Daily Devonational

Little Eyes
Kevin Cauley

Sometimes the most sublime truths can be stated in the simplest ways. We have a song that is often sung in our children’s classes and vacation bible schools: “Oh, be careful little eyes what you see.” The song continues and speaks about being careful about what we hear, say, do and where we go. Moreover, it is certainly a Biblical principle that we ought to abstain from the lusts of the world (1 John 2:15-17). One of those lusts is “the lust of the eyes.” So, it comes as no surprise to Christians that a recent study done by the RAND Corporation shows that there is a strong connection between teens who watch and listen to sex and sexual talk on television and teens who choose to engage in sexual activity. The study, published in the September issue of Pediatrics, found that teens that watched and listened to sex and sexual situations on television were TWICE as likely to have sex within the next year as teens not exposed to such. To put it in real numbers, one out of every two teens who watch such on television will end up behaving that way.

Gospel preachers and Bible teachers have been sounding the warning regarding the dangers of television for years now. How is it that they have had advanced information on this subject without the benefit of the RAND Corporation’s study? Simply put, the Bible has told us plainly that we are what we think. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” If we allow evil into our heart through the influence of television, then we will allow evil into our life as well. Notice also Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.

From the preacherfiles.com with their permission to use as stated on the page.

Daily Devonational

Our Lord’s Warning
By Ron Boatwright

     Christ, who is all knowing, tells us that many people are going to be lost in eternity.  In Matthew 7:13-14 He says, "Enter by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.  Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it".  According to the Bible the majority of people will be lost.  We must take this warning seriously.  The Lord says that only a few people will be saved.

     How few can few be?  In 1 Peter 3:20 (KJV) we read, "When once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by water."  The conservative estimate of the number of people on the face of the earth in the days of Noah is two hundred million (200,000,000) people.  But only eight (8) out of the estimated two hundred million (200,000,000) were saved.  This is not very good odds.  Even though the Bible says in 1 Peter 3:9 that the Lord is "not willing that any should perish", Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14 concerning eternal life in Heaven that "there are few who find it".  The vast majority of people will spend forever and ever in the eternal fires of Hell that will never be extinguished.  Mankind cannot comprehend how horrible that Hell is going to be.

     There are only two roads to eternity and everyone is on one or the other.  If we miss Heaven, we will be thrown into the eternal fires of Hell forever.  One of the saddest things about being thrown into Hell is the fact that it could have been avoided.  The majority of people will be lost in spite of what the Lord has done.  Hell is not what God does to us, but Hell is what one does to himself.  A person who ends up in Hell is his own worst enemy and only has himself to blame.  Let us make going to Heaven our number one priority in this life.

with permission to use as stated on the http://www.netbiblestudy.net/bulletin web page.

Daily devonational

Majority Rule in Religion?
 

Is a practice right just because "everyone is doing it"? Often we are told that some widely accepted practice must be good because "all these people can't be wrong." Young people sometimes tell their parents, "All my friends are doing it!"

Perhaps the fact that our government is a democracy leads people to think that the majority is right in religion. But the truth is that people who are faithful in serving God have always been in the minority.

In Noah's day God sent the flood to destroy thousands of people for their sins. Only eight people were saved (Genesis 6:5-8; 7:23). Would you have wanted to be doing what "everybody was doing" then?

Of all the thousands of adult Israelites who left Egypt, only two entered the Promised Land. All the rest died in the wilderness for their sins (Numbers 14:26-30). Would you have wanted to be with the majority then?

In 1 Kings 18 the prophet Elijah stood alone facing the 450 prophets of Baal. Was the majority right then?

When Jesus was crucified, no one remained faithful to Him. All His disciples forsook Him and fled (Matthew 26:56). Would it have been right to do what "everybody was doing" then? Should we say, regarding those who murdered Jesus, that "all those people can't be wrong"?

Isaiah 55:8,9 says: "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' says the LORD. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.'" God does not think like men think; this is true for all men. So if most people - even all people - think a practice is good, that does not necessarily prove God thinks it is good.

The way to determine truth in religion is, not by taking a opinion poll among people, but by studying the will of God revealed in the Bible. Read 2 Timothy 3:16,17.

For more information on this subject, please visit our Bible Instruction web site at www.gospelway.com/instruct/ and study our in-depth articles there about the importance of Bible study, how to study the Bible, and the danger of human authority in religion.
 

(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 7/2006

Permission to use as stated on the gospelway.com site

Daily Devonational

Today's devonational is part 2 from the truth for the world webpage, "goodness of God".

