The Richness of Suffering ~ Raul Ries



“Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.”
Psalm 31:23-24

Suffering can help us minister to others. I always enjoy speaking to mature Christians who have walked for years with the Lord, and who have experienced various problems, trials, and sufferings. They radiate the Lord’s grace and mercy and are pillars of encouragement within church fellowships. Those that suffer a great deal are often used by God to minister to others in tremendous ways. Just think of the trials that King David had to endure in order to give us the great encouragement that we find in the Psalms!

We need to remember that God will give us ample grace to endure our trials.

Thought for the Day:

The more our trials increase the more
God’s grace and comfort is manifested in our lives.

A Door Is Opened to the Gentiles ~ WOW the Bible in 7 minutes a day


A Door Is Opened to the Gentiles

Acts 13:44-14:28; Psalm 119:1-3; Proverbs 21:2

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, "It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us:

'I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.'"

Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.


And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.


Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.


But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. And they were preaching the gospel there.


And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother's womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, "Stand up straight on your feet!" And he leaped and walked. Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.


But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.


Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.


And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.


Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Acts 13:44-14:28

WORSHIP

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the LORD!
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.
Psalm 119:1-3

WISDOM

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.
Proverbs 21:2

Fleshing out truth ~ Joyce Meyer


In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.
— Proverbs 3:6

I have found that the more obedient I am, the easier it is to be obedient again. And the more disobedient I am, the easier it is to be disobedient. Some days we can tell as soon as we wake up that we're going to have what I call a "flesh day." We start the day feeling stubborn and lazy.

Our first thoughts are: I'm not cleaning this house, I'm going shopping. I'm not staying on this stupid diet either. I'm eating what I want to eat all day, and I don't want anybody in my face bugging me about it. If they do, I'm going to tell them what I think.

If we feel that way when we wake up, we have a decision to make. We can follow those feelings or we can pray, "God, please help me, quick!" Our feelings can come under the lordship of Jesus Christ if we ask Him to help us straighten out our attitude.

I know all about flesh days; I know we can start out acting bad, and it can go from bad to worse. It seems that once we give in to a selfish attitude and follow our flesh, it's downhill to a wasted day. But every time we obey our conscience, we widen the window that God can use to lead us by His Spirit. Every time we follow the leading of our conscience, it lets in more light the next time. Once we enjoy knowing that God will truly lead us to a better plan, it gets easier to obey Him promptly.

The Point of Belief! ~ Jon Courson


So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Hebrews 3:19

Gang, the key not only to ministry, but to every area of spirituality is found in John 10 ...

Of John the Baptist, Jesus said, ‘This is the greatest man who ever lived.’ Yet Scripture also records John did no mighty miracles (John 10:41). So what made John the greatest man who ever lived? One thing: He wasn’t talking about power in prayer; he wasn’t teaching victory through discipline; he simply said, ‘Behold the Lamb. Check Him out. Follow Him.’

Happy is the day when a woman grasps the fact that spiritual life has nothing to do with her and everything to do with God. Happy is the day when a man finally realizes all he has to say is, ‘I don’t know why You put up with a grasshopper like me, but Lord, if You want to allow me to be in ministry, if You want to give me a family, if You want to bless me in countless ways — that’s OK with me!’

Don’t let anyone sell you a bill of goods, saying, ‘The reason I’m so successful is because I pray night and day. And the reason you will never be part of the chosen few is because you don’t.’

Any man, any woman can leave here tonight to be used mightily and blessed exceedingly beyond anything they could ask or even think if they would just learn to say, ‘I believe You, Lord.’

Contrary to what many teach, the deceitfulness of sin is always saying, ‘I’ve got to do more. I’ve got to be bigger, stronger, better in my spiritual walk so that I can battle the giants ahead of me.’

No, God says that’s the sin which will keep you out.

Dear saint, it’s all about God’s work for you, not your work for Him.

Fix your eyes on Jesus.
Be blown away by Him.
Behold the Lamb!

