Serving Jesus Christ

Welcome to Saturday, July 24th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Running The Race!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

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This is Pastor Warren Swanson - creator and host of the Serving Jesus Christ podcast site with your Saturday, July 24th Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today's episode is titled:

Running The Race

In just a matter of weeks, the football team will begin practicing for the Fall season. No doubt, many of them are out of shape after doing very little throughout the summer.

The cross country runners will also soon be out running mile after mile to regain their fitness.

I enjoyed basketball and football, but I could never wrap my mind around the sport of track, that is, running for the enjoyment of running.

My best friend in high school was a long-distance runner. Every night after school, he would run 40 times around the quarter-mile high school track.

I thought he was nuts and told him so multiple times. Finally, however, the joke was on me. His perseverance allowed him to win the state cross country track meet several times in high school.

Some of my favorite verses in the Bible are about running.

Hebrews 12:1-2 NAS95

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  [2]  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I absolutely love the imagery in these verses. It's all about running the Christian race, and make no mistake, we are in a race.

First, let's list the needs for the sport of running.

You need a place for an athletic event to take place.

You need someone to be the contestant on the track, an individual who desires to run the race and has an inner desire to make it to the finish line – to win.  This runner needs to be in shape.  He has to be a runner who practices.  He loses as much weight as possible without hurting his performance.  He wears clothing that is light and allows freedom of movement.

You need coaches who will be teaching the runners the most profitable technique to use.

You need spectators in the stands cheering on the racers. You need a prize for the one who wins the race.  

The Christian is running a race.  The place we run is our life.  The runners are those who know Jesus Christ.  The prize is eternity with Jesus Christ.

The great cloud of witnesses in verse one are those Christians who have gone before us.

Our memories of them can, in essence, holler down from the stands the words "keep trying, stand firm", or "you can do it." 

Some of these spectators are the Christians of the Bible, while others are those such as parents, friends, and others that have gone before us. I believe that it can even be those who are living yet today who have experienced much in life.

These witnesses demonstrate that it is possible to stay on course for Christ.

As Christians, we are also to set aside those things in our lives that hold us back from running the Christian race effectively.

We need to keep in mind that the race of faith is a marathon, not just a sprint. Our Christian race requires a constant effort over a long period of time.

Maybe, you didn't realize that you are running a race. Well, you are! It is a long and difficult race.

But, just think of what awaits us at the finish line!

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

At times, it seems like we are running out of strength to run the race.

Help us to focus on the finish line of eternity.

Help us to always keep in mind the joys that await us in eternity.

May we run the race effectively today.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

 

Welcome to Friday, July 23rd!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Clever Tales!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

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This is Pastor Warren Swanson - creator and host of the Serving Jesus Christ podcast site with your Friday, July 23rd Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today's episode is titled:

Clever Tales

I don't know if I have mentioned it before, but my wife and I were blessed to have seven children - made up of five girls and two boys.

When the older ones were small, I told them stories about Albert, who lived in the loft of the garage.

I described him as an old dwarf. I would hold my hand about 3 feet off the ground to define his height. Then, I would point to my nose while telling them that he had a wart on the end of his nose and then to my head and tell them he had red hair.

Part of the tale was that he always snuck into the house at night and ate up the leftovers in the refrigerator. We told the kids that it was a good idea to stay upstairs after going to bed. They wouldn’t want to run into Albert in the dark.

When the kids asked why he only ate leftovers, I told them that he considered them a treasure to steal from us since we had saved them.

So, every couple of days, I would say something like, "What happened to that leftover chicken leg from last night?"

Several kids would answer in unison, "Albert took it."

Then one of them had the bright idea one day that we should go out into the garage and see if we could discover him.

Several of the kids and I trudged out to the garage. Something moved up in the loft as we stood there, which caused a little dirt cloud to sift through the slats in the floor.

My oldest daughter at the time started hollering, "I saw him! I saw him!" and went running into the house to tell her mother.

After the kids left, I got a ladder and looked up in the loft, expecting to see a cat, a bird or something. Nothing was up there. Afterward, I wondered if God doesn't have a sense of humor sometimes.

