+DEV+ We Are God's Handiwork

Date: February 29, 2016 at 10:21 PM

Topic: +DEV+  We Are God's Handiwork

We Are God's Handiwork

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Scripture Focus: Psalm 139:1-16

Do you remember the big dreams you had when you were just a kid? You thought then about becoming an Fireman or a heart surgeon or the President of the United States. There were no limits to what you could do. 

But real life comes steamrolling over those childhood dreams. Mortgages and car payments and student loans make us push "pause" on a lot of our dreams. Obligations press in on us. 

The Bible tells us that before any of the events of our lives took place, God had already prepared specific ways that we would serve Him. He planned in advance each opportunity that would come our way - whether we work in the White House or in Home Depot. All our days were ordained and written in God's book before we were even born (Psalm 139:16). 

What we were made to do is glorify God wherever we are. You may win awards and become famous or you may flip burgers and be known by almost no one. Yet God has known you fully, and He placed you in His world according to His good and perfect will.

Insight: God knows us so well that not only has He called us to do good works, but also He has prepared them in advance for us.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Beauty From Ashes

Date: February 28, 2016 at 11:15 PM

Topic: +DEV+  Beauty From Ashes

Beauty From Ashes

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

Scripture Focus: Psalm 19

Are there places you've been to that you'll never forget? A particular waterfall, a mountain range, a desert scene, a thick forest, a stunning cityscape some location of beauty and wonder that you can picture clearly when you close your eyes. It could be a much simpler image, a place whose beauty seemed to find you when you weren't even looking for it. 

My travels in the Army gave me a lot of these places around the world. My understanding of and belief in the God who Created it all gives me the answers for why we even know something to be "beautiful." God created a beautiful world on purpose, to fill us with wonder, to plant some of it in our hearts so that it might transform us and convince us of His sovereignty. God not only reveals Himself to us through His Word and through Jesus, but also through His creation. It's why David says in his psalm that the voice of all creation tells of the glory of God to the very ends of the world. 

We know and experience beauty because our beautiful Savior loved us enough to graft us into it.

Insight: Even more astounding than God's creativity is how he makes "beauty from ashes," changing sinful hearts like ours into trophies of splendor.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Moments In Life Count

Date: February 27, 2016 at 1:29 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Moments In Life Count

Moments In Life Count

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 5:11-21

Our little moments in life count. Whether you're a pastor or a high school student, a waitress or a CEO, a retiree or a mom caring for young ones, you're not exempt from the call to be "very careful how you live... making the most of every opportunity." 

Have you ever fallen into the trap of thinking you couldn't possibly make a difference? Following Jesus on a mission to the world doesn't necessarily mean a change of career or country of residence. It does mean, however, using the time you have now and the opportunities you have today to bring His kingdom here now. And most importantly, it means approaching each of your tasks for the glory of God. 

Your mundane days of clearing tables, entering data, studying text books, or meeting deadlines are opportunities for you to bring praise to the One who gave you those opportunities. Martin Luther wrote of this in "Changing Diapers to the Glory of God." Every moment of your day - from lowliest to grandest - is a chance to rely on and rejoice in our Lord. 

Insight: Be wise with your time and your talents, and see how both you and the world around you are changed for Jesus.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

Date: February 27, 2016 at 1:29 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Moments In Life Count

Moments In Life Count

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 5:11-21

Our little moments in life count. Whether you're a pastor or a high school student, a waitress or a CEO, a retiree or a mom caring for young ones, you're not exempt from the call to be "very careful how you live... making the most of every opportunity." 

Have you ever fallen into the trap of thinking you couldn't possibly make a difference? Following Jesus on a mission to the world doesn't necessarily mean a change of career or country of residence. It does mean, however, using the time you have now and the opportunities you have today to bring His kingdom here now. And most importantly, it means approaching each of your tasks for the glory of God. 

Your mundane days of clearing tables, entering data, studying text books, or meeting deadlines are opportunities for you to bring praise to the One who gave you those opportunities. Martin Luther wrote of this in "Changing Diapers to the Glory of God." Every moment of your day - from lowliest to grandest - is a chance to rely on and rejoice in our Lord. 

Insight: Be wise with your time and your talents, and see how both you and the world around you are changed for Jesus.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

Date: February 27, 2016 at 1:29 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Moments In Life Count

Moments In Life Count

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is." Ephesians 5:15-17

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 5:11-21

Our little moments in life count. Whether you're a pastor or a high school student, a waitress or a CEO, a retiree or a mom caring for young ones, you're not exempt from the call to be "very careful how you live... making the most of every opportunity." 

