Devotional for Men at TheLife.com

Grace Alone

Published by Darren on March 18, 2008 in Devotional and Devotional For Men. 0 Comments

By Suzanne Benner

Also available as a podcast at: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/03/18/grace-alone-3/

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"I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” (Galatians 2:21)

This verse says it all. Jesus died for our sins or He died for nothing; either we are saved by grace or we are saved by works.

It can’t be both because if we depend on works we nullify God’s grace.

Thus Easter is a good time to remember the foundation of our faith.

Early Christians had to come to the realization that their Jewish heritage of following the law, while valuable, could not save them.

“We who are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners” know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.” (Galatians 2: 15, 16)

In the same way, those of us who have grown up in a Christian family or culture need to acknowledge that we aren’t saved by God’s grace plus some good deeds of our own.

“For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.” (Romans 3:28)

When people add good works as a criterion for salvation, they indirectly say that Jesus’ death on the cross wasn’t enough. That is not what the Bible teaches.

It is God’s grace alone, awe inspiring, costly grace, by which we are saved.

~Thank you God for Your amazing grace that reaches to me. Help me to stand firm on the truth taught in Your Word, that it is by grace alone that I am able to come into relationship with You and be saved from eternal separation from You.

Questions: Why is it difficult to accept that we are justified by grace alone? How can we graciously respond to those who believe good works can make themselves right with God?

About the Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalformen/authors/suzanne-benner/

He Calls me Friend

Published by Darren on March 17, 2008 in Devotional and Devotional For Men. 2 Comments

By Charlene Friesen

Also available as a podcast at: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/03/17/he-calls-me-friend-3/

Learn about the character of God in our online study: http://thelife.com/study/charactergod.html

“Greetings, Rabbi!” Judas cried, embracing Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. With a kiss of death, Judas confirmed Jesus identity to the religious leaders and a gang of ruffians. Jesus, still locked in Judas’ embrace, said, “Friend, do what you came for.”

Roughly pushed aside by the angry crowd, Judas cowered behind some trees. There he sat, haunted by one word – friend. Judas, the traitor, the one who sold Jesus to the Pharisees for thirty silver coins – was considered a friend.

He stumbled away, his job done, his payment jingling in a satchel. Every step, every rattle of those dirty coins reminded Judas of his greed and betrayal. Filled with remorse, he flung the coins at the Pharisees’ feet, scattering the silver on the floor. “Traitor! Filthy sinner!” the coins seemed to taunt. “It’s done,” retorted the chief priests. “We don’t want blood money, it’s your problem.”

Problem? Jesus took care of that in the Garden of Gethsemane. By calling Judas “friend,” the betrayal became His issue. Judas was now forgiven; mercy extended in the name of friend.

For Jesus, the word friend is all-inclusive. He included crusty fishermen, shifty tax collectors, abrasive loudmouths and eccentric locus eaters in his circle. He befriended those who would betray him, deny him, and criticize him. Jesus’ friends were as diverse and unique as fingerprints.

Who are your friends? Shake the tendency to surround yourself with only those who have your best interest at heart. Gather a ragtag band. Then partner with those who hold you spiritually accountable – now minister to the Judas’ in your life.

You can never have too many friends.

“Lord, just as friends come in all shapes and sizes, so do their personalities. Give me the insight, patience and commitment to love them equally. I want to give of myself, with no expectation of receiving anything in return.”

Question: Are there people in your life who are difficult to call "friends"?

About the Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/charlene-friesen/

You are There

Published by Darren on March 16, 2008 in Devotional and Devotional For Men. 0 Comments

by Muriel Larson

Also available as a podcast at: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/03/16/you-are-there-3/

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“He came to his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:11-12).

A parade is coming! You hear the joyful shouts of the crowd of people approaching.

"What’s going on?" you ask a bystander. He cranes his neck. "It’s some man riding on a donkey. I think it may be that Jesus, who goes around healing people!”

