SEPTEMBER 30^th

HOW TO KEEP FROM SORROW!

Read Lamentations 1:1-22

Matthew Henry said, “Jeremiah stood among the ashes of Jerusalem weeping, but it was not all sorrow. The question Jeremiah was asking, ‘Why was the city destroyed?’ There were two reasons – because of sin, and because God is righteous. But, above the clouds of his weeping over the sins of the people, God’s sun is shining.  Jerusalem had sinned, yet God loved the city and the people, with an everlasting love. Jeremiah laments the former Excellency and present misery of Jerusalem for her sin. The nation complains of her grief.  Jeremiah confesses God’s judgments to be righteous: and prays to Him. The description shows the suffering of the Jewish nation. Jerusalem became a captive and a slave, because of her sins; and had no rest from suffering. If we allow one sin, the devil will soon have dominion over us, which will lead other sins and lead to further dominion. The people endured the famine and distress. In this sad condition Jerusalem acknowledged her sin, and begged the Lord to look upon her condition.  This is the only way to ease our burdens; because it is the righteous and just anger of the Lord for man’s transgressions that has filled the world with sorrows, lamentations, sickness, and death. Jerusalem, sitting depressed on the ground, calls on those that passed by, to consider whether her trouble did not concern them. Her outward sufferings were great, but her inward sufferings were harder to bear, through the sense of guilt. ‘Sorrow for sin must be great sorrow, and must affect the soul.’ Here we see the evil of sin, and should take warning to flee from the wrath to come. Whatever may be learned from the sufferings of Jerusalem, far more may be learned from the sufferings of Christ. Does He not from the cross speak to every one of us? Does He not say, ‘Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?’ Let all our sorrows lead us to the cross of Christ, lead us to mark His example, and willfully follow him.”

You have to remember that it was Solomon who said that sorrow is better than laughter, and it is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting. God’s grace always shines above the clouds of sin and it will always shine in the heart that is trusting in Christ who gives, “…beauty ashes, the oil of joy for mourning and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness…”.  So, how can we keep from sorrow?STAY AWAY FROM ALL TEMPTATION TO SIN. KEEP YOUR HEART RIGHT IN YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE. REMEMBER THAT OTHERS ARE WATCHING YOU. STAY HUMBLE AND DEPENDENT ON CHRIST.

Daily Assignments!

Read Numbers 22-24, Proverbs 30, Complete___

SEPTEMBER 29^th     

Read the last two day’s devotions

How then can we convert our churches?

WE NEED TO CONVERT OUR CHURCHES FROM COLDNESS TO COMPASSION.

Proverbs 4:23, “Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.”

Ezekiel 11:19, “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:” Matthew 15:18-19.

We must protect our hearts from coldness. We must preserve the right kind of Spirit. We must (watch) what goes in.

WE NEED TO CONVERT OUR CHURCHES FROM GREED TO GENEROSITY.

Learn to give and by example teach others. Look at the church of Laodicea – they did not give. They were rich, yet poor. Let’s compare this church with the Church of Smyrna. This was a very poor church yet had great riches because they were generous.

They were faithful unto death. Learn to give with a compassionate heart. Let your riches be in Christ.

WE NEED TO CONVERT OUR CHURCHES FROM MEDIOCRITY TO EXCELLENCE.

Someone said, “The menace of the ministry today is mediocrity”. Look at the church of Philadelphia. They were a tremendous soul-caring church. We have seen thousands of people converted over the past forty years in the ministry. Now let’s have a conversion service in all our churches. How?

• CLAIM GOD’S POWER.
• DON’T MISUSE THE PRIVILEGES.
• PASS IT ON TO OTHERS.

Verse 32, “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of the that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.”

Daily Assignments

Read Hebrews 1-4, Proverbs 29. Pray for our military, our President, and our nation. Complete___

SEPTEMBER 28^th    

Read yesterday’s devotion

Neither said. That is, they did not regard it as their own, but to be used for the benefit of the all the people.

And with great power. The word power here shows effectiveness; and means that they had ability given them to bear witness of the resurrection of the Saviour. It refers to their preaching not to their miracles.

Gave the apostles witness. The apostles bore testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. This was the main point to be established. If it was proved that the Lord Jesus came to life again after having been put to death, it established all that He taught, and was a demonstration that He was sent from God.

