Today’s Devotional |
Today's Devotional
- Memory Verse
- And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner (Luke 18:13).
The Pharisee and the publican picture all people who pray. The Pharisee approached God on the basis of his own righteousness and thought that was safe ground. The publican came just as he was, admitting his sin and claiming God’s mercy.
There are but two kinds of religion: that which says “Do” and the other that says “It is done.” Multitudes hope to get to heaven because of their good works and therefore go out of their way to perform religious and righteous acts. Sadly, their good works will avail nothing. Heaven’s gates are not hinged on the accomplishments of men. How clearly Isaiah has explained the futility of seeking God’s favor through good works: “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6).
The publican understood that he was a sinner. This is absolutely necessary. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Only sinners can be saved. And ALL are sinners: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10).
But God has been merciful to sinners. Christ died for sinners. There on the cross the debt of sin was paid. You can come to the Saviour just as you are. There is no need to reform or change in any way to be received of Him. Come with repentant heart and trust in Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour. You do not even have to pray a prescribed prayer: “…Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved… “ (Acts 16:31).
Daily Devotionals
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God…”
Psalm 42:1, 2
“Soul Food” is a daily devotional written by Dr. Jack Van Impe that brings God’s Word to life.
“The Tender Touch” is a weekly devotional from the heart of Dr. Rexella Van Impe.
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- Soul Food
- Tender Touch
- Memory Verse
- And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him (Luke 5:13).
Some are afraid to pray for healing. But all healing comes from God. He may heal through doctors, through medicine (as in the case of Hezekiah in II Kings 20:7), or through instantaneous answer to prayer. God is sovereign. And He has invited us to pray for all our needs, including healing of our bodies.
A study of the life of Christ reveals many answers to prayer for healing. He opened blind eyes, made the lame walk, restored paralytics and cleansed lepers. To conclude that He would or could not answer prayer for healing today is inconsistent with the Biblical teaching that God is un- changing.
In his excellent book: “Prayer — Asking and Receiving,” Dr. John R. Rice wrote: “I think I ought to say that in literally hundreds of cases I have had my prayers for the sick answered, some slowly, some suddenly, some at once, and others only after long waiting on God.”
As in all praying, prayer for healing should be subject to the will of God. And it is not always God’s will to heal. That is evident from Paul’s thorn in the flesh (II Corinthians 12:7), Timothy’s frail health (I Timothy 5:23), and the fact that Paul left his friend Trophimus at Miletum sick (II Timothy 4:20). To quote Dr. Rice again: “One who comes to pray for healing, either for himself or for another, must come saying, ‘...nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt’ “ (Matthew 26:39).
In praying for healing, then, let us ask God for the most and then leave the results with Him.
- Memory Verse
- Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them (Mark 11:24).
What can one properly pray about?
Are there limits on what we may ask of God in prayer?
In his book, “Prayer — Asking and Receiving,” Dr. John R. Rice says: “Anything you have a right to want, you have a right to pray for. If you do not have a right to pray for it, then it is wrong to want it. About any particular matter, the Christian ought to ask for what he wants, or quit wanting it.”
Proper wanting, then, is very important to proper praying. James expressed this in his epistle: “Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts” (James 4:3).
But how can we keep our wanting right?
Wanting is kept correct by continued exposure to the Bible. Outside influences are directed toward spiraling materialism. Generally, the more we get, the more we want. And American affluence keeps the cycle going.
The Bible reminds us of the temporary nature of all things and offers a lifestyle of giving instead of getting. Try these want-adjusters:
“Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be...” (II Peter 3:11).
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth...“ (Matthew 6:19).
“...It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Now, what do you want?
Ask for it. Be definite. Believe. Receive!
- Memory Verse
- But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut the door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly (Matthew 6:6).
Sir Isaac Newton said: “I can take my telescope and look millions and millions of miles into space; but I can lay my telescope aside, go into my room and shut the door, get down on my knees in earnest prayer, and I see more of heaven and get closer to God than I can when assisted by all the telescopes and material agencies on earth.”
Here is a good rule for public and private praying: “Make public prayers short and private prayers long.” The person who prays in public to impress others will not abide by that rule. He sees an invitation to pray much like a call to preach. Often he lectures his listeners while supposedly communing with God. Like the Pharisee who went to the temple to pray, he prays with himself.
But the earnest child of God will spurn such carnal exhibitions and choose humility in public and genuine communication when alone with God. He will have a time each day when he “shuts the door” to pray to his Father who sees in secret. His companion there is likely to be an open Bible so that His Father can speak to him as he speaks to his Father.
