VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 12:32:24 08/20/22 Sat
Author: c
Subject: Extra teachings 8/2022 (updated)

Turning Point devotional 2/2022

No Problem to big: A profound discovery in adversity

by Dr. David Jeremiah

(edited)

p 11


Perspective on Sight

I am not minimizing the size of some of life's problems and adversity. A realistic view of life requires us to be honest about what we face. No one can deny the size and scope of problems, both personal and global, that we encounter daily. But by keeping those problems in perspective, compared to God's ability to meet our needs, we can experience God's power.

How do we do that? "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). The spies who returned with eyes full of problems never reached the Promised Land. They did not walk by faith; they walked by sight and never experienced God's power and provision. The apostle Paul wrote those words in reference to keeping our heavenly destination in focus as we go through this life. That is the big picture - not losing sight of Heaven.

But what about today? What about the problems we face regarding health, finances, the economy, jobs, and our families?...They are real, they are big, and they are beyond our ability most of the time.

But they are not bigger than God! If our spiritual eyes are filled with God and His power and provisions, we will not see the size of the walled cities or the giants that inhabit them. Instead, we will see the enormity, infinity, and character of our God. As we stay focused on walking by faith instead of by sight, His "exceedingly great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:4) will keep our problems in perspective.

Does that mean every problem will be solved immediately? No, not even Paul's or Jesus' problems were instantly solved (2 Corinthians 12:1 - 10; Luke 22:41 - 44). But we will be given perspective: "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3).

Spiritual sight will help us see the solutions that will keep the size of our troubles in perfect perspective. No problem is greater than our God!

----------------------------------=

Turning Point devotional 2/2022

All Problems too valuable: A priceless facet discovered in adversity

by Dr. David Jeremiah

(edited)

p 19

Proverbs 2 likens the acquisition of wisdom and understanding to the difficulty of mining for silver and gold. Think about that comparison in the days in which Proverbs 2 was written. Mining was back-breaking, sweaty, dirty work, accomplished with primitive tools and accompanied by danger. But to those who persisted, veins of silver and gold were discovered. So it is, Solomon says, with the discovery of spiritual insights. They are only found by those who stay in their unlikely circumstances rather than trying to escape them.

Let us open our eyes! There are valuable spiritual treasures to be found where we least expect them.

----------------------------=


Turning Point devotional 2/2022

All Problem too important: A productive blessing discovered in adversity

by Dr. David Jeremiah

(edited)


p 23


Third, as you process the pain and pressure of your situation, as you hear God's voice in His Word, and as you see His hand on your life, begin asking Him to redeem the situation through ministry to others. This takes time and maturity, but sooner or later you'll meet someone you can comfort with the same comfort that was given to you.

Sometimes the greatest worth of a problem is readying us to help others. This enables us to get our minds off ourselves and onto supporting and strengthening others. It's part of God's grace. So find ways to use your troubles to encourage others going through similar pain.


May the Lord so help us and so use us!

------------------------=

Turning Point daily devotional 2/12 - 13/22

Love conquers fear

(edited)

Jesus suggested we would do well to emulate the faith of children (Matthew 18:3). When we rest in the assurance of God's love and protection, we will find our fear subsiding. But it's a process, with us as it is with children. The apostle John wrote that "perfect love casts out fear." If we find ourselves in fear, then we have not yet matured fully in our understanding of God's love. There is a correlation between our sense of security and the depth of our understanding of God's love.

When you experience fear or insecurity, meditate on Ephesians 3:17 - 19. Contemplate "the width and length and depth and height" of "the love of Christ."

----------------------------=

Turning Point daily devotional 2/19 - 20/22

Love conquers hate

(edited)


....God loved us when we were His enemies, therefore, we should love those who are our enemies: "even as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32).

Turning Point

You never so touch the ocean of God's love as when you forgive and love your enemies.

Corrie ten Boom

---------------------------------=

Back the the Bible

Be Intentional


August 11, 2022

Read Ephesians 5:15-20 (ESV)


Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ…


Reflect

Do you know what God wants you to do with your life? How do you plan to live that out?



I don’t know about you but it never feels like I have enough time. There are so many projects and people pulling me in different directions. Sometimes it is difficult to even know where to begin. I am always busy and all of a sudden, I realize that another year has gone by! Thankfully, having a plan and setting goals helps me stay focused on God’s purposes for my life.

In today’s passage, Paul was telling the Ephesians that they should have a plan. They should know what God’s will is for their lives and then they should wisely consider how to take advantage of the time that they have here on earth to accomplish His will. In other words, be intentional. We cannot just wander aimlessly through life and hope to make an eternal impact for the Kingdom of God. We need to carefully plan out our steps with wisdom and intentionality.


