From: October 24, 2023
“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (2 Timothy 2:22 NLT).
Paul told Timothy that there is a time to retreat and a time to run after. As it regards “youthful lusts,” the command is to flee. Unlike the instruction to “stand firm” against the devil (Eph. 6:11), lust is not defeated by direct assault, nor resistance. It is to be avoided. When an image in a movie or magazine causes arousal, turn it off or throw it away! When the stomach growls for the apple, get out of the orchard! Run away! As Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Lead us not into temptation” (Matt. 6:13). Ask for God’s help to avoid temptation.
Yet avoiding those things that cause lust is not enough. For it still focuses the mind on the sin denied, rather than the righteousness desired. So don’t just retreat from lust, but run after righteousness. “Pursue” it. Chase after it. Pursuing righteousness leaves less time for lustful temptation. Pull your affections off your idols and put them on Jesus. Pursue Christ!
Finally, surround yourself with others who are running after Jesus. “Enjoy the companionship” of fellow believers who are able to offer mutual support in life’s race.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray as the Lord Jesus has taught us: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Yet if temptation comes, give us a way out that we might not sin. Strengthen us to pursue righteousness at all times. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 24, 2022
DOES GOD HAVE A WORD FOR YOU?
After giving prophecies for the Jewish remnant and the nations surrounding Israel, God gave Jeremiah a specific message for his assistant, Baruch. Jeremiah may have been God’s mouthpiece, but Baruch was his pen. For he had written down every word that Jeremiah dictated to him from the Lord. And it had left him saying, “Woe is me” (Jer. 45:3).
So, God gave a specific word to Jeremiah for Baruch: “Don’t seek great things for yourself. Be satisfied that you have been given your life.” You see, God doesn’t just address kings and nations, he also speaks to individuals. Baruch, who had written down chapter after chapter of Jeremiah’s prophecies, received one little chapter (Jer. 45) all to himself.
As you read God’s Word, do you ever feel that a certain passage was written just for you? If you’re unsure, try praying before reading next time. Pray: “Lord, speak to me from your Word.” Then listen closely. For God’s Word is a love letter to those who believe.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed at Your care for us. You are sovereign over kings and nations, yet You care for the birds of the air and the lilies of the field. How much more must you care for us! We thank You and cast all our cares on You this day. For You are able. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: October 24, 2017
Certainly, this is a question posed by every generation. We look around at the violence and depravity in the world and wonder how much longer it can go on like this. Yet, God is not unaware. Nor is He sitting idle. His clock is not our clock, but it is ticking. Time is not circular, but linear. It may seem long to us, but as someone has said, there will be a “payday someday.” On that Day, only those who have received forgiveness of their sins through faith in Christ will be able to stand. So, we preach the gospel that those who hear it might believe. For no man “knoweth the hour” (Matt. 24:36), but the hour is coming nonetheless.
From: October 24, 2016
Amidst prophecies to the Jewish remnant and the nations surrounding Israel, God gave Jeremiah a message for Baruch, Jeremiah’s assistant and scribe. Jeremiah may have been God’s mouthpiece, but Baruch was his pen, and it had left him saying, “Woe is me” (Jer. 45:3). So, God gave a specific word to Jeremiah for Baruch: “Don’t seek great things for yourself. Be satisfied that you have been given your life.” You see, God doesn’t just address kings and nations, he also speaks to individuals. Baruch, who had written down chapter after chapter of Jeremiah’s prophecies, received one little chapter (Jer. 45) all to himself. As you read God’s Word, do you ever feel that a certain passage was written just for you?
From: October 24, 2015
Paul told Timothy that there is a time to retreat and a time to advance. As it regards “youthful lusts,” the command is to “flee.” Unlike the instruction to “stand firm” against the devil (Eph. 6:11), lust is not defeated by direct assault. It is to be avoided. When an image in a movie or magazine causes arousal, turn it off or throw it away! When the stomach growls for the apple, get out of the orchard! Run away! And run towards “righteousness.” “Pursue” it. Chase after it. Pursuing righteousness leaves less time for lustful temptation. Pull your affections off your idols and put them on Jesus. Pursue Christ!
From: October 24, 2014
“Inspired” – From the Greek word, Theopneustos, which literally means, “God-breathed.” The Bible is a spiritual book and it is spiritually discerned. It is useful not only for knowing, but for doing. It is therefore both spiritual and practical. It contains the gospel which gives us the wisdom to receive salvation, so it is the Book of Life. The Spirit of Christ uses the Word to wash us and to conform us to His image, preparing us for our wedding day (Eph. 5). The Bible is unique. There is no other book like it. It is the written Word of God.
From: October 24, 2013
This is the way that the Lord wants us to influence our generation. Winning the argument will not win the lost. We overcome with kindness, patience and gentleness. This does not mean withdrawal or surrender to the world’s system. But it does mean that we fight the battle with spiritual, not worldly weapons.