Eyes of Faith

Eyes of Faith
March 9

Read: John 4:46 - 54

We walk by faith not by sight. – Corinthians 5:7

The Bible In One year
Judges 9 – 12

God sometimes answers our prayers in marvelous ways, but He does not want us to become preoccupied with the miraculous. That’s why Jesus gently rebuked the noble man who begged Him to come and heal his son (John 4:48). But in response to the father’s repeated appeal He said, “Go your way, your son lives”(v.50). the father came to “believe” on the basis of Jesus’ word alone. The reality of his faith is seen in the fact that he obeyed Christ’s simple command and “he went his way.”

Upon returning home, the nobleman discovered that his son had been healed “at the seventh hour” on the previous day. From his servants he learned exactly what had taken place and when. His son was made well at the same instant that Jesus said, “your son lives” (vv.50-53).

At times we are amazed by God’s perfect timing and miraculous intervention when He answer our prayers. We must be careful, though, not to become so preoccupied with the miracle that we forget the one who performed it. We need to remain focused on Christ, whether a miracle takes place or not.

Sooner or later we will be called upon to trust God as we endure sickness, grief, or disappointment. That’s when “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). – Herb Vander Lugt

Sometimes we see a miracle,
And faith in God revives;
Yet eyes of faith can see God’s hand
At work throughout our lives. – Hess

Believing is seeing what our eyes cannot see.

Corinthians, Eyes of Faith, Judges, March 5:44 AM No comments

We are Winners

We are Winners!

March 8

Read:  Romans 8:1 – 4, 28 - 39

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us, - Romans 8:37

The Bible In One year

Judges 5 – 8

Everybody likes to be a winner, so when we read in Romans 8:37 that we as followers of Christ are “more than conquerors,” we get excited. But what does that phrase mean?

The apostle Paul began Romans 8 by recounting God’s grace in sending His Son Jesus to die to pay the penalty for our sins(vv.1-3). He went on to say that believers also have the help of the Holy Spirit to give us victory over the power of sin in daily life (vv.4- 17)

Paul later talked about Christ’s unfailing love (v.35). some circumstances may make us feel alone and defeated, but in all situations we are conquerors because nothing can “separates us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (v.39)

When I was a boy in Singapore, I experienced a particularly harsh punishment. I was forced to kneel on the thorny skin of a durian (a large Asian Fruit). I become angry, and bitterness consumed me. But when I learned of God’s love for me and I put my faith in Christ, He not only forgave my sin but taught me to forgive others. No longer was I imprisoned by my sin or anger. I began to discover that “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (v.37).

Because of Christ and His unfailing love for us, we are winners! – Albert Lee

Although this life will bring us pain,

Our faith in Christ can help us see

That if we will obey His Word

He’ll give us joy and victory. – Sper

Think less of the power of things over you and more of the power of Christ in you.

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A Life Worth Living

A Life Worth Living

March 7

Read:  John 4:4 - 15

To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. – Romans 8:6

The Bible In One year

Judges 1 – 4

At a banquet for an academic society, I sat next to a world-renowned scholar. I knew he was admired globally for the books he had written and for his lectures. I also knew that for years he had been struggling with depression. He told me that he was dependent on medication and counseling to keep him going. Then he said, “But Jesus Christ gives me a reason for living.” Those words are etched in my memory.

Whether we are afflicted physically or distressed emotionally, or if we are robustly healthy in body and mind, we all need a reason for living. If we are merely existing from day to day, we understand what Shakespeare meant when he wrote that our lives can be like “an idiot’s tales, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

In the midst of our frantic activity we occasionally become aware that a part from a life of faith in Christ there is no eternal purpose for what we are doing. Our busyness keeps us from facing the fact threat everything’s we do adds up to zero – unless we believe what the apostle Paul said, “For to me, to live in Christ, and to die is gain”(Phil. 1:21).

