Today’s Devotional |
Today's Devotional
- Memory Verse
- His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord (Matthew 25:23).
Christians are stewards. Immediately after the return of Christ, we will all give an account of ourselves: “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10). This judgment will not determine salvation but will be to evaluate our use of time and talents in the service of our Saviour.
Looking forward to this time, Jesus stressed the importance of faithfulness. The most underestimated rewards of all time are those that will be given to the faithful from the Lord’s hand. It is not surprising that there will be some tears in heaven. When we see what could have been had we been more diligent and faithful in His work it is sure to bring some regret.
“The saddest words of tongue or pen
Are simply these: ‘It might have been.’”
Jesus set the example of being faithful. He endured the mocking, the scorn and the cross for us. How can we do less for Him? Our petty grievances seem small when measured in the light of His great sacrifice.
Why have you stopped serving? What made you resign your office? What trifle touched off your temper? What changes are necessary to have “FAITHFULNESS” describe your life? Remember, there’s a “WELL DONE” waiting for the faithful.
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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- Memory Verse
- But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up (Daniel 3:18).
Man’s vanity has often carried him to unbelievable ends. Consider Alexander the Great, the Caesars, Napoleon, or Hitler. History has a number of examples of leaders demanding worship. In the coming Tribulation period, the final world dictator will insist on being worshipped.
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon also let pride become his undoing. Constructing a great image in the plain of Dura he demanded that at a certain signal all in his kingdom fall down and worship it. Three in the crowd wouldn’t cooperate, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Hebrews who had been brought to Babylon in the captivity of their people. As a result of their defiance of the king’s order, these three were thrown into a burning fiery furnace. God wonderfully protected them there. As the song written about their experience says: “They wouldn’t bend; they wouldn’t bow; they wouldn’t burn.”
When the king looked into the furnace he saw four men walking in the flames. His reaction is worth remembering. He said: “Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God” (Daniel 3:25). God had not forsaken His own in their time of trial. They stood for Him and He delivered them.
They were so committed to the Lord that they were determined to be true even if no deliverance came. Those three men must have been conspicuous when all the company on the plain of Dura bowed and left them standing. But they are the only ones of that crowd that we know by name today. God honored them for standing. And He will honor those who stand for Him today.
- Memory Verse
- Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime (Daniel 6:10).
When trouble came, Daniel was prayed up.
This faithful prophet was in the habit of prayer.
The fact that Daniel had a regular time for prayer reveals that he counted prayer worthy of his time. He did not consider time spent in prayer wasted. If we were to total the hours most Christians spend in prayer the sum would be woefully small.
Why?
Because too many discount the importance of prayer.
Some claim to be doers while allowing others to do the praying. The truth is that most successful Christian doers are mighty in prayer. That is the reason they accomplish so much.
Since prayer is conversation with God, our Father must be grieved that we do not spend more time praying. Would not an earthly parent’s heart be broken if his children considered all other activities more important than conversing with him? How shall we answer for our lack of prayer when we appear at the Judgment Seat of Christ? (See 2 Corinthians 5:10.)
Daniel’s faithful praying saved his life. God answered his prayers and the lions were unable to harm him. Even King Darius was moved by the miracle and sent a proclamation throughout the kingdom telling of Daniel’s deliverance by the Lord.
A lion’s den may await.
Take time to pray.
- Memory Verse
- Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it, it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it (Jeremiah 30:7).
For nearly two thousand years, Christians have been living in a parenthesis, a prophetic interval, a time “in between.”
During this prophetic interval, sometimes known as the Church Age, both Jews and Gentiles who are born again through faith in Christ become part of the body of Christ or the bride of Christ. The signal that the “in between” time has ended will be the removal of the Church (the bride of Christ) from the earth. This great event is described in a number of Bible portions. One of the clearest is 1 Thessalonians 4:13- 18.
The event that ends the Church Age and ushers in the seventieth week of Daniel’s prophecy is the return of Christ for His Church. This coming of Christ in the air is known as the Rapture of the Church; it involves the resurrection of the Christian dead as well as the exit from earth of all believers living at that time.
With the removal of the Church, earth plunges into its most awful hour. Of this time Jesus said, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). He was speaking of the seven year period known as the Tribulation, or the Time of Jacob’s trouble.
There are difficult days ahead for Israel and for the world. This unprecedented period of Tribulation is not to be confused with daily tribulations which all of God’s people pass through. And those who receive Christ before He comes will escape the coming tribulation...the Time of Jacob’s Trouble.
Are you ready for the Lord’s return?
