Devotional for the day

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals August 9, 2009

Granville Sharp
READ: James 1:19-27
Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. -James 1:22

When I was a Bible college student, a name occasionally mentioned in Greek class was that of Granville Sharp. He was a renowned Greek scholar (1735-1813) whose studies resulted in principles of biblical interpretation that continue to guide our understanding of the original language of the New Testament.

To study the Scriptures and learn the powerful truths they contain is a noble exercise but, no matter how deeply we study, it is not enough. James challenged us to understand this when he wrote: "But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was" (James 1:22-24).

Granville Sharp understood this and put his faith into practice. In addition to being a biblical scholar, he also fought to eradicate slavery in England. Sharp said, "A toleration of slavery is, in effect, a toleration of inhumanity." His biblical understanding of the worth of a human soul and the justice of a holy God compelled him to act on his beliefs.

We can benefit from Sharp's passion for the Word-and for living out the truth that Word contains.  - Bill Crowder

It is God's will that we should read
His Word from day to day,
Not just for knowledge, but much more-
To love Him and obey. -Hess


We don't really know the Bible unless we obey the Bible.

The True Grace of God

Yesterday we read Jude 4 which states,

For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Before we move away from this verse, I want to point out a phrase that I believe is very dangerous ground for the Church in America today.  It is the phrase, "Ungodlymen, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness."

Lewdness literally means unrestrained lust, wickedness, and immorality.  These people believed that once you were saved, you could live however you wanted. 

There are people in the Church today with this type of thinking.  They believe that if you are saved by grace, and good works do not merit salvation, then you can do whatever you want.           

You can sleep around, commit adultery, get drunk, the sky's the limit.  It's grace, baby!  Your works don't have anything to do with it.  You can live however you want!

One of the things that I have heard throughout the years is, "Hey, it doesn't matter.  It's grace.  God will forgive me, so I'm going to go ahead and do this anyway."

You do not want to live that way.  Believe me, something begins to break down inside of you, and you will pay the piper eventually.

If you are turning the grace of God into lewdness through immorality, or any other sin, I challenge you to stop today.  Confess your sin to God, turn from whatever it is that you have been doing, and ask God to help you live for Him.  If you do, you will experience the true grace of God, which teaches us that we should live soberly, righteously and godly in this present age (Titus 2:11-12).

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
and
click here to listen to Bayless Conley at OnePlace.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Godly Wisdom for a Great Marriage

Although it's God's plan for husband and wife to flourish in their marriage, it won't happen by accident. A great marriage takes work. In this 4-part series, Bayless and Janet explore God's Word relating to marriage and share personal insight from over 25 years of experience. You will learn about the specific roles that God gives to both husbands and wives along with how God's commandments can be applied to strengthen and improve your marriage, and much more!
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Read: Judges 11:29-40
When a man makes a vow to the Lord . . . he must not break his word but must do everything he said. - Numbers 30:2

TODAY IN THE WORD
In 2004, an outbreak of polio swept through children in northern Nigeria. Vaccinations are used worldwide, and the disease has largely been eradicated. But in the Nigerian state of Kano, rumors spread that the polio vaccine was intended to make the children sterile or even give them AIDS. Despite pleas from neighboring countries and world health leaders, several Nigerian states boycotted the vaccine for several years. Thousands of children paid the price, becoming crippled or even dying from polio.
For the past several days, we've examined stories of children in the Bible that demonstrate God's care for children, especially those in distress, and we've seen how we can trust our God to be faithful. Today we turn to look at several stories that illustrate ways that children pay the price of their parents' decisions.

In today's reading, Jephthah prayed to the Lord to ask for victory in battle over the Ammonites. So far, so good: Jephthah acknowledged his need for divine assistance in defeating these oppressors of Israel. Then Jephthah made a vow to God-if given the military victory, he would offer "whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me" as a burnt offering (v. 31). While this might seem generous, it was unnecessary; the Law didn't require any burnt offering for such an occasion.

Tragically, the first thing from his house to meet Jephthah was his daughter, his only child (v. 34). The price of his impetuous promise would be paid by this young girl. Jephthah's daughter did not argue or beg him to go back on his word to the Lord. She demonstrated understanding that a vow to God is a sacred commitment; God had fulfilled Jephthah's request, and now he had to follow through (v. 36).

Jephthah's daughter paid the price for his unwise oath. But in the larger context, the book of Judges depicts a culture spiraling out of control, becoming increasingly evil, and devastating those who are most helpless, like the young daughter of Jephthah.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The choices made by parents have consequences for their children. Even if you have no children of your own or your children are grown, each of us faces choices that impact the culture around us, sometimes in ways we might not realize. Are we living in a way that promotes spiritual health and life for the children around us? Do we acknowledge our dependence on the Lord? Do we make rash commitments without counting the cost? Ask God to make you a source of spiritual blessing for the children in your life.

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!
GOD BLESS!
`

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals August 10, 2009

Yeah, But . . .
READ: 2 Timothy 4:1-8
They will turn their ears away from the truth. -2 Timothy 4:4

Grading university papers is full of surprises. Sometimes, one of my students will successfully handle a subject and display good writing style, and I feel as if my instruction was worthwhile.

Other surprises aren't so pleasant. Like the paper in which a student wrote, "The Bible says, 'Thou shalt not ____.'?" He filled in the blank with the activity he was writing about-even though Scripture does not contain such a verse. I thought his biggest problem was not knowing Scripture, until he concluded, "Although the Bible says this is wrong, I don't see why, so I think it's okay."

It's dangerous and the worst kind of arrogance to think we know more about an issue than God does. Scripture predicted this kind of thinking. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4: "They will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires . . . they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth" (vv.3-4). This points to people who set aside the inspired Word of God (3:16) in order to accept teaching they think is "okay."

When the Bible clearly spells out a principle, we honor

God by obeying Him. For believers, there's no room for "Yeah, but . . ." responses to Scripture.  - Dave Branon

God who formed worlds by the power of His Word
Speaks through the Scriptures His truth to be heard;
And if we read with the will to obey,
He by His Spirit will show us His way. -D. De Haan


The Bible: Read it, believe it, obey it!

