Showing posts with label Daily in the Word Paul Chappell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daily in the Word Paul Chappell. Show all posts
7/16 Daily in the Word
What God Can Do with a Surrendered Life
Romans 12:1-2
When D.L. Moody was just starting in the ministry he heard a preacher say, "The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully surrendered to Him." Moody that night said, "By God’s grace I’ll be that man!" It is said that Moody shook two continents for God and over a million souls came to Christ under his preaching and ministry. Moody had little formal education, and he was not a polished speaker. But God greatly used his life.
At a memorial service some years after Moody’s death, Evangelist R.A. Torrey who had been one of his closest friends said, "The first thing that accounts for God’s using D.L. Moody so mightily was that he was a fully surrendered man. Every ounce of that two-hundred-and-eighty-pound body of his belonged to God; everything he was and everything he had, belonged wholly to God."
When we surrender our purpose and will to God and allow Him to use us as He sees fit, amazing things happen. The world is shaken not by the wise, the mighty, the intelligent, or the skilled, but by those who have yielded to God. Paul said it was "reasonable" for us to surrender our lives, but many today seem to think that it is too much to ask. Instead of surrendering, they cling tightly to their own desires and interests. How much better it is both for us and for a world in need if we surrender and let God choose our path!
Today's Rooted Principle:
A surrendered and empowered life can shake the world. Are you willing to be that fully surrendered person for God?
6/14 Daily in the Word
Saved for a Purpose
Revelation 12:10-11
Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe said, “In the Christian life you’re either an overcomer or you’re overcome, a victor or a victim. After all, God didn’t save us to make statues out of us and put us on exhibition. He saved us to make soldiers out of us and move us forward by faith to claim our rich inheritance in Jesus Christ.”
Every believer has a place in God’s plan for warfare against the enemy. The world has no power to resist the devil. The Bible tells us that they "are taken captive by him at his will" (2 Timothy 2:26). But that is not true for the child of God. We are no longer helpless against Satan, but that is true not because of our strength, but through the blood of Jesus.
The power of the blood pays the price for our salvation, but it does far more than just that. The same blood that saves us makes us victors—overcomers—by empowering us to win the victory over the temptations and trials that we face. The truth is that our battles are not just for our own benefit. Each of us has a powerful influence on others. Our family members, neighbors, co-workers, and friends at church need us to help them in the battle as well. If we forget the purpose for which God has saved us, we are likely to fall victim to the wiles of Satan. Remain focused today on the calling of God, and rest in His power as you walk with Him.
Today's Rooted Principle:
Find your place in God’s purpose today, and you will be an overcomer.
6/12 Daily in the Word
The Hinges of Opposition
1 Corinthians 16:8-9
Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. said, “The door to the room of success swings on the hinges of opposition.” Sometimes we mistakenly believe that because we are having difficulty we are on the wrong track. We think that if we were doing the right thing it would be easy. However the presence of obstacles and opposition does not mean that we are doing wrong; in fact, that can even be a sign that we are close to seeing wonderful things happen.
Russell Conwell, a Baptist pastor in Philadelphia, was the author of one of the best-selling books of the 1800s called Acres of Diamonds. In it Conwell told the story of a man obsessed with finding diamonds. He sold his home and travelled the world for years in a futile search. Meanwhile the buyer of the man’s property discovered one of the richest diamond mines in the world on that land. Too often we dream of greener pastures or easier paths when what we need to do is just persist in doing right where we are.
It is said that the great missionary David Livingstone received a letter from a young man who wanted to come and join his work. “Please tell me the easiest way to get to Africa to join,” he wrote.” Livingstone replied, “I am not interested in someone who is looking for the easiest way.” The Christian life is described in Scripture as both a war and a long distance race. Success at what God has called us to do requires struggle, intensity, and the commitment to overcome obstacles. If you are facing opposition today, rejoice—that may be the best sign yet that victory is close at hand.
Today's Rooted Principle:
Do not allow any opposition to deter you from doing what is right.
4/5 Daily in the Word
Your "Want To"
Luke 9:57–58
I remember talking to a man who didn’t like what we were doing at Lancaster Baptist Church. "You just do everything the Bible says to do," he accused. I told him, "I love the Author of the Book, and I want to do what He says." Although I don’t always succeed at that effort, it is my goal to do what God wants me to do.
The reason for that "want to" is that I love Christ and desire to follow Him. It is not that the Bible is a list of rules for me to keep. There are commands of God which carry blessings for obedience and punishments for disobedience; but the Christian life is far more than just that. Walking with God in a close personal relationship through prayer and spending time in His Word creates a desire in our hearts to follow what He has said to do.
Someone once said, "Rules without relationships bring rebellion; rules with relationships bring response." The closer I am to Jesus, the more likely I am to want to do what He wants me to do. Remember before Peter three times denied the Lord, he was first following Him "afar off" (Matthew 26:58).
The more time we spend with Jesus, the more like Him we become. Acts 4:13 says, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." The more like Jesus we become, the stronger our desire to please the Father becomes, and the more we desire do right.
Luke 9:57–58
I remember talking to a man who didn’t like what we were doing at Lancaster Baptist Church. "You just do everything the Bible says to do," he accused. I told him, "I love the Author of the Book, and I want to do what He says." Although I don’t always succeed at that effort, it is my goal to do what God wants me to do.
The reason for that "want to" is that I love Christ and desire to follow Him. It is not that the Bible is a list of rules for me to keep. There are commands of God which carry blessings for obedience and punishments for disobedience; but the Christian life is far more than just that. Walking with God in a close personal relationship through prayer and spending time in His Word creates a desire in our hearts to follow what He has said to do.
Someone once said, "Rules without relationships bring rebellion; rules with relationships bring response." The closer I am to Jesus, the more likely I am to want to do what He wants me to do. Remember before Peter three times denied the Lord, he was first following Him "afar off" (Matthew 26:58).
The more time we spend with Jesus, the more like Him we become. Acts 4:13 says, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus." The more like Jesus we become, the stronger our desire to please the Father becomes, and the more we desire do right.
1/31 Daily in the Word
The Power of God
Colossians 1:16
The Tournament of Roses is a New Year's parade of floats each year in Pasadena, California. Many colorful floats are built by companies to entertain guests and promote their business. But one year, the entire parade was held up as one of the floats ran out of gas in the middle of the event. Ironically, the float was built by the Standard Oil Company. A company known for powering vehicles had their own vehicle run out of power.
When you think about the power of God, you can become overwhelmed at just how great our God is. He formed the world from nothing, orders everything that happens, and takes notice of even the smallest of changes in the world. And that doesn't even begin to describe how powerful God is.
In the grand scheme of the world, we are but minute beings on the face of earth, yet God shows that He cares about every detail of our lives. God cares if you're facing a trial. He cares if you're going through a tough time. He cares if you need wisdom to make a life-changing decision. God cares about you.
Never take for granted the fact that God is interested in every aspect of your life. God has the power to change the world, and He engages that power on your behalf if you will but ask Him for help.
No one in this world loves you as much as God does and no one can help you like God can. He's promised to help. All you must do is seek His power.
Take some time today to seek God's help in your life. He has the power to help in your difficult situation, and He delights to help you.
Colossians 1:16
The Tournament of Roses is a New Year's parade of floats each year in Pasadena, California. Many colorful floats are built by companies to entertain guests and promote their business. But one year, the entire parade was held up as one of the floats ran out of gas in the middle of the event. Ironically, the float was built by the Standard Oil Company. A company known for powering vehicles had their own vehicle run out of power.
When you think about the power of God, you can become overwhelmed at just how great our God is. He formed the world from nothing, orders everything that happens, and takes notice of even the smallest of changes in the world. And that doesn't even begin to describe how powerful God is.
In the grand scheme of the world, we are but minute beings on the face of earth, yet God shows that He cares about every detail of our lives. God cares if you're facing a trial. He cares if you're going through a tough time. He cares if you need wisdom to make a life-changing decision. God cares about you.
Never take for granted the fact that God is interested in every aspect of your life. God has the power to change the world, and He engages that power on your behalf if you will but ask Him for help.
No one in this world loves you as much as God does and no one can help you like God can. He's promised to help. All you must do is seek His power.
