Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 17, 2024 7:28:42 GMT -6
The Greatest: Virtue
"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13
Every religious and philosophical tradition—both ancient and modern—has a set of virtues it promotes. The list might be formal or informal, but the qualities of life enumerated represent the best of what the tradition promotes to its followers.
The closest Christianity comes to a list of virtues is Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Christian virtues are distinguished from other lists of virtues by their source: the Holy Spirit as opposed to the human ideas and efforts of man. A shorter list of virtues is found in 1 Corinthians 13:13: faith, hope, and love. Paul makes the point that the greatest of these virtues is love, which he also named first in the list of the fruit of the Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul explains that no noble or spiritual act—spiritual power, great faith, sacrificial generosity—is worthwhile if love is missing. That is consistent with 1 John 4:8, 16: “God is love.”
Since love is the greatest virtue, ask God to fill you with His love in all that you do today.
"Every virtue known to man is found in Jesus." Michael Green
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 18, 2024 7:21:14 GMT -6
"And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence." 2 Samuel 22:2-3
My Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your protection, for being the Rock that I can stand on! Show me where I am to walk. You are so awesome and mighty! Thank you for Your great salvation.
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 19, 2024 7:53:33 GMT -6
Everything We Need
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
Gnosticism was a dangerous heresy in the first two centuries of the Church. Besides denying the divinity of Christ, Gnostics believed that salvation was achieved through elevated spiritual knowledge rather than through faith in Christ (Greek gnosis means “knowledge”). The letters of Colossians and 1 John were written, in part, to counteract the claims of Gnosticism.
Second Peter likely contained veiled attacks on Gnostic teaching. For example, instead of special spiritual insight available only to a few, God has given every Christian, through the “knowledge of Him,” “all things that pertain to life and godliness.” Through God’s “exceedingly great and precious promises,” we “may be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:3-4). We are saved, not by mystical knowledge, but by grace “for good works” (Ephesians 2:8-10). God has given us everything we need to manifest Him in this world through the promises in His Word.
If you belong to Christ, you have been called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the presence of those who have not met Him.
"We must come to good works by faith, and not to faith by good works." William Gurnall
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 20, 2024 7:56:12 GMT -6
Gospel Conversations
"This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses." Acts 2:32
Recommended Reading: Acts 5:29-32
As we grow in Christ, we learn to engage in Gospel conversations with people. Norman Geisler wrote, “If we have God’s heart, we will do whatever we can to advance His kingdom purposes in every conversation we have with our nonbelieving friends…. Once our heart is right with God, we can begin to talk to people in a more effective way so that many may believe.”1
It's important to bring our Christian maturity into every relationship. People must see us as different—and different in ways they want to emulate. Then we look for opportunities to say a word, even if it’s as simple as: “I’ll pray about that for you.” The time will come when we can say: “Let me tell you about a verse I found today in the Bible,” or, “We’re having a concert at my church this weekend. Would you be able to come?”
As we try to live a godly life, we must remember we are God’s platform. Thank God for the opportunities that come your way and ask Him to keep you sharp enough to see them.
"Evangelism is every day and in every way helping your nonbelieving friends to take one step closer to Jesus Christ." Norman Geisler
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 21, 2024 7:56:12 GMT -6
Trusting and Trustworthy
Daniel "...he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him." Daniel 6:4c
It’s hard to trust people today, isn’t it? How many people are frustrated because of a spouse who was unfaithful, a friend who disappointed them, a salesman who was dishonest, or a doctor who misdiagnosed an illness? Rebuilding a friendship is difficult after a perceived betrayal has occurred.
We can’t always do a lot about others who are untrustworthy, but we can do something about ourselves—or rather, we can let the Lord do something within us. He is utterly trustworthy. Psalm 119:86 says, “All your commands are trustworthy” (NIV). Psalm 145:13 says, “The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does” (NIV).
As Christians, we’re to grow in His faithful love and kindness (Ephesians 4:25-32). One way to do this is by fostering trust in our relationships. Brotherly kindness begins with a trustworthy spirit—the willingness to be honest and kind. If you’ve been betrayed, seek to forgive. And in all your dealings, be someone who can be trusted with the cares, secrets, and confidences of others.
Ask God to help you grow in your ability to be trusting and trusted.