Six Times We Should Seek God

But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul (Deuteronomy 4:29).

In today's devotional, I want to show you the first three of six times we should seek the Lord:

1.  When we have sinned. 

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

If you sin, do not run from God, run to Him.  Do not allow shame to keep you          away.

2.  When we are feeling dry spiritually.

O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water (Psalm 63:1).

When you sense a distance between you and God, or if you feel dry spiritually, do not delay!  Seek Him early.

When my potted plants feel dry, I water them.  I do not wait until they turn brown and are almost dead.  If the soil is dry and the leaves begin to droop, they are in need of water right then, and so it is when you are feeling spiritually dry.

One of the keys to keeping potted plants-and our spiritual lives-healthy is to tend to them early.

3.  When we are fearful.

I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4).

When you are fearful or anxious, it is time to seek the Lord.  When you seek Him you can expect to be delivered from all of your fears!   

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
and
click here to listen to Bayless Conley at OnePlace.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Godly Wisdom for a Great Marriage

Although it's God's plan for husband and wife to flourish in their marriage, it won't happen by accident. A great marriage takes work. In this 4-part series, Bayless and Janet explore God's Word relating to marriage and share personal insight from over 25 years of experience. You will learn about the specific roles that God gives to both husbands and wives along with how God's commandments can be applied to strengthen and improve your marriage, and much more!


Read: Mark 6:14-29
If anyone causes one of these little ones . . . to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned. - Matthew 18:6
TODAY IN THE WORD
Last year, police in Philadelphia arrested a man who used his 6-year-old nephew to steal from student backpacks at the University of Pennsylvania. The police noted that it was the third time in six months that they had apprehended thieves who used children as pickpockets.
Today's reading presents a chilling account of a parent willfully encouraging a child to do evil. Herodias used her daughter to accomplish the fate she wanted to befall John the Baptist.

The daughter of Herodias lived in a toxic family environment. Her uncle, Herod, had married her mother. John the Baptist had denounced the illicit marriage for the adulterous union that it was. His courageous stand for truth outraged Herodias; she "nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him" (v. 19). Herod was willing to placate her by imprisoning John. But Herod was also afraid of John and refused to have him executed. This daughter lived in a household comprised of a seething, plotting wife and a weak-willed, intemperate husband.

When Herodias saw her chance to take advantage of her husband's ego (and likely drunkenness), she had no qualms about using her daughter to get what she wanted (v. 24). Her daughter could get away with doing what she couldn't. Not only did Herodias want vengeance on the prophet who had dared to question her moral conduct, she also implicated her daughter in the plot to destroy him.

Sadly, the daughter of Herodias willingly complied with the scheme. As instructed, she asked for John's head on a platter, "right now" (v. 25). The trap for Herod worked; he didn't want to be embarrassed in front of his guests. He knew that John was "a righteous and holy man," but in the battle between saving face and saving John, his pride won (v. 20). The daughter of Herodias achieved her mother's evil intentions and delivered the proof of John's death.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our hearts should be grieved whenever children are exploited for evil ends. Prayer is one of our greatest weapons against Satan's desire to cause a little one to sin. Moms in Touch is a network of mothers who meet weekly to pray for the schools their children attend. Some churches do regular prayer walks through their community, praying for the families and children who live there. Spend time today praying for the children in your family, church, and community, that they would be protected from evil influences.


PRAY, PRAY AND PRAY SOME
MORE!
`

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals August 11, 2009

The Heart Of The Gospel
READ: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6
We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed. -2 Corinthians 3:18

When E. Stanley Jones, well-known missionary to India, had the opportunity to meet with Mahatma Gandhi, he asked a searching question of India's revered leader: "How can Christianity make a stronger impact on your country?" Gandhi very thoughtfully replied that three things would be required.

First, Christians must begin to live more like Jesus. Second, the Christian faith should be presented without any adulteration. Third, Christians should emphasize love, which is at the heart of the gospel.

These insightful suggestions are the key to effective evangelism around the world. As messengers of God's love, we are to be human mirrors who reflect without distortion a growing likeness to our Lord; we are not to walk in "craftiness" (2 Cor. 4:2). If our lives reflect an image that is spiritually blurred, the truth of saving grace may not be clearly communicated (vv.3-5). We are also to share the biblical essentials of our faith clearly. We must not handle the Word of God "deceitfully" (v.2). And our lives are to be marked by love for God and others (1 John 5:1-2).

Let's be sure that we reflect a clear image of Jesus' likeness, the truth of God, and love.  - Vernon C. Grounds

Called to be salt and light in this world,
Called to preserve and to shine,
Called to reflect the glory of God-
Oh, what a calling is mine! -Fitzhugh


The primary reason for living in this world is to reflect the likeness of Christ.
 
Six Times We Should Seek God (Part Two)

In yesterday's devotional, we looked at three times we should seek God. Today we will look at three more:

4.  When we are in trouble.

In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hand was stretched       out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted (Psalm 77:2).

In Hosea 5:15 the Lord says, "...in their affliction they will earnestly    seek me."

I don't like to admit it, but the truth is that at times I have sought God more earnestly when I have been in trouble.  Problems have a way of getting us on our knees.  If you are in trouble today - seek Him!

5.  When all is well.

Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore! (Psalm 105:4).

If you will carefully read the preceding verses of this psalm, you will find that the context is one of blessing and not trouble.

This may be the most important time of all to seek Him.  May we never become smug and think that we do not need God when all is well.

6.  Continually.

Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face evermore!

(1 Chronicles 16:11).

The word evermore in this verse means continually or at all times.

When you have sinned, when you are dry, when you are afraid, when you are in trouble, when all is well, and in any other situation - you need to seek God!

