Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 16, 2024 6:40:56 GMT -6
Strength in Numbers
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25
The roadway of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is suspended from two massive cables. Each of the two cables is three feet in diameter. Each cable consists of 61 bundles of steel wire, each bundle containing 452 wires, bringing the total number of steel wires in each cable to 27,572.1 To the observer, it appears the roadway is suspended from two large cables, but in reality, it is suspended from 55,144 tiny wires bundled together.
There is strength in numbers, a truth promoted by the apostle Paul when he used the human body as an illustration for the Body of Christ. Each cell in the human body is like an individual in the Church. The faith of one member is multiplied exponentially when combined with the faith of all. Whether one wire in a cable, one cell in a body, or one believer in the Church—all are important.
Make sure you are an active part in strengthening the Body of Christ by meeting regularly with others.
"There is no insignificant member in a church." Michael J. Wilkins
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 17, 2024 6:46:59 GMT -6
The Mind Matters
"And take the helmet of salvation." Ephesians 6:17
The turban worn by Israel’s high priest was a mitznefet. That same word now describes a floppy, fabric helmet-covering worn by today’s Israeli soldiers on the battlefield. It breaks up the crisp silhouette of a traditional helmet, reduces glare, provides shade, and blends in with the terrain. Innovation continues—from Roman times to the present day—to find better ways to protect the head in battle.
The reason for protecting the head is to protect the brain—or in spiritual terms, the mind. When Paul refers to the “helmet of salvation” as part of our spiritual armor, he surely means the protection of the mind. So how does salvation protect our mind—our thoughts, our need for wisdom, our communication with God in prayer? It is the assurance of our salvation that forms the protective shield against doubt, temptation, and carnal or unwise thoughts. Just knowing we can call on God for wisdom, grace, and mercy at any time protects us from the fiery darts of Satan (Hebrews 4:16; James 1:5-8).
Do everything you can to protect and renew your mind by resting in the assurance of your salvation through Christ.
"The end for which God instructs the mind is that He might transform the life." Albert Martin
Dr. David Jeremai
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 17, 2024 6:47:10 GMT -6
The Mind Matters
"And take the helmet of salvation." Ephesians 6:17
The turban worn by Israel’s high priest was a mitznefet. That same word now describes a floppy, fabric helmet-covering worn by today’s Israeli soldiers on the battlefield. It breaks up the crisp silhouette of a traditional helmet, reduces glare, provides shade, and blends in with the terrain. Innovation continues—from Roman times to the present day—to find better ways to protect the head in battle.
The reason for protecting the head is to protect the brain—or in spiritual terms, the mind. When Paul refers to the “helmet of salvation” as part of our spiritual armor, he surely means the protection of the mind. So how does salvation protect our mind—our thoughts, our need for wisdom, our communication with God in prayer? It is the assurance of our salvation that forms the protective shield against doubt, temptation, and carnal or unwise thoughts. Just knowing we can call on God for wisdom, grace, and mercy at any time protects us from the fiery darts of Satan (Hebrews 4:16; James 1:5-8).
Do everything you can to protect and renew your mind by resting in the assurance of your salvation through Christ.
"The end for which God instructs the mind is that He might transform the life." Albert Martin
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 18, 2024 7:12:51 GMT -6
The Spiritual Battlefield
"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32
Paul’s image of the believer’s spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:10-17 clearly suggests the activity of warfare. And warfare suggests there will be captives. But in spiritual warfare, there are no physical conflicts or captives. Indeed, Paul says elsewhere that our battles are not in the physical realm as worldly battles are (2 Corinthians 10:3). So whom or what are we fighting? And whom or what do we take captive in order to win?
It has been rightly suggested that spiritual warfare takes place “between the ears.” That is, in the mind. That’s where history’s first spiritual battle took place. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had to weigh Satan’s words against God’s words and make a choice—the activity of the mind. They should have done what Paul says we should do: take “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). We must weigh every thought. If it is a lie, or dishonoring to God, we capture that thought and subdue it with the truths of God’s Word.
We can only find victorious freedom by knowing God’s truth (John 8:32).
"very good [spiritual] warrior constantly asks himself this question: What does the Bible say about this?" Stu Weber
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 19, 2024 6:41:08 GMT -6
Don’t Be Fooled!
"But Jesus answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’" Matthew 4:4 Imagine it’s your first day at work in a new corporate job. A fellow employee greets you and gives you some free employee guidance: park your car wherever you like, take your lunch hour whenever you get hungry, dress however you like, and come and leave on your own schedule. Once you go through new employee orientation, you realize you were duped—all the previous advice was wrong. But how were you to have known? You didn’t know any better.
