7/30/2019 2013_May

1/28

OBJECT OF OUR FAITHMAY 1

Bible Reading: Hebrews 11:1-10Key Verse: 1-Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things

not seen.

Key Words: Now faith is

God defines faith for us in verse one of our text. But the key to faith is the objectof our faith.

Some people put their faith in their retirement plans, others in their parents,some in their spouse, and a few in their pastor. Your faith can be no stronger thanthe object of your faith. Have you ever heard someone say, Well, Ive got faith? Myquestion is: Faith in what? Do you have faith in your faith? Thats no good. Theobject of your faith is of supreme importance.

I heard of a young man who looked at a pond frozen over with a thin layer of iceand cried out, Ive got faith that this ice will hold me! So he jumped and wentcrashing through the thin layer of ice into the cold waters of the pond. Now, myquestion for you is this. Did the young man show faith? The answer is yes! Theproblem was the object of his faith. Which raises the question what is the object ofyourfaith?

I have a saying that goes: Faith is taking God at His Word and acting upon it inspite of my feelings, circumstances or apparent consequences. I do what GodsWord tells me to do because God should be the object of my faith and of your faith.

So who or what do you have faith in today? If not God, your faith is like thatlayer of ice that will let you down and disappoint you every time you depend on it tohold you up.

I leave you with these words: Have faith in God.

What to do: Make sure God is the object of your faith.

FOLLOW MEMAY 2

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1Key Verse: 1-Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.Key Words: Be ye followers of me

What a joy it is to hang around people such as Paul who walk in faith.

7/30/2019 2013_May

2/28

There was a man one day whose wife was very ill. It was in the frontier daysand he had to go to a place that had medicine to save his wifes life. The onlyproblem was that it was wintertime and in order to get to the person with themedicine, he had to cross a lake. The lake had been iced over. His wifes lifedepended upon it, so he had to get up and cross this cold lake that had now been

covered with ice. He was terrified. He was concerned that the ice would break.Scared to death but spurned on by love for his wife, he got down on his hands andknees and inched along, ever so carefully.

All of a sudden, he felt a trembling on the ice. He was even more terrified.Maybe the ice was cracking. The rumbling got louder. It became thunderous. Theman was living in terror. But as the noise got closer, he looked up behind him andsaw a man driving a team of horses across the ice. The horses pulled a carriage thatwas loaded with a bunch of boxes and it just went thundering across the ice. All of a

sudden, the man stood up, started walking, and then running. All of a sudden thisman that was full of fear became a man full of confidence. He learned somethingabout the ice. He learned that if it could hold a team of horses thundering across it, itcould certainly hold him!

If you want to have more confidence in God, then hang around somebody whosriding with God with a team of horses so that youll know He can carry you withwhatever youre facing. Find somebody whos been where you are and hasexperienced Gods deliverance. Their story of faith will encourage you.

What to do: Get around those who walk in faith in God, and remember it is hard to

soar with the eagles when you run around with the buzzards.

BRING YOUR UMBRELLAMAY 3

Bible Reading: James 2:14-26Key Verse: 26-For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is

dead also.

Key Words: faith without works is dead also

Faith alone saves, but a faith that saves will never be alone.Im reminded of a story I read some time ago. The story went like this:

In a farming community, it hadnt rained in a long time, and things were gettingdesperate. The ministers decided they were going to call a prayer meeting. They

7/30/2019 2013_May

3/28

said Look, we want the whole town to come to the prayer meeting and bring theirreligious symbols.

So the whole town showed up for the prayer meeting and people broughtcrosses and Bibles. The Catholics brought their rosaries, and they all cried out toGod. They finished the prayer meeting. No rain was in sight. They all went home.

The next day though, in the town square where they had had the meeting, therewas a little boy. Oh, God, we need rain! God show Your power, and give us rain.The day before, with all the preachers and all the religious symbols calling upon

God, no rain came.The little boy shows up the next day by himself in the town square, and as he

was praying, the sky got darker. As he was praying, rumbling occurred. As he waspraying, the shower hit, and it was pouring down rain.

What was it about this little boy? He said the same things that all the people

said the day before. The day before they had all the preachers, they had all theministers; they even brought their religious symbols. But the day the young boycame, when the clouds got dark, he lifted the symbol that he brought: an umbrella.He expected it to rain.

When you anticipate rain, you take an umbrella. When a man tells you its goingto rain, when a meteorologist says its going to storm today, most people will gettheir umbrellas because they believe his word. Meteorologists are wrong half thetime and we still take them at their word. Why is it, when it comes to God, Who isnever wrong, we hesitate to believe and act on His Word?

So, let me ask you are you lifting up your faith by your works? Think about it.

What to do: Remember a faith that saves will never be alone.

THEN GET INMAY 4

Bible Reading: Acts 6:1-7Key Verse: 5-And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a

man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor,

and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:Key Words: a man full of faith

Stephen practiced his faith; you can read about it in chapter 7.We often believe that we are full of faith until we are called upon to put some

faith with our words.There was a tightrope walker who did incredible aerial feats. All over Paris he

would do tightrope acts at tremendously scary heights. Then he had succeeding

7/30/2019 2013_May

4/28

acts; he would do it blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow. An American promoter readabout this in the papers and wrote a letter to the tightrope walker, saying, Tightrope,I dont believe you can do it, but Im willing to make you an offer. For a verysubstantial sum of money, besides all your transportation fees, I would like tochallenge you to do your act over Niagara Falls.

Now, Tightrope wrote back, Sir, although Ive never been to America and seenthe Falls, Id love to come.Well, after a lot of promotion and setting the whole thing up, many people came

to see the event. Tightrope was to start on the Canadian side and come to theAmerican side. Drums roll, and he comes across the rope which is suspended overthe treacherous part of the fallsblindfolded!! And he makes it across easily.

