Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 27, 2024 6:48:04 GMT -6
Life Without Bondage
"So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:54
Depending on which study you read, the fear of public speaking ranks near the top of modern human fears with the fear of death not far behind. One observer noted that at a funeral people would rather be the deceased than the one delivering the eulogy! Fear of death is no modern phenomenon—the ancients feared death as well.
The writer to the Hebrews described “those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” He also wrote about how Christ destroyed “him who had the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14-15). What kind of bondage comes from fearing death? The kind that keeps one from living life to the fullest. Since death can come at any time, we live full of worry about eternity if we are wondering whether today might be the day. Thankfully, through Christ, “death is swallowed up in victory”—the victory of the Resurrection.
Only those who are in Christ can live assured that eternal life is theirs. Praise God for that assurance today!
"Why shouldest thou be afraid to die, who hopest to live by dying?" William Gurnall
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 28, 2024 7:23:22 GMT -6
In a Flash
"And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." 1 Corinthians 15:49
The Bible isn’t shy about telling us about our resurrection bodies. Job said, “And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, that in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:26). Philippians 3:21 says Christ “will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body.” John wrote, “We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2). Revelation 21:4 says, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain.”
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul wrote, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in the twinkling of an eye…. The dead will be raised incorruptible” (verses 51-52).
Yes, we endure pain and suffering here on earth, but because of the resurrection we’ll soon have glorified bodies, free of illness. What a glorious hope and wonderful anticipation! Shift your focus today toward what’s ahead!
There is a resurrection after death. Let this never be forgotten. The life that we live here in the flesh is not all. J. C. Ryle
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 29, 2024 6:57:21 GMT -6
The Determining Factor
"And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty." 1 Corinthians 15:14
According to the Pew Research Center, Christians who attend church only at Christmas and Easter are sometimes called “Chreasters.” They also note that online searches for “church” peak during those two holidays with Easter being the dominant season.
Easter is by far the oldest of the two observances since “the Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10)—the day of Christ’s resurrection—was observed as a day for meeting and celebration soon after the Resurrection. And well it should have been, for the apostle Paul wrote that the resurrection of Christ is the determining factor in Christianity. Without the Resurrection, our preaching and our faith are all in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17-19). Without the Resurrection, the faith that has changed the world is without foundation. No wonder Easter is the most-attended service at churches every year.
As you celebrate the Resurrection this Lord’s Day, praise God that your faith and hope are not in vain—because He is risen!
"The Resurrection is that central miracle around which the Christian faith is gathered." Calvin Miller
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 30, 2024 7:09:28 GMT -6
Season of Hope: Paid in Full
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." John 11:25-26
The basis of our faith is the well-established record of the resurrection of Jesus Christ who said that He would die and that in three days He would come back from the grave. He did exactly that. But when He came back from the grave, bringing with Him power over death and eternal life for all who believe, He became so much more than a memory.
The Resurrection was a victory over sin and death. The Cross of Christ was the payment for our debt; the Resurrection was God’s receipt for the payment in full. Jesus came out of the grave victorious over death, and He promises us that if we believe in Him, we, too, shall be raised out of the grave one day. Jesus demonstrated that He was God by coming back from the dead and keeping the promise He made in gaining victory over death.
Easter is about the fact that we have a living Lord who invites us to have a relationship with Him that will not only change our life in the here and now but will also change us for eternity!
"The death of Christ was the most dreadful blow ever given to the empire of darkness." William Plumer
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Mar 31, 2024 6:30:21 GMT -6
"And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him." Mark 16:6
Low in the grave He lay— Jesus my Savior! Waiting the coming day— Jesus my Lord!
Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign. He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
Vainly they watch His bed— Jesus, my Savior! Vainly they seal the dead— Jesus my Lord!
Death cannot keep his prey— Jesus, my Savior! He tore the bars away— Jesus my Lord!
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 1, 2024 12:59:12 GMT -6
Not Like the World
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh." 2 Corinthians 10:3
As of 2023, there were approximately 12,500 nuclear weapons in the world with 90 percent belonging to Russia (5,889) and the United States (5,244).1 Those huge numbers are a holdover from the Cold War between Russia and the U.S. when the arms race was a way to intimidate each country’s main enemy. That has always been the way of the world: accumulate more and better material weapons.
