Debtors

“Owe no man anything but to love him,” Romans 13:8.

Debtors by Dr. D. James Kennedy

I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.—Romans 1:14

Are you in debt? These days, it seems, who isn’t? But financial obligations are one thing. We also incur spiritual debts. Paul claimed he was a debtor to the Gentiles, the barbarians, the wise, and the unwise. Yet how could this be? What had those people done for him? Nothing at all! At least, nothing good. In fact five times they beat him with forty stripes minus one. Three times they beat him with rods, and once they stoned him and left him for dead. So what debt did he owe?

Just the same debt that pertains to every single person who claims to believe in Jesus Christ. Everyone who has received the gospel of Christ has received it as a steward, responsible to God, who gave it, and to the rest of humankind, for whom it’s intended.

“I am a debtor,” cried William Carey as he launched the modern missionary movement, setting sail for India to bring the gospel to the Hindus.

“I am a debtor,” cried David Livingstone as he plunged for the first time into the interior of Africa to open the dark continent to the light of Christ’s gospel.

“I am a debtor,” cried William Wilberforce as he devoted his entire life to ridding Great Britain of the onerous slave trade. On his deathbed he received word that he had finally succeeded.

“I am a debtor,” cried Florence Nightingale as she went to far-flung battlefields to begin the noble profession of nursing, to bind up the wounded, and to care for the dying.

“I am a debtor,” cried William Booth as he started the Salvation Army to reach the downtrodden of the world.

And how about you, my friend? Are you a debtor? Does the realization of what Jesus Christ has done for you compel you to serve Him and others? Today ask God to use you to share the good news.

That land is henceforth my country which most needs the gospel. —COUNT ZINZENDORF


So, are we as believers debtors to no one but God or debtors to everyone, including God? The point that Dr. Kennedy is making here is that we who have received Christ and the “unspeakable gift,” II Corinthians 9:15, that He gave His life to supply, are indeed responsible for making sure that the good news of life that Jesus gives to us becomes available through our efforts to others who know Him not.

Because “God is love,” I John 4:8, and because it is His desire “that all men be saved,” I Timothy 2:4, the ultimate bottom line of the truth expressed by Dr. Kennedy, is that if we love Jesus as we claim we do, we will serve Him with all our energy, thereby assuring that we will indeed take the gospel “into all the world,” as Jesus admonishes us to do in Mark 16:15.

If we love Him and believe His is the “only name given under heaven whereby men might be saved,” Acts 4:12, we will spend ourselves to make sure that the world knows. As Carey, Livingstone, Wilberforce, Nightingale, and Booth have done before us, we will count ourselves as debtors to the Holy One, striving with all our strength through all our life to deliver the message of God’s love and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 139

February 27
Psalm 139

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

7 Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.
9 If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;
12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

13 For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.
20 For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.
21 Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
22 I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
24 And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

God knows you. He understands you. He perceives with absolute accuracy the innermost thoughts and purposes of your heart. He knows the true motivation behind your every word and deed.

He knows where you are. You cannot hide yourself from Him. Man has been attempting to hide his sin from God from the earliest of our ancestors as we are told of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:8, 9:

"They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, Where are you?"

Of course He knew where Adam and Eve were, just as He knows where we are when we are lost in sin. But He calls to us as He called to them. He gives us the opportunity to declare where we are to ourselves and before Him. He assures us that though we may be “dead in trespasses and sin…” Ephesians 2:1, He will make us alive in Christ.

We are not lost from the sight of God when we lose ourselves in sin; rather we are lost from the blessed assurance of blood-bought eternal salvation. Christ left the portals of Heaven to walk on Earth that He might “seek and save the lost,” Luke 19:10, just as God walked through the Garden to seek His errant children.

He knows where we are. Shouldn’t we come into the light of His love and salvation rather than continue our futile effort to hide from Him in the darkness of sin?

Today

February 26
Two Options by Dr. D. James Kennedy

‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…’—Hebrews 3:15

There are two groups of people: those who are on their way to heaven and those who are not. The first group comprises people who have trusted in Christ alone for their salvation, gaining eternal life for their souls through Christ’s death on the cross. The second group consists of people who haven’t committed their lives to Christ, including (ironically) those who may be trying to work their way into heaven, hoping to gain entrance by their own merits.

Which group are you in today? Have you made the decision to give your life to Christ?

Many decisions in life offer only two options. And often we find that while we’re deciding which option to choose, we’ve already chosen one by default. For example, suppose your car is stalled on a railroad track, and before you’ve restarted it, a train approaches at high speed.

Two options now loom before you. You can leap from your car and save your life, or you can stay in your car and try to save both your life and your auto. As you weigh the dangers and gains of both options, you’ve made a choice with life-impacting consequences: You’re still in your car, and the train is still coming!

Likewise, you have two options today: life or death. But while you consider your options, you’ve already made a choice, for if you’ve never accepted Christ, you’re still in that state of death into which every soul was born. And every second you put off that decision, the judgment train of God continues to roll.

Christ’s gift of salvation is the greatest offer ever made. Someday God will rescind His offer, and this period of grace will end forever. But now, the sun of His grace shines, and the offer of His free gift is still available. I urge you this day, (if you have not already), to repent of your sins, to place your faith in Jesus, and to accept Him as your Savior and Lord. Your life will never be the same again!

Seriously Interested

February 25

Sarah Palin 'seriously interested' in White House by Dr. Jim Denison

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is preparing to run for president. Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is said to be "seriously" looking at a run as well, as are Senators Marco Rubio, Rand Paul and Ted Cruz. Former Governor Jeb Bush is already building his campaign.

But no one has generated as much recent political buzz as former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who told The Washington Post, "You can absolutely say that I am seriously interested" in running for the White House.

A close second in recent political news has been the furor over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's message before Congress. House Speaker John Boehner invited Mr. Netanyahu, a move that surprised the Obama administration and led to widespread criticism. As a longtime supporter of Israel, I am especially interested in the outcome of this developing story.


Ask Google "who will win in 2016," and you'll learn that "the Democrats will win in 2016. No question." But just down the screen: "History shows that Hillary Clinton is unlikely to win in 2016." Further down is the headline, "Rand Paul will win the 2016 primaries, and the presidency." Followed by "Sixteen reasons why Hillary Clinton will win 2016." Clearly, Google is confused about the election.

Here are three clear imperatives Google doesn't list:

One: political candidates deserve our respect. It's far easier to lampoon those running for office than to pay the price to join them. We are to pray for "all who are in high positions" (1 Timothy 2:2), including those who aspire to such office. Without their service, our republic would fail. We should be honest in assessing their strengths and weaknesses, but speak of them as we would speak to them (see Matthew 18:15).

Two: God is calling more Christians into public service than are answering his call. The culture changes when believers in Christ achieve our highest influence and live out our influence faithfully. Have you prayed about serving your Lord and country through political office?

Three: God wants us to measure significance by His standards, not ours. Consider Ernie Banks, the Hall of Fame baseball player who died recently. "Mr. Baseball" was born in Dallas, Texas in 1931. Beloved in the game and around the world, he played in 14 All Star Games and hit 512 home runs. In 2013, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

After his death, National Public Radio aired an interview with Mr. Banks in which he told the reporter, "I haven't done anything yet." He did not feel that his achievements in baseball were significant enough to warrant the acclaim he had received.

You may never be president or make the Hall of Fame, but your Lord will reward forever every act of faithfulness you do today. So "let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1. God's call is the race that matters most…the only race that matters at all—eternally.

The Father of Chemistry

February 24
The "Father of Chemistry" Wanted to Evangelize America and Warned of the End of the World
by Bill Federeer

Robert Boyle was born JANUARY 25, 1627. He studied Bacon, Descartes, and other of his contemporaries, including scientists Isaac Newton and Galileo, philosophers John Locke and Thomas Hobbes, and poet John Milton.

Robert Boyle made contributions in physics and chemistry, especially with his pneumatic experiments using the vacuum pump, putting forward the idea that gases were made of tiny particles. He discovered the basic law of gas dynamics, known as "Boyle's Law," that if the volume of a gas is decreased, the pressure increases proportionally.

