New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Our Victory in Christ
26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the [a]saints according to the will of God.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
June 28 - The Way to Life: Simple, but Not Easy by letters@gty.org (Grace to You)
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. - Matthew 7:14
God’s way of salvation is remarkably simple, but it is not easy. Nothing we can give or give up can earn us entrance into the kingdom. But if we long to hold on to forbidden things, it can keep us out of the kingdom.
Even though we can pay nothing for salvation, coming to Jesus Christ costs us everything we have. Jesus says, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27).
The person who says yes to Christ must say no to the things of the world, because to be in Christ is to rely on His power rather than our own and to be willing to forsake our own way for His. It can cost persecution, ridicule, and tribulation.
When we identify ourselves with Jesus Christ, we declare war on the devil, and he declares war on us. The one whom we formerly served now becomes our great enemy, and the ideas and ways we once held dear now become our great temptations and pitfalls.
Along with warnings of suffering, the Lord also gives promises that our hearts will rejoice (John 16:22) and that we are to take courage because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). He promises to enable us to prevail over those times of suffering, not to escape them.
God’s way of salvation is remarkably simple, but it is not easy. Nothing we can give or give up can earn us entrance into the kingdom. But if we long to hold on to forbidden things, it can keep us out of the kingdom.
Even though we can pay nothing for salvation, coming to Jesus Christ costs us everything we have. Jesus says, “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27).
The person who says yes to Christ must say no to the things of the world, because to be in Christ is to rely on His power rather than our own and to be willing to forsake our own way for His. It can cost persecution, ridicule, and tribulation.
When we identify ourselves with Jesus Christ, we declare war on the devil, and he declares war on us. The one whom we formerly served now becomes our great enemy, and the ideas and ways we once held dear now become our great temptations and pitfalls.
Along with warnings of suffering, the Lord also gives promises that our hearts will rejoice (John 16:22) and that we are to take courage because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). He promises to enable us to prevail over those times of suffering, not to escape them.
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Prophecy was Fulfilled!
Luke 4:16-21 (New American Standard Bible)
16And He came to (A)Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, (B)He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and (C)stood up to read.
17And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
18"(D)THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
19(E)TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
20And He (F)closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and (G)sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
16And He came to (A)Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, (B)He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and (C)stood up to read.
17And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,
18"(D)THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME,
BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR.
HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES,
AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,
TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,
19(E)TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD."
20And He (F)closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and (G)sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.
21And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
Monday, March 14, 2011
Journey to the Cross
Journey to the Cross from Scripture Union provides 5 daily readings (excluding weekends) for each of the six weeks in Lent. The readings are accompanied by a reflection question or two to help you "dig deeper" into the passage as you go through Lent.
Week One: His Saving Work Foretold | Day: 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prayer
Lord, open my eyes and heart to read and obey Your word to me today.
Scripture
Isaiah 52:13—53:12 |
13 See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
15 so will he sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What parallels do you see in this passage with Jesus’ suffering and death?
Apply
What do you learn about Jesus here that might strengthen your faith? What do you learn about yourself?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, how amazed I am at all You did because of Your love for me. Strengthen my love for You.
Share
We encourage you to spread the word and share this with your family and friends.
If you like this, here's the link to Scripture Union's Journey to the Cross.
Week One: His Saving Work Foretold | Day: 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prayer
Lord, open my eyes and heart to read and obey Your word to me today.
Scripture
Isaiah 52:13—53:12 |
13 See, my servant will act wisely;
he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.
14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him—
his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man
and his form marred beyond human likeness—
15 so will he sprinkle many nations,
and kings will shut their mouths because of him.
For what they were not told, they will see,
and what they have not heard, they will understand.
Isaiah 53
1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.
9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.
11 After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What parallels do you see in this passage with Jesus’ suffering and death?
Apply
What do you learn about Jesus here that might strengthen your faith? What do you learn about yourself?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, how amazed I am at all You did because of Your love for me. Strengthen my love for You.
Share
We encourage you to spread the word and share this with your family and friends.
If you like this, here's the link to Scripture Union's Journey to the Cross.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Mercy
Hi There! It has been much too long since I've posted here. God's slowing me down, in general, and working hard on me in a few areas. I'm, truly, learning a lot. God keeps bringing messages to me on two main areas:
1. Being a bondservant for Christ
2. Having mercy
Two very special areas, for me, to have spiritual growth. At any rate, I wanted to share a Daily Devotion site that I have grown to love. John MacArthur teaches straight from the word giving full credence to it's truth and our need for a living walk through faith while here on earth. I hope that you check it out. I am confident that you would be blessed by it.
