ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 19, 2012)

What Kind of People?

Galatians 5:22-26



"Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming."
(2 PETER 3:11-12)

In commenting on these verses, Michael Green says that "a man's character is the only thing he can take out of this life with him." Actually, we do not even take that! When I leave here, I will leave clinging only to the grace and stronghold of my Savior, Jesus Christ, not anything I have done. Our world will not carry on forever, but those of us who are believers in Christ will. So with that humbling reality, what kind of people ought we to be while we remain on this earth?

Peter tells us in two words: holy and godly. Because we belong to God, we should reflect His character qualities in our lives the same way a child reflects much of his parents in his upbringing. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to be like Jesus, holy and godly.

If you read the list of the "fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22-23, you'll find a perfect description of the character of Jesus Christ. Those are the qualities that the Holy Spirit will increasingly cultivate in our lives as well, reflecting our holy and godly Savior.

INSIGHT
"FATHER, HELP ME REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT THESE FEW YEARS ON EARTH ARE AND TO CONCENTRATE ON THINGS OF ETERNAL VALUE."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
1 Chronicles 10-11
Proverbs 29
Revelation13-14

Galatians 5:22-26
New International Version (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.


WHAT DOES MARRIAGE MEAN [PART 5]
with Tim & Kathy Keller

Marriage isn't easy, but it is good. It was God's idea from the beginning and can be deeply fulfilling, but we need to understand God's purpose for it.

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 18, 2012)

Show and Tell

1 Peter 2:9-12


"You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
(1 PETER 2:9)

Not only am I a member of a "holy priesthood" (2:5), but also it is a "royal priesthood." We are related to the King of kings. Peter sums up what happens to us as we are grafted into God's magnificent kingdom: we have been chosen; we are called out of darkness into light; we belong to Him; we are priests to God; we are holy. And there is a purpose in all of this. In each of these ways God has worked through us, we are to declare His praises. We are to proclaim His eminent qualities, reflecting His grace and His glory.

Some elementary school classes have "show and tell" time each week. The children bring a special object to school to show others and to tell about it. Every child loves those few moments in front of the class to spotlight the precious item from home. "Show and tell" time is one of the things the bigger kids usually miss having. If we take Peter's words to heart, we'll see that "show and tell" is alive and well for us as Christians. We can show God's virtues and tell others about Him!

INSIGHT
"YOU ARE ALL I WANT TO SHOW OTHERS. LET YOUR GLORY - NOT MY OWN - COME THROUGH AS I TELL OTHERS OF JESUS."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
1 Chronicles 8-9
Proverbs 28
Revelation 11-12


1 Peter 2:9-12
New International Version (NIV)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society
11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.


WHAT DOES MARRIAGE MEAN [PART 4]
with Tim & Kathy Keller

In the movies a love story usually concludes with a wedding, but in real life the wedding is where the love story begins. Sadly, few people today really understand the purpose and meaning of marriage.

Set a shining example

The world around you will follow the example that you set. The shortcomings in others that frustrate you the most are able to do so because they resonate with similar shortcomings in your own life.
Make improvements in your own attitude and behavior, and you’ll see corresponding improvements in those around you. Focus your own thoughts on the positive possibilities, and others will pick up on and emulate that focus.
Stop searching for blame and start mending what’s broken. Stop seeking to judge and start putting your values into positive, productive action.
Your influence is far greater than you now realize. Use that influence wisely, to build, to grow, and to improve everything with which you are connected.
Every achievement, every injustice, every inspiration, every frustration that you notice has something to teach you about yourself. Learn the lessons well, apply them with true commitment, and you’ll change your world as well as yourself.
Set a shining example with the way you live each day. For life is watching and busily following along with your every move.
— Ralph Marston

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 17, 2012)

A Holy Priesthood

1 Peter 2:4-9

"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." 

(1 PETER 2:5)

In the last few years I've realized that perhaps the most important thing I can do for others is pray for them. That is not the limit of my responsibility, but it is the focus of it. And God has seen to it that I am uniquely equipped for such a ministry, for I belong to a "holy priesthood." 

Old Testament priests represented the people before God, offering sacrifices and prayers on their behalf. The priests were anointed and set apart for that ministry (Exodus 30:30). We as Christians have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20) and are thus a "holy priesthood." We, too, are to offer "spiritual sacrifices," of which prayer is a very real part. James tells us to pray for each other, for the "prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" (5:16). 

David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141:2). Let's offer up prayers for many around us, prayers made acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

INSIGHT

"LORD, I PRAY FOR MANY I KNOW WHO ARE LONELY, SAD, DESPERATE, IN TROUBLE, IN PAIN, FEELING HOPELESS. MAY YOUR KINGDOM COME IN THEIR LIVES."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

1 Chronicles 6-7 

Proverbs 27 

Revelation 8-10

1 Peter 2:4-9

New Living Translation (NLT)

Living Stones for God’s House

4 You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.

5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests.[a] Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. 6 As the Scriptures say, 

“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,[b]

chosen for great honor,

and anyone who trusts in him

will never be disgraced.”[c]

7 Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,

“The stone that the builders rejected

has now become the cornerstone.”[d]

8 And,

“He is the stone that makes people stumble,

the rock that makes them fall.”[e]

They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.

9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,[f] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

Footnotes:

a. 1 Peter 2:5 Greek holy priesthood.

b. 1 Peter 2:6 Greek in Zion.

c. 1 Peter 2:6 Isa 28:16 (Greek version).

d. 1 Peter 2:7 Ps 118:22.

e. 1 Peter 2:8 Isa 8:14.

f. 1 Peter 2:9 Greek a royal priesthood.

