The Psalms

The PsalmsPsalms 6-8 Thursday: Job 5-6Friday: Isaiah 12-17Saturday: Matthew 5-7Psalms 61 O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? 4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks? 6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. 7 Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine enemies. 8 Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping. 9 The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. 10 Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly. Psalms 71 O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: 2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O LORD my God, If I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah. 6 Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded. 7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. 8 The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. 9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. 10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. 11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready. 13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. 14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. 16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. 17 I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. Psalms 81 O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. 2 Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: 7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; 8 The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. 9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth

PARTNERS IN CHRIST

PARTNERS IN CHRIST Philemon 17-25 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Philemon+17-25Father of mercy,Holy God and Father, have mercy and show kindness to those who arein bondage - those who are in prison, those who are enslaved toother people, and those who are enslaved to self and to sin.Teach us to show genuine hospitality to each other, never keepingscore or grumbling, understanding that you, Father, are freelyentertaining us in your house, the earth, and feeding us at yourtable with its bounty. Fill our hearts with love for our brethrenand our lips with prayer in their behalf.May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with our spirits. In his nameI ask. Amen.

From Beginning to End

From Beginning to EndMilan Ford Well, here we are.Today is Wednesday, December 31st. The very last day of the year 2008.And what a year it was.Question: Do you remember where you were last year around this time?Better Question: Do you remember what you heard last year around this time?On December 31st (2007), you may have been one of the millions of people across this nation, who gathered together inside their local church for its annual Watch Night Service.And although there are times when the variations of our church annual themes and proclamations can make God look a bit schizoid in the eye of the unbeliever, for the most part, millions of people across the nation heard a message that evening about the significance of the year 2008.2008. The year of (yep, that's right)......New Beginnings.After 365 days, I think I probably heard every message imaginable about the number eight (8).From areas of relationships to finance, issues of health and areas of leadership, the hope for a New Beginning was indeed high on the hearts and minds of believers both young and old this year.Now I am not in any way what you call a great practitioner of biblical numerology, but I took a few moments out the other day to research the significance of the number nine (9). Just seemed like a cool thing to do on the eve of 2009. Needless to say, I was a bit surprised at what I discovered.The number nine (9) literally means: to bring to an end.In fact, in one instance, I found that the number (9) means: to bring a judgment (or conclusion) to.Not exactly the kind of words you'd expect people to pack out a sanctuary or tear up a few pews in order to hear this evening. To bring to an end.To bring to a conclusion.To bring a judgment to.Pretty far cry from the usual New Year phrases we've coined and embraced in the past like...The Year of Divine Favor.The Year of a New Beginning.The Year of Release.I actually heard that one church already coined the phrase: All Will Be Fine...in 2009!It kinda makes you wonder......what will God say (about 2009) on tonight?Well, while millions across the nation prepare themselves to hear the answer, I want to leave you with a quote I came across recently that summarizes what I want my 2009 to look like."The oppression of the poor isn't driven by the power of the oppressor, but (rather) the vulnerability of the oppressed." - Gary HaugenAs you prepare for tonight, it is my prayer that 2009 will be a year that you and I will put an end to our excuses. A year that you and I will no longer blame any oppressor, spiritual or natural, for the things we desire to accomplish in our lives next year. 2009 is indeed going to be a great year.But it may be one that involves will bringing an end to some things.2009 is not a year for to be lazy and vulnerable. We can no longer wait on God to bring a conclusion to something He has already empowered us to do. This year involves succeeding at obtainable goals, just as much as it involves reaching for some impossible ones. This year, you and I must become (sorry for the dirty word here)...responsible.Tonight, be careful not to become too consumed with asking God (yet again) to begin some new things in your life, without examining the things He has also told you to bring to an end.Although it may not be comfortable and popular, it is time.Happy New Year!(In fact, make it more than happy. Make it productive!!

