Be Cleansed by the Word
How would you evaluate your success in meditating day and night? Whatever your answer is, don’t be discouraged!
You cannot imagine the delight and admiration of family that you are producing because of your commitment to daily success!
They have reason to be grateful and joyful, because as you cleanse your heart and mind with the Word of God, a supernatural work also takes place in them.
Paul speaks of this when he tells husbands to cleanse their wives with the washing of the Word (see Ephesians 5:25–33). This does not mean to get your wife to read the Bible or even to read it to her. It means to cleanse your own heart and soul by engrafting the pure Word of God into it. Jesus affirmed this meaning when He prayed in John 17:19: “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.” If Jesus sanctified Himself through the truth for our sakes, how much more should we do it for those who are under our spiritual care?
The fact is that children reap the benefits of their father’s successes, but they also experience the consequences of their defeats.
Family Question:
Abraham lied to Pharaoh by saying that his beautiful wife was his sister and Pharaoh heaped riches on Abraham. There is no record of Abraham’s repentance. Instead he justified his deception by saying Sarah was indeed his half-sister. Did any consequences result from Abraham’s lie?
The surprising answer will come tomorrow. As you meditate on the command to repent, are there things that God is wanting to cleanse out of your life?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Command 1: Repent | Day 2
Start Your Day in the Evening!
First let’s answer the question of why Esau failed to find repentance for simply selling his birthright even though he sought it desperately with tears. Esau’s repentance was faulty because he did not understand true repentance. He was a profane fornicator (see Hebrews 12:16–17), and he simply wanted to regain the blessings that he had lost (see Genesis 25:33–34).
However, when David was confronted with his sin, he repented for the right reason. He wanted to restore fellowship with God. If we repent for any other reason than this we are not experiencing true repentance. (See Psalm 51.)
Now let’s discuss the question of why God designed the day to begin in the evening rather than in the morning. “The evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:5).
* The evening is the most important part of our day because it affects the quality of our sleep and sets our mental attitude for the rest of the day. Therefore, people do not “get up on the wrong side of the bed”; they go to bed on the “wrong side.”
* The evening is the best time to evaluate the achievements of the previous day and to set new goals for the next day.
* As we go to sleep meditating on Scripture and setting our goals before the Lord, our minds will be cleansed (this may produce unusual dreams). Then we will experience an exciting phenomenon: our “reins will instruct us in the night seasons” (see Psalm 16:7). This means that God will give us practical insights from His Word and clear direction, which will have a profound impact on the success of our lives.
This has been one of the most exciting experiences of my life. It is how the questions for this study came into being, including the question on true repentance. If we meditate on the wisdom of God’s Word, we can claim this promise: “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions” (Proverbs 8:12).
Remember! Our responsibility is to meditate day and night. God’s responsibility is to give us creative insights and direction. “The entrance of thy words giveth light” (Psalm 119:130).
First let’s answer the question of why Esau failed to find repentance for simply selling his birthright even though he sought it desperately with tears. Esau’s repentance was faulty because he did not understand true repentance. He was a profane fornicator (see Hebrews 12:16–17), and he simply wanted to regain the blessings that he had lost (see Genesis 25:33–34).
However, when David was confronted with his sin, he repented for the right reason. He wanted to restore fellowship with God. If we repent for any other reason than this we are not experiencing true repentance. (See Psalm 51.)
Now let’s discuss the question of why God designed the day to begin in the evening rather than in the morning. “The evening and the morning were the first day” (Genesis 1:5).
* The evening is the most important part of our day because it affects the quality of our sleep and sets our mental attitude for the rest of the day. Therefore, people do not “get up on the wrong side of the bed”; they go to bed on the “wrong side.”
* The evening is the best time to evaluate the achievements of the previous day and to set new goals for the next day.
* As we go to sleep meditating on Scripture and setting our goals before the Lord, our minds will be cleansed (this may produce unusual dreams). Then we will experience an exciting phenomenon: our “reins will instruct us in the night seasons” (see Psalm 16:7). This means that God will give us practical insights from His Word and clear direction, which will have a profound impact on the success of our lives.
This has been one of the most exciting experiences of my life. It is how the questions for this study came into being, including the question on true repentance. If we meditate on the wisdom of God’s Word, we can claim this promise: “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions” (Proverbs 8:12).
Remember! Our responsibility is to meditate day and night. God’s responsibility is to give us creative insights and direction. “The entrance of thy words giveth light” (Psalm 119:130).
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The Trials of Paul
Charles F. Stanley
If we listen close enough, we can almost hear the scrape of the calamus reed across the parchment, taste the sorrow of Paul's tears, and feel the ache of his heart in being left alone. "Make every effort," he writes, "to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me."