Take some time today to seek God's help in your life. He has the power to help in your difficult situation, and He delights to help you.
1/13 Daily in the Word
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Water of Life
by Dr. Paul Chappell
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Revelation 22:17
A young salesman was disappointed about losing a big sale, and as he talked with his sales manager he complained, "I guess it just proves you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." The manager replied, "Your job is not to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty."
There are people all around us thirsting for the water of life-only, they don't know that this is what they need. They search for something to fill the emptiness inside, but nothing satisfies. They strive to quench their inner thirst with pleasure, money, or good works, but they still feel parched inside.
As Christians, we have experienced the refreshing, thirst-quenching of the water of life-Jesus Christ Himself. The blood of Christ has cleansed us from every sinful stain of the past and has given us the assurance of a heavenly home. But, how good are we at inviting others to the water of life? When others look at our lives do they want what we have? Do we make lost souls thirsty for the Gospel?
Too many Christians who preach the Gospel with their lips, do not live with the power of the Gospel in their daily lives. Such inconsistency actually serves to repel people from the very Gospel they need.
Jesus said, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). We as Christians have the amazing privilege to tell hopeless, thirsting souls about the water of life. Remember, though, as you share the water of life, to live in such a way that others will want what you have.
Today's Rooted Principle:
Make others thirsty for the Gospel by living in a way that is consistent with your message.
The Water of Life
by Dr. Paul Chappell
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."
Revelation 22:17
A young salesman was disappointed about losing a big sale, and as he talked with his sales manager he complained, "I guess it just proves you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." The manager replied, "Your job is not to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty."
There are people all around us thirsting for the water of life-only, they don't know that this is what they need. They search for something to fill the emptiness inside, but nothing satisfies. They strive to quench their inner thirst with pleasure, money, or good works, but they still feel parched inside.
As Christians, we have experienced the refreshing, thirst-quenching of the water of life-Jesus Christ Himself. The blood of Christ has cleansed us from every sinful stain of the past and has given us the assurance of a heavenly home. But, how good are we at inviting others to the water of life? When others look at our lives do they want what we have? Do we make lost souls thirsty for the Gospel?
Too many Christians who preach the Gospel with their lips, do not live with the power of the Gospel in their daily lives. Such inconsistency actually serves to repel people from the very Gospel they need.
Jesus said, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life" (John 4:14). We as Christians have the amazing privilege to tell hopeless, thirsting souls about the water of life. Remember, though, as you share the water of life, to live in such a way that others will want what you have.
Today's Rooted Principle:
Make others thirsty for the Gospel by living in a way that is consistent with your message.
8/14 Daily in the Word
The Power of Prayer
Psalm 37:1–9
The devil knows he is no match to the power a believer accesses through prayer.
One of the benefits of being a Christian is having the availability of a storehouse of God’s blessings, help, and treasures. Yet sometimes we live as if our only advantage from salvation is a home in Heaven (though that is already more than we deserve). God has provided His infinite power, His almighty help, and His omniscience in our everyday lives. But often, the key to unlocking such blessings is prayer.
The Christian author John Bunyan once wrote, “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.” Our days should begin with a humble seeking of God’s help and power. God knows the struggles we face each day. He understands the temptations and pitfalls waiting us. And He alone can help us overcome life’s problems.
Prayer is such an important part of our everyday life. William Cowper, an early hymnodist and believer, once commented on the power of prayer in the believer’s life: “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees.” The devil knows he is no match to the power a believer accesses through prayer.
Many times we lose heart in our prayer lives. Things don’t work out as we imagine, or our prayers go unanswered longer than we’d like. Sometimes we give up hope. God commands us to daily pray, with full faith that God will provide for us as only He knows best. First Thessalonians 5:17 puts it simply, “Pray without ceasing.”
Psalm 37 is one of my favorite passages to read when I become weary in prayer. The Psalmist encourages us, “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
Have you lost hope and heart in your prayer life? Too often we are surrounded by the temptations, struggles, hurts, and needs; and we lose sight of our almighty Saviour who, in an instant, is able to fix any problem in our lives.
Look not at your struggles in the eyes of an earthly timeline. Realize that God’s plan will be accomplished on God’s time. Your situation may scream for an answer right now, but God tells you to wait patiently on His timing and rest your faith in Him.
What prayer requests are you daily bringing before the Lord? Have you grown weary in your daily beseeching of God? Renew your faith that God will answer your prayer in His time and in His way. Remind yourself daily that no matter what you believe the answer should be or when you believe God should provide for you, His way is more perfect than anything you could plan for yourself.
Daily Bible Reading
Psalm 89-90 | Romans 14
Psalm 37:1–9
The devil knows he is no match to the power a believer accesses through prayer.
One of the benefits of being a Christian is having the availability of a storehouse of God’s blessings, help, and treasures. Yet sometimes we live as if our only advantage from salvation is a home in Heaven (though that is already more than we deserve). God has provided His infinite power, His almighty help, and His omniscience in our everyday lives. But often, the key to unlocking such blessings is prayer.
The Christian author John Bunyan once wrote, “He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day.” Our days should begin with a humble seeking of God’s help and power. God knows the struggles we face each day. He understands the temptations and pitfalls waiting us. And He alone can help us overcome life’s problems.
Prayer is such an important part of our everyday life. William Cowper, an early hymnodist and believer, once commented on the power of prayer in the believer’s life: “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees.” The devil knows he is no match to the power a believer accesses through prayer.
Many times we lose heart in our prayer lives. Things don’t work out as we imagine, or our prayers go unanswered longer than we’d like. Sometimes we give up hope. God commands us to daily pray, with full faith that God will provide for us as only He knows best. First Thessalonians 5:17 puts it simply, “Pray without ceasing.”
Psalm 37 is one of my favorite passages to read when I become weary in prayer. The Psalmist encourages us, “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.”
Have you lost hope and heart in your prayer life? Too often we are surrounded by the temptations, struggles, hurts, and needs; and we lose sight of our almighty Saviour who, in an instant, is able to fix any problem in our lives.
Look not at your struggles in the eyes of an earthly timeline. Realize that God’s plan will be accomplished on God’s time. Your situation may scream for an answer right now, but God tells you to wait patiently on His timing and rest your faith in Him.
What prayer requests are you daily bringing before the Lord? Have you grown weary in your daily beseeching of God? Renew your faith that God will answer your prayer in His time and in His way. Remind yourself daily that no matter what you believe the answer should be or when you believe God should provide for you, His way is more perfect than anything you could plan for yourself.
Daily Bible Reading
Psalm 89-90 | Romans 14
8/8 Daily in the Word
As Fast as Lightning
James 3:4-6
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.-Abraham Lincoln
A man working in the produce department was asked by a lady if she could buy half a head of lettuce. He replied, "Half of a head? Are you serious? God grows these in whole heads and that's how we sell them!"
"You mean," she persisted, "that after all the years I've shopped here, you won't sell me half a head of lettuce?" "Look," he said, "If you like I'll ask the manager."
She indicated that would be appreciated, so the young man marched to the front of the store. "You won't believe this, but there's a lame-braided idiot of a lady back there who wants to know if she can buy half a head of lettuce." He noticed the manager gesturing, and turned around to see the lady standing behind him, obviously having followed him to the front of the store. "And this nice lady was wondering if she could buy the other half" he concluded.
Later in the day the manager cornered the young man and said, "That was the finest example of thinking on your feet I've ever seen! Where did you learn that?" "I grew up over in Riverfront County, and if you know anything about Riverfront County, you know that it's known for its great hockey teams and its ugly women." The manager's face flushed, and he interrupted, "My wife is from Riverfront County!" "And which hockey team did she play for?"
Many people today have a quick tongue. Sometimes it's needed to get you out of a jam! But with a quick tongue, also comes regrets. Have you ever said something you wish you hadn't? Have you ever wished you could take something back that you said? Letting your tongue speak freely can oftentimes get you in trouble.
As our verses today show, although the tongue is a small part of the body, it has the power to hurt or help people. Not stopping to think about what is said or simply speaking your thoughts is not how God intends your tongue to be used. God wants you to use your tongue and your speech to help others, not tear them down.
