Daily Devotion

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Water For The World
By C. P. Hia
Read: John 4:7-15
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. —John 7:38
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 29-30; Acts 23:1-15
Although 70 percent of the world is covered by water, less than 1 percent of it is drinkable by humans. Water conservation and sanitation are crucial matters in many parts of the world, as all life depends on having sanitary water.

Jesus went out of His way to introduce a lost woman to another kind of life-giving water. He deliberately chose to go to a town in Samaria, a place where no respectable rabbi would set foot. There, He told this woman about “living water.” Those who drink of it, He said, “will never thirst.” It will “become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

The living water is Jesus Himself. Those who receive Him have eternal life (v.14). But the living water He provides also serves another function. Jesus said of those who receive it: “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (7:38). The living water that refreshes us is to refresh others also.

As fresh-water distribution is uneven in the world, so too is the distribution of living water. Many people do not know followers of Jesus who really care about them. It is our privilege to share Him. Christ is, after all, the living water for whom people are thirsting.

Lord Jesus, I want to live for You. May Your
life and love flow through me as I go about my
duties today so that others may see You through
me and be drawn to the living water.
Jesus is a never-ending supply of living water for a parched world.
Insight
The stories of Nicodemus (John 3) and the woman at the well (John 4) are found side by side in Scripture, yet there is great contrast between them. Contrary to Nicodemus, the woman at the well recognized that Jesus was offering something that she could not do without. Nicodemus’ last words to Jesus were, “How can these things be?” (3:9). The woman simply responded, “Sir, give me this water” (4:15).

 

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Lasting Regrets
By Bill CrowderRead: Psalm 32:1-7
When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. —Psalm 32:3
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 31-32; Acts 23:16-35
While I was talking with a gifted pianist, she asked me if I played any musical instruments. When I responded, “I play the radio,” she laughed and asked if I had ever wanted to play any instrument. My embarrassed answer was, “I took piano lessons as a boy but gave it up.” Now, in my adult years, I regret not continuing with the piano. I love music and wish I could play today. That conversation was a fresh reminder to me that life is often constituted by the choices we make—and some of them produce regret.

Some choices produce much more serious and painful regrets. King David discovered this when he chose to sleep with another man’s wife and then killed that man. He described the guilt that filled him as devastating, saying, “When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer” (Ps. 32:3-4). But David acknowledged and confessed his sin to God and found forgiveness (v.5).

It is only from God that we can receive the grace of forgiveness when our choices have produced painful regrets. And only in Him do we find the wisdom to make better choices.

Father of mercies, forgive me for the foolish choices
I have made. Please enable me to be wiser in
my choices. Teach me the value of resting
in Your grace.
God’s forgiveness frees us from the chains of regret.
Insight
For about a year after his adultery with Bathsheba, David refused to repent of his sins (covetousness, adultery, deceit, and murder) until the prophet Nathan confronted him (2 Sam. 11–12). David penned Psalms 32 and 51 thereafter. In today’s psalm, David speaks of the heavy burden of guilt in his year-long denial of sin (vv.3-4). He also tells of the joy of receiving God’s gift of forgiveness when, with a contrite heart, he confesses and repents (vv.1-2,5) and becomes receptive to God’s rule in his life (vv.7-11). Warning of God’s disciplining hand (v.4), David urges all who have sinned to repent without delay (v.6).

 

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Waving The White Flag
By Joe StowellRead: Deuteronomy 6:1-9
Hear, O Israel: The Lordour God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lordyour God. —Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 33-34; Acts 24
Recently, while watching a video of a church service held in South America, I noticed something I had never seen before in church. As the pastor passionately called his flock to yield their lives to Jesus, one of the parishioners took a white hankie out of his pocket and started waving it in the air. Then another, and another. With tears running down their cheeks, they were expressing full surrender to Christ.

But I wonder if there was more to the moment than the flags of surrender. I think they were waving flags of love to God. When God told His people to “love theLord your God” (Deut. 6:5), it was in the context of His urging them to surrender their lives to Him.

From God’s point of view, life with Him is far more than just trying to be good. It is always about relationship—relationship in which surrender is the way we express our grateful love to Him. Jesus, in amazing love for us, surrendered Himself on the cross to rescue us from our helpless bondage to sin and set us on a journey to all that is good and glorious.

We don’t have enough words to tell God how much we love Him! So, let’s show Him our love by surrendering our hearts and lives to follow Him.