The apostle Paul wrote that “we do not war according to the [ways of the world].” Paul doesn’t explain what war is. He assumes his readers know that we are in a spiritual war, and he wants them to understand the difference in the weapons we use. He goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 that our primary weapon is truth—“mighty in God for pulling down strongholds” of the enemy. His words remind us of God’s message to Zerubbabel: “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
If you find yourself in a spiritual battle, don’t fight like the world. Turn to God and His truth, empowered by the Spirit, to find victory (Matthew 4:1-11).
"Lies and false reports are among Satan’s choicest weapons." J. C. Ryle
Dr. David Jeremaih
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 2, 2024 6:51:56 GMT -6
Our Methodical Enemy
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11
British innovators have developed a new type of body armor that’s lightweight and comfortable yet can stop a bullet traveling at the speed of sound. If the apostle Paul saw today’s military protective wear, he’d say much the same as he did in Ephesians 6:10-17 about the armor of the believer. The technology has advanced, yet the concept is still the same. We need to protect ourselves.
Ephesians warns us against the “wiles” of the devil. The Greek word Paul used there was methodeia, from which we get our English word method. Satan has his tried and true methods for damaging our lives. He plots and schemes, so we must constantly wear the body armor of the soul.
If we’re living in the armor of God, we’ll be able to stand against the wily methods of the devil. Make sure you’re protected today against all the craftiness of Satan. From head to toe be covered with the blood of Christ and clad in His armor.
"Satan is indeed a formidable enemy…and therefore it is incumbent upon us to take cover in knowledge of his ways and weapons and the Gospel countermeasures God has given us to oppose and defeat him." Philip DeCourcy
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 3, 2024 6:52:14 GMT -6
Live in Victory
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
In his first epistle, the apostle John had a lot of say about the devil. He wrote to his churches, telling them they had overcome the wicked one (2:13). The devil, he said, has “sinned from the beginning” and tempts others to do the same, but Jesus came to “destroy the works of the devil” (3:8).
John wrote, “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one” (5:19). The One in us—Jesus Christ—is greater than he who dominates the world.
Satan may be a prince, a ruler, and the god of this world, but his power is limited, and his abilities can never match God’s omnipotence. Through Christ, we have overcome the devil, we are of God, and we belong to Him who is greater than Satan by far.
Let’s live like overcomers—unafraid, unintimidated, victorious. Be thankful Satan has limitations and our infinite God knows how to protect us from all evil.
"God would not throw us into the conflict if He did not also give us the resources needed to stand against the enemy." Erwin Lutzer
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 4, 2024 6:21:54 GMT -6
Most Important
"Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." Ephesians 6:16
Do you remember the Pythagorean theorem from high school geometry class? “The square of the length of the hypotenuse of a right triangle equals the sum of the squares of the lengths of the other two sides.”1 Some mathematicians consider it the most important mathematical formula. In many areas of life we find a truth that is of primary importance.
In the spiritual life, faith can be seen as that primary truth. For instance, Paul wrote that the shield of faith can quench “all the fiery darts” Satan throws at us. Not hope and not love—faith is the protective shield. And what is faith? It is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1, NIV1984). When discouragement sets in, we lose faith in God. We are no longer “sure” and “certain” of what we hope God can do. When we drop the shield of faith, we are more likely to be struck by other fiery darts: anger, depression, despair, resentment, and more.
To remain sure and certain, feed on God’s promises in Scripture. God never fails to fulfill His Word (Isaiah 55:10-11).
"Assurance is the fruit that grows out of the root of faith." Stephen Charnock
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 5, 2024 7:09:15 GMT -6
God’s Truth
"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth." Ephesians 6:14
In recent years, a new phrase has entered the cultural conversation: “My truth” or “your truth” have, for many people, replaced “the truth.” Social media has made it possible for every person to speak his or her truth to the world. This trend is fallout from the rise of the postmodern worldview that says there is no truth. Instead, truth is in the eye of the beholder; truth is whatever you say it is.
Truth is like the rudder on a giant ship—the thing that keeps the ship on track regardless of how high the waves or how strong the winds. A life that is not based on “true truth” (a phrase from Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer) will be tossed about by life’s circumstances like a ship without a rudder. Jesus prayed that God would sanctify believers with His truth, concluding, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). There is no “my truth” or “your truth”; there is only God’s truth which is found in His Word.
There is no better way to “gird up the loins of your mind” (1 Peter 1:13) than by meditating on the truth of Scripture.