These days they laugh when I bring up the Clever Tale about Albert.

There are many Clever Tales told today, the most clever of which are the tales told by Satan.

His tale begins with the words:

Don't worry; you are just fine the way you are!

Satan seeks to quash any idea of God. He proposes instead that all the stories told of God are, in fact, the clever tales.

And yet, men and women feel a vacuum within their souls.  There is a nagging hunger for that "something" in every human being. Most people don't know what it is, but they still seek to find that which will fill their inner emptiness. They try to fill it with entertainment, work, sex, religion, and many other things. But nothing works.

The Apostle Paul counsels believers in:

Colossians 2:8 NAS95

See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.

These empty philosophies and deceptions have captured the unbelieving world around us. Your lost friends, family members, and neighbors are those who are in this web of Satan’s clever tales.

As much as they seek answers within this world, the finite can not provide the eternal answers needed in life.

Take a moment to pray for these people in your life. Ask the Lord to provide you with opportunities to minister to them.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Satan’s clever tales seem to be everywhere today blinding the hearts of men and women.

Help us to be ready to counteract these tales.

Help us to see the need to be students of Your Word and prayer so that we are equipped to come against Satan’s Clever Tales.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

 

 

 

Welcome to Thursday, July 22nd!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Just Ordinary People

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

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This is Pastor Warren Swanson - creator and host of the Serving Jesus Christ podcast site with your Thursday, July 22nd Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today’s episode is titled:

Just Ordinary People

Whom does God use in His kingdom work? The answer is:

Just Ordinary People

Are you one of those ordinary people?

I suspect that you are!

God isn’t looking for the biggest, the best, and the brightest. Instead, he’s looking for ordinary people, like you and me, who will place themselves in His hands to be used.

Your first thought might be, “You’ve got to be kidding.  Me do something big for God?  No way! 

But God does want to use you!

Even the great Apostle Paul relied on God for the strength to face life and to accomplish his ministry.

Philippians 4:13 NAS95

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

As we step up to the plate, God comes alongside and provides an infusion of strength.

This verse can apply to the various circumstances in life but it also applies to helping us fulfill what God asks us to do.

The Bible is full of ordinary people that God used to accomplish great things. The fact is, as I noted a moment ago, that God chooses ordinary, everyday people to accomplish His extraordinary work.

Maybe you are thinking that:

I don’t have what it takes; I’m not talented enough! Don’t you have anyone else who can do it?

I remember a message I preached on the call of Moses. Moses provided all sorts of excuses why he was not the man for the job.

In the end, He believed God’s promise of being there, helping him to accomplish the task that God put before him.

As a believer, I know that you want to be used by God. But, at the same time, you hope that God never calls on you for one of His missions.

Right!

I know that I have felt that way sometimes.

How do we get past that feeling?

I have found that God will start you out slowly if you offer yourself up for His service. This is because He doesn’t want you to fail; so he won’t throw you into the deep end of the pool at the onset.

How about beginning with living out your faith in such a way that everyone knows that you are a committed Christian.

This would be the encouragement that Paul presents in:

Romans 12:1-2 NAS95

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  [2]  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

I think you will find that by living this way, opportunities of ministry will come your way. People are drawn to those who have joy and purpose in living.

You might find yourself doing active ministry without even realizing it.

This does not mean that it is always easy. There will be obstacles and even sorrow and pain at times.

But God promises that as we present ourselves for His service He will provide the strength to accomplish what he has laid before us.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

It is our desire to be used by You.

May the fears we often feel not keep us from engaging in ministry.

Help us to realize that you will be with us every step of the way.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

Welcome to Wednesday, July 21st!

This episode of The 7-Minute Cross Talk Bible Study is titled:

Taking A Second Look!

For this Bible Study, we are considering the words of this week’s Old Testament Lesson - 2 Samuel 11:1-15.

If you desire further information, it may be requested from [email protected].

If the link to download the worksheet is not present within your podcast feed it may be downloaded at: https://servingjesuschrist.libsyn.com/

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

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Welcome to the Wednesday, July 21st Cross Talk 7-Minute Bible Study.

Today's study is titled:

Taking A Second Look

This is Pastor Warren.