How can we understand God’s will? His plan for His followers has been revealed in His Word. In Christ, we also have the indwelling Holy Spirit. We need to be spending time in the Word and in prayer so that He can guide us. We also need to take a look around us. Where has God specifically placed you? Who is with you? What needs are going unmet? Who needs to hear the Word? Then, pray, make a plan, and carry it out.


Friends, life is short and our time is limited. What’s more, we have competition. Paul said, “the days are evil.” satan never takes a day off and evil never sleeps. We need to take advantage of every opportunity to do the work of God before the time has passed. Spend some time in prayer today to carefully consider how you are currently walking. Ask God for wisdom to help you understand His purposes and to guide your plans. Don’t just coast through life. Be intentional.


Pray

Father, I want to accomplish Your will. Through Your Spirit, guide me as I make a plan. Please give me wisdom to make the best use of my time. I want to live for You. Amen.


~ Pastor Nat Crawford

-----------------------------=

Our Daily Bread

9/5/22

Rooted in love

(edited)

Life's circumstances can provide roads to unexpected places far beyond our comfort zones. As we remain connected to God and each other, He'll keep us rooted in love as we support one another.

Xochitl Dixon

-------------------------------=

Our Daily Bread

9/6/22

A hole in the wall

(edited)

So many proverbs are about self-control....Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit that guards us, protecting us from losing ground to impatience, bitterness, greed, and other pests that can intrude and destroy God's harvest in our lives (Galatians 5:22 - 23). Self-control is a healthy-mindedness that watches for the holes in the walls of our lives and keeps them patched.

When I inspect the perimeter of my life, I can at times see vulnerable holes. A spot where I give in to temptation over and over. ...Oh, how I need the healthy-minded self-control of God in my life to guard me from such intruders!

Elisa Morgan

--------------------------=

Our Daily Bread

9/22/22

People who need people

(edited)

Who's in your community? The best place to begin is with your local church. Anyone there whose life has turned dark? As God leads, you can be a light that points them to Jesus. Someday they may return the favor.

Mike Wittmer

----------------------------=

Our Daily Bread

9/24/22

The power of a name

(edited)

Seeking to affirm some children who live on the streets in Mumbai, India, Ranjit created a song of their names...For children who don't regularly hear their name spoken in love, he bestowed on them a gift of respect.

We show honor and respect to people when we call them by name and affirm who God has created them to be. A loving nickname that affirms someone's unique qualities as one created in the image of God can do the same.

Amy Boucher Pye

------------------------=

Our Daily Bread

9/28/22

Out of the heart

(edited)

We may not be holding hundreds of animals in filthy conditions, but Jesus said we might be harboring evil and sinful thoughts and actions in our hearts that need to be exposed and removed.

In teaching His disciples about what makes a person clean and unclean, Jesus said it isn't dirty hands or "whatever enters the mouth" that defiles a person, but an evil heart (Matthew 15:17 - 18). The stench from our hearts will eventually leak out from our lives. Then Jesus gave examples of evil thoughts and actions...We need God to transform our hearts.

We can practice Jesus' inside-out ethic by giving Him access to the squalor of our hearts and letting Him remove what's causing the stench. As Christ uncovers what's coming from our hearts, He'll help our words and actions be aligned with His desires, and the aroma from our lives will please Him.

Marvin Williams

-------------------------=

Our Daily Bread

9/30/22

Where to turn

(edited)

...He continued to care for them although they made the wrong choice. Isaiah voiced God's heart: "The LORD longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion" (Isaiah 30:18).

This is God's attitude toward us, even when we choose to look elsewhere to numb our pain. He wants to help us. He doesn't want us to hurt ourselves with habits that create bondage....God wants to provide authentic healing as we walk closely with Him.

Jennifer Benson Schuldt

-------------------------=

intouch.org Daily devotion August 16, 2022


Prevailing Faith

If you’re “on hold” and eager for God to act, do you allow the waiting period to strengthen or weaken your faith?

Romans 4:13-25

How confident are you that God will fulfill His promises? So often we face situations that seem to prove that the Lord has let us down. This is the case especially when we’ve waited a long time without a glimmer of change. Sometimes we come to this conclusion because we’ve set our expectations on the wrong things. But there are also times when the Lord takes us on a long journey of perseverance before His promises come to pass.

That was definitely the case with Abraham. The Lord promised to make him a great nation with descendants beyond number, but he remained childless for many years until his wife Sarah was well past childbearing age. But as Abraham contemplated the physical impossibility of the situation, his faith in God’s promise grew stronger, not weaker. He could see that the Lord would be glorified even more when the promise came to pass in a humanly impossible situation.

Is there an area in your life where you need prevailing faith to persevere despite seeming impossibility? Be assured that “the Word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). Whatever God has promised, He will do—even if you never see the outcome in your lifetime (Hebrews 11:13).


-----------------=

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]
[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.