Is that your testimony? Are you experiencing in Jesus Christ a life that is really worth living? – Vernon Grounds

Jesus is all the world to me,

My life, my joy, my all;

He is my strength from day to day,

Without Him I would fall. – Thompson

Living for Jesus is the best reason for living 

A Life Worth Living, Judges, March 5:39 PM No comments

A Place to Grow

A Place to Grow

March 6

Read:  Matthew 6:1 - 18

Your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. – Matthew 6:18

The Bible In One year

Joshua 22 – 24

I’m limited,” you say. You are frustrated by the cramping restrictions of age, illness, a difficult child, or an uncooperative spouse. Perhaps you are housebound or bedridden and feel you have no place to serve.

Your limited place need not limit you. Embrace it as a place to grow. Don’t worry about what people around you may think. God sees what is done “in secret” and He will reward you in due time (Matt. 6:18)

In fact, our restriction are part of God’s plan to mature us – to draw us away from our preoccupation with being seen and heard by others. if we pray, give, or fast to increase other estimation of us, we will miss God’s blessing. If we are concerned about enhancing our reputation, we lose the good that God has promised to give us.

God always rewards hidden spirituality. he hears every private prayer; He recognizes every secret gift; He notes and richly rewards each unseen act of devotion. You will be strengthened, and the Lord will make you all that He want you to be.

The bottom line is this: the things that are done for God’s eyes are the things that matter. So, settle into that secret place where God alone sees and knows. – David Roper.

Jesus has called me to be at my best,

Living for Him when at work or at play;

He knows my heart, and in that I can rest –

Why should I worry what others may say? – Hess

To know that God sees us brings both conviction and comfort

A Place to Grow, Joshua, March 5:37 PM No comments

Reservation Guaranteed

Reservation Guaranteed

March 5

Read:  John 14:1 - 6

I go to prepare a place for you. – John 14:2

The Bible In One year

Joshua 19 – 21

Because my daughter is a flight attendant, I am blessed with a parent’s pass for my personal use. For a small service charge, I may fly wherever the airline flies. There’s one drawback, however. I must be on “standby.” That means I’m allowed on board only if there’s space available. Until then, my luggage is set aside and labeled “Status Pending.” While the paying passengers board, I must wait, wondering if my name will be called. I can never be certain of a seat because available space isn’t guaranteed.

It’s a far different situation on our journey to heaven, which begins when we trust Christ for our salvation. Because of His death and resurrection, our passage to heaven is absolutely guaranteed. Our status is not pending; there is space available; our names will be called. These priceless privileges have been paid for in full by the sacrificial death of Jesus.

If, like Thomas in John 14:5, you sometimes wonder if and how Jesus will get you to heaven, trust in His promise, “I go to prepare a place for you… And I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (vv.2-3). That’s His unfailing word. You can count on it! – Joanie Yoder

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received

Forgiveness and eternal life

From Christ, in whom we have believed. – Sper

Faith in Christ is the only ticket to heaven

Joshua, March, Reservation Guaranteed 5:34 PM No comments

What Cancer Can’t do

What Cancer Can’t do

March 4

Read:  1 Cor. 15:35 - 49

Thanks be to God, who give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:57

The Bible In One year

Joshua 16 – 18

One of the most dreaded sentence a patient can hear is, “You have cancer.” These words bring a chill to the heart. Although great progress is being made in treating this disease recovery can be long and painful, and many people do not survive.

An enthusiastic believer in Christ, Dan Richardson, lost his battle with cancer, But his life demonstrated that even though the physical body may be destroyed by disease, the spirit can remain triumphant. This poem was distributed at his memorial service.

Cancer is so limited

It cannot cripple love,

It cannot shatter hope,

It cannot corrode faith,

It cannot eat away peace,

It cannot destroy confidence,

It cannot kill friendship,

It cannot shut out memories

It cannot silence courage,

It cannot invade the soul,

It cannot reduce eternal life,

It cannot quench the Spirit,

It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.

If an incurable disease has invaded your life, refuse to let it touch your spirit. Your body can be severely afflicted, and you may have a great struggle. But if you keep trusting God’s love, your spirit will remain strong. – Dave Egner

Our greatest enemy is not disease but despair. 

Joshua, March, What Cancer Can’t do 12:42 AM No comments

Pardon Me!

Pardon Me!

