TDW 10-29-09 Reproving Sinful Conduct

By: John MacArtur
Reproving Sinful Conduct


"All Scripture is . . . profitable for . . . reproof" (2 Tim. 3:16).

Paul instructed Timothy to "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction" (2 Tim. 4:2). He knew a time was coming when many people would reject sound doctrine, and "wanting to have their ears tickled, [would] accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and . . . turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths" (vv. 3-4).

That's certainly true of our day. Many who profess to love Christ seem intolerant of His Word. Often they fall into spiritual complacency and surround themselves with teachers who tell them exactly what they want to hear. If they can't find a comfortable message, they drift from church to church or simply abandon it altogether.

Such people have exchanged conviction for comfort, and need to examine themselves to see if they are genuine believers (2 Cor. 13:5). Their attitude toward the Word is in stark contrast to those who truly love Christ and come to the Word with an earnest desire to learn its truths and live accordingly.

But even true believers can fall into the trap of negligence and compromise. Perhaps you've noticed how sinning Christians often try to avoid exposure to God's Word. Sometimes they'll temporarily stop attending church or Bible studies. They also try to avoid other believers--especially those who will hold them accountable to what they know to be true.

But like any loving parent, God won't allow His children to remain in sin for long without disciplining them (Heb. 12:5-11). Sooner or later they must repent and be reconciled to Him.

An important element in reconciling sinning Christians to God is the faithful prayers of other believers. God may choose to use you in that way, so always be ready to pray, and eager to restore others in a spirit of gentleness (Gal. 6:1).

Suggestions for Prayer:

Do you know a Christian who is being disobedient to God's Word? If so, ask God to bring him or her to repentance. Assure the person of your prayers and concern, and be available to be further used in the restoration process if the Lord wills.

TDW 10-27-09 Drop the Spiritual Platitudes; Just Jump in and Help!

By: Bishop Eddie L. Long
(Drop the Spiritual Platitudes; Just Jump in and Help!)

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. ~ James 1:27

Why do we have this spirit of poverty? We cannot really understand the kingdom until we understand God’s mandate to the body of Christ.

He calls us to minister to the poor, and we must begin that ministry by extending a “relational covering” to broken families. Women suffer a catastrophic loss when their husbands die. In one blow, a woman loses her best friend, her lover, her covenant partner, and her principal source of income and economic security. Suddenly she is left to face an uncertain future alone.

Children who lose a father often wonder if they can trust anything in life. Fear and lack often mark their lives. In one tragic moment, they may have lost all hope of a college education, economic security, and physical safety—in addition to the immeasurable loss of a father’s loving touch, wise counsel, caring ear, and approving smile.

We have an obligation under God to step in and fill these voids with our hearts, our hands, our money, and our time. The inconvenience does not matter. In God’s eyes, these people are family, and we always take care of family. If we fail to cover the exposed hurts, wounds, and hearts of our widows and orphans, then the devil will use their pain and deprivation to keep us from breaking the spirit of poverty.

Empty spiritual platitudes do not satisfy God’s mandate. Do not tell a weary woman who is raising children without a husband in the house, “Oh, but you have a Man! His name is Jesus.” She might shout back, “Yes, I do have Jesus, but I need a man in this house right now to help discipline my children when they disobey! I need someone to help comfort them when they wake up crying in the middle of the night! I need somebody—anybody—to help.”

Sometimes we get so spiritual that we are no earthly good. When we duck our God-given responsibility to widows and orphans, there is no way we can presume to put our feet on the devil’s neck in the authority of Christ. It is time to do what God told us to do.

Prayer

Dear Father, I have been content to live my own life in bliss while ignoring the desperate needs of the widows and the fatherless in my own church. Forgive me for my selfishness and show me practical ways to cover and uplift these precious ones. In Jesus’ name, amen.

TDW 10-26-09 An Enemy to Your Enemies

By: Bayless Conley
(An Enemy to Your Enemies)

Exodus 23:20-22 says,

"Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.”

Israel’s success in possessing the promised land lay in their obedience. The same is true for us as we endeavor to possess the things promised to us by God.

I like the thought of God being an enemy to my enemies and an adversary to my adversaries, but that hinges on obedience as well.

The difficult thing about obeying God is that it always requires faith. He asks us to do things that sometimes make no sense. Other times He demands that we face seemingly impossible situations armed with nothing but His Word.

But He is faithful. He keeps His promises. And He can be absolutely trusted—in everything and with everything.

So today if you are desiring to enter some aspect of your “promised land”, or if you are faced with difficult or seemingly insurmountable obstacles, listen for His voice, search His Word for instructions, and then obey.