Something similar happened to Adam and Eve in the garden (bad advice) and later to Jesus in the wilderness. Jesus was approached by Satan three times with temptations (Matthew 4:1-11). But unlike the new employee, Jesus knew better—He had read the “handbook”! With each temptation—based on a twisted rendering of God’s words—Jesus answered with the truth from Scripture. Knowing he was defeated, the devil left Him alone (Luke 4:13).
The only way to defeat the lies and counterfeits of Satan is to know the truth. Begin or continue your daily intake of God’s Word in order to tell truth from error.
"So the real question confronting you now is: How can you afford not to be in God’s Word." Howard Hendricks
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 20, 2024 6:47:42 GMT -6
POWER UP: Live in Resurrection Power
"His incomparably great power for us who believe." Ephesians 1:19, NIV
Did you know there’s an annual competition for the World’s Strongest Man, or WSM? Last year the event took place in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and a Canadian, Mitchell Hooper, won the contest. He is currently the World’s Strongest Man.
But wait! There’s another kind of strength that’s even more impressive. In Ephesians 1, Paul prayed for the Christians in Ephesus that their eyes would be opened to know God’s “incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead” (verses 19-20, NIV).
In other words, we’re to live in daily resurrection power. The same strength God exerted in raising Christ from the tomb is what energizes your life today—your morale, your encouragement, your patience, your hope, your energy for Christian service, your strength in the face of adversity.
Claim that power. Live in God’s resurrection strength today. Remind yourself about it. Not even the World’s Strongest Man can equal the strength of the humblest child of God who is powered up by the Spirit.
"We need to advance in our experiences of Christ until we manifest His resurrection power in our lives." Watchman Nee
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 21, 2024 6:21:57 GMT -6
"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32
God promises truth and freedom to all those who love Him and abide in His good pleasure. In a life full of uncertainty, the truth of God is wonderful to contemplate indeed! Never need we doubt the veracity of the Lord for He Himself is the measure of truth. He is the standard by which all claims stand or fall. And if He, in unmitigated Truth, says that we are made free, then what iron fetter or steel prison can stifle our liberty? Why none at all! Rejoice in your freedom, O Christian, and use it to pursue the righteousness of God!
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 22, 2024 6:48:03 GMT -6
“Until I Memorized…”
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10:45
In her book Unseen, Sara Hagerty wrote of how she volunteered to work at a Christian camp when she was seventeen. Her job was in the dining hall. Amid the hard work, crew leaders assigned Bible verses for the teens to memorize, beginning with Mark 10:45. “This verse was new to me,” Sara said. “I hadn’t known that service was part of the whole Jesus deal I’d signed up for…until I memorized this verse”—one that has never left her.1
Is that a verse you’ve memorized? Ask yourself: What is the most recent Bible verse I’ve learned by heart? If it’s been awhile, consider jumpstarting the process with Mark 10:45.
Studying the Word of God is important, but so is Scripture memorization. If we know verses by heart, God will bring them to mind at times of service, fatigue, anxiety, fear, temptation, or testing. The Lord gives us all we need through His Word, and we must hide it in our hearts.
"If we could be induced to keep up the habit of committing to memory portions of Scripture, what a blessing it would be!" Unknown
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 23, 2024 6:46:13 GMT -6
God Knows
"Therefore do not be like the unbelievers. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Matthew 6:8
You observe your child working diligently to put together a wooden puzzle—with growing frustration. But you don’t say anything. Finally, she turns to you and asks for help. You take the opportunity to remind her of your love for her and your willingness to help her with anything she might need. Then, together, you both complete her puzzle.
People often ask, “If God already knows what we need, why do we have to pray and ask Him?” First, Jesus revealed the truth about God’s knowledge of our needs to warn His followers about going on and on in prayer—thinking we have to impress God with our many words (Matthew 6:7). Instead, He gave them a short prayer to pray as an illustration (Matthew 6:9-13). As that prayer indicates, Jesus wants us to come to God as “Our Father”—like a child who asks her father for help. God knows our needs but wants to enjoy our relationship of trust in Him, trust that is built through the conversation we call prayer.
Right now, God knows your every need. He is waiting for you to come and talk to Him.
"Pray as you can; God knows what you mean." Vance Havner
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 24, 2024 6:55:13 GMT -6
Everything, Everyone, Everywhere
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me." Ephesians 6:18-19
The apostle Paul’s description of the Christian’s spiritual armor is beautifully crafted. But he concludes his description of the armor with an admonition which has nothing to do with a soldier’s armor for warfare: prayer. But even though prayer is not something we “put on,” we get Paul’s sense—that prayer is the key to being “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might” (Ephesians 6:10).
Because spiritual warfare can occur in every area of life, Paul writes that we are to pray “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18, NIV). This echoes his words in Philippians 4:6: to pray about everything. And to pray for “all the saints.” We can pray that God’s people everywhere would put on the armor of God and stand strong in the Lord—especially those, like Paul, who are called to spread the Gospel to those who haven’t heard.
