Daily Devotions for September 2023
316Judith
Posts: 11,666 Member
Evening Hello Team
Tomorrow we start a Brand New Month of September. I will continue to provide a Devotion for each day of the week.
May I encourage you to share your thoughts and even a Scripture that has come to mind from the Devotion you have read.
See you tomorrow!
God Bless
From Your Team Leader and Friend
Judith
Tomorrow we start a Brand New Month of September. I will continue to provide a Devotion for each day of the week.
May I encourage you to share your thoughts and even a Scripture that has come to mind from the Devotion you have read.
See you tomorrow!
God Bless
From Your Team Leader and Friend
Judith
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Replies
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Wisdom from the Psalms September 1, 2023
Psalms 109:17
As he loved cursing, so let it co me unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him.
The young tennis star was known both for his fiery play and his fiery language. Whereas he excelled in the mastery of the game, he had not yet matured in the art of sportsmanlike conduct.
His wrath was vented each time he disagreed with the umpire's call. He cursed, stomped, screamed, and kicked. Never was he known to back down and admit his own fault. In time, he lost even his own following of fans, because they tired of his childish outbursts.
People who live by selfish emotions find themselves empty and alone most of the time. Their bitterness causes them to curse their life, their friends, their God. Finally, they find it nearly impossible to utter any kind words at all. Those people will not find blessing in their own lives, because they refuse to bring it to others' lives.
It is a fact that the blessing we share is the blessing that comes back to us. Likewise, the curse we impart comes back on us, to make us unhappy and guilty.
Prayer: Though things don't always go the way
I would like, Lord, help me to accept all that happens with grace and peace. Amen.0 -
Wisdom from the Psalms, September 3, 2023
Psalms 109:29
Let mine adversaries be clothe d with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle.
The executive was beginning to sweat.
He thought he'd covered his tracks fairly well, but now the tangled web he had woven was collapsing around him as his double dealings were uncovered.
The questions came at him fast and furious, and he had little time to make sure he wasn't contradicting himself.
By the time the hearing ended, all his dealings were in ruin, and he had no one to blame but himself.
Let the conniving and deceitful people be warned:
The time will come when you will be called to account before God. He is watching each of us, to see how we handle our lives. Those of us who entangle ourselves in less than honest practices will one day have to pay.
The Lord wants us to deal with our earthly affairs with the purity and honesty we use in our relationship with Him. Anything less is not good enough.
If we will deal with others as if they are our Lord Jesus Christ, then we will never suffer through the confusion of the deceitful.
Prayer: The only way to avoid the traps of subterfuge is to avoid evil dealings altogether. Make me to walk in the way of righteousness, always acting toward others as I try to act toward You. Amen.0 -
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Temporary Division
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Romans 5:1 NLT)
In Matthew 10 we find one of the more controversial statements of Jesus: “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.
‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’ ” (verses 34–36 NLT).
This must have shocked His listeners. After all, on the night of Jesus’ birth, didn’t the angels appear to the shepherds and say, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14 NLT)? Is Jesus not the Prince of Peace? What is this about?
It all fits together when we see the big picture.
Yes, it is true that Jesus has ultimately come to bring peace. But before there can be peace, there must be the end of war. And in a war, someone has to win and someone has to lose.
Before we become Christians, we are in a war with God. We’re opposed to Him. But when we, by His grace, come to our senses and surrender ourselves to Jesus Christ, we have peace with God.
As Romans 5:1 tells us, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (NLT).
Where we once were divided from God, we now have peace with God.
Yet Jesus said He came “not to bring peace, but a sword.” And this is a double-edged sword. Though it’s true that it cuts, it also gives life.
What initially wounds ultimately heals, much like a surgeon with a scalpel. We don’t feel the pain of the surgeon’s scalpel until the anesthesia wears off. But when we realize our life was prolonged because of surgery, we recognize that what temporarily caused us pain ultimately extended our lives.