Robert Boyle defined the modern idea of an 'element,' introduced the litmus test to distinguish acids from bases, and was the first to use the term "chemical analysis." In 1660, Robert Boyle and eleven others formed the Royal Society in London to advance scientific experiments.

While in Geneva, during a frightening thunderstorm, Boyle had a deepening conversion experience. Boyle devoted much effort to defending and propagating the Christian religion, writing the 'Boyle Lectures' and numerous books, including:
Of the high Veneration Man's Intellect owes to God (1684);
Discourse Of Things Above Reason (1681);
Some Considerations touching the Style of the Holy Scriptures (1661); and
The Christian Virtuoso (1690), which John Locke reviewed in 1681, and which was a basis for Cotton Mather's work, The Christian Philosopher, 1721.

Robert Boyle provided in his Last Will and Testament, dated July 28, 1691: "Fifty pounds...for an annual salary so some learned Divine or Preaching Minister...to preach eight sermons in the year, for proving the Christian Religion against notorious Infidels, viz., Atheists, Theists, Pagans, and Mahometans, not descending lower to any controversies that are among Christians themselves...and encouraging...any undertaking for Propagating the Christian Religion in foreign parts."

Robert Boyle was a director of the East India Company, and spent large sums supporting missionary societies in the spread of Christianity in Asia. Boyle believed all races, no matter how diverse, came from Adam and Eve.

He funded translations of the Bible to make it available in people's vernacular language, in contrast to the prevailing Latin-only policy, most notably an Irish edition (1680-1685), which was thought ill of by English upper class.

Robert Boyle was concerned about propagating the Gospel to natives in New England and the rest of America, as he wrote in a letter to Mr. Clodius, and also how to translate and print the Bible in American Indian languages.

Robert Boyle wrote: "Our Saviour would love at no less rate than death; and from the super-eminent height of glory, stooped and debased Himself to the sufferance of the extremest of indignities, and sunk himself to the bottom of abjectness, to exalt our condition to the contrary extreme."

Boyle wrote in Some Considerations Touching the Style of the Holy Scriptures (1661): "The Books of Scripture...expound each other; as in the mariner's compass, the needle's extremity, though it seems to point purposely to the north, doth yet at the same time discover both east and west, as distant as they are from it and each other, so do some texts of Scripture guide us to the intelligence of others."

Boyle wrote: "There are divers truths in the Christian religion, that reason left to itself would never have been able to find out...Such as...free will...that the world was made in six days, that Christ should be born of a virgin, and that in his person there should be united two such infinitely distant natures as the divine and human; and that the bodies of good men shall be raised from death and so advantageously changed, that the glorified persons shall be like or equal to, the angels."

Boyle wrote of the last days and the "sinful world's ruin": "In Noah's time a deluge of impiety called for a deluge of waters...and so when (in the last days) the earth shall be replenished with those scoffers mentioned by St Peter, who will walk after their own lusts, and deride the expectation of God's foretold coming to judge and punish the ungodly, their impiety shall be as well punished as silenced by the unexpected flames...that shall either destroy or transfigure the world.
For as by the law of Moses the leperous garment which would not be recovered by being washed in water, was to be burnt in the fire, so the world, which the Deluge could not cleanse, a general conflagration must destroy."

Robert Boyle wrote of the destruction of the world by fire at the end of this age: "The present course of nature shall not last always, but that one day this world...shall either be abolished by annihilation, or which seems far more probable, be innovated, and as it were transfigured, and that, by the intervention of that fire, which shall dissolve and destroy the present frame of nature: so that either way, the present state of things, (as well natural as political) shall have an end."

The Closing Days Of Time

The closing days of time will be unprecedented in the scope of trial that they will impose upon believers and indeed, statistics evidence the fact that there has been more persecution of Christians in the past century than in all previous centuries.

Yet, in the face of this disconcerting information and with the threat of even more tribulation to come, out faith is to remain steadfast, our hope is to remain sure, our expectation is to remain unwavering--for Christ is still the victory that overcomes the world (see I John 5:4, 5).

The evil one may rage in the last days; his onslaught against believers may intensify because he knows his time is short but, "They who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint," Isaiah 40:31.

When the challenges of life are inordinate, when testings and trials swirl like torrential winds around people of faith, even then they are equipped to stand strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, Ephesians 6:10. Even then, they are victorious, for the foe is defeated. Calvary's cross stands against all wickedness.

Believers stand at the foot of the cross and are saved.

Why?

February 23
Why? By Dr. D. James Kennedy

Then Job answered the Lord and said: ‘I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You… I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.—Job 42:1-2, 5-6

Have you ever said, “Why me, Lord?” when something bad happened to you? Rabbi Harold Kushner, in his book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, tried to answer this question. Unfortunately, Rabbi Kushner’s conclusions were not biblical.

Kushner says, “God would like people to get what they deserve in life, but he cannot always arrange it.” He says that God does not really control the events of this world but helps us respond to them in more positive ways. But the Bible says that God is all-powerful and all-good, able to do anything and wants to bless us.

Another example of Kushner’s unbiblical assertions is that Job, a man who endured tremendous tribulation, thought of himself as a good man. But notice what Job actually says in Job 42:5–6 after God confronts him: “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

When Job asked God, “What have I done wrong?” God did not answer his question. Instead, God just showed Himself. Through this revelation, Job came to see that God has no limitations or imperfections whatsoever, and that by comparison, he himself was vile.

None of us is good; none of us deserves unending blessing. The Bible says so. So the question is not “Why do bad things happen to good people?” but “Why do good things happen to bad people?”

Peter tells us that we should not be amazed when fiery trials come upon us. We should expect that God will try our faith with fire, so that we might emerge from them as pure gold. For He is in the process of forging our character, drawing us nearer to Him for now and for eternity.

Have you been experiencing a severe trial in your life? Don’t despair. Instead, thank God for the trial, no matter how difficult, and keep trusting Him. God will never disappoint you. Our false, unbiblical perceptions of Him might, but He Himself never will.

I'm So Glad

I'm so glad I am a Christian! It has enriched my life so tremendously and helped me overcome so much! I learn more each day and even though I have worldly troubles I make it my priority to finish the race set before me!

Thank You Father, for being there for us, and for all your wonderful promises and never ending love!
Marijke T.H.

George Washington

George Washington was born on February 22, 1732. He distinguished himself as a strong military and political leader and was the first President of the United States. Here are a few thoughts about this devoted Christian man by one who studied his life thoroughly, Dr. D. James Kennedy.

The Faith Of Washington
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins… —1 John 1:9

How would you define the word “hero”? Do you know anyone who fulfills that definition, anyone whom you hold in such high esteem?

These days we desperately need heroes, people we can look up to and emulate. I think that George Washington fills the bill in a remarkable way. In his own day, George Washington’s character was the wonder of the world. Not even his most relentless British foes of the Revolutionary War could denigrate his character.

But what gave rise to such amazing character? For starters, his parents, both dedicated Christians, raised him in a godly home. His father taught him to be unselfish, to love the truth, and to worship God. His mother helped him develop his prayer life.

As an adult he carried on these good disciplines. Through his own writings, Washington has left us a legacy of his fervent prayers, such as “O most glorious God, in Jesus Christ my merciful and loving father, I acknowledge and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day.”

Almost without fail, Washington spent his mornings and evenings reading Scripture and in prayer. Every day he maintained a consistent devotional life, seeking God’s guidance. As Washington led our country, he never once trusted in his character to guide him; he trusted in Jesus Christ, the only perfect person who ever lived.

Washington prayed that Christ’s blood would cleanse him of all his sins, that God would accept him because of the merits and perfect character of Jesus Christ, not his own.

As good heroes do, Washington provided us a good example of a faithful Christian. He trusted Jesus with his life and maintained discipline in his devotional life. His steadfastness contributed to his greatness. How can you follow this great hero’s example today?

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. Aristotle

BLESSED!