Lord, take my life and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender, Lord—in me abide. —Orr
Surrender is God’s love language.

 

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"Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to Thee? I lay my hand on my mouth." - Job 40:4

Are You For Real?
July 24, 2014

I want to write to all you church-going pretenders out there – the ones who look heavenly on Sunday, but live like hell Monday through Saturday. You look good on the outside but when God looks at your insides – inside your heart – it’s a dirty mess!

I’ve got bad news for you. Jesus hates religious pretense. But there’s also good news. He loves the pretenders. He gave His life for hypocrites like you and me.

The end of being religious pretenders is to admit our sin separates us from God; then ask Christ’s forgiveness; then believe He’s your only hope for change, to be right with God.

And here’s the irony: When we begin to be more real with God and with others, we begin to be more like Jesus. He’s the only person who has ever lived without any trace of pretense.

 

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"Seek from the book of the Lord and read..." - Isaiah 34:16

The Real Expert
July 27, 2014

There are so many self help books out there! Books to help you with being single, books to fall in love, books to work on your marriage and books to help when you get divorced. There are books about your wardrobe, books telling you how to be a lady and how to be a gentleman. Books on how to be a better friend, how to be a better wife, mother or father, how to be a better cook, get more organized, how to lose weight, and on and on. All of these books come from people who feel they are experts in their area.

Have you tried all those methods and yet you’re still discouraged by repeating the same old habits? Well, here’s some news for you: there are some things that self-help cannot fix; things like disease, overcoming certain sins, and most of all, death. But I have good news: God has a plan for us that goes beyond our abilities. It comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, who supernaturally changes us when we can’t change ourselves. As a bonus to that faith, He promises us victory over death, and eternal life. If you really want to help yourself, look beyond yourself to the only One who can save you and give you the ultimate victory. His name is Jesus Christ, and He’s the only real expert.

 

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"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path." - Psalm 119:105

Is Your Bible Collecting Dust?
July 29, 2014

The Bible is the best seller that many people buy, but never read. You can find at least one copy in most homes, just sitting on the shelf collecting dust. Yet, no book is richer or more timeless than the Bible. It is filled with story after story that are not only amazing to read, but once you get involved in it, you’ll find how God uses it to teach and guide us and how most of all, God uses it to help us know His mind and heart. Listen to what it says:

All Scripture is inspired by God. Amazing! Over forty authors, who wrote over a period of 1,600 years, were all inspired by the same God to give a clear and coherent message.

It’s also profitable for:

• Teaching–about God, man, and life.
• Reproof–it tells us when we go wrong and need to get right.
• Correction–it helps us get on the right track. Like a good doctor, it points out the problem and tells us the cure.
• Training in right living–it’s a manual for living in a way that’s pleasing to God.

Scripture shows us how we can face every challenge with wisdom and strength. The Bible is a great read. I hope you’ll read it with the faith that God wants to speak to you through His Word. You just may find the answers to your life.

 

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"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

Wealth That Cannot Be Stolen
July 30, 2014

Did you realize that you are wealthy? In fact, if you can afford the computer, smart phone or tablet to read this devotion, then, my friend, you are rich. And even beyond that definition, many of you may well be wealthy even when compared with your own neighbors. But there is a great hazard that often occurs when we realize that we are wealthy. That hazard comes from the feeling of pride it may produce. We build up our egos and begin to think we’re a little smarter or a little better than others. We may even believe we’re entitled to this wealth because of the wonderful people we are.

God’s Word warns us, “Don’t be conceited. Don’t be arrogant just because God may have blessed you with wealth and you have more.” And certainly don’t make the mistake of fixing your hope on the uncertainty of riches. Remember the 1990s? Think about all the extraordinary wealth that was generated by “dot com” companies that soon became “dot bomb” companies. Some of those who were mega-millionaires in 1997 have very little today. Many whose home values had soared in 2006 saw them sink in 2008, 2009, and 2010. And even now, in 2014, unless and until the job market improves substantially, and higher wages produce more confidence in consuming spending, the lingering damage to confidence will likely keep the weakest economic recovery in memory plodding along at a frustratingly slow pace.*

But, please remember that God’s Word reminds us over and over that wealth can come and go. There’s no certainty in wealth. Fix your focus on God, not the temporary riches we may have during our brief time on earth.

