Quiet Corner

[KakiMeow]

Life Has Its Ups and Downs​

Written By New Beginnings Church

Extract:

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Theme: Following Jesus will take us over mountaintops and through valleys ​

Text: Matthew 17:1-23 ​

Jesus explains to His followers in John 16:33:

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. NIV

An economics professor asked his class, “Name a product in which the supply always exceeds the demand.”

One wise student quickly answered, “Trouble.”

This passage in Matthew 17 begins with the disciples in euphoria - thrilled to see the glory of Jesus Christ revealed. This passage in verse 23 ends with Jesus explaining that His suffering was coming and the disciples grieving over this news.

We find the partnership of suffering and glory repeatedly throughout the Bible.

By our standards of success, Jesus might be considered a failure (https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/cbb/isaiah-52.html):

Was He popular? No. He was not well-liked. In fact, after one of his sermons, all of His followers deserted Him, except for the Twelve Apostles.

Did He have political power? No. He was a political failure. All levels of government first rejected Him. Then they conspired to kill Him.

Did He have lots of friends? No. His friends often hurt Him, eventually abandoned Him, and one of them betrayed Him to death.

Did He have money and possessions? No. No house, no “wheels”, no world headquarters, no Christian amusement park.

Was He respected by His peers? No. His professional peers, the Pharisees, rejected His work.

Despite His apparent failure by these standards, Jesus Christ has changed the lives of millions of people across the centuries.

I have had my ups and downs in life. My parents, parents-in-law and some friends have passed away, we had a miscarriage, divorce has hit our extended family, I lost my job, and our family lost our house. On the other hand, the Lord has blessed us with many terrific relationships among family and friends. We have seen couples grow in their love for one another, the Lord has blessed us financially, and we have a great home. Through it all, the Lord has remained steadfast and faithful.

1 Peter 1:6-7 promises that God uses trials for your growth:

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your

faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. NIV

There are years in South Africa when locusts swarm the land and eat the crops. They come in hordes, blocking out the sun. The crops are lost, and a hard winter follows. The “years that the locusts eat” are feared and dreaded. But the year after the locusts, South Africa reaps its greatest crops, for the dead bodies of the locusts serve as fertilizer for the new seed. The locust year is restored as great crops swell the land.

The same is true of our lives. Seasons of deep distress and afflictions sometimes eat all the usefulness of our lives away. Yet, the promise is that God will restore those locust years if we endure. We will reap if we do not give up. Although now we do not know all the “whys,” we can be assured our times are in His hands (from “Fruits of the Spirit,” by Ron Hembree, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Book House, 1969).

Charles Stanley concluded:

Adversity is not simply a tool. It is God's most effective tool for the advancement of our spiritual lives. The circumstances and events that we see as setbacks are oftentimes the very things that launch us into periods of intense spiritual growth. Once we begin to understand this, and accept it as a spiritual fact of life, adversity becomes easier to bear.

God knows what is good for us better than we know ourselves. Let’s not judge God’s overall plan for our lives by what is revealed today. God has all eternity to fulfill His plans for our lives. Think not in terms of today but in terms of eternity. After all, that’s where we’ll spend most of our lives.

Life has its:

Ups

and

Downs

Following Jesus will take us over mountaintops and through valleys.

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Full article: https://www.nbccalgary.com/latest/life-has-its-ups-and-downs-aug-6-2023

 

[KakiMeow]

Let’s Talk About Obedience to God
https://www.askaboutmyfaith.com/blogs/commit-to-obedience​

Extract from Link :
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Obedience is the second pillar of everything we do at the Everyday Faith Podcast. Belief is the first! But once you believe, you’re responsible to share your faith with others, becoming obedient to the Father, just like Jesus. As you continue in your faith in Jesus, Start with Belief, Embrace Your Mission, commit to obedience, and Pursue Community. We believe this is a recipe for how to live out your faith, every day, no matter what season of life you’re in.

“One of the biggest struggles in the Christian faith is to actually obey.” - Jon Odom

Understanding Obedience to God ​

Wow. Think about that: we’re always obeying something or someone. Will we obey sin or will we obey the fruit of the spirit, like self-control? Will we obey selfishness or will we obey God’s way of generosity?

Joy in Obedience​

What comes to mind when you read the words joy in obedience? Do you think joyful, cheerful obedience can be possible? When we come to realize that obedience is actually for our good, and not our detriment – joyful obedience can become a reality.

As we see in the Ten Commandments were written for our benefit. It’s good for us and our neighbor when we are free from lust, murder, and jealousy. It’s good for us to have no other gods except God alone. It’s good for us to tell the truth. There is joy and peace that comes from obedience!


When we’re struggling with obedience, it shows us that we are struggling to trust God. Choosing our own way rarely results in the joy that Jesus promises us. But as we see in the life of Jon Odom, as we follow Jesus, we receive His joy, which then inspires us to follow His ways and stay obedient to Him.

What Does the Bible Say About Obedience?​

Throughout the Bible we read stories and verses about obedience to God that remind us that faith isn’t about religious rules. Our obedience is out of a loving response to a God who cares deeply for us. In Christianity, obedience is an invitation to walk in harmony with God’s wisdom and path that leads us to blessings and a closer relationship with Him. Think of these Bible verses about obedience as a friendly guide, showing you how to experience the fullness of life He intends for all.

Bible Verses on Obedience to God & Submission to God ​

Bible verses about obedience to God always encourage us to live out our faith, rather than just say we are Christians. This scripture about obedience comes from the book of James and it’s a strong, unwavering reminder to not just listen to the scriptures, but to follow them so we can be true followers of Jesus.

