Video Bible Lesson - A Prayer for Fulfillment By Jack Graham

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

8/5/2020

A Prayer for Fulfillment

By Jack Graham

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” - Psalm 16:11As a pastor, I have people come up to me all the time and ask me about how to overcome this or that temptation. And one conclusion I’ve come to after speaking with so many people is that every temptation is a solicitation to fulfill a God-given desire in a God-forbidden way. Let me explain…Take food, for example. There’s nothing wrong with eating food. In fact, hunger is a God-given desire for life and sustenance. But the temptation can be to fulfill that desire through gluttony, which is obviously a sin.This can also be applied to less tangible desires, like the desire to be loved and accepted. A God-honoring way to fulfill that desire would be to find love and acceptance in Him. But sadly, many people try to find love and acceptance solely in the things of the world and become enamored with searching and searching for something they’ll never find.Desires are normal. Search God’s Word and discover what glorifies Him. Understand He’s created you with desires. And ask God for His leading in showing you how you can find your ultimate need and satisfaction in Him alone!Heavenly Father, please help us find fulfillment in your presence. Help us to live in such a way that our actions serve as a reflection of your own grace and mercy. Teach us to seek first your Kingdom, in a life that brings glory to your name. Amen.

#Jesus, #Christian, #Bible, #Salvation, #Heaven, #God, #HolySpirit
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My Grace IS Sufficient..... Streams in the Desert

My Grace IS Sufficient 

Streams in the Desert

My grace is sufficient for thee (2 Corinthians 12:9).

It had pleased God to remove my youngest child under circumstances of peculiar trial and pain; and as I had just laid my little one's body in the churchyard, on return home, I felt it my duty to preach to my people on the meaning of trial.

Finding that this text was in the lesson for the following Sabbath, I chose it as my Master's message to them and myself; but on trying to prepare the notes, I found that in honesty I could not say that the words were true; and therefore I knelt down and asked God to let His grace be sufficient for me. While I was thus pleading, I opened my eyes and saw a framed illuminated text, which my mother had given me only a few days before, and which I had told my servant to place upon the wall during my absence at the holiday resort where my little one was taken away from us. I did not notice the words on returning to my house; but as I looked up and wiped my eyes, the words met my gaze, "My grace is sufficient for thee."

The "is" was picked out in bright green while the "My" and the "thee" were painted in another color. In one moment the message came straight to my soul, as a rebuke for offering such a prayer as, "Lord, let Thy grace be sufficient for me"; for the answer was almost as an audible voice, "How dare you ask that which is?"

God cannot make it any more sufficient than He has made it; get up and believe it, and you will find it true, because the Lord says it in the simplest way: "My grace is (not shall be or may be) sufficient for thee." "My," "is," and "thee" were from that moment, I hope, indelibly fixed upon my heart; and I (thank God) have been trying to live in the reality of the message from that day forward to the present time.

The lesson that came to me, and which I seek to convey to others, is, Never turn God's facts into hopes, or prayers, but simply use them as realities, and you will find them powerful as you believe them.
--Prebendary H. W. Webb Peploe

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercies,
To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
--Annie Johnson Flint 

Spiritually Satisfied.....Dr. Charles Stanley

Spiritually Satisfied

Dr. Charles Stanley

James 4:8

I have a friend who, at one point, was a self-confessed shopping addict. Recently, his family realized that this activity had stopped, though he hadn't intentionally curtailed it. Why, they wondered, did his longing to acquire more goods seem to dissolve?

The reason was that my friend had become more satisfied with the Lord. He no longer needed fulfillment from what the world had to offer. What a terrific illustration of growth in Christ.

In addition to finding fulfillment in God, there are many other growth indicators that are noticeable to the believer. For instance, offering forgiveness becomes easier over time. Consider our Savior, who asked God to forgive even those who crucified Him on the cross.

Also, as we mature, our faith will increase. God loves us, and He gracefully and gently builds our confidence in Him. Then, as our trust grows, we realize how faithful He truly is--which grows our assurance even more.

Another mark of a closer walk with Christ is an expanding concern for others' spiritual condition. And finally, as our relationship with the Lord deepens, we will increasingly desire to obey Him. This desire is born not out of fear but out of love for our heavenly Father. Similarly, when we do sin, our hearts will become saddened and repentant.

Are you satisfied spiritually? Or do you have a growing, insatiable hunger for more of Jesus? Friend, if you think that you've come far enough in your journey with Christ, you have made a terrible mistake. You are missing great fulfillment and the excitement that comes from getting closer to Him.

Are God’s Plans Meant for Good?..... MEGAN FATE MARSHMAN

Are God’s Plans Meant for Good?
MEGAN FATE MARSHMAN

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

God knows the plans He has for your life, and they’re meant for good.

