Be Bold! Keep Sharing the Gospel!

Expect Conflict

2 Corinthians 4:5-10

Contrary to a thread of popular but poor theology, salvation does not guarantee an easy life. It is tempting to present Christianity as a safe haven from which to watch the world swirl past--then one could open the door to allow in joy and blessing, but hardship could not squeeze through. That brand of religion would sell well in the world marketplace, but it isn't real.

The truth is, Christians cannot escape conflict or ridicule. The biblical principles we hold dear often seem like foolishness to nonbelievers. What's more, defending our faith and sharing the gospel frequently draw criticism or anger from listeners. But Scripture counsels against keeping quiet and blending in (Matt. 5:14-15). In fact, we are to welcome disagreement as a way to grow our faith.

Consider this: Our belief system is named for a man who so thoroughly challenged the status quo that religious leaders called for His death. Jesus Christ was at the center of controversy during His ministry and very likely all through life. That's why the biblical record so often shows Him slipping away for time alone with God--He was seeking direction and receiving strength. While Jesus was fully God, He was also fully human. He knew the sting of rejection and the taste of fear, just as we do (Heb. 4:15).

As believers, we are called to be peacemakers, but that doesn't mean isolating ourselves from all who oppose the church. Accept conflict as inevitable and reach out anyway. Some who hear the gospel from you may believe. You can have a powerful impact simply by being the person God called you to be--a witness for Christ.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit

www.intouch.org

and

click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.

Think Right!

Developing Godly Thinking
Philippians 4:8-9

At salvation, we were set free from the power of sin and given the ability to think and live as Jesus did. To make that potential a reality requires diligent effort on our part--and surrender to the Holy Spirit.

After acknowledging a need for changed thinking, our first step is a commitment to pursue godliness. Then we must measure our opinions and choices against God's Word, regularly asking ourselves, Is my thinking, attitude, or behavior in line with the character of God and the truths of Scripture? Also, we should take note of what is absorbing our attention. It is not healthy to fill our minds with media reports, Web sites, or television programs that do not reflect God's values. The apostle Paul gave us a measuring stick to use in deciding what is worthy of our attention: he said to dwell on those things that are true, honorable, and worthy of praise (Phil. 4:8).

Finally, we must discipline our mind to reject ungodly thought patterns. Those who battle addictions can testify about the mind's power to overcome good intentions. Unhealthy, repetitious desires cause us to feel guilty, keep us from connecting with God, and make us a poor witness to others. Through the Holy Spirit's power, we must learn to reject such thought patterns and embrace what God says.

Developing a lifestyle of righteous living begins with what we believe. As our minds become in tune with Christ's, we will know what is right, good, and wise. Our lives will reflect His more closely, and we will effectively live out our calling as His ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). How closely does your thinking match the Lord's?

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit

www.intouch.org

and

click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.

Do not be anxious

Overcoming Anxiety

Isaiah 41:10-14

Fear is a powerful emotion. It shows up without warning, tends to dominate our thoughts, and does not depart quickly. But as Christians, we have an even more powerful weapon to stop anxiety from overcoming us--the Word of God.

When anxiety strikes, key truths can help us stand firm. First, remember that God is sovereign over all circumstances and people (1 Chron. 29:11). When He decides to act, no leader, army, or nation can stand against Him. We may not understand why certain things happen, but we can know for sure that our Lord is still in control.

Next, keep in mind the promise that He causes all things to work for the good of those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). Just as the Father orchestrated the events of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection to accomplish our salvation, He also works circumstances for our good and His glory. The disciples didn't comprehend what Jesus was telling them about the future; nor could they initially see how His dying was beneficial. But in the end, they understood that God had carried out His plan of redemption through the crucifixion and resurrection.

We may be in the midst of hard times and wondering where the good is. Do not lose hope. God is sovereign and true to every one of His promises (2 Cor. 1:20).

Verses that proclaim God's sovereignty can help us overcome fear (Ps. 22:27-28). Studying the lives of saints like Abraham, Joseph, and the apostle Paul will remind us that God is mighty and He can use difficulties to bring about gain. As we believe His Word, our anxiety will be replaced by His divine peace (Gal. 5:22).

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit

www.intouch.org

and

click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.

Money, Is it good, bad or neutral?

The Danger of Money

1 Timothy 6:6-19

Money is a neutral commodity, in that inherently, it is neither good nor evil. However, a strong yearning for wealth can be the cause of great danger for our souls. The Lord created mankind to love Him, but ever since the fall, people have given their hearts to lesser desires. The love of money not only robs God of His rightful place in our affections, but also steals contentment, opens the door to a variety of temptations, and can cause us to wander away from our Creator.

The amount of money we possess is not the source of the problem. The root originates in the desires of the heart. We never seem to think we have enough, no matter what our financial situation is. The lure of wealth promises pleasures and security, but if we devote ourselves to the pursuit of affluence, we will find that it does not satisfy and ultimately leads to ruin and grief.

