Devotional for the day

[Judy Harder]

October 23

Ephesians 6

We are to put on the full armor of God to fight and win the spiritual war.

INSIGHT

Satan is a deceiver and a destroyer; he deceives in order to destroy. A part of his deception is to have us believe he is not at work opposing our pursuit of righteousness. To combat his efforts, we must do several things. First, recognize that we must "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might"(v. 10), not in our own strength. Second, we must "put on the whole armor of God" (v. 11). Each piece described in verses 14-17 must be in place daily. Third, we must pray at all times Òin the SpiritÓ (v. 18). And finally, having done all that, we must stand firm without fear, knowing we are secure (v. 13).

PRAYER

Because the Lord has promised to fight for us, we can praise Him!
Praise the Lord!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem;
He gathers together the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted
And binds up their wounds.
He counts the number of the stars;
He calls them all by name.
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power;
His understanding is infinite. . . .
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy. . . .
He has not dealt thus with any nation;
And as for His judgments, they have not known them.
Praise the Lord! (Psalm 147:1-5, 11, 20).

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
I acknowledged my sin to You,
And my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,"
And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Selah (Psalm 32:5).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind, and pray this affirmation to the Lord:
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
(2 Corinthians 5:21)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
faithfulness with your finances,
revival among Christians in America,
your activities for the day.

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen
(2 Corinthians 13:14)

Daily Devotionals October 23, 2008

Silhouette  READ: Lamentations 1:12-16; 3:19-23Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. -Lamentations 3:22
In the 18th century, silhouettes (shadow profiles traced and cut from black paper) were a popular alternative to costly portraits. The word took its name from the French controller general of finance, Étienne de Silhouette. During the Seven Years War against England, he tried to raise revenues by heavily taxing the wealthy. Victims of his high taxes complained and used the word silhouette to refer to their wealth being reduced to a mere shadow of what it once was.

With the destruction of Jerusalem, Jeremiah lamented over the shadow of what once was a great city and center of worship now devastated by war. "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Behold and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow" (Lam. 1:12).

But Jeremiah did not remain in despair. He recognized God's sovereignty in suffering. Later in this book of sorrow, the prophet reflected: "I have hope. Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning" (3:21-23).

Has sorrow or suffering made your life feel like a dark silhouette of what it once was? Remember, God's mercies are new every morning. He is compassionately working in your life for His glory and your blessing.  - Dennis Fisher

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear, not a sigh nor a tear
Can abide while we trust and obey. -Sammis


To see beyond earth's shadows, look to Christ the Light.


Growth in Holiness by Mary Wilder Tileston


Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ.
--2 CORINTHIANS 2:14

FIGHT the good fight
With all thy might;
Christ is thy Strength, and Christ thy Right;
Lay hold on life,
And it shall be
Thy joy and crown eternally.
--J. B. S. MONSELL

LET the first act on waking be to place yourself, your heart, mind, faculties, your whole being, in God's hands. Ask Him to take entire possession of you, to be the Guide of your soul, your Life, your Wisdom, your Strength. He wills that we seek Him in all our needs, that we may both know Him truly, and draw closer and closer to Him; and in prayer we gain an invisible force which will triumph over seemingly hopeless difficulties.
--H. L. SIDNEY LEAR

However matters go, it is our happiness to win new ground daily in Christ's love, and to purchase a new piece of it daily, and to add conquest to conquest.
--SAMUEL RUTHERFORD

This ought to be our endeavor,--to conquer ourselves, and daily to wax stronger, and to make a further growth in holiness.
--THOMAS A KEMPIS
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Living Free Every Day®
Today's Scripture
"But like money in some savings account God's precious gifts remain in the bank and our lives remain dwarfed and pinched, largely dependent upon small talents and starved by large doubts. Only by cashing in on God's glorious promises are we able to live effectively and productively in our kind of world." 2 Peter 1:3-4 Epistles Now by Leslie Brandt

Thoughts for Today
In today's scripture, Peter makes it clear that there is a common human problem not restricted to people with depression that causes many to live in the black hole of life instead of in the light of God's divine nature. "Only by cashing in on God's glorious promises" do we live effectively and productively.

The NIV translation of this same passage (verse 4) says that because we have been given everything we need for happiness and productivity, we have also received promises from God that allow us to "participate in the divine nature"!

Consider this
So how do we do this? How do we go about "cashing in" on God's promises? How do we move them from our "bank account" into our everyday lives?

We have already concluded that desire and willpower are insufficient. Only the work of the Holy Spirit in us can bring us into this kind of productive living. (Read Romans 8:12-15.) And so we must believe that God has provided all we need. We must have faith that by the power of the Holy Spirit we can live effectively and productively for Jesus. We must soak in His Word daily and we must ask the Holy Spirit for his empowerment.

Don't let the treasures God has already provided sit unused in your "bank account."

Prayer
Father, I sometimes see myself as so worthless and helpless. And yet your Word tells me that you have already provided everything I need to live an effective and productive life. I ask that the Holy Spirit will infuse me with power to become all that you have called me to be. In Jesus' name 

These thoughts were drawn from
Understanding Depression: Overcoming Despair through Christ by Donald G. Miles, Ed.D. This study deals with depression, a condition common throughout the world, and is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.

Understanding what depression is and how it affects relationships   
Understanding the relationship between depression and spiritual warfare   
Ways to fight depression with scripture, prayer and mutual support   
Understanding the special prayer needs of depressed persons   
Bible-based coping skills   
How to pray for healing and what to expect   
Serves as a powerful evangelistic tool by providing a way to minister to people's felt needs and then lead them to Christ
Visit our website to read more about this study and learn more about Living Free small groups.

 
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

Nothing of the Old Life!  READ: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new -2 Corinthians 5:17
Our Lord never tolerates our prejudices- He is directly opposed to them and puts them to death. We tend to think that God has some special interest in our particular prejudices, and are very sure that He will never deal with us as He has to deal with others. We even say to ourselves, "God has to deal with other people in a very strict way, but of course He knows that my prejudices are all right." But we must learn that God accepts nothing of the old life! Instead of being on the side of our prejudices, He is deliberately removing them from us. It is part of our moral education to see our prejudices put to death by His providence, and to watch how He does it. God pays no respect to anything we bring to Him. There is only one thing God wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender.

When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begins to work His new creation in us, and there will come a time when there is nothing remaining of the old life. Our old gloomy outlook disappears, as does our old attitude toward things, and "all things are of God" (2 Corinthians 5:18 ). How are we going to get a life that has no lust, no self-interest, and is not sensitive to the ridicule of others? How will we have the type of love that "is kind . . . is not provoked, [and] thinks no evil"? ( 1 Corinthians 13:4-5  ). The only way is by allowing nothing of the old life to remain, and by having only simple, perfect trust in God- such a trust that we no longer want God's blessings, but only want God Himself. Have we come to the point where God can withdraw His blessings from us without our trust in Him being affected? Once we truly see God at work, we will never be concerned again about the things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in heaven, whom the world cannot see.

God Bless

[Judy Harder]

October 24

Philippians 1

Paul urges us to have his perspective: "To live is Christ, and to die is gain" (v. 21).

INSIGHT

With Paul's perspective on life, he cannot lose. Wherever he is, Paul considers it "the world" into which the Lord wants him to go to preach the Gospel. Even prison is a positive experience for Paul, because he is able to spread the Gospel there. And if he is to die, that is even better. To live is fruitful ministry, but to die is gain. Most of us have our affections too deeply implanted in the things of this world to identify with hisperspective. We must learn to let go.