In the same way, Jesus comes with a sword. Yes, it brings temporary pain when we realize that we’re separated from God. But what temporarily causes pain ultimately brings eternal life.
The same is true when you’re seeking to live a godly life and it causes division in your family. Don’t lament. Instead, think of it this way: it’s better to temporarily offend someone who doesn’t know Jesus Christ with a convicting message of the gospel and see them ultimately come to faith than to never offend them in any way and see them go into a Christless eternity.
Now, we shouldn’t unnecessarily offend family members with our witness. Sometimes this happens, especially with believers who are very new in the faith. They lack something called tact, and they’re persecuted not because of their faith but because they’re obnoxious.
We must also remember that if we’re going to be true disciples, it may bring temporary division. It may even cause temporary pain. But ultimately it could bring the greatest harmony of all.
Devotion by Greg Laurie1 -
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
On “Finding Yourself”
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?” (Luke 9:25 NLT)
In a culture that puts so much emphasis on self-image, self-worth, self-love, and self-esteem, the words of Jesus in Matthew 10 don’t go over well. He said, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it” (verse 39 NLT).
Jesus was saying, “Do you want to find yourself? Then lose yourself.”
In Luke’s Gospel, He said something similar: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it” (Luke 9:23-24 NLT).
Statements like these don’t play well in our society. And we’ve even brought that thinking into the church.
We hear preachers say, as though it were gospel truth, that we need self-esteem. And we are told that we need to love ourselves.
People will cite Scripture, saying, “You know, the Bible tells you to love your neighbor as yourself. But before you can love your neighbor, you must love yourself. And our problem is that we don’t love ourselves.”
But is that true? Maybe the problem in our society is not that we fail to love ourselves but that we love ourselves too much. We already do love ourselves. That’s obvious. It’s an established fact. Therefore, the Bible is telling us to love our neighbors in the same way that we love ourselves.
Remember, the apostle Paul wrote, “No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church” (Ephesians 5:29 NLT).
How often have we heard the statement “I’m trying to find myself”?
However, Jesus said, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.”
This simply means that we take our plans, our goals, and our aspirations and we place them at the feet of Jesus Christ. Then we say, “I want Your will more than mine. Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done.”
Don’t ever be afraid to pray that, because God says, “For I know the plans I have for you. . . . They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT).
God is thinking about you, and His thoughts are very good. They’re about your future, and they’re thoughts of giving you hope. He is not against you. Therefore, when you come to the Lord, say, “Here are my plans. But if You have something different in mind, I surrender to You, because You know best.”
God wants us to love Him more than anyone else. He wants us to want His will more than anyone else’s will. And what God does in our lives will be better than what we ever could have done on our own.
Devotion by Greg Laurie0 -
Wisdom from the Psalms September 7, 2023
Psalms 112:4
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
Jerry and Ed were different as night and day, though they were the best of friends. Jerry loved fun and games, and it was difficult for him to be serious about anything for very long.
Ed was studious and hardworking, and nothing swayed him from his course once his mind was made up.
The two boys decided they were going to enter a ten-mile run sponsored by their school. Ed practiced every day, exercising and running, and eating foods that would get him in shape.
Jerry exercised occasionally, ran a few times, and paid little attention to his diet. When the race came and went, Ed led the pack and Jerry couldn't even finish.
Leading an upright life prepares us for the race that God has waiting for us.
Our spiritual fitness puts us in shape to run that race of life.
Without a healthy spirit, we cannot hope to finish.
Life without God beats us down and defeats us.
Life in the Spirit lifts us above any obstacle and empowers us to meet every challenge.
Prayer: Prayer: Like Paul the Apostle, I want to run the good race and fight the good fight. Make me fit to be a member of Your team, Lord. Inspire me to prepare my spirit to meet all the challenges which might come my way. Amen.0 -
Will bring a new Devotion for tomorrow!0
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Wisdom from the Psalms September 10, 2023
Psalms 113:2
Blessed by the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.