WHAT DOES MARRIAGE MEAN [PART 3]

with Tim & Kathy Keller

Submitting to someone else is not a sign of weakness. In fact, mutual submission between a husband and wife is one of the keys to a strong and healthy marriage.

Peaceful effectiveness

Be continually at peace with yourself, and absolutely anything is possible. Rid your mind of all inner conflict, and the outer conflicts will not matter.
Realize that you can transcend anything, and everything becomes an opportunity. Decline to be caught up in the wasteful, destructive power struggles of the world, and you’ll find the real power to create according to your highest vision.
Gratefully and graciously accept each day as it comes. Let go of what has been, and eagerly take in all that is.
Choose your intentions as if they will come to life in great abundance. For when those intentions are sincerely filled with positive, meaningful purpose, they will indeed become real.
Instead of struggling to get one up on everyone else, raise your awareness to the point at which the competition is insignificant. Get in the habit of creating value, and you won’t feel the need to take it from others.
To be truly effective, be truly peaceful, sincere, thankful and accepting. Find delight and fulfillment in pulling all of life forward.

Frustrated?

Frustration can cloud your thinking and make a frustrating situation even worse. Whenever you become frustrated, it pays to step back for a moment and look at the reality of what’s going on.
Keep in mind that when you are frustrated, you are not objective. Certainly you are facing legitimate and difficult challenges, but by the time you have reached the point of frustration those challenges are practically the sole objects of your focus.
Any time you become frustrated, that’s a strong and clear warning signal that you need to put your difficulties into perspective. Step back and see not only the obstacles, but also every good thing you have going for you.
You have the energy, the ability, and the resources to meet your most difficult challenges and even to prosper in the face of them. You’ve done it before and you can do it now.
See the positive possibilities. Redirect the substantial energy of your frustration and turn it into positive, effective, unstoppable determination.

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 17, 2012)

The Purpose of Discipline
Hebrews 12:4-15


"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
(HEBREWS 12:11)
Are there any words in Scripture more readily agreed with than "No discipline seems pleasant at the time"? Whether it's a spanking to improve behavior or a diet to improve the waistline, who likes the discipline when it is happening? The word translated "discipline" can also mean physical "training," the metaphor the Hebrews author uses.
Several students at the high school where I teach are on the track team and are beginning training for the season. Most of them are sore, tired, and grumpy. Some already talk of quitting, saying the training is just too hard. But one young man, Cliff, has a different attitude. He admits the training is difficult, yet he looks forward to it. Why? Because he hopes to go to college on a track scholarship and knows the training is necessary if he is to stand a chance at reaching his goal.
God's "goal" in disciplining us is "that we might share in his holiness" (v.10). Our training is sure to involve hardship. Let's fix our eyes on our front-runner, Jesus, who endured the discipline of the cross for us.

INSIGHT
 "THANK YOU FOR PUTTING ME IN YOUR 'TRAINING PROGRAM' AND FOR JESUS WHO ALREADY ENDURED AND CONQUERED IT FOR ME!"

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
 1 Chronicles 4-5
Proverbs 26
Revelation 6-7


Hebrews 12:4-15
New International Version (NIV)

God Disciplines His Children
4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[a]
7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline —then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Warning and Encouragement
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Footnotes:a.Hebrews 12:6 Prov. 3:11,12 (see Septuagint)
b.Hebrews 12:13 Prov. 4:26


WHAT DOES MARRIAGE MEAN [PART 2]
with Tim & Kathy Keller
Marriage is a hot-button topic. Politicians want to redefine it and young people see little need for it. Most people are missing a vital piece of information ... the meaning of marriage.


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ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 16, 2012)

Product and Process
Philippians 1:3-11



"By that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. ...because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy."
(HEBREWS 10:10, 14)
At first glance today's verses may look contradictory. First the author says we "have been made holy," and then he says we "are being made holy." Which is it? Past tense or present? In fact, it is both!
Holiness is a product and a process. We usually think of the product as "holiness" and call the process "sanctification." Holiness, the product, is being like Christ, God's ultimate goal for us (Romans 8:29). Sanctification, the process, begins the moment of our salvation and continues throughout our earthly life. We've no need to be discouraged that we haven't arrived once and for all as good and consistent Christ-followers. He is working on us day in and day out - through all our shortcomings and failures - just as surely as a teacher sticks with a student to the end of the coursework. He will never give up on us.
The triumphs we occasionally see in our lives are just pointers to the great triumph our Savior won for us. His faithfulness encourages and assures us that He will see the job through.

INSIGHT
 "THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAITHFULNESS. I WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP ON ME. WORK YOUR PURPOSES IN ME, MAKING ME MORE LIKE YOU IN CHARACTER AND CONDUCT."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
 1 Chronicles 2-3
Proverbs 25
 Revelation 3-5

Philippians 1:3-11
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God


WHAT DOES MARRIAGE MEAN [PART 1]
with Tim & Kathy Keller
Our culture tells us that everyone has a soul-mate, that romance is what matters most in marriage, and that remarriage is a good way to start over. There is just one problem ... God's Word disagrees.

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What’s the reason?

Are you looking to have more customers buy from you? Then give them a compelling reason to do so. Do you seek the respect and admiration of others? Give them a good, solid reason to respect and admire you. Fortune will favor you when you create an undeniable reason for it to do so.
The effect never comes without the cause. People buy from a particular merchant for a reason. It may be price, selection, integrity, location, convenience, or dozens of other factors. The point is, there is a reason. People admire you for a reason. Businesses grow for a reason. Success comes about for a reason.
Whatever you seek from life, find a reason why it should be yours. Create the cause, and the effect will naturally follow. The world is filled with abundance. Give it a good reason to come your way.