I don’t know your life, but maybe it’s hard to believe that a God with good intentions would plan each part of the life you’ve lived. I get it. But what if God’s definition of “good” is different than ours? 

When I tell you God’s plans are meant for good, I’m not talking about the Western world’s definition of good: comfortable, easy and successful. I’m talking about the good described in Romans 8:28 (emphasis added): “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”

In the next verse, Paul tells us what he means by good: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son …” (Romans 8:29a, emphasis added). While only God knows the plans, we can know something about His intent for every part of them. He plans to use all things for good. God wants to use the messy, the confusing, the painful and even that one part of your life to transform you more into the image of His Son.

If God’s good plan is to make us more like Jesus, then we can expect trials. After all, Jesus’ life was marked by trials. I can’t picture a “comfortable” way to carry a cross, but that’s exactly what Jesus did. And He asks us to do the same. Therefore, we need to accept our trails, instead of run from them.

Thankfully, we know from Jesus’ life that there’s purpose to our pain. God doesn’t waste anything, including suffering. He doesn’t always remove us from trials, because He plans to use them.

God didn’t rescue Noah by stopping the flood; God kept him safe in the waves.

God didn’t save Daniel from the lion’s den; He protected him with the beasts at his side.

God didn’t save Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego from going into a fire; He saved them in the midst of the flames.

And do you remember their faith-filled words in Daniel 3:17-18? After they proclaimed, “the God we serve is able,” Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego said these two words: “even if.”

Even if God didn’t rescue them from the fire, they chose to trust His plans. Wow! Even though God is able, we can trust Him when He doesn’t do what we think should be done. Even if God’s plans for our lives aren’t what we hoped for, learning to trust God is part of His good plan.

God is not saving us from trials; He’s wanting to transform us through them. And I don’t just know this from studying Scripture; I know this from my own life.

God has used my failures to make me dependent upon my heavenly Father. He’s used rejection to make me full of grace and truth. He’s used my lack of control to form me into a prayer warrior. He wants to use what you’re going through, too.

So, let me ask you, how might God use what you’re going through to form you more into the likeness of Jesus?

God uses all things. He even redeems suffering. God wants to take our pain and heartache and transform us through it. He wants to use it for His glory and for our good, to make us more like Jesus for our sake and the sake of the world. Because guess what our world needs? You got it — our world needs Jesus. And guess what God’s good plan for our world may be? A transformed you and me.

Heavenly Father, thank You for using trials in my life to make me more like You. Help me to trust You in the process. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Romans 8:29, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” (NIV)

2 Timothy 2:11-12a, “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him.” (NIV)

Living with Need..... by Ryan Duncan

Living with Need
by Ryan Duncan

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:34

It all began with an enormous doctor’s bill. Over the past few months I had been trying to do a better job at budgeting my finances. This had never been one of my strong points, but slowly, surely, I felt like I was starting to make progress toward becoming a true, independent adult. Then the doctor’s bill came. Aside from putting a huge dent in my finances, what made things even more frustrating was that I began to recall the appointment in question.

The doctor had been almost two hours late and had left me waiting in one of those small service rooms, convinced I’d die of old age before he arrived. After that, there had been the tetanus shot that left my arm feeling stiff and sore for the rest of the day. Now I was looking down at a small piece of paper that told me I was expected to pay a ridiculous sum of money for the inconvenience of both. I decided the first thing to do was pray and ask God to help me with my finances. Once I had finished, I began flipping through my Bible for some sense of assurance.

I finally landed on this verse in Philippians:

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. – Philippians 4:10-14

This was not the answer I had hoped for. No one likes being told to tighten their belt, and as I began cleaning up my apartment I couldn't help feeling a little annoyed at God. Midway through my work, I realized I had just enough food in my pantry, my rent was paid, and my car hadn't died on me yet. So maybe I'd have to eat leftovers for a few meals or spend an evening reading instead of going out, so maybe I was living with a little bit of need; I had a lot more than many.

Sometimes it's easy to overlook the ways God has blessed our lives. We worry about what we don’t have, instead of looking around and acknowledging what God has already provided. So when times of need start to make you worry, remember that God will always provide, though not always in the way you might expect.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Count your blessings. There's almost surely more of them than it may seem at first.