And great grace. The word grace means favor, and the expression here may mean either that the favor of God was remarkably shown to them, or that they had great favor in the sight of the people.

That lacked. Or whose wants were not supplied by the others.

As many as. “The word used here is used in a large, indefinite sense; but it would be improper to suppose that every individual that became a Christian sold at once all his property. The sense doubtless is, that this was done when it was necessary; they parted with whatever property was needful to supply the wants of their poor brethren. That it was by no means considered a matter of obligation, or commanded by the apostles, is apparent from the case of Ananias. The fact that Joses is particularly mentioned, shows that it was by no means a universal practice to part with all their possessions. Here was one instance in which it was done. There were probably many other similar instances; but all that the passage requires us to believe is, that they parted with whatever was needful to supply the wants of the poor.”

And laid them down. That is, they committed the money received for their property to the disposal of the apostles; to distribute it as was necessary among the poor. This soon became a burdensome and inconvenient office, and they therefore appointed men who took charge of it. Continued tomorrow!

Daily Assignments

Read Acts 1-2, Proverbs 28. Show someone a kindness today without expecting anything in return. Complete___

SEPTEMBER 27th

HOW TO CONVERT A CHURCH!

Read Acts 4:31-37

We can try all kinds of methods, but we need the Master. He has the Master Plan. Look at verse 31. “And when they had prayed –” The event that followed was regarded by them as an evidence that God heard their prayer.

“The place was shaken.” The word that is translated “was shaken,” commonly means violent disturbance, as the raging of the sea, or earthquake, or trees shaken by the wind.  The language seems to express the idea of an earthquake. Whether the motion was confined to the house where they were, is not said. They probably regarded this as an answer to their prayer, or as evidence that God would be with them, first, because it was sudden and violent, and was not produced by natural causes, and second, because it occurred immediately, while they were seeking God’s direction.

“They were all filled.” Their being filled with the Holy Ghost indicated that they were inspired with confidence and boldness, rather than being filled with new powers, as in Acts 2:4.

“And the multitude.”  The number of believers at this time had become large. In Acts 4:4, it is said that it was five thousand, and the number was constantly increasing.

“One heart.”  This expression indicates a loving union. They felt alike, or were attached to the same things, and this preserved them from division and dissensions.

“One soul.” Wow, this is good. No expression could prove it more outstandingly than to say of friends they have one soul.  Plutarch cites an ancient verse in his life of Cato of Utica, with this very expression, “Two friends, and one soul.”  Diogenes Laertius also says respecting Aristotle, that “being asked what was a friend, answered, that it was “one soul dwelling in two bodies.” The Hebrews spoke of two friends as being “one man.” There can be no more striking demonstration of union and love than to say of more than five thousand suddenly drawn together, that they had one soul!  And they evidenced this union in every way possible: in their conduct, in their prayers, and in their property. How different would the church have been if it had continued this way through the centuries? Continued tomorrow! 

Daily Assignments!

Read Obadiah, Proverbs 27. Spend an extra five minutes tonight praying that God would speak to your heart in the Sunday and Wednesday services. Complete__

 SEPTEMBER 24^th       

I WILL GO IN THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD!

Read Psalm 71:14-24

David is in a holy transfer of joy and praise, coming from his faith and hopes in God; where there is a sudden and remarkable change of his voice; his fears are all silenced, his hopes raised, and his prayers turned into thanksgivings. He is saying, “The more they reproach me the more closely will I cleave to thee; I will praise thee more and better than ever before.” The lesson for us is, the longer we live the more we should grow in praising God and the more we should grow in our rejoicing. When we have said all we can, to the glory of God’s grace, there is still more to be said; it is a subject that can never be exhausted; therefore we should never grow weary of it.

HIS HEART IS ESTABLISHED IN FAITH AND HOPE.

In what does he hope? In the power of God:  “I will go in the strength of the Lord God.”  We must always go about God’s work in His strength, having our eyes on Him to work in us both to will and to do.

In the promise of God: “I will make mention of thy righteousness.”  We must depend upon God’s strength for assistance and upon Christ’s righteousness for acceptance.

For what does he hope? He hopes that God will not leave him in his old age, but will be the same to him to the end that He had been all along.  Notice:

What God had done for him when he was young: “Thou hast taught me from my youth.” The good education and good instructions which his parents gave him when he was young he feels obliged to give God thanks for “as a great favour.” It is a blessed thing to be taught of God from our youth, from our childhood to know the Bible, and it is another reason for which to bless God. Continued Tomorrow!