 

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"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone else does not abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." - John 15:4-7

Ultimate Surrender
July 31, 2014

In the eyes of the world, surrender is seen as humiliation. In the eyes of the world, surrender is seen as losing. It is seen as a very bad thing when someone who is more powerful than another causes the other to lose in battle. So, in the world’s eyes, surrender is often deeply resented. But here’s the irony and the paradox of the Christian faith. Surrender is the beginning of the victorious Christian life! When we realize how much God loves us and how He shows us that love by what Christ has done – literally dying in our place on the cross, paying the penalty for all our sins – past, present and future – and then rising from the dead…we are convicted of our sinfulness. And when we’re convicted of our sin, we can finally surrender our lives to our Lord and give Him all that we have. We give Him all of our desires, our goals, our dreams, our priorities, and our possessions. Then, and only then, do we begin the first and most important step in the victorious Christian life. It begins with surrender, and what we have that is not surrendered to Christ is worthless to the Kingdom of God. Worthless!

So, how do we surrender?

1. Spend time alone with Him and study God’s Word. We meditate on His teachings and in doing so, we learn more about God’s will in our lives. We pray to discover His will, not to tell God what we want!

2. We abide in Him daily. In other words, we stay close to God every day, trusting and obeying Him.

3. Commit to a local church to worship, serve and have fellowship with other believers.

4. Then we share our faith with others through words and deeds, which is fully Christ’s mission for the church.

This type of surrender leads to ultimate meaning and purpose.

 

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"Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God." - James 1:19-20

Quick to Hear – Slow to Speak
August 2, 2014

Whether it is with strangers in airports, on soccer fields or football fields- and as our kids get a little bit older and more competitive, we find ourselves becoming angry and sometimes,we allow that anger to get out of hand. It happens in the work place, too, and yes, even in “the family of faith” – our churches. It happens especially at home with our spouses, when we don’t see eye to eye in trying to rear our children. And as they become teenagers, we get even more aggravated when we just can’t seem to find a way to connect with them. We think, “Why can’t they see? Why can’t they understand?” Well, guess what? The adolescents say the same thing about parents! I believe we can all stand to hear a word from the Lord today when it comes to anger.

James begins teaching us how to control our anger. We control our anger when we root ourselves in the Word of God. When we align ourselves with the Word that has birthed us, shaped us, and preserves us, and fall in submission to the Word of God, we line up with the character of God. Anger is a journey, isn’t it? Sometimes it begins with a hurt, or when you have been slighted or misunderstood, or maybe when others don’t meet your expectations. You’ve been stabbed in the back, when you’ve been left out, when you are not understood in your desires and your wants. You’re criticized sometimes fairly, but a lot of times, unfairly. You’re irritated. You’re frustrated. Anger is a journey that begins with one of these types of emotions. (You can fill in your own blank about what sets you off.)

But God’s Word gives us this wonderful, simple remedy, two sides of one coin. Be quick to hear, slow to speak. Be good listeners. Be slow talkers. Count to ten before you speak, and that will slow you down on the way to anger. And never, ever let the sun go down on your anger. Don’t let Satan get a foothold on another day of anger. You’ll be glad. I promise you that.

 

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"Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above." - James 1:17

One Perfect Blessing
August 3, 2014

What are the greatest blessings in your life? Take a few moments to jot down what you feel are some of life’s greatest blessings. If you’re feeling real grumpy today, this will really help you! Just give it a try. Now as you think of those blessings, I ask you, “Is there a common thread through the blessings, and why are those blessings so great? What makes them unique?”

In addition to my Christian grandparents and parents, I’m also thankful that God has blessed me with an incredible Christian wife. And what’s so interesting is she has a similar heritage. We had nothing to do with those Christian grandparents. We had nothing to do with Christian parents. It was all by the grace of God that we received these blessings. We’re also blessed with Christian siblings. We’re blessed with three sons, along with their wives, that all have real relationships with the Lord. Not only that, but they’ve blessed us with beautiful grandchildren, as well! And, of course, we are blessed with countless friends.

My point in all of this is our greatest blessings are really relationships. And seemingly, in my life, the most significant relationships have that common bond with Jesus Christ. But I want you to know these blessings are not perfect. Sure, they’re all influenced with that relationship with Christ, but they are imperfect because all of us sin. All of my relatives sin. I sin. My wife sins. We all sin.