The quiet place is the Christian’s source of power and victory. To neglect the closet is to invite daily defeat. We all need Newton’s long look through the telescope of prayer. Without it, spiritual anemia is sure to set in.
The closet is where the Father opens the door to His blessings!
- Memory Verse
- Remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32).
In the setting of His second coming, Jesus said, Remember Lot’s wife. Mrs. Lot is then
a beacon for our day.
What a strange choice!
One would think the Lord would have chosen a woman who was known for her faith. Instead, the woman we are to remember is Lot’s wife.
Remember her privileges. She had a righteous husband. She had lived in the company of godly Abraham and his family. She had known faithful Sarah and had probably gathered with the family of the friend of God for times of worship and praise. She had been the object of Abraham’s prayers. Yet, surrounded by spiritual opportunities, she remained aloof and spiritually cold. Today, more tools for getting out the gospel are being used than ever before. Especially in America, the average person is offered the gospel time and again. Ours is a day of religious privilege. Still, many ignore God’s message of love.
Remember her possessions. Lot was a successful man. His wife evidently had no lack of this world’s goods. Sadly, she failed to see that all earth’s toys are temporal. Like many today, she was caught up in the merry-go-round of getting. Affluence is often the enemy of spirituality. And in the abundance of things, many are missing the abundant life made so available in these last days.
Remember her perishing. When warned of the coming destruction of Sodom and given instructions for safety, she looked back and became a pillar of salt. Ignoring the clear direction for deliverance, she died.
Week after week, the message of Christ’s return goes out from the pulpits and over radio and television. Don’t reject God’s offer of salvation. Turn to Christ while there is time.
Remember Lot’s wife.
- Memory Verse
- And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city (Genesis 19:16).
Lot lingered in Sodom when judgment was imminent.
His investments were there.
Had Peter not revealed that Lot was a righteous man (see 2 Peter 2:8), we might have concluded he was a bad man, a lost man. But the Scriptures declare him righteous. Peter says Lot was uncomfortable in Sodom, vexing his righteous soul from day to day with the sinful acts of the citizens there. Nevertheless, he stayed. And his staying cost him dearly.
Writing of Lot’s misery, J. C. Ryle says: “Make a wrong choice in life — an unscriptural choice — and settle yourself down unnecessarily in the midst of worldly people, and I know no surer way to damage your own spirituality, and to go backward in your eternal concerns. This is the way to make the pulse of your soul beat feebly and languidly. This is the way to make the edge of your feeling about sin become blunt and dull. This is the way to dim the eyes of your spiritual discernment, till you can scarcely distinguish good from evil, and stumble as you walk. This is the way to bring a moral palsy on your feet and limbs, and make you go tottering and trembling along the road to Zion, as if the grasshopper was a burden. This is the way to...give the devil vantage- ground in the battle...to tie your arms in fighting...to fetter your legs in running...to dry up the sources of your strength.”
Facing an important decision today?
Make it prayerfully and carefully. And don’t compromise!
- Memory Verse
- Call unto me; and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not (Jeremiah 33:3).
Dr. Thomas N. Carter, an ex-convict, told a thrilling story of his mother’s faith. He had been wayward for many years and finally was sent to prison. On one occasion, while he was there, his mother received a telegram from the prison stating that her son was dead and asking what she wanted done with his body.
Carter’s mother had prayed for years that he would one day be saved and become a preacher of the Gospel. Stunned at the receipt of the telegram, she immediately went to her prayer closet, instructing other members of the family not to disturb her.
Opening the Bible, she placed the telegram beside it and began to pray. “0 God,” she began, “I have believed the promise you gave me in your Word, that I would live to see Tom saved and preaching the Gospel, and now a telegram has come saying he is dead. Lord, which is true, this telegram or your Word?”
When the faithful mother rose from her knees, having definite assurance of God’s answer, she wired the prison as follows: “There must be some mistake. My boy is not dead.”
And there was a mistake. Tom Carter was alive and when he had finished his time in prison, he became a preacher of the Gospel. God honored the trusting prayer of his mother.
Some make prayer too difficult. The Bible formula is simple. Our responsibility is to pray. God has promised to answer.
What “great and mighty” things do you need?
Ask God for them today!
- Memory Verse
- Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice (Psalm 55:17).
Some pray earnestly about a matter for a time and then grow discouraged and stop praying. The Bible calls for persevering prayer.
In his book, “Getting Things from God,” the late Charles Blanchard shared the following experience: “In one of our church prayer meetings not long ago, a lady rose and said: ‘My father is a drunkard. I have prayed seven years that God would save him and he is not saved. It seems as if God did not hear or did not care and I am discouraged. I do not know what to do.’