Licensed professional model ~ Chuck Swindoll



Since most humans suffer from a lack of balance in their lives, our best counsel on living a steady and stable life comes from God's Word. In Paul's letter to the Christians in Ephesus, he includes this most unusual command:

"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children . . ."
(Ephesians 5:1 NIV)

Maybe you never realized such a statement was in the Bible. It seems unusual: "imitators of God"! The Greek term translated "be imitators" is mimeomai, from which we get the English word mimic. One reliable scholar says this verb "is always used in exhortations, and always in the continuous tense, suggesting a constant habit or practice."¹

In other words, this is neither a passing thought nor a once-in-a-blue-moon experience. The practice of our being people who "mimic God" is to become our daily habit. We are to do what He does. Respond to life as He responds. Emulate similar traits. Model His style.

But to do that, to be an imitator of God, requires that we come to terms with the value of quietness, slowing down, coming apart from the noise and speed of today's pace and broadening our lives with a view of the eternal reach of time. It means saying no to more and more activities that increase the speed of our squirrel cage, knowing God requires that we "be still" (Psalm 46:10 NIV).

To be God-mimics, we must begin to realize that leisure is not a take-it-or-leave-it luxury.

Please understand that leisure is more than idle time not devoted to paid occupations. Some of the most valuable work done in the world has been done at leisure . . . and never paid for in cash. Leisure is free activity. Labor is compulsory activity. In leisure, we do what we like, but in labor, we do what we must. In our labor, we meet the objective needs and demands of others—our employer, the public, people who are affected by and through our work. But in leisure, we scratch the subjective itches within ourselves. In leisure, our minds are liberated from the immediate, the necessary. As we incorporate leisure into the mainstream of our world, we gain perspective. We lift ourselves above the grit and grind of mere existence.

Interestingly, "leisure" comes from the Latin word licere, which means "to be permitted." If we are ever going to inculcate leisure into our otherwise utilitarian routine, we must give ourselves permission to do so.

Disciple, an Action Word ~ Mark Balmer







Based on “Under HIS Influence – Mission Possible” by Pastor Mark Balmer;

10/17-18/09, Message #MB393; Daily Devotional #6 - “Disciple, an Action Word”




Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Like many Christ followers, I have had moments of doubt when I wonder if I am in fact a Disciple of Jesus Christ. It is a subject that can be very easy to overcomplicate. The word disciple is translated from the Greek word derived from the root word ‘manthano,’ which the Vines New Testament Dictionary defines as "to learn, to increase one's knowledge, or be increased in knowledge, frequently to learn by inquiry, or observation…” What I found most interesting is that although our secular English dictionaries list the term disciple as a noun, the Greek word is a verb. When I started to think of the term disciple as an action and not a thing, I felt the dusty gears in my head begin to crank. Being a disciple is not an “am I, or am I not,” but more of an “am I currently being or not currently being.” It is an ongoing process that requires us to continually make the choice to live life according to the will of our Creator. We must actively embrace the teachings of Jesus and spread them daily, while cooperating with the power of the Holy Spirit to emulate Jesus in how we handle ourselves throughout our daily walk.



Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): The best way to understand our Master is through the Word of God. While the setting of the Gospel is very different from the world we know, the hearts of the people, both lost and saved, are the same. The Word provides us with specific instruction on matters important to the Lord. For example in teaching us to forgive, Jesus states, For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14). The Word also provides us with examples of how to apply the instruction in a Godly manner. In continuing with the same principle of forgiveness, when confronted with an angry group of people wanting to stone an adulteress, Jesus intercedes and confronts them by asking if any of them were without sin, and then continues to forgive the woman (John 8:1-11). So as learners, we are taught not only what to do (forgive), but how to do it (calmly, lovingly).



Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): As Christ Followers living under His influence, we must continue to live by and spread the teachings of our Master, Jesus Christ. Remember that we have unlimited potential to change our world for the good, for the glory of God. When Mary expressed doubt after an angel told her that she would bear a son as a virgin, the angel replied simply, "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37) Live in the Word and by the Word and as disciples. God will be able to do amazing things through us that exceed our wildest imaginations (Ephesians 3:20-21).



