tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7209756220331360222024-03-08T16:04:08.359-08:00Baal TyrannyBaal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.comBlogger276125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-3456600527794587072015-10-01T00:47:00.001-07:002015-10-01T00:47:56.707-07:00Signing Off<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Since this blog gets so few hits, in the
future, I plan to just use it as an archive, rather than adding to it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">For the daily devotionals, go to</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions#.U8edMVIg_X4"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions#.U8edMVIg_X4</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">For my new posts, go to <a href="https://disqus.com/by/BaalTyranny/"><span style="color: blue;">https://disqus.com/by/BaalTyranny/</span></a>
where I will periodically refer to this blog for the archived posts.<o:p></o:p></span>Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-73159587548566223632015-09-30T01:42:00.004-07:002015-09-30T01:42:25.489-07:00Our Quiet Communication
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/our-quiet-communication?firstItem=49cc8a54-2491-4239-972e-aa92bf54f643"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/our-quiet-communication?firstItem=49cc8a54-2491-4239-972e-aa92bf54f643</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if
you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of
faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or
clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat
well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does
that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good
deeds, it is dead and useless. Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith;
others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you
don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">James 2:14-18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Lord calls us to
share His truth with others, but oftentimes our actions and attitude completely
contradict the words that are coming out of our mouths. This is an area in
which we all seem to struggle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Every day, every one
of us communicates something to someone. We send messages by what we say and by
what we don’t say, by what we do and by what we don’t do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">For example, if a
father quietly decides to stop tithing, he is sending a loud message to his children.
Without ever opening his mouth, he is declaring, “Kids, you can’t trust the
Lord with your money. God isn’t faithful to meet your needs, so you better hold
on to as much as you possibly can.” Is that the message you want to pass on to
your sons and daughters?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">You might argue,
“Well, I’m not really a tither, but I would never tell my kids that you can’t
trust God.” However, you have already sent an unspoken yet very clear message.
What people—especially children—witness in our behavior speaks much louder than
what we actually say with our mouths. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The apostle Paul
understood what powerful lessons we teach by our actions. For this reason, he
made sure he modeled the right behavior and values for his spiritual children
to emulate (“</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For you know that you
ought to imitate us. We were not idle when we were with you. We never accepted
food from anyone without paying for it. We worked hard day and night so we
would not be a burden to any of you. We certainly had the right to ask you to
feed us, but we wanted to give you an example to follow.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">2 Thess.
3:7-9</span></a>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">It is not an issue
of whether or not we will communicate a message. Rather, the issue is, What
kind of message are you already communicating? Search yourself for any
disparity between what you say and what you do, and choose to share a complete,
unified message of hope with the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-45253903653952182692015-09-29T02:25:00.001-07:002015-09-29T02:25:12.719-07:00The Purpose of Spiritual Highs
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-purpose-of-spiritual-highs?firstItem=cb2b1e99-1056-40ce-bcf8-592b44288896"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-purpose-of-spiritual-highs?firstItem=cb2b1e99-1056-40ce-bcf8-592b44288896</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span class="verse-17"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when
God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to
sacrifice his only son, Isaac, </span></span><span class="verse-18"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">even
though God had told him, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will
be counted.”<sup data-identifier="fn4614" data-verseid="18"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="color: blue;">c</span></a></span></sup> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-hide: all;">eferences
for Hebrews 11:18</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; display: none; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-hide: all;"><a data-toggle="tab" href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nlt/hebrews/11.html#footnote-18"><span style="color: blue;">Footnotes</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<span class="verse-19"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Abraham reasoned that if Isaac died, God was able to bring him
back to life again. And in a sense, Abraham did receive his son back from the
dead.</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Hebrews 11:17-19<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Lord doesn’t
offer us tremendous spiritual experiences simply so we may boast or witness
something marvelous. Instead, He uses them to foster genuine faith. They are
part of His unique process for maturing us as disciples of Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">God gives us
spiritual highs for several reasons: to unveil Himself in a fresh way, to
prepare us for the valley, and ultimately to teach us obedience. The lessons we
learn from Him in those special moments of peak revelation are intended to
carry us through harder times. Then we can look back and remember what He
taught on the mountaintop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">But this means that
when the Lord gives us a glimpse of glory, we can expect to be tried later. If
we fail, He’ll test us again. And He will keep testing until the trials become
triumphs in our life. Every pupil must be put to the test, and those who obey
bring honor to God’s name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">An exceptional
spiritual encounter with Jesus Christ is intended to encourage our growth,
deepen our intimacy with God, and develop obedience. It is also designed to
enhance our motivation to serve the Lord with all our heart, giving ourselves
without reservation for His work and His glory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Treasure each and
every thing God teaches you in your prayer closet—during times of profound
worship, in a moment of deep devotion, or when you’re all alone, listening and
intimately conversing with Him. Every moment of your life is ripe for growth
and spiritual maturity. If you let the Lord shape you and lead you on the path
of obedience, He’ll take you to even greater heights.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-39382526887606354232015-09-28T02:22:00.001-07:002015-09-28T02:22:06.706-07:00Spiritual Highs: Real or Counterfeit?
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/spiritual-highs-real-or-counterfeit?firstItem=3cd0cee8-e502-4e46-b99a-f03d45e10612"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/spiritual-highs-real-or-counterfeit?firstItem=3cd0cee8-e502-4e46-b99a-f03d45e10612</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Luke 9:28-37<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">God gives us high
spiritual experiences in order to reveal truth about Himself. But how do you
know if your experience is authentic or not? Any spiritual event that magnifies
itself or some other activity but does not direct your attention to God is, more
than likely, counterfeit. When God lifts us up, He does so to focus our
thoughts on Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">That’s what happened
at the Mount of Transfiguration: As they stood in the presence of God in human
flesh, Peter, James, and John saw Jesus in all His majesty. Observing Him there
with Moses and Elijah, who were deceased, the disciples realized there is life
after death. The things they learned frightened them, but the Lord was
revealing something they would never forget.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Why does God open
our hearts and give us glimpses of Himself? By doing so, He strengthens and
motivates us for His purposes. At the same time, He helps us to absorb
understanding that will transcend any future doubt. Peter and his companions
were never the same after the transfiguration. Even when their beloved Lord was
taken and crucified, nothing could erase their indelible memories of the
miracle they’d witnessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The idea that God is
somewhere far away from us isn’t scriptural. He wants to unveil Himself to His
people and commune through His Holy Spirit. If you have never heard God speak,
could it be that there is too much noise in your life distracting you from Him?
