Sunday, 24 February 2013
Feb Quote
Two people are better
off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the
other can reach out and help… though one may be overpowered, two can defend
themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.--- Ecclesiastes 4:9
to 12
Dig Deeper
Dig
Deeper
TODAY’S
SCRIPTURE
So let's not get tired of
doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing
if we don't give up
Galatians 6:9, NLT.
TODAY’S
WORD
I read that back in the 1800’s
some explorers were going across a huge desert and didn’t bring enough water.
They started digging at different spots underneath the surface about a foot or
two trying to find water. They ended up losing their lives in the desert
because of a lack of water. Many years later, it was discovered that there was
water right there where they had lost their lives about three feet underground.
If they would have just dug down a little bit further, they would have found
the water and saved their lives.
The same principle is true
when you’re in a dry season and not getting any good breaks, business is slow,
or you’re struggling in a relationship. It’s easy to think, “This is never
going to change. I’m never going to see my dreams come to pass.” No, just like
those early explorers, water is there. Provision is there. You just have to dig
down a little bit deeper. If you will shake off the self-pity, shake off what
didn’t work out, shake off the complacency and turn up your praise, you’ll soon
tap in to the blessing and provision He has prepared for you!
PRAYER
FOR TODAY
Father God, thank You for
Your provision and blessing in my life. I know that You are making a way even
when I don’t see a way. Help me to stand strong in You so that I may see the
harvest of blessing You have prepared for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
***
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”(Matthew 24:35 NIV)
The Bible is the most despised, derided, denied, disputed, dissected, and debated book in all of history. This Bible has been under attack for centuries — for everything you can imagine.
Yet the Bible is still the most read, most published, and most translated book in the world. And, most importantly, it’s still changing the lives of those who apply what it teaches.
One of the reasons I believe the Bible is God’s Word is that it has survived so many attacks throughout history.
Despite all the attacks throughout history, today the Bible is the greatest single source of culture. It’s the greatest single source for music, art, and architecture. If you take the Bible out of culture, you would destroy most of the major music, artwork, and architecture of the past 2,000 years. Even much of our English language comes from the King James Bible.
The Bible has flourished in spite of unrelenting attacks during the past 2,000 years.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away”(NIV). The only item on the planet that will last is the Word of God. Everything else will burn up, because truth is eternal.
Voltaire, the famous French philosopher, was a brilliant atheist. He wrote a number of tracts deriding the Bible. He once made a very bold statement: “One hundred years from today the Bible will be a forgotten book.”
Today, everyone has forgotten that quote — not the Bible! After Voltaire died, for nearly 100 years, his homestead was used as the book depository for the French Bible Society. They sold Bibles out of his house! It’s now a museum. People have forgotten Voltaire. Nobody forgets the Bible.
No matter what attacks come the Bible’s way, it always survives — and it always will. You can depend on that.
Talk About It
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Saturday, 23 February 2013
When Life Isn't Fair
When
Life Isn't Fair
TODAY’S
SCRIPTURE
And we know that God causes
everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called
according to his purpose for them.
Romans 8:28, NLT.
TODAY’S
WORD
Everyone goes through
things that don’t seem to make sense. It’s easy to get discouraged and wonder,
“Why did this happen to me?” “Why did this person treat me wrong?” “Why did I
get laid off?” But we have to understand, even though life is not always fair,
God is fair. And, He promises to work all things together for good for those
who love Him.
I believe the key word is
this verse is “together.” In other words, you can’t just isolate one part of
your life and say, “Well, this is not good.” “It’s not good that I got laid
off.” “It’s not good that my relationship didn’t work out.” Yes, that’s true,
but that’s just one part of your life. God can see the big picture. That
disappointment is not the end. Remember, when one door closes, God has another
door for you to walk through—a better door. Those difficulties and challenges
are merely stepping stones toward your brighter future. Be encouraged today
because God has a plan for you to rise higher. He has a plan for you to come
out stronger. He has a plan to work all things together for your good so that
you can move forward in the victory He has prepared for you!
