Opening the Word Archives - Page 21 of 36

A Guide to Cleansing

Read Psalm 119:18

"Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord" (v. 1).

Funambulism - the art of walking along a thin wire or rope. Often it is called tightrope walking. Viewers were captivated as they watched a man skilled at this art on June 23, 2013. Nikolas Walendra has numerous entries attributed to his name in the Guinness World Records. But what gripped the attention of the viewing public that day was when he became the first person to high-wire walk across a Grand Canyon-area gorge. Amazing.
And yet, showmanship of this sort seems to be such a waste. What is more exciting is when we see a man or woman of God walking the straight and narrow path of righteousness. Spiritual funambulism bears some similarities to the tightrope walker who must maintain his balance by positioning his center of mass directly over his base of support. To stay on the narrow path of righteousness, we must maintain the balance between legalism and radicalism. We must keep ourselves positioned so that we are supported totally by Holy Spirit. Only then, can we be confident that we will not fall, missing the glory of getting to the end of the way where we will receive our eternal reward. (Gayle Woods)

To stay on the narrow path of righteousness,
we must maintain the balance between legalism and radicalism.

This devotional is the Monday, November 14, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
"USA little colorado pano AZ.jpg" by Dschwen BY CC SA 3.0 / Resized

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Help for the Seamen
Help for the Seamen

Help for the Seamen

Read Psalm 107:23-32

“He maketh the storm a calm so that the waves thereof are still” (v. 29).

English poet Francis Thompson became addicted to opium early in his life, and soon found himself living on the streets of London around Charing Cross Station. He recalled the moment when God came to him there and described Jacob’s Ladder reaching down from heaven to Charing Cross and Christ walking on the water of the Thames River instead of the Sea of Galilee.
Jesus has complete control over the waves and the storm. Remember that Jesus was so calm in the midst of the storm that he was able to sleep in the disciple’s fishing boat. The storms on the Sea of Galilee can produce massive waves which must have shaken the boat in all directions, yet it did not bother Jesus. This is not because He did not care about what happened to the disciples, but because He knew that nothing could happen to them while they were with Him.
Later, the disciples went ahead of Jesus in their boat but could make little headway against the winds which roared down the lake. Jesus came walking on the water and was about to pass them by when they called to Him, and He came to their rescue.
Hopefully, none of us are facing drug addiction like Francis Thompson, but whether we are in a total storm or the wind is against us, Jesus is still in control. (Randy Bland)

But (when so sad thou canst not sadder)
Cry- and upon thy so sore loss
Shall shine the traffic of Jacob's ladder
Pitched betwixt Heaven and Charing Cross.

Yea, in the night, my Soul, my daughter,
Cry- clinging to Heaven by the hems;
And lo, Christ walking on the water,
Not of Genesareth, but Thames!
--Francis Thompson

Will we trust Jesus to be the calm in our storm?

This devotional is the Wednesday, November 9, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

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Trusting God for Help
Trusting God for Help

Trusting God for Help

Read 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

*“And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward”* (v. 4).

The last hot water bottle had just burst. In Central Africa, there was no place to get another one. Keeping a new-born, premature infant alive was no easy task. An orphaned one was even harder. “Your job is to keep the baby warm,” Dr. Helen Roseveare informed the midwife.
The next day, Helen told the orphan children about the burst hot water bottle, the baby, and of its sad two-year-old sister. One of the orphans declared they must pray – and then did. Ruth insisted God must send a hot water bottle that afternoon! She also requested a doll to cheer up the baby’s sister. Helen was appalled at the bold request.
That afternoon, an unexpected package arrived. Surrounded by orphans, Dr. Roseveare nervously opened it. Sure enough, among other things, there was a hot water bottle. Ruth was so excited she dove into the box looking for the doll. Just as she expected, it was there.
Knowing the package had been en route for months, Helen was reminded that our needs do not take God by surprise. He can be trusted to give us the help we need - precisely when we need it. (Cyretha Horton)

“Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
O for grace to trust Him more!”
-Louisa M. R. Stead (Public Domain)

This devotional is the Wednesday, November 2, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

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Worship – Why?
Worship – Why?

Worship – Why?