How blessed are those who love and believe in the One True and Living God who "made all things and by Whom all things hold together." Colossians 1:16, 17

How blessed are those who have placed their lives at the foot of Jesus' cross and allowed themselves to be washed clean from sin in His shed blood (I John 1:7) and who are now held securely for time and eternity in His nail-scared hands.

How blessed are they who know, "If God be for us, who can be against us!" Romans 8:31

How blessed are they who know they are held in the promise of Jesus which assures, "I will never fail you nor forsake you!" Hebrews 13:5

How blessed are they who know that even though, "In the world you shall have persecution / tribulation, be of good cheer, for I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD!" John 16:33

How blessed are they who know, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning!" Psalm 30:5

How blessed are they who know that unlike the word of men, the WORD of God will never fail. Isaiah 55:11 assures believers, "My WORD that goes forth out of My mouth, shall not come back to Me void but shall accomplish that which I please and prosper in the thing to which I send it."

How blessed are they who TRUST HIM!

Relevance

February 22

How Long Will the Recent State of the Union Address Be Relevant? By Dr. Jim Denison

Barack Obama made headlines at the recent State of the Union Address by proposing middle-class tax cuts to be funded by raising taxes on the wealthiest taxpayers and largest financial institutions. He also announced a plan to make community college tuition free for two years for millions of students. Will either program happen? Most say not, pointing to those in Congress who believe that raising taxes would hamper economic growth for everyone.

If Mr. Obama's State of the Union proposals do not come to pass, he'll be in good company. In 2005, George W. Bush proposed a commission to study the impact of baby boomer retirements on social programs. In 2000, Bill Clinton asked for "smart guns" with technology that would keep weapons out of the hands of children. In 1986, President Reagan announced a new "Orient Express" that would fly from Dulles Airport to Tokyo in two hours. None of these programs came to pass.

The American president may be the leader of the free world, but even he does not have the authority to legislate reality. Who does?

The state of the union in ancient Israel was strong. In fact, you could argue that the nation had never been more prosperous under David's rule. Then came "the time when kings go out to battle" (2 Samuel 11:1), in this case in a war against Ammonite armies to the east. But the king stayed home. Because David was not where he should have been, he did what he should not have done—his affair with Bathsheba stains his legacy still today.

Despite the king's personal and public failures, God was gracious to help Israel defeat their enemy. When David took the Ammonite king's crown and placed it on his own head (2 Samuel 12:30), he knew his victory was not due to his personal integrity or military prowess. Rather, he testified: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7).

Reading his statement, the thought occurred to me: service requires faith. We all want to be great at something, to be recognized by someone, to be noted and acclaimed. Our culture teaches us to promote our own agenda, to work for our own advancement, but God wants us to trust our future and reward to Him, believing that His will is "good, pleasing and perfect" (Romans 12:2), that He has a plan to prosper us and not harm us, to give us hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

I will serve God and others only if I trust my present significance and future reward to my Lord. Abraham lied about being Sarah's husband because he did not trust God to protect him if he spoke the truth (Genesis 20:1-13).

James and John wanted Jesus to promise them positions of authority in His future kingdom because they did not trust God to do whatever was best (Matthew 20:20-28).

The next time you have an opportunity to impress someone with yourself or with your Lord, you will discover whether you trust chariots and horses or the grace of God. You will also discover who gets the glory in your life, you or the Lord.

Pressing Toward The Mark

February 21
Pressing Toward The Mark by Dr. D. James Kennedy

…forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:13–14

Have you ever wondered why some people succeed while others fail? Do successful people have heredity, environment, luck, money, or education on their side? Those factors have probably contributed toward the success of some, yet we all know people who have enjoyed these benefits and have amounted to little. On the other hand, history is replete with examples of those who had none of those advantages yet succeeded magnificently.

So what are the secrets of success? I believe that Paul tells us some of those secrets in Philippians 3:13–14. First, Paul says,“…reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”

How important that is! This picture alludes to a runner who stretches his or her hand way in front of the body. Through this picture, Paul tells us that we need that eager aspiration, that enthusiasm that comes from God within us, causing us to reach out toward greater things. We need that eagerness of heart if we’re to succeed. Too often we go through our jobs, our devotions, our worship, and our service for Christ with perfunctory attitudes. But when we have eager anticipation, God can do great things through us.

Second, Paul says, “I press toward the goal for the prize.” The phrase “press toward the goal” means to pursue, to go after something in an intense way. In addition to eagerness of spirit, we need to exert great effort to reach our goals. We need to clearly define worthy pursuits and forget about all of our failures. We need to exert energy to meet our goals and not let anything get in the way of reaching them.

Today ask the Lord to show you a goal worthy of your effort. Then ask Him to give you the enthusiasm and energy to press toward it. As you do so each day, you’ll get closer to “the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Persistent people begin their success where others end in failure.
—EDWARD EGGLESTON

Dr. Kennedy’s remarks remind me of the simple admonition of Winston Churchill to his people during the bleak days of WW II. The great statesman said, “NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up.” His words and those of Dr. Kennedy should remind us to be faithful and resolute in our Christian walk.

When it appears we have done all without success, we must be mindful “to stand,” Ephesians 6:13, yet we must remember that the Word admonishes us to stand after we have, “done all.”

We must do our part. We must “press toward the prize,” as Paul says in Philippians 3:13, 14; we must never give up in our pursuit of righteous goals, but in our pressing and pursuing, we must lean upon the One whose strength is made perfect in our weakness (see II Corinthians 12:9).

Lord Jesus, help us to always keep our focus on You, “the Author and Finisher of our faith,” Hebrews 12:2, and help us to always be mindful that our goal must be to achieve the work of Your Kingdom which You have set before us to do.

May we not be distracted by other pursuits, may we not be allured by mere temporal success or wealth or acclaim, but may we lay our lives at Your feet and serve You with surrendered hearts in the beauty of holiness.

And as we serve You, may we never, never, never give up!

Psalm 19

February 20
Psalm 19

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. 2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun, 5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. 6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of the great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Strength and my Redeemer.

Romans, Chapter 12

February 19
Romans, Chapter 12

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with you faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Love and Encourage One Another

February 18

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, (2) has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; (3) who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (4) having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they,” Hebrews 1:1-4.

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching,” Hebrews 10:24, 25.

The first passage of scripture describes what God has done for us through the laying down of the life of Jesus to save mankind from the penalty of sin. This is the profound act of love that is the Holy One’s “unspeakable GIFT,” II Corinthians 9:15, to everyone who’s ever lived.

The second passage encourages us to stir up love and its resultant good works among ourselves. We must fellowship together and urge one another to strive for the things that are eternal rather than for the things that are temporal. Paul stated unequivocally that placing our focus on the spiritual rather than on the temporal would be all the more important as the evidence of Christ’s soon return became more apparent.

None of us knows the day or the hour of the Second Coming of Christ; Jesus said that only the Father knows that appointed time (see Matthew 24:36, Mark 13:32), so we all must be ready at any moment.

The coming of Jesus for those who have put their trust in Him may be delayed for years, decades, centuries or millennia, but we know each of us will meet Him face-to-face at that hour when He calls us home. At that moment it will be too late to love as He has loved, to encourage as He has encouraged, to forgive as He has forgiven.

At that moment, our eternal fate will be sealed, depending on what we have done with the free gift God has given to us and we will have no further opportunities to do good works in His name.

The best way we can prepare ourselves to meet the Lord in the air (see I Thessalonians 4:17) or to slip earth’s mortal coil in death is by obeying Paul’s admonition in Hebrews 1:1-4, which admonishes us to love and encourage one another, even as our Savior has represented the Father to us by His love.

Loyalty in a Disloyal World

February 17
Loyalty In A Disloyal World by Dr. D. James Kennedy

Then Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’ Then Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’ —John 6:67–68

Orson Welles once complained, “When you’re down and out, something always turns up—and it’s usually the noses of your friends.”

How loyal are you to the people in your life?

