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Today’s Devotional | August 27 | ROMANS 14:1-12 | Our Most Important Engagement
Memory Verse
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12).
It is a sobering thought that every Christian must one day stand before the One who has saved him to have his service reviewed. We are all accountable to Jesus for our stewardship of time and talents. The Judgment Seat of Christ will be examination day for the saints.
God has not left us on this planet to waste our lives in useless chatter and earthbound projects. We are to be carrying the Gospel to our world. We have been commissioned to occupy until He comes. We are to be as lights in a dark place. Our earthly vocations should be but the means of support that make it possible for us to be witnesses in our communities.
If all that seems too great a load to bear, remember that one day it will be worth it all. Paul’s life was filled with hardship and suffering, yet at the end of the road he eagerly anticipated his departure, and looked forward to the Judgment Seat of Christ. He spoke of it as “that day.” He expected to receive eternal rewards that would outweigh any trial he had experienced along the way.
The judgment of the children of God will take place at the Lord’s return for His Church. Jesus said, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).
The Judgment Seat of Christ is your most important coming engagement. It will be a revealing day: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
What on earth are you doing for heaven’s sake?
jvim.com
Memory Verse
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God (Romans 14:12).
It is a sobering thought that every Christian must one day stand before the One who has saved him to have his service reviewed. We are all accountable to Jesus for our stewardship of time and talents. The Judgment Seat of Christ will be examination day for the saints.
God has not left us on this planet to waste our lives in useless chatter and earthbound projects. We are to be carrying the Gospel to our world. We have been commissioned to occupy until He comes. We are to be as lights in a dark place. Our earthly vocations should be but the means of support that make it possible for us to be witnesses in our communities.
If all that seems too great a load to bear, remember that one day it will be worth it all. Paul’s life was filled with hardship and suffering, yet at the end of the road he eagerly anticipated his departure, and looked forward to the Judgment Seat of Christ. He spoke of it as “that day.” He expected to receive eternal rewards that would outweigh any trial he had experienced along the way.
The judgment of the children of God will take place at the Lord’s return for His Church. Jesus said, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be” (Revelation 22:12).
The Judgment Seat of Christ is your most important coming engagement. It will be a revealing day: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
What on earth are you doing for heaven’s sake?
jvim.com
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Today’s Devotional | September 12 | LUKE 5:12-16 | Healing
Memory Verse
And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him (Luke 5:13).
Some are afraid to pray for healing. But all healing comes from God. He may heal through doctors, through medicine (as in the case of Hezekiah in II Kings 20:7), or through instantaneous answer to prayer. God is sovereign. And He has invited us to pray for all our needs, including healing of our bodies.
A study of the life of Christ reveals many answers to prayer for healing. He opened blind eyes, made the lame walk, restored paralytics and cleansed lepers. To conclude that He would or could not answer prayer for healing today is inconsistent with the Biblical teaching that God is un- changing.
In his excellent book: “Prayer — Asking and Receiving,” Dr. John R. Rice wrote: “I think I ought to say that in literally hundreds of cases I have had my prayers for the sick answered, some slowly, some suddenly, some at once, and others only after long waiting on God.”
As in all praying, prayer for healing should be subject to the will of God. And it is not always God’s will to heal. That is evident from Paul’s thorn in the flesh (II Corinthians 12:7), Timothy’s frail health (I Timothy 5:23), and the fact that Paul left his friend Trophimus at Miletum sick (II Timothy 4:20). To quote Dr. Rice again: “One who comes to pray for healing, either for himself or for another, must come saying, ‘…nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt’ “ (Matthew 26:39).
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I wanted to comment on this today. Interesting to find the topic just now as early in the day I was 'discussing' this very thing with God! I was quite adamant that He heals... He didn't argue.
VERY early this morning I was listening to Coast to Coast AM with George Noory. Now George took over for Art Bell who was easy to listen to but George is a real hyper type guy and sometimes difficult. But alas.. the topic was interesting. There is now a documentary out, partially funded by the DIA (government) into the parapsychological aspects etc events going on the Skin Walker's ranch... and has been since before we were there as the local tribes suggest.
I mention this because oral history of the tribes say that their ancestors used to take their ill members up to the mountain in the area for healing...that there were... 'beings' that would do that. They did nothing else but take the ill. The ill were healed immediately usually. Needless to say one does not have to believe there is a vortex or other worldly beings, whether evil or not, and activities have been documented now... after decades of research.