The Books of History

The Books of HistoryJoshua 11-15 Wednesday: Psalms 6-8Thursday: Job 5-6Friday: Isaiah 12-17Joshua 111 And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph, 2 And to the kings that were on the north of the mountains, and of the plains south of Chinneroth, and in the valley, and in the borders of Dor on the west, 3 And to the Canaanite on the east and on the west, and to the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Jebusite in the mountains, and to the Hivite under Hermon in the land of Mizpeh. 4 And they went out, they and all their hosts with them, much people, even as the sand that is upon the sea shore in multitude, with horses and chariots very many. 5 And when all these kings were met together, they came and pitched together at the waters of Merom, to fight against Israel. 6 And the LORD said unto Joshua, Be not afraid because of them: for to morrow about this time will I deliver them up all slain before Israel: thou shalt hough their horses, and burn their chariots with fire. 7 So Joshua came, and all the people of war with him, against them by the waters of Merom suddenly; and they fell upon them. 8 And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining. 9 And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire. 10 And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms. 11 And they smote all the souls that were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them: there was not any left to breathe: and he burnt Hazor with fire. 12 And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, and he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded. 13 But as for the cities that stood still in their strength, Israel burned none of them, save Hazor only; that did Joshua burn. 14 And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey unto themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe. 15 As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. 16 So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same; 17 Even from the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir, even unto Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon under mount Hermon: and all their kings he took, and smote them, and slew them. 18 Joshua made war a long time with all those kings. 19 There was not a city that made peace with the children of Israel, save the Hivites the inhabitants of Gibeon: all other they took in battle. 20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses. 21 And at that time came Joshua, and cut off the Anakims from the mountains, from Hebron, from Debir, from Anab, and from all the mountains of Judah, and from all the mountains of Israel: Joshua destroyed them utterly with their cities. 22 There was none of the Anakims left in the land of the children of Israel: only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod, there remained. 23 So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the LORD said unto Moses; and Joshua gave it for an inheritance unto Israel according to their divisions by their tribes. And the land rested from war. Joshua 121 Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon unto mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east: 2 Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, and ruled from Aroer, which is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and from the middle of the river, and from half Gilead, even unto the river Jabbok, which is the border of the children of Ammon; 3 And from the plain to the sea of Chinneroth on the east, and unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea on the east, the way to Bethjeshimoth; and from the south, under Ashdothpisgah: 4 And the coast of Og king of Bashan, which was of the remnant of the giants, that dwelt at Ashtaroth and at Edrei, 5 And reigned in mount Hermon, and in Salcah, and in all Bashan, unto the border of the Geshurites and the Maachathites, and half Gilead, the border of Sihon king of Heshbon. 6 Them did Moses the servant of the LORD and the children of Israel smite: and Moses the servant of the LORD gave it for a possession unto the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh. 7 And these are the kings of the country which Joshua and the children of Israel smote on this side Jordan on the west, from Baalgad in the valley of Lebanon even unto the mount Halak, that goeth up to Seir; which Joshua gave unto the tribes of Israel for a possession according to their divisions; 8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites: 9 The king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is beside Bethel, one; 10 The king of Jerusalem, one; the king of Hebron, one; 11 The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one; 12 The king of Eglon, one; the king of Gezer, one; 13 The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one; 14 The king of Hormah, one; the king of Arad, one; 15 The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one; 16 The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one; 17 The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one; 18 The king of Aphek, one; the king of Lasharon, one; 19 The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one; 20 The king of Shimronmeron, one; the king of Achshaph, one; 21 The king of Taanach, one; the king of Megiddo, one; 22 The king of Kedesh, one; the king of Jokneam of Carmel, one; 23 The king of Dor in the coast of Dor, one; the king of the nations of Gilgal, one; 24 The king of Tirzah, one: all the kings thirty and one. Joshua 131 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. 2 This is the land that yet remaineth: all the borders of the Philistines, and all Geshuri, 3 From Sihor, which is before Egypt, even unto the borders of Ekron northward, which is counted to the Canaanite: five lords of the Philistines; the Gazathites, and the Ashdothites, the Eshkalonites, the Gittites, and the Ekronites; also the Avites: 4 From the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that is beside the Sidonians unto Aphek, to the borders of the Amorites: 5 And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath. 6 All the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon unto Misrephothmaim, and all the Sidonians, them will I drive out from before the children of Israel: only divide thou it by lot unto the Israelites for an inheritance, as I have commanded thee. 7 Now therefore divide this land for an inheritance unto the nine tribes, and the half tribe of Manasseh, 8 With whom the Reubenites and the Gadites have received their inheritance, which Moses gave them, beyond Jordan eastward, even as Moses the servant of the LORD gave them; 9 From Aroer, that is upon the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain of Medeba unto Dibon; 10 And all the cities of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, unto the border of the children of Ammon; 11 And Gilead, and the border of the Geshurites and Maachathites, and all mount Hermon, and all Bashan unto Salcah; 12 All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out. 13 Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day. 14 Only unto the tribes of Levi he gave none inheritance; the sacrifices of the LORD God of Israel made by fire are their inheritance, as he said unto them. 15 And Moses gave unto the tribe of the children of Reuben inheritance according to their families. 16 And their coast was from Aroer, that is on the bank of the river Arnon, and the city that is in the midst of the river, and all the plain by Medeba; 17 Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamothbaal, and Bethbaalmeon, 18 And Jahaza, and Kedemoth, and Mephaath, 19 And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zarethshahar in the mount of the valley, 20 And Bethpeor, and Ashdothpisgah, and Bethjeshimoth, 21 And all the cities of the plain, and all the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, which reigned in Heshbon, whom Moses smote with the princes of Midian, Evi, and Rekem, and Zur, and Hur, and Reba, which were dukes of Sihon, dwelling in the country. 22 Balaam also the son of Beor, the soothsayer, did the children of Israel slay with the sword among them that were slain by them. 23 And the border of the children of Reuben was Jordan, and the border thereof. This was the inheritance of the children of Reuben after their families, the cities and the villages thereof. 24 And Moses gave inheritance unto the tribe of Gad, even unto the children of Gad according to their families. 25 And their coast was Jazer, and all the cities of Gilead, and half the land of the children of Ammon, unto Aroer that is before Rabbah; 26 And from Heshbon unto Ramathmizpeh, and Betonim; and from Mahanaim unto the border of Debir; 27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward. 28 This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages. 29 And Moses gave inheritance unto the half tribe of Manasseh: and this was the possession of the half tribe of the children of Manasseh by their families. 30 And their coast was from Mahanaim, all Bashan, all the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, and all the towns of Jair, which are in Bashan, threescore cities: 31 And half Gilead, and Ashtaroth, and Edrei, cities of the kingdom of Og in Bashan, were pertaining unto the children of Machir the son of Manasseh, even to the one half of the children of Machir by their families. 32 These are the countries which Moses did distribute for inheritance in the plains of Moab, on the other side Jordan, by Jericho, eastward. 33 But unto the tribe of Levi Moses gave not any inheritance: the LORD God of Israel was their inheritance, as he said unto them. Joshua 141 And these are the countries which the children of Israel inherited in the land of Canaan, which Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun, and the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel, distributed for inheritance to them. 2 By lot was their inheritance, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses, for the nine tribes, and for the half tribe. 3 For Moses had given the inheritance of two tribes and an half tribe on the other side Jordan: but unto the Levites he gave none inheritance among them. 4 For the children of Joseph were two tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim: therefore they gave no part unto the Levites in the land, save cities to dwell in, with their suburbs for their cattle and for their substance. 5 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land. 6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea. 7 Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. 8 Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. 9 And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. 10 And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old. 11 As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. 12 Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. 13 And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. 14 Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. 15 And the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war. Joshua 151 This then was the lot of the tribe of the children of Judah by their families; even to the border of Edom the wilderness of Zin southward was the uttermost part of the south coast. 2 And their south border was from the shore of the salt sea, from the bay that looketh southward: 3 And it went out to the south side to Maalehacrabbim, and passed along to Zin, and ascended up on the south side unto Kadeshbarnea, and passed along to Hezron, and went up to Adar, and fetched a compass to Karkaa: 4 From thence it passed toward Azmon, and went out unto the river of Egypt; and the goings out of that coast were at the sea: this shall be your south coast. 5 And the east border was the salt sea, even unto the end of Jordan. And their border in the north quarter was from the bay of the sea at the uttermost part of Jordan: 6 And the border went up to Bethhogla, and passed along by the north of Betharabah; and the border went up to the stone of Bohan the son of Reuben: 7 And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel: 8 And the border went up by the valley of the son of Hinnom unto the south side of the Jebusite; the same is Jerusalem: and the border went up to the top of the mountain that lieth before the valley of Hinnom westward, which is at the end of the valley of the giants northward: 9 And the border was drawn from the top of the hill unto the fountain of the water of Nephtoah, and went out to the cities of mount Ephron; and the border was drawn to Baalah, which is Kirjathjearim: 10 And the border compassed from Baalah westward unto mount Seir, and passed along unto the side of mount Jearim, which is Chesalon, on the north side, and went down to Bethshemesh, and passed on to Timnah: 11 And the border went out unto the side of Ekron northward: and the border was drawn to Shicron, and passed along to mount Baalah, and went out unto Jabneel; and the goings out of the border were at the sea. 12 And the west border was to the great sea, and the coast thereof. This is the coast of the children of Judah round about according to their families. 13 And unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh he gave a part among the children of Judah, according to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, even the city of Arba the father of Anak, which city is Hebron. 14 And Caleb drove thence the three sons of Anak, Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai, the children of Anak. 15 And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before was Kirjathsepher. 16 And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. 17 And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. 18 And it came to pass, as she came unto him, that she moved him to ask of her father a field: and she lighted off her ass; and Caleb said unto her, What wouldest thou? 19 Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs. 20 This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families. 21 And the uttermost cities of the tribe of the children of Judah toward the coast of Edom southward were Kabzeel, and Eder, and Jagur, 22 And Kinah, and Dimonah, and Adadah, 23 And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan, 24 Ziph, and Telem, and Bealoth, 25 And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor, 26 Amam, and Shema, and Moladah, 27 And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet, 28 And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah, 29 Baalah, and Iim, and Azem, 30 And Eltolad, and Chesil, and Hormah, 31 And Ziklag, and Madmannah, and Sansannah, 32 And Lebaoth, and Shilhim, and Ain, and Rimmon: all the cities are twenty and nine, with their villages: 33 And in the valley, Eshtaol, and Zoreah, and Ashnah, 34 And Zanoah, and Engannim, Tappuah, and Enam, 35 Jarmuth, and Adullam, Socoh, and Azekah, 36 And Sharaim, and Adithaim, and Gederah, and Gederothaim; fourteen cities with their villages: 37 Zenan, and Hadashah, and Migdalgad, 38 And Dilean, and Mizpeh, and Joktheel, 39 Lachish, and Bozkath, and Eglon, 40 And Cabbon, and Lahmam, and Kithlish, 41 And Gederoth, Bethdagon, and Naamah, and Makkedah; sixteen cities with their villages: 42 Libnah, and Ether, and Ashan, 43 And Jiphtah, and Ashnah, and Nezib, 44 And Keilah, and Achzib, and Mareshah; nine cities with their villages: 45 Ekron, with her towns and her villages: 46 From Ekron even unto the sea, all that lay near Ashdod, with their villages: 47 Ashdod with her towns and her villages, Gaza with her towns and her villages, unto the river of Egypt, and the great sea, and the border thereof: 48 And in the mountains, Shamir, and Jattir, and Socoh, 49 And Dannah, and Kirjathsannah, which is Debir, 50 And Anab, and Eshtemoh, and Anim, 51 And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages: 52 Arab, and Dumah, and Eshean, 53 And Janum, and Bethtappuah, and Aphekah, 54 And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages: 55 Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah, 56 And Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah, 57 Cain, Gibeah, and Timnah; ten cities with their villages: 58 Halhul, Bethzur, and Gedor, 59 And Maarath, and Bethanoth, and Eltekon; six cities with their villages: 60 Kirjathbaal, which is Kirjathjearim, and Rabbah; two cities with their villages: 61 In the wilderness, Betharabah, Middin, and Secacah, 62 And Nibshan, and the city of Salt, and Engedi; six cities with their villages. 63 As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.

