Team Daily Devotions for September 2024
316Judith
Posts: 9,092 Member
September 1, 2024
Wisdom in the Psalms
Psalms 109:17 As he loved cursing, so let it come 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.
Wisdom in the Psalms
Psalms 109:17 As he loved cursing, so let it come 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.
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Monday, September 2
Be Like God
Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:1-2
One of the most successful commercials of all time was originally broadcast on August 8, 1991. The product was a sports drink, and the star of the commercial was legendary basketball player Michael Jordan. The commercial showed Jordan playing basketball and consuming the sports drink, ending with “Be like Mike.” And it worked! Sales of the sports drink took off.
Bible Reading:
Ephesians 4:32
The Irish playwright Oscar Wilde was the first to tell us that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”—and that may be true among humans.
But flattery is not the reason the apostle Paul tells us to “be imitators of God.” It is because God is love (1 John 4:8) and has demonstrated His love toward us (Romans 5:8).
If our goal is to be a good basketball player, we should “be like Mike.” But if our goal is to be like Christ, we should imitate God by walking in love the way Christ did.
Imitation requires intimate knowledge. Spend time with God in His Word daily in order to imitate Him.
Nowhere do we imitate God more than in showing mercy. Albert Barnes0 -
Tuesday, September 3
The Danger of Being Conditioned
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them. Ephesians 5:6-7
Bible Reading:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Though debunked by scientists, the fable of the frog and increasingly heated water makes a valid point.
The idea is that a frog put into a pan of tepid water will remain in the pan (and die) as the water is slowly brought to a boil—illustrating the danger of gradual conditioning: what might have once been rejected becomes gradually accepted.
Such conditioning can happen culturally and spiritually. Think about the things that are now considered acceptable in American society that would have been unthinkable when the nation was founded.
Paul provides examples from his day in Ephesians 5:3-5: sexual immorality, moral impurity, greed, obscenity, foolish talk, coarse jesting, and the like.
Such things have always been around, but they are now practiced in public rather than behind closed doors.
It is easy for Christians who live in such a society to become conditioned to such carnality.
The surest way to avoid being “assimilated” is to meditate on the Word of God daily (Psalm 1:1-3).
One reason the church has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the church. Charles Spurgeon0 -
Wednesday, September 4
Sunshine on Your Face
Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
Colossians 1:12
The sun never sets in Longyearbyen, Norway, between mid-April to late August. For about four months, the sun never goes down. You can take a sunny walk at 3 a.m., for the sun is still up.
Bible Reading:
Colossians 1:9-14
Every believer lives in the spiritual equivalent of Longyearbyen. Even at 3 a.m., we’re bathed with light.
The study of light in the Bible is complex, for the term is used both physically and metaphorically.
Light can symbolize many things, but chiefly it represents the presence of our holy, truthful, gracious God.
'For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ' (2 Corinthians 4:6).
We’re to reflect the light of Jesus and walk in the light.
Today, imagine living in a place emotionally and spiritually where the sun never sinks below the horizon.
See yourself walking down a sun-splashed trail.
Walk in the light of the Lord, and keep the sunshine on your face.
How beautiful to walk in the steps of the Saviour, led in paths of light. Eliza E. Hewitt0 -
Thursday, September 5
The Saint in Sunshine
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.
Ephesians 5:11
The last half of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians revolves around the idea of walking.
We’re to walk worthy of the calling with which we are called (4:1), to walk in love (5:2), to walk as wise (5:15), and to walk in light.
Ephesians 5:8 says, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.”
Bible Reading:
Ephesians 5:8-14
That means we’re to avoid doing things that people do in darkness—in moral and spiritual darkness.
Our world is a dark place, and loathsome creatures thrive in the darkness—pornography, cheating, profanity, compromise, fearfulness, anxiety, depression, unrestrained anger, and personal bitterness.
We may be in the world, but we are not of the world.
We can’t help it that people around us are wrapped up in the things of this world and the darkness.
We must love them and minister to them. But we cannot be partakers with them.
Visualize yourself today wrapped in a blanket of light! You’ll be a saint in sunshine.
You will walk in sunshine. The Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God your glory. Rev. James Fleming0 -
Friday, September 6
Walk in Wisdom
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16
The first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs are recorded as the words (advice, teachings) of a father to his son on how to live a wise life.
The Hebrew idea of wisdom is “skill”—avoiding spiritual and moral danger.
Proverbs 2:1-6 describes the acquisition of wisdom as a process not unlike searching for hidden treasure—it takes time and diligence.