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 15, 2012)

How Much More?
Hebrews 9:11-15


"How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!"
(HEBREWS 9:14)
I wonder if there is anyone who still remembers an old radio program called The Shadow. It was one of my favorites as a boy. Lamont Cranston would say with each broadcast, "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows."
I don't know how extensive the Shadow's knowledge really was, but I am certain of the One who truly knows our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7), the One in whose wings' shadow we are safely hidden (Psalm 17:8).
Not only does He know our hearts, but He has cleansed them (Hebrews 10:22). The author of Hebrews contrasts the Old Testament sacrifices with the precious blood of Jesus, concluding, "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ... cleanse our consciences" (9:14).
Can you see that the animal sacrifices of that day were but shadows of a greater cleansing yet to come? Though the Israelite people were washed of their sin through the shedding of animal blood, there was no cleansing of the heart - only the blood of Jesus could do that. And it has!

INSIGHT
 "HELP ME, LORD, TO APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME IN CHRIST."
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
 1 Chronicles 1
Proverbs 24
 Revelation 1-2


Hebrews 9:11-15
New International Version (NIV)

The Blood of Christ
11 But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here,[a] he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. 12 He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining[b] eternal redemption. 13 The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death,[c] so that we may serve the living God!
15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance —now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Footnotes:a.Hebrews 9:11 Some early manuscripts are to come
b.Hebrews 9:12 Or blood, having obtained
c.Hebrews 9:14 Or from useless rituals

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 14, 2012)

The Family of God
Hebrews 2:10-18




"Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers."
(HEBREWS 2:11)
The heart of this verse strikes me as incredible: Jesus and I are members of the same family. Amazing! How does one enter the family of God?
The Bible teaches that we enter God's family much the same way we enter human families: by birth or adoption. We have been born again, as Jesus explained to Nicodemus in John 3. And we have been adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5). We've doubly entered His family so that He knows us and cares for us as His very own children, His flesh and blood. What a wonder to be a part of the family of the God of the Universe!
Spiritual new birth happens when we receive Jesus as our Savior. It is something so profound that the greatest theologians have studied and pondered it for centuries. Yet it is so simple that even a child can come to Him. Many years ago, I was born into the family of God the same way you can be: by acknowledging I am a sinner, believing Jesus died to pay the penalty for my sins, and calling out to Him as my Lord and Father.

INSIGHT
 "FATHER, THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME NEW BIRTH, ADOPTING ME AS YOUR OWN, AND WELCOMING ME INTO YOUR FAMILY WITH OPEN ARMS."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
 2 Kings 24-25
Proverbs 23
 Jude

Hebrews 2:10-18
New International Version (NIV)

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.[a] 12 He says,
“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
    in the assembly I will sing your praises.”[b]
13 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”[c]
And again he says,
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[d]
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil — 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them,[e] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Footnotes:a.Hebrews 2:11 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verse 12; and in 3:1, 12; 10:19; 13:22.
b.Hebrews 2:12 Psalm 22:22
c.Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:17
d.Hebrews 2:13 Isaiah 8:18
e.Hebrews 2:17 Or like his brothers

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 13, 2012)

Useful to the Master
2 Peter 3:8-9


"If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work."
(2 TIMOTHY 2:21)
Experts tell us that the proverbial "snail's pace" is actually about 23 inches per hour. Sometimes I feel that my sanctification is proceeding at about that rate. Often there is so little apparent progress that I'm tempted to give up altogether.
Then I come to my senses and remember that I cannot give up; I don't even have the right to do that! Since I no longer belong to myself but to Christ, only He has the right to tell me to give up and quit. Yet I can't imagine He would ever do that! The Greek word "Master" (v. 21b) has its roots in the word we know as despot, or absolute ruler. But the Master of your heart and mine is not an oppressor or tyrant. He is good.
This aspect of holiness - belonging to God and being set apart for His service - helps me get things in perspective. I want to be useful for my Master; I want to live my life in light of eternity. And I know that He will use me, by His grace, to accomplish His will...even if it seems to me to be taking a very long time to get there.

INSIGHT
"LORD, HELP ME REMEMBER WHOSE I AM AND TO REST IN YOU AND THE ASSURANCE THAT YOU ARE AT WORK IN MY LIFE."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
 2 Kings 22-23
Proverbs 22
 3 John


2 Peter 3:8-9
New International Version (NIV)

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

ALL OTHER GROUND [PART 4]
We live in uncertain times. Such is always the case in a fallen world, but Jesus desires to remove our uncertainty. How does he do that? Click listen and find out!

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 12, 2012)

Wholly Holy
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24




"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May... [you] be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it."
(1 THESSALONIANS 5:23-24)
Someone once said, "God is easy to please but hard to satisfy." Does that resonate with you? Let me explain it this way. Suppose you had a 10-month old child who was ready to take her first steps. You would be pleased and excited when she did so. But would you be satisfied if she never learned to walk better than that?
Like a loving father, God is pleased with our first feeble steps in our Christian walk. But He is not satisfied with that. He wants us to grow and mature so that our walk with Him progresses throughout our journey as believers. God intends to make us holy "through and through." He wants us to be wholly holy and will settle for nothing less. And lest you feel discouraged about that, remember that verse 24 tells us He will do it! God does not leave us on our own to grow up any more than a parent would leave a child to her own. He is with us all the way. "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6).

INSIGHT
 "FATHER, I THANK YOU THAT SANCTIFICATION IS YOUR WORK. HELP ME BE RECEPTIVE TO IT."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
 2 Kings 20-21
Proverbs 21
 2 John


1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
New International Version (NIV)

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil.

23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

ALL OTHER GROUND [PART 3]
Jesus says you can't serve two masters. If you try you will love one master and hate the other. You can't serve both God and money.

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 11, 2012)

God's Provision
1 Thessalonians 4:1-11

"God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit." 

