Chip Brogden CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS

Hey Elaine,

This week we come to the epic conclusion of our study of the Book of Revelation (a study we began last summer).

It's been a long, exciting, and interesting journey through God's past, present, and future purpose!

I have tried to present the Book of Revelation from a Christ-centered perspective that is full of hope, not doom.

And, truly, God has saved the best for last.

It is "God's Grand Finale" - the fulfillment of God's eternal purpose in Christ.

Really, the Book of Revelation could have ended in Chapter 21 with New Jerusalem if the whole goal is to reward the righteous.

But God isn't finished yet!

One chapter remains - and it will blow your mind if you will open your heart.

I hope you can join us for this final message:

"THE SPIRIT AND THE BRIDE SAY COME" (Revelation 22)
Thursday, January 11, 2018
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register for this free online class:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Your gift of any amount helps make this freely available.

Thank you for supporting Christ-centered teaching.


I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Beyond "Spirit-Filled"
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​by Chip Brogden
*This article applies to all Christians, not just prophets!

Given the vital relationship that exists between the Holy Spirit and the prophetic ministry, it isn’t enough for the prophet to be “filled” or even “led” by the Spirit; the prophet must be completely governed by the Holy Spirit.  
 

There is a lot packed into that word governed that must be pulled out and examined. What does it mean to be governed by the Holy Spirit? 

It includes the following seven steps, and each come in their proper order...

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE REST:
http://www.chipbrogden.com/beyond-spirit-filled/

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com 
 
PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hey Elaine,

We still have room for you at tonight's online Bible Study:

"ALL THINGS NEW" (Revelation 21)
Thursday, January 4, 2018
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register for this free online class:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

We'll talk about New Jerusalem and how it represents a new hope for all.

Hope you "see" you tonight!


I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

The Secret Place of the Most High
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​by Chip Brogden
Christ is the Secret Place of the Most High God. He is that place that has been prepared for us.
 
Let me ask, how can you make the Lord your habitation, your dwelling place? How is that possible? This can only be interpreted spiritually, it is absolutely impossible, and hardly conceivable, if we think of it naturally. How can the Lord be my dwelling place? How can I live in the Lord? Well, it’s like Nicodemus saying, “How can a man enter into his mother’s womb and be born again?”

How do we make the Lord our habitation? How can He become a place for us to dwell in? 

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE REST:
http://www.chipbrogden.com/the-secret-place-of-the-most-high/

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com 
 
PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hey Elaine,
If you haven't registered for tonight's online Bible study, we still have room for you:

RESURRECTION AND JUDGMENT (Revelation 20)
Thursday, December 28, 2017
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)
Go here to register for this free online class:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

If you can't make that time, register anyway so I can send you the replay when it is ready.


I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hi Elaine,

It is not about celebrating WHEN Christ was born, but THAT He was born.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given..." (Isa.9:6).

THAT He was born is a miracle.

THAT He died and lives again is marvelous.

THAT He lives in you and me is mind-blowing.

THAT He intends to be "All in All" is mind-boggling.

I especially love the third stanza of that wonderful hymn that so clearly reveals His purpose...

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name!

Karla and I pray that the blessing of Jesus, the One Gift of God, will be with you and all your family and loved ones, today and every day.


I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com
PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

It's A Wonderful Life!
b​y Chip Brogden
Each time you lose a part of your life, you will find His Life is right there to fill the void. Every single time. This is a spiritual truth, and there are no exceptions to the rule.
 
Think of what it means. The more I give to Him, the more He gives to me. I trade in my life in exchange for His Life. Which would you rather have? Do you want your life, your failures, your mistakes, your frustrations, your sins? Or would you rather give that up in exchange for His Life? You can have either one you want, but you cannot have both...

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE REST:
http://www.chipbrogden.com/its-a-wonderful-life/

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com 
 
PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hey Elaine,

My Internet is still weird but I'm moving forward with tonight's teaching!

One day, God finally says ENOUGH - I will no longer tolerate the Beast, the False Prophet, Babylon, and the Dragon to deceive the whole world.

Then Christ the TRUTH will prevail!

KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19)
Thursday, December 21, 2017
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register for this free online class:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Everyone who registers will have access to the class and to the replay.


Hope to "see" you there!

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hey Elaine,

I'm emailing you from my local library because my Internet is broken and it will take a couple of days to repair. :-(

But I will not let that stop me from teaching this week, because it is too important to miss!

While religious folks are still trying to preserve Babylon, heaven rejoices when she finally falls.

That's because the fall of Babylon marks the beginning of the end... and the end of the beginning.

Once Babylon - the harlot church system - is destroyed, then...

CHRIST RETURNS!

And the Beast and the False Prophet are defeated.

And the devil is bound for 1,000 years.

And all the things that have deceived the world for so long are finally removed so they can deceive the world no more - they all begin falling like dominoes.

Every eye will see Him!

Christ, the TRUTH, will prevail!

And He will make ALL THINGS NEW and restore what the enemy has stolen.

Join us as we enter the final few chapters of this series of teachings so you will see the end result of God's perfect purpose as it is fulfilled "on earth, as it is in heaven."

KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS (Revelation 19)

Thursday, December 21, 2017
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register for this free online class:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

It's free to register, but donations are welcome.

Pray I get my Internet back soon!
I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

One Thing is Needed
b​y Chip Brogden
We often sacrifice God’s one thing in favor of many things.There is something more significant to be seen in Mary who sits at the feet of Jesus versus Martha who is “much serving.” 

Jesus is not contrasting service and worship and saying that worship is better. No, Jesus is contrasting “many things” with “one thing.” We are consumed, absorbed, worried and vexed with many things – serving, witnessing, preaching, giving, writing, singing, attending meetings, reading, studying, building churches, fellowshipping – when Jesus says only one thing is needed, and Mary has discovered it, and it will not be denied her.

What is the one thing?

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE REST:
http://www.chipbrogden.com/one-thing-is-needed/

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com 
 
PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hey Elaine,

Unfortunately I've had to reschedule tonight's webinar for Saturday at the same time.

MYSTERY: BABYLON THE GREAT (Revelation 18)
Saturday, December 16, 2017
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register for this free online class:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Maybe this time works better or worse for you; either way, please register so you have the option to join us online and/or watch the replay after.

I apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for listening!


I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

The Missing Ingredient
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​by Chip Brogden
There came a time in my life when I realized I was called, and I was gifted, and God had given me great revelation, but I still lacked something.

Now when I was younger I believed that having a calling from God and being gifted by God was all you needed. Then I began to learn some things by revelation and thought that was God’s seal of approval upon me.

Even so, I could not get away from the fact that there were then, and there are now, lots of people in the world besides me who are called by God, have spiritual gifts, and enjoy an abundance of revelation. But God cannot trust them in any kind of a servant leadership capacity. They may have a title or a ministry but they are unqualified because they do not have the missing ingredient. I noticed they lacked something, and worse, I lacked the same thing.

Eventually I discovered what everyone, including myself, is lacking...

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE REST:
http://www.chipbrogden.com/the-missing-ingredient

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

Hey Elaine,
This week's online Bible study starts in a few hours...
MYSTERY: BABYLON THE GREAT (Revelation 17, Part 2)
Thursday, December 7, 2017
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register for this free online class:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

Looking forward to it!
I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com
PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hey Elaine,

A reader says I'm "in error" to suggest that God's people are in Babylon.

He should have attended our weekly Bible study.

If he had, he would have learned that God (not me) is calling His people (not my people) to "come out of her" (Rev. 18:4).

If none of God's people are in Babylon, why does God call them to come out?

Think about it.

Then join us this week to learn more -

MYSTERY: BABYLON THE GREAT (Revelation 17, Part 2)
Thursday, December 7, 2017
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register for this free online class:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

I care nothing about opinions (yours or mine). I only want to know: What does God say?


I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

A Brief History of Called Out Peoples
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​by Chip Brogden
God’s people have always been asked to leave where they are and travel through an unfamiliar, lonely place – a wilderness – in order to reach the place He has prepared for them.

