Read | Romans 8:28-29
If we could choose the number of difficulties we would face in a month, most of us would pick zero. Yet the Lord sees value in troublesome times. Through His mighty power, He uses trials to achieve His plans.
One of God’s purposes for us is a growing intimacy in our relationship with Him. But He knows we struggle to put Him first over our own interests. Many of us place higher priority on family and friends than on companionship with God. For others, finances, the workplace, or even pleasures interfere. When the Lord sees our attention is drifting away from Him, He might use hardships to draw us back so that we’ll give Him His proper place.
Another reason God allows difficulties is to conform us to the image of Jesus. Pain is a tool that brings areas of ungodliness to the surface; God also uses it to sift, shape, and prune us. The sanctification process—the building of Christlike character into our lives—starts at salvation and ends with our last breath.
A third aim for stressful circumstances is to reveal true convictions. Our faith is tested in tough times. It’s easy to say, “God is good” when things are peaceful. But when everything goes awry, what do we believe about Him? At such times, do our words and actions reveal an attitude of trust?
King David endured many heartaches—a disintegrating family, personal attacks, and betrayal by those close to Him. But through trials, he gained deeper intimacy with God, stronger faith, and more godly character. Won’t you let the Lord use your present situation to accomplish His good purpose?
Friday, February 8, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Cleansing power of Christ
For if the blood of bulls and of goats . . . sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh; how much more shall the blood of Christ, . . . purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
–Hebrews 9:13,14
To have a guilty conscience is an experience. Psychologists may define it as a guilt complex and may seek to rationalize away the sense of guilt; but once this has been awakened through the application of the law of God, no explanation will quiet the insistent voice of conscience. Many a criminal has finally given himself over to the authorities because the accusations of a guilty conscience were worse than prison bars. The Bible teaches that Christ cleanses the conscience. To have a guilty conscience cleansed and to be free from its constant accusation is an experience, but it is not the cleansing of the conscience that saves you; it is faith in Christ that saves, and a cleansed conscience is the result of having come into the right relationship with God.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
I stand in awe of the magnitude of Your forgiveness, Father.
–Hebrews 9:13,14
To have a guilty conscience is an experience. Psychologists may define it as a guilt complex and may seek to rationalize away the sense of guilt; but once this has been awakened through the application of the law of God, no explanation will quiet the insistent voice of conscience. Many a criminal has finally given himself over to the authorities because the accusations of a guilty conscience were worse than prison bars. The Bible teaches that Christ cleanses the conscience. To have a guilty conscience cleansed and to be free from its constant accusation is an experience, but it is not the cleansing of the conscience that saves you; it is faith in Christ that saves, and a cleansed conscience is the result of having come into the right relationship with God.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
I stand in awe of the magnitude of Your forgiveness, Father.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The Beauty of Jesus Christ by Paul Washer
Make sure to 'like' us on Facebook, and become a 'Follower' here, or sign up for email notifications on the bottom right of this page. As always, thanks for stopping by, and may God bless you!-Walking In The Way
Living out Your call
Read | 1 Peter 2:9-12
Which term is a better description of your life as a Christian: believer or Christ-follower? A believer can be intellectually certain about a lot of things without necessarily putting them into practice. But saying “I’m a follower of Jesus Christ” narrows life down to a single path.
How can we follow the path to which God calls you? First, we must trust Him (John 14:1), because we will not follow someone we don’t trust. Trust develops as we abide in Him and discover the beauty of His character, the depth of His love, and the perfection of His plan.
Secondly, to follow means to obey Him (John 14:15). When it comes to obeying God, there are only two responses: I will or I won’t. A true follower of Jesus combines trust with obedience, endeavoring to say “Yes, I will” when it’s difficult, “Yes, I will” when it’s unpopular, and “Yes, I will” even when it may cause heartache or suffering.
Lastly, to follow Jesus means to serve Him. As God’s children, we are not to be observers; we’re to participate actively in the Lord’s work. Spectators sit and watch, but we are called to use our spiritual gifts and serve continually. In the body of Christ, each member is called to do his or her part (1 Cor. 12:27-28).
