Simply Divine Christmas

Faithfulness, Not Miracles + What Woman Fear

2012-01-24T08:55:00.003-05:00

Faithfulness, Not Miracles

Pastor Adrian Rogers

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” Matthew 24:45-46

It is sinful for us to ask God to prove Himself by a miracle or sign, though I guess we have all done it.

When I was at Stetson University as a young boy having my quiet time in the prayer room, I asked God to move a chair from one side of the room to the other. I told him, “I already believe You and I don’t want to insult You, but what a confirmation it would be to my heart and life if You would just do this small miracle.” Isn’t that dumb?

I am so glad that God didn’t let the devil nudge that chair across that room and get me hooked on some kind of hocus-pocus. Jesus said that asking God for a sign, like this, is evidence of an evil, adulterous heart (see Matthew 12:39). Oh, that God would find us faithful, not looking for miracles, in all we do in His name.

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.

Angie Smith: What Women Fear

Guarding Your Ways

2012-01-23T10:19:00.000-05:00

Guarding Your Ways
Bayless Conley

In Psalm 39:1, we are given an important warning,

I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me."

The Hebrew word translated "ways" in this passage literally means a well-trodden path. It paints the picture of a pathway that has been walked down so many times that a groove has been worn in that path.

The psalmist is drawing our attention to something that has been repeated again and again, a response that has been so often repeated that it has become engrained in our behavior—a habit.

You have probably heard the saying, "He's set in his ways," meaning it is not likely you are going to change the way a person acts in certain instances. The "ways" are habits, attitudes, and responses that aren't likely to change without a very powerful motivation or without some sort of an encounter with God.

I think virtually every habit we have initially began with a thought. Sow a thought; reap an action. Sow an action; reap a habit. Sow a habit; reap a character. Sow a character; reap a destiny. It all goes back to a thought that perhaps should have been dealt with, but wasn't.

Take some time today to consider your thoughts. Are you giving way to thoughts that will lead to ungodly habits? If so, give those thoughts to God and ask Him to help you think the thoughts that will lead to godly habits.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Sermon

The Joy of Intercession

Pastor Robert Morris

Plug Into God's Power

2012-01-20T06:23:00.002-05:00

God Listens

Max Lucado

You can talk to God because God listens. Your voice matters in heaven. He takes you very seriously. When you enter his presence, the attendants turn to you to hear your voice. No need to fear that you will be ignored. Even if you stammer or stumble, even if what you have to say impresses no one, it impresses God—and he listens. He listens to the painful plea of the elderly in the rest home. He listens to the gruff confession of the death-row inmate. When the alcoholic begs for mercy, when the spouse seeks guidance, when the businessman steps off the street into the chapel, God listens.

Intently. Carefully. The prayers are honored as precious jewels. Purified and empowered, the words rise in a delightful fragrance to our Lord. “The smoke from the incense went up from the angel’s hand to God.” Incredible. Your words do not stop until they reach the very throne of God.

Then, the angel “filled the incense pan with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth” (Rev. 8:5). One call and Heaven’s fleet appears. Your prayer on earth activates God’s power in heaven, and “God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.”

You are the someone of God’s kingdom. You have access to God’s furnace. Your prayers move God to change the world. You may not understand the mystery of prayer. You don’t need to. But this much is clear: Actions in heaven begin when someone prays on earth. What an amazing thought!

When you speak, Jesus hears.
And when Jesus hears, thunder falls.
And when thunder falls, the world is changed.
All because someone prayed.

From Lucado Inspirational Reader
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado

PLUG INTO GOD'S POWER

Stormie Omartian - Power of a Praying Woman

I Will Rest In You...

2012-01-19T10:09:00.000-05:00

Developing Convictions

Dr. Charles Stanley

Jeremiah 17:5-8

An acorn needs nutrients and time to grow into a tall, sturdy oak tree. Likewise, men and women of conviction develop gradually through committed Bible study and prayer. Ready to get planted firmly in biblical truth? Here’s how:

Make a list of issues for which you need to form a conviction. Here are questions to help you get started: Do you consider the Bible true and trustworthy? Do you think that believing in Jesus Christ is the only way to be saved? What is the Holy Spirit’s role in the lives of believers and unbelievers? Are we to forgive others in every situation? How should Christians approach finances? What’s your purpose in life? What is your role in the church and at work? How should you think and act regarding social issues like capital punishment, abortion, and racism?

It is my hope that these questions will open the eyes of those who haven’t contemplated how their personal philosophies have developed. It’s time to change that. Study the Bible and make God’s Word the cornerstone of your thinking. A concordance will point you to scriptures that relate to the above topics. Evaluate what the Bible says rather than looking at an issue through the lens of personal preference. Ask, What does God say? rather than What does this mean to me?

Once you know what God says, you have a choice to make: Believe Him and commit to living according to your conviction, or continue being tossed by waves of doubt and indecision (James 1:6). Root yourself in God’s Word and be called one of His oaks of righteousness (Isa. 61:3).

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit http://www.intouch.org/.

I Will Rest In You...

Our Convictions Our Defense

Dr. Charles Stanley

Romans 14:20-23

A person of conviction has become convinced, by either evidence or argument, that his beliefs are true. Today, most men and women would rather live by preference than conviction. They choose to believe something based on certain conditions and circumstances. When the situation changes, so does their loyalty. In other words, a lot of people vacillate on issues that require a firm resolve.

Contrast this wishy-washy approach with the mindset of the great men and women of Scripture. Despite many years of unfair treatment, Joseph never wavered in his commitment to godly principles . As a result, he was in the right place at the right time to ensure Israel’s survival (Gen. 50:20). Daniel, another righteous man in an idolatrous land, earned the trust of foreign kings by standing firm in his beliefs (Dan. 1:20). When his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego also refused to compromise their beliefs, they influenced a king to recognize Jehovah as the one true God (3:29).

As these biblical heroes show, godly convictions can withstand the changing winds of opinion and the persuasive arguments of opponents. If we are grounded in the Word and trust what God has said, we can stand firm in our beliefs. Confidence breeds the courage to remain strong amid conflict.

Instead of following your own preferences, choose to live by godly conviction. The Bible has much to say about the most important aspects of your life. See if God’s principles and promises hold true. Through prayer and study, allow Him to firmly root you in solid biblical convictions.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

Return Unto Thy Rest

2012-01-17T10:39:00.002-05:00

Resting Tomorrow or Borrowing Trouble?

Pastor Adrian Rogers

“Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.” Psalm 116:7

I heard of a woman who woke up her husband because she thought she heard a burglar downstairs. He went down with a flashlight and was shining it around. Sure enough, there was a burglar in their home. He said, “Hold it right there. I’ve got a gun on you.”

He picked up the phone and dialed the police. “And another thing,” he said, “Before you go, I want my wife to come down here and meet you. She’s been looking for you for 24 years.”

A lot of people are that way. They are borrowing trouble by anticipating or worrying about what may happen. What you need to do is stop looking to yesterday in guilt or anticipating tomorrow with anxiety. Simply rest in the day the Lord has given you today.

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.

The Coming Reward

Bayless Conley

Today brings an end to our consideration of "The Seven Cs of Soul Winning." The final "C" is the coming reward. Let me quote to you from Daniel 12:3, which says,

"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever."

There is a coming reward for those who turn people to righteousness.

The dearest thing to God's heart is winning humanity and bringing them into His family. Nothing is more important to God. He bankrupted heaven and gave His only begotten Son to save humanity.

The Bible teaches us that there will be a reward, my friend: authority in heaven, a place in heaven, honor in heaven.

In addition to that, I want to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Someday there is going to be a joy and a fullness in heaven, but there are some who will not experience that level of joy.

The story is told that Cyrus, the king of Persia who had defeated Babylon and set the captive Jews at liberty, was walking through his garden one day with a visitor. The visitor was looking at all of the beautiful trees and shrubs and exclaimed how much pleasure the garden was giving him.

Cyrus said, "Not nearly the pleasure it gives to me for, you see, I have planted every one of these trees myself."

I think there is going to be something about being in heaven and seeing your fingerprints on people who are there because you shared, because you gave, and because you prayed. I believe there is going to be a greater joy for some because they did more for heaven while on earth than others.

There is a coming reward!

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Separate Programs of God

Wise Counsel

2012-01-16T08:57:00.001-05:00

Wise Counsel

Bayless Conley

The sixth "C" of "The Seven Cs of Soul Winning" is counsel—the counsel of God. By that I mean the Word of God. It's important we learn to share the Word with people.

Our testimony is powerful and should be shared. But even though that may move people and influence people, folks need to know they are anchoring their trust in the promises of God. Not just in a feeling they have gotten, not just because they feel influenced and moved—even if that is by the Holy Spirit.

Why? Because feelings change. Our feelings can go up and down like a rollercoaster. You may be feeling God today, and tomorrow feel like He is nowhere around. Ever felt that way?

I have had days when I have woken up and not felt God at all, even though I had experienced a good time with Him the night before. In those times, if I would have gone by my feelings, I would have said, "God, You have deserted me this morning."

But I know He hasn't because God's Word makes it clear that He never leaves us nor forsakes us. When a person is saved, they need to be anchoring their faith on the promises of God, not on their feelings.

Promises like Romans 10:9-10,

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

So when we witness to people, we need to give them the counsel, the promises of the Word of God.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Today's Video

The Power of Prayer
****
Sameh Maurice

To Pray Or Not To Pray

2012-01-13T09:08:00.002-05:00

Gateway Church

Pastor Robert Morris

In Jesus Name: Sermon

To Pray Or Not To Pray

Common Ground

2012-01-12T07:16:00.001-05:00

Reasoning Together—Being Reconciled One to Another

Pastor Adrian Rogers

“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.” Isaiah 1:18

Every rebel has a reason for his or her actions. You’ve probably heard a young person say, “Well, my dad drinks, so I smoke pot.” Do you know what kind of reasoning that is? Brute beast reasoning, like Peter mentions in 2 Peter 2:12. This young person doesn’t think he has to obey his father. And he further reasons, “Well, he’s not worthy of my obedience.”

Do you know the only people who can demand perfect parents? Perfect children. The only people who can demand a perfect pastor is a perfect church member. The only person who can demand a perfect politician is a perfect citizen!

There is never a license for rebellion. There are ways to reason together in a church, home, and government. A spirit of rebellion will bring a nation to its knees. Jesus gave His life to reconcile us, can you live otherwise?

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.

Common Ground

Bayless Conley

The next "C" of "The Seven Cs of Soul Winning" is common ground. We need to endeavor to find common ground with people. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-24, Paul says,

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you. Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

In this passage, Paul is talking about the way he ran—the method he used—to reach people for Christ. Verse 22 in The Living Bible puts it this way, Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ.

Paul didn't run aimlessly. And like Paul, you have to find a point to relate to people so that you can build a bridge over which the gospel can come.

I encourage you today to find a common area of interest, a common ground, to relate to people in order to share Christ with them.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Pastor Jack Hayford - Mama the Lord said that to me

"Not Just Another New Year's Day"
byPastor Jack Hayford

To watch entire semon please go here.

Compassion for the Lost

2012-01-11T09:49:00.002-05:00

Compassion for the Lost

Bayless Conley

Yesterday we started a series of devotionals I am calling "The Seven Cs of Soul Winning." Today I want to point you to the second "C"—compassion. In Mark 16:16 Jesus said,

"He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned."

Now, condemned is a pretty soft word in the English language. I actually like the King James Version, where it says, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

Condemned or damned, it means eternally separated from God with no opportunity of rescue or retrieval. Forever lost. Think about it!

Do you recall the story Jesus told of the rich man who died? It ought to send a shudder through the heart of even the most brazen sinner.

Jesus tells us that the rich man died and was in torment, in flame. Jesus goes on to say that the rich man lifted up his eyes, and begged for mercy. But no mercy came, even as it says in Revelation 14:11, "The smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever."

I know it is not a popular subject in the Church to talk about hell, but Jesus talked more about hell than He did about heaven. It is a very real place. If we would consider just for a moment the end of the man or woman who rejects Christ, it ought to cause our hearts to be stirred with compassion.

When was the last time you and I shed a tear over lost humanity? When was the last time you and I were truly broken with the things that break the heart of God?

Our compassion for the lost ought to move us to do all we can to share Christ with them!

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Holy - Matt Redman

What heart could hold the weight of Your love,

And know the heights of Your great worth?

What eyes could look on Your glorious face,

Shining like the sun?

You are holy, holy, holy

God most high and God most worthy

You are holy, holy, holy

Jesus, You are, Jesus, You are

Your name alone has power to raise us

Your light will shine when all else fades

Our eyes will look on Your glorious face

Shining like the sun

Who is like You, God?

Who shall we say You are?