‘She had only taken her seat when a lady rose and said: ‘My father was a drunkard for fifteen years and I prayed for him all through those fifteen years. Then he was saved, not alone from drink but from all other sins. Now for fifteen years he has been a happy Christian. I think my sister ought not to be discouraged, but to pray on.’”
It is said that George Mueller prayed for two men to be saved and the years passed without his prayers being answered. Still, Mueller prayed on. When George Mueller died, he had been praying daily for these two men for sixty- two years. Shortly after his death they were both born again.
You have been praying long and faithfully for someone or for the meeting of some special need. The answer has not come and you are about to give up. You do not understand the delay.
But faith does not need to understand. Persevere in prayer.
Keep on praying.
God will answer. And right on time!
It seems to me that most Christians today
-- especially Protestants -- spend little time
thinking about Mary.
Oh, once a year she shows up on a
Christmas card, shown either riding on a
donkey's back or keeping a silent vigil beside
the newborn Christ child in the manger. Even
then, she may be scarcely noticed amid the
animals, shepherds, and wise men.
On those occasions when we do think
about Mary, our main concern may be
maintaining the proper balance between
reserve and respect for this remarkable
woman. Yet we can't fully understand the
miracle of the Christmas story if we fail to
consider Mary's role. She's really the central
human figure in one of the most important
events in the history of mankind.
Who was Mary? What relevance does her
life have to our personal faith?
I am astounded by her comprehension and
calm acceptance of the monumental miracle
the angel Gabriel announced would happen.
Imagine a poor, uneducated peasant girl being
told she would conceive and give birth to a
great king, the Son of God! Yet Mary
understood... and she believed.
Perhaps one of the few people Mary could
confide in during this time was her cousin,
Elisabeth, who was to be the mother of John
the Baptist. Elisabeth confirmed that what was
happening to Mary was divinely ordained, and
encouraged her. Blessed is she that believed, said
Elisabeth, for there shall be a performance of
those things which were told her from the Lord
(Luke 1:45).
In the midst of today's relaxed (collapsed?)
moral standards, it may be difficult for us to
realize the sacrifice Mary had to make to agree
to yield herself to the Holy Spirit. In her
culture, for an unmarried woman to be found
with child could have resulted in a death
sentence!
At the very least, she faced
misunderstanding by most people, probably
rejection by her betrothed, and scorn and
shame in the eyes of her contemporaries.
Which of us would have the courage and
strength to subject ourselves to such an ordeal?
But Mary's strong faith moved her to
cooperate with God's plan. Her simple,
humble response was, Be it unto me according
to thy word (Luke 1:38).
Mary stands out in the gospel story as the
symbol of the true humanity of Jesus. She is
the link between the divinity of Christ and the
humanity of Jesus. She is the link between the
divinity of Christ and the humanity of all
mankind. Jesus could not have been
completely God and completely man without
Mary's role.
Without question Mary and her husband,
Joseph, played an important role in shaping
and influencing the developing years of the
young Jesus. As a youngster, Jesus was taught
the scriptures and the laws of God. When He
amazed the learned scholars in Jerusalem at
age 12, one can say that His divinity shone
through... but He also had been taught and
trained to do His homework.
And it may well have been at home that
Jesus learned the words He cried at
Gethsemane -- "Not my will, but thine be
done!" Certainly His mother had set an
example before Him of humble submission to
the plan of God.
The character exemplified in the life of
Mary is an inspiration and challenge to every
believer. She was courageous, committed,
compassionate, and concerned.
Mary's Courage
I envision Mary having great strength and
durability, yet retaining complete and perfect
femininity. She was courageous, going calmly
and with dignity where few others would have
been willing to go. She faced hardship,
opposition, even danger, with no complaints.
She was willing to let God's will be done in her life.
After facing the ostracism and personal
humiliation of being pregnant without a
husband, Mary had the strength and courage
to mount a donkey only a few days before
giving birth and make the long, hard journey
to Bethlehem.
And it must have taken courage of another
kind to deal with the throngs of strangers who
came to visit her newborn son -- shepherds,
wise men from the East, and doubtless other
curious onlookers.
Later, when Herod sought to kill all babies
in the land, she helped save Jesus from the
slaughter by journeying to Egypt with Joseph
and the child to live among foreigners. Did
this take courage? Absolutely!
And let's not forget the courage demanded
of Mary to take on the responsibility for
rearing and nurturing Jesus through his
childhood and into manhood. It takes great
courage to be the parent of any child -- how
much more to be the mother of the Son of God?
Mary's Commitment
Once Mary heard and responded to the
angel's announcement that she was chosen for
a divine commission, she was committed.