Mark 4:19 speaks of the deceitfulness of riches. Think back to a time when you purchased something you really wanted. Remember the delight you had in that item when it was new. Do you still feel the same joy, or has the pleasure decreased? The satisfaction of possession is fleeting and, therefore, requires the pursuit of more in an effort to regain the same feeling of gratification.

Lasting pleasure and security are found only in God. He richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17), but if we let His blessings become our primary desire, we will lose our contentment. Seek the Lord in His Word and prayer; as you learn to delight in Him, you will discover true and enduring satisfaction for your soul.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit

www.intouch.org

and

click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com

What is Real Success in Life?

Success and Money

Luke 12:13-21

The belief that wealth equals success is a common misconception. True success means becoming who God wants you to be and doing the work He has prepared for you to accomplish. Jesus said the man in Luke 12 was a fool because he spent his life pursuing wealth but was not rich toward the Lord.

An idolatrous attitude about money is revealed by an insatiable desire for more. Materialism affects rich and poor alike. So whenever financial concerns have top priority in our thoughts and begin to dictate goals and desires, we can know we've succumbed to the foolishness of greed. Worrying about finances is actually a warning sign of misplaced priorities and displays a lack of trust in God.

Money is a vital part of our lives, but it should never come to have a higher place than the Lord intends. Everything belongs to God. We are merely stewards of all that He entrusts to us, and one day we'll give an account to Him of how we have used what He gave us to oversee. Our goal is not to become wealthy but to be found faithful.

In His great wisdom, the Lord has prescribed a remedy for our tendency to overvalue money. Giving it away breaks the grip of greed, teaches us to trust and obey God, and is the avenue through which treasure can be stored in heaven.

If you hunger more for worldly riches than for the treasures of knowing God, then you're climbing the wrong ladder of success. Genuine eternal blessing is measured in relationship with Jesus, not monetary accumulation. Make Christ your top priority and chief joy, and you will experience true prosperity.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit

www.intouch.org

and

click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 118

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;his love endures forever. Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever.”

In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.

It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. They surrounded me on every side, but in the name of the LORD I cut them off. They swarmed around me like bees, but they died out as quickly as burning thorns; in the name of the LORD I cut them off. I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me.

The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: “The LORD’s right hand has done mighty things! The LORD’s right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!”

I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done. The LORD has chastened me severely, but he has not given me over to death. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD. This is the gate of the LORD through which the righteous may enter. I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation.

The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

O LORD, save us; O LORD, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.

The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will give you thanks;

you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 118 was a national hymn of praise in Israel. Parts of it came to be reserved for the Messiah’s entrance into Jerusalem. That’s why the Pharisees admonished Jesus to rebuke His followers when they spontaneously started singing it on that first Palm Sunday (Luke 19:39). The people were doing God’s will and Jesus set the Pharisees straight.

“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:40) This day had been identified to them 483 years earlier as the one where He would present Himself to Israel as their Messiah. Then He told them the city would be utterly destroyed because they didn’t recognize the time of God’s coming to them (Luke 19:44)

By tradition Jesus and His Disciples also sang part of it at the end of their Passover meal. Within a the 24 hour day just beginning, Jesus would be betrayed, arrested, tried, beaten, condemned, executed, and buried. And yet He led them in singing, “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” This was the day He would pay the price for His bride. The writer of Hebrews would later say, Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebr. 12:2) The joy set before Him was the privilege of taking your hand in marriage. He considered it a fair exchange for His life.

Psalm 118 is also the last in a series of Hallel Psalms. Hallel means praise. Hallelujah is Hebrew for “Praise the Lord”. Strangely, although it’s one of the Church’s most popular exclamations and is used 24 times in the Old Testament, it only appears 4 times in the New Testament and all 4 are in Rev. 19:1-8. They’re shouted by a great multitude in Heaven as the Lord prepares for His triumphal return to Earth with His Bride.

Of course the Church will be part of that multitude, and sometimes I like to imagine how we’ll all sound. Think of it. The angels, the Old Testament saints, the Tribulation martyrs, and the Church all shouting as with one mighty voice, “Hallelujah!” Maybe it’s the power released in that shout that rends the fabric of heaven, allowing the Lord to be visible on Earth, riding a white horse and accompanied by the armies of Heaven on their white horses. While His robe will look as if it’s been dipped in blood, ours will all be white and clean. This is perhaps the most obvious sign that though we’re the victors, the battle has been His. Requiring nothing more than the power of His Word, he’ll strike down the nations gathered against Him and will finally take possession of that which He purchased at the cross. The usurper will be taken to prison in chains and the other two members of his Satanic trinity will be cast into the Lake of fire.

On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south. On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime—a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light. On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern (Dead) sea and half to the western (Mediterranean) sea, in summer and in winter. The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. (Zechariah 14:3-4,6-9) Hallelujah, indeed.