You're the living God

Who shall we say You are?

You're the great I am

The highest name of all

You're all You say You are

And You will come again in glory

To judge the living and the dead

All eyes will look on Your glorious face

Shining like the sun

Who is like You, God?

Go Fish

2012-01-10T08:06:00.000-05:00

Go Fish

Bayless Conley

Over the next seven devotionals, I want to talk to you about the number one business of the Church: the business of winning souls. It is what I call "The Seven Cs of Soul Winning."

The first "C"—commission—is found in Mark 16:15. These are some of the last words Jesus spoke before He ascended into heaven,

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

Could it be any clearer? Jesus said, "Go." Dare we say, "No"? He said, "Go."

That is the opposite of "stay," isn't it? G G-O.

God wants you and me to take the Gospel to Others.

You and I need to get out into the world! Jesus was not crucified between two candles on a church altar. He was crucified out in the byways and highways of humanity, and that is where we must take the message.

Jesus said, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." That is a promise. But you know what? You have to get to the water if you are going to catch fish. You have to get out of the four church walls, out to where hurting humanity is, and engage them with the gospel.

A while back, I went backpacking with my two sons in a very remote area. We found a pristine lake where just about every time we would put a line in the water, we would catch a fish.

We also had this incredible camp. But you know what? If we wanted to catch fish, we had to go down to the water. No one could catch a fish sitting in camp.

A lot of Christians just hang around the camp. They form fishing clubs and talk about how important it is to fish. But they don't fish.

God wants us to go fish!

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Wade In The Water - Eve Cassidy

The Foundation of Blessing

2012-01-09T08:46:00.002-05:00

The Foundation of Blessing

by Robert Morris

Words of LIFE Weekly Devotional

Once I was teaching the principles of giving in a church, and we were seeing a tremendous move of God's Spirit among the people. People were responding and giving to the church and to one another as the Lord lead them.

One night, a couple who were seemingly broken before the Lord came up to me. They were weeping almost uncontrollably. They said that the Lord spoken to them about giving away every penny they had. I learned that they had written a check for all the money they had in the world. Now they were bringing me the check, saying, "We are supposed to give this to you. Do whatever you feel you're supposed to do with it."

Immediately, I knew what the Lord wanted me to do. When they handed me the check, I asked them, "Are you saying this is mine now, and I can do anything I want with it?" Through their tears they nodded and answered yes. So, I said, "Well, I know exactly what the Lord would have me to do with this check." Then I tore it up in front of them. Immediately, they fell to the floor and began to weep uncontrollably.

God did a wondrous work in their hearts that night – one that changed them for the rest of their lives. They were never the same. They had passed a major test of obedience.

To this day, I don't know how much money it was, nor do I care. I do know it was enormous in their eyes and precious in the eyes of God. I also know that no amount of money in the world could purchase what God did in that couple's lives that night.

That incident reminds me of a spiritual principle that my wife and I have come to call the I.O. Principle. I.O. stands for Instant Obedience. We have come to understand the importance of responding instantly when we hear God's voice.

With that couple, I could have waited to see how much the check was for. I could have pocketed it, prayed about it further and torn it up later. But that would've been dangerous.

Sometimes in giving, if you wait, Satan is given time to come up with all kinds of good reasons not to do what God has told you to do. The longer you wait, the more time there is for your mind and emotions to cloud the message.

If God speaks it, do it. Trust and obey. And do it now! Don't give Satan an opportunity to help you rationalize another course of action. Follow the I.O. Principle.

And remember that the three elements I have outlined here [in The Blessed Life]: (1) getting out of debt, (2) avoiding manipulation of others and (3) giving as God leads you to give, represent the foundation of the blessed life. I'm convinced of it.

Lay that foundation and watch miracles begin to happen in your finances.

Excerpted from The Blessed Lifeby Robert Morris (Regal Books). Robert’s teaching is a part of the series, “More than Enough.”

Robert Morris: The Blessings of Generosity

(LIFE Today / James Robison)

The author of "The Blessed Life" and pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, TX,

explains what it means to be blessed and how generosity plays a key role.

To learn more please go here:

The Blessed Life: More Than Enough

Living Life More Abundantly

2012-01-05T11:36:00.000-05:00

The Glory Ache

Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full, (John 10:10 NIV).

Friend to Friend
Most of us come to Christ with a certain“inloveness”—a stirring of emotion mixed with an inexplicable knowing that we’ve discovered our reason for being. But some years into our spiritual journey, the wonder that swelled during the early years ebbs into routine religion laced with busyness. And we secretly question the point of it all. There has to be more than this, we muse. There has to be something more. What am I missing? What’s wrong with me? I’m doing all the right things, but God seems so far away. I’m trying as hard as I can, but it never seems to be enough. What does God really want from me anyway?

For decades, as I have had the privilege of ministering to women, I have heard the same heart-cry from those who desire to have a deep, intimate, exuberant relationship with Christ but don’t know how to find it.

Perhaps you can relate. You long to feel close to God but sense there’s just something lacking, that you’ve missed the mysterious formula to make it happen. I call this a “glory ache” —a persistent longing to experience God’s presence on a daily basis. Perhaps like most women, you’ve tried desperately to balance the montage of mundane demands and somehow slip God into the white spaces that are few and far between. You long to spend time in the sacred with God, but find the desire crowded out by the responsibilities of the secular—the daily demands—that lay claim to your attention. You yearn to experience God’s presence, but feel far away from Him as you reach to click off the bedside lamp and collapse exhausted once again. Maybe tomorrow, you sigh.

Sound familiar? If so, you are not alone.

The travesty is that we allow the busyness of life to crowd out the Source of life. As the Psalmist wrote, “We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing” (Psalm 39:6 NLT). Ann Voskamp echoes that lament: “In a world addicted to speed, I blur the moments into one unholy smear.”

And in that unholy smear, that blur of the world passing quickly by, we know something’s not quite right. So we strike out to make it all better. And most of us are quick to think ‘something more’ means ‘doing more.’ We ramp it up and gun the engines—sign up for a new committee, volunteer for a new cause, bake one more casserole to feed the sick. We attempt to silence the hunger pains of the heart by feeding it the bread and water of duty. And at the end of the day, while we might feel a self-induced sense of well-being, the hollowness in our soul that can only be satisfied with God echoes with the grumblings of hunger still.

We long for a sense of closeness with God, but we have a hard time putting our finger on exactly what that closeness would look like. It’s just something more. Something different. A flavor we have yet to taste. A country we have yet to visit. A sunset we have yet to experience. A lover we have yet to embrace. There has to be something more, we cry! And we are quite right. We are craving the closeness that comes with an intimate relationship with Jesus.

We try so harder. We go to Bible studies, attend church, say our prayers, and read our devotions. Check, check, check. And yet, we constantly feel that we are somehow letting God down. With the last amen of the day, we sigh, What more does God want from me?

I want to suggest that we’re asking the wrong question. It is not what God wants from you. It is what God wants for you. John 10:10 gives you a hint.

So today, ask God THAT question. You might be surprised.

Let’s Pray
God, I don’t know quite what to do with this longing for something more…with this glory ache that pulls at my heart. Will you give me glimpses of Your glory today? Help me to see You? To Hear You? I’m expectantly waiting!
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
Have you ever felt that “glory ache” I mentioned?

How did the following describe their glory ache? Isaiah 26:9Psalm 42:12, 63:1, 84:2

How did Jeremiah describe anything we go to other than God to satisfy the glory ache? Jeremiah 2:11-13

What does Jesus invite us to do? John 7:37-38

Let’s talk about this…Have you tried to fill your ache for God with something on this earth, and came up hungry still? If so, what was it? What did you learn? Let’s share on www.facebook.com/sharonjaynes. Your honesty will help someone else. I’m sure of it.

More from the Girlfriends
Do you need a tune-up when it comes to tuning-in to God? Do you want to know how to hear that still small voice? If so, check out Sharon’s book, Becoming a Woman who Listens to God and sharpen your spiritual listening skills! And don’t forget to check out our new Girlfriends in God devotion book, Trusting God.

DIGGING DEEPER

Beth Moore: The Bread of Life Part 2

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Setting Goals for Fruitful Living

2012-01-04T09:46:00.001-05:00

Setting Goals for Fruitful Living

Dr. Charles Stanley

2 Samuel 7:18-22

In the 70s, I experienced a turning point in my walk with Christ. It started with 2 Samuel 7, which inspired me to follow in King David’s footsteps. He spent time alone with God, offering praise and thanksgiving. He would also listen as the Lord revealed truth and offered insight about the future. Because of what he learned, David was able to set goals and stay aligned with them.

Desiring that kind of solitude, I spent several days alone in a camper at Georgia’s Stone Mountain. Most of the time, I was silent, listening intently for God’s voice. I asked Him to speak to me regarding my future, and He answered. Using a journal, I recorded the goals He inspired. The things He communicated so impacted my choices and so greatly blessed me that I continued the discipline every couple of months.

Let’s discuss how to establish aims in this manner. First, come before the throne of Almighty God with a repentant heart, praise, and thanksgiving. Then, ask Him for direction in areas such as spiritual life, career, and family. In silence, wait patiently and attentively—as you read and meditate upon God’s Word, He will speak. Most often, His guidance is experienced as a prodding or conviction in the heart. When that happens, be sure to write down what you’re “hearing” so you can review it later.

In order to stay on the path God intends for our lives, we should plan times to stop, ask, and listen for guidance. The world throws confusing messages at us all day long, and we need to check our course frequently. These conversations with the Lord are vital for a thriving life of godly impact.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

"People can make all kinds of plans,

but only the LORD'S plan will happen."

Proverbs 19:21

DIGGING DEEPER

Beth Moore: Filled To The Measure

Beth shows us the importance of being full of God's love in order to avoid pitfalls and experience something beyond ourselves.

Happy New Year?

2012-01-03T08:58:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year?

by Randy Robison

Life Today Weekly Devotional

This week as millions of people wish each other, “Happy New Year.” But is happiness really something we should seek? Obviously, it depends on what you mean by “happiness.” The two primary definitions employed in our modern vernacular are “pleasure” and “joy.” We say, “I’m happy my team won,” to mean, “I’m pleased with the victory.” But this is not genuine happiness; it is mere satisfaction with a condition, which will inevitably change. Real happiness is what the Bible (and Merriam-Webster) calls “joy.”

This happiness is not a condition, but a characteristic. We understand the necessity of love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But happiness? It is easily overlooked or dismissed as unattainable in this life.

From a biblical perspective, joy holds the same status as these other virtues. It is not the goal of a relationship with Christ, but a promised byproduct. Psalm 16 says, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.”Jesus himself said, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” Paul lists joy as a fruit of life in the Holy Spirit.

If someone asks whether you are a happy person, you don’t really reflect on your immediate circumstances and ignore the totality of your life. If you’re honest, you go to your core state of mind. You may have won the lottery yesterday, but even that doesn’t guarantee your happiness today. Your true state of happiness reflects your overall joy in life. Scriptures repeatedly state that as His people, we should have joy, which is to truly be happy.

The last year may have been difficult for you. Happiness may be in short supply. If so, take the words of the Psalmist to heart: "Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God." (Psalm 43:5, NAS)

James said, “Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.” (James 5:13b, NAS) God wants to deliver you from despair and make you cheerful, so you must put your hope in Him. When this happens, it shows in our “countenance,” which in the Hebrew is paniym, a word that literally translates “face.” God’s joy, once alive in your soul, will manifest itself on your face!

If God’s word isn’t enough to make you consider your own happiness, consider two critical truths. First, your happiness affects your loved ones. How many children have been damaged by unhappy parents? The same is true for the man or woman whose spouse is perennially unhappy. An innate unhappiness reveals itself in our words and countenance. Conversely, true joy comes out, too. When it does, it impacts our loved ones. We owe it to them to cultivate God’s joy in our lives so that it will spill over into theirs.

Second, if you claim to be a Christian, your happiness impacts God’s kingdom. As a believer, your witness creates an impression on those who do not know God or who may be struggling in their faith. If you convey misery and claim to have the Holy Spirit in your life, this mixed message repels others. Let’s face it; nobody wants to be like you if you’re unhappy.

I was having lunch with a friend one day and the service was terrible. The waiter took forever to take our order, only refilled our drinks because we flagged him down, and brought the check without ever asking whether we wanted anything else. He truly seemed like he didn’t care. I was buying lunch that day and when I paused to calculate gratuity, my friend asked, “Are you really going to tip him?”

The question was legitimate. The waiter deserved nothing. He didn’t earn a dime. But I tipped 20 percent just the same. When my friend laughed and asked why I did that, I replied, “It’s not about him. It’s about me. I am a good tipper.”

