The Names of Christ

Philippians 2:5-11

Peace with God

Romans 5:1-2

The Ultimate Father-Son Relationship

John 5:19-20

Grace to Keep Going

Acts 15:7-11

Acquiring Great Faith

Hebrews 11:17-19

I’ve had people tell me, “I wish that I had great faith.” While most of us would like God to just drop that kind of confidenceinto our laps, it’s not the way He operates. Faith increases as a result of our obediencein little things. We all marvel at Abraham’s willingness to offer up Isaac at the Lord’s command. But have you ever stopped to consider all of his smaller steps of submission that prepared the way for this enormous test?

Throughout his lifetime, Abraham obeyed God. At the Lord’s command, he left his country (Gen 12:1-4), was circumcised (17:10, 26), conceived Isaac in his old age (21:1-3), and sent his son Ishmael away (21:9-14). By the time he was asked to offer Isaac as a sacrifice, he already knew that his God would always be faithful to His promises. His previous experiences had taught Him to trust the Lord.

In the same way, each small step of obedience solidifies our confidence in God. Then, when He challenges us with a more difficult assignment, a firm foundation of assurance enables us to trust andobey Him. Great acts of faith flow from our past interactions with the Lord. By neglecting His simple commands, we miss priceless opportunities to witness His faithfulness.

Having trouble trusting God for something big? Maybe it’s because you’ve ignored those “small” and “insignificant” promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Lord considers each of His commands important and promises to reward every act of obedience, regardless of size. Great faith begins with little steps.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org.

The Power of Fasting

Quote of the Day

"The fruit of the Spirit does not pop out of believers through effort; Christians bear fruit through surrender."
~Charles Stanley (from "Can We Produce Fruit through Our Own Actions?")

The Power of Fasting
Charles Stanley

There is a lot of misunderstanding today about fasting. Some people think it is related to dieting and the body. Others think its purpose is to impress God with the intensity of their desire. Others hope their self-denial will speed up the Lord's answer. None of these are true.

Fasting is a spiritual work in which we temporarily eliminate distractions so that we can give our undivided attention to our heavenly Father. It is a time of spiritual preparation through exclusion of earthly interruptions. As we abstain, other things begin to lose their sense of importance; in their place is a heightened awareness of God's presence and His priorities for our lives. Our agenda is replaced by His as we connect with Him in deeper intimacy and receive all that He has to tell us. It can be one of the most powerful experiences of the Christian life.

Fasting can be carried out in several ways: going without food, eliminating activities, or forgoing sleep in order to seek Him. You can also set aside the intimate sexual relationship between husband and wife for a period of time. The intent is always to be in the Lord's presence without disturbances so that His voice can be heard.

Have you avoided fasting because it appears too hard or too confusing? Think instead of the joy you will experience from a deeper communion with your loving God, and step out in faith. Giving your unhampered attention to the Lord for a period of time is one of the wisest things you can do.

Taken from "The Powerful Practice of Fasting" by In Touch Ministries (used by permission).

Christmas: A Time for Giving

Luke 2:1-20

Christmas is one of the happiest holidays because during this season, people are more generous than at any other time of the year. The practice of giving is not a recent innovation—it began on the first Christmas when Jesus was born. Everyone in the story had something to give.

• When Mary submitted to God's plan, she gave her body to be the first home of the incarnated Savior (Luke 1:30-38).

• She also surrendered her good reputation in order to fulfill the Lord's calling for her life.

• Joseph offered his love and protection to Mary and the child who was not his own (Matt. 1:18-25).

• An angel gave an announcement of the Messiah's birth to some lowly shepherds who were watching their flocks at night.

• A heavenly host of angels offered praise and glory to God.

• The shepherds shared the first personal testimony about the Messiah.

• The wise men relinquished the comfort of home to seek the newborn King and give Him gifts worthy of royalty (Matt. 2:1-11).

At first glance, these gifts may seem to pertain only to the first Christmas, but they each have application for us today. Believers are called to give of themselves to the Lord and to one another in similar ways.

Look at this list again. What gifts could you give to Christ today? Maybe you need to submit to His will in a difficult area or endure misunderstanding in order to obey Him. And how about others? Who needs your protection, love, or perhaps the good news of salvation in Christ?

