome! Go and do like Jesus did. Our success in God's work is not determined by our human knowledge, but rather by our ability to listen and do. Obedience to God will open the doors for unimaginable opportunities.
Suggested Prayer:
"Dear God, I want to be used by you. Help me to put into practice all that I have learned from your Word. Please give me a humble heart and mold it how you see fit. May my ministry to others be based on actions, not just words or head knowledge. Thank you for choosing me to be part of the work you are doing here on earth. In Jesus' name, Amen."
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~ by Crystal B.
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What possible reason(s) would he have to keep filing these reports?
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The Lord's Prayer in Aramaic - Abun d'bashmayo
Trust In God - Elevation Worship (feat. Chris Brown) | Official Lyric Video
Humbly Asking for Help
"And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.” ~ Acts 2:44
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42-47
As our party approached, my wife and I started planning. With many people coming, should we pay a caterer to cook? If we do the cooking ourselves, should we buy a barbeque? With a small chance of rain on the day, should we buy a tent too? Soon our party was getting expensive, and even a little antisocial. By trying to provide everything ourselves, we were missing an opportunity to receive the help of others.
The Bible’s vision of community is one of both giving and receiving. Even before the fall, Adam needed help (Genesis 2:18), and we’re called to seek others’ advice (Proverbs 15:22) and share our burdens (Galatians 6:2). The early church held “everything in common,” benefiting from each other’s “property and possessions” (Acts 2:44-45). Instead of living independently, they shared, borrowed, gave, and received in beautiful interdependence.
We ended up asking guests to bring a salad or dessert to our party. Our neighbors brought their barbeque, and a friend brought his tent. Asking for help enabled us to forge closer relationships, and the food people made brought variety and delight. In an age like ours, being self-sufficient can be a source of pride. But God gives His grace “to the humble” (James 4:6), including those who humbly ask for help.
~ By Sheridan Voysey
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Reflect & Pray:
• What stops you from asking for help?
• What do you currently need that you could borrow instead of buy?
"Dear God, thank You for making us relational creatures. Please help me to live humbly, sharing both my wealth and needs with others."
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Scripture Insight:
Acts 2:44 pictures the unity and interdependence of the church: “All the believers were together and had everything in common.” This same idea comes into view again in chapter 4: “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had” (v. 32). The English words common and shared are translations of the Greek word “koinos", which means “common,” “ordinary,” “belonging to generality.” In addition, it can refer to things that are ceremonially unclean. In Acts 4:32, we also find a word with the opposite meaning, “idios", which is translated “their own”: “No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own.” The early church snapshots in these chapters reveal a dynamic, Spirit-formed unity and humility that led believers to selflessly give and receive.
~ by Arthur Jackson
https://odb.org/2024/09/02/humbly-asking-for-help
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The Believers Form a Community
"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer."
"A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy, generosity and sincere hearts — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved."
~ Acts 2:42-47
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Things That Cannot Be Shaken
~ Jesus is our Rock — when we choose to trust Him, we are eternally secure.
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:25-29
On the news, there are often interviews with people who’ve suffered an unimaginable tragedy. One day we’re shown tornado survivors whose homes were torn apart by powerful winds. Another day we may see unanticipated floods washing a neighborhood away. The expressions on the faces of those who have experienced devastation can be haunting.
Losses like these always draw our attention toward the fragility of those things we hold most dear — such as our homes, families, and careers. But in a world that often seems to be spinning out of control, believers in Jesus have the privilege of sharing the best news imaginable: We have something that’s stable, something completely secure. There is a rock on which we are able to stand, and it cannot be shaken.
That unshakeable foundation, of course, is Almighty God. We can trust that Scripture is His unchanging, relevant truth for all time (Matthew 24:35). We can depend on a secure eternal relationship with the Lord. And we can be sure that an everlasting heavenly home awaits all those who place their faith in Jesus Christ (Revelation 21:2-4). We can have stability, even in this unstable world.
Among the people you know, who needs this life-saving good news? Don’t wait — share it today.
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~ published by: In Touch Ministries
https://www.intouch.org/read/daily-devotions/things-that-cannot-be-shaken
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The Lord's Prayer in Aramaic - Abun d'bashmayo
For the Scriptures say,
“If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies."
"Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it."
"The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers."
"But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”
~ 1 Peter 3:10-12
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Praying for you and yours during this time of sorrow and grieving.
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Condolences to you and your family during this season of loss. May the Lord cover you all with His comfort and peace brother.
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