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The Lion's Mouth By Ray Stedman - November 30, 2017


Read the Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:9-22

At my first defense, no one came to my support, but all deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth (2 Timothy 4:16-17).

Here is a rather sad note. When the apostle was brought up for his hearing, no one stood up for him. This was a very dangerous time in Rome. Emperor Nero was noted for his vindictiveness. If anybody even appeared to be against him, Nero's assassins were all throughout the city, ready to take the person's life. Evidently no Christians were ready to risk their lives by standing up for Paul, so he had to face this preliminary hearing all alone. But notice again Paul's lack of vindictiveness. "May it not be charged against them," he says. Actually, the fact that no one stood up for the apostle could have led to his immediate execution. But that did not happen because, as Paul says, "The Lord stood by me." He is the One on whom you can always count. Hebrews 13:5 tells us that God has promised, "I will never, never, ever, under any conditions (there are six Greek negatives thrown in there) leave you nor forsake you." The writer's response is, "What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6). This too is Paul's experience. The presence of Jesus with him accomplished two things.
First, it gave him the strength to proclaim the message. I wish we could all have looked in on that scene as this doughty apostle told the story of his own conversion. Paul is doing what he told Timothy to do in this very letter: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2). The Lord gave him the strength to do that.
Second, Paul says, "I was delivered from the lion's mouth." Some have read that to mean that Paul was afraid he was going to be thrown to the lions in the Roman Coliseum. The problem with that, however, is that the Coliseum was not built until three or four years later. Also, because Paul was a Roman citizen, the law required that he could not be executed by being thrown to the lions. He was facing death by beheading.
The "lion" here is very likely a reference to Satan, the malevolent schemer behind all the false charges that were laid against Paul, the one who had weakened the courage of the Christians so they dared not stand up along with the apostle. All of this was part of Satan's schemes to accomplish Paul's death, or at least to destroy his testimony. Peter's warning, "Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:, is still true today. Many of the problems and unexplainable difficulties that suddenly complicate all the things we are trying to do for the Lord are only part of the activities of the lion that is seeking to devour our faith, to destroy us and weaken our testimony for Christ.
But Paul was delivered from the lion's mouth. In this beautiful verse, he expresses his feeling that he is safe in the Lord's hands.

Thank You, Lord, that even if everyone deserts me, You will stand with me and beside me.

Life Application: Is our faith and witness limited by dependency on others? Where is the real and unfailing source of power on which we can draw for confidence and safe-keeping?
We hope you were blessed by this daily devotion.

From your friends at www.RayStedman.org

https://seraphictimes..com.ng/2017/11/sound-words-for-slaves-by-ray-stedman.html?m=1

Sound Words For Slaves By Ray Stedman - November 16, 2017
Read the Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:1-5

All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of all respect, so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered (1 Timothy 6:1).

Some of you have tyrants for bosses. I have worked for such supervisors myself. They frustrate you; you see them as ignoramuses who do not know the end from the beginning. How they ever got the job in the first place, you cannot comprehend. Yet there they are in charge; they have you in a stranglehold because they control your paycheck. The word of Scripture is that you are not merely to treat them with respect, but that you regard them as "worthy of full respect." Everything is going to rest upon how you feel about them. If you think they are lunatics who are unworthy of your respect, then no matter how polite you may be when they are watching, your attitude toward them will be one of bitterness and resentment; you will be constantly trying to find ways to goof off and justify it because of their attitude toward you. But Scripture says, "consider [them] worthy of full respect"--no matter what they are like, no matter how they treat you. Why? Because they are made in the image of God. Just like you, when God's grace touches them, they are capable of reflecting His glory and beauty; they are the potential bearers of God Himself, so they are to be treated with respect.
The Bible never looks at people as being worthless. The Bible's view is that humans are God's creation made in God's image, and, though they have fallen, they are not worthless. If you regard people as created in God's image, you can see an individual as worthy of respect and honor because of what God has made him or her to be--a man or woman for whom Christ died. This is how Christian slaves were to regard their masters in the first century. If they were unbelieving masters, slaves were still to look upon them as
"worthy of full respect" in order that the name of the God who created them and stamped His image upon them might not be defamed or His teachings scorned by the world.
The satanic view of humans is exactly the opposite. Satan thinks people are worthless; he regards them with scorn and despising. When you think of people as worthless, you treat them that way, and you talk about them that way by cursing them and using language about them that is disparaging and depersonalizing. When you do that, you are reflecting Satan's view of people. Whether slaves or masters, Christians are to treat each other and all other people as "worthy of full respect" and not use language like that, so that the name of God will not be defamed.


