DEVOTION - TUESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2012

DEVOTION – TUESDAY,   JANUARY 31, 2012

“WANTED: FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE

BY

DR ED YOUNG

Dr. E. Stanley Jones has said that mankind is on the verge of a spiritual renewal ushered in by the scientific method. What is the scientific method? In pedestrian terms, it is the belief that truth is revealed by experiment. In other words, it is proven deductively. Prior to the age of science, truth was determined philosophically—by debate. But the scientific method has brought the search for truth out of the lecture hall and into the laboratory. I happen to agree with Dr. Jones that this turn of events is conducive to revival. Why? Because we have a God whose presence and precepts stand up to investigation and experiment.

Our God became flesh. And the Lord Jesus invited (and still invites!) men and women to take Him into the laboratory of life and prove Him. When we do, we will discover that Christianity is real. It is true. Chesterton said, "If there is a story….then there is a storyteller." The Gospel is the truest story ever told. And God Himself is the Storyteller.

Are you a skeptic? Trust Christ. Try Him. Prove Him. He can withstand the fiercest intellectual investigation you can muster. But be warned: Some of the most powerful apologists this world has ever known discovered truth by experience, and began the journey as doubters.

MEMORY VERSE

JOHN 8:32
And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

DEVOTION - MONDAY, JANUARY 30, 2012

DEVOTION – MONDAY,  JANUARY 30, 2012

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””” “                Our Inheritance Through Christ

BY

AISTAIR BEGG

Ephesians 1:11

When Jesus gave Himself for us, He gave us all the rights and privileges that went with Himself; so now, although as eternal God He has essential rights to which no creature may venture to pretend, yet as Jesus, the Mediator, the federal Head of the covenant of grace, He has no heritage apart from us. All the glorious consequences of His obedience unto death are the joint riches of all who are in Him, and on whose behalf He accomplished the divine will.

See, He enters into glory, but not for Himself alone, for it is written, "Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf."1 Does He stand in the presence of God? Christ appears "in the presence of God on our behalf."2 Consider this, believer: You have no right to heaven in yourself; your right lies in Christ.

If you are pardoned, it is through His blood; if you are justified, it is through His righteousness; if you are sanctified, it is because He is made of God unto you sanctification; if you shall be kept from falling, it will be because you are preserved in Christ Jesus; and if you are perfected at the last, it will be because you are complete in Him. Thus Jesus is magnified--for all is in Him and by Him; thus the inheritance is made certain to us--for it is obtained in Him; thus each blessing is the sweeter, and even heaven itself the brighter, because it is Jesus our Beloved in whom we have obtained all.

Where is the man who shall estimate our divine portion? Weigh the riches of Christ in scales and His treasure in balances, and then think to count the treasures that belong to the saints. Reach the bottom of Christ's sea of joy, and then hope to understand the bliss that God has prepared for them that love Him. Overleap the boundaries of Christ's possessions, and then dream of a limit to the fair inheritance of the elect. "All are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's."

DEVOTION - SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012

DEVOTION - SATURDAY, JANUARY 28, 2012

“Living Hope”

BY

RON MOORE

1 Peter 2:2-3 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

The first year Lori and I were married, we lived at 1-1 South University Place, married student housing at Oklahoma State University. I had graduated from college and was teaching and coaching. Lori was finishing up her last year. A couple miles from our little apartment was a Braum’s Ice Cream store, where cones were 50 cents a scoop. I won’t lie…there were nights we craved, longed for, yearned for a Braum’s Ice Cream cone. We would scour our apartment for coins until we scrounged up a dollar and two cents and then happily head to Braum’s. With a cone in our hand and a smile on our face, we sat on a bench by the front door and determined if those entering really needed the calories. “Ding. Ding. Ding.” meant the person could handle the cal’s and a buzzer sound, “Neerrnnt,” meant the person should probably head back to the car. Admittedly, it wasn’t a very nice thing to do, but we sure had fun doing it.

As we yearned for ice cream, believers should long for the nourishment that comes from the Word of God. But the sustenance that comes from Scripture is nothing like a sugar high that comes from a 50 cent cone. We don’t open the Word to find a quick fix that temporarily meets our fleshly needs. God’s Word is real spiritual food that allows us to grow up in our salvation and mature as followers of Jesus.

When, by consistently reading you develop a taste for the deep truth, no-nonsense challenges, and desired promises of Scripture, you can say with the believers through the ages—“This is really, really good!!”