PRAYER

The Lord is worthy of our praise:
"Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. You show lovingkindness to thousands, and repay the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after themÑthe Great, the Mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts. You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings."
(Jeremiah 32:17-19)

Pause for praise and thanksgiving.

Now pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to Your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of Your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.
(Psalm 51:1-3)

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.

Then pray this affirmation to the Lord:
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
(2 Corinthians 8:9)

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:
an eternal perspective,
your ministry in your local church,
whatever else is on your heart.

Finally, offer this prayer to the Lord:
To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20-21)

Daily Devotionals October 24, 2008

Satisfaction
READ: 1 John 2:12-17The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. -1 John 2:17

Pornography, once a secretive backdoor industry, is now out in the open. The easy access and anonymity of the Internet have turned it into a multibillion-dollar-a-year "business." But it leaves a trail of broken families, ineffective Christian leaders, and men who have lost the respect of their loved ones.

The apostle John was known for his great love for Christ and His church. In 1 John 2:12-17, he warned fathers and young men against these three lusts:

The lust of the flesh-the insatiable appetite to indulge in pleasures that inflame the flesh but never satisfy.

The lust of the eyes-wandering eyes that continually want more riches and possessions but always remain covetous.

The pride of life-the vain mind that thirsts for man's applause. But the glory evaporates quickly.

Pornography damages users and victims alike. It feeds lustful desires in ways that can never satisfy. True satisfaction is found only when we give our affections to eternal things-to a right relationship with our heavenly Father and with those He has created in His image.

"The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (v.17).  - Albert Lee

Many Christian men struggle with the temptations of pornography. Find help by reading When A Man's Eye Wanders  Inner peace springs out of inner purity.

Today's Promise: A Daily Devotional
By Dr. Bill Bright

Reasons for Trials

"He...comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us" (2 Corinthians 1:3,4).

For two years, Annette had suffered through the agony of her beloved husband's terminal cancer. Meanwhile, their only son had been drawn into drug addiction through the influence of an undesirable group of students in the local high school. She was devastated. Her whole life was filled with heartache and sorrow. She had nothing to live for. Then a neighbor told her of Jesus - how He could give her peace of heart and peace of mind and could provide the purpose she needed in her life. He could even change her son.

So Annette received the wonderful gift of God's love, the Lord Jesus Christ, and began to pray for her son. At first he was antagonistic, but gradually he became aware of the dramatic transformation in his mother, and in answer to her prayers, along with those of her new-found friends in the local church, he too came to worship the Savior and make Him Lord of his life.

In the meantime, Annette was suffering great financial difficulty because of the huge doctor and hospital bills and her lack of ability to work during her husband's illness. But God wonderfully comforted and strengthened her so that now she can witness joyfully of His gracious mercy and faithfulness in her behalf. She and her son are ministering effectively to others who are experiencing heartache and tragedy similar to those which once plagued them.

Are you experiencing difficulties, sorrows, heartaches, disappointments? Ask the Lord to show you how to translate them into victories so that He can use you to be a blessing to those around you who are experiencing similar difficulties.


Bible Reading: II Corinthians 1:3-7

TODAY'S ACTION POINT: Knowing that God is faithful in His love and wisdom, I will trust the indwelling Holy Spirit for the power to accept the trial or adversity I face today, and will expect God to use it to comfort and help someone else through me.


Living Free Every Day®
Today's Scripture
"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT

Thoughts for Today
Getting out of the black hole where life revolves around untruths and putting on a new life of light is a battle. And God tells us not to face the battle alone. Along with trusting him and asking the Holy Spirit to empower us, we are to motivate each other and spend time together. We need to choose and resolve that we will help and encourage one another to go on in the Christian life until we live in the light daily. And then we need to continue encouraging each other and praying for each other.

People struggling with depression-or any life-controlling problem-tend to isolate themselves. Coming out of that isolation and allowing others to help and encourage is a vital step in recovery.

Consider this
Not only should we allow others to help and encourage us-we should encourage them as well. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4 NIV

One of God's most precious gifts to us is the opportunity to lean on ... and reach out to ... our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us be faithful to meet together to pray for each other to encourage each other to admonish each other in love to help each other.

Prayer
Father, forgive me for sometimes being "me" focused. For hiding out from others in the family of God when I am struggling. For not reaching out to them when I see them in need. Help us to motivate each other to love and good works. In Jesus' name

These thoughts were drawn from
Understanding Depression: Overcoming Despair through Christ by Donald G. Miles, Ed.D. This study deals with depression, a condition common throughout the world, and is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.

Understanding what depression is and how it affects relationships   
Understanding the relationship between depression and spiritual warfare   
Ways to fight depression with scripture, prayer and mutual support   
Understanding the special prayer needs of depressed persons   
Bible-based coping skills   
How to pray for healing and what to expect   
Serves as a powerful evangelistic tool by providing a way to minister to people's felt needs and then lead them to Christ 
Visit our website to read more about this study and learn more about Living Free small groups.

 
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.
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The Proper Perspective   READ: Thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ . . . -2 Corinthians 2:14

The proper perspective of a servant of God must not simply be as near to the highest as he can get, but it must be the highest. Be careful that you vigorously maintain God's perspective, and remember that it must be done every day, little by little. Don't think on a finite level. No outside power can touch the proper perspective.

The proper perspective to maintain is that we are here for only one purpose- to be captives marching in the procession of Christ's triumphs. We are not on display in God's showcase- we are here to exhibit only one thing- the "captivity [of our lives] to the obedience of Christ" ( 2 Corinthians 10:5 ). How small all the other perspectives are! For example, the ones that say, "I am standing all alone, battling for Jesus," or, "I have to maintain the cause of Christ and hold down this fort for Him." But Paul said, in essence, "I am in the procession of a conqueror, and it doesn't matter what the difficulties are, for I am always led in triumph." Is this idea being worked out practically in us? Paul's secret joy was that God took him as a blatant rebel against Jesus Christ, and made him a captive- and that became his purpose. It was Paul's joy to be a captive of the Lord, and he had no other interest in heaven or on earth. It is a shameful thing for a Christian to talk about getting the victory. We should belong so completely to the Victor that it is always His victory, and "we are more than conquerors through Him . . ." ( Romans 8:37  ).

"We are to God the fragrance of Christ . . ." ( 2 Corinthians 2:15  ). We are encompassed with the sweet aroma of Jesus, and wherever we go we are a wonderful refreshment to God.

God Bless

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals October 25, 2008

Shark Tonic

READ: Hebrews 12:1-11  Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. -Hebrews 12:1

Have you ever heard of shark "tonic"? It isn't a serum that prevents shark attacks or a medicine given to sharks. The actual term is "tonic immobility," described as "a natural state of paralysis that animals enter. . . . Sharks can be placed in a tonic immobility state by turning them upside down. The shark remains in this state of paralysis for an average of 15 minutes before it recovers."

Imagine, a dangerous shark can be made vulnerable simply by turning it upside down. The state of tonic immobility makes the shark incapable of movement.

Sin is like that. Our ability to honor our Lord, for which we are created in Christ, can be put into "tonic immobility" by the power and consequences of sin. To that end, the writer of Hebrews wants us to be proactive. He wrote, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1).

If we are to run the race of the Christian life effectively, we must deal with sin before it immobilizes us. We need to lay aside the sin that hinders us from pleasing Him-starting today.  - Bill Crowder

Start early today to run in the race
That Christians are told they can win;
First wait on the Lord for the strength He will give,
Then lay aside every known sin. -Branon

We must face up to our sins before we can put them behind us.