The crowds go wild, and he comes to the promoter and says, Well, Mr.Promoter, now do you believe I can do it?

Well, of course I do. I mean, I just saw you do it.No, said Tightrope, do you reallybelieve I can do it?Well, of course I do, you just did it!No, no, no, said Tightrope, do you believe I can do it?Yes, said Mr. Promoter, I believe you can do it.Good, said Tightrope, then you get in the wheelbarrow.Now that raises the questionare you willing to get in?

What to do: Walk it; dont just talk it.

BE IT UNTO YOUMAY 5

Bible Reading: Matthew 9:20-31Key Verse: 29-Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto

you.

Key Words:According to your faith be it unto you

Today if the Lord looked at you and said, According to your faith be it unto you.Would you be helped? Would your financial needs be met? Would those loved onesbe saved? According to your faith be it unto you.

F. B. Meyer told of once having a dog which he used to feed at the table, untilhis wife objected. The dog seemed to sense the cause of being refused food whilethe family were at their meal, so he used to crawl under the table when the wife wasnot looking and sit with his nose resting upon his masters knee. The silent,

7/30/2019 2013_May

5/28

expectant faith of that dogs appeal was too much for Dr. Meyer and when the wifewas not looking, he used to slip choice morsels of food under the table and into thewaiting, expectant mouth of the dumb animal. Reach the hand of faith up to God inexpectancy and He will not fail. According to your faith be it unto you.

Now, those are convicting words, are they not!?

What to do: According to your faith be it unto you. Think about it.

EVERY PLACEMAY 6

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 11:10-25Key Verse: 24-Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours:

from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto theuttermost sea shall your coast be.

Key Words: Every place whereon the soles of your feet

These are some words of encouragement to Moses and Israel. Now, while I dorealize that these verses are intended for a nation. I wonder how many of us haveever claimed some territory for God. Let me explain with an illustration.

The Reverend George Grubb tells in his book, What God Hath Wrought, thefollowing incident. During one of his campaigns he entered the tent a little earlierthan usual one evening, and found the tent attendant walking up and down the rowsof seats. What are you doing? Mr. Grubb asked. Well, he said, I am claiming allthe people who sit in these seats tonight for Jesus, for God says that every place

that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, so I amwalking up and down these seats and claiming them for God.

Amen! We need people like this in our churches! Maybe you will become onefor your church.

What to do:

Be a people claimer for the pews in your church.

7/30/2019 2013_May

6/28

GREAT AND MIGHTY GODMAY 7

Bible Reading: Jeremiah 32:13-25Key Verse: 18-Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the

iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the

Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name,Key Words: the Great, the Mighty God

Someone has said that a little faith will get you to heaven but a great faith willput heaven in your soul. A small faith could come because we see our God as small,but a great faith comes because we see our God as great.

A businessman had to travel to a small town for a meeting and invited his wife tocome with him. She was excited about the trip until she learned her husband wasgoing to be flown to the small town in a twin-engine Cessna plane.

Honey, Ive decided not to go.What! Why not?I am not going on a little-bitty, twin-engine Cessna.Her husband smiled and knowingly said, Honey, your faith is too small.She quipped, No, the plane is too small.The businessman really wanted his wife to go with him, so he cancelled the

Cessna and booked travel on a major airline. His wife went with him because, asshe put it, her faith grew because the size of the plane grew.So, let me ask you: how big is God to you? The answer will tell you a lot about

your faith.

What to do: The closer your relationship to God, the greater your faith.

A FAITH THAT LEADS TO JESUSMAY 8

Bible Reading: Acts 8:14-37Key Verse: 37-And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And

he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.Key Words: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God

How does one know if their faith is a true faith? The answer is that true faithwill lead you to Jesus where a false faith will lead you to works, your own goodness,and religionjust to name a few of the things that false faith leads to.

7/30/2019 2013_May

7/28

C. I. Scofield once told of a skeptical physician who said to his Christian patient:"I could never understand saving faith. I believe in God and I suppose I believe inJesus Christ I am not conscious of any doubts. I believe that Jesus was the Son ofGod, and I believe in the Bible, yet I am not saved. What is the matter with me?Well, said the patient, a week ago I believed in you as a very skilled physician. I

believed that if I should get sick and put myself in your hands I would be healed. Inother words, I trusted you. For two days now I have been taking some mysteriousstuff out of a bottle. I dont know what it is, I dont understand it, but I am trusting inyou. Now, whenever you turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and say, Lord Jesus,Christianity seems to me to be full of mysteries. I do not understand them, but Ibelieve Thou art trustworthy and I trust Thee; I commit myself to Thee, that is faith.

A very simple thing, is it not? The faith of the patient did not heal him; it was theremedy that healed him; but the faith took the remedy!

Which raises the question: Who does your faith lead you to?

What to do: Make sure you have a real faith, not an artificial one.

THE FAITH TO GIVEMAY 9

Bible Reading: Luke 6:27-38Key Verse: 38-Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down,

and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For withthe same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Key Words: Give, and it shall be given unto you

There is an age-old principle that if you want to get, you have to first invest.Often the investing requires our faith, and I might add, a lot of it!

Legend has it that a man was lost in the desert, just dying for a drink of water.He stumbled upon an old shack--a ramshackled, windowless, roofless,weatherbeaten old shack. He looked about this place and found a little shade from

the heat of the desert sun. As he glanced around he saw a pump about fifteen feetaway--an old, rusty water pump. He stumbled over to it, grabbed the handle, andbegan to pump up and down, up and down. Nothing came out.

Disappointed, he staggered back. He noticed off to the side an old jug. Helooked at it, wiped away the dirt and dust, and read a message that said, "You haveto prime the pump with all the water in this jug, my friend. P.S.: Be sure you fill the

jug again before you leave."