Jimmy had heard it all before, but this time there was something different. Though he couldn't quite put his finger on it, suddenly the idea of relationship with Jesus Christ made perfect sense.
Before, he had missed the logic, somehow. The image of being born again was so appropriate. A part of Jimmy felt like it had never lived. From this day forward, his life was going to be different. He wasn't sure how it would change, he simply knew nothing would ever really be the same again.
At various times in our lives, the reality of Christ will come crashing through the ordinariness of our days.
From those times we face life anew; changed at the very core of our being. We move forward in a new, deeper, strengthened relationship with the Lord.
Prayer: From this day forward, Lord, help me to praise You in new ways. Lead me to a deeper relationship with You through Christ Jesus. Shed Your light upon me, that I might know You better. Amen.0 -
Wisdom from the Psalms September 11, 2023
Psalms 113:5
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high.
The entire campus was caught up in the Supreme Light movement. Two men claimed to be privy to special insights, and they had developed an amazing following in a very short time.
Kevin couldn't believe so many of his friends had bought into it so completely. As far as he could see, neither one of the men had that much to give.
All they preached was instant gratification and total forgiveness for all sin, whether repented or not.
For Kevin's money, Jesus Christ would suffice.
Long after these two jokers were gone, Christ would still be around. New ideologies pop up all the time, but none offer as much as Christ offers.
There was absolutely nothing to be gained by settling for less than Jesus. Nothing to gain, but everything to lose.
Prayer: Lord, I hear of new answers to life's problems all the time, and some are quite tempting. Help me to remember that I have all the answer I need in You. Amen.0 -
Wisdom from the Psalms September 12
Psalms 113:7
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dung hill.
A woman sat begging alongside a dirt road. Dozens of people passed her by without even affording her a glance. No one even cared to see that she wasn't begging for herself, but for the child she held tightly in her arms. At last, a young boy passed by and saw the woman. He journeyed home, gathered some food and a blanket, and then he returned to the woman and her child.
Selfless acts of kindness are the true signs of a Spirit-filled life. We can call ourselves Christians, but our actions must verify the claim. Mary and Joseph begged for help once in Bethlehem. How would we have responded if they had come to us to beg? How we treat people who are in need is Christ's criterion for judging how much we love Him. In all ways, we should strive to serve the poor and needy.
PRAYER - Remind me that I merely serve Christ when I serve others. Let me serve gladly, without expectation of reward. Teach me to give to others as You give to me. Amen.1 -
Wisdom from the Psalms September 13
Psalms 115
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.
Max had worked at the mission for over forty years. There had been weeks on end when he hadn't even gotten to go home. He lived to serve the poor and homeless in his area. When he finally decided to retire, the entire city pitched in to pay him tribute. Throughout the proceedings Max seemed uncomfortable, and finally he stood to speak.
"I don't want to seem ungrateful, but all this really isn't necessary, and besides, I don't really deserve it. God is the one who needs to be honored. I have just been fortunate enough that He has used me all these years. I really haven't done anything special. I just did what God wanted me to."
It is difficult to set aside our own ego in order to serve God freely. When all is said and done, however, all that we are able to do is made possible by God's grace. Our triumphs are God's triumphs. Like Max, we should feel privileged that God has chosen to work with and through us.
Prayer: Use me, Lord. With the gifts and talents You bestowed upon me, enable me to spread Your Good News to everyone I meet. Amen.1 -
September 14
September 14 Wiscom from the Psalms
Psalms 115:15
The heavens, even the heavens, are the Lord's: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.
Joey tossed his candy paper on the playground. Patty ran over from where she was playing with her friends, and said, "You pick that up!"
"I don't have too. Who made you boss?"
"It's not nice to throw trash on the ground."
"It's okay. I learned in Sunday school that God gave the earth to us, and we can do anything we want to with it."
Indeed, God had given the world into our hands, but His deepest hope is that we will care for it and protect it. Like careless children, we allow the earth to be mistreated. Like a fragile toy, the earth will be damaged beyond repair. What we will do then, God only knows, but for now we must learn to treat God's creation as God Himself would. Otherwise, how will He ever trust us to share eternity with Him in heaven?