 

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Breaking Free
By Poh Fang Chia
Read: Romans 8:1-11
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. —Romans 8:1
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 68-69; Romans 8:1-21
The elephant is the largest land animal on earth—and one of the most powerful. Yet it takes only a strong rope to restrain one. Here’s how it works. When the elephant is young, he is tied to a large tree. For weeks, he will strain and pull, but the rope holds him fast. So eventually he gives up.

Then, when the elephant reaches his full size and strength, he won’t struggle to get free, for once he feels resistance, he stops. He still believes he’s held captive and can’t break free.

Satan can play a similar trick on us to hold us captive. The Bible assures us that there is “no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:1). We have been set “free from the law of sin and death” (v.2). But the enemy of our soul tries to make us believe we are still dominated by sin.

What shall we do then? Reflect on what Christ has done. He died for our sins and declared an end to sin’s control over us (v.3). He rose from the dead and gave us the Holy Spirit. Now we are empowered to live victoriously in Him because “the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in [us]” (v.11).

In Christ, we are set free.

He has our salvation wrought,
He our captive souls has bought,
He has reconciled to God,
He has washed us in His blood. —Wesley
Experience true freedom— take every thought captive in obedience to Christ.
Insight
Though Paul did not plant the church at Rome, his letter to them became foundational not only fortheir spiritual understanding, but—in many ways—for ours as well. Paul’s theology of salvation and call to response resonate with gratitude to his Savior.

 

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Broken But Beautiful
By Cindy Hess KasperRead: Jeremiah 18:1-6
[The vessel] was marred . . . ; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. —Jeremiah 18:4
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 70-71; Romans 8:22-39
Recently, my daughter showed me her collection of sea glass. Also known as beach glass, the varied bits of colored glass are sometimes pieces of pottery but often they are pieces of shattered glass bottles. Originally the glass had a purpose, but then it was casually thrown away and became broken.

If the discarded glass ends up in an ocean, its journey is just beginning. As it is relentlessly tossed about by currents and tides, its jagged edges are ground down by the sand and waves and eventually are smoothed away and rounded off. The result is something beautiful. The jewel-like sea glass has found new life and is treasured by collectors and artists.

In a similar way, a broken life can be renewed when it is touched by God’s love and grace. In the Old Testament, we read that when the prophet Jeremiah watched a potter working, he noticed that if an object was marred the potter simply reshaped it (Jer. 18:1-6). God explained that in His hands the people of ancient Israel were like clay, which He would shape as He saw best.

We are never too badly broken for God to reshape. He loves us in spite of our imperfections and past mistakes, and He desires to make us beautiful.

Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay;
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still. —Pollard
When melted by trial, we can be fully molded by the Potter.
Insight
Jeremiah is often referred to as the weeping prophet because of the disheartening messages he was often called to deliver to the people of Israel. This title is also appropriate considering the fact that he also wrote the book of Lamentations. In today’s passage, God shows Jeremiah that there is no situation that is not redeemable. No matter the mar, no matter the defect, God can remold and reshape the people of Israel into something useful and beautiful. This is the same message that Paul delivers to the church of Corinth. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). God takes the old and broken and fashions it into something new and useful.

 

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Difficult People
By Dennis FisherRead: Ephesians 4:1-12
Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called . . . bearing with one another in love. —Ephesians 4:1-2
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 72-73; Romans 9:1-15
In the book God in the Dock, author C. S. Lewis describes the kind of people we have trouble getting along with. Selfishness, anger, jealousy, or other quirks often sabotage our relationship with them. We sometimes think, Life would be much easier if we didn’t have to contend with such difficult people.

Lewis then turns the tables on us by pointing out that these frustrations are what God has to endure with each of us every day. He writes: “You are just that sort of person. You also have a fatal flaw in your character. All the hopes and plans of others have again and again shipwrecked on your character just as your hopes and plans have shipwrecked on theirs.” This self-awareness should motivate us to try to show the same patience and acceptance to others that God shows to us daily.

In Ephesians, Paul exhorts us to arm ourselves relationally “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” (4:2). The one who is patient is better able to deal with a difficult person without becoming provoked to anger and retaliation. Instead, he or she is able to endure, exhibiting grace in spite of upsetting behavior.

Are there difficult people in your life? Ask God to show His love through you.