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
and
click here to listen to Bayless Conley at OnePlace.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Godly Wisdom for a Great Marriage

Although it's God's plan for husband and wife to flourish in their marriage, it won't happen by accident. A great marriage takes work. In this 4-part series, Bayless and Janet explore God's Word relating to marriage and share personal insight from over 25 years of experience. You will learn about the specific roles that God gives to both husbands and wives along with how God's commandments can be applied to strengthen and improve your marriage, and much more!
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Read: Genesis 27:1-28:5
"First sell me your birthright." "What good is the birthright to me?" - Genesis 25:31-32
TODAY IN THE WORD
Jan Dahlin Geiger, a financial planner in Texas, says that the average inheritance is spent within five years. This makes sense with smaller amounts of money that people use to pay off a car loan or mortgage. But some beneficiaries of large bequests manage to spend even vast sums quickly. John Harvey, seventh Marquess of Bristol, died at the age of 44 after spending about $70 million on drugs and parties.
In our reading today, we discover another young man who didn't value his inheritance and gave it up. The story of Jacob and Esau demonstrates that our choices reflect our values.

Jacob and Esau were conceived as God's answer to the prayer of their father, Isaac (Gen. 25:21). Tension flared between the brothers from the very beginning, even before birth. Esau reflected the preferences of his father; Jacob was Rebekah's favorite, and he mirrored her activities and interests. Genesis 25:29-34 describes the fateful exchange that revealed the priorities of the two brothers. Esau, tired and hungry, demanded some stew from Jacob. Jacob, seeing an opportunity to manipulate his brother, insisted that Esau trade his birthright for stew. The birthright was more than just a financial inheritance. It included spiritual blessings and the designation as the favored son through whose line the blessings would flow. Esau was willing to sacrifice long-term blessing for short-term satisfaction. He valued material things like stew over spiritual blessings.

The events in our passage today happened some years later. It seems that Esau had forgotten about his oath to trade his birthright for lentils, and now desired the blessing of his father (v. 39). But Jacob and Rebekah had not forgotten, and they enacted a scheme to deceive Isaac and ensure that Jacob received the blessing of the birthright. The Bible doesn't candy-coat the methods used by Jacob and his mother. Later in life, Jacob was painfully deceived by his own sons (see Gen. 37:29-35). Despite his lies and deceit, though, God honored the blessing given by Isaac, and Jacob became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
You might be worried about what sort of legacy you will leave your children and grandchildren. Perhaps you've seen your 401K or other investments plummet in the last year, and you fear you won't have the financial resources you expected. A financial inheritance can be a blessing, and we should exercise wisdom with our financial planning. But even greater is a legacy of spiritual values and priorities. All of us can strive to pass that along to our loved ones, no matter the state of the stock market.

PRAY, PRAY AND PRAY SOME MORE!

GOD BLESS YOU!
`

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals August 12, 2009

GAD Or God?
READ: 1 Peter 5:6-11
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. -1 Peter 5:7

Are you a chronic worrier? Do you worry about bills, the future, health, debt, marriage issues? Has worry so consumed you that you have become "a fret machine"? If this describes you, perhaps you have generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD-a condition marked by a perpetual state of worry about most aspects of life. According to David Barlow, professor of psychology at Boston University, "the key psychological feature of GAD is a state of chronic, uncontrollable worry." A little anxiety is normal, but constant worry is not.

Overwhelmed by suffering and persecution, the first-century Christians were driven out of Jerusalem and scattered throughout Asia (1 Peter 1:1-7). Many of these Jesus-followers were experiencing feelings of distress because of possible danger or misfortune. Peter encouraged these believers not to be filled with anxiety but to cast all their worries upon God (5:7). He wanted them to realize that it made very little sense for them to carry their worries when they could cast them on God who cared deeply about what happened to them.

Are you a chronic worrier? Let God be responsible for your anxieties. Stop worrying and start trusting Him completely.  - Marvin Williams

When every worry, every care
To God in faith is brought,
We have no place whereon to found
One single anxious thought. -Anon.

Worry is a burden God never intended us to bear.

True Satisfaction

Isaiah 14:12-15 records the fall of Satan.  Created as God's archangel, we read about the dissatisfaction that got him in trouble,

"How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!  For you have said in your heart:  'I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.'  Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit."

Clearly his problem was pride.  "I will, I will, I will...I am going to be like God."  He wasn't satisfied with being the archangel that God had created him to be.  He wanted to take God's place.

The root of Satan's pride was his discontent with the post and station that the supreme Monarch of the universe had assigned and allotted him.  He thought he deserved better.

We all have our sphere of influence, and we all have our gifting from God.  Your sphere of influence and gifting are different than mine, and mine are different than yours.  It is unwise to desire something that someone else has rather than exploring what God has given you and developing that to its highest potential.

When you look over the fence, it looks like the grass is greener on the other side, but when you hop over, you find out it is spray-painted!

You will only be satisfied if you will develop what God has put inside of you and take that to its highest level possible.  That is what you will be rewarded for.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
and
click here to listen to Bayless Conley at OnePlace.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Godly Wisdom for a Great Marriage

Although it's God's plan for husband and wife to flourish in their marriage, it won't happen by accident. A great marriage takes work. In this 4-part series, Bayless and Janet explore God's Word relating to marriage and share personal insight from over 25 years of experience. You will learn about the specific roles that God gives to both husbands and wives along with how God's commandments can be applied to strengthen and improve your marriage, and much more!

Read: Genesis 4:1-26
By their fruit you will recognize them. - Matthew 7:20

TODAY IN THE WORD
Pauline and Esther Friedman were identical twins. Growing up in Sioux City, Iowa, the two girls were inseparable. They played together, went to college together, and even had a double wedding. But then their relationship hit a nearly insurmountable obstacle. Esther became an advice columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. Three months later, Pauline started her own advice column-and she offered it to the Sioux City Journal at a reduced rate if they would agree not to run her sister's column. The two sisters, better known by their pen names of Ann Landers and Abigail van Buren, began a feud that lasted at least a decade. They never regained their close relationship.
Our reading today contains the story of the first children in the Bible. Sadly, the account of Cain and Abel is not a happy tale. The setting for the conflict occurred when they each brought a sacrifice to the Lord. The text emphasizes that Abel gave generously: he offered the "fat portions" from some of his "firstborn" animals (v. 4). Cain, on the other hand, offered merely "fruits" (v. 3).

Cain reacted to God's evaluation of the offerings with anger and pouting (v. 5). At this point, God graciously confronted Cain about his offering and his attitude and warned him to battle the sin that threatened to overtake him. Cain's fate was not decided; he had a choice to repent and turn from his sinful actions and attitudes. Instead of repentance, though, Cain chose revenge.