Prayer: Do no let me be careless with Your creation, Lord. I love the beauty of this world, but I am not always quick to protect it. Help me to value our planet more dearly. Amen.1 -
September 15
Wisdom from the Psalms - September 15
Psalm 116:3-4 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came uon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: "O Lord, save me!"
The sorrows of death encompassed me, and the pains of hell laid hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.
Julie didn't want to think about dying, but ever since her third heart attack, she could think of little else. She was so afraid of dying, and she simply hated the hospital. Worrying was the worst thing she could do. She needed a positive frame of mind, but try as she might, her thoughts always turned to gloom and despair.
It is unfortunate that so many people are ignorant of the everlasting life that can follow this one. Through God's promise of glory in eternity, we no longer have anything to fear from death. Whatever befalls us in this lifetime, it is nothing in relation to the eternal home that awaits us. We need to focus on the life to come in times of trial and sorrow. In the face of death we can feel secure that everything will be just fine.
Prayer: In times of fear, dread, and sorrow, shine Your light of love upon me, God. Help me to remember that I have life everlasting, and nothing that occurs now can keep me from it. Amen.
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Thank you Linda for posting these Devotions, this is so appreciated. 😊🤗
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You are very welcome Judith.
September 16
Wisdom from the Psalms September 16
Psalm 116:11 I said in my haste, All men are liars.
Craig trusted no one. He had counted on friends to help him a number of times before, but they all disappointed him. The lesson: Never put your trust in others; trust only in yourself. Now Craig looked to no one for help, and he offered no help to others.
Many people in our world feel that way. They have been burned in their relationships, so they pull in and break off relations altogether. What a shame. If we cut ourselves off from others, then we deprive ourselves of a lot of wonderful experiences. This is why God places such emphasis on forgiveness. If we will learn to forgive others when they wrong us, then we can remain open to the possibility of relationships in which we won't be disappointed. If we have no forgiveness, then we will miss out on the blessings of good relationships. Ask God for the ability to forgive, and He will bless your life.
Prayer: Lord, I want to share my life with others. Prevent me from being too hasty in my judgment of others. Help me to be open to new relationships wherever they might occur. Amen.
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September 17
Wisdom from the Psalms - September 17
Psalm 116:14 I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of all his people.
The teacher asked the class if anyone went to church. At first, no one raised his hand. Greg went every week, but he wasn't sure he wanted the rest of his class to know. There were some people who might laugh. Then someone raised his hand. Others followed, and soon Greg was surprised to see that over half his class attended church regularly. He raised his hand, a little ashamed that he hadn't had the nerve to raise it earlier.
We need to be proud of our faith. What God has done for us is a miracle, and we should want the whole world to know. Take every opportunity to let others know what you believe. Pay your vows to the Lord in front of other people, and be amazed at how much good it does.
Prayer: Forgive me when I keep my faith to myself, Lord. You have given me so much, and I waste it when I refuse to share it with others. Teach me to proudly honor You. Amen.
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Tender Mercies - Today's Insight - September 18, 2023
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the entire land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his hand and placed it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine linen clothing and hung a gold chain around his neck. (Genesis 41:41-42)
Pharaoh swept his hand out wide, so as to include all that vast land of Egypt, and said, "It's all yours, Joseph." Then he took off his signet ring and put it on Joseph's hand.
You know what that ring signified, don't you? It was the platinum charge card of that day. It was the way the king stamped the invoices, the laws, or anything else he wanted to verify or validate with his seal.
Now Joseph had that ring on his finger, placed there by the Pharaoh himself. Joseph wore the authority of the king's imprint.
Joseph's Cinderella-like promotion was incredible. But when God determines the time is right, that's the way He operates.
When the reward comes, thank God without pride. Only God can bring you through and out of the dungeon. Only God can reward you for your faithfulness.