Loyalty is a noble trait, but often people are more committed to themselves than to anyone or anything else. In view of so many dissolved marriages, you’d almost think the marriage vow states, “Till inconvenience do us part.” Most definitely, loyalty in our time seems rare, as evidenced by the alacrity with which people change friends, jobs, communities, spouses and churches.

Jesus knew the sting of betrayal. One time, after a large crowd abandoned Jesus, refusing to follow Him anymore, He turned to the twelve disciples and asked them if they were going to leave Him too. Peter answered so well for all of us who follow Christ: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”

Jesus then lamented that even one of those remaining twelve was a devil (referring to Judas—the ultimate example of disloyalty—who would betray Christ for money).

But the Bible also has some positive examples of loyalty. Consider King Saul’s son Jonathan, who made tremendous sacrifices for David. He even gave up his throne for David’s sake.

Or think of Ruth, who said to her mother-in-law, “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go…Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.” (Ruth 1:16). What a tremendous testimony of loyalty!

Loyalty is such a rare trait that those who exhibit it distinguish themselves from the rest of the world. I encourage you today to stay loyal and faithful to your spouse, your family, your church, your boss, and your friends. You will reap wonderful benefits for doing so.

And if you need an example of loyalty, look to our Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us.He gave His very life for us. No one is more loyal than Jesus is!

We as believers in Christ have been made aware by the Lord Himself that the world would persecute us. In John 16:33 He said, “In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”

If we were of the world, the world would embrace us as its own, but we have chosen to live our lives apart from the temporary treasure, the pseudo power, the feigned glory of the world and its allure so we can fully embrace Christ and His eternal gift. Though we may be captured by the evil entity that controls this sphere (see Ephesians 2:1-3), we know we are free because the Word of God assures, “Whom the Son sets free is free indeed,” John 8:36.

As we face peril because of our love for our Savior, will we remain loyal to Him? Will we, like Paul, count all life’s treasures as loss for the sake of knowing Jesus according to Philippians 3:7-9?

Our Lord and Savior and soon-coming King, help us to rely fully upon You in the day of trouble, for of ourselves, we cannot stand fast against the foe that hates us. With you, we are “more than conquerors,” Romans 8:37, and can “do all things through You who strengthen us,” Philippians 4:13.

Changed People Change People

February 16

Changed People Change People by Dr. Jim Denison

Meet Mark Meadows, owner of the Chick-fil-A on Highway 280 in Inverness, Alabama. Recently, an unkempt young man wearing jeans and a hoodie came into his restaurant. Though it was bitterly cold outside, he had no gloves.

Mark noticed the man and asked if he could get him something to eat. Then he gave the man his gloves, and brought him a meal. The entire episode took just a few moments, but a mom caught it on her cell phone and posted the story to her Facebook page. That's why you're reading about it today.

This is nothing new for Mark's store. For instance, they gave away chicken sandwiches last year when a blizzard struck the region. A woman employed by the restaurant for a decade says of Mark, "He's fantastic to work for. You get to watch someone live out an example of who you should be as a person every day. I know it's had a huge impact on me personally."

Why is Mark Meadows so generous? He explains that "it all comes from Truett Cathy and the Cathy family and the principles Chick-fil-A has been established on." One of those principles is "to glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us and to have a positive influence on all who come into contact with Chick-fil-A."

Truett Cathy has been in heaven since September, 2014, but his legacy will continue until our Lord returns. As Alfred North Whitehead noted, great people plant trees they'll never sit under.

Jesus called his followers the salt and light of our world (Matthew 5:13-16). He is using us to preserve and enlighten our culture.

However, human words cannot change human hearts. You and I cannot convict a single sinner of a single sin, or save a single soul. We cannot heal a marriage or transform a life. Only the Holy Spirit can change human spirits. The good news is that when we live faithfully, God uses our words and witness in ways we might never imagine.

Mark Meadows had no idea that his simple act of kindness would be the topic of today's post. You have no idea how God will use your faithfulness today to advance his Kingdom tomorrow.
Ask God to transform you into a clearer reflection of Jesus so everyone who knows you will recognize His good work in you. Let Him make you into a transformed person because changed people really do change people.

Stand in the Gap

February 15

Standing in the Gap
From: Today God Is First by Os Hillman

“I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none,” Ezekiel 22:30

The people of Israel fell into sin when they worshiped the golden calf (see Exodus 32:8), It would not be the last time God's people would fall into idol worship. They had forgotten the great things God had done for them. This angered God so much that He was going to destroy the whole nation. Only one thing changed God's mind in the matter—Moses.

Psalm 106:23 says, "...had not Moses, His chosen one, stood in the breach before Him to keep His wrath from destroying them..." Moses was a man willing to stand in the gap, sacrificially, for those who were not deserving of such sacrifice. This sacrificial love by Moses is called for among His people today.

The prophet Ezekiel described another situation in which God's people fell into sin. God was ready to destroy the nation when He spoke to Ezekiel, asking him if there is a man willing to stand in the gap so that God would not have to destroy His people.

Judah was a man who stood in the gap on behalf of his younger brother Benjamin. Joseph held his brother Simeon hostage as insurance that the other brothers would bring Benjamin to Egypt. Judah had a long history of a me-focused life, but in this instance he came forward to stand in the gap for his younger brother. He responded to the anguish of his father, Jacob, by personally guaranteeing the safe return of both Simeon and Benjamin. Judah's sacrifice was rewarded (see Genesis 42-43).

Just as Christ did, we are to be those who will stand in the gap on behalf of others who are not aware of their own vulnerable condition. It is a proactive, sacrificial position.

For whom is God calling you to stand in the gap? Perhaps it is a mate; perhaps it is a co-worker who has not come to know the Savior; perhaps it is a wayward child. Are you willing to become the sacrificial offering to God to change His plans of judgment because of your willingness to stand in their place?

This is a hard teaching. This is what Jesus did for each of us. When we stand in the place of another, God moves because of our willingness to stand on their behalf. If we don't, His plans will go forward because He is a righteous and holy God who will honor His own word, even if it means destruction.

Are you willing to stand in the breach of the wall for someone today? Perhaps you are the only person who will stand on someone's behalf.

As our Brother Hillman has here stated so clearly, we who believe in Jesus are called to a purpose greater than ourselves, greater than our own salvation. Were we not, He could simply allow us to die and achieve our heavenly reward at the moment of our salvation.

Instead of beckoning us home, He instead says to us, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature," Mark 16:15.

Oz Hillman has made another important observation in the verse he quoted here: “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before Me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none,” Ezekiel 22:30. This states clearly that God’s endeavor to find believers to stand in the gap for those who do not know Christ as Savior and Lord often falls short of His expectation.

Many of us have reneged on our calling to fulfill the ‘great commission.’ Many of us have become so preoccupied with living our life that we fail to observe the lost condition of those around us and we fail to appropriate our Lord’s charge to us that we remedy it by standing in the gap for them.

Let us resolve at this juncture in our walk of faith that we shall be mindful of the need for the unsaved to come to a knowledge of the Holy One who died to set them free from sin. Let us pray for the unsaved neighbors around us, let us be on our knees continually for the lost relatives in our families, let us beseech our Jesus to visit in the night those who commit acts of great evil out of a misguided effort to do their god a favor by slaying those who do not bow the knee before him.

Let us make Christ’s Kingdom’s greatest purpose—the salvation of lost souls—our own greatest purpose. Let us stand in the gap until there is no gap. Let us stand in the gap until there are no lost, unsaved men.

What Do You Fear?

February 14
WHAT DO YOU FEAR by Dr. D. James Kennedy

“After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’”

Do you face something that you fear? Then let Abram’s example in Genesis 14 encourage you to endure and to trust God.

Four kings had traveled all the way from the Mesopotamia area and had invaded Israel, taking captive the kings of Zoar, Sodom, Gomorrah, and other cities. In addition, these kings had plundered a lot of the goods belonging to these cities.

When Abram heard that the kings had taken captive his nephew Lot, he gathered together a few hundred menservants, armed them, and took off in pursuit. After traveling some distance, Abram overtook the kings’ forces, freed all the captives, and returned all the goods. Despite his heroic feat, Abram refused to take any reward, saying that he would not have it spread abroad that he had become rich by the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.