Have you ever fallen into the trap of thinking you couldn't possibly make a difference? Following Jesus on a mission to the world doesn't necessarily mean a change of career or country of residence. It does mean, however, using the time you have now and the opportunities you have today to bring His kingdom here now. And most importantly, it means approaching each of your tasks for the glory of God. 

Your mundane days of clearing tables, entering data, studying text books, or meeting deadlines are opportunities for you to bring praise to the One who gave you those opportunities. Martin Luther wrote of this in "Changing Diapers to the Glory of God." Every moment of your day - from lowliest to grandest - is a chance to rely on and rejoice in our Lord. 

Insight: Be wise with your time and your talents, and see how both you and the world around you are changed for Jesus.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ The Thief Of Joy: Comparison

Date: February 25, 2016 at 12:18 AM

Topic: +DEV+  The Thief Of Joy: Comparison

The Thief Of Joy: Comparison

"We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12

Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 10:7-18

I saw a mantelpiece once with these words inscribed on it: "Comparison is the thief of joy." That's exactly right. All I have to do is compare myself to my best friend getting a pastorate first, to people I know making big career moves, to others who seem to have life figured out, and I can quickly grow sort of melancholy. Do you know that feeling? 

The Apostle Paul spoke to this universal tendency of people to compare themselves with others. He said it was not wise. Instead of dwelling on how "the grass is always greener..." perhaps we ought to consider that the grass is always greener wherever it is watered most. 

Do you want to have "life to the full" as Jesus said in John 10? Then "trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:3-4). And whatever you do, resist letting comparisons and envy rob you of joy. There is no use chasing after what others have when Christ has given you what you need: HIM.

Insight: If there would be anything to boast about at all, let it be that we would boast in Christ our Lord.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ We Have Been Redeemed

Date: February 24, 2016 at 4:09 AM

Topic: +DEV+  We Have Been Redeemed

We Have Been Redeemed

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Scripture Focus: 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

We humans tend to identify ourselves with the worst things about us. One of my favorite things about life with Jesus - life to the full! - is that in Him the truest thing about me is not the worst thing about me. The truest thing about me is that I am a new creation. I have been redeemed, and I am loved beyond my imagination. 

For years I viewed myself through the lens of the failures and mistakes of old sins. I let those regrets define me for a long time when what ought to have defined me was the love Christ has for me. "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3), the Lord tells me. 

If you are following Jesus, He says the very same to you. With our identities bound up in being adopted children of the King of heaven, we get to live free of the guilt or condemnation of the past. We can leave it all behind, looking ahead to a new world in Christ. With Him we not only live free of the past, but we can live life abundantly now.

Insight: Think about what it means to identify yourself with the things Jesus says of you, not what others say of you.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Fishers Of Men

Date: February 23, 2016 at 1:16 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Fishers Of Men

Fishers Of Men

"Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19 

Scripture Focus: Matthew 4:18-22

"Follow me." If ever there were two words that changed the world, it was these. When we sign up for that ride, oftentimes we seem to forget that following Jesus isn't a part-time job. It isn't a game of bowling with the bumpers up. It isn't a thing we do on weekends and holidays only. When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He is calling us into a commitment that takes everything. Following Jesus may be wild and unpredictable, and it will change everything in our lives, especially who we are. 

Certainly the first ones who set aside everything to follow Jesus saw their lives changed. Many of them even were called to lay down their lives at the end for their unshakable belief in the Christ. Do you think Jesus' disciples had planned on that? 

Sometimes our own goals cause us such tunnel-vision that we forget we're not on a point-a to point-b journey. The events that happen along the way are in His perfect plan for us. The curves in the road, the detours, the alternate routes are all a part of following and trusting Him.

Insight: When we decide to follow Jesus, we are joining a great adventure, one whose every detail He has planned out.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Choose Whom You Will Serve

Date: February 22, 2016 at 3:01 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Choose Whom You Will Serve

Choose Whom You Will Serve

"... choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, 

we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15

Scripture Focus: Joshua 24:14-27

I like to read Joshua from the perspective of the church today. In the time of the son of Nun, the mission of God's people was to invade the Promised Land and get rid of all the inhabitants. Today, the mission of God's people is to go into all the earth, making disciples and being witnesses of Jesus. 