ANYWAY... so my argument with God was this: IF there are those who heal without God's work... these entities for one, the man in the NT who was "not part of the apostles" but Jesus said whomever is not against Him, is for Him... THEN surely we KNOW that HE (GOD) heals. So if a tribesman goes to an entity that he does not know, and the entity does not love back, WHY doesn't GOD heal us who know Him and whom HE loves?
I mean.... ok follow me here.... I am not doubting God's healing abilities. I was asking God where is the healing? If those who do not believe are healed by something other than God... why aren't we healed BY God in Whom we believe!?
ALL power is God's.
ANYTHING that is not of God has been taken "from" God and misused for the devil...
That could include healing by.. ??? fill in blank yourself
SO.
God loves us.
God says He wants only GOOD for us.
God says He wants us to have life, MORE ABUNDANTLY
God promises to heal.
The tribesmen only had to take their children or ill to the entities for healing, no strings attached.
We don't have to go anywhere for our healing... GOD is 'here'.
WHY aren't we healed? Why aren't we healed immediately? Why do we think there are strings attached? (No, not asking GOD why... asking myself.)
Well, that was my discussion with God this morning.
(Almost a "what am I doing wrong" kind of talk...but truly...there is NOTHING we can do 'wrong' for healing. God even heals the unbelievers...)
In praying for healing, then, let us ask God for the most and then leave the results with Him.
Memory Verse
And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him (Luke 5:13).
Some are afraid to pray for healing. But all healing comes from God. He may heal through doctors, through medicine (as in the case of Hezekiah in II Kings 20:7), or through instantaneous answer to prayer. God is sovereign. And He has invited us to pray for all our needs, including healing of our bodies.
A study of the life of Christ reveals many answers to prayer for healing. He opened blind eyes, made the lame walk, restored paralytics and cleansed lepers. To conclude that He would or could not answer prayer for healing today is inconsistent with the Biblical teaching that God is un- changing.
In his excellent book: “Prayer — Asking and Receiving,” Dr. John R. Rice wrote: “I think I ought to say that in literally hundreds of cases I have had my prayers for the sick answered, some slowly, some suddenly, some at once, and others only after long waiting on God.”
As in all praying, prayer for healing should be subject to the will of God. And it is not always God’s will to heal. That is evident from Paul’s thorn in the flesh (II Corinthians 12:7), Timothy’s frail health (I Timothy 5:23), and the fact that Paul left his friend Trophimus at Miletum sick (II Timothy 4:20). To quote Dr. Rice again: “One who comes to pray for healing, either for himself or for another, must come saying, ‘…nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt’ “ (Matthew 26:39).
www.jvim.com
I wanted to comment on this today. Interesting to find the topic just now as early in the day I was 'discussing' this very thing with God! I was quite adamant that He heals... He didn't argue.
VERY early this morning I was listening to Coast to Coast AM with George Noory. Now George took over for Art Bell who was easy to listen to but George is a real hyper type guy and sometimes difficult. But alas.. the topic was interesting. There is now a documentary out, partially funded by the DIA (government) into the parapsychological aspects etc events going on the Skin Walker's ranch... and has been since before we were there as the local tribes suggest.
I mention this because oral history of the tribes say that their ancestors used to take their ill members up to the mountain in the area for healing...that there were... 'beings' that would do that. They did nothing else but take the ill. The ill were healed immediately usually. Needless to say one does not have to believe there is a vortex or other worldly beings, whether evil or not, and activities have been documented now... after decades of research.
ANYWAY... so my argument with God was this: IF there are those who heal without God's work... these entities for one, the man in the NT who was "not part of the apostles" but Jesus said whomever is not against Him, is for Him... THEN surely we KNOW that HE (GOD) heals. So if a tribesman goes to an entity that he does not know, and the entity does not love back, WHY doesn't GOD heal us who know Him and whom HE loves?
I mean.... ok follow me here.... I am not doubting God's healing abilities. I was asking God where is the healing? If those who do not believe are healed by something other than God... why aren't we healed BY God in Whom we believe!?
ALL power is God's.
ANYTHING that is not of God has been taken "from" God and misused for the devil...