That can be our attitude toward happiness. No matter what happens, we can say, “It’s not about my temporary circumstance; it’s about the eternal joy I have in Jesus Christ. Therefore, I am happy.”

God desires joy in your life – not as a mere feeling or mood, but as something that you first possess, then express to others. The human tendency is to approach happiness from a purely emotional standpoint, but if you understand it spiritually and master it intellectually, you will transform your mind and greatly improve your life. Jesus came to give you His all-consuming joy. If you own it, you can then share it. When you do, it will be evident for others to see. Then, you can really have a happy new year.

Randy Robison is the author of God Wants You To Be Happy(Harvest House). Follow his “happiness tweets” at www.twitter.com/jamesrrobison

Also, James Robison will be speaking on Monday, January 2 at 7pm at Gateway Church in Southlake, where he and Betty are members. The service will be broadcast nationwide on the Daystar Network and streamed live via www.gatewaypeople.com. Join him as he shares his deep concern for the nation.

Be Still and Know

2012-01-02T08:05:00.000-05:00

January 2, 2012

Be Still and Know

Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth
In him we live and move and have our being, (Acts 17:28 NIV).

Friend to Friend
I pressed the send button on my latest manuscript, What God Really Thinks about Women. For twelve months I had spent night and day with Jesus and the women he encountered while he walked the earth. I was going to miss them. Miss walking in their sandals. Miss breathing their air. Miss crying their tears. Miss carrying their water jugs. And while I wasn’t going to be in their lives and in their business every day, their imagined faces were etched in my mind and they had become part of me for eternity. But it was time to move on.

I grabbed a cup of coffee, snuggled up in my favorite overstuffed den chair, and opened my Bible in my lap. “OK, God,” I began, “that project is finished and tied securely with a bow. So what do you want me to do now?”

I wondered if I should get into a Bible study group, take a class at the local seminary, or finally write those magazine articles I had been putting off. Should I start a small group, volunteer at a charity, or start a new book project? I asked the question and waited.

God surprised me. Acts 17:28 came to my mind. I believed He put it there. In him we live and move and have our being. Learn what that means, He seemed to say. Let’s just spend time together. No agenda. No goal. No deadlines. I want to rekindle the romance. Will you let me?

His answer startled me. I hadn’t even realized the fire had died down. Wasn’t I working for Him? Wasn’t I doing God’s will? Wasn’t I busy about my Father’s business? And then I began to see what He meant. He began turning the lens of my mind’s camera and the fuzzy image grew clear. I wondered how I had missed it before. In the middle of all my busyness for God, I had neglected my relationship with God.

I was made for goals, or so I thought. Sitting still wasn’t in my nature, and perhaps that was what God was trying to tell me. My “nature” or natural bent of work was standing in the way of worship. My natural bent of activity for God was getting in the way of my communion with God. My daily routine of sanctioned quiet times was getting in the way of divine romance in which He wanted me to engage.

Like the men caught on the stormy Sea of Galilee, I felt I had been reeling in the waves for years – never in danger of truly sinking – just reeling from one rolling wave of work and deadlines to the next. But on this particular morning, I began to see the cast of characters in this Galilean scene in a different light. I was definitely in the scene, but I wasn’t in the boat at all. I was the storm.

I love how Eugene Peterson describes Jesus’ words to the wind and the waves as his friend stirred him from his sleep to calm the squall: “’Quiet! Settle down!’” The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass.”(Mark 4:39 The Message).

What does God really want from me? I’ve pondered that question since the day I first came to Christ. It was one of the two questions Saul asked when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus: “Who are you? What shall I do?” (Acts 22:8, 10).

I think I’ve made my relationship with Jesus far too difficult. I have spent so much time striving to get closer to the heart of God. And all the while God has been whispering to me, “Cease striving and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NASB). “It’s not that hard. Settle down. Be quiet.”

And that is what Jesus was telling me that frosty January morning. But I realized I didn’t really know how to be quiet and settle down. I had never mastered the idea of “be still and know.” I knew that God was God. It was the “be still” part that stumped me every time. Now don’t get me wrong. I can be still for a few minutes, maybe even an hour if need be. But much longer than that and I’m undone. Restless spirit syndrome begins to shake my soul, and the urge to get up and get moving wrestles me from worship.

So on this January morning, as I share this with you, I’m asking…will you be still and know that He is God with me? For a moment?

God had a lot to show me in the year that followed that frosty morning. I’ll be sharing what I learned from time to time as we go through 2012 together.

So Happy New Year! I look forward to linking arms and hearts in 2012.

Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Help me to learn what it means to live and move and have my being in You. Thank You for a New Year. I am excited to see what You have in store.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
How good are you at “be still and know that I am God?”

Have you ever felt God say those words to you?

Easy? Hard? What do you think stands in the way?

Girlfriends in God

P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

Be Still My Soul

Be still my soul - the Lord is on thy side;

bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

leave to thy God to order and provide;

in every change - he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul - thy best thy heavenly Friend

through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still my soul - when dearest friends depart,

and all is darkened in the vale of tears,

then shalt thou better know his love - his heart,

who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul - the waves and winds still know

his voice who ruled them - while he dwelt below.

Be still my soul the hour is hastening on

when we shall be forever with the Lord,

when disappointment - grief and fear are gone,

sorrow forgot - love's purest joys restored,.

Be still my soul - when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed - we shall meet at last.

There Is A Peace - Sojourn

Avoiding Conflict

2011-12-30T08:48:00.000-05:00

Avoiding Conflict

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

12-30-2011

Then Joab went to Geshur and brought Absalom back to Jerusalem. But the king said, "He must go to his own house; he must not see my face." So Absalom went to his own house and did not see the face of the king (2 Sam 14:23-24).

Many people hate conflict to the point they will never confront a wrong. Taking this path will only lead to later hardship. Such was the case for Absalom and his father King David.

Amnon, also a son of David, raped his sister Tamar. When this happened, David was furious but he did not punish Amnon for his actions. Absalom saw this as a terrible injustice for his sister. So, Absalom plotted to kill Amnon at the right time. He patiently waited for two years before he set up a situation to have him killed.

David was heartbroken over the death of Amnon and held Absalom responsible. At the same time, David still desired to have a relationship with Absalom, but because he failed to address the situation with Amnon when it happened, it led to more serious consequences in the family. Absalom was banished for three years because of David's anger towards him which allowed seeds of resentment to grown in his heart. Absalom then conspired to overthrow David's kingdom.

It is imperative to confront problems when they arise no matter how uncomfortable it might be. We are called to speak the truth in love. "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ" (Eph 4:15-16). Failure to confront in love allows the enemy to sow greater seeds of conflict.

Is there someone in your life that you need to confront in love? Make plans now to get with this person and work through the issues that divide you.

Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

No Fight Left

The God of Time

2011-12-29T07:45:00.003-05:00

The God of Time

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

12-28-2011

For there is a proper time and procedure for every matter, though a man's misery weighs heavily upon him (Eccl 8:6).

How we use our time is a good indicator of the god we choose to serve. There is a god whose name is "the urgent" that can rule our lives if we are not diligent. The wrong use of time can lead to misery. The right use of time can result in fulfillment.

"You need to take time to turn to God. Do not pray only when you have set aside time to do. The busier you are, the more you must practice turning to God. If you wait until the time is convenient, there is little doubt that you will end up spending little time with God. Try to come before God both in the morning and the evening. Pray during and between all your other jobs as much as you can. You cannot retire too much from the mindless chatter of the world. Learn to steal this time in little snatches, and you will find these moments the most precious part of your day" said Francois de Fenelon, a sixteenth century Christian leader.*

The amount of time we spend with anyone or any activity is a good indicator of the value we place on that person or activity. Time equates to money for some. For others it can be a cruel dictator. It is the physical evidence of what is at the center of our lives.

People can generally make time for what they choose to do; it is not really the lack of available time, but the will to set a priority for the time they have. Time can be the evidence that convicts our soul that our devotion has waned.

What does the evidence of time tell you about yourself? Today, give God the time needed to develop a relationship that is meaningful for both of you.

*Francois de Fenelon 100 Days in the Secret Place, Destiny Image Publishers, Shippensburg, PA p. 117 2001

Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

Beth Moore: We Need To Be Loved

Today's Prayer

Dear Father in Heaven,

You know how hard it is to see your children and families hurting when they do not communicate with you and one another, when they are self-centered, out of your will, and following the wrong paths. Maybe they get too busy to nourish the really important relationships in their lives. I pray right now for my own family, for all of the families around the world, for husbands and wives who have grown apart or are on the verge of divorce, for children who are rebellious and angry, for parents who are too busy and irritated, for those who are bitter or hurt. God please reach down and tug on their hearts, speak to their minds, and show them the way. I pray that the root of their problems will be exposed and that through the Holy Spirit, through Your Word, through a caring friend or a concerned Christian, or whatever way you know is best, that you will turn around those lives that are headed the wrong direction and put them back together. I pray that these families will become healthy, happy, God-honoring, communicating and loving families. And God, for the families that are doing well, I pray that you would protect them from the evil one; surround them with guardian angels; and keep that family under your wings of love and guidance.

Thank you, in Jesus' name, amen.

How To Experience Christ's Peace

2011-12-28T07:16:00.000-05:00

December 28

How to Experience Christ's Peace

In Touch With Dr. Charles Stanley

John 14:27-31

"My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). Jesus spoke these amazing words just hours before His crucifixion. His peace isn’t dependent upon external circumstances, but rather, it transcends them. Although He gives His peace to every believer as a gift, our experience of it is related to our faith in the following truths:

God is in control of everything. Without this assurance, the world is a scary place.

He loves me and will see me through every circumstance, no matter how difficult or painful it may be.

To have Christ’s peace, I must surrender my life to Him. When I hold onto my ways and plans, I’ll experience turmoil.

I have a limited perspective and understanding of my circumstances and God’s purposes for allowing them. His goals for me are greater than my immediate comfort.

The Lord promises to work all things out for my good. He is continually working to transform my character into Christ’s image.

I must live in sync with God, walking in the Spirit and promptly confessing and repenting of sin.

Scripture is my foundation for peace. It increases my trust in the Lord’s goodness, assures me that He keeps His promises, and reminds me of His sovereignty over every situation.

Sadly, many Christians live their whole lives without consistently experiencing this incomprehensible peace. Perhaps faith and submission are the most challenging issues. But only as we surrender control of our lives to Christ and trust in His plans for us will we discover tranquil rest for our souls.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

Let Go and Let God

The Greatness Of Our God

2011-12-26T09:12:00.002-05:00

Clean Feet, Clean Heart

Dr. Charles Stanley

John 13:3-15

Israel can be a dusty place, and sandaled feet get filthy walking to and fro. In ancient times, a person entering a home removed his sandals and cleaned his feet. Or if the homeowners were wealthy, servants would do the washing. This distasteful but necessary task fell to the worker of lowest position in the household.

Imagine the disciples' surprise when the Son of God put Himself in the role of a lowly servant and knelt to wash their feet. The need for such a service was great, as they had been traveling for some time. But not one of them offered to do it.

Jesus did more than fill a need; He offered an object lesson. As He explained, "I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you" (John 13:15 nlt). Some churches have incorrectly interpreted this as a command to make foot washing an ordinance. But it's possible to clean someone else's skin without contemplating the significance of Christ's actions.

In fact, the act itself is not the main point; attitude is what counts. Jesus desires that we be willing to humble ourselves to serve others. He is looking for men and women who will ignore pride, position, and power in order to do whatever must be done, wherever it needs doing, and for whoever requires assistance.

Jesus performed His greatest and most humble acts of service within 24 hours of each other. He washed dirty feet using two hands that would be pierced by nails in less than a day. The message here is that every task God gives us is important to His kingdom.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

Hillsong - The Greatness of Our God

Putting Your Faith in Action
Dr. R. C. Sproul

The organized church is torn with strife and distrust. Ultimately, the battle is not so much between conservatives and liberals, evangelicals and activists, or fundamentalists and modernists. The issue now is between belief and unbelief: Is Christianity true or false, real or unreal?

What is deadly to the church is when the external forms of religion are maintained while their substance is discarded. This we call practical atheism. Practical atheism appears when we live as if there were no God. The externals continue, but man becomes the central thrust of devotion as the attention of religious concern shifts away from man's devotion to God to man's devotion to man, bypassing God. The "ethic" of Christ continues in a superficial way, having been ripped from its supernatural, transcendent, and divine foundation.

Biblical Christianity knows nothing of a false dichotomy between devotion to God and concern for man. The Great Commandment incorporates both. It is because God is that human life matters so much. It is because of the reality of Christ that ethics are vital. It is because the cross was a real event that the sacraments can minister to us. It is because Christ really defeated death that the church offers hope. It is because of Jesus' real act of atonement that our forgiveness is more than a feeling.