Lord, encourage those who regularly read your word. Convict those who do not. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

DEVOTION - FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2012

DEVOTION - FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2012

“The Best Is Yet to Come”

BY

GREG LAURIE

“But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” (Matthew 19:30)

Maybe you sometimes feel the way Peter did. Speaking on behalf of the disciples, he said to Jesus, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” (Matthew 19:27).

Jesus replied, “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then” (verses 29–30).

You might say, “Well, Greg, I have given up some things to follow Jesus. So where is the substantial return?” That is coming later.

Here is the thing you have to acknowledge. Whatever you have given up, hasn’t God made it up to you? You gave up a few friends. Hasn’t He given you better friends in their place? You have given up so-called pleasures. But in retrospect, you realize now they weren’t pleasures at all, but addictions—and destructive ones at that. You have seen how your life has changed, and God has already made it up to you.

Even so, the best is yet to come. Because when we go to heaven, we will have rewards waiting for us. Then heaven comes to Earth, and we will have the millennial reign of Christ. Then ultimately, we will have the rule and reign of Christ on the Earth in the new kingdom, and we will be a part of that. We will be ruling and reigning with Him then. And that statement of our Lord in response to Peter’s question will be fulfilled then.

So whatever you have given up—or whatever you are giving up—will be more than made up to you.

Summary sentence: Whatever you give up, will be more than made up to you by Christ.

DEVOTION - THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012

DEVOTION - THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012

“Promises, Promises “

BY

BAYLESS CONLEY

God has given us His promises because He wants to fulfill them. Be they promises of peace, restoration, healing, or for material supply, we must keep in mind that the Lord would not have made the promise if He did not want to do it.

Here are four thoughts to help you when it comes to experiencing the benefit of God's promises:

1. Find a promise from the Bible that covers your need. Faith begins here.

2. Consider the promises.

Hebrews 10:23 says, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

And Hebrews 11:11 says, By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.

3. Act on the promise, fulfilling all necessary conditions. God is not a respecter of persons, but He is a respecter of conditions.

4. Start thanking God and exercising patience.

Hebrews 10:36 says, For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

And Hebrews 6:12 says, That you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

If you will do these four things, you are on your way to experiencing the fulfillment of God's promises in your life.

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

DEVOTION - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012

DEVOTION - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2012

“Faithfulness, Not Miracles”

BY

ADRIAN ROGERS

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

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

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

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

DEVOTION - TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2012

DEVOTION -  TUESDAY,   JANUARY 24, 2012

“We have to talk! “

I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. Psalms 142:2 (NKJV)

It's the most obvious things that can become the most neglected. Hold that thought as you consider David's declaration in the proceeding verse, "I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble." What's David saying here? He's simply saying that he took the time to share his troubles with God. David communicated with Him.

That's a rather obvious thing, isn't it? Of course David shared his troubles with God, and that's what all God's children do, right? Go back to our initial thought: We often neglect the most obvious things in the spiritual life, and this is especially true when it comes to our communication with God.

Talking to God, having true and sincere conversation with Him, is something we often get stuck on. It's very easy for us to slip into the rut of routine and allow our communication with the Lord to become a lifeless formality. Or we can just be plain old lazy when it comes to making an effort to talk to God.

Martyn Lloyd Jones once said, "Everything we do in the Christian life is easier than prayer." He's right; prayer is not a given. Maintaining our line of communication with God through prayer takes faith and effort. There's a price involved in prayer, but it's always the price of victory and never of defeat. The big question is: Are we willing to pay for it as David was?

Let's not quickly skip over the obvious aspects of our Christianity, like prayer. Let's not make any assumptions in this area, but instead let's stop and determine if we're really doing what David did. Are we truly talking to God, or have we subtly slipped into the habit of neglecting something so fundamental to our faith?

Father, give us praying hearts. Give us hearts that come alive when we talk to You and rejoice as Your presence is sensed in prayer.

DEVOTION - MONDAY, JANUARY 23, 2012

DEVOTION -  MONDAY,  JANUARY 23, 2012

“THE SIN OF PARTIALITY”

BY

DR ED YOUNG

Isn't it good that you and I don't decide who is "worth saving?" We're too easily deceived by appearances. We may think the rich, profane executive who has the world by the tail would make a dynamite Christian if he were "cleaned up," but judge the down-and-out derelict as a more likely candidate for prison. Years ago a play called "Tobacco Road" caused a stir at its Atlanta, Georgia premier because those in the audience were offended by its main character, Jeter Lester. Lester was the epitome of every bad southern stereotype: uncouth, swaggering, dishonest, mean. The city's elite were repulsed by the idea that the south might be full of Jeter Lester's, and re-dedicated themselves to social reform to remedy that possibility.

