Inspiration & Motivation ~ A Prayer To The Everlasting Light May 29, 2014

A Prayer To The Everlasting Light

 

Father, we thank You for the incarnation of Jesus who saw our greatest need and gave fully of Himself to reconcile us to You.  We are eternally grateful that our sin debt was paid by the sinless Lamb of God.  We thank You for our Redeemer and friend, Jesus, the everlasting Light of Glory who chooses to be revealed in an imperfect people.  What greater love could there be!  We humbly thank You, Father, in the name of Jesus.

 

Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

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Daily Inspiration & Motivation May 29, 2014

1 Timothy 6:17-19

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

To LISTEN to 1 Timothy 6  

Romans 8:28

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 

To LISTEN to Romans 8

 

Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

To LISTEN to Proverbs 18

 

 

 

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Our Daily Bread ~ Quest For Stolen Treasure May 29, 2014

Quest For Stolen Treasure

By Joe Stowell 

Read: Matthew 4:18-22

To LISTEN to Matthew 4

[Jesus] said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” —Matthew 4:19

Bible in a Year:

2 Chronicles 7-9; John 11:1-29

To LISTEN to 2 Chronicles 7

To LISTEN to 2 Chronicles 8

To LISTEN to 2 Chronicles 9 

To LISTEN to John 11

In J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, the dwarfs gathered to go up against Smaug, the fierce dragon, to retrieve their stolen treasure. In spite of the dangerously frightening quest, Balin, the dwarfs’ second-in-command, expressed confidence in Thorin: “There is one I could follow. There is one I could call King.” His commitment to the mission, as dangerous as it was, was empowered by his confidence in his leader.

At the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He gathered a group around Him that would join Him in the kingdom task of rescuing the treasure of lost souls from our enemy, Satan. When He called them, He said, “Follow Me” (Matt. 4:19). For them, following Jesus would mean a radical transition from catching fish to the enterprise of being fishers of men and women who were lost in the grip of sin. But the task would not always be easy; Jesus referred to the quest as taking up our cross to follow Him (see Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23).

How do we stay engaged in the battle to reclaim Christ’s lost treasures when it seems intimidating or awkward? By keeping our eye on our Leader. He indeed is worthy—One we can follow, the One we call King!

Lord, in the face of intimidation and fear when

seeking to engage others with the gospel, remind

me that they are Your lost treasures. I count it

a privilege to follow You into others’ lives.

 Follow your Leader into the lives of those around you.

Inspiration & Motivation ~ A Prayer To Be A People Of Prayer May 28, 2014

A Prayer To Be A People Of Prayer Father, we are so grateful for the power of prayer and its positive affect in our lives.  Yet we confess that we don’t avail ourselves to Your prescribed means of communication nearly as often as we should.  Jesus quoted Scripture when refuting Satan’s temptations in the wilderness experience and He spent time in intense prayer when He needed strength, courage, and faith for the trials that lay ahead.  We likewise pray for our brothers and sisters, that their faith in You will mature and that they will remain faithful in times of testing. We pray for ourselves that we will stand firm and remain confident in our Christian faith as we oppose the evil forces in this world.  In the name of Jesus we ask these things. Amen!

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Daily Inspiration & Motivation May 28, 2014

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

To LISTEN to Proverbs 31

 

Philippians 2:14-16

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life -- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

To LISTEN to Philippians 2

 

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

 

To LISTEN to John 15

 

 

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Our Daily Bread ~ The Crash May 28, 2014

The Crash May 28, 2014

 

 

The Crash

By Randy Kilgore 

 

Read: Micah 7:8-9,18-20 

To LISTEN to Micah 7

 

 

He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness. —Micah 7:9 

Bible in a Year:

2 Chronicles 4-6; John 10:24-42 

To LISTEN to 2 Chronicles 4

To LISTEN to 2 Chronicles 5

To LISTEN to 2 Chronicles 6

To LISTEN to John 10

For years after the Great Depression, the stock market struggled to win back investors’ confidence. Then, in 1952, Harry Markowitz suggested that investors spread their stock holdings over several companies and industries. He developed a theory for portfolio selection that helped investors in uncertain times. In 1990, Markowitz and two others won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for their theory.