The church's life and her creed may be distinguished but never separated. It is possible for the church to believe all the right things and do the wrong things. It is possible also to believe the wrong things and do the right things (but not for very long). We need right faith initiating right action. Honest faith—joined with honest action—bears witness to a real God and a real Christ.

Coram Deo: Living in the Presence of God

Examine your heart today: Are you believing the right things, yet doing the wrong things? Are you believing the wrong things while still trying to do the right things?

For Further Study

James 2:17-18: "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

James 2:26: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

The mission, passion and purpose of Ligonier Ministries and Dr. R.C. Sproul is to help people grow in their knowledge of God and His holiness. For more information, please visit www.ligonier.org

Seven Sacred Ways To Live Your Best Life

2011-12-25T08:45:00.000-05:00

Seven Sacred Ways to Live Your Best Life

by Valorie Burton

Words of LIFE Weekly Devotional

In the midst of the shopping, parties, and cultural focus on gift giving, it can be tempting to miss the purpose of this holiday, which is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. I'd like to share seven messages that Jesus taught during his three years of public ministry. As you celebrate Christmas and reflect on the holiday's true meaning, consider these words of wisdom that Jesus offered for living your best life.

1. Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. (Matthew 6:34) Too often in life (and especially around Christmas), we worry about issues that work themselves out over time. Worrying does not change anything. It is a waste of time, energy, and life itself. Plan your steps, but refuse to allow the fear of what might go wrong to consume you. Instead, focus on what you can do in the present moment to create the kind of future you want.

2. Do not judge and you will not be judged. (Luke 6:37) There may be people in your life who are doing things you don't agree with, perhaps even engaging in behavior that is destructive to them. Choose to love them and pray for them, without judgment. Choose compassion and empathy, perhaps even tough love, but reserve judgment.

3. Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. (Matthew 6:1) Christmas is a great time to help others, whether serving a meal, donating to worthy causes, or giving gifts. Be careful to do good and treat people well because it is the right thing to do, not because of the accolades or rewards you might receive from others. Allow the Holy Spirit to be in full control, so that your motives are pure.

4. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:12) Humility is freedom - freedom from the pressure to be perfect, keep up appearances, or be better than everyone else. Success is a combination of working hard and being blessed with opportunities, abilities, and people who support you. None of us achieves or succeeds solely by our own power. Don't worry about taking credit or making yourself look good. Focus on serving, learning, and loving, and then the rewards will come.

5. Everything is possible for him who believes. (Mark 9:23) Consider your biggest dream for your life. It is not enough to say you will achieve it. You must believe it. You may not know exactly how it will become true for you. Your first step is to simply believe it's possible. Say it out loud and often, “It's possible!” With God, all things are possible.

6. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Most know this scripture as a foundational statement for the Christian faith, which it is. But there is something I find intriguing in its wording. It is the connection between loving and giving. God loved us; therefore, he gave us this miraculous Savior on Christmas Day. When you love others, you give of yourself, sometimes in very unselfish and sacrificial ways. Saying you love someone is not enough. Give of yourself - your time, energy, affection, and resources and they will truly know you love them.

7. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32) The truth sets you free in many ways. Be truthful with yourself about the issues of your life. Speak your truth in your relationships. Countless relationships fail because people refuse to speak from their hearts. Be truthful about what you want and what you are afraid of, and you will gain the strength to step fully into the rich, abundant life you were created to live.

This Christmas season, seek divine wisdom to guide your interactions with others and the decisions you need to make. Choose to live and love fully and freely. God gave His sacred Son to us. Let’s live our best life for Him.

Valorie Burton is the founder of The Coaching and Positive Psychology (CAPP) Institute – a training and leadership development company. Her latest book, Where Will You Go from Here?: Moving Forward When Life Doesn't Go as Planned is available now.

Give You Peace - Echoing Angels

May It Be That We Adore Him...

2011-12-24T08:09:00.000-05:00

May It Be

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

12-24-2011

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her (Luke 1:38).

Have you ever had a boss come to you and give you an assignment which had rules never before used? Not only were the rules different, he was asking you to agree to them not knowing the outcome or impact it would have on your life. That must have been the way Mary, the mother of Jesus felt.

God was about to do something so extraordinary that it required a face to face meeting with the subject, Mary, and his key angel, Gabriel. What God was about to do was so foreign that it needed detailed explanation.

Mary had been handpicked to give birth to the Christ-child. Can you imagine!? However, in order to do so she was going to be pregnant while yet unmarried, something totally taboo in her culture. In fact, women were stoned to death if found to be fornicators. So, when Mary heard the assignment and responded by saying, "May it be," this tells us what a courageous woman of faith she must have been.

She did not understand the implications of what she was about to do. However, she placed her total trust in God and knew that if God chose her for such an assignment, she could trust the outcome to Him. She would even have to trust the explanation to Joseph, who was not going to understand. In fact, when he discovered Mary was pregnant, he immediately considered divorce proceedings.

However, when God saw Joseph's response, He sent an angel to explain the situation through a dream. I am sure the time between her telling him and his dream must have been difficult to explain. She did not know God was going to solve the problem. This is another example of her faith and courage. I would imagine most women might have responded to the angel like this, "I won't do it unless you tell my husband!"

Do you have an assignment from God that seems impossible on the front end? Is God calling you to trust Him for the outcome? Take a lesson from Mary and release the outcome to God.

Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders

Our Prince of Peace

Dr. Charles Stanley

Isaiah 9:6

The Christmas rush is here. There are plans to make, gifts to buy, and parties to attend. Sometimes these activities leave us exhausted and cranky—instead of peace and joy, we may feel inner churning because there’s too much to do. Or perhaps this time of the year brings nothing but sad memories and loneliness. Unrealistic expectations and conflicts with loved ones often leave us depressed and discouraged.

How can Jesus be our Prince of Peace when our expectations and traditions fight against the tranquility we desire? To understand why Jesus was given this title, we must first understand what it means. First of all, God’s Son did not come to do away with all conflicts—not yet, anyway. One day He will return to earth and rule as King in an environment of external harmony, but that was not the purpose of His first coming. So while we’re on earth, we’ll have trouble (John 16:33).

When Christ left heaven to become a human baby, His goal was to bring us peace with God by reconciling us to the Father. His death on the cross paid our sin debt in full, and our relationship with God is restored. Now He offers us divine peace—an inner serenity that fills our hearts and minds no matter what is going on in our circumstances.

Is your life characterized by a quiet assurance that guards your heart and mind all day long (Phil. 4:6-7), or have stressful circumstances left you feeling depressed or agitated? Try setting aside time each day to fix your eyes upon Jesus. Then let Him heal your heart and calm your spirit.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

Adore Him / Christmas Eve / Kari Jobe

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, This is such a busy time of year. People are traveling, finishing up year-end business records and reports, visiting friends and family, celebrating Christmas and the New Year. I pray that during this time of preparation and cheer, You will cover us with a blanket of protection. I pray that you will grant safe travels to those who are driving, riding, flying around their neighborhoods, across the country, and throughout the world. I pray that you will give peace, comfort, and joy to all who are your children and fill our hearts with praise and rejoicing in the spirit over the reason for this season of celebration. I pray that we, your children, would be the shining examples of your love and Christian living before the world, especially now. I pray that personal and business affairs would be conducted with integrity...and that as we are blessed, we would be a blessing to others. I pray that the lost will see Jesus and be drawn unto you.

Thank you, Father, for watching over us, being with us, and loving us in spite of ourselves. You are merciful and worthy of our praise. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Making a List . . .Checking it Twice

2011-12-22T08:12:00.002-05:00

December 22, 2011

Making a List … Checking it Twice

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth
For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT).

Friend to Friend
Every year, I make a Christmas list comprised of every person for whom I am buying a gift. Beside each name, I put a dollar amount, a limit for how much money I will spend for that gift, vowing not to spend one penny more than the set limit. (Somehow, the amount I actually spend rarely coincides with the amount I intended to spend.) With every purchase, I then draw a beautiful red line through that name. Done!

I carry that list everywhere I go because sometimes I find a gift during a random shopping trip but mainly because I can’t afford to let it out of my sight. There are evil people lurking in my home who will go to any lengths to find that list! You see, I am the Queen of Surprise when it comes to Christmas, so I must guard my list with my life in order to keep my “Queen-ship” status secure. Consequently, the list is hidden in various and unusual places such as a random file on my computer, in my closet, in an old purse, in a sock drawer, in a flower pot – you get the picture. I know where that Christmas list is at all times because it is my gift-giving plan for the holidays.

I wish I were just as concerned about "God's list" for my life; carrying His life plan for me in my heart and mind as I live each day, constantly making choices and decisions in light of that list, guarding it like the treasure map of eternity that it truly is. Just knowing the plan God has for me does not guarantee success. I must do the plan. That is where the choice to obey comes in. An obedient heart is a “fixed” heart and may very well be the gift God wants from us this holiday season.

Psalm 108:1
“O God, my heart is fixed!”

Psalm 40:8
“I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your law is written on my heart.”

A “fixed” heart is a determined heart, a steadfast heart that is rightly focused on God and His will, His plan. When we choose to follow God’s plan, the desires of our heart will line up in obedience to that plan. We will find our greatest joy in pleasing God, in doing His will because that is what we were created to do.

Maybe today is a good time to stop, go back over the list, review those life lessons we have learned, checking to see where we really are in our walk with God. Maybe today is the perfect time to revisit the manger to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by giving Him the gift of obedience.

Let’s Pray
Father, I love You. Forgive me for the times when I choose to follow my own will instead of Yours. Teach me how to fix my heart on You and give me the strength to do what You created me to do. I know Your plan is the highest and best plan for me and that I was created in response to that plan. Thank You for the purpose that doing Your will brings to my life. Today, I choose to seek You and obey Your Word.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

2011-12-21T10:02:00.002-05:00

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

Do You Really Believe It?

Bayless Conley

Ephesians 2:4-7 says,

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

There was a time in my wife's life when nothing was going right. It was before we were married while she was attending Bible school. Things were so bad that she was ready to drop out, and she wondered where God was in her life.

It was then that she attended a seminar where a woman was teaching on this passage. As my wife read this, and heard it taught, she saw that God loved her in an amazing way. That He loves everybody so much He sent Jesus Christ, so that He could make us a showpiece of His great love.

She realized He wanted to make her life beautiful and full. He wanted to make it good. He wanted to do things in her life so that she would be a showpiece for Him, and other people would look and say, "What is it about you?" and she could tell them that God made the difference in her life. Since that truth dawned on Janet's heart, she has never been the same.

1 John 4:16 says,

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.

Do you really believe that God loves you and has good things in store for you? You have heard about God's love, but do you really know it? Are you really believing the love that God has for you?

Well He does love you, and when you believe it, you will never be the same!

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website

for more ways to Connect with God

Finding Satisfaction...In A Box of Socks

2011-12-20T07:49:00.000-05:00

Finding Satisfaction

Dr. Charles Stanley

In Touch Ministries

Philippians 4:11-13

God has provided us with many things to enjoy. But too often our lives are filled with turmoil instead of contentment. Four practices that create dissatisfaction are . . .

Busyness. We live in a hurry-up society, dashing from one activity to another. Jesus did not rush anywhere, yet He accomplished whatever God gave Him to do. Not once did He tell His followers to move faster. He even praised Mary for choosing to stop her work and spend time with Him (Luke 10:39, 42).

Earthly perspective. Too often we live focused on our circumstances. Our minds think about what happened earlier in the week, what’s on today’s agenda, and the activities occurring next week, month, or year. No wonder enjoyment of life remains elusive. The solution is to have an eternal perspective, which acknowledges that God is in charge and our goal is to please Him.

Self-imposed pressure. We have all experienced the unavoidable burdens of schoolwork, employment, and relationships. But we bring needless pressure on ourselves when we allow unnecessary “musts” and “shoulds” to rule us. The remedy is to turn to God, acknowledge His right to order our days, and ask for His plan.

Unhealthy attitudes. Perfectionism, false guilt, and apathy all undermine our enjoyment of life.

Satisfaction is found in a life that reflects God’s priorities—and time with Him comes first. Reading His Word, we become mindful of the Father’s great love, learn what He views as important, and experience the joy of belonging to Him. When contentment is elusive, it’s time to examine our priorities.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit http://www.intouch.org/.

A Box of Socks

Mary Southerland

Girlfriends In God Devotional

Today’s Truth
If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22, NIV).

Friend to Friend
My sister loves socks! One day, we were shopping and happened to walk into a department store where neither one of us could afford to buy a single thing. We were just passing through, on our way to find the bargains we could afford. With a sigh and a wistful look on her face, Betty said, “I wish I could afford to shop in this store.” When I asked her what she would buy, she immediately replied with a smile, “Socks! I want a big box of socks. I would wear a different pair every day.” I could think of several things I would have liked to buy in that store and socks was not one of them. I guess it is a matter of perspective. What was important to her was not important to me.