FILLING THE EARTH WITH GOD'S GOODNESS

FILLING THE EARTH WITH GOD'S GOODNESS Philemon 1-16 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Philemon+1-16Dear Father, bestower of freedom,Thank you for the love and the faith which you have put in yourpeople. Please help them share this with each other and with theworld. Let this promote the knowledge of all the good that is oursin Christ Jesus. Put such joy in our hearts and such gladness onour faces that people will want to know what makes us happy.Help each of us to render such help and comfort, expressing ourlove, that the hearts of all your holy people will be refreshed.Help us not to make demands on each other, but to entreat, seekingconsent, so that the good we ask from others might not be giventhrough compulsion but through free will. Help us to bind up brokenrelationships. Help us to be willing to step into the breach, toenable others to make amends, even if it costs us money, effort, ortime.May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with our spirits. In his name Iask. Amen.

A Fresh Start

A Fresh StartGreg Laurie As we come to the beginning of a new year and the ending of an old one, we often wish we could turn over a new leaf or have a fresh start. No doubt about it, there have been certain things we have said or done in this past year that we have come to regret. Wouldn't it be great to just start over again? In reality, as a Christian you can have a fresh start. The new year is still a blank slate. There are opportunities ahead of you. You decide which path you are going to walk in this coming year. "Thus says the LORD: 'Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls'" (Jeremiah 6:16). You decide what your priorities are going to be. You decide which direction you are going to take, each and every day.Maybe some of us need a fresh start in this coming year. Here is a great opportunity to make a new commitment. We don't know what the new year is going to bring. We don't know what problems we are going to encounter. We don't know what changes are going to come. We don't know what blessings the Lord has in store for us. But whatever the new year holds, we don't have to be afraid because Jesus Christ is going to be waiting there for us.I like the words of that wonderful woman of God, Corrie ten Boom, who said, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."God is in control of your future. He is ready to bless you in this coming year.

New Year's Resolution

New Year's ResolutionDr. Frederick K.C. Price As the New Year approaches and we begin to consider resolutions to improve our lives this coming year let us consider our walk with Christ. For without our spirit life in order, we will be declaring the same old resolutions in 2008 and beyond. Why are so many Spirit-filled Christians not attaining and living the overcoming, victorious life? It is simply because they have not made the change from the realm of the senses to the realm of the Spirit.The only way to make that change is with a renewed mind. A mind (spirit) that is renewed with the Word of God is always at war with the unrenewed mind, always engaged in a battle with unbelief. Your senses will always demand tangible, visible evidence concerning the reality of the things of God. In contrast, the man who walks by the Spirit is governed by the Word of God, independent of the senses.It is easy to see why Christians are falling prey to the same kinds of things that have brought non-Christians to the road of defeat. Rampant fornication, adultery, lying, maliciousness, drug abuse, and other forms of ungodly behavior result when people allow themselves to be led by their senses.Those who are walking by the spirit are not walking under the law (Galatians 5:18). The law only has to do with your body, not with your spirit. But Jesus has given us a new law that deals with the spirit. John 13:34-35:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."Under this new law, you will not be known by how many demons you cast out, or by how many days a week you go to church, or by the amount of your tithes. You will be known as a disciple of Christ if you have love for one another. This love is agape love -- the God-kind of love.Galatians 5:19-21:19 ...works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries....This is just a partial list of things that involve the flesh. These are the kinds of things I counsel most Christians about. They are suffering because they are not allowing their spirit man to dominate. The answer to their problems is to renew their minds with the Word of God -- acting on the Word to conquer their senses.It is not enough to know the Word. You must act on it. The Bible says that it is the doer of the Word who will be blessed in all of his deeds. Not the knower of the Word -- but the doer. Romans 12:1-2:1 ...you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.Even though our bodies are the universities where we learn, those of us who walk with Christ are under a new kind of knowledge. It is called revelation knowledge -- not sense knowledge. Revelation knowledge comes from the Word of God through the Spirit of God. You can get information by studying the Word, but it will never become real to you until you start living by it. Until you start WINNING with it! The man whose mind is ruled and governed by his senses is carnal; he is a "baby Christian" who will never be able to live in the fullness of God's Word. That man will be the victim of circumstances rather than the victor. That kind of man will live only on a very low level of victory in his walk with Jesus, if he experiences any victory at all.The carnal Christian is headed down the dark road to defeat. This is an unnecessary road to travel. If you are headed down that road of destruction, why not change your direction, change your course in life, and change your defeat into victory? It is as easy as walking by the Word, not by the senses!

