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November 4

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A PROVERB CONCERNING SELF-PROMOTION

From: November 4, 2024

“Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2 ESV).

In this modern era of social media and self-promotion, this proverb seems out of place. Yet self aggrandizement is still unwise. For if you praise yourself, others will not only remain silent, they will think you immodest. Indeed, self-praise often reveals low self-esteem.

Praise from a friend is good and as the proverb declares, praise from a stranger is better still. Perhaps an even greater approach is to consider the words of the New Testament’s book of proverbs, the book of James, which says to “humble yourself, so that the Lord Himself might lift you up” (James 4:10). Better the applause of the One, than the many, or your own.

Seeking the approval of Jesus, we can say with John the Baptist, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). We can say, “More of Jesus, less of me.” This is the greatest wisdom for self-esteem. Not to think more of self, nor less, but to stop thinking of self at all. Instead, we can look to abide in Christ, so that we have His mind on self and others. For to have the mind of Christ is to “esteem others as better than ourselves” (Phil. 2:3).

PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for speaking more highly of ourselves than we ought. Forgive us for not speaking more of Jesus. We sometimes feel under valued and under appreciated. We want to be noticed. We desire the spotlight. We seek our own glory. Yet, You desire a humble heart in us. Help us today, Lord, to speak less and listen more. Help us to have the mind of Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

HAVE YOU BECOME SPIRITUALLY DULL?

From: November 4, 2023

“Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance” (Hebrews 6:12 NLT).

There are some of us who after hearing and believing the gospel become sluggish and slothful in loving others and living for Christ. How can this be since we are assured of inheriting God’s promises? Perhaps it is because we misunderstand our faith, thinking we can hold it passively, when instead, it must be acted upon. Since we have the promises of God in Christ, let us walk by faith, not becoming “weary in well-doing” (Gal. 6:9).

Are you becoming spiritually dull and indifferent? Your love for God and love for others has waned? Anxiety and fear are always knocking at your door? Faith and endurance are the antidote. Fan your zeal into flame by faith. Endure hardship in your love for others. You have the promises of God. Don’t be spiritually lazy. Live to full, depending on Christ’s strength!

PRAYER: Dear Father, You are a consuming fire. Cause us to be on fire for You. Not mere emotion, but a burning passion for worship and ministry is what we ask. Strengthen us to know and stand on Your promises and power through Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary” (Hebrews 6:19 NLT).

From: November 4, 2022

HOPE LIKE A ROPE

Christian hope is not like the world’s hope. It isn’t like saying “I hope it doesn’t rain this weekend.” For that hope is a mere wish built on nothing but a desire.

Christian hope is like a rope, anchored in the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ in the past, taken hold of by our hands of faith in the present, and proceeding into the future beyond the curtain of heaven where the risen Lord has entered on our behalf. This hope is not ethereal, but both “strong and trustworthy.” It is not dangling loose, but is anchored to the empty tomb on one end and the throne of God on the other. It is drawn taut between Christ’s resurrection and promised return.

We cling to this cord of hope with hearts of faith, trusting His promises and assured by His Spirit’s presence within. Our hope is made of sturdy stuff. So take hold! Those who hope in Christ will not be disappointed!

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the hope that anchors our souls. For this hope gives us joy in the present and cheerful expectation for the future. We are able to weather life’s storms holding on to this hope we have in Christ Jesus. Strengthen our grip on this hope today. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.

“Now we want each of you to demonstrate the same diligence for the final realization of your hope, so that you won’t become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance” (Hebrews 6:12 HCSB).

From: November 4, 2021

HAVE YOU BECOME SPIRITUALLY LAZY?

There are some of us who after hearing and believing the gospel become sluggish and slothful in loving others and living for Christ. How can this be since we are assured of inheriting God’s promises? Perhaps it is because we misunderstand our faith, thinking we can hold it passively, when instead, it must be acted upon. Since we have the promises of God in Christ, let us walk by faith, not becoming “weary in well-doing” (Gal. 6:9).
 
Are you becoming spiritually dull and indifferent? Your love for God and love for others has waned? Anxiety and fear are always knocking at your door? Faith and endurance are the antidote. Fan your zeal into flame by faith. Endure hardship in your love for others. You have the promises of God. Don’t be spiritually lazy. Live to full, depending on Christ’s strength!
 
PRAYER: Dear Father, You are a consuming fire. Cause us to be on fire for You. Not mere emotion, but a burning passion for worship and ministry is what we ask. Strengthen us to know and stand on Your promises and power through Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Hebrews 6:12 NKJV).