Would you please pause the audio and download and print the 7-Minute Work Sheet before continuing?

The link is located right below this audio player.

For this Midweek Bible Study, we are considering the words of this week's Old Testament Lesson: Samuel 11:1-15.

Hopefully, these studies encourage you to engage in a deeper study of the current passage and even more importantly, I hope these studies deepen your love for the Word of God.

Let's begin:

The Old Testament Lesson for this week is one of the more recognizable stories found in the Old Testament - the well-known example of David and Bathsheba.

In this lesson, we come face to face with just how dangerous and seductive sin is in our lives.    

If you want to read about David's restoration before continuing, we find his plea for restoration in Psalm 51, which illustrates the end result of the most graphic example of a temptation turned into full-blown sin we find in Scripture.

Follow along as I read this week's Old Testament Lesson found in:

2 Samuel 11:1-15 NAS95

Then it happened in the spring, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the sons of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem.  [2]  Now when evening came David arose from his bed and walked around on the roof of the king's house, and from the roof he saw a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful in appearance.  [3]  So David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, "Is this not Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?"  [4]  David sent messengers and took her, and when she came to him, he lay with her; and when she had purified herself from her uncleanness, she returned to her house.  [5]  The woman conceived; and she sent and told David, and said, "I am pregnant."  [6]  Then David sent to Joab, saying, "Send me Uriah the Hittite." So Joab sent Uriah to David.  [7]  When Uriah came to him, David asked concerning the welfare of Joab and the people and the state of the war.  [8]  Then David said to Uriah, "Go down to your house, and wash your feet." And Uriah went out of the king's house, and a present from the king was sent out after him.  [9]  But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all the servants of his lord, and did not go down to his house.  [10]  Now when they told David, saying, "Uriah did not go down to his house," David said to Uriah, "Have you not come from a journey? Why did you not go down to your house?"  [11]  Uriah said to David, "The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in temporary shelters, and my lord Joab and the servants of my lord are camping in the open field. Shall I then go to my house to eat and to drink and to lie with my wife? By your life and the life of your soul, I will not do this thing."  [12]  Then David said to Uriah, "Stay here today also, and tomorrow I will let you go." So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next.  [13]  Now David called him, and he ate and drank before him, and he made him drunk; and in the evening he went out to lie on his bed with his lord's servants, but he did not go down to his house.  [14]  Now in the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah.  [15]  He had written in the letter, saying, "Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die."

Every one of us understands the title of this Bible study: Taking A Second Look.

How many times have you faced a temptation in which if you had walked away at the moment of temptation, you would have been saved yourself a mountain of grief?

You took a second look, and you were hooked. Years ago, I shared a message titled: The Day The Devil Discovered Fishing. It referenced Genesis chapter 3.

In this chapter, Satan found a sport that could satisfy every urge that he had.  He found that it gave him more satisfaction and joy than anything else.  He just loved getting his fishing gear ready, and he still does today.  He loved picking out just the right hook, and he still does today. 

But, the most significant part of fishing for Satan was and is picking out the bait.  Since that day of discovery, fishing has been become his obsession.

Satan dangled a bait of plausible lies in front of Eve, and she acted upon them. Can you imagine the hook biting into the top of Eve's mouth?

If we had a clear picture before us, at the moment of temptation, of the whole range of consequences that are involved in yielding to it, we would certainly pause and not give in.

If we fully knew what would happen to us if we killed an individual, committed that sexual sin, or went through with a shady financial deal, would we be apt to do it?  I don't think so.

Sin suppresses the facts, just like fishing.  The bait looks tremendously inviting to the fish.  Nothing is seen or told of the sharp barbs which are hidden.  All the fish sees are the worm's seductive wiggles, and all we see is something we don't possess or have not tried.

When we encounter temptation, and when escape is still possible, we often continue to look at the object and see its great desirous qualities. Then the next moment, when the sin is done, unable to be undone, we look back and see that it was something quite hideous and disgusting.

What was not told to you concerning the consequences is now completely known.

King David looks down or across to another roof and sees a beautiful nude woman taking her evening bath.

When he sees her, he says to himself, "That is one beautiful woman."  So -King David was okay up to this point. 