We see that Israel’s history has repeated itself in the history of Christianity. Just as God called the Hebrews out of Egypt to form a new nation, so God called the early Christians out of Judaism to form a “new nation” of kings and priests. When Israel rebelled against God and committed idolatry, they were led away to Babylon for judgment.

In like manner, when Christendom rebelled against God and created an idolatrous system of worship “in Jesus’ name,” they were also brought to judgment; the chief difference being that God did not send them away – He simply gave them over to their own devices, and they were quite content to proceed under the assumption that God was endorsing and blessing the works of their hands.

This brings us to the present time. Just as God called out a remnant of Jews to leave Babylon and journey to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, God has in these last days called out a remnant of Christians to leave “Churchianity” and take a journey through the wilderness...

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE REST:
http://www.chipbrogden.com/a-brief-history-of-called-out-peoples/

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

Hey Elaine,

The Book of Revelation exposes the harlot church system.

It is as seductive as a prostitute but is a tool of satan leading people away from the simplicity of Christ.

Tonight we dig into the mystery, trace its history, and discuss how it applies to us today.

MYSTERY: BABYLON THE GREAT (Revelation 17)
Thursday, November 30, 2017
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register for this free online class:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible


I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Hey Elaine,

Who (or what) is Babylon?

What does it represent - person, place, thing, or spirit?

And why do I occasionally refer to the Christian religion as "the harlot church system"?

The reason is based on Scripture.

Of course, people have always interpreted Babylon in the Book of Revelation differently, depending on their point of view.

This week I will give you several different ways of looking at it and let you come to your own prayerful conclusion.

I am not someone who thinks all of this is in the past.

I believe this is present truth that has great impact on us right now, today.

Join me for this teaching and decide for yourself.

MYSTERY: BABYLON THE GREAT (Revelation 17)

Thursday, November 30, 2017
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register for this free online class:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible


I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

How Your Pain Can Turn to Praise
Whitney Hopler

Editor’s note: The following is a report on the practical application of
Michael A. Milton's book,

Songs in the Night: How God Transforms Our Pain to Praise
(P&R Publishing, 2011).

Jesus said that we would all have trouble in this fallen world. So we expect
suffering to enter our lives, but when it does, we often try to get through
it as fast as possible rather than asking God what we can learn from it.

If you choose to embrace your suffering rather than running from it, your
pain can turn to praise as God brings good purposes out of the suffering he
has
allowed into your life. Here’s how you can respond to suffering by inviting
God to turn your pain into praise:

Offer your suffering to God. Rather than pleading with God to take your
suffering away, view it as a gift that God has allowed to come to you so you
will
seek Him more and experience His grace in deeper ways. Keep in mind that the
same thing that evil forces may intend to destroy you can become what leads
you to experience more of God’s blessings in your life. What will determine
whether your suffering leads to negative or positive results in your life is
how you respond to it. Decide that you will respond to any type of
suffering – from illness, grief, broken relationships, financial problems,
depression,
etc. – by surrendering it to God in prayer, asking Him to use it for good in
your life and trusting Him to do so.

Invite Jesus to help you through life’s storms. Jesus experienced the depths
of human suffering during His time on Earth, so He knows what you’re going
through. Jesus chose to go through extreme suffering on the cross to pay for
people’s sins, so He cares about what you’re going through. Realize that
while
you’re dealing with the storms of suffering, Jesus is available to go
through them with you, giving you the peace you need in the midst of the
storms and
guiding you wisely through them. Connect with Jesus frequently through
prayer as you’re going through storms to gain the perspective and help you
need.

Know that Jesus is praying for you. You can trust Jesus, because He has
prayed for you to trust Him – and He prayed that before He died for your
sins and
before you were born. Today, Jesus continues to pray for you in heaven. You
can rest assured that Jesus will take whatever weakness that you entrust to
Him and infuse it with His strength so you can grow through suffering.

Expect God to redeem your suffering. Let your suffering help you see your
need for a Savior, and keep in mind that your personal story of suffering is
part of the greater story of how God is redeeming the world through Jesus.
Give your lost causes, hopeless situations, and broken dreams to God, and
expect
Him to redeem them somehow, because He wants the best for you.