For a moment, we sense the reality of his imprisonment and find ourselves wondering if the distress is greater than he can bear. But in recalling the words he wrote earlier to the Corinthians, we find Paul had learned a great and powerful secret. He said that God's grace was sufficient for all he faced because "[His] power is perfected in [our] weakness," (2 Corinthians 12:9). There was a much greater reward waiting for him than he could ever hope to gain here on this earth.
It is as if he recalls this same thought and, picking up the writing reed, he finishes his letter to young Timothy. "Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments" (2 Timothy 4:11-13).
In Second Timothy, we are given a rare glimpse into the life of one of God's most precious servants. Paul had been faithful. He had lived his life in obedience to the Word of God. Casting aside his own desires in order to do the Lord's will, time after time he had walked away from things of this world—desires and temptations that had the potential to draw him away from God's plan and purpose for his life. Now his life was drawing to a close.
You may think this is not a fitting way to end one's life—alone and suffering—especially after serving God so faithfully. It is difficult to understand until we step aside from what we think is right and ask God to open our eyes to His eternal plan. It is not what we do for God that is important. It is our love and devotion to Christ that bring the greatest reward.
God sees the inner lining of our hearts. He sees our hurts and fears, but He also is aware of the great potential our lives contain. He is committed to preparing us to live and serve Him for all eternity.
Trials and testings teach us how to trust Him more completely. We study the circumstances of life by the light of His truth. Trials last for a season, but the knowledge we gain from the experience remains with us throughout time. He stretches our faith to prove that it is strong and binding. When He is sure it will hold, He sends His greatest blessings our way.
From the point of his conversion on the Damascus Road until his death, Paul lived for one reason, and that was to tell others about Jesus Christ. He literally explained the Christian life to us through his devotion, determination, and many writings to the churches throughout Asia Minor. Even before his conversion, Paul was a scholar, having sat under the teaching of one of the greatest instructors of his day. Yet all he learned in Gamaliel's schoolhouse paled in comparison to the truth he gained in God's classroom.
Though he faced unbelievable circumstances, God gave Paul the strength to overcome each one. His words of hope and truth refresh us and keep us focused on the object of our faith—the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of being overcome, Paul became the overcomer.
Timothy's conversion to Christ and call to the ministry were a direct result of Paul's instruction and influence. Now at the end of his life, the one thing the aging apostle wanted most was the company of a valued friend.
All the blessings and teachings of Paul come together here in this fourth chapter of Timothy. His love of God was not deferred. His desire to remain faithful to the Lord he served held fast. He had truly fought the good fight, finished the course set before him, and could look forward to the reward God had waiting for him. Every trial, every test that comes your way is tailored by God to fit His will for your life.
Life was not too difficult for Paul. It was just right. Though it was extremely trying at times, it trained him how to live the Christian life by faith and not by sight. At any point, had Paul given up, we would have missed a great and mighty blessing as a major portion of the New Testament would have gone unwritten.
Paul had no way of knowing his trials and exhortations were being used to complete a large portion of God's holy Word. While God's Word is now complete, we remain His personal testimony. We may never know what blessing our obedience will bring to the life of another. Therefore, let godly obedience and determination be the fiber of your life. And the God of all peace and comfort will bless you perfectly.
If we listen close enough, we can almost hear the scrape of the calamus reed across the parchment, taste the sorrow of Paul's tears, and feel the ache of his heart in being left alone. "Make every effort," he writes, "to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me."
For a moment, we sense the reality of his imprisonment and find ourselves wondering if the distress is greater than he can bear. But in recalling the words he wrote earlier to the Corinthians, we find Paul had learned a great and powerful secret. He said that God's grace was sufficient for all he faced because "[His] power is perfected in [our] weakness," (2 Corinthians 12:9). There was a much greater reward waiting for him than he could ever hope to gain here on this earth.
It is as if he recalls this same thought and, picking up the writing reed, he finishes his letter to young Timothy. "Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments" (2 Timothy 4:11-13).
In Second Timothy, we are given a rare glimpse into the life of one of God's most precious servants. Paul had been faithful. He had lived his life in obedience to the Word of God. Casting aside his own desires in order to do the Lord's will, time after time he had walked away from things of this world—desires and temptations that had the potential to draw him away from God's plan and purpose for his life. Now his life was drawing to a close.
You may think this is not a fitting way to end one's life—alone and suffering—especially after serving God so faithfully. It is difficult to understand until we step aside from what we think is right and ask God to open our eyes to His eternal plan. It is not what we do for God that is important. It is our love and devotion to Christ that bring the greatest reward.
God sees the inner lining of our hearts. He sees our hurts and fears, but He also is aware of the great potential our lives contain. He is committed to preparing us to live and serve Him for all eternity.
Trials and testings teach us how to trust Him more completely. We study the circumstances of life by the light of His truth. Trials last for a season, but the knowledge we gain from the experience remains with us throughout time. He stretches our faith to prove that it is strong and binding. When He is sure it will hold, He sends His greatest blessings our way.