- Memory Verse
- So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom (Psalm 90:12).
Phillips Brooks wrote: “A friend says to me, ‘I have not time or room in my life for Christianity. If it were not so full! You don’t know how hard I work from morning till night. When have I time, where have I room for Christianity in such a life as mine?’ It is as if the engine had said it had no room for the steam. It is as if the tree said it had no room for the sap. It is as if the ocean said it had no room for the tide. It is as if the man had said he had no room for his soul. It is as if the life had said it had no time to live. It is not something added to life; it is life. A man is not living without it. And for a man to say, ‘I am so full in life that I have no room for life,’ you see immediately to what absurdity it reduces itself.”
The first wise use of time is that moment of coming in faith to Christ that brings new birth. Jesus said: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). From that point on, wisdom dictates using time to lay treasures in heaven through service for Christ.
It is wise to take time to pray.
It is wise to take time to read the Bible.
It is wise to take time to tell others of Jesus.
It is wise to take time to help those who are in need.
It is wise to take time to bear the burdens of those who are troubled. It is wise to value spiritual things above material things.
It is wise to act in faith.
In view of the brevity of life, we must learn to number our days and apply our hearts to wisdom. Any other course results in a wasted life.
- Memory Verse
- And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head (Matthew 8:20).
Florence Nightingale, at thirty, wrote in her diary, “I am thirty years of age, the age at which Christ began His mission. Now, Lord, let me think only of thy will.”
Years later, near the end of her heroic life, she was asked the secret of her life. She replied. “Well, I can only give one explanation. That is, I have kept nothing back from God.”
The famous nurse had presented her life as a living sacrifice to her Saviour. She did not think it was too much to surrender all. Knowing that Christ had laid aside His heavenly riches to come to earth to save sinners, she willingly gave her all to Him.
Unless you surrender your life to Christ, you will be swept along with others in the mad race of getting. Your whole life will then revolve around what you can accumulate. Regardless of your occupation, your main purpose in life will be to gather as much money and property as possible. You will become a junk collector.
A man who had just discovered he had a terminal sickness confided his feelings to me. “It’s been deceiving,” he said. He had spent his whole life getting and now he had little time left to enjoy or use his wealth. There had been no time to worship God for he had felt he must work long hours every day to be successful. Now he had but a few hours left and there was no way to call back the years. The real purpose of life had eluded him. What a contrast to Florence Nightingale’s surrender of her life to the will of God! In giving, she gained. The world was enriched by her sacrifice.
- Memory Verse
- Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock (Matthew 7:24).
General William Booth was the founder of the Salvation Army. One day his son came to tell the old general, who had struggled long with poor vision, that the doctors could do no more for his eyes.
“Do you mean that I am blind and must remain blind?” the general asked.
“I am afraid that is true,” said his son.
The general moved out his hand until he felt and clasped the hand of his son. “God must know best,” he said. “I have done what I could for God and the people with my eyes. Now I shall do what I can for God and the people without my eyes.”
Booth’s tranquility in trouble came from a life in which selfishness had surrendered. He trusted God and cared for men.
Asked one day for the secret of his success, he answered: “I will tell you the secret. God has had all there was of me to have. There have been men with greater opportunities; but from the day I got the poor of London on my heart and a vision of what Jesus Christ could do, I made up my mind that God would have all there was of William Booth. And if there is anything of power in the Salvation Army today, it is because God has all the adoration of my heart, all the power of my will, and all the influence of my life.”
The old general’s secret was not original. Nor did he claim it to be. His Saviour had voiced it many years before. Booth had built his life on the Rock (Christ). This Foundation stands in the storm!
- Memory Verse
- Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof (Matthew 6:34).
Think of the cares that would be cancelled if we could escape anxiety about tomorrow. Most feel safe about today, but the tomorrows are tough. Tomorrow the house payment is due. Tomorrow is the final day of grace on the insurance premium. Tomorrow is the day of your appointment with the doctor. Tomorrow somebody may push the button that plunges the world into another war.
But what if tomorrow does hold unknown trials? Is worry likely to change anything? Ian McClaren wrote: “What does your anxiety do? It does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but it empties today of its strength. It does not make you escape evil — it makes you unfit to cope with it if it comes.
The Lord’s call to avoid anxiety about tomorrow followed His instruction about priorities in life today: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
Giving God first place is an act of faith. And faith conquers anxiety. George Mueller declared: “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith.” The beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.
There is, however, a difference between faith that is mere profession and real faith. False faith may go through all the motions and impress all the right people, but it will not hold up in the pressures of daily experience. True faith is anchored in the promises of God. And they will endure through all your tomorrows.
