The Most Important Question You'll ever be Asked:

The Most Important Question You'll ever be Asked:

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Saturday, June 30, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts


Thought 90

I’m Free! Are You?

          God has changed me so much and the only appropriate word to describe my new life is FREE. I have been freed from several fears that I was unaware of until God showed up and taught me that I had them and how His strength could break them if I would obediently yield to His will. I was once a video game crazy, but God has freed me! I was once a TV junkie, but I asked God to remove the desire for the television and over time He did!! I did not want to do anything related to ministry for years, and He changed that!!!  I have been bound by a worldview founded on television, but HE FREED ME!!!! I have been freed from the chains of a lustful pursuit of young women!!!!! I have been freed!!!!!! Have you? Do you desire freedom from the weight of sin on your shoulders? There is good news for you. Over time, God wants to show you how to surrender your burden by making Christ the most important thing to you. Check out this verse:

   “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

   If you are burdened and weary and just feel like giving up don’t give up! Keep on! Christ will not conceal His face behind the cloud of testing forever if you seek Him. Keep going! Hold on! Christ will show up, He is there right now  . . . . , but it might not seem like it. Take courage in this:



"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you. . . .”1 Chronicles 28:9 NIV

Friday, June 29, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts


Thought 89

Save Me



Arise, O Lord, and save me.

O my God, I need Your help.

O my God, my Lord, my Savior I am tired of trying and waiting.



. . . . God, You are the Pure One, The Strong God, My Defender, My Teacher, My King!

Yet, I am struggling in this difficult time.

My faith and hope feel drained and weak.

O Lord, please come and save me!



. . . .

Yet, my spirit now, just wants to praise You.

Yet, I desire to just sit here in Your presence.

Yet, I know that You still reign and I stand in awe—

Thank You, Lord re-strengthening me!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts


Thought 88

Listen



Just listen to Him, and He will guide you throughout life.

Listen, listen to Him and He will guide you!

Just listen!! And you will learn what you need to learn.

Listen, listen, listen, listen . . . .



To the Lord, who is

 The King of Kings,

 The Lord of Lords,

The Prince of Peace,

 The Bread of Life,

 Yahweh,

Jehovah,

The Deliver and so much more.



 He is my DELIVER and yours!

And we both need to listen to HIM.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts


Thought 87

Reading His Word

It is promising,

It gives us life,

It gives wisdom unto the humble,

It is amazing,

It is spiritually eye-opening,

It is our sword,

It is breath in our nostrils,

And it is life to our bones.

What is it to you?

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts


Thought 86

Are Water Parks Sinful?

          No, I do not believe that water parks, in and of themselves, are sinful, nothing is wrong with playing in the water. However, there is something at a water parks that Christians, especially men, must be aware of—the immodesty there.  Men can enjoy water parks for lustful reasons. For example, that mom over there might send a bunch of wrong thoughts through a man’s head, tempting him to dwell on lust. Although, water parks are not sinful in and of themselves, Christians need to watch out and realize the dangers that they might encounter here.

          I know that there are some Christians that do not really care about swimsuit choices or the Biblical standards of modesty; but these things are important and do effect people’s lives, so I believe and declare that they are worth examining God’s Word about. Whether you agree with me or not, the truth is that women need to cover up more when swimming and men need to learn to resist temptation: most of the time by simply not placing themselves in temptation’s playground. As Christians, we should be careful not to be a stumbling block for someone (Matt. 18:6). Sadly, however, some Christians embrace a spirit of rebellion element that says, “I do not care if other people struggle, that’s their problem. I am fine with this stuff. I’m normal. . . . they just need to grow up!” I have been on that end of the spectrum and thought those things as well, but I ask you again: do your life and your actions encourage others to stumble, even though you are free (1 Cor. 8:9)?