From that moment on, she never wavered or
looked back.
Her commitment was complete -- she set
aside any personal ambitions and dreams to
make herself available to God's plan. Her
whole life was dedicated to carrying out the
divine mission to which God had called her.
So seriously did she take her responsibility
that the crisis of losing and finding her Son
again in Jerusalem when He was 12 prompted
her to scold Him for causing her such concern.
And Jesus gently rebuked her by reminding
her that He must be about His Father's
business.
And a few years later, at Calvary, her
commitment kept her at the front of the cross
while almost everyone else fled. Even in the
face of what must have been tremendous
anguish to see her Son's suffering, she
remained committed to God's plan.
Mary's Compassion
From the beginning of her adult life, Mary
lived her life for others. She put the needs of
others before her own, and ministered to those
around her -- husband, family, friends.
I imagine Mary as being the perfect
embodiment of all the marvelous qualities of
the virtuous wife described in Proverbs 31. She
was humble, but supremely capable and
efficient in her efforts to serve.
Can you imagine this woman going around
very arrogantly, saying, "Treat me special -- I
am the mother of the Son of God?" Of course not.
Surely Jesus patterned part of His life after
her example. When he promised rest to those
who labor and are heavy laden, He said, I am
meek and lowly in heart (Matthew 11:29). I am
sure He must have observed the qualities of
humility and compassion in her daily life.
Mary's Concern for Others
The story of Christ's first miracle in turning
water into wine at the wedding in Cana
provides a very telling insight into the
character of the mother of Jesus. Even in a
situation where providing the refreshments
was not her responsibility, Mary was
concerned for others. When it became obvious
that there was not enough to drink at the
wedding feast and the host was about to be
embarrassed, she got involved.
She was aware of what was going on around
her... and was concerned about the problems
of others. But more than feeling sympathy for
them, she had a solution. "I know my Son can
take care of this," she said.
After making Jesus aware of the problem,
she told the servants of the house, Whatsoever
He saith unto you, do it (John 2:5). And, of
course, the Lord did meet the need and the
beverage He provided was recognized as the
best of the evening!
So Mary's life is an inspiration to us -- her
courage, commitment, compassion, and
concern. Her Christian character and devotion
is an eloquent witness that, with the help of
the Holy Spirit, we can be strong enough to
withstand any test, even the crucifying
tensions of modern life. Perhaps the key to
Mary's spiritual life is found in that beautiful
Bible passage known as the Magnificat (see
Luke 1:46-53). In those wonderful verses it
seems one can hear her opening her innermost
heart as she cries -- "My soul doth magnify
the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God
my Savior... holy is His name. And His
mercy is on them that fear Him from
generation to generation."
Thank you, Mary, for the inspiration and
godly example of your faith-filled life! May
God help us to magnify the Lord, rejoice in
our spirits, and receive His mercy... today,
and until His perfect plan is fulfilled in all the earth.
Last summer, after sensing the need for a
change of pace, my husband and I drove to
Montreal, Canada ,the largest
French-speaking city in the world, after Paris. It was
delightful and so relaxing. Just what we
needed. The people were friendly, the old city
intriguing, the food wonderful. Montreal is
considered to be one of North America's most
interesting cities. And we found it to be true.
In fact, we agreed Montreal is one of the most
beautiful cities we've ever seen. In two weeks'
time we walked 150 miles savoring all the
sights and delights, and learning about the
history and the greater metropolitan area itself.
One afternoon we found an old-fashioned
ice cream parlor. "It has to be a great place,"
Jack said, "look at all the people!" He patted
his "midsection" and I raised my eyebrows and
we walked in. We found an empty table and
placed our order.
Just as we were being served, two
bedraggled-looking young people came in
each carrying a backpack. They were obviously
exhausted. They spied an empty table where
the waitress hadn't removed the plates from
the previous customers, and they plopped
down. But just that quickly, they snatched up
the leftovers and wolfed them down. Eyes
darting around, never making eye contact with
anyone, they focused on other empty tables
with plates containing food and quickly ran
from one to the other, stuffing the food into
their mouths. The young woman, whom I
guessed to be about twenty, was more
aggressive than the young man. They were just starved!
It happened so fast that everyone was in a
state of shock. About the time we and others
had recovered from seeing this, they grabbed
their backpacks and were out of the door and
gone. "Jack, if only they'd stayed long enough,
we could have offered to buy them food!" I
was dazed by the brief encounter. "Oh Jack," I
continued, "I wonder whose child she is
my voice trailed off.