Bible Reading:
Proverbs 2:12-22
Paul continues that idea in Ephesians 5:15-16, exhorting Christians to walk carefully and skillfully. Why is wisdom (skill) so necessary?
“Because the days are evil.” This is an idea not unlike the ideas in Proverbs 1–9—that the path through life is filled with traps and snares of all kinds.
The person who strolls through life unaware of these dangers will be easily caught by them.
Thus the need to walk “circumspectly” (carefully), making the most of the limited time and opportunities we have.
As the example in James 4:13-17 points out, carefulness starts with consulting God on decisions and directions.
Over time, our skill in discerning God’s will grows as we benefit from His guidance.
I pray as I walk about, when I lie down and when I rise up. And the answers are always coming. George Müller0 -
September 7, 2024
Wisdom from the Psalms
Psalms 111:10
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Brian had been told time after time to stay away from the neighbor's dog. Still, he didn't look too ferocious, and Brian wanted to pet him.
While no one looked, Brian crept over to the fence and stuck his hand through to pet the dog.
Cries of terror and pain brought the adults running, and Brian learned a lesson he would never forget.
God gives us His laws and commandments for our own good.
He is not controlling or domineering.
He simply knows what is best for His children, and He tries to instruct them in the ways that will make them happiest.
If we decide to violate God's will, then we have to pay the consequences.
Once we suffer the costs, we learn what is involved, and a deep wisdom begins to set in.
Our lessons may often be difficult and painful, but in all ways, they will help us to be better than we have been before.
Prayer: Forgive me when I go my own way, O God. I do not mean to be disobedient, but there are times when I just need to experience things for myself. Be patient while I learn my lessons, and protect me from lasting harm, I pray. Amen0 -
September 8, 2024
Wisdom from the Psalms
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: 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 -
Monday, September 9
Trinity Springs
Both the singers and the players on instruments say, “All my springs are in you.” Psalm 87:7
Trinity Springs in Idaho claims to have some of the oldest, deepest, freshest water on earth—it’s supposedly the oldest known water from the deepest known source. Perhaps that’s true, but here’s something we know for certain.
The Holy Trinity provides us with living waters that can fill us to the brim. Jesus asked the Father, and He sent the Spirit, which is like a river flowing from within us (John 7:38).
Bible Reading:
Colossians 2:6-7
We’re called to be filled with the Spirit, meaning we should yield every part of our lives to Jesus Christ so He can live His life through us by His Spirit.
In doing so, we find the Spirit begins to develop Christ’s nine basic character traits within us: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
A good prayer to offer today is the stanza in Adelaide Pollard’s hymn, “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” Pray it aloud and ask God to fulfill it: “Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Hold o’er my being absolute sway. Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!”
Multitudes of Christians are living in a dry and thirsty land, not realizing that God has wells of living water that may be theirs for the asking. C. R. Wilson0 -
Tuesday, September 10
Spirit Submission
Be filled with the Spirit…submitting to one another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:18, 21
Ephesians 5 is the Bible’s definitive passage about being filled with the Holy Spirit. When we’re filled with the Spirit, we find ourselves more willing to be submissive to others.
Submission is not an ugly quality but a godly one. Christ submitted to His Father’s will, though both were equally divine.
Bible Reading:
Ephesians 5:15-21
Paul applied this truth to marriage in Ephesians 5.
With women, submission results in respect, for every man needs someone to respect him.
With men, submission results in a deep love for their wives.
That’s why the last verse of Ephesians 5 says, “Let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” (verse 33).
When submission is understood from God’s perspective, it’s embraced as evidence of strength and godliness.
The truth is, we all need love and respect; that means we must love and respect one another.
Ask God to fill you with His Holy Spirit and help you with His great qualities of humility and submission.
I must learn that the purpose of my life belongs to God, not me. Oswald Chambers0 -
Wednesday, September 11
Laughter Through Tiers
Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance. Colossians 3:12-13, NIV
During his speech at the wedding reception, a groom wiped his eyes and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, it’s been a very emotional day. Even the wedding cake is in tiers.”
Bible Reading:
Colossians 3:12-21
Most marriages have their share of tears, but we must determine that hardships will only bring us closer to the one we love. It’s a decision we make. When a couple faces emotional times, they can turn to the Lord and lean on one another.
The Bible says marital love is modeled after the love Christ feels for His Bride—the Church (Ephesians 5:25).
Christ doesn’t love us because of our merits. He knows we’re sinners. He loves us just because He loves us (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).
