Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, August 16, 2019

Audio Link: http://bit.ly/ThoughtsinWorship

Today’s Scripture Focus: Luke 18:10-14

We are focusing on sin recovery principle number seven of 12: “We submit to God and ask Him to remove our deficiencies.”

Self-appraisal is impossible without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is the One who brings conviction to the heart and shows us where we need to be renewed and transformed (John 16:13). Whenever we attempt to see ourselves in our true light without His aid, we will invariably minimize our need. We will think of ourselves more highly than we should. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). “Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.” (Isaiah 1:5-6). These verses give an accurate picture of our experience without the Lord.

A religious zealot stood up in the temple, the Bible says, and prayed with himself (should he no have been praying to his God instead?) that he was holy, unlike the publican who was nearby. The wording in the King James Version of the Bible is interesting. I am not making a doctrine out of the wording, but it is interesting. It says that the Pharisee prayed with himself and then the verse continues. When we have a false sense of our innate righteousness and then venture to pray, giving our spiritual resumes to God, it is as though we are praying to ourselves. We have made ourselves gods. The God of heaven neither hears nor answers proud prayers. The tax collector received the power of the Holy Spirit to see his exceeding sinfulness. “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” (Luke 18:13-14). It is a blessing to know that the Lord is not impressed by our proud self-appraisals, but by our God-given humility. He is anxious to answer the prayers of those who humble themselves before Him.

May the Lord give us acute spiritual eyesight that we may see as He sees. May we be brought to humility, thereby bringing us into a close relationship with Him and having our spiritual deficiencies removed. “Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD. Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.” (Psalms 138:5-6).—L. David Harris (http://bit.ly/BQuotable)

#sinrecovery #recovery

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Audio Link: http://bit.ly/ThoughtsinWorship

Today’s Scripture Focus: Philippians 4:6-9

We are focusing on sin recovery principle number seven of 12: “We submit to God and ask Him to remove our deficiencies.”

The apostle Paul stands out in my mind as perhaps the most stellar example of trust in the New Testament. He came into the faith of Jesus Christ after the first apostles and disciples had begun their work, yet as a faithful leader, he shined through persecution. He entered into territories not yet influenced for Christ, suffered privation, hunger, and all manner of persecutions for the sake of the gospel. If he had food and clothing, he found a way, by God’s grace to remain content. He did not allow the temptations and incredible struggles of the work he chose, to deter him from his passion. He understood by experience that the Lord is truly able to keep us from the evil one.

It is our privilege today to have that same experience, and even greater. Since the enemy is exerting a power that is many fold greater than he did in the days of the apostles, the Lord is empowering His people with strength proportionate to the times in which we live. Although we will face tribulations beyond anything the world has ever seen, if we remain faithful, the Lord will demonstrate that His grace is indeed sufficient for us. He will show us that His power is made perfect in our weakness. Like Paul, we will then be able to rejoice in our weaknesses, realizing that when we are weak, we can be strong in Jesus.
We are truly able to do all things expedient, all things holy, and all things righteous through Christ, who gives us strength. Never allow the struggles of this life to so cloud your mood as to weaken your faith. Let each trial be an opportunity for the Lord to shine brighter than one thousand suns in your life. Let your testimony be that you will serve the Lord though the heavens fall. If you are tempted to doubt, let the words of Paul encourage you. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” (Philippians 4:6-9).—L. David Harris (http://bit.ly/BQuotable)

#sinrecovery #recovery

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Audio Link: http://bit.ly/ThoughtsinWorship

Today’s Scripture Focus: Luke 11:5-13

We are focusing on sin recovery principle number seven of 12: “We submit to God and ask Him to remove our deficiencies.”

Unfortunately, many of us have become hardened through disappointments. When we were children, some of our fathers consistently fell short of their duties and our expectations. Perhaps we developed distrust that reached such a high level that we either fear or refuse to rely on others for help. I have seen people with lovely homes and vehicles with bare food cupboards several times. And I am talking about individuals who are employed. This is not to mention the unemployed. Why? Is it that their friends and relatives are selfish? Perhaps this is the case sometimes. But, frankly, the times I have seen this, it was due to the pride, embarrassment, and fear of rejection that caused these dear ones to neglect to seek the help of those who would probably have loved to help them most.

What if we drag this perspective into our relationship with God? What if we are having difficulties with our marriage and we choose not to pray about it and continue saving face as though all is well? What if we are addicted to a sin that is eating us alive and the guilt we feel is overwhelming us? What if we pray sporadic prayers? What if we need a job, a place to live, new friends, etc., and we neglect to continue asking God to come to our aid? What then? Will we receive what we need? What if we wish for holiness, but some sin habit controls our thoughts? Should we ask God for help in a fit of anxious desire and stop asking, or should we continue asking, seeking, and knocking on heaven’s doors for God’s divine aid?

Although many of us have suffered bitter disappointments, we must not superimpose those feelings upon our relationship with God. We must not become so weary that we cease praying. We must learn and cling to the promises of Scripture and claim them through persistent praying and faith in God. Even some parents who might otherwise say no to children who have a need or desire to give in to them when they ask continually. How much more will our heavenly Father give us the Spirit and every other spiritual blessing if we persist in prayer? Do not give up. Continue asking, seeking, and knocking. God is compassionate, faithful, benevolent, and merciful. Give Him a chance to manifest His loving provisions in your life so you can be a blessing to others.—L. David Harris (http://bit.ly/BQuotable)

#sinrecovery #recovery

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, August 12, 2019

Audio Link: http://bit.ly/ThoughtsinWorship
 
Today’s Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 18:1-6

We are focusing on sin recovery principle number seven of 12: “We submit to God and ask Him to remove our deficiencies.” 

I am not going to lie; growth and change are difficult! Those of you that workout on a regular basis recognize the truth of my statement. You sweat. You become sore. You get exhausted. You sometimes don’t want to do another lap or rep, but you push through anyway. Your success requires a bit of pain, injury, repair, and growth. Then the process starts all over again.

If you are married or have any other meaningful relationships with people, you realize the same about my statement. If you pray for patience, your spouse or best friend might do something you say gets on your nerves. You pray to become more loving, and your child shouts at you in a fit of rage for no good reason. You yearn for acceptance, and your spouse leaves you for a one night stand.

I said that growth and change are difficult. It’s especially difficult when it comes to our characters. We all were born in sin and shapen in iniquity. Our father Adam was kind enough (not!) to write us into his will. Do you realize what He bequeathed to us? He gave us weaknesses, inadequacies, and character flaws. This is why you find it so hard to do the right thing even when you want to.

In light of the fact that we are naturally so far afield when it comes to righteous living, God introduces a painful process of transformation into our lives. We have been conformed to the ways and paradigms of this world so long, that when the Spirit introduces a new principle into our lives it retrains, breaks, and molds us in a way that facilitates growth, but is very difficult along the way. We are used to going in one direction, and God constantly redirects us, if we are willing, and we learn to be like Him.

The moral of the story in our theme text is that we do not have the right to tell our Sovereign Lord (Blessed be His name), that He cannot employ whatever process He deems necessary to transform our characters, any more than a piece of pottery can despise its potter. If we ever hope to experience lasting success in life, we must become malleable in the hands of our Master Potter as He molds us into the finest work of art worthy to be displayed for all to see His great work of transformation.—L. David Harris (http://bit.ly/BQuotable)

#sinrecovery #recovery

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, August 11, 2019

Audio Link: http://bit.ly/ThoughtsinWorship

Today’s Scripture Focus: Isaiah 57:12-19

We are focusing on sin recovery principle number seven of 12: “We submit to God and ask Him to remove our deficiencies.”

Sometimes even God gets upset. Now, before you go way to one extreme or the other with my statement here, do note that I am not talking about a tirade or tantrum like humans display. He has done so much for us from the creation of humankind, provision of all we need and more, to power to overcome all our inadequacies. Yet, some of us are ungrateful and don’t bother to acknowledge His goodness or supremacy in our lives. How must it make Him feel to have done all this, and then given us His only begotten Son to die in our place, if we choose not to be thankful and obedient? How must it make Him feel if we would rather bow to the idols we have set up in our lives, worshipping them as gods when they are contrivances made with our own hands, which He created. We naturally misuse His gifts to dishonor Him.

While it is true that God sometimes gets angry when we reject Him like this, since He loves us so much, He cannot stay that way. He sees us struggle beneath the load of consequences we deserve, some of which He actively facilitated, and cannot bear to watch anymore. At times, our loving Father exposes the folly of our choices to soften our hearts toward Him. We learn contriteness and humility through the crucible of trials. Then God clears a path into His holy presence for those who mourn their separation from Him. He provides healing for those who have been broken by sin and are willing to surrender to His love.

I am amazed (though not as much as I should be) at how God, who would be justified if He destroyed me, goes to such trouble to mend our broken relationship. I am amazed at how He does not simply walk away from me when I refuse to listen. When I really take the time to consider this blessing, it makes me want to serve Him. It makes me want to stop sidelining our relationship. If He can go through all He does to win my affection and respect, the least I can do is give myself to Him for safekeeping. The least I can do is allow Him to so change my life that others marvel when they see what great things the Lord has done.—L. David Harris (http://bit.ly/BQuotable)

#sinrecovery #recovery

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sabbath, August 10, 2019

Audio Link: http://bit.ly/ThoughtsinWorship

Today’s Scripture Focus: Philippians 3:12-14

We are focusing on sin recovery principle number six of 12: “We are now ready for God to give us new characters that reflect that of His Son’s.”

Having a relationship with God is like an uneven exchange. We give Him our unrighteousness as well as our unrighteous habits, and He gives us His righteousness. Oh, and we don’t only give Him our obvious unrighteousness, we also give Him that which we have been foolish enough to think was righteousness before we began to understand Him. And He will give us His actual righteousness, which does rate in heaven. It’s the righteousness of Christ given to us by faith. This is the very definition of biblical perfection. It is us surrendering our all to God in exchange for His all. We surrender our weakness in exchange for His strength. We surrender our perceptions for His reality.

Oftentimes we make perfection seem so complicated. I suppose it eludes us because we have a warped perspective. We think it’s about us performing blamelessly in our own strength rather than yielding even our best abilities to God’s process of recreation. Notice I said recreation and not renovation. There is a vital difference. There is nothing in us worthy of salvaging and using to form an improved version of us. No! When we surrender to Him, we are consenting to a complete teardown and do over. He gives us new hearts. He gives us right spirits. He gives us new (righteous) desires for our hearts. He gives us new characters created from the same mold from which Jesus’ character originated.

As we move on to our next sin recovery principle tomorrow, let us rejoice that God has not left the formation of perfect characters for us to accomplish in our own strength.—L. David Harris (http://bit.ly/BQuotable)

#sinrecovery #recovery

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Friday, August 9, 2019

Today’s Scripture Focus: Romans 6:5-11

We are focusing on sin recovery principle number six of 12: “We are now ready for God to give us new characters that reflect that of His Son’s.”

You are free to go! There; I said it. You are free to go. You are free to walk away from liquor addiction. You are free to love your spouse more than that one-night stand. You are free to love others more than yourself. You are free to be vulnerable in relationships. You are free to submit your will to the will of God. You are free indeed, if you love God, to keep His commandments.

It’s interesting that the devil has so much power over people’s lives. So many choose to live in ways that please him rather than God. Fact: God is infinitely stronger than Satan. Fact: God loves us and Satan does not. Therefore, if people can be motivated by evil and hate, which are not even close to as powerful as God is, people have infinitely more power at our disposal to love and live righteous lives.

Just as Jesus was miraculously resurrected from the grave, we can be miraculously delivered from destructive sinful tendencies. The same Power that said, “I am the resurrection and the life…” can breathe life into your spiritual experience today.

Never allow your past mistakes or evil deeds to dictate your future. You have the privilege to accept the gift of victory Jesus gives to every willing person and learn to empower others to experience the same.—L. David Harris (http://bit.ly/BQuotable)

#sinrecovery #recovery

Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Today’s Scripture Focus: Jonah 4:4-8

We are focusing on sin recovery principle number six of 12: “We are now ready for God to give us new characters that reflect that of His Son’s.”

Under what pretense do you shelter when the going gets tough?

Every one of us has suffered, to a greater or lesser degree, from addictions. Some may be addicted to the usual suspects - alcohol or drugs, while others are addicted to food, swearing, questionable entertainments, gossip, money loving or believing the hype about self. And the catchall category of addictions lest we become proud and say we’ve never had a problem with anything on my list, is sin. All have had to struggle against sin, even the noblest among us.

Think about God’s prophet, Jonah. The Lord gave him one simple set of instructions, and he lost his mind. God instructed him to go to one place, to teach one message, to one group of people, for one particular purpose. Like the rest of us with a bent towards sinning, Jonah did the exact opposite. Jonah went to another place, did not deliver the message to the people, and ignored God’s purpose during the whole ordeal. And when God checked him on it (understatement of the year), Jonah reluctantly obeyed but threw a hissy fit. Do you get upset when God starts tugging at your addictions? When people post messages on social media that challenge your commitment to God, how do you receive it? When trials come that could have been avoided if you simply did what God said, how do you respond? When you realize you have been driving your spiritual bus the wrong direction on the road of life, do you press the brakes or keep barreling down the road? When you face challenges, do you search feverishly for a way to engage in the thing that displeases God, but makes you feel relaxed when you’re stressed?

Jonah demonstrates what not to do in this situation! He hides and bellyaches about how he figured God embarrassed him. He sheltered beneath the pretense of knowing how God would have handled his situation as justification for disobeying God.

I am going to give some free advice today, which I pray I receive too: never allow yourself to fall back on your sinful vice or indict God when the going gets tough. Recognize the situation for what it is—a wake-up call to help you reroute into the right direction. God is too loving and wise to let us go about our business unchecked. If we respond favorably to the momentary crises, God will show mercy and supply the need for which we had aimlessly sought when we rushed back into the arms of sin for comfort.—L. David Harris (http://bit.ly/BQuotable)

#sinrecovery #recovery