FULLNESS OF LOVE

FULLNESS OF LOVE Colossians 4:2-6 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Colossians+4:2-6Dear Father, grantor of wisdom,Help me conduct myself wisely toward outsiders, making the most ofthe time.Let my speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, and may Ialways know how to answer.Help me and all your saints to show ourselves to be a people wholive life to the fullest, because we live in the fullness of yourlove shown in Jesus Christ!In the name of Jesus I ask you to fill our lives with your holylife and to claim all our motives and deeds as your own. Amen.

His Birth and Our New Birth

His Birth and Our New BirthOswald Chambers "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, 'God with us'" -- Matthew 1:23 His Birth in History". . . that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35). Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it. He did not emerge out of history; He came into history from the outside.Jesus Christ is not the best human being the human race can boast of -- He is a Being for whom the human race can take no credit at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate -- God coming into human flesh from outside it.His life is the highest and the holiest entering through the most humble of doors. Our Lord's birth was an advent -- the appearance of God in human form.His Birth in Me"My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you . . ." (Galatians 4:19). Just as our Lord came into human history from outside it, He must also come into me from outside.Have I allowed my personal human life to become a "Bethlehem" for the Son of God? I cannot enter the realm of the kingdom of God unless I am born again from above by a birth totally unlike physical birth."You must be born again" (John 3:7). This is not a command, but a fact based on the authority of God. The evidence of the new birth is that I yield myself so completely to God that "Christ is formed" in me.And once "Christ is formed" in me, His nature immediately begins to work through me. This is what is made so profoundly possible for you and for me through the redemption of man by Jesus Christ.

VERSE:

VERSE: [Jesus said:] "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and whereI am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him willmy Father honour." -- John 12:26 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=John+12:26&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: We can't out serve, out love, or out give Jesus. He longs tobless us. He longs to pour out heaven's riches and grace upon us.Even more incredibly, he longs to honor us. When our lives areover, God the Father, LORD of the entire universe, will honor allwho have served his Son and blessed others in Jesus' name!Unbelievable? No, just another example of God's incredible grace!PRAYER: Loving Father and Holy God, please help me follow the will ofJesus and serve others in his name. Father, I know that I cannotearn your grace, but I want to serve others in Jesus' name and helpthem find your grace. In the name of the Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

The Truth of the Nativity

The Truth of the NativityJohn Macarthur The story of the first Christmas is so beloved that singers and storytellers across the centuries have embellished and elaborated and mythologized the story in celebration. However, most people now don't know which details are biblical and which are fabricated. People usually imagine the manger scene with snow, singing angels, many worshipers, and a little drummer boy. None of that is found in the biblical account. Christmas has become the product of an odd mixture of pagan ideas, superstition, fanciful legends, and plain ignorance. Add to that the commercialization of Christmas by marketers and the politicization of Christmas in the culture wars, and you're left with one big mess. Let's try to sort it out. The place to begin is in God's Word, the Bible. Here we find not only the source of the original account of Christmas, but also God's commentary on it.We can't know Jesus if we don't understand He is real. The story of His birth is no allegory. We dare not romanticize it or settle for a fanciful legend that renders the whole story meaningless. Mary and Joseph were real people. Their dilemma on finding no room at the inn surely was as frightening for them as it would be for you or me. The manger in which Mary laid Jesus must have reeked of animal smells. So did the shepherds, in all probability. That first Christmas was anything but picturesque.But that makes it all the more wondrous. That baby in the manger is God! Immanuel!That's the heart and soul of the Christmas message. There weren't many worshipers around the original manger-only a handful of shepherds. That's intriguing because shepherds were among the lowest and most despised social groups.The very nature of shepherds' work kept them from entering into the mainstream of Israel's society. They couldn't maintain the ceremonial washings and observe all the religious festivals and feasts, yet these shepherds, just a few miles from Jerusalem, were undoubtedly caring for sheep that someday would be used as sacrifices in the temple. How fitting it is that they were the first to know of the Lamb of God!More significant, they came to see Him the night he was born. No one else did. Though the shepherds went back and told everyone what they had seen and heard, and though "all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds" (v. 18), not one other person came to see firsthand.Scripture doesn't describe how the shepherds' search for the baby Jesus actually unfolded, but it's not unreasonable to assume that they entered Bethlehem and asked questions: "Does anybody know about a baby being born here in town tonight?"The shepherds might have knocked on several doors and seen other newborn babies before they found the special Child lying in the feeding trough. At that moment, those humble men knew for certain that the angels' announcement was a word from God. After their encounter with Joseph and Mary and Jesus, the shepherds couldn't help but tell others about what the angels had told them. They became, in effect, the first New Testament evangelists.The shepherd's story is a good illustration of the Christian life. You first hear the revelation of the gospel and believe it (Romans 10:9-10). Then you pursue and embrace Christ. And having become a witness to your glorious conversion, you begin to tell others about it (Luke 2:17).May God grant you the life-changing spiritual experiences and the ongoing attitude of enthusiasm and responsiveness that causes you to tell others that you, too, have seen Christ the Lord.

NO DISTINCTIONS

NO DISTINCTIONS Colossians 3:5-10 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Colossians+3:5-10Dear Father,Let me live in the light of your truth about myself - that my oldnature has been put off, with its baggage of practices, and that Ihave put on a new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge afterthe image of its creator.Help us to make no distinctions regarding origins, heredity, ortraditions, but to see Christ in all believers.Help us to let Christ be in us, to transform and renew every fiberof our being and of our relationships.In the name of Jesus. Amen.

Jesus, Our Friend

Jesus, Our FriendJack Zavada "A rule I have had for years is: to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend. His is not a creed, a mere doctrine, but it is He Himself we have." -Dwight L. Moody When Jesus came into the world in human form, he changed our relationship with God forever. He made it possible for us to become adopted sons and daughters in God's family, co-heirs with him to the gift of eternal life with the Father.But he gave us another Christmas gift few of us ever open: his friendship. He experienced firsthand the loneliness of being human, and he saw that as much as we need a savior, we also need a friend."I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." John 15:15 (NIV)What better friend could you have? Jesus is steadfastly loyal. He forgives your every fault. He supports and encourages you when you need it most, and he listens whenever you want to talk. He is a tireless listener. Jesus loves you as a friend who wants to see you grow to your full potential. There is no jealousy in him. He wants only the best for you.Enter more deeply into friendship with Jesus this Christmas season. You can trust him. If you reach out and accept the friendship he offers, your life will never be the same.

