Love Worth Finding

[Judy Harder]

JANUARY 14

God's Plan of Restoration in Your Life

"He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light." Job 33:28

On the night of Jesus' arrest, Peter denied Jesus — three times! In spite of Peter's lack of loyalty, Jesus extended an invitation of mercy to him and said, "Come and dine."

There on the shores of the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection, Jesus came to Peter and prepared a table of restoration. Can you imagine what was going through Peter's mind? Guilt and gladness, fear and fascination, wonder and worship — a kaleidoscope of emotions! He could not believe that he was being invited to the table of the One he had deserted just days before. And not only was he being invited but restored!

The depth of Jesus' covenant love is not exhausted when we sin. There is forgiveness and restoration.

Read this account of restoration in John 21:4-19. Rejoice over God's plan of restoration in your life.
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For more from Love Worth Finding and Pastor Adrian Rogers, please visit www.lwf.org. You can also listen to Adrian Rogers at OnePlace.com

[Judy Harder]

JANUARY 15

Overcoming Fear and Worry

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

When we ought to be enjoying victorious, abundant lives...what happens? Fear creeps in and grips us cold. Many of us lose priceless opportunities because of this boa constrictor of fear.

When fear dominates, there is no room for Christ, Who can comfort us

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).

Worry is the noxious first cousin to fear. Fear and worry will do to you what grit does to machinery — shut you down. But God gives us the victory with His power, His love, and the gift of a sound mind. The Holy Spirit is your Bodyguard. He walks with you. The man who can kneel before God can stand before any man.

Jesus has you in His sight. You are in God's right hand. Write that down and post it in a place where you can meditate on it throughout the day. Now, ask yourself, "Knowing this, can anything this week change those truths?"

[Judy Harder]

JANUARY 16

Ministers of Deception

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." 1 John 4:1

Did you know Satan has put his ministers all across America? On Sunday, people will come down and sit in a service, and the man in the pulpit will look like a minister, but he will be a minister of Satan. Isn't that frightening? You need to understand that Satan is not against religion. He's always wanted to be like God. His temptation to you is not to be ungodly, but to try to be like God, but in Satan's way. Satan is the master of deception.

Matthew 24:24 says, if it were possible, he would deceive the very elect. That's the reason we have to be discerners of truth.

This Sunday, don't just sit and soak in the service. Test the message against the Word of God and apply it to your life.

[Judy Harder]

JANUARY 18

People God Chooses to Do His Work

"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty."
1 Corinthians 1:27

The people God chooses to do His work are plain, simple folks. All you have to do is look at the twelve men Jesus chose to be His disciples. Fishermen, a tax collector, a "zealot." What a ragtag bunch! But they ended up "turning the world upside down." And those who watched them exclaimed, "Why, these are ignorant and unlearned men!" (Acts 4:13). Maybe you didn't make the "Who's Who," or worse still, you made the "Who's Not"! That's all right. God has a plan for you. God knows what He is doing. He turns the table on the world's idea of success. Wealth, fame, acclaim — none of these are necessary for you to be used of God.

What a glorious truth for you to share with someone today who may be feeling like they're not worth much. Ask God to lead you to that someone right now.

[Judy Harder]

JANUARY 19

Without Even Saying A Word

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go." Psalm 32:8

I was talking to my son one day, and he reminded me of something that happened when he was a little boy. He said, "Dad, I was sitting in church, and you looked at me, and I knew I was going to get a whipping when I got home."

If you're married, you know how your spouse can give you that look that says, "Whatever you're talking about — stop!" That's the intimate relationship that people who know one another well establish. You're to have such an intimate relationship with God that He can just look at you and your heart is touched.

Throughout the day today, think of the eye of the Lord upon you...allow this to direct your steps and give you courage.

[Judy Harder]

JANUARY 20

Never Another Like the Lord Jesus Christ

"And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands." Hebrews 1:10

Nobody knows the exact date of Jesus' birth, and yet His birth has divided all of history to A.D. and B.C.  So far as we know, He never wrote a book, and yet more books have been written about Him than any other person. He never painted a picture or composed any poetry or music that we know of, and yet He has been the inspiration of the greatest music, art, and poetry that the world has ever known. He never had any formal education, yet more schools, colleges, universities, and seminaries have been founded in His name than any other person who ever lived.

That's who the Lord Jesus is, and never has there been another like the Lord Jesus Christ!

Read Hebrews 1:1-14. Marvel at His majesty! Praise His omnipotence!

[Judy Harder]

JANUARY 21

God's Holiness, Love and Mercy

"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21

God will never overlook sin. He cannot. God is holy, and by His holiness He has sworn that sin will be punished. If God were to let one half of one sin go unpunished, God would no longer be holy.

The chief attribute of God is not love — it is holiness.

The cross is God's way to punish sin and forgive the sinner at the same time. "He who knew no sin," God has made to be sin for us. The price that Jesus paid,  only the damned in hell can begin to know, but even they'll never know because they're only paying their sin debt. Jesus paid for all the sin of all of the people for all time.

Read Revelation 4:8. Let your anthem throughout the day be, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."

[Judy Harder]

JANUARY 22

Nothing Less Than God's Optimum for Your Life

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11

Do you love Christ? Do you long to please Him with all your heart? Then remember this: God's delays are not God's denials.

Many a Christian feels he is out in the wilderness — that all he is doing is being led about in circles. Maybe God is grooming you. He is not ready to thrust you into heavy responsibilities as yet. He has you in a holding pattern for His holy purpose. Life is a journey that does not end. God is preparing something wonderful for you. He doesn't want you to settle for less than His optimum for your life and your work.

Commit Jeremiah 29:11-13 to memory this week, then share this truth with a friend!

[Judy Harder]

JANUARY 23

Where Is Your Treasure?

". . . for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:21

There are many people who think  they are wealthy who are not. We've seen the television series "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous," and many times it should be called "Lifestyles of the Rich and Foolish."

When is a rich man poor? When he tries to find satisfaction in his money. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said, "He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver" (Ecclesiastes 5:10).

A man of modest income said to a man who was very rich, "I have more than you have."  The rich man said, "How is that so?"  He anwered, "Because I have all I want, and you don't."

When you set your goal to be wealthy, then money becomes your master rather than your servant. What is your goal with your finances?

[Judy Harder]

JANUARY 24

Complete Confidence in the Lord

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

There must be complete confidence in the Lord to take care of us because this complete confidence will lead to constant compliance. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us we are to trust with all our heart (not just part of it), and we're to acknowledge Him in all our ways (not just some of our ways).

God won't take part of it. You can't say, "Lord, I want Your will in my social life, but I don't want Your will in my business life."  Or, "I want Your will in my church life, but I don't want Your will in my relationships." You just can't do that. If He's worth part of it He's worth all of it.

What are you holding onto today? Give it all to Jesus. Instant obedience will bring incredible blessing.