Daily Devotion

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Following Jesus In Faith
OCT 01 2013
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." - Mark 8:34

Are you really a Christian? You may think you are, but you may not be. After all, Jesus Himself said that some people will do seemingly "Christian" things in His name but will not truly know Him. Or maybe you know you are not a Christian and you wonder what it really means to be one.(1)

When I was sixteen, I would have told you I was a Christian because I grew up in a Christian home. But at a Young Life camp in Colorado, I heard a message about God's love for me through Christ's death on the cross. Realizing all He went through convicted me that I believed in God by convenience and association. Oh, I called on God before a big game or a big test, but I was basically using Him when it was convenient for me.

After realizing God's love for me, I decided to follow Jesus as the number one priority of my life and began a personal relationship with God through Christ. I realized that I had to make that decision for myself and couldn't depend on the belief of my parents to save me.

He loves you just as He loves me. He gave His life so you can know Him personally and be sure of eternal, abundant life with Him. If you just believe in God by convenience, like I used to, consider committing your life to following Jesus in faith. It's a life you'll never regret. It's a life of ultimate meaning and purpose.


(1) Am I Really A Christian, Mike McKinley

 

[bluesniper3906]

DON'T LIE

Colossians 3:9 Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,

To lie is a perfect weapon of Satan that so many people easily fall in just a second. Sometimes, to avoid hurting one's feeling; sometimes being reluctant of saying 'no'. There are times that we intent to delight other people or it was just a way of living. It is important that every word that shall comes out of our lips would be full of truth. To lie is not only wrong but it is a sin. Satan is the father of all lies (John 8:44), and if we have truly put off our old ways, any form of lies shall not be remained on us. It is very important to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit and we could ask Him to guard our heart and lips so that everything that would come out of our lips were only those words that would glorify and honor our great, great GOD.
A blessed day ahead of us!

 

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The Gift Of Presence
October 3, 2013 — by Randy Kilgore

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: John 11:14-27
Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. —John 11:19
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 17-19; Ephesians 5:17-33
A number of years ago, when I was a new human resource manager for a company, I attended the visitation and funeral of a long-time employee I had never met. The worker, a bricklayer, was loved by his co-workers, yet very few came to see his widow. I listened to someone trying to console her by saying that many people stay away because they are afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing and making the family more miserable.

In times of distress, however, people rarely remember what we say. What they most remember is that we were there. Familiar faces offer strength beyond description; they provide comfort for the deep feelings of loneliness setting in from the loss. This “gift of presence” is one we’re all capable of offering, even if we’re tongue-tied or uncomfortable.

Martha and Mary were surrounded by friends and mourners who comforted them when their brother Lazarus died (John 11:19). Then the One they most longed to see—Jesus—came and wept with them (vv.33-35). The people responded, “See how He loved him!” (v.36).

In loss of any kind, Jesus always gives His comforting presence, and we have the ability to give deeply of His compassion simply by the gift of our presence.

O may I never fail to see
The comfort you may need from me;
And may you know that I am there
To bind our souls as grief we share. —Kilgore
Often the best comfort is just being there.

 

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Love In A Hate Filled World
OCT 02 2013
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34-35

Christians can really be mean to each other. We are quick to point out faults. We gossip and envy one another. It is not a pretty picture, yet Jesus says when we love each other—the world will know that we belong to Him.

So, how do we fix this? John Piper, a great Bible teacher, taught on these two verses and he said, “Look. This is a new commandment. This is not this idea of Christians loving each other just like Christ loved us. This is a commandment. It’s not a suggestion. We are to love one another."

You see, when you came to Christ, you realized at that point that your life was on the wrong path. And you turned and said, “Jesus is the right path.” You agreed to Him being the boss. So you said, “Thank you for saving me, but also thank You for being in charge of me now. I submit to Your commands.” So we are commanded, it’s not optional, that we as Christians love each other. He died for us, and He forgives us unconditionally. And He gives us chance after chance, and grace after grace. Then we mess up again and what does He do? He comes and holds us close to Him. Why can’t we love each other like that and say, “You know what? I know that you’re a mess” and then show them we love them?

Jesus is so concerned about us being right with each other that He said, “It’s better for you to stop worshiping and ask forgiveness than it is just to keep worshiping and doing your church thing.” Is there somebody you need to forgive? Somebody you struggle to love? Get it right, so folks outside the church can say, “Those folks really love each other. I guess that’s what it means to be a Christian.”

