“Faith comes by hearing the Word of God” 3/15/2023 Written by Louis Mize, a good friend

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Written by Louis Mize, a good friend  @  https://www.facebook.com/louis.mize

“Faith comes by hearing the Word of God”

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17

Last Sunday morning Jimmie and I heard a man proclaim truth from the word of God. It was worth listening to and brought us closer to God.

Preachers who proclaim the word of God are worth hearing because we are not really hearing them, but what the Person of the Holy Spirit of God has laid on their hearts and directed them to say.

The Bible is the Word of God. It is absolute truth and has absolute authority in our lives. You will never have faith in God until you have the opportunity to hear the Word of God. This morning, I am thanking God for giving us the Bible. Our forefathers needed it, and you and I need it today.

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul ON FIRE for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“The Storm of God’s Wrath” 3/14/2023 Posted by Alister Begg for www.truthforlife.org from Spurgeon’s writing

Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

WRATH OF GOD quotes

Posted by Alister Begg for www.truthforlife.org  from Spurgeon’s writing

Original post @ https://www.truthforlife.org/devotionals/spurgeon/2/25/2023/?ecid=ACsprvtEyaQd78F1WVGOWL2M7qR7-rDgvxnqi_BEhFWPWkkvT3rldatvbS-gN1XT6xtOypRqE1ye&utm_campaign=Spurgeon+Daily+Devotion&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=247395637&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9klvtvd2hsi3LQAK_LZB4jqX0BcKljr9Nz0G8SIAk8EZxN3aFwwtu7oXl1fiI351ExmzTTiOHSOfIAZDwRCbW90PSxuPM2sIGto4SIBoi3HNyTR1g&utm_content=247395637&utm_source=hs_email

The Storm of God’s Wrath

 

… The wrath to come.

Matthew 3:7

It is pleasant to pass over a country after a storm has spent itself—to smell the freshness of the herbs after the rain has passed away, and to note the drops while they glisten like purest diamonds in the sunlight.

That is the position of a Christian. He is going through a land where the storm has spent itself upon His Savior’s head, and if there be a few drops of sorrow falling, they distill from clouds of mercy, and Jesus cheers him by the assurance that they are not for his destruction.

But how terrible it is to witness the approach of a tempest—to note the forewarnings of the storm; to mark the birds of heaven as they droop their wings; to see the cattle as they lay their heads low in terror; to discern the face of the sky as it grows black, and to find the sun obscured, and the heavens angry and frowning! How terrible to await the dread advance of a hurricane, to wait in terrible apprehension till the wind rushes forth in fury, tearing up trees from their roots, forcing rocks from their pedestals, and hurling down all the dwelling-places of man!

And yet, sinner, this is your present position. No hot drops have fallen as yet, but a shower of fire is coming. No terrible winds howl around you, but God’s tempest is gathering its dread artillery. So far the water-floods are dammed up by mercy, but the floodgates will soon be opened: The thunderbolts of God are still in His storehouse, the tempest is coming, and how awful will that moment be when God, robed in vengeance, shall march forth in fury!

Where, where, where, O sinner, will you hide your head, or where will you run to? May the hand of mercy lead you now to Christ! He is freely set before you in the Gospel: His pierced side is the place of shelter. You know your need of Him; believe in Him, cast yourself upon Him, and then the fury shall be past forever.

Devotional material is taken from Morning and Evening, written by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and updated by Alistair Begg. Copyright © 2003, Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, www.crossway.org. Used by Truth For Life with written permission.

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul ON FIRE for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“An Open Heart and Mind” 3/13/2023 Posted by David Kitz for “I Love the Psalms”

Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

23 Bible Verses about Thoughts - DailyVerses.net

Posted by David Kitz for “I Love the Psalms” @  https://davidkitz.wordpress.com/

Original post found @ https://davidkitz.blog/2023/01/11/an-open-heart-and-mind/

An Open Heart and Mind

11WednesdayJan 2023

Posted by davidkitz in Psalm 7Psalms

Tags  DavidfaithGod’s wordintegrityjudgetransparency

 

Reading: Psalm 7:1-9
A shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush,
a Benjamite.


