So you should not be like cowering, fearful slaves. You should behave instead like God’s very own children, adopted into his family—calling him “Father, dear Father.” For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we will share his treasures—for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
Romans 8:15-17
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
InTouch Ministries - 08/03/06
When you have followed Romans 10:9, confessing Jesus Christ as the Son of God and risen LORD of your life, and entered into that personal relationship with Him, Jesus sends His Spirit to live in you. The Holy Spirit is a counselor, a helper, a comforter and the One who brings you under conviction. In the many various situations in your life, the Holy Spirit will speak to your heart with words of direction, aid, peace or correction.
When you hear His voice, receive His message. Let it also be a reminder of the relationship you have with God, through His Son Jesus Christ, and the promise of eternal rest. We will soon share in His glory even though we now share in His suffering.
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
CLOSE FRIENDS
Then Jesus brought them to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go on ahead to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he began to be filled with anguish and deep distress. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me.”
Matthew 26:36-38
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
Our Daily Bread - 08/02/06
Like Job and Daniel, Jesus had an inner circle of friends. It is interesting to see the different responses of friends. In Job’s case, his friends all turn on him. In Daniel’s trials, his friends were always at his side. For Jesus the scenario was different. The reaction of his friends was all different.
We don’t read specifically what James did as Jesus was arrested, tried and crucified. We must assume that he was among the disciples who ran away. We learn that Peter stayed close to the action but denied knowing who Jesus was. John went to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and supported her as they witnessed the cruelty of the Cross. John was standing with Mary at the foot of the Cross as his friend Jesus took His last breath and life went out of Him. Despite the different response of Jesus’ friends, we learn that each returned after the resurrection and continued the work to build the early church.
Our friends will respond to us in different ways. We can expect that. Their response to us is something over which we have no control. What we do control is how we respond to our friends. Which Bible example of a friend will you follow?
Matthew 26:36-38
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
Our Daily Bread - 08/02/06
Like Job and Daniel, Jesus had an inner circle of friends. It is interesting to see the different responses of friends. In Job’s case, his friends all turn on him. In Daniel’s trials, his friends were always at his side. For Jesus the scenario was different. The reaction of his friends was all different.
We don’t read specifically what James did as Jesus was arrested, tried and crucified. We must assume that he was among the disciples who ran away. We learn that Peter stayed close to the action but denied knowing who Jesus was. John went to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and supported her as they witnessed the cruelty of the Cross. John was standing with Mary at the foot of the Cross as his friend Jesus took His last breath and life went out of Him. Despite the different response of Jesus’ friends, we learn that each returned after the resurrection and continued the work to build the early church.
Our friends will respond to us in different ways. We can expect that. Their response to us is something over which we have no control. What we do control is how we respond to our friends. Which Bible example of a friend will you follow?
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
A RESOLUTION FOR IMPATIENCE
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop your anger! Turn from your rage! Do not envy others—it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the LORD will possess the land… Don’t be impatient for the LORD to act! Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you, giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed.
Psalm 37:7-9, 34
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
My Utmost for His Highest - 08/01/06
Too often we think waiting patiently for the LORD means we should sit back and do nothing until heaven opens and some great revelation occurs. Sitting and doing nothing is what brings about impatience.
I have a co-worker who struggles with waiting in line just for a few moments. He quickly becomes impatient and gives up. If I did nothing waiting in line, I would have the same trouble. I always try to have something with me to work on … the latest novel I’m reading … some item from my to-do list … my Bible. You won’t become impatient if you plan ahead and fill your time with what has already been given you to do.
The psalm writer says, “Be still … Travel steadily…” We are to be still in our spirit so as not to miss the Lord’s moving and travel steadily along His path, the direction He has already given us in His Word.
Psalm 37:7-9, 34
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
My Utmost for His Highest - 08/01/06
Too often we think waiting patiently for the LORD means we should sit back and do nothing until heaven opens and some great revelation occurs. Sitting and doing nothing is what brings about impatience.
I have a co-worker who struggles with waiting in line just for a few moments. He quickly becomes impatient and gives up. If I did nothing waiting in line, I would have the same trouble. I always try to have something with me to work on … the latest novel I’m reading … some item from my to-do list … my Bible. You won’t become impatient if you plan ahead and fill your time with what has already been given you to do.
The psalm writer says, “Be still … Travel steadily…” We are to be still in our spirit so as not to miss the Lord’s moving and travel steadily along His path, the direction He has already given us in His Word.
A DAILY REMINDER
“Love your enemies! Do good to them! Lend to them! And don’t be concerned that they might not repay. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to the unthankful and to those who are wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
Luke 6:35-36
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
Upper Room - 07/31/06
Our natural reaction is to strike back at those who are our enemies. When we are falsely accused, ridiculed, talked about or belittled, our first inclination is to respond in like manner. The Bible calls this living according to the flesh.
Jesus calls us to, “Love your enemies!” This is a way of life which does not come naturally. It takes practice. It takes discipline and self control. It requires surrendering our will to the lordship of the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls this living by the Spirit.
The best way to overcome your enemy is to pray for them and shower them with unconditional love. Make yourself a daily reminder of some sort (a sticky note on your desk, an entry in your prayer journal, etc.). Then when your enemy comes against you it is not far from the forefront of your memory that Jesus calls you to respond to them with love.
Luke 6:35-36
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
Upper Room - 07/31/06
Our natural reaction is to strike back at those who are our enemies. When we are falsely accused, ridiculed, talked about or belittled, our first inclination is to respond in like manner. The Bible calls this living according to the flesh.
Jesus calls us to, “Love your enemies!” This is a way of life which does not come naturally. It takes practice. It takes discipline and self control. It requires surrendering our will to the lordship of the Holy Spirit. The Bible calls this living by the Spirit.
The best way to overcome your enemy is to pray for them and shower them with unconditional love. Make yourself a daily reminder of some sort (a sticky note on your desk, an entry in your prayer journal, etc.). Then when your enemy comes against you it is not far from the forefront of your memory that Jesus calls you to respond to them with love.
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