In Touch, Dr. Charles Stanley

Inseparable from Christ

Romans 8:18-39

When pain and adversity enter our lives, it's easy to conclude that God has abandoned us. After all, we think,if He were there, He would have done something by now. However, today's passage says that nothing can separate us from Christ's love. Let's consider the vast scope of this promise.

No events. Not a single distress can remove us from divine love, but rather, we can "overwhelmingly conquer through Him who love us" (Rom. 8:35-37). Today's verses also teach that our present sufferings cannot be compared to the coming glory (v. 18) and that God's good purpose is our transformation into Christ's image (v. 29). When we understand this, we gain a victorious eternal perspective, which produces hope and perseverance (vv. 24-25).

No time. Nothing we have gone through in the past, are dealing with at present, or will encounter in the future can take us away from Christ. He is with us every step of the way (v. 38).

No power. The unseen powers of evil that try to deceive and entrap us are no match for the Lord, who holds us securely in His omnipotent grasp (v. 39).

No created thing. Only our triune God is self-existent, and if He calls you His own, nothing and no one—not even you—can break that relationship (v. 39).

This promise of security in Christ isn't a license to sin without consequence. Instead, it should motivate us to fall on our knees in gratitude and praise. As we truly grasp the greatness of this gift, our love for Christ will increase and result in obedience and perseverance, no matter what difficulty we face.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org

Gratitude in Affliction

Psalm 119:65-72

At Thanksgiving, we typically express gratitude for God's blessings. But did you ever consider thanking Him for something that doesn't seem like a blessing—such as a trying circumstance you want Him to remove or change? A grateful heart is most precious to God when, humanly speaking, our situations don't warrant giving thanks. By making four foundational decisions, we can begin to see the value of our adversities and respond with appreciation.

Believe and trust the Lord. Only by viewing life from a scriptural perspective can we understand His purposes in our trials and trust His wisdom in allowing them.

Accept the situation as coming from God—either directly sent or permissively allowed. If we truly believe He's working for our good (Rom 8:28-29), we can choose to receive each difficulty as coming from His loving hand. Then we can say "Thank You."

Submit to God in the circumstance. Although we may not like the situation, knowing that God "[is] good and does good" (v. 68) allows us to confidently place our lives under His authority.

Draw from Him the strength to endure. No one has the ability within himself to endure hardships with gratefulness. Only by relying on the Lord can believers go through adversity with an appreciative heart.

Now, think about that circumstance you would like changed, and with a new mindset, offer this prayer to God: "Lord, I accept this situation as coming from You. In faith and trust, I place myself under Your loving authority, and draw from You the strength I need to endure with gratitude."

In Touch, Dr. Charles Stanley

Liberated to Live

Psalm 22:5

History is replete with stories of slaveholders who dominated the helpless, and wicked rulers who tyrannized entire people groups. These are obvious cases of bondage. Less evident--but damaging nonetheless--are the widespread instances of enslavement to emotional wounds and sinful acts, habits, and attitudes. People oppressed in this way cannot break free.

Thankfully, Christ came to earth to release us from captivity to sin. He said of Himself: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . . He has sent me to . . . to set free those who are oppressed" (Luke 4:18, 21).

How can you take advantage of this terrific offer of freedom? The first step is to recognize that you are controlled by a spiritual problem known as sin. Second, trace its roots, if possible--ask, Why do I indulge to the point that I am mastered by this temptation? Some possible answers are insecurity, fear of failure, pride, and past abuse. Third, choose freedom. Trust the Lord to help, and believe that His Holy Spirit will enable you to do whatever is necessary. God does not want His children enslaved; He wants them free to live (John 10:10). Fourth, cry out to Him for help.

God will answer by acting in your best interest. Perhaps that means freeing you immediately. Or He may decide that the best process for you will take time, in which case a struggle might lie ahead. Either way, you can be certain that the Father knows what is optimal for each of His children. His chosen course of action will enable you to experience freedom and abundance.

Living in Bondage

John 8:31-36

Freedom is one of humanity's most prized possessions. That's why Patrick Henry's famous declaration, "Give me liberty or give me death," resonated with the colonists. His sentiment ignited a revolution and helped bring about the birth of our free nation.