          I am not going to tell you that the Bible says that women are to have a certain length such and such on various clothing items, and I am not going to say that men should be pitied for their own problems and struggles when they sometimes willingly embrace them; but I do challenge you is to get alone with God and seek His face on whether or not you will be a stumbling block to others at water parks (whether you are male or female)—the Holy Spirit may tell you to go to a water park, but to dress a certain way. I also want to encourage the men who are reading, if you struggle with lust at a water park, then it is probably better that you just don’t go to one. And yes, I am saying that you should run from temptation like Joseph.

           I have made the mistake of not standing up for my beliefs many times, and one of them includes a water park on a vacation. Because I did not explain why I did not want to go, my family was not too happy with me and I was miserable. Trying to guard my eyes, I sat in the water park and did not participate in the activities. Instead, I pulled out Bible, prayed and spent some time in deep thought and battle.

Questions to ask Yourself:

V  Women, do you wear a swimsuit that you would feel totally comfortable wearing in front of Jesus Christ?

V  Men, what places do you need to stay away from so that you are not standing in temptation’s playground?

V  What is the Holy Spirit speaking to you in today’s message?

Monday, June 25, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts


Thought 85

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” ~ Edmund Burke (http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Edmund_Burke/)

        Are you a “good” man or woman? I believe that the word good is overused; Scripture declares that only God is good—that is what Jesus said (Luke18:19)! Nevertheless, are you a pretty exceptional person? Have you lived a fair life without trying to hurt others?

         What Edmund Burke said is true. When godly people live righteously, striving to do the right thing, evil is kept at bay. The gates of Hell cannot with defeat an army of Christians who refuse to give in to wickedness! Yet, when the righteous are silent and uninvolved, when they stop doing what is right and good and true, evil succeeds. Fear is rampant! Sin will be everywhere. Truth will be void. Men will base their lives on impulse instead of a right relationship with the Lord and personal alignment with the Word. Today there are many “Christians” who do nothing about sharing their faith, they live a life of silence and keep the truth they know to themselves. They have a form of godliness, but deny its power! (2 Tim. 3:5). As a result, evil has been gaining ground by leaps and bounds. Will you stand up in the way that God has specifically designed you to? Maybe it is writing, maybe it is speaking to individual people on a daily basis, maybe it is offering your services to help godly candidates to get elected; whatever it is, stand up!

         Think about This: With all the Christians in the world, we certainly could make a difference if we would stand up. . . . even if we’re a minority. After all, there were only 11 disciples. . . .

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts


Thought 84

Words Really Do Hurt!

          Words really do hurt, that is why we are instructed over and over again to live a quiet and peaceable life. Check out: Psalm 5:9, 141:3; Jeremiah 9:8; Matthew 12:34, 15:11; and Luke 6:45.

          The pain and sorrow that you have in your spirit when or after you say hurtful things is God speaking to you. Ask forgiveness, repent, and move on. God wants to forgive you for the things you have said, but He also wants you to surrender your mouth to His standards. Will you do it?

Prayer: Lord, I ask You to convict our hearts when the words of death come out of our mouths. Lord, show Your conviction in a mighty way to the readers so that they may know when they have sinned and run to embrace Your forgiveness through repentance. But when they repent, Father, I ask in Your Son’s Name, that You send the warmth, encouragement, and love of Your presence and forgiveness. Amen.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts


Thought 83

When God Speaks….Do You Listen?

          Has God ever spoken to you? Has His Word, the Bible, ever convicted you? Have you felt like a pastor was preaching a sermon only to you?

          If you answer yes to any of the questions above, then God has spoken to you. The truth is that God is speaking and has spoken through is Word, through sermons, through people, and to individual souls in many different ways. God is the same yesterday, today and forever; therefore, if He spoke to people in the past and made and kept promises to them, then He will still speak to His people, the believers, in our age and make and keep His promises to them as well.

          Get alone with God regularly, that way you will know His voice.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 NIV

Friday, June 22, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts



Thought 82

How Do I Talk To An Unbeliever?

