DEVOTION WED 9-01-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST. 2010

“SIMPLY RESTING”

BY

ADRIAN RODGERS

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full." John 15:11

Do you depend upon Jesus Christ? I mean totally depend upon Him? Here's the way you can tell: Are you resting in Him today?

You see, when you are totally committed to Jesus Christ, you rest in Him. You realize your every need is something for Him to supply.

Have you ever looked at a branch? It has no other source of life than the vine. If you asked that branch, "What's your secret for your healthy leaves and fruit?" he would say, "My secret is that I'm resting in the vine."

"But what about your needs?" you ask.

"I know I have needs, but that's not my responsibility. My response is to rest in the vine's ability to provide. I don't produce the fruit. I just bear it."

Are you resting in the Lord today?

Take a walk outside over the next couple of days if you can and take a close look at the trees, shrubs, and vines. Meditate on what it means to abide in Christ "that your joy might be full."

DEVOTION TUES 8-31-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

TUESDAY, AUGUST 31ST, 2010

“OIL FOR THE LIGHT”

BY

CHARLES SPURGEON

Exodus 25:6

My soul, how much thou needest this, for thy lamp will not long continue to burn without it. Thy snuff will smoke and become an offence if light be gone, and gone it will be if oil be absent. Thou hast no oil well springing up in thy human nature, and therefore thou must go to them that sell and buy for thyself, or like the foolish virgins, thou wilt have to cry, "My lamp is gone out." Even the consecrated lamps could not give light without oil; though they shone in the tabernacle they needed to be fed, though no rough winds blew upon them they required to be trimmed, and thy need is equally as great. Under the most happy circumstances thou canst not give light for another hour unless fresh oil of grace be given thee. It was not every oil that might be used in the Lord's service; neither the petroleum which exudes so plentifully from the earth, nor the produce of fishes, nor that extracted from nuts would be accepted; one oil only was selected, and that the best olive oil. Pretended grace from natural goodness, fancied grace from priestly hands, or imaginary grace from outward ceremonies will never serve the true saint of God; he knows that the Lord would not be pleased with rivers of such oil. He goes to the olive-press of Gethsemane, and draws his supplies from Him who was crushed therein. The oil of gospel grace is pure and free from lees and dregs, and hence the light which is fed thereon is clear and bright. Our churches are the Saviour's golden candelabra, and if they are to be lights in this dark world, they must have much holy oil. Let us pray for ourselves, our ministers, and our churches, that they may never lack oil for the light. Truth, holiness, joy, knowledge, love, these are all beams of the sacred light, but we cannot give them forth unless in private we receive oil from God the Holy Ghost.

DEVOTION MON 8-30-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

MONDAY, AUGUST 30TH, 2010

“SOMETHING GOD HATES”

BY

GREG LAURIE

These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.

—Proverbs 6:16-19

God hates lying. In fact, God thinks so much of truth that He uses the very word to describe His character. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). And we are told in Scripture that it is impossible for God to lie (see Hebrews 6:18). Lying is not in God's nature; He cares a lot about truth.

When we lie, we are behaving more like a child of the devil than a child of God, because the Bible describes Satan as "the father of lies" (John 8:44). And we all may lie a little more than we think. A study was done in which people were asked why they lie. Ninety-eight percent of respondents said they lied to keep from offending someone else. I can understand that to a certain degree, because telling the truth isn't always easy—especially when you are asked a difficult question like, "How did you like dinner?" or "Do you like my new outfit?" Even so, lying is still a sin.

There are subtle ways in which we tell lies, such as through flattery and exaggeration. We also lie when we say things like, "Oh, I forgot" (when we didn't), or "It's good to see you" (when it isn't), or "I was just getting ready to call you" (when we weren't). We also lie through gossiping and backbiting. Proverbs 20:19 NLT says, "A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don't hang around with chatterers." We love to dispense gossip, and unfortunately, we love to hear it far too often.

Have you ever had someone gossip about you? Lie about you? Lie to you? Then you know how destructive it is. God hates lying—and we should too.