When you pray for your own needs, pray also for God’s people everywhere to stand strong and spread the Gospel.
"Faith cannot grow outside the environment of prayer." J. C. P. Cockerton
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 25, 2024 7:09:46 GMT -6
Your Daily Wardrobe
"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts." Romans 13:14
“Putting on” the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11), while found only in Ephesians, employs imagery found throughout the New Testament: putting on clothing. We do that every morning as we prepare ourselves for the day. We dress ourselves in a manner that will carry us through the day depending on the tasks we have to accomplish.
While Paul explains in detail what it means to put on the armor of God, we are also told to put on various things that provide similar spiritual protection. We are told to put on “the armor of light” (Romans 13:12), Christ (Galatians 3:27), the “new man” (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10), “tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Colossians 3:12), and love (Colossians 3:14). In essence, to put on the armor of God is to put on Christ Himself and all His attributes. Living each day in obedience and submission to the Lord Jesus Christ will find us totally protected against “the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).
Begin each day by clothing yourself in Christ and His truth. In doing so, you will be clothed in the armor of God.
"The reason we must put on the whole armor of God is to withstand evil." Stormie Omartian
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 26, 2024 6:53:07 GMT -6
God’s Armor
"Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands." 1 Samuel 17:47
After young David, the shepherd boy, convinced King Saul to let him go out and fight Goliath, the first thing the king did was dress David in his own armor and bronze helmet. But David said, “I cannot walk with these” (1 Samuel 17:39). So David went out to face Goliath with his own “armor”: a tunic, a staff, a sling, five stones, and faith. For that task, that was all David needed to defeat his enemy.
When we face the giants that threaten us in our life, there is a temptation to put on “armor” God didn’t design for us to wear. It may be the armor of this world (position, power, education, wealth, influence) or it may be armor that we’ve seen a fellow Christian successfully wear. It may take a few battles for us to learn that God has provided all the armor we need: truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, salvation, Scripture, and prayer (Ephesians 6:14-18).
Face your giants today clothed in the armor of Christ. Let God prepare you for battle, and you will be victorious.
"Our enemies are on every side, and so must our armor be." William Gurnall
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 27, 2024 7:04:03 GMT -6
POWER UP: Use Divine Power to Conquer Sin
"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:2
Jeremiah described our hearts as “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9). We’ve all experienced the guilt and shame of passions we couldn’t control, addictions we couldn’t break, sins we couldn’t resist. Some of these are sins of commission—things we do; some are sins of omission—things we should do but haven’t; some are sins of disposition—attitudes that need correcting.
We can never have victory without the spiritual power of the Holy Spirit within us. We can’t resist temptation in our own strength. We need the Lord Jesus within us by His Spirit. Yes, it requires constant effort on our part. We can never give up or give in. The Bible likens us to soldiers who continue fighting. But we can ask the Lord to strengthen us through His Spirit within.
Don’t keep yielding to the same sins over and over. Yield yourself to God, and ask for the Spirit’s power to set you free from the power of sin.
"All indwelling sin can be stripped of its dominion through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit." David Wilkerson
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 28, 2024 6:21:48 GMT -6
"But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." Luke 11:28
Praises everlasting for that most wondrous of gifts: a man who could hear the word of God and keep it! Sing thanks unto the Lord that by His Son's obedience to God's holy law, even unto death, the eternal blessings of the Lord might now fall upon His people. How fortunate are we become, those who serve the Lord in the faith of righteousness! Rejoice, O people, and sing evermore His mighty praise.
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 29, 2024 6:43:11 GMT -6
Real Victory!
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." 1 John 5:14-15
Ruth Paxson met with a missionary who confessed her defeated attitude. She no longer found joy in her Bible or a passion for souls in her heart. Hers was a joyless, peaceless, powerless life. She left in the same state, but Paxson felt the Lord was working and prayed for her using 1 John 5:14-15. Overnight the woman confessed to a hurt that had robbed her of her victory. Her joy was back.
Paxon wrote, “Real victory is a glorious and marvelous change in the innermost recesses of the spirit which transforms the inner disposition and attitude as well as the outward deed and act.”1
Do you have victory in your life today? If not, confess any hindering sin, yield yourself afresh to Christ, and trust Him to work in you today.
"Victory is not a mere blessing, doctrine, or experience, but it is a Person. To have Him acknowledged as sole Proprietor of the whole being and allowed to act as such is to be assured of victory over sin." Ruth Paxson
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on Apr 30, 2024 7:34:55 GMT -6
220 Volts
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Dr. Stephen Olford pointed out that the words “Christ lives in me” mean more than Christ’s initial entrance into our lives. It’s true that when we ask Christ to become our Savior, He enters us by His Spirit. We are redeemed by His blood. But there’s more to the Christian experience than initial salvation. We want Christ to give us an attitude of daily victory, and that means yielding all to Him.