Daily Assignments

Read 2 Chronicles 6-10, Proverbs 24. Write a thank you note to someone in the church who has done something for you or for the church lately. Complete___

A Daily Spiritual Growth Assistant

SEPTEMBER 25^th           

Read yesterday’s devotion

Verse 17, “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.”

What he had done for God when he was middle-aged:

He had declared all God’s wondrous works. Those that have done well when they were young must be doing well when they are grown up, and must continue to communicate what they have received. We must declare that all the works of God’s goodness to us are wondrous works. He has done so much for us who are so undeserving.  Then we must make it our business to declare them, to the glory of God and the good of others.

What he desired of God now that he was old:

Now that I am old and gray-headed, forsake me not.  This is what he earnestly desires and confidently hopes for.  Those that have been taught of God from their youth, and have made it the business of their lives to honor him, may be sure that He will not leave them when they are old and gray-headed, will not leave them helpless and comfortless, but will make the evil days of old age their best days, and such as they shall have occasion to say they have pleasure in.

What he designed to do for God in his old age:

“I will not only show thy strength, by my own experience of it, to this generation, but I will leave my observations for the benefit of others. He hopes that God would revive him and raise him up out of his present low and melancholy condition. He hopes that God would not only deliver him out of his troubles, but also would advance his honor and joy more than ever. Sometimes God makes His people’s troubles contribute to the increase of their greatness, and their sun shines the brighter for having been under a cloud. If He makes them contribute to the increase of their goodness, that will prove in the end to increase their greatness. He hopes that all his enemies would be put to confusion.”  He speaks of it with the greatest assurance as a thing done, and triumphs in it accordingly, “They are confounded, they are brought to shame, that seek my hurt.” Some of these thoughts were taken from Matthew Henry Commentary. Continued tomorrow!

Daily Assignments

Read Psalms 114-116, Proverbs 25, List some things for which you can praise the Lord. Complete___

SEPTEMBER 26^th   

Read the last two day’s devotions 

HIS HEART IS ENLARGED IN JOY AND PRAISE.

HE WILL SPEAK OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SALVATION 

HE WILL SPEAK OF HIS WONDER IN ADMIRATION 

HE WILL SPEAK WITH JOY AND EXCITEMENT.

NOTICE TWO IMPORTANT STATEMENTS

I WILL GO!

The meaning here is active, frequent and glad in moving forward. But, he is saying that I will go with the proper balance – in the strength of the Lord. We need to understand what the strength of the Lord is: We see His strength in the mountains and all of His creation. He is infinite in power and His strength is everlasting. But, the outpouring of His strength is in His arm. The Bible often speaks of His right arm.

Someone said the arm of God is the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, the strength of the Lord to man is Jesus and to walk with Jesus is to walk with God in Christ. GLORY! In Him even weakness can become strength. “My strength is sufficient for thee.”

IN THE STRENGTH OF THE LORD!

The presence of God is strength. His promises are strength. There is a result with His strength and that is victory.

Psalm 98:1, “O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.” “Blessed is the man whose strength is in Him.”

The question is, “Are we putting our hope and strength in anything other than Him?” If not, no wonder we are weak.

Daily Assignments

Read Acts 26-27, Proverbs 26. Make an outline of Wednesday’s Bible study. Complete___

           SEPTEMBER 23^rd         

IT PAYS TO SERVE JESUS!

Read Malachi 3:11-18

No, this is not a study on tithing.  Though the tithe is an important part of this text, it also teaches several other important truths. Malachi answers these important challenges in THREE WAYS:

THE LORD REMEMBERS HIS OWN.

These days they call us freaks, fanatics, fools and fundies. But in Genesis 8:1, we read that God remembered Noah. There are several things God remembers: God remembers our character – those that fear God. God said about the lost in Romans 3:18, “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”  God remembers our contemplation, which is thought upon His name. God remembers our conversation, “the Lord heard it.” Somebody said that there are three books in God’s library:

• His BOOK OF REVELATION – Where God has written His last things.
• His BOOK OF REDEMPTION – Where God has written of His Lamb.
• His BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE – Where God has written our good things not our sin.

THE LORD REJOICES OVER HIS OWN.