That could include healing by.. ??? fill in blank yourself
SO.
God loves us.
God says He wants only GOOD for us.
God says He wants us to have life, MORE ABUNDANTLY
God promises to heal.
The tribesmen only had to take their children or ill to the entities for healing, no strings attached.
We don't have to go anywhere for our healing... GOD is 'here'.
WHY aren't we healed? Why aren't we healed immediately? Why do we think there are strings attached? (No, not asking GOD why... asking myself.)
Well, that was my discussion with God this morning.
(Almost a "what am I doing wrong" kind of talk...but truly...there is NOTHING we can do 'wrong' for healing. God even heals the unbelievers...)
In praying for healing, then, let us ask God for the most and then leave the results with Him.
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Pilgrim
Praying without ceasing
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I'm always encouraged and blessed seeing devotionals about prayer. God blesses us in prayer, desiring we pray on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
Jesus reminded his followers that "the Father knows what we need before we ask Him." So prayer is less about the transfer of information and more about the act of humility, that we seek God in all things and pray without ceasing, always seeking the goodness of God's good will for us. Glory to God.
Bless you for sharing, Jean.
Jesus reminded his followers that "the Father knows what we need before we ask Him." So prayer is less about the transfer of information and more about the act of humility, that we seek God in all things and pray without ceasing, always seeking the goodness of God's good will for us. Glory to God.
Bless you for sharing, Jean.
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Today’s Devotional | September 14 | LUKE 22:39-46 | Thy Will Be Done
Memory Verse
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Luke 22:44).
The four most difficult words to pray are these: THY WILL BE DONE. Our stubborn wills resist submission. Yet if we are to follow in His steps, those four difficult words must describe our purpose in living.
Consider the circumstances under which Jesus prayed “not my will, but thine, be done.”
Judas had agreed to betray Him for thirty pieces of silver. The illegal and unjust trial lay just ahead of Him and beyond that the cross with its pain and shame. Nevertheless, His will was submitted to His Father’s.
We do not know what tomorrow holds. Dark clouds may be gathering on the horizon and a storm of trouble may threaten. We have but one thought — deliverance from difficulties. Still, none face such misery as He faced when He prayed in submission to the Father’s will.
While submission comes hard for most, it helps to remember that our Heavenly Father loves us. We are not surrendering to a tyrant bent on our destruction when we pray “Thy will be done.” This is a case of giving one’s self over to the One who always does right and who loves us with an everlasting love.
Submission to God’s will does not guarantee an easy road in the immediate future. But it does promise a blessed eternity. Rewards await those who stop trying to save their lives and dare to risk everything with Jesus. Then we will rejoice in the blessings that will be ours from having earnestly prayed, “THY WILL BE DONE!”
Memory Verse
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Luke 22:44).
The four most difficult words to pray are these: THY WILL BE DONE. Our stubborn wills resist submission. Yet if we are to follow in His steps, those four difficult words must describe our purpose in living.
Consider the circumstances under which Jesus prayed “not my will, but thine, be done.”
Judas had agreed to betray Him for thirty pieces of silver. The illegal and unjust trial lay just ahead of Him and beyond that the cross with its pain and shame. Nevertheless, His will was submitted to His Father’s.
We do not know what tomorrow holds. Dark clouds may be gathering on the horizon and a storm of trouble may threaten. We have but one thought — deliverance from difficulties. Still, none face such misery as He faced when He prayed in submission to the Father’s will.
While submission comes hard for most, it helps to remember that our Heavenly Father loves us. We are not surrendering to a tyrant bent on our destruction when we pray “Thy will be done.” This is a case of giving one’s self over to the One who always does right and who loves us with an everlasting love.
Submission to God’s will does not guarantee an easy road in the immediate future. But it does promise a blessed eternity. Rewards await those who stop trying to save their lives and dare to risk everything with Jesus. Then we will rejoice in the blessings that will be ours from having earnestly prayed, “THY WILL BE DONE!”
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Today’s Devotional | September 18 | JOHN 17:1-9 | Praying for Me
Memory Verse
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine (John 17:9).
Here is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus. It is known as His great intercessory prayer. He prays for His disciples and for all who will believe as a result of their ministry.