Walls of Protection

When Nehemiah first heard of Jerusalem's destruction, he wept and was emotionally shaken. He wrote, "For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven" (Nehemiah 1:4). Nehemiah suddenly realized the walls around the city of Jerusalem were in ruins. Through all of this, he had mistakenly thought they had remained in place. But when the news arrived of their destruction, he became even more burdened.

In Old Testament times, walls around a city were a symbol of strength and security. Without these, a town would be left defenseless, vulnerable, and open to attack. This was the plight of Jerusalem. It was a city without protection against even wild animals. It had lost its identity and was on the verge of being totally reduced to a mound of rubble.

A person who has an undisciplined spirit or no self-control is like a city without walls. He or she is open to enemy attack at any given moment. When we fail to exercise a spirit of self-control, the wild animals of jealousy, rage, frustration, gossip, bearing a false witness, and more can enter our lives easily and unopposed.

The lack of self-control is Satan's way of preparing us for destruction. However, you do not have to fall victim to the enemy's schemes. You have all you need to stand firm in your faith. God is the One who strengthens you. When you fall in battle and cry out to Him, He rushes to your side and lifts you up.

If you have allowed sin to come into your life, then your spiritual walls of protection are down. However, God will repair them, but you must turn to Him, confess your sin, and seek His forgiveness. When you do, He will restore His walls of holy protection around your life.

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control (Proverbs 25:28).

Seeking wisdom is like seeking a hidden treasure. When you're looking for a treasure-especially a treasure on which your life depends-what do you do? Michael Youssef explores this topic in our free resource this month-"Finding Godly Wisdom." Download it today.

By Passionately Proclaiming Uncompromising Truth, Leading The Way is revolutionizing lives at home and around the world. Discover more at www.leadingtheway.org.

By Dr. Bill Bright

Our Great Privilege
"And don't you realize that you also will perish unless you leave your evil ways and turn to God?" (Luke 13:3).

Today I sought to share the love and forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ with a taxi driver who reacted impatiently when I handed him a book which I had written, entitled "Jesus and the Intellectual." He flung it aside in contempt. I have seldom met anyone who appeared to be more angry and resentful of God than he was. I felt impressed to say to him what Jesus said to the Galileans, "It is a matter of life and death what you do with Jesus Christ. There is a heaven and there is a hell. God loves you and cares for you. He wants you to come to Him and receive the gift of His only begotten Son through whom you can have forgiveness, life abundant, and life eternal." From all appearances he could not have cared less.

That warning to the Galileans many years ago applies equally to the nations and individuals today. If one truth in the Word of God is made abundantly clear, it is this: Repent or perish.

"It is because of this solemn fear of the Lord, which is ever present in our minds, that we work so hard to win others. God knows our hearts, that they are pure in this matter, and I hope that, deep within, you really know it too" (2 Corinthians 5:11).

As Christians we have the same awesome responsibility and great privilege to tell everyone who will listen about Christ. Most of us would take great risk to save the life of a drowning child or to snatch up a toddler from the path of an automobile. Yet, most everyone who is living today will be dead in 100 years or less, but all men will live in heaven or hell for eternity. How much more important it is to tell men and women who are perishing without Christ of the loving Savior who cares and who is waiting to forgive if only they will surrender their lives to Him!

We must warn them and if we do not know how, it behooves us to learn how to share our faith. One method of witnessing is the use of the Four Spiritual Laws booklet. Anyone is capable of sharing this booklet with others - if not vocally, at least by handing it to someone.

If you are hesitant to witness vocally why not begin distributing literature like the Four Spiritual Laws booklet?
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Bible Reading: Luke 13:1-5


TODAY'S ACTION POINT: I resolve with God's help, to begin to distribute Christian literature, especially the Word of God and materials that will help individuals to make definite commitments of their lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Submitting to God's Purpose   READ: I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some -1 Corinthians 9:22

A Christian worker has to learn how to be God's man or woman of great worth and excellence in the midst of a multitude of meager and worthless things. Never protest by saying, "If only I were somewhere else!" All of God's people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them. Unless we have the right purpose intellectually in our minds and lovingly in our hearts, we will very quickly be diverted from being useful to God. We are not workers for God by choice. Many people deliberately choose to be workers, but they have no purpose of God's almighty grace or His mighty Word in them. Paul's whole heart, mind, and soul were consumed with the great purpose of what Jesus Christ came to do, and he never lost sight of that one thing. We must continually confront ourselves with one central fact- ". . . Jesus Christ and Him crucified" ( 1 Corinthians 2:2  ).

"I chose you . . ." ( John 15:16  ). Keep these words as a wonderful reminder in your theology. It is not that you have gotten God, but that He has gotten you. God is at work bending, breaking, molding, and doing exactly as He chooses. And why is He doing it? He is doing it for only one purpose- that He may be able to say, "This is My man, and this is My woman." We have to be in God's hand so that He can place others on the Rock, Jesus Christ, just as He has placed us.

Never choose to be a worker, but once God has placed His call upon you, woe be to you if you "turn aside . . . to the right or the left . . ." ( Deuteronomy 28:14  ). He will do with you what He never did before His call came to you, and He will do with you what He is not doing with other people. Let Him have His way.

God Bless

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals October 26, 2008

The Ripening Self    READ: 1 Peter 5:5-11 May the God of all grace, . . . after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. -1 Peter 5:10

In his early years of ministry, the English preacher Charles Simeon (1759-1836) was a harsh and self-assertive man. One day he was visiting a friend and fellow pastor in a nearby village. When he left to go home, his friend's daughters complained to their father about Simeon's manner. So he took the girls to the backyard and said, "Pick me one of those peaches." It was early summer, and the peaches were green. The girls asked why he wanted green, unripe fruit. He replied, "Well, my dears, it is green now, and we must wait; but a little more sun, and a few more showers, and the peach will be ripe and sweet. So it is with Mr. Simeon."

Simeon, in due time, did change. The warmth of God's love and the "showers" of misunderstanding and disappointment were the means by which he became a gentle, humble man.

The God of all grace works in all His children, humbling the proud and exalting the humble, to make them ripe and sweet. Our task is to take hold of God's grace to endure our afflictions with patience, without growing weary.

In time, He will "perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle" us (1 Peter 5:10). We must "wait on the LORD" and "be of good courage" (Ps. 27:14).  - David H. Roper

Our fruitfulness and growth in Christ
Won't happen instantly,
But meditating on God's Word
Will bring maturity. -Sper

Salvation is the miracle of a moment; growth is the labor of a lifetime.

Martha
by Max Lucado

Every church needs a Martha. Change that. Every church needs a hundred Marthas. Sleeves rolled and ready, they keep the pace for the church. Because of Marthas, the church budget gets balanced, the church babies get bounced, and the church building gets built. You don't appreciate Marthas until a Martha is missing, and then all the Marys and Lazaruses are scrambling around looking for the keys and the thermostats and the overhead projectors.

Marthas are the Energizer bunnies of the church. They keep going and going and going. They store strength like a camel stores water. Since they don't seek the spotlight, they don't live off the applause. That's not to say they don't need it. They just aren't addicted to it.

Marthas have a mission. In fact, if Marthas have a weakness, it is their tendency to elevate the mission over the Master. Remember when Martha did that? A younger Martha invites a younger Jesus to come for dinner. Jesus accepts and brings his disciples.

The scene Luke describes has Mary seated and Martha fuming. Martha is angry because Mary is, horror of horrors, sitting at the feet of Jesus. How impractical! How irrelevant! How unnecessary! I mean, who has time to sit and listen when there is bread to be baked, tables to be set, and souls to be saved? So Martha complained, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me" (Luke 10:40).

