Welcome to FCF - Faith Celebration Fellowship - A Christian Church in North Hollywood, California - Forum: Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos Simple:Press Forum Version 4.0.4 faithlegacy on Strength for Today http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strength-for-today/#p1130 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strength-for-today/#p1130 Wow, Cyril!

]]> Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:33:26 -0500 faithlegacy on Strategies, Ideas, Materials http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strategies-ideas-materials/#p1129 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strategies-ideas-materials/#p1129 I like our daily bread, my utmost for his highest, and sometimes just choosing a chapter and reading. I still get a great message from either one. But, I do love Oswald though. Honestly, sometimes I get a little scared to read his coz I know Im gonna get rebuked. Haha but I try to keep it light too so thats when I use the daily bread. And I sometimes feel like I just want more and I choose my own book of the bible and read that.

]]> Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:29:35 -0500 faithlegacy on Strategies, Ideas, Materials http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strategies-ideas-materials/#p1128 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strategies-ideas-materials/#p1128 I like our daily bread, my utmost for his highest, and sometimes just choosing a chapter and reading. I still get a great message from either one. But, I do love Oswald though. Honestly, sometimes I get a little scared to read his coz I know Im gonna get rebuked. Haha but I try to keep it light too so thats when I use the daily bread. And I sometimes feel like I just want more and I choose my own book of the bible and read that.

]]> Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:29:33 -0500 bellecagas on Teaching the Word http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/teaching-the-word/#p1087 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/teaching-the-word/#p1087 Protected 24/7

Psalm 121 (NLT)
1 I look up to the mountains—
does my help come from there?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth!

3 He will not let you stumble;
the one who watches over you will not slumber.
4 Indeed, he who watches over Israel
never slumbers or sleeps.

7 The Lord keeps you from all harm
and watches over your life.
8 The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,
both now and forever.


.. What a great delight and relief to know that our Lord will keep us away from harm and evil. He never sleeps nor slumbers; not lazy to watch over us and in keeping us on the right path. Just as Psalm 23 says that "he leads me in the paths of righteousness for HIS NAME'S SAKE". What a relief! The Lord is with me. 

.. I've had thoughts that what if I would fall away from God - it grips me heart to think about this and to think about the time when I did.  Yet, this reminds me with great relief that God is with me - protecting me 24/7.  I, then, got to keep in step with the Spirit. 

.. THANK YOU LORD!  so be it.


In Love

]]> Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:29:52 -0500 faithlegacy on Teaching the Word http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/teaching-the-word/#p1075 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/teaching-the-word/#p1075 Praisewoo woo. haha Amen Belle. I actually watched a scene like this in a movie. And reading the this verse took me back there to the story of Moses. Wow, The importance of this verse related to Moses when he returned from the Lord... many of the people turned their backs on their Leader which then was a direct insult to God coz thats who they were really leaving. They were all fearful focusing on the circumstance around them. Worshiping idols. Reading the chapter is awesome but watching it was even better coz it depicted all these different emotions. Some of which we can relate to in our own lives.

Then here comes this faithful leader expecting to share great things in his return. Only to find faithless people. The disappointment and the fear of God must of filled his heart. His love for the faithless people he shouts ..."will you not obey the Lord and forsake these idols you have made for yourselves! All who is for the Lord come near..." I think the movie added some stuff but it had a great impact.

So we have a duty as leaders and as followers. And that is (RT@bellecagas) to honor God with our lives, God will fill our years with strength, provision, restoration, guidance, and all things we can think of. That is why Matthew 6:33 talks about being provided about everything else if we put God's kingdom first.,

]]> Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:25:36 -0500 bellecagas on Teaching the Word http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/teaching-the-word/#p913 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/teaching-the-word/#p913
Genesis 47:31b
31 "Swear to me," he said. Then Joseph swore to him, and Israel worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

Even to the end of Jacob's life, he still worshiped God. It's amazing to see with all the experiences he's gone through in life, he was full of years. How? He did what was right in the eyes of God.

When we honor God with our lives, God will fill our years with strength, provision, restoration, guidance, and all things we can think of. That is why Matthew 6:33 talks about being provided about everything else if we put God's kingdom first.

Oh-some.

]]> Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:46:59 -0500 bellecagas on Teaching the Word http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/teaching-the-word/#p852 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/teaching-the-word/#p852 During my devotions today, I came across this little “difficulty” trying to get something out of what I was reading.  Later on, as I spent more time on it, I realized something cool despite all my questions:


Judges 18:5-6 (NLT)

5 Then they said, “Ask God whether or not our journey will be successful.”

6 “Go in peace,” the priest replied. “For the Lord is watching over your journey.”


