That night some shepherds were in the fields, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord.
It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness fell over the whole land until the ninth hour,
because the sun was obscured; and the veil of the temple was torn in two.
And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit My spirit.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Lay Your Difficulties Before the Lord
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Build Your Character Through Adversity
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Know That The Lord Will Avenge
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Trust That the Lord Will Always Be Faithful
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Flee from Unrighteousness
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Do Not Envy
Monday, December 20, 2010
Drink From the River
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Suffer For His Namesake
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Consider Where You Are With God
(Romans 11:1-6) I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? "Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
God's love and mercy for His people extends far beyond their ability or intentions to honor and obey Him. In order to contend with open rebellion, God will at times—when necessary—take His own to a place where it seems as though He has forsaken them. If you ignore God and continue to disobey or ignore His commands, He will disgrace you, strip you of all you have and care for, allow the natural consequences of your actions to take their toll on you, and humiliate you in front of your enemies and the brethren.
These are extreme measures and are never God's first choice. They are not done in anger or frustration but with a specific purpose in mind: repentance! God will not be mocked nor will He be ignored. God executes this type of discipline for one of two different reasons. Either you have strayed so far from His Word that it is necessary to get your attention and get you back on track, or His assignment for you is so important to the Kingdom that He will not allow you to stray too far or for too long.
If you find yourself in the type of situation described in today's Psalm, stop and consider where you are with God and what His purpose is for your life. Regardless of the circumstances, stop what you are doing and get yourself right with God—regardless of the cost. At the same time, remember that it is all out of the extreme love God has for you and is ultimately to save you from ruin.
Questions For Discussion
Why does God allow His people to go through severe and extreme difficult circumstances?
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Leave Vengeance To the Lord
Monday, December 13, 2010
Seek The Lord For Deliverance
(Psalms 39:7-13) "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions. Do not make me the scorn of the fool! I am mute; I do not open my mouth, for it is you who have done it. Remove your stroke from me; I am spent by the hostility of your hand. When you discipline a man with rebukes for sin, you consume like a moth what is dear to him; surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah "Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears! For I am a sojourner with you, a guest, like all my fathers. Look away from me, that I may smile again, before I depart and am no more!"
(Titus 2:11-15) For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.
It is a good place to be when you are no longer focused upon your own sorrows but are crying out to God and begging forgiveness for your sins. Compare your sorrows and difficulties with you sin and you find the only room in your prayer is for deliverance from those sins. Humility, submission, and subservience before the Lord result in your greatest desire being to shed the clothes of the old man, to turn away from the sins you practice, and live more like Christ.
What comfort and security there is in knowing that on the cross Jesus Christ has accomplished your redemption and paid the price for your sins. When you seek forgiveness you know it has already been given and when you cry out for deliverance you know the one to whom you cry is ready, willing, and able to deliver you. It is this type of surety that everyone in the world seeks but seeks for in vain; for no investment and no relationship could every provide the type of surety provided by Jesus Christ on the cross.
Forget your hardships today and focus on the ultimate hardship Jesus Christ endured on the cross for you. Cry out to God for deliverance not from your difficulties but from your iniquities.
Questions For Discussion
What happens when you compare your sorrows and difficulties with your sins?
How are humility, submission, and subservience related to turning away from the sins you practice?
Why is seeking anywhere else the type of security God has provided done so in vain?
Persevere in the Faith
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