I sometimes think my prayer requests are insignificant and unimpressive to God. After all, He is God. Does He really have the time or the desire to hear and answer my prayers? Yes! The truth is that if it is important to me, it is important to God.

Each Christmas, Operation Shoebox collects and sends over eight million shoeboxes stuffed with small gifts such as candy, school supplies, small toys, toothbrushes, soap, and shampoo to children across the world. In Mexico, hundreds of boys and girls gathered at the church in a small village, excitedly anticipating the arrival of their precious shoeboxes.

Delightful chaos erupted as bulging shoeboxes, wrapped in brightly colored paper and ribbon were passed into the small, eager hands of each child. Wrapping paper was hurriedly ripped into pieces and tossed aside, a smile spreading across the face of each child as their long awaited Christmas treasures were revealed. However, one little boy dissolved into tears as he lifted the lid of his box and peered inside to see what he had received for Christmas this year.

One of the Operation Shoebox volunteers spotted the little boy and hurriedly made his way across the church to see what the problem could possibly be. With the help of an interpreter, the volunteer asked the now sobbing little boy, “What is wrong? What is in your box?” With tears streaming down his face, the little boy said, “Socks!” The worker instantly understood and assured the little boy that he could trade his box of socks for another box that might have crayons, a toy or a piece of candy in it.

Alarm spread across the face of the child as he vigorously shook his head and quickly jerked the box away from the now somewhat confused worker. Clutching the shoebox to his chest, the boy began sobbing out an explanation to the interpreter who listened for a few moments and then, with tears spilling out of his own eyes, turned to the volunteer and said, “You won’t believe this!”

Taking a deep, steadying breath, the interpreter explained, “This little boy has a rare skin condition with which he was born. It seems to affect his feet more than any other spot on his body. The doctors have tried various medications and treatments but finally told the little boy that nothing will work and his feet will never heal unless he begins wearing cotton socks. His parents cannot even afford food for this boy; much less provide socks for their son. So, all year long, he has been praying for socks.”

Socks were at the top of the little boy’s prayer list. As a matter of fact, they were his list. The mere sight of ordinary cotton socks brought tears to his eyes as he stared in awe at the priceless gift in his hands – socks. You see, they were more than just socks. They were the profound answer from our extraordinary God to a child’s simple prayer. One unknown and seemingly insignificant boy in Mexico prayed. God heard him and said “Let me take care of you.”

No matter how small or trivial your prayers may seem, remember God’s perspective. If it is important to you, it is important to Him. And He will take care of you.

Let’s Pray
Father, thank You for the privilege of coming before You in prayer. I want prayer to be as natural to me as breathing out and breathing in. I refuse to believe the lie that my prayers are too small or unimportant for You to hear. You are my Father. You are my God and You long to hear my voice. I will bring every prayer of my heart to You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
Do you have your own “box of socks” for which you are praying? What is it?

Do you really believe that God will hear and answer your prayer?

Read Hebrews 11:6. How does your faith measure up to the faith described in this verse?

Today, pray in faith and see what God does!

More from the Girlfriends

Need a friend? Connect with Mary on Facebook - or through email. A new year is just around the corner. Is one of your resolutions for 2012 to have a daily quiet time? Need help? Check out Mary’s Weekly Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. And be sure to get your copy of our new 12-week devotion book, Trusting God.

Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725
Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
http://www.girlfriendsingod.com/

Christmas Shoes

Zigging When Others Zag

2011-12-19T10:12:00.002-05:00

Zigging When Others Zag

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

12-19-2011

Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. "He put mud on my eyes," the man replied, "and I washed, and now I see" (John 9:14-15).

Before I owned my own advertising agency, I worked for another ad agency. The owner was a man who was very creative and taught me that if you want to be remembered and want to stand out among the crowd, you must "zig" when others are "zagging." This was a another way of saying, "Do something very different so that your work will stand out among the crowded marketplace."

When I owned my own firm, we created several award-winning ad campaigns. One ad we created won international marketing awards. It was promoting a new brand of plush carpet. It's still on my wall in my office. In our ad we featured a white Persian cat in the ad. However, it looked like the body of the cat was submerged. You could only see the head of the cat as if the plush carpet made him sink. People wrote us and thought we had killed a cat to make our point. It was all trick photography. It became a memorable ad.

Jesus did things that caused people to talk. Today, we would call this "creating a buzz." One such miracle Jesus did that caused a buzz was when a man wanted Jesus to heal him. Instead of saying a religious prayer, He reached down and grabbed some mud and put it on his eyes. I can only wonder what the man must have thought. When he washed off the mud he could see. When the Pharisees asked how he was healed, the man told him. The Pharisees must been totally confused. Jesus did this to confront the religious spirit among the Pharisees and keep things focused on the source of the miracle, not the way it was done. Be aware when God does things outside your paradigm of experience. Don't jump to conclusions about the ways of God if they don't fit your paradigm. Jesus rarely does things the same way every time. This is intentional in order to keep us trusting in His power, not His ways.

Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

Gifts That Matter

2011-12-17T09:42:00.000-05:00

Coastal Living

Gifts That Matter

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth
If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you (Luke 6:38, NLT).

Friend to Friend
The world would like us to believe that the success of Christmas depends upon how much we spend, how many presents we give or how many presents we receive. Christmas is about giving, but price tags do not determine the success of our giving. Giving is not dependent on the condition of our checkbooks. Giving is dependent on the condition of our hearts. I am so glad! Like you, we have to plan carefully what we buy and how much we spend on each gift. As a result, we have discovered some creative ways to give gifts from the heart, meaningful gifts that cost very little.

A homemade gift
In 1 Corinthians 4:12, Paul teaches that we should “work hard with our own hands.” This principle can easily be applied to Christmas gifts. Giving a homemade gift represents time, thought and is a part of you. When our children were small, one of our favorite Christmas traditions was to create and deliver a homemade hot chocolate mix in decorated mason jars to our neighbors. We placed the jars just to the left of each neighbor’s front door, rang their doorbell and ran like crazy! I am not certain who enjoyed it the most … our neighbors or us. But every year, we were amazed by how much the neighbors enjoyed our homemade gift. (By the way, the recipe posted on my website if you want to carry on this tradition.)

A possession gift
In Matthew 6:40, Jesus spoke about giving away the shirt and coat on our backs. Giving something we already own can be a wonderful Christmas gift if it is something of special value to us. In other words, it is not the idea of getting rid of junk but sharing our treasure. Do not ask the question, “What can I buy for Sally?” Ask the question, “What do I have that would mean a lot to Sally?” My husband is a pastor. During a message, Dan mentioned he collects old Bibles. The next Christmas, one of our church members gave him a family Bible that had been passed down through several generations of family members. It was and still is one of Dan’s most precious possessions.

A gift of time
Time is a valuable gift, a precious commodity. The apostle Paul wrote, “Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity” (Ephesians 5:15-16, NIV). When we give someone 30 minutes of our time, we are giving them 30 minutes of our lives. While Dan was in seminary, we rarely had a spare minute or extra dollar between school, jobs and babies. A close friend who knew our schedule gave us a precious gift of time. “I have no money but wanted to give you a gift for Christmas,” he said, handing us a card. Inside was a coupon for free childcare one afternoon each week for the spring semester. That was over twenty-five years ago, and I still remember that wonderful gift of time.

A gift of prayer
The greatest gift we can give someone is the commitment to pray for them consistently. James writes, “Pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results” (James 5:16, NLT). Following our traditional Christmas Eve service, an elderly lady approached Dan and said, “I don’t have anything to give you, Pastor. But I want you to know that I will pray for you, Mary and the kids every morning this year at 6:00 a.m.” And she did! What a priceless gift! Every time she saw us, this sweet lady asked what we needed and how she should pray. Only Heaven knows all that God accomplished in our lives through the prayers of this godly woman.

A gift of encouragement
As the writer of Proverbs says, encouragement is a powerful gift. “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up” (Proverbs 12:25, NIV). We assume the people in our lives know how much they mean to us. They rarely do. This Christmas, write a letter to someone you love and appreciate, telling them how important they are to you. Be specific. A written note or letter requires time, careful thought and allows that person to read your words of encouragement again and again. One of my most prized possessions is a blue wooden box our son built and gave me one year for Christmas. In that box, I store notes, letters and cards of affirmation so on my “blue” days, I can pull out a dose of encouragement. One year, I wrote a letter of encouragement to my husband and to each child. The letters were placed in decorated envelopes, tied to branches of the Christmas tree and opened first on Christmas morning.

In my next devotional, I will share with you six more gifts from the heart. I pray this holiday season will lead us once again to the manger, where we will worship the Christ child and experience a Christmas holiday filled with love, peace and joy.

Let’s Pray
Father, teach us to celebrate Your birth in the way we give to others. Lord, I don’t want to get caught up in buying gifts that make me feel good. I want to give gifts that honor God, encourage others and point them to the real reason for this season – Jesus. Be glorified in every gift I give this year.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn
Read and memorize Luke 6:38 that says, “If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you.

What does this verse tell you about how important it is to give?
What does this verse say about the importance of the attitude behind the gift?
What does God promise to do in our lives when we give generously?

Little Drummer Boy - Chloe Agnew

Contagiouis Joy

2011-12-16T08:25:00.000-05:00

Contagious Joy

Dr. Charles Stanley

"What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life - and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us- what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete." 1 John 1:1-4

Jesus calls us to be His “witnesses.” When some Christians hear this word, they worry that they need exceptional skill or charisma in order to share the good news with others. Yet to witness is not to merely speak of the “plan of salvation” to someone. The word literally means to see, hear, or know by personal presence and perception; to testify; bear witness to; give or afford evidence of. When John wrote that he was sharing what he had experienced first-hand, he was saying, “I am full of joy because of the experience of knowing Jesus, and I want to invite you to share in that joy!”

When you’re in love with someone, you are excited about the relationship and time spent together. Likewise, when you’re in love with Jesus, you can’t keep to yourself the joy that comes from knowing Him—it just spills over, bearing witness and strengthening other believers. In fact, as you give testimony of who God is and how He’s working in your life, it makes no difference whether you speak quietly or with great exuberance: in their spirit, Christians will pick up on the deep, genuine gladness in your heart that goes beyond natural happiness. And people who don’t yet know the Lord will find themselves hungering for the relationship you have. In that way, they will be drawn to His Spirit in you.

Witnessing is not a matter of eloquence or talent. It’s an overflow of the personal relationship with Jesus Christ that is conforming you to His image. As you allow the Holy Spirit to increasingly express His life and power through you, contagious joy will be “fruit” of His indwelling presence.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

Jimmy Evans: The Laws of Wealth

(LIFE Today / James Robison)

The Lord Ever Present

2011-12-15T07:29:00.002-05:00

The Lord Ever-Present

Pastor Adrian Rogers

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

The One who created the valley is there with you! He has prepared the way through the valley. It is not a place of permanence, but a place of passage. He knows every twist and turn, every changing shadow, every den where danger lurks—that One is with you!

Focus on the light and not the darkness. God has made you to walk through shadows. When the shadow approaches, you must walk through. The One greater than death is in you! He is your Jehovah Shamah—the Lord ever-present. His grace is greater. His peace is purer. His devotion is dearer. Where Satan casts a shadow, our Sovereign Lord reigns supreme.

This is a day of hope. Meditate on 1 John 4:4 throughout the day and ask God to give you a divine appointment to share this beloved truth with someone today.

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.

To listen to the entire message please go here:

Wrecked But Not Ruined - Part 5 (Beth Moore)

My Grown Up Christmas List

2011-12-12T10:49:00.000-05:00

Key to Effective Prayer—Forgiveness

Bayless Conley

An important key to effective prayer is your relationship with others. In Mark 11:24-26 Jesus says,

"Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Pretty strong, isn't it? Jesus cited unforgiveness as the number one reason for unanswered prayer. If my prayers were not being answered, this would be the first place I would look—into my own heart, to see whether I had allowed bitterness toward another human being to reside there. Whether I was harboring a grudge or had strife in my heart toward anyone else.

Jesus said if you have anything against anyone, anything—big or small, new or old—or anyone—yourself, your husband, your wife, a family member, a loved one, a neighbor, a co-worker, a relative, an enemy—if you have anything against anyone, it will lead to unanswered prayer.

Sometimes people hold things against themselves. They do not forgive themselves, even after God has forgiven them and after others have forgiven them. They just want to whip themselves for their stupidity for falling into the same stupid sin again, or for whatever they have done, and they don't release themselves!

There are others too, including those closest to us, whom we must forgive. If your prayers are not being answered, then look there.

