AFTERNOON DEVOTION

[Godbetheglory]

REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD!

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)

Afternoon Devotion: Filled with His Power - Read John 3:1-12

As we go back to the first few verses of the third chapter of the Gospel of John, we find Jesus laying the ground work for sharing the great truth of eternal life as He talks with Nicodemus about being born again. "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (v.3). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night acknowledging that the miracles He performed were evidences that He was from God. Jesus' response was that of a greater miracle - regeneration. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (v.6). Nicodemus had come to the great Teacher to gain understanding, but Jesus' explained that in order to perceive spiritual things, it was first required that a person go through a spiritual birth.

In order to gain spiritual understanding of heavenly things, we must experience a new birth. We must be born of the spirit if we are to lay hold of heavenly things. It is by the influence of the Holy Spirit that we are regenerated. God is holy, and He calls His people to holiness. The Holy Spirit purifies our the sin-corrupted nature of our first birth, and powerfully produces within a new spiritual nature. "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit" (v.8). The Holy Spirit sanctifies His people, and distributes His gifts and graces at His choosing. While we may not understand the secret and mysterious way in which He works, there are indeed evidences that He is at work; there is no greater evidence than that of a calloused and corrupt life which has been transformed into a joyful and committed follower of Jesus Christ. "He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life" (Titus 3:5b-7).

May we continue to nourish this new life deposited within us at our new birth with the only food that matters - His Holy Word; and may we be willing to daily crucify the flesh, giving ourselves wholly over to the Spirits' working in our life, so He can purify us and mold us into the image of Christ that we might be a pure and sweet reflection of His glory. Let us pray for the Church to awaken to this secret power we have as believers which is for the life of the world. Let us submit to the holy working of God, laying self on the altar, so that we may be a Church full of the Spirit and power of God to live a holy life before God and man, that His salvation may come to the world.

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
nor have entered into the heart of man
the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit.
For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
For what man knows the things of a man except
the spirit of the man which is in him?
Even so no one knows the things of God
except the Spirit of God.
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world,
but the Spirit who is from God,
that we might know the things that have been
freely given to us by God.
These things we also speak, not in words which
man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches,
comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man does not receive the things
of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him;
nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he who is spiritual judges all things,
yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
For 'who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct Him?'
But we have the mind of Christ."
(1 Corinthians 2:9-16)

___________________________________

[Godbetheglory]

REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD!

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)

Afternoon Devotion: Filled with His Power - Read Proverbs 4

Jesus came into the world to provide the light necessary to open our "spiritual" eyes so that we could see God the Father and illuminate for us the way of life. "For You have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life" (Psalm 56:13). The necessary switch to turn that light on, as we studied yesterday, is to "believe in the One He has sent" (John 6:29). Jesus became for us the "wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30). He opened our eyes to see our Creator in a deeply personal and intimate way; and gave us the vision necessary to live the abundantly full and blessed life the Father desires for us to experience.

God has given us the Spirit of Wisdom to guide us along the path of life (Isaiah 11:2). "I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble" (Proverbs 4:11-12). Walking with our "spiritual" eyes wide open requires wisdom. The Holy Spirit illuminates the Scriptures for us and provides the wisdom we need to progress down the path the Lord has placed before us. He allows us to see the obstacles before we come upon them. He increases our faith as we stand on His promises, and reminds us that He has already gone ahead of us and prepared the way. He gives us courage to face the looming mountains, discernment to avoid the potholes, and wisdom to not stray from the straight and narrow path that leads to life (Matthew 7:14).
"But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble" (Proverbs 4:18-19).

This afternoon, as our natural vision is being bombarded with all the enticements and evils of this present world, let us take a necessary time out and fix our eyes on Jesus and bask in the beauty of the Lord as He shines the light of His Word into our hearts and minds. "Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you" (v.25). He is right in front of you preparing the way for you to walk; "making level paths for your feet" (v.26a); and "keeping your foot from evil" (v.27b). And His voice comes behind you as your rear guard telling you the way you should go: "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it" (Isaiah 30:21). May we not fail in listening and being obedient to His voice. He will never lead us astray; He is a faithful and trustworthy guide who will lead us straight into the arms of our Heavenly Father where we will bask in the embrace of His love for all eternity. May our obedience to follow Him with wisdom lead others toward that glorious path of life. May we repent of ever getting in the way, or becoming an obstacle in the path of any other person who is making their way down that glorious light-filled road into the arms of the patiently waiting Father for His prodigal to come home. May our lives only further increase the light in this world so that all may find their way home!

"Those who are wise will shine
like the brightness of the heavens,
and those who lead many to righteousness,
like the stars for ever and ever."
(Daniel 12:3)

[Godbetheglory]

REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD!

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)

Afternoon Devotion: Filled with His Power - Read Ephesians 5:8-21)

Jesus saw the condition of the blind man just as He sees the condition of the world. The world is a spiritually dark place without the light of Christ. We all are born into this world "spiritually" blind, and Jesus wants to heal us through a spiritual "re-birth." "For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the LORD. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret" (Ephesians 5:8-12).