LORD my God, I take refuge in you;
save and deliver me from all who pursue me,
or they will tear me apart like a lion
and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.
LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands—
if I have repaid my ally with evil or without cause have robbed my foe—
then let my enemy pursue and overtake me;
let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.
Arise, LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies.
Awake, my God; decree justice.
Let the assembled peoples gather around you,
while you sit enthroned over them on high.
Let the LORD judge the peoples.
Vindicate me, LORD, according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.
Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts
 (NIV). *

man s hand in shallow focus and grayscale photography

Photo by lalesh aldarwish on Pexels.com

Reflection
Have you ever been falsely accused? Have you been accused of wrongdoing by someone you consider a friend? That can be a deeply hurtful experience. In the context of this psalm, that’s the situation David found himself in. He stands accused of repaying his ally with evil.

How did David respond? Did he strike down his accuser? Remember David is the king. It is within his power to act—to unleash his vengeance. Is that his just and righteous response? No, he takes his case before the LORD. In prayer he declares, “Let the LORD judge the peoples.” He invites God to judge him. He presents his case before the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.

That takes some courage; that takes some integrity. That takes a level of faith and transparency we often see lacking in men of position and power. Are you willing to let God probe your heart and your mind? What might He find hidden away in there? The writer of the Book of Hebrews reminds us about the power of God’s word, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

David was a man of God. He submitted his heart and mind to the all-seeing eye of God. He wanted the sin source cut off within him. Right thinking and righteous judgment begin when God and His word gain entry to your heart.

Response: LORD, I open my heart and my mind to your probing. I have nothing to hide, since you see all and know all, even the hidden things of the heart. Help me repent where needed. Amen.

Your Turn: How transparent are you before God? Why do we think we can hide something from God?

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul ON FIRE for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“Christians Need to Hear the Gospel Too” 3/12/2023 Written by Pastor Jim Lee for “The Domain for Truth”

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

sharing the Gospel – Faith Saturday

Written by Pastor Jim Lee for “The Domain for Truth” @ veritasdomain.wordpress.com

Original post @ https://veritasdomain.wordpress.com/2023/03/10/christians-need-to-hear-the-gospel-too/

Christians Need to Hear the Gospel Too

March 10, 2023, by SLIMJIM

open air preaching 2

Christians: When you hear the Gospel preach, do you feel it’s something not for you, but for the non-Christians?

Now it is true that non-Christians need to hear the Gospel being preached; we want them to not only hear the Gospel but also believe and trust in the Gospel. Romans 1:16 makes it clear that the Gospel is the power of God to save sinners from the Wrath of God: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Yet we must also not miss Romans 1:15 which indicates the Gospel is also for believers!

“So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.”

Note Paul here is addressing the Church in Rome (see Romans 1:1).  The Church of course consists of believers.  In addressing his listeners Paul in Romans 11:28 talks about his hearers as Christians: “In relation to the gospel they are enemies on your account, but in relation to God’s choice they are beloved on account of the fathers;” Paul in Romans 1:15 is saying he desires to preach the Gospel when he’s at the Church of Rome. In writing the letter to the Church, we have the Epistles of Romans reveal the deep theology of God’s Gospel to save sinners!

Paul’s intended destination when he wrote Romans is to go to Spain (see Romans 15:24, 28).  Yet Romans 1:15 mentioned he wants to preach the Gospel to believers.

This shows us that as Christians we need to hear the Gospel too.

In fact, that’s how Christians grow; it is from meditating and focusing on the Gospel!

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul ON FIRE for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“Treasure of the Heart” 3/11/2023 Written by Nancy Ruegge for “From The Inside Out”

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org 

 

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

 

Matthew 6:21 | joshtinpowers | Flickr

 

Written by Nancy Ruegge for “From The Inside Out” @  http://nancyaruegg.com

 

Treasure of the Heart

Imagine a lapidarist looking through her loupe and discovering the purist, whitest diamond she’s ever seen, cut with such precision that the stone sparkles with startling intensity. Can you imagine her, turning the stone this way and that, to marvel at the treasure?

In similar fashion, I invite you to marvel at and enjoy another treasure, a treasure of the heart–God’s love. 

With the loupe of meditation, consider that God’s love is . . .

