Video Bible Lesson - Choose to Trust God in This New Year By Rick Warren

Choose to Trust God in This New Year
By Rick Warren

1/2 Hour of God’s Power with Scott Ralls

1/13/2020

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit

Godliness

Godliness

Dr. Charles Stanley

Matthew 9:11-13

There is a common misconception that believers should be perfect. Pretending to have our lives in order, many of us wear happy faces and speak words that sound acceptable. At times we’re ashamed to admit our shortcomings, as if they should not exist. Salvation through Jesus, however, doesn’t change the fact that sin is present in our life. When we’re born again, God forgives us and sees us as righteous. Yet our battle with sin continues till we arrive in heaven.

In fact, striving for perfection actually can be a trap that pulls us away from living a godly life. Functioning in this way is a form of relying on our own capability. Jesus said that He came to heal the spiritually sick because they recognized their weakness. With an awareness of our inadequacy comes the realization of our need for Him.

The world sees successful individuals as powerful and self-sufficient, but Jesus didn’t care about these qualities. Instead, He wants people to be aware of their own brokenness. This is the foundation for godliness.

We should accept our neediness and seek God passionately. Doing so allows the following attributes to develop: a hunger for God’s Word, faithful service, deepening trust, and decision-making based upon principle rather than preference. Patiently and mercifully, God matures us.

Be careful not to cover up your sins in order to look like a “good Christian.” Without recognition and confession of our sinfulness, we are unable to rely fully on God. It is only with this awareness that we can passionately seek Him, obey in His strength, and confess with repentance when we miss the mark.

The Surprising Love of a Kind Wife

The Surprising Love of a Kind Wife
LISA JACOBSON

“And on her tongue is the law of kindness.” Proverbs 31:26b (NKJV) 

Funny to think it all started with a perfect stranger.

Pressed for time and already feeling anxious, I somehow managed to land in the slowest line at the grocery store. Clearly, the cashier was having a bad day and didn’t even try to hide it.

I felt that deep annoyance rising within me.

But then I remembered: Kindness, Lisa. You must show her kindness. You have no idea what her story is, and for all you know, you might be her one glimpse of Christian grace today.

Thankfully, by the time I checked out, I got a grip on my attitude and managed to greet the young woman warmly. She mumbled something about “everything going wrong,” and I cheerfully told her not to worry! It happens to all of us.

Her look of surprise told me she expected a different response.

And that would’ve been the end of that little story.

Except for one thing.

When I returned home later that afternoon on this rather stressful day, I received a phone call from my husband to say he was running late. It had been “one thing after another,” and he was going to miss our appointment.

Once again, I felt a deep annoyance rising within me.

How could he do this to me? When I had raced like a madwoman through my errands so I could be home in time for this. And now, all for nothing.

Deep, deep annoyance.

And then I remembered, “And on her tongue is the law of kindness” (Proverbs 31:26b).

My tongue was tasting anything but kindness. How I wanted to lash out! To make sure he understood how much he’d messed up my plans for the evening.

I thought back to earlier that day when I chose differently for a complete stranger at the grocery store.

For her, I decided to be patient, understanding and, hopefully, gracious.

I surprised her with a kind word.

Why should it be any different with the man I had pledged to love?

Oh. Conviction.

I was silent for so long on the phone he finally asked if I was still on the line.

I took a deep breath and responded with something soft and understanding — instead of the clipped, resentful remarks previously sitting on the tip of my tongue.

I surprised him with kindness.

Now, my sister, don’t you find it interesting — if not downright convicting — that we can find it in our hearts to demonstrate Christian grace to our friends, our neighbors or even a total stranger … but struggle to offer that same compassion to our own husbands?

Maybe we think, Oh, he can take it. Or, I just have to be myself. Or justify it with, It’s not like I can be perfect. I get it. I’ve had all those same thoughts.

But what are we going to do about those Bible verses like Ephesians 4:32 which instruct us to be kind to one another? To be tenderhearted? Those are not only intended for the people “out there” but also for the people near us.

Beginning with the one by your side.

So let’s ask the Lord to help us be kind to our husbands — with the words we speak, the tone we use and the actions we take.

Go ahead, surprise him with your kindness.

Because, after all, love is kind.

Dear heavenly Father, I confess I’m not always as kind as I would like to be. Please forgive me, Lord, and help me to show more kindness to this man I’ve married. I want to be patient and compassionate with him, just as You have been so incredibly kind to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Ephesians 4:32, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (NKJV)

1 Corinthians 13:4a, “Love is patient and kind.” (ESV)

White Walls

White Walls
By Meghan Kleppinger

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, "Build houses and live {in them;} and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare." - Jeremiah 29:4-7 

If we were playing the word association game and someone said, "Military life," I would answer "white walls." 