Like those jittery investors, we followers of Jesus may also find ourselves frozen in fear after a “crash” in our personal lives, unsure how to pick up the pieces and move on. We might even spend our remaining lives waiting for a “Markowitz moment,” when one big idea or action can help us recover from a previous failure.

We forget that Jesus has already done that on our behalf. He covered our shame, and He set us free to fellowship with God and serve Him daily. Because He gave His life, and rose from the dead, when we “fall,” we can “arise” with Him, for “He delights in mercy” (Micah 7:8,18).

The moment we find Jesus, our eternity with Him begins. He walks alongside us so He can change us into the people we long to be and were created to be. 

Father, my actions aren’t adequate to fix my

failures. Thank You for doing that through

Your Son Jesus who gave Himself for us.

Help me to look up and walk with You. 

Look up from your failure, and you’ll find God standing ready to receive you.

Inspiration & Motivation ~ A Prayer For Spiritual Fruitfulness May 27, 2014

A Prayer For Spiritual Fruitfulness Father, You who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until You call me heavenward or until the day of Christ’s return. May I willingly submit and quickly obey Your voice so that I will bear much spiritual fruit. I pray that the Fruit of the Spirit will characterize my life as I faithfully yield to the work of the Holy Spirit. Amen! DailyBibleQuotes http://download.dailybibleguide.com

Daily Inspiration & Motivation May 27, 2014

Galatians 6:7-9 

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 

To LISTEN to Galatians 6 

Philippians 2:14-16

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life -- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

To LISTEN to Philippians 2 

Proverbs 31:30

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 

To LISTEN to Proverbs 31 

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Our Daily Bread ~ Blessed Forgetfulness May 27, 2014

Blessed Forgetfulness

By Julie Ackerman Link 

 

Read: John 10:1-10

To LISTEN to John 10

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved. —John 10:9

Bible in a Year:

2 Chronicles 1-3; John 10:1-23

To LISTEN to 2 Chronicles 1

To LISTEN to 2 Chronicles 2

To LISTEN to 2 Chronicles 3

My office is downstairs, but I make frequent trips upstairs to various rooms in my house for one thing or another. Unfortunately, by the time I get upstairs I often forget what I was planning to do when I got there. Researcher Gabriel Radvansky has come up with an explanation for this phenomenon. He proposes that a doorway serves as an “event boundary.”

After conducting three different experiments, he theorized that a doorway signals the brain that the information held in memory can be filed away—but it’s frustrating when I’m standing there trying to remember why I came upstairs. However, forgetfulness can be a blessing. When I shut the door to our bedroom at night and settle down to sleep, it’s a blessing to forget the worries of the day.

When I think of the fact that Jesus called Himself “the door” (John 10:7,9), I gain a new appreciation for this metaphor. When sheep enter the pen, they enter a safe place protected from thieves and predators. For believers, the Great Shepherd is the door between us and our enemies. Once we enter the sheepfold, we can “forget” all dangers and threats. We can enjoy divine forgetfulness and rest in the protection of the Great Shepherd.

 Thank You, Father, for the peace of mind

that comes from knowing You are standing

watch over the events of our lives. Help us

to rest securely in Your protection.

 Christ is the door that keeps us in and keeps the dangers out.

Inspiration & Motivation ~ A Prayer For A Heart Cleansing may 26, 2014

A Prayer For A Heart Cleansing Father, You are the Divine cardiologist who knows the very inmost part of my spiritual heart. People see only the outward person when I am proficient at presenting myself differently than the person I really am inside, but I cannot hide from You that which comes from my inward parts. You liken the heart to that which is the most central part of our emotions and character. I invite You to not only search my heart, but I ask You to remove the offensive contaminants such as jealousy, bitterness, disobedience, rage, or any other impurity that destroys my soul, for no one but You can heal all my soul’s diseases. *I praise You, Lord, for cleansing me from sin. Fulfill Your word and make me pure within. Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame; grant my desire to magnify Your name. Amen! DailyBibleQuotes http://download.dailybibleguide.com  

Daily Inspiration & Motivation May 26, 2014

Romans 3:21-24

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

To LISTEN to Romans 3

Proverbs 11:18

The wicked man earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. 

