Feb 25, 2016

Fighting the Battle Against Sin

Read | 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

God established protective boundaries for His children because He knows the dangers of disobedience—for both the transgressor and others affected by the sin. His Word warns us not to give in to temptation but to follow Jesus Christ in a life of sacrifice, which is the only way to true contentment.

In contrast, the world says satisfaction is found in acquiring goods, wealth, status, and friends. Satan whispers the lie that gratification comes from self-indulgence. His goal of turning us away from God started with his temptation of Adam and Eve. The Creator had given them access to every tree in the Garden of Eden except one. The first man and woman stepped outside the limit set by the Lord, ate the forbidden fruit, and became separated from Him. Satan used doubt (“Has God said?”), deceit (“You surely will not die”), and self-delusion (“You will be like God”) to achieve his aim (Gen. 3:1-5). He made rebellion against God—which is the root of all sin—seem very attractive. And the enemy’s methods are the same today.

The only way we can withstand the world’s clamor, the devil’s whispers, and our own selfish desires is by immersing ourselves in the Word of God. We must focus our attention on knowing the heavenly Father in all of His fullness, believing His promises, and obeying His commands. Only through our relationship with Jesus Christ will we be able to fight the battle against sin and stand firm.

Clear your mind of any distractions, and allow the Lord to speak to you through His Word. He has much to tell you. -Charles Stanley

Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 12-14

Oct 25, 2015

Staying on Course

Proverbs 3:7-12

There are many blessings for staying on the path of righteousness. Divine truth frees us from ungodliness, and life becomes richer as we experience the Lord’s favor and receive His help. He will go before us and clear out obstacles on the road. Let’s check our compass readings one more time to be sure we are traveling due north.

Following the path toward holiness requires our obedience. From Genesis to Revelation, we are commanded to obey the Lord, let go of human thinking, and embrace godly wisdom. The Bible tells us that fearing God is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10). Obedience and submission to His lordship bring healing and refreshment. Our Creator did not design these physical bodies of ours to live with anger, bitterness, or resentment. And oftentimes, accumulating those emotions even causes us physical harm. But as we bring these attitudes to Him, He will restore us.

Our compass also directs us to show reverence for God. For instance, when we honor Him with our finances, it can be difficult because it means releasing control. But God promises that it will result in blessing: When He is in charge, He will not only supply our needs but will also give us enough to share with others. In addition, when we accept God’s reproof, He will keep us walking in righteousness. The heavenly Father takes steps to correct our mistakes. It is a sign of our family connection and a demonstration of His love.

If you are confused or lost, follow the directions above. You will find your way every time. -Stanley

Bible in One Year: Luke 10-11

Oct 21, 2015

Grace: God’s Second Chance

Romans 5:1-6

Scripture records a grim picture of mankind: dead in our sins, under God’s wrath, and subject to eternal separation from Him (Eph. 2:1-3). Through the cross, He gives us a second chance to be in a loving relationship with Him. When we place our faith in Christ, He pours out His unconditional love—His grace—upon us.

Because of grace, we have been justified by faith. Justification is a declaration by God that we are not guilty in His sight. At salvation, Jesus’ death on the cross is counted as payment for our sins. All our disobedience—past, present, and future—is fully forgiven.

The means of obtaining this pardon is through genuine faith in Jesus Christ. What does that look like? It’s a faith that accepts the Lord’s judgment that we are sinners who are unable to rescue ourselves and in need of a Savior. It believes that Jesus paid for our sins through His death, that God accepted His payment on our behalf, and that we are forgiven and made part of His family. If we have true faith, we’ll give Him our allegiance and wholeheartedly seek to serve Him.

Grace also gives us peace with the Lord. Before salvation, we were His enemies, under a sentence of eternal death. But after trusting in Christ, we were adopted into God’s family and have His favor forever.

Through grace, we have been given a second chance. Instead of receiving the eternal punishment we deserved, we’re given acceptance through faith in Christ (Rom. 15:7) and have become members of God’s family (8:15). Make full use of this second opportunity by passionately pursuing Him. -Charles Stanley

Bible in One Year: Luke 2-3