Archive for September, 2010

Daily Devotion September 30, 2010

Psalm 23 is perched between Psalm 22, which tells about the crucifixion of Jesus and Psalm 24, which tells about the coronation of Jesus.  It is beautiful trilogy about the Savior’s cross, the Shepherd’s crook, and the Sovereign’s crown.

Psalm 23 is the valley between the blood-drenched slopes of Mount Calvary and the sunlit peaks of Mount Zion.  Thank God for every valley, because there must be a mountain.

If you are in the valley today, remember that you wouldn’t be there had there not been mountains to cross.  There is vision in the valley and hope in the hills.

“Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

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Daily Devotion September 29, 2010

I believe in church attendance, but if your relationship with Lord and with others is suffering, then you need to stay at home and get on your face before God.

Sometimes a businessman will get very prosperous in his business – and at first it seems a good thing.  He tells his wife, Honey, you know how I couldn’t give you much when we got married?  Well, now I can.”  But soon, the pursuit of a nice home and nice things consume him.  A sadness descends upon his wife and children, and they lament, “Oh Daddy.  Oh Husband. . .what we would give to just have you spend time with us.”

What tragedy it would be if what you do for Jesus keeps you from Jesus.  Stop the cycle today.  If you know you’re a workaholic, stop it.  If you know your walk is far from God, get it right.

“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse Thou me from secret faults.”  Psalm 19:12

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Daily Devotion September 28, 2010

Discipleship is fellowship with Christ, knowing Christ, loving Christ, abiding in Christ.  I’m afraid that too many have joined the movement of Christianity rather than having surrendered to the Man of Christianity.  These people are doing things for Christ, rather than sitting at the feet of Christ.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with service and we ought to serve God, but we need to learn that we must minister to Jesus Christ as His disciple before we can minister to others.  Jesus values the time you spend with Him far more that the things you do for Him. Do you know that?

Before you head out this morning or go to bed tonight, make sure that you make a date with Jesus

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”  1 Corinthians 1:9

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Daily Devotion September 27, 2010

God made the mind of man.  All true discoveries and all true knowledge in this world come from God.  It is God’s Truth and we do not have to be afraid of it.  But, that doesn’t mean we are to casually stroll down the devil’s lane of godless philosophies.

God’s Truth doesn’t change like philosophies.  Malachi 3:6a says, “For I am the LORD, I change not.”  I don’t know whether that means anything to you, but it means an awful lot to me, dear friend.

The same God who loved us enough to put His Son on the cross two thousand years ago still loves us with that same love today.  We don’t have to worry when we come to God in prayer that we might catch Him in a bad mood.  Now, if that doesn’t start you motor, you don’t have one.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”  1 Corinthians 2:14

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Daily Devotion September 26, 2010

James 1:5 tells us that if we lack wisdom, we are to ask God.  Let me tell you what that literally means.  If you lack wisdom, ask of the “giving” God.  Have you thought of God as the “giving” God?

What does it mean to you that God yearns to pour out His blessing upon you?  Do you say to yourself, “Oh goodie, goodie, let me see what I can get from God.”?

Or does it humble you that the Almighty God who created the air you breathe, the ground you walk upon, and the body you are draped in…this God loves you and wants to bless you?  I pray it is the latter, for that is the heart of a child of God.

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all me liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:5

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Daily Devotion September 25, 2010

Do you know the problem with many of us when we obey God?  We murmur about it while we are doing it.  And God is taking notes because half hearted obedience isn’t obedience at all.  Remember God is looking at the heart, not the deed (see 1 Samuel 16:7).

Do you know why we murmur?  Because we have taken our eyes off of Calvary.  Jesus didn’t murmur on the way to the cross.  Oh no.  Do you thank God for the pains in life?  Or only the gains?

Ephesians 5:20 says, “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“Do all things without murmurings and disputtings:  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”  Philippians 2:14-15

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Daily Devotion September 24, 2010

So many people have the idea that being a Christian is like taking foul-tasting medicine – it tastes awful, but you know you’ll feel better one day.

They’re like the young man who prayed at a prayer meeting with few in attendance: “Oh God, be with us now, and help us while the rest of the people are out there having a good time.”

Do you ever feel that going to church or having a quiet time is like going to the dentist?  Then, you are getting your satisfaction in life outside of a relationship with God.  It’s time to spend some time in prayer and ask God to renew your spirit.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.  Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit.”  Psalm 51:10-12

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September’s Newsletter – The Practice of Tithing

The Practice of Tithing

We are introduced very early in the Bible to the concept of Tithing- a practice of giving.  Abraham gave Tithes to Melchizedek from the spoils of war.  In this first mention of the word “Tithe” the concept of a tenth of your wealth is not conveyed.  In fact, Abraham gives away all of the spoils of war with the exception of food that his men consumed and a portion that they were to receive of everything else-Gen 14:20-24.   Click the link below for more….

September 2010 Newsletter- Practice Tithing

By Deacon Herbert Ruff

To View The Manuals You’ll Need Adobe PDF Reader

Daily Devotion September 23, 2010

Have you ever tried to take a tasty bone away for a dog?  It’s a good way to get bitten!  But what if you put a steak down on the ground?  The dog will drop the bone to get that steak.

This is the mistake so many parents are making today.  They spend all of their time telling their children, “Don’t do this.  Don’t do that.  That’s wrong.”  By such behavior, these parents are failing an entire generation.

Many times, children are never shown the riches of Jesus Christ.  Children must be shown that what they have in the Lord Jesus Christ is so much better than what this world has to offer.

“And thou shall teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”  Deuteronomy 6:7

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