The time we have been given, as we await the return of our Lord, is meant to be spent on promoting His light, not on arguing with the darkness. We must use extreme caution in this present world that we do not get tied up in lengthy conversations and/or arguments with those who are "spiritually" blind. Our words and actions are to illuminate the dark spaces, but we are not to dwell there. The Scriptures tell us that it is "shameful to even speak of those things." We are not to entertain the talk, let alone enter the world of those who live in the darkness. We have been given "spiritual" eyes through the illumination of the Holy Spirit, Who guides us into all understanding through the Word of God, so that through the character and conduct of our lives we bring God's light into the world and help those in the dark find their way to Christ!

"Be VERY careful, then, how you live -
not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity,
because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish,
but understand what the Lord's will is.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.
Instead be filled with the Spirit.
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
(Ephesians 5:15-20, emphasis added)


Our walk and our talk should reflect the Light we have been given. Our very presence in the world, if we are true followers of Jesus Christ walking in His light and living out His will, will expose the darkness and sin in others. As believers, we are to speak of "spiritual" things, and allow the testimony of our lives to provide the necessary contrasting light to draw others into the light of Christ. God did not dictate His love for us, but rather demonstrated it with every word He spoke and every deed He did; in doing so, He brought glory to the Father and proved that He was indeed the Son of God. As children of the light we are called to live by His example with the time we have been given. It is time we wake up from our slumber and work while it is still day..."night is coming" (John 9:4b). This afternoon, let us take stock of those activities in our lives which we have been "entertaining" that have kept us living too close to the darkness. Today would be a good day to do a "spiritual" and "physical" house cleaning. Some things don't need to be prayed over, they simply need to be thrown out (and that may mean saying goodbye to "unholy" alliances and relationships). "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11).

Pray now and ask God to shed His light into the dark areas of our life that are weakening our testimony and witness in the world, and ask Him for the strength and courage to cut out the cancer that is robbing us of spiritual power in the Church. The prayer life of the church has been stifled because far too many believers have fallen into the same pit of darkness they have been trying to fight; and tragically many have found themselves trapped in sinful lifestyles and behaviors they once detested and are now too powerless to get out of. We must pray unceasingly for the Church. May God awaken His Bride to her "spiritual" unfaithfulness, and open the eyes of His children to recognize the deceptive lies of the enemy which have infiltrated and captivated the hearts and minds of so many believers. Let us pray for a holy stirring within the hearts of every believer to respond to the Light and return to their First Love with passionate zeal and repentant hearts, so our lampstand will not be removed (Revelation 2:4-5); that we may become empty vessels ready to "be filled with the Spirit," bearing fruit and "making melody in our hearts" to the glory and praise of God.

"God is light;
in Him there is no darkness at all.
If we claim to have fellowship with Him
yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by truth.
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin,
we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just
and will forgive us our sins
and purify us from all unrighteousness."
(1 John 1:5b-9)

[Godbetheglory]

REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD!

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)

Afternoon Devotion: Filled with His Power - Read Luke 11:33-34

In the parable of the lighted lamp we are told that "the eye is the lamp of the body." It is vitally important as ambassadors of light that we guard our eyes and be cautious about what we entertain and let in to our range of sight, so we will in no way diminish our Lord's light in this world. Job was careful to make a covenant with his eyes (Job 31:1). "When your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light." When we are full of light in the Lord, there is no room for darkness. And our vision is much sharper to recognize evil when it begins to encroach. We must be diligent about spending time in the Word of God, which "is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path" (Psalm 119:105), so our spiritual vision will not grow dim. God will fill us full of light if we are willing, and our view of Him will grow spectacularly clear. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).

God has given us an extraordinary blessing by opening our eyes to see His kingdom. However, this new vantage point we have been given comes with tremendous responsibility. Now that our "spiritual eyes" have been opened we have no excuse for our sin. "If I had not come and spoke to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin" (John 15:22). We have seen the Light and been set free from the bondage of sin and death. We no longer live in the darkness, but are children of the light. It is an offense to God, when we, His children, allow His holy temple (our bodies) to be polluted in any manner by any kind of sin or evil (reference 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We, who have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ, are without excuse. We must be careful in our judgment of a world who is blind and living in darkness, when we have had our eyes opened and walk in the light.

This afternoon let us set aside some time to really take an assessment of our hearts and lives. Let us pray and ask God to shine His light into the dark recesses of our heart and expose those things that we have hidden from Him (He sees it already and knows all that we have done!). Ask Him to not only ***** our own hearts to the truth of deception we have allowed into our lives, but to also ***** the hearts of all believers and send a spirit of conviction into the spiritually dull eyes and ears of the church, so a renewed sense of offense to the things of the world would stir in our hearts and cause us to rise up and defend the Holy name of our Lord. The Scriptures give us list of vices (reference Galatians 5:16-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Ephesians 5:5; Revelation 22:15) and virtues (reference Galatians 5:22-26; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Ephesians 4:2; 5:9; Colossians 3:12-15) that can help as we pray and ask God to help us conquer those sinful desires as we live out the new life He has given us in the power of the Holy Spirit. Praise God for the gift of His Wonderful Counselor who leads us into all truth and rescues us from the trappings of this evil and deceptive world! May we not reject His promptings as the Pharisees of Jesus' day did.

Let us commit to keeping our eyes healthy by fixing them firmly and singularly on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Let us pursue what is good and run from all that is evil. "I will set nothing wicked before my eyes" (Psalm 101:3a). May our eyes be ever on the Lord as we go about our day, looking for Him in the midst of us, seeking Him diligently in His Word, gazing upon His beauty as we meet Him in our prayer closet, and making the most of every opportunity to share of His goodness and glory with everyone we meet; that their blinded eyes would be opened to see Jesus more clearly.