Cultivating (Additional Reading): Philippians 4:13; Zechariah 4:6

Noah Building an Ark, by Faith~Bob Hoekstra


By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. (Hebrews 11:7)

At times, the Lord asks His people to engage in assignments that seem to make no sense at all. Perhaps, it is a task that we have never undertaken. Perhaps, it is preparation for a problem that we have never encountered previously. One of the most profound examples from such categories was Noah building an ark, by faith. His example is profound both in the circumstances that he faced and the extent of the impact of his faithful response.

The setting was the extreme wickedness of humanity. "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). Mankind's deserved judgment was a worldwide flood. "So the LORD said, 'I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth…I Myself am bringing the flood of waters on the earth'" (Genesis 6:7, 17). Noah was an upright man who lived in close fellowship with the Lord. He would be graciously delivered. "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD…Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God" (Genesis 6:8-9).

To build an ark for a monumental flood must have appeared absurd in a world that had never experienced such a phenomenon. Nonetheless, Noah fully accepted this divine admonishment, even though he had never witnessed what God was warning about. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen… prepared an ark." His faithful obedience was motivated by holy respect for the Lord and for all of His pronouncements: "moved with godly fear."

The consequences of his labor of faith were far-reaching. His own family was saved: "prepared an ark for the saving of his household." By Noah's godly trust, the rest of the world was condemned for their ungodliness and unbelief: "by which he condemned the world." Noah himself became numbered among those who illustrate that the Lord's righteousness is received by trusting Him: "and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." Additionally, he became a reminder of being ready for the return of the Lord. "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be" (Matthew 24:37).

Dear Lord, please teach me to respond in faith, as Noah did, whenever You call me to a perplexing assignment. Also, as impending judgment awaits those who indulge in growing worldwide ungodliness, help me to proclaim Christ as the present ark of rescue, while eagerly anticipating His return, Amen.

Future Focus ~ Bob Coy


But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God . . . .-2 Timothy 3:1-4 (NKJV)

Up to this point, we've been looking at prophecies that have been predicted and fulfilled in the past. The point in doing this was to demonstrate the incredible reliability of biblical prophecy. God declared what would happen in the course of human history, and it has been accomplished with astonishing accuracy. And we can also trust the same will be true for those prophecies that concern the future.

One of these future prophecies is found in the passage above. In his second letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul wrote that there will be perilous times in the last days. The term last days refers to the days leading up to the return of Jesus Christ to this world (which we'll cover more fully in a future devotion). Paul said that these days will be marked by people spiraling further and further into sinful self-indulgence.

This is interesting because we're constantly being told by our secular society that humanity is evolving into a more perfect state of being. According to the unsaved world, it's only a matter of time until we all put aside our differences and find a way to live in perfect harmony. Not according to God's Word. It says that in the future people will only grow more and more self-centered and will look out for their own interests at the expense of others. In other words, things will get worse before they get better.

Why is it important to understand this? As the moral temperature of this world continues to drop, the church's presence here will become increasingly evident and influential. Our lives are going to stand out more and more, and our opportunity to act as salt and light will grow greater and greater.

Discuss and share your perspective on our current culture and the condition of our society. Do you see society growing closer to God or further away? Support your position with some examples.

Dig into 2 Timothy 3:1–4. How do you feel when you read these prophetic words? Where do you see these words now coming to fruition? How are these symptoms nothing more than signs of our Savior’s soon return?

Decide to dig deeper to discover those Scriptures that unveil the events prior to the imminent return of Christ. Challenge your group to find other passages that speak to the conditions that will usher in the return of Jesus Christ and the gathering up of the Church. Share with one another what you find.