Further Reading: Philippians 4:4-7

Jehovah Rohi – God is Our Good Shepherd..... By Jennifer Kostick

Jehovah Rohi – God is Our Good Shepherd
By Jennifer Kostick

When I was a little girl, age ten, my grandfather passed away. The paternal side of my family was not active in church and to my knowledge knew nothing about the Jesus my next door neighbors introduced me to so intimately. I have a vivid memory of sitting in the living room at my grandparent’s home when the pastor, who would be conducting the funeral asked, “Is there a specific passage of scripture you would like mentioned at the service?” I was shocked as I heard my great uncle say, “Yes, Psalm 23.” A family who never spoke of the Word of God seemed to actually be familiar with something in the Bible. I remember that moment as if it happened yesterday.

Throughout adulthood, as I’ve thought back to that grief-filled living room and the faces inside it, I’m forever grateful to realize Psalm 23 is so much more than a familiarly recited passage read graveside. After all, the Bible is a book about giving life while abolishing death. It provides instruction for abundant living while actively giving spiritual CPR to the weary.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.- Psalm 23:1

When I read Psalm 23:1 I make it personal and speak, “My Jehovah is my Good Shepherd. He watches over, protecting me from all things. I want for nothing, because He is all I need.”

I’ll tell you why:

One of the names of God is Jehovah Rohi. It speaks of a Good Shepherd. When doing research into the occupation of shepherds, we learn that a shepherd’s position is one of authority and protection. It is a dangerous job requiring much sacrifice. King David himself in 1 Samuel 17 spoke of rescuing lambs from mouths of lions and bears.

King David authored Psalm 23, and because he began his life as a shepherd, he was obviously familiar with the role. A true shepherd puts his flock at ease by giving everything it needs. Psalm 23 is actually quite prophetic, especially now that we have a clear view of Jesus’ work on the cross.

In John 10:11, Jesus said, “I am the good Shepherd, the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” In the New Living Translation, it uses the word sacrifices. “The good Shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep.” It is Jesus who sacrificed Himself to protect us. When we read this small section of scripture with this in mind, we can be confident that we will never want for anything. Our Jesus sacrificed His life for us, the work is done and we can find confidence and contentment in light of the cross.

A Prayer to Raise Hopeful Kids...... By Kristine Brown

A Prayer to Raise Hopeful Kids
By Kristine Brown

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” ( 1 Peter 3:15)

Discouraging headlines top the evening news. Clashing opinions fill our social media feeds. Kids are surrounded by negativity online. Is it any surprise they would be affected by the cynicism they hear every day? Yet we know God wants us to have hope. Paul teaches in Romans 5:2 that we should "boast in the hope of the glory of God." So as parents, how do we teach our kids to be hopeful in an increasingly cynical world?

1. Ask ourselves one question: Am I overflowing with hope?

Even though outside influences bombard our kids daily, no one has more influence over their attitudes than their parents. Changing my own actions and words can alter the entire atmosphere of our home. The best thing we can do to instill hope is to demonstrate it.

2. Look for the however in hurtful situations.

There is expectation in the word however. It speaks contrast. It declares promise, and we need that. We need the hope of a silver lining in hurtful times because we will have troubles. And as much as we’d like to shelter them from the pains of life, our kids will have troubles, too. So it’s critical for them to understand God’s desire to teach us great things through difficult situations.

3. Don’t accentuate the negatives. They get enough attention as it is.

Awareness can bring about positive change, but it can also be a burden on our children, who may feel powerless. And when kids don’t think they have a fighting chance, cynicism results. What’s the use? Nothing’s ever going to change anyway. Why even bother?

We will springboard radical change in our homes using these steps and Scripture as a guide. Most importantly, let’s hold onto this truth. God is hope. And He gave it to us through His precious son. “In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” ( 1 Peter 1:3).

When we trust in that promise, we can counteract cynicism and doubt with optimism and belief. Hope begins here, with us.

A Prayer for Raising Hopeful Kids in a Cynical World

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the living hope I have today through your Son, Jesus Christ. There is nothing more wonderful. Help my kids to know the magnitude of that hope, as I show it through my words and actions. When we are tempted to be cynical, restore our joy and renew our attitudes. You are bigger than any problem in this world. I declare today that my family will focus on Your goodness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

10 Things the Bible Says about Anger..... Brittany Rust

10 Things the Bible Says about Anger

• Brittany Rust
• Take it from me: anger is not a lovely emotion to have around. For many years I had a major anger stronghold in my life that acted as a dark cloud hovering over my relationships with family, interactions with friends, and frustrations with strangers. It was something so heavy that I felt like I had no control when it wanted its way.
  More than a decade ago, at a youth camp my senior year of high school, God delivered me from the stronghold; the only instant deliverance I’ve ever experienced. The weight I felt lifted is one of the biggest reliefs I’ve ever experienced and to know freedom from anger is truly a gift.
  Having struggled with anger for many years I can speak to its destruction and the flip side of a life away from it. In fact, the Bible has a lot to say as well. Here are ten things the Bible tells us about anger.