"Among the blessings and enjoyments of this life, there are few that can be compared in value to the possession of a faithful friend." James C. Gibbons
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 22, 2024 8:03:08 GMT -6
Brotherly Love
"Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." Romans 12:10
In 1681, England’s King Charles II granted William Penn, an English Quaker, a charter to establish what eventually became the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in America. Having suffered religious persecution in England, Penn wanted his newfound colony to be a place of religious freedom for all. Thus, he named what became the capital city Philadelphia—a Greek word for “brotherly love” (Greek philos means “beloved,” adelphos means “brother”).
“Brotherly love” is an important subject in the New Testament epistles (Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; 2 Peter 1:7). A hallmark of brotherly (and sisterly) love is the choice to put the interests of others ahead of one’s own—to “honor” others by giving preference to them. Paul writes that we should imitate Christ in this regard, doing nothing out of selfish ambition but considering others’ needs ahead of our own (Philippians 2:1-5). We should settle grievances quickly, not letting them carry over to tomorrow (Ephesians 4:26-27).
Look for ways today to express brotherly love to someone by putting their needs and interests ahead of your own.
"Brotherly love is the badge of Christ’s disciples." Matthew Henry
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 23, 2024 7:51:23 GMT -6
Pickup Lines
"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." 1 John 3:16
Through the years, guys have used all kinds of pickup lines to attract girls: “Even if there wasn’t gravity on earth, I’d still fall for you.” “I’m no photographer, but I can picture us together.” “If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together.”
Real love doesn’t need a pickup line. It just picks us up. Remember the hymn that says, “Love lifted me”? The uplift of God’s love enables us to get through the things we’re going through. First John 3:1 says, “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God!”
Our ability to manage life changes when we realize how much God loves us with a love undiminished by our failures. His love isn’t based on our performance but on the performance of His Son, Jesus. Today, relish in the love of God. In that way, you’ll be encouraged to serve and love others. You’ll pick them up for the Lord!
"But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me—now safe am I. Love lifted me!" James Rowe
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 24, 2024 7:56:17 GMT -6
The Greatest: Power
"And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power." Ephesians 1:19
We hear the phrase “halls of power” mentioned in political discussions, referring to the domains of government authorities. Within those walls, deals and decisions are made which gives the impression of power—the ability to direct the destinies of people and nations. But true power resides with God not men. As Daniel expressed in Babylon, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and [power] are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings” (Daniel 2:20-21).
When the apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians, he prayed God would let them see “the exceeding greatness of His power”—the same power “He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power” (Ephesians 1:19-21). Yes, there are halls of power in this world but none that could have raised Christ from the grave. God’s power is the greatest power of all.
Pray Paul’s prayer for yourself so you may see that God’s power is sufficient for your every need.
"Christianity is the power of God in the soul of man." Robert B. Munger
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 25, 2024 7:23:10 GMT -6
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5
What an incredible promise! If we lack wisdom all we have to do is ask God and He promises to give it to us. He will not scold us for asking, for He gives it out freely!
My Prayer: Jesus, I am asking You, now, for Your wisdom. You have promised that you will freely give it and I trust in that promise!
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 26, 2024 6:31:08 GMT -6
New Love
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35
The word new can mean brand-new—something never seen or heard of before. Or it can mean something familiar that suddenly takes on new meaning or importance. This second meaning applies to Jesus’ words in John 13:34.
On the eve of His arrest, Jesus gave His disciples a “new commandment”—that they should love one another. This wasn’t a brand-new commandment. Leviticus 19:18 had established that Jews were to love their neighbors as they loved themselves (to which Jesus had added the requirement to love their enemies—Matthew 5:43-48). So what was new about Jesus’ new commandment? It was that they were to love each other as He had loved them. This standard would take on a whole new meaning for them as they saw Jesus give up His life sacrificially. This, Jesus told them later during their meal, is the greatest kind of love (John 15:12-13).
Jesus introduced a new kind of love—sacrificial love. He expected His followers, including us, to love as He loved: sacrificially for the sake of others.
"True love is always costly." Billy Graham
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 27, 2024 8:01:28 GMT -6
Soul Soil
"The Lord God planted a garden." Genesis 2:8
Faith is the soil in which all the other virtues grow. In 2 Peter 1:5-7, we’re told to have soul soil of faith and to let it produce increasing amounts of virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love.