After his lackluster sacrifice and anger, Cain compounded his sin with premeditated murder and then lying to God. The Lord responded to these choices with judgment: Cain was exiled from that place and from God's favor (v. 14). Even in judgment, though, God showed mercy by protecting Cain's life. Cain apparently passed along his disregard for God to the rest of his family (vv. 23-24). The chapter ends with a final note of grace, as God allowed Adam and Eve to have another son, and a spiritual revival ensued (v. 26).
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Cain persisted in sinful choices; God persisted in mercy. God allows us to suffer the consequences of our sin, but even in this dark story of conflict and rivalry and murder, God continued to show His boundless grace: He warned Cain, protected Cain, and gave Adam and Eve another son. If you are battling sin today, you do have another option. Confess it to the Lord and rely on His power and forgiveness. Ask Him to help you turn from that path and choose to do what is right. God delights to shower grace on His people.


PRAY, PRAY, PRAY!

GOD BLESS!
`

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals August 13, 2009

He Is Enough
READ: Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." -Matthew 14:27

Sometimes we are overwhelmed by life. The crushing waves of disappointment, endless debt, debilitating illness, or trouble with people can cause hopelessness, depression, or despair. It happened to Jesus' disciples. And it has happened to me.

Three statements by the Lord beginning with the words "It is . . ." offer us comfort, reassurance, and hope that Jesus is enough. The first is in Matthew 4 and is repeated three times: "It is written" (vv.4,7,10). In responding to the three temptations of Satan, Jesus gave us proof enough that the Word of God is true and overcomes the most powerful forms of temptation and pressure.

The second statement, "It is I" (Matt. 14:27), was spoken when Jesus told His terrified disciples that He Himself was presence enough to stop the howling storm and calm the raging seas.

Jesus spoke the third "It is" from the cross: "It is finished!" (John 19:30). He assured us that His death was provision enough to pay the debt for our sins and set us free.

Whatever our circumstances, Jesus is present with His love, compassion, and grace. He is proof, presence, and provision enough to carry us safely through.  - David C. Egner

When trials overwhelm our souls
And tempt us to despair,
We need to reach out to the Lord
And trust His tender care. -Sper


God's love does not keep us from trials; it helps us get through them.

True Redemption

The passage of Scripture I want to call your attention to today is Ephesians 4:8-10,

Therefore He says:  "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."  (Now this, "He ascended"-what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?  He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

Before Jesus ascended, what did He do?  He descended.  I didn't write that.  The Bible says that.  And when He descended, what did He do?  He led captivity captive.  That refers to the Old Testament saints who were in what is called "Abraham's bosom" or Paradise.

Jesus went down there.  They were in captivity in the sense that they could not go to heaven until Christ's sacrifice.  But after Christ died, having paid the price for our sins, He went and emptied Paradise and He led captivity captive.  He brought those saints up to heaven.

Here is what I want you to picture.  Jesus, through His death and resurrection,  defeated hell and death.  He took the keys away from the devil, stripped him of his power and his authority, and won redemption for the human race.  Then He went to Paradise and there He saw Abraham, David, Moses, Ezekiel, Joshua, Esther, Ruth-all of the people who served the Lord under the Old Covenant.

He threw the door open and said, "Hey, guys!  Time to come home!   It's been done!  The thing the prophets prophesied about, here I am!  I am the reality.  Time to leave this place and come to heaven with me!"

Then He who descended, ascended, leading all of those Old Testament saints to heaven with Him!  And He sent back the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost to empower us to tell the story of His resurrection and His victory.

Let us make that our passion!  To proclaim the resurrected Jesus who has paid the price for our redemption.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
and
click here to listen to Bayless Conley at OnePlace.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Godly Wisdom for a Great Marriage

Although it's God's plan for husband and wife to flourish in their marriage, it won't happen by accident. A great marriage takes work. In this 4-part series, Bayless and Janet explore God's Word relating to marriage and share personal insight from over 25 years of experience. You will learn about the specific roles that God gives to both husbands and wives along with how God's commandments can be applied to strengthen and improve your marriage, and much more!



Read: 2 Samuel 13:1-39
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. - Proverbs 12:26
TODAY IN THE WORD
Dave Cullen's book Columbine seeks to explain the truth about what had really happened during the tragic school shooting. Based on diaries and other evidence, he concluded that one of the killers, Dylan Klebold, was a depressed teenage boy, while the other killer, Eric Harris, was a manipulative psychopath who wanted to destroy all humans. Eric could manipulate Dylan into helping to plan the massacre, and Dylan could feel important by being part of a grand plan. Their friendship was a lethal combination.
The adage, Choose your friends wisely!, should have been heeded by Amnon in our reading today. He began to swoon over his beautiful half-sister, Tamar, to the point that he became lovesick. If only the story had stopped there, with a smitten young man in love with a beautiful girl. But the text tells us the critical turning point: "Now Amnon had a friend . . ." (v. 3).

Amnon's friend was his cousin, Jonadab. He played on Amnon's sense of entitlement as the son of King David, suggesting that Amnon just take what he wanted. His plan was disgusting, both its deceit and its violation of Tamar, but Amnon willingly agreed to follow it. His destruction began when he decided to follow the bad advice of his friend.

We don't know much about Jonadab, but we do know that he was allowed to be in the presence of King David (v. 32). Instead of suggesting his vile scheme, he could have suggested that Amnon ask the king for permission to marry Tamar. He could have used his influence in a positive way, but chose not to.

Amnon discovered that what he thought he wanted didn't satisfy him after all (v. 15). He compounded the sin of raping Tamar by refusing to then stay with her (v. 16). Scripture says that David was furious but records no effort on his part to punish Amnon. Tamar's brother, Absalom, bided his time until he had the opportunity to kill Amnon and unleash destruction on David's entire kingdom.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Our children today are surrounded by messages like those from Jonadab: "Take what you want!" "You deserve it!" "Sex is no big deal!" "Who cares what anyone else thinks?" "Sometimes you have to lie and cheat to get ahead!" David appeared oblivious to the destructive influences in his family-are you so involved in the lives of your children or grandchildren that you know their friends? Don't be afraid to give them wise counsel and encourage them to do what's right. And pray for their protection from bad friends.