This Bible verse about obedience to God comes from the book of 1 John. In the Bible, 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John are three short books towards the end of the New Testament. Because we keep God’s command and do what pleases him, we have confidence before God and can even receive answers to our prayers because of our obedience! We’re so thankful that God answers prayers.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. - John 14:23-24

Here at the Everyday Faith podcast, our favorite Bible verses about obedience are ‘red-letter’, meaning when Jesus is speaking to us. If Jesus said it, it must be very important. Obedience in Christianity is one of the ways Christians grow in following God. Because we love Jesus, we obey His teachings and follow in His ways.

This Bible verse about obedience encourages us to press in to the fear of the Lord. The spiritual discipline of the fear of the Lord was never meant to be a scary thing. The fear of the Lord is just a big phrase for reverence and submission to God. It’s where we choose the fear of the Lord rather than the fear of man or the fear of the Lord instead of the fear of failure. This spiritual discipline is simple: we read the Word, we revere Jesus, and because of this, we follow His ways!

This Bible verse about obedience to God shows us a glimpse into God’s will for us. Submission, obedience, and faithfulness to God is better than sacrifice. In Israel, when the book of 1 Samuel was written, priests would sacrifice an animal to God to atone or cover the sins of Israel. Through this Bible verse about obedience, God is telling us that obeying God’s word is better than trying to cover sins.

This Bible verse about obedience to God is a wild one! It comes from the book of Acts, right after Jesus rose from the dead, and the Holy Spirit came to the apostles who were in prayer. In Acts 5, Peter and the apostles were healing many in the name of Jesus and the religious leaders at the time weren’t too happy about that. The religious leaders had them put in jail, but God miraculously let them out and told the men to preach the good news in the temple courts! Because Peter and the apostles were surrendered to God, they obeyed God’s will and responded to their accusers with, “We must obey God rather than human beings.”

This Bible verse about obedience reminds us that when we accepted Jesus, we received new ways and started following His path. Submission to God isn’t a scary thing, it’s a wonderful thing. Remember: obedience to God is for our benefit. These scriptures about obedience to God remind us that God’s ways are better and more awesome than ours, even when it doesn’t seem like it at first.

‍Testimonies About Obedience to God​

Jon resisted the voice of the Lord for a long time. He went to college, got his degree in biomedical science, went to medical school, and was even the national liaison for orthopedic surgery. He had accolades and accomplishments, but the Lord still had a heart for Jon to be in ministry.

10 years later, Jon began fasting and praying for a week. In the middle of his fast, he heard a Bible verse about obedience to God from the book of Galatians: ‍

After reading the Bible verse, Jon decided to be obedient and pursue the Lord’s path of him becoming a minister of the Gospel. He quit medical school on a Friday, and by Monday he had been offered a job to be a professor. Shortly after this, he received a call from a local church plant asking for him to be the pastor. God works in mysterious and awesome ways. Despite resisting the call of God, through the Lord’s divine guidance and will, Jon finally ended up in ministry and still serves there today.

His favorite scripture that reminds him of surrender to God is from Psalm 119. It reads:

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. - Psalm 119:105

Growing in Obedience to God by Hearing the Voice of God​

As we wrapped up our interview with Jon, he shared wisdom for our listeners on hearing the voice of God. The only way you can know the voice of God is by spending time with Him. It’s just like any other relationship. Relationships take time, attention, effort, and consistency.

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[KakiMeow]

Overcoming Satan’s Secret Strategy Against Your Mind​

Are you battling issues of fear, insecurity, temptation or depression? Win those battles with this mighty truth.

By Kyle Winkler
Author & Bible Teacher

It’s often said that the mind is the devil’s playground. And it’s said for good reason. The majority of the battles you face are waged between your ears. Yes, frequently issues such as fear, insecurity, temptation or depression aren’t so much the product of the weather or chemicals in the brain, but of how you process thoughts.

The Source of Spiritual Warfare​

Consider what Paul penned about the source and solution to spiritual warfare. “[Cast] down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,” he instructed. “[Bring] every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). Certainly, this describes a battle in the mind. But there’s much more here than what meets the eye.

The majority of the battles you face are waged between your ears.

First, note that the Greek word for “imaginations” is logismos. This is the word from which we derive “logic” or “reasoning.” Secondly, the phrase “high thing” comes from the word hypsoma, which means “arrogance.” In essence, Satan comes with arrogant reasoning in which he attempts to manufacture imaginations in you that seem more real than the truths of God’s Word. And thus begins the warfare.

The Power of the Mind​

In my message, “Stand: How to Win Spiritual Battles without a Fight” (available in the You Aren’t 4-part series), I ask the congregation to interact with a riddle that powerfully illustrates how the enemy works with the mind to create such imaginations. It’s always fascinating to hear the peoples’ answers to the following:
“A man left home running. He ran a bit and then turned left. He ran some more and turned left. He ran a bit more and turned left. And then the man ran back home. When the man arrived home, two masked men were there waiting for him.”
Here are the questions: Why did the man leave home running? And who are the two masked men?

The mind goes into overdrive to fill in what isn’t known, most often with worst-case scenarios.

Before I get to the answers, allow me to make a point. This riddle contains only a couple facts. The first is that there is a man who runs from home and makes three left turns before he returns home. The second is that there are two masked men who wait for the man back at home. With this little information, the mind goes into overdrive to fill in what isn’t known, most often with worst-case scenarios. And so, if you’re like most who hear this for the first time, it’s likely that you imagined a situation in which the man is in danger. But that’s far from reality.
I will now undo any false scenario with a single word of truth. Think, “baseball.” Yes, the man ran from home because he hit a home run. And the two masked men who awaited him back home are the catcher and the umpire!

How to Overcome Mind Games​

The riddle reveals Satan’s strategy against your mind. That is, he often presents bits of truth—perhaps a real struggle, symptom or circumstance—and then fills in the unknowns with imaginations. These imaginations are the fodder for your fears, insecurities and so on.

The truths God has planted in scripture will help you overcome any imagination the devil attempts to plant in your mind.