Oddly enough, the same crowd did not object to the equally wretched main character of another play, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf" Virginia, too, was a mean, foul-mouthed bully, but she was wealthy. And well-connected. And educated. These two characters, whose
demographics were miles apart, were actually more alike than different. How do we treat the Jeter Lester's and the Virginia Wolf's? Usually, we ignore the Jeter's (hoping they'll go away) and show preference to the Virginia's. After all, they have potential. But to Christ, they're one and the same. He loves them, and died for them both. How can we then, choose one over the other?

DEVOTION - SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2012

DEVOTION -  SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2012

“Weakness in Triumph”

BY

ALISTAIR BEGG

Judges 15:18

Samson was thirsty and ready to die. The difficulty was totally different from any that the hero had met before. Merely to get thirst quenched is nothing like so great a matter as to be delivered from a thousand Philistines! But when the thirst was upon him, Samson felt that particular difficulty to be more weighty than the great past difficulty out of which he had so specially been delivered.

It is very usual for God's people, when they have enjoyed a great deliverance, to find a little trouble too much for them. Samson slays a thousand Philistines and piles them up in heaps, and then faints for a little water! Jacob wrestles with God at Peniel and overcomes Omnipotence itself, and then goes "limping because of his hip!" ¹ Strange that there must be a shrinking of the sinew whenever we win the day. As if the Lord must teach us our littleness, our nothingness, in order to keep us within bounds.

Samson boasted right loudly when he said, "I have slain a thousand men." His boastful throat soon grew hoarse with thirst, and he betook himself to prayer. God has many ways of humbling His people.

Dear child of God, if after great mercy you are laid very low, your case is not an unusual one. When David had mounted the throne of Israel, he said, "I am this day weak, though anointed king." You must expect to feel weakest when you are enjoying your greatest triumph. If God has wrought for you great deliverances in the past, your present difficulty is only like Samson's thirst, and the Lord will not let you faint, nor allow your enemy to triumph over you. The road of sorrow is the road to heaven, but there are wells of refreshing water all along the route. So, tested and tired pilgrim, cheer your heart with Samson's words, and rest assured that God will deliver you before long.

¹ Genesis 32:31

DEVITION - SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012

DEVOTION -  SATURDAY, JANUARY 21, 2012

“How you can live a life that pleases God”

BY

JACK GRAHAM

We have all become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.
We all fade like a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.

Isaiah 64:6

I read in a survey awhile back that Americans were asked this question: Do you believe that most people are basically good? The result of the survey was that 83 percent said yes. People are basically good. That’s more than 4 out of 5 adults in America who say that people basically have good intentions and want the best for others.

The problem with that line of thinking is the Bible. When the Scriptures describe the state of humanity apart from Christ, it says that not one person does what is right in the sight of God. In fact, if you look at today’s passage, you’ll see that even on our best day, our best deeds are like a polluted garment in God’s eyes.

You’ll hear people say, “Oh, he’s got a good heart! He’s got a heart of gold.” Well, a heart of gold will not merit you favor before God because even your best isn’t good enough. So what are you to do?

The answer is Jesus. You see, in the flesh, every person is subject to sin and its effects in the world. But in Christ, the old way of operating is done away with as He removes your sin and gives you a new heart.

Yes, in Christ, you can live a life pleasing to God. So, even when you struggle with sin, remember that you have moved from darkness and, because of Jesus, can walk in God’s light!

WHILE THE BIBLE IS CLEAR THAT NO ONE NATURALLY DOES WHAT IS GOOD, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO LIVE A HOLY LIFE WHEN YOU COME TO CHRIST.

DEVOTION - FRDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012

DEVOTION -FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2012

“Living Hope”

| 1 Peter 1:18-19 | Devotional

BY

RON MOORE

1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Simon the Sorcerer from Samaria. Say that five times fast. Simon would have loved to hear you say his name fast or slow. “He boasted that he was someone great” and was known as the “Great Power” (Acts 8:9-11). But after hearing the Gospel, he made a profession of faith and was baptized. However, Simon’s actions bring the genuineness of his profession into question.

After watching the Holy Spirit come on people through the ministry of Peter and John, Simon’s true colors surfaced. He offered them money and said, “Give me also the ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” As you read Peter’s response imagine the tone in his voice (and the redness in his face):

May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin (Acts 8:20-23).