He prays that you and I will be kept from evil (verse 15). Temptation whirls around all, inviting shame and destruction. The enemy is strong and the flesh is weak. But Jesus has prayed for us. We do not enter the day alone or in our own strength. His Spirit and His prayers follow us every step of the way.
He prays that you and I will be sanctified through the truth. To be sanctified is to be set apart from the world and for God. Sanctification is in three dimensions — positional, progressive and perfect. As to position, we are sanctified at the moment of new birth. When we are saved through faith in Christ, we are set apart for God. Progressive sanctification continues throughout life. This has to do with growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Perfect sanctification takes place when the Lord returns. Then we shall be perfect for we shall be like Him. (1 John 3:2,3)
Progressive sanctification is the aim of the prayer of Jesus for you and me. He is praying for growth and development in His own. And notice the instrument of sanctification — THE WORD OF GOD (verse 17). His Word gives growth. It contains the vitamins and minerals of soul health.
Our daily growth and Christian victory are concerns of Christ. Prayer concerns. Certainly there is then no excuse for defeat.
I expect to conquer and grow. Jesus prayed for me.
And His prayers continue to this day!
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Today’s Devotional | September 19 | ACTS 1:8-14 | Of One Accord
Memory Verse
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren (Acts 1:14).
Christians praying together — of one accord — in a local church can expect the mighty power of God in their witnessing. But too many churches are torn by strife and divisions. As a result, the Spirit of God is grieved and the church plods week after week on its weak way.
As the day of Pentecost approached, the disciples laid aside all differences and united their hearts in believing prayer. We remember that day when the Holy Spirit came as promised and we cherish the account given in the Bible of the thousands saved and the fellowship that was theirs.
- What would it take to get your church praying in one accord?
- Who would have to make the first move?
- What petty grievances would have to be forsaken?
- What do you intend to do about it?
The disciples were the most unlikely group on earth with which to start a revival. Yet history speaks for the great work of God among them because they were of one accord.
Stop tramping. Start where you are and do what you can to get the saints together in earnest prayer — united in love. That kind of praying will change your church. And end your search!
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Today’s Devotional | September 21 | ESTHER 4:10-17 | Esther
Memory Verse
And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14).
God is always on time.
In the darkest day, God makes a way. The Jews were faced with extinction because of the evil plan of a Jew hater named Haman. He was not the first nor the last to attempt to destroy the Jews. History’s graveyards are filled with those who hoped to do away with the children of Israel.
Esther was the queen but had never revealed her racial identity to the king. Now Mordecai, her relative who had raised her, came to ask her to intercede on behalf of her people. It was a risky request, placing Esther’s life in danger.
God uses a woman or a man to fulfill His plan. Throughout history, God has raised up people to carry out His will. Moses’ mother defied Pharaoh’s law and spared the life of her son, who was destined to deliver his people. David arrived at the camp of Israel when Goliath had intimidated the armies of Saul. John Wesley was converted and his heart was set afire for Christ in time to save England from the revolution. John Knox was there when Scotland needed him. Esther must face the challenge of rescuing her people.
Esther’s cry was to do or die. She laid her life on the line. Read again her response to the call of duty: “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).
Esther rose to the occasion and saved her people.
“Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (See Acts 1:8).
Memory Verse
And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14).
God is always on time.
In the darkest day, God makes a way. The Jews were faced with extinction because of the evil plan of a Jew hater named Haman. He was not the first nor the last to attempt to destroy the Jews. History’s graveyards are filled with those who hoped to do away with the children of Israel.
Esther was the queen but had never revealed her racial identity to the king. Now Mordecai, her relative who had raised her, came to ask her to intercede on behalf of her people. It was a risky request, placing Esther’s life in danger.
God uses a woman or a man to fulfill His plan. Throughout history, God has raised up people to carry out His will. Moses’ mother defied Pharaoh’s law and spared the life of her son, who was destined to deliver his people. David arrived at the camp of Israel when Goliath had intimidated the armies of Saul. John Wesley was converted and his heart was set afire for Christ in time to save England from the revolution. John Knox was there when Scotland needed him. Esther must face the challenge of rescuing her people.
Esther’s cry was to do or die. She laid her life on the line. Read again her response to the call of duty: “Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish” (Esther 4:16).
Esther rose to the occasion and saved her people.
“Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (See Acts 1:8).