To LISTEN to Proverbs 11

Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

To LISTEN to Philippians 4

Our Daily Bread ~ A Call To Comfort May 26, 2014

A Call To Comfort

By David C. McCasland 

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11
To LISTEN to 2 Corinthians 1

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. —2 Corinthians 1:3

Bible in a Year:

1 Chronicles 28-29; John 9:24-41
To LISTEN to 1 Chronicles 28
To LISTEN to 1 Chronicles 29

To LISTEN to John 9

 In their book Dear Mrs. Kennedy, Jay Mulvaney and Paul De Angelis note that during the weeks following the assassination of US President John Kennedy, his widow, Jacqueline, received nearly one million letters from people in every part of the world. Some came from heads of state, celebrities, and close friends. Others were sent by ordinary people who addressed them to “Madame Kennedy, Washington” and “Mrs. President, America.” All wrote to express their grief and sympathy for her great loss.

When people suffer and we long to help, it’s good to recall Paul’s word-picture of “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” as “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). Our heavenly Father is the ultimate source of every tender mercy, kind word, and helpful act that brings encouragement and healing. Bible scholar W. E. Vine says that paraklesis—the Greek word translated “comfort”—means “a calling to one’s side.” The words comfort and consolation appear repeatedly in today’s Bible reading as a reminder that the Lord holds us close and invites us to cling to Him.

As the Lord wraps His loving arms around us, we are able to embrace others “with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (v.4).

Father, thank You for letting us share with You

our worries and cares. We’re grateful that You

stand beside us to comfort and guide. Help us

to console others as You look out for Your own.

God comforts us so that we can comfort others.

Daily Inspiration & Motivation May 25, 2014

 

Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

To LISTEN to Romans 15

 

 

Matthew 16:26

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

To LISTEN to Matthew 16

 

 

Romans 10:17

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

To LISTEN to Romans 10



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Our Daily Bread ~ Pace Yourself May 25, 2014

 

 

 

Pace Yourself

By Dennis Fisher 

 

Read: Mark 6:30-36

To LISTEN to Mark 6

 

Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while. —Mark 6:31

Bible in a Year:

1 Chronicles 25-27; John 9:1-23
 

To LISTEN to 1 Chronicles 25

To LISTEN to 1 Chronicles 26

To LISTEN to 1 Chronicles 27
 

To LISTEN to John 9


Not long ago I developed a physical problem. My left shoulder and arm were aching, I had a painful rash on my forearm and thumb, and I struggled daily with fatigue. When I finally went to the doctor, I learned that I had a case of shingles. The doctor put me on antiviral medication and said it would take several weeks for the disease to run its course.

Because of this illness, I had to force myself into a new routine. A short nap in the morning and one in the afternoon were necessary to give me the strength to be productive. Until I recovered, I had to learn to pace myself.

At one point when Jesus sent His representatives out to teach in His name, they were so excited with all they were doing that they neglected to take time to eat and rest properly. When they returned, Christ told them: “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31). 

Everyone needs rest, and if we go too long without it, we will suffer physically and emotionally. We also will be unable to carry out our responsibilities as well as we should. Is the Lord encouraging you to “come aside . . . and rest a while”? Sometimes a few more rest stops with Him may be necessary.

I come aside from the world of strife,

With its burdens, trials, and the cares of life

To a beautiful, quiet, restful place

Where I commune with my Jesus face to face. —Brandt

 

To avoid a breakdown, take a break for rest and prayer.