The Word of God is perfect; it is precious and pure; it is truth itself. Martin Luther
Dr. David Jeremaih
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 6, 2024 7:41:32 GMT -6
POWER UP: Ask Him for Strength
"O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!" Psalm 68:35
Our awesome God is the sole source of all the power in the universe. From His omnipotent energy all creation derives its stamina. How does the sun pour out its light and heat? What’s the source of the eagle’s power of flight or the lion’s toughness? It all comes from His throne!
God will give you the energy and strength you need to perform whatever He has planned for you today. He gives strength and power to His people. If He wants you to be an Olympic athlete, He’ll empower you to train and excel. If He wants you to flex your muscles with landscaping work, He’ll give you the necessary strength. If in His providence you’re bedfast and ailing, He will still impart every ounce of strength you need to do what He assigns and bear whatever He allows.
Power up in His Spirit. Ask Him for strength today. Turn Psalm 68:35 into a prayer: God of Israel, give your servant—me—strength and power today. Blessed be Your name!
"When I asked for strength, God gave me strength; when for help, He gave this also." John Wesley
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 7, 2024 6:23:36 GMT -6
"When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." Isaiah 43:2
Sometimes the pressures of life threaten to overwhelm us and sweep us away like a strong river current. During these times God continues to be with us. He does not leave us to suffer alone. He does not promise to take us out of our trials. But He does promise to be with us and guide us every step of the way! Praise be to the Lord, our great constancy!
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 8, 2024 6:56:42 GMT -6
Lurking Unseen
"Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults." Psalm 19:12
Last Christmas, a woman in Texas put up and decorated her Christmas tree. Shortly after, she heard a noise in the branches. Some kind of animal was hiding. Cladding herself in thick gloves, the woman reached into the tree and pulled out an opossum. It’s hard to know who was more shocked, but the creature was soon out of the house!
The Bible compares us to trees (Psalm 92:12). We need to make sure no unwanted sins are lurking in our branches. Our Adam-like nature is riddled with sin, and some of it is undetected. Psalm 19:12 gives us an important prayer: “Cleanse me from secret faults.”
As we acquire the truth about God through our study of the Scriptures, it should cause us to become more transparent. We should grow to be people of integrity. If we give the devil any foothold in our lives, we’re giving him an opportunity to gain influence. Ask God to reveal to you any hidden sins that may be in your heart so you can ask forgiveness and continue to walk in truth.
"Search Thou my thoughts whose springs Thine eyes can see; from secret faults, O Savior, cleanse Thou me." Fanny Crosby
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 9, 2024 6:57:51 GMT -6
Protect Your Heart
"Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.." Proverbs 4:23
It seems that most law enforcement personnel today wear bulletproof vests while on duty. While those vests are usually made of tough, synthetic material, in many combat situations soldiers have vests with actual metal or ceramic plates covering their chests. Why the emphasis on protecting the chest from fatal gunfire? Because a wound to the chest may result in a wound to the heart. And a wound to the heart is rarely survived.
In Paul’s description of the Christian’s spiritual armor, he wrote that righteousness is the believer’s breastplate—that which protects the heart (Ephesians 6:14). The leather breastplate of the Roman soldier in Paul’s day has been replaced by today’s bulletproof vests—but the purpose is the same. Righteousness implies holiness or sinlessness. But how are we, as sinners, able to protect our heart from Satan’s accusations of sinfulness? By relying not on our righteousness but on the righteousness of Christ who never sinned: “For [God] made [Christ] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Protect your heart by depending on Christ’s righteousness rather than your own.
"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness." Edward Mote
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 10, 2024 7:13:07 GMT -6
Right Standing
"He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake." Psalm 23:3
The theme of righteousness is mentioned more than five hundred times in the Bible—more than love, grace, salvation and other themes. Why is righteousness mentioned so frequently?
Sometimes when a plaintiff brings a lawsuit against a person or company, the judge will dismiss the suit because the plaintiff lacks standing. That is, they have no right legally to file the lawsuit. That’s what righteousness means in Scripture: “right standing.” Mankind lost its right standing before God in the Garden of Eden due to sin. We lost our ability to stand before a holy God and enjoy fellowship with Him. Therefore, the story of the Bible is God’s provision of a way for mankind to regain righteousness—the ability to be reconciled to God and be righteous in His sight. God leads us in paths of righteousness, but sometimes we don’t follow. Therefore, we need a way to regain right standing with Him. That’s why God sent His sinless Son into the world. He took our sins, and we received His righteousness by faith (Genesis 15:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Thank God today that you can stand before God when you are clothed in the righteousness of Christ Jesus.