I still have questions regarding this passage. Nevertheless, we can still draw out some facts and truths that can be applied in our lives:

Facts:

  • Though the Danites may not have had God as their God, they still inquired of Him and His guidance through the hired Levite priest as they ventured through Laish.
  • The priest assured them that God was going to be with them.
  • Regardless of whether or not the Levite priest gave what was God-given guidance or not, the Danites settled in Laish - meaning, their journey was successful as the priest had told them.

Questions:
Since there was no king at that time, and the people did everything as they saw fit, would that priest would've been right in telling the Danites that the Lord was with them? Was it just through his own that he gave that advice to them? Or was the Lord with him in that advice?

Truth about God:
We may not be so in line with God (as the people mentioned in the book of Judges were), yet God in his gracious mercy, will still guide us through life. Remember the times when you were away from God… God never left his hand on you. He still has great and amazing plans for us. Despite our actions, God's nature still remains - that He is GOD.  His ways are always safe and secure. He is a God of blessings and enormous mercy. He still remains who HE IS.


Sigh.  God is awesome.  In Love

]]> Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:20:26 -0500 SekihMentis on Strength for Today http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strength-for-today/#p746 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strength-for-today/#p746 05/23/09 - Stephen: Grace and Serenity in Suffering

“And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.” - Acts 6:5

Stephen’s excellent character teaches us much about responding to suffering and death.

Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is one of the most inspiring biblical examples of faithfulness in life and ministry. But his personal excellence shines forth most through the familiar account of his death by stoning. As one of the first deacons in the church, Stephen was recognized early on as a man of great faith and spirituality (Acts 6:5). And a few verses later Luke describes him as “full of grace and power” (v. 8). That was a grace of loving-kindness toward others, which he displayed in a most powerful way just before his death.

In Acts 7:60, as the Jews were pelting him with rocks, Stephen was able to look up to Heaven and say, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” That kind of faith-filled, grace-filled reaction to those who were hatefully killing him was possible only because Stephen believed in God’s sovereign control over his life and death.

At the very start of his encounter, Stephen manifested another amazing response to his horribly unjust treatment: his enemies “saw his face like the face of an angel” (Acts 6:15). It’s impossible for us to know precisely what such an expression would have been like, but it denoted a supernatural tranquility and joy that comes from being enveloped by the Lord’s glorious presence. Stephen’s awesome expression must have been an extremely forceful rebuke to the Jewish leaders who claimed to know God.

The typical reaction from many of us in the same situation would have been to exhibit much anxiety, stress, and anger. But Stephen demonstrated no such response. Instead, he is a role model for how any believer ought to behave during the most challenging trial. He had more than adequate grace to cope well in every circumstance (cf. 2 Cor. 12:9; James 4:6), which is true of all genuine Christians—those “full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.”

Suggestions for Prayer: Thank the Lord for Christian friends who are role models to you. Pray that your behavior today would be special and Spirit-filled, not ordinary and man-centered.

[Father, thank You for the life and testimonies of the men and women at church. thank You for their faithfulness; for being good role models; being good examples Christ-likeness. please bless them more and keep them. i pray that You would the same for me. and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. take away any wrong motivations that could spur out of me and other individuals too. we give You all the praises and the glory. all these i lift up to You, in Jesus' Name, and by Your Power Holy Spirit. amen.]

For Further Study: Read Exodus 33:7-11, 17-23; 34:29-35. What does Moses’ experience reveal about the power of God’s glory?

[the power of God's glory makes a person's face glow.]

[From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, http://www.crossway.com.

]]> Sat, 23 May 2009 18:33:48 -0500 SekihMentis on Drawing Near http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/drawing-near/#p745 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/drawing-near/#p745 05/23/09 - Marveling at God's Forgiveness

The twelve apostles included "Matthew the tax-gatherer" (Matt. 10:3).

Matthew describes himself as "Matthew the tax-gatherer" (Matt. 10:3). He is the only apostle whose name is associated with an occupation. Apparently Matthew never forgot what he had been saved from, and never lost his sense of awe and unworthiness over Christ's forgiveness.

