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God’s Word Enlightens
Read Psalm 19:7-11
“The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes” (v. 8).
What an amazing book!
The Bible begins with God, “In the beginning God” and ends with man, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” The Bible is a message from God to man, to bring man to God. The first recorded words of man are, “I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid . . . and I hid myself,” and some of the last words are, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”
The Bible answers three important questions: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?
Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:16, tells us that the Bible is inspired by God, and “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness.” God’s specific purpose for the scriptures is that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished for all good works.
Doctrines are actually principles to live by. Solomon considered these principles to be so important that he gave four ways we can respond to them in Proverbs 4:20, 21: (1) “Attend to my words.” (2) “Incline thine ear unto my sayings.” (3) “Let them not depart from thine eyes.” (4) “Keep them in the midst of thine heart.” (Calvin Bennett)
Let God breathe inspiration into your life through His Word.
This week’s featured devotional is the Monday, May 26, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo credit: "IMG_6255" by Jeremy Nicholson used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized and cropped.
The Purpose of God's Word
June 1 - Lesson 1
Printed Text: John 20:24-31
Central Truth: God’s Word inspires faith in Christ.
Lesson Outline:
- The Doubt (John 20:24, 25)
- The Proof (John 20:26-29)
- The Testimony (John 20:30, 31)
Effective Gospel Outreach
May 25, 2014 - Lesson 13
Printed Text: Acts 28:17-24, 30, 31
Central Truth: The man who is moving in the will of God has inner victory despite all outward circumstances.
Lesson Outline:
- Ministry through Miracles (Acts 28:1-10)
- Ministry through Fellowship (Acts 28:11-23)
- Ministry through Teaching (Acts 28:24-31)
Paul’s Ministry on Melita
Read Acts 28:1-10
“And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him” (v. 8).
Being in a sanctuary and enjoying radiant beauty as the light streams through stained glass windows is calming. Soothing. Even healing. This is an excellent environment in which to open ourselves up to what God wants to say to us through His messenger. We are spiritually reinvigorated. But for what purpose?
While it is true that we personally need these times of worship and renewal, it is not only for our personal benefit, but it is also necessary to fit us for the work outside the walls of the church. We are called to go out allowing God to touch others through our lives. That is the essence of effective gospel outreach.
How is it with you? Is your pattern to drag into church on Sunday with the hope that your gospel “fix” will get you through another week of trials and tests? What you are really looking for is like getting another coat of “spiritual Teflon®” that will protect from the onslaughts of the world.
Here is a better way to look at this. Yes, come to church for the personal help you need, both from God and through the communion of believers, but go out into the world with the intention of staying focused on your real mission in life — to spread the good news. To comfort those hurting and oppressed. To help others encounter God. (Ken Farmer)
This week’s featured devotional is the Monday, May 19, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo credit: "IMG_4677" by Urban Girl used under CC BY 2.0 / Resized and cropped.
Confidence During Crisis
May 18, 2014 - Lesson 12
Printed Text: Acts 27:15-25, 33-36
Central Truth: Faith in God will bring us safely through the storms of life.
Lesson Outline:
- The Folly of Trusting Self (Acts 27:1-13)
- The Wisdom of Trusting God (Acts 27:14-26)
- Deliverance through Trusting God (Acts 27:27-44)
God’s Power Over the Sea
Read Psalm 107:23-30
“For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof” (v. 25).
Ever wonder how marine creatures ended up as fossils atop the highest mountains? I recently heard a creationist geologist explain his model of what happened during Noah’s flood. While his explanation is too complex for this devotional, evidence indicates that God used several cataclysmic processes to cover the continents with repeated surges of sea water that deposited the multi-layered graveyards of untold numbers of creatures.
Not even the most powerful tropical storms of today begin to duplicate the results of the flood, but they do display God’s mighty power. For example, consider Hurricane Sandy. With a wind field 1100 miles in diameter, Sandy’s storm surges and flooding rains inflicted an estimated $65 billion in damages in the United States alone. In the face of such power, how puny a human being seems!
How small we feel when the storms of life rage about us! That is when we need to remember that the God who controls the wind and waves of the sea, controls our lives. In answer to prayer, He will bring calm to our spirits — even in the midst of the tempest. (JLC)
Thou dost ever watch Thy children, And their strength and peace wilt be.
— August Gottlieb Spangenberg
If a storm is battering your little vessel, do not jump ship! The Master is on board and still speaks peace.
This week’s featured devotional is the Monday, May 12, 2014 entry of Opening the Word. Order your copy!
Photo credit: "I almost crossed this one" by Marsel Minga used under CC0 / Cropped.