How often does your tongue get you in trouble? If you're like most people, your tongue can be hard to control sometimes! Next time you want to say something, stop. Ask yourself if it will hurt the person you're talking to or help them. Ask God to help you have power to control your tongue and use it for good.
Daily Bible Reading
Psalm 74-76 o Romans 9:16-33
James 3:4-6
Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.-Abraham Lincoln
A man working in the produce department was asked by a lady if she could buy half a head of lettuce. He replied, "Half of a head? Are you serious? God grows these in whole heads and that's how we sell them!"
"You mean," she persisted, "that after all the years I've shopped here, you won't sell me half a head of lettuce?" "Look," he said, "If you like I'll ask the manager."
She indicated that would be appreciated, so the young man marched to the front of the store. "You won't believe this, but there's a lame-braided idiot of a lady back there who wants to know if she can buy half a head of lettuce." He noticed the manager gesturing, and turned around to see the lady standing behind him, obviously having followed him to the front of the store. "And this nice lady was wondering if she could buy the other half" he concluded.
Later in the day the manager cornered the young man and said, "That was the finest example of thinking on your feet I've ever seen! Where did you learn that?" "I grew up over in Riverfront County, and if you know anything about Riverfront County, you know that it's known for its great hockey teams and its ugly women." The manager's face flushed, and he interrupted, "My wife is from Riverfront County!" "And which hockey team did she play for?"
Many people today have a quick tongue. Sometimes it's needed to get you out of a jam! But with a quick tongue, also comes regrets. Have you ever said something you wish you hadn't? Have you ever wished you could take something back that you said? Letting your tongue speak freely can oftentimes get you in trouble.
As our verses today show, although the tongue is a small part of the body, it has the power to hurt or help people. Not stopping to think about what is said or simply speaking your thoughts is not how God intends your tongue to be used. God wants you to use your tongue and your speech to help others, not tear them down.
How often does your tongue get you in trouble? If you're like most people, your tongue can be hard to control sometimes! Next time you want to say something, stop. Ask yourself if it will hurt the person you're talking to or help them. Ask God to help you have power to control your tongue and use it for good.
Daily Bible Reading
Psalm 74-76 o Romans 9:16-33
8/4 Daily in the Word
Be Ye Kind
Ephesians 4:31-32
Being kind pays in unexpected ways.
There were once two young men working their way through Leland Stanford University. Their funds got desperately low, and the idea came to one of them to engage the pianist, Paderewski for a piano recital and devote the profits to their board and tuition. The great pianist's manager asked for a guarantee of two thousand dollars. The students, undaunted, proceeded to stage the concert. They worked hard, only to find that the concert had raised only sixteen hundred dollars. After the concert, the students sought the great artist and told him of their efforts and results. They gave him the entire sixteen hundred dollars, and accompanied it with a promissory note for four hundred dollars, explaining that they would earn the amount at the earliest possible moment and send the money to him.
"No," replied Paderewski, "that won't do." Then tearing the note to shreds, he returned the money and said to them: "Now, take out of this sixteen hundred dollars all of your expenses, and keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work, and let me have the rest." The years rolled by---years of fortune and destiny. Paderewski had become Premier of Poland. The devastating war came, and Paderewski was striving to feed the thousands of starving people in his beloved Poland. There was only one man in the world that could help Paderewski and his people.
Thousands of tons of food began to come into Poland for distribution by the Polish Premier. After the starving people were fed, Paderewski journeyed to Paris to thank Herbert Hoover for the relief sent him. "That's all right, Mr. Paderewski," was Mr. Hoover's reply. "Besides, you don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and I was in a hole."
Even though Mr. Paderewski didn't know he would one day need their help, he was kind and loving toward the young men when they didn't have enough money. His kindness didn't go unnoticed and was later repaid just when he needed it.
We saw yesterday that a characteristic of the earthly ministry of Christ was humility. Everything He did was done through a humble heart that sought to glorify the Lord. Another characteristic of Jesus was His kindness.
In reading the Scriptures, you can't help but notice the Lord's kindness on the poor, weak, sick, and less fortunate people during His time. While some people ridiculed or avoided the poor, Christ reached out to them. When the sick were cast out of the city, Jesus went to them and healed them. His kindness was not reserved for the scholars, rich, or religious people of the day; but He displayed kindness to everyone He met.
As Christians, we are to be characterized by kindness as well. But how often do we rush about our day and neglect those who need our help? How many times have you reacted harshly or said unkind words to someone else? Even if they do not deserve your kindness, be kind to them because Christ has been kind to you.
As you seek to live for God today, remember Ephesians 4:32, "But be ye kind one to another..." Seek to live today with kindness and let others see the loving kindness of God through your life.
Daily Bible Reading
Psalm 66-67 | Romans 7
Ephesians 4:31-32
Being kind pays in unexpected ways.
There were once two young men working their way through Leland Stanford University. Their funds got desperately low, and the idea came to one of them to engage the pianist, Paderewski for a piano recital and devote the profits to their board and tuition. The great pianist's manager asked for a guarantee of two thousand dollars. The students, undaunted, proceeded to stage the concert. They worked hard, only to find that the concert had raised only sixteen hundred dollars. After the concert, the students sought the great artist and told him of their efforts and results. They gave him the entire sixteen hundred dollars, and accompanied it with a promissory note for four hundred dollars, explaining that they would earn the amount at the earliest possible moment and send the money to him.
"No," replied Paderewski, "that won't do." Then tearing the note to shreds, he returned the money and said to them: "Now, take out of this sixteen hundred dollars all of your expenses, and keep for each of you 10 percent of the balance for your work, and let me have the rest." The years rolled by---years of fortune and destiny. Paderewski had become Premier of Poland. The devastating war came, and Paderewski was striving to feed the thousands of starving people in his beloved Poland. There was only one man in the world that could help Paderewski and his people.
Thousands of tons of food began to come into Poland for distribution by the Polish Premier. After the starving people were fed, Paderewski journeyed to Paris to thank Herbert Hoover for the relief sent him. "That's all right, Mr. Paderewski," was Mr. Hoover's reply. "Besides, you don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and I was in a hole."
Even though Mr. Paderewski didn't know he would one day need their help, he was kind and loving toward the young men when they didn't have enough money. His kindness didn't go unnoticed and was later repaid just when he needed it.
We saw yesterday that a characteristic of the earthly ministry of Christ was humility. Everything He did was done through a humble heart that sought to glorify the Lord. Another characteristic of Jesus was His kindness.
In reading the Scriptures, you can't help but notice the Lord's kindness on the poor, weak, sick, and less fortunate people during His time. While some people ridiculed or avoided the poor, Christ reached out to them. When the sick were cast out of the city, Jesus went to them and healed them. His kindness was not reserved for the scholars, rich, or religious people of the day; but He displayed kindness to everyone He met.
As Christians, we are to be characterized by kindness as well. But how often do we rush about our day and neglect those who need our help? How many times have you reacted harshly or said unkind words to someone else? Even if they do not deserve your kindness, be kind to them because Christ has been kind to you.
As you seek to live for God today, remember Ephesians 4:32, "But be ye kind one to another..." Seek to live today with kindness and let others see the loving kindness of God through your life.
Daily Bible Reading
Psalm 66-67 | Romans 7
7/23 Daily in the Word
It’s All from God
Genesis 45:9–10
Lee Iacocca, the legendary Chrysler carmaker, wrote in his autobiography: “Here I am in the twilight years of my life, still wondering what it’s all about. I can tell you this: fame and fortune is for the birds.”
The world often focuses on gaining possessions and acquiring wealth in life. Success is many times measured in earthly assets. But as Christians, we know that blessings and success in life come only from God. Yet many times we can be guilty of having an unthankful attitude to God for His blessings in our lives.
Although Joseph was faithful during the difficult times in his life, he was also faithful when God blessed him. Sometimes trials come through adversity, but sometimes we are challenged through times of blessing. I have seen a lot of people hang on during a trial and remain faithful to God. But when the blessings came, they were not faithful to God. When they lost their job, they prayed for God’s intervention and mercy. But when God blessed their lives, they acquired the mentality that they no longer needed God.
Joseph was blessed in Egypt and was quickly promoted in Potiphar’s house. Genesis 39:2 says, “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” Joseph became the master of the house. Yet through his time of prosperity, he never forgot God.
