From: Boyd Bailey Ministries
Deuteronomy 8:2 "Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commands."
The treadmill of life can provide a real stress test for our heart. What’s in our heart comes out under duress. If resentment resides in your heart, then anger appears. If forgiveness is found in your heart, then peace exudes when pressured by outside forces. The heart does not show its true colors until it faces a test.
It is under the fire of a test that the heart of the matter surfaces to the top. This is why someone is able to mask hurt over a lifetime of disappointment by ignoring its deep-rooted influence. You can hide what’s in your heart, but eventually a test will lure it out. And, its exposure is for your benefit.
Your current situation may very well be a test from God. He is waiting to unlock its motives. A worthy motivation is nothing less than the unleashing of the character of Christ within your heart. God already knows what is concealed in your heart. He wants you to recognize it.
Allow this test to recalibrate you and transform you. Tests are for a season. Tests are for a reason. Tests purify. Tests mature. Tests bless. Tests are for your good. Therefore, prepare, learn and test well for His glory!
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Letter From A Friend
From: New Life Daily Devotions - Steve Arterburn
Matthew 4:4 "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"
When I receive a letter from a close friend I usually find myself doing two things: first, I read the letter with interest—hanging on every word; and second, I read the letter a second and in some cases a third time—hoping each time to gain insight or catch something I might have missed previously.
Who wants to be closer to us than God? The same should be true with regard to God’s Word, and by reading that message intently and repeatedly, we can get to know Him truly and more accurately.
In Psalm 119, David likens Scripture to a "lamp for our feet and a light for our path." You need to keep God’s Word close by and read it often. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself walking in darkness. And if that happens, you’re sure to stumble and fall.
Remember, God’s Word, the Bible, is a series of letters from your closest friend. Read them closely. Read them often. And after you read it once, read it again!
Matthew 4:4 "It is written, 'One does not live by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the mouth of God.'"
When I receive a letter from a close friend I usually find myself doing two things: first, I read the letter with interest—hanging on every word; and second, I read the letter a second and in some cases a third time—hoping each time to gain insight or catch something I might have missed previously.
Who wants to be closer to us than God? The same should be true with regard to God’s Word, and by reading that message intently and repeatedly, we can get to know Him truly and more accurately.
In Psalm 119, David likens Scripture to a "lamp for our feet and a light for our path." You need to keep God’s Word close by and read it often. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself walking in darkness. And if that happens, you’re sure to stumble and fall.
Remember, God’s Word, the Bible, is a series of letters from your closest friend. Read them closely. Read them often. And after you read it once, read it again!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Faith
From: Winning Walk Ministries - Ed Young
Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for and conviction about things we do not see."
Faith is confident assurance and conviction...regardless of circumstances or consequences. Faith is an active thing, not a passive feeling. I wonder how many Christians never really exercise their faith in their day to day living?
A friend of mine once played the Augusta National Golf Course where the Masters is held each year. His assigned caddie watched his shots for a while so he could help him with club selection on the course, then they were off.
My friend said he was playing fairly well when he came to the famous "Amen Corner." At number 13 (a par-5) he hit a booming drive, then asked his caddie what iron he needed to lay up. Knowing that a lot of pros had tried to hit over the creek and on to the green in two—and missed—he never thought of trying it himself. His caddie looked at him and said, "You flew all the way from Oklahoma to play this course?" My friend nodded. "Think you’ll ever play here again?" My friend said no, he did not imagine he would be back. "Then mister," the caddie said, "you’ve come too far to lay up."
God has brought us so far. Too far, in fact, for us to settle back in the safety of the ordinary and not exercise our faith. We’ve simply come too far to lay up…and we’ll never pass this way again.
Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for and conviction about things we do not see."
Faith is confident assurance and conviction...regardless of circumstances or consequences. Faith is an active thing, not a passive feeling. I wonder how many Christians never really exercise their faith in their day to day living?
A friend of mine once played the Augusta National Golf Course where the Masters is held each year. His assigned caddie watched his shots for a while so he could help him with club selection on the course, then they were off.
My friend said he was playing fairly well when he came to the famous "Amen Corner." At number 13 (a par-5) he hit a booming drive, then asked his caddie what iron he needed to lay up. Knowing that a lot of pros had tried to hit over the creek and on to the green in two—and missed—he never thought of trying it himself. His caddie looked at him and said, "You flew all the way from Oklahoma to play this course?" My friend nodded. "Think you’ll ever play here again?" My friend said no, he did not imagine he would be back. "Then mister," the caddie said, "you’ve come too far to lay up."
God has brought us so far. Too far, in fact, for us to settle back in the safety of the ordinary and not exercise our faith. We’ve simply come too far to lay up…and we’ll never pass this way again.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The Key To Success
From: New Life Daily Devotions
Psalm 42:1 "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God."
Looking for an edge in life? Consider this: God is the key to any success you may have in learning to control your actions and desires. He must be your strength, your counselor, and your sure foundation.