If He has, be grateful, not proud. Remember, with humility, that it is God who has put you there.
Some of you are on the verge of promotion and you don't even know it, because God doesn't announce His appointments in advance.
What you have to do, while you wait, is to believe His promises.
While in the darkness of your dungeon, by faith, trust him to bring the light of a new dawn.
In the winter of your discontent, believe there'll be a spring.
The God of Joseph will stay beside us during the dungeon days; He will not forsake or forget us. He will be there during the blast of the winter storm, holding out the promise of springtime. He will be there through the darkest night, quietly reminding us of the promise of morning light.
Joseph learned that a broken and contrite heart is not the end, but the beginning. Bruised and crushed by the blows of disappointment and unrealized dreams, he discovered that God had never left his side.
When the affliction ended, he had been refined, and he came forth as gold.
He had become a person of greater stability, of deeper quality, of stronger character.
God's promises are just as much for us as they were for Joseph. His grace is still at work. His tender mercies accompany us from the pit to the pinnacle.
By Charles R Swindoll1 -
Wisdom from the Psalms
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Psalms 118:6
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
Scott was a natural. He moved like a fox, had a sharp eye and a sharp mind, and he believed that teamwork was the only way to win. He also stood just shy of seven-foot, four-inches tall. In all of basketball there was not a more mature, competent player. Under his expert captaincy, the team was unstoppable.
Everyone likes a sure thing. We all look for that person or thing that will give us an edge and make us unstoppable. God is that someone.
Nothing can compare with the power of God.
When He is on our side, we have absolutely nothing to fear. In this lifetime, many unfortunate things might occur, but through the grace of God, we will conquer them all.
Prayer: Make me a conqueror, Lord. Please allow me to join Your team, to count You as my ally. Be with me all of my days. Amen.0 -
Wisdom from the Psalms
Wednesday September 20, 2023
Psalm 118:17
I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord.
It had been touch and go for a while, but Frank came through the surgery amazingly well. After he recovered, he shared with his friends his conviction that God had been with him throughout his surgery. He felt a deep calling to share what God had done for him with others, and he traveled to different groups to share his witness.
We are given so many opportunities to share our faith with others. How sad it is that often we have to nearly lose that life before we are motivated to do so. We never value things properly until they are gone. It is foolish to wait until then. God calls us to declare his works as often as we can. Sing forth praises to the Lord. He has given us so much.
Prayer: As long a I live, Lord, I want to point people in Your direction. Help me to witness to others and share the stories of all You have done in my life. Amen.1 -
Wisdom from the Psalms 9/21/23
September 21
Psalm 118:22
The stone which the builders refused has become the head stone of the corner.
When Jesus walked upon the earth, it was not the common people, but those who should have known better, that rejected Him. The learned men of the day, who had studied long and hard, knew that Messiah was to come, but they were unwilling to accept the carpenter's son from Galilee as the Chosen One. They rejected Him and masterminded His death on a cross, but that was not enough to thwart the holy plans of God. Christ was, is, and always shall be the one true Son of God. Those who reject Him build their faith with faulty materials. Only Christ is the true cornerstone of faith. Upon that stone alone can true faith be built.
Prayer: Provide the foundation of my faith, O God, and help me to construct a fortress that will withstand all assaults. Protect me with Your love. Amen.
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Wisdom from the Psalms - September 22
Psalm 118:24
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Rainy days are loved by farmers. Snowy days are loved by children who can stay home from school. Storms are loved by mystery fanatics. Gray days are loved by romantics. Sunny days are loved by picnickers. Warm days are loved by beach goers. Cool days are loved by those who stroll. All days have their purposes under heaven. Enjoy the day that the Lord has made. He has many more to share.
Prayer: Let me appreciate the gift of this day. Help me to use my time wisely, teach me to rejoice, and fill me with joy that never ends. Amen.1 -
September 23
Wisdom from the Psalm September 23
Psalm 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
"I don't have time. I can slip in a prayer now and then, but I really can't commit to Bible study, or even church."