Redemption—our purchase from the slavery of sin—is brought about only by the “blood of Christ.” It is only by the death of the Perfect Sacrifice—“a lamb without blemish or defect.” Redemption cannot be bought, earned, or inherited. In the question and answer of the old song: “What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!” Have you trusted in the “precious blood of Christ” for your redemption?

Father, thank you for Jesus. Thank you for the price he paid so that we could know you. Thank you for grace. I pray for those reading this who don’t know you. May today be their day. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

DEVOTION - MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

DEVOTION -MONDAY, JANUARY 16, 2012

“The Traitor's Traitor”

BY

GREG LAURIE

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.

Copyright © 2011 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

DEVOTION, SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2012

DEVOTION – SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2012

“Truth Spoken in Love”

By

Charles R. Swindoll

Read Job 2:10

I'm impressed that Job listened to the words of his wife. He pondered them, he considered them, he turned them over in his mind. He neither misunderstood nor ignored her. He heard what she said, and he didn't interrupt her as she said it. That places Job in a unique category among husbands, quite frankly.

Men, I've found that most of us are not hard of hearing; we're hard of listening. Our wives frequently have the most important things to say that we will hear that day, but for some strange reason, we have formed the habit of mentally turning off their counsel.

Let me add here, when you do respond, always tell her the truth. If what she says is wise and squares with what you know to be truth—if it is helpful—then say so. And thank her. If it is not, say that. Job disagreed and said so. His response after hearing her was, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks."

Job detected in his wife a snag of bitterness, some disillusionment; so he said to her, in effect, "This is advice I cannot and will not act on. It isn't wise. It's wrong counsel, and I can't accept it."

In the four decades I've been dealing with folks who are married, I find one of the most difficult things to get couples to do is say the truth to each other. Admit when we've done wrong rather than skirt it or rationalize around it or excuse it—just say, "I was wrong." Or if we hear our mates say something we know is not wise, or we detect a questionable motive, we tend not to say the hard thing. How much better to respond, "You know, honey, I realize you've got my good at heart, but I honestly have to say that I don't agree with it. I think it is unwise for you to suggest that." In the long haul, your marriage will be healthier if you will allow truth to prevail, especially if it's truth spoken in love. Listen well, and always speak the truth wrapped in loving care.

DEVOTION - FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2-12

DEVOTION – FRIDAY, 13, 2012

“Common Ground”

BY

BAYLESS CONLEY

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

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

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

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

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

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

DEVOTION - THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2012

DEVOTION – THURSDAY, 12, 2012

“Faith is Not Positive Thinking”

BY

ADRIAN ROGERS

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to have so much faith, others have weak faith, and some have no faith at all? Is God unfair? No, God is no respecter of persons (see 2 Chronicles 19:7). He has given to every man a measure of faith (see Romans 12:3).

And so, what is faith? Let me first say what it is not.

Faith is not positive thinking or optimism. It is not a feeling that you can do something. It is not a hunch or looking on the sunny side of the street.

Faith is getting a word from God and acting upon it. You see, you can get a word from God and believe that word. That is belief. But when you act upon it, that is faith. Faith is belief with legs on it. Today is the day that you put your foot of faith upon the promises of God and say, “That promise is mine!”

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

DEVOTION - WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

DEVOTION – WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 2012

“Offended?”

BY

PASTOR BOB COY

If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? Psalms 130:3 (NKJV)

The Bible is an offensive book because it spells out things about ourselves that we don't really want to hear. For example, it tells us that all of us are guilty before God as sinners. And if it were God's agenda to keep a record of our wrongs, none of us would be able to stand before Him.

Let's face it: That offends us on a certain level. Deep down in our human nature, we all want to stand on our own merits, point to our accomplishments, and say, "See, look what I've done! Look what I've earned!" We find a certain sense of security in this because we feel like we're in control of things and can dictate our destiny based on what we think we deserve.

But the Bible cuts through all of that. It tells us that our very best is still spoiled by what we all are at heart. No amount of works or merit can ever change the fact that we're sinners. And as sinners, the only thing we truly deserve is death (Romans 6:23). That's incredibly offensive to our pride and self-assurance.

However, here's what we need to recognize: God doesn't just leave it there. He doesn't just point out our sin, but He goes on to provide us with salvation:

But there is forgiveness with You… (Psalms 130:4 NKJV)

Yet before we can experience His forgiveness and salvation, we need to see our need for it. And we see it when we're reminded that we're such great sinners that if the Lord really wanted to hold it against us, none of us could stand on our own. It's offensive, but it also leads us to the salvation that we could never earn, and which God graciously gives.