 

[bluesniper3906]

A VISION

Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but one who keeps the law is blessed. (Proverbs 29:18)

A vision is important in every believer's life. We shouldn't be comforted that we are saved and haven't noticed the situation around us. We must be sensitive into the mourning and lamentations of people who suffers much, losing hope and faith.
GOD has revealed to Ezekiel through his Spirit the worst condition of the Israelites; dead, dried bones, without flesh and life (Eze 37:1). Truly, this is the conditions of people without Christ in their lives. They must knew this and as a believers, it shall be our vision to win their soul and bring them before God.
One time, Jesus sadly looked into Jerusalem and said, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem!" (Matt 23:37). Filled with love, compassion and forgiveness, in his vision He wanted to help them, like a mother who wanted to placed her children within her arms when they're in troubles.
May we always have this kind of visions in our heart, always looking after the welfare of those people who were under the bondage of sufferings.

 

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A Dangerous Challenge
October 6, 2013 — by Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: 2 Chronicles 20:1, 15-22
The battle is not yours, but God’s. —2 Chronicles 20:15
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 26-27; Philippians 2
While millions watched on television, Nik Wallenda walked across Niagara Falls on a 1,800-foot wire that was only 5 inches in diameter. He took all the precautions he could. But adding to the drama and danger of both the height and the rushing water below, a thick mist obscured Nik’s sight, wind threatened his balance, and spray from the falls challenged his footing. Amid—and perhaps because of—these perils, he said that he “prayed a lot” and praised God.

The Israelites also praised God in the middle of a dangerous challenge. Theirs involved a large group of warriors who had gathered to fight them (2 Chron. 20:2). After humbly asking God for help, King Jehoshaphat appointed a choir to march out into battle in front of the Israelite army. The worshipers sang: “Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever” (v.21). When they began to sing, the Lord caused the enemy forces to attack and destroy each other.

Praising God in the midst of a challenge may mean overriding our natural instincts. We tend toward self-protection, strategizing, and worry. However, worshiping can guard our hearts against troubling thoughts and self-reliance. It reminds us of the lesson the Israelites learned: “The battle is not [ours], but God’s” (v.15).

Lord, I praise You, for Your mercy is everlasting.
Help me to remember that every battle in
this life is Yours. The outcome belongs to
You because You are sovereign.
No matter what is in front of us, God is always behind us.

 

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Terrifying Expectations
OCT 07 2013
"Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." - Matthew 10:37

If Jesus has ever made a scary statement, one that causes me to examine my heart to its very core, it has to be Matthew 10:37. Read the scripture referenced above again. Now that is a stunning statement, one that challenges me to fully comprehend. That is because I love my wife. I love my children. I love my grandchildren and parents and siblings. I even love my in-laws. Because of my deep love for my family, Jesus' statement makes me very uncomfortable. In fact, it terrifies me.

Similar to God's statement to Abraham, Jesus is saying that when it comes to our family members, Christ must be in first place, or else He will be in no place at all when it comes to our lives. As hard as that is to take in, Christ wants to make it clear that if we want to follow Christ, He must be first. The fact is that if we love anyone (or anything) more than Jesus, we are not worthy of Him. And if that's not tough enough, He goes on and says that we must love Him more than we love our own life itself. Jesus sets up high expectations for His followers.

Am I willing to meet His expectations? I am, as tough as it is. How about you?

 

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God Provides, But How?
October 8, 2013 — by Julie Ackerman Link

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: Deuteronomy 24:19-22
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread. —Proverbs 12:11
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 30-31; Philippians 4
Outside my office window, the squirrels are in a race against winter to bury their acorns in a safe, accessible place. Their commotion amuses me. An entire herd of deer can go through our back yard and not make a sound, but one squirrel sounds like an invasion.

The two creatures are different in another way as well. Deer do not prepare for winter. When the snow comes they eat whatever they can find along the way (including ornamental shrubs in our yard). But squirrels would starve if they followed that example. They would be unable to find suitable food.

The deer and the squirrel represent ways that God cares for us. He enables us to work and save for the future, and He meets our need when resources are scarce. As the wisdom literature teaches, God gives us seasons of plenty so that we can prepare for seasons of need (Prov. 12:11). And as Psalm 23 says, the Lord leads us through perilous places to pleasant pastures.