Jesus trusted His Father totally, obeyed sacrificially (Phil. 2:8), and lived a life of service (Matt. 20:28). We are called to emulate Him. In which of those areas do you need to follow Christ more closely? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a trusting servant’s heart and an obedient spirit.
Which term is a better description of your life as a Christian: believer or Christ-follower? A believer can be intellectually certain about a lot of things without necessarily putting them into practice. But saying “I’m a follower of Jesus Christ” narrows life down to a single path.
How can we follow the path to which God calls you? First, we must trust Him (John 14:1), because we will not follow someone we don’t trust. Trust develops as we abide in Him and discover the beauty of His character, the depth of His love, and the perfection of His plan.
Secondly, to follow means to obey Him (John 14:15). When it comes to obeying God, there are only two responses: I will or I won’t. A true follower of Jesus combines trust with obedience, endeavoring to say “Yes, I will” when it’s difficult, “Yes, I will” when it’s unpopular, and “Yes, I will” even when it may cause heartache or suffering.
Lastly, to follow Jesus means to serve Him. As God’s children, we are not to be observers; we’re to participate actively in the Lord’s work. Spectators sit and watch, but we are called to use our spiritual gifts and serve continually. In the body of Christ, each member is called to do his or her part (1 Cor. 12:27-28).
Jesus trusted His Father totally, obeyed sacrificially (Phil. 2:8), and lived a life of service (Matt. 20:28). We are called to emulate Him. In which of those areas do you need to follow Christ more closely? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a trusting servant’s heart and an obedient spirit.
Monday, February 4, 2013
The Function of the Law
The covenant of the Law was given that we might fear God. Those who preach the gospel with no reference to God’s Law will reap “converts” who have no reverence for God. Verse 5 underscores the Third Commandment, which demands reverence for God’s holy name.
The end of these “converts” can be seen in Matt. 7:21–23. They continue to practice “lawlessness” despite doing religious works in His name. The genuine convert, however, will have the Law of truth in his mouth. He will magnify God’s Law and make it honorable (see Isa. 42:21). He has named the name of Christ and departed from iniquity (see 2 Tim. 2:19). Iniquity is not found in his lips, and he turns many away from iniquity because his preaching makes continual reference to the Law that sinners have violated.
Jesus rebuked the lawyers, those who should have been preaching God’s Law to bring the knowledge of sin to Israel. He said, “You have taken away the key of knowledge (Luke 11:52). It is the key of the Law that leads to the door of the Savior. It is a “tutor” to bring us to Christ (see Gal. 3:24).
If you want sinners to be saved, don’t be afraid to confront them with the Ten Commandments.
Malachi 2:5 “My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, And I gave them to him that he might fear Me; So he feared Me
And was reverent before My name.
6The law of truth was in his mouth,
And injustice was not found on his lips.
He walked with Me in peace and equity,
And turned many away from iniquity.
7“For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge,
And people should seek the law from his mouth;
For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
8But you have departed from the way;
You have caused many to stumble at the law.
You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
The end of these “converts” can be seen in Matt. 7:21–23. They continue to practice “lawlessness” despite doing religious works in His name. The genuine convert, however, will have the Law of truth in his mouth. He will magnify God’s Law and make it honorable (see Isa. 42:21). He has named the name of Christ and departed from iniquity (see 2 Tim. 2:19). Iniquity is not found in his lips, and he turns many away from iniquity because his preaching makes continual reference to the Law that sinners have violated.
Jesus rebuked the lawyers, those who should have been preaching God’s Law to bring the knowledge of sin to Israel. He said, “You have taken away the key of knowledge (Luke 11:52). It is the key of the Law that leads to the door of the Savior. It is a “tutor” to bring us to Christ (see Gal. 3:24).
If you want sinners to be saved, don’t be afraid to confront them with the Ten Commandments.
Malachi 2:5 “My covenant was with him, one of life and peace, And I gave them to him that he might fear Me; So he feared Me
And was reverent before My name.
6The law of truth was in his mouth,
And injustice was not found on his lips.
He walked with Me in peace and equity,
And turned many away from iniquity.
