Under Siege
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Posted:Aug 18, 2015 4:26 am
Last Updated:May 4, 2024 3:2 pm 9736 Views
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Read: Philippians 2:1-11
Bible in a Year: Psalms 100–102; 1 Corinthians 1
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4
During the Bosnian War (1992–1996), more than 10,000 people—civilians and soldiers—were killed in the city of Sarajevo as gunfire and mortar rounds rained down from the surrounding hills. Steven Galloway’s gripping novel The Cellist of Sarajevo unfolds there, during the longest siege of a capital city in modern warfare. The book follows three fictional characters who must decide if they will become completely self-absorbed in their struggle to survive, or will somehow rise above their numbing circumstances to consider others during a time of great adversity.
From a prison in Rome, Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi, saying: “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4). Paul cited Jesus as the great example of a selfless focus on others: “Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, . . . made Himself of no reputation . . . humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross”
vv. 5-8. Rather than seeking sympathy from others, Jesus gave all He had to rescue us from the tyranny of sin.
Our continuing challenge as followers of Jesus is to see through His eyes and respond to the needs of others in His strength, even in our own difficult times.
Are you going through something hard right now? What can you still do for another?
Embracing God’s love for us is the key to loving others.
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Baking With Jess
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Posted:Aug 17, 2015 4:20 am
Last Updated:Aug 18, 2015 4:26 am 12624 Views
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Read: John 6:22-34
Bible in a Year: Psalms 97–99; Romans 16
Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life. John 6:27
One morning as Lilia prepared for work, her 4-year-old Jess set to work too. The family had purchased a conveyor toaster, and the concept of cycling bread through the small countertop oven fascinated Jess. Minutes later, Lilia discovered a loaf and a half of toast piled on the counter. “I’m a very good baker!” Jess declared.
It’s no miracle that an inquisitive girl could turn bread into toast. But when Jesus transformed a boy’s five loaves and two fish into a meal for thousands, the crowd on the hillside recognized the miraculous nature of the event and wanted to make Him king (see John 6:1-15).
Jesus is our Bread of Life.
Jesus’ kingdom, of course, is “not of this world” (John 18:36), and so He slipped away. When the crowd found Him the next day, Christ identified a flaw in their motives: “You seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled” (6:26). They mistakenly thought “King” Jesus would give them full stomachs and national freedom. But Jesus counseled them, “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life” (v. 27).
An earthbound view will cause us to treat Jesus as a means to an end. He is, in fact, our Bread of Life.
Lord, our cares and worries can keep us from a genuine relationship with You. May we see You as our very food and not only as our divine problem-solver.
Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you. Jesus
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Einstein And Jesus
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Posted:Aug 14, 2015 5:24 am
Last Updated:Aug 15, 2015 9:53 am 20606 Views
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Read: John 9:1-7
Bible in a Year: Psalms 89–90; Romans 14
Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world.”
John 8:12
We remember Albert Einstein for more than his disheveled hair, big eyes, and witty charm. We know him as the genius and physicist who changed the way we see the world. His famous formula of E=mc2 revolutionized scientific thought and brought us into the nuclear age. Through his “Special Theory of Relativity” he reasoned that since everything in the universe is in motion, all knowledge is a matter of perspective. He believed that the speed of light is the only constant by which we can measure space, time, or physical mass.
Long before Einstein, Jesus talked about the role of light in understanding our world, but from a different perspective. To support His claim to be the Light of the World (John 8:12), Jesus healed a man who had been blind from birth (9:6). When the Pharisees accused Christ of being a sinner, this grateful man said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see” (v. 25).
Jesus can change our perspective on everything.
While Einstein’s ideas would later be proven difficult to test, Jesus’ claims can be tested. We can spend time with Jesus in the Gospels. We can invite Him into our daily routine. We can see for ourselves that He can change our perspective on everything.
Lord Jesus, You are the one constant in this chaotic world. Thank You for being the one true Light that the darkness can never extinguish.
Only as we walk in Christ’s light can we live in His love.
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Not Again!
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Posted:Aug 13, 2015 3:01 am
Last Updated:Aug 14, 2015 5:25 am 31261 Views
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Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17
Bible in a Year: Psalms 87–88; Romans 13
God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. —2 Thessalonians 2:13
As I was reading the text message on my mobile phone, my temperature started to rise and my blood began to boil. I was on the verge of shooting back a nasty message when an inner voice told me to cool down and reply tomorrow. The next morning after a good night’s sleep, the issue that had upset me so greatly seemed so trivial. I had blown it out of proportion because I didn’t want to put another person’s interest before my own. I was unwilling to inconvenience myself so I could help someone.