This is how he set the scene of his own conversion: Matthew 9:1-8 tells us Jesus forgave the sins of a paralytic man and then healed him of his paralysis. When the Jewish scribes accused Him of blasphemy for claiming to have the authority to forgive sins, He said to them, "Why are you thinking evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, and walk'?" He wanted them to know His miracles testified of His deity. As God, He could as easily forgive sins as He could heal diseases.

Immediately after that account, Matthew gave the account of his own call. It's as if he wanted his own salvation to serve as an illustration of Christ's ability to forgive even the vilest of sinners. Matthew 9:9 says, "As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man, called Matthew, sitting in the tax office; and He said to him, 'Follow Me!' And he rose, and followed Him."

When the Pharisees questioned Jesus's practice of associating with tax-gatherers, He said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. . . . I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners" (vv. 12-13). The Pharisees were sick with sin but thought they were healthy. Matthew and his associates knew they were sinners who needed a Savior.

Do you share Matthew's humility and sense of awe at receiving Christ's precious gift of forgiveness? I pray that you do and that you are continually praising Him for it.

Suggestions for Prayer:

    * Thank God for the wonder of forgiveness.
    * If you have lost your sense of awe over God's forgiveness, perhaps you're taking His grace for granted. Confess your apathy and ask Him to give you a deep appreciation for the enormous price He paid for your salvation.

[Father, thank You for Your forgiveness throught Our Lord Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus thank You for everything that You've done so we can be forgiven and be one with the Father. i'm sorry for i have taken Your forgiveness for granted. Holy Spirit please give me a deep appreciation for the sacrifices that Jesus did for my salvation. all these i lift up to You, in Your Name Lord Jesus, by Your Power Holy Spirit. amen.]

For Further Study: As a reminder of what Christ endured for you, read Matthew 26:17--27:56, which chronicles the events of His betrayal and crucifixion.

[From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, http://www.crossway.com.

]]> Sat, 23 May 2009 18:06:46 -0500 SekihMentis on Strength for Today http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strength-for-today/#p742 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strength-for-today/#p742 05/22/09 - Entrusting all to God

“Therefore, let those also who suffer according to the will of God entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.” - 1 Peter 4:19

The final attitude we should have in facing trials and sufferings is that of entrusting ourselves to God.

Geoffrey Bull epitomizes the modern-day believer who entrusts his entire soul to God’s will in the middle of terrible suffering. Bull was punished with solitary confinement, brainwashing, many kinds of intimidation, and starvation during more than three years of imprisonment by the Communist Chinese forty years ago. During his affliction he prayed that God would help him remember Scriptures, realize His peace, and triumph over doubt, fear, loneliness, and fatigue. The final two lines of a poem he wrote summarize Bull’s complete trust in God’s plan and purpose:

And Thy kingdom, Gracious God, Shall never pass away.

The term “entrust” is a banker’s expression meaning “to deposit for safekeeping.” Peter encourages all believers who experience trials and tribulations to give over their very lives (“souls”) to God’s care. The Lord is indeed “a faithful Creator” who made us. Therefore we can and should trust Him fully as the only one who is able to care for all our needs.

By this point Peter has assumed that his original readers, since many had endured persecution, knew what suffering was like. Therefore, he could also present the Lord as a sovereign God who could be trusted to do “what is right.” Because it is God’s will to allow sufferings and trials in the lives of all believers, it is only logical that Peter exhort us to entrust ourselves to Him during such times.

Peter’s instruction is also related to Romans 12:1, “I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual [or rational] service of worship.” Paul reminds us that it is much easier to react as we should to trials if we have already resolved, with God’s help, to entrust everything to Him. Then we can face with calm and confidence, rather than worry and fear, whatever God allows.

Suggestions for Prayer: Review your commitment to God, and ask Him to bring to mind anything that you need to entrust wholly to Him; then by faith take that step.

[Father, i rededicate my life to You. thank You for the asurance of Your Word. may i live worthy of Your calling and saving Grace. Holy Spirit please remind me of God's Word so i can put them to action. all these i lift up to You, in Your Name Jesus, by Your Power Holy Spirit. amen.]

For Further Study: Psalm 25 describes David’s desire to trust in God. Read it and pick out several verses or a paragraph to meditate on.

[4 Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. 5 Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.]

[From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, http://www.crossway.com.

]]> Sat, 23 May 2009 00:08:24 -0500 SekihMentis on Drawing Near http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/drawing-near/#p741 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/drawing-near/#p741 05/22/09 - A Traitor Turns to Christ

The twelve apostles included "Matthew the tax-gatherer" (Matt. 10:3).