Next time you are in church, don’t simply go through the motions. God wants to
say something to you that will make a difference in your life. If you listen to
Him, He will.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-73560709445047001532015-09-27T01:50:00.002-07:002015-09-27T01:50:32.056-07:00Jesus Christ, the Son of God
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/jesus-christ-the-son-of-god?firstItem=6b5ebfdd-de07-44b9-be6c-dc918f10f01e"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/jesus-christ-the-son-of-god?firstItem=6b5ebfdd-de07-44b9-be6c-dc918f10f01e</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">From the CANON on this blog:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Salvation
Verses<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in;">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus
told him, </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">“I am the way, the
truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John
14:6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span class="verse-30"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in
addition to the ones recorded in this book. </span></span><span class="verse-31"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">But
these are written so that you may continue to believe<sup data-identifier="fn3862" data-verseid="31"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="color: blue;">d</span></a></span></sup> that Jesus is the Messiah, the
Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his
name.</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">John 20:30-31<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Have you ever heard
someone deny that Jesus claimed to be God? Such a statement simply does not
make sense. Repeatedly, Jesus placed Himself on equal footing with the Father
and the Holy Spirit (<a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">John 10:30</span></a>;
<a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">John 14:6-14</span></a>).
Scripture gives us a clear picture of Jesus’ eternal, intimate relationship
with the heavenly Father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Why is it important
for us to believe this? Because Jesus did something that had never been done
before: He enabled men and women to see God in a new way. In <a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Colossians
1:15</span></a>, Paul explains that Jesus is the “image of the invisible God.”
No one has ever looked upon the face of the Almighty. In the Old Testament,
some people were confronted with God, but they were never able to look fully
upon His glory. In fact, even Moses, who is called a friend of God (<a data-book="Exodus" href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ex. 33:11</span></a>),
could not look directly at Him. At best, Moses had the opportunity to look upon
God’s back as He passed by, but never saw His face (<a data-book="Exodus" href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ex. 33:18-23</span></a>).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The reason Jesus
came, however, was to bridge the gap between God’s glory and mankind’s sinful
nature. In the original Greek text, the word for “image” is directly related to
the English word <em><strong>icon</strong></em>. Just as an icon on your computer screen directs
you to the main program, Jesus directs believers to the fullness of God’s
glory. As the “icon,” Jesus is the exact, flawless replica of God. Therefore,
Jesus could say, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (<a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">John 14:9</span></a>).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-23270423826467332452015-09-26T04:17:00.002-07:002015-09-26T04:17:27.541-07:00Finding Contentment
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/finding-contentment?firstItem=00a55c97-721d-49c2-a019-e4a7b3f69462"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/finding-contentment?firstItem=00a55c97-721d-49c2-a019-e4a7b3f69462</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in
God, and trust also in me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">John 14:1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Too often we let our
circumstances determine our attitude. If life is going smoothly, then we feel
good about ourselves. But when it gets hard, our mood drops. However, we don’t
have to live this way. Like the apostle Paul, we can learn and practice the secret
of being content.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Contentment means
accepting things the way they are—in other words, not wanting anything to be
more or different. This requires developing an “I can through Christ” attitude.
It means learning to allow God’s power to come into our weakness so we can accept
and adapt to changing circumstances. When we respond to life with that kind of
thinking, we move beyond living by feelings to living by faith (“<span class="verse-7"><span style="color: #333333;">For we live by believing and not by
seeing.” </span></span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">2 Corinthians
5:7</span></a>). Submission and trust are needed for such a lifestyle. First,
we must surrender our will to God’s: In every situation, we are to yield what
we want and then accept whatever He allows. Our desire to control events is
replaced by reliance on Him. This option becomes more appealing when we realize
that the alternative—fighting against our circumstances—brings anxiety and
distress. The second step is to trust God to oversee our specific situation. If
we believe He is working out His perfect plan for us, then we will experience
the joy that comes from trusting Him. Contentment will be ours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paul submitted his
life to God and trusted Him. He faced insults, rejection, and many difficult
trials but was still content. When we surrender control to the Lord and believe
He has our best interest at heart, we will experience contentment, too. Who has
control in your life? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-53082889641874163292015-09-25T01:08:00.001-07:002015-09-25T01:08:26.974-07:00The Secret of Contentment
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/secret-of-contentment?firstItem=61395419-ce1f-4393-bfcc-99377c617aa4"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/secret-of-contentment?firstItem=61395419-ce1f-4393-bfcc-99377c617aa4</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span class="verse-10"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I
know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to
help me. </span></span><span class="verse-11"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Not that I was ever in
need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. </span></span><span class="verse-12"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have
learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full
stomach or empty, with plenty or little. </span></span><span class="verse-13"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For
I can do everything through Christ,<sup data-identifier="fn4443" data-verseid="13"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="color: blue;">d</span></a></span></sup>
who gives me strength.</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Philippians 4:10-13<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">After encountering
Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul had much to learn about salvation and
following Christ. From that moment on, the apostle shared with others what he
was discovering. In his letter to the church at Philippi, he wrote about an
important life lesson—the secret of being content. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">What kind of life do
you think brings contentment? You might assume it’s one with few troubles or
great success. You may want good health, financial security, and a loving
family. Paul’s life was not at all like this. He was in danger from both his
own countrymen and the opposition (<a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">2 Corinthians
11:23-26</span></a>). Sometimes the people listened when he spoke, but more
often they were hostile to his message. He also had a “thorn in the flesh,”
which God refused to remove (<a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">2 Corinthians
12:7-9</span></a>). What’s more, Paul spent considerable time in prison,
chained to a guard. Yet he boldly wrote, “I have learned the secret of being
content in any and every situation” (<a data-book="Philippians" href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Phil. 4:12</span></a> NIV). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The secret he
discovered was to live on the basis of his position in the Lord, not his
circumstances. As God’s child, Paul knew he was spiritually rich—“blessed . . .