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5-6 NIV

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV

          Have you made the most of every opportunity? Are your conversations full of grace and seasoned with salt? Do you live a quiet life? Do you mind your own business and diligently complete your own work? Does your daily life deserve the respect of outsiders, that is, those who are not Christians? Are you dependent on relationships with unbelievers? Does you emotional support come from relationships with unbelievers?

          I regret many of my gut-honest answers to those questions. I can look back at times when I should have said something while conversing with an unbeliever; but I accepted the devil’s distraction of embarrassment (fear) to paralyze me from doing what is right and speaking up when I knew that I knew that I knew I was supposed to.  We have more opportunities ahead of us to share the Lord, so let’s charge in with the renewed determination to listen the Word’s of God recorded in the verses that we read today. Make the most of the opportunities you have with those who are not on their Way to eternal life! Do not beat yourself up about your past failures; rather, ask for forgiveness and look at the grace that God gives you through the new opportunities you have to make a right choice.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 81

Humility–The Key to Change

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

The Lord has made us a promise in this Scripture. If we will only humble ourselves and pray then just look and see what God will do! But what is this humility that we must have? Read 1 Samuel 2:7, 1 Kings 21:29, and 2 Kings 22:19. Do these Scriptures answer the question? Probably not, these passages deal with humility, but not the meaning; yet, please keep them in mind.

Noah Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Dictionary defines humble as:

1. Lowly ; modest ; meek ; submissive ; opposed to proud, haughty, arrogant, or assuming. In an evangelical sense, having a low opinion of one’s self, and a deep sense of unworthiness in the sight of God.

2. To make humble or lowly in mind ; to abase the pride or ; to reduce arrogance and self-dependence ; to give a low opinion of one’s moral worth ; to make meek and submissive to the divine will ; the evangelical sense.

Take some time now and get quiet before God. Examine your heart . . . . is it proud or humble? Are you in the middle of the road (lukewarm)? Ask Him to give you a heart transplant.

Prayer:

My heart is still proud, Lord; yet, I ask that You humble me. As I think on Your greatness, of the amazing things that You’ve done and the power that You posses, I feel small. Lord, please help me to think less of selfish desires when pride strikes and that I would be confident in You, my strength. Lord, I want to be humble, please make me so. In Jesus Name, Amen.

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6 NIV

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 80

The Fruit of the Spirit

Read Galatians 5.

Prayer: Lord, soften the soil of my heart and make me into the person that You want me to be. I pray also, that I and each and every reader of this book would experience a deep change in their lives as a result of the fruit of Your Spirit. Give us all a teachable spirit and help us not to spurn Your gentle corrections like the rebellious do, Lord. Thank You, Father, for Your mercy and patience with us, and as Christ gave You, His Father, complete charge of Himself so may we give You complete charge of our selves. Amen