The Word Made Flesh

The Word Made FleshRev. James C. Matthews "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 John 1:14 is one of the most revealing scriptures in the Bible. It not only reveals God Himself having come as one of us, but a kingdom principle that God intends for us to live by. This principle simply stated is: Every word God speaks, He intends for it to be made flesh - or manifest! If this is true, and believers desire to see God's Word manifest in their lives, why is there so little manifestation taking place? It is not that the Word is impotent or insufficient. Far from it! The answer lies in our lack of understanding concerning the biblical principle and process by which God has ordained manifestation occur. Many people have become frustrated, and even fainted, due to a lack of manifestation in their lives as it pertains to the Word of God. They hear and believe the Word of God, but are still waiting on the promises to manifest in their lives. We misunderstand what the Word of God is and how it manifests in our lives. Manifestation is really the revelation of what was there all the time - it just wasn't visible. Manifestation is a two part process that involves both God and man. God initiates the process by providing the spiritual substance of the thing, then man is responsible for doing what is necessary in the natural to prepare a place for it to manifest. Without both there will be no manifestation. The Bible says, "Now faith (the Word of God) is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1, brackets added). This scripture reveals that God has provided the substance of all things we hope for through His Word. Our ability to see what we're hoping for is dependent upon a place being prepared in the natural. This is more clearly seen in John 1:1 and John 1:14. It reads, "In the beginning was the word' ... 'And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." The Word has been there all the time. However, when God decided to make His Word flesh or to manifest it, He had to find a "prepared place" (Mary's womb) for the Pre-existing Word to manifest itself. Man now could see what had been there from the beginning. We first receive a thing by our hearing before it can pass through our hands.As I considered this revelation, the Holy Spirit revealed to me, there is so little manifestation in believers' lives because they do not understand that God provides for us by speaking to us. Every provision God has given man has come from His mouth. They continue to look for things at the mailbox, another person or through a job, when the authorized means of manifestation begin in the Word. God has done His part - He has given us His Word. We must receive and prepare to see what He has said.I praise God for His Word that was made flesh! When we were helplessly lost and desperately indebted to sin, God sent His Word to be made flesh for us. The same Word that created all things (Hebrews 11:3, Colossians 1:16), became a man so that He could die for all men and pay a debt that we could not pay. I thank God that His Word became flesh! Even more so, I am glad that His Word has found a prepared place in me and become flesh!

PATIENTLY, YET EXPECTANTLY

PATIENTLY, YET EXPECTANTLY Colossians 3:3-4 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Colossians+3:3-4Dear Father,My God, I know that I have died and that my life is hid withChrist. He holds the outcome of my life wholly in his hands; he ismy life.Grant that I may wait patiently yet expectantly, knowing that whenhe appears, I will also appear with him in glory.Father, I thank you for this blessed hope. Let the joy of it fillmy life every day as I sojourn here on this earth.Let me put the things of this world in perspective through thevictory that Christ brings.In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

Do Not Be Afraid

Do Not Be Afraid Today's Scripture“…an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. ‘Joseph, son of David,’ the angel said, ‘do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit’” (Matthew 1:20, NLT).Today's Word from Joel and VictoriaHave you ever felt overwhelmed or even afraid of what God has called you to do? Maybe you were pursuing a dream or goal and things didn’t turn out the way you planned. Joseph had planned to take Mary as his wife, but when he found out she was pregnant, he didn’t know what to think. He was afraid that he was making a mistake because things didn’t turn out the way he thought they should. But God sent a messenger, an angel in a dream, to reassure Joseph and remind him that he was on the right path.Friend, let me reassure you today, God knows right where you are, and He knows how to get you where you need to be. Even when things don’t go the way you planned, He has His hand on you. Do not be afraid, trust that God is working behind the scenes on your behalf and that He will lead you into the life of blessing that He has prepared for you!A Prayer for TodayFather in heaven, I choose to trust in You. Even when things don’t go the way I planned, I know You are at work in my life. Thank You for Your perfect love which casts out all fear. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE: The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lyingtongue is but for a moment. -- Proverbs 12:19 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Proverbs+12:19&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: "Tell the truth the first time, then you won't have to rememberwhat you said." This truism by the famous Speaker of the House, SamRayburn, is good medicine for us today. Telling a lie seemsgratifying at the time, but it nearly always catches up with us andgives us the added burden of trying to remember what we said andwhy. Truth endures; a lie is a momentary illusion that ends up atrap filled with burdens.PRAYER: Holy and Righteous Father, please forgive me for lying,exaggerating, and withholding the truth when it is needed. I wantmy heart and my lips to be invested in forever. In the name ofJesus. Amen.

What Incarnation Means to You and Me

What Incarnation Means to You and MeAlan Riley Have you ever noticed that we church folk are sometimes infatuated with our own vocabulary? Our language (sometimes referred to as "Christianese") is full of humongous words that are used to describe basic tenets of our faith. Words like "justification," "sanctification," "atonement," and my all-time favorite, "propitiation." I'm afraid sometimes when we couch spiritual truth in obscure multi-syllable words, we make the gospel - the good news - less accessible to those who didn't grow up in church and hear the term "transubstantiation" shortly after graduating from Kindergarten. Most, if not all of our fancy theological terms can be explained in a much more accessible way with easier to understand words and terms (but I sound SO much smarter if I use the big words!) Karl Barth was a complicated German Theologian whose work Christian Dogmatics is widely regarded as one of the most important theological treatises of the last 250 years. It encompasses thirteen volumes, six million words, and it took him from 1932 until shortly before his death in 1968 to complete. Some of it is literally impossible to grasp without a theological background. When lecturing at Princeton University in 1962, Barth was asked by a student, "Dr. Barth, what's the most profound thing you have ever heard?" The brilliant theologian rested his hand on his chin for a moment, deep in thought. The students were waiting with pen in hand to write down his answer. Then he spoke: "Jesus loves me, this I know... for the Bible tells me so."Many times the most profound things are the simplest to express. So it is with the spiritual terminology surrounding Christmas. Have you ever heard the word "Incarnation?" Or that Jesus is "God Incarnate?" Sounds mysterious and obscure, doesn't it? The meaning is really quite simple. It means "embodied in flesh." A pastor friend of mine put it even simpler than that: Incarnation means "God with skin on."When the birth of Jesus was foretold by the prophet Isaiah, he said that his name would be Emmanuel, which means "God with us." God with us! Not far off in heaven somewhere, but one of us. Jesus is at the same time fully God and fully man.That's not to say that the concept of the Incarnation is not a mystery. It is no doubt a great mystery. Contemporary theologian J.I. Packer wrote "Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is the truth of the Incarnation." But just because something is a mystery doesn't make it obscure or difficult to grasp. The operation of my car is for the most part a mystery to me, but that doesn't stop me from driving it every day. The vast expanse of the universe is a mystery to me, but that won't stop me from enjoying the sunset tonight, or giving praise to God as I look out at the stars. The fact that my wife loves me and puts up with me is most certainly a mystery to me, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying my life together with her.Likewise, I don't need to understand the mysteries of the union of Godhead and manhood in the person of Jesus Christ to know that what it means to me in practical terms is God is with me. Not far removed, not untouched by my pain or my problems, not a cosmic force who set the world in motion and then watches dispassionately from a distance, but a personal God who has been where I am, was tempted as I am, and who invites me to cast all of my cares on Him.This is what incarnation means: His name is Emmanuel, which means God with me... and with you! Rejoice!