Some people can be difficult to love,
And so we do not even try to care;
But God says, “Love them just as I’ve loved you—
You’ll bring Me glory as My love you share.” —Cetas
See others as God sees you.
Insight
Paul never gives instruction without reminding readers of the reason for it. Today’s encouragement to bear with one another (Eph. 4:2) is rooted in the necessity of recognizing that the Spirit unites us in one calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God (vv.3-6). We are to be patient with others so that the body of Christ may be edified (vv.2,12).

 

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The Upright Thumb
By Jennifer Benson SchuldtRead: Genesis 6:11-22
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. —Genesis 6:8
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 74-76; Romans 9:16-33
According to an African fable, four fingers and a thumb lived together on a hand. They were inseparable friends. One day, they noticed a gold ring lying next to them and conspired to take it. The thumb said it would be wrong to steal the ring, but the four fingers called him a self-righteous coward and refused to be his friend. That was just fine with the thumb; he wanted nothing to do with their mischief. This is why, the legend goes, the thumb still stands separate from the other fingers.

This tale reminds me that at times we may feel we’re standing alone when wrongdoing surrounds us. In Noah’s day, the earth was filled with violence; every thought in every heart was “evil continually” (Gen. 6:5,11). Yet “Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (v.8). Fully devoted to God, Noah obeyed Him and built the ark. The Lord, in His grace, spared him and his family.

We too have been shown God’s grace through His Son Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. We have every reason to bring Him honor and stand strong for Him in our daily lives. He is always near, even abiding in us, so we never really stand alone. His “ears are open to [our] cry” (Ps. 34:15).

They show their colors when they stand
For what is true and right;
And those who venture all on God
Are pleasing in His sight. —D. DeHaan
It’s easy to stand with a crowd; it takes courage to stand alone.

 

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Holy, Holy, Holy
By Julie Ackerman Link
Read: Revelation 4
They do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” —Revelation 4:8
Bible in a Year:
Psalms 79-80; Romans 11:1-18
“Time flies when you’re having fun.” This cliché has no basis in fact, but experience makes it seem true.

When life is pleasant, time passes all too quickly. Give me a task that I enjoy, or a person whose company I love, and time seems irrelevant.

My experience of this “reality” has given me a new understanding of the scene described in Revelation 4. In the past, when I considered the four living creatures seated around God’s throne who keep repeating the same few words, I thought, What a boring existence!

I don’t think that anymore. I think about the scenes they have witnessed with their many eyes (v.8). I consider the view they have from their position around God’s throne (v.6). I think of how amazed they are at God’s wise and loving involvement with wayward earthlings. Then I think, What better response could there be? What else is there to say but, “Holy, holy, holy”?

Is it boring to say the same words over and over? Not when you’re in the presence of the one you love. Not when you’re doing exactly what you were designed to do.

Like the four creatures, we were designed to glorify God. Our lives will never be boring if we’re focusing our attention on Him and fulfilling that purpose.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity! —Heber
A heart in tune with God can’t help but sing His praise.

 

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"...even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you." -Isaiah 46:4

Finding Real Life
August 10, 2014

Old age is definitely not for the weak. In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon would agree. He wrote of how the things we take for granted when we’re young cause us to lose delight in living when we’re old.

Our eyesight grows dim, we start with reading glasses and then move to bifocals. Our hearing grows weak. We’re constantly saying “Huh?” We have time to sleep late, but we wake up early. Our hands start to tremble and our knees hurt.

The truth is, getting older can be a challenge, and without God it can be meaningless. But with God, there is wisdom, strength, joy, and the hope that when the body finally gives out, there is life, ”real life,” in heaven with Him. It’s something to remember when you’re young AND when you’re old.

 

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"Very truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I AM!"- John 8:58

Did Jesus Tell the Truth About Himself?
August 11, 2014

Jesus was constantly making religious people mad. Imagine that! What made them the angriest were His claims about Himself. He said, “I AM the bread of life,” and “I AM the light of this world,” meaning enlightenment. He said, “I AM the way,” meaning the way to God. He said, “I AM the truth.” “I AM the life,” meaning the key to eternal life. He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM.”

Now, these are definite claims to be God. These were outrageous statements and were the major reason that Jesus was executed. The religious people saw Him as a blasphemer, claiming to be God.

Whatever you do, don’t commit intellectual suicide by claiming you think Jesus was just a good man, or a prophet, or a good teacher, but not God. If you believe that, your only rational conclusion would be that He was an idiot, a megalomaniac who lied…OR He is who He claimed to be! I believe He told the truth about Himself.