(1 THESSALONIANS 4:7-8) 

Holy living for us is not automatic, as we are painfully aware. Though we share God's nature (2 Peter 1:4), we still need at least two other things: knowledge and power. Paul mentions both in today's Scripture verses: knowledge comes through instruction from God's Word, and power comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit. 

The primary way God speaks to and instructs us is through the Bible. Prayer and Bible reading are like the two sides of a personal conversation. We speak to God in prayer; He speaks to us in His Word. 

Most of us know more of God's Word than we are obeying. What we need is Someone to give us the desire and ability to obey it. The Lord meets us here in the Person of His Holy Spirit. "It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose" (Philippians 2:13). All that we need for holy living has been given us, so we ought to be without excuse. Yet we still fail day after day. That is why He gave us Jesus, the provision of perfect holiness when our efforts fall short.

 

INSIGHT

 "LORD, HELP ME LIVE TODAY IN OBEDIENCE TO YOUR WORD AND DEPENDENCE ON YOUR HOLY SPIRIT."

 

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

 2 Kings 18-19 

Proverbs 20

 1 John 5

 

1 Thessalonians 4:1-11

New International Version (NIV)

 

Living to Please God

4 As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus.

 

3 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; 6 and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.[b] The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. 7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8 Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit. 

9 Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. 10 And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, 11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,

Footnotes:a.1 Thessalonians 4:4 Or learn to live with your own wife; or learn to acquire a wife

b.1 Thessalonians 4:6 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family.

 

 

 

 

ALL OTHER GROUND [PART 2] 

Quick fixes don't usually work and the easy way out is rarely the best way. This is true in matters of personal finance and in your walk with God. Jesus had something to say about both. 

 

 

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ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 10, 2012)

God's Will for You

Psalm 143:8-10

"It is God's will for you that you should be holy, ...that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable..."

(1 THESSALONIANS 4:3-5)

Do you wonder what God's will is for your life? Most of us have struggled through knowing God's will in particular situations we've faced - issues of vocation, marriage, finances, etc. The concerns of life can weigh us down. But these are not our most basic concern. God cares deeply about who is on the throne of our hearts and about the character of our being. The Bible says His will for me is that I be holy. 

If you were to look at my employment record, you'd think I can't hold a job. Since my college days I have been a truck driver, a pastor of three churches, a bookstore clerk, sales manager, editor, free-lance writer, and high school teacher. God has led me on to live in four different states. Perhaps some of you have had lives with much change like this, too. 

I am thankful to God that He is interested in such matters of my life as where I live and work. But I know His primary concern for me in all circumstances is that I belong to Him. Belonging to Him, I am holy. Let's be holy as is His will for us!

INSIGHT

"FATHER, HELP ME DO YOUR WILL WHOLEHEARTEDLY."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

2 Kings 17 

Proverbs 19

1 John 3-4

Psalm 143:8-10

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

8 Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, 

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul. 

9 Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord,

for I hide myself in you.

10 Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God; 

may your good Spirit

lead me on level ground. 

ALL OTHER GROUND [PART 1]

It's human nature to trust in the things we can see, but God says that these are the very things which will pass away. How do we learn to trust in the things we can't see? There is only one way... 

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 09, 2012)

Holy Garments

Romans 13:11-14


"Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
(COLOSSIANS 3:12)

The Old Testament priests were attired in special garments that set them apart from the rest of the people. Those garments, described in Exodus 28, were designed to reflect God's holiness and remind the people of their unique relationship to Him.

When Paul spoke to his friends in Colosse and Rome of putting on garments appropriate to holiness, the picture of the priestly garments probably came to mind. But they were not to be worn for show. It is quite the opposite! Putting on kindness, patience - indeed, putting on Jesus Christ Himself - is bound to be noticed and perhaps even draw others to the Lord.

Suppose you were always compassionate, humble and gentle with the members of your family. Would they notice (or worry that you were sick!)? Suppose you put on the love of Jesus every day with the people you work with and meet. What kind of impression would that leave?

Through our holy God who owns us, our lives reflect His character. Praise Him for clothing us with His righteousness.

INSIGHT
"FATHER, PLEASE CLOTHE ME WITH JESUS AND HIS HOLINESS SO THAT I MIGHT MORE EFFECTIVELY SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH OTHERS."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Kings 15-16
Proverbs 18
1 John 1-2

Romans 13:11-14
New Living Translation (NLT)
11 This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. 13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

GREAT DADDY-DAUGHTER DATES [PART 1]

with Rob Teigen

Most dads enjoy a special bond with their daughters. This is part of God's design and gives dads an opportunity to help shape their daughters lives. It's an opportunity you can't afford to waste. 

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 08, 2012)

Washed and Ironed

Psalm 51:1-10




"...to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."
(EPHESIANS 5:26-27)

If you were to meet with an important person, you'd want to look your best, with your clothes cleaned and pressed. Paul expresses a similar idea in today's verses when he refers to the church as being presented to the Lord "without stain or wrinkle," that is, washed and ironed. This washing is accomplished through the Word of God.

Do you struggle with retaining what you read in the Bible? Perhaps you're like the little boy whose father handed him a dirty wicker basket and instructed him to go to the river and bring back water in the basket. The boy obeyed, but all the water drained out. He was sent a second time-with the same results. By the third time the boy grew frustrated. But his father inspected the basket and was satisfied. He'd simply wanted the basket cleansed, and the water running though it had accomplished that.

Study God's Word. Even when you do not retain it all, a cleansing comes over your life and you will find yourself declared radiant - washed and ironed - before God because of Jesus.