Like we learn with the riddle, the solution to overcome these mind games is to confront them with truth. If a circumstance begins to fill you with fear, cast it down with the certainty of God’s Word: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control” (2 Tim. 1:7). If you face a symptom that works up worry, meditate on the assurance that “he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed” (Isa 53:5). Reject rejection with the reality that “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).

Always remember: God’s Word is more real than what you feel (or think!). The truths God has planted in His scripture are sure to help you overcome any imagination the devil attempts to plant in your mind.

 

[tiobanned]

 

[the only way]

 

[KakiMeow]

Putting God first in your faith​

One day it dawned on me that I was not always doing what Jesus said for myself. I was doing what Jesus said, so others would see the way they were supposed to do things. Hey, there’s nothing wrong with trying to set a good example, and I was very sincere in my efforts to live my faith, but I had developed a pretty severe case of self-righteous Pharisaism.

You’re not responsible for putting God first for someone else​

I was putting the way other people were living their faith before God and before living my own faith.

When Peter got a preview of how he would be martyred because of his faith, he was naturally curious what would happen to John. Jesus replied,

Jesus answered, “If I want him [John] to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” John 21:22 NIV

Focus is on following Christ myself. You can’t follow Jesus for someone else. You have to do it for yourself.

And to follow Christ means to put God first in everything you do. That’s the example Jesus set for all of us.

The next question is: ​

What does it mean putting God first in everything you do?
When one of the Pharisees asked Jesus what the most important commandment was, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5,

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Matthew 22:37 NIV

This is the first and greatest commandment. [In other words, this is the top priority] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:38, 39 NIV

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Obeying His commandments​

To make loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind your No. 1 priority is one thing, but living this out in your daily life is the real victory and shows that you’re putting God first in your life.

It’s not always easy to look at yourself in the mirror, see the areas in your life where you need to do a better job of putting God first, and then actually doing it. But there’s nothing more rewarding.

When?​

All the time.

It’s might be easier to put God first when you’re quiet, sitting in your prayer chair, expressing gratitude. But you can be sitting in that same prayer chair absorbed in a problem, and the problem has more space in your thinking than God does. You’re putting the problem before God.

When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Psalm 86:7 NIV

​

When God feels far away​

Whenever I feel this way, the thing that gets me back on track the quickest is to think of things I’m grateful for. And it usually starts off with something pretty simple. I thanked God for the sheets on the bed. I thanked God for the windows in my bedroom and the window shades. I thought of various other things I was grateful for. Just normal everyday stuff that I often take for granted.

Listening for an idea​

Listen for a word or idea. And that’s what I did next. The phrase that came to me was “open door.”

That was interesting! I found this verse in Revelation.

See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8 NIV

This is just what I needed. And it was not hollow words. I felt so encouraged and strengthened way down deep.

When do we need to put God first? Isaiah puts it this way:

My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. Isaiah 26:9 NIV

Where?​

Where do I put God first?

Again, the answer is easy if you’re thinking of where in a geographical sense. Wherever you are, is the best place to put God first.

Have you ever known someone who could say all the right words at a church meeting, quote the appropriate Bible verses for any situation, and on Sunday be full of inspiration, but the rest of the week, they seem pretty far from a Christlike way of life?

I’m not saying this to be judgmental of them. I have been there myself sometimes.

Jesus tells it like it is​

Jesus is pretty straightforward with this when he was talking to the Pharisees. They often were just putting on the appearance of being holy and spiritual when they prayed in the streets or offered their charitable giving to be seen by others, or they went overboard in the way they tithed.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Matthew 23:23 NIV

The Pharisees had not really put God first in their hearts. If they had, they would have had a lot more justice, mercy, and faithfulness in their lives and Jesus would have commended instead of rebuking them.

Putting God first with your whole heart​

Now, we know King David messed up a few times. He may not have always put God first in his heart, but it was his overall desire, and he often put into practice. He says

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. Psalm 86:12 NIV

When you put God first in your heart, He will be first in your life and everything you do.

Why? ​

The simple answer is that without God, you wouldn’t exist.

Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; Psalm 100:3 NKJV

Yes, God created you, but that’s not all. That’s not the only reason why we put Him first in our lives.

Moses reveals a great truth, which we sometimes pass right by. When he is urging the Children of Israel to be faithful to God, he says,

…choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, Deuteronomy 30: 19, 20 ESV

​

God is your life​

Jesus puts it this way,

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Matthew 6:33 CSB

How

Start your day talking to God. End your day talking to God. Start and end your day listening to God.

Praise God. Thank God. Sings hymns.

Confess your sins to God.

Most importantly, obey God’s commandments. Love God with all your heart and soul and mind, and your neighbor as yourself.

Putting God first by following Jesus​

Be like Jesus.

Jesus made it clear that everything he said and did was exactly what God told him to say and do.

Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. John 5:19 NIV
For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say. John 12:49, 50 NIV

As I said, Jesus gave us the highest possible example of putting God first. Now, it may seem impossible to live up to that high standard. But we all have to start by taking the first step.

And if you miss a few steps, wander off the path, or go backwards for a bit, you can always come right back to taking one next step forward of putting God first, with a moment of gratitude, humility, prayer, praise, or repentance.

Psalm 100​

I’m going to close with Psalm 100.

Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!
Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations. Psalm 100:1-5 NKJV

_____________

By James Early, Bible teacher

 

[KakiMeow]

Healed Of Acute Pain In Knee​

For several months, I was suffering from an acute pain behind my right knee. I was unable to move whenever I got up from a sitting position. I limped and could not walk for long distances. The condition discouraged and upset me.
I was referred to an orthopaedist who requested that I go for an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. That Sunday, Pastor Prince led us in prayer for healing, which was what I really needed. Besides praying for healing for my knee, I also prayed that I would not have to go for the MRI scan.

I started partaking of the Holy Communion at home, believing that while I could do nothing to improve my condition, Jesus was able and more than willing to heal me.