Perhaps you have searched the Scriptures, filled your heart with the Word, you are praying from the bottom of your heart, and you are expectant of answers; but before you can partake of the fruit of your prayers, you must forgive if you have anything against anyone!

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Bible Prophecy Blog: A Cup of Trembling

by Jack Kelly

This is the word of the Lord concerning Israel. The Lord, Who stretches out the Heavens Who lays the foundations of the Earth, and Who forms the spirit of man within him declares, “I am going to make Jerusalem a cup that sends all the surrounding peoples reeling. Judah will be besieged as well as Jerusalem.
On that day when all the nations of the earth are gathered against her I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock for all the nations. All who try to move it will injure themselves” (Zech 12:1-3)....

My Grown Up Christmas List

Amy Grant

What Child Is This?

2011-12-09T08:01:00.000-05:00

Jesus Christ the Sin Bearer

Dr. Charles Stanley

Matthew 26:26-27

The cross is so common in our culture that most people don’t think twice when they see one on a church. But unfortunately, familiarity with the symbol can actually get in the way of understanding what it truly means. So let’s stop to consider how Jesus became the bearer of sin.

We begin with Scripture written long before Jesus was born. Genesis, the first book of the Bible, explains how man chose to disobey God. Because Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, their descendants are all born under the curse of death, having inherited a sinful “flesh” nature.

In Leviticus, God’s laws for the Jewish nation included observance of Yom Kippur, the day each year when the Israelites fasted, prayed, and sacrificed an animal to atone for sin. In essence, the goat would bear the wrongs done by the people and suffer the penalty that divine justice required.

Centuries later, Isaiah prophesied that a Savior would atone for transgression once and for all (Isa. 53:5, 8; Heb. 7:27). After another 700 years, John the Baptist identified Jesus as the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The Messiah had come, though He was totally different from what the people expected—so much so, in fact, that they rejected Him and requested His crucifixion.

In all, God gave 613 laws through Moses. But none of us can perfectly follow even the Ten Commandments. In fact, one reason He gave us these rules is to show us our need for a Savior (Ps. 19:7; Gal. 3:24). Meditate on those commands (Ex. 20:1-17), asking God to speak to your heart.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit http://www.intouch.org/.

What Child Is This - Bebo Norman

What Child is this who laid to rest
On Mary's lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping

This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The Babe, the Son of Mary

So bring Him incense gold and myrrh
Come peasant king to own Him
The King of kings salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him

Raise, raise the song on high
The virgin sings her lullaby
Joy, joy for Christ is born
The Babe, the Son of Mary

Key to Effective Prayer—Endurance

Bayless Conley

The next key to effective prayer is the need to be patient. You need to be willing to endure.

Hebrews 6:11-15 says,

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Do you realize that once God gave Abraham and Sarah the promise of having a child, it was 25 years before Isaac was born? There was some patient enduring that took place before they obtained the reality of God's promise in their lives. And so it must be with us.

Perhaps you have been praying for things in your life, and you are getting discouraged. You must remember that God does not always work things on our timetable. He works according to His.

I just want to encourage you today: Be patient. Patience is that long-lasting quality of your faith.

A number of years ago I heard one person say that faith is like your hand and patience is like your arm. When you exercise faith, it is like holding up your hand against the problem, and as you do, things are being worked out. But if you take your patience down, your faith comes down with it.

Patience is the thing that keeps your faith applied until the answer comes.

Patience is a critical key to effective prayer. Whatever you are praying for, patiently endure.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

Key To Effective Prayer - Consistent with God's Will

2011-12-08T07:58:00.000-05:00

Key to Effective Prayer - Consistent with God's Will

Bayless Conley

In order for your prayers to be effective, they need to be in line with God's Word and will. That is the fourth key to effective prayer.

This means you must have knowledge of God's Word. In John 15:7, Jesus says,

"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."

If you abide in God and His words abide in you, your desires will line up with His will. How important it is for us to know the Word of God!

As Hebrews 4 reminds us, the Word of God is living and active and powerful. It is spirit; it is life. It's not just pages on a piece of paper. And as you are in the Word of God, I believe the Holy Spirit will paint heaven's pictures, heaven's thoughts, and heaven's ideas on the canvas of your heart and your mind.

As you read the Word of God, you will have confidence in your prayers because you will have God's heart. And when you have God's heart, He is going to answer your prayers because that is what He desires.

I also want to point you to 1 John 5:14 which says,

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

His will, of course, is His Word. So if you ask anything according to His Word, He will hear you. And if you know that He hears whatever you ask, you know you have the petitions you have asked of Him.

This means you and I need to know what the Bible says so that our prayers will be answered. Effective prayers are those that are in line with God's Word and will.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God.

Down To The River To Prayer - Alisson Krauss

Contradictions -Prophecy In The News

Dependence on God -- A Witness of His Power

2011-12-07T13:09:00.002-05:00

Dependence on God—A Witness of His Power

Pastor Adrian Rogers

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

If you’re like most people, you don’t realize your dependency on God until you’re burned out from stress—either self-induced or caused by circumstances beyond your control.

Why is that?

Paul says it’s because we are fragile. But he doesn’t stop there. He says that God made us this way so that His power may be known through us!

Maybe someone told you, “Oh, just tie a knot and hang on!” Sometimes God wants us to let go of the rope because it is keeping us tied down to our destructive habits. We are totally dependent on God so that the love of His Son may be made known to the world.

Get a piece of rope and tie a knot in it. Let it sit on your desk this week as a reminder that God is more than just a knot at the end of the rope. He is the Savior of the World!

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit http://www.lwf.org/.

Regional War on the Horizon

Salvation

2011-12-06T08:04:00.000-05:00

Salvation

Max Lucado

Before he encountered Christ, Paul has been somewhat of a hero among the Pharisees...

Blue-blooded and wild-eyed, this young zealot was hellbent on keeping the kingdom pure--and that meant keeping the Christians out. He marched through the countryside like a general demanding that backslidden Jews salute the flag of the mother-land or kiss their family and hopes good-bye.

All this came to a halt, however, on the shoulder of a highway...That's when someone slammed on the stadium lights, and he heard the voice.

When he found out whose voice it was, he jaw hit the ground, and his body followed. He braced himself for the worst. He knew it was all over . . . He prayed that death would be quick and painless.

But all he got was silence and befuddled in a borrowed bedroom. God left him there a few days with scales on his eyes so thick that the only direction he could look was inside himself. And he didn't like what he saw.

He saw himself for what he really was --to use his own words, the worst of sinners.

. . . Alone in the room with his sins on his conscience and blood on his hands, he asked to be cleansed.

. . . The legalist Saul was buried, and the liberator Paul was born. He was never the same afterwards. And neither was the world . . .

The message is gripping: Show a man his failures without Jesus, and result will be found in the roadside gutter. Give a man religion without reminding him of his filthy, and the result will be arrogance in a three-piece suit. But get the two in the same heart --get sin to meet Savior and Savior to meet sin -- and the result just might be another Pharisee turned preacher who sets the world on fire.

STUDY GUIDES
READ ACTS 9: 3-26

* Think of a time you have seen God's power revealed in the life of a friend. What happened to that person?

* How would you describe the power of God that was revealed in Saul's life during his conversion experience?

* With which person in Saul's story do you most identify: Saul, Ananias, Saul's companions, or Paul?

* What does Saul's conversion teach you about God?

* Think about your own conversion experience. What are the parallels?

* Think of a time when God used you to encourage someone in his or her faith? What did you do?

* How can you minister to someone who has not yet experienced God saving power?

* What is the most mysterious thing to you about salvation?

The Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of Jesus with Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson Publishers, page 1244

O Holy Night

A Season of Joy

2011-12-05T10:12:00.000-05:00

A Season Of Joy

by Randy Robison

Words of LIFE Weekly Devotional

As we plunge into another holiday season, complete with obnoxious commercial distractions and endless debate about the appropriateness of religious symbolism, let’s not forget one simple truth: when we help others, we create happiness for ourselves and those we help. Whether it’s by serving a meal to hungry people, giving a new coat to one in need, or any other act of human kindness, Christmas is a wonderful time to demonstrate the love of Christ. As we do, we “rejoice” in the sense that we create joy, both for the giver and the recipient.

Helen Keller said, “Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain.”
Working to alleviate the suffering of others not only serves their needs, but it takes your focus off of yourself. It’s hard to complain about your problems when you’re personally involved with someone else’s problems. This shift in perspective should foster a sense of happiness.

The beauty of this path to happiness lies in its simplicity. All of us can help someone in some way. It just requires stepping outside of ourselves as we give time and effort to improve someone else’s life. No measure of service or sacrifice is too small.

It should be noted that helping others involves sympathy (compassion for someone) or empathy (sharing in their pain), but not a complete assumption of their burden. Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you..." (NAS) Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28, NAS)

Helping others means meeting some of their needs while pointing them to Jesus. We are clearly told to allow Jesus Christ to take our burdens. Taking others’ burdens can do more harm than good if we are not careful. We shouldn’t compound our own suffering with the suffering of others, but join with them in casting all of our cares upon Him. God can handle it; we cannot. Presuming that we can may invite additional and unnecessary hardship. It is only through obedience and an overflowing empowerment of the Holy Spirit that we can share in and alleviate the suffering of others without being overwhelmed by it.

One simple, but easily overlooked, way to help someone is through prayer. When people run out of practical options, they sometimes say, “All you can do is pray.” It’s treated as a last-ditch effort when our human ability fails. Even Christians fall into this trap because prayer deals with the unseen. It wars against “principalities and powers.” It focuses on changing people’s hearts and minds. But the natural human inclination is to measure effectiveness by immediate, visible results. So we consciously or unconsciously consider prayer an option only when we’re out of options. Still, it’s one of the most powerful forces in the world.

Praying for others always changes someone, but it’s not always the “someone” we expect. Whether the person for whom we pray responds as we wish is out of our control, but that doesn’t mean we should not pray. At the very least, our act of bringing another person’s concerns or condition before God changes us. As we take another’s burden to the Lord, He touches us as He takes that burden upon Himself. That touch is worth the experience of intercession. It’s an open invitation for God to bless us as we share His concern for someone He loves even more than we do.

Make this month a true season of joy – God’s joy. Pray for others and help them when you can. Then you will live out the truth that helping others is as much about finding God’s happiness for yourself as it is about impacting the life of someone else.

Randy Robison is the author of God Wants You To Be Happy (Harvest House). You can follow his “happiness tweets” at twitter.com/jamesrrobison

O Tannenbaum

Key #1 to Effective Prayer - Being Specific

Bayless Conley

Over the next number of devotionals, I want to walk you through the keys to effective prayer. To start, I want to focus today's devotional on Mark 10:46-52 where we find a very intriguing story.

Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, "Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you." And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

The question Jesus asked, "What do you want Me to do for you?", seemed obvious, didn't it? Everybody present knew Bartimaeus needed his eyes to be healed. Why would Jesus ask this question?

He wanted us to understand how important it is to be specific when we ask something of God. Bartimaeus' faith had to become specific before it made him well. It was after he said, "Lord, that I might receive my sight," that Jesus said, "Your faith has made you well."

Being specific in what you request of God is the first key to effective prayer

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

An Introduction To Christ

2011-12-02T06:36:00.002-05:00

BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS,

and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him;

and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God,

"who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

An Introduction to Christ

In Touch With Dr. Charles Stanley

Revelation 1:4-8

The first chapter of Revelation gives a compact description of the Lord. In verses 4 to 8, John condenses the wonder of Jesus Christ to the bare but beautiful essentials of who He is:

Jesus Christ is the faithful witness. Jesus came to earth to more fully reveal the character and ways of the Father (John 14:9). The miracles He performed validated His claim to be the Son of God.

Jesus Christ is the first-born from the dead. The Savior bore our sins and died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day. His resurrection proved that eternal life is possible for us, too, as Jesus taught in John 11:25: “He who believes in Me will live even if he dies.”

Jesus Christ is the ruler of the kings of the earth. It is the Lord who raises men to power, just as it is He who removes them (John 19:11; Rom. 13:1). Meanwhile, believers have access to a higher authority. In God’s throne room, we can beseech Him on behalf of our nations and lay claim to His promises.

Jesus Christ loves us and released us from our sins by His blood. Note the change of tense in John’s writing. The Lord’s love is ever-present, but He has freed believers from their past. Both the penalty and power of sin have been broken.

When people ask you about Jesus, introduce Him by guiding them through this mini-biography. In just a few sentences, John describes Christ’s character, divinity, and authority. The disciple was not timid about proclaiming the Lord. We shouldn’t be shy, either, when we serve so great a Savior.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit http://www.intouch.org/.