INSIGHT
"LET THE CLEANSING BLOOD OF JESUS WASH OVER ME, LORD, SO THAT EVEN IN MY FAILURES I AM SPOTLESS AND HOLY BEFORE YOU."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Kings 13-14
Proverbs 17
2 Peter 1-3

Psalm 51:1-10
New International Version (NIV)
Psalm 51[a]
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 51:1 In Hebrew texts 51:1-19 is numbered 51:3-21.

LOVE YOUR WIFE

with Justin Buzzard

Men are typically pretty good at pursuing the woman they love before marriage. After the wedding day there is a tendency to let the romance die. Husbands must learn to date their wives again! 

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 07, 2012)

A Holy Temple

1 Corinthians 6:18-20


"In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."
(EPHESIANS 2:21-22)

Can you picture God wearing a construction worker's hard hat? Does that seem out of place? Yet it's not an inappropriate image. After all, God is engaged in a building project, fashioning all of us into His Holy Temple where He dwells in us through His Spirit. He is both the General Contractor and the Tenant!

The more familiar image, of course, is that of the temple in the Old Testament. It was the place where God's presence dwelt with His people, a picture of how things would one day be when the ultimate temple sacrifice would be made in Jesus. Then the curtain would be torn and Christ would take up residence in each of us. We would be His holy temple!

In Ephesians 2 Paul speaks of more than the individual as a temple. The whole church is the temple of the Lord; believers are the "living stones" being shaped, cut, and fitted into God's building. Whether the picture is of the temple as individuals or as part of the whole, it is holy, taking on the character of its chief Occupant, Jesus.


INSIGHT
"LORD, I WANT TO BE A TEMPLE IN WHICH YOU DWELL. USE ME TO BE HELPFUL IN THE BUILDING PROGRAM OF THE CHURCH WORLDWIDE."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Kings 11-12
Proverbs 16
1 Peter 4-5

1 Corinthians 6:18-20
New Living Translation (NLT)
18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.


LOVE YOUR WIFE
with Justin Buzzard

Men are typically pretty good at pursuing the woman they love before marriage. After the wedding day there is a tendency to let the romance die. Husbands must learn to date their wives again!

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 06, 2012)

Perfecting Holiness

2 Corinthians 6



"Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God."
(2 CORINTHIANS 7:1)

It's hard to admit, but I know I am not the man today I intended to be ten years ago. As I look back over my life, I recall some of my hopes and aspirations, some of the dreams I dreamed with God. A few have been realized; many have not. Most never will be now.

But I also am not the man today that I was ten years ago, and that is good! I see areas of my life in which I have grown and matured. When Paul speaks of "perfecting holiness," I realize I am a work in progress, keeping my eyes fixed on two things Paul writes of: the promises of God and reverence for God.

Chapter 6 of 2 Corinthians tells some of those promises. God will help you (v. 2), receive you (v. 17), and be a father to you (v. 18). In light of those precious promises, God calls you and me to come out and be separate, to be holy and purified. We come near to Him and stand in reverent awe of who He is. I may not be the man I want to be, but God sent His Son to be that Man in my place, Holiness perfected in a human body, all for me and you.

INSIGHT
"SEARCH MY HEART, LORD, AND REVEAL TO ME ANY SINS I HAVE OVERLOOKED. WASH THEM AWAY THROUGH THE POWER OF JESUS' BLOOD."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Kings 9-10
Proverbs 15
1 Peter 2-3

2 Corinthians 6
New Living Translation (NLT)
6 As God’s partners,[a] we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. 2 For God says,
“At just the right time, I heard you.
On the day of salvation, I helped you.”[b]
Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.
Paul’s Hardships
3 We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. 4 In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. 5 We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 6 We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us,[c] and by our sincere love. 7 We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 8 We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 9 We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. 10 Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.
11 Oh, dear Corinthian friends! We have spoken honestly with you, and our hearts are open to you. 12 There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us. 13 I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!
The Temple of the Living God
14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil[d]? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
“I will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.[e]
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don’t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.[f]
18 And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.[g]”
Footnotes:
a. 2 Corinthians 6:1 Or As we work together.
b. 2 Corinthians 6:2 Isa 49:8 (Greek version).
c. 2 Corinthians 6:6 Or by our holiness of spirit.
d. 2 Corinthians 6:15 Greek Beliar; various other manuscripts render this proper name of the devil as Belian, Beliab, or Belial.
e. 2 Corinthians 6:16 Lev 26:12; Ezek 37:27.
f. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Isa 52:11; Ezek 20:34 (Greek version).
g. 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Sam 7:14.


LOVE YOUR WIFE
with Justin Buzzard

Men are typically pretty good at pursuing the woman they love before marriage. After the wedding day there is a tendency to let the romance die. Husbands must learn to date their wives again!

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 05, 2012)

A Family Matter

Matthew 5:14-16

"The unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean but as it is, they are holy." 

(1 CORINTHIANS 7:14)

This is a difficult verse to understand, and I do not claim to fully grasp it myself. But one thing is clear: a family member who is a Christian has an opportunity to influence others in the home. 

How is it that an unbelieving spouse has been sanctified through the believing spouse? And how is it that the children are holy? Paul says this is so, and I am left to conclude that the home is a powerful place for influencing people for God. Peter spoke of it also in 1 Peter 3:1-2 about the believing wife winning over the unbelieving husband through the behavior, purity and reverence in her life. 

If this is true of a home where only one member is a Christian, how much more when both partners are believing? What an impact they have on the lives of their loved ones! It makes me see my own home as God's workshop, a place where lives are tempered and shaped for eternity. My wife knows me better than anyone, so I consider what does she see in my life that would cause her to want to be more like Christ?

