Daily Devonational

Today's devonational comes from the Gospel Minute newsletter Dated: July 31, 2009.
Entitled: What is Truth?

An excerpt: "the public schools, in universities and even in
many churches. For decades, children in public
school have been told, "You must not be
judgmental, what is wrong for you may be right for
someone else, what is true for you may not be true
for someone else. After all, truth is relative."

Read the rest of the article here: http://www.wfcoc.org/WFCoC/Minutes_2009_files/gm073109.pdf
(This is in PDF format)

Daily Devonational

The following is from thebible.net webpage

 

A Christian TV Guide
by Allen Webster
     A Christian should watch TV ... realizing that God is watching him. We ought to be afraid to watch R-rated movies and suggestive TV, because the Lord might return in the middle and leave without us! There is an all-seeing eye watching you (Heb 4:13).

     A Christian should watch TV …

    REMEMBERING THAT WHAT IS IN HIS HAND--THE REMOTE CONTROL--IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS THINGS IN HIS HOUSE (Eph 6:10-13). Guns, knives, and poison can kill the body, but what comes through the TV can ruin one's eternal soul (Mt 10:28)! There is more involved than innocent entertainment or killing a couple of hours. The devil is waging a battle daily for our hearts, minds, and souls (1 Pet 5:8). The musician Frank Zappa argued before a Maryland State Senate subcommittee (when asked about some of his lyrics), "These are only words--words can't hurt anyone." Yeah, right!

    WITH HIS MIND SET IN CONCRETE. He has already made up his mind--sin is sin and wrong is wrong (Ps 119:97-105). We ought to read the Bible before we watch TV, so our minds will already be "fixed" (Ps 57:7). Our minds must already be made up about moral issues. The TV is not a reliable teacher when it comes to what is right and what is wrong. (This is why children's TV should be severely limited). Enemies that come out in broad daylight, brandishing a sword, are, much easier to conquer than ones that sneak in under cover of darkness. Physical persecution would be hard to bear, but at least we would know we were under attack. Satan attacks through TV by eroding our character, spoiling our innocent pleasures, and cheapening our view of life. He does it so subtly that most are unaware of what is happening (2 Cor 11:3).

    REMEMBERING THAT THE DEVIL USUALLY WRITES THE SCRIPT (Gal 5:16, 19-21). Professors S. Robert Lichter and Stanley Rothman interviewed 240 broadcasters and journalists from national media outlets, such as the NEW YORK TIMES, the WALL STREET JOURNAL, TIME magazine, NEWSWEEK, CBS, NBC, ABC, and PBS (1979, 1980). They report...

    Very few are regular churchgoers. Only 8% go to church or synagogue weekly, and 85% seldom or never attend.

    90% agree that a woman has the right to decide for herself whether or not to have abortion; 79% agree strongly.

    Although most Americans believe that homosexuality is wrong, Lichter and Rothman found that ;75% of the media elite believe it is okay. A mere 9% felt strongly that homosexuality is wrong.

    The majority (54%) do not regard adultery as wrong, with only 15% strongly agreeing that extramarital affairs are immoral.

    Their conclusion? "Members of the media elite emerge as strong supporters of sexual freedom or permissiveness."

    Should it surprise us, then, that the plot of many prime time shows promotes one or more of the offensive behaviors listed by Paul as keeping one out of the kingdom of heaven, when those who create the programs aren't offended by them? Is it really any wonder that the perspective of news reporters tends to be favorable to homosexual radicals and abortionists? When you turn on to TV Lane, proceed with caution (Prov 2:1; Ps 32:8).

    WITH HIS HEART ON HIS SLEEVE. He doesn't laugh at or enjoy it when his values are attacked, mocked, or undermined by the comedian in the sitcom. One youth speaker said, "I never cease to be amazed at the number of students who come from 'good homes' and even attend private Christians schools who have watched one or more episodes of a teen soft-porn movie; typically, 60% of those whom I've surveyed" (DeMoss). It is inconsistent to laugh at and enjoy the very things which prompt God's anger (Rom 1:32; cf., Col 3:1-6).

    REALIZING THAT IT HAS AN "OFF" BUTTON, WHICH NEEDS TO BE USED. Parents have the right and responsibility to tell their children (including teens) what they can and can't watch. One parent complained, "My kid's all messed up from heavy metal music and exposure to sexual videos on MTV at an early age. You can't blame ME for his problems. I'm never home!" That's most of the problem (cf., Titus 2:4,5).

    WITH ONE EYE ON HIS WATCH (Eph 5:15,16). TV is the biggest waste of time in America. We could save so many more souls, learn so much more about the Bible, bring so much glory to God, if only we didn't have to watch TV. How can we be so selfish as to indulge in endless hours of viewing TV, while those around us slip into eternal darkness?

    Keep this TV GUIDE handy - It might save a lot more than time!

 

This item originally appeared in The Searcher (May 19, 2002)

(From thebible.net webpage)

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