Regretfully, I am tempted to respond in anger more often than I would like to admit. I constantly find myself having to put into practice familiar Bible truths, such as “Be angry, and do not sin” (Eph. 4:26) and “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4).
Thankfully, God has given us His Spirit who will assist us in our battle with our sin. The apostles Paul and Peter called it the “sanctifying work of the Spirit” (2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2 niv). Without His power, we are helpless and defeated; but with His power, we can have victory.
I’m grateful, Lord, that You are at work in me. I want You to change my heart; please help me to listen and to cooperate with You.
The growth of a saint is the work of a lifetime.
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A Portrait Of Jesus
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Posted:Aug 12, 2015 2:22 am
Last Updated:Aug 13, 2015 3:01 am 34017 Views
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Read: Isaiah 53:4-12
Bible in a Year: Psalms 84–86; Romans 12
We have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. —Isaiah 53:6
In Portraits of Famous American Women, Robert Henkes writes, “A portrait is not a photograph, nor is it a mirror image.” A portrait goes beyond the outer appearance to probe the emotional depth of the human soul. In a portrait, a true artist tries “to capture what the person is really about.”
Over the centuries, many portraits have been painted of Jesus. Perhaps you’ve seen them in a church or museum of art or even have one in your home. Not one of these is a true portrait, of course, because we have no photograph or mirror image of our Lord’s physical appearance. We do, however, have a magnificent word portrait of Him in Isaiah 53. This God-inspired description captures in vivid detail what He is all about: “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering . . . . But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; . . . and by his wounds we are healed” (vv. 4-5
This passage enables us to see love and sorrow, anguish and pain on Jesus’ face. But His lips do not accuse or condemn. He has no sins of His own to grieve; only ours to bear. And deep inside, He knows that “He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied” (v. 11).
What a portrait of our Savior!
What amazing love You have for us, Jesus! As I think of how awesome You are, I bow in silence before You.
Love was when God became a man.
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Debits And Credits
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Posted:Aug 11, 2015 3:52 am
Last Updated:Aug 11, 2015 3:52 am 34643 Views
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Read: John 16:1-11
Bible in a Year: Psalms 81–83; Romans 11:19-36
In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
When my husband was teaching an accounting class at a local college, I took one of the tests just for fun to see how well I could do. The results were not good. I answered every question wrong. The reason for my failure was that I started with a faulty understanding of a basic banking concept. I reversed debits and credits.
We sometimes get our debits and credits confused in the spiritual realm as well. When we blame Satan for everything that goes wrong—whether it’s bad weather, a jammed printer, or financial trouble—we’re actually giving him credit that he doesn’t deserve. We are ascribing to him the power to determine the quality of our lives, which he does not have. Satan is limited in time and space. He has to ask God’s permission before he can touch us (Job 1:12; Luke 22:31).
However, as the father of lies and prince of this world (John 8:44; 16:11), Satan can cause confusion. Jesus warned of a time when people would be so confused that they wouldn’t know right from wrong (16:2). But He added this assurance: “The prince of this world now stands condemned” (v. 11
Problems will disrupt our lives, but they cannot defeat us. Jesus has already overcome the world. To Him goes all the credit.
Thank You, Father, for being Lord over everything in our lives. We praise You for overcoming the world through Your .
While Satan accuses and confuses, God controls.
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I've Come To Help
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Posted:Aug 10, 2015 4:59 am
Last Updated:Aug 12, 2015 5:37 am 35159 Views
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Read: James 1:19-27 | Bible in a Year: Psalms 79–80; Romans 11:1-18
Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. —James 1:22
Reporter Jacob Riis’s vivid descriptions of poverty in 19th-century New York City horrified a generally complacent public. His book How the Other Half Lives combined his writing with his own photographs to paint a picture so vivid that the public could not escape the certainty of poverty’s desperate existence. The third of fifteen himself, Riis wrote so effectively because he had lived in that world of terrible despair.
Shortly after the release of his book, he received a card from a young man just beginning his political career. The note read simply, “I have read your book, and I have come to help. Theodore Roosevelt.” (This politician later became a US President.)