With that in mind, all the "be courageous" and "do not be afraid" language takes on new meaning. It's a reminder to go forward into our mission in faith, not in fear. God promised the Israelites victory, and He promises that to us too when we lean on Him. We may have to go into action, take hold of the victory, fight hard for it. 

Joshua's call to "choose this day whom you will serve" goes out to you and me. Make it a daily reminder; you get the chance to wake up each morning and decide whom you will serve. When we neglect to ask ourselves that question, it's easy to slip into the idea that today is all about serving ourselves. Be ready to say, "as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Insight: Before your day even begins, know that Jesus has already promised and won the victory for you.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Jesus Is Our Rock

Date: February 18, 2016 at 9:51 PM

Topic: +DEV+  Jesus Is Our Rock

Jesus Is Our Rock

"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere." James 3:17

Scripture Focus: James 3:17-18

Peter was an interesting fellow. He got angry easily. He fell asleep on the job, even rebuked his teacher to His face. Ultimately he ended up denying that same teacher, one of his best friends. If I'd been calling the shots, I would have passed on Peter for starting a business, a family, or a church. I would have kept my distance and written him off as someone who had issues. 

But Jesus drew near to Peter; He looked at him and said, "I'm going to use you to build my church." Jesus welcomed Peter into His family even after Peter's rejection of Him. If I had been there, I would have pulled Jesus aside and reminded Him who Peter was. 

Many of us need to be reminded ourselves of who we are: people with just as many flaws and issues as Peter had. Jesus looked at Peter and saw a rock. He knew a simple truth: the Spirit has power to transform and overcome and renew. 

When the good news of Jesus Christ renews our hearts, He becomes the Rock we stand on. Despite our flaws He enlists us for Him.

Insight: It's up to us to encourage and show mercy and grace to all people, letting God and His Spirit do some amazing work.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Moving Forward

Date: February 18, 2016 at 1:17 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Moving Forward

Moving Forward

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." Proverbs 16:9

Scripture Focus: Proverbs 16:1-9

I love moving forward. You'll read about that. Sometimes it's not easy. You may understand well that the hardest thing in the world often is taking that single step forward. 

But even harder for me is staying right where I am. Though I'm a "forward momentum" kind of person, I've been learning a lot recently about being still and patient, content without moving when everything in me wants to pursue and go. The psalmist's words, "Be still and know that I am God" (46:10) keep coming to mind. 

While we live in a society that now more than ever glorifies immediacy - we want big things and we want them now! - we as believers in Jesus know He may be calling us to be still. When we make plans, we can hold onto them loosely and learn to be faithful with the situations God has us in. We may need to learn the fine art of both moving forward and sitting still at the same time. 

And all the while we rest in the reality that the biggest thing we could ever want - eternal life in Christ - has already been won for us.

Insight: Life is not always about progress. Often it's about your character. What situations do you need to be faithful in this week?

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Friends, Romans, Countrymen; Lend Me your Ears

Date: February 17, 2016 at 2:24 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Friends, Romans, Countrymen; Lend Me your Ears

Friends, Romans, Countrymen; Lend Me your Ears

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life." John 5:24

Scripture Focus: John 5:24-30

Jesus told the people persecuting Him that "those who hear will live." I hear people talking a lot about God speaking to them and the spirit leading them to one decision or another, and I always feel like a bit of an outcast. I've never seen or heard a plan from on high for what my life specifically is meant to look like.

But I've sure read a lot in broad strokes about a life centered on Jesus. And hopefully you have, too... in the Bible. In any discussion of what it looks like to follow Jesus into "life to the fullest," the authoritative source must be the Word of God, specifically the voice of the Son of God. Jesus was a teacher and invited His disciples to follow Him. For those who were around back then, that meant, in part, literally following where He went. For us, it looks like reading the Bible consistently and restructuring our lives accordingly.

I know I can't trust hunches and feelings about what I think I'm being told; they change like the wind. But I can trust the never-failing Word of the Lord.

Insight: Seek to glorify God in ways that are in keeping with the person he made you to be.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Live Life to the Fullest

Date: February 15, 2016 at 1:17 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Live Life to the Fullest

Live Life to the Fullest

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

Scripture Focus: John 20:30-31

Jesus was all about life. He was about giving life, choosing life, doing life. And He said He came that we might have life to the fullest. Yet  oftentimes, followers of Jesus are some of the people most devoid of "life".  In fact, we even are known by our society to be judgmental, critical, hypocritical, and boring. 