"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true,
whatever things are noble, whatever things are just,
whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue
and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.
The things which you have learned and received and heard
and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."
(Philippians 4:8-9)


___________________________________

[Godbetheglory]

REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD!

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)

Afternoon Devotion: Filled with His Power - Read Matthew 13:10-23

When Jesus' taught the people of His day He often spoke in parables "because of the spiritual dullness of the people" who did not have ears to hear or eyes to see. The Lord exhorts us to desire deeper understanding of His Word. He wants us to be diligent students who will do the necessary work to dig up the rich treasure that He has waiting for us. He has opened our spiritual eyes to see the greatness of His work, but that does not mean we do not have a responsibility to do some of the work ourselves. We have been given the greatest professor and teacher in the Holy Spirit who will lead us into all truth if we are willing to spend the time listening and learning.

God has opened our eyes to the secrets of the Kingdom of heaven. We have become privy to the wisdom of God and He will only give us more if we are willing to learn from Him. "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him" (Matthew 13:11-12). The mind that God has given us is meant to functions at its' fullest capacity in response to our relationship with God. Because of the light of Christ that illuminates our ability to see His truth we no longer have the mind of the world, "we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16b).

When we allow our minds to be filled with the carnal pleasures and pursuits of the world our spiritual hunger begins to wane. Sin dulls our desire for the things of God. Sin keeps us from coming to His table because we are artificially being satisfied elsewhere. We rob ourselves of the spiritual blessings of God when we waste our time feasting on anything else but Jesus Christ, and we risk our hearts becoming hardened towards Him. The last thing we want is for God to leave us alone because we have chosen to leave Him alone. "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened...Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts..." (Romans 1:21, 24a). Thankfully, however, when we live in a right relationship with God and experience the daily communion with Him that He desires to have with us we will find the opposite effect - our human desire - for food, sexual pleasure and security - will be dulled; and our spiritual hunger will be satisfied. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). There is no substitute for God! Have we not tasted and seen how good our God is (reference Psalm 34:8)? "...blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it" (Matthew 13:16-17).

How blessed we are to see, and hear, and taste, and know the mind and heart and purposes of God as we do. May we spend the time we have at His table to inquire just a little further, so we will glean all He has for us each and every day, and at each and every meal. May we take the time to empty ourselves of the things of this world so that we come to His table hungry, and ready to be filled. Let us pray that our hearts would be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and softened to receive the seed of His Word, and learn to cultivate the silence in which God can be heard, so we will grow into a fruitful tree that produces the necessary fruit that will feed a hungry and malnourished world.


"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with
every spiritual blessing in Christ.
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world
to be holy and blameless in His sight.
In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons
through Christ Jesus, in accordance with His pleasure and will -
to the praise of His glorious grace,
which He has freely given us in the One He loves.
In Him we have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace
that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
And He made known to us the mystery of His will
according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ,
to be put into effect when the times have reached their fulfillment -
to bring all things in heaven and on earth together
under one head, even Christ."
(Ephesians 1:3-10)


__________

[Godbetheglory]

REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD!

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)

Afternoon Devotion: Filled with His Power - Read Matthew 5:14-16

How extraordinary the plans and purposes of God that we are not only the recipients of His grace and glory, but we are also the vessels of it for the world. We are not to take for granted the Light we have blessed with nor the time we have been given to radiate that Light. "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house" (Matthew 5:14-15). While we take time to praise God for the light He has given us, we are also called to let His light shine through us. We can increase the light within us through the diligent study of the Word of God which is a lamp for our feet, and light for our path (Psalm 119:105). When we submit to the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit He will guide us deeper into all truth and make the flame of truth grow brighter, so the whole house will be filled with light. We must be careful not to waste or neglect the light we have been blessed with by hiding or concealing it; and we must be ever vigilant to protect this precious gift by not allowing our lives to be polluted by the world and so distort and diffuse His Light. God has set us apart to be a shining city on a hill. His desire for us is that our lives would be a constant and brilliant reflection of His glorious light in the world; just as it was when He was in it. The light of the gospel message is meant to be spread. We are now His ambassadors that carry His torch and He has given us His Holy Spirit to keep His flame burning. "For this I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God...For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

The miracles that Jesus performed while He was on this earth led the people to be "filled with awe" and to "praise God" (reference Matthew 15:31; Luke 7:16; 13:13; 17:15; 23:47). His work gained praise for the Father. His life's work was to bring glory to the Father and to finish the work the Father had sent Him to do (reference John 4:34). He has chosen us to go and bear fruit and to share His light with a world in need (reference John 15:8). "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). Just as the Father was glorified in the work His Son did, so too will He be glorified in us. The glory of the Father is the end and aim of our lives as believers. It is an awesome and fearful thing to know that the sight of our works will bring God glory. It is therefore vital that our conversations and deeds be praiseworthy, because the eyes of the world are upon us. "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).

As we live our lives in this present world we are to do so being mindful that we are indeed the "light of the world." It is through us that those living in darkness have the hope of coming to the light of Christ. How important it is that we don't hide our light, or do anything that would cause that glorious light to be corrupted or dimmed. We are to live righteous and holy lives, "not only in the eyes of the Lord, but also in the eyes of men" (2 Corinthians 8:21); being mindful that how we live our lives will prompt others to praise our Father in heaven! This afternoon may we take the necessary time at the Lord's table to receive the strength and instruction we need to live our lives according to God's will and purpose as we feast on His Word, and then may everything we set our hands to do today and everyday bring glory to His name and cause men to stand in awe and praise His wondrous and holy name!