From: November 4, 2020

HAVE YOU BECOME SPIRITUALLY SLUGGISH?

There are some of us who after hearing and believing the gospel become sluggish and slothful in loving others and living for Christ. How can this be since we are assured of inheriting God’s promises? Perhaps it is because we misunderstand our faith, thinking we can hold it passively, when instead, it must be acted upon. Since we have the promises of God in Christ, let us walk by faith, not becoming “weary in well-doing” (Gal. 6:9).
 
Are you becoming spiritually dull and indifferent? Your love for God and love for others has waned? Anxiety and fear are always knocking at your door? Faith and endurance are the antidote. Fan into flame your spirit by faith. Endure hardship in your love for others. You have the promises of God. Live like it!
 
PRAYER: Dear Father, You are a consuming fire. Cause us to be on fire for You. Not mere emotion, but a burning passion for worship and ministry is what we ask. Strengthen us to know and stand on Your promises and power through Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary” (Hebrews 6:19 NLT).

From: November 4, 2019

CHRISTIAN HOPE IS LIKE A ROPE

Christian hope is not like the world’s hope. It isn’t like saying “I hope it doesn’t rain this weekend.” For that hope is a mere wish built on nothing.
 
Christian hope is like a rope, anchored in the historical resurrection of Jesus Christ in the past, taken hold of by our hands of faith in the present, and proceeding into the future beyond the curtain of heaven where the risen Lord has entered on our behalf. This hope is not ethereal, but both “strong and trustworthy.” It is not hanging unhindered, but anchored at both ends. It is drawn taut between Christ’s resurrection and promised return. We cling to this cord of hope with hearts of faith, trusting His promises and assured by His Spirit’s presence within. Our hope is made of sturdy stuff.
 
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the hope that anchors our souls. For this hope gives us joy in the present and cheerful expectation for the future. We are able to weather life’s storms holding on to this hope we have in Christ Jesus. Strengthen our grip on this hope today. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.

“Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance” (Hebrews 6:12 NLT).

From: November 4, 2018

ARE YOU BECOMING SPIRITUALLY DULL AND INDIFFERENT?
There are some of us who after hearing and believing the gospel become sluggish and slothful in loving others and living for Christ. How can this be since we are assured of inheriting God’s promises? Perhaps it is because we misunderstand our faith, thinking we can hold it passively, when instead, it must be acted upon. Since we have the promises of God in Christ, let us walk by faith, not becoming “weary in well-doing” (Gal. 6:9).
 
Are you becoming spiritually dull and indifferent? Your love for God and love for others has waned? Faith and endurance are the antidote. Fan into flame your spirit by faith. Endure hardship in your love for others. You have the promises of God. Live like it!

“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God” (Hebrews 6:1 NKJV).

From: November 4, 2017

Stop only discussing the doctrines of Christ and start following them. Grow up in the knowledge of Jesus. As Paul wrote, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1). So, move on from head knowledge to heart knowledge, which is a change of character that leads to a change of conduct. Better to know one thing of Christ and do it, than to know one hundred and practice none of them. Keep growing in knowledge, not that you might keep “laying again” the foundations of your faith, but that you would grow up into the Head, which is Christ. For He is the “Perfection,” that God wills for you.

“Then the glory of the Lord went out” (Ezekiel 10:18 ESV)

From: November 4, 2016

Ezekiel saw a vision that exposed the sin and idolatry of God’s people and the resulting departure of God’s glory. He witnessed the glory of the Lord moving out from the Holy of Holies, out of the Temple, and departing out through the Eastern gate to the top of the Mount of Olives. The holy God will not share His glory with another. “Ichabod–– the glory has departed” (1 Sam. 4:21). His glory and grace departed, so that His judgment and wrath might fall. Even so, Ezekiel saw God’s glory pause at the threshold of the Temple and at the Eastern gate, giving His people time to repent, but they did not. Yet someday, the glory of the Lord will return (Ezek. 43), the Messiah will come back through the Eastern gate to reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil” (Hebrews 6:19 NKJV)

From: November 4, 2015

Our hope is like a rope, anchored in the historical resurrection of Christ in the past, taken hold of by our hands of faith in the present, and proceeding into the future beyond the veil of heaven where the risen Lord has entered on our behalf. This hope is not ethereal, but both “sure and steadfast.” It is not hanging unhindered, but anchored at both ends. It is drawn taut between Christ’s resurrection and return. We cling to this cord of hope with hearts of faith, trusting His promises and assured by His Spirit’s presence within. Our hope is made of sturdy stuff.