You squeeze through the crowd that has gathered around you. There’s no band, no drumbeats. But the noise is deafening! Then you break through, and you see Him. People are throwing palm branches on the road before Him. Children are all over the place jumping for joy.

"Hosannah to the Son of David!" they’re shouting joyfully. "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

"Son of David," someone says. "He must be the Savior God promised to send–the Messiah!"

As Jesus draws near, you peer at Him. That’s Jesus, the Man who healed your blind uncle! That’s Jesus–the man who healed the lame, the deaf, the lepers–the man who raised that widow’s son from the dead! Your heart leaps for joy. He is the Messiah, the Savior. You start leaping for joy and shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David, the Messiah!"

Some Pharisees step up to Jesus and stop Him. "Teacher," they exclaim, "rebuke your disciples!"

Jesus looks at them soberly. "I tell you," He says, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out!"

You join the great crowd following Jesus. And suddenly He stops again on a hillock. As He looks at Jerusalem, tears roll down His cheeks! Then He says sadly, "Oh, Jerusalem! If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace–but now it is hidden from your eyes! The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within the walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you!"

This prophecy made by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came true in 70 A.D.

You really weren’t there that day; but Jesus still offers His salvation to those of us who live today. Have you yourself received Jesus Christ as your Messiah, as your Savior?

The reason God allowed cruel men to crucify His Son during that terrible week that followed was because "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." And Romans 10:13 declares, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!"

When God saves us, He transforms our lives. If we truly know Jesus Christ, we will love, follow, and serve Him, the Holy One who gave His life for us!

Help us to realize what great love you have for us, Lord, and to follow you!

Question: If you could witness Jesus’ triumphent entry into Jerusalem, what would you shout out? (Or what would you LIKE to shout out?)

About the Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalformen/authors/muriel-larson/

Passing on Our Faith

Published by Darren on March 15, 2008 in Devotional and Devotional For Men. 0 Comments

by Lydia Harris

Also available as a podcast at: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/03/15/passing-on-our-faith-3/

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Please open your Bible and read: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Do you have any Easter traditions? My mother baked paska, a lemon-flavored Russian sweet bread. She passed on her recipe to me, and now I bake it each Easter. But more important than favorite recipes, my parents passed on their spiritual heritage and strong faith in God.

My husband and I, too, want to pass on a godly legacy to our children and grandchildren. One meaningful tradition we started when our children were young was to save our Christmas tree trunk and make it into a cross at Easter. We would cut off the upper one-third of the trunk and nail or wire it to the lower two-thirds to make the cross. Sometimes our children decorated it with a grape-vine wreath to represent a crown of thorns. We displayed the cross beside the fireplace in our living room as a ready witness to share the Easter story with our children and others. This taught them the connection between Christmas and Easter: Christ was born to die.

In this passage, Paul writes to the Corinthians and reminds them what is most important to pass on. He stresses the essentials: The message of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. He wants them to believe and receive the gospel as he did and be saved.

What would you like to pass on? Paul’s priority is a good place for us to begin.

Respond: Risen Lord, thank you for the power of the resurrection and new life it brings in Christ. This Easter season, give me opportunities and courage to pass on my faith to others.

Question: Do we usually celebrate Christmas and Easter as disconnected events? How can we better integrate the two?

About the Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalforwomen/authors/lydia-e-harris/

He Watches Over Me

Published by Leah on March 14, 2008 in Devotional and Devotional For Men. 0 Comments

Also available as a podcast at: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/03/14/he-watches-over-me/

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http://mentodayonline.com/chat/ask_IC.html

The LORD will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. Ps 121:7-8

I have seen pictures of it and always wanted to see it, not only because it represents one of the greatest art works in the world, but because it represents all that Jesus is to me, my redeemer, my shepherd and the one who watches over me.

