Good Words for Today
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: ‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!’” (Revelation 19:6-7). When Christ returns to the earth, the whole world will clearly know what we know right now by faith: Our God reigns. He reigns over all things. He reigns in every situation. He reigns in the best and the worst that happens to us. He reigns over his friends and even over his enemies. He reigns in heaven and he also reigns in hell. He reigns over those who doubt him and deny him. He reigns over those who follow other gods and other religions. Our God reigns. The world does not yet see it, and sometimes we have trouble believing it because we don’t always see it either. But the truth remains and will not be changed: Our God reigns.
Wisdom for the upcoming election: “I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them 1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy 2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.” John Wesley, October 6, 1774
“He will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit of judgment and a spirit of fire” (Isaiah 4;4). The same “Spirit of Fire” works to purify the people of God today. Before revival must come repentance. Before repentance must come confession. Before confession must come conviction. But conviction of sin is the unique ministry of the Holy Spirit. He must “burn” within us until we are willing to face up to our sin. No one likes to do that. Hiding and denying seem much more comfortable. But a red face and a few hot tears will go a long way to bring us back to God. How long has it been since you felt the “burning” of the Spirit in your heart? If you can’t remember, perhaps it’s time for you to get alone with God and let the “Spirit of Fire” do his work in your life.
God’s mercies come day by day. They come when we need them — not earlier and not later. God gives us what we need today. If we needed more, He would give us more. When we need something else, He will give that as well. Nothing we truly need will ever be withheld from us. Search your problems, and within them you will discover the well-disguised mercies of God.
Lord Jesus, when I am tempted to give up today, give me grace to take one more step with you. Amen.
Never be ashamed to say, "I can't." We all have to say that many times in life. I know I need a Divine Helper, a strength outside of myself. Once we admit our weakness, we discover what God alone can do.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22). "Cheerfulness and despondency are alike contagious. A discouraged leader can chill the bravest army ever put in the field; a serene, buoyant leader can put resolution into cowards. The roots of cheerfulness are in faith; the hope which shines on the faces of some men and women is the reflection of the light which shines in the face of God." Lyman Abbott
Our ongoing struggles and temptations are not in themselves sinful. We are not condemned because we struggle. It’s not the struggle that matters; it’s how we respond. The sin is in giving in, not in the fight itself. No one escapes the conflict. No one can avoid the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. No one gets a Christian life free from outward pressure and inward turmoil. It’s crucial to remember that God allows the struggle as part of our ongoing spiritual growth. Strange as it may seem, we need to struggle because that’s the only way we can grow in grace.
"For we who live are always given over to death because of Jesus, so that Jesus’ life may also be revealed in our mortal flesh" (2 Corinthians 4:11). As long as we are sufficient in ourselves, we may believe in Christ but others will not see him in us. When Charles Simeon wrote about this text, he said that Christians should live so as to “carry conviction” to all that we serve a risen Lord. Lost people may not listen to our sermons or pay attention to our doctrine, but they notice the way we live under pressure. When we are broken by life, if Christ still shines through us, they may see our faith and come to believe that Jesus is alive today.
“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). If you have a light inside a jar, how will it ever light up a room? The jar must be broken. Once broken, the light shines everywhere. So it is with us. As long as we stay in control of everything and life is good and we are in excellent health and our marriage is fine and our children are doing well and we have a good job and our friends love us and we don’t have a problem in the world, as long as that is true, when people look at us, they will barely see the light within. But let the “clay pot” be broken, then the beauty of the light can be clearly seen. But the breaking hurts, you say. Yes, it does. But out of our brokenness the light of Jesus shines clearly. Will that be worth it to you? Maybe, maybe not. It depends on your perspective. Paul would say, “It’s worth it to me.”
"If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that" (Matthew 5:47). We often overlook this. One part of loving our enemies is greeting them graciously when we see them. Sometimes instead of turning the other cheek, we turn away so we won’t have to say hello to someone who has hurt us. Some of us have been quite adept at looking the other way, ducking into a room, crossing the street, or even using Caller ID to keep from greeting people we don’t like. But if we only greet our friends, what benefit is that? Do not even sinners greet each other? One part of loving your enemies is to greet them instead of avoiding them. Smile, shake hands, and say hello to your enemies. It will do you good, and it will shock them because you treated them with kindness.
"Every day with Jesus Is sweeter than the day before Every day with Jesus I love Him more and more. Jesus saves and keeps me And He's the one I'm waiting for Every day with Jesus Is sweeter than the day before." Written by Robert and Wendell Loveless, with copyright by Percy Crawford in 1936 who introduced it at Pinebrook Bible Conference. It became a staple at Christian camps across America.
Having lost the sense of joy in the gospel, and showing it so little by the way we live, why would anyone want to listen to what we have to say? Perhaps preachers would do well to assess our own sermons and ask, “Where is the note of joy?” If the gospel is truly good news, then we ought to rejoice and be glad.