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light...
abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
Live such good lives among the pagans that, thought they accuse you
of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God
on the day He visits us."
(1 Peter 2:9-12)

[Godbetheglory]

REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD!

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)

Afternoon Devotion: Filled with His Power - Read Matthew 16:21-28 (Mark 8:31-9:1; Luke 9:22-27)

God calls us to the surrendered life. When we place ourselves in a position of submission before the Lord and obediently follow our Shepherd wherever He leads us, we become an instrument for His kingdom building program instead of a stumbling block that will hinder it. "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men" (Matthew 16:23). We discern the mind and will of God through the time we dedicate meditating on God's Word, spending intimate time with Him in prayer, learning to be still before Him, and listening to His voice. The building and advancing of God's kingdom is dependent upon the growth and maturity of God's children. Thankfully the Lord reveals Himself in degrees; He gives His followers only what we can handle at any given time. In our devotional reading this afternoon, we read that the disciples were entering into a new season of ministry with the Lord. Jesus disclosed to His closest companions what was about to happen next; He was tenderly preparing them for what to expect if they were to continue following Him. It can sometimes be difficult to know how to respond when we are entrusted with the secret things of God, especially if that revelation includes trials and suffering. As we grow in our faith it is important to recognize that our circumstances will not always change, in fact, they will probably get worse, but the growth and change in our response to our circumstances is what our Father is looking for. To be a true disciple of Jesus Christ we must willingly and obediently lay down our flesh and walk in the Spirit of holiness. "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will find it" (Matthew 16:24-25).

To lose ourselves in Christ is an act of the will; it is an act of devotion towards the Lord. Let us not confuse "denying self" with "self-denial"; the former is about being identified with Christ, the latter is solely giving something up for a good purpose. We are called to surrender to Christ in obedience to His will, and then daily count the cost as we "die to ourselves" and take up the cross and follow Him. When we take up the cross we are not being called to carry our burdens, on the contrary, we willingly lay down all thoughts of ourselves and concern for our circumstances, to carry the higher standard and banner of the cross of Christ that His kingdom purposes will prevail. As one saint has said, if we aren't willing to bear the cross we can't wear the crown! Jesus carried the heavy side of the cross for us, and comforts us with His words of love: "My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). The trials and sufferings we may endure in this life are but "light affliction, which is but for a moment" (2 Corinthians 4:17); we have the hope of heaven to comfort us in our troubles knowing they are "working for us a fare more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." This afternoon, as we sit at the feet of our Shepherd, and open up His Word and enjoy a delightful conversation with our beloved Lord, may our hearts be filled with gratitude for the promised rest of our souls which we have found in Christ, and the satisfaction and assurance we have in Him as He continues to prepare our hearts for this new season that is in front of us.


"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
(Matthew 11:28-30)

[Godbetheglory]

REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD!

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)

Afternoon Devotion: Filled with His Power - Read Romans 9:14-24

The Lord allowed Mary and Martha to suffer the disappointment and grief of Lazarus death for a brief moment so that they would experience His glory and power at the appointed time. God's glorification, not our consolation, is His goal. Suffering is a side of God's love that may be difficult to comprehend and grasp, but it is a necessary part of His kingdom plan. "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13).

God allows suffering in our lives as an opportunity to reveal His glory and power. God's glory and His power are closely associated in the Scriptures. "They will tell of the glory of Your kingdom and speak of Your might" (Psalm 145:11). God's power is a manifestation of His glory; a good example of this is found in the Exodus: "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for Myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord" (Exodus 14:4). God, in His divine sovereignty raised up Pharaoh, so that through him He would reveal His glory and power. While it may be difficult to watch as evil men, like Pharaoh, rise up to power and prosperity, we are not to question whom God chooses to use to demonstrate His power and glorify His name. We are simply clay in the hands of the divine Potter to be fashioned into whatever vessel He chooses to make us. Let us instead be grateful that we are the objects of His mercy and the recipients of His grace. " 'I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.' Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden" (Romans 9:17-18).

God allows us to be active participants in His power and glory as He accomplishes His work in the world. We can be confident that He is working on our behalf to reveal His glory and might just as He did at the Red Sea (reference Exodus 14:21-28); and He is faithfully leading us to our eternal promised land. "The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior He will strip up His zeal; with a shout He will raise the battle cry and will triumph over His enemies" (Isaiah 42:13). Our God is the God of the living, not the dead. Jesus went to the grave to deliver us from death unto life, and He is working even today to see that we experience the fullness of that glorious life that He purchased on our behalf. Let us praise Him for the gift of His mercy and grace by which He was found by us who did not seek Him - "and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, even us whom he called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles" (Romans 9:23-24). Beloved, we have been made vessels of mercy fitted for the riches of God's glory and goodness. Let us offer up a prayer of gratitude for His patient love and powerful hand which has saved us. May we be "strengthened with all power according to His glorious might" (Colossians 1:11a) as we persevere through the trials and difficulties of this life so that His name will be exalted and His glory will be revealed. The Lord has given us the Spirit of divine might and power to give us the endurance and patience we need to walk victoriously and with great joy through this life. Let us tap into His unlimited strength and power this afternoon and pray that He would use us to reveal His glory and might to another weary warrior who needs encouragement today. Let us praise Him for the people He has placed in our lives who pray faithfully for us each day, and use the strength that we receive from on high to pray fervently and continuously for all the saints so the name of Jesus will be magnified in this land (reference Ephesians 6:18)!