From the point of his conversion on the Damascus Road until his death, Paul lived for one reason, and that was to tell others about Jesus Christ. He literally explained the Christian life to us through his devotion, determination, and many writings to the churches throughout Asia Minor. Even before his conversion, Paul was a scholar, having sat under the teaching of one of the greatest instructors of his day. Yet all he learned in Gamaliel's schoolhouse paled in comparison to the truth he gained in God's classroom.
Though he faced unbelievable circumstances, God gave Paul the strength to overcome each one. His words of hope and truth refresh us and keep us focused on the object of our faith—the Lord Jesus Christ. Instead of being overcome, Paul became the overcomer.
Timothy's conversion to Christ and call to the ministry were a direct result of Paul's instruction and influence. Now at the end of his life, the one thing the aging apostle wanted most was the company of a valued friend.
All the blessings and teachings of Paul come together here in this fourth chapter of Timothy. His love of God was not deferred. His desire to remain faithful to the Lord he served held fast. He had truly fought the good fight, finished the course set before him, and could look forward to the reward God had waiting for him. Every trial, every test that comes your way is tailored by God to fit His will for your life.
Life was not too difficult for Paul. It was just right. Though it was extremely trying at times, it trained him how to live the Christian life by faith and not by sight. At any point, had Paul given up, we would have missed a great and mighty blessing as a major portion of the New Testament would have gone unwritten.
Paul had no way of knowing his trials and exhortations were being used to complete a large portion of God's holy Word. While God's Word is now complete, we remain His personal testimony. We may never know what blessing our obedience will bring to the life of another. Therefore, let godly obedience and determination be the fiber of your life. And the God of all peace and comfort will bless you perfectly.
Command 1: Repent | Day 1
Welcome to Your First Day of the Daily Success Plan!
We are thrilled that this plan has the best guarantee in the world—it is guaranteed by God Himself. However, we must never forget that the guarantee is based on one requirement—to meditate on God’s Law day and night. The purpose of this entire plan is to encourage and motivate us to be faithful in doing this.
The Law of Moses is a shadow of the brilliant light of Christ’s commands. Thus, for our first week of meditation, we will concentrate on the following verse:
Command One:
“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
Our plan is to memorize this verse and quote it back to God at least ten times throughout the day. On our Web site dailysuccess.org, you will receive a wealth of practical information on this plan to help you meditate day and night.
For each command, we have a study question. If you can answer this question, you will understand the essence of the command. Why not read the study question to your whole family in the morning and see what their answers are by the evening?
Study Question One:
“Why did Esau find no place of repentance for simply selling his birthright while David found repentance for adultery and murder?” (See Hebrews 12:16–17 and Psalms 51.)
We want to explain how each command is directly related to success, so how does repentance relate? Repentance puts us into fellowship with the Lord and allows Him to bless everything we do. Our greatest asset is the blessing of the Lord, because “the blessing of the LORD, it makes rich and he adds no sorrow” (Proverbs 10:22). Without God’s blessing, Satan is given opportunity to devour our strength, family, health, and resources, so that there is no possible way to be successful.
Another major key to success is to understand why God designed our day to begin in the evening and not the morning. This key will be explained tomorrow.
Through Christ our Lord,
BG
“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
We are thrilled that this plan has the best guarantee in the world—it is guaranteed by God Himself. However, we must never forget that the guarantee is based on one requirement—to meditate on God’s Law day and night. The purpose of this entire plan is to encourage and motivate us to be faithful in doing this.
The Law of Moses is a shadow of the brilliant light of Christ’s commands. Thus, for our first week of meditation, we will concentrate on the following verse:
Command One:
“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
Our plan is to memorize this verse and quote it back to God at least ten times throughout the day. On our Web site dailysuccess.org, you will receive a wealth of practical information on this plan to help you meditate day and night.
For each command, we have a study question. If you can answer this question, you will understand the essence of the command. Why not read the study question to your whole family in the morning and see what their answers are by the evening?
Study Question One:
“Why did Esau find no place of repentance for simply selling his birthright while David found repentance for adultery and murder?” (See Hebrews 12:16–17 and Psalms 51.)
We want to explain how each command is directly related to success, so how does repentance relate? Repentance puts us into fellowship with the Lord and allows Him to bless everything we do. Our greatest asset is the blessing of the Lord, because “the blessing of the LORD, it makes rich and he adds no sorrow” (Proverbs 10:22). Without God’s blessing, Satan is given opportunity to devour our strength, family, health, and resources, so that there is no possible way to be successful.
Another major key to success is to understand why God designed our day to begin in the evening and not the morning. This key will be explained tomorrow.
Through Christ our Lord,
BG
“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
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