7/30/2019 2013_May

8/28

He popped the cork out of the jug and sure enough, it was almost full of water!Suddenly, he was faced with a decision. If he drank the water, he could live. Ah, butif he poured all the water in the old rusty pump, maybe it would yield fresh, coolwater from down deep in the well, all the water he wanted.

He studied the possibility of both options. What should he do, pour it into the old

pump and take a chance on fresh, cool water or drink what was in the old jug andignore its message? Should he waste all the water on the hopes of those flimsyinstructions written, no telling how long ago?

Reluctantly he poured all the water into the pump. Then he grabbed the handleand began to pump, squeak, squeak, squeak. Still nothing came out! Squeak,squeak, squeak. A little bit began to dribble out, then a small stream, and finally itgushed! To his relief fresh, cool water poured out of the rusty pump. Eagerly, hefilled the jug and drank from it. He filled it another time and once again drank its

refreshing contents.Then he filled the jug for the next traveler. He filled it to the top, popped the cork

back on, and added this little note: "Believe me, it really works. You have to give it allaway before you can get anything back."

The key to financial giving by faith is first giving God ourselvesall of ourselves.The lack of financial giving is just a sign of a greater problem, and that is our lack offaith to turn loose of our selfish ways and our desire to handle the situation.

What to do: Give God all of yourself.

LIVING BY FAITHMAY 10

Bible Reading: Job 34:1-23Key Verse: 23-For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enter into

judgment with God.

Key Words: For he will not lay upon man more than right

Sometimes the greatest faith is the faith to accept that a righteous God will

always do right. Let me explain.In May of 1970, a disastrous earthquake shook Peru, killing as many as 50,000people, many of whom were buried under a mass of mud and rocks falling from the

Andes Mountains. The number of the dead was so great that many were buried intrenches, wrapped in blankets, and many children in old newspapers. LambertoGuzman, a journalist in the city of Yungay, said men and women were holding handsin groups, shouting to God to have compassion. Then he added, God didnt hearus. The earth kept trembling.

7/30/2019 2013_May

9/28

Novelist James L. Johnson tells how he and his eight-year-old boy werewatching a TV documentary about people living in tin shacks in Saigon, dying ofmeningitis because the available penicillin had been siphoned into the black market.Turning to his father with tears in his eyes, the eight-year-old asked, Daddy, cantGod do anything?

In the lives of all of us, there are times when it seems that God doesnt hear,that the earth keeps trembling, that children keep dying, and that God cant doanything.

The problem of evil is as old as man. Why does a good God, with all power atHis disposal, seemingly turn a deaf ear to some of our most heart-searchingprayers? We cannot always understand. But we can always trust. We can agreewith Abraham who asked, Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? (Genesis18:25). And with Job who said, For he will not lay upon man more than [is]

right (34:23) and Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him (13:15).Accepting that we serve a righteous God who always does right on occasion

can, and will, try our faith; but remember that God will not lay upon us more thanright.

What to do:

Walking by faith is not easy or all believers would do so. Learn to trustGod explicitly and know that He always does right.

A FAITH BUILDERMAY 11

Bible Reading: Acts 10:1-8Key Verse: 4-And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord?

And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorialbefore God.

Key Words: Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God

Two things that I have found that really build our faith are: 1) Praying andwatching God answer the prayer; and 2) God using me to be someone elses

answer to their prayer.So it was with Peter. God used Him to answer the prayer of Cornelius.Dave Clark writes: I can still see one of the great provokers in my life. I met her

on a work trip to Kentucky. Our youth group was working on a womans house, but itwasnt very much fun. We hated where we were. Porches and front yards litteredwith old cars, sofas and garbage. We hated it and we began to make fun of the waythose people lived and we began to act like a group who would rather be doingsomething else. We picked on each other. We argued, we made sarcastic jabs every

7/30/2019 2013_May

10/28

chance we got. In other words we acted just like the older people in our churchwhen they lost sight of who they were.

Eventually the woman who owned the house we were working on came outwith tears streaming down her face. She sat us down in the grass in front the houseand she stood there, shaking her stubby finger at us and speaking through the few

teeth she had left. I mean to tell you she laid into us like Ive never seen before orsince. She railed at us, Whats wrong with you kids? Dont you know? Dont youknow Ive been praying for a long time for someone to show up and help me? Dontyou know how badly my kids need to have bedrooms and a bathroom that works?Ive been praying for a long time. Dont you know you are the answer to my prayers?Why dont you treat each other like the answer to prayer?

From that moment on, everything changed. Instead of obligation, the workbecame true mission. Instead of tearing each other down, we built each other up. It

was amazing. When someone tells you that you are the answer to a prayer,everything changes. It provokes you.

I came here today to tell you that you are the answer to prayer!!

What to do: Obey God; today you could be the one God uses to answer their

prayer.

STOP STRUGGLINGMAY 12

Bible Reading: James 1:1-12Key Verse: 6-But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a

wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Key Words: But let him ask in faith

Notice our key verse; it doesnt say but let him work or let him struggle. Itsimply says, Ask in faith. Often the door to Gods blessing are looked upon asbeing locked and we struggle to unlock them when in reality they were unlocked thewhole time.

I recently read a story about Harry Houdini, the famous escape artist. He wouldissue a challenge wherever he went. He claimed that he could be locked in any jailcell in the country and set himself free in short order. While he had always kept thispromise, one time something went wrong. Houdini entered the cell in his streetclothes and the heavy metal doors clanged shut behind him. He took from his belt aconcealed, strong, and flexible piece of metal and set to work immediately.Something seemed to be unusual about this lock and after thirty minutes he had notopened the door. Even after an hour passed he had not accomplished his task and

7/30/2019 2013_May

11/28

he was bathed in sweat and panting in exasperation. After laboring for two hoursHoudini collapsed in frustration and failure against the door he could not unlock.When he fell against the door, it swung open! The door had not even been locked,but in his mind it was locked, and that is all it took to keep him from opening the doorand walking out of the jail cell.