"I now rejoice in my sufferings for you,
and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the affliction of Christ,
for the sake of His body, which is the church,
of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you to fulfill the word of God,
the mystery which has been hidden from ages
and from generations,
but now has been revealed to His saints.
To them God willed to make known what are
the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles:
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
(Colossians 1:24-27)

[Godbetheglory]

REVOLUTIONIZE THE WORLD!

"Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)

Afternoon Devotion: Filled with His Power - Read Ephesians 1:19-21

The Lord wants His disciples to rely on the promises of His Word. When He asks us, "Do you believe?" He is offering us an invitation to experience His mighty power through our faith. There is no greater power than that displayed in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. God alone can raise the dead - no one else holds that power. If He has the power to raise the dead, then surely He has to power to accomplish whatever He wants to in our life. God allows us to face death so we will find faith. When our faith rests on the solid rock foundation of the resurrection of Jesus Christ we find that nothing can shake us or move us or cause us to fear!

Jesus has been given all authority above all rule and power (reference Colossians 2:15). It is His desire that we relinquish all control to Him; after all, we hold no power or authority or any claim on our own life - everything rests in His sovereign hands. When we receive His gift of grace by faith we share in all the power of His resurrection. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead becomes effective in our lives the moment we believe. This is an extraordinary and dynamic energy that is appropriated through the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. The Spirit of divine might was given to us as a result of Christ's death and resurrection. All His power was made available to believers that we might share in the wealth of His glorious kingdom of power. "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6-7).

Every day we are faced with circumstances that will cause us to question the power that God has deposited in our lives. It is the enemy's greatest desire to rob us of our spiritual power in Christ Jesus and get the fight out of us. The devil accomplishes this by tempting us to doubt God's promises and causing us to despair and become discouraged when we are faced with difficulties and challenges outside our human strength and ability. It is here that we must become intentional about putting on our spiritual armor (reference Ephesians 6:13-18) so we can "stand against the devil's schemes" clothed in all of God's resurrection power that He has deposited within us through His Holy Spirit. We have been given God's power because we cannot live our new spiritual life clothed in human power. Believer, this power has raised us from death to life! We have been born again and have been given eternal life! "We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:37). The only one standing in our way of our victory today is ourselves. The greatest battlefield we will face in this spiritual war that rages against our soul is in the mind. We need to put on our helmet of salvation and settle it once and for all that we have been saved and delivered and filled with power to stand against every opposing force that comes against us. "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:1-3). Today, don't be surprised when you are challenged in your faith, maybe even before you walk out that door - and it may be yourself that is blocking the way. Remember the battles that we face are not "flesh and blood" battles, we are fighting a spiritual war that requires weapons of spiritual power (reference 2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Spend a little longer in your prayer closet and make sure every piece of your spiritual armor is secure. Then walk the path before you without fear because you are clothed with resurrection power. Trust that whatever may come against you today, to try to rob you of your faith, God is using instead to build your faith firmer still. Let us pray unceasingly for the Church to awaken to this blessed reminder that we have been raised from death to life by the One who has been given all authority and power in heaven and on earth! May we begin to walk in His power and make disciples of all nations to the praise and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ!

"...and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is like the working of His mighty strength,
which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead
and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms,
far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,
and every title that can be given, not only in the present age
but also in the one to come."
(Ephesians 1:19-21)

_____________________________________

[Godbetheglory]

AFTERNOON DEVOTION - "Evening, and morning, and noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:17, KJV).


Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:21-35

Our righteous Judge has forgiven us our sin-debt. In His great mercy, He has removed our shackles and set us free "To act justly, and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8b). We cannot bring a sacrifice to God apart from obedience. When the Lord said, "To obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22b), He was expressing what is acceptable to Him: only an offering of mercy and love, extended to others, whether they are an enemy or a friend, will do (reference Matthew 5:44). "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).

Peter asked the Lord, "How many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?" Jesus responded with the parable of the unmerciful servant to help His disciples better understand that forgiveness, like love, has no limits. God, who holds nothing good back from His children, desires that they, likewise, would hold no good thing back from anyone. "For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (Matthew 6:14). Forgiveness is a tremendous gift, for it not only releases the one who has sinned, but it frees the one who has been wounded. "Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?" (v.33).

Because we have been forgiven much, we must come before our gracious heavenly Father each day and ask forgiveness for those sins that hinder our relationship with Him. Unforgiveness towards others is a great hindrance to our prayers, because we our disobeying His great command "to love one another" (John 13:34). When we hold back forgiveness from others, we hold back God's answer to our prayers. "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does His will" (John 9:31). God closes His ears to the prayers of the wicked and disobedient (reference Proverbs 1:28; Isaiah 59:1,2; Jeremiah 5:25). "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened" (Psalm 66:18); but His ears are open to "hear the prayer of the righteous" (Proverbs 15:29)

Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for each sin
that hinders my fellowship with You, and
blocks the flow of communication
between You and me.
Cleanse me from the inside out,
so that the purity of the inner life
flows freely out of me in the form of
mercy and forgiveness
to those around me.
In Jesus' Name. Amen