7“For the lips of a priest should keep knowledge,
And people should seek the law from his mouth;
For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.
8But you have departed from the way;
You have caused many to stumble at the law.
You have corrupted the covenant of Levi,”
Says the Lord of hosts.
What is God like?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there . . .
–Psalm 139:8
I believe it is possible to know what God is like. The Bible declares that God is Spirit, that He is not limited to body; He is not limited to shape; He is not limited to force; He is not limited to boundaries or bonds; He is absolutely immeasurable. Thousands of people are trying to limit God to certain spheres, and relegate Him to certain categories that are the product of their own speculation. There is no limit to God. There is no limit to His wisdom. There is no limit to His power. There is no limit to His love. There is no limit to His mercy. Men change, fashions change, conditions and circumstances change, but God never changes.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
I limit You so many times, Lord. Forgive my finite mind and fill me with Your wisdom, power, and mercy, so that I can touch those You love this day.
–Psalm 139:8
I believe it is possible to know what God is like. The Bible declares that God is Spirit, that He is not limited to body; He is not limited to shape; He is not limited to force; He is not limited to boundaries or bonds; He is absolutely immeasurable. Thousands of people are trying to limit God to certain spheres, and relegate Him to certain categories that are the product of their own speculation. There is no limit to God. There is no limit to His wisdom. There is no limit to His power. There is no limit to His love. There is no limit to His mercy. Men change, fashions change, conditions and circumstances change, but God never changes.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
I limit You so many times, Lord. Forgive my finite mind and fill me with Your wisdom, power, and mercy, so that I can touch those You love this day.
Sunday, February 3, 2013
The Blueprint for Being Born Again (John 3:3) John MacArthur
Make sure to 'like' us on Facebook, and become a 'Follower' here, or sign up for email notifications on the bottom right of this page. As always, thanks for stopping by, and may God bless you!-Walking In The Way
In His Image
Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.
–Psalm 51:10 (TLB)
You were created in the image and likeness of God. You were made for God’s fellowship, and your heart can never be satisfied without His communion. Just as iron is attracted to a magnet, the soul in its state of hunger is drawn to God. Though you, like thousands of others, may feel in the state of sin that the world is more alluring and more to your liking, some day—perhaps even now as you read these words—you will acknowledge that there is something deep down inside you which cannot be satisfied by the alloy of earth. Then with David, the Psalmist who had sampled the delicacies of sin and had found them unsatisfying, you will say, “Oh God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.”
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
How I long for You, God, yet so often my heart is drawn away from Your leading. Like David, I desire a clean heart.
–Psalm 51:10 (TLB)
You were created in the image and likeness of God. You were made for God’s fellowship, and your heart can never be satisfied without His communion. Just as iron is attracted to a magnet, the soul in its state of hunger is drawn to God. Though you, like thousands of others, may feel in the state of sin that the world is more alluring and more to your liking, some day—perhaps even now as you read these words—you will acknowledge that there is something deep down inside you which cannot be satisfied by the alloy of earth. Then with David, the Psalmist who had sampled the delicacies of sin and had found them unsatisfying, you will say, “Oh God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.”
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
How I long for You, God, yet so often my heart is drawn away from Your leading. Like David, I desire a clean heart.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Understanding your calling
Read | Luke 9:57-62
Our Father has specific plans for each of His children. Toward that end, He has placed a three-fold call on the life of every believer:
l. We are called to salvation in Jesus. Trusting Christ as our Savior initiates a personal relationship with Him through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. He wants us to lay down the burden of trying to work out salvation ourselves. Instead, He invites us to trust Him to do the transforming work in us. (Matt. 11:28-29)
2. We are called to abide in Jesus. Abiding in the Lord means: listening to Him speak through Scripture; living in growing dependence on Him; learning to know Him more intimately; and drawing upon His power to live a godly life. Jesus calls us to make our relationship with Him primary above all other relationships and to remain with Him without interruption all of our days.
3. We are called to follow Jesus. To follow someone requires knowing his character, his plans, and how he desires to carry them out. The Bible clearly tells us everything we need to know in order to live under Jesus’ leadership. The evidence that we are following Him will show in our attitudes, conduct, character, conversation, and relationships.