If you’ve done any gardening, you know weeds come up naturally, but crops and flowers have to be cultivated. Adam and Eve were given the task of tending to the Garden of Eden, and we’re charged with tending to our own souls under the watchful care of the Master Gardener (John 15:1).
A preacher of yesterday, Mark Guy Pearse, said, “Gardens are made out of waste places…. Before the King can make a garden, He must own the land…. [But] if it be the King’s garden the King Himself will come to it.”
Let’s strive to be fruitful! Once we believe and have faith, we should devote ourselves to growing deeper in that faith, abiding in Christ, being fruitful, and producing the other virtues God loves.
"Jesus says to us, “My son, give Me thine heart.” He wants the heart, not because it is a garden, but that He may make a King’s garden of it." Mark Guy Pearse
Dr. David Jeremaih
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 28, 2024 7:59:53 GMT -6
Fresh and Flourishing
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord…. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters." Jeremiah 17:7-8
Most of us at some point stop growing taller. We reach our maximum height. Not so with trees. A new study has found that trees never stop growing during their lifespans. In fact, as they age, their growth accelerates. The study, published in Nature journal, involved 38 researchers from 29 institutions who said it’s the older trees and their massive size that most helps the earth keep its air recycled and clean.1
Psalm 92:14 says, “The righteous shall … still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.”
When we’re rooted and grounded in Christ, we’ll keep growing in spiritual maturity, and God will use us in exciting new ways. This is encapsulated in 2 Peter 1:5-7 where the Lord tells us we should keep growing in our faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. “For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful” (verse 8).
Whatever your age—keep growing!
"As a tree beside the water, has the Savior planted me; all my fruit shall be in season, I shall live eternally." Alfred Ackley
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Feb 29, 2024 8:43:02 GMT -6
A Useful Invention
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Geng Shuai is called China’s “Useless Edison” because of his impractical inventions, such as a sword that doubles as a backscrubber and a meat cleaver that also serves as a cell phone case. His useless inventions have made him a social media star.
God never invented any useless thing! He has a purpose for all He has made, including you! Peter wrote that because of God’s promises and His power, we can participate in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). That is, we can become more and more like Christ, serving Jesus just as our Lord served His Father. That’s what it means to be “called according to His purpose.”
When we lean on the power and the promises of God, we become more like Jesus and less like the world. We who were useless in ourselves find our purpose in Him. We become vessels fit for the Master’s use.
Draw from His power and live on His promises. He will increasingly fulfill His purpose in you.
"We exist to exhibit God, to display his glory. We serve as canvases for his brush stroke, papers for his pen, soil for his seeds, glimpses of his image." Max Lucado
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 1, 2024 7:58:52 GMT -6
Sacrifice of Praise
"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1 In Romans 12:1, the apostle Paul exhorted his readers to present themselves as “a living sacrifice” to God. But someone has observed that living sacrifices keep trying to crawl off the altar! At no time is that more likely to happen than during times of trouble when we are tempted to resent our circumstances.
But David, the psalmist, wrote that God’s praise “shall continually be in my mouth”—words he wrote during a time of trouble. And the writer to the Hebrews combined the ideas of sacrifice and continual praise: “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). Why is praise considered a sacrifice, especially in times of trouble? First, sacrifice involves giving up something. Second, the sacrifice of praise in times of trouble means giving up fear, resentment, anger, and self-centeredness (“Why me, Lord?”). To praise God means to trust His plans and provision and protection at all times—“continually.”
If you are in a challenging season of life, purposefully choose to praise God sacrificially for what He is doing in your life.
"Praise is the best of all sacrifices and the true evidence of godliness." John Calvin
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 2, 2024 8:02:46 GMT -6
"For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth." Proverbs 3:12
Because of His unconditional and passionate love for His children, God disciples and instructs His children in His wisdom. Indeed, it is by His unchanging and constant adoration that we are made a new creation. By the gift of God's son and a repentant heart, the mercies of Christ enfold us and bring us to God's side. Just as a father adores his son, so our Heavenly Father delights in us!
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 2, 2024 8:06:45 GMT -6
Season of Hope: Inexpressible Joy
"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:11
It is said that during one of Martin Luther’s periods of depression, he found his wife, Katharina, dressed in black. He asked her why she was wearing black, and she responded, “Because I am in mourning.” He asked, “Over what?” She replied, “God has died.” He said, “You know better than that.” And then she said, “I do, and you do too. Why don’t you start living like you believe that God is alive?”