When we forgive others, as we have been forgiven in Christ, we give them what we have received from the Lord. To hold back this gracious and merciful gift from anyone is to mishandle the great treasure we have been given. We must take time each day to allow the Lord to examine our hearts and reveal to us those areas of sin and unforgiveness that we need to confess to Him, so that the line of communication between us and Him is opened wide and clear. In order for that to happen our relationship with others must also be clear. We cannot expect to achieve success in our prayers when our heart is not right towards another. True love for God is expressed in a heart that loves and forgives others. The great law of God's kingdom is love. Disobedience to His highest law is the great cause of our weakness in the Church. This afternoon ask the Lord to reveal those broken relationships that are hindering deeper fellowship and communication with Him. Ask Him to fill your heart with His all-powerful forgiving love and to cleanse you of your unforgiving heart so that His forgiveness can flow through you to others.

______

[Godbetheglory]

AFTERNOON DEVOTION - "Evening, and morning, and noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:17, KJV).


Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:19-20

It is a wonderful gift to spend time in the presence of God in our private prayer closets. What victories we have achieved in prayer that no one, save God, Himself, has the knowledge of. Nothing quite compares to those quiet moments of deep fellowship and private conversation with our Lord. It is vitally important for the health of our own spiritual life to cultivate our private prayers lives, but the Lord also gives His Church a great honor to pray with fellow believers so we can experience health and healing for the whole Body, and experience the greater power that comes from unified prayer. "Again I say to you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven" (v.19, KJV). Our prayers have the ability to access great power from God, but agreement and harmony with our brothers and sisters in Christ is essential to laying hold of that power. We need only look to Job to understand that restoration and blessing is dependent upon our ability to lay aside our offenses and to pray earnestly and honestly for those who have offended us (reference Job 42:7-12). "After Job prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before" (v. 10).

As we meditate on our Scripture reading this morning we find that agreement in prayer is necessary, and assembly in prayer is indispensable. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20, KJV). The Lord directs us to gather together in His name. It is in the assembling together that the church is made visible in the world. Regardless of whether our assemblies are great or small, we have the promised guarantee of His presence. The presence of Christ is among us, because He dwells within us by His Spirit. We are His sanctuary, no matter where we are. When we come together in visible union the presence of Christ is made manifest. It only takes a harmonious few, who are sincere and devoted worshipers of Christ, to usher in the presence and power of God.

The unbelieving of the world can storm the streets with their picket signs and petitions in an attempt to have their voices heard by man, but when the children of God come before the throne of grace in agreement and unity, our voices are heard in heaven. We have the audience of God Most High, and we have the promise of His presence and the assurance that an even mightier work is being done on our behalf; for our good and for God's glory. The Lord loves to work on behalf of His children, and is delighted when we are unified in prayer for His purposes to be fulfilled (reference Romans 8:28). "On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many" (2 Corinthians 1:11).


Heavenly Father,
There are small fires kindling all over
this nation as Your servants faithfully gather in prayer.
Stir the hearts of all Your children to gather
closer to Your holy flame so this country
can be set on fire for Christ, and the good news of
Your salvation can spread throughout the world.
In Jesus' Name. Amen


We have been endowed with divine power from on high to help others, and to meet their needs in an extraordinary way the world has no knowledge or understanding of. When we, as believers, come together in a united concert of prayer, we stand in one accord, agreeing and believing that God has heard our prayers, and that He has already answered, and is providing the means to pour out His mercy and grace on those we've prayed for. May we make the most of every opportunity in our churches, in our schools, in our work places, and in our neighborhoods to gather together in corporate prayer. Let us be willing to take a step of faith and begin to gather in prayer; and not despise the day of small beginnings, but accept that in the eyes of God an assembly of two honors Him as much as two thousand.

[Godbetheglory]

AFTERNOON DEVOTION - "Evening, and morning, and noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:17, KJV).


Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14

The posture of prayer takes many forms: From kneeling (reference Acts 20:36), sitting (reference 10:39), standing (reference John 3:29), lying in bed (reference Psalm 4:8), to prostrating oneself on the floor before the Lord. Whatever the position we may choose to pray in, we are expressing our faith in, and dependence upon, God, and acknowledging that He alone is worthy of our praise and worship.

Our posture of prayer is an expression of how serious and urgent our prayers are. When Jesus was in the garden, fervently praying to the Father in those final moments before going to the cross, "He fell with His face to the ground and prayed" (Matthew 26:39). The urgency of the hour, and the extremeness of the circumstances surrounding Him, warranted such humiliation and surrender. In contrast, the disciples posture of slumbering when their Lord was suffering, revealed the weakness of their flesh, and lack of spiritual understanding to the struggle their Friend was going through.

The Word of God gives examples of the various postures one can take in prayer: Daniel prayed three times a day on his knees (reference Daniel 6:10); Peter knelt to pray over Tabitha, raising her from the dead (reference Acts 9:40); Jehoshaphat called the people of Judah to stand with him in the presence of the Lord until they received deliverance (reference 2 Chronicles 20:9); King David, awed by God's goodness and sovereignty of purpose, sat before the Lord in prayer (reference 2 Samuel 7:18); the Psalmist remembered the Lord at night from their bed (Psalm 4:4; 63:6); and Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Job, Ezekiel, and Jesus all found themselves prostrated before the Lord.

