Daily Repentance

Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Had you rather have a person mad at you, or, happy with you? Some studies have shown that a happy person might live longer because they don't have the stress to worry with.

 

You have met folks that seem to be mad at everything and everyone. They tend to talk evil, spread gossip, and even think evil of people they don't know. Our Bible teaches us to avoid that type people. Saved folks should be happy our sin is forgiven and we have a place with Jesus!

Some saved people think that once they accept Jesus and are saved, then, they don't need to repent of anything else. 

 

Dear Christian friends, there are two types of people; lost sinners and saved sinners. We all sin every day. We all need to repent of any sin the Holy Spirit brings to our remembrance.

 

Just think, if repenting of people brings joy to God's angels, how joyful Jesus must be. Jesus is the one that forgives sin, and accepts the sinner's repentance.

Oh! That we would long for and desire a better and deeper understanding of the love of God toward us. We then could show a different love toward others.

 

God Bless;
Walter D. Hill D. Min.

Sufficient Grace

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

I thought the Christian life was going to be easier than this. Have these words ever entered your mind? Sometimes we come into the family of God thinking that our heavenly Father will fix all our problems and devote Himself to our happiness and comfort. However, that is not the reality portrayed in Scripture. Paul was a man whom the Lord used greatly, and yet his life was anything but easy.

In fact, at one point, the apostle thought his pain was too much to bear, and he begged God to remove it. There’s nothing wrong with asking the Lord to relieve our suffering, but what should our response be if He doesn’t? Paul probably had no idea that His experience would find its way into the Bible, to comfort and guide believers throughout the ages. The promise God gave him applies to us as well: “My grace is sufficient for you” (v. 9).

God’s grace could be defined as His provision for us at the point of our need. The problem is that sometimes it doesn’t seem as if the Lord truly is meeting our need. But He frequently sees deficiencies, outcomes, and complications that we don’t. His goals for us involve spiritual growth, the development of Christlike character, and strong faith. And trials play a vital role in achieving these.

The important issue is how we respond. If all you want is relief, you could descend into anger and doubt. But if your desire is to become the person God wants you to be, you’ll see each trial as an opportunity for Christ to display His character and strength in you.

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

Hope beyond This Life

But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. --1 Corinthians 15:13-14

Not only does the Bible tell us we will live beyond the grave, but it also tells us there is hope beyond this life. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead proves there is life beyond the grave for the believer. The Bible says, "He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).

No doubt this is why the devil has tried to discredit the Resurrection over the years. This is why, ever since the first century, he has been spreading his rumors about what happened to the body of Christ. And one of the oldest rumors of all was that His body was stolen by the disciples.

But claiming that the body of Jesus was stolen actually proves the resurrection of the Lord. His friends could not have taken it, because they left the scene and were convinced He was dead. The apostles had no reason to counterfeit a Resurrection they did not even believe in themselves.

And as we look at church history, we know that with the exception of John (who survived an execution attempt and was banished to the island of Patmos), all the apostles were martyred for what they believed. Don't you think at least one of them would have suddenly exposed such a lie if it were a lie? But they didn't, because none of them could deny what was true: Christ was risen, Christ is risen, and He is alive.

For more relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to www.harvest.org

Turning Life’s Hardships into Stepping Stones

“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good....”           

Genesis 50:20

A man was climbing a mountain with his son one day and his son was having a very hard time. He was smaller than his dad, so his little legs were struggling to take the necessary steps. So he told his dad, “Dad, it’s so hard because of all of these rocks. They’re big, sharp, and they hurt.”

The dad looked down at the boy and said, “Son, those sharp rocks are what we’re climbing on. Without the rocks, we’d fall.”

In life, we’re going to encounter bumps and jagged rocks. Many of them hurt us, scar us, and leave us sore and bruised. But as believers, we have to see those rocks not in terms of the damage they cause, but as stepping stones to a higher plane of living. Yes, the enemy may intend them to cause us harm, but God will use them for our good.

Don’t be discouraged by the jagged rocks you’re treading on today. Put them below your feet and use them to propel you to a higher plane of living. Keep your eyes focused on the prize and you’ll rise above life’s negative circumstances.

INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON LIFE’S CHALLENGES, FOCUS ON THE PRIZE – LIFE WITH JESUS. RISE ABOVE THE PAIN TO A HIGHER LEVEL OF LIVING!