Whenever I felt pain and had difficulty walking, I would declare this over myself: “By His stripes, I am healed! In Christ, I am able to keep on walking!” I kept proclaiming and trusting in His power to heal me, and I began to be able to walk more and with less difficulty.

Today, the pain in my knee is completely gone. Praise the Lord! I have not gone back to the orthopaedist because Jesus has restored my knee! Not only am I able to walk long distances, I’m able to run for the bus. Hallelujah!

I am now looking forward to more walking holidays with my family, and hopefully, I will get to walk in the land of Israel this year or the next. Thank you, Pastor Prince, for preaching the good news of grace and healing. May our Lord Jesus Christ continue to bless you and your ministry as you preach the true gospel of grace.

The writer has requested to remain anonymous | Singapore
https://www.josephprince.com/praise-reports/healed-of-acute-pain-in-knee

 

[KakiMeow]

A Nonanxious Presence​

Bible in a Year:
Leviticus 13; Matthew 26:26-50

In peace I will lie down and sleep.​

Psalm 4:8

Today’s Scripture & Insight:​

Psalm 4

In his 1985 book Generation to Generation, family therapist and Rabbi Edwin Friedman introduced the phrase “a nonanxious presence.” Friedman’s thesis, later articulated in A Failure of Nerve, is that “the climate of contemporary America has become so chronically anxious that our society has gone into an emotional regression that is toxic to well-defined leadership.”

Friedman focused on how chronic anxiety spreads within a system—a family, a workplace, a congregation. Yet in the same way, a leader can offer a nonanxious presence that will spread through a system, becoming a person of peace in the middle of a storm.

Psalm 4 is a psalm of David, written in the middle of one of life’s storms. David was in the grip of anxiety. So he cried out to God, “Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer” (v. 1). While he was fearful for his life, he was also aware that his followers were fearful too: “Many, Lord, are asking, ‘Who will bring us prosperity?’” (v. 6).

David’s decision to trust God created a nonanxious presence in the presence of anxiety! “In peace I will lie down and sleep,” he said. David could rest because “you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (v. 8).

We too can rest in the nonanxious presence God provides. We can spread His peace wherever we go.
By: John Blase

Reflect & Pray ​

What’s a current situation causing you anxiety? What would it look like to lead with a nonanxious presence?

You alone, God of peace, are my safety. May my trust in You encourage others to do the same

 

[KakiMeow]

Satan’s Toolbox – II Corinthians 2:10-11​

Aug 31, 2023 | https://idahobaptist.com/satans-toolbox-ii-corinthians-210-11/

Extracts from the article, read the link for the full article.

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In the devil’s box of wiles, there are several WRENCHES of various sizes and varieties.

There are adjustable wrenches, socket wrenches, pipe wrenches, strap wrenches and so on. And what does he do with those things? Their uses are as many as their varieties. Sometimes Satan uses them on the scripture the Christian is reading or hearing preached. He twists the eternal Word of God so the verse isn’t quite tight, or it doesn’t line up with other scriptures. When Peter was talking about the writings of Paul, he pointed out that unlearned and unstable Christians, “WREST (Paul’s words) as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” – II Peter 3:16. From whom did they get the tool to “wrest” or “twist” Paul’s words? It came from Satan’s tool box. When the devil went to Eve, he used this tool to loosen God’s word just a bit: “Yea, hath God said?”

Satan also uses his wrenches directly on us – on God’s saints. Any of us can get “sideways” – emotionally, or intellectually, or in other ways. We are supposed to “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” We are commanded to “set our affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” But the devil comes along with his wrench around our heart and twists just a little bit – sometimes so incrementally that we don’t feel it. All of a sudden were are looking at ourselves rather than Christ, or we’re staring at the sin of a neighbor.

Another of Satan’s tools is the HAMMER.

Sometimes he puts it into the preacher’s hand, getting that man all fired up with one particular doctrine. It might be about the second coming; it might be the doctrine of the church. Or it might be something social like thoughts about the COVID vaccine; it could be anything. It could be something 100% Biblical, or it could be heretical. It could be positive or it could be negative. Sometimes it really doesn’t matter to the devil what is being hit. But that excited preacher, with Satan’s hammer in his hand, starts pounding on his current favorite theme. Over and over again he hits the nail on its head until the congregation gets a headache. At that point the devil has gotten his job done. While there is a large project needing to be finished – like the whole council of God, or the evangelism of the city – that church has become focused on one little nail. And where there are real problems, like those outlined in Revelation 2 and 3, the angel of the church is only hammering on one thing.

But we need to be careful to recognize when Satan is nailing inappropriate things together. For example, the Bible teaches the preservation and perseverance of the saved soul. But the devil has often tried to nail the freedom to wilfully sin onto that plank of God’s saving grace. He says, “Since you are saved by grace for eternity, it doesn’t matter whether or not you sin.” The Bible describes the length, breadth and depth of God’s salvation, but Satan comes along and tries to nail earthly, financial prosperity to that salvation.

And by the way, I have several hammers which might be properly called “claw hammers.” On the side opposite the face which pounds in the nail – is something with which to pull nails out. Satan is perhaps even more busy these days, extracting nails, than he is in driving them in. “Yea, hath God said, thou shalt surely die?” “Let’s pop that nail out.” “Surely, mother, this new born baby of yours isn’t as depraved as your husband, his father.” “God is absolutely sovereign over hurricanes and tornadoes, but not over kings, and elections, and the salvation of sinful hearts.” We all know people who once believed important Bible truths, but they no longer do today. Satan has used his claw hammer on them.

Not every tool box has one, but two of my tools are MAGNETS.

In application, I’ll just say that Satan loves attracting and catching weak brethren, pulling them out of church and away from the fellowship of their brethren. He will draw them with any number of things: lusts of the flesh, family feuds, educational confusion. The devil loves to divide and conquer. And it is particularly easy to collect new believers who are separated from the herd – the “flock.”

