The Reading Plan Daily Devotions

It is not only easy, it is natural to drift. If you've ever been in a boat of any kind in the water (large or small) you are aware of the unceasing movement that occurs. Without exception, even on a calm day, the flow of the water current pulls you from your original spot. SPIRITUAL DRIFTING The writer of Hebrews uses this picture to remind of us of our tendency to drift away from what matters and lasts. "For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it." ( Hebrews 2:1 ) STRONG CURRENTS You would think that the spiritual life would be immovable. Truth is unchangeable, but the human soul is not. "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it," wrote Robert Robinson at the age of 22 in 1757. Strong winds push us. The world and its marketing, our flesh and its weakness, and the devil who whispers to us incessantly, all push us downstream. We can wake up many miles from Christ and His truth. PAYING ATTENTION The remedy ...

It is a wonderful thing to have confidence if it is placed in the right source. Paul speaks about the secret he's learned to be content in any and all circumstances. He knows how to live in prosperity or in "humble means." What was the key to this contentment? "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) Break this simple sentence down and you’ll find a gold mine of truth. "I can” I have the ability to do anything required of me through the power of Christ. I am fully able if I am in Christ and Christ is in me. This promise is for me! "do all things" There is no circumstance that I have faced or will face that cannot be handled. This is a tremendous confidence that should completely eradicate any fear or anxiety. "through Him" Here is the key phrase and most critical thought. Paul knew and trusted in Christ's sufficiency. It wasn't that Paul had confidence in himself. In fact, earlier in this book he s...

Paul was writing to the Philippians from a Roman prison cell. Yet, it is one of the most joyful books he wrote. He speaks, in Chapter 4, of the secret of contentment he had discovered.  And, in Chapter 1, he speaks of his sure deliverance. He wasn't talking about physical deliverance. It was something more glorious. Real deliverance is the ability to live fruitfully and joyfully in ANY circumstance! And this is how Paul lived. The key to this deliverance Paul knew is found in Chapter 1.  A SETTLED PURPOSE Paul had settled the issue of why he existed. His goal was for God to be glorified in Him and the gospel to go out through Him. Therefore, look at how he explains his circumstances. "Now, I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel ... according to my earnest expectation and hope... that Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is ...

As a leader, the greatest way to help others to a revived life is to live there yourself. This does not happen automatically. In fact, the pull of the world, flesh, and the devil is so strong that we can easily slide into sin and find ourselves in deep need of personal reviving. Paul, in Ephesians, reminds us of our incredible blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1-3), and then calls us to walk worthy of that high calling (Ephesians 4-6). He sums some of this up in Ephesians 5:15-21 with some direct admonitions. To walk with Christ in these areas is to walk in personal revival. And, if you’re not there, you cannot lead others there. Examine yourself prayerfully in light of these 10 areas and 30 questions. 1. Be   CAREFUL "Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but wise" (Ephesians 5:15) Do I see life with clarity?  Do I see evil and avoid it? Do I recognize where I’m really walking, or walk right into the wrong path? 2. Be   INTENTIONAL "Make the most of your time because ...