Jack leaned across the table and patted my
hand. The food which had been served so
attractively had somehow lost its appeal. I
looked around and noticed others were feeling
the same way. The charming place which just
moments before had been the scene of
animated conversation now seemed strangely silent.
Jack's eyes were sad; mine were tearful.
As we left the ice cream parlor and
continued our leisurely walk, my eyes glanced
around. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the
young couple. "There are so many like them
in city after city all over Canada and the
United States," my husband said.
"Where are the parents?" I asked. Jack
shook his head. Later, as I reflected on the
incident, (in fact, I don't think I will ever
forget those two young people), I was
reminded that one of the most wonderful
things about being a Christian is that we are
God's children. Our needs are important to
Him and He is always ready to supply (Phil.
4:19). He knows the way that we take (Job
23:9). I took comfort in the knowledge that
God even knew their names (Isa. 45:4). I
could leave them in the Father's hands.
As we venture into a new year, we can do so
with confidence, knowing that the steps, as
well as the stops, of God's children are ordered
by Him (Ps. 37:23). Because we are His
children, we can count on His promises, and
they are so many! Our potential as His
children is limitless.
But we need to be living up to our
potential. How do people know we belong to
God? Three things, it seems to me,
characterize the life of a child of God: (1) Our
conversation; (2) Our conduct; and (3) Our
convictions.
Our conversation: She (or he) openeth her
mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the
law of kindness (Prov. 31:26).
My mother had a little saying which I have
called to mind many times: "He that thinketh
by the inch, and speaketh by the yard, shall be
kicked by the foot."
The Bible is full of counsel about the need
to guard our conversation. Consider just these
few: A soft answer turneth away wrath: but
grievous words stir up anger (Prov. 15:1). How
many relationships would fare better if these
words were called to mind when people were
tempted to temperamental outbursts! The
tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of
the wicked is little worth (Prov. 10:20). Silver
reflects. What a beautiful word picture this
presents! Our tongues should reflect the Lord.
Our conduct: We must back up our
conversation with right conduct. Those
beautiful graces depicted in Galatians 5 should
exemplify the conduct of our lives: But the
fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
temperance: against such there is no law (vv. 22,
23). An entire article could be written around
each word, but let me simplify it in this way:
LOVE is a new constraint, JOY is a new cheer,
PEACE is a new compassion,
LONG-SUFFERING is a new continuance,
GENTLENESS is a new characteristic,
GOODNESS is a new character, PATIENCE
is a new confidence, MEEKNESS is a new
courtesy and TEMPERANCE is a new
contentment.
Our Convictions: The story is told of
David Hume, the agnostic, who was
reproached by his friends because of his
inconsistency. He used to like to go hear the
famous preacher John Brown preach, and
when questioned about this he explained, "I
don't believe all that he says, but at least once
a week I like to hear a man who declares his
convictions."
How important for us to have strong
convictions and to abide by them. The letter
of James emphasizes that our "yes" should be a
simple "yes," and our "no" a simple "no"
(Ja. 5:12). In other words, be convinced in
your heart and stand by your convictions. Be a
man or woman whose word is unquestionable.
If you say you are going to do something, or
you promise something, it ought to be as if
you were in a courtroom and had taken an
oath to speak the truth.
These are just some of the identifying
characteristics that mark us as children of
God. The psalmist said, Mark the perfect man,
and behold the upright: for the end of that man
is peace (Ps. 37:37). None of us have arrived,
we aren't wholly perfect, progress is perhaps a
more accurate word to describe our condition.
But we should be progressing.
Perhaps a good prayer would be: "Lord,
help me to reflect the fact that I am your child."
It was long past time for my annual
physical, in fact, I was enjoying such good
health and vitality that it had been three years
since I had visited my doctor. However, at the
conclusion of a thorough exam, the report was
quite disconcerting. (Before I proceed, let me
encourage all of my readers, if at all possible to
go for that annual "check-up.")
"We will have to do some tests," the doctor
explained, "then, in a couple of weeks, we will
know where we stand."
Immediately, my mind was filled with
different thoughts. "Can this be me who is
experiencing this questionable report? No!
My doctor is wrong! What if she is not?" By
the time I got home and shared the news with
Jack I found myself asking God, "What's this
all about?"
In compliance with the doctor, I took the
medical tests and began the long wait for the
results. All the while, we were praying and
seeking the Lord for His divine purpose and
will to be accomplished in my life.
By the end of the two weeks, we found
ourselves rejoicing in the faithfulness of God.
I knew He had everything under control.
Deep in my heart, I knew it would be all right.
"But Lord," I asked, "what is the purpose
behind this trial?"