He gave Himself for us, unworthy as we are. In the same way, the love of Christ within us seeks to serve, not to be served.
Our love in marriage must embrace all the faults and failures we bring to the relationship.
Christ loves us as we are. Ask God to enable you to love your spouse as Christ loves you. That’s a love that never ends.
A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers. Ruth Graham0 -
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Spirit-Filled Parents
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by
the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. Ephesians 6:4, NLT
Bible Reading:
2 Timothy 1:1-5
A study from The Ohio State University found that 62 percent of parents feel burned out and 66 percent say parenting demands leave them feeling isolated and lonely.
Raising children is a demanding assignment.
That’s why it’s so important to be a Spirit-filled parent. In Ephesians 5 and 6, the apostle Paul tells us to be filled with the Spirit, which gives us the qualities of worship, thanksgiving, and submission (5:18-21).
He then explains how this will impact our marriage (5:22-33) and then our parenting (6:1-3).
We’ll be less likely to exasperate our children.
Instead, we’ll have Spirit-power to raise them in the training and instruction of the Lord.
As parents, we shouldn’t provoke our children.
They are gifts of God to be treasured.
When we treasure our children, they have the best opportunity to grow up in a positive way.
All parents sometimes have to say “No” to their youngsters, but let’s look for times to say “Yes” in the Spirit.
There’s no better place to find advice on parenting than the Word of God, which reveals a heavenly Father who loves us and calls us His children. Adrian Rogers0 -
Friday, September 13
Get Them Started
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
In Proverbs 22:6, the Hebrew word for “train up” means to dedicate or to initiate—that is, to “get them started.” “Train” is based on a Hebrew word that referred to the palate, gums, or roof of the mouth. When a Hebrew baby was born, the mother would rub sweet date juice inside the infant’s mouth to stimulate the sucking reflex—to “initiate” the behavior needed to breastfeed.
Bible Reading:
Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Just as a child can be stimulated to take his mother’s milk, so Solomon says that a parent should stimulate the child as he grows to take wise paths in life. Just as date juice can be an incentive to feed, so other incentives can be used to motivate a child to make wise choices in life.
The parents’ wise choices and the rewards that come from wisdom are the primary incentives God ordains for motivating a child to follow a wise path (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
Yes, there will be stumbles and wrong turns in a child’s life. But if the wise path is established early on, a child is more likely to return to it.
Train [your children] in the way they should go and not in the way they would go. J. C. Ryle0 -
Saturday, September 14
God of Wonder: Recalling His Wonders
Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth. Psalm 105:5
Bible Reading:
Psalm 78:1-7
We normally speak of time in three tenses: past, present, and future.
But with every tick of the clock, the present becomes the past, leaving us only with the past and the future.
As time passes, the past gets longer, and the future gets shorter.
The ever-increasing past provides a growing memory of the works and wonders of God.
“Remembering” was an integral part of the Israelite culture as reflected in the Old Testament: “For He established a testimony in Jacob...that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God” (Psalm 78:5-7).
What God did in the past—His works, wonders, and Word—were to be the foundation for faith in the future.
The same is true for us. What God does for us today will be a memory come tomorrow—and the foundation on which we will build a life of faith going forward.
How worthy it is to remember former benefits when we come to beg for new. Stephen Charnock0 -
September 15, 2024
Wisdom from the Psalms
The sorrows of death encompassed me, and the pains of hell laid hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow. Psalm 116:3
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.0 -
Monday, September 16
In the Workforce
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23, NLT
Writer Sebastian Traeger said, “God’s intention, from the very beginning, was for human beings to work. Work is not a result of sin….
From the moment God created Adam and Eve, He gave them work to do. He made a garden and told them, ‘Work it and take care of it.’”1
Bible Reading:
Colossians 3:22-25
A lot of people believe that only some Christians are called into the ministry. It’s true that some are called to vocational ministry and earn a paycheck from a Christian organization like a church.
But God has a ministry for every follower of Jesus, and we often have opportunities to serve Jesus on the sales floor, in the office, or in the school hallway.
Wherever we are and whatever we do, we’re to do it as serving Christ.
Our attitude and our actions in the workplace are a witness to the people who watch us. We must guard our work ethic so that people won’t say negative things about our Lord.
Work heartily at whatever you do for Christ’s sake. There are no little jobs when the Lord is giving the assignment!