Middle of the Road

How long will you hesitate between two opinions? 1 KINGS 18:21 Barbara was driving into town from home one day when, topping a hill, she spotted a two-year-old boy standing there in his diaper--smack dab on the yellow line in the middle of the road. Without enough time to brake, she swerved wildly onto the shoulder, coming to a screeching stop a good distance past the child. Flinging open her car door, she ran back up the street to retrieve the toddler from danger, when the mother--having heard the squealing tires and commotion--raced out into the road herself. She scooped up her crying child into her arms, trembling with shock and fright at what might have been if Barbara hadn’t been driving so carefully. Truly, the middle of the road is no place for anyone to be. But sadly in our culture today, far too many Christian families are parked in the middle. Not sure what they believe. Not sure what they expect of their children. Not willing to take a stand on certain issues that are clearly biblical. Basing their lives on “near beliefs.” I believe that God is calling families like yours today to be counter-cultural--not in a weird, obnoxious way, but establishing a lifestyle that communicates at a glance, “This family is different. They’re distinctive in their beliefs and practices. They represent Jesus Christ.” There is no reason why so many Christian marriages should end in divorce. There is no reason why people who call themselves evangelicals should account for one in every six abortions performed in America. There is no reason why more than half of our Christian teens are engaging in some form of sexual involvement to the detriment of their own hearts and futures. We’ve spent enough time in the middle of the road. It’s time to get in gear in the right direction and head for home. DISCUSS How would an outsider tell the difference between your family and one who didn’t claim to be Christian? PRAY Pray for the courage to determine and live by your convictions--biblical convictions--no matter the cost.

Troubled Comparisons

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. - 1 Timothy 4:4

 

Why is it that we don’t accept who we are? I don’t know about you, but I look at others around me (friends, people in the news, in movies, athletes, co-workers) and compare how I look . . . my clothes, my physical features, my sense of humor, my speaking ability, my communication skills, my car, my cell phone, my glasses, the color, length and fullness of my hair, and my experiences. 

If you’re like me, you always come up short and feel intimidated. You never measure up so you clam up. You don’t offer to use your gifts and talents because you’re feeling inferior. So your gifts and talents die inside you. You stop living, stop loving, and stop feeling. Some of you may have turned to things to numb the pain and shut down the lying, hounding voices of your past hurts, mistakes, disappointments, and your failure to measure up to others.

But it’s all a lie. God created you just as you are. Satan wants to shut you down. He doesn’t want the uniqueness of you to shine forth.  When you stifle who you are, you’re giving Satan a victory. When you allow your personality, your experience, your gifts and skills to shine forth, you’re giving God a chance to use you just as he made you. It’s only then that you’ll grow more and more into who he created you to be.

Accept who you are in Christ. He accepts you. Why don’t you accept you? There’s no reason good enough. Work through your insecurities and let God use you, starting today, just as you are.

“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Men of faith

from BBH

Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said...Now therefore give me this mountain...if so be the Lord will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out– Joshua 14:6,12
 

Are there any challenges, or trials, or ambitions in your life that seem to be insurmountable or unachievable? If so, then listen to the spirit and wisdom of Caleb’s words.

Understand, first, that Caleb is 85 years old when he makes this declaration. Secondly, “this mountain” is not some green-pastured, undefended plot of land; it is positively swarming with enemy combatants. But God had promised this land to Caleb and so he courageously claims it: “Give me this mountain.”

Such confidence might at first seem admirable, and yet naïve or unrealistic, in an 85-year-old man. But Caleb’s courage was based upon the wise realization that “if the Lord is with me, then I will be successful.”

All my excuses and fears are wiped away by this aged man’s faithful example. Is there anything in my life that seems insurmountable or unachievable? Then may Caleb’s faithful battle cry become my own.

If it is a sin against which I am striving, then I have been promised victory, with the Lord’s help -- give me this mountain! If it is a life endeavor that I am being led to undertake for the cause of Christ, then I have been promised success -- give me this mountain! If it is a particular grief that threatens to overwhelm me, then I have been promised the comfort and strength to overcome it by God’s grace -- give me this mountain!