Terri was so busy that she didn't have time to spare for God. When times got tough, she couldn't understand why her faith didn't do her more good. Unfortunately, faith will not do more for a person than that person allows it to. We will benefit from our faith in proportion to how much we are willing to put in. God is waiting to spend time with us, to help us develop our faith. Seek Him with your whole heart, and He will richly bless you.
Prayer: Teach me new ways to seek You, Lord. Grant me special dedication to study Your word, spend time with You in prayer, and grow in the community of faith and fellowship which is available to me. Amen.
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September 24
Wisdom from the Psalms September 24
Psalm 119:9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
It was a strange feeling to be back in control. The last few years were just a fog in Al's memory. He had spent them in a haze of dope and alcohol. Thank God that Janet came along. She saw the trouble he was in and offered him a friendly hand. She had invited him to her church, and there he found a circle of friends that he'd decided could never exist. Miraculously, withdrawal had been easier than he dreamed. The church people rallied around him and gave him all the support he needed. Now he was clean, and he owed it all to God.
God is the great purifier. He will remove all that is impure in our lives and fill us with good things. We no longer need earthly crutches, because we have found total healing in the Lord. All that is required is a willingness to change. The Lord will help us do the rest.
Prayer: Make me a new person, Lord. I may not be hung up on drugs, bu t there is plenty in my life that should not be there. Help to wash it all away, and replace it with Your blessed love. Amen.
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September 25
Wisdom from the Psalms September 25
Psalm 119:15I will meditate on thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
Carol had never thought of meditation as a part of her Christian life. Meditation was something the Eastern faiths believed in, or so she'd always thought. But the speaker at the church had begun talking about Christian meditation, and it made a lot of sense. So often her prayer time was hurried, and she often didn't even stop to listen, to see if God might be trying to get through to her. In the ensuing weeks, Carol began to meditate daily, and she felt a closeness to God that she'd never known before.
Meditation sets our whole mind and spirit in a proper mood for encountering God. We are made ready for hearing the Word of God in our hearts. It also makes it easier to spend time with God. Meditation opens doors to God that we might have missed before. Take time to quietly contemplate the glories of the Lord.
Prayer: I need to be quiet and think of the many miracles that go on all around me. Come to me in my peace, O Lord, and share the blessings of the calm. Amen.
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Wisdom from the Psalms - September 26
Psalm 119:18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Gus had lived in the hills since his childhood. He had only learned to read the simplest words, and he could do little more than sign his name, but he was a happy man, and a hard worker. His niece brought him to live with her in the city when his wife died, and it was quickly discovered that Gus needed glasses. For the better part of his life, Gus had lived in nearsighted blindness. Suddenly, the whole world was opened up to him, and he viewed it with childlike awe.
Many of us live our lives in a kind of spiritual nearsightedness. We refuse to experience the fullness of our faith because it might cost too much, or it might make us uncomfortable. God offers to let us see this world through His eyes, and a more beautiful sight does not exist. Allow Him to give you second sight, and behold the wonders of the world.
Prayer: Remove the blinders that I so often place upon my eyes. Expand my horizons beyond the limits I place on myself. Grant me vision through Your eyes of love. Amen.0 -
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
No Compromise
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3 NLT)
There was a time when we were bombarded by a one-sided view of God as an angry deity, ready to throw people into the open fires of Hell. People complained about too much hellfire-and-brimstone preaching.
But when was the last time anyone has heard a hellfire-and-brimstone message? Sadly, the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” that Jonathan Edwards preached in 1741 would not be allowed in many churches today.
Many people have gone too far in the other direction, teaching that God is an all-loving, benign, supreme being that doesn’t seem to have any opinions about the way we live. The assumption is that as long as we’re true to ourselves, then it’s okay with Him. He accepts us the way we are.