All of a sudden Martha has gone from serving Jesus to making demands of Jesus. The room falls silent. The disciples duck their eyes. Mary flushes red. And Jesus speaks.

"Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41-42).

Apparently Martha got the point, for later we find her serving again.

"Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume" (John 12:2-3 NIV).

Is Mary in the kitchen? No she is worshiping, for that is what she loves to do. But this time Martha doesn't object. She has learned that there is a place for praise and worship, and that is what Mary is doing. And what is Mary's part in the dinner? She brings a pint of very expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus' feet, then wipes his feet with her hair. The smell of the perfume fills the house, just like the sound of praise can fill a church.

An earlier Martha would have objected. Such an act was too lavish, too extravagant, too generous. But this mature Martha has learned that just as there is a place in the kingdom of God for sacrificial service, there is also a place for extravagant praise.


From
Cast of Characters
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008) Max Lucado

Now Available

By Dr. Bill Bright

You Will Be Saved

"For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your own heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

Many years ago, God clearly led me in the preparation, planning and production of a little booklet called the Four Spiritual Laws. Still widely used today, its volume of copies to date might well be second only to the Bible itself. More than a billion copies have been distributed and one can reasonably conclude that many millions have received Christ as a result of reading its message.

In something so succinct, it of course was impossible to include all of the appropriate Scriptures under each of the four laws. This verse for today, Romans 10:9, is one of those that might have been used with the Law Four, for it fits in well with the wording:

"We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God's love and plan for our lives."

The three passages used (John 1:12; Ephesians 2:8,9; Revelation 3:20) clearly direct the seeker after God. And of course this verse in Romans clearly confirms all that the other passages affirm.

Two conditions precede salvation, the apostle Paul is saying to the church in Rome: (1) "Tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord," and (2) "Believe in your own heart that God has raised Him from the dead." Simple, yet significant and meaningful, are these two preparatory steps.

As you share your faith with others today and in the days to come, recall with joy these two simple conditions that must be met.

Bible Reading:
Romans 10:8-13

TODAY'S ACTION POINT: "Dear Lord, I thank You with all of my heart for the simplicity of the gospel and, with the enabling of the Holy Spirit, I will share this good news with all who will listen."

What is a Missionary?   READ: Jesus said to them again, '. . . As the Father has sent Me, I also send you' -John 20:21

A missionary is someone sent by Jesus Christ just as He was sent by God. The great controlling factor is not the needs of people, but the command of Jesus. The source of our inspiration in our service for God is behind us, not ahead of us. The tendency today is to put the inspiration out in front- to sweep everything together in front of us and make it conform to our definition of success. But in the New Testament the inspiration is put behind us, and is the Lord Jesus Himself. The goal is to be true to Him- to carry out His plans.

Personal attachment to the Lord Jesus and to His perspective is the one thing that must not be overlooked. In missionary work the great danger is that God's call will be replaced by the needs of the people, to the point that human sympathy for those needs will absolutely overwhelm the meaning of being sent by Jesus. The needs are so enormous, and the conditions so difficult, that every power of the mind falters and fails. We tend to forget that the one great reason underneath all missionary work is not primarily the elevation of the people, their education, nor their needs, but is first and foremost the command of Jesus Christ- "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . ." ( Matthew 28:19  ).

When looking back on the lives of men and women of God, the tendency is to say, "What wonderfully keen and intelligent wisdom they had, and how perfectly they understood all that God wanted!" But the keen and intelligent mind behind them was the mind of God, not human wisdom at all. We give credit to human wisdom when we should give credit to the divine guidance of God being exhibited through childlike people who were "foolish" enough to trust God's wisdom and His supernatural equipment.

God Bless

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals October 27, 2008

Make A U-Turn 

READ: Psalm 32:1-5  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. -Isaiah 53:6

When we went on a weekend road trip with some friends, we had our first experience using a Global Positioning System. The GPS has a female voice, so our friends John and Mary call their device Gladys. We programmed our destination into the GPS, and she did her job and plotted our course. Then we sat back. Having put our faith in this little navigator, we let her direct us.

"Turn right in .2 miles," Gladys said confidently. She was right-Gladys is always right. In fact, when we made an unexpected detour to get gas, she got a bit insistent: "Please make a U-turn . . . Please make a U-turn at your earliest convenience!"

Gladys had calculated a route for us, but we had gone a different way. That was our choice, naturally. But if we had continued going our own way, we would have become lost.

Isaiah 53:6 reminds us that just like sheep, we have a tendency to go astray. That's why we need a Shepherd to guide us and a Savior to pay the penalty for our sin.

No matter how far you've traveled in the wrong direction, it's not too late to turn around. God is ready to forgive and restore (Ps. 32:5). If you're headed down the wrong road, please make a U-turn.  - Cindy Hess Kasper

I've strayed, O Lord, and turned aside,
I've disobeyed Your voice;
But now with contrite heart I turn
And make Your will my choice. -D. De Haan

No matter how far you've run from God, He's only a prayer away.

Today's Promise: A Daily Devotional
By Dr. Bill Bright

You Will Rejoice
"You have sorrow now, but I will see you again and then you will rejoice; and no one can rob you of that joy" (John 16:22).

Once you and I truly experience the joy of the Lord, no one can rob us of that joy!

That does not mean that we will never experience disappointment, sorrow or grief; but it does mean that deeps down underneath it all is the joy that comes as a gift from God, the fruit of the Spirit. And that is the kind of joy that no one can take away.

Underneath the tears, the heartache, lies the calm, sweet peace that God gives to those who walk in faith and obedience. And that is a part of the joy that He promises.

Jesus' promise to see His disciples again, of course, refers to after the resurrection. "You will be so firmly persuaded that I have risen," He says to them, "and that I am the Messiah, that neither the threats nor the persecutions of men will ever be able to shake your faith, or produce doubt or unbelief and thus take away your joy."

Jesus' prediction, as we know, was remarkably fulfilled, for after He revealed Himself to them following the resurrection, not one of the apostles ever doubted for a moment that He has risen from the dead. No trial or persecution was able to shake their faith - so that their joy remained.

You and I have certainties of faith that are unshakable, and thus they produce joy - joy that will remain forever and ever.

Bible Reading: John 16:20-24

TODAY'S ACTION POINT: I will remember to praise and thank God for the unshakable joy that He alone gives.

Living Free Every Day®
 
Today's Scripture
"All of you must keep awake (give strict attention, be cautious and active) and watch and pray, that you may not come into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41 AMP

Thoughts for Today
Are you immune to the temptation of sexual sin? The truth is, we all have boundaries that, if crossed, can result in the loss of self-control.

The sin of proximity happens when we allow ourselves to be enticed to sin by not avoiding events, people, places, objects or anything else that we know will likely stir up lustful thoughts in our minds. Some would describe the sin of proximity as allowing ourselves to come into contact with the occasion for sin.

When we commit a sin of proximity, what we are doing is setting the stage for overt sin to occur. We are prone to lie to ourselves that what we are doing will not have consequences. We think we can play around the edges of sin without actually acting it out. This thinking is self-deceptive because sin has great power and, if entertained, can overwhelm us.

Consider this
Avoiding the people or events or things that may tempt us to sexual sin is vital to overcoming sexual addiction or to avoid entering into any kind of sexual sin. We must remember, however, that there is no "formula for success" in this path-otherwise we would trust the formula and not God.