Copyright © 2010 by Harvest Ministries

DEVOTION SAT 8-28-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

SATURDAY, AUGUST 28TH, 2010

“THE BATTLE FOR THE MIND”

BY

DR ED YOUNG

In his book The Magnificent Mind, Gary Collins tells the story of Phinneas Gage. Gage was working as a mining foreman in September of 1848 when an accident occurred that changed his life forever. As he leaned over to look down into a blasting hole, some dynamite exploded prematurely, and propelled a 13-pound, 3 ½ foot tamping rod into his cheek, through his brain and out the other side of his skull. It went through him like a missile, but he never lost consciousness on the long trip to the village doctor. "Something passed through my head," he told the doctor as he was examined. The doctor could put his fingers in the hole in Gage's skull. For several weeks Gage had headaches, and infection set in to the wound, nearly taking his life. But in two or three months, he was back at work in the mines—except his personality had radically changed. Where once he had been prompt, courteous and patient, he was now rude, discourteous and impatient. "Gage is no longer Gage," the people who knew him would say. Somehow the rod that passed through his brain had changed his personality, and he was a different man. For the rest of his life he made a living as a circus freak, and when he died, his brain and the tamping rod were placed in the museum of the Harvard Medical School.

The mind is a mysterious, mysterious thing. There is a battle going on in this world, not for territory that can be seen or touched, but for your mind and my mind. The way this battle is won is for us to allow every thought to be captive to the obedience of our Savior Jesus Christ. Doing that requires both inclusion and exclusion. Say for example, that someone attacks you in some area of your life, saying slanderous things about you. You could counterattack, which most of us are prone to do, or you could say to yourself, "That particular thing is not true, but there are many things in my life much worse that are." And then you dismiss that person's attack and walk away from it. That's exclusion. But exclusion alone will not work. We must apply the law of inclusion as well. It works like this: instead of focusing your mind on your anger, or your sense of injustice at being wrongly accused, you focus instead on the positive values of God. In other words, when these thoughts come, you say "I'm sorry, I don't have room for you. My mind is full of truth and faith and righteousness and biblical principles, and I am seeking to have the mind of Christ." Our every thought may not be Christian, but Christ can take every thought captive.

DEVOTION FRI 8-27-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27TH, 2010

“TONY AND REX – THEN AND NOW”

BY

DANIEL DARLING

Proverbs 13:20

“Become wise by walking with the wise; hang out with fools and watch your life fall to pieces.”

If you play sports, you just accept that there is a certain amount, well, actually an enormous level of testosterone. I spent a lot of time in the locker room, even in a Christian high school, and remember conversations I wouldn't repeat at the dinner table.

Guy talk.

I was fortunate to have a Christian coach with godly character who consistently encouraged us adolescent boys to be men. That not only meant a certain toughness on the field, playing through adversity and injury, and laying it all out there for the team. It also meant being a gentleman off the field.

Now, I know that my experience isn't typical of most sports teams, whether its high school, college, or pro. We've accepted that good coaches pretty much have one thing in mind. That is to win and win at all costs. Their jobs depend on it.

So they ride their guys as hard as they can. They use whatever motivational technique works. They are crude, lewd, and loud.

So if that means degrading their guys, encouraging the worst part of masculinity, and yes, using profanity, then so be it. In fact, most would say without these tools, you can't win.

Enter Tony Dungy. He's set this theory on its head, by being one of the most successful coaches of the modern era. And he's done it all by winning the right way. If you've heard Tony speak or read his books, you'll know he's about winning, but he's also about building character, transforming boys into men.

Today, he stands as the premier mentor in professional sports, a stark and bewildering example of character, civility, and goodness in a world of bad guys. He's almost a throwback, a relic of the past.

Tony would tell you he's not perfect and that his style isn't everyone's style. But he does seem to be the go-to guy when a pro athlete gets in trouble. Tiger might have saved money at the rehab clinic had he just visited with Coach Dungy for a while. Probably would have had better results.