PRAY, PRAY PRAY

GOD BLESS!
`

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals August 14, 2009

The Love Of Rules
READ: Romans 13:1-10
Love is the fulfillment of the law. -Romans 13:10

When I teach writing, I explain that it's generally better to use short words or phrases first in a series, as in "arts and letters" and "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." Early in my career, I explained to authors that it just sounds better this way, but then I discovered a "rule" about this. And I learned that authors are more likely to accept editorial changes when I can point them to a rule than when I just say, "Trust me."

This is typical of human nature. We have a love/hate relationship with rules. We don't like rules, but we're unsure how to determine right from wrong without them.

God had a relationship with Adam and Eve that was based on loving trust. The only rule necessary was one that protected them from knowledge that would end in death. But when disobedience broke the trusting relationship, God added more rules to protect the wayward couple and their offspring.

In Christ, God proclaimed once more that the good life He wants for us is not about rules but a relationship. As Paul wrote, all the commandments can be summarized in one word: love. Because we are "in Christ," we can enjoy peace with God and others-not because there's a rule, but because there is love.  - Julie Ackerman Link

Though freed from the law with its stern commands-
No longer ruled by its harsh demands-
I'm bound by Christ's love and am only free
To live and to act responsibly. -D. De Haan


The greatest force on earth is not the compulsion of law but the compassion of love.

Search the Scriptures

After Paul preached the gospel to the Bereans, they did something that others had not done-they searched the Scriptures.

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so (Acts 17:11).

According to the next verse, the result of their search was that many of them believed.

Jesus said in John 5:39, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me."

I once heard a Jewish believer share his testimony.  His daughter, who had become a Christian, challenged him to read through the New Testament.

He began in Matthew and was astonished to find so many Old Testament references to the Messiah being fulfilled by Jesus.

His initial reason for searching the Scriptures was to prove that his daughter was wrong, but instead, he ended up giving his heart to Christ.  The Scriptures testified of Jesus!

Look for Him as you read the Holy Scriptures, and encourage others to do the same.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
and
click here to listen to Bayless Conley at OnePlace.com.

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Godly Wisdom for a Great Marriage

Although it's God's plan for husband and wife to flourish in their marriage, it won't happen by accident. A great marriage takes work. In this 4-part series, Bayless and Janet explore God's Word relating to marriage and share personal insight from over 25 years of experience. You will learn about the specific roles that God gives to both husbands and wives along with how God's commandments can be applied to strengthen and improve your marriage, and much more!
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Read: 2 Chronicles 24:1-27
Keep my commandments in your heart, for they will . . . bring you prosperity. - Proverbs 3:1-2

TODAY IN THE WORD
In 1853, Charles Loring Brace was shocked to see gangs of children roaming the streets in New York City, some selling rags or matches, many orphaned or abandoned. He founded the Children's Aid Society to place the children with rural farming families. Between 1854 and 1929, more than 100,000 children were sent by train to a new life. Two of these orphaned boys, Andrew Burke and John Brady, became the governors of North Dakota and Alaska.
Joash didn't seem to have a promising start in life. His family was plagued by violence; his own grandmother wanted to kill him as a baby in order to gain control of the kingdom of Judah (see 2 Chronicles 22). He survived due to the quick thinking of his aunt and uncle who hid him in the temple.

His uncle, Jehoida, was a priest who had a heart for God (see 2 Chron. 23:3). His courage led to the installation of Joash as the rightful king of Israel at the age of seven. Joash followed the wise counsel and spiritual instruction of Jehoida, and initiated a much needed restoration of the temple (v. 4). It included physical repairs to the structure, but it was more than just a building project. His grandmother, Athaliah, had permitted Baal worship to flourish, and the restoration of the temple was a spiritual undertaking as well (v. 7).

Joash instructed the people to give money to the temple project, which was an act of spiritual obedience to God (v. 9). As money came in, Joash ensured that skilled craftsmen performed the highest quality work. As long as Jehoida lived, the temple was a place to worship and honor the Lord (v. 14).

After Jehoida died, however, Joash began to listen to other advice. The temple was again abandoned and Baal worship resumed. The Lord even sent a prophet to warn Joash; he responded by ordering the prophet-the son of his mentor Jehoida!-to be assassinated in the courtyard of the temple. For that sin, God brought judgment and death to Joash (v. 24).
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
God cares less about our biological biography than our spiritual heart for Him. If you had a loving family who guided you in the things of the Lord, thank Him for that blessing. But perhaps your spiritual mentors were outside your family-a Sunday school teacher, a friend, or a neighbor. Thank God that He put people in your life to give you wise counsel and godly instruction. If possible, send these individuals a note of thanks for the way that they helped to shape you.


GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals August 15, 2009

The Deadliest Disease
READ: Joshua 7:1,19-26
[Jesus] was wounded for our transgressions, . . . and by His stripes we are healed. -Isaiah 53:5

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) was identified in 2003 in Vietnam. By the time it was brought under control, SARS had spread globally and killed nearly 800 people. One reason for the high mortality rate was that the virus was not recognized initially. But once recognized and understood, SARS was contained.

An even more dangerous disease is on the loose in our world-sin. It too is difficult to bring under control because many people do not recognize its deadliness. And many dispute the Bible's diagnosis of sin.

In Joshua 7, we read the tragic story of Achan. We may recoil at the extreme way God dealt with him. Against God's command, he had taken some of the spoils from Jericho and hid them in his tent (v.21). He and his entire family paid with their lives (v.25).

Thankfully, God does not deal with us in that way. If He did, none of us would remain alive. Yet we must never underestimate sin's deadliness. It sent Christ to the cross for us.

Like SARS, the first step to deal with sin is to recognize it for what it is. Receive with gratitude the gift of eternal life. Then "put to death your members which are on the earth"-the selfish things that displease God (Col. 3:5). That's the way to deal with our deadliest disease.  - C. P. Hia

The Remedy for Sin
Have you received Christ's gift of salvation? He died for your sins and rose from the dead. He offers forgiveness to all who believe in Him (Rom. 10:9).


