Tag Archives: Religion and Spirituality

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The Believer’s Destanation

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Read | John 14:1-3

The Bible is clear that those who trust in Jesus as their personal Savior will have eternal life. Furthermore, it promises that followers of God will spend eternity with Him in heaven.

The New Testament contains approxi- mately 200 references to heaven, most of which are from the teachings of Jesus Himself. Obviously, the topic was quite important to our Lord. Why, then, do we often fail to talk about it ourselves?

Sadly, one reason we ignore the subject is that we simply feel too satisfied here on earth. Maybe we think we have it pretty good, whether because of a loving family, a stable job, or a nice home. Surrounded by such comfort, it can seem hard to imagine an even better place.

Other people, however, do not have it so easy here on earth. They are the ones who most easily grasp the concept of heaven. They are the individuals who live their lives in need, nursing the belief that life beyond earth will supply all that they lack.

You see, it is rarely our desperation that makes it difficult to envision our heavenly home. Rather, our success is oftentimes the greatest obstacle to a desire for the everlasting home where we truly belong. We can become so distracted by earthly things that we grow blind to the spiritual reality of eternal life. Why don’t we think more about heaven? Very simply, it is because many of us don’t want to go yet!

What in your life might be obstructing the view of your heavenly home? Jesus has gone before us to prepare our eternal dwelling, and who would know how to fix a place to our liking better than our Creator? Don’t let anything dim your vision of the excellent future home awaiting you.

http://www.intouch.org

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Giving Thanks In Everything

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Read | Ephesians 5:15-21

Why would God command us to thank Him regardless of the circumstances? The idea defies human logic. But then, the Lord rarely binds Himself to man-made rules. Scriptural principles serve specific purposes in the Christian’s life. Gratitude keeps us aware of God’s presence, which builds our trust and ultimately strengthens our witness.

We must realize that thankfulness is not based on emotions or a situation’s outcome. We can be grateful even during trials, because God has promised to work all things for our good (Rom. 8:28). That means He has a purpose in mind for each experience, whether pleasant or difficult. A big problem stacked against our small resources sends us running to Him, thankful He has committed to work it to our benefit.

The believer’s part is to trust God will bring good from trials and to discover His plan, which gives further reason for thanking Him. Understanding His intentions renews our strength for facing difficult trials. Expressing gratefulness changes our attitude about God, ourselves, and our situations. Most people allow hurt and stress to form a pessimistic mindset, which negatively impacts every facet of their life. But believers have God’s Spirit working within to provide courage and a flow of thanksgiving.

When we demonstrate thankfulness in harsh circumstances, other people pay
attention. Coworkers, family, and friends will want for themselves the peace and
energy we derive from a grateful relationship God. So whatever you’re experiencing, go ahead and defy logic—praise the Lord.

http://www.intouch.minitries.org

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Surviving Our Present Culture

Feb 15, 2013

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Read | 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

When we are called into a new life with Christ, we will encounter obstacles. One of the biggest barriers is the culture in which we live. We may not ever recognize the danger we are in until we fall. Let’s look honestly at our world.

First, it’s a secular culture, which means it has little interest in religious matters or the Bible. It teaches us to trust in ourselves and in the things we can see rather than in our unseen triune God.

Our world is also materialistic. Its primary focus is on accumulating possessions and gaining wealth, not on caring about others and giving sacrificially. Tragically, many of the things our culture values stand in opposition to the way Jesus calls us to live. When Scripture contradicts what our society believes, it’s not uncommon for people to belittle our lifestyle as narrow-minded and extreme.

In many ways, our society is spiritually rebellious, in that it defies both the laws of God and the laws of man; obedience is considered optional. A large percentage of the population rejects God’s viewpoint on intimacy and marriage in order to please self—as a result, immorality is prevalent. But they have been deceived into thinking that they can violate God’s laws without any consequences.

Unless we’re careful, we can fall prey to the world’s traps. The key to avoiding its snares is God’s Word. When we study Scripture, the Holy Spirit will identify lies we are believing and show how we can apply God’s truth to set us free. Are you immersed in the culture or in God’s truth?

http://www.intouchminitries.org

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Guarding Your Affection For Him 

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By David Wilkerson
[May 19, 1931 - April 27, 2011]

“Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first
works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick
out of his place, except thou repent” (Revelation 2:5). 

Jesus is saying: “Think back to what you were like when I first saved you.
You rejoiced that I came to live in your heart! You couldn't wait for church on
Sunday and you spent all your free time digging into My word, learning about My
love for you. You never considered prayer to be a burden, because I meant
everything to you. You loved Me more than life itself. But now you've fallen
away from all that. I get so little of your time now, so little of your
attention. You've grown cold toward Me. Something else has your heart!”