Yet many inhabitants of this land are in captivity. You see, people aren't simply physical beings; they're also spiritual. And they can be enslaved spiritually as well as physically.

Jesus said that anyone who commits sin is in bondage to it (John 8:34). He was referring to continuous wrongs that become a lifestyle, even for the believer. Almost anything--including the pursuit of power, money, or relationships--can develop into a pattern of sinful living.

Usually, ungodly habits begin in a way that seems innocent and fulfills a desire or need. For example, a person might justify working too much in order to take care of his family. Over time, he may become desensitized to any guilt he originally felt. As he gradually senses less conviction by the Holy Spirit, the habit becomes a comfort and eventually controls him. Though he may hate it, he is powerless to stop. Ironically, people in this state often say and believe that they could stop the behavior
if they so chose. But they are deceived.

Neither human determination nor effort can overcome the bondage. Yet what man is unable to do, God can achieve (Luke 18:27).

Take an honest look at your life's motivations. Is there some habit, emotion, or dream that "owns" you? Jesus --and Jesus alone--can set you free.

Rekindling the Fire

John 10:10

The Lord created us to live passionately for Him. In that way, we enjoy the blessings of an intimate relationship with our Creator. But there are other benefits as well. Just as the warmth and beauty of flames draw people toward the fireplace, God also uses our passion to draw others to Himself.

So, not just for our own sake but also for the sake of others, we must be careful not to let our fervor toward God fade. Thankfully, the indwelling Holy Spirit nudges believers who start to head in the wrong direction. If you sense this to be the case, you can take several steps to realign yourself with Him.

First, evaluate where you are spiritually--ask God whether your fire has grown cold. Second, acknowledge any distance you have allowed to separate you from your heavenly Father, and repent. Third, refocus your attention on Jesus; meditate on how He teaches His followers to live. Spend quality time in Scripture daily, asking the Lord to speak to you through His Word. Pray, not by using fancy words but by crying out earnestly and seeking God's face. Fourth, rely upon the Holy Spirit to guide you back to an intimate and exciting relationship with the Father. Finally, love and serve God by worshiping Him and reaching out to others.

What occupies your time and attention? Do your thoughts and conversation tend to revolve around worldly topics or the things of God? If your fire for Christ has dwindled, take the necessary steps today to renew your passion. Living closely with Him is well worth the effort and discipline.

When Your Fire Grows Dim

2 Timothy 1:1-11

Do you feel yourself growing cold toward the Lord? Though we, who are children of God, can never lose our salvation, it is possible for our spiritual passion to cool.

Today's passage reveals that even Timothy experienced a decreasein his excitement for God. That's why Paul wrote, encouraging the young pastor at Ephesus to fan the flame of his faith.

Spiritual "cooling" can happen to any Christian. Oftentimes, it starts when tragedy or disappointment diverts one's attention. Instead of crying out to the Lord and finding shelter in Him, the believer slowly ceases reading the Bible. The Word of God is like wood in a fireplace: the flames can be kept alive only when there are logs to burn. As less time is spent in Scripture, other aspects of the relationship with God are affected: church attendance diminishes, giving becomes sporadic, and prayer--which seems increasingly stale--is used only for emergencies.

No longer willing to stand up for what he once deemed important, the Christian soon starts to compromise. He may feel plagued by guilt and become defensive about the way he is living. Finally, the joy, contentment, and peace from God are replaced by worry, doubt, and fear.

A believer who allows himself to drift will miss out on the joy and fulfillment of a rich relationship with the Lord. Think back. Is your excitement about the things of God stronger than ever before? Or has it diminished over time?

Living by Faith

Romans 1:16-17

In Scripture, we read that strong faith is essential for facing life's uncertainties. It prompts us to look beyond our trials to the One who's promised to guide and sustain us.

As trust in the Lord increases, obedience becomes a higher priority than pleasure or profit. Moses' life illustrates this--he chose to forsake the advantage of Egyptian royalty in order to be identified withGod's people. Placing his future in the Almighty's hands, he became the Israelites' leader and gave precedence to the Lord's interests over his own.