The posture of prayer is a symbol of the posture of our heart. Whether we are sitting, standing, or lying on our face, the Lord is looking more for the posture of our hearts. "This is the one I esteem; he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at My word" (Isaiah 66:2b). The true posture in prayer is one of absolute dependence upon the Father. Our faithfulness to meet with Him in prayer each day - morning, noon, and night - is evidence of how deeply dependent we are upon Him. "I will bow down toward Your holy temple and will praise Your name for Your love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word" (Psalm 138:2).


Heavenly Father,
Break my heart for what breaks Yours.
Give me eyes to see the grave condition of man
and ears to hear the cries of those in need.
Move me from my place of comfort
to pray for those who have no peace or comfort
that they might find rest and deliverance in You.
In Jesus' Name. Amen


May we avail ourselves as weapons in God's arsenal (reference Isaiah 49:2) that He might call upon us out of our comfort and complacency to pray at any hour of the day in our chairs, on our knees, standing on our feet, or with our face to the floor, to demolish the strongholds of this world and pour out blessing from heaven. May we find ourselves so uncomfortable over the condition of our own hearts, and those of our fellow man, that we will be willing to surrender our own comfort that they may see the glory of God in the midst of their trial and experience His deliverance and salvation. This afternoon, take time to consider the trials and difficulties you are facing and ask the Lord to give you the eyes to see your circumstances (or someone else's) through His eyes. Ask Him to give you the sensitivity of heart to feel the pain of others as deeply as you have, or are presently feeling, so that you can pray more fervently and specifically for those needs because you personally understand what others are walking through. Acknowledge that every difficulty is an opportunity to grow in deeper dependence upon the Lord, and to take on His heart so you can receive more of His love to pour into the lives of others who desperately need to know His great love.

____

[Godbetheglory]

AFTERNOON DEVOTION - "Evening, and morning, and noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:17, KJV).


Scripture Reading: Mark 2:1-12

As followers of Jesus Christ, when we pray for others we stand in the gap of faith. The Lord moves our hearts to pray oftentimes for those who just don't have the strength to cry out to God on their own, or who might not even have the faith to believe. As the Lord's royal priesthood, we have been set apart for the occupation of intercession. It is in this work that we are most like Christ. There is no greater privilege than to speak to God on behalf of men, and to be able to draw power from heaven on their behalf. As His children, we have been given this powerful privilege and wondrous gift to bring healing, freedom, help, encouragement, faith, and salvation to those whom the Lord has placed in our sphere of influence.

In our Scripture reading this afternoon, we find an act of true friendship on display. A dear friend was crippled and in need of healing, and those closest to him didn't allow any obstacle in their path to hinder their efforts to place their friend in the presence of the Great Physician. They believed whole-heartedly that an encounter with Jesus Christ was what their friend needed most in the world, and they were willing to do whatever was necessary to get him to the Lord. "Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus..." (v.4a).

While Jesus was teaching fragments of the ceiling were falling on His head, calling His attention to an act of desperation. When Jesus looked up, He saw great persevering faith, and undying friendship and love, and He answered their request in a way that was immeasurably more than they could ever have asked for or imagined. "Son, your sins are forgiven" (v. 5b). These faithful friends, desiring to meet their friends' most immediate need, believed God for healing, but Jesus gave them exceedingly abundantly more by meeting their friends' most deepest need of forgiveness.

When God burdens our hearts to pray for others, we don't always know how we should pray, but we do know that we must pray. All we are required to do is bring them into the presence of God, and let Him decide what is best for them. God knows exactly how He will answer, because He knows their deepest need, and will answer in a way that will ultimately accomplish His higher purposes for their lives, and achieve that which brings the greatest glory to the Father. May those who are physically disabled, crippled, bedridden and paralyzed remind us how much of the world is spiritually paralyzed and crippled because they do not have the personal, abiding, and intimate relationship with God found through salvation in Christ Jesus. May we take on God's heart, and ask that our hearts would become more deeply burdened for the wounded, homeless, helpless, hopeless, and lost of the world, and be willing to do whatever is necessary, including praying without ceasing, in order that they are brought into the presence of the Father to find the healing they so desperately need.

Heavenly Father,
Help me to be the kind of friend
that will go to whatever lengths necessary in prayer
to see that my friends encounter You
and receive the help and healing they need.
In Jesus' Name. Amen

It is good to gather with a few friends to pray fervently for a dear friend in need. There is power when two or three are gathered in God's name. Together we can lay hold of every precious promise the Lord has to meet their needs. There is no greater help we can offer our friends then to pray for them. There is no greater privilege then to speak to God on their behalf. We achieve the greatest power for them when we intercede on their behalf and cry out to Jesus to help them. Take time this afternoon to pray for those people whom the Lord has entrusted to your prayers. Do not neglect them in their hour of need. Call on some friends to join you if the burden is too heavy for one person to bear. Ask God to bring them the help and healing they need so they can pick up their mat and follow after Jesus - accessing the power they need to be able to pursue Him for themselves. Persevere in prayer until the ceiling of heaven breaks open to them, and the answer they need is given. "But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

[Godbetheglory]

AFTERNOON DEVOTION - "Evening, and morning, and noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:17, KJV).


Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 7:14


When we become God's children, we are given the privilege of bearing the name of Jesus Christ. We are the sons and daughters of God. "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:18). We bear the name of our Heavenly Father, as much, or maybe more so, as we do the name of our earthly father. When we became His children we gave up our old life and exchanged it, as well as our name, for a glorious new life that includes the wonderful blessings of utilizing His more powerful, all-sufficient name. "...the name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9b).