I love that song that sings: "I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free; For I know His eye is on the sparrow and I know He’s watching me." Happy is the person who not only sings, but feels God’s eye is on the sparrow, and knows He watches over them. To be simply ensconced in God is true joy. I have always thought how wonderful it would be to live in a city with such a constant reminder.

When I think about Rio de Janeiro, the first thing that comes to mind is the giant statue of Jesus overlooking the city, the Statue of Christ the Redeemer. Located at the top of Corcovado Mountain in Tijuca National Park this great statue stands 2330 feet tall, holding the city of Rio in his arms and is one of the most famous and most visited monuments in the world, so when I landed here yesterday and drove into this beautiful city, my neck strained, looking in every direction for a glimpse of Jesus.

Suddenly around a bend, there He was, with arms outstretched, keeping watch over the city. When I got to my hotel, He was almost watching out the window. When I presided over my board meeting, He was there on the mountain watching our every move.

Christ the Redeemer ("Cristo Redentor" in Portuguese) stands at the top of the 710-meter mountain, a granite dome, overlooking the city, and has become a symbol of the Rio. In it’s own right, it is truly one of the world’s great works of art, but it is more, as it symbolizes in physical form the presence of Jesus in all Christian hearts in spiritual form.

God is more that a statute or a tangible token. He is our Heavenly Father, and He watches over His children, as this beautiful statue watches over the city. The Bible says that no matter what happens to us, nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:39).

For the last two days, I keep seeing Jesus watching over this city. I even drove back out to Corcovado tonight to see Jesus illuminated in the dark, as He is always visible, just as He is always with us. He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Ps 121:3-4. Truly, it is a sight to behold

But maybe the most beautiful part is that this two thousand plus foot statue of Jesus is build in a public park and the ACLU is no where in sight!

Questions: What passages of scripture bring you comfort in times of distress?

About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalformen/authors/john_grant/

Faith During Storms

Published by Darren on March 13, 2008 in Devotional and Devotional For Men. 0 Comments

By Darren Hewer

Also available as a podcast at: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/03/13/faith-during-storms-2/

Explore how to beat stress in our online interactive study! http://thelife.com/study/beatstress.htmll?section=beatstress

One summer night during a severe thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can’t dear. I have to sleep in Daddy’s room." A long silence followed. At last it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!" - Source unknown

Who hasn’t questioned God in the middle of a storm? The disciples did. "The disciples woke [Jesus] up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?’" (Mark 4:38) We’ve all asked that at one time or another. "God, don’t you care?" We know that He does, but sometimes it seems as though He’s distant as we’re battered by raging storms.

We know that God loves us more deeply than we can ever know. It’s not a question of whether we will be confronted with storms or not, but rather how we must face adversity: As someone with hope and faith in an all-powerful God. Jesus never promised that we’d have an easy life, but He did promise that he would be with us "always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). If we believe that God is the one "who is, who always was, and who is still to come - the Almighty One." (Revelation 1:8) ultimately what do we have to fear? We may not be all-knowing like God is, but because of Jesus’ death on the cross for our salvation, we can be assured that no matter what temporary storms we face, that our place with God in eternity is assured. (1 Corinthians 9:25)

The Lord is my light and my salvation
    so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?
The one thing I ask of the Lord
    the thing I seek most
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
    delighting in the Lord’s perfections
    and meditating in his Temple.
For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
    he will hide me in his sanctuary.
    He will place me out of reach on a high rock. (Psalm 27:1,4,5)

Question: Where do you get your strength during the storms of life?

About the Author: http://thelife.com/experience/devotionalformen/authors/darren-hewer/

Listening Carefully To God

Published by Leah on March 12, 2008 in Devotional and Devotional For Men. 0 Comments

by Charles Stanley

Also available as a podcast at: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/03/12/listening-carefully-to-god-2/

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Please open your Bible and read:
(James 1:22 - 25)

The Father said of Jesus, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!” (Mark 9:7) Christ warned, “Take care how you listen” (Luke 8:18) and told the crowd to “hear and understand.” (Matthew 15:10) Paying close attention is a quality that marks a follower of the Savior.