Notice what Joseph told his brothers in Genesis 45:9–10, “Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast.” He said, “God has made me Lord of all Egypt.” Joseph did not forget in his time of blessing that it was not by his knowledge, skill, or hard work, but that the blessings all came from God.
Never forget that whatever blessings come into your life come from God. James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Think of how God has blessed you. Have you thanked Him for His blessings and provisions? Every blessing comes from God and He deserves the glory and honor and praise for it.
Have you thanked God lately for all He has given you? God often blesses His children because He loves them, but we must remember that with blessing comes the temptation to abandon God, to forget the source of the blessings. Don’t take for granted the times of blessings in your life. Stay humble and realize everything you have is from God.
Daily Bible Reading
Psalm 33-34 | Acts 24
Genesis 45:9–10
Lee Iacocca, the legendary Chrysler carmaker, wrote in his autobiography: “Here I am in the twilight years of my life, still wondering what it’s all about. I can tell you this: fame and fortune is for the birds.”
The world often focuses on gaining possessions and acquiring wealth in life. Success is many times measured in earthly assets. But as Christians, we know that blessings and success in life come only from God. Yet many times we can be guilty of having an unthankful attitude to God for His blessings in our lives.
Although Joseph was faithful during the difficult times in his life, he was also faithful when God blessed him. Sometimes trials come through adversity, but sometimes we are challenged through times of blessing. I have seen a lot of people hang on during a trial and remain faithful to God. But when the blessings came, they were not faithful to God. When they lost their job, they prayed for God’s intervention and mercy. But when God blessed their lives, they acquired the mentality that they no longer needed God.
Joseph was blessed in Egypt and was quickly promoted in Potiphar’s house. Genesis 39:2 says, “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.” Joseph became the master of the house. Yet through his time of prosperity, he never forgot God.
Notice what Joseph told his brothers in Genesis 45:9–10, “Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast.” He said, “God has made me Lord of all Egypt.” Joseph did not forget in his time of blessing that it was not by his knowledge, skill, or hard work, but that the blessings all came from God.
Never forget that whatever blessings come into your life come from God. James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” Think of how God has blessed you. Have you thanked Him for His blessings and provisions? Every blessing comes from God and He deserves the glory and honor and praise for it.
Have you thanked God lately for all He has given you? God often blesses His children because He loves them, but we must remember that with blessing comes the temptation to abandon God, to forget the source of the blessings. Don’t take for granted the times of blessings in your life. Stay humble and realize everything you have is from God.
Daily Bible Reading
Psalm 33-34 | Acts 24
6/30 Daily in the Word
God's Comfort
1 John 3:23Ð24
God wants you to lean upon Him and His strength during your weakness.
There are times in all of our lives when we need the Lord's comforting. Whether it is because of a problem, a struggle, or when we feel alone, we need God's comfort in our life.
One way God comforts us is by abiding with us. John 15:10 says, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. When we abide with Christ each day by reading His Word and speaking to Him through prayer, He will comfort us. God is our Heavenly Father, and He knows when we are hurting. Yet, He cannot comfort us if we do not come to Him, abide in Him, and seek His help.
We can also find comfort in the Holy Spirit. Christ sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us during times of sadness and hurt. John 14:16-17 says, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
When we are going through doubt, discouragement, or even loss, the Holy Spirit is there to help us. God knows that there will be times when we feel alone or hurt and He wants to help us. He wants us to come to Him and seek His help.
Once during Queen Victoria's reign, she heard that the wife of a common laborer had lost her baby. Having experienced deep sorrow herself, she felt moved to express her sympathy. So she called on the bereaved woman one day and spent some time with her. After she left, the neighbors asked what the queen had said. "Nothing," replied the grieving mother. "She simply put her hands on mine, and we silently wept together."
Friend, God wants to help you through your time of sorrow or hurt. He wants you to know that He loves you and cares for you. God wants you to lean upon Him and His strength during your weakness. He wants you to abide with Him and to seek the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Are you going through a tough time in your life? Do you need God's comfort today? Take time today to seek God's comfort by abiding with Him. Spend time reading His Word and praying to Him. Let Him comfort you by spending time with you. Also let the Holy Spirit comfort you as you go about your day. Lean on Christ and let Him help sustain you in your time of hurt.
Daily Bible Reading
Job 17-19 o Acts 10:1-23
1 John 3:23Ð24
God wants you to lean upon Him and His strength during your weakness.
There are times in all of our lives when we need the Lord's comforting. Whether it is because of a problem, a struggle, or when we feel alone, we need God's comfort in our life.
One way God comforts us is by abiding with us. John 15:10 says, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. When we abide with Christ each day by reading His Word and speaking to Him through prayer, He will comfort us. God is our Heavenly Father, and He knows when we are hurting. Yet, He cannot comfort us if we do not come to Him, abide in Him, and seek His help.
We can also find comfort in the Holy Spirit. Christ sent the Holy Spirit to comfort us during times of sadness and hurt. John 14:16-17 says, "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
When we are going through doubt, discouragement, or even loss, the Holy Spirit is there to help us. God knows that there will be times when we feel alone or hurt and He wants to help us. He wants us to come to Him and seek His help.
Once during Queen Victoria's reign, she heard that the wife of a common laborer had lost her baby. Having experienced deep sorrow herself, she felt moved to express her sympathy. So she called on the bereaved woman one day and spent some time with her. After she left, the neighbors asked what the queen had said. "Nothing," replied the grieving mother. "She simply put her hands on mine, and we silently wept together."
Friend, God wants to help you through your time of sorrow or hurt. He wants you to know that He loves you and cares for you. God wants you to lean upon Him and His strength during your weakness. He wants you to abide with Him and to seek the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Are you going through a tough time in your life? Do you need God's comfort today? Take time today to seek God's comfort by abiding with Him. Spend time reading His Word and praying to Him. Let Him comfort you by spending time with you. Also let the Holy Spirit comfort you as you go about your day. Lean on Christ and let Him help sustain you in your time of hurt.
Daily Bible Reading
Job 17-19 o Acts 10:1-23
6/14 Daily in the Word
Do Unto Them
Luke 6:27-31
How you wish your enemies would treat you is how God wants you to treat them.
Early America presented unique challenges that we rarely face today. For one, during the Revolutionary War, those loyal to America's independence had to be wary of loyalists and English traitors living among them. For this reason, the punishment for treason was usually death.
In the town of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, lived a minister, Peter Miller, who was close friends with George Washington. Miller did all he could to promote patriotism and helped organize men for Washington's armies. In the same town lived an evil, critical cynic named Michael Wittman who was bent on opposing everything Miller did. Wittman let it be known that he did not like Miller or his church and openly mocked the work being done there.
One day, Wittman was arrested on suspicion of treason and through trial it was proven the cynical man had been secretly working to send information to the British troops. Convicted, Wittman faced death. Hearing of Wittman's fate, Peter Miller couldn't help but feel compassion on him. Miller traveled seventy miles on foot to Philadelphia to plead George Washington for Wittman's life.
After Miller pled his case, George Washington replied, "I'm sorry, Peter. I know we're friends but we consider treason a serious matter. I cannot release this man simply because he is your friend." "Friend?" exclaimed Miller. "Why, this man is my most bitter enemy." Shocked, Washington replied, "You've walked seventy miles to plead for the life of your enemy? This puts things in a very different light. Because of that, I'll grant his release." Michael Wittman was released, and he and Peter Miller returned to Ephrata as friends.
How would you have treated Wittman were you in the situation? Would you have thanked God that your enemy was gone, that the thorn in your flesh had been relieved? Too often we view critics or enemies as simply pains in our lives without realizing they, like us, are simply lost souls for whom Christ gave His life.
Time and again in the Scriptures, God reminds us to love our enemies, to care for those who mistreat us, and to show kindness to those who belittle us. We are told to reject the world's commands to seek revenge and treat others as we want to be treated by them.
Consider that thought. How do you want your enemies to treat you? Wouldn't it be nice if they forgot their hatred and treated you as a friend? God commands you to take that image of how you wish to be treated and show it to those who hate you. Treat them how you wish they'd treat you.
