A WARNING AGAINST PRIDE Wednesday - September 8, 2010
“Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down," declares the LORD. – Obadiah 1:4
One of professional golf’s greatest players is Arnold Palmer. He won 94 professional tournaments and in 1974 was inducted into Golf’s Hall of Fame. But he remembers one hole where pride got the best of him. Arnold remembers:
“It was the final hole of the 1961 Masters tournament, and I had a one-stroke lead and had just hit a very satisfying tee shot. I felt I was in pretty good shape. As I approached my ball, I saw an old friend standing at the edge of the gallery. He motioned me over, stuck out his hand and said, Congratulations." I took his hand and shook it, but as soon as I did, I knew I had lost my focus. On my next two shots, I hit the ball into a sand trap, then put it over the edge of the green. I missed a putt and lost the Masters. You don't forget a mistake like that; you just learn from it and become determined that you will never do that again. I haven't in the 30 years since.”
If we do not humble ourselves, we will become humbled. Today in prayer, confess any sin of pride in your life and humble yourself before Christ.
“Pride, or the loss of humility, is the root of every sin and evil.” – Andrew Murray
God’s Word: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2
heavenly light
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Monday, 6 September 2010
WOE TO COMPLACENCY
WOE TO COMPLACENCY Tuesday - September 7, 2010
“Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!” – Amos 6:1
Dr. Charles Stanley is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta. He is also the founder of In Touch Ministries and the author of more than 35 Christian books. On the subject of complacency, he has written the following:
“Beware the dangers of complacency and conformity. So many of us seek to find comfort and security, instead of finding peace and rest with God. So many of us seek to follow the path of least resistance; instead of the narrow gate and straight way that leads to life everlasting.
So many of us will tolerate a little immorality and unrighteousness; instead of standing firm for our convictions and ideals.
Complacency and conformity will cause us to settle for less than God's best. Complacency and conformity will set us adrift from our beliefs and values. Complacency and conformity will make us miss opportunities for eternal rewards.
Complacency and conformity weaken both our witness and our work for the Lord.”
We need to examine our lives and rid ourselves of any spiritual complacency. Today in prayer, ask the Lord that “Thy will be done, not my will” and follow Jesus in all that you do.
“I hate to see complacency prevail in our lives when it's so directly contrary to the teaching of Christ.” – Jimmy Carter
God’s Word: “For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them” – Proverbs 1:32
“Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria, you notable men of the foremost nation, to whom the people of Israel come!” – Amos 6:1
Dr. Charles Stanley is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church Atlanta. He is also the founder of In Touch Ministries and the author of more than 35 Christian books. On the subject of complacency, he has written the following:
“Beware the dangers of complacency and conformity. So many of us seek to find comfort and security, instead of finding peace and rest with God. So many of us seek to follow the path of least resistance; instead of the narrow gate and straight way that leads to life everlasting.
So many of us will tolerate a little immorality and unrighteousness; instead of standing firm for our convictions and ideals.
Complacency and conformity will cause us to settle for less than God's best. Complacency and conformity will set us adrift from our beliefs and values. Complacency and conformity will make us miss opportunities for eternal rewards.
Complacency and conformity weaken both our witness and our work for the Lord.”
We need to examine our lives and rid ourselves of any spiritual complacency. Today in prayer, ask the Lord that “Thy will be done, not my will” and follow Jesus in all that you do.
“I hate to see complacency prevail in our lives when it's so directly contrary to the teaching of Christ.” – Jimmy Carter
God’s Word: “For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them” – Proverbs 1:32
God Rewards Diligence
| God Rewards Diligence |
| Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4 |
| Ruth was working as a farmhand when Boaz picked her to be his wife. Elisha was ploughing his fields when Elijah hired him to be his assistant. Peter, James and John were fishing when Jesus chose them to be disciples. God calls people with a proven work ethic. Not once did Jesus call lazy people, or those sitting around waiting for their big break. In God's eyes there are no menial jobs, only menial attitudes. Whether you're the caretaker or the CEO, '... it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. (1 Corinthians 4:2 NAS). God will only give you more when you've proven yourself with what you've got. The Bible says, 'He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich' (Proverbs 10:4 NKJV). 'The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made rich' (Proverbs 13:4 NKJV). 'Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings...' (Proverbs 22:29 NKJV). Blessing follows work just as surely as reaping follows sowing. 'The Lord will command the blessing on... all to which you set your hand...' (Deuteronomy 28:8 NKJV). God blesses dreams, but not daydreamers. You've got to get up and go to work! 'Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it' (Genesis 2:15 NKJV). When God made Adam He put him to work, because productivity is essential to self-esteem. So discern where you belong, work hard, then when something needs to be done God will know where to find you. |
Friend of God
Friend of God
"…Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God's friend"(James 2:23, NIV)
The all-knowing, all-powerful Creator of the universe wants to be your friend today! He wants to walk with you, talk with you and simply share life with you. That's why He created you, first and foremost, for His fellowship. It's as simple as opening your heart of faith to Him just like Abraham did.