Twitter Proverbs from Rick Warren












  • RE:Web Flamers "Warn a DIVISIVE person once,then warn him a second time. After that,have NOTHING to do with him."Titus3:10
  • God so loved the world he gave his only begotten system, so that whosoever believes could argue over interpretation. NOT!
  • When believers focus on loving Jesus,differences melt away.When we focus on anything else,the more divided we are.Gal.3:28
  • "The world of the generous gets larger & larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller & smaller." Proverbs 11:24(Message)
  • Do ur giving while living! "If I should die with more than 10 pounds wealth, may every man call me a liar & a thief"Wesley
  • “When u hear a nightingale u hear an excellent preacher.He exhorts with this Gospel,not merewords but by deed&example”Luther
  • Success is the stewardship of great ideas. If you don’t write them down, you’ll lose them."Write down the vision" Hab.2:2
  • "The world is charged with the grandeur of God...Glory be to God for dappled things" Geral Manley Hopkins
  • "Better 2lie still &worry about one's spiritual welfare than roam a wonderworker while neglecting ur spiritual life" aKempis
  • Preaching is all about bridging THEN(interpretation)& NOW(application).The bridge is the Timeless Principle.Study Rom.15:4
  • Pt3 When I preached thru Romans-took 2 1/2 yrs.Easy!Far harder to give whole counsel on a subject. Must memorize Scripture!
  • Bob,Pt 2- I will typically study 100s of verses before selecting an average of 16 for the outline.I regularly preach 1 hr.
  • Bob,it takes me19-20hrs study per message,even after 38yrs.Verse WITH Vs exposition takes far longer than Vs BY Vs.Do both.
  • God must do his deepest work IN u B4 doing his greatest work thru u.That takes TIME! Study Joseph.No shortcuts to maturity
  • The Lord said to us,'You\ve stayed at this mountain long enough.It's time to break camp & move on" Deut1:6-7 Is this 4 u?
  • Dont envy other's ministry,"If u can't lead the ones u love honey, LOVE the ones you lead!" (apologies to Stephen Stills)
  • Thermometers copy the climate.Thermostats CHANGE it!What r u? RADICALIS: For Radicals only,Feb 9-12 Youll never be the same
  • Dont follow prophets seeking profits.(I call it propheteering) "hucksters who preach just to make money" 2 Cor.2:17 NLT
  • "Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage.Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand."Phil.2:4(Message)
  • Last wkend:1,400 Junior High kids at church. Kay taught on mercy & Senior High kids led worship-all 6 services. Powerful!

Speaking Foolishness! ~ Kay Arthur


Life In The Spirit-part 13

Speaking Foolishness!

Have you ever had a friend turn around and look at you and say, “You know, I’ve been listening to you and what you believe and it is time for you to get your act together. You don’t know what you’re talking about. That stuff is absolute foolishness. It’s gonna make you crazy.” What do you do when they say something like that? Do you regress? Do you retreat? No, Beloved, you don’t. You have the mind of Christ. It’s them that has the problem.

Do you know what the problem is today? So many Christians are intimidated by the intellectualism of the world; not that Christians should not be intellectual, but what Christians, many times don’t realize is that God says that the world’s wisdom is absolute foolishness. In other words, if the world is going to leave God out of the equation, and that’s where America is right now; I mean America doesn’t want any Christian influence in politics, in the culture, in the morals, not in any part of our life. We should keep our
Christianity to ourselves. We should go off in a corner, just go in the church, do what you wanna do, lock the doors. And when you come out of the church, please don’t spew all those moral values on us. We don’t want to hear them.

That is not right. Listen, it is in our job description. But the problem is, is sometimes we cower back because we don’t understand life in the Spirit. We don’t understand what the Spirit of God gives us when we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, as Paul writes to the church at Corinth, he’s been to Corinth. He’s taken the gospel. A number of people have been saved. And you talk about needing to be saved; they needed to be saved. The Corinthians had a reputation of Corinthianizing. And Corinthianizing was a way to say hey, they are just out having sex all over the place, no restraints, no license, doesn’t matter, homosexual, heterosexual, pedophile, cross-dressers; it really doesn’t matter; that was to Corinthianize. And that term was picked up and coined to describe the morals in Corinth.

