Living by Grace

Living by Grace

Romans 5:1-11

Grace is God’s goodness and kindness to those who do not deserve it and cannot earn it. Its benefits are available to everyone.

Each day God causes hearts to beat, bodies to heal, and love to be given and received, regardless of peoples’ opinions of Him. He offers forgiveness to the rebellious, freedom to sinners, and personal fellowship with Himself. All who trust Christ as Savior have access to the throne of grace, where the Savior serves as high priest, interceding for His own (Heb. 4:16; 7:25). We know we can approach God confidently because there is no condemnation for those who belong to Him (Rom. 8:1). What amazing grace!

It wasn’t always so. Israel—God’s chosen people—lived under the Law, not grace. Because they, like us, were a disobedient people, God in His mercy established the sacrificial system to temporarily provide a symbolic way for them to be forgiven of wrongdoing.

Jesus, however, gives us permanent forgiveness because His death was a one-time payment-in-full for all sins ever committed—even future ones (7:27). No mere human could obey every aspect of all 613 divine commandments handed down through Moses. But Christ fulfilled the Law for us, and grace makes it count on our behalf. Our Savior sacrificed His life for us, and as a result, we can approach God’s throne directly.

God’s grace is over us like a canopy and around us like a protective wall. Let the truth of it permeate your heart and mind, so you can become an expression of His love, kindness, and goodness to others.

A God of Grace

A God of Grace

John 1:14-18

Imagine receiving a big beautifully wrapped gift when there’s no particular occasion—the sender simply chose to do this for you. Inside the package is something very special. Eagerly, you read the card to discover who could have been so generous. To your amazement, you learn that the giver is someone you have been avoiding—and to whom you have been unkind! What do you do?

This scenario is a picture of the Father’s grace in sending His Son Jesus to earth for us. There was no special occasion; God simply had the desire to do it. The present arrived, despite the fact that we were either passively ignoring the Lord or actively rebelling against Him. This is grace—God’s goodness and kindness extended to those who do not deserve it and have no possible way to earn it.

In the Son, we see the fullness of God’s kindness revealed. Jesus fully met all the requirements of divine law by living a perfect life on earth; because of His sinless life as a man, He was qualified to pay the price for our rebellious ways. He did this by sacrificing His life on the cross to pay for all our sins—past, present, and future. So, when we receive Him as our Savior, God counts Jesus’ death as payment for all we have done wrong. What’s more, upon our salvation, Christ’s perfect life is counted as our own; His righteousness becomes ours through faith (Rom. 4:5).

What will you do with God’s gift of grace—refuse it, or say “thank You” and make an effort to get to know Him? And if you already do know Christ, have you been taking Him for granted?

Raising Secure Children

Raising Secure Children

Ephesians 6:1-4

We too easily forget how powerful aparent’s influence can be on a child. In certain situations, a simple, offhand comment from a distracted mom or dad may be all it takes to plant a seed of insecurity. Then, unless wisdom is sensitively applied, a lack of confidence can develop.  Let’s consider ways parents inadvertently foster insecurity in their kids.

First, a home atmosphere marked by chaos and volatility keeps children off balance, on guard, and nervous. As adults, they may feel rejected or unloved and could be prone to see themselves as unworthy of acceptance and affection.

Second, negative comments about a child’s performance or character strike at the heart of his or her personhood and significantly affect personal development.

Third, unrealistic expectations can create the feeling of conditional love. If a child believes his parents will love him only if he lives up to their expectations—whether in academics, athletics, or some other area—he will grow up under the weight of a terrible burden.

Fourth, lack of positive reinforcement can be crippling. Imagine if you did your absolute best whenever you tried something but never heard the slightest word of encouragement? Over time, this kind of deprivation can strip one of confidence in his or her abilities.

