Is It Right To Join In Sin To Reach Others? 

OCTOBER 21, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    There are many ministries out there today. Some of them are great humanitarian works. Some are wonderful evangelistic endeavors. Some are simply excuses for living in sin and calling it of God. I read not too long ago in our local paper of a man who opened a bar called “The Bible Bar.” The Article said he hoped when people came for a drink, he could witness to them. Therefore, his theory seems to be, feed them with their addiction and win them to Christ.

    People say they can work within sinful occupations and not sin. How can this be? If you are not leading people to Christ with your life and actions, you are leading them away from Christ. Imagine this. I am standing in the center of a room, and you are standing at the door of that room. Can you go into the room and out of the room at the same time and still arrive where I am? The Answer is obvious, of course not. To get to me you would need to come in the room. One, only one direction leads to me. Neither can you lead someone out of and into sin at the same time. In today’s verse Paul says he keeps himself under subjection. Meaning he watched what he said, what he did, and where he went. He did this so no one could ever say, “Paul’s testimony is the same as mine, so why do I need Christ.” If they could say their testimonies were the same, it could make all the things Paul preached about Christ untrustworthy, and his words could be cast off as unbelievable.

    We are responsible for how and where we lead people in the name of Christ. Where are you leading people today?   

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

   Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Heard that before? Well, let’s change it just a bit. Today is the first day of your testimony. That is a fact. What you do today, people will remember for a long time. So, what are you going to do with your testimony today? Does it glorify God?

GOD TALKING TO ME:  OCTOBER 21, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Daniel 8     /     Psalm 97     /     Proverbs 21     /     1 Corinthians 9, 10

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Isa. 45-48           /  Col. 4

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Whom Do We Serve?

OCTOBER 20, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    We live in a “ME FIRST” world today. What is in it for ME? That is the question on everyone’s mind.

    However, if we can find a way to get our eyes off our self and keep our eyes on our Saviour, we will usually find there is a positive answer, even in the midst of our greatest difficulties. Even if there is no financial, or earthly reward of any type, there will be that reward in heaven if your aim is to serve the Lord.

    But, if we look to serve the “ME FIRST” inside us, the situations in life will always look bleak. You will find yourself saying things like, “oh poor ME,” “look what they have done to ME,” “nobody ever likes ME,” and, “what is in it for ME.”

    The Bible tells us we should not be looking for the answer to what is in it for ME. In fact, it teaches the opposite. We should be asking; what is in it for THEM? Not what can I get, but what can I give? How can I serve? How can I help? What can I do to make the Christian Life better for another? Can I be an example to a child looking for leadership? Might I be able to encourage an adult who struggling with life and their walk with God? Could I share the gospel with another lost person who needs someone to lead and guide them to Christ?

    The verse today asks a question that is true even today. “A FAITHFUL Man… who can find?” Is there someone who will commit his or her ways to the Lord and follow faithfully? Not just in good and fun times, but all the time. Knowing that God’s rewards are better than man’s rewards any day. Could that person be you?

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    It is not about our goodness, our talents, our needs, or really even our wants. It is about serving Jesus Christ. No matter what your trial is, it is not as bad as dying on a cross. That is what Jesus did for you. What are you facing that could possibly be that bad? What are you doing for Him?

GOD TALKING TO ME:  OCTOBER 20, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Daniel 6, 7     /     Psalm 96     /     Proverbs 20     /     1 Corinthians 7, 8

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Isa. 42-44       /    Col. 3

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Respectfully Yours

OCTOBER 19, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 95:6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    If you went to England and was privileged enough to meet with the queen, you might be told, as she walks by you are to bow your gaze to the floor unless she asks to have you look at her. This is sort of a Royal act of respect for who she is. However, if you were in a group of people at a parade, and the Queen was in that parade, you would not have to do so. This respectful act of bowing your gaze is meant for personal contact, where it is proper.

    Should we not have a similar respect for the King of Kings when we have a personal time with Him? It seems nowadays people want to barge into the throne room of God, command His attention, share their desires, and tell Him He wrote it in the book, so He must do it. When the Bible says come boldly before the throne, it is not implying disrespectfully. It means we can come before our Heavenly Father knowing that our requests will be heard and acted upon because of our relationship to God through His Son Jesus Christ.