The gospel brings significant meaning to the seemingly mundane and provides a supreme purpose for every employee and employer on the planet. David Platt0 -
Tuesday, September 17
Strive to Please
Urge slaves to obey their masters and to try their best to satisfy them.
They must not talk back, nor steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy.
In this way they will make people want to believe in our Savior and God Titus 2:9-10,TLB
A young man told his mentor, “My parents thought I would go into the ministry, but I’m working in a mobile phone store.” His mentor said, “You are in the ministry.
The phone company may not realize this, but they’re paying you to be a chaplain in that shop.
You’ll be able to serve Christ there. Consider yourself in the ministry of caring for mobile phone users and fellow employees. That’s a pretty large congregation!”
Bible Reading:
Titus 2:6-10
You may not be exactly where you want to be.
Just over sixty percent of American workers are satisfied with their jobs, which means about forty percent are not.
But in either case, Christians in the marketplace must remember their ministry is wherever they are.
God doesn’t reward us for just showing up and punching the clock each day.
He wants us to work at our jobs with all our hearts, always being ready to share a word from Him to everyone who asks us a reason for the hope within us.
God always equips us for the work for which He calls us. Janet Parshall0 -
Wednesday, September 18
The Battle for Truth
Therefore take up the whole armor of God.... Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth. Ephesians 6:13-14
Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians is a defense of his apostleship in the face of opposition and attacks from false apostles (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
He was in a spiritual battle, to be sure. But he made it clear that spiritual warfare is not a physical battle using the world’s weapons of war.
Instead, it is a battle of thoughts, arguments, and ideas waged in the battlefield of the mind (10:3-6). That is, it is a battle for the truth.
Bible Reading:
John 17:17-19
The battle for truth began in the Garden of Eden when Satan lied to Adam and Eve, contradicting what God had told them (Genesis 3:1-5).
And lies remain Satan’s chief weapon. If he can convince us to doubt God’s words, he will have weakened the foundation of our faith: the truthfulness of God and His promises.
That is why when describing the Christian’s spiritual armor, Paul calls the Roman soldier’s belt the belt of truth.
We are sanctified—conformed to Christ—by the truth of God’s Word (John 17:17).
Just as Jesus rebuffed Satan’s temptations with the truth of God’s Word, we must do the same (Matthew 4:1-11). Truth wins the spiritual war.
The truth of Scripture demolishes speculation. R. C. Sproul0 -
Thursday, September 19
Protect Your Mind
And take the helmet of salvation.
Ephesians 6:17
While every part of the human body is important, the two parts most critical for life are the heart and the brain.
It is no surprise that soldiers past and present have sought to protect these two parts. (Witness modern bullet-proof vests and helmets.)
Even ancient soldiers wore breastplates and helmets.
Bible Reading:
Isaiah 59:17
But so did the Messiah—at least in Isaiah’s figurative language. Paul derived his image of the breastplate of righteousness and helmet of salvation from Isaiah’s image of the Messiah (Isaiah 59:17; Ephesians 6:14, 17)—and used the image of a Roman soldier as a ready reference for his readers.
So to put on the armor of God was like putting on the Messiah Himself: His truth, righteousness, faithfulness, salvation, and Word (Ephesians 6:14-17).
But why the helmet of salvation? How does salvation protect the mind?
When Satan tempts us to doubt our salvation and the love of God which secures it, we rely on what we know to be true.
Memorize, in your mind: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
One of the highest and noblest functions of man’s mind is to listen to God’s Word, and so to read his mind and think his thoughts after him. John R. W. Stott0 -
Friday, September 20
The “Alls” of Prayer
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
Ephesians 6:18
Paul concludes his description of the armor of God with a mention of prayer. The explanation for the addition of prayer lies in Greek grammar.
“Praying” is a participle, not a verbal imperative command like “take the helmet” and “[take] the sword” (Ephesians 6:17).
In Paul’s mind, praying was a means to accomplishing the previous instructions: Put on the armor while praying.
Bible Reading:
Romans 8:26-27
For Paul, prayer was akin to breathing—a natural activity of communication with God.
Just as we don’t need to be commanded to breathe, we shouldn’t need to be commanded to pray.
And yet Paul does, as a reminder, in 1 Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.”
Just as breathing is a continual exercise, so should prayer be: Pray all the time (“always”), with all prayer, with all perseverance, for all the saints—the four “alls” of prayer.
Prayer is a critical component in being “strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10).
Coating our spiritual armor in prayer provides power and wisdom in spiritual battles.
How long can you live without breathing? And how long can you live fruitfully without praying?