But not only were they immoral, but they were in a sense, amoral; they were without morals in their thinking, because their thinking it was like mixing up a big stew and throwing everything in the pot from all the different philosophies in the people that came through Corinth. Corinth was on an isthmus which is a narrow part of Greece and at the end of Greece is what they call the Peloponnesus.
And what would happen is when they would navigate a ship around the Peloponnesus they would have trouble navigating. It was very dangerous waters. So instead, they would dock their cargo ships. They would take the cargo off and then they would transport that cargo across that isthmus to the other side where it would be picked up by another ship there near the Aegean Sea and it would be taken to wherever it was going in the world. Well as a result, you had a lot of sailors and you had a lot of people coming in from all parts of the world. It was kind of like a New York City or a Miami Beach. I mean they were coming in from all over and they were bringing their dialects, they were bringing their wares, they were bringing their religions, they were bringing their philosophies.

I mean this is a very intellectual day and there are men and philosophers that like to sit there and discuss all of life. It’s human wisdom. So as Paul writes to the church at Corinth, he wants them to make sure that they are not enamored by the wisdom of the world. So this is what he says; 1 Corinthians, chapter 1, verse 17: “Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech …,” not with all these fancy words, not taking my words and, “… manipulating them and managing them in order to persuade …,” He says, “… that the cross of Christ should be made void.”

In other words, coming to know Christ is not a matter of the intellect; it is a matter of the heart. It is a matter of understanding that you have a heart that is deceitful and desperately wicked, and you need a heart transplant. And the only way that you can get that is through the cross of Jesus Christ. That’s the only way that you can get it.

And so he says I didn’t come in cleverness of speech. I came with the message of the cross. He said, “For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing, foolishness.” So if anybody looks at you and they begin to criticize your beliefs and say that’s stupid or grow up or shut your mouth, when they say that, you ought to be grieved in your heart, not because of what they said to you, but because what they said shows that they are perishing. It shows that they are going to die. If they were to die that moment, they would spend eternity, “… eternity in the lake of fire where the worm dies not and the fire is not quenched.” They would be ever, forever separated, not only from God, but also from man.

I’ve had people tell me when I’ve witnessed to them, listen, I’m gonna go to hell and I’m going to have fun with all my buddies. And I do say unh, unh, unh, unh, you’re gonna go to hell, but you’re not gonna to have any buddies. Oh, they’ll be there, but hell is separation. And that’s one of the things that make it hell, because God didn’t intend for us to be alone and God didn’t intend for us to be separated. God intended for us to be into the family.

So you may laugh about it and that’s what you may say, but listen, you’re wrong. You’re wrong. Oh, well, that’s your opinion. Oh, no, it’s not my opinion; it’s God’s opinion. Just recently, the guy sitting next to me on the plane, I got bumped up to first class. And I’m sitting there and I want to rest, I am tired, I’ve been speaking, but I did say to God: God, now if you want me to witness I will witness.

So this guy was really nice to me and very much a gentleman and then the conversation starts and then he says here I am trying to pick you up and you’re talking to me about Jesus. That’s right. You need Jesus. And I want to tell you my friend, if you don’t get Him; you’re going to perish. You’re going to hell. God is the God of all wisdom. But they think that they’re so smart. So watch what it says. “For the word of the cross is to those that are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved ….” we’re in the process of knowing salvation. Knowing salvation is walking by the Spirit, saved from the power of sin.

When you get saved, you’re saved from the penalty of sin. There’s no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus. As you live day by day and you walk by the Spirit and you’re filled with the Holy Spirit, then what is happening is you’re saved from the power of sin. So you are being saved. He says, “… it is, the word of the cross, is to those that are perishing foolishness, but to those who are being saved …,” or in the power of coming, in the process that God is bringing them into His family, “… it is the power …,” vroom, there we go, that word again, “… it is the power of God.” It is the power of God. “For it is written I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and the cleverness of the clever, I will set aside.” God is speaking.

So he says, “Where’s the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?” Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? You know sometimes, do you get just plain disgusted when you listen to the news, when you listen to them sit almost as God and sit in condemnation of the President, or sit in condemnation of some person, because like, they’re the high and mighty? Have you ever watched any of these guys interview the President of the United States? They have forgotten that they are to be respectful, and they’re not respectful.

And often times what they do is they come in and they think I’m going to be noted for the question that I ask of the President, for the hard spot that I put the President in. And it’s almost like the news media thinks that they are ruling the world and that they have it all together, that it’s the wisdom of the world and God says its foolishness. He says, “Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God the world, through it’s wisdom did not come to know God.”