Grace to You
1. Being a bondservant for Christ
2. Having mercy
Two very special areas, for me, to have spiritual growth. At any rate, I wanted to share a Daily Devotion site that I have grown to love. John MacArthur teaches straight from the word giving full credence to it's truth and our need for a living walk through faith while here on earth. I hope that you check it out. I am confident that you would be blessed by it.
Grace to You
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Charles Stanley's Daily Devotional today
Our Partnership with God
1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11
I don't know how some in today's church got the false idea that the preacher is a servant and the folks in the pews are just members. No one is a bystander in God's kingdom! All believers are in partnership with the Lord (2 Cor. 6:1). He chose to work through mankind to accomplish the gospel mission on earth. To borrow a biblical metaphor, we are the workers cultivating and harvesting His fields (Matt. 9:37-38).
God gave one or more spiritual gifts to every single believer to aid in the work for His kingdom. We each need this special "wiring" to carry out our unique role in His plan. He knits that spiritual gift into our personality and inborn talents to create a useful and effective servant. And just to be clear, there is no such thing as a non-gifted believer.
Believers are the Lord's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works (Eph. 2:10). Spiritual gifts are not our own abilities. The Holy Spirit manifests them through us. Remember, it is the sap running from the vine into the branches that produces fruit (John 15:5). In the same way, the Spirit lives and works through God's followers to bring forth acts of service. The Lord's power is behind it all. Think of that when you are tempted to shy away from God-given opportunities.
God's awesome power is present in and available to every believer. The Holy Spirit equips us to obey the Lord in whatever He calls us to do. Don't waste your life sitting in a pew! Get busy using that spiritual gift. The fields of this world are ripe for harvest (John 4:35).
1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11
I don't know how some in today's church got the false idea that the preacher is a servant and the folks in the pews are just members. No one is a bystander in God's kingdom! All believers are in partnership with the Lord (2 Cor. 6:1). He chose to work through mankind to accomplish the gospel mission on earth. To borrow a biblical metaphor, we are the workers cultivating and harvesting His fields (Matt. 9:37-38).
God gave one or more spiritual gifts to every single believer to aid in the work for His kingdom. We each need this special "wiring" to carry out our unique role in His plan. He knits that spiritual gift into our personality and inborn talents to create a useful and effective servant. And just to be clear, there is no such thing as a non-gifted believer.
Believers are the Lord's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works (Eph. 2:10). Spiritual gifts are not our own abilities. The Holy Spirit manifests them through us. Remember, it is the sap running from the vine into the branches that produces fruit (John 15:5). In the same way, the Spirit lives and works through God's followers to bring forth acts of service. The Lord's power is behind it all. Think of that when you are tempted to shy away from God-given opportunities.
God's awesome power is present in and available to every believer. The Holy Spirit equips us to obey the Lord in whatever He calls us to do. Don't waste your life sitting in a pew! Get busy using that spiritual gift. The fields of this world are ripe for harvest (John 4:35).
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Charles Stanley's Week 11 Prayer: Deliver from Corruption
Thank you for joining with us in 140 Days of Prayer. Let's pray.
Father, thank You for loving and protecting Your people. We pray for those who serve as leaders in our government--that they would seek You and submit themselves to You. We know that there are those who would lead us away from Your best for our land. Father, You know them by name and love them. Shed light on any who would lead us astray so that they realize their sinfulness and repent of their wrong choices. We ask that You would draw them to Yourself, convict them of their sins, and bring them to salvation. Contend with their plans, Lord--do not allow those who seek to confuse or control people to prosper. Thank You for being our righteous Judge and King. We praise You for hearing our prayers and bringing hidden things to light. In Jesus' name, Amen. (See Isaiah 3:12-13.)
Father, thank You for loving and protecting Your people. We pray for those who serve as leaders in our government--that they would seek You and submit themselves to You. We know that there are those who would lead us away from Your best for our land. Father, You know them by name and love them. Shed light on any who would lead us astray so that they realize their sinfulness and repent of their wrong choices. We ask that You would draw them to Yourself, convict them of their sins, and bring them to salvation. Contend with their plans, Lord--do not allow those who seek to confuse or control people to prosper. Thank You for being our righteous Judge and King. We praise You for hearing our prayers and bringing hidden things to light. In Jesus' name, Amen. (See Isaiah 3:12-13.)
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