“‘Blessed are the pure in heart’ should send us running to the cross.” —Ray Comfort

The cross of Christ is not a symbol of self-improvement. Jesus came to save dead sinners from eternal judgment, not to fix your temporary problems.

September 13: Who Can Bring Me Down?

#Devotional

Obadiah 1:1–21; Acts 11:19–12:25; Job 21:17–34

“The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of a rock, the heights of its dwelling, you who say in your heart: ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ ” (Obad 3).

Pride is an especially dangerous sin because it deludes us into elevating ourselves above everyone else. It can even lead us to betray or hurt other people. In this passage Obadiah addresses the Edomites, who lived in the hills above Judah. The Edomites should have helped Judah when they were attacked, but instead they conducted raids. They believed that they were superior to and had been wronged by the Judahites and that their actions were therefore justified. This type of pride puts us in a precarious position. No wonder the Bible addresses it often.

Pride can get the best of us when we place ourselves in the “clefts” above others. It usually emerges from one of two places: Either we believe that we’re as important as people tell us we are (the folly of the celebrity), or we believe that we’re better than everyone else and that others just don’t understand us. Either way, pride is dangerous. In the words of C.S. Lewis, “Pride always means enmity … not only enmity between man and man, but enmity to God.”

Job is also accused of pride—but unjustly. He confronts his persecutors about retribution related to pride: “How often is the lamp of the wicked put out, and their disaster comes upon them? He distributes pains in his anger” (Job 21:17). Job recognizes the ultimate source of pride: a refusal to fear Yahweh. It’s difficult to maintain a superior position when we realize that everything we have comes from Him. When we fear Yahweh—when we acknowledge that He created and reigns over all things—we discover our rightful place. We can then lift Him back to the place He deserves—as ruler over us, our master.

What are you prideful about, and what can you do to remedy the problem?

September 13 - The Proper Response to the Lamb of God

#LifeOfChrist

“Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus” (John 1:35–37).

John looked at Jesus as He walked nearby, and repeated to his disciples what he had proclaimed to the crowds on the previous day: “Behold, the Lamb of God!” Having heard their teacher speak again those powerful words, the two disciples followed Jesus. John’s willingness to unhesitatingly hand them over to Him is further evidence of his self-effacing humility and complete acceptance of his subordinate role.

That the two disciples followed Jesus does not imply that they became permanent disciples of His at this time. It is true that the Greek word for “followed” is used in John’s gospel to mean, “to follow as a disciple.” But it can also be used in a general sense. Andrew and John here received their first exposure to Jesus. Later, they became His permanent disciples (Matt. 4:18–22).

Since the Messiah, the Son of God—the Lamb of God—is here, the only proper response is to follow Him.

Having served his purpose as a witness to the true identity of Jesus, John the Baptist now fades from the scene (apart from a brief mention in John 3:23). The rest of the gospel focuses on the ministry of Jesus, something the Baptist himself would have approved of.

You can have the same kind of influence that John did by making sure that in addition to following Christ you also point people to Him.

Ask Yourself

What does “following” Jesus entail—not just in general terms but in real life? What does it mean on Friday nights when you’re alone with your free time, or on Tuesday morning when you’re busy with the usual routine? Think of what needs to change in moments like these if you’re to be a full-time follower.

DAY 13: What does Paul mean when he writes about being “in Christ” and someone being a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17)?



https://telegra.ph/DAILY-BIBLE-09-13

“As fruit of God saving sinners, the adulterer strives to become faithful, the liar desires to speak the truth, the thief commits to ending his stealing, and the homosexual pursues God-ordained affections. Old things pass away. All things become new.” —Ray Comfort

Good morning. It's the Lord's Day! May Christ crucified and risen be proclaimed from every pulpit worldwide today!

You are called. You are chosen. You are made with a purpose 🩵

This scenario plays out over & over in our culture today:

1)The world does something crazy.

2)Christians notice & speak up.

3) Then, the world tries to push the narrative that Christians are hateful for noticing & speaking up.

Don’t fall for or cower to that false narrative.

September 13 (Sunday)

Dear Daughter,
David asked God to search him, not to spare him — because he trusted the Gardener more than he feared the shears.

Worship today by inviting correction, not just comfort. Ask Him to search your marriage honestly.