He will be an enemy to your enemies, and you will possess the promises.

TDW 10-23-09 Knowing the Truth

By: Bryant Wright
(Knowing the Truth)

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory...full of grace and truth." - John 1:14

To know Jesus we need to know Scripture, for Jesus teaches, "Thy Word is truth." Do you believe this?

Today, very few believe in absolute truth, yet Scripture records that Jesus said He is the truth. Jesus claims to be "absolute truth." Truth is found in a person, not a religion, not a philosophy, and not a code of morality. The absolute truth about God is found in Jesus. And the truth of Jesus is discovered in Scripture. Thus, Jesus and Scripture are not mutually exclusive.

We cannot know truth unless we know Jesus.

We cannot know Jesus unless we know Scripture. Therefore, we have to decide if what Jesus says about Scripture is true. So, are Jesus and the Word absolute truth? Absolutely! God reveals Himself in a person, and God reveals that person in His Word, for Jesus says, "Thy word is truth."

TDW 10-22-09 God Is with You

By: Jimmy Ray Lee
(God Is with You)

Today's Scripture

"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NLT

Thoughts for Today

We have all experienced fear and discouragement at times. In today's scripture, God is speaking to Joshua, telling him to be strong and courageous. "Do not be afraid or discouraged." How is this possible? Joshua was faced with the tremendous responsibility of leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, conquering the land and setting up residence. There would be times of defeat … great challenges … biting criticism … and immense frustration. And yet, God told him not to fear or be discouraged … "because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

What a wonderful promise! As we submit to God, making Jesus Lord of our life, we too can be assured that he will be with us wherever we go. He will protect us, comfort us, defend us, teach us, guide us and love us unconditionally. No matter how bleak things might look, or what challenges or sorrows we face, we can know that our heavenly Father is with us—and that as we trust him and walk in obedience, he will work all things together for good. (Romans 8:28)

Consider this…

Are you feeling afraid or discouraged right now? Perhaps you don't feel as though God is with you. The good news is that feelings can lie—but God's promises are always true.

No matter what your circumstances, you can be strong and courageous—not on your own but because the Lord is with you.

Prayer

Father, thank you that I can always count on you. Even though I don't always sense your presence, help me remember from your Word that you are always with me. Help me to focus on you, not on the circumstances. Help me to be strong and courageous. In Jesus' na

TDW 10-20-09 Temptation Come To Make You Strong

By: Billy Graham
(Temptation Come To Make You Strong)

“ . . . tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed . . . ”-Romans 5:3–5

God never promised to remove temptation from us, for even Christ was subject to it. The Bible says that “He was tested in all things, like as we, yet without sin.” There is no good reason why you should seek to escape, for such times of testing have beneficial effects. There is a sense of achievement and assurance that results from victory over temptation that cannot come to us otherwise.

Temptation shows what people really are. It does not make us Christian or un-Christian. It does make the Christian stronger and causes him to discover resources of power. You can benefit from what might be tragedy, if you will only discover that in just such a time of temptation, Christ can become more real to you than ever, and His salvation will become more meaningful.


Prayer for the day

In all times of temptation, may I remember Your example, Lord Jesus.

TDW 10-19-09 Being Thankful For Small Potatoes

By: Warren Olson
(Being Thankful For Small Potatoes)


The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. --Psalm 28:7

Billy Bray, the great Methodist evangelist, was saved from a terrible life of drunkenness and sin. After his conversion, he experienced one trouble after another, but he never ceased praising and praying to the Lord.

He came to a place in his life where all he had to eat was a dish of very small potatoes, which a friend had given him. Billy bowed his head to offer thanks when he suddenly thought to himself: How can you thank God for such small potatoes? But out loud, Billy replied, "Go away, Satan—when I was serving you, I had no potatoes at all!"

The Bible tells us that Joseph experienced difficulties as well. He was forced into slavery and put in prison for a crime he didn't commit. But in the midst of it all, He honored God, praised Him, and was thankful for the path God had taken him down. Scripture says, "But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor" (Genesis 39:20-21). As a result of his trials, the Lord raised Joseph up to rule over the land of Egypt under Pharaoh.

Life's struggles can be difficult at times. And when it seems that there is no money left for food, no cure for the illness, and no one else who cares, our sovereign God is in control and taking care of you each and every day. Psalm 42:11 says to "put your hope in God" and praise Him because He's "Savior and God." In all things, we are to praise the Lord—even for the small potatoes!

