Verse of the Day
1 Corinthians 2:9 (New King James Version)

But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Joy Versus Happiness - Drawing Near - John MacArthur

"Rejoice in the Lord" (Phil. 3:1).
Happiness is related to circumstances; joy is a gift from God.

Not long ago it was common to see bumper stickers proclaiming every conceivable source for happiness. One said, "Happiness is being married." Another countered, "Happiness is being single." One cynical sticker read, "Happiness is impossible!"

For most people happiness is possible but it's also fickle, shallow, and fleeting. As the word itself implies, happiness is associated with happenings, happenstance, luck, and fortune. If circumstances are favorable, you're happy. If not, you're unhappy.

Christian joy, however, is directly related to God and is the firm confidence that all is well, regardless of your circumstances.

In Philippians 3:1 Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord" (emphasis added). The Lord is both the source and object of Christian joy. Knowing Him brings joy that transcends temporal circumstances. Obeying Him b

Abraham’s Greatest Test - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

Obedience to God often collides with reason.

Genesis 22:1-24

Abraham faced one of the greatest tests of obedience recorded in Scripture: God asked him to sacrifice his son. It’s hard to imagine the confusion and pain this must have caused. However, Abraham set out to comply. His response teaches us some important lessons about trusting our heavenly Father:

Obedience often collides with reason. After telling Abraham he’d have descendants too numerous to count, God asked him to sacrifice Isaac, the boy who was to be the father of the promised line. Though the instruction seemed illogical, Abraham trusted God to keep His word (Hebrews 11:17-19).

Obedience means leaving the consequences to God. Abraham’s words and actions indicate he believed in divine sovereignty. On taking Isaac to Mount Moriah, he told his servants, “I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you” (Gen. 22:5). He did

Verse of the Day
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (New King James Version)

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

Joy and Godliness = Drawing Near - John MacArthur

e and share my joy with you" (Phil. 2:17).
True joy is directly related to godly living.

Philippians is often called the epistle of joy—and rightly so because the believer's joy is its major theme. Paul loved the Philippian Christians and they loved Him. When they learned that he had been imprisoned for preaching the gospel, they were deeply concerned.

Paul wrote to alleviate their fears and encourage their joy. Of his own circumstances he said, "Even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. And you too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me" (Phil. 2:17- 18).

Often a Jewish animal sacrifice was accompanied by a libation or drink offering (e.g., Num. 15:1-10). The animal was the greater sacrifice; the libation the lesser. Drawing from that picture, Paul placed greater significance on the faith and spiritual we

Abraham’s Lesson on Obedience - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

If we trust our sovereign Lord and wait for His timing, we will see His faithfulness revealed.

Genesis 16:1-16

The Old Testament gives us the account of Abraham’s life. He had a special relationship with God, but his faith was not perfect. Over the years, he came to understand the cost of disobedience, learning the hard way that manipulating circumstances can bring heartache.

For example, God promised that Abraham and Sarah would have a child, but they were still waiting for that blessing when they were elderly. Already in her 70s, Sarah suggested that Abraham produce an heir by having a child with her servant Hagar. The result was jealousy, family strife, and conflict with long-lasting repercussions.

Obedience will bring the Lord’s best, but it sometimes requires waiting on Him. Abraham was an old man when God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). This would not be fulfill

Verse of the Day
Psalm 86:5 (New King James Version)

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.

Complementing Christ - Drawing Near - John MacArthur

God exalted Christ "and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills all in all" (Eph. 1:22-23).

The church was designed to complement Christ.

Here Paul uses a graphic analogy to illustrate the relationship of Christ to the church: He is the head; believers are His body. Paul elaborates that we're to hold "fast to the head [Christ], from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God" (Col. 2:19; cf. Eph. 4:15-16).

Just as the head controls the human body, so Christ governs His Body, the church (cf. 1 Cor. 12:12-31). By His Spirit and His Word He supplies all the resources the church needs to function to His glory. In that way He guarantees that His purposes will be fulfilled.

