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.