CharlesStanley: " Hope: The Anchor of the Soul"

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Hope: The Anchor of the Soul
Charles Stanley

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Hope is a healthy attitude. Anticipating good brings comfort to the mind and heart. In contrast, a state of hopelessness is a terrible condition in which to find oneself. It's overwhelming and depressing to think that what you're facing cannot be changed or resolved. For the person who has lost all hope, life looks like a long dark tunnel going nowhere.

Included in Proverbs is a verse that describes the result of this oppressive feeling: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Prov. 13:12). Emotional, physical, and even mental illness haunt a person who feels trapped in a bleak situation. But I want to tell you, my friend, that as long as there is a God, no situation is hopeless. In Him, we have the promise of the second half of that proverb: "Desire fulfilled is a tree of life."

Believers have a hope that anchors their souls. Our relationship with Jesus Christ brings us close to the throne of heaven, where we can cast all our burdens before an omnipotent God. Moreover, we can cling to Him through whatever trials are facing us. Because of the Lord's great love, He provides strength for weary bodies, peace for anxious minds, and comfort for grieving hearts. In short, He lights that darkened tunnel and tenderly guides us through trying situations.

An anchor was a popular image in the ancient Mediterranean world. In an economy that depended on shipping, the anchor symbolized safety and steadiness. The writer of Hebrews used the word to remind believers that God has given a hope that holds firm in any storm

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BobCoy: "Thick and Thin"

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Thick and Thin

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Have you ever had one of those experiences where it feels like you just came down from the mountaintop? You know, the kind where you've just gone through something great, glorious, and grand…only to find yourself in a situation that's the exact opposite? For every mountain peak there's a valley below, and if life teaches us anything, it's that we seldom experience one without the other.

Psalm 120 is a Psalm that typifies coming down from the mountaintop. If you take a look at the previous Psalm, Chapter 119, you'll see it was a summit of spiritual experience. Verse after verse, it's a song about how wonderful and sufficient God's Word is. It doesn't get much better than that! Now notice how Psalm 120 starts. No longer is the Psalmist standing on top of the world; now he's in the valley of distress, in the depths of despair.

 

But we can't miss the one constant. Even in the pit of anguish, the Lord is there. He's there for the Psalmist to cry out to, and He's there to hear and respond.

 

That's an important observation for us to make, because it reminds us that God is not just the God of the mountaintop, but of the valley below as well. He's with us through thick and thin, regardless of our environment and circumstances.

 

So where are you at this very moment? Are you standing on top of the world spiritually, are you in the valley of distress, or are you somewhere in between? Wherever you are, be encouraged in knowing you have a constant companion who will walk with you to the highest height and stand by your side in the lowest of lows. Through thick and thin, the Lord is always there for you.

  

Lord of the mountain and of the valley, thank you for always being with us. Thank you for never leaving or forsaking us and for guiding us every step of the way.

 Think About It… 
What does this passage reveal to me about God?

What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?   

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JesusSaid: Love Your Enemies "What if they Kill Me?"

JesusSaid: Love Your Enemies "It isn't Practical"

MarkBalmer: "God is Close on this Day"

God is Close on this Day 


Based on “Unlimited Opportunities, Part 1” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 1/8-9/11,

Message #MB446; Daily Devotional #3 - “God is Close on this Day”

 

Preparing the Soil (Introduction):  Everyone wants change for their future; change for the better, that is. That is exactly what God wants for our future, too (Jeremiah 29:11). Our future begins today and is shaped, in part, by the decisions we make each day.  And of course, the best decision we can make today is to trust in the One who gave us this day.  Consider the way our days are represented by the four seasons.  Winter could represent the cold hard reality of loss, that rest is needed, or that activity has slowed for a season.  It is a time to give and receive the love of the Lord, for God is close on this day.  Spring could represent hope abounding, bringing with it new life in the revelation of God’s amazing grace, and we find God is close on this day.  Summer brings the fullness of the Holy Spirit breaking forth, joy increasing with the glory of God shining all around us, and God is close on this day.  Fall reminds us that winter is coming and is a time to prepare our hearts for spiritual battle and to reach out to others, for without the Lord, the days would be dark and cold.  But with His warmth, hearts change and turn to Him, and God is close on this day. No matter the season, He says, “….Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5).  We have today.  This day was given to us that we might love God, love others, and make wise use of our time.