. . . unfathomable

“When we meditate on this amazing love, our souls may well faint for joy.”[1]

. . . unstoppable

“Every door that opens into a treasure of love shows another door into another treasury beyond. We need not fear that we shall ever come to the end of God’s goodness, or any experience for which he will have no blessing ready.”[2]

. . . unearned

“God loves us because of who he is, not because of who we are.”—Unknown

. . . unconditional

“When I begin the day drenched in [God’s secure love]—that centering awareness of my worth and connection to God—the day is different. I don’t have to scramble or hustle. Fear dissipates . . . because unconditional love changes everything.”[3]

. . . unwavering

“God’s steadfast love is chesed [in Hebrew], which means ‘kind, generous, loyal, and unfailing.’ Chesed means kindness on steroids.”[4]

. . . unfailing

“God’s goodness is near us. It is not a goodness far away, but God follows us with His goodness in whatever situation we are. He attaches Himself to us, He has made Himself close, that He might be near us in goodness.

“He is a father, and everywhere to maintain us. He is a husband, and everywhere to help. He is a friend, and everywhere to comfort and counsel. His love is a near love. He has taken upon Himself the closest kinds of relationships, so that we may never lack God and the evidences of His love.”[5]

. . . unlimited

“With both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.”[6]

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *

I praise you, Heavenly Father, for these facets of your lavish love that only begin to describe your devotion to us. I praise You that, out of your tender-hearted love, your foremost objective is always our best interest. And I praise you for guiding us on the path toward the abundant life you so desire to give us.

May the beauty and magnitude of your love sparkle with such intensity in our spirits that nothing will be able to discourage us.  

1 John 3:1; Romans 8:28; Psalm 23:3; John 10:10


[1] Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning, 158.

[2] J. R. Miller, quoted in Seasons of the Lord by Herbert Lockyer, 199.

[3] Shauna Niequist, Present over Perfect, 205.

[4] Chrystal Evans Hurst, Kingdom Woman Devotional, 109.

[5] Richard Sibbes (1577-1635), Puritan theologian

[6] Ephesians 3:17-18 MSG

Art and photo credits: http://www.pexels.com (Plato Terentev); http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.rawpixel.com (2).

View original post @ https://nancyaruegg.com/2023/02/16/treasure-of-the-heart/

 

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

 

 

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

 

 

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul ON FIRE for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

 

 

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“Who Can Live Without Hope?” 3/10/2023 Written by Dr. Lawson Murry for “SEIZE The DAY”

Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Verse of the Day - Romans 15:13 - iDisciple

Written by Dr. Lawson Murry for “SEIZE The DAY”  @  https://seizetheday-blog.com

Original post:  https://seizetheday-blog.com/2023/01/24/who-can-live-without-hope-2/

Who Can Live Without Hope?

JANUARY 24, 20231 COMMENT

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles;  they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.   Isaiah 40:31

Unbelievable as it may seem, it is possible for a person to live up to seventy days without food. It is also possible to exist for nearly ten days without water.  And one can live for up to six minutes without air. But there is one thing it is impossible to live without – hope.

You can lose your business, your money, and maybe even your family, but hope is the one thing you cannot afford to lose. For hope keeps man alive. It climbs over obstacles when no one is helping. It arouses the mind to explore possibilities. It sweetens when bitterness bites. It makes us optimists for tomorrow. It hangs in when everything seems to be slipping away. It smiles when no one is laughing. It urges us on. And it gives radiance despite the darkness. As O. S. Marden says, “There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow.”

The trouble is, hope seems to be in short supply. The average person doesn’t have it and doesn’t know where to get it. He’s simply enduring the present or waiting for the future. Going through the motions. Performing according to his fears. Wondering how to make it. Surviving on forgotten dreams.

But it needn’t be that way. You can look forward to tomorrow. Have a new song in your heart. Overcome failure. Defeat depression. Endure all things. Climb every mountain. Live it like it could be.

All it takes is a change of heart. As it says in Matthew 22:37, You must “love the Lord   . . . with all your heart.”

It’s that simple. When you love the Lord with all your heart, you’ll discover certainty in an uncertain world. You’ll anticipate each day with confident expectations. You won’t be moved by the vagrancies of life. You’ll be freed from condemnation. You’ll have the courage to endure. And you’ll be strengthened with patience and love.

For when you love the Lord with all your heart He’s promised to “to make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6), to deliver you from the hand of the wicked, to be the Comforter, to be the One who can be relied upon, to be your strong refuge, to be with you when you’re old, to be “your salvation all day long” (Psalm 71:15), to be your friend, to give you the fullness of life.

