Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- April 23, 2012
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
Satan is always on the prowl to discredit the faith of sincere disciples. He asks the Almighty if he can flush out the mercenaries who only see Jesus as a means to their own end. The Lord does give the devil permission at times (like with Job) to strain His children with temptation and trials. However, the enemy learns quickly that Jesus increases the intensity of His intercession for those being badgered by Satan’s schemes.
A tested faith is an opportunity to grow from inspiration to transformation. We may deny Christ at times, but He does not deny us. We may lose faith, but He remains faithful. In our weakness, He is strong. Stumbling in our faith provides an opportunity for faith building. Emotional expression converts to willful commitment—post our predicament. Out of our tests of faith He brings success, so that we can help other followers of Jesus.
“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” (Job 1:9-11 NIV)
Are you ready for God’s next step? Have you prayerfully prepared? Indeed, God may have a small step of suffering for you before your next significant step of faith. See a temporary delay as a divine detour to build your faith before your next move. As you spiritually spar with Satan, be brave, since your Savior prays for you. Your inner strength forged in spiritual fights becomes energy to effectively engage your external challenges.
Like a trusted trainer who cares for and instructs a boxer who collapses on a stool in his corner, so Christ soothes your emotional cuts and bruises with His loving grace, He teaches you with wisdom. However, the Lord strengthens you so you can strengthen those whose faith is sputtering. There is a tear in every church pew—a dear saint who is waiting for a Christ follower like you to share from caring eyes your own liquid love. Your tested faith transformed by the Holy Spirit welds heaven’s salvation to save souls!
“And with many other words he [Peter] testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” Acts 2:40-43, NKJV
Prayer: Lord, whom can I strengthen in the faith by the strength You have given me?
Related Readings: 2 Corinthians 13:5; Hebrews 11:17; James 1:3; Revelation 2:10
Post/Tweet this today: There is a tear in every church pew waiting for you to share from caring eyes your own liquid love. #tears #compassion
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I am very grateful for the daily devotionals. I print them and use them for my own personal Bible study, searching out more Scriptures on the subject given.
I do miss the old way it printed out, though, on one page. The three page print-out and bigger font leaves little room for writing notes and personal thoughts.
I have been enjoying these daily e-mails very much. But I disagree with parts of today’s message. I think it causes a lot of confusion. How are we to believe God to be good if he causes ‘small steps of suffering’? Yes, he allowed Satan to test Job. But this was an example for us, in that no matter how much Job suffered, he did not lose his faith. Satan did not win. But the suffering was not from God himself.
I am a parent. I would never intentionally cause suffering for one of my children, to ‘teach’ them. So, why would the Almighty do this? We blame God for things that we put people in jail for! Jesus said, “I have come to give you life, and life abundant.” Jesus changed everything, and he said himself “You will face tribulation in this world, but I have overcome the world.”
God does discipline and admonish us. Through our inner man, our conscience, if we’re listening to the Holy Spirit. And that hopefully leads to humility and repentance. But the suffering we face is from the enemy, not our Redeemer. We live under a NEW covenant! And when we make Jesus our Savior, we have a hedge of protection like never before – through faith. “By his stripes,” we are not tested. “We are healed.”