The rules are only tools to enable us to better love Jesus. The real key is to stay in fellowship with Him-to "give strict attention, be cautious and active and watch and pray."

Prayer
Father, I know that only as I stay in close fellowship with you-through prayer and through your Word-will I be able to resist the temptations that come my way. I thank you for your love. Please give me the wisdom and strength to avoid situations and relationships that may entice me to sin. In Jesus' name 

These thoughts were drawn from
Crossroads Group: Choosing the Road to Sexual Purity, by David E. Longacre, is for those who desire to continue to walk in purity, as well as for individuals who are already trapped and looking for a way out. It is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.

Visit our website to read more about this study and learn more about Living Free small groups.   

PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770

© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

The Method of Missions    Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations . . . -Matthew 28:19
Jesus Christ did not say, "Go and save souls" (the salvation of souls is the supernatural work of God), but He said, "Go . . . make disciples of all the nations . . . ." Yet you cannot make disciples unless you are a disciple yourself. When the disciples returned from their first mission, they were filled with joy because even the demons were subject to them. But Jesus said, in effect, "Don't rejoice in successful service- the great secret of joy is that you have the right relationship with Me" (see Luke 10:17-20  ). The missionary's great essential is remaining true to the call of God, and realizing that his one and only purpose is to disciple men and women to Jesus. Remember that there is a passion for souls that does not come from God, but from our desire to make converts to our point of view.

The challenge to the missionary does not come from the fact that people are difficult to bring to salvation, that backsliders are difficult to reclaim, or that there is a barrier of callous indifference. No, the challenge comes from the perspective of the missionary's own personal relationship with Jesus Christ- "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" ( Matthew 9:28 ). Our Lord unwaveringly asks us that question, and it confronts us in every individual situation we encounter. The one great challenge to us is- do I know my risen Lord? Do I know the power of His indwelling Spirit? Am I wise enough in God's sight, but foolish enough according to the wisdom of the world, to trust in what Jesus Christ has said? Or am I abandoning the great supernatural position of limitless confidence in Christ Jesus, which is really God's only call for a missionary? If I follow any other method, I depart altogether from the methods prescribed by our Lord- "All authority has been given to Me . . . . Gotherefore. . ." ( Matthew 28:18-19  ).

God Bless

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals October 28, 2008

In Your Head    READ: Galatians 1:6-9I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel. -Galatians 1:6

I love the prayer that begins, "God be in my head." When I first heard it, admittedly I thought it sounded a little weird. But then I got to thinking how unfortunate it is if in our efforts to get closer to Jesus we focus on our emotional experience of Him and check our brains at the door. Without His truth ringing in our heads, we're bound to get off track.

Just look at the early Christians. False teachers filled their heads with misinformation, saying that salvation and spiritual growth could be attained only through keeping the requirements of the law. When Paul heard of it, he was astonished at how quickly they had gotten off track: "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ" (Gal. 1:6).

It's not just false teachers who lead us astray. Our world is full of twisted thinking like, "If it feels good, do it," or "The one with the most toys wins." Let's face it, you and I can't afford to check our brains at the door. In fact, intimacy with Jesus begins with getting to know Him, and it's the facts about Him that make us want to get close to Him.

So, strange as it may sound, if you want to stay on track with Jesus, start each day by asking Him to be in your head!  - Joe Stowell

God be in my head, and in my understanding;
God be in my eyes, and in my looking;
God be in my mouth, and in my speaking;
God be in my heart, and in my thinking. -Sarum Primer


To stay on track, let God guide your thinking.


Today's Promise: A Daily Devotional

By Dr. Bill Bright

More Than You Need

"God is able to make it up to you by giving you everything you need and more, so that there will not only be enough for your own needs, but plenty left over to give joyfully to others" (2 Corinthians 9:.

One of the greatest discoveries that I have ever made in the Christian life is the law of sowing and reaping. Paul explains, beginning in his second letter to the Corinthians with the sixth verse of Chapter 9, "If you give little, you'll get little. A farmer who plants just a few seeds will harvest only a small crop, but if he plants much, he will reap much. Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don't force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes" (2 Corinthians 9:6,7).

I have several friends and colleagues who have joined with me in claiming this marvelous promise of God and in every case the blessings are abundant. People with modest incomes are able not only to give large sums of money, but also enjoy a life-style that one could hardly expect even from individuals whose salaries were much more than theirs. It is a "loaves and fishes" kind of demonstration of God's faithfulness. You cannot outgive God. As someone put it, "I give to God by the spoonsful and He returns to me shovelsful."

Most believers have never discovered the joy and excitement of Christian stewardship. Always remember that God's graces are bestowed upon us, not that we may hoard them, but that we may pass them on to others.

The same principle of giving also applies to the giving of our time and our talent to the proclamation of the gospel. The more we give, the more we receive. Was God giving you an extra portion of love today, of joy, of patience, of encouragement, or peace? Pass it on. Has something happened to you? He may have given that extra supply for you to pass it on to others in need. By the same token, if your supply in any of these things is lacking, you need only ask. With your motivation of wanting to share with others, God will not delay in responding to your request.

Bible Reading: II Corinthians 9:6-11

TODAY'S ACTION POINT: In order to be a faithful steward of that which God has entrusted to me, I shall seek to share with others a generous portion of all that He gives to me, with special emphasis on the good news concerning our Lord Jesus Christ and the supernatural life which He gives.

Living Free Every Day®
Today's Scripture
"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track." Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG

Thoughts for Today
The sin of proximity is not the same for everyone. What may constitute an occasion for sin for one person may not tempt another.

We all have our triggers that, if pulled, will likely lead us to acting out our sexual impulses. We need to learn to avoid these sin traps. Doing this requires making decisions and taking action before we are confronted with the situations that tempt our weaknesses. If we can recognize these occasions for sin and learn how to avoid them, we will have greater victory against the sin.

Consider this
Above all, we must recognize that we need God's help in avoiding and overcoming sin. We don't have the strength or the wisdom to avoid temptation on our own. But if we truly desire to do what is right and trust God to help us, he will. His Word promises that he will "keep us on track."

Trust him listen to him obey him and he will make all things possible.

Prayer
Father, I really want to do what is right. I realize now, however, that I can't do it on my own. Forgive me for my failures. Teach me how to avoid circumstances and people and things that would entice me to sin. Give me the strength to stay away. Help me to live in a way that pleases you. In Jesus' name 

These thoughts were drawn from
Crossroads Group: Choosing the Road to Sexual Purity, by David E. Longacre, is for those who desire to continue to walk in purity, as well as for individuals who are already trapped and looking for a way out. It is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.

Visit our website to read more about this study and learn more about Living Free small groups.   

 
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

Justification by Faith  READ: If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life -Romans 5:10

I am not saved by believing- I simply realize I am saved by believing. And it is not repentance that saves me- repentance is only the sign that I realize what God has done through Christ Jesus. The danger here is putting the emphasis on the effect, instead of on the cause. Is it my obedience, consecration, and dedication that make me right with God? It is never that! I am made right with God because, prior to all of that, Christ died. When I turn to God and by belief accept what God reveals, the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ instantly places me into a right relationship with God. And as a result of the supernatural miracle of God's grace I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, or because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done. The Spirit of God brings justification with a shattering, radiant light, and I know that I am saved, even though I don't know how it was accomplished.

The salvation that comes from God is not based on human logic, but on the sacrificial death of Jesus. We can be born again solely because of the atonement of our Lord. Sinful men and women can be changed into new creations, not through their repentance or their belief, but through the wonderful work of God in Christ Jesus which preceded all of our experience (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 ). The unconquerable safety of justification and sanctification is God Himself. We do not have to accomplish these things ourselves- they have been accomplished through the atonement of the Cross of Christ. The supernatural becomes natural to us through the miracle of God, and there is the realization of what Jesus Christ has already done- "It is finished!" ( John 19:30  ).