In Genesis 15 we read, “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’” After rescuing the captives, Abram had a great deal to fear. Four kings of good-sized nations were angry with him and could have come to exact retribution from him. But God, stronger and more powerful than those kings (and any tyrant on earth), told Abram not to fear, for God was his shield.

Like Abram, we face many fears—the trials and difficulties that come into our lives, our mortality, evil. This world is full of dangers, and so often we feel fear clutch at our hearts. Yet God comes to us again and again, saying, “Do not be afraid.”

The next time you feel fear creeping in, trust your Father who holds the future. He will bring you victory over every challenge you face.

The fear of God destroys all other fears. —HUGH BLACK

The Substance

February 13

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” Hebrews 11:1.

A clear understanding of the word faith in Hebrews 11 largely depends on how we perceive the word "substance" in verse one. In Greek, it is hypostasis, literally "a standing under." A more complex definition is "that which underlies what is apparent." Amplified a bit further, it is that which, though unseen, exists beneath what is visible.

It, then, has the sense of a foundation. Even as the foundation of a building is unseen, but the building above ground is apparent, the foundation, the hypostasis, is nonetheless real, supporting the building. Hypostasis is the unseen support of what is standing in clear view.

Spiritually, then, invisible faith underlies, supports, and thus motivates the visible action. However, that does not end the discussion of how hypostasis is to be understood. Should it be understood subjectively or objectively?

In other words, should we consider faith to be a quality, a virtue within us (that is, subjectively), or should we understand it as something not a part of us but on which we can rely (that is, objectively)? Neither of these usages is wrong, but one seems better than the other within the context of the entire Bible.

If the translators believed it should be understood subjectively, then the first phrase in Hebrews 11:1 will be translated similar to, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see."

Another subjective variation might be, "In faith, things hoped for become a reality." This emphasizes conviction, an internal certainty about what we believe.

If the translators believed it should be understood objectively, then the same phrase will be translated, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for" or "Faith is the title deed of things hoped for." This emphasizes something outside the person that he can rely upon.

This issue is not an easy matter. However, the subjective perspective, conviction within us, seems to be better, given the tenor of the entire epistle.

Certainly, Paul spends a great deal of time reminding the Hebrews of how great what they believe in is—that things pertaining to Christ are far better than anything ever before offered to mankind. This by itself would require an objective point of view. However, the real problem was within Hebrew hearts.

Paul was exhorting people who were letting the things of God slip away from them through personal neglect. It was not that they did not have something to believe in, for the epistle clearly states they had formerly done much better. Rather, through their lack of conviction, and thus their neglectful personal application, they were slip-sliding away. The real issue is subjective.

Several times, Paul urges them to recall former days and recapture the bold confidence they once had. Thus, though neither of these approaches is wrong, the subjective perspective is better, meaning Hebrews 11:1 is better translated, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see." The believer is convinced that the things he cannot see regarding God are real, so, from that perspective, he will act in fullness of hope.

Many claim to believe God, but what influence does their belief have on their behavior? If it wields little or no influence, they are unconvinced people, people without conviction who are seeking only an intellectual righteousness.

Such belief is without certainty, and it lackadaisically, gradually retreats instead of going forward in growth. These Hebrews had become this way under the pressure of time and trial.— John W. Ritenbaugh

Are we of the same mindset as the Hebrews who have succumbed to subtle doubt that has robbed us of steadfastness in our conviction and thereby of power in our prayers? Do we affirm our faith but leave the promises HE has made to those who believe for others who have never dealt with unanswered prayers, of disappointed hopes?

If we no longer pray with anticipation of seeing mighty miracles performed in response to our supplications at His Throne of Mercy and Grace, then we are among those whose belief may be sure of Him, of who He is and what He can do--we just don't expect Him to do anything for us!

May we not succumb to this proclivity to walk by sight; may we rather, stand in faith, nothing wavering, fully convinced that God is true and that, “what He has promised, He is able to perform,” Romans 4:21.

And then let us pray prayers of faith in power--in the kind of power that compels the hand of the Holy Savior to move mightily in response to hands that won't let go of the hem of His garment; to move mightily in response to faith that won't let go of the substance of His promises!

Even So, Come...

February 12

May all of us be able to say these words as Paul said them in his letter to Timothy when he was chained in a Roman dungeon awaiting execution:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who await His return," II Timothy 4:7, 8.

It appears that a religious world view will be the vehicle of the antichrist world system, but rather than simply accept that seeming eventuality, we must strive against it. In our striving, we cannot simply be against its progression toward world domination, we must offer an alternative. Faith in Christ is that alternative.

Jesus addressed this concept in Luke, Chapter 11:

14 Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15 But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, He is driving out demons.” 16 Others tested Him by asking for a sign from heaven.

17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. 19 Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. 22 But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder.

23 Whoever is not with Me is against Me, and whoever does not gather with Me scatters.

24 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ 25 When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”

It appears that we’re seeing this happen in many parts of the world today. Christians are having great success in their efforts to share the gospel of Christ with those who are oppressed under the doctrines of devils. That is why it is imperative that we not only declare the evil of demonic world views but offer their ‘anecdote,’ faith in Christ, the God of true peace and love as Jesus admonished that we do.

Are we in the last days of time? Are we seeing the vehicle by which the antichrist will endeavor to destroy all that the One True and Living God stands for? It appears so…

…But we must remember that the First Century Christians believed Nero was the antichrist. When Genghis Khan and his hordes swept westward, he was thought to be the antichrist. Adolph Hitler was certainly the antichrist in the minds of those who were trampled under his war machine. Stalin also, as he slaughtered thousands of his own people was thought to be more than a tyrant, but the personification of the evil one.

We, like all the believers of old who dealt with the evil entities of their day, must continue to “fight the good fight of faith,” and our battle must include not only resisting and overturning the efforts of the evil ones current wicked instrument of devastation of all God stands for, but planting Christ’s seeds of truth in their place.

We must continue doing the work of alerting a somnolent people of the horrific schemes of a wicked foe. We must continue to "fight the good fight," but we must also bathe our efforts in prayer and equip ourselves with a full knowledge of the scriptural alternative to all evil in all its forms.

We must remember that we don't fight against flesh and blood but "against spiritual wickedness, against darkness, in high places," Ephesians 6:12. Evil men merely carry out the wicked schemes of God's ancient foe and they need our prayers for their deliverance.

We must be God's man for this moment in time as we allow ourselves to be filled with the Holy Spirit of the Living God so HE can use us to the glory of Christ. And as we do, we must say as did our First Century counterparts, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus,” Revelation 22:20.

Recognizing Our Source

February 11

Recognizing Our Source
From: Today God Is First by Os Hillman

But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth. - Deuteronomy 8:18.

Pride is the greatest temptation to a successful minister, whether in the pulpit or among his peers. When we begin accumulating accolades for our efforts, influencing people, and becoming known for our success in witnessing the truth of Christ, we are most susceptible to falling to the most devious sin in God's eyes -- pride.

The Bible tells us that God is the reason we are able to be successful in any endeavor. It is not of our own doing. As soon as we move into the place where we begin to think more highly of ourselves than we ought, God says he will take action.

You may say to yourself, "My power and the strength of my hands have produced this success for me."....If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you today that you will surely be destroyed. Like the nations the Lord destroyed before you, so you will be destroyed for not obeying the Lord your God (Deuteronomy 8:17,19-20).

These are strong words from God. They demonstrate His utter impatience for any people who think that what they have accomplished has anything to do with their own power. It is God who gives us the skill, the mind, the resources, the energy, the drive, and the opportunities in life to accomplish anything. When we become prideful in heart, He will begin a process of reproof in our life as an individual. He will also cast down a nation that has become lofty in its conceit of who it is and the power it wields.

Today is a good day to examine whether we have fallen prey to pride. Are you sharing what God has entrusted to you with God's people, or the needy? Are you being the instrument of blessing that God desires for His people to be? What areas of pride have crept into your life? Ask the Lord to show you this today. And avoid being put on the shelf.