• 1. Words can fuel or diffuse anger. (Proverbs 15:1)

• Words have great power and it’s no different when it comes to anger. Proverbs tells us that a gentle word can turn away wrath and that a harsh one can stir it up. The power you have to fuel or diffuse anger in a tense conversation or situation is both heavy and fragile. You can completely change the dynamic of a situation with one word.

  When you’re faced with the chance to fuel or diffuse anger, what words will you choose to use?

  (Proverbs 15:1)

2. Anger leads to sin. (Genesis 49:6)

Anger has the ability to lead to sin. This happens because when we become angry, rational thought often goes out the door. When rational thought flees, our boundaries grow weak and thus, unclear. It’s here our right and wrong is blurred and sin can step in.

Take a look at Moses, one of a few people in the Bible who let anger lead to sin. He didn’t wake up that day with the intention of murdering an Egyptian. However, he let anger consume him and he sinned.

Be careful to not let your anger consume you and lead to a sin you will regret.

(Genesis 49:6)

3. Stay away from anger. (Psalm 37:8, Ephesians 4:31, Proverbs 29:8)

The best thing you can do is to stay away from anger in the first place. You probably know your trigger points; if you don’t, find out what they are. Then stay out of situations where you know a trigger can be pulled. Or if you sense anger starting to rise up, excuse yourself from the situation. Whatever this looks like for you, try to separate yourself from anger triggers.

You won’t always be able to avoid these triggers, but if you do, walk away before anger gets a foothold in your life.

(Psalm 37:8, Ephesians 4:31, Proverbs 29:8)

4. Don’t sit in your anger. (Ephesians 4:26b)

Perhaps you do find yourself angry; maybe at a spouse or a friend. Sometimes the tendency when we’re angry is to stew on it or not share our frustration with the other person. We then end up stewing and allowing it to become a bigger issue.

If you are angry with someone, the Bible encourages us to go to them and talk it out. Healthy confrontation can help you process through the anger and allow them to walk through that with you.

(Ephesians 4:26b)

5. Fools allow room for anger. (Ecclesiastes 7:9, Proverbs 19:3, Proverbs 29:11)

Anger is accounted in the Bible as something expressed by a fool many times. It’s because when we give into anger and we lose rational thought, wisdom also goes out the door. We don’t make wise decisions in our anger and in fact, we can make very poor choices. These moments of outburst can be a poor reflection on us and thus, be a reflection of foolishness.

A wise person learns to hold back on anger or to step away from the situation.

(Ecclesiastes 7:9, Proverbs 19:3, Proverbs 29:11)

6. Anger can cause division. (Psalm 55:3, Proverbs 30:33, Proverbs 15:18)

How many relationships have been damaged or perhaps even left in ruins in the aftermath of anger? It has the ability to cause great division in friendships, families, and in the work space.

If you can be slow to anger, you create opportunity to work through contention with wisdom and keep harmony intact. Don’t allow anger to rob you of unity in any area of your life.

(Psalm 55:3, Proverbs 30:33, Proverbs 15:18)

7. Anger doesn’t just hurt others; it hurts you. (Genesis 49:7, Job 18:4)

If you think anger only hurts another person, you’d be wrong. Anger hurts you just as much as anyone else. You get worked up, worry, and stew on what upset you. It then robs you of healing and forgiveness.

Don’t let anger grab hold and steal some good part of you.

(Genesis 49:7, Job 18:4)

8. Righteousness and anger don’t go together. (James 1:20)

If you are pursuing a righteous life--one dedicated to God--then anger can’t have a place in your heart. James tells us that anger does not produce the righteousness of God. It’s like a wedge and if you want intimacy with God to the fullest, you must purge your heart from anger.

(James 1:20)

9. Confession is a bridge to healing from anger. (Proverbs 28:13, 1 John 1:9)

If you’re struggling with anger, choose the path of confession. This will mean confessing to God what’s in your heart and also confessing to the person with whom you’re angry towards.

Confession may be hard, but if you can set aside the pride and dive into healing, then anger can be released!

(Proverbs 28:13, 1 John 1:9)

10. Anger can be a good tool if used right. (Nehemiah 5:6-7, John 2: 13-18, Ephesians 4:26)

Not all anger is bad; there is a righteous anger that has a place. Nehemiah experienced it as well as Jesus. There are times when a righteous anger moves us to action in a healthy way. The key to righteous anger is that we not allow it to move us into sin. It’s when our anger causes us to sin that it becomes a bad thing.

Take it from someone who struggled with anger for many years--avoid it, walk away, and/or let it go!

(Nehemiah 5:6-7, John 2: 13-18, Ephesians 4:26)