I remember reading a notice in a local newspaper announcing the opening of a new evangelical church in our community. It gave the date and time of the first services, then added, "our special guest star will be . . ." and named a popular Christian celebrity. In its attempt to appeal to unbelievers or simply draw a large crowd, the church today commonly uses that kind of approach.

Jesus, however, used a different approach. None of His disciples were famous at all. In fact, rather than drawing a favorable crowd, some of them might have repelled or even incited anger and hatred among His Jewish audience. Matthew was such a man because he was a despised tax-gatherer--one of many Jewish men employed by Rome to collect taxes from his own people. As such he was regarded as a traitor by his own countrymen.

The Roman tax system allowed tax collectors to keep anything they collected in excess of what was owed to Rome. That encouraged bribes, extortion, and other abuses.

To compound the issue, Matthew was among those who had the prerogative of taxing almost anything they wanted to tax- -roads, bridges, harbors, axles, donkeys, packages, letters, imports, exports, merchandise, and so on. Such men could accumulate enormous wealth for themselves. You might remember another tax-gatherer named Zaccheus, who is described in Luke 19:2 as a wealthy man. His salvation was evidenced by his offer to repay fourfold to those he had defrauded (v. 8).

Some people think God can't use them because they're not famous or because of their past sins. But God has used Matthew, Zaccheus, and millions of others like them. Concentrate on your present purity and let God bless your ministry as He sees fit.

Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God that he has made you a new person in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17). Minister in light of that reality!

[Father, thank You for making me into a new person through the Lord Jesus Christ. help me live in that reality of my new identity. all these i lift up to You, in Your Name Jesus, and by Your Power Holy Spirit. let it be.]

For Further Study: Read Luke 19:1-10.

    * Where was Zaccheus when Jesus first spoke to him?
    * What was the reaction of the crowd when Jesus went to Zaccheus's house?
    * What prompted Jesus to say that salvation had come to Zaccheus?

[zaccheus, the tax-collector, was on a sycamore tree because he was too short when Jesus first spoke to him. the crowd displeased of Jesus because He went to zaccheus' house. Jesus said that salvation had come to zaccheus because of his genuine repentance and love for the Lord and his desire to correct what his mistakes.]

[From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, http://www.crossway.com.

]]> Fri, 22 May 2009 13:35:24 -0500 SekihMentis on Strength for Today http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strength-for-today/#p730 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strength-for-today/#p730 05/21/09 - Evaluating Our Suffering

“By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler.” - 1 Peter 4:15

We must not presume that God blesses every possible kind of suffering a Christian may become involved in.

It’s quite obvious that some sufferings and trials are not part of God’s plan for us. Believers should never suffer because they’ve murdered, robbed, or done evil. But in today’s verse Peter mentions a fourth category—“a troublesome meddler”—whose meaning is not as apparent and whose application might be more in dispute.

“A troublesome meddler” interferes with everyone else’s business, and Paul says we should avoid such persons (1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:14; 1 Tim. 5:13). But I believe Peter also uses the term to refer to a political agitator, someone who actively tries to disrupt the normal function of the government. If this understanding is correct, then Peter is commanding Christians to be good citizens in their non-Christian cultures (cf. Rom. 13:1-7). We are to go to work, live peacefully, witness to others, and exalt Christ.

Believers are not to act like radicals who are intent on overthrowing existing authority or imposing Christian standards on society. Getting into trouble with your employer or being fired by him because of disruptive activities, even those done in the name of Christ, is not honorable but disgraceful.

Most believers would never even consider the possibility of being involved in militia groups that are engaged in separatist activities and are violently opposed to all legitimate governmental authority. Yet some Christians wrongly see validity in strategies of civil disobedience and violence as they oppose some government-sanctioned acts, specifically abortion. They are not satisfied with simply providing biblical counsel or material and educational assistance at a local pro-life agency, as many believers have done over the past twenty-five years. Therefore, if we would seek to promote what is right and redress injustices, we must use scriptural discernment regarding which strategies to implement or support. Similarly, the Lord wants us to evaluate all our trials and sufferings and be sure they are placing us in the center of His will. Otherwise, we can claim to suffer righteously when we are not and merely be “a troublesome meddler,” which is not pleasing to God.

Suggestions for Prayer: Pray that your church would always have biblical reasons for supporting any efforts at redressing social wrongs.