Sin is a heart disease that can be cured only by the Great Physician.

God in Nature

God has made Himself known to mankind in a powerful way people often ignore...His creation.  Romans 1:18-20 tells us,

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.

God speaks to people through nature...through His creation.  I am confident that there is a point in every person's life where there comes an awareness of God.  Whether it is looking at a shooting star, or at a sunset, or at a blade of grass, the thought occurs to them, "This didn't just get here.  This didn't just happen.  There must be a God."

Creation speaks to us of the Godhead.  It is a revelation of God.  The book of Psalms says, Night unto night shows forth knowledge.  And it says the heavens declare the glory of God.  The firmament shows His handiwork.  Creation speaks to us of God.

But notice what this passage says.  This revelation of God has come to men, but some have wanted to suppress it.  They came to that point and thought, "You know what?  If I find out about this, then I'm going to become responsible.  So I don't think I want to know."

The natural bent of men and women is to suppress the truth, but God is speaking loudly and clearly of His greatness and reality through His creation.  Praise Him today for revealing His beauty and power through nature, and use it to point people to Him.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
and
click here to listen to Bayless Conley at OnePlace.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Godly Wisdom for a Great Marriage

Although it's God's plan for husband and wife to flourish in their marriage, it won't happen by accident. A great marriage takes work. In this 4-part series, Bayless and Janet explore God's Word relating to marriage and share personal insight from over 25 years of experience. You will learn about the specific roles that God gives to both husbands and wives along with how God's commandments can be applied to strengthen and improve your marriage, and much more!


Read: 2 Chronicles 34:1-33
While he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. - 2 Chronicles 34:3

TODAY IN THE WORD
Yesterday we studied the story of Joash, and at first the story of Josiah in our reading seems like an echo: a father is a disastrous king and is killed, his young son becomes king, and he starts his reign committed to God. But although they had similar dysfunctional family backgrounds and tremendous responsibility as a child, the story of Josiah takes some significantly different turns.
Josiah's biography reads like an account of spiritual milestones. When he was eight years old, he became king. At age 16, he began to seek God. At age 20, he began to destroy the entrenched centers of Baal worship throughout the nation. At age 26, he launched repairs of the temple. His life was described by this stirring spiritual commendation: "He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left" (v. 2).

The most dramatic event occurred during the restoration of the temple. The Book of the Law was found-which immediately signaled the serious state of spiritual decline in the nation. The Law had been given to Moses and was the foundation of their identity as God's people-how had it been lost to begin with? And how had no one realized that it was lost before this?

Josiah demonstrated the reality of his heart for God. When he heard the Law read to him, he reacted with repentance and alarm that the people had strayed so far from the Lord (v. 19). He was spiritually perceptive enough to know that the people deserved God's judgment, and indeed the prophetess Huldah confirmed that God would fulfill His word and bring destruction on the nation of Judah for their spiritual rebellion and idolatry.

God would keep His promises to judge persistent sin, but He also extended grace to Josiah for his humility and responsive heart (v. 27). The destruction would not come until after the death of Josiah. He led the nation in renewing their covenant with the Lord, and they followed God for the rest of Josiah's rule.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Josiah's story shows us the importance of leadership-and that a spiritually sensitive and perceptive heart can be nurtured even in young people. You might be young, or just young at heart, but all of us can seek God, respond to His Word, and repent of our sin. Even if you aren't the leader of a nation, you are surrounded by people in your family, church, and community who can be inspired by your heart for God.

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GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals August 16, 2009

Running Every Day
READ: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Run in such a way that you may obtain [the prize]. -1 Corinthians 9:24

The Pikes Peak Ascent is a challenging mountain foot race, covering 13.32 miles while gaining 7,815 feet in altitude. My good friend Don Wallace ran it 20 times. In his final race, he crossed the finish line one week before his 67th birthday! Instead of training just before a race, Don ran 6 miles a day, year round, with rare exceptions, wherever he happened to be. He's done that for most of his adult life and continues to this day.

In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul uses running as a picture of his own discipline as a Christian in the race of life. He ran with purpose and discipline to win an eternal crown, and he encouraged others to do the same: "Run in such a way that you may obtain [the prize]" (v.24).

The word temperate in verse 25 carries the meaning of self-control practiced by athletes who train to win the prize. As a consistent habit of life, regular discipline is of far greater value to any athlete than last-minute preparation.

Are we approaching "the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1) with a hit-or-miss spiritual regimen or with purpose and discipline born from a desire to please God?

The key to going the distance is the discipline of running every day.  - David C. McCasland

Run the straight race through God's good grace,
Lift up thine eyes and seek His face;
Life with its way before us lies,
Christ is the path and Christ the prize. -Monsell


Running the Christian race takes dedication and discipline.
 
No Unbelievers in Hell

In Luke chapter 16, Jesus tells a very sobering story,

"The rich man also died and was buried.  And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom... Then he said, 'I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment'" (Luke 16:22b-23 and 27-28).

Everyone in hell believes in evangelism.  They are crying out lest their loved ones end up with them.

Two thousand years have passed and this rich man has had no relief.  A billion years from now he will just be getting started in his torment and pain.  Listen to his cry,  "My brothers! Send someone to my family!"

Hell is for unbelievers but there are no unbelievers in hell!

Several years ago a man came weeping to the altar of our church.  A message had been preached that night from these very Scriptures.  After giving his heart to Christ (and after a long time of almost uncontrollable weeping), he told us this story:

He said,  "I died twice on the operating table during heart surgery.  Each time I died, I left my body and went to hell.  It was so horrifying that I tried to put it out of my mind.  As the message was preached tonight, all the details of my experience came flooding back into my mind."

He did not need to be convinced that hell was real.  That night he accepted Christ and was liberated from the fear of returning to that place of torment.

Jesus alone can rescue us from the terrors of hell and bring us safely to heaven. Shouldn't we be telling people there is a heaven to gain and a hell to shun?  Shouldn't we be warning them and encouraging them to accept Christ-while there is still time?!