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (<a data-book="Ephesians" href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Eph. 1:3</span></a>)—because he had a loving Father and
the Holy Spirit to guide him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Contentment in our
media-driven age is hard to find and harder to keep. There’s always something
newer, bigger, or better to buy and someone else who has what you want. When
you feel unsatisfied, try basing your response on your position as a fellow
heir with Christ (<a data-book="Romans" href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Rom. 8:17</span></a>) rather than feelings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-31001910828046757822015-09-24T05:36:00.002-07:002015-09-24T05:36:34.222-07:00The Reward of Letting Go
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-reward-of-letting-go?firstItem=195c4abf-f221-4f9a-9c69-85013ec7a2e0"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-reward-of-letting-go?firstItem=195c4abf-f221-4f9a-9c69-85013ec7a2e0</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith.
“Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” “Take your son, your
only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and
sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show
you.” The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two
of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a
fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Genesis 22:1-3<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">While it’s often
a struggle to put everything on the altar, one thing I’ve learned is that you
don’t have to understand <em><strong>how</strong></em> God will accomplish His plans. All He
asks is that you surrender your will to His and trust that He will show you the
way forward (“</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Trust in the LORD with
all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all
you do, and he will show you which path to take.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Prov. 3:5-6</span></a>).
Abraham’s willingness to give up what was most precious to him came from his
unyielding faith in the Lord’s trustworthiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">However, if you tell
God <em><strong>no </strong></em>because He won’t explain why He wants us to do something, we
are actually hindering His blessing. But when we say <em><strong>yes </strong></em>to Him,
heaven opens to pour out His goodness and reward our obedience. What matters
more than material blessings are the things He is teaching us in our spirit.
But don’t mistake His way of rewarding as being like a parent who withholds a
treat until the child does as he’s told. Rather, obeying the Lord naturally
positions us to receive what He is already trying to give us and accomplish in
our lives. So, when we fail to trust Him and refuse to do what He says, we are
the ones choosing to close ourselves off from those good things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">What has God asked
you to do? Have you only partially cooperated? Or have you, like Abraham, given
up your need to understand and then obeyed completely? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">If the Lord says to
give more than you think you’re able to give, know that He <em><strong>will </strong></em>provide.
Whether things are running smoothly or the bottom has dropped out, He is always
trustworthy. You can count on almighty God to keep His everlasting Word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-11273646977418036442015-09-23T03:00:00.000-07:002015-09-23T03:00:09.845-07:00The Freedom of Letting Go
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-freedom-of-letting-go?firstItem=b2e31985-9558-4254-9278-98dfdcbd7ce8"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-freedom-of-letting-go?firstItem=b2e31985-9558-4254-9278-98dfdcbd7ce8</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So humble yourselves under the mighty power of
God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries
and cares to God, for he cares about you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 Peter 5:6-7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our
heavenly Father is interested in every detail in our life. If we want Him to
work in a particular area—whether relationships, finances, vocation, habits, or
something else—we must be willing to let go of our control and give over to Him
whatever He asks of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
may <i>think </i>we have no attachments that come between us and the Lord,
but He knows our hearts. One Sunday as I was about to preach a sermon along
these lines, He showed me something I hadn’t yet surrendered. I realized I
needed to deal with it, or I wouldn’t be able to preach the sermon. So I was
glad when the choir’s song took a while, because I had time to come to a place
of being able to say, “Lord, if that’s what You desire, I commit it to You. You
have the right to claim it at any time, so it’s Yours right now.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s
difficult to be completely obedient if we’re holding on to something too
tightly. The Lord wants our attachment to be exclusively to Him. You may have
multitudes of things that God has blessed you with, but the moment any of it
has a hold on you, His work in your life will be blocked. But when you open
your hands, gripping nothing, you will be totally free as the Holy Spirit’s
power flows through you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Is there
anything you feel you could never give up? Think about whatever captivates you,
and honestly consider whether it also holds you captive. I challenge you to
release that relationship or situation to the Lord right now so He can give you
the freedom you’ve been craving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-28112440076921075552015-09-22T02:30:00.003-07:002015-09-22T02:30:57.408-07:00God’s Provisions in Adversity
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/gods-provisions-in-adversity?firstItem=e5b3f3fd-c9fa-4383-a054-f7e4edecd261"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/gods-provisions-in-adversity?firstItem=e5b3f3fd-c9fa-4383-a054-f7e4edecd261</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">From the CANON on this blog:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Solutions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God
is omnipotent and therefore can solve any problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may choose to use the solutions listed
below, but he often provides in ways you could have never imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poor should cry out to God for help,
rather than depending on Baal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span class="verse-18"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you
who belong to Christ Jesus.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">1 Thessalonians 5:18<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">As we determined
yesterday, if you are not going through a difficult time, you likely will
encounter one soon. Jesus assured us that we’d have many hardships in this life
(“<span class="verse-33"><span style="color: #333333;">I have told you all this so
that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and
sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” </span></span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">John 16:33</span></a>).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">As unpleasant as
trials are, there are still many reasons for giving thanks. Yesterday, we
looked at three provisions believers can count on during adversity: God’s
presence, a pathway through the trouble, and potential to grow. Today, let’s
explore two more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1) Protection.</span></span></strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> God doesn’t necessarily keep
believers from suffering or disappointment. Stopping the storms may be our
goal, but from His point of view, the adversity may be necessary to mature us
spiritually. However, the Father offers protection by staying with us in the
struggle. Once we receive Jesus as our Savior, we are promised that God’s
Spirit indwells us and will never leave. What’s more, we have assurance that
nothing can separate us from His love (<span class="verse-38"><span style="color: #333333;">“I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from
God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,<sup data-identifier="fn4100" data-verseid="38"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="color: blue;">p</span></a></span></sup> neither our fears for today nor
our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from
God’s love. </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-hide: all;">References
for Romans 8:38</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; display: none; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-hide: all;"><a data-toggle="tab" href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nlt/romans/8.html#footnote-38"><span style="color: blue;">Footnotes</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<span class="verse-39"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing
in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is
revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Rom. 8:38-39</span></a>).