The job of raising kids certainly isn’t without challenges. But even when you face frustrations—family-related or not—be mindful that words and actions influence boys and girls powerfully. Whatever their ages, choose to instill a spirit of confidence in your children.



so thankful to http://www.intouch.org

When the Church Is a Dangerous Place- Greg Laurie Daily Devotions

Greg Laurie Daily Devotions

When the Church Is a Dangerous Place

“But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.” - (Numbers 32:23)

Sometimes we think the bigger something is, the better it is. This is essentially an American way of looking at things. If you are successful, if you are making more money than other people, the perception is that you are the best. If a church has more people attending than other churches, the perception is that it is the best. But not necessarily. Nor am I suggesting that smaller is better.

The Bible says that in the last days, there will be people in our churches who are not true believers, among other things. Because of watered-down messages and compromise, people will feel comfortable in certain churches because they are never confronted with their sin.

I believe my job as a pastor is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable. I also think the church can be a very dangerous place. If people are coming to church with no intention of applying the truths they are learning, then their hearts can get hard. As I have said before, the same sun that softens the wax hardens the clay. The same message that liberates one person can hurt another if he or she doesn’t respond appropriately. People who go to church, claim to be Christians, and then contradict it with an openly sinful lifestyle are hurting themselves.

The Bible says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). If nothing bad happens when we sin, if we don’t get caught or found out, we sometimes think that God has given us a pass. He hasn’t. Don’t confuse God’s mercy and grace with leniency or think that He has turned a blind eye. God still will deal with that sin. But He gives us an opportunity to repent so we don’t have to face the full ramifications of it.

What It Means to Fear God

What It Means to Fear God

Psalm 112:1-9

.... the fear of the Lord has nothing to do with terror or trepidation, but rather refers to the appropriate awe and reverence for who God is. It is a quality that we as believers should seek and nurture. Though the expression isn’t heard very often today, it should still be received as a great compliment to be known as a God-fearing man or woman.

Proper fear of the Lord produces all manner of fruit in the Christian’s life. It leads to our hating evil as God does, and it is also the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10) The more we acquire divine understanding, the greater will be our love for the Scriptures and the Lord’s commandments. Furthermore, if we hope to have a strong family with children who grow to be courageous for the truth, it is important that we properly reverence the Lord (Ps. 112:2).

God-fearing people also find that “light arises in the darkness for the upright.” (v. 4) This does not mean that we will never have painful situations or periods of distress in the valley—we will still have trials, headaches, and tears like the rest of mankind. But in our hardships, we are promised the light of deliverance.

The Bible says that “the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them” (Ps. 34:7). We who believe will be surrounded on all sides so that nothing can get at us without divine permission. Ask God to help you have a proper, reverential fear of Him. It is a request that He will be pleased to honor.

The Fear of the Lord

  The Fear of the Lord

Proverbs 8:13

People are frequently confused by talk that has to do with fearing God. Scripture admonishes us to fear the Lord (2 Tim. 1:7), but at the same time, we are told that God has not given us a spirit of fear. So how are we to understand this phrase?

Fearing God does not mean always looking over your shoulder in anxiety to see what He will do next. The fear of the Lord is something positive and healthy that is clearly defined in several different scriptures. A particularly helpful one is today’s verse, where we are told, “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.”

Many people are bothered by the thought of hating anything. Yet God says we are to hate evil because He Himself hates it in all of its forms for a simple reason—namely, the Lord sees the corrupting, destructive influence that wickedness has on us. We often fail to see any corruption at all. In fact, we sometimes look at evil and think that it’s not really too bad.

Satan’s job is to camouflage iniquity until it appears quite innocent or even attractive. In fact, the Enemy is so successful in his deception that we often fall into his snares without any compunction. That is why we must learn to view things as the Lord sees them. We need to develop such a holy hatred for evil that we shun and refuse it at every turn. When we get the Lord’s view of transgression, the Devil will be stymied in his efforts to seduce us. Although it may not be a popular stance, we can choose to love the Lord and to hate evil.

Lessons from a Man on the Run

Lessons from a Man on the Run

Jonah 1:1-17

We are told that the prophet Jonah bought a ticket to Tarshish in an effort to escape from the presence of the Lord and thereby avoid a God-given assignment. Probably none of us would book a flight to a distant land in order to escape from God’s presence. Nonetheless, good people actually try to run from God in many different ways and end up experiencing miseries similar to Jonah’s.

