Thought of the Day

When I understand something of Christ's love for me as a sinner, I respond with love for Christ--and that love includes feelings and emotions. But emotions come and go, and we must not allow them to mislead us. God loves me, whether I "feel" it or not. What makes the difference? It can be summarized in one word: commitment. This commitment not only keeps us faithful to Christ when we don't feel like it; it also keeps away negative emotions such as doubt and fear. John Witherspoon, the only cleric to sign the Declaration of Independence, once said, "It is only the fear of God that can deliver us from the fear of man."

Thought of the day

Walk with God as Moses did in the solitude of the desert; when the hour of judgment fell upon Egypt, Moses was prepared to lead his people to victory. Walk with God as Daniel and his three young friends did in the palace of Babylon's king; when the fiery furnace and the lion's den came, God was beside them and delivered them. God has not promised to deliver us from trouble, but He has promised to go with us through the trouble. "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me" (Psalm 23:4).

Thought of the Day

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the key to God's plan for the future. Unless Christ was raised from the dead, there can be no future kingdom and no returning King. Unless Christ was raised from the dead, sin and death still reign, and God's plan of redemption remains unfulfilled. But Christ has been raised! As the disciples stood watching after Jesus ascended into the heavens, the angels assured them that the risen Christ would some day be the returning Christ. Just as surely as Christ rose from the dead, so He will return and take us to Himself. Every promise--without exception--will be fulfilled.

Thought of the day

Because Christ rose from the dead, we know there is life after death, and that if we belong to Him we need not fear death or hell. Jesus promised, "If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (John 14:3 NIV). How hopeless our live would be if these words were not true. Every cemetery and every grave site would be a mute witness to the futility and despair of human life. But His words are true! What a glorious hoe we have because Jesus is alive!

Thought of the day

A bar of raw steel may be purchased for a few dollars. But when that bar of steel has been thrust into the fires and processed, when it has been tempered and forged and made into tiny watch springs for expensive watches, it is worth thousands of dollars... God through the refining fire of His Spirit performs a thousand miracles a day in the spiritual realm. His regenerating power can take the dull and ordinary things of our lives--even the burned-out ashes of our past--and forge them into something useful, even beautiful, for His purposes.

Thought of the day

Give, and it will be given to you. Luke 6:38

"Give," Christ commanded. Yet it was more than a command. It was an invitation to glorious and abundant living. If a person gets his attitude toward money right, it will help straighten out almost every other area of his life.... The chief motive of the selfish, unregenerate person is "get." The chief motive of the dedicated Christian should be "give." Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you." It's a promise, and we know Jesus never breaks His promises. Getting...or giving? Which is true of you?

Thought of the day

As much as our homes mean to us, they are not permanent…. Those disciples who for Christ’s sake gave up houses and lands and loved ones knew little of home life or home joys…. The venerable Bishop Ryle is reputed to have said, “Heaven is a prepared place for a prepared people, and those who enter shall find that they are neither unknown or unexpected.” Even life’s happiest experiences last but a moment, yet heaven’s joy is eternal. Some day we will go to our eternal Home—and Christ will be there to welcome us!

Thought of the day

Conscience has been described as the light of the soul. Even when it is dulled or darkened by sin, it can still bear witness to the reality of good and evil, and to the holiness of God. What causes this warning light to go on inside me when I do wrong? It is my conscience, given by God to steer me away from evil and toward good…. Persistent sin can dull or even silence our conscience. On the other hand, persistent attention to God’s Word will sharpen our conscience and make us more sensitive to moral and spiritual danger. Is this happening in your life?

Lessons

This is really all I have to say today. If anybody can read this and take it to heart, I think all of our relationships would be better.

Colossians 3

Rules for Holy Living
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Rules for Christian Households
18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Thought for the day

Nowhere does the Bible teach that Christians are exempt from tribulation and natural disaster…. But the Bible does teach that we can face trials with a power others do not have—the power for God. As we trust Him, God helps us endure, and even discern His purposes in the midst of suffering…. The eagle has the unique ability to lock its joints and soar effortlessly on an updraft, instead of flapping its wings. As we wait on God, He helps us use the winds of adversity to soar above our problems. As the Bible says, “Those who wait on the Lord….shall mount up with wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31)

Thought of the Day

Have you ever been under water for a period of time that is longer than you had expected? You know, as the time ticks away, how desperate you become to reach the surface and breathe the air…. You have no other thoughts but quenching your need for air. That is what it means to “long for God,” to feel unfulfilled without Him. It means we know we desperately need Him, even more than we need air, and we yearn to be filled with His presence….Ask God to give you a new hunger for Him, so you may become filled with “the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13)

Thought of the Day

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5

We Christians are not to be conformed to this world in the way we think. The world by its advertisements, its conversation, and its philosophy is engaged in a gigantic brainwashing…. Time yourself the next time you read the Bible and pray. Compare it to the amount of time you spend watching television or surfing the Internet. Is God getting His share of your time and attention?

Is the world shaping your mind—or is Christ?

Thought for the day

The born-again Christian sees life not as a blurred, confused, meaningless mass, but as something planned and purposeful….In Christ’s first sermon at Nazareth He said that one of the reasons He had come to earth was to preach “recovery of sight to the blind” (Luke 4:18)….The Spirit of God helps us see our sin and our helplessness and shows us God’s redeeming grace in Christ. The Spirit reveals the truth of Jesus’ declaration: “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12)….In the midst of a world living in spiritual darkness, walk as a child of the light!

Thought for the day...

How often have you found what you were looking for in life, only to realize it didn’t bring you the satisfaction you thought it would? It is life’s ultimate frustration—thinking we will find fulfillment in the things of this world. But they can never bring lasting happiness. As one bumper sticker I saw expressed it, “All I want is a little more than I have now.”…Try putting Christ first and watch how your life is turned around. You will discover that He alone is the source of the love, peace, and joy you have been searching for.

Thought for the day

I have a daily calendar with writings from Billy Graham.  Here is the one from yesterday:

 

Some years ago I visited a man who was wealthy and successful, the envy of all his friends and business associates.  But as we talked, he broke down in tears, confessing that he was miserable inside.  Wealth had not been able to fill the empty place in his heart.  A few hours later I visited another man who lived only a few miles away.  His cottage was humble, and he had almost nothing…yet his face was radiant as he told me about the work he was doing for Christ and how Christ had filled his life with meaning and purpose.  I went away convinced that the second man was really the rich man….A spirit of thankfulness makes all the difference.

 

If all of us could be as humble as the man living in the cottage!