Embrace God’s kindness to you. God loves you unconditionally, and He kindly
offers you mercy, despite your sins. Feel free to come to Him just as you
are.
Expect Him to warmly welcome you and give you all the grace you need to
overcome the suffering in your life.

Confess and repent of your sins to begin receiving healing from God.
Whenever you recognize a connection between your suffering and some type of
sin in
your life, confess that sin in prayer to God, and turn away from it
completely. By doing so, you invite God to start healing you of the damage
that sin
has caused in your life.

Be confident that your suffering won’t prevent God from accepting you or
using your life. Rest assured that God has accepted you because of Jesus
Christ’s
sacrifice for you on the cross, and nothing that you suffer can ever change
that fact. Rejoice that, not only will your suffering not disqualify you
from
serving God, but the specific ways in which you’ve suffered can actually
become the greatest ways in which God can use your life to help redeem the
world.
When you suffer in a certain area of your life, you develop compassion for
other people who are also suffering in that area (for example, you can care
more about cancer patients after you’ve overcome cancer yourself). If you
respond to your suffering by offering it to God to transform into something
He
will use to bless others, you may find that your greatest ministry grows out
of your deepest suffering.

Learn more about RevenueStripe...

Trust God even when people betray you. When people you had once thought you
could trust betray your trust, you need to set boundaries with them to
protect
yourself until they earn back your trust (if they ever do). But you can
still live in faith, even when people have betrayed you, because God is
always
trustworthy and you can choose to trust God in any situation – even those
involving difficult people. Ask God to take what people intended for evil
and
use it to accomplish something good in your life.

Overcome your regrets. Although there are consequences to the choices that
you’ve made in the past, God is always willing to forgive you for your
mistakes
and help you learn from them. Be honest with God about your regrets and ask
Jesus to help you move forward with the peace that only He can give.

Remember that God will complete the good work He has begun in you. Healing
from suffering is a process. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be patient
throughout
the healing process, however long it takes. Trust in God’s promise to
complete the healing work that He begins in you.

Live in ways that will help other people seek God in their own suffering.
Ask God to empower you to live with integrity and love, so you’ll inspire
others
to learn more about your faith. When people ask about your faith, tell them
stories about how God has helped you overcome suffering by turning your pain
to praise. Show others who are suffering that God’s love is stronger than
any pain.

Adapted from
Songs in the Night: How God Transforms Our Pain to Praise , copyright 2011
by Michael A. Milton. Published by P&R Publishing, Philipsburg, NJ,
www.prpbooks.com.

Michael A. Milton and his family live in Charlotte, North Carolina, and he
is the host of the national Bible teaching television program Faith for
Living,
a songwriter and recording artist, and the author of numerous books and
articles. Previously he was the senior minister of the historic First
Presbyterian
Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee and is currently Chancellor and CEO elect
of Reformed Theological Seminary and the James M. Baird Jr. Professor of
Pastoral
Theology, there.

Whitney Hopler is a freelance writer and editor who serves as both a
Crosswalk.com contributing writer and the editor of About.com’s
site on angels and miracles
. Contact Whitney at: angels.guide@about.com


The God of Peace

The headlines from the last few weeks have included hurricanes, earthquakes,
racial protests and riots, major tensions with Korea, shootings in Vegas,
bombings, and then, someone predicted the world was going to end.

If that does not make your blood pressure rise, think about your own stuff:
your boss puts you in charge of a huge project with a very short turnaround;
your child gets sick at school and then gets sick again in your car on the
way home;
your dog has to go to the vet;
a strange light appears on your car's dashboard;
you forgot to pay your electric bill;
a crown comes off your tooth;
you realize the milk has gone bad just after you started drinking it.
This is the world I live in. How about you?

You rush to get things done only to discover you have more to do. You feel
stressed, rushed, overcommitted, overworked, and overwhelmed. You cannot
concentrate,
you have trouble sleeping, you can't find time to exercise, and you want to
eat everything in sight.

I can relate. I get that way, too, sometimes. But usually, after I fume and
stew for a while, frustrated that I cannot fix everything, I eventually
realize
that God is nudging me back toward Philippians 4. So, I read it again.