Then -- the night before we received the
results of my tests -- Jack looked over at me
and said, "I have peace in this matter, so
tonight let's go out and celebrate this victory
in our lives!"
We went to a lovely restaurant that is meant
for celebrating and fine dining. A nice,
handsome pianist softly played the piano in
the corner of the dining room, and candles
softly lit each of the tables. Jack and I laughed,
enjoyed our luscious dinner and shared in a
wonderful conversation about the Lord. It
was an evening I'll never forget.
As we prepared to leave, I expressed to my
husband how much I wanted to go and thank
the pianist for sharing his special talent with
us. Being musicians ourselves we were
impressed with his tremendous ability to
"tickle the ivories."
"You have a beautiful touch on the
keyboard," I told him.
"Thank you," he answered. "I am sorry if
you saw me staring at you and your husband."
He explained: "For a year, my fiancee and I
watched your television program faithfully.
She used your ministry to help lead me to the
Lord, and then... she died. She was only 38
years old and I have been bitter toward the
Lord and unable to pray ever since."
I reached out and took his hand from the
keyboard and stated: "God doesn't want you to
be bitter and neither does she. Your fiancee is
in a better place right now and you will be
with her again -- perhaps soon. The best
thing you could do right now is to get your
heart right with the Lord, so that when He
comes again, you can go and be at her side."
Jack, who has always been sensitive to the
moving of the Holy Spirit, began to explain to
this young man the Scriptures and how it is
appointed unto men once to die (Hebrews 9:27).
Then he added, "Your sweetheart is in heaven
and awaits your homecoming. Be ready, Brian!"
Jack and I were so blessed as we watched the
Lord begin to move in his heart. Right at the
piano, with tears streaming down his face he
recommitted his life to the Lord Jesus Christ.
He looked up at both of us and said, "I can
hardly wait to call my fiancee's twin sister to
tell her what has happened tonight." We had
a word of prayer and promised to send him
our video about heaven.
The next morning, I heard from my doctor.
My tests showed that I was just fine. The
doctor said, "You and Jack go out and
celebrate, Rexella." She did not know that we
had already claimed the good report and the
special blessing we had found in doing so. Of
course, we continue to rejoice and thank the
Lord for the results of the test, but we realize
that if for no other reason we had gone
through this trial, Jack and I could be at the
restaurant that night to speak to the young
pianist.
God's ways are so much greater than ours.
This was probably the Lord's plan all along!
How important it is for you and me as
Christians today to listen to the Holy Spirit
and obey His leading in our lives! The things
and events that surround us are real and at
times they can be overwhelming, and we are
unable to recognize Jesus and the guidance of
His Spirit. Let the circumstances be what they
may. Always maintain complete reliance upon
Him and listen to the often quiet voice of His
Spirit as He leads you into victory and
blessings yet to come. Be totally
unrestraining, be willing to risk everything.
We do not know when His voice will come
again, so be ever-aware and obey.
I realized, there are three very important
lessons in regard to listening to the Holy Spirit
that we can learn from this personal
experience with the young man.
1. We must listen when the Holy Spirit is
leading us.
I Thessalonians 5:19, says: Quench not the
Spirit. That means, when you are being led by
the Holy Spirit, you must listen to His voice.
The little promptings and opportunities that
God passes along your way mean you must be
faithful. Follow the Lord's leading in these
situations so that you do not quench His
ministry in your life.
In Acts the 8th chapter, we read the
wonderful testimony of Philip the evangelist as
he was led to a desert road that descends from
Jerusalem to Gaza. Once there, the Spirit said
unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this
Chariot (Acts 8:29). Arriving at the chariot,
there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court
official, who was reading the book of Isaiah.
However, he did not grasp what the prophet
was saying, so beginning with the passage of
Scripture in Isaiah, Philip led the Ethiopian
eunuch to a relationship with Jesus Christ.
If Philip had not obeyed the prompting of
the Holy Spirit in his life -- and, if Philip had
not preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch --
this court official may never have been won to
the Lord.
The same was true for Jack and me as we
talked with this young pianist that night. If
we had just walked out, not wanting to get
involved, or if we had talked with the musician
about his fine musical skills and not talked
about the Lord or the Scriptures, this young
man may never have received the ministry he
so desperately needed.
2. When the Holy Spirit guides us, He will
empower us to do His will.
A beautiful example of this dynamic
thought can be found in the life of the Apostle Peter.
Previous to Peter being filled with the Holy
Spirit, he was a spiritually weak man. Who
can forget the night when Jesus was brought
before Caiaphas the high priest, and the
scribes and the elders? Peter lingered outside
in the courtyard where he was confronted by a
servant girl who asked if he was one of Jesus'
disciples. Peter vehemently denied the Lord
three times that night.