Look at the serious warning in this verse: “Repent . . . or else I will come
unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except
thou repent.” For many years theologians have tried to soften this warning,
wanting it to mean something different. But it cannot be softened—it means
exactly what it says. 

Jesus is saying to us: “If you claim to have the fire of God, and yet I am no
longer the delight of your heart, I will take away every bit of light you have!
No matter what good works you do for Me, you will no longer be My witness. I
simply won't recognize anything you do because you have lost your love for
Me.”

Is your love for Jesus exclusive? Do you regularly take quality time to be with
Him? Or have other things crept into your heart, taking up your thoughts and
affections?

Jesus is asking you right now to repent and start over. He wants you to stop
and realize, “Wait a minute. I see how this thing has crept into my life and
it is robbing me of my exclusive love for Jesus. I can't let this go on any
longer. Lord, forgive me! Light my candle anew.”

Go back to your first love today. Ask Him for grace and strength to begin again
to guard your affection for Christ.

Read this devotion online: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/node/21605?src=devo-email
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Asleep In Jesus

Here’s Today’s Devotional from The Vine…a16

“Now you are releasing your servant, Master, according to your word, in peace; - Luke 2:29

No one is ready to die in peace until he has seen Christ; but when he has seen Him, he needs no further preparation for dying. He may never have looked upon any of the wonders of this world; but it is not necessary that he should have done so, if he has beheld the Lamb of God. He may not have carried out one of his own ambitious plans in life, nor have achieved anything great or beautiful; but no mater the one essential achievement in life is to see Jesus. When we have truly seen Him, dying has no more terrors, for Christ has robbed death of its sting and the grave of its victory.

The Christian has a soft pillow of peace to rest upon when he comes to die. Christ has lifted the curse from his soul, and made death but the way to glory. He Himself tasted death for His people; but now there is no death for any of them. He said to Martha, by her brother’s grave, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” That means that those who are saved by Christ find no terror, no darkness, nothing to harm them, in dying, but pass through the experience as through a beautiful gate into life everlasting.

The word lettest in todays scripture means set free, “Set thy servant free to depart;” implying that what we call life is like the imprisoning of the eagle; and what we call death, after one has seen Christ, is blessed and glorious emancipation. What a beautiful thought of dying! On the gravestone of a little child are the words: “Out of the darkness into the marvellous light!” All we need, then, is truly to see Christ before we die. When He has lifted away the curse of sin, and put His own holy life into our souls, we are already in the portal of heaven while in this world; dying will be but intering in, to behold Christ face to face for ever.

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The Landmine Of Fear

English: Isaiah; illustration from a Bible car...

English: Isaiah; illustration from a Bible card published by the Providence Lithograph Company (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Read | Isaiah 41:10-13

Humans have legitimate reasons to live in fear—our world has many dangers. But although our environment is frightening, Christians are not to accept fear as a way of life. God’s awesome promises allow us to live peacefully in our surroundings.

For our protection, God has instilled some natural apprehensions in us, like a fear of snakes or deep water. Our instinctive concern teaches us to respect these things until we know how to survive an encounter with them. The Creator also gave us a warning system so we’d react quickly to danger. For instance, if a car speeds toward us, an instant reaction of alarm could save our life.

In other words, some fears protect us. But constant, all-consuming dread is unhealthy. While we may feel afraid if we spot a snake, most of us don’t worry much about having such encounters. Some people anguish over dangers that might occur—instead of entrusting loved ones to God, they anxiously imagine all the ways injury might occur.

As anxiety grows, uncertainty builds up until it hinders our relationship with God. Fears about the welfare of loved ones, financial well-being, or eternal security all result from doubt regarding the Lord’s provision. Then our attention is centered on our concerns rather than on the One who promises to hold us in His hand.

The Lord offers us strength because He understands how fear can torment us. Don’t allow worry to blind you to His promises and thereby deprive you of the help that He always has available. The Bible reminds us: “My God shall supply all your needs” (Phil. 4:19).

http://www.intouchministries.org

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Accepting Christ

Here’s Today’s Devotional from The Vine…

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But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: -John 1:12

 

The people who shut their doors on Christ always shut out great blessings; those who open to Him let all heaven’s love and joy into their lives. Some say it does not matter whether they receive Christ or not. They believe in God’s mercy and love, and do not see why they need to accept Christ. Here it is made very plain that the only way to receive God’s love and mercy is by receiving Christ. Only those who accept Him become God’s children. Christ is the only way to God, the only door into the Father’s house. To refuse Christ is to refuse adoption into the family of God.

Then we also learn another thing from this mornings text . Some people are puzzled to know how to become Christians. Here the way is surely made as plain as a pathway of light. Christ comes to us as the one Mediator, the Son of God, the divine Savior; and we have only to receive Him, to accept Him with our hearts, and commit ourselves to Him. “But there is that mystery of the new birth. I can’t understand that,” says someone. You have nothing whatever to do with that; for does not this verse say that if we receive Christ we become the children of God?