The church is in fact "the fulness of Him who fills all in all" (Eph. 1:23). The implication is that the incomprehensi

A Living Hope - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

Christ’s words are always true, and His promises are never broken.

1 Peter 1:3-5

Believers are born into a living hope, a true foundation for their expectations and desires. Many people today live with a false sense of security. They assume that what’s important in this life is the physical and material. But there is no safety in temporal things (Matthew 6:19-20). Those who pursue wealth and health rather than God find that their dreams either go unfulfilled or fail to satisfy.

Christians anchor their hope on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. His words are always true and His promises are never broken. The Lord does not disappoint those who seek His will. Don’t misunderstand that statement—we might feel temporarily let down when something we hope for is not in God’s plan. But He doesn’t go back on the promise to give His followers what’s best (Isaiah 48:17; Isaiah 64:4). When one door closes, there is another about to ope

Verse of the Day
Ephesians 4:2 (New King James Version)

with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,

Serving the Supreme One - Drawing Near - John MacArthur

God exalted Christ "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet" (Eph. 1:21-22).

Now and forever Christ is the Supreme One!

Yesterday we saw that Christ has both an exalted name and an exalted, authoritative position. In verses 21-22 Paul elaborates on the extent of Christ's authority, which is "far above all rule and authority and power and dominion."

"Rule," "authority," "power," and "dominion" are designations for angelic beings, whether good or evil (cf. Eph. 6:12; Col. 1:16). In His incarnation Christ was made lower in rank than the angels that He might suffer death on our behalf (Heb. 2:9). Now He has "become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they" (Heb. 1:4), and the Father commands all the angels to worship the Son (v. 6).

Hope: The Anchor of the Soul - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

Jesus is our sure and steady hope—we can cling to Him through any trial.

Hebrews 6:13-20

An anchor was a popular image in the ancient Mediterranean world. Because that economy depended on shipping, the anchor symbolized safety and steadiness. The writer of Hebrews used the word to remind believers that God has given a hope that holds firm in any storm (6:19).

Hope is a healthy attitude. Anticipating good brings comfort to the mind and heart. In contrast, hopelessness is painful. It’s overwhelming and depressing to think that what you’re facing cannot improve. For the person who has lost all hope, life feels like an endless, dark tunnel.

Included in Proverbs is a verse that describes the result of this oppressive feeling: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12). But with our eternal and all-powerful God, no situation is hopeless. In Him, we have the promise of the second half of that prove

Verse of the Day
Mark 9:35 (New King James Version)

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

Exalting Christ - Drawing Near - John MacArthur

"[God] seated [Christ] at His right hand in the heavenly places" (Eph.1:20).

Christ occupies the highest place of power, prominence, authority, and honor.

To exalt someone is to elevate that person in status, dignity, power, and honor. As God, Jesus possesses all power and authority and is deserving of all honor and glory. But when He was on earth, most people refused to give Him the glory He deserved. Instead they mocked and eventually murdered Him.

Just prior to His death, Jesus prayed to the Father, "Glorify Thou Me together with Thyself, Father, with the glory which I ever had with Thee before the world was" (John 17:5). The Father answered that prayer by giving Him an exalted name and an exalted position.

Paul wrote, "God highly exalted [Christ], and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and t

The Moments That Sustain Us - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

How can we quiet our distractions long enough to hear God's voice?

Psalms 145:1-5

Do you find that peace comes naturally, or does it feel like a constant struggle to attain? Sometimes it seems as if so many things are actively working against our peace that our spirit may never know a moment’s rest. How can we quiet distractions long enough to hear God’s voice?

The key is found in meditating. Perhaps you’re thinking, Meditation is too self-focused; it serves no purpose in a Christian’s life. But the truth is, meditation is not about listening to yourself; on the contrary, it is about quieting your own mind and listening for the gentle whispers of the Lord (Psalm 119:15).

Think about your prayer life. Whose voice is more prominent—yours or the Father’s? For most people, the vast majority of prayer time is spent talking to God, thanking Him for what He’s done, and asking for help. The Lord does tell us to

Verse of the Day
John 4:24 (New King James Version)

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Striving According to God's Power - Drawing Near - John MacArthur

"These are in accordance with the working of the strength of [God's] might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead" (Eph. 1:19-20).

