Daily Word..

Modern art in Prague (Photo credit: BrunoDelzant)

You who have made me see many troubles and calamities
will revive me again;
from the depths of the earth
you will bring me up again.

Psalm 71:20

Two little boys were on a field trip with their class to an art gallery to see an exhibit of modern art. They happened by a painting, and as they looked at it, they could see there was a nose over in one corner and an eye in the other corner, and it was all confused. So one little boy turned to the other one and said, “Don’t you think we’d better get out of here before they say we did it!”

Our world is coming to grips with the disorder that’s inherent in our fallen universe. And it’s being expressed in a way of thinking called “postmodernism,” and our arts and literature are a manifestation of that disorder. We see this disorder in our own suffering and pain, and in those seemingly random events that cause so much anguish in life.

Yet throughout Scripture, we see God taking that chaos and turning it back into order. He takes our mistakes, our pain, and our anguish, and turns them around for our good and for His glory. So when suffering hits, we know it’s not random!

Everyone experiences hard times. But in Christ, you can suffer with a purpose, knowing that God is taking the chaos in your life and will make it work for your ultimate good. And we have faith that one day, all suffering will end as we live forever in His glorious presence!

 

WHEN LIFE SEEMS CHAOTIC, TRUST FULLY THAT GOD WILL WORK EVERYTHING OUT FOR HIS GLORY AND YOUR GOOD!

Pastor Graham

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• Are you going through trials right now? Then remember the promise of St. John of the Cross: Through your sufferings, “your union with God will be an accomplished fact”… (beginningtopray.blogspot.com)

Satisfaction for The Thirsty Soul

A photo of a cup of ice water taken from above. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Read | 1 Peter 2:1-2

Think about a time when you experienced unbearable thirst. You probably would have traded anything for a drink. When you finally got your wish, there was nothing that could have tasted better than that cold, refreshing glass of water.

Compare this physical need to spiritual thirst. Jesus referred to Himself as “living water” because He knew our deep need for fulfillment. And only He can truly satisfy.

Isn’t it interesting, then, that we live in a society where most people feel dissatisfied? In Christ, we have everything necessary to be complete, content, and fulfilled. Yet our world deceptively tells us to seek after wealth, glory, and other empty dreams. These seem to gratify for a short time, if at all. Yet we often do not recognize our actual needs. The Enemy continues to deceive by telling us that his poor substitutes will satisfy the hunger inside us.

Our Father, on the other hand, is all we need. Let’s look at three passages from Scripture. Jesus called Himself “the bread of life” and “living water”–the sustenance our souls require to survive and thrive (John 6:34-35; 7:38). His Word is alive, able to teach, convict, and redirect us toward a godly path (Heb. 4:12). God’s truth, which is called spiritual milk, provides the nourishment our souls need (1 Peter 2:2).

All of us have an emptiness within–a longing for something more. What are you attempting to use to satisfy it? Our hearts are like a jigsaw puzzle. No matter how hard you try to force a wrong piece, it will never fit correctly. Turn to Jesus, and His living water will satisfy your soul.

Dr. Charles Stanley

How to Be Authentic When Image is Everything

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:16

People today love to put on a good façade when deep down, they’re deeply hurting. Chuck Swindoll, the noted author and pastor said on this subject,

Most of us are pretty good at dressing up the outside of our lives.  Perfectly decorated homes, immaculately landscaped yards, polished status symbol cars, dressed for success clothes, sparkling teeth. But underneath, many of our manicured lives are withering souls. The polluting emphasis on empty externals and prayerless activity has produced a smog in our inner world. In unguarded moments of silence and solitude, we can almost feel the grime that covers our real selves.

It’s so true, isn’t it? Especially in our culture, where image is everything and what’s inside is almost nothing. And behind the nice cars, big houses, and everything anyone could buy, there is pain and brokenness at a level unsurpassed in the history of the world.

What the world needs today is people who are authentic. It needs men and women who don’t just put on a show, but are the same people in every area of their lives. So instead of putting on an image, be who God made you by confessing your sins and showing others who you really are in Christ.

IN A WORLD WHERE IMAGE IS EVERYTHING, LIVE AUTHENTICALLY.

The Other Side

Here’s Today’s Devotional from The Vine…

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side.” - Mark 4:35

 

Christ is continually saying the same to us, though with varying meaning in his words. He is always calling us to move on into new territory, new experiences, new privileges, new duties, new conflicts, and new joys.