The Books of Poetry

The Books of PoetryJob 1-2
Friday: Isaiah 1-6Saturday: Matthew 1-2Sunday: Romans 1-2
Job 1
1
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.
2
And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
6
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
13
And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
14
And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15
And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19
And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
22
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job 2
1
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
2
And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5
But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
7
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
8
And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
9
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
10
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.
11
Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
12
And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.
13
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

The Books of Poetry

The Books of PoetryJob 1-2
Friday: Isaiah 1-6Saturday: Matthew 1-2Sunday: Romans 1-2
Job 1
1
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.
2
And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4
And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5
And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
6
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7
And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
8
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9
Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10
Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11
But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
12
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
13
And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
14
And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15
And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18
While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19
And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21
And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
22
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
Job 2
1
Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
2
And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3
And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4
And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5
But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
7
So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
8
And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
9
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
10
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.
11
Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
12
And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.
13
So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

ALIVE IN CHRIST

ALIVE IN CHRIST

Colossians 2:13-19 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Colossians+2:13-19

Dear Father,

Thank you for redeeming us. You took us out of deadness and gaveus life. You made us alive together with Christ. You cancelled thedebts that we owed you because of our sinfulness.

You disarmed the powers that work against us, triumphing over themin Christ for our sake.

How gracious and wonderful you are. To you we owe eternal praise.

Help us to withstand anyone who might seek to disqualify us,seeking to bind us to any principle of action at all except faithin Jesus Christ, for he is the head, and he determines how the bodywill grow.

Help us to hold fast to Christ, who is our head, in whose name Ipray. Amen.

The Word Became Flesh and Moved Into the Neighborhood

The Word Became Flesh and Moved Into the NeighborhoodBishop Donald Hilliard Among the Christmas Eve congregation at 5th Avenue Presbyterian Church was a recovering alcoholic named Jim. It was his first Christmas alone, and when a young family sat down beside him he couldn't handle it. Leaving the church he met Pastor Thomas Tewell who asked where he was going. "Out for a drink," he replied. Knowing Jim's history, Tewell said, "You can't. Where's your sponsor?" "On vacation," he replied. "I came tonight needing a word of hope and ended up sitting beside this family. If I had my life together, I'd be here with mine." As the pastor walked to the pulpit he prayed, "God, give me a word of hope for Jim." Then after welcoming the congregation he said, "I have a request. If anyone here is a friend of Bill W.'s, and if you are you'll know it, please meet me in the vestry. (Bill Wilson, better known as Bill W., co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous)Immediately people from all over the congregation began to respond. Dr. Tewell says, "While I was busy preaching about the Incarnation, the Word was becoming flesh before my eyes!" As you celebrate Jesus' birth, remember that many around you are hurting; they've lost hope. Don't forget, "The Word became flesh" only because Jesus went out of His way to redeem sinners, lift the fallen, encourage the despairing, and minister to the sick, the lonely and the forgotten.He said, "In as much as you've done it unto the least...of these...you've done it unto me" (See Mt 25:40). So instead of keeping to yourself this year, reach out to others - go ahead, make it your best Christmas ever!

VERSE:

VERSE: Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in thesight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, livepeaceably with all men. -- Romans 12:17-18 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+12:17-18&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: REDEMPTIVELY -- That's how Jesus lived! He sought to make adifference in the lives of others. His goal wasn't getting even,getting what was rightfully his, or even winning the arguments. Hisfocus was to interact with people redemptively and to leave themmore blessed than where he found them.PRAYER: Forgive me, O God, for the grudges I've harbored and the evilthings I've thought about others. Help me to see and to value themas Jesus does. In his name I pray. Amen.

JOINED WITH CHRIST

JOINED WITH CHRIST Colossians 2:10-12 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Colossians+2:10-12Dear Father,Thank you, Father, that we have been joined with Christ in hislife, death, and resurrection.Make us realize that we put off the body of flesh in hiscircumcision, were buried with him in his baptism, and were raisedwith him in his resurrection.Give us the faith to see your hand at work in all this and to seeourselves in what happened to him.Help us to hold fast to Christ, who is our head, in whose name Ipray. Amen.

The Word Made Flesh

The Word Made FleshMark Roth Unprecedented.Unparalleled.Unequaled.Unrivaled.Unsurpassed. The religions of Egypt had no scenario to match this extraordinary occurrence. The materialism of Media-Persia made no allowance for such a mind-boggling phenomenon. Even the fabled mythology of Greece never conjured such an incomprehensible happening. And the New Age must depreciate its probability and practicality.The Almighty dwelt among us!The Creator took the form of the created. The High and Lofty One came down as the most lowly of the humble. The King of Kings became a suffering, unhailed servant. The Glorious Mighty One took on simplicity and weakness.He did not come for any temporal gain. He did not come to gratify sensual desires that could be satisfied only in the flesh. He did not come to "make a big splash" or to boost His ego. He did not come to intimidate, threaten, or punish. He came to identify with us. He came to free us.He came to save us and to win us. He came to exalt us and to make us His joint heirs. And He did so by living, suffering, and dying like no one else ever had, ever would, or ever even dreamed of.For me. For you.If Jesus had not come as He did, He could not have been "like unto his brethren." If Jesus had not come as He did, He could not "be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." If Jesus had not come as He did, He could not have been "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."What a plan! What a God! May God make us servants who yearn to be less than their Lord.Let us gladly continue in the path blazed by the incarnate God.

The Word Made Flesh

The Word Made FleshMark Roth Unprecedented.Unparalleled.Unequaled.Unrivaled.Unsurpassed. The religions of Egypt had no scenario to match this extraordinary occurrence. The materialism of Media-Persia made no allowance for such a mind-boggling phenomenon. Even the fabled mythology of Greece never conjured such an incomprehensible happening. And the New Age must depreciate its probability and practicality.The Almighty dwelt among us!The Creator took the form of the created. The High and Lofty One came down as the most lowly of the humble. The King of Kings became a suffering, unhailed servant. The Glorious Mighty One took on simplicity and weakness.He did not come for any temporal gain. He did not come to gratify sensual desires that could be satisfied only in the flesh. He did not come to "make a big splash" or to boost His ego. He did not come to intimidate, threaten, or punish. He came to identify with us. He came to free us.He came to save us and to win us. He came to exalt us and to make us His joint heirs. And He did so by living, suffering, and dying like no one else ever had, ever would, or ever even dreamed of.For me. For you.If Jesus had not come as He did, He could not have been "like unto his brethren." If Jesus had not come as He did, He could not "be touched with the feeling of our infirmities." If Jesus had not come as He did, He could not have been "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."What a plan! What a God! May God make us servants who yearn to be less than their Lord.Let us gladly continue in the path blazed by the incarnate God.