Today, dont struggle. Simply ask God in faith and He will open the door ofblessing in your life.

What to do: Stop struggling.

HOKEY POKEYMAY 13

Bible Reading: Galatians 2:15-21Key Verse: 21-I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the

law, then Christ is dead in vain.Key Words: do not frustrate the grace of God

Isnt it amazing how easily the flesh is deceived in regard to spiritual things?Because of pride man wants so badly to be his own Savior. (See Cain in Genesis 4;the rich ruler in Mark 10, for example.)

Jared Moon records the following. My two year old son has a toy called "HokeyPokey Elmo" that declares about the Hokey Pokey, "That's what it's all about".

Though my son is only 2 years of age, he already understands that Elmo is wrong,for Caden rarely plays with Elmo. Just as it is foolish to live life for the Hokey Pokey,because it is not God, it does not produce the love of the Father in us, it istemporary, and it cannot provide eternal life; it is equally foolish to live for the worldand its desires because they too cannot provide what only God can.

Imagine a man who lives his entire life for the Hokey Pokey. Every time you talkto him, he is talking about the Hokey Pokey, and he tries to get you to do it with him.

We would think a man like this is crazy; but, based on the Scriptures, a man wholives his life for the world and its desires is just as foolish as the man who lives forthe Hokey Pokey. Both of these men are living for things that cannot provide themwith what they desperately need. Eternal life is found in accomplishing the will ofGod through the finished work of Christ alone. Do you believe this today? How willyou respond as a result of this truth? Will you choose to live for a world that has asmuch power to provide you with eternal love, joy, truth, etc. as the Hokey Pokey, orwill you accept the free gift of salvation found in Christ alone?

7/30/2019 2013_May

12/28

The choice is yours; what will you choose?

What to do: Today you make your choices. Tomorrow your choices will make you so

choose carefully.

IFMAY 14

Bible Reading: Romans 6:1-8Key Verse: 8-Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live withhim:

Key Words: Now if we be dead

We constantly use the word "if" to express disbelief and to express belief. Ayoung man might tell his parents that he was leaving the house to go to the drugstore, and his sister might look after him and say, If youre going to the drug store,

Im Joan of Arc. Later the mother of the household might start to leave the house,saying that she was going to the drug store, and the daughter might say, Oh, ifyoure going to the drug store, bring me some tooth paste. In the one sentence sheexpresses doubt and disbelief; in the other sentence she expresses confidence andtrust. The if in the text, Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shallalso live with him (Romans 6:8) is of the latter variety. Because we died with Christ,we believe that we shall also live with Him.

We possess that life, that new man, in and around and overshadowing all of our

thoughts and actions and being. That new man not only resembles Christ, but thatnew man within us is Christ Himself; for we are made partakers of the divine nature,and it is Christ in us which is our hope of glory.

So which if group are you in; are you in the if group that doubts yoursalvation, or are you in the if group that produces confidence and trust? Justsomething to think about and act upon!

What to do: Make sure you are in the right if group.

7/30/2019 2013_May

13/28

FAITH THAT KEEPS GOINGMAY 15

Bible Reading: I Kings 4:22-34Key Verse: 33-And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even

unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl,

and of creeping things, and of fishes.Key Words: the hyssop that springeth out of the wall

Donald Grey Barnhouse writes: "Botanists have not been able to agree on theidentification of the plant, hyssop, that is mentioned in the Scriptures. It certainly hasno relationship to the plant of the same name that has been domesticated in parts ofour country. But a verse in Kings speaks of the wisdom of Solomon, who studiedmany things: the hyssop that springeth out of the wall (I Kings 4:33). I saw a plantthat fulfills this description in Palestine, under interesting conditions. The first time Iwas in Jerusalem I was taken into the palace of the Grand Mufti and then into theHall of the Sanhedrin, where few tourists ever penetrate. In this room is a windowthat looks down upon the wailing wall. At the foot of the wall, beating their headsslowly against it, were groups of Jewish rabbis, mostly from central Europe, and asthey bowed forward they wailed reciting the book of Lamentations over and overagain.

Above their heads was the high expanse of the wall, and from it grew the longtrailing plant that was identified as the hyssop of the Bible. The remarkable thingabout this particular plant is that it has a very short root sometimes not over halfan inch long. It can cling to the surface of the rock, drawing its sustenance from theair, from the wind, from the rain when there is any, from bits of dirt that fall fromabove or are borne on the wind to the meager roots, or from particles ofnourishment in the rock itself. From that tiny root the plant flourishes, sometimestwelve to fourteen feet long. What a great plant to grow from such a slender root. Is

it any wonder the plant can be such a symbol of faith?Faith, in itself, is worthless, just as a root is worthless if it is unattached. If one

grasps the branch and pulls the root away from the rock, the branch will soon die.Faith, to be of any value, must cling to the rock. Faith, nothing in itself, becomeseverything when it clings to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Rock of Ages.

What to do: Make sure your faith is attached to Jesus Christ.

7/30/2019 2013_May

14/28

FAITH & SALVATIONMAY 16

Bible Reading: Acts 8:27-40Key Verse: 37-And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And

he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Key Words: I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God

There are three key elements in making the decision to be born again. In noparticular order they are:

The intellect (verses 31, 37). The emotion (verse 39). Salvation does invoke the emotion but its not

simply an emotional experience, as some would have you believe. The will (verse 37).