"When I consider my unworthiness, fearing He would grow weary of carrying me, I return to this- He did not go through all this to abandon me." R. C. Sproul, Jr.
"What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?" (Matthew 7:9-10). Good fathers are eager to help their children. This is what fathers do. They give “good” gifts to their children. If your child asks for a stone or a snake, will you give it to him? No. What if he begs? No. What if he pleads? No. What if he says, “I can’t live without that snake?” You still say no. Children often ask for foolish things, which are withheld. The same is true with God. Often we plead for things that to us seem like bread but to God are like a poisonous snake. Our Heavenly Father says no, not because he hates us but because he loves us. We often ask for things that would harm us. It might be a new job or a bigger salary or a new husband or a new wife. But God sees through to the end and knows that what we have asked for would harm us more than help us. Sometimes God’s no is the surest sign of his love for us.
"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" (Romans 10:13). If you need to be saved, I know a name that can save you. If you want to be forgiven, I know a name that can wash away your sins. If you want a new life, I know a name that can give you new life here and now. If you want to go to heaven when you die, I know a name that can give you peace when you sleep tonight, and take you to heaven when you die. That name is the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Call upon his name and you will be saved. Run to the cross. Lay your sins on Jesus. Cry out to him with all your heart. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
"The name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). How important is the name of Jesus? By virtue of his victorious resurrection and ascension into heaven, God has exalted him to the very highest place in the universe. He has the greatest name in the universe. No one can be compared to him. He’s Number One and there is no Number Two. It’s not as if Jesus is at the top of the heap and everyone else is at the bottom. No! He stands alone. He is a category unto himself. His name is the greatest name of all. Human heroes come and go but one Name lives on forever. Ten thousand times ten thousand years from now the greatest name in the universe will still be the name of Jesus Christ.
"Nothing in my hand I bring, Simply to the cross I cling; Naked, come to Thee for dress; Helpless look to Thee for grace; Foul, I to the fountain fly; Wash me, Savior, or I die." From "Rock of Ages" by Augustus Toplady
"If what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again" (1 Corinthians 8:13). Our behavior has consequences that we may not see at first. Our casual attitude may hurt those who watch us day by day. Our loose language, our critical spirit, and our flippant attitude toward sin may influence another believer to compromise his own convictions. We must never let that happen. Too much is at stake. My brother’s walk with Christ matters more than my Christian liberty. Better that I should say no when I could say yes than to take even a tiny chance of hurting another believer by my careless attitude.
"Let God be great in the assembly of his people; let him be lifted up as he is revealed to us in Jesus Christ, and joy will fill our hearts. If the services of the church are dull, it is because He has been left outside." James Denney
"A minister without boldness is like a knife without an edge. If men will be bold to sin, ministers must be bold to reprove them." William Gurnall
"Yours is the kingdom, the power & the glory forever. Amen." (Mt 6:13). It's his kingdom we seek, his power we need, & his glory we desire. Years ago a friend told me he prayed this verse every morning because it focused his heart in the right place. I can testify that this verse has had the same impact in my life. Many times I have prayed like this: "Lord, let your kingdom come even if my kingdom must go." "Lord, let your power be manifest even if my power disappears." "Lord, let your glory be seen and let my glory fade away." Praying like that reminds me that everything depends on God, and that's a good way to start the day.
Lord, teach me to pray and give me a heart for prayer so that when I am gone, people will remember that I prayed for them. Amen.
"Oh, dear friends, you may rejoice. God has laid no embargo upon rejoicing; he puts no restriction upon happiness. Do believe it that you are permitted to be happy. Do believe that there is no ordinance of God commanding you to be miserable." Charles Spurgeon
Loving Lord, We truly believe that all things work together for good to those who love you. When we are tempted to sin, give us wisdom to choose the way of escape while we have the chance. May we not trifle with sin and so be brought down in shame and disgrace. Give us a strong desire to do the right thing no matter what it costs. Help us to see your fingerprints even in the hard experiences of life. May our trials make us more like Jesus day by day. Amen.
Lord, help me to appreciate what I have while it is still mine to enjoy. Amen.
“By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise” (Hebrews 11:9). It is a false and dangerous theology that says, “If I trust God, everything will work out fine and all my dreams will come true.” Many times the very opposite seems to be true. Too many people follow Jesus for the wrong reasons. What did you sign up for? A picnic in the park? A tea party? Jesus calls you to take up your cross daily and follow him. We may have to live in tents for a while. Who can say what tomorrow will bring? Our challenge is to be like Abraham and cling to the promises of God no matter what happens. We may have to say at some point, “We would rather die with the Lord than live without him.” In God’s time every promise will be fulfilled. Meanwhile, we watch and wait and walk by faith.