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 79
Talents
What are you talents? Can you use them for God?
My Story
Growing up I have always been told that I am a leader. I’m not trying to be prideful, but over and over it has proven itself to be a truth by confirming itself in my life over and over again as I have led groups of young men, organized an event or led a Bible study. The difficulty is how to use my talents and yet reflect Christ. For me, the question has sometimes been, should I accept a leadership opportunity at my local church or should I lead this thing over here that I feel called to start? The answer to that question has been different each time it arose, sometimes I led both something at my church and something aside from my church, and at other times, I only led in my church or only in another area. The point is, to use one talent for the glory of Christ, leadership for example, I must be willing to follow the Lord’s plans, and I must follow His lead to effectively use it.
In leadership, there have been times that I have had to show ‘tough love’ so that a person can grow and learn. But more often than that, I have had to lead by example in order to have people follow me and respect me enough to listen and be teachable. I have learned that leadership is not really meant to be a way to control people, but to teach and impact them and it requires a humble spirit to truly lead by example. As I led in a certain ministry at my church for about 2 years I constantly had to watch myself, if I presented the wrong example or allowed sin to reign in my life (while away from the ministry) then those that I led were spiritually impacted. It was during those years that I learned why the James warns us that not many should be teachers, because they will receive a greater judgment from the Lord (James 3:5). As a teacher, a leader, I had a spiritual impact over who I was leading, and if I had yielded to the temptation to burst out at anger at home or snap in annoyance at my siblings, guess what I saw among those that I ministered to? That’s right anger and snapping—I got what I sowed. Often we do not keep that in mind when we think of leadership.
Now, not everyone is a “natural born leader,” but as my pastor describes it (I’m paraphrasing) this way: “Some people are just naturally born a leader, others aren’t. But on a scale from one to ten what can you achieve. If your best is a six or seven, then great. Be the best you can be in what God gives you to do.” Not everyone will be a leader, but if you are called to be will you be one that represents Christ; and if you are not one, will you support those over you with your prayers, attention, and respect?
When we talk about using the gifts and talents that God has given us, we must keep in mind that we do not work for God. That statement – working for God – suggests that God does not have all of you, just a part of you. We do not clock in and out working a job for God, or at least we should not. Instead, we are to serve God all the time. As we do this, we become slaves to Christ; this happens because we love Him so much that we surrender our selfish rights and become His, completely. However, one must understand that God has given mankind a free will: we have the choice to obey or disobey, sin or live righteously, to surrender or to rebel, to clock in or continually be on call.
God has equipped you with certain talents and abilities that nobody else can use like you can, in the special way that you can. God is amazing! We all have a part in the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12-30). Some of you are called to be what I am going to call “extreme servants,” the hands and the feet of the body of Christ. Others of you speak and teach the Word as the mouth and voice of the body of Christ. And many others of you are working behind the scenes like our physical organs to take care of the body of Christ’s personal needs. And the list goes on . . . .
Keep the Balance in Mind:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23 NIV
This passage troubles me and should! We can prophesy, cast out demons, and do miracles in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and still not know Him. And if we don’t know Him, we won’t be in Heaven with Him! This is troubling, because many pastors and lay-people who teach and preach and do miraculous things can still miss Heaven—all because they do not personally know Jesus Christ; all they have is good works.
Please remember, that although we can do things for Christ with our talents and should, that is not all that Christianity is. Good works are great and God desires us to obediently follow Him, but the truth is that He does not need human help to accomplish His will; however, He does desire to work through us. Yes, He gives us the privilege of doing good works to honor Him and accomplish His will, but please, please, remember your relationship with Him is the most important thing. Be a Mary first and a Martha second. Jesus wants to know you more than He wants you to do a bunch of stuff or win a bunch of souls even though both those things are important.
Prayer: O Lord, I want to know You! Lord, please help these readers to do great things in obedience to You, but above all let them KNOW You, Father . By our fruit we are known, Lord, and by our works will we be judged. Father, I ask that we will all know You in a personal way, that we will have a personal, intimate relationship with You. We do not want to miss Heaven because we were too busy doing things for You that we did not live Your salvation and get to know Jesus for ourselves. Amen

Monday, June 18, 2012

Daily Devotional from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 78

Will You Stand Up Even if Others Die?

Have you ever read the Book of Martyrs? I strongly recommend it.

This book is not an enjoyable read, but it will build your trust and thankfulness for all that God has protected you from. It will also be sobering as you read how other Christians were killed for standing for their faith in Christ. Simply believing that Jesus died and rose again is what many, many Christians have died for. The martyrs of our faith have refused to renounce that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and so they were beaten, sawed in two, stripped naked, stoned, thrown to lions, and burned alive.

When one person dies for their faith in Christ, other Christians are often hunted down as well. The question that I pose to you is, if other people die because you refuse to reject Christ will you still stand firm? It is a hard question and you probably wonder why I am asking it. I am asking it because the Bible says that Daniel resolved not to defile himself (Dan. 1:8). This verse is referring to a time when Daniel had to make a decision not to eat the foods that God declared unclean in the Old Testament; and that decision affected Daniel and some of his friends. Will you resolve like Daniel did to never reject God?