While running from the Lord, the prophet overlooked some essentials that we should all keep in mind. In the first place, he incorrectly assumed that fleeing from God would release him from having to obey. He probably never imagined how persistent the Lord can be when He calls us to a duty station. Eventually Jonah found it is impossible to run from God successfully—His love will pursue us, even to the depths of the sea in order to conform us to His will and His plan for our lives. God simply will not be deterred by our slippery disobedience.

Jonah had also overlooked the fact that the direction of disobedience is always downward. Scripture tells us that the reluctant prophet initially went down to Joppa. There he found a ship and proceededdown into it. And the next thing you know, he is plunging down into the depths of the sea—even down to the roots of the mountains (Jonah 2:6).

When you run from God, there is no hiding place, even in the bottom of the sea. Our entire life is always visible to the Lord. So instead of trying to flee from His presence, welcome it.

Overcoming Criticism-Daily New Life

  Daily New Life

Overcoming Criticism

Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you” and their sight was restored. - Matthew 9:29

When Samuel Morse was requesting Congressional support for a telegraph line from Baltimore to Washington, he endured the press’ sustained criticism for more than eleven years.

In 1842, when Adam Thompson set up the first bathtub in America, the newspapers said his vision—now a staple of convenient cleanliness in every home—was “going to spoil the democratic simplicity of the republic.”

And when Cyrus Field was attempting to lay the first cable across the Atlantic, he was denounced as “a mad freak of stubborn ignorance.”

Sometimes a wise and well-placed word of caution is just what we need, but not always.  Often the criticism people heap upon the new or the uncommon is motivated by fear. Having the discernment to know the difference is crucial to knowing when to rethink and when to press on. And as Samuel Morse, Adam Thompson, and Cyrus Field demonstrate; God honors people of vision who take steps of faith. 

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal.” - Henry Ford (1863-1947)

Demonstrations of Love-Daily New Life

Daily New Life

Demonstrations of Love

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. - Psalm 119:76

Right before Thanksgiving, an elderly man in Phoenix called his son in New York and said, “Your mother and I are divorcing—45 years of misery is enough.  But I’m sick of talking about this, so please call your sister and tell her the news.”

The son called his sister in Chicago and she immediately called her father. “You’re not getting divorced!” she said, “We’ll be there tomorrow.  Until then, don’t do a thing.”

The old man hung up the phone and turned with a wry smile to his wife. “They’re coming for Thanksgiving and paying their own fares!”   

If you’re a parent, you can appreciate the humor of this story.  Yet I must say I’m glad we never have to worry about God using deception to get us to spend time with him.  Instead, he demonstrates his great love through his Son, Jesus.

“It is in spending oneself that one becomes rich.” - Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923)

Steve Arterburn

Humility Leads to Blessing

Humility Leads to Blessing

Luke 14:7-11

The Lord promises to exalt believers who live humbly, but we often look at our circumstances—job situation, finances, or lack of material things—and question whether He’s coming through on this pledge. However, it’s important to view things from His perspective rather than the world’s. While God may choose to give us material blessings, such benefits are hardly comparable to the greater rewards He longs to bestow, like a deeper understanding of who He is, or prayers answered beyond all imagination.

Certain attitudes prevent our receiving the Father’s intended blessings:

• Impatience. We want it now and are unwilling to trust that God is in control.
• Insecurity. We feel that if certain things don’t happen, we simply cannot continue.
• Identity in the wrong things. We feel good about ourselves only if we are a success by societal standards.
• Ignorance of the Word. We decide for ourselves what is right.
• Impure motives. Discontent or jealousy causes us to push ahead of God and use manipulation to get our way.
• Impulsiveness. Without asking God, we assume every seeming opportunity is a door He has opened.
• Ingratitude. Lack of thankfulness for what He’s given skews our perspective.