He says it to the unrepentant when he graciously invites them to become his disciples. He wants them to cut loose from this world, from sin and all their old dead past, and rise up and go with him to the better life. He invites them to His Father’s country, into His Father’s family. It is a land of blessing and of beauty, of plenty and of great riches. True, there is a sea that must be crossed to reach it. No one can reach the glorious country on “the other side” without passing over this sea, and no one can pass over without encountering the storms of life. There are fierce temptations, the battle to deny self, struggles, and many losses and sorrows before we can reach heaven; but the reward is so great that we should be ready to endure any hardship or suffering to win it.

Then Christ gives the same call and invitation to His people when they reach the end of their earthly lives and when He comes to take them home. No-one wants to contemplate death and think about dying, but there’s no reason to be afraid of it. On“the other side” glory waits. There is the Father’s house with many rooms (John 14:2). And however dark and terrible the narrow sea that has to be crossed may seem, there is no danger for Jesus himself accompanies His people, and none of them will die. However, if God invites us to come over to the other side into the heavenly glory, we must accept His call to come over out of the old life of sin into the new life of holiness.

The Church: What Is It All About?

Church-of-the-Holy-Spirit-Jihlava2011 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

Read | Colossians 1:18, 24

Church buildings are plentiful in our country. Locating one may be easy, but wisely deciding which to join involves more effort. God‘s Word gives us some specific instructions in this matter.

First, let’s explore the original biblical meaning of the word “church.” The term ecclesia meant a group of people who are called out of the world’s system by God’s grace for the purpose of assembling to worship and serve Christ. Ephesians 5:29-30 further specifies that believers are the body and Jesus is the head of such a fellowship. Under His leadership, we can enjoy the unity and purpose that He intended.

God’s design for this sacred gathering involves worship, instruction, encouragement, evangelism, and ministry to those in need, both within the fellowship and outside its walls. A healthy, vibrant congregation is possible only when members rely fully on the Holy Spirit‘s guidance. The work of the church is to be done in His power, in humble, prayerful submission to the Lord.

To help you determine whether a church is following the design laid out in Scripture, here are some important questions to ask: Do they believe God’s Word is infallible and inerrant? Is the church disciplining her people? Does the fellowship have some kind of missionary or evangelistic program?

Joining a congregation is an important decision, as a fellowship of believers is one tool God uses to mature and encourage His children. Those three questions can be helpful in discerning God’s will. Listen for His Spirit to warn or direct as you prayerfully investigate your options.

Dr. Charles Stanley

Where to Find True Emotional Fulfillment

A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24

Psychologists tell us human beings have three very basic emotional needs or desires: The desire to be accepted, the desire to be approved, and the desire to be appreciated. It’s the fulfillment of these three needs that dictates a person’s emotional state. If someone is fulfilled in these three areas, they will be emotionally fulfilled.

One key aspect of the Christian faith is that Jesus Christ provides for all three of those emotional needs. In Christ, we are accepted by God, we’re approved in right standing before Him, and we’re appreciated and valued by God!

Now, much of the world today tries to find emotional fulfillment in the world. Because of that, there’s a large amount of constant discontentment in their lives. They’ll never understand what it means to be fully known as Christ knows them, and will always be looking for the spiritual companionship that only Jesus can provide.

While close emotional connections can be made with others, there’s no one who can truly meet your deep emotional needs like Jesus Christ. It’s in Him alone that you can truly be made complete. So instead of just looking to others to make you complete, stick with Jesus, who’s the closest companion you’ll ever have!

Pastor Graham

INSTEAD OF PLACING ALL YOUR TRUST IN EARTHLY RELATIONSHIPS, LOOK TO JESUS FOR YOUR EMOTIONAL FULFILLMENT AND YOU’LL NEVER BE DISAPPOINTED!

The Necessity of The Cross

Colossians 2:13-15

What does the cross mean to you? Many people in the world today view it as a symbol of Christianity, but stop and think about what it represented in Christ’s day. Nobody wore a miniature cross around the neck or displayed one in a place of worship. The cross was a torturous means of execution, and the mere thought of it was repulsive.

Yet believers throughout the ages have chosen this as the sign of their faith. In fact, to remove the cross from our teaching and theology would leave nothing but an empty, powerless religion. The subjects of death, blood, and sacrifice have become unpopular in many churches because they’re unpleasant and uncomfortable topics. We’d prefer to hear about the love of God, not the suffering of Jesus.