True faith responds to the needs of others.
True faith responds to the needs of others, according to James (1:19-27). May our hearts be moved from inaction to action, from words alone to deeds that back them up. Compassionate action not only aids those mired in life’s difficulties, but it may also make them open to the greater message from our Savior who sees their need and can do so much more for them.
O Lord, it is so easy to be overwhelmed, or to judge and therefore to refrain from helping others. Lift our eyes above our own thoughts and circumstances, and let us care as You care.
Others will know what the words “God is love” mean when they see it in our lives.
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Faultfinders Anonymous
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Posted:Aug 7, 2015 4:34 am
Last Updated:May 4, 2024 3:2 pm 35122 Views
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Read: Philippians 1:1-11
Bible in a Year: Psalms 72–73; Romans 9:1-15
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more. —Philippians 1:9
Like many people, when I read a newspaper or magazine I notice the misteaks in grammar and spelling. (You saw that, didn’t you!) I’m not trying to find errors; they leap off the page at me! My usual reaction is to criticize the publication and the people who produce it. “Why don’t they use ‘spell check’ or hire a proofreader?”
You may have a similar experience in your area of expertise. It seems that often, the more we know about something, the more judgmental we become over mistakes. It can infect our relationships with people as well.
Yet Philippians 1:9 expresses a different approach. Paul wrote, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.” God’s plan is that the more we know and understand, the more we love. Rather than cultivating a critical spirit and pretending we don’t notice or don’t care, our understanding should nourish empathy. Criticism is replaced by compassion.
Instead of our being faultfinders, the Lord calls us to be “filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (v. 11).
When the Lord fills our hearts, we can overlook mistakes, hold our criticism, and love others, no matter how much we know about them!
Lord, by Your grace, please replace my critical spirit with Your love and compassion for others.
To err is human; to forgive, divine.
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Family Privilege
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Posted:Aug 6, 2015 4:15 am
Last Updated:Aug 6, 2015 4:15 am 35512 Views
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Read: John 1:6-14
Bible in a Year: Psalms 70–71; Romans 8:22-39
As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become of God.
John 1:12
When I was in primary school in Ghana, I had to live with a loving and caring family away from my parents. One day, all the assembled for a special family meeting. The first part involved all of us sharing individual experiences. But next, when only “blood ” were required to be present, I was politely excluded. Then the stark reality hit me: I was not a “ of the house.” Despite their love for me, the family required that I should be excused because I was only living with them;
I was not a legal part of their family.
This incident reminds me of John 1:11-12. The of God came to His own people and they rejected Him. Those who received Him then, and receive Him now, are given the right to become God’s . When we are adopted into His family, “the Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are of God” (Rom. 8:16).
Jesus doesn't exclude anyone who is adopted by the Father.
Jesus doesn't exclude anybody who is adopted by the Father. Rather, He welcomes us as a permanent part of His family. “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).
Thank You, Father, for making it possible for me to be Your . I’m grateful to be Yours and not to have to worry about whether You will remove me from Your family. I am Yours and You are mine.
Assurance of salvation is not in what you know but who you know.
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He Found Me
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Posted:Jul 31, 2015 4:04 am
Last Updated:Aug 1, 2015 4:30 am 36063 Views
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Read: Luke 19:1-10
Bible in a Year: Psalms 54–56; Romans 3
The of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Luke 19:10
The film Amazing Grace was set in the late 1700s. It tells the story of William Wilberforce, a politician who was driven by his faith in Christ to commit his money and energy to abolishing the slave trade in England. In one scene, Wilberforce’s butler finds him praying. The butler asks, “You found God, Sir?” Wilberforce responds, “I think He found me.”
The Bible pictures humanity as wayward and wandering sheep. It says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way” (Isa. 53:6). In fact, this wayward condition is so deeply rooted in us that the apostle Paul said: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside” (Rom. 3:10-12). That is why Jesus came. We would never seek Him, so He came seeking us. Jesus declared His mission with the words, “For the of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).
Wilberforce was exactly right. Jesus came to find us, for we could never have found Him if left to ourselves. It is a clear expression of the Creator’s love for His lost creation that He pursues us and desires to make us His own.
Amazing grace—how sweet the sound—that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
Once lost, now found. Eternally thankful!
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