One of the nicest things about holiday
seasons is being with our family and friends --
having the privilege of sharing worship, food,
and fellowship with those we love. Oh, how
Jack and I cherish those blessed times with
special people and, in particular, with one
another.
Even when circumstances make it
impossible to be together, we can get in touch by
telephone or through the mail. We talk by
phone with friends and loved ones all across
the country...sometimes overseas.
We especially enjoy reading the many
beautiful cards we receive from those special,
thoughtful people who take time to express
their love.
The other day I was going through some
personal items I've saved over the last few
years -- news items and inspirational thoughts
clipped from newspapers and magazines,
cards and notes from family and friends...and
a very special collection of love letters from
my husband.
Jack and I have worked together in the
ministry over the years and haven't had to be
apartvery often. But on those occasions when
I couldn't travel with him to a crusade or
speaking engagement, he wrote me the most
beautiful letters.
A wonderful reminder!
I'd read those letters over and over,
hanging on every word. How wonderful to be
reminded that he loved me, missed me, and was
looking forward to having me with him again
soon!
I cherished every one of those wonderful
love letters. I still do. Over the years I've
gone back and read them again many times,
especially when I was feeling lonely, insecure,
or discouraged. And each time my husband's
loving words would lift my spirits and give
me new strength.
Needless to say, although I cleaned out
some of the accumulated "clutter" the other
day, I kept those letters!
As much as I treasure my husband's letters
to me, there's another love letter that is even
more precious to me. It's the greatest love
letter of all -- God's Holy Word.
God sent this letter special delivery to
me...to you...and to every single person in the
world. It's all about love -- what love is, how
God loves us, and the great love gift He has
given us.
For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life. For God sent not his Son
into the world to condemn the world; but that
the world through him might be saved (John 3:16,17).
Sadly, too often this greatest love letter of
all has been laid aside, unopened. The people
who most need to know that God loves them
haven't even read His letter.
Read God's letter
Some of those who have read it or heard
about it at one time or another have forgotten
its wonderful message. They need to go back
and read God's love letter again. I can testify
from personal experience that it is just as
meaningful the second, third -- twentieth --
time you read it as it was the first time.
You see, we need to be reminded daily that
we are loved. We need to see anew how
valuable we are to God -- that His love and mercy
to us are new every morning.
What an unspeakable thrill to know that
God loves us. We must hear it, relish it, think
about it, enjoy it. We need to claim the blessing
of salvation and His divine provision for
our every need. We need to claim the blessing
of knowing that He is preparing a place for us
so that we can be with Him one day, face to face.
We should read and reread God's love
letter to us because we need to be reminded of
the wonderful gift of His love which we have received.
Give thanks...and share
In these last days we must make a special
effort to express our appreciation for this great
gift of love. Then we must enter anew into the
spirit of love by doubling our efforts to share
the old, old story of God's great love with others.
Don't wait -- start immediately! Right now
-- today -- get out your "Love Letter" from
God, your Bible, and discover -- and share --
how much you are loved.
I heard a story recently about a nagging wife
who kept writing complaining letters to her
serviceman husband who was on combat duty in
another country. Finally, after receiving yet
another hateful letter, the husband wrote back,
"Will you please stop writing me vicious letters so
I can fight this war in peace?"
We all want peace, don't we? Personally and
nationally we crave it. Yet, so few of us find it.
I've read that over half the beds in our hospitals
today are filled with people who have mental
problems. These individuals have desperately sought
for peace but haven't found it. At last, they have
reached the place where they can no longer cope
with life, and they have become ill.
A noted doctor once said that if all the
tranquilizers were taken away from the American people,
we would have a national nervous breakdown so
big there wouldn't be enough well people to take
care of the sick ones. People who take
tranquilizers are trying to push the turbulence in
their lives out of their minds. They have to resort
to a little pill to put them in "peaceful" oblivion.
My heart goes out to those who do not know the
meaning of peace. Each day is a repetition of the
previous one, filled with hostility, despair, and
loneliness. They are miserable, frustrated, and
unhappy with themselves and everyone around
them.
A picture of peace
Remember the story of the rich man who
commissioned an artist to paint him a picture
illustrating true peace. The artist painted a
beautiful picture of a lake surrounded by trees. In the
distance were majestic, snow-covered mountains.
When the rich man saw it, he shook his head.
"It's very beautiful," he told the artist, "but it's not
a picture of true peace. Please try again."