For example, a young man meets a young woman. They are immediatelyattracted to one another. They both say to themselves, "Now there is someone I'dlike to marry." At that point, if the emotions had their way, there would be a wedding.But the intellect intervenes, questioning the impulsive emotional response. Wouldwe be compatible? What is she really like? Can I afford to support her? Both

conclude it would be better to take some more time and answer a few questionsbefore they proceed. So the two begin spending more time with each other. Heeventually concludes that she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.Now his intellect has sided with the emotions on the idea of marriage.

But the final and heaviest vote remains to be cast -- that of the will. It stops themarch toward the altar with the questions, "Am I willing to give up this lifestyle foranother? What about my freedom -- is it worth the trade? Am I willing to assume theadded responsibility?" The marriage will occur only when the will finally agrees with

the emotions and the intellect. And so it is in coming to Christ.Which raises the question: Are you born again? Do you have Jesus Christ as

your Savior?

What to do: Ask Jesus Christ to be your Savior. I call salvation the A,B,Cs to eternal

life:Acknowledge that you are a sinner (Romans 3:10-11).Believe that Jesus came to earth, died, and was resurrected in

order that you might be saved (Romans 10:9-10).Confess Him before men, not to be saved but to demonstrate that

you are saved (Romans 10:10, 17).

7/30/2019 2013_May

15/28

TRADING STAMPSMAY 17

Bible Reading: Matthew 15:21-28Key Verse: 28-Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith:

be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very

hour.Key Words: O woman, great is thy faith

The woman of Canaan put her faith into action. An actionless faith is no faith atall.

Years ago my mother collected S & H trading stamps. For months we gave herall we had, and her friends would give her their stamps as well. One day she

exclaimed that she had over 8,400 stamps, sufficient enough to get an electricblanket that she had desired. Now, my mother believed the announcement and thepromise made in the S & H Premium Catalog. She telephoned the trading stamp

company and was told that she could redeem her stamps at a store a few miles fromour home. She believed, then got in the car and drove the distance, taking thestamps with her. A couple of hours later, she returned triumphantly displaying her

new electric blanket. At every step of the transaction, she exercised faith.

The faith exercised in these household transactions is a picture of faith that weneed as believers. If you can believe what you read in an instruction manual abouttrading stamps, you can certainly believe what you read in the Bible.

If the woman of Canaan would not have put her faith into action, her daughterwould not have been healed. I wonder how many blessings we miss because we failto put our faith into action!

What to do: Real faith is not just talk; its action.

7/30/2019 2013_May

16/28

WASHING & WEEPINGMAY 18

Bible Reading: Luke 7:36-50Key Verse: vss. 38, 50-38And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to

wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed

his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.50And he said to the woman, Thyfaith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Key Words: 38: wash his feet with tears; 50: Thy faith hath saved thee

This woman certainly faced some obstacles in getting to Jesus. First, she was asinner (verse 37), probably a prostitute. Second, she had to get through thePharisees in order to get to Jesus. She had to go over the attitude of Simon, but shewas undeterred!

True faith does not look at the obstacles, but rather at God. I recently read abouta dear old woman who had a very beautiful faith. She was obedient, and obedienceis the only beauty of faith. Someone said to her, I believe that if you thought theLord told you to jump through a stone wall, you would jump.

The old lady replied, If the Lord told me to jump through a wall, it would be mybusiness to jump, an it would be His business to make the hole.

It would be impossible to define more simply the exact relationship between

obedience and faith. Here is the essence of true faith. Although we do notunderstand every step of the way by which we must walk, we are fully persuadedthat whatsoever God has promised, He is able to perform.

What to do: Make sure God is your focus, not the obstacles.

RUNNING TO OBTAINMAY 19

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 9:18-27Key Verse: 24-Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the

prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

Key Words: So run that ye may obtain

In 1980, a young lady entered the Boston Marathon. She started the racelooking great. And as the runners approached the finish line, she was leading thepack by a country mile, breaking all kinds of records. The crowd applauded as shecrossed the finish line and was crowned champion.

7/30/2019 2013_May

17/28

It was suspicious, however, that a woman who had never won a marathonbefore could win the Boston Marathon especially by a country mile. Lo and behold,when they examined the situation, the girl started the race but then left the run andgot on the subway, rode the subway for sixteen miles, got off the subway, got backonto the route, and crossed the finish line first! When her cheating was discovered,

she was, of course, disqualified from the race.Some of us have started living the Christian life but have jumped on the subwayand we want to cross the finish line with God saying, Well done, My good andfaithful servant. But when He opens the books and checks the record, Hes going toknow that you left the field. Hes going to see that you didnt keep on until the end,that you didnt remain an alien and a stranger, and Hes going to say, You lose themedal, because you didnt faithfully follow the rules.

What to do: Run to obtain the incorruptible crown.

JUST BE FAITHFUL

MAY 20Bible Reading: Psalm 73Key Verse: 25-Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I

desire beside thee.

Key Words: there is none on earth that I desire beside thee

Just be faithful; do what you are supposed to do when you are supposed to doit, and how you are supposed to do itno matter how great the pressure, no matter

how many the foes, no matter how many the trialsjust be faithful.The following is written by Tony Evans. While I was going through seminary, I

worked at a Trailways Bus Station loading buses. I worked on the dead mans shiftfrom 11:00 P.M. until 7:00 A.M. When I came to work there, I realized that the guyshad a scam going. A guy would punch out for lunch and then have his buddiespunch him back in when in reality he was asleep on the job.

Each guy would get his turn and the other guys would cover for each other and

await their turn to get three hours or so of sleep while on the job. Put simply, whatthey were doing was stealing. It was theft. They had agreed to work eight hours butwere stealing a few hours every night from the company.

After Id been around a few days, one of the guys came to me and asked mewhich part of the night shift I wanted to take for a long break. He explained thesystem to me, how long I could take, and who I was to punch in. When I told himthat I couldnt do it because I was a Christian, what I thought would be a great

7/30/2019 2013_May

18/28

witnessing opportunity didnt go over too well. The guys all decided to teach me alesson.