Believing prayer takes its stand upon the faithfulness of God. D. Edmond Hiebert0 -
SEPTEMBER 21, 2024
God of Wonder: God’s Wonders Cannot Be Fathomed
[He] does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.
Job 5:9
Bible Reading:
Job 42:1-6
Besides being beautiful literature, the book of Job addresses one of the world’s greatest problems: the problem of suffering.
Job was a righteous man (Job 1:1) who nonetheless experienced tremendous tragedy and suffering—seemingly without any obvious reason.
Job spends most of the book defending his innocence while his friends attempt to convince him that he must have done something to deserve his suffering.
While Job’s friends’ theology is not always well-informed, one of them encourages Job to appeal to God “Who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number” (Job 5:9), which are detailed in verses 10-16.
Surely the ways of such a God can be trusted.
Job is not convinced by the words of his friend, but he changes his mind when God Himself speaks (Job 38–41).
Listening to God, Job realizes that God is greater than his problems and that God can be trusted with whatever happens in his life.
After God describes His wondrous works to Job, his eyes and ears are opened, and he repents of his lack of faith (Job 42:1-6).
Meditating on the unfathomable works and wonders of God can inspire us to trust Him with our unanswered questions.
Learn to worship God as the God who does wonders, who wishes to prove in you that He can do something supernatural and divine. Andrew Murray0 -
September 22
Wisdom from the Psalms
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.0 -
Monday, September 23, 2024
Recurring Prayer
Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17
One of the shortest verses in the Bible is a mystery to some people: “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
One rule for Bible study is comparing Scripture with Scripture, and here in 1 Thessalonians we have several clues as to how we can pray without ceasing.
In chapter 1 Paul said, “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith” (verses 2-3).
Bible Reading:
1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
Notice the word “always”—We give thanks to God always for you.
Then notice how Paul said he was remembering without ceasing your work of faith.
In 1 Thessalonians 2:13, he said, “We also thank God without ceasing.”
Paul obviously had other prayers and thanksgivings he offered and other things he remembered.
He was telling them they were constantly coming up in his thoughts and prayers.
Praying without ceasing is something we do constantly, not necessarily continuously.
In other words, prayer should be constantly recurring.
This requires an attitude of diligence and trust.
It also helps to have some regular habits of prayer.
Perhaps you can devise some triggers and prompts that will remind you to pray at certain moments.
Heaven-bound believers never say a final prayer.
Our fellowship with God is eternal.
Prayer often avails where everything else fails. R. A. Torrey0 -
Judith this is so true. Prayer is not a one and done thing. I do have specific times that I pray but I also have quick prayers I lift up to God as I go about my day. I really like what it says "Heaven-bound
believers never say a final prayer." We pray here through the Spirit's intercessions and there face-to-face.1 -
Tuesday, September 24
Runaway Train?
Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:18
A man once told his pastor, “I really don’t have much interest in studying prophecy.” His pastor said, “Oh my, that means you must be neglecting the books of Daniel, Zechariah, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Revelation, and vast portions of Isaiah and Ezekiel, along with Matthew 24 and 25. That’s a lot of Bible to ignore!”
Bible Reading:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
After the apostle Paul wrote the predictions God gave him about the Rapture of the Church, he said, “Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
The study of prophecy is tremendously comforting. It reminds us God controls the course of history and has a glorious conclusion for all His children.
We’re not destined to crash with the hopelessness of a runaway train.
Instead, God is the Conductor, and He will get us safely home.
Just as the predictions of His first coming were perfectly fulfilled, so will be the prophecies about His Second Coming.
Hope is the anticipation of wonderful future events. The details of prophecy may seem daunting, but the basic outlines are pretty simple.
Jesus is coming again, and heaven is our destiny. Let’s comfort one another with these truths.
Bible prophecy helps us to better understand the future….
And gives us hope in a hopeless age. Tim LaHaye1 -
I am ready any time He wants to come! The world is getting so evil it seems. Maybe it is because the media concentrates on it and when I was growing up, we did not know what was going on outside of our town.1
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Wednesday, September 25
The Roaring Twenties
Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be...?
2 Peter 3:11
The world decided to party it up in the 1920s. The Great War was over, and everyone was caught up in flappers, talkies, gangsters, speakeasies, bootleggers, jazz, new-fangled radios, and novel dances.
But the mood didn’t last. The Roaring Twenties ran right into the Great Depression.
Bible Reading:
2 Peter 3:10-13
One hundred years later in the 2020s, it’s still hard to predict the twists and turns of the times.