[Father, thank Your for Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. guide us with our actions and decisions. may we consult You in everything. take away the stupidity of our minds, the lust of our eyes and flesh, our pride, and replace it with Your Love and Truth. let fcf and the rest of Your body conform to Your Word only and not to the patterns of this world. let us stand for Your Truth and not to compromise our faith. in those ways we avoid suffering unnecessarily. all these i lift up to You, in Your Name Lord Jesus, by Your Power Holy Spirit. let it be.]

For Further Study: What areas does Peter include in 1 Peter 2:11-19 when he encourages obedience to authority?

[awareness of our sinful nature, our testimony to the unbelievers, respect for the government, love for the the church, and fear of God]

[From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, http://www.crossway.com.

]]> Thu, 21 May 2009 12:38:06 -0500 SekihMentis on Drawing Near http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/drawing-near/#p727 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/drawing-near/#p727 05/21/09 - Beyond Doubt to Hope

The twelve apostles included "Thomas" (Matt. 10:3).

When Jesus was crucified, Thomas was shattered. He loved Jesus deeply and wanted always to be with Him. He was willing even to die with Him, but now his greatest fear had been realized: Jesus was gone.

Thomas was not with the other disciples when Jesus appeared to them after His resurrection. John 20:25 says, "The other disciples therefore were saying to [Thomas], 'We have seen the Lord!' But he said to them, 'Unless I shall see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." Thomas was emotionally spent and unwilling to subject himself to any further pain. So he retreated behind a wall of empiricism, saying in effect, "I'm not going to believe this on your word alone. I need proof! I must see Jesus myself."

Because of that, people have labeled him "Doubting Thomas," but remember, none of the disciples believed the resurrection until Jesus appeared to them. Thomas wasn't a compulsive doubter--he was a loving pessimist.

As it turned out, Thomas didn't need as much proof as he thought. When Jesus finally appeared to him and invited him to touch His hands and side, Thomas didn't do either. Instead he immediately cried out, "My Lord and my God!" (v. 28)--which is the greatest single confession of faith ever made.

Thomas struggled with doubt because he didn't understand what Jesus said about His own death and resurrection, and he wasn't with the other disciples when Jesus first appeared to them. He failed to understand God's Word and forsook the company of believers--two common mistakes that can lead to doubt.

Jesus doesn't condemn you when you have doubts. Instead, He gives you His Spirit, His Word, and the fellowship of His people to encourage and strengthen you. So commune with the Spirit in prayer, know the Word well, and never forsake the fellowship of believers. That's how to change your doubts into hope!

Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the presence of His Spirit, the power of His word, and the fellowship of His people.

[LORD God, thank You for Your faithfulness to me and other people. thank You for Your presence, Your Word, and the works of Your hand. thank You for encouraging me through other people's faith, their works, their lives. Holy Spirit thank You for your presence in our lives. Lord Jesus thank You for Your Word; for pointing us to the Father and for making Him known to us. thank You LORD God for turning our doubts into hope. thank You for blessing us and showing us You are real. all these i lift up to You, in Your Name Jesus, by Your Power Holy Spirit. amen.]

For Further Study: Read Luke 24:13-35.

    * Why didn't the two disciples recognize Jesus?
    * How did Jesus change their doubts to hope?

[they probably didn't recognize Jesus because of His glorified body (v.16) and apparently, the they didn't know the what the Scriptures said about Jesus the Messiah so and they claimed and believed Jesus died and that was all for Him. Jesus changed their doubts to living hope by enlightening them with what the Scriptures said about Him and by showing them that it is Him that is talking to them.]

[From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, http://www.crossway.com.

]]> Thu, 21 May 2009 11:13:42 -0500 SekihMentis on Drawing Near http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/drawing-near/#p718 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/drawing-near/#p718 05/20/09 - Desiring Christ's Presence

The twelve apostles included "Thomas" (Matt. 10:3).

When you think of Thomas, you probably think of a doubter. But if you look beyond his doubt, you'll see he was characterized by something that should mark every true believer: an intense desire to be with Christ.

John 10:39-40 tells us Jesus and His disciples left Jerusalem because of threats on Jesus' life. While they were staying near the Jordan River, Jesus received word that His dear friend Lazarus was sick. He delayed going to Lazarus because He didn't want merely to heal him, but to raise him from the dead.