Read Psalm 84:1-12
“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” (v. 10).
Why should we worship God? For the conscientious soul, worshiping God is an act of obedience. God commands that we worship him, and therefore we obey. Obedience is a required portion of our relationship with God, but by no means should it be the entirety. Worship is not just the fulfilment of our obligation, but it is our joy! It draws us closer to the One we love. In Psalm 122 we read, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.”
In a human relationship, we do not find it surprising that those who are in love look forward to spending time together. My wife and I share a weekly date night, not out of obligation, but out of our desire to spend quality time together. Is that also how we view our relationship with God? As we draw near unto God in worship, we find that he draws near to us (James 4:8), and our relationship grows even closer. (Daniel Merkley)

To Jesus every day I find my heart is closer drawn;
He’s fairer than the glory of the gold and purple dawn;
He’s all my fancy pictures in its fairest dreams and more;
– W. C. Martin (Public Domain)

Do we cherish our time with God, or is it merely an obligation?

This devotional is the Tuesday, October 25, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

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The Fruit of Repentance
The Fruit of Repentance

The Fruit of Repentance

Read Psalm 51:1-10
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (v. 10).
My mom loved planting trees. Sometimes the trees she ordered arrived looking like lifeless twigs. With proper care in planting and nourishment, however,we would soon have a foliage-filled tree bearing beautiful, delicious fruit. God has a desire for every human being ever conceived to live such a wholesome life with a guilt-free, purified, and loyal heart toward Him.
Why would we remain a "lifeless twig" when we can have an abundant life? This doesn'tmean our lives will always be easy, with no sorrow, health concerns, or broken relationships. Those are often the tools of cultivation and means of nourishment that produce the sweetest fruit. With God's plan of growth through repentance and forgiveness, we can prevail through all this world's storms of sin. We can have a victorious, peaceful, and bountiful life, knowing we have a whiter-than-snow heart, a home in heaven, and a Savior, who has it all under control. (Wanda Skeen)

Lord Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole;
I want Thee forever to live in my soul.
Break down every idol, cast out every foe;
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Whiter than snow, yes, whiter than snow.
Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
- James Nicholson (Public Domain)

Forsake sin and live free and clean.

This devotional is the Sunday, October 23, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

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The Persistence of Faith

Read Matthew 15:21-28
"But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us." (v. 23).
The story was told of a great Christian statesman of a previous generation. As a youth, he attended a Christian school, but his rebellious attitude kept him in trouble. Time and again he was brought to school authorities and was often on the verge of expulsion. A teacher in that Christian school had taken this young man to his heart. As often as the boy was in trouble, the teacher interceded to the administration on the boy’s behalf. Eventually, the boy was saved and went on to become a missionary statesman who served his generation well.
Many years later, the missionary statesman preached in a camp meeting I attended. At the close of the service, I responded to the invitation, telling God I would do whatever He wanted me to do. During those minutes at the altar, God called me to preach.
What if they had sent that young man away? My life and many others lives might have been very different. What if we send people away from Jesus? Instead, let us do everything we can to point people to Jesus. He can and will make a difference in their lives. Our faith and theirs will make a difference. (Mark Avery)

Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring them in from the fields of sin;
Bring them in, bring them in,
Bring the wand’ring ones to Jesus.
Alexcenah Thomas (Public Domain)

Don’t send people away from Jesus; bring them to Him.

This devotional is the Thursday, October 6, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

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God, Our Source of Strength
God, Our Source of Strength

God, Our Source of Strength

Read Psalm 27:1-7
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (v. 1).
The Psalmist speaks of darkness and weakness – the inability to see or comprehend and the inability to cope. Both paralyze our lives with fear. In the clutches of each, we are separated from our resources as children of God and rendered useless in our service to Him. It is no wonder that our God says “fear not” so many times in Scripture. He repeats that encouragement and command today.
Without minimizing or altering our circumstances, God offers himself as the antidote to our apprehension. For darkness, he is light – my light! W.T.Purkiser says so beautifully that our God is “shining in a dark place, dispelling the shadows, showing all things in their true colors; . . . driving away the fears that lurk in the dark.” For weakness, he is strength – my strength. I will face the threatening circumstances in the power of His might. Karolina Sandellberg wrote, “Day by day and with each passing moment, strength I find to meet my trials here. Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment, I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.” (Public Domain) Light for darkness and strength for weakness. The Psalmist said, “Of whom shall I be afraid . . . the Lord is.” (William Snider)
Though a host of men were laid against me, yet shall my heart not be afraid
And tho’ there rose up war against me, yet will I put my trust in Him.
Frances Allitsen (Public Domain)
This devotional is the Friday, October 14, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