Five-Fingered Prayer

by Kelly McFadden

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. --Ephesians 6:18

I received an email some time ago that demonstrated how to use your fingers to pray. It’s a simple reminder of how we can easily be reminded of different ways to pray for those around you. If you’re looking for ideas to improve your prayer life, give it a try.

Thumb: The strongest digit on your hand. Give thanks for all the strong things in your life, like home and family, or relationships that support and sustain you.

Index finger: This is the pointing finger. Pray for those people and things that guide and help you in your life. Friends, teachers, doctors, nurses, emergency services and so on.

Middle finger: The tallest finger. Pray for all the important people who have power in the world, like world leaders and governments, members of parliament and local councilors, city mayors and aldermen, or our president.

Ring finger: The weakest finger on your hand. It cannot do much by itself (ask anyone who plays piano). Remember the poor, the weak, the helpless, the hungry, the sick, the ill and the bereaved.

Little finger: The smallest and the last finger on your hand. Pray for yourself.

One of the things I like most about this guide to prayer is that it reminds me to keep others before myself. Too often when I pray, I immediately present God with my needs, wants and desires and then lose my train of thought before I even think to pray for anyone else. Try using this tool as you drive home from work or go out for a walk. Prayer is something we can do at all times and this may be just the tool to make it a part of your life, not just something you do before you go to bed or face a difficult situation. Prayer is an activity we can’t engage in enough.  God hears our prayers and your hand is a good way to remind yourself to pray for someone else.

GOING DEEPER:

1. Think through the five-fingered prayer.  Can you place someone you know in each category?

2. Today, when you are in your car, turn off the radio and put your cell phone aside.  Take some time to pray through your fingers for those in your life who fit each category.

Living as a Pilgrim

1 Peter 2:11

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
NKJV

Have you ever considered yourself a pilgrim in this world? It can be a hard concept to grasp since all we've ever known is earth, but if you have trusted in Jesus for salvation, then the Bible says that your real home is in Heaven with Jesus. Because of this Truth, we are not so easily trapped by the things of this world because we know them to be temporary. Our job, money, possessions and even relationships are gifts from God for us to use during our time on this planet. Like the manna from Heaven during the time of Moses, these items are here for a moment for us to use, yet our home is not the desert. Instead, our home is the Promised Land of God. The things we have are good, but what God promises for us in Heaven is greater.

How does that Truth change your perspective on life? It is not that this life is meaningless; in fact this life is filled with even greater meaning when we realize the purpose of our time here. We are here to point to Jesus. He has given us a command to tell others about His love and grace. While we can enjoy the blessings of this world, we should not be trapped by them because our purpose is great here on earth. Our purpose is to spread the news of our Lord who is eternal and His Word which will never change.

Life Lesson: When we live within the bounds of Scripture and in the power of Christ, we can change our world.

Dear God,
Thank You for the promise of Heaven and the blessings on earth. Give me an eternal perspective so that I can live as a pilgrim on this earth, sharing the love of Jesus with everyone I meet. Help me not to be distracted by the things of this world but instead, give me a greater passion for You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee

How To Stay United In The Face of Division

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

John 17:20-21

Everywhere I go today it seems I see churches divided. I was in another state preaching awhile back and it felt like everywhere they drove me, there were little tiny churches. So I asked the man who was with me, “Why are there so many churches? Was there some kind of big revival here?”

And he told me, “Nope. Every church you see only has a few people who actually attend it. They didn’t start from revivals, but from church splits.” He went on, pointing to the churches as we passed, “That church split because of the color of the carpet in the sanctuary... and that one split because they brought in a modern praise band.”

As he told me about the church splits, I was saddened. But unfortunately, I wasn’t surprised. It amazes me how men and women of God can find so many reasons to divide rather than unite for the cause of Christ. It’s contrary to the biblical message!

It’s time to stop the division and unite under the banner of Jesus Christ. Don’t let petty things drive a wedge in the body of Christ. Keep your focus on Christ, first and foremost, and that which threatens to divide us will fade away as our Savior is brought into focus!

FOCUS ON JESUS, NOT PETTY DIFFERENCES, AND YOU’LL FULFILL CHRIST’S COMMAND TO STAY UNITED IN THE BODY!