Daily Inspiration & Motivation ~ A Prayer of Anticipation for May 24, 2014

A Prayer Of Anticipation

Father, we look forward to the mysterious moment when we who follow Christ will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, when the trumpet sounds from heaven. Our perishable bodies will take on the imperishable and we will be forever young, no longer plagued with the moans and groans of this earthly body. Until Christ returns or until You call us home, we remain hopeful and vigilant in our spiritual pilgrimage, no matter the condition of this flesh and blood body. In Jesus’ name we pray.

Amen!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Daily Inspiration & Motivation May 24, 2014

 

 

Matthew 16:26

What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 

To LISTEN to Matthew 16

 

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

To LISTEN to 2 Corinthians 12

 

 

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

To LISTEN to James 5



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Our Daily Bread ~ An Appropriate Name May 24, 2014

 

An Appropriate Name

By Bill Crowder 

 

Read: Matthew 1:18-25

To LISTEN to Matthew 1

 

You shall call His name Jesus. —Matthew 1:21

 

Bible in a Year:

1 Chronicles 22-24; John 8:28-59

To LISTEN to 1 Chronicles 22

To LISTEN to 1 Chronicles 23

To LISTEN to 1 Chronicles 24 

To LISTEN to John 8

 

The name of the southeastern Asian nation of Indonesia is formed by combining two Greek words which together mean “island.” That name is appropriate because Indonesia is made up of more than 17,500 islands spanning nearly 750,000 square miles. Indonesia—an appropriate name for a nation of islands.

 

In the Bible, we find that people were often given names—sometimes at birth, sometimes later—that made a statement about them or their character. Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement,” continually encouraged those he encountered. Jacob, whose name means “schemer,” repeatedly manipulated people and situations for his own selfish ends.

 

And no one has ever been more appropriately named than Jesus. When the angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph about Mary’s soon-to-be-born Son, he told Joseph, “You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21).

 

Jesus means “the Lord saves” and defines both who Jesus is and why He came. He was also called Immanuel, which means “God with us” (1:23). His name reveals our eternal hope! 

How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear!

It soothes his sorrow, heals his wounds,

And drives away his fear. —Newton

 The name of Jesus is at the heart of our faith and our hope.

Daily Inspiration & Motivation May 23, 2014

 

 

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

To LISTEN to Romans 3

 

 

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness Tweet

To LISTEN to 2 Timothy

 

 

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

To LISTEN to Romans 5

 

 

 

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To LISTEN to Our Daily Bread~More Than We Deserve May 23, 2014

 

More Than We Deserve

By Joe Stowell 

 

Read: Psalm 103:6-18

To LISTEN to Psalm 103

 

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. —Psalm 103:10

 

Bible in a Year:

1 Chronicles 19-21; John 8:1-27

To LISTEN to 1 Chronicles 19

To LISTEN to 1 Chronicles 20

To LISTEN to 1 Chronicles 21

 

To LISTEN to John 8

 

Sometimes when people ask how I’m doing, I reply, “Better than I deserve.” I remember a well-meaning person responding, “Oh no, Joe, you deserve a lot,” to which I replied, “Not really.” I was thinking about what I truly deserve—God’s judgment.

We easily forget how sinful we are at the core of our being. Thinking of ourselves more highly than we should diminishes our sense of deep indebtedness to God for His grace. It discounts the price He paid to rescue us.

Time for a reality check! As the psalmist reminds us, God “has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities” (Ps. 103:10). Considering who we are in light of a holy and just God, the only thing we truly deserve is hell. And heaven is an absolute impossibility—except for the gift of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. If God never does anything more than redeem us, He has already done far more than we deserve. No wonder the psalmist says, “As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him” (v.11).

Knowing ourselves for what we are, we can’t help but say, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound!” He gives us so much more than we deserve.

 

Lord, thank You for not dealing with me according

to my sins. I am indebted to You for the love and

grace that You demonstrated on the cross to

purchase my pardon and forgiveness—far beyond what I deserve!

 

If God never does anything more than redeem us, He has already done far more than we deserve.