Lazarus lived in Bethany--just two miles east of Jerusalem. So when Jesus decided to go there, His disciples were deeply concerned, thinking it would surely be a suicide mission (John 11:8). Despite the danger, Thomas said, "Let us also go, that we may die with Him" (v. 16). That's a pessimistic attitude, but it shows his courage and desire to be with Christ, whether in life or death. An optimist would expect the best, making it easier to go. Thomas expected the worst, but was willing to go anyway.

I believe Thomas couldn't bear the thought of living without Christ. He would rather die with Him than live without Him. That's also evident in John 14, where Jesus told the disciples He was going away to prepare a place for them. Thomas responded by saying in effect, "Lord, we don't know where you're going or how to get there. Please don't go somewhere we can't go!" (v. 5). He didn't understand what Jesus was going to do. All he knew was he didn't want to be separated from His Lord.

Can you identify with Thomas? Is Christ such an integral part of your daily decisions and activities that life without Him is unthinkable? Do you love Him so much you long to see Him? That was Thomas's passion. May it be yours as well.

Suggestions for Prayer:

    * Thank the Lord for His presence and power in your life.
    * Demonstrate your love for Him by communing with Him often.

[Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit, thank You for Your Power in my life. help me to stay in Your Word. help me to always dwell in Your presence. teach me to pray and always be in prayer. all these i lift up to You, in Jesus' Name, let it be.]

For Further Study: Read John 14:1-31.

    * What did Jesus say about His return?
    * Who would comfort and instruct the disciples in Christ's absence?

[Jesus said that He and the Father would return in our lives; residing in our hearts [Kingdom of God (Luke 17:20-21 KJV)]. Jesus will return again physically to establish the Kingdom of Heaven [physical, (Acts 1:6-8 KJV)]. the Holy Spirit guided and instructed Christ's disciples in His absence. we also have the Holy Spirit as our guide and instructor today.]

[From Drawing Near by John MacArthur Copyright © 1993. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, http://www.crossway.com.

]]> Wed, 20 May 2009 17:32:47 -0500 SekihMentis on Strength for Today http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strength-for-today/#p712 Devotionals http://www.fcflife.com/forum/devos/strength-for-today/#p712 05/20/09 - Rejoicing Through The Spirit

“If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” - 1 Peter 4:14

The indwelling Holy Spirit allows us to rejoice, no matter how greatly we suffer or are persecuted.

One of the greatest scientific breakthroughs of the past half century has been the discovery of the DNA molecule, which carries unique and essential genetic information about all living beings. The most well-known practical application of DNA has been the “fingerprinting” technique in which genetic information from one DNA sample is compared with that of another. If the information matches, it’s highly probable, but not absolutely certain, that the samples identify the same individual.

While discoveries about DNA’s ability to more precisely determine physical identity have been newsworthy, God long ago established His infallible truth regarding spiritual identity. The apostle Paul gives us the basic criterion by which we can know if we are believers: “However you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him” (Rom. 8:9). This reinforces Jesus’ teaching to Nicodemus about being born again (John 3:3-6). Therefore, all genuine believers will know the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence.

The Spirit’s presence in our lives is one final reason we have to rejoice in trials and sufferings. Peter calls the Holy Spirit “the Spirit of glory” because as deity the Spirit has glory as an essential attribute. Although that glory doesn’t manifest itself today as it did in the Old Testament (e.g., the cloud in the tabernacle), the Spirit’s indwelling a Christian is nonetheless real for any who are undergoing a trial.

First Peter 4:14 is referring to a special grace that goes beyond the normal indwelling of the Spirit. It is much like the extraordinary power that Stephen realized before and during his stoning (see Acts 6:15; 7:55-60). God’s Spirit gave him amazing composure and strength and lifted him above normal pain and fear. The Holy Spirit also blesses us with abundant grace, specially suited to our times of need. Therefore, it should be hard for us to react with any attitude but rejoicing, no matter how difficult our trials.

Suggestions for Prayer: Thank God for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, who ministers daily in your life.

[Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit, for letting me know and letting me be aware that You're there. thank You for being there when i need You. thank You for taking residence in my life. these i thank You in Jesus' Name. amen.]

For Further Study: Read Exodus 3:1-6. What was unique about the bush? How did Moses react to God’s glory?

[the bush was on fire but wasn't burning. moses was amazed but was sore afraid to even look at God.]

[From Strength for Today by John MacArthur Copyright © 1997. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, IL 60187, http://www.crossway.com.

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