The same sentence goes on to say that those who thus receive Christ are born again; but it says expressly that this change is not their own act, not the act of any man, but is divinely wrought, they are born of God. All that belongs to us is simply to receive Christ. We have nothing whatever to do with the mystery of the new birth. That is God’s work, and He is able to effect it. Our part is the acceptance of Christ; God will change our hearts. If we accept God’s Son as our Savior, the new life will at once flow into our heart, and we shall become children of God, not by any fiction of name, but by the communication of divine life.

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The Spirit That Conquers

Jan 01, 2013

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Read | Philippians 3: 7-14

Paul was a man with a spirit that conquered. Throughout his ministry, he faced countless obstacles but never gave up. He pictured the Christian life as a race, and we each need this same kind of spirit if we hope to finish well.

Courage: A conquering spirit is willing to risk failure. Though we naturally want to appear strong and capable, God delights in empowering us in our weaknesses so He gets the glory.

Confidence: We’re likely to stumble when we doubt our ability to do what God requires. However, when our confidence is placed in the Lord instead of in ourselves, we can move ahead, knowing that He’ll enable us to do His will.

Commitment: The Lord promises to: guide us as we run the race; provide whatever is needed; and strengthen us along the way. However, we must be committed to Him and determined to carry out His will.

Persistence: The road we’re traveling is full of distractions, opposition, and obstacles that tempt us to give up. That’s why Paul advises us to “press on” through hardships toward that which is of eternal value (v. 14).

Forward Focus: We must also forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead (v. 13). Those weighed down by baggage from the past lose sight of the goal.

The key to success in this race is an all-consuming desire to reach the goal. If we find no value in the prize, we’ll readily give up along the way and settle for the immediate gratification the world offers. But if we understand what awaits us at the finish line in heaven, we’ll press on.

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Strength Out Of Weakness

Friday, Novemb

Here’s Today’s Devotional from The Vine..

but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.” - Luke 22:32

Peter was not to be lost in the terrible experience through which he was to pass. Christ had made intercession for him, and he would come again from the trial humbled, bruised, defeated, but saved, and a better man. Our Lord tells him here that after his restoration he should turn his experience to account in helping other souls. “Do thou, when once thou hast turned again, stablish thy brethren.” He would be able then to warn others of the dangers in which he had suffered so terribly. We can imagine Peter in after days counselling Christians against self-confidence and the other false steps which led to his own fall, and thus strengthening or stablishing them in safe ways. Then there is no doubt that his experience of penitence, and of the grace and love of Christ in that experience, enabled him to be a wise and safe guide to many another disciple who had fallen into sin and was seeking to be restored.

The lesson is important. All the lessons that God teaches us we should teach others. When we are helped it is that we may then help others. When God comforts us in any sorrow, He thereby ordains us to go forth to comfort others with the comfort wherewith we ourselves have been comforted of God. When we fall in temptation, and God lifts us up and restores us, He wants us to use our experience in helping other weak ones in their temptations.

O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
The wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
Thy hungering ones with manna sweet.

O strengthen me, that while I stand
Firm on the rock, and strong in thee,
I may stretch out a loving hand
To wrestlers with the troubled sea.
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I Will Never Be The Same!

 

LK honors us with his testimony of God’s grace liberating him into true freedom:

… I so wanted to share my profound joy with you, Pastor Mike Schirle and Pastor David Loveless of Discovery church. A few weeks ago you honored Discovery with a sermon about Pure Grace. Your words resonated within me, so I took one of your books home. Though I am only about half way through, I feel compelled to write to you already, to express my deepest gratitude.

I am one of too many Christians who seem to hold on to the belief that I constantly need to show, or prove, my love to God for his grace. If I mess up, which I do every day, I immediately ask for forgiveness, and feel this horrible sense of failure within me. In no uncertain terms, this constant effort has become both physically and spiritually exhausting!! I love God beyond description, yet I have never allowed myself to be set free from the self induced bondage of “provability.” You, sir, have allowed me to free myself from the devils attempt to keep me blinded from the truth. For so many years he was winning. NO MORE. As I write, I have never felt so free. So, light. So, able to accept the love and grace from the very God I reach up to each and every day. I wish I could properly express the sincerity of these words, and the affects your words have done to heal my heart. GOD BLESS YOU PASTOR WHITTEN.

The most profound and astounding reality I cling to, is the truth that God longs for His brothers and sisters to walk with each other. So that we may constantly learn, live, share, and ultimately help each other enjoy all the abundant love our Lord has to offer us. You, my good man, have just done that for this humble 55 year old man. Praise Jesus…I will never be the same!!!!!!!!!

That is wonderful LK! Thank you for sharing your experience.
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