More often than not, people lash out in anger and unkindness because they are hurting. Reject the thoughts of revenge and evil, and treat your enemies as lost souls in need of hope. As God says, "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also."
Who should you be praying for today? What enemies need your prayerful support? Ask God to keep you humble and kind despite the hateful actions of others.
Daily Bible Reading
Ezra 9-20 | Acts 1
Luke 6:27-31
How you wish your enemies would treat you is how God wants you to treat them.
Early America presented unique challenges that we rarely face today. For one, during the Revolutionary War, those loyal to America's independence had to be wary of loyalists and English traitors living among them. For this reason, the punishment for treason was usually death.
In the town of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, lived a minister, Peter Miller, who was close friends with George Washington. Miller did all he could to promote patriotism and helped organize men for Washington's armies. In the same town lived an evil, critical cynic named Michael Wittman who was bent on opposing everything Miller did. Wittman let it be known that he did not like Miller or his church and openly mocked the work being done there.
One day, Wittman was arrested on suspicion of treason and through trial it was proven the cynical man had been secretly working to send information to the British troops. Convicted, Wittman faced death. Hearing of Wittman's fate, Peter Miller couldn't help but feel compassion on him. Miller traveled seventy miles on foot to Philadelphia to plead George Washington for Wittman's life.
After Miller pled his case, George Washington replied, "I'm sorry, Peter. I know we're friends but we consider treason a serious matter. I cannot release this man simply because he is your friend." "Friend?" exclaimed Miller. "Why, this man is my most bitter enemy." Shocked, Washington replied, "You've walked seventy miles to plead for the life of your enemy? This puts things in a very different light. Because of that, I'll grant his release." Michael Wittman was released, and he and Peter Miller returned to Ephrata as friends.
How would you have treated Wittman were you in the situation? Would you have thanked God that your enemy was gone, that the thorn in your flesh had been relieved? Too often we view critics or enemies as simply pains in our lives without realizing they, like us, are simply lost souls for whom Christ gave His life.
Time and again in the Scriptures, God reminds us to love our enemies, to care for those who mistreat us, and to show kindness to those who belittle us. We are told to reject the world's commands to seek revenge and treat others as we want to be treated by them.
Consider that thought. How do you want your enemies to treat you? Wouldn't it be nice if they forgot their hatred and treated you as a friend? God commands you to take that image of how you wish to be treated and show it to those who hate you. Treat them how you wish they'd treat you.
More often than not, people lash out in anger and unkindness because they are hurting. Reject the thoughts of revenge and evil, and treat your enemies as lost souls in need of hope. As God says, "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also."
Who should you be praying for today? What enemies need your prayerful support? Ask God to keep you humble and kind despite the hateful actions of others.
Daily Bible Reading
Ezra 9-20 | Acts 1
6/3 Daily in the Word
Passing on the Faith
Proverbs 4:1-6
If we wish to pass on our faith to our children, we must be living authentic, dedicated Christian lives.
The more time we spend as parents, the more we realize the difficult responsibility God has given us to raise God-fearing children in a culture intent to corrupt our best efforts. Barbara Dafoe Whithead, research associate for the Institute for American Values, describes the parent versus culture struggle as such:
"A common complaint I heard from parents was their sense of being overwhelmed by the culture. They felt relatively more helpless than their parents. Parents see themselves in a struggle for the hearts and minds of their own children."
The evidence of generational breakdown surrounds us. Children who have godly, dedicated parents are choosing to abandon the faith and follow their own path in our world. Who is to blame for such a breakdown?
As adults and parents, we set the standard for our children. We show them our interpretation of the Christian life and from that most children will decide whether or not they will live a godly Christian life. While we cannot force our children to live godly lives, we do set the example for them to follow.
Ask yourself the following questions:
"How am I actively helping pass on the faith to future generations?"
"How would my children describe my faith?"
"Would my children want to live life the way I've lived it in regards to my faith?"
"What kind of Christianity am I showing the youth of our world?"
Proverbs 4 shows us a father's urging for his children to follow his life's path. He encourages them to listen to his advice and obey his counsel. As a parent, are you encouraging your children to follow the lessons your life is teaching? More than words, your children are watching your actions.
If we wish to pass on our faith to our children, we must be living authentic, dedicated Christian lives. Not perfect lives, but lives that show our children the blessings God gives to those who follow Him. Some children will decide to live for self despite their parents' best examples, yet as parents, God calls us to live godly lives to show our children the blessings of living for Him. We won't be perfect, but if we wish to pass on the faith to our children, we must commit to living faithful lives of obedience.
Daily Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 17-18 | John 13:1-20
Proverbs 4:1-6
If we wish to pass on our faith to our children, we must be living authentic, dedicated Christian lives.
The more time we spend as parents, the more we realize the difficult responsibility God has given us to raise God-fearing children in a culture intent to corrupt our best efforts. Barbara Dafoe Whithead, research associate for the Institute for American Values, describes the parent versus culture struggle as such:
"A common complaint I heard from parents was their sense of being overwhelmed by the culture. They felt relatively more helpless than their parents. Parents see themselves in a struggle for the hearts and minds of their own children."
The evidence of generational breakdown surrounds us. Children who have godly, dedicated parents are choosing to abandon the faith and follow their own path in our world. Who is to blame for such a breakdown?
As adults and parents, we set the standard for our children. We show them our interpretation of the Christian life and from that most children will decide whether or not they will live a godly Christian life. While we cannot force our children to live godly lives, we do set the example for them to follow.
Ask yourself the following questions:
"How am I actively helping pass on the faith to future generations?"
"How would my children describe my faith?"
"Would my children want to live life the way I've lived it in regards to my faith?"
"What kind of Christianity am I showing the youth of our world?"
Proverbs 4 shows us a father's urging for his children to follow his life's path. He encourages them to listen to his advice and obey his counsel. As a parent, are you encouraging your children to follow the lessons your life is teaching? More than words, your children are watching your actions.
If we wish to pass on our faith to our children, we must be living authentic, dedicated Christian lives. Not perfect lives, but lives that show our children the blessings God gives to those who follow Him. Some children will decide to live for self despite their parents' best examples, yet as parents, God calls us to live godly lives to show our children the blessings of living for Him. We won't be perfect, but if we wish to pass on the faith to our children, we must commit to living faithful lives of obedience.
Daily Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 17-18 | John 13:1-20
5/30 Daily in the Word
The Blessings of Purity
Genesis 39:7-9
I once heard the story of a young engaged couple who went to meet with the minister to sign some pre-wedding ceremony papers. While filling out the form, the boy read aloud a few questions. When he got to the last one, which read: "Are you entering this marriage at your own will?" he looked over at his fianc'e. "Put down 'Yes,'" she said.
Many people in today's world do not value marriage as God does. The world does not even see the necessity of marriage any more! Although the world tells us it is okay to be morally impure, God calls us to live a pure life in Him. God tells us that there are many blessings for staying pure in our marriage.
In our verses today, we see an example of a young man who resisted the temptation to become impure. Joseph had been sold into slavery and rejected by his family. He was in a distant country and was working for a man named Potiphar. While Joseph could have become bitter and turned his back on God, he remained faithful. He stayed morally pure even when he was tempted.
Even though Joseph went through a testing period when he was in jail, God blessed him for remaining morally pure. We can see how God blessed Joseph for his faithfulness. He was soon promoted to be a ruler over Egypt, and God helped him preserve the land during a famine. God blessed Joseph because he remained morally pure.
Even as God blessed Joseph, He will bless us as well. When we commit to moral purity, God promises to bless our homes. So many families today are being separated by unfaithfulness. As men and women fall to the sin of impurity, families are being destroyed. God promises to help sustain a marriage and guide a family as we commit to moral purity. As we focus on God and keep our hearts pure, He will help guide our family.
God also promises to bless us with joy. As we learned yesterday, the world seeks to fill our lives with temporary happiness. Our world is bent on enjoying entertainment and in seeking pleasure. But God tells us that this kind of happiness is not fulfilling. The only true source of joy is Christ.
Psalm 146:5 says, "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God." God tells us that as we seek Him and live in the power of His strength, we will find joy. While the world offers temporary pleasure, God offers us true joy as we stay morally pure.