Another way that God provides is by instructing those with plenty to share with those in need (Deut. 24:19). So when it comes to provision, the message of the Bible is this: Work while we can, save what we can, share what we can, and trust God to meet our needs.

Thank You, Lord, for the promise that You will
meet our needs. Help us not to fear or doubt.
We’re grateful that You’re watching over us
and that our cries for help reach Your ear.
Our needs will never exhaust God’s supply.

 

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Look At Jesus
OCT 08 2013
"Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." - John 14:9b

Can you remember a time you saw some friends whispering a secret to one another? Whether this was at the office, a party, at school, or even at church, it is pretty frustrating when others know a secret, while you are in the dark. I have good news for you today. While God kept the ultimate secret for thousands of years, He has now revealed it - and He wants you to know it. The scripture declares, "That their hearts may be encouraged...and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery that is," - THIS IS IT- "Christ Himself."

If you want to understand what God is like, look at Jesus. He is the visible image of the invisible God. Christ is the Creator behind all creation. He is our Savior, who has come to rescue us from a spiritual darkness and to give us peace with God. If we want to understand God, look at Jesus. If you want to understand truth, look at Jesus. If you want to understand the answer to life, look at Jesus. This is God's ultimate secret revealed to you - Jesus Christ.

 

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Born Into The Family Of God
OCT 09 2013
"Jesus called for them saying, 'Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them.'" - Luke 18:16

Few things in life inspire a couple more than giving birth to a child. It's one of those times when even a skeptic tends to believe in God. The same is true when a couple adopts and sees that child for the first time. But as awesome as it is to be blessed with children, it's doubly awesome to know that your child has been born into the family of God.

This hit home one year on a trip to Israel when my three sons were baptized in the Jordan River as a testimony of their faith in Jesus Christ. My heart was overflowing, knowing that all of them, at different points in their lives, had been born into the family of God through faith in Christ. My wife and I have not only had the blessing of these sons being born into our family, but of knowing that they're in the family of God forever.

Have your children been born into the family of God? Have you? It comes through faith in Christ. Having or adopting children are wonderful, but being born into the family that lasts forever is the greatest of all.

 

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Chance Doesn't Stand A Chance
OCT 10 2013
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." - Genesis 1:1

How do you think that life came about? Where did it all begin? How was it all put in motion? Some believe life evolved by chance; others believe all creation came from God. The fact is, both philosophies take a great deal of faith.

Imagine this: One of our soldiers in the Middle East sets off a landmine and out of the explosion comes a perfectly built 747, ready to fly him home to America. Would you believe that story? It would take a great deal of faith. And yet, it takes that much faith and more to believe that all of life evolved by chance, because all life is far more complex than a 747.

Theologian, author, and pastor, R.C. Sproul, calls chance, “the magic wand to make not only rabbits come out of the hat, but entire universes.” Simply put: Chance doesn’t stand a chance.

Look around you--the birth of a baby, the predictable seasons, the beauty of spring. Do you have enough faith to believe it happened by chance?

I don't. I'm going to put my bet on God. He put it all in motion.

 

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I’m Invisible
October 12, 2013 — by Anne Cetas

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: Isaiah 40:25-31
[The Lord] gives power to the weak. —Isaiah 40:29
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 39-40; Colossians 4
My friend Jane said something at a work meeting and no one responded. So she repeated it and again no one responded; her co-workers just ignored her. She realized that her opinion didn’t matter much. She felt disregarded and invisible. You may know what that’s like as well.

The people of God felt that way as a nation (Isa. 40). Only they believed it was God Himself who didn’t see or understand their daily struggle to survive! The southern kingdom had been carried away captive into Babylon, and the exiled nation complained: “My way is hidden from the Lord, and my just claim is passed over by my God” (v.27).

While Isaiah agreed that compared to God “the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales” (v.15), he also wanted the people to know that God gives power to the weak and strength to those who need it (v.29). If they waited on the Lord, Isaiah said, He would renew their strength. They would mount up with wings like eagles; they would run and not be weary (v.31).

When you’re feeling invisible or disregarded, remember that God does see you and He cares. Wait on Him, and He’ll give you renewed strength.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail.
Thy mercies how tender! How firm to the end!
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend. —Grant
Even when we don’t sense God’s presence, His loving care is all around us.