 

Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): As you start this New Year, you are in one of the seasons mentioned above, and God is close on this day.  You are free to worship God today, free to love others for Him, and free to make your plans and commit them to Him (Proverbs 16:3).  No matter what the season of our life, we are making plans.  We are living life, and hopefully we are allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us.  Then we can rest knowing, If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. (Psalm 37:23-24) A Christ follower wants to live his day blameless before God.  Why?  The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. (Psalm 37:18)   No one is promised tomorrow, only today.  This is the day the Lord has made (Psalm 118:24), let us give God our praise and worship.  If we fill our hearts with the things of God, the seasons may come and go, but our spirit will sprout new wings and fly above our circumstances with renewed strength.

 

Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Heavenly Father, we are thankful for today. It is a day to seek forgiveness for yesterday’s sins, a day to find comfort in your amazing love, and a day to let your Word teach us new truths for our own lives. It is a time to gather strength for the seasons to come. Bless us today that we, in turn, might be a blessing to others.  Thank you for saving us and calling us sons and daughters.  May we go out today and face an unbelieving world with grace, truth, and above all, love. Thank you, God, for being close on this day.  Amen.

 

Cultivating (Additional Reading):  Psalm 119:1-8

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MikeMacintosh: "Prayer"

 

Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19

Prayer, whether filled with joy or anguish, is heard by God. It is communication. It is walking and talking together with God. It is an altar of sacrifice, where we meet God and lay ourselves down before Him in total honesty with Him. In prayer, we empty ourselves like a sacrificial lamb lying on the altar with all of its blood draining out. When we lay our heart before God on His altar, He accepts it as our sacrifice.

In our pain and anguish, God hears our affliction. When pain comes, it is not a time to run away or to take refuge in drinks or drugs. It is not a time to scurry about, seeking a short-term, feel-good remedy. It is a time to get on our knees and face God. When He hears our cry, He will come down from heaven and take us back where we belong. He will straighten everything out.

Lay your prayers on the altar. Lay yourself on the altar. God will lovingly receive your sacrifice and respond with compassion.

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GodCalling: "Friends Unseen"

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Friends Unseen                 

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Never despair, never despond. Be just a channel of helpfulness for others.

Have more sympathy. Feel more tenderness towards others. Your lives shall not be all care. Gold does not stay in the crucible - only until it is refined.  Already I hear the music and the marching of the unseen host, rejoicing at your victory.

No follower of Mine would ever err or fall, if once the veil were withdrawn which prevents him seeing how these slips delight the evil spirits, and the pain and the disappointment of those who long for him to conquer in My Strength, and Name, and the ecstasy of rejoicing when victory is won.

My Strength is the same as that in which I conquered Satan in the Wilderness - depression and sorrow in the Garden, and even Death on Calvary.

Think of that.

Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7


blessings to you and yours this day and always ...

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Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25

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GregLaurie: "The Traitor's Traitor"

 

Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Traitor's Traitor

Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?" And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. —Matthew 26:14-15

The most mysterious, and perhaps the most misunderstood, of the twelve disciples is Judas Iscariot. His very name is synonymous with evil and treachery. Judas is the traitor's traitor, ending his life in suicide after he sold out Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. But there is more to Judas than that.

I think if we could travel back in time to the first century and actually see Jesus and His disciples, we wouldn't be able point out Judas. I don't think he would be the sinister man we would suspect—at least outwardly. In fact, Judas might even appear to be relatively compassionate.

For example, when Jesus and the disciples were at the home of Lazarus, Martha, and Mary in Bethany, Mary brought out some expensive perfume and began to wipe Jesus' feet with it. Jesus was deeply touched by this sacrificial act, but it was Judas who pointed out that this costly perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. Those listening may have thought, That is a good point. You know, Judas is a good steward. He is frugal. He is thoughtful. Let's give Judas a round of applause.