In other words, they couldn’t figure out salvation through their own mind. “So then God was well pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.” Now it’s not a foolish message, but it’s the foolishness of the message preached. In other words, it’s you mean, I just hear that and I just say I believe and I change my mind about it and, and I embrace it and I’m saved? Un huh, (sigh) seems like I need to do something.

No, Precious One, it’s not a matter of doing; it’s a matter of believing truth. So he goes on to say: For indeed, Jews ask for signs. “… Show me a sign and I’ll believe. That’s what they were constantly saying to Jesus when He was hanging on the cross. Come on down off the cross and then we’ll believe.” How do You expect us to believe? You said that You came to save others. You can’t even save Yourself. Get down off the cross.

Well, He doesn’t get down off the cross. It’s the wisdom of the world. And it says, “… the Jews asked for signs, the Greeks or the Gentiles search for wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified; to the Jews, a stumbling block, to the Gentiles, (laugh) its foolishness, absolute foolishness.” I mean you just listen very, very carefully to the way that they talk about Christians, to the way that they talk about any official, any Senator or Congressman or President that is open about his faith in Jesus Christ. And they just flip it off because they think its foolishness. And you know what its showing? It’s showing that they are the fool; because it is the fool that has said in his heart there is no God. It is the fool that thinks that his mind is greater than the mind of God. Don’t be a fool. We’ll talk about it more right after this break.

I’m glad you’re back because all I want you to do is see what God says. And then you go to God and you say, God is this true? Now He will answer you if you want to know truth because that’s the business of God. The business of God is redemption; it’s redeeming us from this world, redeeming us from the kingdom of darkness and bringing us into the kingdom of light. And faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of Christ. And that’s what it says, the Word of Christ.

In other words, the message of Jesus Christ. Well let’s go back to 1 Corinthians, chapter 1 because I want you to see that when people put you down because of the way you think or the way that you believe, listen, life in the Spirit says oh no, you don’t have to be put down. You need to understand what life in the Spirit gives you. So let’s look at it.

Well, he says, “The foolishness of God is wiser than men.” Now what’s the foolishness of God? Well, it’s when God was totally, absolutely at His weakest point. And when was that? It was when He was hanging on a cross. That’s when God, in the flesh, was at His weakest point.

So listen to what he says. “Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty men, not many noble, but God has chosen …,” and I love this. It helps me so much because I’m not naturally intelligent. But, “… God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. And God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen. The things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are.”

In other words, everything that man esteems great, wisdom and riches and power and might, God says that’s not what I’m choosing. I don’t have to go for that because it’s all found in Me, and so when I come into you, you are complete in Christ. And so being filled with the Spirit, having the Holy Spirit in you, then you lack nothing.

Well let’s look and see what he says. He says God has done this, “He has chosen the base things of the world, the things that are despised God has chosen, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God.” In other words, you can’t say hey, God chose me because I am wise, because I am rich, because I am powerful. That’s why God’s chosen me. No, He hasn’t chosen you because of that. He’s chosen you simply because He desired to choose you. And it doesn’t matter what you were, what you had, what you didn’t have because of what God does for us when we experience life in the Spirit.

Listen, he says, “By His doing, you are in Christ Jesus.” The only reason that you’re saved is because God drew you to Him. He says, “… who became to us, Jesus, who became to us wisdom, ha, ha, ha, from God.” So it’s not that you’re a dumb, dumb and he leaves you a dumb, dumb. No, He gives you wisdom. “… Jesus becomes to you wisdom from God, and righteousness, and sanctification.” Sanctification means He’s set you apart, He’s making you holy. And redemption means He buys you out of that slave market of sin, never to be sold again. “Just as it is written, let him who boasts, boast not in yourself, but boast in the Lord.”