So our ever-present God walks with us through the hardships, providing guidance
and speaking truth into the situation. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">2) Peace.</span></strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> While difficulties cause many people anxiety, God’s
peace is available to His children. This inner serenity does not depend on
whether circumstances improve. Rather, it’s a result of our relationship with
Him. Our main focus shouldn’t be on fixing the problem; rather, we should
concentrate on our dependence upon God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">As we recognize the
Lord’s provision during trials, we can genuinely express gratitude. We often
don’t know what the purpose is for each ensuing difficulty, but we do know that
our God is good and trustworthy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-21888277920555623732015-09-21T01:42:00.004-07:002015-09-21T01:42:51.948-07:00The LORD is my helper
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/through-the-trials?firstItem=1a59bf45-dc2a-4e6c-93e5-151b6767a980"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/through-the-trials?firstItem=1a59bf45-dc2a-4e6c-93e5-151b6767a980</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">From the CANON on this blog:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Solutions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God
is omnipotent and therefore can solve any problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may choose to use the solutions listed
below, but he often provides in ways you could have never imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The poor should cry out to God for help,
rather than depending on Baal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Matthew 14:22-34<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">No one gets through
life without trials. Realistically, you are currently in a storm, just getting
out of one, or about to enter a turbulent time. That is the bad news.
Thankfully, we serve a good God who provides—even through dark times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Today’s passage
tells of a stormy night on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus provides for us today just
as He did for His disciples in that unsettling situation. Today, we will focus
on ways that He does this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">• The Father offers Christians His presence and the promise
that He will never leave (</span></span></strong><span class="verse-5"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Don’t
love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never
fail you. I will never abandon you.” </span></span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; display: none; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-hide: all;"><a data-toggle="tab" href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nlt/hebrews/13.html#footnote-5"><span style="color: blue;">Footnotes</span></a></span></li>
<span class="verse-6"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will
have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”<sup data-identifier="fn4629" data-verseid="6"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="color: blue;">c</span></a></span></sup> </span></span><em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Heb. 13:5-6</span></a></span></i></em><strong><em><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">). To the extent
we are mindful of these wonderful provisions, we are able to live with a sense
of comfort and courage, regardless of our circumstances. What an amazing gift!</span></em><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strong><em><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• The Lord
blesses His children with a pathway through trouble. He is in total control of
our storm and will use the trial for His purpose. We may not understand, but we
can trust His hand to guide us and accomplish good. Sometimes the reason or
benefit of a difficulty becomes obvious, while in other cases, it may never be
clear.</span></em><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strong><em><span style="font-size: 14pt;">• The Father
offers believers the potential to grow. Hardships serve as exercises in trust,
and they allow us to learn more fully how great God’s power and love are.</span></em><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">No one enjoys
trials. But remember to express gratitude for God’s hand in your life.
Hardships offer the chance to trust your Creator and know Him better. Even
though they are painful, don’t waste the opportunity trials offer to become all
the Lord has planned for you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-29607914337709132152015-09-20T04:12:00.002-07:002015-09-20T04:12:15.747-07:00The Patience of God
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-patience-of-god?firstItem=2f461992-386d-4cd3-b779-f16413c3c5bd"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-patience-of-god?firstItem=2f461992-386d-4cd3-b779-f16413c3c5bd</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given
me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to
serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence,
I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance
and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the
faith and love that come from Christ Jesus. This is a trustworthy saying, and
everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save
sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ
Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst
sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and
receive eternal life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Timothy 1:12-16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">If God were
impatient, we would all experience immediate wrath for sin. Imagine living in
constant fear of doing something wrong! But fortunately for all of us, God
possesses great patience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">One reason that the
Lord shows mercy is because He knows we have a fallen nature. Just as a toddler
has to learn obedience, God’s children also must learn to walk in His ways. He
takes pleasure in watching us do what is right and wants to help us when we go
wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Paul appreciated
God’s patience. His life demonstrated that because the Father is slow to anger,
unbelievers have a much greater opportunity for salvation (<a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">1 Tim. 1:16</span></a>).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">In <a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Romans 2:4</span></a>,
the apostle affirms that our heavenly Father’s kindness and mercy lead to repentance.
But in the following verse, he warns those with stubborn hearts that they will
experience judgment. In other words, the warning is that God’s patience will at
some point run out if someone continuously sins against Him, submitting to
unrighteousness instead of to the Father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">In the Old
Testament, Israel repeatedly experienced this painful truth. The people turned
away from the Lord and did evil in His sight by worshipping idols. God
patiently tolerated their waywardness, giving them ample opportunity to choose
obedience. Eventually He’d withdraw His protection until they would cry out and
return to Him. Ultimately, even when the Lord allows calamity to reach His
children, it is still drenched with His love and purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Is there unconfessed sin in your life? Be
thankful that the Lord is slow to anger. And be wise: Do not test the limits of
His tolerance. </span>Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-44174653734712259452015-09-19T00:29:00.001-07:002015-09-19T00:29:34.523-07:00The Godly Quality of Generosity
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-godly-quality-of-generosity?firstItem=59071971-3453-435a-8b74-dd0070a7083f"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-godly-quality-of-generosity?firstItem=59071971-3453-435a-8b74-dd0070a7083f</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">From the CANON on this blog:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Solutions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; text-indent: 0.25in;">
<span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">3.
Christians are called to give.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">4.
Family members are called upon to help other members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">5.
Friends are called upon to bear one another’s burdens.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose
everything. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The generous will prosper; those who refresh
others will themselves be refreshed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Proverbs 11:24-25<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">When I was a child,
I lived with my mother in a single-room home. She made just enough money for
food, clothing, and rent. Most Saturdays, this one boy would come to the door
and ask, “Do y’all have anything to eat?” I’d look in the icebox and see
perhaps a piece of fruit or a few eggs and a little bacon, and not much else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">But my mother always
found some food for that boy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Generosity is an
attitude of sharing gladly whatever we might have, regardless of wealth.
Scripture reveals liberality is an attribute of God (“<span class="verse-12"><span style="color: #333333;">The LORD will send rain at the proper time from his rich
treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to
many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them.” </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Deut. 28:12</span></a>,
“<span class="verse-20"><span style="color: #333333;">Now all glory to God, who is
able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more
than we might ask or think.”</span></span> <a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Eph. 3:20</span></a>).
And as part of His transformative plan for believers, the Father desires that
we develop a generous spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">A bighearted
approach to our time and material goods starts by giving ourselves to God. When
we accept that He owns everything, we can hold our small share with an open
hand. But the choice to nurture generosity is based on our trust. Instead of
adding figures to see what little amount might safely be set aside for charity,
Christians should give sacrificially by faith. <a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Hebrews 13:16</span></a>
(NIV) tells us, “Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with
such sacrifices God is pleased.” The Lord responds by supplying enough to cover
the gift and our own need (“<span class="verse-38"><span style="color: #333333;">Give,
and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken
together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The
amount you give will determine the amount you get back.<sup data-identifier="fn3584" data-verseid="38"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="color: blue;">c</span></a></span></sup>” </span></span></span><span style="color: windowtext; display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-hide: all;">References for Luke 6:38</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; display: none; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-hide: all;"><a data-toggle="tab" href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nlt/luke/6.html#footnote-38"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Footnotes</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Luke 6:38</span></a>).