Something has gone wrong with the way we follow Jesus. The life of following Him is one of adventure. Of joy, of beauty, of passion, of intimacy, of love. Weren't these things exactly what the first followers of Jesus were marked by? How can we start being known by these again? 

If we understand who Jesus Christ is and what He has done for us, we should be the ones filled with the most joy, who love overwhelmingly, who live life in a way that lets the watching world know we are following a living God, the author of beauty and joy and passion and creativity...the Author of life. 

Will you to join me this month on a journey to explore what it is to follow Jesus into what He called "life to the fullest"?

Insight: Jesus called himself the way, the truth, and the life. let's learn what He meant by "life to the full".

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Think On These Things

Date: February 11, 2016 at 2:31 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Think On These Things

Think On These Things

"Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking." 2 Peter 3:1

Scripture Focus: 2 Peter 3:1-18

How quickly my mind wanders! Even when I'm trying to focus on one task, I find my thoughts fleeing in a whole new direction. Other times, I walk into another room only to forget what I came in for. Daydreaming can distract study; selfish thoughts can destroy meditation. Your thoughts and mine need to be guarded continuously! 

Everyone seems to have something to say about Jesus. Many don't know Him; others don't care; some even mock Him and use His name in vain. It's not that different from Peter's day in which he encouraged the church to remember and keep focused on truth. He also pointed to the last days when scoffers would come to distort and deny the truth of Jesus' return. 

Even though people around us doubt the return of the Savior, we can keep our minds in "serene confidence, free from fears" (vs. 14, Amplified Bible) as we wait expectantly for Him. I realize the need to guard my mind in daily tasks, yet how much more we all need to guard our minds and hearts in our daily spiritual walk.

Insight:  "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable... think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Make The Most Of Every Opportunity

Date: February 10, 2016 at 12:13 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Make The Most Of Every Opportunity

Make The Most Of Every Opportunity

"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15

Scripture Focus: Matthew 24:3-14, 32-45

One does not have to look very far today to see that the times we live in are perilous. Radio, TV, newspapers, cell phones and computer all keep us informed of the news of the day, mostly the bad news which "sells" much better than good news. As a kid I used to think bad news happened in other places of the world. Now I see it's all around us, even in our own schools and communities. As the world changes quickly, we may wonder what else lies ahead. 

Jesus' disciples also wondered what the future held. They asked about the end of the age and about the details and timing of His return. Jesus gave many signs as an alert but did not give any exact timing. He graciously urged us to live in a watchful (vs. 42) and faithful (vs. 45) manner as we see the signs He described. Although the times seem uncertain, we can also see them as exciting as we live our lives attentive to God's leading and devoted to His truth. "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully, with all your heart" (1 Samuel 12:24).

Insight:  "Our call is not to successful service, but to faithfulness."  (Oswald Chambers)

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ This Is Christ In You

Date: February 9, 2016 at 12:06 AM

Topic: +DEV+  This Is Christ In You

This Is Christ In You

"I eagerly expect and hope that I...will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body...For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1:20-21

Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 10:31; Galatians 2:19-21

A false separation of the secular and sacred has arisen throughout Church history. During the middle ages monasteries and nunneries were built to house those who wished to separate themselves from secular society. They believed their sacred callings to be exalted. Even today many see those in "full-time ministry" to be answering God's call to a more "sacred" occupation. But the Bible makes no such distinction. All Christians - be they parents or physicians or computer programmers or secretaries or whatever - are in sacred occupations. 

We are each called to live for Christ in the sometimes mundane, average settings of our lives. In other words, we are called to put His kingdom and His Gospel at the top of our callings. Living for Christ - a desire implanted in us by the Holy Spirit at the new birth - should inform everything we think, say, and do. We begin to live in Christ, who also lives in us. What purpose! What assurance to know that my only comfort in life and in death is in living for Jesus!

Insight: To live for Christ is to die to self; "...in humility value others above yourselves..." (Philippians 2:3). this is Christ in you!

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Be Heavenly Minded

Date: February 7, 2016 at 10:41 PM

Topic: +DEV+  Be Heavenly Minded

Be Heavenly Minded

"Then Paul answered, Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 21:13

Scripture Focus: 1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Philippians 3:15-21

The Christians surrounding Paul in Caesarea advised him not to go to Jerusalem. Agabus, a prophet, warned Paul that he would be handed over to the Gentiles and be imprisoned (vs. 10-12). But Paul said, "I'm ready." Was Paul insane? Did he really want to go to prison and perhaps die? Some have thought Paul was opposing the Holy Spirit's leading. But Paul wasn't insane, nor was he afraid, nor was he disobedient. He was ready! 