In Christ you have all the power you will ever need.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the great hope of believers. Because He lives, we will live also (John 14:19). Peter said we have been "born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away" (1 Pet. 1:3-4). We and what we have are protected by God's power (v. 5).

In Ephesians 1:19-20 Paul draws two comparisons. The first is between the power God demonstrated in the resurrection and ascension of Christ, and the power He demonstrates on behalf of every believer. That power is described as God's "working," "strength," and "might." Together those synonyms emphasize the greatness of God's

Facing Death Unprepared - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

God welcomes anyone at any time. Have you accepted His gift of salvation?

Luke 23:32-43

God’s grace is revealed in His willingness to welcome anyone at any time into His kingdom. The repentant thief who hung on a cross next to Jesus had nothing to offer the Lord—no good works, no faithful service. He couldn’t even be baptized. In his utterly helpless condition, the only thing he could do was believe. But that was all it took.

Although both thieves began their crucifixion by hurling verbal abuse at Jesus (Matthew 27:44), as the torturous hours passed, one of them had a change of heart. His railing against the Savior turned into defense of Jesus, admission of his own guilt, and a plea for a place in Christ’s kingdom (Luke 23:40-42).

What was it that turned this mocker into a believer? Scornful onlookers accused Jesus of being exactly who He was: the King of Israel, the Savior, and the Son of God (Matthew 27:4

Verse of the Day
Ephesians 6:12-13 (New King James Version)

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Trusting in God's Power - Drawing Near - John MacArthur

"I pray that ... you may know ... the surpassing greatness of [God's] power toward us who believe" (Eph. 1:18-19).

The same divine power that created, sustains, and controls the universe secures your salvation.

God’s power is awesome! David wrote, “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Thine is the dominion, O Lord, and Thou dost exalt Thyself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from Thee, and Thou dost rule over all, and in Thy hand is power and might; and it lies in Thy hand to make great, and to strengthen everyone. Now therefore, our God, we thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name” (1 Chron.29:11-13).

In Ephesians 1:19 Paul focuses on one key feature of God’s power: His ability to secure the salvation of His people. And he prays for you to understand the surpassing greatness of that truth.

T

Life After Death - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

For the believer, death is just the doorway to our eternal home with our Father.

Luke 12:16-20

The thought of death frightens many people. But believers have no reason to fear. Jesus’ empty tomb proves that there is life after the physical body dies.

Those who aren’t believers often have one of two different approaches to life. The first group piles up wealth, good deeds, or worldly success. They expect to “live on” in the memories of those who benefit from their hard work. The other group chooses to laugh in the face of death. Their philosophy is “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (1 Corinthians 15:32). Their existence seems pleasurable, but ultimately it will always fall short of providing true contentment. That’s because God does not intend for our life to be meaningless.

For all of us who are in Christ, fulfilling our unique God-given purpose is the key to significance. In this life, we neither labor

Verse of the Day
James 4:10 (New King James Version)

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Maintaining a Clear Perspective - Drawing Near - John MacArthur

"I pray that . . . you may know . . . what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (Eph. 1:18).

How you perceive your spiritual resources dictates how you live.

Throughout Ephesians 1 Paul is clearly struck with the magnificence of our inheritance in Christ. Here he prays that we will know the riches of its glory.

Some commentators see "His inheritance" as a reference to believers, who are God's inheritance or special possession (v. 14). That view stresses the value God places on us as believers, as demonstrated in Christ's death, the forgiveness of our sins, and the abundant grace that He lavishes on us (vv. 7-8).

Others see it as referring to the believer's inheritance, which Paul calls "His inheritance" because God is its source. Just as "His calling" (v. 18) issued from Him and was received by believers, so His inheritance issues from Him.

Both views are theologically sound but

The Rewards of Working Well - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

When we work in a way that honors the Lord, we may be surprised by the opportunities that appear.