Which brings up Rex Ryan. Maybe there is no more polar opposite coach than Coach Ryan. Part showman, part coach, Ryan has fired up the Jets in ways that nobody has in some years. Their fans are excited, their guys are unified, and they're ready to win.

But Ryan is also quite vulgar. Nobody would know this except this is the year, HBO's Hard Knocks featured them on their program. Now every practice and meeting and locker-room speech is taped. Suddenly people are tuning into football and hearing Ryan in all of his colorful language.

Tony Dungy was asked about it and said something counter-cultural: he'd rather not hear that type of language and wouldn't work with someone who used it. To which Ryan laughingly told Tony not to judge and that he should mind his own business.

Now both of these guys might be good coaches. Both might win games. Both might teach their men some life lessons.

But if you're looking for a man to follow, I'd take the path of Tony. The world could use a few more gentlemen, a few more guys who watch their language and carry themselves with some respect.

Because one day the lights will go out on that football career and the next act begins. Life begins. And I'm guessing what Tony is teaching will stick past football.

danieldarling.com.

DEVOTION THUR 8-26-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

THUSDAY, AUGUST 26TH, 2010

“CHECK UP”

BY

PASTOR BOB COY

Let love be without hypocrisy. Romans 12:9 (NKJV)

Paul revs up the engine that ought to drive all that we do…love.

The specific word used for "love" here is that wonderful word "agape," which is the unconditional and unmerited love of God. It's not a love that comes naturally to us but is supernaturally given to us by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). This agape love is to the Christian life what mortar is to a brick wall: without it, everything falls apart.

Notice that Paul combines this love with the exhortation for it to be "without hypocrisy." You might be interested to know that "hypocrisy" was actually a theatrical term back in biblical times. It literally means "wearer of the mask." It described actors who would pretend to be different characters by wearing masks portraying various features. We can be guilty of doing the same thing in the Body of Christ; we can put on a fake front by pretending to love others.

But pretend love is a contradiction of terms. God's agape love is, by very definition, genuine and sincere. It isn't two-faced; He doesn't tell us He loves us with His fingers crossed. If there's an element of that in us, if we're putting on a mask to disguise ourselves, then we aren't loving people with the love of God.

"Yeah, but you don't know how hard it is to be that way with so and so!" Oh, it's not hard—it's impossible! Again, it's not us drumming up this love within ourselves, but it's God pouring it out on us. We can't agape on our own. We need to ask, seek, and knock on the door of Heaven for it. But God always makes provision for His commands, and this is the greatest command of all.

Think about it…

DEVOTION WED 8-25-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FORGRUMBLING AND COMPLAINING”

WEDNESDAY, August 25, 2010

BY

BAYLES CONLEY

One of the things I believe grieves the heart of God is when His children grumble and complain. In Jude 6 we find some interesting insight into this destructive behavior,

These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage.

The word complainer is really two Greek words stuck together. The first word means to blame, and the second word means your fate or lot in life. The point is that complainers blame someone else for their lot in life.

Isn't it always amazing how someone can make wrong choices, and when they have to face the consequences of those choices, it is always somebody else's fault?

I have two pieces of advice for you on this. First, if you are a complainer and grumbler, stop. God is not honored, and you are only showing that you are "walking according to your own lust," not according to God's Spirit.

Second, stay away from people like that or you will end up being like them. Proverbs 22:24-25 says,

Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.

Their attitudes and mindsets will bleed off on you.

Did you ever throw a pair of jeans in the washing machine with a red shirt? What happened to your blue jeans? They turned pink, didn't they? The red dye bled over into the blue jeans, and the blue jeans were no longer blue. They were pink.

If you hang around with people who grumble and complain, their attitudes will bleed over into your way of thinking. And the last thing you want to be is a grumbler and complainer.