March 3

Read:  1 John 1:5  -  2:10

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9

The Bible In One year

Joshua 13 – 15

Hijackers terrorized the passengers aboard an Indian Airlines jet for 8 days. Then, on December 31, 1999, the gunmen issued a final demand before releasing their hostages. “Sorry, but everyone has to say that I am forgiven,” said the hijacker codename “Burger.” When the disbelieving passengers stared back at him, he ordered them to say, “I forgive you.” After hearing the words, the hijackers disappeared into the desert.

Not many of us would be so arrogant as to insist that someone forgive us. And we certainly wouldn’t demand that of God. Why? Because most people sense that His mercy and pardon can be received only by a humble, sincere, and repentant heart.

The apostle John wrote. “If we sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). The word translated “confess” means “to speak the same thing or agree with.” When we confess our sins to God, we agree with Him about our sin, our need to be cleansed, and our need to forgive others who have wronged us (Matt. 6:15). We cry out, “Pardon me!”

None of us is truly free without forgiveness. We need God’s, and other need ours. – David McCasland

Forgive me, O Lord, for all of  my sin,

Please make my heart pure and cleanse me within;

Confessing to You what I have done wrong,

Restore now my joy – to You I belong, - Fitzhugh

Confession is the key that open the door to forgiveness.

Joshua, March, Pardon Me 12:41 AM No comments

Time Off

Time Off

March 2

Read:  1 John 1:1 - 7

Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. – 1 John 1:3

The Bible In One year

Joshua 10 – 12

Is there such a thing as a superstar Christian who is so close to God or so godly that he can take time off in his relationship with God?

The idea sounds ridiculous, doesn’t it? It’s absorb to think that our walk with God is anything but continual, everyday, all the time. But in reality, don’t we sometimes go our own way and neglect our fellowship with Him?

This principle has a parallel in the world of sports. Grant Hill, a superstar professional basketball player, made this comment about his off – season practice schedule: “I just didn’t feel that I could take a week off. When I take one day off, I feel like I’m lacking a bit.”

If we as Christians “take time off” from our relationship with God, we too will be “lacking a bit.” We will miss the guidance of His Word and the fellowship we experience in prayer. We will be more likely to forget our priorities and drift into forbidden areas that could lead to our downfall.

No matter how long you’ve been a child of God through faith in Christ, you need to guard your relationship with Him. It’s not just about going to church or having daily devotions. It’s a continual relationship. Taking time off will seriously weaken your walk. – Dave Branon

The time we spend in fellowship

With God each day in prayer

Will strengthen us to stand against

Temptation’s evil snare. – sper

To keep spiritually fit, walk daily with Christ. 

Joshua, March, Time Off 12:40 AM No comments

You’re Afraid of Whom?

You’re Afraid of Whom?

March 1

Read:  Num. 13:30 – 14:10

The fear of man brings a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe. – Proverbs 29:25

The Bible In One year

Joshua 7 – 9

Mrs. Ima Terror chased her husband through the crowds at the zoo, waving her umbrella and unleashing insults like invisible missile. Her perspiring and winded husband, seeing that the lock on the lion’s cage had not quite close, yanked it open, jumped into the cage, slammed the door, pushed the astonished lion hard against the bars, and peered over its shoulder. His frustrated wife shook her umbrella, stuttered in anger, and finally managed to explode, “Ralph, come out of there, you coward!”

Ralph, in this fictitious story, is like the people of Israel that we read about in the book of Numbers. They were confused about whom they should really fear. They saw themselves as grasshoppers when compared to the giants in the land where God wanted them to go (13:32 – 33).

If we are so afraid of people that we stop following the Lord, we’re not trusting Him. It shows that we have doubted His plan, His power, and His promises. We have failed to recognize that He, above all others, is the One to be feared – which means that He is to be reverenced, trusted, loved, and obeyed.

Father, forgive us for fearing what we should not be afraid of, and for not fearing and trusting You. – Mart De Haan

Our love for God should always move

Our hearts to do what’s good and right;

Love also fears His judgments true

And stands in awe of His great might. – D. De Haan.

Fear God, and you’ll have nothing else to fear.

Joshua, March, You’re Afraid of Whom 12:39 AM No comments