When buses would show up during the night needing to be unloaded and thenloaded again, the other guys wouldnt show up and help. I found myself loading andunloading buses by myself. That situation was hard. It was very painful both

emotionally, knowing people were against me, as well as physically, because it wasa lot of work. And to top it all off, Id have to still, after all of that work, go to class. Itwas rough.

About six months into this, I got called to the office the Trailways office. Thesupervisor said, Unbeknownst to the night crew, we have had various nightsupervisors come down and observe the activities. We are aware of the scam. Wehave also noticed that you havent participated and have not been supported whenthe buses came in. We would like to offer you the opportunity to become the

supervisor for the night shift and we will double your salary!My enemies became my footstool. God is watching. Some of the greatness

comes in time. Most of it comes in eternity. If you want to be great, take advantageof every opportunity to serve for the benefit of others, to the glory of God.

What to do:

Be faithful to God and do right. The righteous will always ultimatelysucceed in the end.

FAITHFULMAY 21

Bible Reading: Revelation 2:1-10Key Verse: 10-Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil

shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall havetribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Key Words: be thou faithful unto death

Faith is taking God at His Word in spite of my feelings, in spite ofcircumstances, or in spite of consequences. I simply do what Gods Word tells me to

do. Full means to be filled with, so faithful means to be full of faith. A faithful personis full of taking God at His Word in spite of feelings, circumstances, orconsequences.

Some years ago my dad and I were squirrel hunting. In the distance I saw asquirrel run up a huge oak tree and then pause. I took aim and shot but I wasuncertain that I had hit my intended target. I walked slowly to the huge oak treewhen seemingly out of nowhere my dad appeared and said, Dont move. He hadhis gun aimed at my feet. I had no idea why but I knew I was in a precarious

7/30/2019 2013_May

19/28

situation. My feeling was to run, the circumstance appeared to be dangerous, and Iknew the consequence could be badwhen suddenly Dad fired a shot about fivefeet in front of me. There he laid, a now dead cotton-mouth which had been verymuch alive, coiled and ready to strike when my dad said, Dont move. Even thoughat the time he said those terrifying words I had no idea what was happening, I knew

my father would only do what was best for me. I accepted his word by faith.Today let each of us live a life full of faith, because thats what faithfulness is!!

What to do: Be full of faith unto death.

GO AGAIN, & AGAIN, & AGAINMAY 22

Bible Reading: I Kings 18:41-46Key Verse: 43-And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went

up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

Key Words: Go again seven times

Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Elijah would havestopped praying after the sixth time, or what would have happened if the servantwould have said after the fifth time, this is useless? When one is faithful, they justkeep on keeping on; they go again and again and again.

Norman Geisler is a Christian Apologist and has authored over sixty books. Foryears he has debated and defended such Biblical facts as creation over evolution,and Christianity over humanism.

Norman Geisler, as a child, went to a day Vacation Bible School because he

was invited by some neighbor children. He went back to the same church forSunday School classes for 400 Sundays. Each week he was faithfullypicked up bya bus driver. Week after week he attended church, but never made a commitment toChrist. Finally, during his senior year in High School, after being picked up for churchover 400 times, he did commit his life to Christ. What if that bus driver had given upon Geisler at 395? What if the bus driver had said, This kid is going nowherespiritually, why waste any more time on him?

Praise God for a faithful bus worker who just kept going again and again andagain. It pays to be faithful!

What to do: Keep going!! It pays to be faithful.

7/30/2019 2013_May

20/28

LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIESMAY 23

Bible Reading: Acts 9:26-40Key Verse: 40-But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all

the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

Key Words: But Philip was found at Azotus

Those who are faithful to God never stop looking for opportunities to serve Himand seldom become discouraged by being told no, or this cant be done. They

just keep on keepin on!George and Jeanie Douglas were bankrupt just fifteen years ago. Today they

enjoy the benefits of being co-founders of the $40 million company Computer

Business Services. When George lost his job and was trying to figure out what hisfuture would hold, he decided to change his attitude about life and become more of

an optimist. As part of his new commitment to living with greater expectancy,Douglas took a spiral notebook and drew a line down the middle of one page. Onone side he wrote "yes" and on the other he put "no." He then stuck that notebook in

their car as a reminder to look for opportunities. Every time they drove into a parkinglot they quit taking the open parking spaces far from the door and started driving up

toward the front with expectations of finding a place. They tracked their results fromevery parking lot for seven years. If they found a spot close to the door they marked

it on the "yes" side of the notebook. If they had to take a place that wasn't near thedoor then they marked "no." They compiled the results of their little seven-yearexperiment and found that 67 percent of the time there was a parking space near

the door. Life has similarities to parking lots. Opportunities await those people wholive with expectancy.

The same can be said for those who live for God faithfully. Those who fail to livetheir lives faithfully serving God will never realize what God could have used them toaccomplishif they would have not been so deterred by signs which read, NoParking Spaces Available.

What to do:

Just keep on keeping on for God. A winner never quits and a quitternever wins.

7/30/2019 2013_May

21/28

BE FAITHFUL TO MIND THE LIGHTMAY 24

Bible Reading: Matthew 5:1-16Key Verse: 16-Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good

works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Key Words: Let your light so shine

Anyone can shine brightly during the good times, but what about during timesof adversity and trial? In the midst of afflictions, its during those times that ourfaithfulness shines brightest.

The Gospel Herald records the following: Years ago John Walker was the

keeper of the light on the Robins Reef at Staten Island under the United States

Government. There he lived happily in the faithful discharge of his duties for fouryears. He was then taken with severe pains and Catherine, his wife, sent to the

shore for medical help. When this was forthcoming the physician ordered that Johnshould be removed to the hospital at once.