Thank You, Lord, that You have placed me where I am for a purpose. Help me to treat those around me as "worthy of all respect".

Life Application: What is the real and basic commonality between masters and slaves, between any socio-differences, that should elicit mutual respect for one another?
We hope you were blessed by this daily devotion.

From your friends at www.RayStedman.org

“This small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble” (2 Corinthians 4:17 GNT).

When we go through difficulties in life, the first thing we often try to do is blame somebody else. But it doesn’t matter where your problem came from — God still has a purpose for it in your life. Even when you do stupid things, God can use it. Even when other people hurt you intentionally, he can use it. Even when the Devil plans bad things for your life, God can bring good out of it.

God’s purpose is greater than your problems and your pain. He has a plan! You need to look past the temporary pain and look instead at the long-term benefit in your life.

Romans 5:3-4 says, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that . . . they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady” (TLB).

What’s the purpose of your problems and difficulty? God wants you to learn something. Every storm is a school. Every trial is a teacher. Every experience is an education. Every difficulty is for your development.

Most of us are slow learners. If you don’t learn something, God will bring it up again in your life. It will come back, because God is more interested in your character than he is in your comfort. He is more interested in seeing you become more like Christ than he is in making things easy for you.

Maybe you are facing a major difficulty right now. It may be an illness or guilt or a financial problem or strain in a relationship. Does God have a word for you while you’re going through your difficulty? Absolutely. God is saying to you, “Don’t give up. Grow up.” Fulfill the purpose of your difficulty — becoming more and more the person he created you to be.

“This small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble” (2 Corinthians 4:17 GNT).



Talk It Over

How does placing blame affect you spiritually and emotionally?
What steps can you take to grow spiritually so that you can fulfill the purpose of your difficulty?
How might you respond to someone who asks, “Why is this ‘good person’ experiencing such a hard time?”

https://seraphictimes..com.ng/2017/09/daily-hope-every-storm-is-school-every.html?m=1

Just Passing

https://seraphictimes..com.ng/2017/09/confessions-of-secret-sinner-4-daily.html?m=1

DAILY DEVOTIONS BY JENTEZEN FRANKLIN, SEPTEMBER 21, 2017


“You forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Ps 32:5 NLT

David said, “I confessed all my sins to you…And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Julie Ann Barnhill writes: “If you’re tired of pretending you have it all together, it’s time to act. For too long Christian women in particular have believed they’re the only ones dealing with shameful issues, agonizing regrets, and skeletons in their closet. Once we open up to God, ourselves, and others, we experience exhilarating freedom and peace. A woman wrote to me: ‘I had an abortion when I was eighteen. Nobody knows. For years I marked the date on my calendar and grieved for the child nobody knew about, and the young woman who bore the guilt alone. No more! Now I know I’m not alone, and for the first time in my life I truly believe God is bigger than my secret—and He’s willing to forgive.’ Secrets only hold power when they’re hidden. Once they’re revealed in the light of God’s love they lose their control.
However, there are some things to consider before opening up to someone:
(1) If that person repeats things others have shared in confidence, guess who’s up next for discussion?

(2) Beware of someone who’s apt to offer unsolicited advice, then take offense when it’s ignored.

(3) Stay away from somebody who tries to ‘fix’ you, and tells you not to worry about your secrets. Instead, look for someone who:

(a) has good sense and knows when to ‘back off’ and/or move forward when you’re upset;
(b) is up-front about their own struggles;
(c) is quick to listen and slow to speak;
(d) undergirds their words and counsel with scriptural truths.”

Lovely!

Get well soon guys

It is finished

Insecurity everywhere. God save us oh.

What to do to fail is to do nothing.