And speaking of dividing, Satan has a few WEDGES in his tool box.

There are very few things more important, practically speaking, than the unity of a church. When church members can’t get along with other church members that church is in trouble. It was a problem in Corinth, where the congregation was divided four ways from Sunday, as my old pastor used to say. There were some members who favored Peter, others who followed Apollos, and some preferred Paul. But of course the most “spiritual,” and perhaps the most troublesome, were those who claimed to follow only Christ – I Corinthians 1:12. Two chapters later Paul wrote: “For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not CARNAL?” He might have added, “Isn’t this of SATAN?” Paul doesn’t tell us what specifically separated each group, but it doesn’t really matter. Each platoon may have had their favorite Bible doctrines. Some may have been pre-trib’ers while other were pre-wrath. Some may have preferred their Greek Bibles, but others read the words of David in Hebrew.

But the point was they were not united as they should have been or could have been. And when there are cliques and factions there will ultimately be hurt feelings and animosity. Jesus said, “A house divided against itself cannot stand” – at least it can’t stand very well or very long. “While one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?”

Satan’s tool box also has a pair of GOGGLES.

If I can say so, these are the goggles the devil hands to us to use. They distort the truth; they twist our sight, so we are unable to see the Lord, see the work, see lost souls. And when we look at other believers our brethren appear distorted, but we may not want to admit that it is our eyesight and not them, who are blurry.

The devil also has an ELECTRIC SAW there beside his tool box.

Do you remember Paul’s illustration of the church being a body, with Christ as the head. You and I are members of that body; parts of Christ’s body here in Post Falls. We are eyes and ears, arms and feet. And fingers. You may think my illustrations tonight are rather silly, but my intentions are serious. Satan uses his tools to cut the odd finger off the body – even bigger body parts if possible. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the WILES of the devil.” “We are not ignorant of his devices.”

I’ll close with one more.

Romans 8:18 – says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be COMPARED with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Satan doesn’t want us to compare what we possess today with what the Lord has in store for us. With the right comparison, we would become more fruitful and ready to serve the Saviour. So Satan hands us a tape measure that misleads us.

I Corinthians 2:12 – “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; COMPARING spiritual things with spiritual.” The Holy Spirit teaches us to compare spiritual things with spiritual things, like our service and God’s Word. But Satan wants us to compare spiritual things against anything else but things spiritual. And that is the context of verse 14 – “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

And then there is Paul’s discussion about himself in II Corinthians 10:12 – “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or COMPARE ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and COMPARING themselves among themselves, are not wise.” It is unwise to use faulty measuring equipment, but Satan is always ready with a bad one to hand to us. In speaking about the Anti-Christ, Paul says of his sponsor, Satan comes “with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness…” – II Thessalonians 2:9-10.

Conclusion:

The Lord’s most useful craftsmen – His primary servants – should be in His churches. Satan is well aware of this, so loves to bring his weapons and his tools to bear on those churches. To all of us, Paul says, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to STAND against the WILES of the devil.”

 

[KakiMeow]

The Unimaginable Suffering of Jesus
https://gregstier.org/the-unimaginable-suffering-of-jesus/

Extracts

---

When Jesus heard the approaching soldiers—led by His frenemy Judas—He stood up, fully submitted to the Father’s will. According to author Philip Yancey, this submission made Him the calmest person in every scene that was to come.

As soon as He was arrested, all of His friends, the disciples, fled into the darkness. Have you ever felt abandoned by a friend? Jesus was abandoned by all of His.

Roman soldiers beat Him again and again with a Roman flagrum, a whip that would have had anywhere from three to twelve strands of leather. Metal balls were woven into the leather, and at the end of each strand were pieces of broken pottery, glass, nails, bone, or twisted metal, designed to grab flesh and rip.

The soldiers put a purple robe on Him, twisted together a crown of thorns from the Jerusalem thorn bush—with thorns that were up to 3 inches long—and beat it into His skull with a rod, which they also used to batter His face. More than 700 years before Jesus was crucified, the prophet Isaiah prophesied that the Son of God would be beaten so badly He wouldn’t even look human.

But many were amazed when they saw Him. His face was so disfigured He seemed hardly human, and from His appearance, one would scarcely know He was a man.
Isaiah 52:14

Imagine the pain of each blow, as the hammer came down again and again, driving the nail deeper and deeper into His wrist. Why His wrists? Because the weight of His body, once lifted up on the cross, would tear His hands through the nail if it were put through His palm instead of His wrist. Only the spot where the two bones of the wrist come together could support the full weight of a man hung by a spike nail. In Jewish culture, wrists were considered a part of the hands.

---

End of Extracts

But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Matthew 24:13

 

[KakiMeow]

Why Does God Bless Some and Not Others? ​

Pastor Alan Noble November 10, 2019 | https://themcc.org/2019/11/10/why-does-god-bless-some-and-not-others-by-pastor-alan-noble/​

I was recently posed the following question by a Facebook friend: “I was born and lived a great life in the U.S.A. People in Haiti and Afghanistan have awful lives. Why does God permit that?” This is a good question and asked often, sometimes by those looking for an excuse to dismiss the gospel.

The short answer is sin. Since Adam and Eve disobeyed God, allowing sin to enter the human race, we have lived in a sin-cursed world. The results were catastrophic. Life guarantees trials and suffering. However, the question posed deserves a more in-depth response.

Much of the Bible was not written to us, but it was written for us. Through the Holy Scriptures God has revealed Himself to us. He has revealed the principles of righteousness to us. Consider the following:

God alone decides upon whom He will extend His grace and mercy. Exodus 33:19 explains: “And he [God] said, ‘I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name “The Lord.” And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.’”