INSIGHT

"LORD, HELP ME LIVE WITH THOSE WHO KNOW ME BEST IN SUCH A WAY THAT I CAN INFLUENCE THEM FOR ETERNITY."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

2 Kings 7-8 

Proverbs 14

1 Peter 1

 

1 Peter 3:1-2

New International Version (NIV)

3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

Matthew 5:14-16

New Living Translation (NLT)

14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

JEREMIAH THROUGH THE JESUS LENS

with Dr. Michael Williams

The prophet Jeremiah wrote about the potter and the clay. What was he talking about and does it connect with you and me today? It does if you read this passage through the Jesus lens.

"Sulat ni Tatay at Nanay sa Atin"... very touching letter

READ THIS AND YOU WILL LOVE IT...ITS GOOD TO KNOW THIS..

Nice one… please read!
"Sulat ni Tatay at Nanay sa Atin"

Mahal kong anak,

Sa aking pagtanda, unawain mo sanaako at pagpasensiyahan. Kapag dala
ng kalabuan ng mata ay nakabasag ako ng pinggan o nakatapon ng sabaw sa
hapag kainan, huwag mo sanaakong kagagalitan. Maramdamin ang isang
matanda. Nagse-self-pity ako sa tuwing sinisigawan mo ako. Kapag
mahina na ang tenga ko at hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi mo, huwag
mo naman sanaakong sabihan ng "binge!" paki-ulit nalang ang sinabi mo o
pakisulat nalang. Pasensya ka na, anak. Matanda na talaga ako.

Kapag mahina na ang tuhod ko, pagtiyagaan mo sanaakong tulungang
tumayo, katulad ng pag-aalalay ko sa iyo noong nag-aaral ka pa lamang
lumakad.

Pagpasensyahan mo sanaako kung ako man ay nagiging makulit at
paulit-ulit na parang sirang plaka. Basta pakinggan mo nalang ako.
Huwag mo sanaakong Pagtatawanan o pagsasawaang pakinggan.

Natatandaan mo anak noong bata ka pa? Kapag gusto mo ng lobo,
paulit-ulit mo 'yong
sasabihin, maghapon kang mangungulit hangga't hindi mo nakukuha ang
gusto mo. Pinagtyagaan ko ang kakulitan mo.

Pagpasensyahan mo na rin sanaang aking amoy. Amoymatanda, amoy lupa.
Huwag mo sanaakong piliting maligo. Mahina na ang katawan ko.
Madaling magkasakit kapag nalamigan, huwag mo sanaakong pandirihan.

Natatandaan mo noong bata ka pa? Pinagtyagaan kitang habulin. Sa ilalim
ng kamakapag ayaw mong maligo..

Pagpasensyahan mo sanakung madalas, ako'y masungit, Dala na marahil
ito ng katandaan. Pagtanda mo, maiintindihan mo rin.

Kapag may konti kang panahon, magkwentuhan naman tayo, kahit sandali
lang. Inip na ako sa bahay, maghapong nag-iisa. Walang kausap.

Alam kong busy ka sa trabaho, subalit nais kong malaman mo na sabik na
sabik Na akong makakwentuhan ka, kahit alam kong hindi ka interesado sa
mga kwento ko.

Natatandaan mo anak, noong bata ka pa? Pinagtyagaan kong pakinggan at
intindihin
ang pautal-utal mong kwento tungkol sa iyong teddy bear.

At kapag dumating ang sandali na ako'y magkakasakit at maratay sa banig
ng karamdaman, huwag mo sanaakong pagsawaang alagaan.

Pagpasensyahan mo na sanakung ako man ay maihi o madumi sa higaan,
Pagtyagaan mo sanaakong alagaan sa mga huling sandali ng aking buhay.
Tutal hindi na naman ako magtatagal.

Kapag dumating ang sandali ng aking pagpanaw, hawakan mo sanaang aking
kamay at bigyan mo ako ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang kamatayan.

At huwag kang mag-alala, kapag kaharap ko na ang Diyos na lumikha,
ibubulong ko sa kanya na pagpalain ka sana .... Dahil naging mapagmahal
ka sa iyong ama't ina...

Written by Rev. Fr. Ariel F. Robles
CWL Spiritual Director
St. AugustineParish
Baliuag, Bulacan

"Paki forward na lang...hindi para mang-SPAM , para malaman nating lahat
ang halaga ng ating mga magulang.... Salamat

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 04, 2012)

What You Were and Are

1 Peter 2:9-12


That is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."
(1 CORINTHIANS 6:11)

What a powerful argument for personal holiness summed up in these words: "You are not the person you once were; so do not live as you once lived." That is essentially what Paul is saying.

In the preceding verses Paul describes the lifestyle of the ungodly and then adds this profound reminder: "That is what some of you were." Looking back on how much we have been forgiven is simply staggering. Knowing what we were makes us immensely thankful for what we now are.

And praise God for the next little word in the passage - one of the most important in Scripture - the word "but." That is what you once were, but... something has happened to change you. Paul says you were washed (your sins no longer mark you), sanctified (made holy) and justified (declared blameless). This radical change surpasses any kind of cleaning we ourselves could accomplish. Christ has made us what we are!

That radical change took place in my life when I received Christ as my Savior. I am not the person I once was, and I thank Him for it.

INSIGHT
"LORD, HELP ME WHEN I SLIP BACK INTO MY OLD STYLE OF LIVING. HELP ME KNOW THE ENORMOUS DIFFERENCE YOU'VE MADE IN MY LIFE."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Kings 5-6
Proverbs 13
James 4-5

1 Peter 2:9-12
New Living Translation (NLT)
9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,[a] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
10 “Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”[b]
11 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 12 Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.[c]
Footnotes:
a. 1 Peter 2:9 Greek a royal priesthood.
b. 1 Peter 2:10 Hos 1:6, 9; 2:23.
c. 1 Peter 2:12 Or on the day of visitation.