Remember, this was before the Holy Spirit
filled Peter's life.
Oh, the grace of God! Only 50 days after
the denial, we read the wonderful account in
Acts, chapter 2, of Peter's boldness on the Day
of Pentecost. This was the event Jesus
prophesied before he ascended: But ye shall
receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come
upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both
in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria,
and unto the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).
After Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit,
he stood up before the crowd that day --
unashamed and unafraid -- proclaiming the
Good News of Jesus Christ. Three thousand
souls were won to the Lord!
Soon after this, Peter and John were
brought before the Sadducees who
commanded that Peter and John no longer
teach in the name of Jesus (see Acts 4:13). But
Peter would not be intimidated. He said
(along with the Apostle John), Whether it be
right in the sight of God to hearken unto you
more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot
but speak the things which we have seen and
heard (Acts 4:19,20).
Scripture also records: With great power gave
the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus: and great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33).
What made this difference in the life of the
Apostle Peter? It was the Person of the Holy Spirit.
Previous to being filled with the Holy
Spirit, Peter was so weak, in and of himself, he
denied Christ in front of a damsel. After the
infilling of the Holy Spirit, Peter became bold
in faith and proclaimed the Gospel in the face
of beatings and eventually, martyrdom (he was
crucified upside down).
3. When the Holy Spirit leads and
empowers us for the sake of the Gospel, and
we faithfully obey His promptings -- not
quenching the Holy Spirit... then blessing comes!
That evening, after Jack and I shared in this
precious conversation with our young pianist,
we walked away rejoicing. We were happy
about the wonderful things God did in that
man's life -- and in ours -- by bringing us all
together for this special moment of ministry.
We felt truly blessed! Winning souls and
witnessing for Christ always produces joy.
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of
rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our
Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our
glory and joy (I Thessalonians 2:19, 20).
Jack and I have often found that in
attempting to bless others, we are also blessed.
As we attempt to reach out and water the lives
of others with Scripture, we are watered
ourselves. As we comfort others, our own
comfort is increased. We find consolation and
gladness in our own lives as we give to others.
Jesus said, Give, and it shall be given unto
you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken
together, and running over, shall men give into
your bosom. For with the same measure that ye
mete withal it shall be measured to you again
(Luke 6:38).
Proverbs says it this way: The liberal souls
shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be
watered also himself (Proverbs 11:25).
We must remember: Whosoever will save his
life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life
for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save
it (Mark 8:35). True life is found as you give
yours away in service to others.
In closing, I am reminded of the Dead Sea,
located between Israel and the Jordan, whose
water content is so salty that very little is able
to exist within its waters.
The intrinsic problem of the Dead Sea
results from the fact that it has several inlets
that flow into it -- the Jordan river is one of
them -- but has no outlets to share its waters
with other bodies. In other words: All
receiving and no giving results in a body of
water that has no life.
As followers of the Lord, we must never
become like the Dead Sea -- where all we do
is sit, soak and sour! We must get rid of the
desire to be a part of the "bless-me-club," and
become a member of the "blessing club." The
way to receive a blessing... is to be a blessing.
We must become an effervescent witness for
Christ having a wellspring of living water
flowing out of our hearts and into the lives of
others. That well-spring of life, that Jesus has
given to each of us as believers, is His precious
Holy Spirit (see John 4:14 and John 7:37-39).
Let us determine that we shall always listen
to the voice of the Holy Spirit inside us...
even if it means encouraging and witnessing to
a pianist in the middle of a restaurant!
What is the first thing you notice about a
person? Some would say the color of their
hair, their stature or even their weight. I must
admit that I am immediately drawn to the
eyes. Perhaps this is why I like the statement,
"The eye is the window of the soul." It was
Benjamin Franklin who related this good
thought, "Learn to be gracious with the eyes;
look deep into their eyes, and say with your
eyes, 'I like you.'"
I especially enjoy looking into the eyes of
children. Often I find myself wanting to get
down to their level since they, above all, have
that gentle, yet intense and honest way of
looking directly into our eyes. They have
discovered a secret which sometimes gets lost
as they move into adulthood -- it is this, the
eyes reveal so much. Perhaps it's the child in
me, but conversation seems more personal
when I am able to look into the eyes of the one
with whom I am conversing. There seems to
be an openness in communication when we
can express our thoughts through our eyes as
well as by our words.