He’s the source and fulfillment of all human life, including yours. In other words, we were created by God as well as for God. We often forget the latter.
St. Augustine made this beautiful confession nearly seventeen centuries ago: "Our hearts are restless until they find rest in You, O Lord." It was true for him then, and it’s true for us now.
Behind all our cravings is a craving for God. And this craving can only be filled through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Psalm 42:1 "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God."
Looking for an edge in life? Consider this: God is the key to any success you may have in learning to control your actions and desires. He must be your strength, your counselor, and your sure foundation.
He’s the source and fulfillment of all human life, including yours. In other words, we were created by God as well as for God. We often forget the latter.
St. Augustine made this beautiful confession nearly seventeen centuries ago: "Our hearts are restless until they find rest in You, O Lord." It was true for him then, and it’s true for us now.
Behind all our cravings is a craving for God. And this craving can only be filled through a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Pure Motives
From: Boyd Bailey Ministries
Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do, whether in speech or in action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Pure motives are sometimes hard to distinguish. Especially difficult are motives related to religion. Why do we serve God? If gratitude and love are the reasons for our service then our motives are right, but it is not always that easy or clear. Sometimes as committed Christians the lines of pure hearted motivation are blurred. Service for Christ is not to make us feel better about ourselves, rather our service is to glorify our Lord.
Indeed, service for God with wrong motives can easily lead to burnout, disappointment and disillusionment. An act of service—on behalf of Christ—is not conditional. Your motive is to please and obey Him—it is not for your fame, but for your heavenly Father’s name.
It is important to do a motive check of your life. It is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day, and year-by-year process. We are all experts at rationalizing and justifying good results that emerge from shady motives. The methods may even be acceptable, but the reasons are wrong. However, pure motives can be found, as they come from a pure heart.
Just being in God’s presence tends to purify our motives. So, do all things for Him and His glory. Moreover, let your reward be unseen rather than seen. Stay motivated with pure motives for Jesus’ sake!
Colossians 3:17 "Whatever you do, whether in speech or in action, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus."
Pure motives are sometimes hard to distinguish. Especially difficult are motives related to religion. Why do we serve God? If gratitude and love are the reasons for our service then our motives are right, but it is not always that easy or clear. Sometimes as committed Christians the lines of pure hearted motivation are blurred. Service for Christ is not to make us feel better about ourselves, rather our service is to glorify our Lord.
Indeed, service for God with wrong motives can easily lead to burnout, disappointment and disillusionment. An act of service—on behalf of Christ—is not conditional. Your motive is to please and obey Him—it is not for your fame, but for your heavenly Father’s name.
It is important to do a motive check of your life. It is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day, and year-by-year process. We are all experts at rationalizing and justifying good results that emerge from shady motives. The methods may even be acceptable, but the reasons are wrong. However, pure motives can be found, as they come from a pure heart.
Just being in God’s presence tends to purify our motives. So, do all things for Him and His glory. Moreover, let your reward be unseen rather than seen. Stay motivated with pure motives for Jesus’ sake!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Whole Purpose
From: Neil Anderson Ministries
Ecclesiastes 12:13 "The last word when all is heard: Revere God and obey His commandments...!
The Bible overwhelmingly instructs that to do God's will means living in harmony with God and man: "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).
The whole purpose of the Bible is to teach us how to have a relationship with God and live in harmony with one another. We do this by assuming our responsibilities for today and trusting God for tomorrow.
I'm not sure the Lord cares primarily whether you are a carpenter, teacher or doctor. But He does care what kind of carpenter, teacher or doctor you are. Determine to be the person He has called you to be. No one can prevent you from being God's person except you.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 "The last word when all is heard: Revere God and obey His commandments...!
The Bible overwhelmingly instructs that to do God's will means living in harmony with God and man: "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).
The whole purpose of the Bible is to teach us how to have a relationship with God and live in harmony with one another. We do this by assuming our responsibilities for today and trusting God for tomorrow.
I'm not sure the Lord cares primarily whether you are a carpenter, teacher or doctor. But He does care what kind of carpenter, teacher or doctor you are. Determine to be the person He has called you to be. No one can prevent you from being God's person except you.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
The Right Motives
From: Bryant Wright Ministries
James 4:3 "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives."
You’ll find little argument from people about the importance of prayer. Most people pray. Everyone needs it. But the reality is, prayer is often disappointing to us. We don’t get the results we desire. Let me share with you why: It’s found in the Bible, in the book of James, as shown above. "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives."
Prayer is not so much about asking God for what we want. It’s about discovering what He wants and finding the strength to do it. Selfish prayers disappoint. Prayers to get to know God, to find strength and to do His will, bring tremendous results - sometimes even supernatural results. This kind of praying is powerful, because you get plugged into the ultimate power source - the God of the universe.
How is your prayer life? Is it fulfilling or disappointing? Remember to check your motive, for your heart is the key.
James 4:3 "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives."