Only through giving do we learn that we can never outgive God. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some believers
choose selfishness and rebellion, but God promised a form of poverty—whether
financial, emotional, or spiritual—to those who do. Instead, make a decision
today to cultivate a generous spirit for the Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-27907573825797600752015-09-18T05:57:00.000-07:002015-09-18T05:57:04.380-07:00The God to Whom We Pray
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-god-to-whom-we-pray?firstItem=3321c229-6de3-4222-9654-79d17469975e"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-god-to-whom-we-pray?firstItem=3321c229-6de3-4222-9654-79d17469975e</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-god-to-whom-we-pray?firstItem=3321c229-6de3-4222-9654-79d17469975e"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">Nehemiah
1:1-11</span></a></span></strong><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Nehemiah
demonstrates power in prayer. As a servant to King Artaxerxes of Persia, he had
no right to request leave to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls, much less to
requisition materials and protection. Yet knowing the nature of the God he
served, Nehemiah did not hesitate to act boldly and ask the king for what was
needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">His prayer began, “I
beseech You, O lord God of heaven” (<a data-book="Nehemiah" href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Neh. 1:5</span></a>).
<em><strong>Lord</strong></em>, when it appears in all capital letters, denotes the word <em><strong>Jehovah
</strong></em>(a form of <em><strong>Yahweh</strong></em>, the Hebrew name for God). It means “God who is
eternal in His being”—conveying that everything everywhere is in His presence.
So, when God makes a promise, He knows how He will keep it. That is why
Nehemiah called Him “the awesome God who preserves the covenant.” He knew God
was committed to bringing repentant Israelites back to their homeland to dwell
in His presence (<a data-book="Nehemiah" href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Neh. 1:9</span></a>). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Another Hebrew name
used to refer to God, <em><strong>Elohim</strong></em>, is translated “He who is absolutely
sovereign.” If He spoke the world into being, then He is certainly more than
able to provide Nehemiah with supplies, some time off from work, and favor from
the Persian king. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">There are many other
names for God, such as <em><strong>Adonai </strong></em>(“master”), <em><strong>Jehovah-Jireh </strong></em>(“provider”),
and <em><strong>Jehovah-Rapha </strong></em>(“healer”). Since the Hebrew language is precise, it
can help us to better know who He is—when we need solace, we call upon the God
of comfort; in our confusion, we have the God who teaches. Just as knowing
one’s audience affects which words we choose to speak, the way we view God
impacts how we pray. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-88767173884610245082015-09-17T02:00:00.002-07:002015-09-17T02:00:11.843-07:00The Blessing of Loyalty
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-blessing-of-loyalty?firstItem=f88fcc0b-64fd-46d5-b4e7-e5271e66a581"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-blessing-of-loyalty?firstItem=f88fcc0b-64fd-46d5-b4e7-e5271e66a581</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ruth 4:13-22<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">I believe Ruth’s
remarkable loyalty is what earned her a place in both the Bible and the lineage
of Jesus Christ. Our culture idealizes “looking out for number one,” but
Scripture teaches us to protect loved ones and those in need (“<span class="verse-7"><span style="color: #333333;">Love never gives up, never loses
faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” </span></span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">1 Cor. 13:7</span></a>;
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Give justice to the
poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue
the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ps. 82:3-4</span></a>).
Ruth is a shining example of faithfulness—she willingly adjusted her own
schedule and expectations to meet Naomi’s needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">With no family left
to care for her and no neighbors who shared her faith in God, Naomi found
herself in a foreign land, far from the comfort of a familiar and like-minded
community. During those dark hours, Ruth—her son’s pagan widow—sacrificed
everything to stay at Naomi’s side. Then, to care for her aging mother-in-law,
Ruth set aside hope of remarriage as well as the prospect of a child. She
packed her bags for a foreign country and swore to follow a strange religion:
the worship of Naomi’s God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ruth undoubtedly was
aware of the risks involved in casting her lot with another woman in a
male-dominated society, but she did so without hesitation. And the young
woman’s commitment did not end when they arrived in Israel. It was Ruth,
following Naomi’s directions, who kept the two women fed. And it was Ruth,
again under Naomi’s tutelage, who made a strategic alliance with Boaz that
secured their future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ruth sacrificed
mightily for her mother-in-law, and as a result, God gave her the very things
she thought she’d forfeited—a God who loved her, a home, a husband, and a son.
Moreover, Ruth is counted among the ancestors of the Messiah, Jesus. What a
testimony of the reward for loyalty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-63721834632068772742015-09-16T01:31:00.000-07:002015-09-16T01:31:06.666-07:00Bear one another’s burdens
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-price-of-loyalty?firstItem=009956cc-4821-40d0-a475-04f8cf71b768"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-price-of-loyalty?firstItem=009956cc-4821-40d0-a475-04f8cf71b768</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">From the CANON on this blog:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Solutions<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Friends are called upon to bear one another’s burdens<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="color: #444e5c; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span class="verse-34"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">So now I am giving you a new
commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John 13:34<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ruth 1<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
Christian life isn’t free of obligations. The many “one anothers” in the Bible
are God’s instructions about how to treat people in our circles and give of
ourselves to enrich those relationships. Yet many people today prefer not to
invest in deep friendships, opting instead for casual acquaintances that demand
little. The devoted loyalty of Ruth—a pagan from Moab—stands in sharp contrast
to such superficiality.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Casual
friends can talk about politics, movies, and sports but avoid discussing deep
concerns. Then they won’t have to bear anyone else’s burdens or heartbreak. But
neither will they learn the deep joy of expressing loyalty to a person in need.
The human heart was created to crave intimate fellowship—the kind of
connectedness that can share feelings without fear of judgment. Because of
loyalty based on mutual trust and love, close companions can point out blind
spots and challenge each other to greater faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ruth is an
example of this kind of selfless dedication. When her mother-in- law Naomi went
through a bitter period of hopelessness and loss, the young widow Ruth chose to
follow the older woman. Though this meant sacrificing the comforts of home and
any prospect of marriage to a countryman, she demonstrated absolute allegiance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Loyalty demands a high price that too few are willing to
pay. Some hold acquaintances at arm’s length to avoid obligation. But believers
are saved to stand together in love and encourage one another (“<span style="color: #333333;">So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each
other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” </span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">John 13:34</span></a>;
“</span><span class="verse-11"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are
already doing.” </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">1 Thess. 5:11</span></a>).