But John gives us a little insight into why Judas said this: "This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it" (John 12:6). Some have portrayed Judas as someone who got caught up in the drama, and things just sort of backfired. But Judas did what he did because of his greed. He could have changed his course had he chosen to. He certainly was given opportunities.

This reminds us that things are not always as they appear. And Judas' covert greed ultimately destroyed him. 

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TheBigPicture: "Jacob Secures Isaac's Blessing" Thursday Jan 13

January 13

Jacob Secures Isaac's Blessing

References:-->Genesis 27:1-43; Psalm 7:10-11,17; Proverbs 3:9-10

Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him, "My son."

And he answered him, "Here I am."
 
Then he said, "Behold now, I am old. I do not know the day of my death. Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. And make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die."

Now Rebekah was listening when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. And Esau went to the field to hunt game and to bring it. So Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, "Indeed I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, 'Bring me game and make savory food for me, that I may eat it and bless you in the presence of the LORD before my death.' Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to what I command you. Go now to the flock and bring me from there two choice kids of the goats, and I will make savory food from them for your father, such as he loves. Then you shall take it to your father, that he may eat it, and that he may bless you before his death."

And Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "Look, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth-skinned man. Perhaps my father will feel me, and I shall seem to be a deceiver to him; and I shall bring a curse on myself and not a blessing."

But his mother said to him, "Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me." And he went and got them and brought them to his mother, and his mother made savory food, such as his father loved. Then Rebekah took the choice clothes of her elder son Esau, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob her younger son. And she put the skins of the kids of the goats on his hands and on the smooth part of his neck. Then she gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

So he went to his father and said, "My father."
And he said, "Here I am. Who are you, my son?"
 
Jacob said to his father, "I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me."

But Isaac said to his son, "How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?"

And he said, "Because the LORD your God brought it to me."
 
Isaac said to Jacob, "Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not." So Jacob went near to Isaac his father, and he felt him and said, "The voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau." And he did not recognize him, because his hands were hairy like his brother Esau's hands; so he blessed him.

Then he said, "Are you really my son Esau?"
He said, "I am."
 
He said, "Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son's game, so that my soul may bless you." So he brought it near to him, and he ate; and he brought him wine, and he drank. Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come near now and kiss me, my son." And he came near and kissed him; and he smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him and said:

"Surely, the smell of my son
Is like the smell of a field
Which the LORD has blessed.
Therefore may God give you
Of the dew of heaven,
Of the fatness of the earth,
And plenty of grain and wine.
Let peoples serve you,
And nations bow down to you.
Be master over your brethren,
And let your mother's sons bow down to you.
Cursed be everyone who curses you,
And blessed be those who bless you!"
 
Now it happened, as soon as Isaac had finished blessing Jacob, and Jacob had scarcely gone out from the presence of Isaac his father, that Esau his brother came in from his hunting. He also had made savory food, and brought it to his father, and said to his father, "Let my father arise and eat of his son's game, that your soul may bless me."

And his father Isaac said to him, "Who are you?"
So he said, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau."
 
Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, "Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him-and indeed he shall be blessed."

When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me-me also, O my father!"

But he said, "Your brother came with deceit and has taken away your blessing."
 
And Esau said, "Is he not rightly named Jacob? For he has supplanted me these two times. He took away my birthright, and now look, he has taken away my blessing!" And he said, "Have you not reserved a blessing for me?"

Then Isaac answered and said to Esau, "Indeed I have made him your master, and all his brethren I have given to him as servants; with grain and wine I have sustained him. What shall I do now for you, my son?"

And Esau said to his father, "Have you only one blessing, my father? Bless me-me also, O my father!" And Esau lifted up his voice and wept.

Then Isaac his father answered and said to him:
"Behold, your dwelling shall be of the fatness of the earth,
And of the dew of heaven from above.
By your sword you shall live,
And you shall serve your brother;
And it shall come to pass, when you become restless,
That you shall break his yoke from your neck."
 
So Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him, and Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob."

And the words of Esau her older son were told to Rebekah. So she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said to him, "Surely your brother Esau comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice: arise, flee to my brother Laban in Haran."

Genesis 27:1-43

WORSHIP

My defense is of God,
Who saves the upright in heart.
God is a just judge,
And God is angry with the wicked every day.
I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness,
And will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.
Psalm 7:10-11, 17

WISDOM

Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10 

OneYearBible: Genesis 28:1-29:35 ~ Matthew 9:18-38 ~ Psalm 11:1-7 ~ Proverbs 3:11-12

January 13th One Year Bible Readings

Posted: 12 Jan 2011 07:08 PM PST

Genesis 28:1-29:35 ~ Matthew 9:18-38 ~ Psalm 11:1-7 ~ Proverbs 3:11-12
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
// Mobile Site Link
~ Listen to today's Scripture on OneYearAudioBible.org or DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) ~

Old Testament - Today's Genesis chapter 28 readings begin Jacob's adventure as he leaves the land promised to Abraham and Isaac and heads for Paddan-aram to stay with his uncle.  Jacob's dream at Bethel is awesome in this chapter! While this dream is often referred to as "Jacob's Ladder," many commentaries say it was probably stairs that Jacob dreamt of - similar to the stairs of a ziggurat (think tower of Babel) that winded around the outside of the tower on the way up.  Have you ever had a dream anything like this one? :)

Jacobs_dream

I do have to admit - Jacob's story and the parallel stories of his uncle Laban, Jacob's wives, and his sons - culminating with Joseph in Egypt - is one of my favorite parts of the Old Testament.  This is just good narrative!  I think one thing that really opened my eyes to all of the small details of the story of Jacob is that I was in an amazing Bible study for about a year going through this part of Genesis.  I don't know if you've been in a group Bible study before?  If not, let me encourage you to join one!  They are incredible.  You get so many different perspectives from each person in the group - similar in some ways to what you are getting here on this blog - but more personal and I think far better.  You get to go through the text with other people and really dive into things - and even have some fun joking around about things.  If the church you attend has some sort of Bible study, will you consider checking it out this month of January?  I know you will be incredibly blessed by this decision!

Small_group

I found verses 21 & 22 intriguing: "Then Jacob made this vow: "If God will be with me and protect me on this journey and give me food and clothing, and if he will bring me back safely to my father, then I will make the LORD my God."  Do you notice the "if" / "then" statement in this vow from Jacob?  Jacob is putting some conditions on what it will take for him to make God his God.  Do we do this in our lives sometimes?  Do we try to put "conditions" on God?  Does this really make sense to do?  What if our conditions are not met?  What if things don't go as planned?  Will we still love God as our God, even if the "conditions" in our life are not met or are not ideal?

Jacob_vow

In Genesis chapter 29 Jacob arrives at Paddan-Aram, which was close to Haran.  See this map below for where Jacob will spend the next 20 years of his life.   All 12 of his children besides Benjamin will be born in this land!  Note that this map below shows arrows going from right to left - because it's really a map of Abraham's early journey.  :)  But, you can see how far Jacob traveled from Bethel - where he had the dream discussed above - to Haran / Paddan-Aram at the top of the map.

Haran_map

In this chapter Jacob meets Rachel and Laban, and works for 7 years to marry Rachel - except for the fact that Jacob was deceived by Laban on the wedding night!  Which is a bit ironic, as we have seen in recent chapters that Jacob did some deceiving himself...  I read one commentary that said for most of his life Jacob was so focused on getting the rights of the first born from his father Isaac - and now he must accept the rights of the first born in this surprise marriage to Leah!  At the end of today's readings we see that Leah is beginning to have sons - including Levi who will be the ancestor of the Aaronic priestly line of Israel, and Judah who will be the ancestor of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ.  Below is an oil painting from 1836 by Bohemian painter Joseph von Fuhrich of Jacob encountering Rachel with her father's herds in verses 9 - 11:  "As this conversation was going on, Rachel arrived with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherd. And because she was his cousin, the daughter of his mother's brother, and because the sheep were his uncle's, Jacob went over to the well and rolled away the stone and watered his uncle's flock. Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and tears came to his eyes."