The Bible says that God is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. That means He is always faithful and true. People may let you down, but God will never let you down. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. He is with you always. He is mindful of you; He is always thinking of you.
What an honor and privilege it is to be called God's friend! Let that sink down into your heart today. The next time the enemy tries to tell you that you are alone in this world, or no one understands what you are going through, just say out loud, "I am a friend of God." With God as your friend, He'll lead you and walk with you down the path of victory!
A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father, thank You for being my friend today. Thank You for loving me and being faithful to me. Help me understand Your friendship today so that I can be a better friend to those around me. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Burying a Grudge
Burying a Grudge
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Matthew 5:44
Recommended Reading
Ephesians 4:29-32
.Methodist pastor Charles Allen wrote that when he was in the fourth grade, a school official mistreated him. The man, who had a falling out with Charles' father, took it out on the son. Years later during Charles' first pastorate, he heard that his old antagonist was seeking a job with area schools. Charles knew that as soon as he told his friends on the school board about the man, they would not hire him.
He later wrote, "I went out to get in my car to go see some of the board members and suddenly it came over me what I had done. Here I was out trying to represent Him who was nailed to the Cross and me carrying a grudge. That realization was a humiliating experience. I went back into my house, knelt by my bedside, and said, 'Lord, if you will forgive me of this, I will never be guilty anymore.'".
The concept of grace is hard to understand because it's so far removed from how we as fallen people relate to each other. But grace is grace--and grace changes things.
Every cat knows some things need to be buried.
Ruth Bell Graham, in Legacy of a Pack Rat
1Charles Allen, The Miracle of Love (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell
Co., 1972), p. 38.
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.
Matthew 5:44
Recommended Reading
Ephesians 4:29-32
.Methodist pastor Charles Allen wrote that when he was in the fourth grade, a school official mistreated him. The man, who had a falling out with Charles' father, took it out on the son. Years later during Charles' first pastorate, he heard that his old antagonist was seeking a job with area schools. Charles knew that as soon as he told his friends on the school board about the man, they would not hire him.
He later wrote, "I went out to get in my car to go see some of the board members and suddenly it came over me what I had done. Here I was out trying to represent Him who was nailed to the Cross and me carrying a grudge. That realization was a humiliating experience. I went back into my house, knelt by my bedside, and said, 'Lord, if you will forgive me of this, I will never be guilty anymore.'".
The concept of grace is hard to understand because it's so far removed from how we as fallen people relate to each other. But grace is grace--and grace changes things.
Every cat knows some things need to be buried.
Ruth Bell Graham, in Legacy of a Pack Rat
1Charles Allen, The Miracle of Love (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell
Co., 1972), p. 38.
HELPING THE POOR
HELPING THE POOR Monday - September 6, 2010
“This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not turn back [my wrath]. They sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.” – Amos 2:6-7
In August 2010, Pastor Scott Miller of Legacy Church in Ada, Oklahoma challenged his church. He asked them to go barefoot for the next 60 days with a goal of raising 200 pairs of new shoes for the poor. The congregation would go barefoot, except in places that require shoes, such as restaurants.
He called the challenge “Barefoot for the Broken” and it came out of a teaching series Scott had been preaching. The shoes collected would be given to the poor throughout the world and the local community.
On October 9, the challenge will end and the church will distribute the shoes to those in need in Ada.
“On October 2, we are challenging the entire city to go barefoot for one day and to donate new shoes for broken,” said Pastor Scott.
The church will be distributing shoes locally first to make sure every one in Ada has a pair of shoes going into the fall and winter. Any extra shoes will be given to missionaries.
The poor are always on the Lord’s heart. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He has blessed you with many material blessings. Ask Jesus how you can give to those in need.
“The cry of the poor must either be heard by us, or it will ascend up against us into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.” – F.D. Maurice
God’s Word: “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” – Galatians 2:10
“This is what the LORD says: "For three sins of Israel, even for four, I will not turn back [my wrath]. They sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as upon the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. Father and son use the same girl and so profane my holy name.” – Amos 2:6-7
In August 2010, Pastor Scott Miller of Legacy Church in Ada, Oklahoma challenged his church. He asked them to go barefoot for the next 60 days with a goal of raising 200 pairs of new shoes for the poor. The congregation would go barefoot, except in places that require shoes, such as restaurants.
He called the challenge “Barefoot for the Broken” and it came out of a teaching series Scott had been preaching. The shoes collected would be given to the poor throughout the world and the local community.
On October 9, the challenge will end and the church will distribute the shoes to those in need in Ada.
“On October 2, we are challenging the entire city to go barefoot for one day and to donate new shoes for broken,” said Pastor Scott.
The church will be distributing shoes locally first to make sure every one in Ada has a pair of shoes going into the fall and winter. Any extra shoes will be given to missionaries.
The poor are always on the Lord’s heart. Today in prayer, thank the Lord that He has blessed you with many material blessings. Ask Jesus how you can give to those in need.