An excerpt from the lesson: "THE GOODNESS OF GOD - 2

"Oh that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!" That expression is a worthy wish for the world, that all might recognize the goodness of God and respond to it in loving obedience. In our study together last time, we looked at the goodness of God as it is depicted to us by the Psalmist in Psalm 107. As we concluded, we were examining the verse we just noticed, where the Psalmist expressed the desire that all would praise the Lord for His goodness and for His wonderful works. This expression is repeated four times in Psalm 107. Last time we noticed it in verse 8, and then we looked at the verse that followed it, where the psalmist declared: "For he satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness" (v. 9).

To read the full lessom go to: http://www.tftw2.org/Articles/goodnessofGod2.htm

Daily Devonational

Today's devonational comes from the truth for the world webpage. Its a two part lesson, today is part one of the lesson" goodness of God."

An excerpt from the lesson: "THE GOODNESS OF GOD - 1

Every new day gives us reason for expressing our gratitude to our God, Who is truly alive and has made possible all things worth having in this life and in the life to come. Many may respond to the goodness of God in various ways, yet the Scriptures tell us the goodness of God should lead us to repentance (Rom. 2:4). In Psalm 107, the Psalmist expresses some very beautiful and meaningful thoughts that ought to remind us of the goodness of God and what our response to that goodness should be: "O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endures for ever."

Read the rest of the article here: http://www.tftw2.org/Articles/goodnessofGod1.htm

Daily Devonational
An excerpt from todays devonational: "An Inheritance
According to Peter we have an inheritance
that can never fade. It will not weaken, it will
not lose its luster, it will never be boring or
tiresome. We have an inheritance in heaven that
will always feel new. It is an inheritance man
cannot take away from us. It is an inheritance
that time cannot wear down. It is an inheritance
that will not wear out.---Gospel minute"
read the rest of the article here: http://www.wfcoc.org/WFCoC/Minutes_2009_files/gm072409.pdf

Daily Devonational

God Knows
Author Unknown
posted by Robert J. Young, 2006
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]
 

When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts... God knows how hard you have tried.
When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish... God has counted your tears.

If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by... God is waiting with you.
When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call... God is by your side.

When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn... God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated... God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope... God has whispered to you.
When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for... God has blessed you.

When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe... God has smiled upon you.
When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow... God has opened your eyes and called you by name.

Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing... GOD KNOWS

From the bobyyoung resource page with permission from page as stated on the site:http://www.bobyoungresources.com/articles.php#text

Daily Devonational

When Christians Sin
By Ron Boatwright

     When we are baptized for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38), in order to be saved (Mark 16:16), God takes away every sin we have ever committed (Acts 22:16).  He wipes our slate clean (1 Corinthians 6:11).  He gives us a new beginning and we are born again (John 3:3,5) and we are raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4).

     But after we have been baptized and God has taken away all of our sins, what do we do when we commit other sins?  How do we get forgiveness of these sins?  For the answer to this let us look at the Epistle of First John.  First John was written to Christians who had been baptized for the forgiveness of their sins, just as you and I have been.

     1 John 1:7 says, "But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."  Here this verse says we must be doing two things so that the blood of Jesus Christ will continue to cleanse us of all our sins.  1) We must "walk in the light", that is we must be following God’s word in the Bible.  2) Also must "have fellowship one with another", that is we must be regularly worshipping God in His church and working with other Christians.  The original Greek word that is translated "cleanses" in this verse means that there is a continual cleansing going on.  Herein lies the problem with those who have become unfaithful in their worship.  Because they are not having fellowship one with another, they are not longer receiving forgiveness of their sins.

     Then we continue to read the next verse 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  We must repent and ask God to forgive us, and He will.  When we stand before the Lord on Judgment Day we will have no sins and we will go to Heaven.  This is very comforting to know that we are being continually cleansed.

From:
http://www.netbiblestudy.net/bulletin 

Daily Devonational

A Call for New Testament Christianity
by James M Branum--thebible.net
Jesus died for his church, the bride of Christ. (Ephesians 5:25-33) Man throughout history has corrupted the church that Christ died for through denominationalism, by adding man-made laws to the scriptures, and by following creeds other than the Holy Bible.