Now this is what he’s showing these people at Corinth. This is what he wants them to understand. And He wants you to understand it too, “… so that you are able in the power of the Spirit to hold your own as you go forth sharing the Word of God.” Now let’s go to chapter 2. In chapter 2, and we’re gonna skip down to verse 9. It says, “Just as it is written, eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither has entered into the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love Him.” That’s how you understand. That’s how you know what you have. And this is so important. Do you remember when we were in John 14? Remember when Jesus said I’m going to go away, but I’m going to send you a helper...do you remember in that chapter later on He says the Helper, the Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth, and He will lead you and guide you into all truth. And we know from John 17 that God’s word is truth. And so this is where it comes from. And so he goes on to say, “For to us God revealed them to us through the Spirit.” You want to mark the Spirit there. I’m in verse 10. “For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God.”

Remember when we didn’t know how to pray as we ought in Romans, chapter 8. It says that, “… the Spirit helps our weakness because God, who searches the minds and hearts knows the Spirit and the Spirit and God connect.” Well, here again the Spirit of God has connected with God, is part of God and gives us the wisdom of God. “For the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of man which is in him?”

In other words, how can one man look at another man when a good looking woman walks by and says, don’t go there, because they know that a man is turned on by sight, you know, it’s the man’s eyes. I mean that’s where, that’s where sex begins. It’s in the eyes and in the mind for a man. And they know because they’re a man. A woman, you tell her, look, don’t dress like that. And she says well why? And he says well, what will guys think? And she says well, they’re just dirty old men. No they’re not, they’re men. But a woman can’t understand that because she doesn’t have the spirit of a man, male in her. “For who among men know the thoughts of man except the spirit of a man which is in him? Even so, the thoughts of God, no one knows except the Spirit of God.

Now we who have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God …,” when you get saved you have the Spirit who is from God, “… that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man…,” now listen carefully, these people that are sitting, criticizing you, rolling their eyes, looking at you and thinking you don’t know which way’s up and you need to get your intellectual act together, is a natural man. But, “… the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God. They are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual …,” that’s the person who has the Spirit, “… appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man.”

In other words, what’s he saying? He said don’t let unsaved people sit in judgment on your beliefs. Why? Because verse 16: “For who has known the mind of the Lord, that we should instruct Him?” And this is it; it is dynamite, “But we have the mind of Christ.”
When God came inside of you and He saved you and the Holy Spirit moved in, He gave you the mind of Christ, so that you can hear the things of God, know the things of God, understand the things of God. The world can’t understand them. And because they cannot understand them, because they do not have the Spirit of God inside of them, don’t let them sit in judgment on you. They don’t know truth. All they know is the wisdom of this world, which is foolishness and which is going to perish. You say, but I don’t feel like I know much about the mind of God. Well, the problem is you’re not in the Word of God. You’re not studying it. God has given you 66 books, Beloved and He expects you to study and read them and know them. That’s a lifetime’s work. So thank you for studying with me His precepts for life

Thy Kingdom come ~ Daily Light


MORNING

Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. - He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? ... If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

MATT. 28:20. Mark 18:19,20. -John 14:21. John 14:22,23. Jude 24,25.

EVENING

The end of all things is at hand.

I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. - The heavens and the earth, which are now, ... are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. - Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled.

We have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. - We ... look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

I PET. 4:7. Rev. 20:11. II Pet. 3:7. Psa. 46:1 3. -Matt. 24:6. II Cor. 5:1. II Pet. 3:13,14.

Jeremiah 48:1-49:22 ~ 2 Timothy 4:1-22 ~ Psalm 95:1-96:13 ~ Proverbs 26:9-12~One Year Bible Blog


Jeremiah 48:1-49:22 ~ 2 Timothy 4:1-22 ~ Psalm 95:1-96:13 ~ Proverbs 26:9-12
~ Click here to read today's Scripture on BibleGateway.com ~
~ Listen to today's Scripture on DailyAudioBible.com (podcast) or OneYearAudioBible.org ~