Sometimes, nations suffer because they have turned away from God. In 2 Chronicles 7 God speaks to His people Israel: “When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land…But if you turn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will pluck you up from my land that I have given you, and this house that I have consecrated for my name, I will cast out of my sight…” (vv. 13-14, 19-20a). In the Old Testament, the blessings of God were intertwined with the Promised Land. Israel was given this land by God, during the Leadership of Joshua and later, King David. The people were blessed based upon their obedience. Today, God still blesses the obedience of the saints, albeit not always through an abundance of physical earthly goods.

Finally, the greatest blessings are not physical blessings. The Christian is one who’s name is written in the Book of Life (Rev. 20:15). This is absolutely the most important thing that can happen to any human being, and is only possible because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross and His subsequent resurrection—a great blessing in and of itself. What’s more, Ephesians explains: “…In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (1:13-14) Such an inheritance is a blessing beyond understanding.

We understand that today the phrase “God’s people” refers to those who have trusted Jesus for salvation. Two things are sure: first, life will never be free of trials. Second, we can do nothing to gain more love from God, but greater obedience may result in greater blessing. The Bible promises an abundant life for those who are obedient, according to the Holy Spirit (John 10:10) who dwells within every believer and is there to guide the believer according to the will of God. Contrarywise, if we turn from God, we will suffer the consequences.

The Bible presents enough evidence to conclude that a people’s physical situation does not by itself indicate their obedience or disobedience toward God. The Gospel of Luke says the following: “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (13:1-5). Furthermore, 1 Peter declares: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed,” (4:12-13) and “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (5:6-7).

Regardless of outward appearance, or what we may think, life is not all about us. It’s all about God! Those who repent of sin and trust Jesus for salvation will dwell forever with God. Those who ignore God’s gift of salvation through his Son, Jesus, will suffer eternal death, a separation from God that will include physical suffering. Forever. Our eternal destiny is based upon what we do during our lives, regarding salvation: “…for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:12b-13).

There is good reason why the following is among the most well-known passages in all of God’s Word: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:16-18).

 

[the only way]

11:21

 

[KakiMeow]

Sowing and Reaping​

Terry Johnson | Galatians 6:7–8 | https://learn.ligonier.org/devotionals/sowing-and-reaping

The words of the apostle Paul are ominous, fearsome, sobering, encouraging, and strengthening as he says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, this he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7). When I was a young boy, the Baptist minister under whose ministry I sat between the ages of 10 and 20 preached a sermon on this text that made a crucial difference on how I handled my teenage years. I was at a stage when I was just beginning to question whether I wasn’t foolish for being a “goody-two-shoes.” After all, here I sit in church and the party is out there. Not only are they having all the fun, but they are pointing their fingers at me and laughing. I am missing out. Is it worth it? Galatians 6:7,8 answers this with a resounding yes!

“Do not be deceived,” introduces an undeniable truth. “This is an immutable law of God, which the phrase “God is not mocked” emphasizes, says Boice. God may not be “treated with contempt,” or “outwitted.” Don’t think that you “can ignore the commands God has given and go (your) own way with impunity,” as Morris puts it. “For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Don’t be fooled about this. Don’t deny for a moment that there is an inseparable connection between actions and consequences. If you sow corn, you will not reap wheat. This is a truism of agriculture. What you plant is what you will harvest. What you do will determine what you will become and where you go. What you put in is what you will get out. In the end, over the long haul, justice is served, we all get what we deserve. We become what we do. We cannot expect “to reap the fruit of the Spirit if we do not sow in the field of the Spirit,” Stott maintains. The adage put it like this: “Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”

As I mentioned, these verses had a hugely important impact on me as a schoolboy. My Baptist minister told us that if we sow immorality, sow drunkenness, sow drug abuse, sow dishonesty, then we would reap an awful harvest. It may not happen today or tomorrow. But do not be deceived, he told us. God is not mocked. You are not getting away with anything. He sees. He knows. He will visit upon you the judgments that your sins deserve. Scripture proves this over and over again, whether in the lives of Lot, Isaac, Jacob, Samson, Eli, Samuel, David, or Solomon.

If one might identify “the big lie,” of all the lies of our popular culture, it is that one can sin with impunity. Rarely are there any consequences for sin. The drunks are all funny drunks. They are the life of the party, beloved by all. They don’t seem to get in wrecks and kill people, like they do in real life. They don’t fail on their jobs and get fired. They don’t turn their homes into hell-holes. Sexual immorality is always romantic, glamorous, exciting, and air-brushed fun. Teenagers don’t get pregnant, like in the real world. No one gets a venereal disease. Single mothers don’t live in abject poverty. Adultery doesn’t lead to divorce and heartbroken children. If there is a divorce, it is happy for all. If there is an abortion, there are no regrets. Life is painless. Sin has no down side. The whole culture screams at our youth, do what you feel like doing. If you have an itch, scratch it. If you have a desire, fulfill it. But listen to what God says: don’t be deceived. He is not mocked. You will reap what you sow.

This universal law applies to the more subtle sinner as well as the blatant. Our neighbors, by and large, tend to live for the present. Even if they are not grossly immoral they are consumed with the temporal. They too are sowing the flesh. They give no thought to eternity. They pay no attention to their souls. They surround themselves with all the creature comforts and forms of entertainment that they can afford. They go from meal to ball game to a weekend away to new car to new clothes. This is what popular culture encourages as well. The characters on TV and in the movies don’t go to church. They don’t read the Bible. They don’t contemplate or discuss the eternal destiny of their souls. They are all, almost without exception, happy atheists. They live like there is no God. And there are no consequences. The message is, who needs God? One can be happy, fulfilled, satisfied from this world alone. One does not need the Bread of Life. One does not need Living Water. This world alone fulfills us. There is no empty space in the heart. There is no troubling sense of meaninglessness.