PRAYER CHALLENGE: When facing trials, ask God to show you the blessings in the small things He's given you. Ask Him to increase your hope and trust in Him and thank Him for supplying all your needs.

TDW 10-17-09 The Key of the Greater Work

By: Oswald Chambers
(The Key of the Greater Work)


. . . I say to you, he who believes in Me, . . . greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father —John 14:12

Prayer does not equip us for greater works— prayer is the greater work. Yet we think of prayer as some commonsense exercise of our higher powers that simply prepares us for God’s work. In the teachings of Jesus Christ, prayer is the working of the miracle of redemption in me, which produces the miracle of redemption in others, through the power of God. The way fruit remains firm is through prayer, but remember that it is prayer based on the agony of Christ in redemption, not on my own agony. We must go to God as His child, because only a child gets his prayers answered; a "wise" man does not (see Matthew 11:25).

Prayer is the battle, and it makes no difference where you are. However God may engineer your circumstances, your duty is to pray. Never allow yourself this thought, "I am of no use where I am," because you certainly cannot be used where you have not yet been placed. Wherever God has placed you and whatever your circumstances, you should pray, continually offering up prayers to Him. And He promises, "Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do . . ." (John 14:13). Yet we refuse to pray unless it thrills or excites us, which is the most intense form of spiritual selfishness. We must learn to work according to God’s direction, and He says to pray. "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" (Matthew 9:38).

There is nothing thrilling about a laboring person’s work, but it is the laboring person who makes the ideas of the genius possible. And it is the laboring saint who makes the ideas of his Master possible. When you labor at prayer, from God’s perspective there are always results. What an astonishment it will be to see, once the veil is finally lifted, all the souls that have been reaped by you, simply because you have been in the habit of taking your orders from Jesus Christ.

TDW 10-15-09 The Number One Cause for Spiritual Drought

By: Bayless Conley
(The Number One Cause for Spiritual Drought)

By far the Scriptures teach that the number one cause for spiritual drought is sin. And the number one cure for drought, according to the Scriptures, is repentance.

In 2 Chronicles 6:26-27, King Solomon is clear in this prayer,

When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.

Notice that the heavens were shut up, there was no rain, because of sin. But when the people confessed God’s name and turned and repented, Solomon prayed, “God, hear and open the heavens once again and send rain.”

This prayer is particularly significant because Solomon is praying at the dedication of the temple. Scripture declares to us in 2 Corinthians 6:16, You are the temple of the living God.

The Old Testament temple was just a type and a shadow pointing to better things—to the era in which God would no longer dwell in buildings made with mortar and stone, but take up residence in human hearts.

That’s you and me! As 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us, our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we are not our own. We have been bought with a price, and God’s expectation is that we glorify Him in our bodies. You and I are God’s temple.

If there is sin in your life, turn from it and turn to God, so that you can experience the refreshing rain of God’s blessing in your life.

TDW 10-14-09 Getting into God’s Stride

By: Oswald Chambers
(Getting into God’s Stride)

Enoch walked with God . . . —Genesis 5:24


The true test of a person’s spiritual life and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person’s worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of life when he is not under the spotlight (see John 1:35-37 and John 3:30 ). It is painful work to get in step with God and to keep pace with Him— it means getting your second wind spiritually. In learning to walk with God, there is always the difficulty of getting into His stride, but once we have done so, the only characteristic that exhibits itself is the very life of God Himself. The individual person is merged into a personal oneness with God, and God’s stride and His power alone are exhibited.

It is difficult to get into stride with God, because as soon as we start walking with Him we find that His pace has surpassed us before we have even taken three steps. He has different ways of doing things, and we have to be trained and disciplined in His ways. It was said of Jesus— "He will not fail nor be discouraged . . ." (Isaiah 42:4 ) because He never worked from His own individual standpoint, but always worked from the standpoint of His Father. And we must learn to do the same. Spiritual truth is learned through the atmosphere that surrounds us, not through intellectual reasoning. It is God’s Spirit that changes the atmosphere of our way of looking at things, and then things begin to be possible which before were impossible. Getting into God’s stride means nothing less than oneness with Him. It takes a long time to get there, but keep at it. Don’t give up because the pain is intense right now— get on with it, and before long you will find that you have a new vision and a new purpose.

TDW 10-12-09 Godliness and Persecution

By: Henry T. Blackaby
(Godliness and Persecution)

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

Living a godly life will not insulate you from hardship. Paul said that the more blameless your life, the more likely you will be persecuted. According to Paul, “evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse”_(2 Tim. 3:13). As the world increasingly embraces sin, worldly people are becoming increasingly intolerant of godliness. Darkness cannot tolerate light; the more your life illuminates the presence of Christ, the more you should expect opposition from the forces of darkness. Your Christlike nature will be offensive to those in rebellion against Christ’s Lordship.

You may have recently repented of your sin and taken a new step of obedience to God. Perhaps you expected to experience God’s blessing immediately as He demonstrated His approval of your obedience. Instead, you were met with opposition. The persecution may have come even from other Christians who misunderstood your motives. Perhaps you obeyed God, and still your actions were met with criticism instead of praise.

If you are sincerely following the Lord’s direction, don’t be discouraged. Paul warned that those who seek to live godly lives will suffer persecution. Do not be surprised when this happens to you. If the world crucified the Son of God, surely the world will be hostile to anyone who lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Persecution may be the best evidence that your life is like that of Christ. Jesus warned that the world hated Him, the Savior, and so it would certainly misunderstand and mistreat His disciples (John 15:18).

TDW 10-08-09 Experiencing Spiritual Victory

By: John MacArthur
(Experiencing Spiritual Victory)

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Thy word. . . . Thy word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee" (Ps. 119:9, 11).

Many Christians struggle with spiritual defeat or recurring sins because they haven't learned to apply biblical principles to specific situations. Perhaps they don't know God's will because they haven't matured in the Word. Or maybe they know what He expects of them but disregard His counsel. In either case, the result is the same.

Jesus Himself repelled Satan's attacks by quoting specific portions of Scripture that applied to specific temptations (Matt. 4:1-11). He knew the Word, believed it, and refused to compromise its principles. In so doing He set a pattern for us to follow.

Using metaphorical language, the apostle John emphasized the priority of the Word when he described three levels of spiritual maturity: children, young men, and fathers. In 1 John 2:13 he says, "I have written to you, children, because you know the Father." Spiritual children aren't yet mature in their faith, but they know who their Heavenly Father is. They know they belong to God.

John continues: "I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one" (v. 14). Spiritual young men are healthy, vibrant, and aggressive because the Word abides in them--it has found a home in their hearts. They're victorious over the evil one because their doctrine is sound and they've cultivated spiritual wisdom and discernment (Phil. 1:9). They recognize Satan's lies and reject them.

First John 2:14 says, "I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning." Spiritual fathers have a deep, mature relationship with God that comes from prolonged time in prayer and the Word.

Which of those terms best describes you: spiritual child, young man, or father? What specific things can you do today to move toward a more mature and victorious Christian life?

Suggestions for Prayer:

Ask God to help you love Him more deeply and know His Word more completely. Therein is the key to spiritual victory.

For Further Study:

Memorize Psalm 119:11. Recite it often as a reminder of the priority of hiding God's Word in your heart.

TDW 10-06-09 Removing the Barriers

By: Donna Saunders
(Removing the Barriers)

Today's Scripture

"If indeed you [really] fulfill the royal Law in accordance with the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as [you love] yourself, you do well. But if you show servile regard (prejudice, favoritism) for people, you commit sin and are rebuked and convicted by the Law as violators and offenders." James 2:8-9 AMP

Thoughts for Today

Most of us tend to prejudge people on the basis of how they dress, what their family members are like, stereotypes built by the media of particular ethnic groups, and on many other superficial and erroneous grounds.

There is a danger in rejecting or misjudging someone because they are different from us. First of all, the Bible tells us that prejudice is a sin, one that blocks our ability to love others as we should.

We could even miss a blessing from God by rejecting strangers due to prejudice. This was the mistake that the people of Jesus' time on earth made when they rejected him as the promised Messiah and King. Because Jesus did not come in the way they expected, they crucified him.

We can also miss an opportunity to bless others—maybe even an opportunity to help them find Jesus—when we allow these invisible walls of prejudice—even subtle ones—to build.

Consider this…

Ask God to help you see the walls you have built and to begin removing those barriers between you and others. Ask him to help you begin to look on the inside and see people as he does. Only then can the love of Jesus flow freely through you to everyone he brings your way.

Prayer

Father, I do want the love of Jesus to flow freely through me to every person. Forgive me for sometimes blocking this flow by judging others by outward appearances. Help me see each individual as you do and respond to them with your love. In Jesus' name …

TDW 10-05-09 God’s Heart

Bayless Conley
(God’s Heart)

It is easy for us to think of Christ as this majestic, powerful figure in the heavens, unfazed by what is going on in our lives. But Hebrews 4:15 paints a very different picture,

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus sympathizes with you? The King James Version says He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. God is not aloof, distant, and unconcerned, and He does not look at you through some clinical, cold eye. He is moved; He is touched!

I want to show you a verse that, to me, is quite amazing. It is Isaiah 63:9, and it is talking about God and His people. It says,

In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bore them and carried them all the days of old.

When you suffer, God suffers. He is not untouched; He is not unmoved; He is not unsympathetic.

Then there is Jeremiah 31 where God says (speaking of Israel as one single person), I earnestly remember him still; therefore My heart yearns for him. I will surely have mercy on him, says the LORD.

Finally, look at Psalm 145:8-9,

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.

God feels and sympathizes. He is moved and touched and afflicted as you walk through the difficulties of life. He understands. And He yearns to give you tender mercy.

That is the compassionate and gracious heart of God!

TDW 10-02-09 Living by Love

By: Michael Youssef
(Living by Love)


"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13


First Corinthians 13 is one of the most well-known passages in the Bible. It is often quoted, yet seldom comprehended. It is routinely read at weddings but is soon forgotten.

Hollywood only shows passionate, romantic love. Friends talk about having warm feelings toward each other. Yet the type of love that Paul is describing in this passage is far greater than any emotions-based love. Agape love is a self-giving and self-sacrificing love. The focus is not on how we feel about the other person, but on how we can give of ourselves in love. Agape love has no room for pride, vanity, arrogance or selfish desires.

Without this kind of love, any accomplishment, activity, or relationship we have is in vain. Paul describes this futility of loveless action: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).

Proclaiming the Truth of God is nothing without love. Immense knowledge is worthless without love. Whatever we do—even if it is the name of God—is meaningless if it is not motivated by agape love. We are to "do everything in love" (1 Corinthians 16:14).

The Church in Corinth lost its first love for Jesus Christ. They maintained their spiritual activities but did them without love. Many people in today's church face the same problem. They have become so consumed by committees, rules, programs and personal agendas that they have forgotten about love. So many Christians today have lost their vision and mission because they do not serve in love. As Jesus rebuked the church in Ephesus, "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love" (Revelation 2:4).

What does agape love look like? Paul tells us: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).

Paul's description paints a picture of the love of Jesus Christ. He is the one against whom we are to measure ourselves. We are to love others as Christ loves us. Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34,35).

Has your love been met by rejection? By betrayal? Has you love been met by cold indifference or by anger? Has your love been met with hatred? Has your love been met with selfishness, jealousy, and resentment? Keep loving, for only love endures forever.

Spend time in prayer today thanking God for His indescribable love. Pray for the ability to love others as Christ loves us.

TDW 10-01-09 Man's Biggest Problems

By: John MacArthur
(Man's Biggest Problems)


“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” - Romans 3:23

Sin is pervasive and deadly.


When the early church father Chrysostom remarked, “I fear nothing but sin,” he correctly identified sin as the greatest threat any person faces. Sin mars all the relationships people are involved in: with other people, with themselves, and, most significantly, with God. Sin causes suffering, disease, and death in the physical realm and also causes spiritual death—eternal separation from God in Hell.

Because sin is so deadly, we need to carefully define it, so we can understand and avoid it. First John 3:4 sums up the essence of sin when it says, “Sin is lawlessness.” Sin is refusing to obey God’s law; it is rejecting God’s standards; it is, in fact, living as if God did not exist.

In 1 John 5:17, the apostle John adds to his definition of sin, describing it as “unrighteousness.” James defines sin as failing to do what is good (James 4:17). Paul defines it as lack of faith (Rom. 14:23). Sin is the ultimate act of ingratitude toward the God “who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Tim. 6:17).

Sin pollutes the sinner, prompting Paul to refer to it as that “defilement of flesh and spirit” (2 Cor. 7:1) from which sinners are in desperate need of cleansing. No amount of human effort, however, can cleanse a person of sin. Such self-effort is as futile as attempting to change the color of one’s skin (Jer. 13:23). Only through the death of Jesus Christ, the perfect sacrifice for sin (Heb. 10:12), is forgiveness and cleansing available (1 John 1:7). Sin is the only thing that God hates (cf. Jer. 44:4), and so must believers (Ps. 97:10; Amos 5:15). The great Puritan writer Thomas Watson noted that a prerequisite for sanctification is such hatred for sin. Renew your commitment today to grow in your relationship with the Lord by hating evil (Prov. 8:13).

Suggestions for Prayer:

Pray for yourself and others that you would not be deceived by the subtleness of sin (Heb. 3:13).

For Further Study:

Identify the sins you struggle with the most. Using a concordance and other study tools, find out what the Bible says about those sins. Form a biblical plan of attack to combat them.