Your intentions can be great, but true resolution, determination, gets things done. Men that run in the Olympics have to resolve to train and to prepare for such strenuous competition. Likewise, many students have to resolve to work hard when their studies get tough. Will you resolve to never reject Christ? If you do not, you might not be ready if the time comes.

I read a story once or heard it, I can’t remember which, anyway, it went something like this: there was once a pastor who preached the gospel and the government didn’t like it. So they tried to get the pastor to renounce the gospel, but he would not. In response, they took his wife and children and buried them alive while forcing him watch. As his family was being buried the man’s wife told her crying children that they were going to meet Jesus that day and then she led them in a hymn as they were buried alive…. Persecution is part of the Christian life, it may be extreme or it may not be, but rest assured that it will come.

“Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” John 15:20 NIV

“To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.” 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 NIV

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 77

“If I Perish, I Perish”

Esther. There she was, beautiful physically and inwardly strong, a real woman of godly character. She lived in a palace and was married to a powerful king. But she discovered a plot that would destroy her people, the Israelites. This plot was going to make it legal to kill the Jews and take their property without being punished by the government. Confused, she turned to God in fasting and prayer for three days and nights. After that time, she made a decision that would change the course or her life forever: either she would die or the impossible would come to pass. Ester decided to dare to enter into the presence of her husband without being summoned, against the customs of that time, and ask for the Jewish people to be spared from annihilation. Such an act was considered worthy of death, but she took the chance, and after what appears to be a brief “bout with doubt” Ester made her request to the king and her people were spared by being given permission to fight off their attackers without penalty.

What has God asked you to do? It is very possible that it will cost you something. It could mean risking or losing your job, your current reputation, or your security. Will you take the risk that God has laid on your heart? Will you dare to follow God into a tough circumstance? Ester did and she was willing to die for it. Like Ester we can say that if we perish following God then we perish, there’s nothing else to it. Following God will always give us ultimate success: Heaven and the victory of sitting under Christ’s authority and power are promised to us.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 76

21 Days of Remembrance:

Looking Back Over 21 Devotions on Remembrance

This is day twenty-one, the final day of our series in Remembrance. I am grateful that God has given me the privilege of studying side by side with you, through this book, the importance of REMEMBERING. Without remembering God’s goodness in our lives, His warnings, and how He has worked in the past we are often, if not always, doomed to failure in the future because of our lack of understanding.

“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’” Matthew 12:46-50 NIV

For our last remembrance point, REMEMBER that all who are redeemed in Jesus Christ’s blood are your brothers and sisters and mothers and that each of you is related to Christ. There is a time to spend with blood relatives and a time to spend with our spiritual brothers and sisters. Be careful of confusing that, God has given both as a gift; but often we confuse the balance and conflicts result.

When have you experienced conflicts between your blood relatives and your spiritual relatives?

Friday, June 15, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 75

21 Days of Remembrance:

Should We Demand a Sign to Remember?

Read: Matthew 16:1-4

Jesus taught that asking for a sign was wicked and adulterous. Wow, when Christ uses those words we need to make sure that we are listening! Jesus also states, near the end of the Matthew 16:4, that instead of a miracle, the sign of Jonah will be given in response to the request of a sign from Jesus. What is this sign of Jonah though? Let’s check out Matthew 12:38-45.

Jesus used the sign of Jonah as a figure of speech to describe Himself: in answer to the requests for a sign Jesus would give the ultimate sign with His life. He would die on the cross for the sins of the world and his body would stay in a tomb for three days (just as Jonah was in the well for three days) and then Jesus would rise from the dead, completing His task (much like Jonah, who was spit upon dry land and told to go finish His assignment from God).