Notice these obstacles all start with “I”! Humility doesn’t come naturally. It requires deliberate, ongoing effort to remain in God’s presence so we can see how worthy He is of our total submission. Begin by “bowing” your heart before the Lord and surrendering everything. Then wait patiently for His promised blessing.

Overcoming Unforgiveness

Overcoming Unforgiveness

Matthew 6:9-15

Do you constantly struggle to forgive people who have wronged you? If so, you may be of the opinion that forgiveness is simply a feeling one can have in the face of conflict—and that you are incapable of experiencing it. If that’s your mindset, you are operating with a faulty understanding. Genuine forgiveness is not a feeling, but an action.

If you find it hard to forgive others, the following four guidelines can help:

1. Acknowledge and confess an unforgiving spirit. No, it is not always easy to forgive. We are sometimes the target of tremendously hurtful offenses. However, we are not accountable for other people’s behavior; we are responsible only for our own. God commanded us to be loving, forgiving people. If we hold a grudge, that is our problem and no one else’s—we must repent of this sin and ask God to help our unforgiveness.

2. Release the other person. Make a decision to release the offender in your mind. If you find yourself reliving details of the upsetting behavior, force yourself to stop.

3. Forgive the offender forgetfully. By keeping details fresh in your mind, you trap yourself in a cycle of pain. Choose instead to separate the individual from the painful memory.

4. Forgive with finality. Genuine forgiveness is complete. This means that you cannot “forgive” someone and then continually bring the subject up. Forgive him or her, and then move on.

If you’ve been holding onto bitterness, pray for the strength to forgive. Then do it—without delay.

The Struggle with Unforgiveness

The Struggle with Unforgiveness

Ephesians 4:30-32

All of us have been hurt at one time or another, and the offender may well have been someone we love. We often attempt to get past the pain of such situations with comments like, “That’s okay” or “Don’t worry about it,” and yet we just can’t seem to shake that penetrating sting. Why aren’t we able to let it go?

One reason that we struggle with unforgiveness is a simple matter of pride. What prevents us from forgiving? “Because that person hurt me!” we cry. As a result of our offended pride, the injustice grows much greater than we should allow. It becomes an issue of personal insult rather than an honest mistake or a flash of insensitivity.

Another factor in our unforgiveness is bitterness. We become resentful when we refuse to deal honestly with hurt feelings and then permit the matter to fester in our heart. A growing sense of irritation spreads through our spirit like an infection. It has been rightly said that bitterness is like a poison that you prepare for someone else and then drink yourself. While it silently destroys our life, the person who hurt us may remain completely unaware of our dark feelings.

Sometimes our struggle involves a misunderstanding about forgiveness. Or, we might be sitting around waiting for an apology that may never come.

If you have been hurt recently, pray for guidance. At times it’s appropriate to approach the offender and say, “You did this and it hurt me. But I forgive you and refuse to let it destroy our relationship.”

Giving the Best Answer- Daily New Life

Daily New Life

Giving the Best Answer

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.- 1 John 5:20 

A college philosophy professor asked just one question on his final exam. He picked up a chair, put it on his desk, and wrote on the blackboard, “Using everything we have learned this semester, prove that this chair does not exist.” 

Most students wrote feverishly for the entire hour, some of them churning out twenty pages of heady philosophical logic. But one student turned in her paper after less than a minute—and she was the only one to get an A. What did she write? Two simple words: “What chair?”

Engaging people in a gentle, respectful, yet influential manner is an art. There are numerous ideological and emotional pitfalls to avoid with balanced decision-making skills and alert reasoning. But this young philosophy student has learned something that we too must learn: sometimes the wisest argument is no argument at all.

“Faith is not being sure where you’re going but going anyway.” - Frederick Buechner (1926-    )

-Steve Arterburn

Sinning After Salvation

Sinning After Salvation

1 John 2:1-2

How many times have you sinned since you received Jesus as your personal Savior? This is an impossible question to answer. The harsh reality is that every single person sins—yes, including Christians.