Do you believe that?

 

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"If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well." - James 2:8

Fulfilling the Royal Law of God
August 12, 2014

The best basketball coach I ever had was a guy I felt I could never completely satisfy. He was demanding. He taught me more about basketball than anybody else, but it never seemed to be quite good enough. Maybe you’ve had a coach like that. It motivated you. You wanted to do better, but you just weren’t sure you could ever be good enough. Maybe some of you have a boss like that now, a supervisor. No matter what you do, no matter how hard you work, you still wonder to yourself, “How good is good enough?”

Well, the fact is, everybody, at some point in your life, has wondered if you’re good enough for God. And some of you are hopeful that perhaps if the good of your life outweighs the bad of your life, God will grade on the curve when that day comes and you’re finally face to face with Him. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

If you and I are fulfilling God’s royal law, we are doing a good thing. But we wonder how good is good enough? Well, this is key. We are to fulfill the royal law of God. So, what exactly does God’s Word mean by the royal law? The first part of the royal law is to recognize it is only through faith in Jesus Christ that we will ever see God in the first place. It also is the supreme law in human relationships given to us by the King of all kings – that is Jesus Christ! And that royal law is contained in what is called Christ’s Great Commandment. “You shall love the Lord your God will all your heart, soul, and mind. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Ask Jesus to become Lord of your life and love your neighbor as yourself

 

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"It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God." - Luke 6:12

Blessings in the Middle of the Night
August 13, 2014

Do you ever find yourself unable to sleep? Most of us do at one time or another. Whenever I fight the restlessness, just tossing and turning and trying to go back to sleep, I find myself exhausted the next day. But sometimes I have enough sense to recognize that perhaps it’s the Lord that’s awakened me. I will get up and start pouring out my heart to God. And you know what? Those impromptu sessions in the middle of the night are some of my most rewarding times. These moments create an opportunity to have unrushed time alone with God. I’m able to hear His voice and understand His guidance. It’s like He speaks in a special way where I haven’t really been hearing Him. And I treasure those times (even though I sometimes am slow to recognize that I need to get up and get out of that warm bed). As a bonus, I don’t wake up exhausted, but refreshed.

Realize God blesses you greatly when you spend regular time alone with Him. Take advantage of opportunities that present themselves, no matter what time of day or night they may be; it may just be that God is trying to squeeze some one-on-one time into your busy schedule!

 

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"With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and curse." - James 3:9

Let the Words of My Mouth…
August 16, 2014

Here’s one of the ironies for a lot of people in the body of Christ. People will come to worship and really worship the Lord with great feeling, and then that afternoon curse somebody in your family, somebody at the church, somebody at the office– the same person, blessing and cursing. And God’s Word says very clearly, It should not be this way.

I remember a situation in college one day where I had become pretty good friends with a guy at Carolina who mainly thought about the next party he could have. Yet, I had been able to develop a friendship with him and had been able to share Christ with him two or three times. He didn’t seem that interested, but he was cordial. One day we were in Columbia and I was drinking a six-ounce glass bottle Coke. Anyway, he sneaked up behind me and hit my arm, knocking the Coke down and broke it into a hundred pieces on the floor. What did I do? I cursed him—just like that. Just flew out of my mouth. And he kind of half smiled and looked at me. He said, “Bryant, I didn’t think good Christian boys like you said things like that.” I wanted to crawl in a hole, realizing all those months of trying to share the Good News of Christ had been dissipated in one word. God’s Word says, “With the same tongue we both bless and curse.” It’s just not supposed to be that way. So, being a follower of Christ, how can we tame the tongue?

Bad news: we will never completely tame the tongue because we’re sinners. We’re going to say cruel things, harsh things. So we will never arrive at perfection in this area.

Good news: if we’re ever going to get on top of this situation with the tongue, we’ve got to understand it begins with the condition of our heart. The words of our mouth simply reflect the condition of our heart. Good heart…good words. Bad heart…bad words. Whether it’s cursing, whether it’s slander, whether it’s gossip, or cruel things we say in anger, whether it’s words of judgment in anger that we make towards other… whatever it may be. From a bad heart, come bad things that we say. And Jesus Christ is in the business of transforming hearts. Our hearts. Yours and mine. Is God convicting you today? Let’s give Him the authority over the words that come out of our mouths.