We are His children, servants, stewards, witnesses, friends, and ambassadors and now… we are His jewels! “I will make up my jewels.” In other words – I have PURCHASED them. I will POLISH them. Just like a diamond is cut and polished, so I will polish or clean you. Think of it, it costs you something to be a jewel for Him.

You lose a part of the diamond, just like you lose a part of your life to follow Him.

I will PROVE them. I will PROVIDE for them.

THE LORD WILL RETURN FOR HIS OWN. Then we will see the proof of the fact that, it pays to serve Jesus!

Daily Assignments

Read Numbers 19-21, Proverbs 23. Make an outline of the next Sunday school lesson. Complete___

SEPTEMBER 21^st        

HOW TO LIVE A YIELDED LIFE

Read Romans 6:1-13

In Romans chapter three we learn how to become a Christian; in chapter four we learn we are justified by faith and in chapter five we learn the results of that justification.

Now in chapter six we are taught how to live the Christian life. It is one thing to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and to be blessed by what He has done for you; but, quite another to experience it as personal and real. In chapter six there are four different words I would like for us to notice: KNOW, RECKON, YIELD and OBEY.

KNOW THAT CHRIST DIED FOR YOU.

Now, that is basic. We died with Christ according to verse 8. Before you can live like a Christian you must determine and KNOW that Christ died for you and that you are saved. You do not have to hope so, but you can know it.  Not only can we know, we can  …

RECKON ON THIS.

If I told you that I had $10,000 deposited in your account for a trip to Hawaii or Europe and that you can draw on it at anytime; you would count on it. I am sure you would though you never actually saw the money. You relied upon my word. If you questioned what I was telling you and never checked it out it would never be yours. If you reckon it yours by signing a check and passing it on, that which you have never seen becomes a reality.

Reckoning is what makes a thing real. Reckon means to totally rely upon. Since we are dead to sin and alive unto God, how shall we then live? That brings us to … Continued tomorrow!

Daily Assignments

Read John 19-21, Proverbs 21. Make a list of people that you feel you influence by your actions and lifestyle. Complete___

SEPTEMBER 22nd

YIELD YOUR LIFE TO GOD

Read yesterday’s devotion

Yield means, “to let go” of your life and “let God live through you.” The Christian soon finds a new standard for his life. He does not try to live up to the law, for he is no longer under the law. But, he strives to please the One Who dwells within him. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” And “do all to the glory of God.” Actually, Romans chapter six reveals the secret of a life of victory. I am living in Christ! I am dead to sin, but alive to God. Self was a condemned thing, unable to be good and never righteous. We are saved by faith and we cannot live by our own efforts. This sad truth is revealed in chapter seven. It tells how we cannot live a victorious life. Notice the little word “I” is used 28 times in 25 verses. The Holy Spirit is never mentioned. Although “I” tries, it finds only defeat. And so will you and I. Someone said, “It is not hard to live the Christian life, it is impossible.” Paul said, “It is not I that lives, but Christ liveth in me.” Notice the words of a man who tries to live by self-effort in Romans 7:24-25. Finally, “I” finds that there is One Who is sufficient and struggling yields to His power. Defeat is changed to victory.  Misery is transformed into joy and when “I” get out Christ comes in.

OBEY HIS WORD.

You knew all along that would come. The life of Christ is a wonderful life. When you step into a jet you are free from the law of gravity. The higher the law operates in the plane to lift it above the clouds, although the law of gravity a few minutes before held you fast to the earth. Listen, the law of gravity is not destroyed but rendered inoperative. This is exactly what happens when I step “In Christ.” The law that operates by the Spirit in my life lifts me above the world and sin. Then sin no longer has dominion over me. I am free! ‘There is therefore no condemnation.’ Have you stepped into Christ? Remember “I” brings failure. It is the“I” in sin that must be removed and “O” put in son. He will give victory. Step out of the self into the spirit life. In chapter eight instead of “I” we see “Spirit” used 21 times. We must “KNOW, RECKON, YIELD and OBEY” our lives to Him … that is our part … and He fills, which is His part. Chapter eight starts with “no condemnation” and ends with “no separation.” All this is ours IN CHRIST.

Daily Assignments

Read Philemon, Read Proverbs 22. Spend an extra 10 minutes in prayer for the church and God’s power upon your pastor. Complete___