This time the artist thought a long time before
he began to paint. On the canvas, he painted a
huge, thundering waterfall. He showed the water
churning over the falls and crashing onto rocks far
below. Then, at one side of the waterfall, he
painted a birch tree whose slender branches
reached out over the roaring water. On one of the
branches, he painted a little bird sitting quietly
and contentedly on her nest, oblivious to the
danger around her.
That is true peace -- not an escape from the
pressures and trials of life but the quiet repose of a
heart at rest with God. Jesus said, These things I
have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have
peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but
be of good cheer; I have overcome the world
(John 16:33).
Jesus' life was anything but peaceful. Yet, His
last legacy to His disciples and to all those who
would follow Him was the promise of peace. Peace
I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as
the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your
heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John
14:27).
I love the old hymn that goes:
Trust and rest when all around thee
Let no fear or foe confound thee,
Wait for God and trust and rest.
Trust and rest with heart abiding,
Like a birdling in its nest,
Underneath His feathers hiding,
Fold thy wings and trust and rest.
I don't know the things in your life that cause
you unrest and destroy your peace. But I want to
remind you that there is a way to handle them.
God has given us guidelines that can take us
through these troublesome times.
Guidelines for troubled times
In His sermon on the mount, Jesus said,
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be
called the children of God (Matthew 5:9). What
does that mean to you in your everyday life? It
means that if you will turn your thoughts to God,
He will take control. Then, regardless of the
conditions around you, you have His abiding peace, joy,
patience -- whatever you need at the moment -- to
draw on.
The Apostle Paul tells us that He [Jesus] is our
[way of] peace (Ephesians 2:14). It's only when we
follow after Him that the walls of hostility which
surround us come tumbling down. He is our way
of living at peace with others. Paul also speaks of
those who do not seek after God, and he observes
that they do not know the way of peace (see
Romans 3:17).
A verse that has helped so many who were going
through turbulent times is Isaiah 26:3, Thou wilt
keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed
on thee: because he trusteth in thee. When you
keep your mind on the Lord and trust
unwaveringly in Him, you can truly live in peace though
the world around you be filled with turmoil and
strife.
My prayer for you today is that... the peace of
God, which passeth all understanding, shall
keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus (Philippians 4:7).
"You have such an exciting life! It must be
wonderful to travel about and meet so many
interesting and important people..."
In years past, Dr. Van Impe and I have visited
dozens of cities hosting fellowship banquets and
conducting areawide evangelistic crusades. It
always was a delight to renew old acquaintances
and make new friends. And always we were
overjoyed at the tremendous results we saw in the
crusades. Truly, the Holy Spirit is at work bringing
revival to America!
Many people I talked with said they had seen me
on television and some mentioned that they
enjoyed the on-location interviews I've had over
the years with various well-known people. They
often expressed the feeling that I was fortunate to
be able to enjoy such interesting encounters.
And they're right. Jack and I have had many
beautiful encounters with people in this life. We're
grateful for the wonderful opportunities God has
given us to serve Him and minister across the
United States and Canada and around the world.
We've met important international figures, like
Israel's Abba Eban, and numerous national
leaders, such as Senator Charles Grassley, Senator
William Armstrong, Senator Roger Jepsen,
Congressman Mark Siljander, Mrs. Barbara Bush
(when her husband was Vice President), and so
many others.
We've had encounters with rich and successful
businessmen, great men of science, national
heroes like several of our astronauts, and some of
the most beautiful and charming women in the
world.
It has been intensely interesting to have
encounters with great writers and performers --
learned men and women, experts and authorities
in many fields.
We've also had the pleasure of working personally
with a great many outstanding Christian
leaders, including some 10,000 pastors all across
this great nation. These are encounters we can
never forget!
A life-changing encounter
Of course, the greatest encounter of my life was
when I met Jesus and accepted His salvation.
Never have I experienced such love, such
renewing, cleansing, life-giving power! He
touched me... changed me... transformed me.
Since that great and wondrous encounter, I've
never been the same.
And every day since then, I've had the privilege
of going into the presence of God himself and
having personal, precious fellowship with the
Lord Jesus Christ, my Saviour, my Strength, and
my Friend.
In the words of that grand old song -- "And He
walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells
me I am His own; and the joy we share as we tarry
there, none other has ever known."
Because of that encounter, I have dedicated my
life to serving Christ. I want to do everything I can
to help others have this same wonderful
encounter with God. Right now my heart is
rejoicing because of the thousands and thousands
who have accepted Christ through the witness of
our national television specials and weekly
telecasts. God used the messages of these programs
to bring a great harvest of souls. More than 60,000
people responded to the telecast on "The Occult
World," either requesting literature and prayer or
sharing their testimony about making a decision
for Christ. Thank God for allowing us to be a part
of these great soulwinning outreaches.