Must we not make every effort to align ourselves, our will, our words, our actions, our desires with the will, the words, the actions, the desires of the Holy One? Only Jesus can transform us from men who seek our own glory to men who yearn to see His name extolled on every tongue.

Indeed, one day, “Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord…” Romans 14:11. Should we not allow today to be that day for us? If we do, we shall be able to be used of Him to glorify Himself—in our own hearts and in the hearts of others. Nothing could be worse than failing in that endeavor because of our own pride.

Attuned

February 10

In Matthew 12: 43-45, Jesus says, “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”

In this passage Jesus makes it quite clear that it is not sufficient to merely empty oneself of negative or debasing or evil thoughts. It is not enough to clear ones mind of the clutter of day-to-day things, for it is inevitable that an empty space will be filled by something.

Unless an individual makes a concerted effort to replace the negative things within his sphere with things that are uplifting and good, the proclivity to return to disdainful thoughts, which lead to reprehensible deeds, will overtake him.

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul has given the remedy for man’s inclination to immerse himself in unprofitable thoughts and pursuits; he says:

“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord…

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you,” Philippians 4:1, 4-9.

Let us not merely empty ourselves of the clutter of the world and its opinion; rather, let us require lofty thoughts of ourselves! Let us allow ourselves to have within us “the mind of Christ,” Philippians 2:5 so in all our dealings with men, in all our innermost thoughts, in our relationship with our God, we will be attuned to His will and His way.

Psalm 53

February 9


1 The fool says in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
there is no one who does good.

2 God looks down from heaven
on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
any who seek God.
3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
there is no one who does good,
not even one.

4 Do all these evildoers know nothing?

They devour my people as though eating bread;
they never call on God.
5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
where there was nothing to dread.
God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
you put them to shame, for God despised them.

6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores his people,
let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!


The most grievous area of foolishness within the heart of one who will not receive correction is that which regards the Holy One. The man who has hardened his heart against God, no matter how accomplished he may appear to be, is void of true understanding.

Those who are arrested in their worldly pursuits and forsake them to follow “the One whom to know is life,” John 17:3, can be counted among the wise, among those who realize that earth and its treasure is fleeting but “the unspeakable GIFT,” II Corinthians 9:15, of heaven, Jesus Christ, is eternal.

Turned the World Upside Down

February 8

“These that have turned the world upside down are come here also,” Acts 17:6.

How long has it been since you’ve conveyed the Gospel of Jesus Christ with such passion and such power that those who heard you declared that you were virtually turning the world upside down?

Unfortunately, that assertion has probably never been made about you, just as it has rarely been made about any other believer in Christ. Why? Dr. D. James Kennedy penned some viable thoughts on that topic and they are worth our perusal:

“When you look at the impact of the Church in history, you can see the incredible ways Christianity has transformed the world for the better. Although these changes didn’t happen overnight, we see the gospel’s influence in abolishing slavery in the United States, bringing about university education, inspiring some of the greatest art in the world, causing hospitals to be built all over the world, and spreading a higher morality the world over.

“These changes occurred as Christians spread the gospel to the world around them. These powerful results reflect obedience to what I call “the cultural mandate” that God gave to humankind in Genesis 1—that we should subdue the earth for God’s glory.

“God has commissioned us to transform the world. Unfortunately, it’s easy to put our blinders on and ignore the impact of worldwide events. Too many professing Christians have developed a certain pietistic, self-centered view, pursuing only that which makes them feel good rather than the revolution Christ desires.

“I thank God for men and women who are genuinely concerned that the gospel of Christ has its application in every realm of the world. What role are you playing in making this dream a reality? Will you join God’s devoted servants as they endeavor to change the world to a better place for the glory of Jesus?”

Although not pointed out here by Dr. Kennedy, it is a reality that in our day, statistically, Christians are suffering more persecution than at any other point in history. Where other religions seem to enjoy the tolerance of most cultures, believers in Christ are persecuted in dramatic as well as in subtle ways by many who do not subscribe to the Gospel message.

The questions each of us who claim to know Jesus and who to have placed our lives at His feet must answer become, “How far will I go? How much of myself will I spend? How much of my life will I sacrifice?” in order to lift up the name of the One who died that I may live eternally.

Am I willing to turn my corner of the world upside down so the lost and dying may come to a knowledge of the Savior?

Albert Schweitzer

The story of Dr. Schweitzer provokes the question within each believer, "What am I sacrificing, what am I doing, to further the Kingdom of Christ and to lift up the Name that is above all names in the hearts and minds of men who know Him not?"

We may not be called upon to leave our home, our culture, our treasure behind to serve His purposes in a far-off land, but we each must determine what it is that He has called us to do.


February 7

Albert Schweitzer - Nobel Missionary to Africa by Bill Federer

Albert Schweitzer was born JANUARY 14, 1875, in a village in Alsace, Germany. The son of a Lutheran-Evangelical pastor, he won acclaim at playing the organ. He earned doctorates in philosophy and theology and served as pastor of St. Nicholai's Church, principal of St. Thomas College and was a professor at University of Strasbourg.

Then, at age 30, his life changed. He read a Paris Missionary Society article of the desperate need for physicians in Africa. To everyone's dismay, he enrolled in medical school and became a medical missionary.

He married in 1912, and the next year he and his wife founded a hospital in the jungle village of Lambarene, Gabon, west central Africa. After first using a chicken hut, they built their first hospital building of corrugated iron in 1913. When World War I started, the Schweitzers, were put under French military supervision, then interned in France.

After the war, he saved money and returned to Gabon in 1924. Staying in Africa throughout World War II, Albert Schweitzer later spoke in Europe and in 1949 visited the United States.

Albert Schweitzer joined Albert Einstein in warning the world of the dangers in developing nuclear weapons. In 1952, Dr. Albert Schweitzer was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and used the prize money to build a leper colony.

He embraced a philosophy of reverence for life, explaining: "For months on end, I lived in a continual state of mental agitation. Without the least success I concentrated - even during my daily work at the hospital - on the real nature of the affirmation of life and of ethics...I was wandering about in a thicket where no path was to be found. I was pushing against an iron door that would not yield.

In that mental state, I had to take a long journey up the river... Lost in thought, I sat on deck of the barge, struggling to find the elementary and universal concept of the ethical that I had not discovered in any philosophy. I covered sheet after sheet with disconnected sentences merely to concentrate on the problem.

Two days passed.

Late on the third day, at the very moment when, at sunset, we were making our way through a herd of hippopotamuses, there flashed upon my mind, unforeseen and unsought, the phrase: 'Ehrfurcht vor dem Leben' ('Reverence for Life'). The iron door had yielded. The path in the thicket had become visible."

Albert Schweitzer's words stand in contrast to cultures engaging in abortion, euthanasia, organ harvesting and honor-killings. He stated: "Ethics is nothing other than Reverence for Life.

Reverence for Life affords me my fundamental principle of morality, namely, that good consists in maintaining, assisting and enhancing life, and to destroy, to harm or to hinder life is evil."

Dr. Albert Schweitzer wrote in Indian Thought and Its Development (1935): "The laying down of the commandment to not kill and to not damage is one of the greatest events in the spiritual history of mankind."

Dr. Albert Schweitzer wrote in his autobiography Out of My Life and Thought: An Autobiography (1931): "The world-view based on reverence for life is, through the religious character of its ethic of active love and through its fervor, essentially akin to that of Christianity...What Christianity needs is to be filled with the spirit of Jesus Christ, to become living, intense, a religion of love which it was meant to be. Since I myself am deeply devoted to Christianity, I seek to serve it with fidelity and truth. I hope that the thought which has resulted in this simple, ethical-religious idea - reverence for life - may help to bring Christianity and thought closer to each other."