DAILY DEVOTIONS BY JENTEZEN FRANKLIN, SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

“You can’t whitewash your sins and get by.” Pr 28:13 TM

Julie Ann Barnhill continues: “The ‘father of lies’ (Jn 8:44 NIV) wants us to believe there are things we’ve done that can make God’s love for us end. And on occasion I’ve swallowed three of his favorite lies. Lie number one: You’re the only person who ever did that. Few things can send me down the road of condemnation and guilt like anger issues…While outwardly I came across as ‘together,’ I knew the verbal and physical boundaries I crossed behind closed doors. I confessed to friends, hoping to hear I wasn’t alone. But there was dead silence, and the Enemy whispered, ‘I told you nobody else had done those things. You’re beyond help.’ I believed this until God drew me back to Bible truths I learned and believed since childhood. (a) If I confess my wrongs, He’ll forgive me time after time. (b) If I allow Him, He’ll change my thought patterns and strengthen me to do what’s right. (c) And even if I fail, Jesus remains faithful; it’s impossible for Him not to…Three years later…before a packed audience, I told hundreds of mothers where I’d been, and assured them they weren’t the only ones who’d said, done, and thought whatever they were currently beating themselves up about. Women lined up to speak to me. Some stood quietly with their heads bowed. Others fought to maintain their composure as the Enemy’s lies were exposed and defeated…I never grow tired of hearing another [person] say, ‘Thanks for being honest!’ The Lord has shown me I’m not the only one who’s done the things I’ve done.” Now that’s real freedom!

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https://seraphictimes..com.ng/2017/09/why-go-to-church-daily-devotions.html?m=1

Why Go To Church? DAILY DEVOTIONS BY JENTEZEN FRANKLIN, SEPTEMBER 16, 2017




“Christ loved the church.” Eph 5:25 NIV

The story’s told of a mother who woke her son one Sunday morning and said, “Get up—you’re late for church!” He replied, “I don’t want to go. I’ve no friends there, the music’s awful, and the sermons are boring!” The woman replied, “You’ve got to go—you’re the pastor!” Seriously, why should you go to church? Because “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish” (vv. 25-27 NIV).

Pastor and President Emeritus of Taylor University Dr. Jay Kesler gives us five reasons for going to church:

(1) It’s the only organization that still deals with issues like salvation, death, judgment, grace, purpose, heaven, and hell.

(2) It adds value and dignity to human life. We live in a secular culture that contributes to our sense of inner worthlessness. The church counteracts this negative message by preaching God’s love and acceptance.

(3) It provides a moral and spiritual compass. Society has revised, resisted, and rejected absolutes, embracing relativism, but the church stands on the timeless bedrock of God’s Word.

(4) It’s where you find compassion, healing, and community. There—we’re all on par. There—God’s Spirit is working to knit us together as believers, guaranteeing us all “equal access to the Father” (Eph 2:18 TM).

(5) Unlike other institutions, it has motivated the most lasting, unselfish, essential, courageous endeavors on earth. Things like missions, schools, hospitals, food pantries, rehab centers, and orphanages. Why go to church? Because Jesus loves the church—and so should you.

DCLM Daily Manna 15 September, 2017 by Pastor Kumuyi - Divorce Forbidden


Text: Matthew 19:1-12
Key Verse: "And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery" (Matthew 19:9).
More and more people seem to forget Henry Ford’s wise advice when asked on his 50th wedding anniversary for his rule for marital bliss and longevity. He replied: "Just the same as in the automobile business, stick to one model." From our text, Christ’s teaching about divorce and remarriage is explicit.
Moses gave permission for divorce, not because it was so from the beginning but due to the people’s hardness of heart. Jesus insisted that in the sight of God, marriage is a lifetime relationship that should never be severed by human action. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16). His perfect will is the preservation of future generations and society through lasting marriages. God will give anyone great help in sustaining a marriage relationship or reconcilling estranged marriage partners. Christ’s exception for ‘fornication’ in our text covers unfaithfulness before the actual marriage is contracted.
The experiences of couples who went through divorce are not encouraging. A study of divorced couples with preschool children shows that after a year of divorce, 60% of men and 73% of women feel they made a mistake and should have tried harder to make their marriage work. People have no idea how much anguish and stress is caused by divorce. This is a lesson to our godly fathers and mothers. They must ensure their children marry in the Lord. Friendship with ungodly families is like sowing the seeds of corruption in your own family. This unholy union of our sons and daughters with unbelieving spouses has introduced corruption in our families and churches.
Our role models are not the pop singers, film stars and fashion models who seem to change marriage partners like they change their robes. People may hold whatever views they want on divorce, but God, who is the Judge of the whole world has already spoken His mind in scriptures. He affirms that His sheep hear His voice; so, seek His face for guidance or reconciliation with your spouse and He will answer you.
Thought for the day: God forbids divorce and remarriage while your legitimate spouse lives.

