Devotions for Dieters

1 Corinthians 10:12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Peter dressed for the dinner. His friends tried to tell him he shouldn't go, but he ignored them. He'd been doing great on his diet. He was in total control. He knew there would be wonderful and exotic food where he was going, but he could handle it. Too bad he forgot that when he got there. The temptation was too great for him. Before he realized what was happening, he was stuffed. In one day, he blew a couple of weeks of hard work. We can't afford to get cocky when we diet. Each day is a new struggle all its own. Ask God for daily help. Avoid situations where temptation prevails. The Lord will be sure to help you, whenever you let Him.

Today's thought: I will steer clear of calorie traps!

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Bible Study

Our life on earth is precious but fragile. We could hardly blame anyone for "playing it safe." It seems almost natural to seek the good experiences while minimizing the bad. But the Christian life is anything but safe.

What Does God Say?

Paul, in his second letter to Timothy reminded him, "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (3:12, ESV). In reassuring His disciples, Jesus took it as a given that His followers would be persecuted, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33, ESV).

But I find comfort when I read Jesus' words in Matthew 5. He knew that those who put their faith in Him would face a difficult life, and so He stated several blessings for those who earnestly seek to honor God. The last of these Beatitudes is, "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you" (11-12, ESV).

In the Book of James we get an idea of what this great reward will be: "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him" (1:12, ESV).

The "crown of life" is also known as the "sufferer's crown," or the "martyr's crown." Probably none of us aspire to earn this crown and yet some of us will, not because we sought out suffering or persecution but because we said, "Come what may, I'm going to glorify God with my life here on earth."

My Thoughts

As you read the verses presented in this study, think about the following questions:

Many of the apostles experienced persecution. Can you remember specific trials they had to endure?

The world is a lot different than it was 2,000 years ago. In what ways is the persecution we face today different, and in what ways is it the same?

In what forms have you faced persecution? Do you find Jesus' promise of a "crown of life" encouraging?

My Part

In the midst of contemplating the times of persecution we may be up against as believers, never forget the words of encouragement Jesus had for His disciples. Look for them in the verses above. Now, make a list. Take time to read your list every day for the next week. Pray for Christians who may be facing persecution right now.

Bible Study from Back to the Bible Copyright © 1996-2008 The Good News Broadcasting Association, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.bibleminute.org/

Exposed

Jeremiah 40-42, Hebrews 4
Key Verse: Hebrews 4:13

We keep many things in our lives private. Some people are very private about their finances. They do not want others to know how much they earn, what they have in the bank or any other details about their money. Physical health is another very private subject. Some people will undergo a surgical procedure and not tell even their closest friends about it.

Any list of things that people try to keep private includes sin. We may have-should have, in fact-a sense of shame when we do wrong. Along with feeling shame, though, we might hope we get away with out sin. Things can be hidden in computer files, underneath clothes in a drawer or tucked behind a loose brick. Perhaps the hidden sin is an activity. A person traveling away from home might think he can get away with sin in a town where he's unknown.

But God knows. The Bible says, "Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (4:13). That verse says two things to us. One is that God knows. Nothing we think or do is hidden from His sight. We are naked. The other is that we will give an account to Him, and it will be an account that covers everything!

God tells us this for a reason. He wants us to live right and not try to get away with wrong. He knows everything we do, say and think-and one day we will have to tell Him about all of it.

Are you trying to hide anything from God? If so, then you need to stop doing wrong, get ride of the hidden things, ask for forgiveness and live right. Take those steps today.

1 Samuel 17:38-39

Be Yourself

Students at Morningside High School knew Mr. Sullivan as a strict English teacher who would kick them out of class for talking. But on August 6, 1997, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office kicked Mr. Sullivan out of class. It was discovered that Mr. Sullivan was really Willie Clifton Wright, who was charged with numerous felonies for stealing the identity of a teacher at another Los Angeles-area school. The imposter was uncovered when the real Robert Sullivan retired. For the past ten years, Willie Wright had been posing as someone he really wasn't.

With the best of intentions, Saul also tried to turn David into someone he really wasn't. The young shepherd was clothed in a suit of Saul's armor and given the king's sword. But at this point in his life, this wasn't who David was. He wasn't a warrior; he was a shepherd. He wasn't accustomed to heavy armor and swords; his battles were fought with a slingshot and stones. Wisely, David refused to pretend to be someone he wasn't.

In the Christian faith, there are many outstanding examples of men and women who lived their lives gloriously for God. Hudson Taylor adopted the dress and culture of the Chinese among whom he ministered. D. L. Moody never closed a service without extending an invitation for salvation. Amy Carmichael rescued thousands of young girls from serving as temple prostitutes in India. But keep in mind, they are not you and you are not them.

Admire those whom God has used, but let Him show you how He wants to use the unique combination of gifts and talents He's given you. Be yourself, and let Him make the best you that you can be.

Tried and True

Whenever we buy appliances, we want a guarantee that they're going to work efficiently. So we look for those special seals of approval that indicate the product has been tested. Similarly, when we buy food at the store, we want to be sure that the ingredients are safe for consumption.