SONG OF SONGS THROUGH THE JESUS LENS
with Dr. Michael Williams

The Song of Songs is unlike any other book of the Bible. A poetic book about the love between a husband and his new bride, the Song of Songs is also a book that leads us to Jesus.

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 03, 2012)

Hungering for Holiness

Matthew 5:1-6


"To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ - their Lord and ours..."
(1 CORINTHIANS 1:2)

In his book The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges calls attention to this verse and writes, "We are through Christ made holy (sanctified) in our standing before God, and called to be holy in our daily lives." He asks readers to survey themselves and see if there is a yearning in their hearts to live a life pleasing to God. The desire for holiness may not consciously be present at the time we come to Christ, but the Holy Spirit will help that desire grow in us. The more we see Jesus and His holiness, the more we long to be like Him.

I find those thoughts to be challenging. How glad I am to know that I do have a hunger for holiness in my heart! But I am happier still to know that my Savior has lived the holy life for me that even the deepest longings of my heart could not produce. I may try and try to reach the level of purity He has called me to; most likely I will fail and fail. But I can rest in the fact that, as Paul says, I have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, not in myself!


INSIGHT
"FATHER THANK YOU FOR PLACING WITHIN ME A GENUINE HUNGER FOR HOLINESS. MAY MY LIFE BE PLEASING TO YOU IN EVERY RESPECT."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
2 Kings 3-4
Proverbs 12
James 2-3

Matthew 5:1-6
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
The Beatitudes
5 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying:
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.


REVELATION THROUGH THE JESUS LENS

What is the book of Revelation all about? Some have strong opinions, but others are not sure. If we look at the final book of the Bible through the Jesus lens, we will see the answer more clearly.

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 02, 2012)

The Word that Sanctifies

Hebrews 4:12-13

"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." 

(ACTS 20:32)

Some time ago my wife and I set out to read through the Bible in one year. She was more faithful than I, completing the reading while I dropped out halfway through. But we both benefited from our reading and grew in our understanding and appreciation of God's character, His loving plan of redemption, and His instructions for living a holy life. 

It is the reading of God's Word that sanctifies us and sinks down into our hearts. The Holy Spirit does His work of changing us to be more like Christ. Even though I didn't reach my "through-the-Bible" goal, I became more aware of my need to read the precious book that God Himself inspired and gave us. M.R. De Haan once said, "If the believer would spend half as much time in the Word, worship and prayer as he does in his social activities, he would set the world on fire." 

May the Word of God set our hearts on fire; may it purify and refine us like gold. Jesus said, "I have given them your word... Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17:14, 17).

INSIGHT

"WE PRAISE YOU, FATHER, FOR YOUR WORD WHICH YOU HAVE MADE READILY AVAILABLE TO US. THANK YOU FOR THE LIVING WORD THAT YOU SENT TO US."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

2 Kings 1-2 

Proverbs 11

James 1

Hebrews 4:12-13

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

GENESIS THROUGH THE JESUS LENS

Do you remember the stories of Noah, Abraham, and Joseph? These are all stories from Genesis. But what does the first book of the Old Testament have to do with Jesus? You might be surprised. 

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (MAY 01,, 2012)

Eternal Life

1 John 5:11-20

"Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." 

(ROMANS 6:22)

You may think of eternal life as unending existence. It is, indeed, everlasting. But actually, it is more than that! Even those who are not saved will have an unending existence - in hell. Eternal life is a new quality of life altogether. It is God's life in us. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we have become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) and have received the Holy Spirit in us (Galatians 3:2). 

Jesus defined eternal life this way: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3). "Knowing" is more than having head knowledge. It is entering into a living relationship with Him. As we draw nearer to the next life, our new life no longer holds us hostage to sin. Are we exempt from sin? Not yet. Do we still stumble and fall? Yes. But we are already on our way to holiness, casting away our old life and its bondage to sin. We are growing in holiness that leads to Christ-likeness, and the result is eternal life.

INSIGHT

"THANK YOU FOR THE NEW LIFE I HAVE IN CHRIST AND FOR THE ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM THAT AWAITS ME."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

1 Kings 21-22 

Proverbs 10 

Hebrews 13

 

1 John 5:11-20

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 

Concluding Remarks

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 

16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. 

18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 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. 

THE JESUS LENS

Does the Bible ever intimidate you? Many people want to understand its message from beginning to end, but find some parts confusing. Is there a way to make sense of it all? The answer is ... YES! 

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (APRIL 30, 2012)

A


Romans 6:15-23



"Don't you know that...you are slaves to the one whom you obey - whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?"
(ROMANS 6:16)

I can almost hear you saying, "I want to be holy; I've tried time and again, but I just can't seem to get a handle on it."

I have good news for you. I've found the "handle" for holiness. It's expressed simply in today's Bible verses: Obedience leads to righteousness, which leads to holiness (see vv. 16, 19). Obedience is the "handle" we need to take hold of.

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones points out that righteousness refers mainly to our actions while holiness speaks of our inner state or condition. "To be holy means to be pure within, to be pure in heart, to be pure in life, to be dedicated to God, to be conformed to His divine image and character."

Before we have Jesus on the throne of our lives, Paul says our sinful actions lead to "ever-increasing wickedness." But when we are living for Christ, our righteous actions lead to ever-increasing holiness. As we obey, our character will be strengthened in holiness. Even when we lose our "handle" on holiness, our perfect Redeemer has His hold on us.

INSIGHT
"LORD, HELP ME DESIRE TO OBEY. AND THEN HELP ME TO DO IT BY THE POWER OF YOUR HOLY SPIRIT."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
1 Kings 19-20
Proverbs 9
Hebrews 12

Romans 6:15-23
New Living Translation (NLT)
15 Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.
19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

THE JESUS LENS

Does the Bible ever intimidate you? Many people want to understand its message from beginning to end, but find some parts confusing. Is there a way to make sense of it all? The answer is ... YES! 