A temptation had flashed through his mind, "I wonder . . ." but that is as far as it had gone. 

David probably began to walk away when the visual picture of this gorgeous woman flashed through his mind again.  He hesitates for a moment - turns around, and goes back for a second look.

David does not realize it yet, but the downward spiral is about to begin at this point.

David has the woman brought to his quarters.  Because he is king, she obeys him, and he ends up having sexual relations with her. 

She goes home and, in the next month or so, sends word to David that she is pregnant. 

Can you imagine the thoughts that run through King David's mind? God had blessed him earlier with the Davidic Covenant. He had blessed him in battle. David had openly acknowledged that he followed God.

But now, a woman is pregnant who is not his wife.

Here's where we see the full nature of sin taking hold of King David.

He invites Bathsheba's husband Uriah home from the battlefield to spend some time with his wife. I imagine David thought that if he could arrange for Uriah to sleep with her, Uriah would believe he caused the pregnancy.

Though the baby would come early, that could be blamed on just an early birth.

Uriah being a noble man would not enjoy the comforts of home while his men were still on the battlefield.

David was so desperate to cover up his sin that he arranges for Uriah's death.

2 Samuel 11:14-15 NAS95

Now in the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah.  [15]  He had written in the letter, saying, "Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die."

Uriah carried his own death warrant back to the battlefield. David's sin spiral was increasing in speed.

2 Samuel 11:16-17 NAS95

So it was as Joab kept watch on the city, that he put Uriah at the place where he knew there were valiant men.  [17]  The men of the city went out and fought against Joab, and some of the people among David's servants fell; and Uriah the Hittite also died.

Other men who were sent with Uriah to this dangerous spot next to the wall were also killed.

After Uriah was killed, King David plays the hero by swooping in and marrying the pregnant Bathsheba. His people probably commended him for doing so. Little did they know what had gone on.

As far as his people know, David is one peach of a guy!

2 Samuel 11:26-27 NAS95

Now when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband.  [27]  When the time of mourning was over, David sent and brought her to his house and she became his wife; then she bore him a son. But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the LORD.

Is it our intent to get caught in a set of events that takes us to the brink of destruction?

Like I could answer for King David, I can answer for all of us - an emphatic "No!"

Temptation is not sin.

Every one of us experiences it.

God gave you a brain with which to reason.  Quit putting yourself into situations that tempt you.  Stay away from things and people who can and will lead you down a path to hell.

If you are in the middle of something at the moment that you should not be involved in, remember that Jesus Christ died and rose to provide a different outcome to Satan's fishing expeditions.  Jesus Christ suffered, died, and rose again that you might have forgiveness of your sins. 

Let's Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

May we be aware of our adversary's fishing expeditions into our lives.

Help us to resist the temptations that so often enter into our lives.

Help us to remember that our sins are forgiven and that we now only serve You.

Strengthen our hearts and minds this day.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

 

Welcome to Wednesday, July 21st!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Apologies!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

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This is Pastor Warren Swanson - creator and host of the Serving Jesus Christ podcast site with your Wednesday, July 21st Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today’s episode is titled:

Apologies!

Today, there is a movement within the greater sphere of Christianity to apologize to various aboriginal groups such as the American Indians for introducing them to Jesus Christ.

This is also happening in other nations amongst other aboriginal peoples. These apologies are based on the belief that Christianity destroyed their traditional spiritual practices.

By implication, those apologizing are, in essence, saying that traditional aboriginal spiritual practices are on par with Christianity.

Men and women have sought out God since the beginning of time. As a result, they created various rituals and traditions seeking to both contact and please Him.

Though the traditions of many peoples are a valuable heritage, they do not have the eternal answer. Therefore, they cannot appease a righteous and holy God.

Upon entering Athens in Acts 17, the Apostle Paul observed the many gods and traditions of the people.

When addressing the academics and the curious in the Areopagus, he notes:

Acts 17:23 NAS95

“For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.

Paul does not tell those listening that he is blessed by how spiritual the people of Athens are. Instead, he realizes that they are still searching for the one true answer, as illustrated by the Unknown God inscription.