All transgression, before or after salvation, stems from the desire to have our needs met apart from God. Whenever we take matters into our own hands and operate outside of His will, we are headed down a sad, sinful road.

Faith in Christ brings many things—a new relationship with God, a new spirit, a new outlook on life—but it doesn’t eradicate all traces of our old life. We still have the same body and the same mind, which can lead to some of the same difficulties.

Why do we still sin after salvation? It is because old “programming” directs our thinking in certain patterns, which leads us into trouble. War has been declared in our lives, as our “flesh” struggles against the new life brought about by Christ. If we do not make a commitment to retrain our minds, we can expect a lifetime of trouble.

Scripture offers the remedy for this ongoing conflict: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). That is to say, we must intentionally fill our minds with the things of God, allowing Him to realign our thoughts.

Where are your thoughts taking you today? Are you grounding your thinking in Scripture, or does your thinking simply lead you aimlessly through life? That way leads to sin. Begin now to focus your mind on the Lord.

Loved but Lost

Loved but Lost

John 3:15-17

Many people assume that since God is loving, He will make a place for everyone in heaven. They do not grasp the basic truths about “lost” and “saved”:

1. All people start life as “lost” beings. Since he was the first man, Adam served as representative of the human race. When he sinned against God (Gen. 3), his spirit became one of rebellion and sinfulness (Rom. 5:12). That “sin nature,” which is passed along to each generation, results in our being “lost.” Neither our deeds nor the fact of God’s love are the determining factors.

2. Mankind is dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). When Adam sinned, his intimate relationship with God died. We, his descendants, are born into that state. Although we are physically alive at birth, our spirit—the only part of us that can relate to God—is dead.

3. We are eternal beings. Because we are made in God’s image, our souls are eternal. Yet Scripture tells us that those who reject Christ as Savior will perish. (John 3:16). This does not mean annihilation; rather, the “lost” will experience consciousness after physical death but will be separated eternally from God.

4. New birth is required (1 Peter 1:3). To have a relationship with our heavenly Father requires that the part of us that has been dead to God now be made alive. When we trust in Jesus, the very life of God is born in us, and we move from being spiritually dead and lost to being alive and saved.

Our heavenly Father, out of love for us, provided just what we needed—a Savior. Start spreading the truth!

The Number One Priority of Life

The Number One Priority of Life

Luke 10:38-42

While heading to Jerusalem, Jesus stopped in Bethany to spend some time with friends He loved—Lazarus and his two sisters. As Martha was rushing around preparing a meal, Mary sat listening to the Lord.

In those days, culture dictated that a woman served the men in the house. By resting at Jesus’ feet, Mary was defying her society’s conventions. But this was a woman who cared more for her Lord than for doing what was culturally appropriate. When Martha complained, Jesus gently explained that her sister was making the right choice. The number one priority was to spend time with Him.

What was true for Mary and Martha is true for us today. Every believer needs to carve out personal time with God. There are many Christians who think that they prove their love for the Lord by going to church, tithing their income, and sharing the gospel. All these things are important, but actions are empty unless we are connecting with God personally on a regular basis. Doing so demonstrates how much we value our relationship with Him, since the people we spend time with are those we love most.

Believers often rationalize by saying they are too busy. We tell ourselves, I just need to finish a few things, and then I’ll pray and read the Bible, but there always seems to be a new task to replace each completed one. We must choose to make time for the Lord.

Changing our schedule to give God His rightful place can be difficult. But no other relationship in life equals what we have with the Lord when we make Him our top priority.

Standing on Our Principles

Standing on Our Principles

Revelation 2:12-17

We all admire men and women of principle who are ready to pay a heavy price for what they believe. At the same time, we do well not to trust everyone who displays conviction. As we see all too often in the news, it is possible to have unsound beliefs that are not based on Scripture.

Even as Christians, we have to be careful, or we could easily mistake personal preferences for convictions. We cannot afford to build our life’s foundation with any materials that are not totally scriptural. The apostle Paul told us that the quality of each man’s work will be tested by fire (1 Cor. 3:13), and that includes what we believe.