PRAYER
FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You
for working all things together for my good. I choose to release any doubt, any
frustration, any confusion over my past, and I choose to trust in You in Jesus’
Name. Amen.
***
“Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:23 NLT)
Real servants are faithful to their ministry. Servants finish their tasks, fulfill their responsibilities, keep their promises, and complete their commitments. They don’t leave a job half done, and they don’t quit when they get discouraged. They are trustworthy and dependable.
Faithfulness has always been a rare quality (Psalm 12:1; Proverbs 20:6; Philippians 2:19-22).
Most people don’t know the meaning of commitment. They make commitments casually, then break them for the slightest reason without any hesitation, remorse, or regret. Every week, churches and other organizations must improvise because volunteers didn’t prepare, didn’t show up, or didn’t even call to say they weren’t coming.
Can you be counted on by others? Are there promises you need to keep, vows you need to fulfill, or commitments you need to honor?
Have you kept your commitments in ministry? Have you been obedient to God's call in your life to bless others through your service? God has shaped you for unique service. "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another" (1 Peter 4:10 NLT). Are you using his gifts to be a blessing?
This is a test. God is testing your faithfulness. If you pass the test, you’re in good company: Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, Daniel, Timothy, and Paul were all called faithful servants of God.
Even better, God has promised to reward your faithfulness in eternity. Imagine what it will feel like one day to have God say to you, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:23 NLT)
By the way, faithful servants never retire. They serve faithfully as long as they’re alive. You can retire from your career, but you will never retire from serving God.
Talk About It
- Would others describe you as a committed and faithful person? If so, in what areas?
- How are you using your gifts and abilities to bless others?
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Friday, 22 February 2013
The Voice of God
Smolchuck, Fred
"Hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God" (Deuteronomy 15:5)
Several years ago when Billy Graham was asked what he thought about the "God is dead" movement he replied, "It can't be true, because I just talked with Him this morning." Indeed, God is very much alive; He still speaks and His voice can be heard.
I. God wants us to be acquainted with His voice, to recognize it when He calls to us. He speaks to us in a variety of ways.
- On occasions He will speak to us audibly so our human ears can hear. Adam heard the voice of God on many occasions, but he will never forget the time when The Voice called him, "Adam, where art thou?" (Gen. 3:8). While Moses tended sheep in the wilderness he heard the voice of God calling him: "Moses...the place whereon thou standest is holy ground" (Ex. 3:4,5). Exiled on the Isle of Patmos, John said, "I heard a great Voice" (Rev. 1:10); it was Jesus. Paul will never forget the time when a light shone from heaven and a Voice called him: "Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" (Acts 9:4). There are many other similar incidents recorded in Scripture.
- God's voice speaks to us as we read the Bible. On many an occasion it seems as though the words leap out of its pages and strike our hearts. The written Word is so important it was purposely inscribed so it could be oft repeated to continuously remind us of what God desires to share with us. The Ten commandments is God speaking to His people. "And the Lord said..." (Ex. 20). In the days of King Josiah it was the written Word of God when read to a backslidden Israel, that caused the people to repent and turn from idolatry (2 Kings 23:2).
- God's voice quietly speaks to our hearts. On occasions, God's voice can come like the sound of mighty rushing waters, but when God spoke to Elijah it came as a "still small voice" (1 Kgs. 19:12). He comes gently and kindly to whisper His love and to assure us He is aware of our plight and is at our side. His tenderness in no way diminishes the power and authority of His voice.
- God's voice is heard in our conscience. (Rom. 2:15; Heb. 9:14). Through their conscience -- God spoke to Joseph's brethren -- Gen.42:21; to David -- Ps. 40:12; to Belshazzar -- Dan. 5:6; to the Pharisees -- Jn.8:9).
- God's voice comes to us by His Spirit. Paul and Barnabas were "Sent forth by the Holy Ghost" (Acts 13:4). "The Holy Ghost said, separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work where unto I have called them" (vs.2). No doubt this came through prophetic utterance, using the tongue of a believer anointed of God. God also speaks privately to our hearts by His Spirit. "When He the Spirit of Truth is come, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). See also Romans 8:14,16, 26.