Doing so brings blessing, even when there’s a cost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-10772174872191611282015-09-15T06:08:00.000-07:002015-09-15T06:08:02.599-07:00Responding to Conflict
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/responding-to-conflict?firstItem=a3288b89-2177-46c5-b3b1-3a4a9e23d6e9"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/responding-to-conflict?firstItem=a3288b89-2177-46c5-b3b1-3a4a9e23d6e9</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Matthew 18:21-35<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">When conflict
occurs, people often look for someone to criticize. Though it happened long
ago, I still remember being severely chastised during a meeting at an
organization. Because of God’s enabling, I was able to react in a godly manner.
Turning to the Lord in prayer is always the best way to respond in a crisis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">As we do, we can ask
for Him to provide. . . <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Spiritual
discernment.</span></strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> God knows and
understands perfectly the source of the problem, and He can enable us to
comprehend it, too. Perhaps there has been a communication breakdown, a feeling
of jealousy on the other person’s part, or a mistake on ours. With the Spirit’s
assistance, we will gain insight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">A quiet
spirit.</span></strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Our human nature will
want to react quickly so that we can defend ourselves or stand up for what we
think is right. Before we act, we must deliberately focus our attention on God
and experience the inner peace that He promises (<a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">John 14:27</span></a>).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Wisdom.</span></strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> The Lord told His disciples that the Holy Spirit
would give them wise words to say when they faced hostile authorities (<a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Luke 12:11-12</span></a>).
He will do the same for us. If tempted to speak hastily, we should ask the
Spirit to put a seal on our lips until God reveals it’s time to respond and
gives us the words to say (<a data-book="Psalms" href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ps. 141:3</span></a>).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We do not have to
react to criticism with anger and self-protectiveness, as the world does. God
has called us to represent Him in every situation the same way Christ
did—through dependence on the heavenly Father. Next time someone speaks
critically to you, how will you respond? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-41372067149672466842015-09-14T03:11:00.002-07:002015-09-14T03:11:12.369-07:00Confronting Conflict
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/confronting-conflict?firstItem=de582dae-3850-4837-ad11-cab7134fb3f3"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/confronting-conflict?firstItem=de582dae-3850-4837-ad11-cab7134fb3f3</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span class="verse-11"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face,
for what he did was very wrong. </span></span><span class="verse-12"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When
he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised.
But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the
Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on
the necessity of circumcision. </span></span><span class="verse-13"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">As
a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas
was led astray by their hypocrisy. </span></span><span class="verse-14"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">When
I saw that they were not following the truth of the gospel message, I said to
Peter in front of all the others, “Since you, a Jew by birth, have discarded
the Jewish laws and are living like a Gentile, why are you now trying to make
these Gentiles follow the Jewish traditions? </span></span><span class="verse-15"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">“You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. </span></span><span class="verse-16"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in
Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so
that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not
because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by
obeying the law.”<sup><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="color: blue;">d</span></a></span></sup> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Galatians 2:11-16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">The Scriptures
record many instances of conflict between nations, among friends, and in
families. Today we see the same types of problems. While fighting, people can
say harsh and even unfair words. Their accusations create turmoil and emotional
pain. What we believe will determine the way we respond to such difficulties. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God’s Word
proclaims His sovereignty over nature (“</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The LORD does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and
earth, and on the seas and in their depths.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ps. 135:6</span></a>),
government (“<span class="verse-23"><span style="color: #333333;">He builds up
nations, and he destroys them. He expands nations, and he abandons them.” </span></span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Job 12:23</span></a>),
and mankind (“<span class="verse-25"><span style="color: #333333;">Human hands
can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to
everything, and he satisfies every need.” </span></span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Acts 17:25</span></a>).
Nothing in heaven or on earth is hidden from Him or outside of His control. So,
how does this help us in a conflict? First, our Father knows when people
verbally attack us, and He has promised to protect us. Nothing can touch His children
apart from His permissive will. Second, He has the power to work the painful
times we endure into something beneficial (“<span class="verse-28"><span style="color: #333333;">We know that God causes everything to work together<sup><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="color: blue;">m</span></a></span></sup>
for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for
them.” </span></span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Rom. 8:28</span></a>).
We can have hope because His will cannot be thwarted, even in bad
circumstances. Finally, we are His beloved children. He is a loving Father who
understands what we are going through and always remains by our side. As His
sons and daughters, we are not on our own. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">When we believe in
the Lord’s sovereign rule, our perspective on hard times changes. Instead of
responding with fear, anger, or resentment, we will turn to Him in prayer and
ask for guidance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Conflict is
inevitable. When we, or something we have done, is the source of the turmoil,
we are to apologize. If others are at fault, we may have to confront them the
way Paul did with Peter. But we are also called to forgive without exception.
As Christ’s ambassadors, the way we respond really matters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-37891607730041445152015-09-13T01:07:00.002-07:002015-09-13T01:07:08.934-07:00An Imperishable Inheritance
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/an-imperishable-inheritance?firstItem=30ad00e3-eee4-497c-991d-db3eed6225ad"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/an-imperishable-inheritance?firstItem=30ad00e3-eee4-497c-991d-db3eed6225ad</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today’s scripture reading:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All praise to God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because
God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and
we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you,
pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your
faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation,
which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 Peter 1:3-5<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Human beings have a
fundamental need to feel safe and secure. But whenever we base our sense of
security on the things of this world, we can expect disappointment. This is
especially true when it comes to our finances. We are living in very uncertain
times of high unemployment and diminishing retirement accounts. Our money and
belongings can disappear no matter how carefully we plan and try to guard them.
That’s why remembering our eternal future is so important. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Isn’t it wonderful
to know that believers have an inheritance that never depreciates and cannot be
stolen? It was given to us when we placed our hope in Jesus Christ and will
never be taken away because it’s reserved and protected for us in heaven. Someday,
when we see Jesus face to face, we’ll enjoy all the riches of God’s grace and
receive the fullness of our inheritance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">But did you know
that every day we live on this earth, we have an opportunity to build up that
inheritance by investing in things the Lord values and credits to our account?