He informs them that he can tell them for whom they are searching.

The people that you meet every day are also searching for the true meaning and purpose of life. Though they don’t worship carved gods, they worship all sorts of things in this world – money, position, technology, sports, etc. They continue to try out different gods, trying to find what they are looking for.

These people of the world are not safe in their natural spiritual state. The people you meet every day are not safe.  They are walking in the darkness near the cliff.  Friends, your neighbors, even family members are one step away from an eternity without God.

As a believer, you have the answer to life – the answer to eternity. When you boldly share and model your faith, you are sharing how a sinful human being can be found righteous in God’s sight.

Not everyone will appreciate the Gospel message. However, when it comes to the matter of eternity, there are only two choices.  That’s it — whether they like it or not. However, we are to continue in the task of evangelism.

For the Church or an individual to apologize to someone for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them, you are saying it was a mistake to present the saving truth to them in the first place.

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ must be your passion – my passion.  Think of your neighbors, friends and even family in light of the reality of hell.  If you are not going to share the Gospel with them, you are, in essence, allowing or even telling them to go to hell. 

Our faith is not to be just a part of our lives; it is to be our lives.

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for saving us from our sin and setting us on the true path of life.

We ask for a burning passion for the lost.

Strengthen our desire to know you.

Help us always to be ready to give an answer for the hope we have.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

Welcome to Tuesday, July 20th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Our Greatest Need!

Thanks for listening!

Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995}

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

 

This is Pastor Warren Swanson - creator and host of the Serving Jesus Christ podcast site with your Tuesday, July 20th Cross Talk Daily Devotional.

May these words and thoughts bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day!

Today's episode is titled:

Our Greatest Need!

Yesterday, as I was listening to a news commentary, the reporter stated what she perceived as genuine needs within the world. As one might expect, she said nothing about having a faith in Jesus Christ.

If we were to poll a group of random strangers on the street, what do you suppose their answers would be to these two questions:

1. What is the world’s greatest need?
2. What is your greatest need?

The first question might elicit responses such as:

The ending of hunger across the world and peace on earth by ending all wars. Others might say that we need to love and accept each other.

Now . . . we all would agree with these statements.

The second question of What is your greatest need? is a little more complicated. It might elicit responses such as:

My greatest need is more money, a better job, a new house, and etc.

This question might also evoke an emotional response such as I need a sense of purpose and joy in my life.

However, as we know, our greatest need - that which supersedes all these needs - is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The trouble is that people often cannot see beyond the needs they feel. Their minds and lives are often consumed with thinking about their safety, where they belong in the world, and staying sane in this topsy-turvy world.

On top of that, the world is bombarded with message after message offering hope after hope. Book after book, seminar after seminar, and more podcasts than one can count claim to have the answers men and women are seeking.

What they need and who they need is Jesus Christ. That has always been the foundational need of people.

What keeps them from hearing this message? Now . . . Satan is actively working to blind the hearts of men and women. He always tries to stop the process of faith before it even begins.

However, think about the Apostle Paul’s words in:

Romans 10:13-14 NAS95

For "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."  [14]  How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

The gospel is the vehicle through which salvation comes. It follows that a person cannot be saved unless he or she has heard of Jesus and what He has done for them.

How can a person know that Jesus Christ came to earth and died for his sins, and that Jesus Christ arose from the dead conquering death so that he might live eternally if no one has told him?

Each of us is the preacher that is talked about in these verses and is to bear witness to the Lord Jesus.

People are lost and will remain lost unless they hear of an answer to life that they can believe in.

Many reject any notion of the Christian faith because they lack good accurate information about our faith.

Think for a moment about all the people you know. While we are not to judge, we know whom among that group are probably Christians. By the same token, we also know whom among the group are not.

You are to be their preacher. Our greatest need was to be forgiven of our sins, so God sent us a Savior.

Go forth and share this Good News!

Let’s Pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

We are so blessed by knowing the Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that life has its ups and downs but that we can always trust in Him.

Strengthen our resolve to be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus Christ in this lost world.

In the Name of Jesus,

Amen!