The Source of Lasting Satisfaction

2011-12-01T09:10:00.000-05:00

What Do You Value?

Bayless Conley

Psalm 119:72 says,

The law of Your mouth is better to me than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

We understand "the law of Your mouth" to be God's Word. And what the psalmist is saying is, "Lord, Your word is better to me than a pile of silver or a pile of gold."

Let's say you are offered a position at a particular company—offered a great job, great increase of pay, and maybe the housing in that area is less. It is your dream job! But you investigate things, and you find out there is not a good spirit-filled Bible teaching church in that town where the job is. But you can make a lot more money! Do you go? It depends on how much you value God's Word.

One gentleman who was very involved in my church came to me one day and announced that he was moving. I asked him, "Did you find a church there?" He replied, "No, no. There's not a good church in the town at all. But I'm going to be making a lot more money. We can get a bigger house. It's going to be great."

A year later his teenage daughter was pregnant, his boy was in juvenile hall, he and his wife were getting a divorce, and he was back on drugs. But, hey! He was making a lot more money.

In our society, it is so easy to make decisions based solely on money. And sadly, it is the ruin of many a family and relationship. Value first God's Word. Value it more than anything our world can give you.

If you do, you will never be disappointed.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

True Satisfaction Is Found in the Lord

Pastor Adrian Rogers

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

The Scottish-born naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club, John Muir, once had a conversation with railroad magnate and industrialist E. H. Harriman.
“I’m richer than you are,” declared Muir to the railroad baron.

“And how is that true?” responded Harriman.

“Because you don’t have all you want — and I do. Therefore I am richer than you,” answered Muir.

Well, perhaps these two men were playing word games with one another. We don’t know if either man was truly satisfied with his life, but there's one thing of which I’m certain. Our search for satisfaction will not be found at the end of the rainbow in a pot of gold. It can only be found in Jesus.

What satisfies you today? Is it the things you own? Your relationships? Your job? Ask the Lord to fill you with the source of lasting satisfaction—Himself!

How Emptiness Sings - Christa Wells

A Prophet without Honor

2011-11-30T08:03:00.002-05:00

A Prophet without Honor

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

11-30-2011

"Where did this man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands? Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house" (Mark 6.3, 4).

Have you ever noticed how difficult it can be to spiritually impact your immediate circle of relationships and family? Jesus warned us of this phenomenon. We often relate to family and friends differently because they have a history with us that no one else has. They most likely have not had the privilege to witness the spiritual transformation that you have experienced and is evidenced by others in your life.

The spiritual authority that others may recognize in you is not there with your own family and friends. "After all, you're just my sister or brother, with whom I fought, played, and lived everyday life," is what is thought. Jesus was more qualified to be a carpenter than the Son of God in his own family and community's eyes. It was too difficult to change old perceptions of someone they knew so well. So too, is it for your family members.

The sad result of this mindset is that we often do not experience the same fruit of ministry in our family's lives that we do outside this circle. It is an unfortunate truth. "Jesus still healed a few sick people," meaning there is still a remnant of faith that can receive from you and I. Ultimately, God determines the fruit of our lives. Do not allow spiritual pride to prevent you from freely giving to your family and friends when they do not receive you in the way you think they should. You don't know which "few" God will choose to touch through your life.

Many did not receive Jesus. Therefore, many will not receive you. Nevertheless, allow God to touch the few in your circle He chooses to touch through you.

Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

Every secret, every shame

Every fear, every pain

Live inside the dark, but that's not who we are

We are children of the day

So wake up sleeper, lift your head

We were meant for more than this

Fight the shadows, conquer death

Make the most of the time we have left

We are the light of the world

We are the city on a hill

We are the light of the world

We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

We are the light of the world

We are the city on a hill

We are the light of the world

And we gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine

Let the light shine, let the light shine

We are called to the spread the news

Tell the world the simple truth

That Jesus came to save, there's freedom in His Name

So let His love break through

We are the light, we are the light, we are the light

So let your light shine brighter

We are the light, we are the light

We are the light, Jesus

You are the light, You are the light, You are the light

We will lift You high

Shine, shine, shine

As the World Turns

2011-11-29T15:18:00.000-05:00

"For our light and momentary troubles are
achieving for us an eternal glory that far
outweights them all."
2 Corinthians 4:17

Bible Prophecy Blog

Aaron Klein, Klein Online

Eyewitnesses Claim Unusual Movement of Israeli Missiles

Multiple eyewitnesses reported seeing Israeli military trucks in recent days transport and station large missiles at the periphery of Jerusalem and in locations inside the West Bank....

The Status of the Middle East

HE IS ALWAYS WITH ME

Heavenly Father, When things seem too big for me, remind me that you are
Jehovah Jireh, my provider. You are a faithful God. Thank you for your grace to accept
things that come my way. And together may we as believers in Christ Jesus prove faithful to you and bring glory to your name during difficult times.

The Magnificent Plan Of The Father

2011-11-29T09:57:00.000-05:00

Justice and Mercy

Dr. Charles Stanley

Romans 3:21-26

The sinful condition of mankind presents us with a dilemma: How can a holy, righteous God forgive our sins? If He deals with us only on the basis of His justice, every human being would suffer the eternal punishment of His wrath, which their sins deserve. But if He extends mercy instead of justice, no one would pay the penalty for sin, and God would then cease to be just.

There was only one way the Lord could stay true to His nature and at the same time forgive our sins. The solution was to satisfy His justice by pouring out His wrath on a substitute. Then the penalty for sin would be paid, and He would be free to extend mercy to sinners. This is the only plan that accommodates both aspects of His divine nature. So Christ came as our substitute; He took the punishment for our sin, enabling us to experience the Father’s mercy. Now, by placing faith in Jesus, anyone can be justified—that is, declared legally righteous.

God’s plan of salvation is simple enough for a child to understand. Yet at the same time, the complexities of the transaction that occurred at Calvary are far beyond human comprehension. Although we may not fully grasp what transpired there, we can know that the cross is the greatest possible display of the Lord’s love for us.

Can you even imagine the cost of your salvation? The magnificent plan of the Father and the willing cooperation of the Son prove your tremendous value in God’s eyes. From His perspective, you are worth all the pain and suffering that was necessary to secure your eternal presence with Him in heaven.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit http://www.intouch.org/.

Digging Deeper

Observations On Ephesians 1:1-14

By Dr. Paul Henebury

The apostle Paul, now a prisoner in Rome, addresses the assembly of Christians at Ephesus, whom he had last seen about six years previously...

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

2011-11-28T08:19:00.002-05:00

Understanding Kingdom Authority

Pastor Adrian Rogers

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19

A police officer weighing 160 pounds may effectively stand before a tanker truck and with an uplifted hand say, “Stop, in the name of the law.” The police officer certainly couldn’t stop the truck with his physical force. He is appealing to an authority greater than himself — the law — to back him up. Your authority over Satan is the same way. Your authority does not rest in your strength. You cannot overcome Satan with your power but rather with Kingdom Authority from God. And you have that as a child of the King. You have His authority to overcome every attack of Satan.

Sing of the power of the Lord. Find a hymnal and sing or meditate on the verses of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit http://www.lwf.org/.

A mighty fortress is our God,

a bulwark never failing;

our helper he amid the flood

of mortal ills prevaling.

For still our ancient foe

doth seek to work us woe;

his craft and power are great,

and armed with cruel hate,

on earth is not his equal.

Did we in our own strength confide,

our striving would be losing,

were not the right man on our side,

the man of God's own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he;

Lord Sabaoth, his name,

from age to age the same,

and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God hath willed

his truth to triumph through us.

The Prince of Darkness grim,

we tremble not for him;

his rage we can endure,

for lo, his doom is sure;

one little word shall fell him.

That word above all earthly powers,

no thanks to them, abideth;

the Spirit and the gifts are ours,

thru him who with us sideth.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also;

the body they may kill;

God's truth abideth still;

his kingdom is forever.

WATCH

MANNA FEST WITH PERRY STONE

SPIRITUAL WARFARE:

It's Time To Discern The Burn

The Sword of the Spirit

2011-11-22T09:44:00.000-05:00

The Sword of the Spirit

"We can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:6 (NIV)

Today's post are two video teachings by Perry Stone on  spiritual warfare. Near the end of the first video titled "The Spear of Satan" Perry mentions the story of Moses, Aaron, and Hur who went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held the rod up over his head, the battle was victorious for the Israelites. But when Moses' arms grew tired and he dropped them, then the Amalekites would prevail. Aaron and Hur became a support to Moses. They gave him a stone to sit on, and lifted up his hands. Thus, God's people were VICTORIOUS.

Moses was the servant that God chose to lead His people through the wilderness. But Moses wasn't able to do it alone. There were too many people, too much work to do on his own. Moses needed other leaders to support him in what he had been called to do.  Whenever you become discourage or distress, don't be afraid.  Pray.  Ask for help. Find prayer partners.   Because the only way to stop these things is to stop sharing the gospel, and that's not an option.

Prayer   Heavenly Father may you use us as a constant testimony of your goodness, and may many come to Christ as a result. What can mere men do to us when you have our life in your hands? As the days grow darker may we find people who will stand in the gap with us like Arron and Hur.   Help us Father to encourage other believers who are being persecuted for their faith. Give boldness to Christian leaders so that they will continue to share the gospel. Amen.

THE SPEAR OF SATAN

THERE IS A CRACK IN YOUR SPIRITUAL ARMOR

Cherishing the Presence of God

2011-11-21T08:53:00.000-05:00

Cherishing the Presence of God

Bayless Conley

Psalm 84:10 gives us an important perspective of God's presence,

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.

When the psalmist talks about "a day in Your courts," he is not talking about being in some building or admiring some bit of religious architecture. He is talking about enjoying the presence of God. As verse 2 of this psalm says,

My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

God is so good that just one day with Him is better than a thousand anywhere else. Just to be on the threshold, just to be on the doorstep, just to feel the slightest fringes, if you would, of the presence of God, is better than spending a thousand days anywhere else.

I think The Message Bible conveys the idea of verse 10,

One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.

Not long ago, I was walking through the neighborhood (I do this from time to time) just having a prayer walk. I walked for maybe 45 minutes and just prayed and worshiped God.

As I started thinking about all of the good things He has done for me, I began to sense His presence, and I started to cry. Now, I don't know what the neighbors thought if they happened to look out their window, but I didn't care, because I so appreciate His presence in my life.

I encourage you today to learn to cherish the presence of God!

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God.

Watchman on the Wall

The Hal Lindsey Report: 11/18/11

Heartfelt Soul Winning Brings a Bountiful Harvest

2011-11-20T09:18:00.001-05:00

"Most people want to serve God,

but only in an advisory capacity."

Heartfelt Soul Winning Brings a Bountiful Harvest

Pastor Adrian Rogers

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6

Do you know what you’re doing in the morning when you have a quiet time? Weeding your garden. You’re weeding the garden of your mind, so that the good seed of the Word of God can multiply. Now, the next step is to plant the seed and cultivate His harvest. And when you go out to win souls, water the crop with your tears. Read how the Lord’s heart broke over the people He longed to embrace and love unto Himself (see John 17). Learn this same sort of compassion in the garden God has given you to harvest for His kingdom.

Ask God to put you into His fields of service today. Ask Him to make you bold, yet compassionate and wise to share His Good News.

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit http://www.lwf.org/.

God Will Make A Way

"Being confident in this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it out on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

PRAYER

Father, in the midst of instability, war and constant change, make a way for new beleivers to grow even when their teachers have had to leave the country. Give them access to your Word and the fellowship of other believers. Give me an opportunity to be involved in the growth process of new believers with whom I meet. Amen -- Donna, Missionary Central and Eastern Europe

Prepared for a place

"However, as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived wth God has prepared for those who love him. " 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NIV)

All that is required of any of us is to follow Him.

Father, Thank you that you use past experiences to prepare us for present and future circumstances. Help Missionaries in difficult areas to face extreme conditions with hope and dependency upon You. Help me to allow you to mold and shape my life according to the specifications of Your plans and purposes. Amen -- Robin, Central and Eastern Europe

I'm With You

Grace To Keep Going

2011-11-18T09:02:00.000-05:00

Grace to Keep Going

Dr. Charles Stanley

Acts 15:7-11

As believers, we readily attribute our salvation to God’s grace, but what does “this grace in which we stand” mean to us now (Rom. 5:2)? How does it work out in everyday life, especially when we’re going through periods of trial or suffering?

The Lord’s grace releases His supernatural power within us so we can endure life’s hardships with a godly attitude. In fact, we’ll even be able to rejoice in what He is doing in us through the adversity.

Grace builds our confidence in the sovereign Lord. Nothing looks hopeless when we focus on Him instead of on our problems.

We discover the assurance of God’s sustaining presence as He walks with us every step of the way.