Lord, please help us to remember how helpless we are without You. Keep us humble when it comes to who we are and thankful when it comes to what You've done for us.

DEVOTION - TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012

DEVOTION – TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 2012

“LED BY THE SPIRIT“

BY

DR ED YOUNG

How does a person know that he or she is a Christian? How do we really know? I'll tell you. We know because the Holy Spirit "bears witness" with our spirit, confirming in our hearts that we are indeed children of God.

Beginning with my sophomore year in high school, I was an hour-a-week Christian. I went to church, I was in attendance, I was present and accounted for. I had received Christ as an 11 year old boy, but during my high school years I became exceedingly cynical and apathetic. I showed up. That was about it. I even laughed at people who were considered "religious" by others in my little town, and went along with a lot of chicanery in which I had no business participating.

But there were some things I did not do. There were temptations as a teenager that looked incredibly good to me, but I did not give in to them. Looking back, I know why. Even with my cynical attitude, I still felt the witness of God in my life…that inner voice of the Holy Spirit saying, "You are mine. This is not for you." When I came back to Christ a few years later and gave myself anew to Him, He was with me as He had always been before. That is the inner witness of the Spirit. We may wander away or run from God, but there is a quiet place in which He deals with us and confirms that we are His own.

devotion -saturday, january 7, 2012

DEVOTION – SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 2012

“Lord, Grant Me Divine Communion”

BY

ALISTAIR BEGG

Ezekiel 33:22

In the matter of judgment this may be the case, and if so, let me consider the reason for such a visitation and accept it as from His hand. I am not the only one who is chastened in the night season; let me cheerfully submit to the affliction and carefully endeavor to profit by it.

But the hand of the Lord may also be felt in another manner, strengthening the soul and lifting the spirit upward toward eternal things. O that I may in this sense feel the Lord dealing with me! A sense of the divine presence and indwelling bears the soul toward heaven as upon the wings of eagles.

At such times we are full to the brim with spiritual joy, and forget the cares and sorrows of earth; the invisible is near, and the visible loses its power over us. Servant-body waits at the foot of the hill, and the master-spirit worships upon the summit in the presence of the Lord. O that a hallowed season of divine communion may be granted to me this evening! The Lord knows that I need it very greatly.

My graces languish, my corruptions rage, my faith is weak, my devotion is cold; all these are reasons why His healing hand should be laid upon me. His hand can cool the heat of my burning brow and calm the turmoil of my palpitating heart. That glorious right hand that molded the world can renew my mind; the unwearied hand that bears the earth's huge pillars can sustain my spirit; the loving hand that encloses all the saints can cherish me; and the mighty hand that breaks in pieces the enemy can subdue my sins.

Why should I not feel that hand touching me this evening? Come, my soul, address God with the potent plea that Jesus' hands were pierced for your redemption, and you shall surely feel that same hand upon you that once touched Daniel and set him upon his knees that he might see visions of God.

DEVOTION - FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012

DEVOTION – FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012

“In His Eyes”

BY

GREG LAURIE

But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

If you had foreknowledge and decided to go and bet on a horse in a race, would you bet on a loser or a winner?

Sometimes we look at our lives and wonder, Why would God choose a loser? But here is what we need to realize. God doesn’t just see your weakness. He sees you for what you can become.

I don’t know what state you are in today. Maybe you feel pretty beaten up spiritually. Maybe you have failed in some way, shape, or form. Maybe there has been a moral failure in your life that has just been revealed, and you are facing the consequences of that. Or maybe it hasn’t been revealed yet, but you are engaged in things that you know you should not be doing.

Maybe you wonder at times why God called you to follow Him in the first place. God has foreknowledge. He knows what will happen before it happens. If that is the case, then why would God pick someone like you or me?

I remember when my granddaughter Stella and I were hanging out one day, and she was studying my face and looking at my eyes. Then she got really close, pressed her nose against my nose, and said, “Papa, I can see myself in your eyes.”

I said, “What?”

She said, “I see myself in your eyes.”

And I looked into her little blue-green eyes and realized that she could see her reflection in my eyes. So I said, “Well, Stella, you are always in my eyes—and my heart too.”

If you look closely—and you have to be very close—you will see yourself in God’s eyes. You will see that He loves you and cares about you. And He sees you for what you can become.

Summary sentence: God sees you for what you can become!