Are you staying physically and mentally pure? God has promised to bless us as we stay pure. Don't trade the entertainment and temporary happiness this world offers for the guidance and true joy found in Christ. Ask God to help you resist the devil's temptations today. As we keep our focus on the Lord, we will be able to remain pure and will be able to enjoy the blessings God provides.
Daily Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 10-12 | John 11:30-57
Genesis 39:7-9
I once heard the story of a young engaged couple who went to meet with the minister to sign some pre-wedding ceremony papers. While filling out the form, the boy read aloud a few questions. When he got to the last one, which read: "Are you entering this marriage at your own will?" he looked over at his fianc'e. "Put down 'Yes,'" she said.
Many people in today's world do not value marriage as God does. The world does not even see the necessity of marriage any more! Although the world tells us it is okay to be morally impure, God calls us to live a pure life in Him. God tells us that there are many blessings for staying pure in our marriage.
In our verses today, we see an example of a young man who resisted the temptation to become impure. Joseph had been sold into slavery and rejected by his family. He was in a distant country and was working for a man named Potiphar. While Joseph could have become bitter and turned his back on God, he remained faithful. He stayed morally pure even when he was tempted.
Even though Joseph went through a testing period when he was in jail, God blessed him for remaining morally pure. We can see how God blessed Joseph for his faithfulness. He was soon promoted to be a ruler over Egypt, and God helped him preserve the land during a famine. God blessed Joseph because he remained morally pure.
Even as God blessed Joseph, He will bless us as well. When we commit to moral purity, God promises to bless our homes. So many families today are being separated by unfaithfulness. As men and women fall to the sin of impurity, families are being destroyed. God promises to help sustain a marriage and guide a family as we commit to moral purity. As we focus on God and keep our hearts pure, He will help guide our family.
God also promises to bless us with joy. As we learned yesterday, the world seeks to fill our lives with temporary happiness. Our world is bent on enjoying entertainment and in seeking pleasure. But God tells us that this kind of happiness is not fulfilling. The only true source of joy is Christ.
Psalm 146:5 says, "Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God." God tells us that as we seek Him and live in the power of His strength, we will find joy. While the world offers temporary pleasure, God offers us true joy as we stay morally pure.
Are you staying physically and mentally pure? God has promised to bless us as we stay pure. Don't trade the entertainment and temporary happiness this world offers for the guidance and true joy found in Christ. Ask God to help you resist the devil's temptations today. As we keep our focus on the Lord, we will be able to remain pure and will be able to enjoy the blessings God provides.
Daily Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 10-12 | John 11:30-57
5/27 Daily in the Word
God's Love through Us
1 John 4:11-13
Over the past few days we have seen God's love. Not only did He tell us of His love through His Word, but He sent His only Son to die on Calvary to prove His love to us. As we conclude our look at the love of God, notice that God's love is unconditional.
Verse eleven tells us that we are to love one another. Christ does not give us a list of requirements someone must meet in order for us to love them. He does not command us to love only those who love us. He tells us to love one another. This means everyone.
No matter what someone has done to us, we should love them. God's love for us does not depend on our love for Him; He loves us whether we obey Him or reject Him. Even so, we must not base our love for others on their love for us or their attitude toward us. We must love them as Christ loves us.
Romans 5:5 says, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Of our own power, we would not be able to always show God's love. Yet through the empowering of His Holy Spirit, we can even show love to those who mistreat us.
Not only does Christ desire for us to love others, but He desires for us to let His love flow through our lives. God is invisible, but we as His children are visible. While some may not read of God's love in His Word or see His love on Calvary, they may see it through us as believers. The only way some people may see the love of Christ is through our lives.
The famous British preacher G. Campbell Morgan was once at lunch with his wife and his five sons who were also preachers. A friend asked them, "Who is the greatest preacher?" In unison the six men said, "Our mother." Mrs. Morgan's life affected others more than any sermon her husband and sons had preached.
Because we are Christians, people will watch us. They will watch how we live and what we let affect our lives. Many times they will judge Christianity based on our lives. How would someone judge Christianity based on your life? Are you letting Christ's love flow through you? Or will someone never see the love of Christ because of your life? Ask Christ to give you the strength to love those around you, and let His love flow through you today.
Daily Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 1-3 | John 10:1-23
1 John 4:11-13
Over the past few days we have seen God's love. Not only did He tell us of His love through His Word, but He sent His only Son to die on Calvary to prove His love to us. As we conclude our look at the love of God, notice that God's love is unconditional.
Verse eleven tells us that we are to love one another. Christ does not give us a list of requirements someone must meet in order for us to love them. He does not command us to love only those who love us. He tells us to love one another. This means everyone.
No matter what someone has done to us, we should love them. God's love for us does not depend on our love for Him; He loves us whether we obey Him or reject Him. Even so, we must not base our love for others on their love for us or their attitude toward us. We must love them as Christ loves us.
Romans 5:5 says, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Of our own power, we would not be able to always show God's love. Yet through the empowering of His Holy Spirit, we can even show love to those who mistreat us.
Not only does Christ desire for us to love others, but He desires for us to let His love flow through our lives. God is invisible, but we as His children are visible. While some may not read of God's love in His Word or see His love on Calvary, they may see it through us as believers. The only way some people may see the love of Christ is through our lives.
The famous British preacher G. Campbell Morgan was once at lunch with his wife and his five sons who were also preachers. A friend asked them, "Who is the greatest preacher?" In unison the six men said, "Our mother." Mrs. Morgan's life affected others more than any sermon her husband and sons had preached.
Because we are Christians, people will watch us. They will watch how we live and what we let affect our lives. Many times they will judge Christianity based on our lives. How would someone judge Christianity based on your life? Are you letting Christ's love flow through you? Or will someone never see the love of Christ because of your life? Ask Christ to give you the strength to love those around you, and let His love flow through you today.
Daily Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 1-3 | John 10:1-23
5/25 Daily in the Word
God’s Love in Us
1 John 4:7-8
Yesterday, we saw that God showed His love to us even when we rejected and despised Him. Jesus did not die only for those who loved Him; He died for everyone! Just as Christ loved the whole world, we should love everyone, no matter who they are!
In verse seven we see that love is of God. God showed us the ultimate sacrifice of love when He died on Calvary. He gave us the greatest example of how to love others—to give our lives for them. John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
God tells us that the greatest love a person can show is to sacrifice themselves for another. While we may never be asked to give our lives for someone else, we can give of ourselves to help them. When we take time to show others that we love them, they will see God’s love in us.
God proved His love to us by dying on the Cross. While God does not require each of us to die for someone else, He does require that we love everyone. Mark 12:31 says, “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as we would love ourselves. What a sobering thought! Do you love those around you as you love yourself? Are you caring for them as you care for yourself? God wants us to love everyone!
Not only do we see that love is of God, but in verse eight we see that God is love! The very nature of God is one of love. God’s holiness demands justice for the sins of men, but His love reaches out to each person to redeem them. He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us! God loves us more than any person could ever love us.
Because God’s nature is one of love and because He has commanded us to love others, we as God’s people should be characterized by love. When babies are born, they take on the physical nature of their parents. Sometimes a child can look exactly like their mother or father. Even so, when we are born again spiritually, we should take on the spiritual attributes of God. This includes the characteristic of love.
As God’s children we must look to Him as our example. Jesus Christ gave us the greatest example of love when He died on Calvary. Do you love others as He loves them? Are you loving them as you love yourself? God commands us to show His love to those around us. Ask Him to help you love others today as He would love them.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Chronicles 25-27 | John 9:1-23
1 John 4:7-8
Yesterday, we saw that God showed His love to us even when we rejected and despised Him. Jesus did not die only for those who loved Him; He died for everyone! Just as Christ loved the whole world, we should love everyone, no matter who they are!
In verse seven we see that love is of God. God showed us the ultimate sacrifice of love when He died on Calvary. He gave us the greatest example of how to love others—to give our lives for them. John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
God tells us that the greatest love a person can show is to sacrifice themselves for another. While we may never be asked to give our lives for someone else, we can give of ourselves to help them. When we take time to show others that we love them, they will see God’s love in us.