    As we go through this world and its parade of people, God does not ask us to do so with our head bowed almost in false humility. Even so, when we come into personal contact with God Almighty during our time alone with Him, it is proper, reverent, and respectful to bow before the King. We still must come with a humble heart and with full respect for who God is. Please remember, HE IS GOD!

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    We bow before laws in the land and obey them. We bow before corporate commands in our daily routine for an income. However somehow, we often forget to bow before God. O Come friend, let us go in unto God and worship Him. Bowing our head in respect and bend our knee in humility before the Lord who is our maker. Not because He demands it, because He deserve it.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  OCTOBER 19, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Daniel 5     /     Psalm 95     /     Proverbs 19     /     1 Corinthians 5, 6

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Isa. 40-41     /    Col. 2

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Do You Like The Taste Of Dirt?

OCTOBER 18, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

    From time to time I get to see old classmates. As time passes some of us are beginning to look some older. (If you are one of my classmates reading this, I am not talking about you, just everyone else.) After 40 plus years away from one another, it is interesting sometimes to see and hear what has become of some of them. However, usually you will find one thing true. Those who were so full of themselves and thought they were the answer to the world’s problems, are not so sure now.

    Nebuchadnezzar came to this same realization the hard way. God let this king create one of the greatest empires of his time. Then, in a dream interpreted by Daniel, God showed him how he would be brought low. He was made to crawl around on the ground like an animal and eat dirt and grass. His uncut nails began to look more like claws. He was brought not only to a place of no kingly power, but also of humiliation. After a pre-determined time, God, who had preserved his kingdom during this time, allowed Him to regain his composure and rule again. In the verse today, we find that King Nebuchadnezzar realized who was really in control. It was the King of heaven all along. Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” King Nebuchadnezzar found out how true it was back then. Does this Bible truth still ring true today? Oh friend, does it ever!

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Therefore, the moral to this devotion would be to walk upright and have some dignity. All the while understanding that your place in life is not solely by your might and doing, but by God’s grace and mercy. Be proud of who God is and what He has allowed you to become. Because, the other alternative seems to be asking yourself the question, “do you like the taste of the dirt of this world.”

GOD TALKING TO ME:  OCTOBER 18, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Daniel 4     /     Psalm 94     /     Proverbs 17-18     /     1 Corinthians 1-4

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Isa. 37-39           /       Col. 1

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12

Power, Might, Or Self Control?  

OCTOBER 16 & 17, 2021

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Proverbs 16:32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

THOUGHT ON GOD’S WORD:

       Some people believe that brute force and power are the answer to everything. However, for strength and power to be effective, you need to have someone with a clear mind and someone who is very much in control leading it.

      Every army needs a General to make the decision where, when, and how to fight. When the war is complete, the men who fought often come home to a hero’s welcome, but in the history books, the General is remembered for winning the war.

    Every company has a president or leadership. While it is all the employees that in reality make the product or provide the service, nevertheless, when the job is finished, the leadership receives the pat on the back.

    In the same way, if a company fails or a war is lost, the shame for this failure or loss is placed firmly on the shoulders of the leadership as well. Sometimes when a business fails due to a poor decision, someone is held financially, and in some cases criminally responsible. Again, this hardship normally falls on the owners, President, CEO, or leadership.

    It is a good thing to be strong and brave. Still yet, it is nobler, and often a harder thing to be in control and wise. It is far better to rule your emotions and be in control of self, than to conquer a land and be in control of nothing.

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    In the book of James in chapter 3, it says the tongue is a little member that no man can tame. One of the smallest members of the body seems often the hardest to control. Therefore, if you cannot control the muscle of the tongue, you had better learn how to control the emotion that wags it.

GOD TALKING TO ME:  OCTOBER 16, 2021

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING  (O.T.-1/N.T. & PS.-2/Prov.-Monthly)
Daniel 2-3     /     Psalm 92-93     /     Proverbs 16     /     Acts 18 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Isa. 32-36           /    Phil. 4

WHAT TO DO ON SUNDAY:

Living In His Word Ministries

       “Getting people into the Word of God…
                               … and the Word of God into people.”

Dr. Franklin J. Senters Th.D.
Founder and Executive Director
Hebrews 2:12