God's Word has been tested and found true. It is guaranteed. "Your word is very pure [refined]; therefore Your servant loves it" (v. 140). It has gone through the furnace. Gold ore is put into a furnace to be tested. The assayer wants to know if it's really gold; likewise with silver. As we read through the Bible and through Church history, we find that the Word of God also has been through the fire. Abraham tested it and found that it was true. He left his home without knowing where he was going, but he had the Word of God, and God saw him through. Moses also tested the Word of God during those 40 years in the wilderness. Furthermore, when we read the Psalms, we see the furnaces that David went through. What was he doing? Testing the Word of God.

The Bible has been tested and has passed the test. Therefore, it can be trusted. It's pure, void of falsehoods. All the people who have trusted the Lord throughout history can say, "You can lean upon the Word of God."

* * *

Have you tested the Word of God in your own life? You may be going through the furnace right now. If so, remember that one reason you endure such difficulties is so you will discover that the Word of God is pure, refined and trustworthy. Test the Word for yourself and find that it is true.

The Birth That Brings Death

James 1:12-15

When temptations to do evil come into our lives, let us never think that they have come from God; instead, God is doing what He can to prevent us from falling into sin. However, our flesh is so weak that we disregard Him occasionally and follow evil.

James said, "Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed" (James 1:14). Notice especially the words "and enticed." Lust comes from the enemy within--the old nature; enticement comes from the Enemy without--the Devil.

James 1:15 not only tells us more about the source of sin but also its final result: "When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

James personified lust and sin here and spoke of conception, birth and death.

Lust is personified as a harlot who conceives and then bears a child called "sin," whose father is the Devil. Then sin also conceives and brings forth a grandchild, who is known as "death."

When a sinful desire enters the mind, it will grow in the mind until the deed is executed if it is not checked at once. As a rule, the mind eventually acts out what it dwells on.

"Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:21).

Morning Moments

I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried; I hoped in Thy word.

Today our early morning devotional takes us to the great psalm--Psalm 119. This is a psalm dedicated to the praise of God's Word. It is the longest and most elaborate of the alphabetic psalms. While there are eight other acrostic psalms (9; 10; 25; 34; 37; 111; 112; and 145), this one far exceeds all the others in splendor. It is arranged in twenty-two stanzas, corresponding to the twenty-two letters in the Hebrew alphabet. Within each stanza the first line of every verse begins with the same letter in the Hebrew alphabet. Although we cannot see that in English, in our Bible the word supplied at the head of each stanza is the name of the Hebrew letter with which each verse in that stanza begins.

The author of the psalm is unknown but it is definitely Davidic in tone and expression and squares with David's experiences at many interesting points.

While these details of the psalm are interesting, devotionally there is something far more important in Psalm 119. The Masseretes, those scribes who copied the ancient Hebrew manuscripts of the Old Testament, observed that in every verse but one (verse 122) there is a direct reference to the law under one of ten legal names found in the psalm. Others dispute that claim but it is clear that the theme of this great psalm is the Word of God. The great preponderance of verses contain at least one word which identifies the Word of God and sings man's praises to it.

Psalm 119 is filled with delightful expressions of appreciation for God's Word. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word" (verse 9). "I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches" (verse 14). "I will speak of Thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed" (verse 46). "For ever, O LORD, Thy word is settled in heaven" (verse 89). "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (verse 105). With expressions of love and devotion like these, what more could God hear that would bring joy to His ears? What promise could the psalmist make that would seal his eagerness to know God's law?

Psalm 119:147 provides the answer. The psalmist says, "I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried; I hoped in Thy word." Before the light broke through the shadows of the dark night, the psalmist was already prevailing on God in prayer. He cried unto His God before He spoke unto his fellow man. He spent time hoping in God's Word each morning before he gave himself to speaking God's Word throughout the day. It was at the dawning of the morning that the psalmist found the Word of God most precious to him.

Ambrose commented, "It is a grievous thing if the rays of the rising sun find thee lazy and ashamed in thy bed, and the bright light strike on eyes still weighed down with slumbering sloth." The psalmist would agree with this church father.

To delight in the law of God, to sing praises to the Word of God, to read and meditate on the testimonies of God, all bring joy to the heart of God. But I believe the greatest joy is brought to His heart when we do these things at the dawning of the day. When we seek His word above all others, His encouragement before all others, His truth instead of all others, then we will be pleasing to Him more than all others.

One grand benefit of preceding the dawn with Bible reading and prayer is that it will not only add God's blessing to our day, but it will also encourage us to continue in His Word and prayer throughout the day. The same psalmist who rose early in the morning to hope in God's Word continued into the night watches meditating in that same Word (verse 148). When we begin the day early in prayer and the Word, we can continue that practice throughout the day. But if we do not come to the Lord until the evening hours, we can never know the joy of spending the day with Him. Let us enjoy His Word throughout this day.

MORNING HYMN
Break Thou the bread of life,
Dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves,
Beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page,
I seek Thee, Lord
My spirit pants for Thee,
O living Word.