God proved His love to us by dying on the Cross. While God does not require each of us to die for someone else, He does require that we love everyone. Mark 12:31 says, “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as we would love ourselves. What a sobering thought! Do you love those around you as you love yourself? Are you caring for them as you care for yourself? God wants us to love everyone!
Not only do we see that love is of God, but in verse eight we see that God is love! The very nature of God is one of love. God’s holiness demands justice for the sins of men, but His love reaches out to each person to redeem them. He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us! God loves us more than any person could ever love us.
Because God’s nature is one of love and because He has commanded us to love others, we as God’s people should be characterized by love. When babies are born, they take on the physical nature of their parents. Sometimes a child can look exactly like their mother or father. Even so, when we are born again spiritually, we should take on the spiritual attributes of God. This includes the characteristic of love.
As God’s children we must look to Him as our example. Jesus Christ gave us the greatest example of love when He died on Calvary. Do you love others as He loves them? Are you loving them as you love yourself? God commands us to show His love to those around us. Ask Him to help you love others today as He would love them.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Chronicles 25-27 | John 9:1-23
5/24 Daily in the Word
The Love of God
1 John 4:7-11
In 1 John, the Holy Spirit of God inspired John to give us three declarative statements about the nature of God. In 1 John 1:5 we read that God is light. In 1 John 4:24 we read that God is a spirit. And here in 1 John 4:8 we see that God is love.
God chose many times in Scripture to reveal His love to us. The very essence of salvation is the love of Christ for a lost world. When we comprehend and contemplate the fact that a holy God loves a sinful world, our hearts should fill with gratitude. We need Christ's love.
A grandmother once said to her granddaughter, "Hannah, tomorrow we're going to Sunday school." Hannah replied, "I don't like Sunday school." Her grandma said, "We need to learn about God's love." Hannah then said, "I learned about it enough." "Well," her grandma replied, "I've been going to church all my life, and haven't learned enough." Hannah then said, "Well maybe you weren't paying attention."
We can never learn enough about God or His love for us! His love is infinite! The fact that God, the Creator of the world, would come to earth to rescue a people who despised and rejected Him, shows His love for us!
The songwriter once wrote, "The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell...Oh love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong. It shall forevermore endure, the saints and angels song."
God loves us all! His love is not restricted to any one group of people, but is offered to all. Unlike Christ, we as humans can sometimes only love certain people. While our world looks to the popular or talented, Christ looks to all and offers us His perfect love.
As Christians, we should be characterized by love. We should, like Christ, look for the hurting or needy and love them. We shouldn't reserve our love for select people, but we should love everyone.
Are you showing God's love to everyone? Christ wants us to love everyone we meet. He loves them, and we must as well! Ask Christ to help you love others today. Ask Him to help you show His love to those around you as you live for Him.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Chronicles 22-24 | John 8:28-59
1 John 4:7-11
In 1 John, the Holy Spirit of God inspired John to give us three declarative statements about the nature of God. In 1 John 1:5 we read that God is light. In 1 John 4:24 we read that God is a spirit. And here in 1 John 4:8 we see that God is love.
God chose many times in Scripture to reveal His love to us. The very essence of salvation is the love of Christ for a lost world. When we comprehend and contemplate the fact that a holy God loves a sinful world, our hearts should fill with gratitude. We need Christ's love.
A grandmother once said to her granddaughter, "Hannah, tomorrow we're going to Sunday school." Hannah replied, "I don't like Sunday school." Her grandma said, "We need to learn about God's love." Hannah then said, "I learned about it enough." "Well," her grandma replied, "I've been going to church all my life, and haven't learned enough." Hannah then said, "Well maybe you weren't paying attention."
We can never learn enough about God or His love for us! His love is infinite! The fact that God, the Creator of the world, would come to earth to rescue a people who despised and rejected Him, shows His love for us!
The songwriter once wrote, "The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell. It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell...Oh love of God, how rich and pure, how measureless and strong. It shall forevermore endure, the saints and angels song."
God loves us all! His love is not restricted to any one group of people, but is offered to all. Unlike Christ, we as humans can sometimes only love certain people. While our world looks to the popular or talented, Christ looks to all and offers us His perfect love.
As Christians, we should be characterized by love. We should, like Christ, look for the hurting or needy and love them. We shouldn't reserve our love for select people, but we should love everyone.
Are you showing God's love to everyone? Christ wants us to love everyone we meet. He loves them, and we must as well! Ask Christ to help you love others today. Ask Him to help you show His love to those around you as you live for Him.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Chronicles 22-24 | John 8:28-59
5/19 Daily in the Word
The Protection of a Godly Friend
1 Samuel 20:1-4
Yesterday, we saw the potential influence that friendships have on our lives. A friend can either draw us closer to God or pull us away from Him. That is why we must be careful in choosing our friends. We also have the potential to be godly friends to those around us.
In our verses today, we see a familiar pair of friends, Jonathan and David. Jonathan was King Saul's son who was heir to the throne, and David was a young man whom God had chosen to be the next king. Although few people would have thought these young men to be friends, they developed a godly friendship.
King Saul had sworn to kill David and was pursuing him during this time. Although Saul was trying to kill David, Jonathan remained a help and encouragement to David during this time. In our verses, Jonathan agreed to find out if his father was still angry with David or if it was safe for David to come out of hiding. Jonathan risked his life to keep David safe.
Godly friends protect each other from danger. While Jonathan protected David from physical danger, we can protect our friends from spiritual danger. Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." A godly friend is not afraid to lovingly point out a spiritual danger in a friend's life. Godly friends seek to edify each other and help protect each other from the spiritual dangers of this world.
I once heard the story of two men who were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly, one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly bear charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!"
True friends do not run away when troubles come, but seek to help protect their friends from the danger. There is an old Jewish proverb that says, "A friend is one who warns you." True friends will warn each other and will help protect each other when spiritual dangers come.
The world looks at friendships as what they can get out of the relationship. But godly friends look at how they can help each other grow spiritually. Are you helping your friends grow closer to Christ? Are you protecting them from the devil's attacks? Ask Christ to help you draw your friends into a closer relationship with Him today.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Chronicles 4-6 | John 6:1-21
1 Samuel 20:1-4
Yesterday, we saw the potential influence that friendships have on our lives. A friend can either draw us closer to God or pull us away from Him. That is why we must be careful in choosing our friends. We also have the potential to be godly friends to those around us.
In our verses today, we see a familiar pair of friends, Jonathan and David. Jonathan was King Saul's son who was heir to the throne, and David was a young man whom God had chosen to be the next king. Although few people would have thought these young men to be friends, they developed a godly friendship.
King Saul had sworn to kill David and was pursuing him during this time. Although Saul was trying to kill David, Jonathan remained a help and encouragement to David during this time. In our verses, Jonathan agreed to find out if his father was still angry with David or if it was safe for David to come out of hiding. Jonathan risked his life to keep David safe.
Godly friends protect each other from danger. While Jonathan protected David from physical danger, we can protect our friends from spiritual danger. Proverbs 27:6 says, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." A godly friend is not afraid to lovingly point out a spiritual danger in a friend's life. Godly friends seek to edify each other and help protect each other from the spiritual dangers of this world.
I once heard the story of two men who were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly, one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly bear charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!"
True friends do not run away when troubles come, but seek to help protect their friends from the danger. There is an old Jewish proverb that says, "A friend is one who warns you." True friends will warn each other and will help protect each other when spiritual dangers come.
The world looks at friendships as what they can get out of the relationship. But godly friends look at how they can help each other grow spiritually. Are you helping your friends grow closer to Christ? Are you protecting them from the devil's attacks? Ask Christ to help you draw your friends into a closer relationship with Him today.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Chronicles 4-6 | John 6:1-21
5/16 Daily in the Word
God's Promises
Isaiah 55:1, 7
Over the past few devotions we have focused on our need to seek Christ. Only through seeking Christ can we obtain true joy. The world offers temporary happiness, but true joy only comes through Christ. As we seek the Lord we must make sure we are seeking Him with our whole hearts. We must make it a priority each day to seek Him through His Word. Today we are going to see the promises God gives us in His Word.
One promise God gives us is forgiveness. Isaiah 1:18 says, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." When we come to Christ and seek His forgiveness, He promises to forgive us of our sins.