DEVOTION TUES 8-24-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

"LOVE WORTH FINDING”

BY

ADRIAN R OGERS

To Be "in Christ Jesus"

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Romans 8:1

What does it mean to be "in Christ Jesus?" First, think about what it was for Noah to be in the ark. The ark was waterproof. How do we know it was? Well, God told Noah, "put pitch on the inside and on the outside" (Genesis 6:14). The word "pitch" in the Hebrew is kapar, and it is exactly the same word translated as "atonement." You see, we are in Jesus as Noah was in that ark. Just as the storms of God's wrath beat upon that ark, the storms of God's wrath beat upon the Lord Jesus. But we are on the inside, and not one drop of judgment can come through.

Read Romans 8:35-39. Reflect on the things that Paul says will never separate you from God's love. Give glory to God that your sins have been atoned for by the righteous blood of the Savior

DEVOTION MON 8-23-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

Monday, August 23, 2010

"HELPING HANDS”

Bible Reading: Matthew 18:19-20

We take personal inventory, and when we are wrong, promptly admitted it.

We've probably already been convinced that we need the support of others in our recovery. We know whom we can trust to be supportive and who will be destructive. We know who will help us walk along the path of God's will, and who will just preach at us and condemn us. We know those who struggle as we do, who can be depended on for encouragement when we slip up. We're also learning that we can be a support to others.

James advised, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results" (James 5:16). Jesus told us, "If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them" (Matthew 18:19-20).

There is great power in coming together and being concerned for one another's needs. We all need encouragement and support as we go through the steps of recovery, especially when we have to deal with weaknesses and wrongs. We need to nurture relationships with real, flesh-and-blood people who are willing to accept us in our imperfect condition. We need to be praying with them when we stumble, and praying for them when they do. We can help each other see areas that need attention; areas we might miss all alone. We should devote some of our time and energy to maintaining the positive relationships that encourage our recovery.

A cord with three strands is not easily broken.

DEVOTION SAT 8-2110

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

Saturday, August 21, 2010

"NO FEAR”

BY

JOSEPH TON

“But perfect love drives out fear.”

(1 John 4:18)

Years ago on a Sunday morning, Joseph Ton was arrested. The following day, the interrogations began. Around midday, a general came in who ordered the other two officers to leave the room. When they were gone, he started to hit Joseph. On the face, on the head - until he was exhausted.

A few days later, the same thing happened again. The officers had to leave the room and Joseph expected another beating. But the general sat down and said he wanted to talk to him. Joseph said, "I would like to offer my apologies first." The general looked at him in amazement. After all, he had hit Joseph and not the other way round. Joseph said he had done some thinking about the beating. "I realized that this week, we commemorate the Passion," he said, "I am sorry I cried out when you hit me, for there is nothing more wonderful for a Christian than to suffer like his Lord suffered. Actually, you gave me the most precious gift I have ever received. Thank you very much!" Joseph also told the general that he had started praying for him and his family.

The general was so impressed that he promptly apologized. Later he would play an important role in Joseph's release. He had seen what he had never seen before - someone who told him he prayed for him and his family. There is no fear in love. The Lord sets us free and gives us love in our hearts for our enemies. We ourselves are blessed by it - and others are as well. And God is given the glory.

DEVOTION FRI 8-20-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

Friday, August 20, 2010

"COMFORTING ARMS”

BY

STEPHEN DAVEY

Matthew 5:4

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

There is a vivid memory etched in my mind—a day when one of my sons hugged a tree in our back yard. The tree had a "ladder" of nails driven into it, and he used them for climbing. I was about fifty yards away, watching and admiring the athletic prowess of my son, as he hung from the first branch eight feet from the ground. But his foot slipped off the nail and I saw his body swivel around to the other side of the tree.

As he held on to the trunk with one arm and wrapped a leg around the tree, he yelled for help. I began walking toward the tree, but in his moment of distress, he didn't wait for me to arrive. Typical of the very young, he hadn't yet discovered that sometimes it hurts more to let go than to hang on, so—he released his hold on the branch. He slid down the trunk and skinned himself on every nail protruding from the tree. A long bloody gash stretched from his waist to his chest.