Remember not to ask for a sign, but to believe in the ultimate sign that Jesus did for us: dying and rising again, conquering death.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 74

21 Days of Remembrance:

Remember the Prophet without Honor?

Read Matthew 13:54-58 (try to read this in the Holman Christian Standard Bible translation)

Jesus did not do any miracles in his home town because the people did not believe. Does this mean that a pastor, missionary, or evangelist preaching the Word of God boldly and uncompromisingly will not be accepted by his home town? Sadly, that may be one application. I am not trying to be gloomy here; but the truth is that many Christians out there are treated just like the prophets Jesus talked about in Matthew 13. There are many people throughout the world who are shunned and hated simply because they come home with a life changed by Jesus Christ and boldly share it.

Take a moment and thank God for your freedom in Christ. Also, please pray for those who are persecuted for knowing and sharing Jesus Christ around the world. REMEMBER the prophet without honor principle of Matthew 13.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 73

21 Days of Remembrance:

Do You Remember Jesus’ Tempting From the Father of Lies and Lord of the Flies?

Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, and Luke 4:1-13

Jesus was sinless, yet He was tempted like we are. This fact gives us some incredible insight: temptation is not sin. Instead, sin is giving into temptation. God will never tempt us (1 Cor. 10:13), but the devil, the world, and our natural, fleshly man will.

How can we fight temptation? Well, Jesus fought it with Scripture, so shouldn’t we? The answer is yes; if we resist the Devil (our tempter) he will flee (James 4:7). You can win the battle against temptation!

Some Power Principles from Scripture:

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 NIV

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13 NIV

“Why do you say, O Jacob,

and complain, O Israel,

‘My way is hidden from the Lord;

my cause is disregarded by my God’?

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:27-31 NIV

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Daily Devotional from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 72

21 Days of Remembrance

Abraham’s Lack and its Results

Read Genesis 12, 15-16, & 21:1-7; Isaiah 40:31 (in the King James Version)

Prayer: God, please guard my steps, give me the strength not to stray from Your plan, even if it seems like the right thing to do because of circumstances and impatience. In the name of Jesus, Amen.

God did not “mess up” choosing Abraham to be given the promise of a son in his old age and the privilege of being the ancestor of Israel and the Church. Abraham was the one, God knew that and that is why God chose him. But like many people, Abraham gave into the temptation of lust and impatience and was duly punished for his haste with a son born out-of-wedlock: Ishmael. Please trust God and wait on His promises! It is often not the easiest thing to do so, but it is the right thing. Remember not to try to hurry God along! If you do, others will be affected and so will you. Disobedience brings punishment; however, obedience brings blessing (Deut. 28).

Another Point

Dear readers, take Abraham’s story as a warning that our lack of remembrance and waiting when we impatiently try to hurry God along and stop waiting for His promises affects both ourselves and others. If God has promised you something, remember to be patient. If you are struggling with patience, just hold on one moment at a time. Wait for God and remember His promises!

Monday, June 11, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 71

21 Days of Remembrance:

Do You Remember to Love?

God is love (1 John 4:8). But this love is much deeper than just a good feeling; likewise, it is not a physical or emotional concept, but rather a spiritual. Can you grasp that? Do you understand that? It is an amazing concept! God keeps on track: He disciplines and waits for us because He loves us; He administers justice and refuses to forsake us in our hour of darkest need; He gives us peace and joy. He is Holy. He is Awesome. He is God. All these and more are marks of God’s character. Please, REMEMBER that God is love, but I also challenge you to go a step farther than just knowing that and live a loving life with the Holy Spirit as your Counselor and Guide (1 Cor.13, Gal. 5).

Take some time in a still and quiet place to meditate about what God’s love really is and how you can share it.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Daily Devotion from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 70

21 Days of Remembrance

Do You Remember Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3?

Read Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3.