So why not trust in the God of hope? Why not give your heart to the One who can be your all in all? And why not discover how Jesus makes the difference between hope and hopelessness – between life and death?

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul ON FIRE for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“JUST FLOATING AROUND!” 3/9/2023 Posted by Pastor Randy Burbank for “Kingdom Pastor”

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org 

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Hebrews 6:19 Vinyl Wall Decal 2 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul  Firm and Secure, Nautical Nursery, Scripture Wall Art, Bible Verse,  HEB6V19-0002

Posted by Pastor Randy Burbank  for “Kingdom Pastor”  @  https://kingdompastor.wordpress.com

Original post @ https://kingdompastor.wordpress.com/2023/02/21/just-floating-around/

 

JUST FLOATING AROUND!

 

Posted on February 21, 2023 by Pastor Randy

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.  Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.  When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, or he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

Matthew chapter 7, verses 24-29; from the New Living Translation (NLT)

 

I know that the Chinese Spy Balloon, excuse me, “weather balloon”, is old news. But The Spirit prompted me this morning to think about that episode. And what The Spirit said was provocatively simple. “Ever think about how many people are just like that balloon? Just floating around, without any real foundation for their life?” And do you know what my response was? I was heartbroken! Know why? Because The Father is heartbroken. How do I know this? Well, this parable that Jesus shared about the difference between being anchored to the Truth and just floating around. If you doubt my connection, then here’s another one:

When He saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew chapter 9, verse 36(NLT)

 

We need to have our lives anchored to Truth; not just any truth, but THE TRUTH! And contrary to popular opinion, we humans do not process THE TRUTH. Only God; and He has chosen to reveal THE TRUTH in what we call The Bible. We have to act upon The Word–by doing what The Word tells us to do. That’s the difference in the outcome of these 2 houses built by different builders. One had the foundation and the other didn’t. Now, progressive theology wants us to believe that the only thing that really matters is love. After all, that’s what Jesus did. Forget the rest, just love like Jesus. While this may sound good, it turns us into those weather balloons, just floating around and being controlled by whatever the winds decide to do.

In that powerful Sermon On The Mount, Jesus said “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.  I tell you the truth until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.”  Friends, we must be anchored to The Word, The Bible because that’s exactly what Jesus wants us to do. It’s The Bible guides us and sets the boundaries for our lives. Without ALL of God’s Word, we build houses that simply will not stand up to life as it really happens.

And for anyone in my former tribe, the United Methodist Church (UMC), who thinks they can #StayUMC and still be faithful to God–remember this parable from Jesus, Himself. The leadership of the UMC is building a house upon the sand. And if you stay inside that house, don’t be surprised when it collapses all around you. Here’s a final question for you to consider: Do you want to build your life around human thinking, thinking that is flawed by sin? Or do you want to build your life upon the Word of the Perfectly Holy God?

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

Proverbs chapter 3, verses 7 and 8 (NLT)

 

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

 

 

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

 

 

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul ON FIRE for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

 

 

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“Religious Formalism” 3/08/2023 Posted by Alister Begg for www.truthforlife.org

Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and  from the power of Satan unto God, … | Forgiveness of sin, Daily bible  verse, Forgiveness

Posted by Alister Begg  for  www.truthforlife.org

Original post @ https://www.truthforlife.org/daily/?tab=alistair_begg_devotional&date=02%2F23%2F2023&src=23ELBB0&utm_campaign=Alistair%20Begg%20Daily%20Devotion&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=247234668&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_I1bTQy1Fcegn0tXZtKJMvle0MKKhscLgzt55PzgpfpEhzGZtZ1-IH9K1HfIZRlQFEkxSqiaRLwwFfe7VnI52n4fwhHZqWRzXnDBFgC33dk7ud1TU&utm_content=247234668&utm_source=hs_email

Religious Formalism

 

They brought to the Pharisees the man who had formerly been blind.

John 9:13

The great tragedy of John 9 is not that a man had been blind for years until he met Jesus, but that a group of men were left spiritually blind despite having seen the work of Jesus.

The healing and transformation of the life of the man born blind caused a great stir in his community. Presumably, he had been so much a part of people’s surroundings that it was easy to disregard him. Yet suddenly their normal daily experience was disrupted. The man who was once blind could now see perfectly well, and he was no longer asking for money (John 9:8-10).