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious
about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally,
brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is
right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if
anything
is excellent or praiseworthy - ”think about such things. Whatever you have
learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:5-9)

Then, I read it again, asking God to show me what He wants me to see. And
this is what He shows me.

Remember to be gentle to everyone. When you are under stress, you may get
angry, irritated, and frustrated and forget the fact that I am near. Be
gentle
with yourself. Be gentle with others. I am near you. (5)

Relax, takes a few deep breaths, give all your anxieties to me so that you
can receive and enjoy the peace I have for you. (6-7) You cannot handle all
of this alone. I can. Let me take it from you in exchange for my peace.

Get your head back where it needs to be. You have drifted away from healthy
thinking. Think about the lovely things and lovely people. Think about
truth,
nobility, and purity. Focus on things and people who are worth admiring and
strive toward excellence. Think about these things, focus on these things,
and take time to meditate on them. (8)

Live the way you have learned. You have had been taught by good people, and
you have learned well the things of God. Stay true to that. (8)

Enjoy my peace. I am with you. I am always with you. I am near you. My peace
is your peace because you belong to me. (8)

Does it seem like the world is going crazy? Does it feel like the things you
cherish most are slipping away from you? The fact that you are reading this
is proof that it is not too late to make some changes. Try reading
Philippians 4 a few times, and let the peace of God work into your heart.

Tom
A NORVELL NOTE by Tom Norvell
www.anorvellnote.com

Blessed Are The Disillusioned
B​y Chip Brogden
People think disillusionment is a bad thing, but it's not. To be disillusioned means you have been stripped of your illusion. That's a good thing.

You had a fantasy about something, a false impression, and now that false impression has been exposed. You have seen the truth, and you have been dis-illusioned.

When people come to me and say they have been disillusioned with the church, I say praise the Lord – now you can make some progress! And when they come to me and say, “I’m so disappointed with God, I can’t make sense out of my Christian walk. I’m so disillusioned,” I say that is wonderful – now you’re really beginning to grow up spiritually. You cannot see the truth about God, or about the church, or about yourself, until you stop living in the world of illusions. The opposite of illusion is reality and truth. Authenticity is the opposite of hypocrisy. We have already mentioned how much Jesus dislikes hypocrisy. Jesus is the one who disillusions people so that they can see the truth behind the illusion.

I was teaching in a home group one time and talked for forty-five minutes about the difference between Organized Religion and the Church that Jesus is building. There was a long silence at the end of what I had shared, and an older woman to my right said...

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE REST:
http://www.chipbrogden.com/blessed-are-the-disillusioned/

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com 
 
PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Thank You!

Dear God:

I want to thank you for what you have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards.
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better,
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop 
talking about me,
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears.
I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves.
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet,
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job,
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that 
has caused me pain or grief.
I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are 
removed,
I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.
I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.
I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more 
and do better.
I am thanking you because, Father, you have not given up on me.

God is good, all the time; and all the time, God is Good!

THANK HIM!

Based on an article/sermon by T.D. Jakes

Solid Joys Daily Devotional | Desiring God

Solid Joys: Daily Devotionals from John Piper
The Gravity of Gratitude
By John Piper
block quote
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of 
difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, 
arrogant, abusive,
disobedient to their parents, ungrateful . . .
(2 Timothy 3:1–2)
block quote end

Notice how ingratitude goes with pride, abuse, and insubordination.

In another place Paul says, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor 
crude joking . . . but instead let there be thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4).
So, it seems that gratitude, thankfulness, is the opposite of ugliness and 
violence.

The reason this is so is that the feeling of gratitude is a humble feeling, 
not a proud one. It is other-exalting, not self-exalting. And it is 
glad-hearted,
not angry or bitter. Bitter thankfulness is a contradiction in terms.

The key to unlocking a heart of thankfulness and overcoming bitterness and 
ugliness and disrespect and violence is a strong belief in God, the Creator
and Sustainer and Provider and Hope-giver. If we do not believe we are 
deeply indebted to God for all we have and hope to have, then the very 
spring of
gratitude has gone dry.