God Bless

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals October 29, 2008

Perspective  READ: Isaiah 40:12-13,25-31 He . . . sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers. -Isaiah 40:22

Question: When is a bird bigger than a mountain? Answer: When the bird is closer than the mountain.

In reality, the bird is not bigger than the mountain, but it sure looks that way when the feathery fellow is perched on my window ledge and the mountain is far away in the distance.

Sometimes we perceive God this way in relationship to our problems. The troubles facing us seem huge because they are so close-like a big black bird with beady eyes and a sharp beak waiting for a smaller animal's weariness to turn into helplessness so it can devour it. At such times, God seems as far away as a distant mountain, and we perceive Him as being small and unreachable.

The prophet Isaiah changes our perspective by asking these rhetorical questions: "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance?" (40:12). The Lord "gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength" (v.29).

Just as a bird is never bigger than a mountain, no problem is ever bigger than God. It's all a matter of changing our perspective.  - Julie Ackerman Link

The problems that we face each day
Can seem too much to bear
Until we turn our eyes to Christ
And trust His tender care. -Sper

We worship a God who is greater than our greatest problem.

Today's Promise: A Daily Devotional
By Dr. Bill Bright

A Prosperous Land
"If my people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).

On April 29, 1980, 500,000 men and women gathered on the Washington Mall to fast and pray and claim this promise of God.

For years, I have had a growing conviction in my heart that, because the Supreme Court ruled that Bible reading and prayer in our schools is unconstitutional, our nation has turned more and more away from God - immorality has become the "new morality"; homosexuality has become the "alternative life-style"; drug addiction and alcoholism are no longer treated as evil; even violent criminals are being declared "not guilty by reason of insanity." The decaying of our society is evident on all sides.

One of the more alarming, documented facts is that the Soviet Union has been accelerating its production of armaments of war, including nuclear weapons. And through a massive move toward peace through disarmament and through neglect on the part of our leaders, we have allowed our military power to disintegrate to the point of vulnerability.

During the late 60's and 70's I genuinely believed that unless God supernaturally met with us and we repented as a nation and turned from our sin, the boast of Nikita S. Khrushchev, former head of the Soviet Union, "We will bury you!" could well come true. For this reason I agreed, along with Pat Robertson, founder and president of Christian Broadcasting Network, and John Gimenez, to cosponsor that great gathering on the Washington Mall.

As 500,000 people spent the day from early in the morning until late in the afternoon, praying, fasting and crying out to God, I sensed that God lifted my load. And, as I sat on the platform joining with my brothers and sisters from all over America, including millions who were joining us in prayer over radio and television, God lifted the burden that had been on my heart for at least fifteen years. he gave me the assurance that the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14 would be fulfilled as a direct result of our gathering on that day.

Since that time, there has been no question in my mind but what God heard our prayers and laid the groundwork for a dramatic turnaround in our nation.

Bible Reading: Leviticus 23:3-12

TODAY'S ACTION POINT: Claiming the promise of 2 Chronicles 7:14, I will pray for God's supernatural release of blessing and power upon this nation, that we might experience a continuous revival from each individual in the smallest community of America to our leaders in the halls of Congress, the Supreme Court and the White House.

Living Free Every Day®

Today's Scripture
"Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires." Romans 13:14 NLT

Thoughts for Today
The sin of proximity involves occasions for sin that we consciously or unconsciously bring upon ourselves-these usually occur because we have not completely cut our relationship with our chronic sin habits.

There are other occasions for sin that are totally beyond our control and seem to come out of nowhere. Although we can't prevent these occasions, we need to be mentally and spiritually prepared to resist the temptations when they do occur.

Consider this
Cutting our relationship with sinful habits requires serious choices. Today's scripture warns us not to let ourselves think about ways to indulge our evil impulses. When we find ourselves thinking about how to gratify our sinful natures, we are setting ourselves up for an occasion to sin. This thinking process can be very subtle and deceptive. We may go into a bookstore telling ourselves we are looking for a science fiction book, but, once in the store, gravitate toward the pornography section.

Let us ask God to help us be honest with ourselves and to make the right choices.

Prayer
Father, help me to be honest with myself when I make these serious choices. Help me to make choices that will keep me away from any occasion for sin. Help me to honestly avoid the things and situations I know would be enticing. In Jesus' name 

These thoughts were drawn from
Crossroads Group: Choosing the Road to Sexual Purity, by David E. Longacre, is for those who desire to continue to walk in purity, as well as for individuals who are already trapped and looking for a way out. It is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.

Visit our website to read more about this study and learn more about Living Free small groups.   

 
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

SUBSTITUTION Oswald Chambers   

"He hath made Him to be sin for us . . . that we might be made the righteousness of God. . ." 2 Corinthians 5:.21

The modern view of the death of Jesus is that He died for our sins out of sympathy. The New Testament view is that He bore our sin not by sympathy, but by identification. He was made to be sin. Our sins are removed because of the death of Jesus, and the explanation of His death is His obedience to His Father, not His sympathy with us. We are acceptable with God not because we have obeyed, or because we have promised to give up things, but because of the death of Christ, and in no other way. We say that Jesus Christ came to reveal the Fatherhood of God, the loving-kindness of God; the New Testament says He came to bear away the sin of the world. The revelation of His Father is to those to whom He has been introduced as Saviour. Jesus Christ never spoke of Himself to the world as one Who revealed the Father, but as a stumbling block (see John 15:22- 24). John 14:9 was spoken to His disciples.

That Christ died for me, therefore I go scot free, is never taught in the New Testament. What is taught in the New Testament is that "He died for all" (not - He died my death), and that by identification with His death I can be freed from sin, and have imparted to me His very righteousness. The substitution taught in the New Testament is twofold: "He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." It is not Christ for me unless I am determined to have Christ formed in me.

God Bless

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals October 30, 2008

  God-ography  READ: Hebrews 11:1-6  Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. -Hebrews 11:6

A National Geographic News survey in 2006 reported that many young Americans are geographically illiterate. According to the survey, 63 percent of Americans aged 18-24 failed to correctly locate Iraq on a map of the Middle East. The results for US geography are even more dismal. Half could not find New York State on the map, a third could not find Louisiana, and 48 percent could not locate the state of Mississippi.

Understanding geography is helpful in daily life, but "God-ography" (finding God) is infinitely more crucial-for now and for eternity.

In Hebrews 11:6 we are told that to find God and please Him, we first have to believe that He exists. How can we prove that God exists? Finding God is a matter of faith-confidence in Him and commitment to Him. This confidence and commitment should remain strong even though the objects of our faith are unseen. The writer of Hebrews and the apostle John agree that ultimately the way to find the Lord and please Him is by believing in His Son Jesus (Heb. 11:6; John 14:6).

Finding God is solely a work of God. Those who seek Him will find Him because God will give them a heart to recognize Him as Lord (Jer. 29:13-14).  - Marvin Williams

I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
He moved my soul to seek Him, as He sought me;
It was not I who found, O Savior true;
No, I was found of Thee. -Anon.

To find God, we must be willing to seek Him.