But what will they really reap from a lifetime of sowing this world? In this life, a deep, profound angst, an unrelieved sense of purposelessness, a trouble sense that surely there is something more to life. In the next world they will reap corruption and the opposite of eternal life, destruction. Wake up to what is going on all around us. We are “amusing ourselves to death,” as Neil Postman would say. This world is merely a preparation for the next. Sow the spirit, not the flesh. Concentrate on believing and obeying God, in cultivating the fruit of the Spirit. Remember that there is no profit in gaining the whole world, with all its prestige, power, pleasure, if you lose your own soul in the process (Mt 16:26). “Paul is reminding the Galatians that they should get their priorities right and give time and energy to that which concerns ultimate issues,” says Morris, “and not merely the passing things of here and now.”

Similarly we might ask, why do some Christians grow in holiness while others do not? Because holiness is a harvest. It depends on what one sows. Do you want to grow in spiritual maturity? Do you look around and see strong, knowledgeable, zealous Christians and wish you were more like they? Well, what are you doing about it? What you sow you will reap. What are you sowing? You are sowing something. What is it? You will harvest exactly what you are sowing. If you do not sow spiritual commitments how can you expect a spiritual harvest? If you are not regular in public worship; if you do not spend time daily in the word and prayer; if you do not practice tithing and sacrificial giving; if you do not practice the other disciplines of the Christian life such as Sabbath observance; if you do not practice sacrificial service, how can you expect to harvest the fruit of the Spirit? How can you become Christ-like if you don’t feed on the Bread of Life? You will reap what you sow. It is that simple.

Yet for all that we’ve said so far a real Christian is tremendously encouraged by this passage. Why? Because it guarantees that his sacrifices pay off in the end. Real Christians have a hard time fitting in these days. They are absolutists in a day of relativism. They are particularists in a day of pluralism. They believe in right and wrong. They believe in truth and error. For much of the world this makes us Neanderthals. Worldlings are shocked at our closed-mindedness. They are horrified at our judgmentalism. They are disgusted by our narrowness. This means that many “nice” and “fun” people will not like us. This means that we may be socially ostracized and rejected. There are organizations which we may never be asked to join. There are parties that we may never be asked to attend. We may feel isolated. We may have our feelings hurt. We may hurt for our children, who don’t understand and suffer the consequences of our convictions. Is it worth it? Yes it is. How do we know? Because God promises that we will reap what we sow. Our obedience, our faithfulness, will pay huge dividends that those who sow the flesh will never see.

My uncle Abe visited our family at the time of my grandmother’s death in 1966. At the time he boasted of having bought a drawer full of stock in a Japanese photography company. He said it was called “Fuji Foto.” We laughed and laughed. That was the funniest name we ever heard. “Fuji, Foto,” ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Uncle Able had the last laugh. The world is like what we were. Worldlings cannot see the value of living by the Spirit. All that they can see is the flesh. They laugh and laugh at us. But come harvest time, come time to collect the profits of a lifetime of investing, they will reap nothing but corruption, but we will reap eternal life.

 

[KakiMeow]

Speak Truth with Your Neighbor​

Message by John Piper | Scripture: Ephesians 4:25 | https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/speak-truth-with-your-neighbor

Extract

---

Scripture's Clear and Heavy Testimony Against Lying
We are going to focus on Ephesians 4:25, but first let me give you some idea from the rest of Scripture how serious this matter is in the eyes of God.

• Proverbs 6:16–17, "There are six things which the Lord hates, seven which are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and a man who sows discord among brothers."
• Proverbs 12:22, "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord."
• Proverbs 12:19, "Truthful lips endure for ever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment."
• Proverbs 20:17, "Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel."
• Proverbs 21:6, "The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death."
• Revelation 21:7–8, "He who conquers shall have this heritage, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the polluted, as for murderers, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their lot shall be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Cf. 21:27; 22:15.)

Extract

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Jesus asks, "The baptism of John, whence was it? From heaven or from men?" Now we can watch a lie in the making. We can see what desires go into the making of a lie. It says (in v. 25) that the chief priests argued with one another and said,

"If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why then did you not believe him?' But if we say, 'From men,' we are afraid of the multitude; for all hold that John was a prophet." So they answered Jesus, "We do not know." And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

The chief priests and the elders fail the test. They prove that their deep desire is not for truth. What is it for? It is for personal esteem and physical safety! They are controlled by fear.

 

[tiobanned]

 

[KakiMeow]

How Do I Give Control To God?​

April 4, 2022 | https://morethanyourself.com/blog/one-life-changing-prayer-for-when-you-desire-control

I watched him climb the 2-foot retaining wall at the park, his legs pushing his stocky frame upward with determination. As he stood on the makeshift balance beam, arms stretched out wide, my mom instincts kicked into high gear.

I had to take control of the situation. I rushed to hold my five-year-old’s hand, helping him make it safely to the end of the wall.

I remember hearing my husband chuckle, watching me offer support that wasn’t even needed. “The wall’s only 2-feet high,” he said. “What’s the worst that could happen?” Because he knew this wasn’t the only time I’d run to the rescue.

How do I give control to God?​

I adored my God-given calling to be this boy’s mom. Loving him, caring for him, protecting him - it was my greatest joy. But in my zeal to keep him safe from harm, was I controlling too much?
My husband knew something I had yet to learn. If I didn’t let him try on his own, he wouldn’t know how to fall. I needed to let go.

The Hard Truth About Control​

Parenting isn’t the only place I crave control.
Whether it’s controlling my circumstances, plans, or other people, it’s easy for me to excuse away controlling habits as part of my nature. I’m tempted to say, “That’s just who I am. A go-getter. An organizer. Someone who takes charge.”
But that wouldn’t be the truth behind my inability to let go.

What does the Bible say about letting God take control?​

Control is revealed in Scripture in Genesis chapter 3, when Eve and Adam faced consequences for eating the fruit God told them not to eat. God then spoke to Eve and said:
“And you will desire to control your husband…” (Gen. 3:16 NIV).