Every church should post a sign that says, "Sinners Welcome!" You would never run out of prospects.
God will not waste the tears and prayers of his children. When God gives a heavy burden for prayer, I believe it is because he intends to answer that prayer sooner or later.
Somewhere I ran across this wonderful sentence: God does not recruit heroes. No, he doesn’t. Not many mighty are called, not many noble, not many powerful, not many great as the world counts greatness. God doesn’t go for the big names to populate heaven. He takes ordinary folks and then does extraordinary things through them. But even that isn’t the full story. When God wants to recruit some front line soldiers for his army, he goes into the enemy camp and rounds up a handful of the orneriest, meanest, toughest, roughest, wildest looking sinners he can find. Then he draws them to Christ, saves them, justifies them, converts them, sanctifies them, cleans them up, fixes them up, dresses them up, and then he sends them out to do battle in the service of the King of Kings. That’s the point Paul makes in Romans 5:6-9 when he says that we were “powerless,” “ungodly,” “sinners,” and even “God’s enemies.” But even so, Christ died for us that he might reconcile us to God. Thus does God turn his enemies into his friends.
"When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan" (Proverbs 29:2). True leadership always begins with character—a fact we overlook to our own peril. The real power of politics comes from the moral character of the person holding high office. Although a leader may hide behind opinion polls and a favorable economy, in the end what he or she is will eventually be found out. No one can escape the moral dimensions of leadership.
So many of us look at a difficult situation and pray, "Lord, change my situation." That's not usually God's will. Much more often the difficult situation has come as a means of making us grow spiritually. God often brings difficulty into our lives to deepen our total dependence upon him. When that happens, we ought to pray, "Lord, change me so that I can face this situation." That's a prayer God is pleased to answer.
"He knows the way that I take. When he has tried me, I will come forth as gold" (Job 23:10). You can have an easy life, or you can have a deep faith. You can't have both. There is no gold without the fiery furnace.
Let these six simple words lift your spirits: “God is God, good, and great.” God is God—be humbled. God is good—be encouraged. God is great—be thankful.
Spirit of God, I pray for the grace not to be overly surprised by anything that happens to me today. Amen.
This week I've been reading about Charles Alexander, a man previously unknown to me. During the early 1900s, he was known around the world for his gospel music ministry with R. A. Torrey and J. Wilbur Chapman. He was to those preachers what Cliff Barrows has been to Billy Graham. During a crusade in Toronto, a young convert told pianist Robert Harkness that he feared he could not "hold out" because he thought his faith was too weak. Harkness asked Miss Ada Habershon of London to compose a song that would help those who felt their faith was too weak. The result was a lilting gospel song called "He Will Hold Me Fast." Charles Alexander began to use it in crusades in Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, and eventually in the US, to great effect. Once one of the most-loved gospel songs in the world, eventually it was almost entirely forgotten. Here the original lyrics: When I fear my faith will fail, Christ will hold me fast; When the tempter would prevail, He can hold me fast. Refrain He will hold me fast, He will hold me fast; For my Savior loves me so, He will hold me fast. I could never keep my hold, He will hold me fast; For my love is often cold, He must hold me fast. Refrain I am precious in His sight, He will hold me fast; Those He saves are His delight. He will hold me fast. Refrain He’ll not let my soul be lost, Christ will hold me fast; Bought by Him at such a cost, He will hold me fast. Refrain Several years ago Matt Merker revived this century-old song by giving it a new musical setting with an additional verse. Click on this link to watch the video: He Will Hold Me Fast This wonderful song reminds us we are not kept by our feeble hold on Christ but by his strong hold on us.
“Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about'" (Genesis 22:2). There are times in life when obedience must be immediate. If you stop to argue, that in itself is a form of disobedience. If you try to talk God out of it, that too is disobedience. If you offer an alternate plan, that is also disobedience. Blessed are those who obey and leave the results with God.
"Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18 CEB). If you refuse to give thanks in every situation, you are virtually saying that you know better than God how to run the universe. By giving thanks when we don’t feel like it, we are proclaiming that God’s wisdom is greater than ours. That simple act of giving thanks in the midst of sorrow and heartache is worth more than 10,000 words when things are going well.
Lord Jesus, you showed us how to stay clean in a dirty world. May your life be my example and your Word my guide. Amen.
Christians ought to be good citizens, we ought to support our leaders as far as we can, and we ought always to pray for them. But we can never give ultimate allegiance to any president, prime minister, king or queen, or any military leader. That’s why Christians have gotten in trouble over the centuries. We pledge our allegiance to the Lord Jesus Christ. Any lesser allegiance is just that—lesser. We can’t give ultimate allegiance to any human leader even when we are of the same political party. In American terms, Jesus is not a Republican or a Democrat. He’s far above partisan politics. He’s the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We owe our ultimate allegiance to him alone.