Giving Joyfully Ray Stedman
READ: 2 Corinthians 8:16-9:15

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:

True giving must be expectant. You are dealing with God, and He is able to give back. Many people get nervous about this. They say, "That is giving in order to be given to. That is selfish giving." I would grant that it is possible to view giving to God selfishly, but there is nothing wrong with recognizing that you will be benefited by your giving, because the Word everywhere tells us that. If you do not give, something happens to you. The boundaries of your experience are narrowed and reduced and you become a tight, stingy, Scroogelike person.

But, on the other hand, those who learn to give, and give for right reasons, become generous, gracious, godly-minded people. That is what Paul is talking about here. God is able to give back. It is not wrong for you to give with that recognition in mind, for everything we have ultimately comes from Him. When you eat a loaf of bread, you ought to remember the steps in producing it: the snowy flour, the mill, the field of wheat, the rain, and the Father's will. Therefore, everything comes from His hand.

If you give in order that you might have more to give, you are right in line with God's program. Yet your motivation should not be to spend on yourself. If you give so that there will be more for you to enjoy, then you are giving for wrong reasons. A lot of Christians are being taught that today. God delights to give, but His return is not always, by any means, material return. That is what the next verses show us: "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God" (2 Corinthians 9:11-12).

Paul is saying that if you give according to the law of harvest, God will give back. And this is the form it will take: It will awaken gratitude in those to whom you give. In our church we have had the joy on many occasions of witnessing people publicly giving thanks, sometimes with tears running down their faces, for the way others have responded to their physical or material needs. I am delighted at that. It is a wonderful repayment for our giving, isn't it, to see people helped, blessed, and moved to give thanks for that.

Lord, indeed I have received much at Your hand. I did not deserve it, but it was given to me in Jesus Christ. May that free giving on Your part stimulate me to meet needs around me. Help me look for places to give, knowing that it increases my joy and delights Your heart.

Living Free Every Day®
Today's Scripture
"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body." 1 Corinthians 6:18 NLT

Thoughts for Today
This week we have discussed the fact that when it is in our power to change a situation that will likely cause us to sin and we choose not to act to change it, we are guilty of the sin of proximity-sometimes call the sin before the sin.

The sin before the sin involves the little decisions we make that set us up for temptation and sin. If we are to overcome the strongholds in our lives that constantly pull us in the wrong direction, we have to come to a place of radical obedience and do everything possible to eliminate those occasions for sin that are in our control.

Failing to take appropriate actions to eliminate the stumbling blocks that lead us to sin is a serious issue for many of us. Sexual temptation has presented itself to most of us at some time in our lives. Today's scripture advises us to run from sexual sin.

Consider this
With sexual sin, the longer we are in the presence of temptation the less likely we are to escape without sinning. It is so much better to avoid the sin before the sin. To run from the sin of proximity.

Stay in fellowship with Jesus. Turn to him for the strength you need. With him, you can do all things.

Prayer
Lord, help me to run from all temptation to be involved in sexual sin. Help me to run from the sin and run to you. In Jesus' name 

These thoughts were drawn from
Crossroads Group: Choosing the Road to Sexual Purity, by David E. Longacre, is for those who desire to continue to walk in purity, as well as for individuals who are already trapped and looking for a way out. It is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.

Visit our website to read more about this study and learn more about Living Free small groups   

 
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

FAITH By Oswald Chambers   

"Without faith it is impossible to please Him." Hebrews 11:6

Faith in antagonism to common sense is fanaticism, and common sense in antagonism to faith is rationalism. The life of faith brings the two into a right relation. Common sense is not faith, and faith is not common sense; they stand in the relation of the natural and the spiritual; of impulse and inspiration. Nothing Jesus Christ ever said is common sense, it is revelation sense, and it reaches the shores where common sense fails. Faith must be tried before the reality of faith is actual. "We know that all things work together for good," then no matter what happens, the alchemy of God's providence transfigures the ideal faith into actual reality. Faith always works on the personal line, the whole purpose of God being to see that the ideal faith is made real in His children.

For every detail of the common-sense life, there is a revelation fact of God whereby we can prove in practical experience what we believe God to be. Faith is a tremendously active principle which always puts Jesus Christ first - Lord, Thou hast said so and so (e.g., Matthew 6:33), it looks mad, but I am going to venture on Thy word. To turn head faith into a personal possession is a fight always, not sometimes. God brings us into circumstances in order to educate our faith, because the nature of faith is to make its object real. Until we know Jesus, God is a mere abstraction, we can not have faith in Him; but immediately we hear Jesus say - "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father," we have something that is real, and faith is boundless. Faith is the whole man rightly related to God by the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

God Bless

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals October 31, 2008

Who Is Your God?   READ: Deuteronomy 6:1-6You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. -Deuteronomy 6:5

At a funeral, I once overheard someone say of the deceased, "He was close to his god. He's safe now."

At times like that, I wish it were true that everyone could have their own god, live in whatever way they wanted, and also be assured of eternal life in heaven. Then we wouldn't have to think too seriously about death. We wouldn't have to be concerned about where our unbelieving loved ones went when they died.

But the Scriptures say that there is only one true God. "The LORD our God, the LORD is one!" (Deut. 6:4). And He is holy (Lev. 19:2). He says that we don't measure up to His standard for a relationship with Him. "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). Our sin has alienated us from Him.

In love, the heavenly Father provided the way to Himself through His perfect Son Jesus who died to pay the penalty for our sin. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). But we need to humble our hearts and receive His gift of forgiveness.

There is only one true God. He is holy and has provided the only way of eternal life through Jesus. Is He the God you are trusting in? Think about it-seriously.  - Anne Cetas

FOR FURTHER STUDY
How do I know what is true about God and salvation? Is sincerity enough? Read Do I Have The Right Kind Of Faith? at www.discoveryseries.org/q0603

To get into heaven, it's who you know that counts.

Today's Promise: A Daily Devotional
By Dr. Bill Bright

You Will Have Life
"But these are recorded so that you will believe that He is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that believing in Him you will have life" (John 20:31).

What a message you and I have to share. That is why John wrote this entire Gospel, so that we, first of all, might believe, but then also that we might share the good news with all who will listen.

"These are recorded" - the miracles presented in this gospel - so that we might believe. The goal of the book is two-fold: (1) to prove that Jesus was (is) Messiah and (2) that all those who look at the proof might be convinced and thus find eternal life.

The miracles, facts, arguments, instructions and conversations - all are directed toward that end. John's goal (to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah), if kept steadily in view will throw much light on the book. The argument is unanswerable, framed after the strictest rules of reasoning, infinitely beyond the skill of man, and having throughout the cleared evidence of demonstration.

All Scripture is given to us for a purpose. The purpose of this particular passage is crystal clear; hence it demands some kind of response from those of us who truly believe. To know the truth is not enough. We must act on it, trusting the Lord of the harvest to make us sensitive and alert to the spiritual needs of those around us.

Bible Reading: John 3:9-15

TODAY'S ACTION POINT: I will seek to be sensitive to the spiritual needs of all with whom I have contact.

Living Free Every Day®
Today's Scripture

"The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

Thoughts for Today
Once in the proximity of sexual temptation, the will to resist is low. The Borg on the science fiction Star Trek TV series claim that "resistance is futile." When we are in certain situations, we might feel that resistance to temptation really is futile. But it isn't.

For Christians, resistance to temptation is NEVER futile. In today's scripture, we are promised that others have had the same temptations  that God won't allow more than we can stand  and that he always provides a way out.

Don't believe the lie that you are the only one who has ever had this temptation. Don't believe the lie that it is more than you can bear. Don't believe the lie that there is no way out. God's promise tells us that resistance is NOT futile!