You’ll find little argument from people about the importance of prayer. Most people pray. Everyone needs it. But the reality is, prayer is often disappointing to us. We don’t get the results we desire. Let me share with you why: It’s found in the Bible, in the book of James, as shown above. "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives."
Prayer is not so much about asking God for what we want. It’s about discovering what He wants and finding the strength to do it. Selfish prayers disappoint. Prayers to get to know God, to find strength and to do His will, bring tremendous results - sometimes even supernatural results. This kind of praying is powerful, because you get plugged into the ultimate power source - the God of the universe.
How is your prayer life? Is it fulfilling or disappointing? Remember to check your motive, for your heart is the key.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
It's Not Too Complicated
From: William Hull
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter.
Little Rick, a very bright boy, was excited about the task. However, he had a terrible time with memorization. He worked and worked, but he just could not memorize the whole Psalm. The day came that he and others were going to have to stand up and recite it. Others got up and struggled, but they got through the Psalm.
Little Rick wanted to say, "I can’t do it," but finally he had a thought and he went up to the microphone. With obvious anxiety in his voice he said, "The Lord is my Shepherd...and that’s all you need to know!" And he sat down.
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter.
Little Rick, a very bright boy, was excited about the task. However, he had a terrible time with memorization. He worked and worked, but he just could not memorize the whole Psalm. The day came that he and others were going to have to stand up and recite it. Others got up and struggled, but they got through the Psalm.
Little Rick wanted to say, "I can’t do it," but finally he had a thought and he went up to the microphone. With obvious anxiety in his voice he said, "The Lord is my Shepherd...and that’s all you need to know!" And he sat down.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The Source Of My Strength
From: Boyd Bailey Ministries
Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him."
A life lived well requires help from the Lord. Life is like a ship on an open sea: we navigate through calm waters, rough waters, uncertain waters and beautiful waters—but all the time trusting its Creator. The source of our strength must be Christ, or we grow chronically tired. Faith in the Lord triumphs over fear and frustration.
Indeed, His help happens to those who kneel in humble dependency and cry out to Jesus, "Lord help me!" Help from heaven gives hope, healing and the energy to push through tough times and trust Him.
His help gives joy where laughter has left. His help gives confidence in the middle of crisis. His help gives forgiveness when hurt has severed another’s trust. His help harnesses grace and bridles a toxic tongue. His help reaches to the poorest of the poor, the richest of the rich and everyone in between—with His saving grace in Jesus Christ.
How can Jesus help you? Do you need wisdom? Ask Him with a humble heart and He will hear and answer your request. His response may come in the form of godly friends who give you wise advice—so look around and listen intently—for the Lord speaks through those who truly love you.
Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him."
A life lived well requires help from the Lord. Life is like a ship on an open sea: we navigate through calm waters, rough waters, uncertain waters and beautiful waters—but all the time trusting its Creator. The source of our strength must be Christ, or we grow chronically tired. Faith in the Lord triumphs over fear and frustration.
Indeed, His help happens to those who kneel in humble dependency and cry out to Jesus, "Lord help me!" Help from heaven gives hope, healing and the energy to push through tough times and trust Him.
His help gives joy where laughter has left. His help gives confidence in the middle of crisis. His help gives forgiveness when hurt has severed another’s trust. His help harnesses grace and bridles a toxic tongue. His help reaches to the poorest of the poor, the richest of the rich and everyone in between—with His saving grace in Jesus Christ.
How can Jesus help you? Do you need wisdom? Ask Him with a humble heart and He will hear and answer your request. His response may come in the form of godly friends who give you wise advice—so look around and listen intently—for the Lord speaks through those who truly love you.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
I Just Don't Know Why
From: Love Worth Finding Ministries
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."
I read about a farmer who had a big brush pile of debris that he was going to burn. He noticed a little bird had built a nest in that brush pile, so he destroyed the nest. When he came back days later, he found the bird rebuilding the nest. The farmer destroyed the nest again. But the bird built again, and again the farmer destroyed it.
Finally, the little bird gave up. I can just imagine that little bird going home and saying to his family, "I just don't know why all our good plans of building a home are not working." Well, there was an unseen hand doing something the bird may have thought was bad, but was really good.
Read Romans 8:28 again. Notice the verse is not saying that all things are good. All things are not good. There are some terrible things in this world. The point is that God is good and has a specific purpose for your life!
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."
I read about a farmer who had a big brush pile of debris that he was going to burn. He noticed a little bird had built a nest in that brush pile, so he destroyed the nest. When he came back days later, he found the bird rebuilding the nest. The farmer destroyed the nest again. But the bird built again, and again the farmer destroyed it.
Finally, the little bird gave up. I can just imagine that little bird going home and saying to his family, "I just don't know why all our good plans of building a home are not working." Well, there was an unseen hand doing something the bird may have thought was bad, but was really good.
Read Romans 8:28 again. Notice the verse is not saying that all things are good. All things are not good. There are some terrible things in this world. The point is that God is good and has a specific purpose for your life!
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