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Today’s Devotional | September 22 | ACTS 12:1-17 | Praying Big
Memory Verse
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him (Acts 12:5).
Persecution was daily fare for the early church. Stephen was stoned to death. James, the brother of John, was executed by King Herod. Imprisonment was common, the only crime being telling the good news of the Gospel.
When Peter was arrested and jailed it was probably no surprise. Still, the church was not willing to ho-hum the matter just because the practice was common. They began to pray unceasingly for Peter’s release from prison.
Meanwhile, back at the slammer, Peter was sound asleep — a good indication that he wasn’t overcome by his difficulties. The one who had been such a coward before the crucifixion now relaxed awaiting the will of God to unfold. Clearly, he had traded fear for faith.
God answered the prayer of the church. An angel unshackled the sleeping apostle from his chains and set him free. It all happened so quickly and miraculously that Peter wasn’t sure he was awake. He thought he might be seeing a vision (verse 9).
Finally, certain that this was for real, Peter hurried to where the church was at prayer — praying big — asking for Peter’s release. However, when their prayer was answered they could hardly believe it. Rhoda, who answered the door when Peter knocked, was thought mad when she reported that Peter had arrived.
These early Christians learned two important lessons. First, it pays to pray big. Second, God is greater than our faith. They asked, but didn’t really expect an answer. In spite of their frail faith, God answered.
Ask big. The answers may surprise you!
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Today’s Devotional | September 24 | JOB 2:1-10 | Job’s Wife
Memory Verse
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips (Job 2:10).
Job’s wife may be the most maligned woman in the Bible.
It’s not fair.
What she said was bad, but one must remember when she said it. Her children had just lost their lives. She and her husband had lost all their property. And now the man she loved had lost his health. Under such conditions many would have said foolish things. Depression often causes words to drop from our lips that would never be uttered under normal circumstances.
We must be careful not to judge the man by the moment. Or the woman.
Job understood his wife’s state of mind and spoke to her tenderly. He didn’t call her a fool. He knew her too well for that…and loved her. He simply told her that she was talking like one of the foolish women. He reminded her that she was out of character. This was not like her. There is not a touch of bitterness in his word of correction. This patient and good man knew the load of grief being carried by his deprived wife and he had compassion on her.
And now a good word for Mrs. Job. It is said that whenever a man reaches the top a good woman is holding the ladder. And Job had become a prosperous and respected man. Mrs. Job had evidently been a loyal and helpful companion through the years, a good homemaker and mother. She doesn’t deserve the criticism heaped on her for her single lapse of judgment during a time of deep depression.
To attack others when they are down is to act like the foolish ones. “Husbands, love your wives” (Ephesians 5:25).
Memory Verse
But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips (Job 2:10).
Job’s wife may be the most maligned woman in the Bible.
It’s not fair.
What she said was bad, but one must remember when she said it. Her children had just lost their lives. She and her husband had lost all their property. And now the man she loved had lost his health. Under such conditions many would have said foolish things. Depression often causes words to drop from our lips that would never be uttered under normal circumstances.
We must be careful not to judge the man by the moment. Or the woman.
Job understood his wife’s state of mind and spoke to her tenderly. He didn’t call her a fool. He knew her too well for that…and loved her. He simply told her that she was talking like one of the foolish women. He reminded her that she was out of character. This was not like her. There is not a touch of bitterness in his word of correction. This patient and good man knew the load of grief being carried by his deprived wife and he had compassion on her.
And now a good word for Mrs. Job. It is said that whenever a man reaches the top a good woman is holding the ladder. And Job had become a prosperous and respected man. Mrs. Job had evidently been a loyal and helpful companion through the years, a good homemaker and mother. She doesn’t deserve the criticism heaped on her for her single lapse of judgment during a time of deep depression.
To attack others when they are down is to act like the foolish ones. “Husbands, love your wives” (Ephesians 5:25).
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Today’s Devotional | September 26 | ACTS 16:19-34 | Prison Break
Memory Verse
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them (Acts 16:25).
In adversity it is normal to pray. But to praise?
Paul and Silas, jailed for Jesus, greeted midnight with a doxology. That’s victorious Christian living!