Such a test came to a church in a little town called Pergamum in Asia Minor. It was a foul place—Jesus even said that Satan’s throne was there. Evil men were disseminating the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans throughout the local church. A man named Antipas, however, felt strongly that this teaching was wrong and should be confronted. So he stepped forward to oppose it, at the cost of his life.

Yes, Antipas was killed, but listen to the tribute the Lord Himself gave: He referred to this saint as “My witness, My faithful one.” And He commended the church in Pergamum with these words: “You hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days of Antipas” (Rev. 2:13).

Thank God that the trial of our faith, even though tested by fire, will “result in praise and glory and honor at the revela- tion of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

Our Convictions: Our Defense

Our Convictions: Our Defense

Genesis 39:1,4,6-9

The only way that you’re going to build a defense against untruth is to saturate your mind with truth. You must, therefore, spend time in the Bible, undergirding your belief system with God’s reality so you can easily spot error.

This is similar to the way a chef creates his own version of a well-known recipe. While adjusting ingredients, he conducts repeated taste tests; only by checking his creation against the original cuisine can he determine the accuracy of his recipe. Otherwise, it would be as futile as trying to produce Coquilles St. Jacques by comparing the flavors to a fast-food sandwich!

God’s Word is our standard. Look over your belief system. What do you believe about marriage? Is it for life? Or do you believe it’s okay to bail whenever  it becomes inconvenient or cramps your style? And what about children? Friends? Finances? Morality? Church? What about those “hot button” social issues we hear so much about?

If you are unsure where to stand on any of these issues, then it is imperative that you sit down with a Bible and begin researching until you hear God’s answers. Find Scripture concerning each area, and ask the Holy Spirit, “What does this passage really mean?”

Do not simply ask, “How can I interpret this passage in a way to suit myself?” The world operates by that philosophy, which is known as moral relativism. Instead, ask the Lord to mold your convictions through His Word. It is amazing how the Holy Spirit will equip and embolden you to stand for what you believe.

Jesus Came to Set Us Free

Jesus Came to Set Us Free

Luke 4:14-19

On returning to His hometown, Jesus entered the synagogue and—to the amazement of all who were listening—read His job description from the book of Isaiah. Perhaps some people in that congregation were confused by His statement that He was sent to release captives and set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18). Who were those captives? Was He going to storm the prisons?

Jesus was talking about spiritual bonds, not physical ones. Everyone is born with a sinful nature, and we’re all enslaved to sin until that bondage gets broken by faith in the Savior. But even after salvation, Jesus is continually setting us free from things that entrap us, hindering our relationship with Him. He delivers us . . .

• From error: The Word of God protects us from the misconceptions and lies that Satan and his world system use to bombard us.

• From evil deeds: God’s indwelling Spirit empowers us to resist temptation and live a righteous lifestyle.

• From emotional bondage: The Lord doesn’t want us to be controlled by fear, guilt, jealousy, bitterness, unforgiveness, or inadequacy, which steal the peace and joy Christ promised. When we learn to trust Him in every situation, He’ll set us free from these negative emotions.

Many Christians live in bondage with-out realizing it. They know something is wrong but can’t straighten out their lives. Despite all their efforts to “be better,” they keep failing. No prisoner has the key to unlock the door, but Jesus is standing outside the cell, calling, “Trust Me, and I will set you free!”

Conviction or Condemnation

Conviction or Condemnation

Romans 8:1-2

Sometimes it’s easy even for believers to become confused, because emotions can be very tricky. For this reason, it is unwise to trust feelings or base our decisions upon them.

But what about those times when you are unsure? You can probably recall periods when you thought you were sensing conviction from the Holy Spirit but wondered whether it might instead be condemnation from the Enemy. There is a difference between emotion and true conviction, which means an awareness of wrongdoing (John 16:7-8). The Holy Spirit prompts conviction of sin as an expression of His love because He wants to keep you on the right path. One sure way to distinguish conviction by the Holy Spirit is that He will always identify something specific (Ps. 51:3-4; Luke 22:60-62). God won’t hesitate to put His finger on whatever is outside of His will.