But the Lord has given us insights into the future.
Much of the Bible is predictive prophecy. When we study these passages, it contributes to our Christian growth and godliness.
We look around at the times, we look ahead at the prophecies, and we ask ourselves, “How should I then live?”
The apostle Peter said, “And so since everything around us is going to melt away, what holy, godly lives we should be living! You should look forward to that day and hurry it along…. Looking forward to God’s promise of new heavens and a new earth” (2 Peter 3:11-13, TLB).
The best evidence that the Lord’s return has really gotten hold of us is when we occupy till He come, do business for God, buy up the opportunities. Vance Havner0 -
Thursday, September 26
Every Deed a Seed
He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Psalm 126:6
Try asking God to make your every deed a seed. Even our smallest actions can witness for Christ in these last days. The swift appearing of Jesus Christ has deepened the urgency of our times.
Bible Reading:
Psalm 126
It was a farmer whistling hymns that prompted Jane Guinness to seek and find Christ.
Another farmer offered to let a teenager named Billy Graham drive his truck if he’d attend the Mordecai Ham crusade, and Billy was saved.
Ham himself felt God’s hand fall on him when he watched his grandfather on his death bed pointing upward as if seeing Jesus.
An unknown saint donated a few dollars to provide the Gideon Bible that brought baseball player Orel Hershiser to Christ.
Charles Spurgeon was converted when a layman quoted Isaiah 45:22: “Look to Me, and be saved.”
As we prepare for Christ’s return, we’re not all far-famed preachers, but God has many kinds of pulpits. Ask Him to bless everything you do and every word you say toward the progress of the Kingdom.
Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of kindness, sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve; waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping, we shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves. Knowles Shaw0 -
Friday, September 27, 2024
Until He Appears
Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13
Epiphany is the English rendering of the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “appearance or manifestation.” In Western Christendom, Epiphany commemorates the coming of the Magi—Christ’s first “appearance” to the Gentile world.
In the East, Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus, also commemorating His appearance at the beginning of His public ministry.
Bible Reading:
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Paul uses epiphany to refer to the first appearance of Jesus (Titus 2:11), but more often to refer to His Second Coming as in Titus 2:13.
And he connects the two: The grace of God that appeared with Christ is the grace that teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live “soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” as we wait for His “glorious appearing” at the end of the age (Titus 2:12-13).
Christ’s first appearing revealed the grace that teaches us how to live until He appears the second time.
We are saved by grace to be “zealous for good works” until the appearance of our Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:14).
I cannot think of even one lonely passage in the New Testament which speaks of Christ’s revelation, manifestation, appearing or coming that is not directly linked with moral conduct, faith and spiritual holiness. A. W. Tozer0 -
September 28, 2024
Psalm 119:51
The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet I have not declined from thy law.
Umpiring had its good points and its bad points.
Being a part of the game of baseball had always been exciting to Harry, but sometimes it wasn't worth all the abuse.
Harry always gave his best effort to be fair to everyone. Still, there was no pleasing some people.
All he knew was that he was going to go by the rules, and if others didn't like it, that was their tough luck.
At least Harry could sleep well at night knowing that he never compromised the game due to pressure. He might make an occasional bad call, but every call he made was done with integrity.
Sometimes standing for what is right is the hardest thing we can do. Others will mock us for doing things by the book, but that should only confirm that we are on the right track. God rejoices when we do what we know is right, and He will strengthen us so we can rise above the derision.
Prayer: I find that I am too weak to stand up for what is right all the time. When I am weakest, Lord, fill me with your divine strength. Do not let me shrink from doing what I know is right. Amen.0 -
September 29, 2024
Wisdom from the Psalms
Psalm 119:37
Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
When the church caught fire, everyone turned out to offer assistance.
Many members of the congregation were crushed by the loss of the building.
To many, the church had been a showplace, and they wondered whether the church could ever recover.
The pastor chastised those members, reminding them that a church is much more than the building that houses it.
Whether services took place in an assembly hall or a church sanctuary made no difference.
What was important was that people stuck together and worshipped as a church family.
We cannot allow ourselves to lose sight of what is really important in our churches and in our Christian lives.
Certainly, our church buildings are important, but the work of the church will go on regardless of the condition of the buildings that house them.
Let not your eyes be turned from the way of the Lord. Focus always on Him.
Prayer: I can get sidetracked from the really important things, Lord. Help me to remain steadfast concerning Your work and Gospel. Set my priorities as You would have them. Amen.0
