September 21, 2019 – From The Darkness Into The Light

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Child Of God

Ligonier Ministry

Peace of Mind
Our Daily Bread
Today’s Reading: Isaiah 26:3–9

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. —Isaiah 26:4

A contest was held in which artists were invited to paint a picture of perfect peace. The judges eventually narrowed the number of competitors to two. The first had created a scene of a quiet mountain lake. The second depicted a thundering waterfall with the branch of a birch tree bending over the foam. On the fork of that limb, wet with spray, a robin sat undisturbed on her nest. The first picture spoke of tranquility, but the second won the prize because it showed in dramatic detail that absolute calmness can be found in the midst of turbulent surroundings.

Yes, it is easy to remain unruffled when everything is quiet and serene. But to rest while the storm is raging—that is “perfect peace.” A. B. Simpson, commenting on Isaiah 26:3–4, remarked, “The Christian’s rest is not the result of passive inaction. Rather, it is an active reliance on the mighty and everlasting arms of God.”

As you face the trials and testings of life, turn all your anxieties over to the Lord. Center your thoughts on Him and the precious promises of His Word, and you’ll experience a peace that passes all understanding.

We hope you are enjoying the Moments of Peace for Moms reading plan! Pre-order your copy of the 365-day version of Moments of Peace for Moms and keep connecting with God each day.

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Today’s Reading Ligonier Ministry

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Child Of God

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Don’t Forget Yourself!
Our Daily Bread
Today’s Reading: John 17:1–5

“Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” —John 17:5

Are you surprised that Christ’s high-priestly prayer in John 17 began with a petition for himself? He was at the most crucial moment of His earthly life; soon He would take up the cross and bear the punishment for the sins of the world. His concern for others was obvious. He would specifically mention His disciples. Then He would intercede for His church, which would endure great persecution through the centuries. But first He prayed for himself.

Some Christians think it’s wrong to pray for themselves. However, we shouldn’t feel guilty about bringing our own needs and concerns to the Lord. A girl listened carefully to her mother’s prayers and said, “Mom, you’re always praying for somebody else. You never pray for yourself, but I think you should.” She was right, for we do need to ask the Lord for His guidance, forgiveness, patience, and grace.

When you spend time in God’s presence, tell Him about your hopes, your worries, your desires, and your needs. He’ll help you see things more clearly and give you the needed direction. As you go to the Lord in prayer, pray for others. But don’t forget yourself.

We hope you are enjoying the Moments of Peace for Moms reading plan! Pre-order your copy of the 365-day version of Moments of Peace for Moms and keep connecting with God each day.

You can make a difference.
Even the smallest donation helps reach people around the world with the life-changing wisdom of the Bible.
DONATE

Devotional Ligonier Ministry

Posted on September 21, 2019 by Child Of God

Do I as a living, breathing, conscious person have a concrete hope for my future? What do I have to look forward to? At times, when I discover that my own spirit is sagging and a sense of heaviness intrudes on me, I sometimes wonder why the gloomy cloud is perched above my head.

Biblical eschatology gives us solid reasons for expecting a personal continuity of life. Eternal life for the individual is not an empty human aspiration built on myth, but an assurance promised us by Christ Himself. His own triumph over the grave is the church’s hope for our participation in His life.

We have heard so much ridicule and mocking about pie-in-the-sky theology that I’m afraid we’ve lost our appetite for it. What the Scriptures promise for our future involves a lot more than a perpetual visit to Mother Butler’s. Jesus Christ and Simple Simon have very little in common.

The promise of heaven is indeed glorious—a promise that not only anchors the soul but fires the soul with hope. Life is not an outrageous horror, though we witness outrages daily. The outrage is not the bottom line. The sting of death has been overcome.

The victory of Christ is not established by platitudes or conjured-up positive mental attitudes. Jesus is not the Good Humor Man. His call to joy is rooted in reality: “Be of good cheer for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Therein resides our future hope—that Christ has overcome the world. He stared directly into the face of death and death blinked.

CORAM DEO
Reflect on this truth as you face your problems today: Jesus overcame the world and has given you the power to do likewise.

PASSAGES FOR FURTHER STUDY
Revelation 21:1–3