Unable to solve this mystery, they presented the formerly blind man to the religious leaders, the Pharisees, to see if they could shed some light on what had occurred. What followed was not a conversation between the man and the Pharisees so much as an interrogation. Instead of rejoicing in his story, they challenged his testimony.

The reason for the Pharisees’ harsh reaction, at least on the surface, was that the man had been healed on the Sabbath (John 9:14-16). The religious leaders were unable to rejoice in the restoration of his sight because they were blinded by their religious formalism. The forms and structures of religion that they boasted in were the very things that proved to be a barrier to their faith in Jesus. They kept their lists of what was acceptable, and so they were unable to recognize the work of the God they claimed to worship, even when the evidence was quite literally (and miraculously) looking them in the face.

Religious formalism cannot face the dramatic impact that Jesus makes when He takes a person and turns him or her upside down—which is actually to turn them the right way up! Unwilling to acknowledge their own need for transformation—and the truth that only a radical internal transformation gives significance to the religious life—religious formalists hide behind maintaining appearances. Nothing challenges the religious formalist more than coming face-to-face with someone who has had their eyes opened to the salvation that is found in Jesus.

The Pharisees’ reaction to the blind man’s healing teaches us, then, to beware of the dangers of religious formalism. A blind commitment to religion has the potential to keep us from Jesus, just as it did with them.

Have your eyes been opened to the salvation found only in Jesus? Or has your focus on religious performance prevented you from rejoicing in the wonder of God’s amazing grace? Are you weighed down by religion’s burden or rejoicing in the awesome, often surprising work of the Lord Jesus? Look to Him alone for salvation and accept that He will not be constrained by your assumptions, for then you’ll find joy, a transformation, and excitement in the gospel that no amount of rule-keeping could ever provide.

Questions for Thought

How is God calling me to think differently?

How is God reordering my heart’s affections — what I love?

What is God calling me to do as I go about my day today?

Further Reading

Philippians 3:1-11

Topics: Jesus Christ Judgmentalism Legalism

Devotional material is taken from the Truth For Life daily devotional by Alistair Begg, published by The Good Book Company, thegoodbook.com. Used by Truth For Life with permission. Copyright © 2021, The Good Book Company.

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul ON FIRE for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“What are the causes and solutions for a hardened heart?” 3/07/2023 Posted by www.gotquestions.org

Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Pin on ~ Easter ~ Salvation Poetry ~

Posted by www.gotquestions.org

Original post @ https://www.gotquestions.org/hardened-heart.html

What are the causes and solutions for a hardened heart?

ANSWER:

To better understand the causes and solutions for a hardened heart, it’s important to understand the broad biblical meaning of the word “heart.” The Bible considers the heart to be the hub of human personality, producing the things we would ordinarily ascribe to the “mind.” For example, Scripture informs us that grief (John 14:1); desires (Matthew 5:28); joy (Ephesians 5:19); understanding (Isaiah 6:10Matthew 13:15); thoughts and reasoning (Genesis 6:5Hebrews 4:12Mark 2:8); and, most importantly, faith and belief (Hebrews 3:12Romans 10:10Mark 11:23) are all products of the heart. Also, Jesus tells us that the heart is a repository for good and evil and that what comes out of our mouth – good or bad – begins in the heart (Luke 6:43–45).

Considering this, it’s easy to see how a hardened heart can dull a person’s ability to perceive and understand. Anyone’s heart can harden, even faithful Christians’. In fact, in Mark 8:17–19 we see Jesus’ own disciples suffering from this malady. The disciples were concerned with their meager bread supply, and it was clear that each of them had forgotten how Jesus had just fed thousands with only a few loaves. Questioning them as to the hardness of their hearts, Christ spells out for us the characteristics of this spiritual heart condition as an inability to see, understand, hear, and remember. Regarding this last criterion, too often we forget how God has blessed us and what He has done for us. Similar to the disciples in this instance or the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, when a new calamity arises in our lives, our hearts often fill with fear and concern. Sadly, this simply reveals to God the little faith we have in His promise to take care of us (Matthew 6:32–33Philippians 4:19). We need to remember not only the many times God has graciously provided for us in our time of need, but also what He has told us: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6Hebrews 13:5).