He hit the ground, immediately bounded up, and came running. His feet were moving so fast that he even fell once as he ran. When he reached me, he leapt into my arms and began to wail. I just held him and hugged him, because I knew he was experiencing more pain than he had ever felt before. Although I am not a great father—in fact, sometimes, I'm not even a good father—I did what comes naturally to any parent witnessing his child in pain . . . I comforted him.

Why is it that we think God will do any less for His children? Why is it that we think God groans when He sees us coming to Him in pain? We assume He is thinking, "Oh, no . . . you're hurt again?" If we, as fallen, sinful, earthly parents can comfort our children in times of distress, whatever the cause, how much more will our perfect heavenly Father comfort us in our distress—whatever the cause?

The word for comfort in Matthew 5:4 is not sympathy, which means to feel with, or empathy, which means to have experienced the same thing and feel with, but a combination of two Latin words which mean to put strength in; to infuse with power.

This means that God doesn't just pat us on the back when we are in mourning; He gives us what we need to endure the pain of sadness. It's as David said in Psalm 138:3, "On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul."

Have you fallen from any trees lately? God will lift you up—blood, tears and all. So go ahead . . . wail to Him in your sorrow; cry to Him in your distress; jump into His arms of healing.

Your Father is waiting to hold you close to Him. Then you will learn what Christ meant when He said, "Blessed are those who mourn . . . for they shall be comforted."

Prayer Point: Perhaps you are bleeding today from some emotional gash, and are in need of a giant "bear-hug" from God. Be encouraged, friend! God says in Scripture that you can cast your cares upon Him because He cares for you. No matter how great or small your concern, God will give you the strength to deal with it.

DEVOTION THUR 8-19-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

Thursday, August 19, 2010

"LAUGH IT OFF”

BY

Chuck Swindoll

Psalm 35

Ever get the feeling that life's a little too tight—like an ill-fitting shoe? Commitments are piling up and you're taking things much too seriously? You either can't get to sleep or you wake up at two in the morning and spend the next three hours rehearsing everything you have to do and can't possibly get done? It's enough to make a grown man or woman scream.

So, instead of blaming others or feeling sorry for myself or planning a jump from the Golden Gate Bridge, I'm gonna laugh for a while. If you don't feel like laughing with me, close the book or turn the page. Far be it from me to force you to smile. But if you, too, think it seems appropriate to laugh at some of the stuff that drives us nuts, here are a few groaners.

• If you try to please everybody, nobody will like it.

• The chance of the bread falling with the peanut butter and jelly side down is directly proportional to the cost of the carpet.

• When a broken appliance is demonstrated for the repairman, it will work perfectly.

• Not until you get home from the party will you realize you have a string of spinach in your teeth.

• There's a committee somewhere right now planning your future, and you were not invited to the meeting.

• No one's life, liberty, or property are safe while the legislature is in session.

There are hundreds more, but that's enough for now. I feel better already, don't you? Truly, laughter is often the best medicine.

Don't sweat the small stuff; in fact, the big stuff isn't worth the sweat either.

DEVOTION WED 8-18-2010

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18TH, 2010

"FORWARD THINKING”

BY

JOE GIBB

We've never been to a funeral, no matter how tragic or expected the person's death, when much of the service and the conversations surrounding it didn't center on memories of his or her life. We recall happier times we spent together. We reflect on what this individual was like. We regret that we won't be able to enjoy their smile or laughter anymore on earth.

We look back. That's all we humans really know how to do. To look back is to know. To look ahead is merely to guess and wonder.

But not for the believer in Jesus Christ. Our view looking forward, though lacking in some of the specifics God has chosen not to reveal, is one of confidence and knowledge, of hope and authentic anticipation. Randy Alcorn writes in Game Plan for Life, "As people age, they tend to look back at when they were at their best, knowing they'll never regain those days. But if you're a Christ-follower, you don't look back to your peak. You look forward to it."