Bible Reading in one Year: Numbers 16-18

https://seraphictimes..com.ng/2017/09/dclm-daily-manna-15-september-2017-by.html?m=1

A welcome development. Lalasticlala where are thou? I pity the people of Borno state. Just several sporadic gunshots, my blood pressure was moving up and down. It is well.

Congrats. Knowledge is power but thorough knowledge is indestructible.

Whoever that fetched this infected wood should come and carry it. Enough of this blood bath. #peaceout

Daily Hope, Six Steps for Biblical Decision-Making By Rick Warren — Sep 14, 2017



“A man is a fool to trust himself! But those who use God’s wisdom are safe” (Proverbs 28:26 TLB).

God gave Moses the dream of leading the children of Israel out of 400 years of slavery, but Moses had to make the decision to confront Pharaoh. God gave Noah the dream of saving the world from the flood, but Noah had to make the decision to build the ark. God gave Abraham the dream of building a new nation, but Abraham had to make the decision to leave everything he had and go out into the unknown.

Just like these men, you will never realize God’s dream for your life until you come to the stage of decision-making and step out in faith.

Whether it’s about your career, marriage, finances, health, or children, there is a simple, workable plan for making biblical decisions that will keep you on track toward pursuing God’s dream for your life.

1. Pray for guidance.

Before you do anything else, get God’s perspective on the issue. “A man is a fool to trust himself! But those who use God’s wisdom are safe” (Proverbs 28:26 TLB).

2. Get the facts.

There is no contradiction between faith and fact. Find out everything you can before you make a decision. Proverbs 13:16a says, “All who are prudent act with knowledge” (NIV).

3. Ask for advice.

Talk to somebody who’s made a similar decision and to friends who know your weaknesses. “The more good advice you get, the more likely you are to win” (Proverbs 24:6b GNT).

4. Calculate the cost.

Every decision has a price tag; it will cost you time, money, energy, reputation, talents, and resources. Proverbs 20:25 says, “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows” (NIV). When people pressure you to make a decision, it’s okay to say, “I’ll get back to you.” It’s more important to make a wise decision than a quick decision.

5. Prepare for problems.

In faith, expect the best. Expect God to work in your life. But also prepare for the problems that are part of every decision. Solomon said in Proverbs 22:3, “A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences” (TLB).

6. Face your fears.

Perfectionism paralyzes potential. God has always used imperfect people in imperfect situations to get his will done. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says, “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done” (TLB). Trust God and start moving in spite of your problems, fears, and doubts.

Talk It Over

Why do you think we are so often hesitant to pray and ask God for direction about big decisions?What is the difference between taking a leap of faith and taking biblical steps to make wise decisions?Which one of the six steps from today’s devotional is the most difficult for you? Pray, and ask God to help you trust him for every step of your journey of faith.

https://seraphictimes..com.ng/2017/09/daily-hope-six-steps-for-biblical.html?m=1

DAILY DEVOTIONS BY JENTEZEN FRANKLIN , SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

“He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Ps 112:7 NIV

Let’s take a look at some of our most common fears and how we can overcome them. Fear of failure. This is the most common fear of all, and it keeps us from fulfilling any vision God may give us. If you look closely at the actual consequences of failure, chances are you’ll laugh at the power it wields. Not only are your mistakes survivable, they’re teaching tools that sharpen and make you a better person. So what if you make a mistake during your presentation? Nobody’s going to shoot you, right? So what if you miss the mark on the project, or make a mistake in your calculations? We all want to be perfect, but the fact is we’re all flawed. In reality, your irrational fear of failure and your refusal to embrace mistakes create far more errors in the long run. When people refuse to accept the possibility of making a mistake, often they’re reluctant to have someone else check their work or review the project they’re working on. Consequently they end up making more poor choices and mistakes, which in turn feeds their existing insecurities. The path to success is through multiple failures. Failing doesn’t make you a failure, quitting does; not learning from it does; refusing to get back up when you fall does. The Psalmist says, “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Using the gifts God has given you, step out and take a risk based on faith, trusting Him for success. If you do, “You will have good success” (Jos 1:8 NKJV)

https://seraphictimes..com.ng/2017/09/overcoming-your-fears-2-daily-devotions.html?m=1

Angry youths every where.

A welcome development.

https://seraphictimes..com.ng/2017/09/overcoming-your-fears-1-daily-devotions.html?m=1

Overcoming Your Fears (1) DAILY DEVOTIONS BY JENTEZEN FRANKLIN, SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

“You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.” Job 11:18 NIV

Famous people throughout history have suffered from phobias. Napoleon was crippled by ailurophobia, an irrational fear of cats. Queen Elizabeth I was terrorized by anthophobia, an abnormal fear of flowers (she particularly feared roses). Billionaire Howard Hughes was practically incapacitated by mysophobia, a pathological fear of germs. Edgar Allen Poe and Harry Houdini suffered from claustrophobia. Even the father of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, grappled with agoraphobia, a fear of crowds and public places. The trouble is that many of us deny dealing with any kind of overwhelming fear, and rarely consider it a serious problem. But the fact remains that our fears hinder us on our journey toward change, and unless we face them we’ll never reach our God-given potential. Maybe you don’t view the thing that’s bothering you as a fear at all. It could be a feeling or situation you habitually avoid, or leave to others to handle. Whatever it is, the only way to overcome it is to call it what it is, confront it, draw on God’s strength, and make a decision to change. And today He offers you His strength to do it. Here’s a promise you can stand on: “You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and…rest in safety.” Where does that promise originate? The Bible—God’s infallible Word! And here’s another “fear not” promise: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isa 41:10 NKJV).

https://seraphictimes..com.ng/2017/09/public-or-private-september-11-2017.html?m=1

Today in the Word Devotional

John 7:1–24


Nelle Harper Lee, author of To Kill a Mockingbird, was uncomfortable with fame. Even after her bestselling novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was made into an Academy Award-winning movie in 1962, Lee refused to give interviews or make public appearances. Until her death in 2016, she remained an intensely private person.
The private life of Jesus was met with suspicion and skepticism. His own brothers even said, “No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret” (v. 4). They urged Jesus to take a public stand and show Himself to the world. They were not motivated by any evangelistic impulse, though, but rather by skepticism and doubt about who He was (v. 5). Jesus was following the will of His Father and waiting for the proper time to deliver His message (v. 6).
The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles, also called Sukkot, commemorated the huts in which the Israelites lived during their forty-year exile in the desert (see Lev. 23:33–43). It was a time to remember and rejoice at God’s provision. Jesus attended the festival in secret, and about halfway through He began to teach publicly in the temple courts. According to onlookers, Jesus’ teaching was amazing and demonstrated superior knowledge (v. 14). Jesus used His teaching to reinforce His claim to divinity and His connection to God the Father: “My teaching is not my own” (v. 16).
Jesus did not speak or act on His own behalf but did everything according to the will of God, the One who sent Him (v. 18). While the Jewish leaders were impressed by His teaching and amazed by His miracles, they resisted His claim to divinity (v. 21). They could not understand, and so they sought to destroy Him.
APPLY THE WORD
Many of us seek the approval of others, whether it’s a compliment on a new outfit, praise for a well-prepared meal, or having a post liked on social media. But we are not to seek glory for ourselves but instead direct all the praise to the Lord. He sees all we do, whether in private or public, and we can bring Him glory in everything (see 1 Cor. 10:31).