No matter what we have done, God promises to forgive us if we will come to Him. What a loving Saviour! As sinners, we need forgiveness of our sins. Christ provided that forgiveness when He died on the Cross, and He offers it to anyone who will come to Him!
Christ also promises to fellowship with us. As we saw yesterday, James 4:8 says, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." God promises to come to us and fellowship with us as we seek Him! No other religion can claim to have a personal relationship with their god, yet Christ offers us access to His throne any time!
A few years ago a man named Victor Yazykov gained international fame when he operated on himself without antiseptic. The fifty-year-old Russian was involved in an eight-month sailboat race called "Around Alone." It is a 27,000-mile, solo sailboat race around the world. About six weeks into the trip, his elbow began to ache, and it swelled to five times the normal size. It was a health and survival threat if he hoped to navigate the rough Atlantic waters. Through high-tech communication, Yazykov emailed Dr. Carlin, a medical physician in Boston. Dr. Carlin walked Yazykov through a successful fourteen-step surgical procedure via email.
As vital as it was for Victor to keep communication with Dr. Carlin, it is vital that we keep communication with Christ for our spiritual well-being. Christ promises us many things in His Word, but we must seek Him each day to claim these promises in our lives.
Are you seeking Christ each day and claiming His promises? He promises to forgive us and to fellowship with us if we will only come to Him. Seek Him today and fellowship with Him. Commit to seeking Christ each day as you strive to live for Him.
Daily Bible Reading
2 Kings 24-25 | John 5:1-24
Isaiah 55:1, 7
Over the past few devotions we have focused on our need to seek Christ. Only through seeking Christ can we obtain true joy. The world offers temporary happiness, but true joy only comes through Christ. As we seek the Lord we must make sure we are seeking Him with our whole hearts. We must make it a priority each day to seek Him through His Word. Today we are going to see the promises God gives us in His Word.
One promise God gives us is forgiveness. Isaiah 1:18 says, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." When we come to Christ and seek His forgiveness, He promises to forgive us of our sins.
No matter what we have done, God promises to forgive us if we will come to Him. What a loving Saviour! As sinners, we need forgiveness of our sins. Christ provided that forgiveness when He died on the Cross, and He offers it to anyone who will come to Him!
Christ also promises to fellowship with us. As we saw yesterday, James 4:8 says, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." God promises to come to us and fellowship with us as we seek Him! No other religion can claim to have a personal relationship with their god, yet Christ offers us access to His throne any time!
A few years ago a man named Victor Yazykov gained international fame when he operated on himself without antiseptic. The fifty-year-old Russian was involved in an eight-month sailboat race called "Around Alone." It is a 27,000-mile, solo sailboat race around the world. About six weeks into the trip, his elbow began to ache, and it swelled to five times the normal size. It was a health and survival threat if he hoped to navigate the rough Atlantic waters. Through high-tech communication, Yazykov emailed Dr. Carlin, a medical physician in Boston. Dr. Carlin walked Yazykov through a successful fourteen-step surgical procedure via email.
As vital as it was for Victor to keep communication with Dr. Carlin, it is vital that we keep communication with Christ for our spiritual well-being. Christ promises us many things in His Word, but we must seek Him each day to claim these promises in our lives.
Are you seeking Christ each day and claiming His promises? He promises to forgive us and to fellowship with us if we will only come to Him. Seek Him today and fellowship with Him. Commit to seeking Christ each day as you strive to live for Him.
Daily Bible Reading
2 Kings 24-25 | John 5:1-24
3/13 Daily in the Word
A Picture of Empathy
2 Samuel 23:13-17
Others may send sympathy, but some people need someone to stand alongside them and truly feel their hurt.
One night while in Chicago, a preacher conducted a revival meeting for the townspeople. He spoke on the empathy of Jesus and taught that Christ could sympathize with those who faced painful life situations. After the meeting, a man approached the preachers and stated, "If your wife had just died and your babies were crying for their mother you wouldn't speak of empathy." The man's comments made the preacher think. Tragically, a few days later the preacher's wife was killed in a train wreck and her body was transported to that same church in Chicago where her husband had spoken only days before.
After the funeral, those in attendance waited in their seats as the preacher approached his wife's casket then turned to the audience to say, "The other day a man told me I wouldn't speak of the sympathy of Jesus if my wife had just died. If that man is here, I want to tell him that Christ is sufficient. My heart is broken, but it has a song put there by Jesus. I want that man to know that Jesus Christ speaks comfort to me today."
Empathy has been described as "your pain in my heart". The word empathy comes from the Greek word emp'atheia whose root means "to suffer." Truly, being empathetic for someone means more than sending a condolence card or a plant. Empathy feels the pain of another human being and seeks to console.
Few people could have known exactly what David faced as he fled from Saul and traveled the hills of Israel for escape, yet the mighty men who formed his friends during that time empathized with David's pain in two ways.
They sensed David's heart. David's heart wasn't to defy the king or overthrow his kingdom, but he simply sought to obey God's command that David would become king. He was being pursued out of selfish anger rather than true wrongdoing.
David recorded his heart in Psalm 142:4-7, "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me."
Often times will come when a friend needs your empathy. Others may send sympathy, but they need someone to stand alongside them and truly feel their hurt. Being an empathetic friend isn't without work-it takes godly strength and wisdom to comfort someone, yet the blessings are bountiful.
They sacrificed for a friend. David's men truly valued him. Consider the fact each one of them gave up time with family, friends, work, and other opportunities to stand by David's side. Many of them were married with families of their own, yet when David needed them most, they sacrificed for him,
While empathizing with a friend may not require you to abandon family for months at a time, it will take your time and energy. Be willing to sacrifice yourself for the healing of a friend.
Do you know someone who could use an empathetic friend right now? No human being can live life without facing times of intense struggle, loss, trial, or pain. Find someone who needs help, and ask God to use you in that person's life today.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Samuel 22-24 | Luke 12:1-31
2 Samuel 23:13-17
Others may send sympathy, but some people need someone to stand alongside them and truly feel their hurt.
One night while in Chicago, a preacher conducted a revival meeting for the townspeople. He spoke on the empathy of Jesus and taught that Christ could sympathize with those who faced painful life situations. After the meeting, a man approached the preachers and stated, "If your wife had just died and your babies were crying for their mother you wouldn't speak of empathy." The man's comments made the preacher think. Tragically, a few days later the preacher's wife was killed in a train wreck and her body was transported to that same church in Chicago where her husband had spoken only days before.
After the funeral, those in attendance waited in their seats as the preacher approached his wife's casket then turned to the audience to say, "The other day a man told me I wouldn't speak of the sympathy of Jesus if my wife had just died. If that man is here, I want to tell him that Christ is sufficient. My heart is broken, but it has a song put there by Jesus. I want that man to know that Jesus Christ speaks comfort to me today."
Empathy has been described as "your pain in my heart". The word empathy comes from the Greek word emp'atheia whose root means "to suffer." Truly, being empathetic for someone means more than sending a condolence card or a plant. Empathy feels the pain of another human being and seeks to console.
Few people could have known exactly what David faced as he fled from Saul and traveled the hills of Israel for escape, yet the mighty men who formed his friends during that time empathized with David's pain in two ways.
They sensed David's heart. David's heart wasn't to defy the king or overthrow his kingdom, but he simply sought to obey God's command that David would become king. He was being pursued out of selfish anger rather than true wrongdoing.
David recorded his heart in Psalm 142:4-7, "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me."
Often times will come when a friend needs your empathy. Others may send sympathy, but they need someone to stand alongside them and truly feel their hurt. Being an empathetic friend isn't without work-it takes godly strength and wisdom to comfort someone, yet the blessings are bountiful.
They sacrificed for a friend. David's men truly valued him. Consider the fact each one of them gave up time with family, friends, work, and other opportunities to stand by David's side. Many of them were married with families of their own, yet when David needed them most, they sacrificed for him,
While empathizing with a friend may not require you to abandon family for months at a time, it will take your time and energy. Be willing to sacrifice yourself for the healing of a friend.
Do you know someone who could use an empathetic friend right now? No human being can live life without facing times of intense struggle, loss, trial, or pain. Find someone who needs help, and ask God to use you in that person's life today.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Samuel 22-24 | Luke 12:1-31
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