What made Paul so ready? Can you and I feel a readiness like this? Paul knew his "citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20). Paul was ready for anything because he knew that even though he was indeed a citizen of Rome, his true citizenship was with Christ. This world had no hold on him. He was ready to suffer and even die for Jesus. To be ready is to be prepared, not hesitant, fit for action, useful on short notice. Paul chided the Christians in 1 Corinthians 3:2 who weren't ready for the solid food of God's word. Are we ready? Praise God that Christ makes us ready!

Insight: It's been said: "he's so heavenly minded he's no earthly good." But only the heavenly minded can be of earthly good (Philippians 3:17-21).

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Send Me

Date: February 5, 2016 at 2:56 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Send Me

Send Me

"...your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 

Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, Here am I. Send me!" Isaiah 6:7-8

Scripture Focus: Acts 9:1-18; James 2:14-26

Isaiah saw the LORD, and he cried out, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips..." (vs. 5). Notice the change in Isaiah's theology between verses 5 and 8, above. He turns instantly from guilt to willing obedience. In the same way, Christ brought Saul to his knees on the Damascus Road and gave him new birth. Saul (who became Paul) instantly left legalism - where only his obedience could lead to life - and clung to the Gospel - where God-given new life leads to obedience. 

This truth was the big idea behind the Reformation. Martin Luther, John Calvin and others rediscovered the biblical teaching that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, and not by our works. But as James says in 2:17, "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Salvation is by faith alone, but that faith doesn't stand alone. It is always followed by godly works. We all know we aren't perfect. We sin daily. But in Christ, we long to willingly follow Him in godliness and obedience.

Insight: Do you desire to follow Christ? To worship Him and study His word? Be comforted as this is God's Spirit working within you.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ Salvation Is By God Alone

Date: February 3, 2016 at 12:40 AM

Topic: +DEV+  Salvation Is By God Alone

Salvation Is By God Alone

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." Romans 1:16

Scripture Focus: 1 Peter 1:3-9

A young man was asked, "Are you saved?" He responded, "Saved from what?" Good question! "Salvation" seems to take on different meanings, even in Scripture. In Miriam's Exodus 15:2 song, she says, "The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." She was mainly referring to God's deliverance from Egypt. But the salvation the catechism answer refers to is God's promise to save us from our sins through Jesus Christ. That's the Gospel! 

However, if you think we must add something to the finished work of Christ, you are actually believing in a false gospel, one that tells us we are capable of doing good on our own apart from the Holy Spirit's power (Romans 3:10-12). The true Gospel of Christ is that all who simply trust in Him will be saved (John 3:16). But even that trust is hindered by our sin nature. Jesus said, "...no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again" (John 3:3). Take comfort knowing your salvation is solely and completely from God.

Insight: Parents give birth to and adopt children. In our salvation we are joyfully born and adopted into the Father's family by him alone.

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm

  

+DEV+ God Has A Purpose For Us

Date: January 31, 2016 at 11:40 PM

Topic: +DEV+  God Has A Purpose For Us

God Has A Purpose For Us

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 3:1-14; Philippians 3:12-21

I'm told that one of the central causes for depression is that we may feel worthless and without purpose in life. It's easy to understand when the world-view held by most people is that of "chance" (You were "lucky" to get that promotion!). But the biblical world-view differs completely. Nothing happens by chance, and there is no such thing as luck. Our God in heaven superintends His creation in minute detail. All things take place with His foreknowledge and ordination. 

Someone asks, "Then how does human free will work together with God's purposes?" Or, "Why then does God allow evil to exist?" Those are questions that have stumped theologians for centuries. All we can say is that He has a purpose for each of us. Right now counts forever! We know this by faith in His Word and His promises. "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). We walk by faith and not by sight, and are comforted that all things work together for our good and God's glory.

Insight: Depression's cure is the "long view." our home is in heaven. We live therefore with eternal purpose, as God works in us. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship and Bible study groups.

We are in urgent need of Prayer and financial partners,

If you would like to become a prayer partner and or a financial partner with monthly or one time gifts.

A freewill offering to Restoration Ministry may be made via PayPal at our web site:    http://www.rollanet.org/~restore/donations.htm