Colossians 3:23-24

Every job has parts that are frustrating or moments that seem unfulfilling. And though the routine may not change, the good news is that our way of thinking can. We can decide to work as if the Lord is our boss—it’s a choice that makes all the difference.

Today’s passage tells us, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men ... It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

Treating our job like an extension of our service to the Lord changes our attitude. Pleasing Him will motivate us to do our best and inevitably result in a greater sense of contentment and gratitude (Colossians 3:17). Work may be challenging, frustrating, or boring, but we can be at peace regardless of our circumstances.

A servant heart can impact other employees as well. Service that is ren

Verse of the Day
Philippians 4:8 (New King James Version)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Understanding Your Calling - Drawing Near - John MacArthur

"I pray that . . . you may know what is the hope of [God's] calling" (Eph. 1:18).

The hope of your calling is grounded in God’s promises and in Christ’s accomplishments.

In Ephesians 1:3-14 Paul proclaims the blessings of our salvation. In verse 18 he prays that we will comprehend those great truths, which he summarizes in the phrase "the hope of His calling."

"Calling" here refers to God's effectual calling—the calling that redeems the soul. Scripture speaks of two kinds of calling: the gospel or general call and the effectual or specific call. The gospel call is given by men and is a universal call to repent and trust Christ for salvation (e.g., Matt. 28:19; Acts 17:30-31). It goes out to all sinners but not all who hear it respond in faith.

The effectual call is given by God only to the elect. By it He speaks to the soul, grants saving faith, and ushers elect sinners into salvation (John 6:37-44, 65; Acts 2:

Getting the Most Out of Work - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

We are always serving Christ—no matter who our boss on earth is.

Ephesians 6:5-8

As the saying goes, “If you love what you do, you will not work a day in your life.” But we don’t always get to do what we like or labor alongside easy-going people. Just about any job—even a well-loved one—has low points and tasks that feel like drudgery. Our attitude, then, cannot be based upon the work itself or our feelings; rather, it must reflect our position as God’s children. We would be far wiser to adopt a new maxim: “Work for the Lord you love, and you will be fulfilled every day of your life.”

We get the most out of our work when we see ourselves as servants of the Lord. With regard to our attitude about work, here is the principle as taught in God’s Word: “In all things obey those who are your masters on earth” (Colossians 3:22). Biblical obedience isn’t merely an outward show with inward grumbling and resentment

Verse of the Day
Galatians 6:1 (New King James Version)

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Receiving Spiritual Enlightenment - Drawing Near - John MacArthur

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened” (Eph. 1:18).

Spiritual enlightenment doesn’t come through self-effort or introspective meditation but through God’s Holy Spirit.

Our society has been enamored with the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment, especially since the influx of Eastern thought into the West during the 1960s. Now we are drowning in a sea of false religions and New Age philosophies.

True enlightenment continues to elude many because they have denied its source and have turned to gurus and teachers who have no light to give. They propagate self-effort and introspective meditation, but spiritual enlightenment doesn’t come through such means. It comes only through the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:14-16). That’s why Paul prayed that God Himself would enlighten the hearts of the Ephesian believers (Eph. 1:18).

We might expect Paul to pray for enlightened minds rather than hearts, but that’

The Greater Purpose of Blessings - In Touch Ministries - Charles Stanley

Just as the Lord blesses you, He wants you to be a blessing to others.

Psalms 67:1-7

It is God’s nature to bless. However, we need to understand that His purpose is likely greater than we realize. His ultimate goal is far more expansive than just to make us happy or prosperous. In fact, it is never the Lord’s intention for His blessings to end with us. He wants them to flow out to others as part of His plan for the whole earth.

As we can see in today’s psalm, the Lord blesses us so that His salvation, ways, and justice may be known by every nation and people group around the globe (vv. 2-4, 7). He is always acting with this larger picture in mind—even while working in the minute details of individual lives.

Knowing this should fill us with an awesome yet humble sense of significance. Every believer has a part in helping others know and understand the one true God (Matthew 28:19-20). Each of His bl