Imagine being encouraged, as Randy says, that "the strongest I've ever felt is just a hint of what's to come." Imagine being sure that "the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Romans 8:21). Imagine being able to look ahead . . . and know.

Pray this prayer: Lord, there's so much I don't understand. But as one who has given his life to you, I pray that you will settle my heart whenever I doubt your promises. Help me believe in your love for me.

DEVOTION TUES 8-17-2010

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

TUESDAY, AUGUST 17TH, 2010

"IT’S NOT ABOUT THE MYSTERY”

BY

Kelly McFadden

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. —1 Corinthians 2:9

The phone call came late at night, so I knew something was wrong even as I said "hello." On the other end a friend delivered the news that a dear friend had died. I sat, shocked. Saddened by the news I was confused by why the Lord would take home one of His servants at such a young age.

I know I am not the only one to have an experience where I simply want to ask God why? We hear or see stories read of natural disasters, accidents, kidnappings, murders most days. But when something terrible happens to someone I know, my head wants answers. I want to know why.

Then I am gently reminded that in our walk with Jesus, it is not about explaining the mysteries of this life, it is about resting in the truth. The truth is this: We have a God who loves us so much he sent His Son to die for us. We live in a world that is plagued with problems and struggles from which none of us are immune nor can we completely explain. In those hard times, we can cry out to our heavenly Father for comfort. He is with us, walking with us, carrying us through all of life's struggles.

So we have a choice. Do we dwell on struggling to find the answers to the Why? or do we look to our Maker and place our trust in Him? We cannot understand what God has prepared for us in this life or for eternity. Until then, He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us and to be the great Comforter. So when we cry out Why? He alone can quiet our souls. In Him we can find comfort, peace and rest, even when we can't find explanations.

The Lord does not want us to not get caught up in trying to explain the mystery, but to focus on Him. We are called to look towards Him and know that He is with us and we cannot even imagine His purposes or His plan. Trusting in God does not mean we abandon our emotions and feelings; focusing on Him, reminds us that He is with us and we will never go through our struggles alone.

DEVOTION MON 8-16-2010

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

MONDAY, AUGUST 16TH, 2010

"GOD IN NATURE”

BY

BAYLESS CONLEY

God has made Himself known to mankind in a powerful way people often ignore…His creation. Romans 1:18-20 tells us,

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

God speaks to people through nature…through His creation. I am confident that there is a point in every person's life where there comes an awareness of God. Whether it is looking at a shooting star, or at a sunset, or at a blade of grass, the thought occurs to them, "This didn't just get here. This didn't just happen. There must be a God."

Creation speaks to us of the Godhead. It is a revelation of God. The book of Psalms says, Night unto night shows forth knowledge. And it says the heavens declare the glory of God. The firmament shows His handiwork. Creation speaks to us of God.

But notice what this passage says. This revelation of God has come to men, but some have wanted to suppress it. They came to that point and thought, "You know what? If I find out about this, then I'm going to become responsible. So I don't think I want to know."

The natural bent of men and women is to suppress the truth, but God is speaking loudly and clearly of His greatness and reality through His creation. Praise Him today for revealing His beauty and power through nature, and use it to point people to Him.

DEVOTION SAT 8-14-2010

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

SATURDAY, AUGUST 14TH, 2010

"BE ANGRY AND SIN NOT”

BY

ADRIAN ROGERS

"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath." Ephesians 4:26

God's Word tells us to be "slow to wrath" (Proverbs 14:29, James 1:19). There's nothing that will do more damage to your relationships than unwanted, unwarranted anger. If you are given to anger, let me tell you a couple of things the Bible says, and it won't be flattering.

First, the Bible says you are foolish. Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, "For anger resteth in the bosom of fools."

Second, you have a weak character. Proverbs 16:32 says, "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." Uncontrolled anger is like throwing a rock into a wasp's nest.