Jacob_rachel_

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Genesis chapter 28 titled "The Seeker Is Sought" is at this link and commentary on chapter 29 titled "I Led Two Wives" is at this link.

New Testament - In Matthew chapter 9 today we read about Jesus healing in response to people's faith - the faith of the father, the faith of the woman, the blind men, and many others.  It is amazing to remember that the Old Testament prophet Isaiah predicted these types of healings would take place in the Messianic age.  Check out Isaiah chapter 35 verses 5 & 6: "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy."  This image below of the woman reaching for Jesus' tassels from today's readings is one of my favorite images of faith.  Have you ever reached out in faith to Jesus like this woman did?

Jesus_tassles

Verses 37 & 38 are so powerful in today's readings: "He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields."  I think each of us can reflect on this teaching from Jesus.  Do you agree with Jesus that the harvest is so great?  And the workers are few?  Will you pray to God for more workers for his kingdom work?  Are you one of God's workers in his kingdom work?

Harvest

Bible.org's commentary on today's readings in Matthew chapter 9 titled "Authority Over Death" is at this link and "The Authority to Give Sight" is at this link.

Psalms - Today we read Psalm 11, which is one that you might miss the full meaning of if you didn't know some of the commentary behind this Psalm.  Basically in this Psalm King David is expressing his unshakable trust in God to other people around him who are very scared of enemy attacks.  Knowing this - check out verse 1: "I trust in the LORD for protection. So why do you say to me, "Fly to the mountains for safety!"  Like David, do we really trust in God for our protection?  Or do we sometimes rely on others or our own cunning - or, our own fear - for protection?  Are there times when we are faced with a challenging situation that we feel like running away from it?  “Fleeing to the mountains” for safety?  When, instead, should we simply trust in God for our protection and move forward in spite of the fear within us?  Is there an area of your life where you need to turn over more trust in God for ultimate protection?  Will you flee to God only instead of fleeing to the mountains?

Proverbs - Wow! Proverbs chapter 3 verses 11 & 12 today are so amazing and true...  Please meditate on these verses and what they mean to you and your life: "My child, don't ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights."  I have come to realize in recent years that correction and discipline from God is such a blessing!  No, it is not fun at the time that you are going through it.  But, it is so necessary for us to move forward in our relationship and walk with God this side of heaven.  We need God's holy and divine discipline!  I think oftentimes we avoid it.  Or run away from it.  Or refuse to go through it.  Can you see why this Proverb starts off with "My child,"  :)  Please let me encourage you to joyfully accept and go through God's discipline in your life.  In some areas of your life it may be the only thing that will break you through to victory.  One book I found helpful in thinking through the benefits of discipline from God - or pruning as the author called it - is Bruce Wilkinson's "Secrets of the Vine".  If you'd like to learn more about staying close to God and Jesus - and allowing God to discipline you, please check out this book!  It's a quick read - yet very thought provoking.  You'll love John chapter 15 forevermore after reading this book...

Worship God: Today's readings in Matthew 9:37-38 about the harvest being plentiful but the workers being few reminds me of the Brandon Heath song "Give me your Eyes:"


Do you have eyes for the harvest?  Click here for new eyes!

Please join me in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: "Then Jesus said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Matthew 9:37-38 NIV

Prayer Point: Pray that you would see the harvest in our world today as God sees it.  Pray that you would be a worker in God's fields this year. Pray daily for your family and friends that don't yet know Jesus. Pray that they would come to know Him.

Comments from You and Questions of the Day:  Based on our Proverbs reading today, do you believe there is such a thing as godly discipline?  Do you believe that God corrects those that he loves?  Can you think of any areas of your life or times where God has corrected you?  Is there perhaps an area of your life today where God is correcting you?  Will you not ignore this correction any longer?  Will you allow God to correct you?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

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