There are two types of listeners - passive and assertive. At first glance, both will appear to be concentrating; their mindsets, however, are quite different. The inactive listener has his mind partly on other things and gives little thought to hearing from the Lord. In contrast, the conscientious listener comes with an expectation of receiving something from God - guidance, encouragement, or simply His comforting presence. Although they might not consciously realize it, inattentive people are focused on themselves rather than on the Lord. Their lack of focus results in an “entertain me” attitude, which manifests itself in wanting a specific kind of music and a service that makes them feel good. Assertive hearers, on the other hand, are not happy unless they have encountered the living God. He is their primary focus.

If we anticipate that the Lord is going to speak, we will do whatever it takes to remember what He says - we will open our Bibles to sharpen our attention on His Word, and we’ll have a pen in hand to record what He reveals. If we expect little or are indifferent to receiving a word from Him, we will not be given much.

The Lord always speaks purposefully. However, He is not always heard. What kind of listener are you?

Questions: Is there a special time you can set aside this coming week for doing some listening?

About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalformen/authors/charles-stanley/

Try Tithing

Published by Leah on March 11, 2008 in Devotional and Devotional For Men. 4 Comments

by Katherine Kehler

Also available as a podcast at: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/03/11/try-tithing-2/

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“Bring all the tithes…so there will be food enough…if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!??
(Malachi 3:10).

An email with an interesting challenge came to me today. The email read, “I need your help. I am behind on a lot of bills. I am a waitress and each day I try to put back my tithes that I have made that day. But the bill collectors are calling and it seems that I need money to make ends meet. What do I do? I need spiritual help.??

Seems like she isn’t the only struggling with whether to pay bills or tithe. Let me give you the answer I gave her - in the natural way of thinking, tithing doesn’t make sense if you are in debt. However let me give you a promise from God:

“Bring all your tithes…if you do, I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in. Try it! Let me prove it to you?? (Malachi 3:10).

God promises that if we give Him the first tenth of our income, He will pour out a great blessing on us. This has been our way of life (Marvin’s and mine) for all of the years we have been married, and we certainly have been blessed.

But let me tell you a story about another waitress, which illustrates this point. Formerly, I used to lead a Bible study for businesswomen in Vancouver, BC. Our waitress would linger and listen to our discussions. One week, we were discussing tithing and the waitress was very cynical. But the next Sunday, she decided to put? a tenth of her weekly tips into the offering plate at church.

You can imagine her surprise when at the bus stop the next morning she found a wad of bills lying on the ground. God has a sense of humor? - but He does keep his promises. I would encourage you to try it? - He does keep His promises.

Another tip: if you? are trying to budget, begin applying the following budgeting tips (see Related Links below) and watch what God does.

Dear Father, You have given us so many gifts we never open. Today, I ask that each woman and man that reads this devotion would give their tithe as soon as they get their pay check and let them be surprised by what you will do in response. Amen.

Questions: How have you been blessed in the past by your giving?

About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalformen/authors/katherine-kehler/

He who lends to the poor

Published by Leah on March 10, 2008 in Devotional and Devotional For Men. 0 Comments

by Tom Holladay

Also available as a podcast at: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/03/10/he-who-lends-to-the-poor/

Explore the character of our great and generous God through this online study: http://thelife.com/study/portraitsofthechrist.html

“Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.”
(Proverbs 19:17, Msg)

God cares about the poor. He desires for us to be like him: to develop eyes and heart that have compassion on others. Compassion is simply "wanting to help those in need."

Who are the "poor" in our lives? We don’t have to travel far to find those who are living in poverty and are in need of help. I’d encourage you to regularly break out of your "bubble" and join a short-term mission team.