- God's voice comes to us at times through visions and dreams. He spoke to King Solomon in a dream saying, "Ask what shall I give thee." (1 Kings 3:5). Egypt's Pharaoh received a dream that was a message from God (Genesis 41:28). God spoke to Cornelius in a vision (Acts 10:3). He also gave Peter a vision that directed him to minister freely to gentiles (Acts 10:10,13,15). God spoke to Paul in a vision, giving him a new direction for ministry (Acts 16:9). Ezekiel heard God in a vision: "The vision which I saw...and beheld the glory of the Lord...and He said unto me..." (Ezek. 43:1-7).
- Nature and all of creation is God's voice speaking to us. "The heavens declare the glory of God" (Ps. 19). Nature's amazing panorama is God's way of speaking to people about His power and majesty. (Romans 1:18-20; Ps. 97:6). "He left not Himself without witness" (Acts 14:17). Planets, mountains, rivers, and all living creatures are part of God's voice to us.
- God's voice is heard in our circumstances. The plagues of Egypt spoke to Pharaoh (Ex. 7:16). Israel's captivity was God's voice speaking to them to confess their sin, repent, and return to Him. Israel crossing the Red Sea was God's voice to Israel, to Egypt, and to the world, declaring that He is a Mighty Deliverer and worthy to be praised. We need to recognize God in both our negative and positive circumstances.
- God's voice is clearest -- through His Son Jesus Christ, who is called "The Word." (Jn. 1:1). "God...hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son" (Heb. 1:1,2). Through Jesus, we can have a clear understanding of God the Father. "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." ( Jn.14:9). God reveals Himself through His Son as a kind, generous, patient, forgiving God, and willing to accept us all. "Come unto Me all..."
II. The Purpose of His Voice
- To communicate with us. He reveals Himself as The Almighty, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Eternal and Immutable God. His voice teaches us He is loving, generous and gracious.
- To Fellowship with us. "If ye abide in Me I will abide in you." (Jn. 15:4). "I knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20; Mt. 18:20; 1 Cor. 1:9; 1 Jn. 1:3).
- To instruct us. Mt. 7:28,29 "the people were astonished at His teaching." His voice will guide us through life. He will show us how to live and make our life meaningful and fulfilling. He will lead us "into all truth." This includes the physical, social, material and spiritual facets of our existence. He wants to be proud of us, so gives us the best of instruction.
- To warn us. His voice warns us of hidden dangers and snares set by the enemy. He advises us of the devil's intent: "Satan desires to have you so he may sift you as wheat" (Lk. 22:31). "Beware of the wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:11). The "devil goeth about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (I Pet. 5:8).
- To give us revelation. His voice will show us things to come. He will reveal His will for our lives. He will make known His secrets and His plans to those who live close to Him. (Jn. 16:13).
III. What does He expect from us?
- He expects us to stay in touch. He wants us to listen to Him, to keep our hearts (our spiritual ear) in tune with His voice. "If any man hear my voice...I will come in to him" (Rev. 3:20). "He that hath an ear let him hear..." (Rev.2:7, 11, 17, 29). We need to thoroughly acquaint ourselves with His voice, so that another's will not confuse us and lead us astray. (John 10:4, 5, 27).
- He expects us to long for His Voice. "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God" (Ps. 42:1). We need to say to Him, "Speak Lord, for Thy servant heareth" (1 Sam. 3:9). He expects us to meditate on His word: "I will meditate in Thy precepts:" (Ps. 119:15; Josh. 1:8).
- He expects us to heed to His word. "Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only...not a forgetful hearer, but a doer...this man shall be blessed" (James 1:22,25). See Romans 2:13. Moses urged his people to gather together with their children, "That they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the Lord God, and observe all the words of this law" (Deut. 31:12, 13). God's voice will never tell you anything that is contrary to His written Word.
How familiar are we with God's voice?
Desire to hear it! Listen for it. Familiarize yourself with it. Cherish it. Obey it.
Never forget it. And you will Enjoy it through eternity!
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