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
and
click here to listen to Bayless Conley at OnePlace.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Godly Wisdom for a Great Marriage

Although it's God's plan for husband and wife to flourish in their marriage, it won't happen by accident. A great marriage takes work. In this 4-part series, Bayless and Janet explore God's Word relating to marriage and share personal insight from over 25 years of experience. You will learn about the specific roles that God gives to both husbands and wives along with how God's commandments can be applied to strengthen and improve your marriage, and much more!

Read: Acts 13:4-13; 15:36-41
Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry. - 2 Timothy 4:11

TODAY IN THE WORD
At the age of 22, Franklin Graham was drinking, partying, and smoking marijuana and had been expelled from a Christian school and college. His father, Billy Graham, confronted him, "I want you to know that your mother and I sense there is a struggle for the soul of your life, and you're going to have to make a choice." After re-reading the Gospel of John, Franklin committed his life to Christ. Today he heads Samaritan's Purse, an international relief organization, as well as the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
Thankfully, a slow start to our spiritual journey doesn't end the story. Today we're studying the story of John Mark, whose first foray into ministry didn't go well.

John Mark grew up in a home of Christ-followers (see Acts 12:12). He accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey as a helper and stayed with them through their time in Cyprus, but then left to return home to Jerusalem (13:13). We aren't told specifically why he quit and failed to continue on in this ministry (15:38).

When Paul and Barnabas decided to embark on another trip, Barnabas suggested taking John Mark along again. But Paul had no interest in another repeat of John Mark's desertion. They decided to part ways; Barnabas took his cousin John Mark and followed the original plan to visit the places from their first journey, and Paul took Silas and went to Syria.

The willingness of Barnabas to give him another chance bore fruit in John Mark's growth in ministry. In Paul's letters, references to John Mark grow increasingly warm. He sent greetings and instructions to the church in Colossae to welcome him (Col. 4:10); he identified John Mark as a fellow worker (Philem. 24); and at the end of his life he requested that John Mark visit him, because "he is helpful to me in my ministry" (2 Tim. 4:11). John Mark was also close to the apostle Peter-many scholars believe this enabled him to write the Gospel of Mark (see 1 Peter 5:13).
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Barnabas was known as a great encourager (see Acts 4:36; 11:22). His willingness to encourage and mentor John Mark helped to transform him from spiritual failure to spiritually fruitful. Is there a young person in your life who needs encouragement? Can you extend a second chance to someone who feels rejected or worthless? Rather than pointing out the flaws and weaknesses, try to help someone see his or her strengths and potential for Christian service. Willingness to invest in someone's life will pay spiritual dividends.

GOD BLESS!

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals August 17, 2009

Royalty Recognized
READ: Philippians 2:5-11
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, . . . [and] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. -Philippians 2:10-11

As a kid, I loved watching the film Little Lord Fauntleroy. The story focuses on Cedric, a boy growing up in a poor home with his mother in Brooklyn. He discovers the stunning news that he is actually the direct descendant of the Earl of Dorincourt and the heir of a vast fortune. One day he's a nobody playing "kick the can" on the streets of New York, and then suddenly he's traveling through an English town to the cries of "Your lordship!" from adoring villagers.

If you had seen Jesus playing in the streets of Nazareth as a boy, you wouldn't have taken any special notice of Him (except that He probably wasn't playing "kick the can"). If you had seen Him in the carpentry shop, you wouldn't have had a clue about His deity. And if you had seen Him hanging on the cross, that horrific scene wouldn't have enticed your heart to adore Him if you didn't know what was behind it.

But in His resurrection, Jesus revealed His true identity. He is the conquering King-ultimate royalty! Since "God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name" (Phil. 2:9), how much more should we adoringly worship Him who, in such surrendered humility, died so that He could become our victorious King!  - Joe Stowell

Behold Him there! The risen Lamb!
My perfect, spotless righteousness;
The great, unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace. -Bancroft

Recognize and respond to the royalty of God-worship Him!

Inwardly Compelled

It was love that motivated the Father to send His Son Jesus to redeem mankind. That same love has been poured out into the heart of every believer.

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5).

God's love in us calls and compels us to do something about the plight of lost people.  Even as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:14, For the love of Christ compels us.

A few years ago, late at night I would hear what seemed to be a very faint chime or bell.  Several times I got out of bed to try and find the source of the sound, but it always stopped before I could discover it.

Finally, one evening, I found out what it was.  It was an old watch I had, tucked away in a drawer under some junk.  Every evening, the alarm would go off at the same time.

The call of God's love in your heart can be like that.  Sounding regularly but seldom heard.  Buried under personal ambitions, cares and problems, daily routines and the general busyness of life.  But it is unmistakably there!

The same love that moved Jesus to heal the sick and minister God's life to broken people is in you!  Listen to it.  Get in touch with it and express it to someone in need.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
and
click here to listen to Bayless Conley at OnePlace.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Godly Wisdom for a Great Marriage

Although it's God's plan for husband and wife to flourish in their marriage, it won't happen by accident. A great marriage takes work. In this 4-part series, Bayless and Janet explore God's Word relating to marriage and share personal insight from over 25 years of experience. You will learn about the specific roles that God gives to both husbands and wives along with how God's commandments can be applied to strengthen and improve your marriage, and much more!


Read: Genesis 37:1-36
Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons. - Genesis 37:3

TODAY IN THE WORD
According to homicide investigators, jealousy is one of the leading motives behind murder. Scripture certainly doesn't omit examples of people driven to dastardly deeds by the sin of jealousy, and today's story presents another account of the seed of jealousy bearing fruit in attempted murder and deception. So far this month we've seen how God cares for children, how parents can impact children, and also how choices reflect values. In our reading today about Joseph, his father Jacob, and his brothers we see all of these issues in one story.
Joseph was born into a family filled with unhealthy relationships. His father's two wives had been competitors for his affections, with jealousy becoming the dominant emotion in their relationship (see Gen. 30:1-24). Each had given Jacob her maidservant to sleep with in the escalating race of who could bear more children. The jealousy and favoritism filtered down to the children. Just as Rachel was Jacob's favorite wife, her son Joseph was his favorite (v. 3). Just as Leah was jealous of Rachel, all of Joseph's brothers hated him for his privileged status (v. 4).

