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Good News Daily

Volume VIII
November 2–8, 2008
Number 44

Sunday, November 2
1 Corinthians 12:27—13:13 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (v.11 NKJV)

Maturity is my job. Jesus Christ is Savior, Redeemer, Sanctifier, Healer, and Deliverer. I can’t do his job and he won’t do mine. So how do I learn about this maturity business? I can learn from those that have prayerfully researched developmental tasks needed to become a godly man or woman (Life Model by James Wilder). One of the maturity tasks I continue to work on is asking for help. This goal is ideally mastered during ages 4-12.

The other day I ran to get a box of tile for the contractor remodeling our bathroom. I didn’t see any workers around, so a snatched the box off the shelf only to realize it was too heavy for me to lift into the cart. One of the workers came around the corner, kindly took it from me, and admonished me, saying, “Next time please ask for help.” It is so easy for me to just do it myself because of all the years of believing that was what I had to do. Most of the time, the possibility of someone to help doesn’t even enter my radar screen. One of my maturity goals is to change that. Jesus is my ever present help in time of trouble, but he waits to be asked.

Ezekiel 20:18-26; Psalms 24, 29; Matthew 18:21-35

Monday, November 3
Luke 12:49-59 “When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.” (v.58)
Conflict in our lives is inevitable. What we do with it proves whether we are disciples of Christ or not. Here a few suggestions:

1. Adopt a Godly attitude (How can I please and honor the Lord in this situation?)
2. Begin with yourself (How have I added to this conflict and what do I need to do to resolve it?)
3. Confront gently and constructively (How can I lovingly serve others by helping them take responsibility for their contribution to this conflict?)
4. Deal with issues (What are the issues and what are the interests behind them?)
5. Entrust the end-results to God (What is my responsibility? What is beyond my control that I need to leave in God’s hands?)
6. Forgive as God forgave you (How can I demonstrate that forgiveness?)

The Peacemaker by Ken Sande

Lord, I want my discipleship to be evident to the world. Holy Spirit, please teach me how to resolve conflict your way.

Ezekiel 20:27-44; Psalms 56, 57, 58; Revelation 14:1-13

Tuesday, November 4
Luke 13:1-9 “But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down.’” (vv.8-9)

How do I feel about Jesus asking his Father for more time to fertilize me? I would like to think that the time of His mercy (not giving me what I deserve) is unlimited, but this verse suggests that might not be true. He gives me many opportunities to get stirred up by events in my life. That stirring up exposes things that still need changing in me. I can choose to ignore these opportunities or submit to the changing power of the Spirit of His Truth. I think I’ll take the latter. Time is running out.

“Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the saints!” (Revelation 15:3).

Ezekiel 24:1-14; Psalms 61, 62; Revelation 14:14—15:8

Wednesday, November 5
Luke 13:10-17 But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” (v.12)

This word is for every person who is being held back from their God-planned destiny by infirmity (weak, unstable, frail, shaky); physically, emotionally, or spiritually. This woman’s walk was being hindered by this infirmity. What is my walk being hindered by today? An unhealed relationship in my family is causing me great distress. I will take Him at His word that it will be restored.

I never grow tired of recounting all the Lord has healed in me or in those that I love and pray with. Fear is replaced by trust. People are experiencing the Father’s love again—or for the first time. My most recent physical healing was from a blood clot in my leg and lungs. I don’t even take medication for its possible return. Joy fills lives where loneliness used to reside. Ruptured relationships are being restored. “You are loosed from your infirmity!” Believe it.

I pray that today you receive this word personally from a God who loves you beyond words. Let it be so. Amen.

Ezekiel 26:1-14; Psalm 72; Revelation 16:1-11

Thursday, November 6
Revelation 16:12-21“Take note: I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not need to walk around naked and ashamed.” (v.15 NLT)

“Since receiving divine revelation is at the heart of biblical meditation, you must prepare yourself to receive from the Holy Spirit by repenting and being cleansed by the blood of the Lamb”(Mark and Patti Virkler, How to Hear God’s Voice).

Enjoying an intimate relationship with God and communicating with Him daily is the most important thing in my life. So today I want to respond to the call to repent and be cleansed by turning from anything that would distract me from living life for God alone.

Lord, I thank you for accomplishing my salvation on the cross by shedding your blood. Right now I receive that cleansing once again for your glory. As I sit in your presence my heart longs to hear your word for me today. Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.

He says, “I have loved you with a love that never ends. You are mine.”

Ezekiel 29:17-21; Psalms 70, 71; Luke 14:18-30

Friday, November 7
Luke 13:31-35 “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!” (v.34b NKJV)

Jesus is expressing great emotion (in this case I believe sadness) like a parent would regarding children that refuse to receive their parent’s love. Isn’t that just like the heart of Christ to hurt because people will not let him save them? He paints this intimate word picture of a mother hen and chicks as an example of how his heart longs to save and protect us. He is telling us what hurts his heart so we will know his character as Savior. It is like my heart—to hurt when others aren’t really listened to. I believe my compassionate, listening heart was formed out of the pain of not being heard as a child. It is part of my character, received from Jesus, to listen with a compassionate heart. I am the most fulfilled when I am living from this heart Jesus gave me (Life Model by James Wilder). What hurts your heart?

Allow the Savior heart of Christ to rescue you from whatever is trying to pull you down today. Ask him to help you find your true heart and live from it.

Ezekiel 12:12-28; Psalm 69; Revelation 17:1-18

Saturday, November 8
Revelation 18:1-14 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” (vv.4-5)

This prophetic word concerning the end of this age reveals the day when the evil world power (Satan) will be exposed, and all who have taken his side. As I pray for eyes to see as Jesus sees, the world looks even more horrible that with my own eyes. We have corporately chased after comfort and status. We have controlled by aborting babies and using children for sexual pleasure. We have used drugs where Jesus would have healed. We have avoided pain by distracting ourselves with entertainment while helpless ones around us are living in a cesspool of agony. Wounded people cry out, but we do not hear. The church argues about protocol while the world starves for the true Gospel of peace. Cries of the sins of our culture have reached the heavens.

Loving Father, we humble ourselves before You today and repent for our sins and the sins of the church. Lord, give us the grace to see as You see. Please extend Your mercy over us. We long for Your Kingdom. Amen.

By Charlene Laird

Used with permission from the BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP
P. O. Box 380, Winter Park, FL 32790