VERSE:

VERSE: Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things,but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your ownconceits. -- Romans 12:16 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+12:16&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: "Don't be conceited!" That's a command for someone else, right?I don't think I've ever met someone who felt he or she wasconceited. But, when we're looking for someone with whom we want toassociate, we seldom look for someone ignored by the crowd,forgotten by the pretty people, and easily overlooked by others. Wewant to "hang around with" those who are important, who aresuperstars, or at least who carry some clout. We believe we deserveto be noticed and valued, too. Oops, guess that's where thecommands in this verse come from! PRAYER: Father, thank you for making me in your image, designedpersonally by you to do something to bring you glory. At the sametime, Father, I don't want to be a snob, thinking too much ofmyself and my importance. Please help me see those with whom youwant me to associate. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen

IN CHRIST, THE FULLNESS OF DEITY

IN CHRIST, THE FULLNESS OF DEITY Colossians 2:8-9 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Colossians+2:8-9Dear Father,May I never be impressed with the philosophy and empty deceit thatcomes out of human traditions which do not agree with Christ.Keep me from being enticed by teachings that root their knowledgein the elemental spirits of the universe, the laws of nature, andin scientism, but not in Christ.Help us to understand what it means that the very fullness ofdeity dwells in our Lord bodily and that we have come to thefullness of life in him and that he is the head of all rule andauthority.Help us to hold fast to Christ, who is our head, in whose name Ipray. Amen.

Like Jesus

Like JesusEd Young The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us - John 1:14. Whether they are traveling through a small farming town in Nebraska, a surfing village in California or an industrial community in Pennsylvania, politicians love to show how they can relate to the people in that area. But the sad thing is that they can't really meet those people on the same level; they can't identify with them no matter how hard they try to make it appear like they can.Jesus, though, never gives us that illusion of identity. He doesn't throw up a façade to try and appear like he gets where we are coming from. Jesus Christ connected with the people of two thousand years ago, and he connects with you and me today on a level that we can understand and appreciate.At one point we've all said, "No one understands my situation." But that statement could not be farther from the truth. Jesus understands; he's been there; he knows what we go through day in and day out. He had a job - for most of his life he was a carpenter. He had the same relationships that you and I have today - mother, father, brothers, sister, friends, and enemies. He even faced the same temptations that you and I face. Jesus knows what daily living is like. He knows because he's been there himself.So this week, when you feel like there is no one that can grasp what you are going through; when you feel like throwing up your hands and giving up; when you have that gut reaction of, "No one understands my situation..." remember that our Savior has been there and then add two words to your statement: "Like Jesus."

Like Jesus

Like JesusEd Young The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us - John 1:14. Whether they are traveling through a small farming town in Nebraska, a surfing village in California or an industrial community in Pennsylvania, politicians love to show how they can relate to the people in that area. But the sad thing is that they can't really meet those people on the same level; they can't identify with them no matter how hard they try to make it appear like they can.Jesus, though, never gives us that illusion of identity. He doesn't throw up a façade to try and appear like he gets where we are coming from. Jesus Christ connected with the people of two thousand years ago, and he connects with you and me today on a level that we can understand and appreciate.At one point we've all said, "No one understands my situation." But that statement could not be farther from the truth. Jesus understands; he's been there; he knows what we go through day in and day out. He had a job - for most of his life he was a carpenter. He had the same relationships that you and I have today - mother, father, brothers, sister, friends, and enemies. He even faced the same temptations that you and I face. Jesus knows what daily living is like. He knows because he's been there himself.So this week, when you feel like there is no one that can grasp what you are going through; when you feel like throwing up your hands and giving up; when you have that gut reaction of, "No one understands my situation..." remember that our Savior has been there and then add two words to your statement: "Like Jesus."

The Books of the Law

The Books of the LawGenesis 1-3 Tuesday: Joshua 1-5Wednesday: Psalms 1-2Thursday: Job 1-2Genesis 11 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. 3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. 4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day. 6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. 7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so. 8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day. 9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. 10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good. 11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. 12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 13 And the evening and the morning were the third day. 14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years: 15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so. 16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also. 17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, 18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good. 19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day. 20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven. 21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth. 23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day. 24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. 25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. 26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day. Genesis 21 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made. 4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens, 5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. 6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. 10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads. 11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; 12 And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone. 13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. 14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates. 15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. 18 And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. 20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. 21 And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; 22 And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. 23 And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. 25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Genesis 31 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: 3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. 7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. 8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. 9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. 11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? 12 And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13 And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: 15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. 16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. 17 And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; 19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. 20 And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. 21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. 22 And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: 23 Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

DISCERNING, NOT DECEIVED

DISCERNING, NOT DECEIVED Colossians 2:4-7 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Colossians+2:4-7Dear Father, my rock,Help me to think clearly with discernment. Keep me from beingtaken in by the beguiling speech of deceivers.Give me great joy in manifesting good order in my conduct andbeing absolutely firm in my faith.As I received Christ Jesus as the Lord, grant that I may live inhim, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith.Grant that I may do this with great praise and thanksgiving!All praise, thanksgiving, honor, and glory to you, our Father, forwhat you have done for me through Jesus Christ, in whose name Ipray. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE: Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. -- Romans 12:15 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+12:15&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: While misery may love company, grief tends to make us withdrawand hide. Let's remember those who have lost loved ones, especiallythis time of year. Let them know how you valued their loved one andmiss him or her, too. Please keep these folks in your prayers andin your social plans, as well. In addition, make this a season oftrue joy -- affirm others by rejoicing in their blessings.PRAYER: Holy God and comforting Father, please give me eyes to see and aheart to offer loving care to those around me who are grieving.During this special time of year, please use me to be a blessing tothose in sorrow. In addition, dear God, help me to also encourageand support the joy of those who are rejoicing around me. In thename of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.

I Know

I KnowMike DeVries The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 There are perhaps no two more powerful words than the words "I know."I know what you're going through.I know what it is like.I know how you are feeling.I know.We all long to hear those words, do we not? We all long to believe that there is someone, anyone, who knows what it is like - who knows what we are going through. When you find that certain someone who does know what it is like, doesn't it seem to change everything?Some two thousand years ago, in a sleepy town in Judea, God did something revolutionary. Rather than offering a voice of concern to a weary world, God did something beyond what anyone could have ever dreamed or imagined.In Jesus, the Word, the voice, comes to dwell among us.In the incarnation, we celebrate the reality that God knows and cares enough about people that He chose to dwell among us in a very physical and present sort of way. The unseen God of Israelite history was now the seen God. The invisible made visible.We are told in the Scriptures that in Jesus "we saw the glory of the one and only." In other words, Jesus was putting God on display. You want to see what God is like? You want to see how to live in harmony with the Creator? Look at Jesus. He is the way and the truth and the life.In the incarnation is found a large message from God to you and me: I know.I know what you're going through.I know what it is like.I know how you are feeling.I know.So wherever you find yourself this day, no matter what circumstances you may find yourself in, know that there is a God who knows. Feeling alone? He knows. Feeling overwhelmed? He knows. Feeling as if you just cannot go on? He knows. Feeling like there is no one who understands? He knows. He's been there too. In Jesus, He knows.He knows. He knows. He knows.

