Looking Unto Jesus by Adrian Rogers

Looking Unto Jesus by Adrian Rogers

BIBLE MEDITATION: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
What does it mean to “look to Jesus” to have all of our needs met? Well, let’s say I borrow ten thousand dollars from Dan, a friend of mine, but then I discover that I can’t pay it back. Dan is on to me and says, “If you don’t pay it back, I’m going to foreclose on you.”

So I go over to another friend, Tom, and tell him about my dire situation and ask for his help. Tom says, “That’s alright, Adrian, look to me.”

Notice that he didn’t say, “Look at me.” He said, “Look to me.” In other words, “I’ll handle it.” That’s what the Bible means when it says “look unto Jesus.” It means look to Him for whatever you need.

ACTION POINT:
Who is looking to you to have their needs met today? Are you then looking to God or are you trying to do it on your own?

Seek Righteousness by Charles R. Swindoll

Seek Righteousness
by Charles R. Swindoll

Seek first His kingdom
and His righteousness, and all
these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

Life is a lot like a coin; you can spend it any way you wish, but you can spend it only once.

Choosing one thing over all the rest throughout life is a difficult thing to do. This is especially true when the choices are so many and the possibilities are so close at hand.

To be completely truthful with you, however, we aren't left with numerous possibilities. Jesus Himself gave us the top priority: "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness." . . .

If I am to seek first in my life God's kingdom and God's righteousness, then whatever else I do ought to relate to that goal: where I work, with whom I spend my time, the one I marry, or the decision to remain single.

Every decision I make ought to be filtered through the Matthew 6:33 filter.

Sid Stewart

Executive Director, Haven of Rest Ministries, Inc.
www.havenofrest.cc
864 226-6193

The Work of the Believer – Dr. Charles Stanley

“By a matchless parable our Lord there taught us that all believers are branches of the Living Vine, and that, apart from Him we are nothing and can do nothing because we have in us no life.” – A.T. Pierson

The Work of the Believer – Dr. Charles Stanley

Romans 12:5-7

The world's definition of success differs greatly from God's. Take the role of a pastor, for example--it would be easy to accept accolades for church growth, as many people equate high attendance numbers with a minister's effectiveness. But the Lord desires that we obey Him with humility. Whether we draw a crowd or not, success is measured by obedience.

This looks different for each believer. Some Christians have very visible jobs, so their efforts are public and obvious. Others serve Christ in quiet, less noticeable ways.

God bestows upon His followers gifts tailored to each one's ordained assignments. The Holy Spirit reveals our calling, and we're to give our best effort. Of course, no matter what the task may be, the result will be worthless unless the Father breathes life into it. In other words, we are entrusted with God-appointed work. He assigns the duty, provides the skills, and causes growth. The Lord deserves all of the glory. We are blessed simply to be a part of His plan.

As mere vessels that God uses, we should be thankful for anything He accomplishes through us. And by giving Him all the credit, we need never feel defeated with disappointment. Rather, in spite of how things may appear, we trust Him to achieve His good purpose.

Honor is misplaced unless it goes directly to the One who creates, sanctifies, and sustains. God created you for specific tasks to further His kingdom. He wants to use your life--and will allow you to watch His powerful hand at work. Listen for His leading, and praise Him for all He accomplishes.

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

Sid Stewart
Executive Director, Haven of Rest Ministries, Inc.
www.havenofrest.cc
864 226-6193

Submitting to God’s Purpose – Oswald Chambers

Submitting to God’s Purpose – Oswald Chambers

October 25, 2012

I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some —1 Corinthians 9:22

A Christian worker has to learn how to be God’s man or woman of great worth and excellence in the midst of a multitude of meager and worthless things. Never protest by saying, “If only I were somewhere else!” All of God’s people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them. Unless we have the right purpose intellectually in our minds and lovingly in our hearts, we will very quickly be diverted from being useful to God. We are not workers for God by choice. Many people deliberately choose to be workers, but they have no purpose of God’s almighty grace or His mighty Word in them. Paul’s whole heart, mind, and soul were consumed with the great purpose of what Jesus Christ came to do, and he never lost sight of that one thing. We must continually confront ourselves with one central fact— “. . . Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

“I chose you . . .” (John 15:16). Keep these words as a wonderful reminder in your theology. It is not that you have gotten God, but that He has gotten you. God is at work bending, breaking, molding, and doing exactly as He chooses. And why is He doing it? He is doing it for only one purpose— that He may be able to say, “This is My man, and this is My woman.” We have to be in God’s hand so that He can place others on the Rock, Jesus Christ, just as He has placed us.

Never choose to be a worker, but once God has placed His call upon you, woe be to you if you “turn aside . . . to the right or the left . . .” (Deuteronomy 28:14). He will do with you what He never did before His call came to you, and He will do with you what He is not doing with other people. Let Him have His way.

Sid Stewart

Executive Director, Haven of Rest Ministries, Inc.
www.havenofrest.cc
864 226-6193

 

Declaring God’s Word – John MacArthur

Declaring God’s Word – John MacArthur

"The judgments of the Lord are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb" (Ps. 19:10).