Your most important encounter
Would you be excited and filled with anticipation
if you knew you were going to meet the
President of the United States? Of course! No
doubt you would try to look and act your best for
such an important encounter.
But I tell you, there is Someone greater than
him waiting for you, eager to be with you and
have intimate, personal fellowship with you -- not
just once, but every moment of every day, for now
and forever!
His name is Jesus.
Don't neglect your encounter with God --
renew it daily. Nothing... and nobody... is more
important!
If you were to make only one resolution in your
whole life, it should be to have a daily encounter
with Christ Jesus. And remember, as you allow
the Holy Spirit to fill you, this will become a
reality. What could be more exciting, more
thrilling, more fulfilling than this?
"How do I handle the guilt of having lived in
adultery for twenty years?" a woman asked me.
First, I led her to the Lord. Then I assured her that
the past was forgotten, just as if she had never sinned.
The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).
The moment we receive Him, we start a new life. Our
past is never remembered again.
God has promised, "Their sins and their iniquities
will I remember no more" (Heb. 8:12). It is often said
that God casts our sins into the sea of His forgetfulness
and puts up a sign: "No fishing allowed."
However, Satan can use guilt feelings to rob us of
our joy and effectiveness for Christ. Often he brings to
our remembrance the past with all its ugliness. To
overcome this assault, we must have full assurance
that we have been forgiven of our sin (the promise of 1
John 1:9). Then we must dwell with Christ in daily
communion, constantly aware of His glory and the joy
of knowing that He wants to use us in spite of our past.
Having received forgiveness in Christ, we must next
forgive ourselves for our failures. This is what I believe
the apostle Paul was thinking when he wrote, "forgetting
those things which are behind, and reaching forth
unto those things which are before" (Phil. 3:13).
I picture Paul sitting down one day and, in a state of
despair, declaring, "I am the worst of sinners." Then
the Holy Spirit whispers, "Forget those things which
are behind. You did your best. You did all that you
could do, and God knows all about it, so forget all the
things which are behind you. Press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of Christ" (see Phil.
3:13,14).
The Holy Spirit makes the same statement to us
today. Do all that you can now and leave the rest with
the Lord. Look toward the future.
Our thought processes can work to our advantage
or to our disadvantage. I believe that "Gird up the
loins of your mind" (1 Pet. 1:13) means don't allow
yourself to look back, especially on failure and on the
sins for which you have been forgiven. Think on those
things that edify the soul. Philippians 4:8 expresses
beautifully the kinds of thoughts that should fill the
minds of Christians: things that are true, honest, just,
pure, lovely, and of good report.
It is very hard for me to reflect on my life. I have
found it much healthier to look ahead, reflecting only
long enough to say "Thank you, Lord." I never
wallow in guilt, even for two minutes. I will not allow my
mind to do that.
I learned to control my thoughts at a very young
age. After singing in church one night, I was angry
with myself because I thought I had done a bad job.
My brother Bob asked, "Did you do your best?"
"Yes, I did," I answered.
He simply said, "Well?"
"Thank you, Bob," I replied.
That lesson stuck with me. During the first year of
our ministry, I fought those angry feelings when I
didn't do a good job. The Holy Spirit seemed to speak
to me as Bob had done.
"Did you do your best?"
I did.
"Well?"
I realized that although I might not do a superb job
every night, I could do my best... and that's all that is
required.
Each of us struggles with personal failure.
Remember Paul's frustration in Romans 7? The things he
wanted to do, he didn't do. The things he didn't want
to do, he ended up doing. That is also true in my life. I
echo his cry, "O wretched man that I am! who shall
deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God
through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 7:24,25).
You may feel guilty over a son or daughter who has
strayed away from God. Don't condemn yourself by
asking, "Where did I go wrong?" Did you do your best
in rearing him or her for Christ? Then claim the promise
of Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he
should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from
it." Don't spend the rest of your days in regret. Rather,
seek God's guidance in helping your child now.
Forget the past and let your love and concern show
through your prayers to the God who cares. Hands
off -- God is at work!
We will never be perfect in this life, but it's good to
know we have been forgiven -- not only for our past
sins, but also for our daily shortcomings and the
weaknesses that will cause us to fall short of the glory
of God throughout life on earth.
Think of it! We are forgiven... past, present, and
future! "There is therefore now no condemnation to
them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom. 8:1).
No condemnation! And no guilt!