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (APRIL 29, 2012)

Holy Father

Psalm 111:1-9

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." 

(ISAIAH 6:3)

Someone has suggested that the key to worship is acknowledging the holiness of God. I think Jesus would have agreed with that. He taught His disciples to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name" (Matthew 6:9). And that is not the little boy's rendition which says "Our Father in heaven, Harold be your name"! 

The young child's misunderstanding brings a smile, but do we really understand what Jesus was teaching? "Hallowed" means to treat as holy. If we truly appreciated God's holiness, would we be as casual as we often are in prayer, worship, or Bible study? Paul speaks in Romans of those who knew God yet neither glorified (hallowed) Him as God nor gave thanks to Him (1:21). 

On the other hand, Isaiah acknowledged both God's holiness and his own sinfulness when confronted by the holy God (see Isaiah 6). When he did so, he was cleansed of his sin. We too have the privilege of knowing the holy God as our Father, basking in His holiness and giving thanks for His forgiveness that washes us clean.

INSIGHT

"LORD, WE WANT TO ECHO IN OUR WORDS AND ACTIONS THE MESSAGE OF THE ANGELS; 'HOLY, HOLY, HOLY' ARE YOU!"

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

1 Kings 13-14 

Proverbs 6

Hebrews 7-8

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Show resources

Psalm 111:1-9

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

Psalm 111[a]

1 Praise the Lord.[b]

I will extol the Lord with all my heart 

in the council of the upright and in the assembly. 

2 Great are the works of the Lord;

they are pondered by all who delight in them.

3 Glorious and majestic are his deeds,

and his righteousness endures forever.

4 He has caused his wonders to be remembered;

the Lord is gracious and compassionate. 

5 He provides food for those who fear him; 

he remembers his covenant forever.

6 He has shown his people the power of his works, 

giving them the lands of other nations. 

7 The works of his hands are faithful and just;

all his precepts are trustworthy. 

8 They are steadfast for ever and ever,

done in faithfulness and uprightness.

9 He provided redemption for his people;

he ordained his covenant forever—

holy and awesome is his name.

Footnotes:

a. Psalm 111:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the lines of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

b. Psalm 111:1 Hebrew HalleluYah

ISAIAH THROUGH THE JESUS LENS

Every Bible story whispers the name of Jesus Christ. Even in books written hundreds of years before his birth, the Bible anticipates Him. Have you read the book of Isaiah through the Jesus lens? 

Turning Lemons into Lemonade

One trait that almost all successful people have in common is the ability to turn negatives into positives. Disappointments and setbacks will come for everyone, even the super achievers. The difference with successful people is that they are able to benefit from everything that happens, positive or negative.
In fact, problems are a great source of opportunity. The way to change problems into opportunity is to adjust your attitude and your approach. Instead of feeling sorry for yourself and letting your problems get the best of you, take a proactive approach. Here are five steps that can turn problems into opportunities:
1.Emotionally detach yourself from the problem.
2.Don’t get caught up in assigning blame.
3.Instead, determine why it happened and what can you do to keep it from happening again.
4.Ask yourself who else might have this problem.
5.If you knew this was going to happen again next month or next year, what would you do differently right now?
Don’t let your problems get the best of you. Instead, turn them into learning and growth experiences.
— Ralph Marston

ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (APRIL 29, 2012)

Majestic in Holiness

Exodus 15:11-18

"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you-majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?" 

(EXODUS 15:11)

To understand what holiness is, notice how the word is used in the Bible. In the Old Testament it is used only in relation to God or what He has sanctified (made holy). It refers to something being different and set apart from other things. In this sense God is holy because He is unlike mankind (Hosea 11:9). 

The temple also was holy because it was different from other buildings, set apart for the worship of God. The Sabbath day was holy, again set apart from the other days of the week. The entire Jewish nation was holy because God chose them out of all others to belong to Himself and be His people, different and set apart from the others. 

When we think of holiness, we probably think of purity. This association is fitting, especially as the whole Bible unfolds, leading up to the embodiment of holiness in the birth and life of Jesus Christ. No clearer picture of holiness could be given. All of the Old Testament's foreshadows of holiness came to be in our majestic, awesome, wonder-working Savior.

INSIGHT

"LORD, HELP US LEARN TO APPRECIATE YOUR HOLINESS AND SHARE IT IN OUR DAILY LIVES."

READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

1 Kings 11-12 

Proverbs 5

Hebrews 5-6

 

Exodus 15:11-18

New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)

11 “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord?

Who is like you—

majestic in holiness, 

awesome in glory, 

working wonders? 

12 You stretched out your right hand

and the earth swallowed them. 

13 “In your unfailing love you will lead 

the people you have redeemed. 

In your strength you will guide them

to your holy dwelling. 

14 The nations will hear and tremble; 

anguish will grip the people of Philistia. 

15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified,

the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, 

the people[a] of Canaan will melt away;

16 terror and dread will fall upon them.

By the power of your arm

they will be as still as a stone —

until your people pass by, O Lord,

until the people you bought[b] pass by. 

17 You will bring them in and plant them

on the mountain of your inheritance—

the place, O Lord, you made for your dwelling, 

the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established.

18 The Lord will reign

for ever and ever.” 

Footnotes:

a. Exodus 15:15 Or rulers

b. Exodus 15:16 Or created

THE JESUS LENS [PART 2]

with Dr. Michael Williams

Before eyeglasses were invented, most people had no hope of clear vision. Similarly, the resurrection of Jesus brought another kind of clarity. Have you ever read the Bible through the Jesus lens?