Do you have a short fuse? If so, confess it to the Lord. Don't let Satan get a stronghold in your life. If you get angry today, ask yourself, "What need is not being met?" Give that need to the Lord

DEVOTION FRI 8-13-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

FRIDAY, AUGUST 13TH, 2010

"TRUE REDEMPTION”

BY

BAYLESS CONLEY

The passage of Scripture I want to call your attention to today is Ephesians 4:8-10,

Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." (Now this, "He ascended"—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Before Jesus ascended, what did He do? He descended. I didn't write that. The Bible says that. And when He descended, what did He do? He led captivity captive. That refers to the Old Testament saints who were in what is called "Abraham's bosom" or Paradise.

Jesus went down there. They were in captivity in the sense that they could not go to heaven until Christ's sacrifice. But after Christ died, having paid the price for our sins, He went and emptied Paradise and He led captivity captive. He brought those saints up to heaven.

Here is what I want you to picture. Jesus, through His death and resurrection, defeated hell and death. He took the keys away from the devil, stripped him of his power and his authority, and won redemption for the human race. Then He went to Paradise and there He saw Abraham, David, Moses, Ezekiel, Joshua, Esther, Ruth—all of the people who served the Lord under the Old Covenant.

He threw the door open and said, "Hey, guys! Time to come home! It's been done! The thing the prophets prophesied about, here I am! I am the reality. Time to leave this place and come to heaven with me!"

Then He who descended, ascended, leading all of those Old Testament saints to heaven with Him! And He sent back the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost to empower us to tell the story of His resurrection and His victory.

Let us make that our passion! To proclaim the resurrected Jesus who has paid the price for our redemption.

DEVOTION THUR 8-12-10

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

THURSDAY AUGUST 12TH, 2010

"DEALING WITH DISCOURAGEMENT”

BY

DR CHARLES STANLEY

Psalm 42:1-8

How can we conquer discouragement? Let me suggest nine specific steps:

1. Look within. Prayerfully examine yourself for the underlying cause.

2. Admit that you are discouraged. It's easy to avoid, ignore, or lie about it. But denial is deadly, and it guarantees failure.

3. Identify precisely what you are discouraged about. Name it; then face it.

4. Recall the nature of discouragement. Disappointments will come and go, but discouragement is a choice that you make.

5. Begin meditating frequently on God's Word. This way, you can accurately judge what you feel by what is real (Psalm 3:2-4; 16:7-8; 63:6-8; 77:12; 119:15).

6. Take your area of discouragement to God in prayer. Ask Him to reveal what He wants to teach you in this area of your life.

7. Focus on God, not your situation. Ask Him to help you see this disappointment and its lessons from His perspective.

8. View the cause as coming from the Lord. If we understand that He allows disappointments, we can find an opportunity for growth, even in trouble.

9. Confess these three truths aloud: The Father is with me in the pain; He's in control of my life and has allowed this for a reason; He is a good God, who will turn this disappointment into blessing.

Discouragement may sound harmless enough, but don't ever underestimate its destructive power. By keeping watch, you can avoid this deadly trap. So write down these nine steps on an index card, and then review the list whenever disappointments start to consume your thinking.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

DEVOTION WED 8-11-2010

DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 11TH, 2010

"TRUE SATISFACTION”

BY

BAYLESS CONLEY

Isaiah 14:12-15 records the fall of Satan. Created as God's archangel, we read about the dissatisfaction that got him in trouble,

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.' Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit."

Clearly his problem was pride. "I will, I will, I will…I am going to be like God." He wasn't satisfied with being the archangel that God had created him to be. He wanted to take God's place.

The root of Satan's pride was his discontent with the post and station that the supreme Monarch of the universe had assigned and allotted him. He thought he deserved better.

We all have our sphere of influence, and we all have our gifting from God. Your sphere of influence and gifting are different than mine, and mine are different than yours. It is unwise to desire something that someone else has rather than exploring what God has given you and developing that to its highest potential.

When you look over the fence, it looks like the grass is greener on the other side, but when you hop over, you find out it is spray-painted!

You will only be satisfied if you will develop what God has put inside of you and take that to its highest level possible. That is what you will be rewarded for.