A Caring Father

Romans 8:28

INTRODUCTION

Since God is responsible for man’s possessions or the lack thereof, some Christians question why God gives a man some things while He withholds from others. Romans 8:28
contains one of the answers as it points out that “all things work together for good.” This does not imply that everything in the believer’s life is enjoyable or good. It means that everything combined results in good. God works in every piece of a believer’s life. He combines all things so that even the supposed bad things result in what is “good” according to the will of God. So long as God is at the controls, contentment teaches man how to be satisfied. Man's conditions, circumstances, and possessions are appropriate because God has worked everything together for the good of that man.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Most children like to play out in the street. Why would parents not allow their children to play on a busy street? Why would Dad insist on his son only using a sharp knife when he is supervised? Girls love to help their moms cook, yet why do moms insist on removing the food from the oven themselves? These actions reflect the nature of God; He allows or doesn't allow things for our good and well-being.
• (For everyone): Knowing that God is your Father and that He cares for you, how do you think He feels when a Christian displays discontentment?
• Look back over your life and think about some of the things that you have desired but never received. Would all of those things have been good for you? What would have happened if God gave them all to you?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you yield every aspect of your life to His care.
• Ask God to help you be content in the areas in which you struggle.

The Lord Gives and He Takes Away

Job 1:20-22

INTRODUCTION

Seemingly, Job possessed many of man's most treasured possessions: health, wealth, and a strong family unit. Suddenly, he lost them all. Job lost his health, his possessions, and his children. He also lost the esteem and approbation of his wife and friends. These events very easily could have devastated and embittered him. Yet, rather than expressions of doom and gloom, Job's words offer a profound glimpse into the depths of his contentment. In the midst of his heartache, Job exhibited an extremely important truth. A Christian's material and physical blessings, all of which are completely within the Lord's control, should never influence one's relationship with the Lord or others. Job also pointed out that man will depart this world in the same condition in which he entered: without one shred of material wealth. Ultimately, a Christian's possessions or the lack thereof reflect God's provisions; therefore, a lack of contentment reflects an unwillingness to trust in the Lord.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): What is your favorite toy? If you were asked to give that particular toy away, how would you react? How would the Lord want you to behave? Why is it so very important for us to do what God wants us to do?
• (For everyone): If God is responsible for all that we have or do not have, what does complaining about our current possessions or conditions reflect about us?
• In the midst of the many things he lost, Job also lost his children. Through it all he was still able to reflect contentment. Can you imagine how difficult things would be if the Lord allowed something like this in your life? Why do you think Job was able to lose so much and still serve the Lord? Could you have continued to serve Him?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to teach you how to be satisfied with what you have.
• Ask God to meet your needs according to His timing and will.

What is Contentment?

Philippians 4:10-12

INTRODUCTION

The words content and contentment infer that one is satisfied with life's present conditions (Genesis 37:27
; Exodus 2:21
). Living contently is the opposite of wanting (Philippians 4:11
) and covetousness (Hebrews 13:5
) and is strongly associated with godliness (1 Timothy 6:6
). Interestingly, contentment is a learned behaviour that believers must put into practice on a consistent basis throughout life. No one is born into the world content. Yet, once learned and practiced consistently, Christians will experience contentment in spite of any circumstance faced. Unfortunately, far too often, Christians exhibit no more contentment than non-Christians. In fact, believers seem to desire and covet the things of the world more and more with each passing year. This covetousness combined with a lack of contentment amongst Christians results in less godliness and a closer association with worldly pleasures.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God wants us to be happy with those things with which He has blessed us. Name some things you have that you really like. Are you happy with these things or do you find yourself always wanting more stuff? How could you learn to be more content? Why and how would this please the Lord and your parents?
• (For everyone): Ponder for a moment your life. Are you satisfied with your conditions and possessions or do you find yourself increasingly dissatisfied?
• Meditate for a moment on the things God has provided for you that are not directly associated with money. Can you name some specific examples of things that God has taken away from you that would have been harmful to you or others you love?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Take some time to thank God for His manifold blessings upon your life.
• Ask God to give you a greater desire to willingly sacrifice and to be zealously content.