Old Testament - Jeremiah chapter 48 is not a very happy chapter... at first glance it's tough to figure out what is going on in this chapter. Why is God so angry at Moab? I think verses 28 - 30 let us in on why: "You people of Moab, flee from your cities and towns! Live in the caves like doves that nest in the clefts of the rocks. We have heard of the pride of Moab, for it is very great. We know of her loftiness, her arrogance, and her haughty heart. I know about her insolence," says the LORD, "but her boasts are false; they accomplish nothing." It sounds like pride and boasting was a major factor here obviously. Along with idol worship as we see in verse 13: "At last Moab will be ashamed of her idol Chemosh, as Israel was ashamed of her gold calf at Bethel." I do think we see sadness from God in this judgment upon Moab in verse 31: "Yes, I wail for Moab; my heart is broken for the men of Kir-hareseth." And ultimate redemption comes in the last verse, 47, of this chapter: "But in the latter days I will restore the fortunes of Moab," says the LORD." This chapter may give us the opportunity to pause and reflect on if there are areas in our life where we are boasting? Boasting in prideful ways? Are we arrogant, lofty, displaying a haughty heart toward others?

Jer_48_28_leave_the_cities_and_dwell_in_

Chapter 49 does not bring good tidings to the Ammonites or Edomites. Verse 16 again gives us a good look into why this judgment is coming upon Edom: "You are proud that you inspire fear in others. And you are proud because you live in a rock fortress and hide high in the mountains. But don't fool yourselves!" Pride. Again. Pride. Think Pride is something that has been a temptation of humans since the Fall? Think this temptation continues today? Verse 6 does give the hope of redemption for the Ammonites: "But afterward I will restore the fortunes of the Ammonites," says the LORD." This map below will give you a quick snapshot of the location of the Ammonites, Edomites, and Moabites from today's readings:

Ammonites

New Testament - We wrap up Paul's second letter to Timothy today! Titus begins tomorrow! Second Timothy chapter 4 verses 3 & 4 give a good warning for each of us today: "For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths." Do we do this? Do we "look for" or "shop around for" teachers that we really like? Teachers that may only tell us what we want to hear? That may not challenge us with Truth? That may offer strange myths? (okay, so this animated teacher guy below is probably a solid teacher - I came across a scary image about false teachers with a wolf growling as one image option for below... but I just kind of liked this guy better for some reason today. Wow... here I am shopping around for my teacher! This guy below is probably telling me what I want to hear! :) Okay, okay, I'll put up the scary wolf image below too!)

Teacher

In the close of this 2nd letter to Timothy, we are reading some of Paul's final written words! They are amazing. It's great to see some basic human needs in these closing words in verse 13: "When you come, be sure to bring the coat I left with Carpus at Troas. Also bring my books, and especially my papers." It's also sad to see how Paul's been left pretty much alone and abandoned by many. Verse 22 are some beautiful closing words, and it's my prayer for each of you as well: "May the Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all." Indeed. Grace...

Grace

Psalms - Psalm 95 verses 4 & 5 remind me of the Chris Tomlin song "Indescribable": "He owns the depths of the earth, and even the mightiest mountains are his. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too." Have you heard this song by Chris? It is a very joyful modern day psalm! You can view the song's lyrics here. Great tune... Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 95 titled "A Warning about Worship" is at this link.

Wow.. Psalm 96 today is amazing! I love verse 1: "Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD!" And I love the imagery in verse 12: "Let the fields and their crops burst forth with joy! Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise."

Proverbs - Today in Proverbs 26:12 we read: “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” This is an impactful verse for me. It reminds me of the need for true humility in our lives – and realizing where true wisdom comes from in our lives – God. Are we sometimes wise in our own eyes? If so, could this lead to trouble? Do you ever pray to God to keep you humble? Do you joyfully accept being humble in your life at all times? Will you pray to God to give you the strength to remain humble?

Humble

Worship God: I realize that I'm posting up 2 Chris Tomlin videos 2 days in a row. But since I mentioned his song "Indescribable" in the Psalm 95 reflection above, I want to share a live version of this song from The Netherlands Youth Day at a stadium this past summer. I don't think I mentioned this in yesterday's posting - but if you ever get a chance to see Chris Tomlin live, please take the opportunity! It is always a powerful worship experience!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6bfUf9S7wY

Is God Indescribable to you? Click here to get to know Him!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture this week: "Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." First Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV)

Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you from today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

Grace, love, peace, and joy!
Mike

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