As he was being carried to the boat which was to bear him to the shore he

called to his wife, as a parting direction, Mind the light. He was faithful to his trust tothe end.

The poor fellow never returned to the lighthouse. Catherine stayed on to Mindthe light, and carried out the duties so well that she was appointed keeper. Then for

more than thirty years she stayed in that lonely spot, caring for the warning beaconto keep mariners from damage on the cruel rocks.

Mind the light. The words recall for us our duty and privilege as Christians. In

the midst of a crooked and perverse generation we are set to Shine as lights in theworld.

This can only be done when we are faithful! So be faithful!!

What to do: Your faithfulness will shine bright and your lack of faithfulness leaves

others in darkness. So be faithful.

7/30/2019 2013_May

22/28

I NEVER KNEWMAY 25

Bible Reading: Acts 9:36-43Key Verse: 39-Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they

brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and

shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.Key Words: all the widows stood by him weeping

I realize that the story of Dorcas is a picture of the resurrection. I also realizethat Dorcas knew of the impact she had on others. But what of those of us who oftendo not know of the impact we are having on others?

Canon Hague tells of a chaplain who was ministering to a dying boy in the lastwar. He asked him if he had any message for his mother. Yes, he said, tell her Iam dying happy. Anything else? Yes. Write to my Sunday School teacher. Whatshall I say? Tell her I died a Christian, and I have never forgotten her teaching. Afew weeks later the chaplain received a letter from this Sunday School teacher. Itwent something like this: God have mercy upon me. Only last month I resignedfrom my Sunday School class, for I felt that my teaching was doing no good; andscarcely had I, through my cowardly, faithless heart, given up my appointed workthan I got your letter telling me that my teaching had been the means of winning a

soul to Christ. I am going back to my pastor at once to tell him that I will try again inChrists name, and I will be faithful to the end.Be faithful! You may never know this side of heaven the influence you are

having on others!

What to do: When it comes down to it, our only responsibility is to be faithful. Be

faithful.

DELIVER THE MESSAGEMAY 26

Bible Reading: Mark 16:9-18

Key Verse: 15-And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospelto every creature.

Key Words: and preach the gospel to every creature

Will you be faithful this week to deliver the message, the Gospel of JesusChrist?

7/30/2019 2013_May

23/28

During the war this advertisement appeared in a newspaper in England, callingfor help: Boys, 16 and over, to run messages Apply A.R.P. Warden. DerrickBelfall was only fourteen, but he felt that he could help. He was turned downbecause of his age. This did not stop him; he went back again and again until theofficial passed him and gave him the necessary badge. He was given the job of

delivering messages to A.R.P. workers, who could not be reached while on dutyexcept by boys on bicycles. After each trip he had to report whether or not he hadsucceeded in getting the message through. His usual report was, Derrick Belfallreporting Ive delivered the message.

One day he was delivering a message during a blitz, and succeeded in gettingit through. On the way back to report he passed a building that had crumbled underthe explosion of a bomb. The workers were clearing away the debris. Derrickthought that he could help. He heard the cry of a child, and worked frantically to

clear away the bricks and beams across the cellar door. He climbed down and liftedthe child to safety, but he was not so fortunate. Before he could get out, the wallcollapsed and completely buried him. He was past all help. When asked if hewanted to send word to anyone, he replied, Yes, just say, Derrick Belfall reporting Ive delivered the message.

We have our orders to deliver a message. The order comes from our ownSavior. We are to deliver this great message to all people.

What to do: Have you delivered the message?

FAITHFUL IN THE LITTLE THINGSMAY 27

Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 2Key Verse: 15- Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines

have tender grapes.

Key Words: the little foxes

Ive often said the average person will take care of the big things; its the little

things that often escape our attention. Its the little things where we often fail in ourfaithfulness.

The little flowers we fail to pick up for our wife.The little hug we fail to give to our child.The little word we fail to properly define in preparing for a message.The little corner of the building we fail to clean.The little thank-you note we fail to send.

7/30/2019 2013_May

24/28

Its the little things where we fail in our faithfulness, not only to man but to God.Fred Craddock, in an address to ministers, caught the practical implications of

consecration. To give my life for Christ appears glorious, he said. To pour myselfout for othersto pay the ultimate price of martyrdomIll do it. Im ready, Lord, to

go out in a blaze of glory.We think giving our all to the Lord is like taking a $l,000 bill and laying it on thetable Heres my life, Lord. Im giving it all. But the reality for most of us is that hesends us to the bank and has us cash in the $l,000 for quarters. We go through lifeputting out 25 cents here and 50 cents there. Listen to the neighbor kids troublesinstead of saying, Get lost. Go to a committee meeting. Give a cup of water to ashaky old man in a nursing home. Usually giving our life to Christ isnt glorious. Itsdone in all those little acts of love, 25 cents at a time. It would be easy to go out in a

flash of glory; its harder to live the Christian life little by little over the long haul.So, today be faithful in the big things but take care of the little details of life as

well.

What to do: Dont waste your time waiting and longing for large opportunities which

may never come. But faithfully handle the little things that are alwaysclaiming your attention.

OTHERSMAY 28

Bible Reading: Luke 6:27-36Key Verse: 31-And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them

likewise.

Key Words:And as ye would that men should do to you; do ye also to themlikewise.

If there is one area where faithfulness to God would need to be applied, it has to

be found here in Luke 6:31. We, as a people, are self-centered. Me, myself, and Iare predominant words of our day. We fail to be faithful in the area of do untoothers because our focus is continually on us.

Today, people are depressed because the focus of life is I.Today, people are stingy because the focus of life is I.Today, people are bitter because the focus of life is I.