Sin causes hearts to grow hard, especially continual and unrepentant sin. Now we know that “if we confess our sins, [Jesus] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins” (1 John 1:9). However, if we don’t confess our sins, they have a cumulative and desensitizing effect on the conscience, making it difficult to even distinguish right from wrong. And this sinful and hardened heart is tantamount to the “seared conscience” Paul speaks of in 1 Timothy 4:1–2. Scripture makes it clear that if we relentlessly continue to engage in sin, there will come a time when God will give us over to our “debased mind” and let us have it our way. The apostle Paul writes about God’s wrath of abandonment in his letter to the Romans where we see that godless and wicked “men who suppress the truth” are eventually given over to the sinful desires of their hardened hearts (Romans 1:18–24).

Pride will also cause our hearts to harden. The “pride of your heart has deceived you . . . you who say to yourself, ‘who can bring me down to the ground’ . . . I will bring you down declares the LORD” (Obadiah verses 3-4). Also, the root of Pharaoh’s hard-heartedness was his pride and arrogance. Even in the face of tremendous proofs and witnessing God’s powerful hand at work, Pharaoh’s hardened heart caused him to deny the sovereignty of the one, true God. And when King Nebuchadnezzar’s “heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory . . . until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and sets over them anyone He wishes” (Daniel 5:20–21). Accordingly, when we’re inclined to do it our way, thinking we can “go it on our own,” it would be wise to recall what King Solomon taught us in Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

So, what then is the antidote for a heart condition such as this? First and foremost, we have to recognize the effect that this spiritual disease has on us. And God will help us to see our heart’s condition when we ask Him: “Search me O God, and know my heart…see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24). God can heal any heart once we recognize our disobedience and repent of our sins. But true repentance is more than simply a resolute feeling of steadfast determination. Repentance manifests itself in a changed life.

After repenting of our sins, hard hearts begin to be cured when we study God’s Word. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart. . . . I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:9–11). The Bible is our manual for living as it is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). If we are to live life to the fullest as God intended, we need to study and obey God’s written Word, which not only keeps a heart soft and pure but allows us to be “blessed” in whatever we do (Joshua 1:8James 1:25).

Hearts can also become hardened when we suffer setbacks and disappointments in life. No one is immune to trials here on earth. Yet, just as steel is forged by a blacksmith’s hammer, so, too, can our faith be strengthened by the trials we encounter in the valleys of life. As Paul encouraged the Romans: “But we also rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us” (Romans 5:3–5).

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul ON FIRE for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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“God’s Arms Are Open” 3/06/2023 Written by Jennifer Benson Schuldt for “Our Daily Bread”

“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional 

You're the God who stands with wide open arms and You tell me nothing I  have ever done can separate my heart fro… | Christian lyrics, Godly women  quotes, Praise god

Written by Jennifer Benson Schuldt for “Our Daily Bread” @  http://odb.org

[Click on the “Listen Online” link and listen to the audio version at the top, including the prayer at the end in the original post link below]

Original post @ https://odb.org/US/2023/02/08/gods-arms-are-ope

February 8

God’s Arms Are Open

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins.

1 John 1:9

 

Today’s Scripture & Insight:

1 John 1:5–10

I frowned at my cell phone and sighed. Worry wrinkled my brow. A friend and I had had a serious disagreement over an issue with our children, and I knew I needed to call her and apologize. I didn’t want to do it because our viewpoints were still in conflict, yet I knew I hadn’t been kind or humble the last time we discussed the matter.

Anticipating the phone call, I wondered, What if she doesn’t forgive me? What if she doesn’t want to continue our friendship? Just then, lyrics to a song came to mind and took me back to the moment when I confessed my sin in the situation to God. I felt relief because I knew God had forgiven me and released me from guilt.

We can’t control how people respond to us when trying to work out relational problems. As long as we own up to our part, humbly ask for forgiveness, and make any changes needed, we can let God handle the healing. Even if we have to endure the pain of unresolved “people problems,” peace with Him is always possible. God’s arms are open, and He is waiting to show us the grace and mercy we need. “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

By:  Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Reflect & Pray

How does forgiveness create peace? What steps will you take in God’s power toward reconciliation with someone this week?

 

Dear God, remind me of Your unending grace. Help me to be more humble and to commit all my relationships to You.

 

For further study, read What Do You Do with a Broken Relationship?.

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul ON FIRE for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

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