But don’t slip into the habit of having compassion only for those who live far away. There are also people we encounter daily who are in desperate need.

What about a grieving friend who has experienced a significant loss?

Or your co-worker who is so spiritually poor they continue to choose the world’s way to satisfy their need for God?

Who has God been tugging on your heart about?

All that we have in this moment - our possessions, faith, health, relationships - are gifts from God. This verse reminds us that when we give to those in need we are "lending" back to God what is already his.

And then he rewards us. What a deal!

In God’s economy 2 + 2 = more than 4. Remember the story of the widow’s mite?

Or the miracle in Mark 6 of the fish and the loaves?

Whatever is offered to God (no matter how small it seems to us), he will multiply it in amazing ways.

Point to ponder: Though we may have little to offer, God can take what we give him and multiply it to bless others.

Verse: “Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.” (Proverbs 19:17, Msg)

What will you do about it: Look around and see who needs a touch from you today. Who needs to talk? Who needs a hug? Who needs to hear about Jesus? Let God use you today to bless others.

Prayer: Ask God to multiply your compassion.

Questions: Who has God been tugging on your heart about?

About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalformen/authors/tom-holladay/

Facing Your Giants

Published by Leah on March 9, 2008 in Devotional and Devotional For Men. 1 Comment

by John Grant

Also available as a podcast at: http://thelife.com/blogs/experience/kindle/2008/03/09/facing-your-giants/

Need prayer? Contact a mentor to speak with someone confidentially online: http://thelife.com/interactive/share.html

Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, "Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us." Then the Philistine said, "This day I defy the ranks of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other." On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified. 1 Sam 17:8-11

Hands down, no second thoughts, it has my vote for an Academy Award. It is probably the best movie I have ever seen and the story behind its production is incredible. I am going to see it again….. and again. It is a first class production, good cinematography, good sound, fine acting and a compelling presentation of the Gospel.

The movie is an action-packed, family-friendly drama about a high school football coach who draws up a new game plan for his team … and himself.

In his six years of coaching, Grant Taylor has never had a winning season. Even the hope of a new season is squelched when the best player on his Shiloh Eagles decides to transfer schools. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, Coach Taylor has lost hope in his battle against fear and failure.

However, an unexpected challenge helps him find a purpose bigger than just victories. Daring to trust God to do the impossible, Coach Taylor and the Eagles discover how faith plays out on the field … and off.

The basic theme of the movie is that with God, all things are possible, including a local church producing a major motion picture on a shoestring budget. Overt Christian messages are woven throughout "Facing the Giants," which isn’t surprising since the film was co-written and co-produced by brothers Alex and Stephen Kendrick, who are the "associate pastors of media" at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Ga.

A losing season turns around when a football team learns that their purpose is not to win football games, but to glorify God. It is a reminder that a revival can begin with one person and the positive message of Christ. It is a reminder that the major cause of defeat in all areas of life is discouragement.

God created us to be overcomers and the greatest enemy we often have is ourselves. Through God, all things are possible for those who believe in Him. We all have giants in our life, but the positive message of the Bible tells us that we can overcome the giants in our life and it begins when we determine that the purpose of our life is to glorify God.

Think about the giants in your life. Either you have faced a giant or are facing a giant or will face a giant, or a combination of all of the above. When David focused on God, giants tumbled. But when David focused on giants…he stumbled.

Goliaths still roam in our world. debt. disaster. dialysis. divorce. deceit. disease. depression. These super-sized challenges swagger and strut into our lives, pilfering our sleep, embezzling our peace and robbing us of our joy. And while these giants try to dominate our lives, we know what to do! We’ve learned what David learned, and we do what David did. We become God focused. We pick up five stones. We make five decisions. And we take a swing.

Questions: Are you facing a giant now? What is it? Have you faced a giant recently and triumphed? Let us know your story in the comments.

About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/experience/devotionalformen/authors/john_grant/