Because of the Resurrection not just happiness, in our life! Jesus spoke to the disciples about joy. “I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy” (John 16:20). Jesus knew that the disciples would experience deep sorrow in the coming days, but He wanted them to know that their sorrow would be turned to joy.
The joy that comes from Christ is not a joy that is dependent on our circumstances, finances, employment, or relationships. Instead, it is a continual, never ending, constant joy that fills our heart and life as we follow Christ. Because of the Resurrection we are filled with inexpressible joy, knowing that because He lives we will live also!
"There is every element of joy—deep, ecstatic, satisfying, sanctifying joy—in the gospel of Christ." Octavius Winslow
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 3, 2024 7:21:14 GMT -6
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." Corinthians 2:9
How unimaginable is the glory of God and the wealth of riches He bestows upon His Bride! Despite man's incredible faculty for fantasy, even at his loftiest and most creative, he cannot even begin to conceive the extent of pleasure and glory for which God has prepared for His people. Rejoice, you redeemed, in the promise of His kingdom eternal!
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 4, 2024 8:07:44 GMT -6
Give to the Winds Thy Fears
“Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid; do not be afraid of him,” says the Lord, “for I am with you, to save you and deliver you from his hand. And I will show you mercy.” Jeremiah 42:11-12
A British newspaper carried an article by a woman who wrote, “I have a visitor that stops me [from] sleeping, wakes me early in the morning and hangs around most days uninvited and unwanted; I am living with fear.” The woman described her insecurities and anxieties, explaining how she lived in the grip of fear.
The survivors of the siege of Jerusalem were fearful too, but the Lord told them not to be afraid but to release their fears. He—their Almighty God—was with them to save them and show them mercy. As Jeremiah 42 unfolds, we find that the survivors rejected God’s plea—and their fears became realities.
When we’re fearful, we should own our fears by admitting them before God in confession. We should vigorously remind ourselves God will deliver us. And we should thank Him for His promises, presence, protection, and overcoming providence.
Give to the wind thy fears, hope and be undismayed; God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head. Paul Gerhardt
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 5, 2024 8:01:38 GMT -6
Troubles
"If children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Romans 8:17 Salesmen speak about the features and benefits of a product. What if one of the features described was suffering that resulted from using the product? Sometimes new Christians are surprised to discover that they still have troubles in life after becoming a follower of Jesus. They feel the “product” wasn’t presented fairly.
Jesus told His disciples that “in the world you will have tribulation” (John 16:33). That was not to scare them but to prepare them. Paul explained further: In Christ, we are “joint heirs” with Him. As “joint heirs,” one of the things we inherit is to “suffer with Him” that we might also share in His glory (Romans 8:17). Paul then spent the next 22 verses of Romans 8 (verses 18-39) explaining the suffering we may experience in this world but that in Christ we are “more than conquerors” (verse 37). God uses everything we experience—even our troubles—to conform us to the image of Christ (verses 28-29). Nothing in this world—not even our sins—can separate us from the love of God (verses 34-39).
Whether our troubles are from the world or of our own making, God is faithful. Give Him thanks today for His faithful love.
"Shall light troubles make you forget weighty mercies?" John Flavel
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 6, 2024 8:15:06 GMT -6
More Than Conquerors
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37
El Capitan is the famous rock formation that rises three thousand feet from the floor of Yosemite National Park in California. From the ground, the granite face of the formation looks smooth and nearly vertical. But it is the bumps, cracks, and small ledges that provide handholds and footholds for climbers as they ascend to the top. In fact, it is the bumps on the surface that make conquering El Capitan possible.
When Paul says Christians are “more than conquerors,” he uses a form of the Greek word nike—a word we associate with a brand of sportswear. In ancient Greece, Nike was the winged goddess of victory, thus an appropriate image to associate with athletic victory. Greek nike gave rise to nikao which meant “to conquer or prevail.” The prefix huper (“more than”) produced hupernikao—the word Paul used in Romans 8:37, “more than conquerors.” We don’t just overcome or prevail in life through Christ—we “hyper-prevail.” Bumps don’t defeat us; they provide a path to victory.
Life can look like El Capitan at times. Rather than being defeated by bumps and cracks, we use them as footholds and handholds from the Lord to conquer in Christ.
"Mountains can only be climbed with the knees bent." Unknown
Dr. David Jeremiah
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