7/30/2019 2013_May

25/28

But the blessings from God flow when our focus is on others.One stormy night an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked

for a room. The clerk said they were filled, as were all the hotels in town. But I cantsend a fine couple like you out in the rain, he said. Would you be willing to sleep inmy room? The couple hesitated, but the clerk insisted. The next morning when the

man paid his bill, he said, Youre the kind of man who should be managing the besthotel in the United States. Someday Ill build you one. The clerk smiled politely.A few years later the clerk received a letter from the elderly man, recalling that

stormy night and asking him to come to New York. A round-trip ticket was enclosed.When the clerk arrived, his host took him to the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street,where stood a magnificent new building.

That, explained the man, is the hotel I have built for you to manage. The manwas William Waldorf Astor, and the hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria. The

young clerk, George C. Boldt, became its first manager.Being faithful to think of others really does pay.

What to do: Evaluate your life in regard to you thinking of others before you think of

yourself.

WE ARE ABOUT FAITHFULNESSMAY 29

Bible Reading: Ephesians 1:1-10Key Verse: 1-Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which

are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Key Words: and to the faithful in Christ Jesus

The verse doesnt say to the rich, or to the popular, or to the fashionable, but tothe faithful in Christ Jesus. The Christian life is all about our faithfulness to God.

Clarence Jordan was a man of unusual abilities and commitment. He had twoPh.D.s, one in agriculture and one in Greek and Hebrew. So gifted was he, he could

have chosen to do anything he wanted. He chose to serve the poor.In the 1940s, he founded a farm in Americus, Georgia, and called it KoinoniaFarm. It was a community for poor whites and poor blacks. As you might guess,such an idea did not go over well in the Deep South of the 40s. Ironically, much ofthe resistance came from good church people who followed the laws of segregationas much as the other folk in town. The town people tried everything to stopClarence. They tried boycotting him, and slashing workers tires when they came totown. Over and over, for fourteen years, they tried to stop him.

7/30/2019 2013_May

26/28

Finally, in 1954, the Ku Klux Klan had enough of Clarence Jordan, so theydecided to get rid of him once and for all. They came one night with guns andtorches and set fire to every building on Koinonia Farm but Clarences home, whichthey riddled with bullets. And they chased off all the families except one black familywhich refused to leave.

Clarence recognized the voices of many of the Klansmen, and, as you mightguess, some of them were church people. Another was the local newspapersreporter. The next day, the reporter came out to see what remained of the farm. Therubble still smoldered and the land was scorched, but he found Clarence in the field,hoeing and planting.

I heard the awful news, he called to Clarence, and I came out to do a story onthe tragedy of your farm closing. Clarence just kept on hoeing and planting. Thereporter kept prodding, kept poking, trying to get a rise from this quietly determined

man who seemed to be planting instead of packing his bags. So, finally, the reportersaid in a haughty voice, Well, Dr. Jordan, you got two of them Ph.D.s and youveput fourteen years into this farm, and theres nothing left of it at all. Just howsuccessful do you think youve been?

Clarence stopped hoeing, turned toward the reporter with his penetrating blueeyes, and said quietly but firmly, About as successful as the cross. Sir, I dont thinkyou understand us. What we are about is not success but faithfulness. Werestaying. Good day.

Beginning that day, Clarence and his companions rebuilt Koinonia and the farmis going strong todaybecause he was faithful.

What to do: Be faithful to God; thats what this life is all about!!

HUMILITY & FAITHFULNESSMAY 30

Bible Reading: Matthew 23:1-12Key Verse: 12-And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall

humble himself shall be exalted.

Key Words: he that shall humble himself shall be exalted

Many a preacher wants to preach to the masses, but the key to doing so lies inhumbling oneself and being faithful to the congregation God has led him to. Befaithful in the small things!

Charles Spurgeon preached to thousands in London each Lords Day, yet hestarted his ministry by passing out tracts and teaching a Sunday school class as ateenager. When he began to give short addresses to the Sunday school, God

7/30/2019 2013_May

27/28

blessed his ministry of the Word. He was invited to preach in obscure places in thecountry side, and he used every opportunity to honor the Lord. He was faithful in thesmall things, and God trusted him with the greater things. I am perfectly sure, hesaid, that, if I had not been willing to preach to those small gatherings of people inobscure country places, I should never have had the privilege of preaching to

thousands of men and women in large buildings all over the land. Remember ourLords rule, whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humblethhimself shall be exalted.

What to do: Be faithful where you are. Remember:

Joseph started as a slave before he became a governor.Daniel started as a servant before he became a vice-president.Peter started as a follower before he became a leader in the church atJerusalem.You just stay faithful in humility and let God do the exalting.

GOD IS FAITHFULMAY 31

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 1:1-9Key Verse: 9-God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son

Jesus Christ our Lord.

Key Words: God is faithful

We are to be faithful; God IS faithful.The sun is a light twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. All year long, all

decade long, all century long, the sun just keeps on shining. The problem, however,

is that the earth gets dark. How can there be all that light and the earth still getsdark? Its because the earth turns. The earth gets dark because the earth is spinningon its axis. Therefore, the side that faces the sun gets the light, and the side that is

facing away does not.If there is darkness in your life, it is not because God, the Father of Lights, is

turning; it is because you are turning. He is the Father of Lights and in Him there isnot shadow. There is no darkness in Him. Because God is faithful, He is consistent.

Just like the sun, He is always shining and in His light there is no shifting or movingshadow. We just have to make sure we are turned toward Him.

7/30/2019 2013_May

28/28

So, if you are facing darkness in your life, God has not moved. You have. God isfaithful.

What to do:

When you face a problem, dont question God. He is faithful.

I deeply appreciate the help of

Cathy Fortenberry

Sandy Lancaster

Glenda Myrick

Mary Parsons

John and Tascha Piatt

Reba Pontbriand

And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these people to helpthis devotional would not have been possible.

Dr. Mike Rouse