Because we’ve experienced His care for us, we are able to show empathy and love to others facing hard times.

During fiery trials, grace works to transform our character so that others can see Jesus reflected in us.

Difficulties in life are unavoidable. So we need a daily dose of God’s grace if we are to walk through trials with confidence that there is great reward on the other side. If we rely on our own strength, however, obstacles will appear insurmountable, leaving us discouraged and ready to give up.

Too often believers rely on Christ for their salvation but then try to go solo. If God’s grace was needed to save us, then logic says we would also need it for the rest of our days. Only through a continuous infusion of His sustaining power can we live a victorious Christian life.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit http://www.intouch.org/.

Where is Mount Sinai?

Mercy! Forgiveness! Acceptance! Pardon! Welcome!

2011-11-17T08:47:00.000-05:00

Mercy! Forgiveness! Acceptance! Pardon! Welcome!

Bayless Conley

In Hebrews 12:22-24, we are given a powerful word on how the blood of Jesus speaks such better things than the blood of Abel. This is a great insight, so bear with me,

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

You can read the story of Abel and his brother, Cain, in Genesis 4. What we learn is that Cain became jealous of Abel, and as a result, Cain rose up against Abel in the field and killed him.

God said, "Cain, the blood of your brother, Abel, cries out to Me from the ground." What did the blood of Abel say? "Vengeance! Judgment!"

The blood of Jesus cries better things. The blood that soaked the cross and made it red, the blood that soaked the ground below the cross at that place called Calvary, the blood that today is in the heavenly Holy of Holies, that blood cries out day and night into the ears of God.

The blood of Jesus today does not cry out, "Vengeance! Judgment!" Instead, it cries out, "Mercy! Forgiveness! Acceptance! Pardon! Welcome!"

The question is: How will you respond? Hebrews 12:25 issues a stern warning,

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven.

If you have yet to accept Jesus as your Savior, do so today.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God

SERMON SERIES

Repentance, Water and Fire

In this revealing message called "Repentance, Water and Fire," Bayless Conley invites you to discover how the inward act of repentance opens the way for God to enter your heart. You’ll learn how true repentance always leads to an outward change. And, you’ll find out how turning from sin can open the doors to God’s purifying fire of the Holy Spirit. So discover today how a repentant heart can unlock God’s greatest gifts to you!

How To Have Fullness of Joy

2011-11-15T07:51:00.000-05:00

The Will of God

Pastor Adrian Rogers

“For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.” Mark 3:35

Major Ian Thomas, English author and founder of a worldwide missionary fellowship, once wrote, “Which of these things in the life of Jesus is more spiritual? When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount? When He raised Lazarus from the dead? When He washed His disciples’ feet? Or when He spat on the ground and made clay to anoint the blind man’s eyes? None was more spiritual than the other. Jesus did not divide His life up into little segments of spirituality. He was simply available to do whatever His Father willed.” The will of God is not a road map. It is a relationship! You just simply set yourself apart to do the will of God.

Are you segregating your life into activities that are more spiritual than others? Surrender all you are to Him and make yourself available for whatever He calls you to do today.

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org.

WATCH

HOW TO HAVE FULLNESS OF JOY

Do you have continual, contagious and conspicuous joy? Find out how to in this message by Adrian Rogers and you will also discover why joy is so important in your life.

The Lies I Tell Myself

2011-11-13T07:46:00.008-05:00

The Lies I Tell Myself

with Jennifer Rothschild
Words of LIFE Weekly Devotional

“I struggle with not telling myself the truth.”

This surprising confession from Jennifer Rothschild, author of Me, Myself & Lies and a guest on LIFE Today this week, actually applies to most everyone. But for her, the awareness of this deception became a springboard to help others overcome this crippling condition.

“I grew up in the church,” Jennifer says. “My dad was a pastor. I became a Christian as an older child and I've loved Jesus my whole life. When I was 15 years old, I was diagnosed with a disease in both of my eyes that caused me to become legally blind and, consequently, caused me to be totally blind.

“But what's interesting is that at the age of 15, God really implanted this truth within me: it is well with my soul. And it really genuinely is. But I began to notice it wasn't feeling so well with my soul. By my late 20s, I thought it is not so well with my soul.

“I'll never forget the morning I woke up and before my feet even hit the floor I was barraged with this: You're not a good mother. You can't do anything right! You shouldn't have said that to your husband…and on and on. I was so defeated before I even stood up!

“I asked God, ‘What's wrong with me? It is like I've got this undertow. On the surface of my life it really is well. I love you. I know you've given me peace, but I'm fighting against it, this undertow trying to suck me down.’

“It was as if I heard God say to me that until I learned to control my thoughts, my thoughts would control me.

“God began this journey within me, taking me on a quest, learning what I was saying to my own soul, what was truth and what was a lie…and it has been an incredible journey.”

Jennifer focuses on our inner dialogue – the hundreds of words we think to ourselves every waking minute. While most are innocuous, such as self-instructions on getting through the day, many can be damaging. Thoughts like, I’ll never make it or God really doesn’t care.

Expanding on Paul’s decree to take “every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5), Jennifer lays out three practical steps to what she calls a “thought-closet makeover.”

First, we must recognize what it is that we say to ourselves. “You need to look at what you say to yourself and see if it falls into one of two categories,” she says. “Is it constructive or it is destructive? Ask yourself, ‘Would I say this to another person?’”

Would you write down everything you say to yourself and give it to a loved one and say, "Here, I want you to talk to yourself this way so you'll have peace and freedom." That, she maintains, exposes the reality of our self-talk.

Second, we must refuse the lies. We must reject the ideas that clearly are not of God. Jennifer says, “I began to recognize the difference between what I struggled with and who I really was. So I would not let that thought enter until I rephrased it with truth.”

This third step, to rephrase an errant idea with the truth of God, places those captured thoughts under the obedience of Christ and sets our minds in accordance with God’s word.

It is critical, she points out, to fill ourselves with God’s word so that we know how to rephrase thoughts correctly. “You cannot rephrase a lie into truth if you don't know truth,” she says.

Doing this takes daily practice. We must trust God more than we trust our own impulses.

“We don't tell ourselves the truth,” Jennifer concludes, “because we don't know the truth or because we trust our feelings more than we trust the truth.”

By learning to recognize the contents of our “thought closet,” refusing to keep destructive ideas, and rephrasing the lies with God’s truth, we can renew our minds with the power of God’s word and walk more confidently through life as a victorious servant of Jesus Christ.

Jennifer Rothschild: Self Talk (LIFE Today)

Breaking Free From the Comparison Trap

Pastor Adrian Rogers

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together

in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 2:6

Have you ever noticed that we buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t even like? We try to keep up with the Jones family, but when we finally catch up with them, they refinance! Let me exhort you to get off that comparison treadmill and onto the pathway of serenity. You are accepted right now in Christ. God does not change you so He can love you. He loves you so He can change you! God loves you as much as He loves Jesus. If you are saved, you are in Christ. And where is He? He is seated in the heavenlies. You are also seated in those heavenly places, even though you still have your address on planet Earth. You are enthroned with Him.

When was the last time you compared yourself with someone else? It’s time to get yourself unharnessed from the comparison yoke and break free as a child of the King!

For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit http://www.lwf.org/.

Great Escapes in the Bible

2011-11-10T10:54:00.002-05:00

Peter Escapes From Prison

Great Escapes in the Bible

There are a lot of great escapes found in the Bible, here are a few and their significance (who, what happened, what was accomplished, application):

Jacob (Genesis 31:1-55)

1. Left his father-in-law, Laban, after almost 20 years of service.
2, Allowed Jacob to return home for Isaac’s death and for reconciliation with Esau, his brother.
3. A time away from home often puts the really important things into perspective.

Moses (Exodus 2:11-15)

1. Fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian in defense of a fellow Israelite.
2. Saved his own life and began another part of God’s training.
3. God fits even our mistakes into his plan.

Israelites (Exodus 12:28-42)

1. Escaped Egypt after 430 years, most of that time in slavery.
2. God confirmed his choice of Abraham’s descendants.
3. God will not forget his promises.

Spies (Joshua 2:1-24)

1. Escaped searchers in Jericho by hiding in Rahab’s house.
2. Prepared the destruction of Jericho and preserved Rahab, who would become one of David’s ancestors – as well as an ancestor of Jesus.
3. God’s plan weaves lives together in a pattern beyond our understanding.

Ehud (Judges 3:15-30)

1. Assissinated the Moabite King Eglon, but escaped undetected.
2. Broke the control of Moab over Israel and began 80 years of peace.
3. Punishments by God are often swift and deadly.

Samson (Judges 16:1-3)

1. Escaped a locked city by ripping the gates from their hinges.
2. Merely postponed Samson’s self-destruction because of his lack of self-control.
3. Without dependence on God and his guidance, even great ability is wasted.

Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-18)

1. Fled into the desert out of fear of Queen Jezebel.
2. Preserved Elijah’s life, but also displayed his human weakness.
3. Even at moments of real success, our personal weaknesses are our greatest challenges.

Saul (Paul) (Acts 9:23-25) Today's Scripture Reading!

1. Lowered over the wall in a basket to get out of Damascus.
2. Saved this new Christian for great service to God.
3. God has a purpose for every life, which leads to a real adventure for those willing to cooperate.

Peter (Acts 12:1-11)

1. Freed from prison by an angel.
2. Saved Peter for God’s further plans for his life.
3. God can use extraordinary means to carry out his plan – often when we least expect it.

Paul and Silas (Acts 16:22-40)

1. Chains loosened and doors opened by an earthquake, but they chose not to leave the prison.
2. Pointed out the powerlessness of humans before God.
3. When our dependence and attention are focused on God rather than our problems, he is able to offer help in unexpected ways.

Chart: Life Application Study Bible, Zondervan Press, NIV

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE READING

Acts 9

Saul’s Conversion

1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Yes, Lord,” he answered.

11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

23 After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him, 24 but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25 But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[a] but they tried to kill him. 30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.

Teaching Series

Wednesday's with Beth Moore

Wrecked But Not Ruined - Part 2

Simple Gifts

2011-11-09T08:03:00.002-05:00

Playing to One Conductor

TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

11-09-2011

"The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!' On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor" (1 Cor 12:21-23).

I watched as the conductor looked over to the violin section, then the percussion, then there was a seemingly insignificant lady standing way back in the corner waiting to play her one or two notes on a chime-looking instrument. "Who would even notice if she didn't play her instrument?" I wondered to myself. "The conductor would," said the still voice in my spirit.

An orchestra is a great picture of the way the Body of Christ should operate. It is made up of different people with different gifts, all being led by the one Great Conductor, telling us when to use our gift in the right time. I am sure the lady in the back of the room who only plays a few notes must think she doesn't measure up to the great violinist who sits right up close to the conductor.

However, imagine if you slowly removed each member of the orchestra, one at a time. At first you may not notice any difference without a trained ear. But as you remove each member of the orchestra, you will begin to miss the powerful and melodic sound of many instruments playing together. Finally, when all but a few of the instruments are removed, you notice a big difference in the sound and the void left from key instruments.

Imagine if these instruments tried to go out and play songs all by themselves. Imagine if the tuba tried to play a solo. Or the oboe did the same. You get the idea.

Every member of the Body of Christ matters. Every job matters to God and contributes to our great Conductor's grand plan to fulfill His purposes on the earth. Your contribution matters to God and has no hierarchy of importance.

Play your instrument to the glory of God in unison with the other instruments God has raised up for His purposes.

Today's Prayer

Father, When I remember the story of Joseph's life, I realize how you want so much more for me than I could ever dream of. I also see how you can turn what man means for evil into what you mean for good. Please bring this to my mind whenever I'm feeling doubt and confusion; whenever I'm feeling oppressed and alone; whenever I'm feeling unjustly treated; whenever I think that I don't have something I need. I know that you are in control. I pray that I will always allow you to do your work and that I will not interfere in your plans for me. Please give me strength and fill me with your desires for me. Thank you, loving Father. In Jesus' name, amen

Today God Is First (TGIF) devotional message, Copyright by Os Hillman, Marketplace Leaders.

Simple Gifts
Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss

History's Most Important Q and A

By Terry James, Rapture Ready

Many ministries and other forums send me their newsletters/information during the course of any given day. Yesterday I received such an information piece. Its contents hammered home that a profound disconnect exists in the minds of mankind brought on by the original sin in the Garden of Eden. Sin disrupted understanding between God and man to such an extent that read more.

Kay Arthur: When Hurt Runs Deep

2011-11-08T10:19:00.000-05:00

Kay Arthur: Everything Is Not Perfect

The author of "When Hurt Runs Deep" talks candidly

about her personal losses and reveals the source of her comfort.