It is possible today, to be obedient to the will of Christ. Christians can resolve to restore the church to being the church of the New Testament. (Acts 2:41-47)

Some Things You Should Know

You should know that in Bible times, the church is called:

* The temple of God I Cor 3:16
* The bride of Christ Eph 5:22-32
* The body of Christ Col 1:18,24; Eph 1:22-23
* The kingdom of God's son Col 1:13
* The house of God I Tim 3:15
* The church of God I Cor 1:2
* The church of the first-born Heb 12:23
* The church of the Lord Acts 20:28
* The churches of Christ Rom 16:16

You should know that the church is:

* Built by Jesus Christ Matt 16:13-18
* Purchased by the blood of Christ Acts 20:28
* Built on Jesus Christ as the only foundation I Cor 3:11
* Not built on Peter, Paul, or any other man I Cor 1:12-13
* Composed of the saved, who are added to it by the Lord who saves them. Acts 2:47

You should know that members of the church are called:

* Members of Christ I Cor 12:27 ,6:15, Rom 12:4-5
* Disciples of Christ Acts 6:1,7; 11:26
* Believers Acts 5:14; II Cor 6:15
* Saints Acts 9:13; Rom 1:7; Phil 1:1
* Priests I Peter 2:5,9; Rev 1:6
* Children of God Gal 3:26-27; I John 3:1-2
* Christians Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16

You should know that the local church has:

* Elders (also called bishops and pastors) who oversee and tend the flock I Tim 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-4
* Deacons, who serve the church I Tim 3:8-13 Phil 1:1
* Evangelists (preachers, ministers) who teach and proclaim the word of God Eph 4:11; I Tim 4:13-16; II Tim 4:1-5
* Members, who love the Lord and each other Phil 2:1-5
* Autonomy, and is bound to other local churches only by the common faith shared Jude 3 Gal 5:1

You should know that the Lord Jesus Christ:

* Loved the church Eph 5:25
* Shed his blood for the church Acts 20:28
* Established the church Matt 16:18
* Added saved people to the church Acts 2:47
* Is the head of the church Eph 1:22-23; 5:23
* Will save the church Acts 2:47; Eph 5:23

You should know that man did not:

* Purpose the church Eph 3:10-11
* Purchase the church Acts 20:28, Eph 5:25
* Name its members Isa 56:5; 62:2; Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16
* Add people to the church Acts 2:47; I Cor 12:18
* Give the church its doctrine Gal 1:8-11; II John 9-11

You should know, to enter the church, you must:

* Believe in Jesus Christ Heb 11:6; John 8:24 Acts 16:31
* Repent of your sins (Turn away from your sins) Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30
* Confess faith in Jesus Matt 10:32; Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9-10
* Be baptized into the saving blood of Jesus Matt 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 22:16

You should know that baptism requires:

* Much water John 3:23; Acts 10:47
* Going down into the water Acts 8:36-38
* A burial in water Romans 6:3-4; Col 2:12
* A resurrection Acts 8:39; Rom 6:4; Col 2:12
* A birth John 3:3-5; Rom 6:3-6
* A washing Acts 22:16 Heb 10:22

You should know that by baptism:

* You are saved from sins Mark 16:16 I Peter 3:21
* You have remission of sins Acts 2:38
* Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ Acts 22:16; Heb 9:22; 10:22; I Peter 3:21
* You enter into the church I Cor 12:13; Acts 2:41,47
* You enter into Christ Gal 3:26-27 Rom 6:3-4
* You put on Christ and become a child of God Gal 3:26-27
* You are born again, a new creature Rom 6:3-4; II Cor 5:17
* You walk in newness of life Rom 6:3-6
* You obey Christ Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:48; II Thes 1:7-9

You should know that the faithful church will:

* Worship in spirit and in truth John 4:23-24
* Meet on the first day of the week Acts 20:7; Hebrews 10:25;
* Pray James 5:16; Acts 2:42 I Tim 2:1-2 I Thes 5:17
* Sing, making melody with the heart Eph 5:19; Col 3:16
* Eat the Lord's supper on the first day of the week Acts 2:42 20:7; Matt 26:26-30; I Cor 11:20-32
* Give, liberally and cheerfully I Cor 16:1-2; II Cor 8:1-5; 9:6-8

You should know, that in New Testament times there was:

* One family of God Eph 3:15; I Time 3:15
* One kingdom of Christ Matt 16:18-19; Col 1:13-14
* One body of Christ Col 1:18; Eph 1:22-23; 4:4
* One bride of Christ Rom 7:1-7; Eph 5:22-23
* One church of Christ Matt 16:18; Eph 1:22-23; 4:4-6

You know that the same church today:

* Is guided by the same word I Peter 1:22-25; II Tim 3:16-17
* Contends for the one faith Jude 3; Eph 4:5
* Pleads for unity of all believers John 17:20-21 Eph 4:4-6
* Is not a denomination I Cor 1:10-13; Eph 4:1-6
* Is faithful to Christ Luke 6:46; Rev 2:10; Mark 8:38
* Wears the name of Christ Rom 16:16; Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16

You should know that you can be a member of this church:

* By doing what people 1900 years ago Acts 2:36-47
* Without being in any denomination Acts 2:47; I Cor 1:10-13

You should know that a child of God:

* Can be lost I Cor 9:27; 10:12; Gal 5:4; Hebrews 3:12-19
* But is given a law of pardon Acts 8:22; James 5:16
* Is constantly cleansed by the blood of Christ as he walks in the light of God I Peter 2:9-10; I John 1:5-10

This item originally appeared in a tract by Gospel Minutes, P.O. Box 50007, Ft. Worth, TX 76105-0007

Daily Devonationa;

“Witnessing” For Christ
Kevin Cauley---preacherfiles

More and more I hear of members of the church speaking about “witnessing” and less frequently do I hear about members of the church speaking about teaching the gospel of Christ. While the term “witness” is a biblical one and while many people speak of “witnessing” within the denominational world, perhaps we should wonder if the way the Bible uses the term and the way the denominations use the term coincide. Are we as Christians allowing the denominational world to change our ways or are we as Christians seeking to change the ways of denominations? It appears that in this terminology we have allowed denominationalism to take control.

As I look at all the different ways in which the word witness is used in the scriptures, I don’t find a single solitary instance in which it is used in the same way that most religious people use the word today. We see that the apostles were eyewitnesses of the resurrection and so was the apostle Paul (Acts 1:22; 4:33; 22:15). The Holy Spirit was a witness to the Jews that the Gentiles were to receive the gospel message (Acts 15:8). God gave witness to the apostles and prophets through miraculous signs and wonders that what they said and taught was true (Hebrews 2:4). John writes that the record that God gave of His Son, Jesus, is the witness that is in us, if we believe that record (1 John 5:9,10). However, we never read of an apostle, prophet, or inspired teacher within the New Testament telling Christians to go out and “witness” for Christ. “Preach the gospel”–Yes. “Witness”–No. Where does this concept come from?

When a member of a denomination stands up and “witnesses” they usually tell of all the “great things” God has done for them in their life. Perhaps they will speak about how God saved them from drugs. Perhaps they will speak about how God helped them get over a financial crisis. Perhaps they will speak about how God helped them become a good father or mother. The witnessing is always “how God personally helped me.” The focus of these “testimonies” is upon the individual’s personal experience. From this, those who are listening to the speaker are supposed to conclude that God will work some kind of personal experience for them as well and that they are supposed to come to believe in God based upon this “testimony.” Notice, however, that the faith that is generated by these “testimonies” does not come from God’s word, but from someone’s personal, subjective experience. Herein lies the danger; the Bible says “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Those who stand up and give personal “testimonies” and “witness” for God are doing the world no favor. They are not preaching the word of God–they are preaching their own subjective, emotional experiences. They are causing people to believe something other than the word of God, and that is NOT biblical faith.

Perhaps someone might say, “Well, the Holy Spirit is really the one who is witnessing.” No doubt, this is what many believe today who participate in this kind of thing. However, the Holy Spirit is not the author of confusion according to 1 Corinthians 14:33 and the Holy Spirit wrote Romans 10:17. Now is the Holy Spirit going to say that faith comes by hearing the word at one point in time and then turn around and say that faith comes by doing something OTHER than hearing the word at another point in time? For someone to say such would be indicting the Holy Spirit of a lie. Either faith comes by hearing the word of God or it does not. Either the Holy Spirit told the truth when He said that faith comes by hearing the word of God or these people who are “witnessing” today are lying. I will stick with Paul, “Let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).

Why would Christians get caught up in such foolishness? Do they no longer believe that faith comes by hearing the word of God? Do they believe that their simple personal stories are more important than the story of the cross? Do they believe that God’s saving power lies within their own personal experience as opposed to the resurrection of the Son of God? Let us, as Christians, put away such speech from our vocabulary. Let’s believe what the Bible has to say about how faith comes and resolve to preach God’s word instead of exalting our own personal experience above the power of the gospel (Romans 1:16). Let us resolve not to know anything save Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Let’s resolve to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11).

(Permission to used based on the statement on the preacherfiles.com site.)