When Joseph revealed his dreams to his family, no one was spiritually perceptive enough to realize that God had blessed Joseph with great insight (see Genesis 40-41). They could only perceive what he said through the lens of their jealousy and hatred. Jacob also put Joseph in the position of reporting on his brothers, and this only gave them more reason to resent Joseph. Finally they decided to get rid of him.

Through the intervention of the oldest brother, Reuben, they didn't kill Joseph immediately. Judah revealed his values when he suggested that they might as well profit off Joseph rather than just kill him-for twenty shekels of silver, he sold his brother as a slave (v. 26). Jacob, whose life had been characterized by numerous episodes of manipulation and deceit, now suffered the deception of his own sons. For years, he would believe that his beloved son Joseph was dead.
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Judah valued money, revealed in his choice to sell his brother as a slave. As we'll see more tomorrow, Joseph would choose to do right rather than profit from sin. Ultimately, this story reminds us of God's sovereign care and plan, even when life appears to be falling apart. If you need to be reminded of God's work to redeem the details of our lives into something that brings Him glory, take some time to read the rest of the story of Joseph (Genesis 37-50).

GOD BLESS!
`

[Judy Harder]

Daily Devotionals August 28, 2009

Light As A Feather
READ: 2 Samuel 6:12-23
A merry heart does good, like medicine. -Proverbs 17:22

We Christians can sometimes be a joyless lot, preoccupied with maintaining our dignity. That's an odd attitude, though, since we're joined to a God who has given us His wonderful gift of joy and laughter.

It's okay to have fun! Each family expresses it in different ways, of course. I'm thankful that our house has been a house of laughter. Water fights, good-natured (albeit stiff) competition, gentle ribbing, and hilarity came easily to us. Laughter has been a gift of God's goodness that carried us through some of life's darkest days. The joy of the Lord has often been our refuge (Neh. 8:10).

When King David brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem from the house of Obed-Edom, he danced "with all his might" before the Lord (2 Sam. 6:14). The Hebrew word has the idea of joyful exuberance and is akin to our expression "kick up your heels." In fact, in verse 16 it says that David was "leaping and whirling." Michal, David's wife, felt that his antics were unbecoming to the dignity of a king and reacted with stern severity. David's response was to announce that he would become even more "undignified" (v.22). His spirit was buoyant and he felt "as light as a feather."

Take time to laugh! (Eccl. 3:4).  - David H. Roper

A merry heart is like a medicine-
It's soothing for your sadness, gives you joy;
So lift your voice and let your spirit soar-
True happiness is yours without alloy. -Hess

Wholesome laughter has great face value.

The Prayer of Faith

Yesterday we learned about the prayer of dedication.  Today I want to help you understand the prayer of faith.  This kind of prayer is found in Mark 11:22-24,

So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God.  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them."

With the prayer of faith, at the moment you pray you are to believe that you receive what you pray for.  Not when the circumstances look different, not at some point in the future, but when you pray.  The Amplified Bible says, Believe that it is granted to you.

When you pray, believe that God hears you and that He has sent the answer, whether you feel differently or not.  Before you ever get up off your knees, believe that heaven has sent the answer.

1 John 5:14-15 says it this way,

Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

The prayer of faith is prayed when you know and understand God's will.  Friend, the Bible is a revelation of the will of God.  Prayer will not reach beyond the will of God, and God's Word reveals His will to us.

So pray the prayer of faith according to His will, and you can be assured He hears you and heaven has sent the answer to your prayer.

Visit the Answers with Bayless Conley website for more ways to Connect with God
and
click here to listen to Bayless Conley at OnePlace.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Godly Wisdom for a Great Marriage

Although it's God's plan for husband and wife to flourish in their marriage, it won't happen by accident. A great marriage takes work. In this 4-part series, Bayless and Janet explore God's Word relating to marriage and share personal insight from over 25 years of experience. You will learn about the specific roles that God gives to both husbands and wives along with how God's commandments can be applied to strengthen and improve your marriage, and much more!


Read: Acts 16:1-5; Philippians 2:19-24
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. - Philippians 2:5

TODAY IN THE WORD
Amy Carmichael was devoted to caring for the young women on the margins of society. In her native Belfast, she organized a Sunday school for "shawlies," poor girls who worked in the mills. From there, she went to work with mill girls in Manchester, England, before following a call to serve God as a missionary. Though initially rejected as a missionary candidate because of her poor health, she ended up serving in India for over 50 years without a furlough, primarily rescuing young girls from temple prostitution. Her biography quotes her as saying, "One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving."
Our reading today depicts a young man who also embodied sacrificial love for others. Timothy was reared by godly women, his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois (2 Tim. 1:5). We've seen examples this month of parents whose ungodly lives or unwise decisions had a negative impact on their child; here is an example of a godly heritage bearing fruit in a young man who desired to serve the Lord.

Paul met Timothy while on a missionary journey. He had a good reputation among the believers in that region, and he was willing to serve with Paul even though it meant undergoing circumcision (v. 3). Timothy put the needs of others above his own comfort and prerogative. Through his work with Paul, the "churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers" (v. 5).

Paul's letters to Timothy contain references to his character and service, but one of the most striking descriptions comes from Paul's letter to the church in Philippi. In chapter two, Paul urged the church to follow the selfless example of Jesus, who was willing to be humbled as a servant and even die in obedience to God (Phil. 2:4-8). He then gave the church an example of someone they knew who had the attitude of Christ Jesus, putting the interests of others first: Timothy (vv. 21-22). His willingness to serve others led Paul to exhort him: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers" (1 Tim. 4:12).
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TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Timothy followed the example of Jesus and embraced selfless service. How can we put the interests of others first? It requires a willingness to sacrifice our own comfort and our own preferences. It requires a commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ as our motivation. All of us, from the oldest to the youngest, are capable of obeying the Word of God on this point-if we are willing to put aside self. Would someone describe you like Timothy, expressing a genuine interest in the welfare of others?

GOD BLESS!--------------------------------------------------------------------------------