Compassion One of Another

1 Peter 3:8-9

INTRODUCTION

Every word of God is pure, but the Bible contains words of emphasis intending to draw the reader’s attention to a specific thought. 1 Peter 3:8-9 begins with the word finally, thus signifying that this is the final statement in a list of thoughts. The closing statements on a matter frequently contain crucial truths. Certainly, these two verses offer the believer vital bits of information. They reveal five responsibilities: Believers are to be of one mind. They also are to have compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful (that is, full of pity for others), and be courteous. Verse nine defines courteous as not mistreating others even if mistreated. Finally, believers are promised that obedience offers them a great blessing.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Name some of your friends from church. Why do you like them? Is there anyone who doesn’t treat you right? How should you treat them?
• (For everyone): What would happen if all believers obeyed the commands given in the 1 Peter 3:8-9 passage? What would happen if you obeyed them? How would it benefit the saved and the lost alike?
• Why is this passage so very important for us living in a sinful world? Why should believers have the right relationship with one another? (Hint: Consider John 13:35
  .) How could this help eliminate many of the problems experienced by churches?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you obey the commands of 1 Peter 3:8-9 .
• Ask God to work in your heart to love others like you should.

Love with Action

1 John 3:14-19

INTRODUCTION

The Bible associates love with action. In this passage, the Bible speaks of the believer’s love for other believers, relating it to the Lord’s crucifixion. If a Christian knows and recognizes the love of God, it should drastically affect his relationships. He cannot deal with others as the world would because the love of God has formed compassion within in his heart. This matter is so important to the Lord that He provided believers with a scenario to help judge their level of compassion. The book of First John says that if a brother has a need, and another brother can help him with his need, yet refuses, he lacks compassion (see also James 2:15-16 ). Therefore, one’s deeds, not simply one’s words alone, demonstrate true love!

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): We need to do good to all people, but especially to our church family. What are some ways that we can help our pastor, our song leader, our Sunday School teacher, the elderly and those who clean the church, etc?
• (For everyone): Compassion requires action. If there is no action attached to one’s desires, true love or compassion does not exist. The greatest example was given by Christwhen He died on the cross. What are other examples of compassion that come to mind?
• Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ? What have you donefor others to show your love for them? Have you prayed for them? Have you helped them in a time of need?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to provide opportunities for you to show compassion toward others.
• Ask God to help you love others inspite of how they or others may have mistreated you.

The Sighing Saviour

Mark 7:31-37

INTRODUCTION

The journey of the Lord from Phoenicia (Tyre and Sidon) to Decapolis covered between 50 and 75 miles. No doubt much of the traveling might have taken place on foot. When He arrived at the Sea of Galilee, the Lord must have been drained physically. Yet, there was no time for rest because a man in need of healing was brought to Him. The man was deaf and had a speech impediment. The Lord separated from the multitude and healed the deaf and dumb man. He first put His fingers in the man’s ears, then spit and touched the man’s tongue. The Lord looked toward heaven and sighed, then commanded the man’s ears to be opened. Immediately, his eyes were opened and his tongue was loosed and he could both see and speak.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Discuss how mom and dad show their love by still caring for their family even when they are tired or sick. Godhelps them to do this. Jesus cared for people even when He was tired. He even took care of people even while suffering on the cross.
• (For everyone): How would you feel after a journey of 50-75 miles? (Remember travel was not the same as it is today.) Would you easily be able to focus on helping others?
• What problems did the man in need have? How did Christ heal him? If compassion means “suffer with someone,” why is it significant that the Lord touched the man’s ear and tongue?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for being touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
• Ask God to help you become more aware of His compassion.

God: Full of Compassion

Psalm 145:8-9

INTRODUCTION

God’s compassion originates from His mercy and grace and the way He deals with man displays this compassion. For example, He is “slow to anger” and “good to all,” etc. It is important to note that compassion is not something God simply does but rather a manifestation of His character. The Bible emphasizes the importance of this truth  by stating that God is “full of compassion” on five separate occasions in the book of Psalms (Psalm 78:38
; Psalm 86:15
; Psalm 111:4
; Psalm 112:4
; Psalm 145:8
). God’s actions (past, present, or future) can all be traced back to His compassion. This even includes His acts of judgment. When the Bible refers to God’s longsuffering it means that He will suffer for a long time before bringing judgment against a person, nation, or the whole world.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): When you do something wrong, your mom or dad does not just simply snatch you up and discipline you. Rather, they generally first warn you to change your behaviour. Yet, if you keep doing the same thing after you've been warned, correction usually follows. God is like that with us—He is slow to anger.
• (For everyone): Can you think of a time when God was slow to anger with you? What kind of judgment did you deserve? What kind of judgment did you receive?
• When you think of the compassion of God, what comes to mind? How has God’s compassion helped you through some difficult times?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank the Lord for the benefit of compassion.
• Ask the Lord for help in not abusing His compassion.