Consider this
We can escape temptation, but we cannot fight the battle alone. We need to first turn to Jesus-appeal to his mercy and grace-before we can resist even the urge to fulfill sinful desires.

It all circles back to Jesus. He is calling us to obedience, and he promises to give us the strength to do what he is telling us to do. If we will trust him and put him first in our lives, he will always give us the desire and power to do what pleases him.

Prayer
Lord, thank you for your assurance that my situation is not hopeless. I know that with your help I can overcome-and I really do want to overcome. Show me the way out. Help me to walk in obedience. In Jesus' name 

These thoughts were drawn from
Crossroads Group: Choosing the Road to Sexual Purity, by David E. Longacre, is for those who desire to continue to walk in purity, as well as for individuals who are already trapped and looking for a way out. It is suggested for use in support groups and Christian counseling.

Visit our website to read more about this study and learn more about Living Free small groups.   

 
PO Box 22127 ~ Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421 ~ 423-899-4770
© Living Free 2007. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending e-mail to info@LivingFree.org.

The Trial of Faith

By Oswald Chambers

If you have faith as a mustard seed . . . nothing will be impossible for you -Matthew 17:20

We have the idea that God rewards us for our faith, and it may be so in the initial stages. But we do not earn anything through faith- faith brings us into the right relationship with God and gives Him His opportunity to work. Yet God frequently has to knock the bottom out of your experience as His saint to get you in direct contact with Himself. God wants you to understand that it is a life of faith, not a life of emotional enjoyment of His blessings. The beginning of your life of faith was very narrow and intense, centered around a small amount of experience that had as much emotion as faith in it, and it was full of light and sweetness. Then God withdrew His conscious blessings to teach you to "walk by faith" ( 2 Corinthians 5:7 ). And you are worth much more to Him now than you were in your days of conscious delight with your thrilling testimony.

Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God's character must be proven as trustworthy in our own minds. Faith being worked out into reality must experience times of unbroken isolation. Never confuse the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life, because a great deal of what we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith, as the Bible teaches it, is faith in God coming against everything that contradicts Him- a faith that says, "I will remain true to God's character whatever He may do." The highest and the greatest expression of faith in the whole Bible is- "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" ( Job 13:15 ).

God Bless

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals November 1, 2008

"Gimme It!"   READ: James 3:13-18  My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways. -Isaiah 55:8

I heard the screams long before I could see him, but as I wheeled my grocery cart around to the next aisle of the store, there he was!

With angry tears streaming out of squinty eyes, the little boy was shouting, "Gimme it!" His mom glanced at me for a moment. I won't debate the merits of her actions, but, embarrassed and worn down, she grabbed the cheap trinket and tossed it into her cart.

I think I recognized that kid. He looked a lot like me. Yes, I've often been the willful child. And sometimes I've even pleaded with God, "Why not? Why can't I have it?" On occasion, God's given me what I wanted, but not because I wore Him down. No, I think He wanted me to see what happens when I put myself in charge.

What we think is best is not necessarily the best that God desires for us. In Isaiah 55:8, the Lord said, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways."

In his book Days of Grace, tennis champion Arthur Ashe paraphrased James 1:5 when he wrote this advice to his young daughter: "Ask God for the wisdom to know what is right, what God wants done, and the will to do it."

That's just the kind of sincere prayer that God wants to hear from His children.  - Cindy Hess Kasper

We can't presume to know what's best
When we begin to pray;
So we must ask, "What honors God?"
Then seek His will and way. -Sper

If God doesn't give us what we ask for, we can be sure that He has something far better.

Entering God's Presence through Praise

What is praise? It is adoration, thanksgiving, appreciation, and worship of our Lord and Savior. Praise flows from a relationship of love and devotion from us to the Lord. Praise brings us closer to Him. It changes us and helps us grow in our faith. Praise reminds us of who God is. A life filled with praise places us in a position to receive God's blessings.

C.S. Lewis said:

Only in acts of worship and praise can a person learn to believe in the goodness and the greatness of God. God wants us to praise Him not because He needs or craves in any sense our flattery, but because He knows that praise creates joy and thankfulness.

Praise is not something that we do for God. Nor is it something that we do in order to get God's approval so that He will grant our desires. When we praise God, we are changed-even if our circumstances are not. While God is present everywhere, all the time, He is present in a special way when His people praise Him.

Words are the expressions of our hearts. The Bible says, "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34).

What happens to the person who continually complains about the problems and challenges of life?

If he only focuses on those things, he will lose sight of his eternal destiny. He may become pessimistic, even depressed. We all have tiring days, minor setbacks, and unexpected expenses. As believers, we can choose to find strength by praising God, or we may sink into despair.

Regardless of our problems or difficulties, when we praise God our focus shifts. We become aware, once again, of who He is and His love for us. Why wait? Praise God now and experience His power, which is capable of handling anything you might face.

You are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel (Psalm 22:3).

Learn how praise can make all the difference in your life.  Michael Youssef explores this topic in our free resource this month-"Empowered by Praise." Download it today.

By Passionately Proclaiming Uncompromising Truth, Leading The Way is revolutionizing lives at home and around the world. Discover more at www.leadingtheway.org.

Today's Promise: A Daily Devotional

By Dr. Bill Bright

A Place Prepared for You

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there ye may be also" (John 14:3, KJV).

Recently my 93-year-old father went to be with the Lord. Though I was saddened to realize that I would never see him again in this life, and I shed a few tears of sorrow for myself, at the same time I rejoiced in the knowledge that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

My father is now rejoicing in the presence of our wonderful God and Savior. One day I shall join with him, my mother (who is still living at 93), all my brothers and sisters who have declared their faith in Christ, and multitudes of other loved ones, friends and saints to spend eternity in that place where "eye hath not seen, ear hath not heard...what God hath prepared for those who love Him."

"I cannot think what we shall find to do in heaven," mused Martin Luther. "No change, no work, no eating, no drinking, nothing to do."

"Yes," responded a friend, "'Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.'"

"Why, of course," said Luther, "that sight will give us quite enough to do!"

Joy of joys, you and I not only have been given purpose and power for living the supernatural, abundant life - by the indwelling Holy Spirit - but we have also been promised a place in His presence when this life is over. And, as Luther realized, we will then worship Him face to face throughout the endless ages of eternity.

We need not know exactly what heaven will be like; we need only know who will be there - our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. That assurance and anticipation should motivate us to live the kind of supernatural life that burdens and concerns us about the needs of others, moment by moment, day by day.

Bible Reading: John 14:27-31

TODAY'S ACTION POINT: Today I will meditate on the glory and beauty of my heavenly Father and my eternal home where I shall worship and have fellowship with my Lord throughout eternity. I will encourage loved ones, friends and strangers alike to prepare to go there also when their work on earth is done

"You Are Not Your Own" 

By Oswald Chambers

Do you not know that . . . you are not your own? -1 Corinthians 6:19

There is no such thing as a private life, or a place to hide in this world, for a man or woman who is intimately aware of and shares in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. God divides the private life of His saints and makes it a highway for the world on one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ. We are not sanctified for ourselves. We are called into intimacy with the gospel, and things happen that appear to have nothing to do with us. But God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way. If you refuse, you will be of no value to God in His redemptive work in the world, but will be a hindrance and a stumbling block.

The first thing God does is get us grounded on strong reality and truth. He does this until our cares for ourselves individually have been brought into submission to His way for the purpose of His redemption. Why shouldn't we experience heartbreak? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us collapse at the first grip of pain. We sit down at the door of God's purpose and enter a slow death through self-pity. And all the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us to our deathbed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, as if to say, "Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine." If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?

God Bless