That’s what Jesus was talking about when He said, “Store up for yourselves
treasures in heaven” (<a data-book="Matthew" href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Matt. 6:20</span></a>).
Whenever we live righteously in obedience to God, we’re laying up good works
and adding to the treasure that awaits us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Are you more
concerned with investments in this life than with everlasting riches? It is
very easy to let daily demands and responsibilities overshadow the importance
of building eternal prosperity. Take time each day to refocus your mind and
heart. Then start storing up wealth of lasting value. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-3858995635472572532015-09-12T02:51:00.000-07:002015-09-12T02:51:00.829-07:00Confronting Goliaths<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/confronting-goliaths?firstItem=813877b0-5009-40e3-bf29-99e1edcca37f"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/confronting-goliaths?firstItem=813877b0-5009-40e3-bf29-99e1edcca37f</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 Samuel 17:1-53<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">David’s short battle with Goliath was more
than a fight between Israelites and Philistines. It was a defense of Jehovah’s
name against those who doubted His supremacy. As David pointed out, the only
way a boy with a sling could defeat a giant warrior like Goliath was by the
Lord’s hand. And that’s exactly what happened.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">In confronting Goliath, David showed real
courage and faith. But we see that what drove him to face the giant was
righteous indignation: “For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he
should taunt the armies of the living God?” (1 Sam. 17:26). David believed that
someone had to wipe away from Israel the reproach caused by Goliath’s insults.
Since no one else would step forward, he volunteered to defend Yahweh’s name.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Modern audiences often read this story merely
as a battle scene wherein an inexperienced underdog toppled an ancient
superhero. We comfort ourselves that we will probably never have to deal with
such a scenario. But the real story is that David stood up for God. Given how
our culture scoffs at both the Father and Jesus Christ, believers will
certainly spend some time in David’s sandals. The question is whether we will
listen to our own flesh and silently remain in fear, or stand and represent
God’s name in the way for which He’s called and equipped us.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">You don’t need a theology degree to combat
those who would mock God. Your “smooth stones” (1 Sam. 17:40) are the truths
you have pulled from the Bible. No enemy can win an argument against Scripture.
Whatever the outcome seems to be, the battle is the Lord’s, and He gives
victory to the faithful.<o:p></o:p></span>Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-76749491616203569492015-09-11T11:31:00.003-07:002015-09-11T11:31:12.428-07:00Rush, it IS explicable!
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2015/09/11/it_s_inexplicable_the_us_senate_delivers_nuclear_weapons_to_the_terrorist_state_of_iran_on_the_anniversary_of_9_11"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/daily/2015/09/11/it_s_inexplicable_the_us_senate_delivers_nuclear_weapons_to_the_terrorist_state_of_iran_on_the_anniversary_of_9_11</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Satan is using Barack Obama, Pope Francis,
Democrats, and RINO to help him be the god of this world.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-34711276158043197032015-09-11T01:38:00.002-07:002015-09-11T01:38:45.964-07:00Our Source of Comfort
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/our-source-of-comfort?firstItem=c8378ea2-d086-403a-b752-6ee9f0fc9eef"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/our-source-of-comfort?firstItem=c8378ea2-d086-403a-b752-6ee9f0fc9eef</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today’s scripture reading:<span class="verse-12"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All praise to God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He
comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are
troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For
the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort
through Christ. Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your
comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly
comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are
confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the
comfort God gives us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2
Corinthians 1:3-7<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
world’s definition of <i>comfort</i> is ”the alleviation of suffering or
despair.” However, the Lord has a different view. The hardship He allows to
enter a believer’s life is a teaching tool. Because we mature spiritually when
we exercise faith, our Father doesn’t remove the cause of our troubles but
instead gives us the encouragement and strength to work through them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Whether we
are in immediate pain or not, the Holy Spirit is available to us. God sent His
Spirit to dwell within everyone who believes—in that way, our source of help is
as close as our own beating heart. Nobody else understands our need the way He
does. When we feel unable to bear one more second of affliction, He whispers
into our soul, “Yes, you can, because I am here.” There is no healing balm like
the voice of God’s Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In some
circumstances, the Spirit directs our minds to Scripture. Reading a passage is
a way to hear directly from the Lord. This is one of the reasons I encourage
turning to the Bible during times of trial. A scripture’s personal meaning and
application may not be apparent immediately, but God will bring the verse to
mind when it’s most needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The day
that someone receives Christ, he or she is sealed as God’s child. The Lord
can’t break His promises, and He has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I
ever forsake you” (<a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Heb. 13:5</span></a>).
He will not allow us to be hurt any more than He knows we can stand—and since
He is omnipresent, He’s always available to help us. His comfort is available
and adequate to meet the need, whatever our level of affliction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-56811054340270473202015-09-10T05:45:00.002-07:002015-09-10T05:45:20.978-07:00The Purpose of Our Trials
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-purpose-of-our-trials?firstItem=9eefc99d-bd6d-412a-8e67-3f88f542a92b"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-purpose-of-our-trials?firstItem=9eefc99d-bd6d-412a-8e67-3f88f542a92b</span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today’s scripture reading:<span class="verse-12"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span class="verse-12"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14pt;">Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going
through, as if something strange were happening to you.</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">1 Peter 4:12<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Some believers like
to portray their lives as ideal and carefree. But in reality, being a Christian
isn’t always easy. In fact, sometimes we’ll experience trials that truly test
our faith and ability to trust in God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">In today’s passage,
Peter refers to times of testing as “fiery ordeals.” He says we shouldn’t be
surprised when adversity comes our way. It’s important to remember that God has
a purpose for our trials and will see us through each step of the way. But what
purpose does God have for the hardships we face? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">First, the heavenly
Father will sometimes use painful experiences to cleanse and purify His
children’s lives. Trials drive us to the Lord. Then, as we begin to focus on
Him, we’re increasingly able to see things from His perspective and often
become more aware of our sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Second, the Lord at
times allows difficulty in our lives as a way of testing us—He might be trying
our faith, endurance, or devotion to Him. He uses such experiences to reveal
something about our spiritual development and to strengthen our faith. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Third, God uses
suffering to demonstrate His power to sustain us. When He brings us through
difficult times, He glorifies Himself. In turn, this encourages others when
they experience trials, because they have witnessed God’s sustaining power in
our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ultimately, hardships strengthen our testimony.