See through the eyes of faith!

Believing is Seeing

Tracie Miles

"Then Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed'." John 20:29 (NIV)

Devotion:

Notice how I titled today's devotion "Believing is Seeing," and not the other way around?

If you think about it, we believe without seeing every day. We listen to the news on the radio or television and believe what they say is true. Even though we may see the broadcast, we did not actually witness the events. We listen to the gossip of others and believe their words to be fact.

However, when it comes to believing that God is God, and that the Bible is holy and true, many people struggle.

Why is it that we have a much harder time believing in a sovereign God, than we do a story on the news or from a friend? Why is it difficult for some to comprehend and believe that God created the universe, is in control of everything, and ordains life?

DOUBT.

Doubt is an incredibly powerful weapon that the devil uses to attack the minds of those whose faith is weakened due to struggles in life, feeling distanced from God, or who have never truly known the Savior.

Doubt occurs when we begin to think we have to see God to believe in Him, and when our faith is dependent on what our eyes can see.

But faith is not something we can see. There is no visual evidence. The official definition of faith is a "firm belief in something of which there is no proof."

Faith requires that we believe, despite not having any visual evidence.

If seeing were believing, then faith would be irrelevant and unnecessary. Jesus would forever be trying to convince us that He is the Holy One through signs, wonders and miracles. Our faith would always be teetering on the edge, and likely decline as soon as we felt the need to see just one more example of proof of His existence, His sovereignty, or His power. If we could see Him, we would probably never truly believe in Him.

Faith only comes by hearing God's Word, and believing it - no matter what - without a shadow of a doubt - without needing constant visual proof.

The cold hard fact is that we live in a world that thrives on proof. As a result, Christians will face pressure to doubt that God is real and alive. We will face opportunities to turn away from God and believe in other religions, which may seem trendier, more appealing or visually legitimate. We will face ridicule for believing in the unseen.

But that is where true faith comes in. Faith that is not swayed by new ideas, impressive people, or eloquent preaching. Faith that will not die because something easier comes along. Faith that is based on the belief that He was, is and will be the Savior of the world. Faith that can withstand the pressure of difficulties in life.

Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (NIV).

We can't see God, but we can see His activity in our lives...if we believe.

We can't see God, but we can see His power working within us...if we believe.

If you ask me, we see what we want to see. We choose to believe...and then, we see.

If you have felt lured to doubt God's presence, power, and omnipotence as a result of listening to false teachings, being persuaded by others, or dealing with doubts that have been planted in your mind by those who don't believe because they cannot see, pray for God to remove those doubts today.

If you have been doubting God's existence because you cannot see His activity in your life, pray for Him to open your eyes to see His divine intervention. Pray for Him to saturate your life so powerfully that you cannot doubt that He is at work. Pray for Him to make His presence known to you.

If your heart desires to believe, your eyes will see the truth. Your faith will result in vision.

Dear Lord, impart in me an unshakable faith. Forgive me for any doubts. I love You and believe in Your sovereignty, forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Fresh Grounded Faith: Devotions to Awaken your Spirit by Jennifer Rothschild

My First Story of Jesus by Tim Dowley

Visit Tracies' blog

Application Steps:

Pray this verse and ask for God's power to transform your life:.

Romans 8:6 "So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." (NLT)

Look up Romans 8:6 in other translations.

Reflections:

Are there any doubts in my heart today?

Power Verses:

Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (NIV)

© 2009 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

Hope

Holding Onto Our Hope

1 Samuel 1:1-18

Hannah's situation looked hopeless. She was heartbroken because "the Lord had closed her womb." This alone was a source of great disgrace for a Hebrew woman. But Hannah suffered even more because of the deliberate provocation by her husband's other wife, who was blessed with children.

Holding onto hope can be difficult when circumstances are miserable and show no signs of improving. For believers, this can be even more discouraging, because they know that God could fulfill their hopes and remedy the situation, but He hasn't.

Hannah was a woman of great faith, even in the midst of her disappointment and pain. Year after year she kept going to Shiloh to worship the Lord. Perseverance is a quality that the Father highly values in His people. Endurance in trials leads to godly character and hope that does not disappoint (Rom. 5:3-5).

Great pain often drives us to the Lord. Hannah had faithfully worshiped God with all of Israel, but this time she went by herself to the tabernacle and prayed to the only One who could help her. Weeping bitterly, she poured out her soul before the Lord and offered Him a sacrifice of the very thing she valued most--a child: she laid her hope at His feet and promised that if He fulfilled her desire, she would give Him her son.

That which we strive to hold can be kept only by surrendering it to God. This biblical principle applies to our hopes as well as to our very life (Luke 9:24). Learn from Hannah's example of faith, and pour out your heart to God. Lay your hopes before Him--the only One who can fulfill your desires or change them to match His will.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit

www.intouch.org
and
click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.