Feeling Our Need for a Savior

Feeling Our Need for a SaviorJohn Piper There are two reasons why during Advent we should remember our great need for a Savior. The Preciousness of the Savior's ComingThe first reason is that the more keenly we feel our need for a Savior, the more precious will be the coming of the Savior.Picture two people in a car out for a drive along the north shore. The rider knows that there is a time bomb in the trunk and that any second might blow the car to pieces. The driver doesn't believe there is one, and thinks that his rider is insane. The state patrol has been alerted that the car is indeed loaded with a bomb that will soon go off. They begin their search and pursuit.The rider suddenly sees the State Patrol far in the distance to the rear racing toward the car. His heart leaps with hope for possible rescue! If you are the rider who knows that there is a bomb in the trunk, the flashing red lights in the distance are very precious, and the closer they get, the more precious they become. But if you are the driver and you don't think that there is a bomb in the trunk, the flashing red lights are a threat.I think that the most loving thing I can do for you this Advent season is to help you remember and feel your need for a Savior, so that as he approaches, your heart will leap for joy.The Command of the Word of God The second reason for remembering our great need for a Savior is that the Word of God commands us to. Ephesians 2:1-10 describes how God saved us by grace through faith when there was a time bomb of sin ticking in our soul. Verse 11 commands, "Therefore remember!" Remember what? Verse 12 tells us: "Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." But the key word, practically speaking, is "Remember!"Paul really believes that even after the State Patrol has caught your car and saved you, you shouldn't forget that awful chase. You shouldn't forget what it would have been like if they had not pursued you. You should remember what you were and would have become without a Savior. Part of our ongoing devotional life should be the obedience of Ephesians 2:12--Remember! Remember! Remember that once we were cut off from Christ, without any citizen-rights to heaven; no promises applied to us; we had no hope and no part in God.We are commanded, "Remember this! Bring it to mind again and again" (v. 11, mnemoneuete: present tense, continuous action). And surely the reason is so that it will have a vigorous and lively role in causing us to love Jesus Christ, our Savior.It is a simple psychological fact: unless we feel a great need for a Savior, we do not feel that he is a great Savior.

BLESSING OF GRACE

BLESSING OF GRACE Colossians 1:28-29 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Colossians+1:28-29Dear Father, source of our energy,We do hope in you because our Lord lives his life through us andblesses others through the genuine love which he gives.Grant us to proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone in allwisdom, so that we can present people mature in Christ.Grant that we may strive for this with all the energy which youmightily inspire within us.All good things are from you. There is no blessing except by yourgrace. We live and rejoice because of you!In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether webe Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been allmade to drink into one Spirit. -- 1 Corinthians 12:13 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1+Corinthians+12:13&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: What makes us family? In God's family, the Holy Spirit makes usone. The Spirit is not only God's presence and power in us, but theSpirit is also God's spiritual DNA that connects us to each otherand to our Father. This spiritual bond transcends human family,race, nationality, gender, and any other human barrier. TheSpirit's presence ensures that we are God's children and functionas Jesus' Body here on earth. PRAYER: Thank you, dear Father, for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thankyou for making my body a place that is a holy dwelling place foryour presence in the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord Jesus, forpouring out the Spirit and making me new. Now I ask dear Father,that the blessed Holy Spirit continue to work in my heart to teardown any wall of prejudice that may exist toward any of my brothersand sisters in Christ, and it is in his name that I pray. Amen.

VERSE:

VERSE: Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant inprayer; -- Romans 12:12 http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Romans+12:12&translation=kjvTHOUGHT: How can we keep our circumstances from determining our mood? Howcan we emancipate ourselves from the limitations that life dealsus? The last in the trio of commandments opens the door for theother two to be true -- we can rejoice in hope and we can bepatient in affliction because we have been faithful in prayer. Nomatter what our situation is, we can pray with joy because of ourhope in Christ no matter what our current situation is. We canremain patient, persevering through affliction, by presenting ourrequests and intercessions to God with thanksgiving. Prayer isGod's gift to us so that we can be patient and joyful, even whenthings don't appear to be going well.PRAYER: Father, I thank you, because no matter what struggles I face,you assure me of ultimate victory. I thank you, dear God, becauseno matter the hardship or burden, I know you will help me throughit and bring me to your presence with great joy. Until that day ofultimate victorious joy, please ransom my heart from discouragementby the power of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen.

How Jesus Meets the Deepest Longings of Your Heart

How Jesus Meets the Deepest Longings of Your HeartDr. Jack Graham More than likely, you've heard the story out of the New Testament of the chief tax collector, a man named Zacchaeus. As I have read his story over and over, I have come to realize that Zacchaeus' story is everyone's story-including yours and mine. As you read his story, you come to realize that Zacchaeus illustrates the four basic weaknesses and needs of every human heart: the feeling of emptiness, the feeling of loneliness, the weight of guilt, and the fear of death.There really are some great life-lessons you and I can learn as we look at this man. Let's pick up his story in Luke 19:1-9:Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." Zacchaeus was a wealthy man in his day, but he was empty inside. His story is a great reminder that it doesn't matter how well off you are financially or physically, there is a need deep within every human heart to be filled with something that will last...something that will fill that emptiness we feel in souls.Friend, you and I were made to know God, to love God, to experience grace, and to know true, saving faith in Him. It doesn't matter how much money you have...how much status you achieve...or how many things you have. You need God because you were made to know Him...just like Zacchaeus was.But Zacchaeus had another problem. He was lonely. He was a Jew working for the Romans to collect taxes, one of the most hated professions of that day.He was skimming off the top, swindling and scandalizing his friends. Zacchaeus was a man who seemingly had no conscience-and no friends. He was an outcast of society!As a result, he was a very lonely man...just like so many people today. We were made to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, so we naturally feel lonely without Him. And this is how Zacchaeus felt.Along with that loneliness, Zacchaeus carried around a huge weight of guilt...a feeling everyone experiences.Some people try to numb the pain of guilt with excessive alcohol consumption, illicit drug use, or unhealthy relationships. But no matter how you try to hide it...no matter how far you may try to run, you will never be able to dissolve that sense of guilt apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ.Finally, just like anyone who doesn't have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, Zacchaeus was afraid to die. And while most people don't admit this fact, it's true.Even though many considered Zacchaeus a waste case, Jesus knew that he was empty and lonely...Jesus knew that he felt guilty...and Jesus knew that he was afraid to die. And that's why Jesus stopped!I don't know where you may be in life today, my friend. Maybe you can relate to one or more of Zacchaeus' weaknesses.Whatever your station may be today...good, bad, rich or poor...I hope you have come to realize all that God is offering you through Jesus Christ...the Friend of the wounded heart.Because through Jesus you can indeed know fullness for your emptiness, forgiveness for your guilt, and intimacy with God for your loneliness. And through Him you have the ultimate victory, the victory over death.