Conversely, the Enemy will try to inspire feelings of condemnation and guilt by whispering something like, “You call yourself a Christian? You’re a poor excuse for somebody who claims to be one of God’s children.” The Enemy wants you so weighed down that you become ineffective for the Lord. When believers listen to that deceitful voice, they can become incapacitated by the untruths from the Father of Lies.

The Holy Spirit uses conviction positively—to warn against danger or lovingly nudge an erring believer back onto the course the Lord designed for his or her life. Thankfully, this is one of God’s unceasing acts of love.

The Divine Power That Is in the Believer

  The Divine Power That Is in the Believer

John 16:5-15

In Matthew 13:11, Jesus told the disciples, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to [the crowd] it has not been granted.” As followers of Christ, we, too, have the privilege to know all of the truths God has chosen to reveal in Scripture.

But do you ever feel as if other believers are somehow in on a secret that you don’t know? Do you ever have the sense that they have managed to solve the mystery of how to rejoice in suffering, conquer sin, forgive the unforgivable, or live a life of love in ways you haven’t yet discovered?

If that’s your situation, then I have good news for you. So draw near to hear, and open your eyes to see the truth: The secret to living the Christian life is to become best friends with the Holy Spirit. He has all the right qualities for that role and will not disappoint you—the Bible teaches us that the Spirit of God is someone we can lean on, who helps us make the right decisions, and with whom we can share our deepest feelings (John 14:17; 16:13; 2 Cor. 13:14).

And the Holy Spirit offers believers much more. He loves us, protects us, and assists when we pray. He also works in and through us with divine power, and helps us to become like Jesus.

God’s Spirit is a person with whom we can have a close personal relationship—and He has our best interest at heart. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you through the Scriptures, and then be prepared to have a friend unlike any earthly companion—one who is with you constantly, whispering of your heavenly Father’s mercy and your Savior’s love.

Written on Our Hearts-Greg Laurie Daily Devotions

Greg Laurie Daily Devotions

Written on Our Hearts

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. - (Romans 1:18)

We are all born with a sense of right and wrong. Before children can even speak, they have a sense of it. You can tell by watching them. They check to see if they can get away with something, and when you tell them no, they do it anyway.

Right and wrong are in our human nature. There is a human conscience. Romans 1:18 says, “God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”

Some say they live by their own standards, but I would argue they don’t. They know what is right, and they know what is wrong. And they have broken their own human standards. We are told in Romans 2:12, “When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it.”

Down in our hearts, we know right from wrong. God’s laws are written within them. Our own conscience either accuses or excuses us. And God will judge us according to the light we have received.

Know this: God wants to save us even more than we want to be saved. Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10).

David told his son Solomon, “Learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9).

A Master Designer- Greg Laurie Daily Devotions

Greg Laurie Daily Devotions

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. - (Romans 1:20)

God has revealed Himself in many ways to every person, everywhere. He has given us the testimony of His own creation. Romans 1:20 tells us, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. . . .”

To say that all of the beauties of God’s creation came about randomly is ridiculous. The person who believes in the theory of evolution makes a choice to believe it. I believe they make that choice because the lifestyle they want to live has no place for God. If there is a Creator, then there is a God. If there is God, then there is a Judge. If there is a Judge, then there is a judgment. And if there is a judgment, they will have to stand there one day. So they have to try to find a way to write God out of the script.

But I think we know intuitively there is a Master Designer behind it all. To look at this world and say that it all just came about randomly borders on the absurd. It would be like saying the 747 aircraft was not the result of the engineering efforts of countless engineers, designers, and workmen at Boeing, but came into being because a tornado swept through a junkyard, and after it was done, there it sat in all its glory.

Yet people will look at something as intricate and amazing as the human body and the creation around us and say it all came about randomly. The Bible says, “Only fools say in their hearts, ‘There is no God’ ” (Psalm 53:1).

God has given us the witness of His creation.