As His children, we, who are "called by His name" have been given every right, privilege, power and authority that comes with bearing His holy name. He is entrusting us with the use of His name. Everything that He has done, which His name represents, He has confidence that we will carry forward as we call upon His name to receive the help we need to fulfill the work of the Father. This requires a close union with our Lord, because of the power He is placing at our disposal. His power is exercised in love, and only those who are whole-heartedly devoted and wholly consecrated to the Lord, are able to ask in a way that will achieve His good purposes on this earth. "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in Me will do what I have been doing, He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father" (John 14:12, 13).

The name "Potentate" is defined in Noah Websters 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, as "a person who possesses great power or sway; a prince; a sovereign, an emperor, king or monarch." He is our all-powerful ruler, who is now seated at the right-hand of the Father, and has placed in our possession all the power attributed with His name to accomplish His will on earth as it is in heaven. We have extraordinary power at our disposal, but we must be willing to yield ourselves to the interests and purposes of the Father each day. The unlimited potential for wielding God's influence and authority on this earth, for the good of mankind and the glory of God, exists for those of us who "are called by [His} name," if we are willing to "humble" ourselves and "pray" and "seek [His] face" and "turn from [our] wicked ways" (2 Chronicles 7:14a).


Heavenly Father,
I think of Joseph who was given all the
authority and influence of the position of Pharaoh
to help Your people in a time of great famine.
How desperately we need those wise and faithful servants
who are devoted intercessors, willing to persist in prayer
in order to call down Your power from heaven to provide for the lost
and needy of the world. "We do not make requests of
You because we are righteous, but because of Your great mercy.
O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act!
For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city
and Your people bear Your name."(Daniel 9:18b, 19)
In Jesus' Name. Amen


The Lord's most "potent" and powerful work was accomplished through His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins and the victory He achieved over death and the grave. This same resurrection power is available for us today to accomplish "even greater things" when we ask in His name. We need to learn to not rush through our prayers, as if God is a drive-thru window waiting to dispense everything we ask. This afternoon let us slow down. The pace we are moving at is just too swift anyway. Let us carve out time for a serious conversation with our heavenly Father, and take the time necessary to exercise the authority He has given to us in His Son's name. Let us consider the importance of each request and the lives that we hold in our hands, and make bold and specific requests on behalf of those around us who need His strength and power today.

[Godbetheglory]

AFTERNOON DEVOTION - "Evening, and morning, and noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice" (Psalm 55:17, KJV).


Scripture Reading: Mark 1:40-45

The account of the healing of the leper is recorded in three of the gospels (see also Matthew 8:1-4). There is much to be learned from this mans approach - he came helpless and powerless, bowing himself in humility before the One who he firmly believed had power to heal him. Jesus' response was one of tenderness and compassion. He touched the diseased man with His sinless perfection, and the affliction was immediately removed. Jesus then commanded him to not proclaim the message of his healing until he had first shown himself to the priest in Jerusalem. "See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them" (v.44). Jesus had come to meet the needs of all the people. To those who would question His authority He sent the leper to offer a sacrifice as a witness of the authenticity of his healing. Jesus knew the opposition to His mission was growing just as quickly as the crowds that followed Him. There was still much work to be done and He didn't want anything hindering that work.

Jesus told the leper to not "tell" anyone, but to "show" himself to the priest. As His followers today, we are the visible representation of Christ to the world. Every day we have an opportunity to "show" the world the transformation power that has taken place in our own lives, by proclaiming the glory of God through the love we share with others. May we ask God to show us where our words have not been fully aligned with our actions, and be willing to repent and reform our ways. Let us pray and ask the Lord for greater opportunities to display His love to those in need so they will experience His healing touch. May we do so with the same tenderness and compassion our Lord showed to the man afflicted with leprosy, so the message of the gospel will be proclaimed with purity and power.


Heavenly Father,
Forgive us when the words we say
fail to match the things we do,
causing a hindrance to Your kingdom
rather than furthering it. Help our every word
and deed proclaim the glory of Your name.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.

If we were forbidden to "tell" others of the wonderful love of God, how then would we "show" them? Much of the world has become disenchanted and disillusioned with the Church today, because they see people who call themselves "Christian" as being hypocritical and intolerant. As a result there is a growing hostility towards religion and religious freedom in America. This has led to the development of "hate crimes" laws and other legislation aimed at silencing Christians. "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). We have been called by God to "speak the truth in love" (reference Ephesians 4:15). We are to proclaim God's love to the world as we express His love-in-action to one another. We have been shown the mercy of God so that we might offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" to God, and become a living testimony to the world of His holiness, goodness and grace (reference Romans 12:1). There is no greater testimony of God's love than the love we show for one another. "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). May we no longer conform to the pattern of the world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds (reference Romans 12:1-2) as we live according to the pattern that Jesus set forth for us - proclaiming His great message of love and salvation as we pray for one another and for the advancement of His kingdom in this world. Let us pray for boldness and courage among all believers despite rising hostility and religious persecution in our country. This afternoon, pray for those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected by the growing attacks on religious liberty in the public arena, the schoolhouse, churches and ministries, and the military. Let us also continue to pray fervently for the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage which will only further threaten our religious freedom. "Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them" (Luke 7:22).

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