GOD IS A GIVER, NOT A TAKER

By Joseph Prince – Posted July 19, 2017

Romans 8:32

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall with Him also freely give us all things?

Some Christians mistakenly believe that God gives and also takes away. At funerals, we sometimes hear the minister say, “The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

I remember an occasion when I was looking at a baby who was suffering from cancer. I heard one of his family members comment, “You can’t be sure what God’s will is. He may or may not heal.” What that person meant was that although the Lord had given the parents this baby, He might later take the baby away from them.

Job displayed this very same attitude when he received the news that he had lost his property and children. Thinking that God was the source of his problems and not knowing that it was actually Satan who had come against him, he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21) Such a statement seems to honor God, but in reality, it reveals an erroneous view of our heavenly Father.

As children of God, we know what the Father’s will is for us. He is a giver, not a taker! Jesus said, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) It is the devil who is the thief. He comes to steal, kill and destroy. But Jesus came to give us life more abundant. (John 10:10)

Jesus met every need and healed every sickness brought before Him, and at the cross, He gave His own life. Never once did He take anything away from the people who came to Him. And the Bible says that whoever has seen Jesus has seen the Father. (John 14:9)

Beloved, your heavenly Father wants you to know today that He is the one who gives you all good things. And if He has already given us heaven’s best—Jesus, “how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things”?

Thought For The Day

If our heavenly Father has already given us heaven’s best—Jesus, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

   

Know When to Turn Away

By Joel Osteen – Posted July 19, 2017

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE:

"It is an honor for a man to cease from strife…"
(Proverbs 20:3, KJV)

TODAY'S WORD:

In life, many of the challenges we face are simply distractions from the enemy to keep us from pursuing our destiny. Maybe someone in the office isn’t as friendly to you as you’d like. Maybe you have a neighbor who always parks in front of your house and blocks your mailbox. Those things may be frustrating, but they have little significance when you look at the big picture of eternity. You can’t allow the little things to cause strife in your life. 

In scripture, just before David fought the giant Goliath, his brother Iliab tried to confront him. But David knew that arguing with Iliab wasn’t even worth his time and strength. He knew his real battle was with Goliath, and he didn’t want to be distracted. He simply “turned away” from Iliab and kept his focus on what he was called to do. 

Let’s follow the example of David and keep our eyes on what’s most important in life. Instead of being led away by frustrations, let’s focus on the big picture. Know when to turn away from strife and receive the mark of honor the Lord has for you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father God, thank You for Your hand of victory in my life. Give me the wisdom and courage I need to walk away from strife so I can focus on the destiny You have prepared for me. I love You and bless You today and always in Jesus’ name. Amen.

   Quick to Forgive 

By Joyce Meyer - Posted July 19, 2017

Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].
—1 Colossians 3:13

The world is filled with pain and hurting people; and my experience has been that hurting people hurt others. The devil works overtime among God’s people to bring offense, strife, and disharmony, but we can be thankful that God gives us a tool to disappoint and defeat the devil: We can be quick to forgive.

Forgiveness closes the door to Satan’s attack so that he cannot gain a foothold that might eventually become a stronghold. It can prevent or end strife in our relationships with others. No wonder Scripture tells us over and over that we are to forgive those who hurt or offend us. Jesus made forgiveness a lifestyle, and He taught us to do the same. This is essential to living a joy-filled life.

Prayer of Thanks Father, I am so thankful for the forgiveness You have given me through Jesus and for the grace to be able to forgive others. Regardless of what others have done to hurt or offend me, today I choose to forgive those who have caused me pain. Thank You for helping me to live out that forgiveness each new day.

 Advice About Advice

By DR. David Jeremiah – Posted July 19, 2017

For by wise counsel you will wage your own war, and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
Proverbs 24:6

Recommended Reading: Proverbs 2:1-7

Don’t believe everything you read, because many people with strong opinions are simply wrong. Take John B. Watson, for example. He was an American psychologist who established the psychological school of behaviorism. Watson wrote extensively about child rearing, and his advice was widely practiced in the 1920s. But today, with the passing of time, his approach is considered patently wrong. He said: “Never hug and kiss (children), never let them sit in your lap. If you must, kiss them once on the forehead when they say good night. Shake hands with them in the morning.” Our Lord’s approach was so much better as He took the little children in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them (Mark 10:16).

The Bible’s words are infallible, and Scripture gives us unfailing advice. As a result, those who love and ponder the Bible are more apt to give seasoned and sound advice. But no human being is infallible. So if you need counsel or advice concerning some issue in your life, ask your friends for counsel—then measure their words by the Bible itself. As you do so, the Lord will give you the needed wisdom.

As we trust God to give us wisdom for today’s decisions, He will lead us a step at a time into what He wants us to be doing in the future.
Theodore Epp