Reacting differently than expected, attracts attention. When God’s imprisoned servants began praying and praising, the other prisoners heard them and were affected by their testimonies. Following the earthquake and the opening of the prison doors, their fellow prisoners were more interested in hearing Paul and Silas than in escaping.
Praising God in difficulties gives evidence of submission to God’s will. Too many live “under the circumstances.” Praise is foreign to those who succumb to their trials. They pray and pout. No wonder others are not influenced to trust Christ through their witness.
Prayer that breaks bonds comes from praising hearts. If that sounds too positive to be realistic, meditate on Paul’s instruction to the persecuted church at Philippi: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
But in what can one rejoice in prison? Perhaps in the truth that he has been set free from sin through the death of Christ on the cross. At any rate, with backs bleeding and their feet in stocks, Paul and Silas made that dungeon a place of praise and prayer.
And here you are pouting about your problems!
Memory Verse
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them (Acts 16:25).
In adversity it is normal to pray. But to praise?
Paul and Silas, jailed for Jesus, greeted midnight with a doxology. That’s victorious Christian living!
Reacting differently than expected, attracts attention. When God’s imprisoned servants began praying and praising, the other prisoners heard them and were affected by their testimonies. Following the earthquake and the opening of the prison doors, their fellow prisoners were more interested in hearing Paul and Silas than in escaping.
Praising God in difficulties gives evidence of submission to God’s will. Too many live “under the circumstances.” Praise is foreign to those who succumb to their trials. They pray and pout. No wonder others are not influenced to trust Christ through their witness.
Prayer that breaks bonds comes from praising hearts. If that sounds too positive to be realistic, meditate on Paul’s instruction to the persecuted church at Philippi: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
But in what can one rejoice in prison? Perhaps in the truth that he has been set free from sin through the death of Christ on the cross. At any rate, with backs bleeding and their feet in stocks, Paul and Silas made that dungeon a place of praise and prayer.
And here you are pouting about your problems!
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Job was the one being targeted here, with sores from head to foot, with WORMS crawling all in them, and even in his dreams, tormented. Satan was allowed, by God, to do ev'ry thing under the sun to Job BUT kill him. In other words, (to attempt to "drive" Job to "curse God and die") and what occurred is that Job WAS "driven" to the point that he wanted to die for relief from it all. (BUT he did NOT "curse" God). And THEN his wife comes to him, as he's sitting in a dung/ash heap, and tells him to just "curse his God already, and die".
At his absolute lowest, and most painful, she kicks him in the teeth and tells him, in essence, to "drop dead". This, in spite of the fact that she herself testified that he was a man of integrity. She told him, in essence, to kick his integrity to the curb, curse God, and die. She was ANGRY that Job, her husband WAS a man of integrity. This alone speaks of her heart condition, and her contempt for her Godly husband's character and the God Who said this about Job. She DESPISED this about Job:
"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." ~Job 1:1
HE was the one targeted, and suffering inexplicably in all kinds of ways, too many to mention. HE lost his children tragically, boom boom boom one after the other as well.
I assume that Mrs. Job was not "living" on that ash heap WITH Job, didn't have oozing, putrid sores head to foot with worms crawling all in them, and being spit at while sitting on an ash heap, or have "friends" in her face, taunting, condemning, and accusing her of all kinds of monstrosities and evil, etc.. No, she came to "taunt" him, and in essence curse him and his God (which i suspect she never believed in in the first place) and she was venting her anger at Job and his God, telling him to curse his God and to just die already. (Sound familiar?)
She was acting as an agent of Satan, just like his "friends" were.
It's about her "heart" and the condition of her heart.
That's why Satan was able to use her.
Job was blessed because of GOD. Not a wife who kicked Job in the teeth at his lowest.
Job was blessed by God because of how God HIMSELF described Job:
"There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." ~Job 1:1
And it was BECAUSE God blessed Job in this manner, that there was a conversation between God and Satan ABOUT Job in the first place.
It had NOTHING to do with Job's wife, who cursed her husband at his absolute lowest, and DESPISED his integrity, and who repeated the very words of Satan to "curse God and die" and was, and remains, "nameless", as she fades away into "obscurity".
Just like Lot's wife.
But wait a minute, Lot's wife didn't fade away into obscurity. That's right, she became memorialized, so to speak.
She became a pillar o' salt.
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Today’s Devotional | October 12 | PROVERBS 8 | Hate
Memory Verse
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate (Proverbs 8:13).