The Voice of the Martyrs documents crimes committed against Christian minorities in Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, Turkey, Palestine, Uzbekistan, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Indonesia, and Nigeria. After reading these reports, one is challenged by a sermon of Dr. Albert Schweitzer, January 6, 1905:

"Our Christianity - yours and mine - has become a falsehood and a disgrace, if the crimes are not atoned for in the very place where they were instigated...For every person who committed an atrocity...someone must step in to help in Jesus' name; for every person who robbed, someone must bring a replacement; for everyone who cursed, someone must bless...

When you speak about missions, let this be your message: We must make atonement for all the terrible crimes we read of in the newspapers. We must make atonement for the still worse ones, which we do not read about in the papers, crimes that are shrouded in the silence of the jungle night."

After his wife died, Dr. Albert Schweitzer continued to work in Africa till he died at the age of 90. Overcoming innumerable difficulties, he once wrote: "One day, in my despair, I threw myself into a chair in the consulting room and groaned out:'What a blockhead I was to come out here to doctor savages like these!'...

Whereupon his native assistant quietly remarked: 'Yes, Doctor, here on earth you are a great blockhead, but not in heaven.'"

Dr. Albert Schweitzer wrote: "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve."

The World Is Our Parish

February 6

What In The World Are We Doing? By Dr. D. James Kennedy

…‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.’ —Acts 17:6

Do you ever sit back and wonder about your purpose in life? Do you wish to know at the end of your life that you didn’t live in vain? Socrates said that an unexamined life is not worth living. I think it behooves us from time to time to ask, “What in the world am I doing? What is my life really amounting to?”

I believe we should “be about our Father’s business”—advancing the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. What could be more important—and more meaningful?

In the book of Acts, we read that the early Christians were “turning the world upside down.” The world had been turned upon its head in the fall and rebellion of humankind, and it desperately needed to be turned right side up. Though the early Christians faithfully pursued this goal, our world still needs to be turned right side up so that individuals might see God as He really is.

Men and women need to turn their eyes from the material mud flats beneath—even if those “flats” are breathtaking mansions on waterfront property—and lift their eyes to the stars and know that God has created humanity for eternal life with Him.

My friends, our world still needs a spiritual revolution that turns the world upside down! But I am afraid that many Christians are like Edith. Edith is described in a certain novel as a small country bounded on the north, the south, the east, and the west by Edith itself. So many of us seem like that country, self-absorbed in our little circumscribed worlds. We don’t pay attention to anything outside our spheres of concern.

Are you a world revolutionary? Have you determined in your heart to change the world, to turn it upside down for Christ? Have you hitched your life to this grand cause? Or are you meandering around in some small eddy out of the main current of human events? If you haven’t already, join in the grand plan to win as many people for Christ as you can. Determine today to touch one life with Christ’s love. This is “what in the world” we should be doing.

I look upon the world as my parish. —JOHN WESLEY



Although Dr. Kennedy witnessed many disheartening events during his lifetime, he did not live to see the rise of isis abroad or the falling away of the faithful or the abrogation of a meaningful world leadership role on the part of the country to which he ministered in love.

“Those of us who are alive and remain…” I Thessalonians 4:16 anticipate Christ’s return with fervent expectation but are aware that so did the early Church. We know His coming could be at any moment, but we also know that centuries have gone by since the promise was given to the throng that watched Him arise to Heaven.

The words of the angels, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing into Heaven? This same Jesus who is taken from you shall return in like manner as you have seen Him go,” Acts 1:11, are as true today as when they were first spoken, but many in our generation care nothing for the truth that Jesus will return to redeem the faithful to Himself.

So, what should we do? How should people of faith comport themselves in this day of apostasy and indifference? It seems the only viable conclusion for us to reach is that we, like First Century believers, must be among those who “turn the world upside down,” Acts 17:6, in an effort to bring all humankind to a saving knowledge of the One whom to know is life (see John 17:3). Like John Wesley, we must see the world as our parish.

The Realm of the Spirit--Believe and Receive

February 5

What is the place for supernatural visitations in our lives? Are they for everyone—or just a few special people? From Charisma Magazine

A "visitation" is an experience that lifts us out of the realm of the natural into the very atmosphere of God—the realm of the Spirit. It is a "God-touch"—an encounter in which the Holy Spirit reveals truth to us in a supernatural way.

We learn many things from others and from the Bible—great truths about God, Jesus, heaven, redemption and so on. But much of this input goes through the mind. It takes on a totally different dimension when we learn it by the Spirit. Reading about heaven, and even having an understanding of it in the heart, cannot compare to actually visiting it ourselves.

Although we are commanded to "walk by faith, not by sight," 2 Corinthians 5:7, God sometimes chooses to bring revelation by allowing the Holy Spirit to show us things, thereby making them more real. Jesus told us He would do this. He said, speaking of the Holy Spirit, "He will glorify Me, for He will receive from Me and will declare it to you," John 16:14.

The Holy Spirit often manifests the power, presence and truth of God in special visitations. These visitations are for every child of God.

Jesus died that we might be delivered from sin and death, but His death and resurrection also opened the way for us to walk in the supernatural realm of the Spirit, which includes divine visitations. "You have granted me life and loyal love, and Your care has preserved [kept, quickened, strengthened] my spirit," Job declared in Job 10:12.

You may be wondering something many believers find disconcerting, that being, if visitations are available to all believers, why don't all believers experience them? Jesus said, "According to your faith, let it be done for you" (see Matthew 9:29).

We do not receive because we do not ask, and sometimes when we do ask, we do not ask in faith. There are many things God has made available to us, but often our unbelief prevents us from being in the flow of the Spirit. When we do believe, our faith gives the Holy Spirit a vehicle to flow through and bring the manifestation that we need in our lives. When we do not, the Holy Spirit cannot work. It is contrary to His nature to work through unbelief, for He is a Spirit of faith and truth.

When I was first filled with the Holy Spirit many years ago, I eagerly learned about miracles, healing, the gifts of the Spirit and supernatural manifestations of the presence of God. But I had a hard time believing they were for me personally.

I had been a good evangelical Christian for 12 years, and somehow I had gotten the impression that for these kinds of "favors," you must be qualified—meaning you had to have a special ministry, be a great saint, or live as a missionary in the jungle. But God showed me that I could walk in the Spirit just as Jesus did (see Galatians 5:25). I began to see that this was my inheritance as a Christian.

Not long after I made the decision in my heart to believe that the realm of the Spirit—angels, heaven and supernatural manifestations—were my inheritance, I began to experience them. I began to see the things I had only read about before.

The first time I was lifted out of the natural into the Spirit I saw the heavenly Jerusalem. Several years later I had another visitation and was lifted into heaven every day for seven days. Another time I was taken into heaven daily for three and a half weeks. These experiences were awesome and changed my life.

Am I some kind of special person to be blessed with such experiences? No! I have no particular qualifications, talent or anointing. But I did decide to believe that all the things of God are for ME.

They are for YOU too. Simply believe and receive.

Rejoin

February 4

“…for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica…” II Timothy 4:10.

Mark and Demas were both colleagues of the apostle Paul and they clearly illustrate the startling contrast between faithful and faithless soldiers in God’s army. In the beginning, Demas seemed a better soldier for Christ than Mark for he had served as Paul’s right-hand man. Demas traveled with Paul on each of his missionary journeys. Along with Paul, Demas had experienced shipwreck, beatings and trial of every sort that Paul endured.

Mark, on the other hand, had abandoned Paul on his first trip. Mark had gone home, and when he felt ready to resume serving, Paul refused to allow Mark to rejoin his team. At this point, Mark joined Barnabas and traveled as a missionary partner with him. During this time when Mark was being mentored by the seasoned missionary, he grew into a faithful man of God who served the Kingdom of Christ with all his strength.

While in his prison cell awaiting death, Paul realized which man was the true servant of Christ; which one was the faithful soldier in His army. Demas had now forsaken him, “having loved this present world,” II Timothy 4:10, and Paul eagerly awaited Mark’s arrival. By this time, Paul considered him to be “profitable in the ministry,” II Timothy 4:11. In fact, in addition to traversing the known world to propagate the knowledge of the Living Savior, Mark also authored the Gospel of Mark. Indeed, he was not the unprofitable servant that Paul originally thought him to be.