 

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Facing Our Past
October 13, 2013 — by David C. McCasland

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: Acts 9:20-30
He tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. —Acts 9:26
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 41-42; 1 Thessalonians 1
Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship, spent 40 years helping people hear and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ. When he died in April 2012, one newspaper article carried the headline, “Charles Colson, Nixon’s ‘dirty tricks’ man, dies at 80.” It seemed surprising that a man so transformed by faith should be identified with things he did as a politically ruthless presidential aide decades earlier before he knew the Savior.

The apostle Paul’s conversion and his early Christian witness were greeted with skepticism and fear. When he began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God, people said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose?” (Acts 9:21). Later when Paul went to Jerusalem and tried to join the disciples, they were afraid of him (v.26). In years to come, Paul never ignored his past, but spoke of it as evidence of the mercy of God (1 Tim. 1:13-14).

Like Paul, we don’t need to parade our failures or to pretend they didn’t happen. Instead, we can thank the Lord that through His grace and power, our past is forgiven, our present is changed, and our future is bright with hope for all He has prepared for us.

Transformed by grace divine,
The glory shall be Thine;
To Thy most holy will, O Lord,
We now our all resign. —Burroughs
Only Jesus can transform our life.

 

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Seeds & Soils
October 14, 2013 — by Brent Hackett

Our Daily Bread Radio is hosted by Les Lamborn
Read: Matthew 13:1-9
Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. —2 Peter 3:18
Bible in a Year:
Isaiah 43-44; 1 Thessalonians 2
If you like growing pumpkins, you have probably heard of Dill’s Atlantic Giant variety of premium pumpkin seeds. Developed on a family farm in Atlantic Canada, the pumpkins grown from these seeds have set records around the world. In 2011, a pumpkin grown in Quebec set a new world record at 1,818.5 pounds (825 kg). That size of pumpkin could yield almost 1,000 pieces of pie!

When news reporters asked how this pumpkin could grow to such a size, the farmer replied that it had to do with the soil. The seeds were of a special large variety, but the soil still had to be right or the pumpkin wouldn’t grow properly.

The Lord Jesus used an illustration in which He compared different types of ground to a person’s response to God’s Word (Matt. 13). Some seeds were eaten by the birds, others started to grow but were choked by the weeds, and some grew up instantly but had no soil to further their growth. But the seeds that fell on the good soil “yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (v.8).

Each of us needs to ask, “What kind of soil am I?” The Lord wants to plant His Word in our hearts so we can grow in our knowledge of Him.

More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me. —Hewitt
The fruit of the Spirit grows in the soil of obedience.

 

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Don't Take Your Eyes Off Of Jesus
OCT 15 2013
"But seeing the wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!'" - Matthew 14:30

Often when we are in the midst of the storms of life we struggle on our own power, rowing our boat frantically in the midst of our fear. It may be smooth sailing for a while, and then suddenly a storm comes. The boss informs you that you no longer have a job, your spouse files for divorce, someone close to you dies, or the doctor says those dreaded words, "You have cancer."

Jesus appeared to His disciples when they were at sea in a storm. Because He was walking on water, Peter said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to walk in the water with You." He did, and Peter stepped out of the boat in faith. He was doing okay as long as he focused on Jesus. But suddenly, he thought about what he was doing and looked at the darkness of the sea. Amidst the howling winds, he was overcome with fear and began to sink. At the last moment, he cried out to Jesus to save him, and Jesus did.

Taking his eyes off Jesus and focusing on the dangers of the storm overwhelmed Peter. But God is bigger than any storm. Focus on Him in faith and He'll give you the strength to get through the storms of life victoriously.

 

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What Are Your Conclusions?
OCT 16 2013
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest." - John 10:10

You may have read this before, but as I was reviewing some of my past devotions, I ran across this one and was once again astounded by the statistics it contained.

Now, I'm not very good with statistics, but I have a copy of the results of a survey done byLifeWay Research. They polled 1402 "unchurched" adults (defined as people not going to church in the last six months) and found some interesting responses. What conclusions do you draw from these responses?

71% think believing in Jesus makes a positive difference in a person's life.
72% believe that God actually exists.
72% say the church is full of hypocrites.
78% say they would be willing to listen to somebody tell them about Christianity.
79% say Christianity today is more about organized religion than about loving people.
86% say they believe they can have a good relationship with God without belonging to a church.