“The cry of the poor must either be heard by us, or it will ascend up against us into the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.” – F.D. Maurice
God’s Word: “All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” – Galatians 2:10
Sunday, 5 September 2010
Wonder and Worship
| Wonder and Worship |
| Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool... Psalm 99:5 |
| Never lose your sense of wonder, or you'll lose your motivation for worship. Unless you believe God is all-powerful, ever-present and approachable, you'll live in a state of anxiety believing that everything depends on you. You'll shrink from sharing your faith in case you're ridiculed or can't find the right words. You'll fail to be generous because the source of your security is in yourself. You'll avoid confronting those who need it, because without the certainty of God's acceptance you become a slave to people's opinions. We live in a cynical age that discourages wonder. We've diminished the marvel and awe, yet deep down we still ache for it. When you shrink your concept of God to fit your own rationale, you pray without faith, work without passion, serve without joy, and suffer without hope. And the result is fear, retreat and loss of vision. But there's one thing that's guaranteed to restore your understanding of how big and wonderful God is - worship. God created us so that when we experience something awe-inspiring we need to praise it, to wrap words around it. We don't worship God because He needs it, but because we do. Without worship our perception of Him is incomplete; we forget how great He is; we overlook our calling and become self-involved. We lose our sense of wonder and gratitude by plodding through life with blinkers on, and we become self-reliant, stubborn and proud. So, each day let us pause and say with the Psalmist, 'Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool...'(Psalm 99:5 NKJV) |
Saturday, 4 September 2010
The Ability to Wait Well
| The Ability to Wait Well |
| My soul, wait silently for God... Psalm 62:5 |
| Daniel Coleman calls the ability to wait well 'the master attitude'. Having it requires three qualities. First, humility. '...as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters...So our eyes look to the Lord...' (Psalm 123:2 NKJV). The story's told about a man who waited so long to see his doctor that he ended up sending the doctor a bill for his time! Seriously, in life there's a correlation between status and waiting. Lower status people generally wait for higher status ones, and the wise learn to wait with grace. Waiting reminds us that we're not in charge; it humbles us in ways we need to be humbled Second, trust. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding' (Proverbs 3:5 NKJV). Among trapeze artists, a special relationship exists between the flyer and the catcher. Once the flyer lets go, he must trust the catcher to grab him. Likewise, we must do what God tells us, then wait for Him, even when we don't clearly see His hand at work. Those are the seasons that deepen and develop our faith. Finally, expectation. 'My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.'(Psalm 62:5 NKJV) Eugene Peterson writes, 'In prayer, we are aware that God is in action, and that when the circumstances are ready, when others are in the right place, and when our hearts are prepared, He will call us into action. Waiting in prayer is a disciplined refusal to act before God acts.' So the word for you today is, 'Learn to wait well, it's the master attitude!' |
The Invincible Sword: The Sword Pierces the Heart
The Invincible Sword: The Sword Pierces the Heart
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Recommended Reading
Hebrews 4:12-13
You may think swords are ancient weapons, but there's no lack of them in today's world. Sword training is a part of many martial arts programs; and some exercise classes use Samurai swords as part of workout routines. A man in Canada recently robbed a store while brandishing a sword. Several new films have exciting sword fights. It's hard to envision movies about Robin Hood, gladiators, pirates, or musketeers without some swashbuckling action.
But there's only one sword--unsheathed every day in millions of places--that never dulls and that slices through our very souls. That's the Word of God. It's a sword that cuts through the callused layers of our personalities, penetrating deeply into our minds and motives. But it doesn't damage us. It improves us. The Bible is the only sword on earth that gives life to those whom it pierces and healing to those it pricks.
Read it every day, memorize it, and heed its message.
It's a cut above all other books.
We find the Word of God, even in private conversation, has a peculiar energy: and the sinner, when he expects it least, feels it sharper than a two-edged sword.
John Wesley
Friday, 3 September 2010
Holding On
Holding On
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast...
Hebrews 6:19a
Recommended Reading
Hebrews 6:10-19
During the flooding that submerged much of Nashville earlier this year, one man was saved by prayer and a tree. The Cumberland River rose so quickly that the street where Bob Williams lived became an instant island. The waters engulfed homes near his, and most of the residents were evacuated. Someone left Bob a boat, but as he tried to get to safety, the engine stalled. It was dark, the rain was torrential, and the water was rising. His little boat was carried toward the rampaging black waters, which would have likely meant death. He cried to the Lord, and then the next moment Bob floated by a small tree. Reaching out, he locked his arms around that tree; and there he stayed, sitting in the little boat and grasping the tree, until rescuers came.
In times of storms and in seasons of distress, God always gives us a passage of Scripture around which we can get our arms. If you're drifting toward an unhealthy or frightening place, find a biblical promise and hang onto it. God's Word is an anchor for your soul.
The promises of God are His guarantees amid life's uncertainties. They're the basis of all our life of faith.
David Jeremiah
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