I have a friend who has a beautiful collection of rare Bibles. My favorite is one of the earliest printed copies, dating back to sixteenth-century England. The first time I held it in my hands I noticed that the top third of every page was covered with a dark stain. Tears filled my eyes when I realized it was from the blood of its original owner.

My friend explained that when Bloody Mary ruled England, she delighted in terrorizing Protestants and murdering as many as she could. Her soldiers would execute their victims through some bloody means, then take his or her Bible and dip it into the blood. Some of those Bibles have been preserved and are known as Martyrs' Bibles. Scientists have confirmed that the dark stains on every page of my friend's Bible are, indeed, human blood.

That same Bible is well worn from being studied. And many of its pages have water stains on them--perhaps from tears. Obviously it was someone's most precious possession, and his or her blood is there to prove it.

Psalm 19:10 captures the heart of such people, extolling the preciousness of God's Word. To David, Scripture was more valuable than the best gold and purest honey. Meditating on it meant more to him than the richest and sweetest things in life. He knew its ability to satisfy every spiritual appetite.

As precious as God's Word is, many Christians take it for granted and become complacent in their studies. Some go for long periods without gaining fresh insights from its pages.

Perhaps you know someone who is in that situation. If so, ask the Lord for wisdom as you gently encourage him or her toward greater faithfulness in the Word. At the same time be careful not to become negligent yourself.

Suggestions for Prayer:

• Thank God for the example of those who have loved His Word to the cost of their lives.
• Ask Him to give you the desire to feed on His truth daily and the drive to satisfy that desire.

For Further Study:

Read 1 Peter 2:1-2 as a reminder to keep your heart sensitive to the precious gift of God's Word.

 

 

Sid Stewart

Executive Director, Haven of Rest Ministries, Inc.

www.havenofrest.cc

864 226-6193

You are double-justified – Pete Briscoe

“Those who have been justified are now being sanctified; those who have no experience of present sanctification have no reason to suppose they have been justified.” – F. F. Bruce

You are double-justified – Pete Briscoe

“Christ is at once the spotless descent of God into men and the sinless ascent of man into God, and the Holy Spirit is the Agent by whom this is accomplished.” —John G. Lake

The writers of Scripture used some pretty impressive words to describe powerful theological truths. One of those words is justified. I'm afraid the word has lost some of its punch over the years since it was first translated into English. Certainly, it has a lot more to do than whether your margins are smooth on the right or the left hand side of your page!

What does it mean to be justified?

A legal declaration that we are completely forgiven and no longer liable for punishment.

If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. —Romans 4:2-5

Wow, what a contrast with our experiences in the world, where we rarely experience any sort of affirmation outside of our fleshly efforts. But in Christ, God declares us righteous through our faith in what Jesus did, not because of our works. That is a huge, huge distinction. Do you see the practical difference for us?

We always have to keep our guard up and be on our best behavior in the world. But we can truly rest in Christ.

In your mind, do you make a clear distinction between how the world accepts you and how God justifies you?!

Oh Father, may I never seek forgiveness from You by my works. May I never try to be righteous through my own efforts. You have forgiven me fully and made me completely righteous in Christ! I stand aside and ask that You would naturally demonstrate that through me today. Amen.

Sid Stewart

Executive Director, Haven of Rest Ministries, Inc.

www.havenofrest.cc

864 226-6193

Your Life Is Your Time – Dr. Charles Stanley

“Fear is born of Satan, and if we would only take time to think a moment we would see that everything Satan says is founded upon a falsehood.” – A. B. Simpson

Your Life Is Your Time – Dr. Charles Stanley

Ephesians 5:14-17

Our lives are governed by time. That's why we're surrounded by clocks and calendars that dictate our activities. As the minutes tick by, we wonder where the day went. When responsibilities and pressures mount, we complain, "I just don't have time to get it all done!" But the reality is that God has given us enough time to do exactly what He's planned for our lives. Perhaps the bigger issue is whether we are using our time to do our will or the Lord's.

Time is a gift from God, and He has allotted each of us a measure in which to live and accomplish His purposes. We have only two options—to spend it temporally on our own interests or invest it eternally. Since time can never be retrieved or reversed, it's critical that we make the most of every opportunity the Lord provides.

The key to investing in eternity is following God's plan for your life, not just filling your days with activities. Jesus was allocated just thirty-three years of life on earth, but only the last three were spent in fulfilling His Messianic ministry. To us that seems like a waste of time. Yet Christ accomplished everything His Father gave Him to do. That's why on the cross He could say, "It is finished" (John 19:30).

Scripture compares earthly life to "a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14), but eternal life never ends. It's foolish to spend your life on a vapor when you can reap everlasting benefits by following God's will for your time here. Each day is an opportunity to choose.

 

Sid Stewart

Executive Director, Haven of Rest Ministries, Inc.

www.havenofrest.cc

864 226-6193