Thanks to our travel agency, otherwise known as the U.S. Army, I moved with my family 13 times before I graduated from college. Many of our abodes were Army quarters (houses on army installations for military families). The walls were always white. I determined early on that when I moved out on my own there wouldn't be a single white wall in my home. 

From the time I graduated college until now, I've continued to be in transition which has meant more white walls in my apartments. Well, I just bought my first house and, of course, I'm not thinking about the practical purchases that need to be made (like a washer and a dryer for example), I'm considering color! I'm thinking about the things that need to be done to help me feel settled and at home.

Eventually, I could move to a different town, or I could marry (this one gets my parents' vote), or a number of other things could happen that would require me to move out of this house. Will my probable future keep my belongings in their boxes or the paint in its can? Of course not! If there is one thing I learned as a military kid, it's to make home wherever I am for as long as I am there.

This world is not our permanent home and God tells us our days are like a breath (Psalms 144:4), but He has also given each of us the opportunity to unpack our boxes and make an impact while we are here. 

Like the exiles in Babylon, God has put each of us where we are at this time for a reason. While we anticipate a "better country" (Hebrews 11:16), we are to live, enjoy the blessings God continues to give, and exhibit a life that tells others of His magnificent love.

Intersecting Faith & Life: In the words of missionary Jim Elliot, "Wherever you are, be all there." In other words, get a brush and paint some walls!

A Prayer for Moving On

A Prayer for Moving OnBy: Gwen Smith

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.” - Philippians 3:13b

It spoke to me as I strolled down the check out aisle of Marshalls that day. The wall art that was featured on an impulse-buy rack.

Amen! I thought.

The message? Simple: “Don't Stumble On Things That Are Behind You.”

My mind reeled, and I thought hard about this seemingly simple directive that points to a habit that trips so many of us up: looking back. Allowing the past to deter and diminish our future.

The Apostle Paul had a difficult past to contend with. His early years were spent tormenting Christ followers. Then he met Jesus and everything changed for him. He chose to move forward as the new man he’d become.

Instead of wallowing in the muck of condemnation, he stepped into the grace of Christ with determination.

Are you struggling with this? Let me ask you a few direct questions {in love}. Do you really think that living in the past and letting it loom large in your now is helping you? Is it empowering you to grow in strength, dignity and joy? Is it fueling you toward the prize that awaits you in Christ? No? Then be done with it in Jesus’ name. Spend a few moments in prayer and write about this in your journal.

Holy Lord, Thank You for grace. Please help me move beyond the hurdles that trip me up and give me the strength and wisdom to look up and see the hope I run toward in Christ.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Spiritual Growth for the New Year

Spiritual Growth for the New Year
by Skip Heitzig

Christmas is over and the new year is here, and if you're like a lot of people, you might be thinking of resolutions. But let me suggest that you start with your spiritual growth before turning to diets and exercise plans.

Growth—including spiritual growth—is a normal part of healthy living. I encourage you to meditate on John 15 as we look at three things that demonstrate your growth—or lack thereof—in the Christian life.

The first demonstration of this growth is being fruitful in life. Reading through John 15, you'll notice the word fruit comes up over and over again. That's because Jesus used the analogy of fruit growing on a vine to describe Christian growth: "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (v. 5).

There are a few obvious characteristics of fruit—namely, it's natural, noticeable, and nourishing. You don't have to have an advanced degree in botany to tell that a vine is growing grapes—and the vine doesn't have to sit there straining hard to produce the grapes. It's a natural unfolding of life that brings nourishment to others. And so it is spiritually.

Though each believer's output of fruit will vary, at some point the fruit will show, whether it's the fruit of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:22-23), people you win to Christ, living a holy lifestyle, your giving, or your praise. All of these things visibly demonstrate that growth is happening in and through you as you abide in Christ and seek Him.

The second demonstration of growth is being powerful in prayer. As John 15:7 says, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." With a promise like that, it's a wonder more Christians don't pray! Could it be because we just haven't seen results?

I believe there's a reason for that: there are conditions to this promise. First, you must abide in Christ; second, He must abide in you; and third, His words—Scripture—must also abide in you. It's then that your desires will become His desires, and then "you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you."

Here's the third demonstration of spiritual growth: being joyful in spirit. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (vv. 9-11)—turned up to the max, cranked up to ten. True, lasting, authentic joy is one of the things this world craves the most—and it's the very thing Jesus promises you. The question is, are you willing to go God's way to get it, growing and abiding in Him?

In closing, here's the thing about spiritual growth I want you to understand: you can grow as much as you want to. All the resources you need have already been given to you, and you can either employ them or let them lie dormant. As 2 Peter 1:3 says, God's "divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us."

I pray that the truths of John 15 would soak into your heart and flow through your life today, and that in this new year, you would be as verdant as the man described in Psalm 1—"planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper" (v. 3).