At first it seems frightening to give Jesus every aspect of our lives—our future, past, choices, locations, professions, children, desires, and goals. But we have to remember our Lord’s plans for us are always better than the ones we develop. He longs for the best for us, and He intends to use us in maximum ways. Give all of yourself to Him, claim the voltage of Galatians 2:20, and let Him give you victory in Jesus!
"The victorious Christian life is the life of the victorious Christ living within." Stephen Olford
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on May 1, 2024 6:45:48 GMT -6
When Your World Shakes
"God is…a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed." Psalm 46:1-2
At first they couldn’t believe it. Fifteen days after Haiti’s devastating earthquake, workers found a miracle survivor. Darline Etienne, sixteen, was pulled from the rubble barely breathing and hardly able to speak. She’d apparently been alone in the house taking a shower when the quake struck. The house collapsed on her, but since she was in the bathroom, she had access to water. That’s what saved her life. As she was pulled from the ruins, she weakly asked for her mother. She was immediately given food, medical care, and loving assurance.
Just as an earthquake victim eagerly accepts rescue and the provisions of food and clothing, we should look to the Lord for all we need. The psalmist said, “Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He has mercy on us” (Psalm 123:2).
God provides one blessing after another, and His reserves are never diminished. Trust Him to rescue and provide for you today.
In the presence of Jesus there is sheer, thrilling effervescence of life…a gloom-encompassed Christianity is an impossibility. William Barclay
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on May 2, 2024 7:24:04 GMT -6
The Human Touch of Kindness
"He who despises his neighbor sins; but he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he." Proverbs 14:21 “Mamie Adams always went to a branch post office in her town because the postal employees there were friendly. She went there to buy stamps just before Christmas one year, and the lines were particularly long. Someone pointed out that there was no need to wait in line because there was a stamp machine in the lobby. ‘I know,’ said Mamie, ‘but the machine won’t ask me about my arthritis.’”
The human touch of kindness is our species’ distinguishing mark and something many go without due to all of the world’s technological advances. Just like Mamie, many people would rather sacrifice the modern-day convenience of a machine in order to receive a friendly greeting from another living, breathing human being. Jesus understood the importance of kindness and took great care in being kind to everyone, especially the downtrodden and unsaved. He knew this was the key to opening the hearts of those who otherwise might never respond to the love of Christ.
Make it your goal to be kind to everyone; you never know who might be in need of the human touch of kindness.
"It is the duty of every Christian to be Christ to his neighbor." Martin Luther
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on May 3, 2024 7:09:24 GMT -6
Running on Empty
"But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Have you ever run out of gas and been stuck on the side of the road? It’s important to recognize when your car is almost out of fuel and to stop by the gas station to refill the tank. All athletes recognize the importance of keeping their bodies fueled with food and water, or else they won’t have the strength to finish the game.
In a similar way, when your soul feels spiritually empty, return to God for a refill of His wisdom and endurance. Having feelings of emptiness can be a sign that God wants an opportunity to fill you with His Spirit. That filling comes from spending time in prayer, Bible study, praise, and worship. A void can creep into your life when your faith is running on empty due to neglect or busyness. God will supply what you need, but be alert to receive it. Respond with attention and energy when feeding your soul. God will arrange for your journey, refill your tank, and give you direction. Show up with humility and the willingness to chart new territory.
"When you feed your heart and mind with the Bible’s truth, you regain your perspective and find renewed strength." Warren Wiersbe
Dr. David Jeremiah
|
|
Murph
Moderator
Be kind to your web footed friends. Amen?
Posts: 69,048
|
Post by Murph on May 4, 2024 7:01:26 GMT -6
A Fascinating Few: Naaman
"Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the Lord had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper." Kings 5:1A
Acts 10 tells the story of Cornelius, a Roman soldier, who nonetheless was a “devout man...who feared God.” He gave generously to those in need and “prayed to God” faithfully (verses 1-2). God took note of Cornelius’ heart and graciously brought the Gospel of Christ to him.
A similar situation occurred in the Old Testament with a Syrian military commander who seems to have been used by God to defeat one of Israel’s enemies. But he had leprosy. God arranged for this man, Naaman, to learn about the prophet Elisha through whom he might be healed. So Naaman traveled from Syria to Samaria to meet Elisha and was indeed healed, causing him to give praise to Elisha’s God. The grace of God is extended to many in situations that might surprise us.
Our ministry to a non-believer might be an open door for God to extend saving grace to them—just as God extended grace to us.
"Every day we are objects of the grace of God." Donald Grey Barnhouse
Dr. David Jeremaih
|
|