Real intimacy with God isn't afraid of an honest audit.
'Search me, O God, and know my heart' (Ps 139:23).
What honest search are you willing to invite into your marriage today?
#DearDaughter #SundaySearch #StrongMarriage

There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.

- Richard Sibbes

Sep 13 (Sun)

Sunday declaration: Let Christ be Lord over your home! 🙌❤️ Not a guest, but the Head! Col 1:18 💞

How will you honor His lordship today? #StrongMarriage #September

If Satan cannot convince you that God does not exist, he will gladly convince you that God does not care how you live.

A Christianity with no repentance, no holiness, no obedience, and no fear of God is exactly the kind of Christianity Satan is happy for you to have.

Jesus Christ is the:
-Way
-Truth
-Life
-Vine
-Word
-Light
-Almighty
-Resurrection
-Holy One
-Son of God
-Lord of glory
-Head of the Church
-Alpha & Omega
-King of kings
-Lord of lords
-God Almighty
-YHWH
-One & ONLY Savior

He is worthy of all worship, now and forever.

Christians, guard you mind by focusing on:

• Things that are pure
• Things that are true
• Things that please God

"Set your minds on things above" (Col. 3:2).

Jesus didn't hangout with sinners because he affirmed and celebrated their lifestyles.

He spent time with sinners to show them their need for a Savior, and to teach them a different way of living.

“My grand point in preaching is to break the hard heart and to heal the broken one.” —John Newton

Christians must avoid these manners of speech:

• Speaking lies or "half-truths"
• Sharing gossip about others
• Complaining about your hard times
• Using coarse/dirty jokes

September 14: Going Your Own Way

#Devotional

Jonah 1:1–4:11; Acts 13:1–12; Job 22:1–13

I work hard to make my disobedience socially acceptable: “I have a stubborn streak,” I explain, or “I’m just like my dad.” But the truth is that my weaknesses aren’t cute or transitory—and they’re not anyone else’s fault. Instead, my disobedience is a deep-rooted, rebellious tendency to follow my own path when I should be humbling myself, seeking wisdom, or obeying leaders who know better.

The book of Jonah illustrates these opposing responses to God’s will. We can easily identify with Jonah’s stubborn character. When God tells Jonah to warn Nineveh of its coming judgment, Jonah not only disobeys, but he sets off in the opposite direction. As Jonah’s story progresses, however, we see God orchestrate a reversal. In His incredible mercy, He breaks Jonah’s stubborn streak and replaces it with humility. God also has mercy on the Ninevites—a “people who do not know right from left”—and they repent in sackcloth and ashes (Jonah 4:11).

It’s easy to diminish or rationalize our persistent faults. Yet when we’re faced with circumstances or people who hold up a mirror and show us who we truly are, we have the opportunity to change. God is molding us into people who want to follow His will, and He’ll provide opportunities to shape us to that end. We just have to respond to His calling.

How are you stubbornly insisting on your own way? How can you respond in a way that honors God?

September 14 - The Correct Response of Souls Seeking Jesus

#LifeOfChrist

“Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, ‘What do you seek?’ They said to Him, ‘Rabbi (which translated means Teacher), where are You staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’ So they came and saw where He was staying; and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour” (John 1:38–39).

As Andrew and John walked after Him, “Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, ‘What do you seek?’” He already knew what the two wanted. The Lord asked the question to challenge them to consider their motives. He did not ask them who they were seeking, but what they were seeking.

By asking “Where are You staying?” Andrew and John were not just asking where He was staying; they were courteously requesting an extended private interview with Him. The question also signaled their willingness to become His disciples.

Jesus’ immediate response, “Come, and you will see,” was the invitation Andrew and John were hoping for. Jesus knew their hearts, that they were honest, sincere seekers.

John does not record what they discussed that memorable evening, but the Lord undoubtedly “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). Whatever He said was enough to persuade them that He was indeed Israel’s Messiah, as Andrew’s excited testimony to his brother Peter the next day indicates (John 4:40–41).

In your service to Christ, be sure your motives are pure. Otherwise the Lord will know.

Ask Yourself

“What do you seek?” is a good question for us to ask ourselves as we approach the Lord, challenging our motives. What would you say you are seeking Him for? And if you’re not finding it, is it because you’re seeking amiss or for the wrong reasons—or perhaps seeking something God knows you don’t need?