Is it ever wise to hate?
Cradled in a chapter exalting wisdom, is an injunction to hate.
Surprising?
Not when the righteous character of God is considered.
The fear (reverential trust) of the LORD causes one to hate what He hates. We are not shocked when instructed to love what God loves. Logic leads from love to hate. God hates evil, therefore it is wise for His children to hate evil too.
But hating sin is not popular in our day. Evil is simply renamed to make it more acceptable. Nevertheless, God’s standards have not changed. Judgment will not be an exercise in semantics. Evil is evil. Sin is sin! And the child of God is called upon to declare his loyalty to the God of righteous- ness.
Now let’s get personal.
It is not so difficult to hate evil, pride and arrogancy in another. Despising the froward mouth of a neighbor or fellow church member may come easily. But what if these awful acts and attitudes are our own?
Memory Verse
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate (Proverbs 8:13).
Is it ever wise to hate?
Cradled in a chapter exalting wisdom, is an injunction to hate.
Surprising?
Not when the righteous character of God is considered.
The fear (reverential trust) of the LORD causes one to hate what He hates. We are not shocked when instructed to love what God loves. Logic leads from love to hate. God hates evil, therefore it is wise for His children to hate evil too.
But hating sin is not popular in our day. Evil is simply renamed to make it more acceptable. Nevertheless, God’s standards have not changed. Judgment will not be an exercise in semantics. Evil is evil. Sin is sin! And the child of God is called upon to declare his loyalty to the God of righteous- ness.
Now let’s get personal.
It is not so difficult to hate evil, pride and arrogancy in another. Despising the froward mouth of a neighbor or fellow church member may come easily. But what if these awful acts and attitudes are our own?
- Have you learned to hate pride when you see it in the mirror?
- Have you caught yourself being disgustingly arrogant?
- Do you face the issue when you have spoken wrongly?
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Today’s Devotional | October 13 | PROVERBS 10 | Covering Sins
Memory Verse
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins (Proverbs 10:12).
A pastor was approached by one of his members who wanted to repeat to him some of the wrongdoings of another in the church. The pastor said, “Does anybody else know about this?” “No,” answered the talebearer. “Then,” advised the wise preacher, “go home and hide it away at the feet of Jesus, and never speak of it again unless God leads you to speak to the person himself.”
What good advice! The talebearer acts out of hate and is in heart a murderer: “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (I John 3:15). The Christian who covers sin is motivated by love. He cannot bring himself to repeat the wrongs of others in the family of God.
Peter reminded his readers of the importance of Solomon’s instruction: “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8). How grateful this servant of God must have been for God’s forgiveness and the love demonstrated by his brethren. After his three denials of Christ, he was forgiven and made the spokesman for the early church.
Shall we act today in hate or love? Will our conversations stir up strife or cover sins? Will the church be divided or helped because we have lived another day?
Does love then simply ignore wrongs in a brother or sister? Not at all. We have two obligations. The first is that of prayer for the one who has sinned. The second is to go to the one in need and make an effort to restore: “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
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Today’s Devotional | October 14 | PROVERBS 11 | Winning Souls
Memory Verse
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30).
Not many win souls.
It is estimated that only about 5% of Christians ever lead another to the Saviour. This means 95% do not win souls.
Had the early church advanced at such a snail’s pace, Christianity would have died out in the first century! Those fiery souls were out to win the world and because they were faithful, we have received the Gospel. They had been commissioned to minister in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth. And they took the charge seriously.
When persecution came to early Christians, they seized their scattering as an opportunity to preach the Gospel in new fields. Under pressure, they produced. Imprisoned, they sang praises to God and won other prisoners.
Why do so few win souls today? Why is fruit so scarce compared to the harvest of the first century?
There are undoubtedly a number of factors that contribute to fruitlessness. But one of the most important is that we do not make soul winning our most desired goal. We are quite content if all is going well at the church and we have few troubles at home. Financial targets get priority. We must get our incomes up to that of our friends. After overtime, there is little time to reach lost people. Church visitation and soul winning programs languish while we cater to our carnal desires of gain and ease.
But when all is said and done — who is wise?
All our earthly trinkets will someday be dissolved. But he that winneth souls is wise — having lasting treasure.
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