We like the qualities of God such as love, forgiveness, and compassion and the incredible fringe benefit of eternal life in Heaven. On the other hand, we’re appalled by a God of holiness who desperately loves us yet requires repentance as well as trust, a God who promises to judge those who refuse to come to Him on His terms.
Others look at God as some kind of pagan deity who simply needs to be appeased. They think that if they go through religious rituals, they’ve done their part and they can build up credit for sinning that week. People can follow that god as much as they want. But that is not the God of the Bible.
When we start picking and choosing the things about God that appeal or do not appeal to us, we are not only diminishing our view of who God is but also believing and teaching a false gospel.
Some preachers today offer weak, watered-down proclamations in the name of the gospel.
They tell you to believe, but they don’t tell you to repent. They tell you there’s a Heaven, but they don’t tell you there’s a Hell. And they tell you there’s forgiveness, but they don’t tell you there’s repentance.
If we don’t include those things, then it isn’t the gospel. We cannot edit the gospel according to what we like or don’t like. It’s for us to share it as God gave it. Otherwise, we strip the gospel of its power and effectiveness.
We cannot control what happens in the world.
But at the same time, we cannot allow the belief system of a secular society to influence the way we believe. The idea is not to conform ourselves to the world’s way of thinking. It is not to bend the Bible to the culture.
When we desperately want to please everyone and not offend anyone, we will fail to make an impact on our culture.
When we start tampering with the essentials of our faith such as the Bible, the gospel, and the nature of God Himself, we are making God into a different image.
The God of the Bible does love us and accept us as we are. But the God of the Bible also wants to change us. He wants to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ.
Devotion by Greg Laurie
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I totally agree with this devotional. It is a shame that people want to water down the gospel to make it easier to follow.1
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Thursday, September 28, 2023
Let’s Talk About It
“For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:31 NLT)
Jesus, the very personification of love, talked a lot about Hell. In fact, He spent more time than anyone else in the Bible talking about Hell. Therefore, we don’t want to steer clear of this subject. To avoid this topic is a big mistake, even if it makes us uncomfortable.
We do, however, want a biblical understanding of what the Bible says. Ironically, the word hell is one of the most frequently used words in the English language, yet it is one of the subjects we talk about the least.
When the apostle Paul spoke on Mars Hill, he concluded his message by saying, “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him.
For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead” (Acts 17:30-31 NLT).
Jesus talked about judgment. Paul talked about judgment. The apostles talked about judgment.
The Bible talks about judgment. And we need to talk about it and have a proper understanding of what it’s about.
Some would say that it isn’t loving to talk about these things. Actually, it’s the most loving thing we can do.
Let’s say, for instance, that you’re walking down the street and see a house that is on fire.
You see people inside, but they don’t realize what is happening.
Would it be a loving thing to just keep walking?
Of course not. The loving thing would be to do everything you can to warn the people inside.
In the same way, if we believe what the Bible says about Hell and judgment, then we’ll recognize that people are facing judgment. And because we love them, we’ll want to talk to them about it and explain it.
The Bible is very clear in pointing out that at some point, our lives on earth will end. Scripture tells us in Ecclesiastes, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die” (3:1-2 NLT).
That time to die may come much later than we expected. Or, it may occur much sooner. That is why the Bible reminds us to number our days and recognize how few they are (see Psalm 90:12).
Death is the great equalizer. It comes to everyone.
And after death, according to the Bible, there are two destinations: Heaven or Hell. We decide now, not later, where we will go.
After death, there won’t be any chances to decide. Yet there are thousands of chances before. And you decide where you will go.
As Christians, we should talk about life after death and Heaven and Hell because the Bible does. And if we really believe there is an afterlife and a final judgment, if we really believe that we will be held accountable for things that we say and do, then it will affect the way we live.
Devotional by Greg Laurie0 -
Amen!!1
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Friday, September 29, 2023
It’s No Joke
“Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death.” (Revelation 20:14 NLT)
People are selective when it comes to the subject of God and the afterlife. They like the idea of a God who is loving, completely accepting, and tolerant. People can go along with a deity like that.