Welcome to Monday, July 19th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Something Solid To Stand Upon!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

This is pastor Warren Swanson, creator and host of the Serving Jesus Christ podcast site with your Monday, July 19th, Crosstalk Daily Devotional. May these words bless you and provide you with ideas to think about as you live out this day.

Today's episode is titled:

Something Solid To Stand Upon.

I think that if you were to ask anyone to describe the world that we live in today, they would probably settle on the word uncertain. You might also hear them use words like crazy or mixed-up even insane. It is certainly different than even just a decade or so ago. I don't consider myself old, but I remember when things used to be more certain, I have noticed that I have begun using phrases like, I remember when, or it used to be.

People hate uncertainty. I have to admit that I am one of those people.

Do you understand what I am saying? Obviously, however, we are not going to find an unmovable and solid rock upon which to stand within our culture and society. We have already established that the things of this world change without even a moment's notice.

Whenever I think about a solid rock, something solid to stand upon - I think of the Sunday school song, The Wise Man and The Foolish Man, Matthew 7: 24 through 27.

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock and the rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and slammed against that house. And yet it did not fall for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell and the floods came and the winds blew and slammed against that house. And it fell and great was its fall.

In many ways, all of our lives look quite similar on the outside, just as it seems, these two houses looked much the same from the outside. Maybe they each had a beautiful garden all around them that covered the ground and the foundation upon which they were built. However, the real difference that is the foundation of the house was hidden by the beautiful gardens. Our foundation is ofttimes hidden from the world around us. Our real foundation is only proven when the storms of life come against us. It is then that we find out on which foundation a person's life is built upon. Is it built on the things of this world or on the things of God? The good news is that you and I can live in this completely uncertain, unreliable world with certainty, and competence that exceeds your wildest imaginations.

Who are these builders? Perhaps you thought of the word contractor, those hired to build a structure. Again, who are these builders?

You are the builder. I am the builder. You and everyone else has a house to build in this life. Every moment we are here on this earth, we are building our lives. The difference lies in the materials we use. Most importantly, it is the kind of foundation upon which we build, how we build our lives, determines our eternal destiny. Take a moment today to take an inventory of the building materials you are using to build your house.

Let's pray,

Gracious Heavenly Father,

As we take an inventory of our lives, help us to set aside those things that corrupt the building process. May we be sure of the foundation on which we are building. Help us to see the lost around us and their faulty construction practices and to tell them how they can obtain a better building material. Help us to faithfully serve you this day in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

 

Welcome to Sunday, July 18th!

Today’s episode of The Cross Talk Daily Devotional is titled:

Tell Them Why!

Thanks for listening!

If you desire further information, you may request it from [email protected].

In this episode of Serving Jesus Christ, Pastor Swanson shares a Sunday message titled,

Standing Strong!

The phrase standing strong certainly applies to our Christian walk.   The prophet Daniel had no interest in being thrown into a den of lions, but as we will see, he finds himself in the den for standing up for that which was right and true.
In a nutshell, the book of Daniel tells us how to live for God in a hostile environment.
Would you call the world we live in today an unfriendly environment?
It is certainly making progress in that direction.
Daniel’s example shows us that living in such an environment can be accomplished, but not without discomfort. If you don’t compromise, you are sure to experience trouble sooner or later.
The story of Daniel and the lions’ den reminds us that there is a spiritual battle raging all around us.

If you desire further information, it may be obtained at [email protected].

The music "Be Thou My Vision" and "He Is Lord" are arranged and played by Don Wigton. Used by Permission. The music "The Old Rugged Cross" was arranged and played by Greg Howlett. Used By Permission.

If the link to download the worksheet is not present within your podcast feed, it may be downloaded at: https://servingjesuschrist.libsyn.com/

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).

Welcome to Wednesday, July 14th!

This episode of The 7-Minute Cross Talk Bible Study is titled:

Recharging Your Batteries

For this Bible Study, we are considering the words of this week’s Gospel Lesson - Mark 6:30-34; 53-56.

If you desire further information, it may be requested from [email protected].

If the link to download the worksheet is not present within your podcast feed it may be downloaded at: https://servingjesuschrist.libsyn.com/

Scripture Quotations: New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).