The eyes also can be a barometer revealing
the state of our health. Doctors, for instance,
look into the eyes when one is sick, and
ophthalmologists detect many bodily illnesses
the same way. The Bible has much to say
about the eyes. The writer of Proverbs speaks
of the bloodshot eyes of those who drink
(Proverbs 23:28, 29). In fact, there are 499
references to eyes, and 98 to the eye in God's
Word. Since God has given such prominence
and importance to the eye gate, Satan, with all
of his sly and cunning ways brought sin into
the world by persuading Eve to look and then
partake of the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:5-7).
God often speaks of His own eyes. How
comforting it is to know that His eyes are
lovingly upon us. For the eyes of the Lord run to
and fro throughout the whole earth, to show
himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart
is perfect toward him (2 Chronicles 16:9 --
also notice Deuteronomy 11:12; Job 34:21;
and Psalm 33:18).
Why are our eyes so important? It is
because what we see goes into our emotions
(the soul). The light of the soul is what gives
understanding, sound judgment, and the
ability to discern between good and evil, truth
and falsehood. Jesus spoke of this: The light of
the body is the eye; therefore when thine eye is
single (a clear conscience), thy whole body is full
of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also
is full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the
light which is in thee be not darkness (Luke
11:34, 35).
Walking Visuals
What do others see when looking at us? If
they are to be rightly influenced, how
important it is that what they see is God-like.
We are walking visuals. The Apostle Paul
cautioned that we should be careful how we
walk, not as unwise, but as wise, redeeming the
time because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15, 16).
I heard the story of a little girl who told her
pastor she knew Jesus and was saved. "Which
one of my sermons brought you to Christ?" he
asked. "It wasn't your preaching, it was my
aunt's practicing," she responded.
Indeed! What we do and say is being
noticed. Man looketh on the outward
appearance (I Samuel 16:7). That's why we are
to let our light so shine before mankind, that
they may see our good works, and glorify our
Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:16).
On one occasion, when the Apostle Paul
was accused of being a troublemaker, stirring
up riots among the Jews and a ringleader of
the "Nazarene sect," he stood before his
accusers and Governor Felix saying, "I strive to
always have a conscience without offense
toward God and man" (see Acts 24:16). What
a wonderful way to live!
With all the discouraging news in the world
today, seeming inconsistencies in the lives of
those around us, and despair on the faces of
millions of people, which way can we look to
find peace and satisfaction?
Three Different Directions
We can look in three different directions:
(1) Backward, to be discouraged; (2) outward,
to be disheartened; and (3) upward, to be
delighted.
Backwards:
More often than not, looking back leads to
defeat and discouragement and possibly self
destruction like Lot's wife. We have a good
biblical example in the Apostle Paul, who said,
Forgetting those things which are behind, and
reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13, 14).
God can be counted on to give a silver
lining to our dark clouds if we'll begin looking
forward. A friend has written: "Let your life
be a statement, more than your words, that
Someone else is in charge. Let your demeanor
reflect quality inner control, stability that
comes from knowing and accepting that God
is in charge. In God's perfect timing wrongs
will be righted, circumstances will change, He
will come to your rescue. To believe this is to
move ahead and live with hope."
I have been asked, "How do you forget the
bad times, the hurts, the injustices?" My
response is that we can't blot out the past, but
forgetting means not allowing the past to
affect the present.
We can put whatever has hurt us under the
blood of Christ. We can forget by imitating
the way Christ forgives us -- just as if it never
occurred (Hebrews 8:12).
Outward:
As one looks around at the world today, he
or she could become disheartened and
disillusioned. The world is in a mess. Just pick
up the newspaper, or turn on the evening news
and it's enough to disturb any thinking person.
How do we avoid the disillusionment and
anxiety? David the psalmist said, It will not
fasten its grip on me (see Psalm 101:3). There
you have it; don't allow it to grasp hold of
your thinking.
What does God say? He tells us to cast our
burdens on Christ (I Peter 5:7). We are human
and feel concern, but we can turn it over to
Him saying, "God, this is too big for me to
handle." By keeping our eyes on Jesus and the
eternal truths of God's word, we will be
focusing our attention on that which enables
us to handle all the bad things happening
around us (see Hebrews 12:2).
Upward:
Remember what David the psalmist said? I
will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence
cometh my help (Psalm 121:1). This is surely
the only direction to look for help, comfort,
and yes, for delight in our souls and lives. We
can bring our thirsty and wilting minds and
bodies to the everlasting well of water, Jesus
Christ Himself (John 4). All He asks is that we
keep looking up, and as we do, look forward to
an eternity with Him. Let us pray this
beautiful prayer of the psalmist, I will direct
my prayer unto thee, and will look up (Psalm 5:3).
I WILL LIFT UP MINE EYES
UNTO THE HILLS...
-- Psalm 121:1