What Is Compassion?

Lamentations 3:22-23

INTRODUCTION

The word compassion consists of two components: “com” plus “passion.” Acts 1:3
defines the root word “passion” as suffering. The prefix “com” means with. Therefore, the compound word, compassion means to suffer with someone. God expects every true child of God to demonstrate compassion, but even more impressive is the thought that the Lord Jesus Christ manifested compassion during His earthly ministry. What an amazing truth—the Lord of glory willingly humbles Himself to suffer with others. One might assume this only became possible because Christ took upon Himself the likeness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:3
). Yet, the Bible attributes compassion to God prior to the first coming of Christ.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): How do you feel when someone gets sick or hurt? What can you do to help them? You want to do these things because you hurt for them. That ishow you express compassion.
• (For everyone): Upon what is the Lord’s compassion based? How does this help us understand God’s ability to have compassion before His Son came in the likeness of sinful flesh?
• What are some ways in which the Lord has had compassion on you?  Were you completely deserving of His compassion?  Were you grateful to Him for having this compassion upon you?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Take time to thank the Lord for His compassion toward you.
• Ask God to giveyou opportunities to be more compassionate toward others.

HYMN

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS!

A Burning Revival

Acts 19:13-20

INTRODUCTION

When the “name of the Lord Jesus” is truly magnified (Acts 19:17
), everything contrary to Him either becomes insignificant or observably wicked. As men believe on the Lord, they naturally begin to consider the moral nature of everything else in life. As they begin to see the wickedness of their flesh, they must choose whether to obey God or to satisfy the flesh. The people in Acts chapter 19 chose to obey God. As they learned of the wickedness of their curious arts, they brought their books together to be burned. This was done at no little cost to them (Acts 19:19
), but they considered it a greater cost to displease the One who died for them. Naturally resulting from this, the word of God grew and prevailed (Acts 19:20
).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): When we hear the word of God, it should move us to action (James 1:22
  ). Consider king Josiah's reaction to the word of God (2 Kings 23:24-25 ). Would you be willing to get rid of something displeasing to God if it were shown to you (Genesis 35:2-4 )?
• (For everyone): Is the word of God growing and prevailing in your home? If not, have you considered whether or not there are some things in your home that need to be set aflame to the glory of God?
• What is keeping you back from a closer walk with the Lord? What is more important to you—pleasing the flesh or pleasing the Lord who bought you?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to give you the courage to obey Him.
• Ask the Lord to help you see the cost of disobeying Him.

HYMN

AM I A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS?

A Work of the Flesh

Galatians 5:16-21

INTRODUCTION

Many have erroneously suggested that witchcraft is a spiritual gift, but the Bible plainly declares that it is instead a work of the flesh. As such, it is anti-Spirit and lustful. It is of the same kind as adultery, idolatry, hatred, heresies, murders, and drunkenness. No Christian who finds joy in these practices can rightly claim to be led of the Spirit, and so it is with Christians involved in witchcraft at any level. Unfortunately, many beguiled saints have grown increasingly accepting of witchcraft, at times even suggesting there are hidden scriptural messages. Men should not be deceived into thinking that God will partner with a work of the flesh to accomplish His work.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): God hates witchcraft (Exodus 22:18
  ; Micah 5:12
  ). If you are attracted to it, it is not God doing it (James 1:13
  ) but your own desires and longings (James 1:14
  ). Remember, in God's eyes there is no such thing as a "good" witch no matter how the world dresses them up to appear so (1 John 4:1
  ).
• (For everyone): No man can rightly suggest that God led him to get drunk or to commit adultery. Yet, why do you think people justify witchcraft as a harmless endeavor?
• The works of the flesh have bombarded man’s entertainment. Do you find witchcraft, adultery, and drunkenness entertaining?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God to help you rid your life of the works of the flesh.
• Ask God to give you wisdom to know what is right and wrong.

HYMN

TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE