Speaking ill

Stanley on Bible... Speaking ill of another person in his absence is called slander or backbiting. We don't help anyone by this act. God has commanded in the Law, "You shall not go as a talebearer among your people" (Lev 19:16). The reason He gives is, "I am the Lord!" In other words, God hates backbiting. We may justify ourselves saying, "After all, I am telling the truth only." Imagine God revealing our sins to others! It was true that Noah was lying naked in his tent because of drunkenness. Ham his son, instead of covering his dad, told the matter to his brothers. The result was that Ham inherited only curse! (Gen 9:20-27). "Love covers multitude of sins!" (1 Pet 4:8). Lovelessness is the root cause of backbiting. Love rejoices not in evil (1 Cor 13:6). We don't realize that it is God who first hears what we speak when we slander against anyone. Backbiting grieves the Holy Spirit because it is against His nature (Eph 4:30,31). Those who find pleasure in slandering hardly make any progress in their spiritual life. Apostle Peter pointedly said, "Laying aside all evil speaking.desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby" (1 Pet 2:1,2). Backbiting hinders the growth of the Church also (2 Cor 12:20,21). Backbiting is not an isolated sin. It's a companion to many other evils. The Bible speaks against backbiting and flattery (Prov 20:19), backbiting and hypocrisy (Psa 41:6; Jer 9:4,8), backbiting and power-monging (3 Jn 9,10), and backbiting and idling (1 Tim 5:13; 2 Thess 3:11). Finally it leads to backsliding (Jer 6:27-30). An Old Testament example stands out as a stern warning from God against backbiting. The story is in Numbers 12. Miriam and Aaron led a campaign against Moses. Here are some striking observations: Not Moses but the Lord heard it (v2). The anger of the Lord was kindled (v9). The glory of God departed from the Camp (v10). Miriam was struck with leprosy (v10). This indicates loss of spiritual sensitivity. She was shut out of the fellowship of God's people (v15). The journey of God's people got delayed (v15). Miriam and Aaron gave a spiritual colour to their malignant work against Moses (v2). When you are tempted to backbite, ask yourself these questions: (a) Is it true? (b) Is it necessary? (c) Is it kind? When a backbiter comes to you, ask him these questions: (a) Will it do me any good? (b) Will it do you any good? (c) Will it do that person any good? If you are backbitten or slandered against, (a) Don't defend! (b) Don't offend! (c) But bless!

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever
is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about
such things.
   -- Philippians 4:8
     

THOUGHT:
  Let's get our minds out of the gutter and our hearts set on
God's glory.

PRAYER:
  Righteous and Holy God, you are marvelous and glorious, perfect
in every way and beyond my comprehension. Please awaken the
character of your holiness within me by your Holy Spirit. Please
help me see and focus upon the good and glorious things you place
in my path today and each day that you give me life. In Jesus' name
I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in
you?
   -- Psalm 85:6
      

THOUGHT:
  God loves his children even when they are rebellious. However,
God showed Israel that their rebellion would drive his presence and
blessing from them. But with their genuine repentance and their
confession of sin, God joyously returned to their lives to bring
revival, renewal, and restoration.

PRAYER:
  Father and Almighty LORD, please forgive me for my sins. I
confess them freely to you now .... (Be specific about sins you
want to confess.) Having you in my life, honoring your Kingdom with
my behavior and honoring your love with my graciousness to your
children are very important to me. Please revive me again and
empower me to love, good deeds, and holy living so that you will be
praised. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God of Peace

The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

(Romans 16:20)

Nearsighted by Woodrow Kroll

Reading Ruth 4:5-6 Then Boaz said, "On the day you buy the field from the hand of Naomi, you must also buy it from Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead on his inheritance." And the near kinsman said, "I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I ruin my own inheritance. You redeem my right of redemption for yourself, for I cannot redeem it."   Nearsighted   Myopia is an eye condition in which visual images come into focus in front of the retina, causing distant objects to be blurred. We commonly call this being nearsighted. We can see things close up but not far away.   People also can be nearsighted in their understanding of God's plan for their life. The relative who was closest to Naomi and Ruth turned down the opportunity to redeem Naomi's land and marry Ruth because he feared it might jeopardize his own inheritance. He could see clearly what he had; however, he failed to discern what might be in the future. He chose to protect his current possessions, and thus missed the opportunity to be the grandfather of a king and the ancestor of the Messiah. Consequently, he passed off the scene without even a mention of his name.   Many individuals today do the same. They pour everything they have into this life?all their time, talent, energy and money. Yet they fail to invest in eternity, as Jesus instructed us to do (Matt. 6:19-20). They clearly discern what they have, but they fail to see that there's something even more in store for them. They focus on the present and neglect the future. They give up all the wonders of heaven for the temporary security of earthly treasures. And when the winds of history pass, even their names are forgotten.   Don't suffer from spiritual myopia. As a good steward, take care of what God entrusts to you today. But don't let today's possessions blind you to eternity's possibilities. What lies ahead is worth far more than anything you hold in your hands today. The best is yet to come.   Don't let what is good rob you of what is best.

Lead me Lord!

Man considers self-willed life as freedom. But wisdom cries out, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Prov 14:12). Therefore, "Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek God's will in all you do, and He will direct your paths" (Prov 3:5). More often than we think what we seek in prayer is God's endorsement of our own plans. We think that once we mention our plans and desires in prayer, they are automatically sanctioned by the Almighty. We then go about launching our programmes boastfully. The Bible condemns this kind of life in the strongest possible terms: "Your life is like the morning fog-it's here a little while, then it's gone. What you ought to say is: If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that" (Js 4:13-16). We should speak thus with a godly fear. We are at times so obsessed with our dreams and pursuits that we idolize them. We feel that our life is meaningless unless we get them. But we must realise that we will miss the perfect will of God and settle down for His permissive will only. God will allow us, like He let Balaam, to go our own way and face the consequences. The very first question of Paul after his conversion was, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" (Acts 9:6). We will miss God's will all through our life if we don't deal with our spirit of independence quite early. Blessed are those who understand even the wink of the Lord and walk accordingly in faith (Psa 32:8b). Unless we come to a state where there's no need for bit and bridle to control and guide us, we cannot fully appropriate the blessings of God's promise in Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go!" Though Christ had the power and authority to act on His own He stripped Himself off them and committed Himself to the will of the Father, saying, "Behold I have come to do Your will, O God." So He never deviated from what His Father had designed for Him. A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) declared, "Let a man set his heart only on doing the will of God, and he is instantly free!" How true! Fleeing from self-rule and falling into the reign of God is true freedom! It is under the authority of Christ we can enjoy perfect liberty. That's what Jesus meant when He said, "If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed!" (Jn 8:36). I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on; I loved to choose and see my path; But now lead Thou me on! (John H. Newman, 1801-1890, written while sailing)

Today's Verse

VERSE:
  The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and
forevermore.
   -- Psalm 121:8
      
THOUGHT:
  Does it matter to anyone that I'm here? Does anyone notice when
I'm gone? Does anybody care if I make it home or never leave the
house? The answers: "Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!" The LORD, the Savior of
Israel and the Father of Jesus knows all about us and our comings
and goings. He will watch over us, now and forevermore.

PRAYER:
  Father, thank you that when I rise up, you are not only there,
but even more than that you are watching over me. Almighty God,
thank you that when I return home at the end of my day, you are
there, escorting me home and welcoming me. I thank you most of all,
dear Father, that when I leave this life and go to the next, you
are there to escort me out of this life and welcome me home to life
with you, forever! In Jesus' name I praise you. Amen.

Confirmation of Conversion

www.StanleyOnBible.com...

Reading: John 3:1-16

"If any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things

have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor 5:17)

Can we identify a genuine experience of salvation? Surely yes!

First of all, there will be the true peace and joy through the Holy Spirit in the heart! When we make peace with God we have the peace of God. Jesus called it the peace the world cannot give (Jn 14:27). The burden of sin is rolled away! Guilt is gone! The converted man is overflowing with gratitude to God. He shouts with exuberance, "Thank you, Lord, thank You!" If over one sinner who repents there is great joy among the angels "in Heaven," will the angels "on earth" around him stay unmoved (Lk 15:10)?

Secondly, the converted man begins to hate sin and the evil ways of the world. The sinful acts he was indulging in during the past so willingly appear obnoxious to him now. The joy of the Lord has replaced the silly pleasures of sin. This does not mean he will never ever commit any sin. Before getting saved he was like a pig; he would be wallowing in the mire! Now he is a lamb. Even if someone pushes the lamb into the mire, it will atonce jump out and not stay there. Have you understood the difference? A child of God will not "live" in sin!

Thirdly, the saved man begins to love Bible meditation, prayer and fellowship of God's children. It is no more the routine of reading the Bible for a few minutes as a religious custom, but a delightful desire to spend hours in meditating it (Psa 1:2). Prayer becomes his very breath. Earlier he had not known God. But now he knows God as his Father. Hence this longing to speak to Him! He begins to feel and appreciate the love of God who has redeemed him (1 Jn 3:1). Fellowship with saints is necessary to comprehend the width, length, depth and height of that love (Eph 3:18).

Fourthly, those who are saved will walk in love with others (1 Jn 3:14). They will restitute matters with the wronged (Mt 5:23,24). Loving the enemies, the persecutors and the opposers is a proof of our being children to a God of love (Mt 5:43-48).

Fifthly, the saved man will just be anxious to share his new-found joy with others (Jn 4:28,29; Mk 5:19). "Let the world get the joy I got!"- This will be his motto.

More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see;
More of His love-who died for me!

(Eliza E. Hewitt, 1851-1920)

Today's Verse

VERSE:
He will not let your foot slip -- he who watches over you will not slumber; ....
-- Psalm 121:3


THOUGHT:
I still remember when my children were little. I would sneak in
and watch them sleep. Sometimes it was to check on them when they
were sick. Sometimes it was to just sit and pray for them, joining
the Lord as he watched over them while they slept. Sometimes it was
to bathe myself in the grace and wonder of God's love for giving me
such blessings. Even now that they are much older, I still love to
look in on them and pray for them -- on those rare nights we share
the same roof -- marveling at the wonder of these precious gifts
from the Father. To know that my Abba Father looks at me in the
same way, but with even greater delight and joy, fills me with
unspeakable wonder.

PRAYER:
Each day as I awake from sleep, I pray that you my soul will
safely keep. May I live within your care, always knowing you are
there. Thank you for your grace and love, and for Jesus now above,
who shares with you my every care, and intercedes for me in prayer.
In Jesus name. Amen.

Anywhere

Anywhere, my Saviour, lead my willing feet,
Only let me clasp Thy hand, feel Thy presence sweet;
Thorns may pierce and snares beset, I will follow Thee,
Anywhere, my Saviour, if Thou leadest me!

(E.C. Ellsworth)

Praise

“O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. 

Now also when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare
Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come!” 

(Psa 71:17,18)

Love and God

From Stanley on Bible...

Eve was not created from Adam's skull bone or foot bone but from his rib. The implication is that they must walk side by side as friends. The wife is called the husband's "companion" (Mal 2:14).

Love demands time. Partners should spend quality time together. It is during such times they can develop emotional intimacy. A great amount of misunderstanding will disappear. Partners who fail to spend time together are sure to make a shipwreck of their marriage. Friends love each other not because they are perfect but in spite of imperfections. Love is blind! "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Pet 4:8; Prov 10:12). A husband and wife who constantly find fault with each other have forgotten the definition of love.

Love should not be taken for granted. It must be expressed in words and deeds. God so loved the world that He "gave" His Son (Jn 3:16). "Husbands, love your wives just as Christ also loved the Church and GAVE Himself for it" (Eph 5:25). Show your love to your spouse by word and deed. There is no one in the world who does not like gifts. Remember the Birthdays and Wedding Anniversary. The primary purpose of the Book of the Songs of Solomon is to teach about pure love between husband and wife. If husband and wife will read this book individually and together periodically their love will remain fresh and alive. This book concludes with these words: "Love is strong as death" (SS 8:6). Partners exchange love letters before marriage. What happens to such expressions of love after marriage as years pass by?

Job or ministry should never come in between husband and wife. The Biblical order is: God first, family second, ministry or job third (1 Tim 3:5). Parents of partners also should not come in between. Even before there was a mother in the world God said, "A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife" (Gen 2:24). In the same way for a wife her husband should be more important than her father's home. "O daughter... forget your father's house, so the King will greatly desire your beauty" (Psa 45:10,11). Also husbands and wives should not love their children more than they love each other. A classic example is Elkanah who asked his sorrowing wife, "You have me-isn't that better than having ten sons?" (1 Sam 1:8).

The voice that breathed o'er Eden
That earliest wedding day,
The primal marriage blessings,
It hath not passed away!
(John Keble, 1792-1866, a Professor of Poetry at Oxford)

Thou shall not want!

Follow Lord's word and you shall not want! For your father is richer than all the things in the world. he is more powerful than your boss, parents and country. He is the creator and your Lord God. Trust him, depend on him for all your needs and wants. He will!

Look what David says in Psalm 23...

1. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4. 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.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou annointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Is Lord your shepherd?