As devotion deepens, a second outcome is spiritual discernment--believers develop an ability to look beyond the external appearance to see things as God does. The attractiveness of sin will decrease, and its offer of satisfaction will be recognized as false. At the same time, eternal matters will become more valuable to us. Moses left his livelihood of 40 years to become God's appointed leader. Pursuing the Lord's plan became more important than anything else in his life. Despite his misgivings and sense of inadequacy, he placed trust inhis heavenly Father.

Finally, a growing faith will not permit misunderstandings and criticisms to deter us from pursuing God's plan. The Hebrew slaves didn't make it easy for Moses to lead, but his beliefs enabled him to move forward.

The Hebrew leader's faith became the defining quality of his life. The Lord wants the same to be true of you. By trusting God deeply, you, like Moses, will be able to meet each day's challenges with courage and determination.

Facing Life's Unknowns

Hebrews 11:23-29

Uncertain circumstances characterized Moses' whole life. He was born in Egypt, at a time when the growing Hebrew population was seen as a threat. The king enslaved the community and had their male infants killed (Ex. 1:22; 2:1-4). To protect Moses, his family let others raise him as an Egyptian.

As a grown man, he had to flee the land and live far from home (Ex. 2:11-15). Later, in a personal encounter with God, Moses learned that he was the Lord's chosen leader of the Israelite slaves (Ex. 3). Inthis new role--for which he felt ill-equipped--he had to approach Pharaoh to request his people's release. And then imagine how he must have questioned his ability to lead more than a million people while contending with their ingratitude and rebelliousness.

Yet Moses steadfastly carried on. Scripture tells us that what enabled him to persevere was faith, which Hebrews 11:1 defines as "being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (niv). Moses had learned how to see "Him who is unseen" (Heb. 11:27). As a result, he was able to grasp the reality of his invisible God's character and promises. Since encountering the Lord at the burning bush (Ex. 3:2), he viewed life differently: his new purpose was to rely on God and follow His plan.

Though Moses did not live perfectly, the Scriptures commend him for walking by faith. From his example, we can learn how to persevere through life's unknowns. And with the Holy Spirit's help, we, too, can become people of great faith.

Sharing Our Faith

1 John 4:14-15

We live in a world that seeks to function apart from the Lord. Its attention is centered on man and his desires. The tragedy is that people without Christ are under God's judgment for all eternity. This includes those who attend church but do not have a personal relationship with the Savior (Matt. 7:21-23).

As Christ's ambassadors, believers are to be prepared to share the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20). Here are five words to help us remember key points about God's good news:

Need--Because of sin, everyone starts out separated from the Lord (Rom. 3:10). The need is for someone who can correct this impasse and reconcile us to the Father. It is crucial for people to recognize that something is seriously wrong between them and God--and infact, that without divine intervention, sin is an insurmountable problem.

Provision--Once the need is recognized, we can talk about God's provision. He sent His Son Jesus to be our Savior. Only Christ could pay the debt we owe for our sins.

Cost--For man, salvation is a free gift. But it was costly to God, who had to sacrifice His Son upon the cross in our place (Rom. 6:23).

Faith--Trusting in Jesus is the only way to salvation. There are no substitutes (John 14:6).

Assurance--At salvation, the Holy Spirit dwells within us. Through Him, we have the absolute assurance that we are God's children and will spend eternity with Him.

Regularly take time to speak to others about what matters most. The most important issue in life is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Confusion in the Church

Confusion in the Church
1 John 5:12-13

Numerous people believe in God, attend church, and are convinced that they will someday go to heaven. But of these, far too many are misinformed about salvation.

Some believe that a person's eternal destiny depends solely on how much good he accomplishes in his lifetime. Others accept that Jesus died for us but think we have to contribute toward salvation through works. Both views are incorrect. Scripture clearly teaches that we are saved only through a personal faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8-9). What He did--namely, living a perfect life and dying for our sins--is what makes us right with God. When we receive Jesus as our Savior, His completed work is credited to our account. Our sin-debt is paid by His blood, and His righteousness is applied to us. Remember, we are saved not by what we do but by whom we trust--we can't add to or take away from Christ's finished work on the cross (John 19:30; Acts 4:12).