Could it be that the struggle with our need to control began when sin entered the world? One thing is certain. When I look behind the mask of control, I reveal hidden insecurities deep within myself. Things like fear, worry, and the desire to feel needed.

How do I let God lead me?​

In reality, my desire to control is just an effort to prevent bad news from happening. I try and try until I'm out of options. If nothing works, then I turn to God as a last resort instead of my first choice.
“They (the righteous) will have no fear of bad news. Their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7 NIV

Things won’t always be pretty and pleasant, but we can walk through with the assurance that God is with us, and He knows best. Bad things will happen, but the verse above gives us hope today. We do not have to let fear or worry drive us to try and control the situation. We can turn our hearts toward God and trust the outcome to Him.

A Prayer for Giving Control to God​

I may have prevented a scraped knee or twisted ankle all those years ago, but now that my child’s a young adult, the walls of life are higher. The risks - greater. With every decision he makes, thoughts of the wall come flooding back. But instead of rushing to hold his hand this time, I see God sitting there a safe distance away, just watching. My job is to stand back and pray.
If you’re struggling to release control today, here is a life-changing prayer that will help us. Let’s pray this prayer every time we desire to take control.

Lord, as I face the day's challenges, You will be my first choice instead of my last resort.

Remembering to give our problems to Him first will remove the fear, worry, and insecurity from our hearts and replace them with trust, peace, and rest. May we keep steadfast hearts focused on our Heavenly Father today.

 

[KakiMeow]

5 Ways to Celebrate Like Jesus​

by Muriel Gregory | https://plantingroots.net/how-to-celebrate-like-jesus/

Come to the Table​

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Matthew 18:20 ESV

Growing up, the Sunday meal was my favorite time of the week. Having been raised in France, food was something close to our daily religion. The Sunday meal was a two to three hour affair filled with delicious food, lively conversation, good wine, and the lingering feeling that, maybe just maybe, this was simply perfection.

Beautiful things happen when people come around a table. Ever since moving to the United States, my favorite holiday has been Thanksgiving. I think it reminds me of Sunday meals in France. I can honestly say the military has ensured that no two Thanksgiving were alike. Sometimes we hosted 20 people, other times it was just the kids and me. We have celebrated Thanksgiving with snow on the ground, and also in 80 degree weather.

And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners.”
Mark 2:16-17 ESV

Jesus turns a simple invitation into celebration.​

Much of Jesus’ ministry happened around food and celebration. When he came to the table, he invited everybody to join him. He didn’t leave anyone out because of poor life choices or low social status. Jews and Gentiles, Pharisees and tax collectors, synagogue goers and prostitutes, all were welcome at his table. Jesus would transform a simple meal into an invitation to his kingdom.

Come all you who are weary, come to the table and sit with me.

“I am the bread of life”
John 6:48 ESV

Come and receive from me. Receive and be satisfied.

“Everyone who drinks this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life”
John 4:13-14 NASB

The early church understood the importance of the fellowship that happens around a table. They would gather, eat, and pray together (Acts 2:42 ESV). The writer of Hebrews urges us not to stop meeting together (Hebrews 10:25 ESV).

Come to the table.​

This is an invitation to partake in Jesus’ life and ministry. Come to the table and invite others to join you. Often this military life takes us away from who and what we know to be family. Flourish this holiday season by celebrating like Jesus. Make new friends. Some will become family.

Here are 5 ways to celebrate like Jesus:​

1. Gather with other believers. Jesus will naturally join you (Matthew 18:20.)
2. Do not worry too much about the food or decorations. Create an inviting atmosphere, and most of all, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
3. Show hospitality to strangers. Maybe that new family on post or that neighbor you have not met yet. Beautiful things happen when we entertain strangers (Hebrews 13:1).
4. Turn your table into a sanctuary. Make it a place of no judgment, a haven where all are heard and celebrated (Matthew 7:1).
5. Celebrate and love one another. Jesus gave us a new commandment to love one another. (John 13:34).

So gather around the table and linger there. Let a simple meal turn into a celebration. Tune the world out, and as you celebrate with friends and family, pause and notice the peace and joy there. Then you’ll know – He is there, too.

Prayer: ​

Lord, I thank you for the fellowship of believers, I thank you for the example set by your son. I am grateful to have the opportunity this season to invite others to come to the table with me and partake in a simple celebration of life. Amen.

Verses to Ponder:​

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34

Judge not, that you be not judged. Matthew 7:1

Let brotherly love continue. Hebrews 13:1

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. Matthew 18:20

 

[the only way]

 

[the only way]

 

[KakiMeow]

Cook Pines in Maui, Hawaii. Photo by Charles F. Stanley.

Daily Devotion | https://www.intouchglobal.org/read/daily-devotions

Unshakeable Faith​

Because Daniel and his friends knew and trusted God, they courageously responded to difficulty with faith.​

February 18, 2026

Daniel 1:1-20
Daniel’s faith was unwavering. His trust in the Lord sustained him when he was taken into captivity and sent to a foreign country. It also strengthened and encouraged him as he served under kings and faced many daunting challenges.

Knowing God and trusting Him are the two key elements of faith. Daniel learned about the Lord from a young age. While he was in captivity, his words and actions demonstrated that he knew the Scriptures and wanted to obey God. When offered a meal that was incompatible with Jewish dietary laws, he took a risk by requesting other food. In verse 9 of today’s passage, we see that God caused the official to show him favor.

Like Daniel, we are to spend our lives learning and carrying out what pleases our heavenly Father (Colossians 1:10). Daniel knew what the Scriptures said, but he also trusted the Lord to do as He had promised. Every time Daniel took a stand for godliness, he was demonstrating his confidence in God. His friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego—had unshakeable faith as well. They did not know if God would rescue them from the fiery furnace, but they believed He could (Daniel 3:16-18).

Do you want to have a deeper faith in God? Ask for His help to trust Him the way Daniel did.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 28-30