In Matthew 24, Jesus talks about the last days. For me this chapter has been a reminder of the WORLD that I live in. Are we living in the End Times? We certainly see men that are lovers of themselves more than lovers of God, proud, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, etc…(2 Tim 3), as well as, many earthquakes and natural disasters. What do you remember in Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3? Write it down and make it a personal reminder between you and God.

Notes of what God brought alive in Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3:

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Saturday, June 9, 2012

Daily Devotional from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 69

21 Days or Remembrance:

You Can Be Used By God Next Time

How many times have you cowered down and not answered a question attacking your faith or beliefs about Jesus because of fear? I know that I am sickened by the times that I did not speak when I knew that I should have. Writing what you believe is the easy part, but living it takes the real guts of a man or a woman of God. Will you live it? Daniel 1:8 (NLT) says, But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods.” Will you determine right now to do your very best to act on God’s promptings next time?

A man or woman fully committed to God will be used by God.

God will never leave us or forsake us. But I know that there have been times that I have forsaken my God. That grieves me, yet I have the HOPE of future trials in which I can stand for Him instead of myself (1 Peter 3:8-22)! Yes, my God has forgiven me of those past sins of forsaking Him, but let’s determine together, right now, not forget what God has redeemed us from. By not forgetting we can remain humble and pliable to His plans and thankful for His grace.

Friday, June 8, 2012

Daily Devotional from Ryan Marks book Thoughts

Thought 68

21 Days of Remembrance:

Remember Why the WORLD Labels the BIBLE as Hate Literature

Do you know why the WORLD labels the BIBLE as “hate literature”? The Bible defines sin as absolutely wrong, right? And obedience to God and His Word is defined as absolutely right, right? OK. We have just established that there is absolute wrong; and absolute right. In essence, we have just established the foundations of the law! And if there was no law, then there would be no right or wrong actions, thoughts, or desires: everything would be relevant to circumstances and our personal understanding. And guess what the world looks like in many of its laws and the political systems? That’s right, a mess of relativity! In truth, we Christians stand in opposition to the world’s sin because we accept the “laws” of God as fact and reject lying and homosexuality and all other sin because God says that sin is wrong. The world hates us for this reason: that we stand for the Word of God, for Truth. However, if we do not stand for the Word, the world will probably become our friend, and thus we will forfeit our relationship with God and become His enemy (James 4:4). In short, beware: compromise is dangerous.

We have made ourselves enemies of the WORLD, because the WORLD hates to be told that its “doctrine” is wrong.

Why Stand Up for Scripture?

If we love God, we will obey Him and if we obey Him our spirit will be open to the Holy Spirit’s conviction. In short, we accept the things that God accepts, and the things that hinder our relationship with Him and that He absolutely despises we count as rubbish and we labor to throw out of our lives. One aspect of obedience to God is not compromising; and instead, holding to His revealed truth. This revealed truth is contained in Scripture and is illuminated (revealed or a revelation) by the Holy Spirit. . . . But if we will not stand for Scripture’s authority and power, then we throw out the Bible as God’s revealed truth and we live in disobedience (sin): we aren’t connected to Christ!

Yes, there are things that we may not understand with our own mortal minds and reasoning that are in the Bible. Nevertheless, clear commands like DO NOT STEAL should be obeyed even if we don’t understand them completely. This is how we prove our belief in what we do not see: by obeying even though we do not understand why yet. And if you truly obey Christ, then you will stand for God’s truth in front of unbelievers when the Holy Spirit directs you to.

Personal Challenge

Will you label the Bible as “hate literature”? What if the government or world declares it so? Will you stand for what is right and hold to the Truth of the Word? I don’t know about you, but I choose to follow God. The tests God gives us are so that we can see our progress in following Him. Those tests are choices. Choose! Avoiding a decision for the Lord will cut you off from the Lord, but by accepting it, you can press forward with perseverance. The race is not over, we still have many tasks to accomplish for our Savior, so be encouraged to stand for what’s right!

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