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God's Greatness in Redemption
God's Greatness in Redemption

God's Greatness in Redemption

Read Colossians 1:14-17

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins (v. 14).
I remember well those early days of ministry in my first pastorate some 35-plus years ago, and I remember an elderly gentleman named Arnold who regularly attended the services. When the congregation was given the opportunity to select a hymn to be sung, Arnold would request No. 247 and then not sing a word. Arnold just sat quietly with tears coursing down his weather-worn, wrinkled, leatherlike cheeks as we sang, Redeemed, Redeemed, Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb;
Arnold had not been raised in the church but had a godly grandmother like mine in his childhood. He had lived a rough sinners life well into adulthood. But one day the Saviour knocked at his heart's door, and Arnold confessed his sin, sought and found forgiveness, and experienced the redemption of saving grace made possible by our Saviour Jesus Christ. Yes, Arnold knew the full price had been paid because our loving God was great in giving redemption through Jesus His Son. (John 3:16)
The greatness of God has been manifested for you in the blood of Jesus that has paid the full price for your redemption. Have you accepted that redemption? (Marshall Mosley)

Redeemed, redeemed,
His child, and forever, I am.
- Fanny J. Crosby (Public Domain)

<
p style="text-align:center;font-style:italic;">The full price has been paid for your soul. Live a redeemed life.
This devotional is the Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

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Courage Tested
Courage Tested

Courage Tested

Read Jeremiah 38:1-6

“Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon, there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire” (v. 6).
Bringing unfavorable news to the royal court has always had its risks. Kings of ancient times were notoriously bad losers. If they didn’t like the message, they took it out on the messenger. And people still do this today. Many have been the times that an attendee felt the sharp steel of God’s truth against his neck and decided that it was the preacher who was the problem and never came back. Today, sounding forth the Lord’s message might decrease the congregation; in Jeremiah’s day, it decreased one’s life!
Jeremiah offended the high ranking officials in the court of Zedekiah. They felt sure his words would weaken the morale of the military men. When they asked permission to do away with the prophet, the king did not stand in their way. And so Jeremiah found himself in the muddy, slimy bottom of a well – friendless, dirty, and awaiting death.
Have you ever been in that place? Has your courage for Christ been rewarded with a smelly, filthy situation? Don’t despair. Take it from Jeremiah, it’s best to obey the Lord, even if it means sitting in the mud for a while. (Valorie Quesenberry)

Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
(Isaac Watts: Public Domain)

<
p style="text-align:center;font-style:italic;">A test of courage can only be passed through, not gone around.
This devotional is the Thursday, September 22, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.

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Christ’s Suffering
Christ’s Suffering

Christ’s Suffering

"Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help" (Psalm 22:11).
How could a loving God allow ___?. How do we fill in the blank? It could be a tragic automobile accident resulting in death or permanent physical disfigurement. It could be the death of a companion, father, mother, or other loved one. Or perhaps the diagnoses came back and it was the dreaded “C” word. Not only does the devastation bring loneliness from people, but even God, Himself, seems removed. But – He is not!
It is so easy to blame God at these times. So many people do and then turn away from Him. How could a loving God allow such pain, such misery? But, He is a loving God. In His love He allowed His only begotten Son to suffer the weight of the sins of all the world for all time. That is an unfathomable burden. That same love is proffered to all who will believe in Him with grace that is sufficient for our need. (Daniel Lee)

The weight of the sins of the world
On His shoulders were hurled.
But His greatest pain
Was His father’s disdain.
Nevertheless, not My Will,
Thine be done
Daniel E. Lee

Christ’s suffering was for us

Herald & Banner Press2016-09-14T09:00:00+00:00September 14th, 2016|Categories: Opening the Word|Tags: suffering|0 Comments