In the midst of our struggles, we might feel overwhelmed. But once the storm
has passed, we can often look back and see the Lord’s providential hand
carrying us through.</span>Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-28195074588886248912015-09-09T06:54:00.002-07:002015-09-09T06:54:38.543-07:00Salvation: The Work of Our Sovereign God
<br />
<a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/salvation-the-work-of-our-sovereign-god?firstItem=95bb0a06-08a8-4a68-9a44-905605c739b4"><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/salvation-the-work-of-our-sovereign-god?firstItem=95bb0a06-08a8-4a68-9a44-905605c739b4</span></span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today’s scripture reading:<strong><span style="font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></span></div>
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<span class="verse-1"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many
sins. </span></span><span class="verse-2"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">You used to live in sin,
just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers
in the unseen world.</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><sup><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="color: blue;">a</span></span></sup></a><span class="verse-2"><span style="color: #333333;"> He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who
refuse to obey God. </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333; display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-hide: all;">References
for Ephesians 2:2</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nlt/ephesians/2.html#footnote-2"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><span style="color: blue;">Footnotes</span></span></a></span><span class="verse-3"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">All of us used to live that way, following the passionate
desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were
subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. </span></span><span class="verse-4"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, </span></span><span class="verse-5"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us
life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you
have been saved!) </span></span><span class="verse-6"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For he raised us
from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms
because we are united with Christ Jesus. </span></span><span class="verse-7"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">So
God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of
his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are
united with Christ Jesus. </span></span><span class="verse-8"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">God
saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this;
it is a gift from God. </span></span><span class="verse-9"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Salvation
is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about
it. </span></span><span class="verse-10"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">For we are God’s
masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good
things he planned for us long ago. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Ephesians 2:1-10<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Salvation refers
to the freedom gained when God rescues someone from slavery to sin and makes
that person part of His family. This deliverance is accomplished only through
His Son Jesus, who died in our place so we might be reconciled to the Father (“</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet now he has reconciled you to himself
through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought
you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before
him without a single fault.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Col. 1:22</span></a>).
This statement often evokes questions:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">What if I
try to live morally right, working hard at my job and being good to my
family—won’t God accept me?</span></strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Such
questions assume that the Lord saves us on the basis of the way we live. But </span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Romans
3:10</span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> says, “There is none righteous,
not even one.” In God’s sight, even our virtuous acts are like dirty rags (“<span class="verse-6"><span style="color: #333333;">We are all infected and impure with
sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags.
Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the
wind.” </span></span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Isa. 64:6</span></a>).
Holy God will not have dealings with unrighteous people except through the
Savior, Jesus Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Won’t the
Lord accept us because of His goodness?</span></strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> God is loving and good, but He is also just. He won’t overlook sin, no
matter how small we think it is. Pride makes us reject the idea that we need
forgiveness or cleansing from sin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;">If we serve
in our church or help the poor in God’s name, aren’t we part of His family?</span></strong><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Good works do not solve our sin problem or reconcile
us to God. Only Jesus does (“<span class="verse-1"><span style="color: #333333;">Therefore,
since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace<sup data-identifier="fn4078" data-verseid="1"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="color: blue;">a</span></span></a></span></sup> with God
because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” </span></span><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Rom. 5:1</span></a>).
Good works are an important <em><strong>result </strong></em>of salvation, as opposed to a basis
for it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Salvation is a work
of God’s grace, not the product of man’s effort. When we respond to the
Spirit’s prompting, believe in Jesus, and are born again as God’s children (<span class="verse-3">Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again,<sup data-identifier="fn3733" data-verseid="3"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;">a</span></a></span></sup>
you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”</span></span> <a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">John
3:3</span></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;">), we can be assured of our place
in heaven. How sure are you? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-720975622033136022.post-49787566965568135092015-09-08T07:17:00.000-07:002015-09-08T07:17:01.470-07:00Our Help in Weakness
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/our-help-in-weakness?firstItem=e77a4ffd-9d56-4467-b1ca-4e2e1f67d00e"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/our-help-in-weakness?firstItem=e77a4ffd-9d56-4467-b1ca-4e2e1f67d00e</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today’s scripture reading:<span class="verse-26"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: rgb(250, 250, 250); line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in;">
<span class="verse-16"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate,<sup data-identifier="fn3831" data-verseid="16"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="color: blue;">e</span></a></span></sup> who will never leave you. </span></span><span style="color: #333333; display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-hide: all;">References
for John 14:16</span>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; color: #333333; display: none; line-height: 14pt; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="display: none; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-hide: all;"><a data-toggle="tab" href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/nlt/john/14.html#footnote-16"><span style="color: blue;">Footnotes</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<span class="verse-17"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world
cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him.
But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you.<sup data-identifier="fn3832" data-verseid="17"><span style="display: none; mso-hide: all;"><a href="javascript:void(0);"><span style="color: blue;">f</span></a></span></sup> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">John 14:16-17 (NLT)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Today’s
devotional:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Following the Last
Supper, Jesus took time to teach the disciples more about His mission and what
would happen after He left the earth. He knew their darkest times lay ahead.
They would experience despair at the death of their beloved Teacher, great joy at
His resurrection, and sorrow at His departure. He was also aware that bearing
witness to His life would challenge their faith. So, in <a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">John 14:16-31</span></a>,
He promised a Helper who would stand alongside them in the coming trials. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">We often face life
with a stiff upper lip, trusting our own ingenuity and skills to get us
through. In choosing to follow the Lord, however, we agree to adopt a totally
different mindset: We’re weaker than we could have imagined, but through the
Holy Spirit, we are stronger than we dared to hope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Whether our struggle
is spiritual, emotional, or physical, we can rely on the Holy Spirit to help
us. Paul gives us an example of what this looks like. When dealing with pain
from a physical condition, the apostle prayed that the Lord would take away
what he referred to as a “thorn in the flesh.” Instead, God said His power
would be “perfected in weakness” (<a href="http://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">2 Corinthians 12:9</span></a>).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Too many Christians
operate under the misconception that God helps us only when we have gone as far
as we can go. In reality, His Spirit doesn’t add to our strength, like some
kind of spiritual steroid. Instead, when we admit we are powerless to help
ourselves, the Holy Spirit gives us the strength we need to face any challenge
with absolute confidence in God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Baal Tyrannyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03180683761961207223noreply@blogger.com0