But they don’t like the notion of a God who is also just. And they reject the idea that God would send some people to Hell, or at least a lot of people they know. They would like to think that certain people will be in Hell for the horrible crimes they’ve committed. But they don’t expect themselves or family and friends to end up there.
Yet Hell is a real place for real people. And according to the Bible, Hell is a miserable place of torment and separation from God that lasts for eternity.
As Timothy Keller pointed out in The Reason for God, “In our culture, divine judgment is one of Christianity’s most offensive doctrines.”[1]
When you bring up this topic, people get upset. Maybe one reason is widespread misinformation about Hell. It certainly is not a party place. And it is absolutely not a joke. If it were, Jesus would never have talked about it in the way that He did.
Most of the biblical teaching on Hell comes from Jesus Himself. He spoke about it more than anyone else in the Bible. And He spoke about it in a very specific way. More than half of the parables Jesus told relate to God’s eternal judgment of sinners.
We cannot pick and choose things in the Bible that personally appeal to us and then throw the others aside. We can imagine, as John Lennon famously sang, that Heaven and Hell don’t exist. But that won’t change the fact that they are real.
The Bible tells us there are two deaths: one is physical and the other is spiritual. In Revelation 20:14 we read, “Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death” (NLT).
The next chapter also mentions the second death: “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death” (21:8 NLT). The second death this is speaking of is Hell.
If you are born once, you will die twice. You are born physically, and you will die physically. And then you will face the second death and eternal separation from God.
But if you are born twice, you will die once. You are born physically, and you are born again spiritually when you put your faith in Christ. You will face only the first death (unless, of course, the Rapture happens in your lifetime).
Scripture tells us that the second death is what we should fear.
God has given us a free will, so where we spend eternity is really our choice. Not everyone will be saved in the end—only those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.
Devotion by Greg Laurie1 -
Wisdom from the Psalms
Saturday September 30, 2023
Maybe you’re curious about the high number of God’s names represented in Scripture. Maybe you’re wondering, Why does God have so many names in the first place? Why can’t we know Him simply as God?
One reason God gave us so many names to refer to Him is so that we can gain a better perspective on who He is. In other words, the reason we need so many names is that one name by itself doesn’t fully describe God’s majesty and power. One name alone can’t fully communicate all of who He is.
You can see this principle at work in the way our culture responds to superstar athletes. When an individual rises above the rest and becomes truly great, we typically respond by giving him a nickname. That’s how a defensive tackle in the NFL named Charles Edward Greene became Mean Joe Greene. He was too good for just one name.
That’s how Wayne Gretzky became The Great One in the National Hockey League. And that’s why you rarely hear about a basketball player named Julius Erving; you hear about Dr. J instead.
We use multiple names to highlight the unique attributes of people we consider great. It’s appropriate, then, that God uses multiple names to communicate His many attributes and the majesty of His greatness to us.
In over four decades of ministry and six decades of life, I’ve become increasingly convinced that God desires for us to know Him for all He truly is. As we understand and experience the many aspects of His goodness and power, our hearts are opened to worshiping Him.
God wants us to come face-to-face with the many layers of His significance and identity. His names reveal various facets of His character. In fact, throughout the Bible, when God wanted to reveal a new part of His character to His people, He often did so by revealing a new name.
That’s what happened with Moses during his encounter with God at the burning bush:
Moses said to God, “Behold, I am going to the sons of Israel, and I will say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you.’ Now they may say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ”
Exodus 3:13-14
Moses knew he couldn’t take command of the Israelites and lead them out of Egypt based on his own name and his own authority. That’s why he needed to know God’s name. Moses needed to connect himself to a specific attribute of God in order to display the power attached to God’s name.
God responded to Moses by revealing one of my favorite names in Scripture: “I AM WHO I AM” (v. 14). God told Moses all he needed to know about Himself for Moses to respond in obedience, and He did it by revealing His name.0