Arthur Farnsley, administrator of the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, interprets it this way, "Is there a workshop for churches in being less annoying, less hypocritical?"

Key thought: If Jesus is so attractive to the majority of the "unchurched," how can the church become more and more like Jesus?

 

[boldstardex]

“..pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” - Proverbs 16:18-19

Arrogance is the opposite of humility, and is often displayed in a conceited fashion, which is an unattractive quality. When someone has an overinflated opinion of himself or herself, they often act in an overbearing way that is called arrogance.

Did you know that for every 100 successful people, there is maybe one who can deal with great success and keep his/her head on straight? The temptation to give into prideful arrogance is huge. So how can people blessed with success not be overcome with pride?

1) Remember all good things come from God: talents, abilities, and opportunities.
2) There’s really no such thing as a self-made man. Every successful person had some help along the way.
3) The people with the biggest problem with pride don’t feel they have a problem.
4) We are most like the Devil when we are filled with arrogant pride. We are most like Jesus when we are fulfilling God’s will for God’s glory.

If you are struggling with arrogant pride, seek God’s forgiveness. And if you’ve got any guts, ask Him to teach you humility. It may not be an easy lesson, but you’ll be a better person for it. And the world around you will, too.

 

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"...but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" - Genesis 3:3

Imagine this: a man wakes up - the first man - and he sees a world full of beauty, glory, savory fruits and animals. All were living in harmony with one another and with God.

Fast forward. God had put one tree in the middle of the garden and told Adam that he must not eat from it. Ever wonder why?

Well, the reason is very simple. God loves us and He created us to have fellowship with Him and choose to follow His commands. There is not true love in a relationship unless we are free to reject that love. God gave man a free will to decide if we love Him enough to trust Him, and trust Him enough to obey Him. To love God is to obey Him. It’s a choice. If we have no choice, we have no opportunity to love. Instead, we’re robots or puppets.

But, what is really amazing, God’s love is so great that even though we all choose to disobey Him more often than we'd like to admit, He gives us a way to be forgiven and changed, and empowered to love Him through Jesus Christ. Why don’t you choose Christ in faith and you’ll be forgiven and made right with God. It's a relationship like none you've known before!

 

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Angry Much?
OCT 21 2013
"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools." - Ecclesiastes 7:9

We all get angry. We're human, after all. But, do you ever feel your anger is justified? Have you ever used the term "righteous anger?" The phrase is often used when someone has wronged us so unjustly that we say, "I have every right to be angry." And then to justify our outburst, we'll add, "Jesus showed righteous anger, didn't He?"

Well, yes, He did. But it is important to notice what triggered His righteous anger. Once was when He entered the temple and found it had been turned into a place for taking advantage of the poor. Jesus was furious about it because God was not being respected. Jesus also got angry whenever people were taken advantage of, mistreated, or were shown contempt. And Jesus became indignant when the disciples would not allow children to visit with Him. These are all displays of righteous anger.

But understand this: Jesus only became angry when others were mistreated. Jesus never got angry when HE was treated unjustly. So, how did He react when He was the target of injustice? Look at what Jesus did when He was unfairly sentenced to death, the ultimate act of personal injustice.

He said, "Father, forgive them."

 

[boldstardex]

"For you light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness." - Psalm 18:28

The fear of the dark is a common fear among children and, to a varying degree, of adults. Fear of the dark is usually not fear of the darkness itself, but fear of possible or imagined dangers concealed by darkness. Here's an example:

She had been driven crazy by her energetic children and just needed to get away, if even for just a moment. She ran upstairs to her daughter's bedroom and closed the closet door behind her. And there, in the solitude of the closet she cleansed her mind by letting out a long, loud scream. She immediately felt better and opened the door to leave. Blocking her exit, with eyes the size of saucers, were her three children. Her four-year-old daughter spoke first: "Mommy, I told you there were monsters in there."

While that is a humorous moment, the truth is, children and adults fear the dark, the unknown, for the same reason: our fears are intensified when we cannot see what is really before us. Listen to these words from the Psalmist: "Where can I go from Your spirit? Where can I flee Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there. If I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast."

Like a loving father, God promises us He'll always be with us. He's there to offer us His hand in life's darkest hours. He'll carry us through the darkness and lead us where we need to go. He'll always be with us. Never be afraid, for He is always there.