There is another common area of misinformation: many are convinced that belonging to a church, reading the Bible, and praying are evidences of being a Christian. These are important, but they're not what establishes us as God's children. We are adopted into His family when we acknowledge the insufficiency of our own efforts and embrace what Christ did for us. At that moment, we are set apart for the Lord and belong to Him.

It is essential that our faith be grounded in biblical truth. Receiving forgiveness of our sins, belonging to God's family, and dwelling withHim forever depend on it. Do your beliefs agree with Scripture?

Promises for Painful Times

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Yesterday we learned about brokenness as a tool the Lord uses to mold us into His likeness. As believers, we should desire this outcome, and yet the process is a painful one. That's why our heavenly Father gives encouragement in a number of ways.

First, the Lord breaks us in love. Believers are His children; as parents lovingly redirect their sons and daughters, God does so with us. He never allows suffering out of anger.

Second, He sets a limit on our suffering, controlling the pressure to be sure it's never more than we can bear (2 Cor. 4:8). Our Father knows exactly what is needed to break our stubbornness, rebellion, and selfishness, but He will never break our spirit.

Third, God brings clarity through difficult times. As we learn that His ways are higher than ours, we gain greater understanding of His amazing attributes. At the same time, our self-awareness starts to sharpen, and old, unproductive thought patterns begin to fade.

Fourth, God promises that He will never desert us. Brokenness can feel lonely and empty, as we are losing the things that once captured our loyalty. But our Father replaces those with Himself--and He is vastly more satisfying and dependable.

Fifth, the Lord is always patient. He knows our background and deeply rooted thought patterns. Yet He also sees the end result and knows that the journey is worth it.

When you face hardship, remember God's promises and keep your eyes fixed on the goal. He has your best interest in mind, so seek His lesson for you.

When Life Seems Out of Control

Romans 8:28-30

We all have experienced seasons when life just seems to spin out of control. Sometimes people don't cooperate with us and become an obstacle to our goals. At other times, we are squeezed by overcommitment. Perhaps an illness interrupts our plans or an unexpected situation throws us off balance. None of these things take God by surprise. Our all-knowing heavenly Father will use the events of life to shape us internally and externally (Ps. 147:5).

Let me give you an analogy to show how the Father works. Imagine a chess game in which one contestant is a master and the other is an amateur. The champion chess player wants to teach the other person how to play. But he never forces the beginner to move a particular piece. Instead, he allows the amateur to make his own decisions and then responds accordingly. The inexperienced player knows only some simple strategies and lacks the experience to see several moves ahead. He makes many mistakes along the way. The champion understands the game so well that he can anticipate the result of every move. In this way, he is able to guide the game to the conclusion he has chosen.

In our case, the Father desires to transform us into the image of His Son Jesus. He knows we are beginners who will make some right choices and some poor ones. But He is the master with the knowledge and ability to work all things together for our good. Because of this, we need not be discouraged. The Lord is always at work for our benefit.

A Perfect Sacrifice

Leviticus 22:17-21

In the Law, God gave the Jews strict rules about sacrificial animals. Each was to be without defect, or He wouldn't accept it--in fact, when the Israelites offered blind, lame, and sick animals, the Lord angrily called them to account (Mal. 1:8). The early system of spilling blood to cover sin foreshadowed the Father's ultimate redemption plan: He gave His Son to die in the place of corrupt men and women (John 3:16).

To be acceptable, the final sacrifice had to be perfect too. The Father's plan required that a man be sacrificed; however, only a member of the Trinity could remain sinless in life on earth. The other dilemma was that a being is either divine or not--divinity could not be bestowed on a child after birth. That is, the sacrificial Lamb had to be both God and man from the moment of conception (John 1:29). So Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, since His earthly father could not be human.

The virgin conception and birth preserved Jesus' divine nature. His shift from heaven to the womb happened in an instant and was done without human intervention. Therefore, unlike every child born of a woman and a man, Jesus was not corrupted by Adam's sin.

Jesus was the perfect Lamb, unblemished in every way. Therefore, God accepted Christ's sacrifice. The way we lay claim to the offering made on our behalf is by trusting in Him.. Denying that Mary was a virgin is not an option for believers. Our salvation depends upon Jesus' flawless nature because, as God made clear to the Israelites, only a perfect sacrifice will do.