Have you failed the Lord? Have you fallen short of your own expectation of how faithfully and committedly you would serve the Kingdom of Christ? Have you sinned after your initial conversion to Jesus and now consider yourself to be damaged goods that are unfit to be part of the Body of Christ?

If so, it is obvious that you are in good company. If you have disappointed everyone, including yourself, follow Mark’s example and place yourself under a godly mentor by whose nurture and example you will be able to flourish into the person of faith that the Holy One has ordained that you be.

Then rejoin the Army of Faithful soldiers in its striving to share the truth of Jesus with all men; then, fight the good fight to the end!

I Am

February 3

“But He said to them, 'It is I; do not be afraid'” John 6:20.

The three words, "It is I," are in Greek only two words (ego eimi), and they are much more powerful and significant than most Bible readers realize. Jesus says not, "It is I" but "I am," which is a direct assertion of His deity.

Moses had asked God:

"Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?" And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you,'" Exodus 3:13-14.

Jesus is here declaring that He is Yahweh, the living and true God of Old Testament. This assertion is made throughout the New Testament for there are a number of significant amplifications of this: Christ is the "I AM" that is the bread of life; the light of the world; the good shepherd; the resurrection; the way, the truth, and the life; and the Alpha and Omega, among other things ( See John 6:35; 8:12; 10:11; 11:25; 14:6; Revelation 1:8).

In the incident where the disciples were terrified by the treacherous sea in which they found themselves, they showed that they were growing in faith. In the earlier miracle of Christ stilling the storm on the sea, they had asked, "Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:27), but now they have advanced in their knowledge to recognizing Jesus as God, as the term "Son of God" indicates, and worshiping Him.

In the Garden of Gethsemane the night before the crucifixion, the term "I AM" was used again and was unmistakable in its implication. When soldiers came to arrest Jesus, He went forward and said to them, "Who are you seeking?"

They answered Him, "Jesus of Nazareth."

Jesus said to them, "I am He" ("He" has been inserted by the translators) And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, "I am He," they drew back and fell to the ground,” John 18:4-6.

Recognizing that Jesus is God is imperative to true worship. The words Jesus said to the woman at the well, "You worship what you do not know," John 4:22, are as true today as they were when He spoke them to her, for it is unfortunate that millions of people today, including many professing believers, sadly do not know who He truly is.

We must devote ourselves to gaining a true knowledge of who Jesus is so we can offer acceptable worship to Him; so we can fully understand at whose feet we have placed our lives for time and eternity.

Trust the Lord

February 2
Trust the Lord by Dr. D. James Kennedy

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths,” Proverbs 3:5–6.

Proverbs 3:5–6 offers us direction and guidance as we stand at the threshold of each new beginning of our lives. Whether we are embarking upon a new career or a new relationship or simply a new day, we are in need of the direction only the Lord can give to us.

Mankind desperately needs God’s direction for life, for apart from Him, when we don’t have His mind in a matter we subject ourselves to the threat of abysmal failure in whatever we try to accomplish on our own, to achieve apart from Him.

How do we receive His guidance: How can we know His will? Although there is latitude for Him to speak by various and sundry methods to His children, there are some basic tenets we can apply in our pursuit of His guidance for our lives.

We know that by trusting in the Lord with all of our hearts and not leaning on our own understanding we can attain a lofty level of faith that will supply much direction as we follow our daily walk with Him. The Holy One doesn’t ask us to stop using our reason, our common sense, our desires regarding the pursuits before us, but He does want us to avoid relying on our own self-confidence.

The world affirms to us that we are to cultivate that trait. From our earliest childhood, we are admonished to assume responsibility for ourselves, and indeed we should, but if we rely upon ourselves apart from the spiritual admonition to rely on the Lord as we are directed in Proverbs 3:5, 6, we rob ourselves of the blessing, of the joy of following fast after Jesus.

Often what the world affirms, the Lord abhors, including our own self-reliance. It is not that the hand that fashioned us wants us to be little children all our lives who cannot function independently, but God wants us to rely on Him and Him alone for the ultimate decision as to what avenue we shall pursue.

As you choose your goals and the avenues you will use to pursue them, trust God to guide you. Don’t use your own reasoning to back up your plans; ask God to guide you, then listen for His answer.



Dr. Kennedy has written: Proverbs 3:5, 6 promises us that if we acknowledge God, He’ll direct our paths. So how do we acknowledge God? We acknowledge our Lord by seeing Him in every aspect of our lives, by having a vision of Him and His providential workings in and through us. We acknowledge Him by seeking Him first in all we do and by obeying His commandments.

What has God done in your life recently? And how can you remain obedient to His call on your life?

As you acknowledge God’s rightful place in your life, He’ll direct you along the pathways of your life. He does this in three main ways.

First, God directs through His Word. As long as believers follow Scripture, they can be certain they’re traveling the right path.

Second, God directs His people through circumstances in their lives. Sometimes He guides them by opening doors, sometimes by closing them. Sometimes He makes their paths smooth; sometimes He allows them to stumble and fall flat on their faces. Sometimes He removes obstacles; sometimes He throws them in their way.

Third, God guides people of faith through His Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Spirit’s “still small voice” pulls them back from a venture they’ve planned, and only much later they discover that He has spared them from disaster!

Although it may not always be easy to see God’s hand immediately, He does guide when believers trust Him. Often His guidance is seen most clearly in retrospect. But those who come to Him can rely on His promise to provide direction if they trust Him in every aspect of their lives—in their home lives, at work, at school, as they drive their cars, as they eat their meals, as they conduct business.

As you ponder your goals, invite God to guide you. As you acknowledge Him, He’ll direct you down the right path for your life.

As Edward Hooper stated so well, may we who profess faith say today, “Jesus, Savior, pilot me, over life’s tempestuous sea.”

Yes, We Should

February 1

“Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost! And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. So He said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, Lord, save me! And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Matthew 14: 25-31.

Have you ever walked on water? Me either. Yet in this passage of scripture, Jesus remonstrates Peter for his lack of faith in doing so. Why? Why would the One present at creation, the One “without whom nothing was made that was made,” John 1:3, the One who “knows our frame,” Psalm 103:14, because He made us as we are, tell Peter that he lacked faith because he could not do something he had not been designed to do?

For three reasons: 1. Peter asked Jesus to command him to walk to Him on the water, 2. Jesus said, “Come,” 3. The incident is an example to us.

Peter requested that the Lord allow him to walk to Him on the water. Peter asked for something extraordinary that required great faith to even contemplate. Most of Jesus’ followers wouldn’t have extended such a request to the Holy One…it would not have crossed their minds to ask for something so beyond human capability.

But when Peter evidenced the faith to request the impossible, Jesus complied; He assented to Peter’s outlandish request—and for a brief moment in time, until Peter’s faith collapsed under the burden of his concept of reality—a man did the impossible. It is entirely possible that had Peter’s faith not failed him, he might have walked all the way to the shore!

This is an amazing example to believers today because sooner or later all of us will call upon the Lord to do something extraordinary in our lives or in the lives of those for whom we pray. We will ask for some great thing. We will ask Jesus to supply the finances for a burdensome debt that we cannot pay with our own resources. We will ask the Lord to heal someone of a dreaded disease for which medicine has exhausted its resources and there is no cure. We will supplicate in the behalf of a nation’s redemption from the moral and spiritual abyss into which it’s plummeted.

And we have His Word that assures His willingness to meet every need, to answer every prayer: “God is able to supply all you need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:19. According to John 14:12, we shall, “…do greater works than I have done because I go to the Father.” II Chronicles 9:14 promises, “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, then will I hear from Heaven and forgive their sin and heal their land.”

In all these supplications that are on the lips of so many believers, Jesus has said to us as He spoke to Peter, “Come.” But we waver in our faith. We fall back into doubt. We see the formidable circumstances and we lack the holy boldness to persist in prayer until the work is done!

Should we not learn from Peter’s error and not repeat it? Should we not lay hold of the precious promises and claim them until He performs them? Yes, we should!