But let me ask you this: How could anyone be saved if Christ had not been crucified? Some people think all you have to do to receive God’s forgiveness is ask Him for it. But a sinner’s request can never be the basis for His forgiveness. He would cease to be holy and just if no penalty was imposed for sin. According to Scripture, there can be no forgiveness without the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22). Christ had to bear the punishment for our sin in order for God to grant us forgiveness.

Every time you see a cross, remember what it really was–an instrument of execution. Then thank Jesus that He was willing to be crucified so the Father could forgive you of sin. Though the scene of your redemption was horrendous, Christ turned the cross into a place of great triumph.

Dr. Charles Stanley

Godliness

Matthew 9:11-13

There is a common misconception that believers should be perfect. Pretending to have our lives in order, many of us wear happy faces and speak words that sound acceptable. At times we’re ashamed to admit our shortcomings, as if they should not exist. Salvation through Jesus, however, doesn’t change the fact that sin is present in our life. When we’re born again, God forgives us and sees us as righteous. Yet our battle with sin continues till we arrive in heaven.

In fact, striving for perfection actually can be a trap that pulls us away from living a godly life. Functioning in this way is a form of relying on our own capability. Jesus said that He came to heal the spiritually sick because they recognized their weakness. With an awareness of our inadequacy comes the realization of our need for Him.

The world sees successful individuals as powerful and self-sufficient, but Jesus didn’t care about these qualities. Instead, He wants people to be aware of their own brokenness. This is the foundation for godliness.

We should accept our neediness and seek God passionately. Doing so allows the following attributes to develop: a hunger for God’s Word, faithful service, deepening trust, and decision-making based upon principle rather than preference. Patiently and mercifully, God matures us.

Be careful not to cover up your sins in order to look like a “good Christian.” Without recognition and confession of our sinfulness, we are unable to rely fully on God. It is only with this awareness that we can passionately seek Him, obey in His strength, and confess with repentance when we miss the mark.
Dr. Charles Stanley

Your Work Is Ministry

Today God Is First By Os Hillman

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Col 3:23-25).

I sat across the table from the well known seminary professor and former missionary as he asked me a very direct question: “So, Os, tell me about this faith at work movement.” “Well, there’s really nothing complicated about it. I believe every person’s work can be viewed as a ministry if done with a motive to glorify God based upon Colossians 3:23,” I responded.

“How can you say that if you’re not sharing the gospel in that job? You would have to be actively sharing your faith for it to be construed as ministry,” he argued.

“No, that’s not true. The work itself is ministry because the word for ministry and service come from the same Greek root word, diakonia. When you are serving others even through your secular work and do it with a motive to glorify God, that’s why it is ministry. In fact, the Bible says you’ll receive an inheritance when you do,” I said.

We continued bantering back and forth on the issue. I continued, “God created even secular work to meet human needs. Man began to divide work into spiritual and non-spiritual terms which introduced a form of dualism in the third and fourth centuries. But God never secularized our work. He desires our work to be viewed as worship.”

We concluded our meeting in disagreement. However, a few months later I met my friend at a booksellers convention. “Hey, you were right Os! I’ve done my study and work really is ministry because it is service. This man went on to write a book on the subject and said this; “Think about this. If you are filling someone’s teeth, you are ministering to your patient. If you are playing in a symphony orchestra, you are ministering to the audience. If you are flying an airplane, you are ministering to the passengers. If you wait on tables, you are ministering to the customers. All of that clearly fits under biblical diakonia.”

It was the first time I’d ever won a theological argument with a theologian.

The Mission of Christ

John 10:1-18

Christ’s mission on earth was to do the will of His Father. Throughout His life, He continually surrendered Himself to God. We see this early on when He was separated from His parents. He told them, “Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49).

The Father desired that the lost be brought back to Himself. That’s why Jesus, though a king, came not to be served but to serve—even unto death (Matt. 20:28). His ultimate purpose was to become the sacrifice needed to atone for humanity’s sin and gain us access to the Father.

To accomplish His mission, Jesus suffered greatly. But even in His darkest hour, He did not turn from His calling (26:39). Ever the faithful Son, He gave us the only way to the Father and eternal life: Himself (John 14:6). Those who trust in Him are His church, and they will see Him in glory when they die.

Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (14:9), and in fact, the two are one (10:30). Today, He sits at the Father’s right hand, making intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). One day, He’ll return to judge sinners and reward the saints. Are you ready to face Him? The only way you can be prepared is to receive Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord.

Because the Father’s love for us is limitless, He gave His Son the mission of paying humanity’s sin debt so that every person can have eternal life. When you place faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you are united with the Father now and throughout all eternity.

Dr. Charles Stanley