"Faith wraps itself in the righteousness of Christ." Thomas Brooks
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 11, 2024 6:54:11 GMT -6
Divine Insulation
"Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5
Have you ever experienced a surge of anxiety that felt like an electric shock running through your emotions as if you were being electrocuted inwardly? Psychologists tell us anxiety can feel like electrical charges flying though our bodies and minds. One anxious person described a panic attack that felt “as if electricity ran from my lower stomach down to my knee.”
We need to wrap the sheathing of God’s promises around our minds and allow the Bible to insulate us from this pain. The power of Scripture can cast down anxious thoughts, bringing every aspect of our emotions and minds into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
Find and claim the promises of God, being constantly in prayer for the peace of God that can and will overcome your high voltage thoughts of worry, anxiety, envy, hatred, unrest, and confusion. Picture the Lord wrapping you in the insulation of His promises, His peace, and His very presence.
"Until you actually possess true peace with God, no one can describe its wonders to you." Billy Graham
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 12, 2024 7:11:36 GMT -6
Did You Doubt?
"Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" Mark 4:40
Someone described daily life like having “a thick curtain hung across one’s path, a curtain that recedes before us as we advance, but only step by step. None of us can tell what is beyond that curtain; none of us can tell what events a single day or hour may bring into our lives.” This is what brings anxieties. Yet, “it is just as important to trust God as to obey Him.”1
When we worry about the future or remain anxious, we’re not trusting enough in Christ to care for us. He responds: “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26) And “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)
The Lord is sovereign and eternal. His word cannot fail; His eyesight cannot dim; His love cannot fade. Trust Him completely to provide for His creation and to meet all your needs.
Ask the Lord for the ability to trust Him more.
"When we fail to trust God, we doubt His sovereignty and question His goodness…. In order to trust God, we must always view our adverse circumstances through the eyes of faith, not of sense." Jerry Bridges
Dr. David Jeremaih
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 13, 2024 7:24:16 GMT -6
POWER UP: Be Filled With His Power
"But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the Lord, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin." Micah 3:8
Elisha Hoffman was a pastor and hymnwriter who penned some of our favorite Gospel songs. One of his lesser-known hymns, published in 1904, says:
Fill me with power for service and use me;
Is there not some work my weak hands can do?
Make me a channel of life and of blessing,
And with the Spirit anoint me anew.
Make that your prayer today. When we’re filled with the Holy Spirit, we’re powered up for service. The Lord uses His Spirit-filled people to accomplish ministries that are truly supernatural. Though we may not see all the results at once, it’s enough to know we’re His channels of life and blessing.
Use this old hymn today to power up for revival and renewed service.
"The indwelling of the Lord Jesus Christ made real and rewarding by the Holy Spirit…is life with a capital L.V. Raymond Edman"
Dr. David Jeremiah
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Murph
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Post by Murph on Apr 14, 2024 11:34:21 GMT -6
"For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall." Isaiah 25:4
The Lord God Almighty is ever our bastion and bulwark of defense. As we marshal to the fore to join battle against our raging enemy, ever does the Lord's banner fly before us. As we take up the call to arms and muster to the field of our spiritual war, we take our courage in His strength-for by Him, we are become far more than mere conquerors. We are children of the King and shall ever be victorious against our foe.
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Post by Murph on Apr 15, 2024 7:23:36 GMT -6
Temptation Fighter
"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11
Let’s combine two verses into one—Psalm 119:9 and 11: “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word…. [which] I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Our greatest strategy in fighting temptation is God’s Word in our heart, wielded by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Faith, which keeps us in step with God and hinders sin in our lives, is fed by Scripture. We need to search out and memorize verses that address our sinful habits and tendencies. Every sinful urge in the human heart is addressed somewhere in the Bible. We need to find and learn the verses that counter our weaknesses. Some sins are so stubborn we need support at many levels, but our primary tool is memorized and applied Scripture.
What area of weakness are you facing? Search God’s Word, find a verse or passage that meets your need, and commit it to memory. Let the Holy Spirit use His Word to help you overcome your besetting sin.
"God’s Word hidden in your heart is the sword of the Spirit, available for battle at any time against sin and Satan." The Navigators[/b]
Dr. David Jeremiah
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