Without the Holy Spirit’s presence—which we received at salvation—we can’t abide in Jesus. (John 15:4, 26). Without abiding in Christ, we won’t know Him well enough to follow. If we choose not to follow, we’ll miss out on the joy God has planned for us. Are you living out His three-fold call?
Our Father has specific plans for each of His children. Toward that end, He has placed a three-fold call on the life of every believer:
l. We are called to salvation in Jesus. Trusting Christ as our Savior initiates a personal relationship with Him through the indwelling of His Holy Spirit. He wants us to lay down the burden of trying to work out salvation ourselves. Instead, He invites us to trust Him to do the transforming work in us. (Matt. 11:28-29)
2. We are called to abide in Jesus. Abiding in the Lord means: listening to Him speak through Scripture; living in growing dependence on Him; learning to know Him more intimately; and drawing upon His power to live a godly life. Jesus calls us to make our relationship with Him primary above all other relationships and to remain with Him without interruption all of our days.
3. We are called to follow Jesus. To follow someone requires knowing his character, his plans, and how he desires to carry them out. The Bible clearly tells us everything we need to know in order to live under Jesus’ leadership. The evidence that we are following Him will show in our attitudes, conduct, character, conversation, and relationships.
Without the Holy Spirit’s presence—which we received at salvation—we can’t abide in Jesus. (John 15:4, 26). Without abiding in Christ, we won’t know Him well enough to follow. If we choose not to follow, we’ll miss out on the joy God has planned for us. Are you living out His three-fold call?
Friday, February 1, 2013
When we feel Inferior
Read | Ephesians 2:10
Many Christians wrestle their whole life with a crippling sense of inferiority. Such feelings, which can be devastating, are a barrier to good relationships and genuine contentment. There is, however, a way out for the believer. Feelings of inferiority can be healed.
After salvation, the first step toward healing is to get God’s viewpoint of yourself. Ephesians 2:10 spells that out clearly: it says you are His workmanship—He is at work in you, and He doesn’t turn out shoddy products. In fact, the word workmanship here means “masterpiece.” Would He allow His masterpiece to end up inferior? Absolutely not! His work in you is perfect. If you doubt that, you might be looking at others and thinking that you don’t measure up to them. Of course you don’t. God has designed something different for them. Because you are unique, there’s no one with whom you can compare yourself. God is fitting you for a purpose like no one else’s.
Another step in the healing process involves understanding what God expects of you. Too many believers set higher standards than God does, and they count on instant maturity. Of course, God wants us to become full-grown and reflect His image, but He doesn’t expect it overnight.
Our Creator knows the weakness of our human frame, and He is supremely patient with us. When we fall, He expects us to come to Him for cleansing and then to keep on moving ahead. Each of us is “a work in progress,” and in due time, God will complete His masterpiece.
Many Christians wrestle their whole life with a crippling sense of inferiority. Such feelings, which can be devastating, are a barrier to good relationships and genuine contentment. There is, however, a way out for the believer. Feelings of inferiority can be healed.
After salvation, the first step toward healing is to get God’s viewpoint of yourself. Ephesians 2:10 spells that out clearly: it says you are His workmanship—He is at work in you, and He doesn’t turn out shoddy products. In fact, the word workmanship here means “masterpiece.” Would He allow His masterpiece to end up inferior? Absolutely not! His work in you is perfect. If you doubt that, you might be looking at others and thinking that you don’t measure up to them. Of course you don’t. God has designed something different for them. Because you are unique, there’s no one with whom you can compare yourself. God is fitting you for a purpose like no one else’s.
Another step in the healing process involves understanding what God expects of you. Too many believers set higher standards than God does, and they count on instant maturity. Of course, God wants us to become full-grown and reflect His image, but He doesn’t expect it overnight.
Our Creator knows the weakness of our human frame, and He is supremely patient with us. When we fall, He expects us to come to Him for cleansing and then to keep on moving ahead. Each of us is “a work in progress,” and in due time, God will complete His masterpiece.
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