So, I conclude that the rise of violence and sacrilege and ugliness and 
insubordination in the last times is a God-issue. The basic issue is a 
failure
to feel gratitude at the upper levels of our dependence.

When the high spring of gratitude to God fails at the top of the mountain, 
soon all the pools of thankfulness begin to dry up further down the 
mountain.
And when gratitude goes, the sovereignty of the self condones more and more 
corruption for its pleasure.

Pray for a great awakening of humble gratitude.

Copyright 2017 Desiring God, All rights reserved.

The Lesson of Lasagna
by Katherine Peters Britton, Crosswalk.com Contributor

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it 
Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far has the LORD helped us.'"
-
1 Samuel 7:12

Life in the Peters household produced a frenetic Christmas just about every 
year, but that year eclipsed them all. I was eleven years old when two 
game-changers
happened in quick succession. First, in early November, my youngest sister 
was born. My twin brothers hadn't yet turned two, so daily life included 
diaper
changes for three kids in addition to the newborn routine. Just a month 
later, my dad was ferrying me home from a Christmas cookie exchange when a 
truck
broadsided us. Multiple injuries kept Dad laid up for a couple weeks, right 
in the midst of Christmas parities and preparation.

The body of Christ carried many burdens for my overwhelmed family during the 
crazy season that followed. Friends cleaned the house, washed laundry, 
babysat
so my exhausted mother could nap, put lights on our Christmas tree, took us 
kids Christmas shopping, and more. Even as a kid, I noticed how many people
set aside their holiday bustle to lend a hand.

What I remember best, though, is the lasagna.

Church members consistently supplied us with hot meals when we would 
otherwise have eaten cold cereal, given the circumstances. I remember lots 
and lots
of casseroles during the Christmas season, and - I must embarrassingly 
admit - my childish tastes invited me to turn up my nose at many of them. 
Especially
the lasagna, which I barely tolerated in the best of times. During those two 
months, we choked down veggie lasagna that I thought tasted like printer 
paper,
picked at lasagna surfeited with cottage cheese (I still despise cottage 
cheese), rejoiced over meat-lovers lasagna, and tried to get away with 
eating
just the garlic bread someone brought as a side dish. Lord bless the folks 
that brought us that signature casserole, but after New Years I never wanted
to see lasagna again.
Ever.

Of course, the years have chugged along, I swapped out my last name, and I 
reticently reversed course on lasagna. The casserole has that sweetly 
sentimental
quality of Grandma's cookies now, always reminding me of those crazy two 
months that began with a birth and closed with a year's end. It's my "edible 
Ebenezer,"
if you will. I know that might sound flippant, but I can't help but remember 
how God provided for my family during a rough patch when I smell that smell.
To me, lasagna will always be synonymous with a church's love.

Intersecting Faith & Life:
As we celebrate Thanksgiving, when food and memories intertwine so closely, 
look around for the Ebenezer stones in your own life. What past events can
you point to and say, "Yes, the Lord helped us there." Tell your family and 
friends the stories of God's grace and provision, so they too will "forget
none of his benefits" (
Psalms 103:2
). We serve a faithful God - let's remember to look back on those markers.

An Attitude of Thankfulness
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ 
Jesus
. --1 Thessalonians 5:18

There is always a reason to be thankful. Notice that today’s Scripture doesn’t 
say to be thankful
for all things but to be thankful in all things. Even in the most difficult 
of circumstances, you can find a reason for a thankful heart. I like the 
phrase
that says, “I complained because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no 
feet.” No matter what your circumstances, I believe there is a reason to be
thankful. Your situation may never change, but your attitude can change and 
that will make all the difference in the world.

Terry Fox was a Canadian distance runner who started a run from one side of 
Canada to the other. He ran at least 26 miles each day to raise money for 
cancer
research. He was a cancer victim himself. He ran every mile on one leg, 
since his right leg had been amputated above the knee. Almost every day, a 
television
announcer or radio newscaster would put a microphone in front of Terry and 
ask him how his run for cancer was going. Often exhausted and losing 
valuable
strength, Terry would say, “I don’t know about tomorrow, but God gave me 
another day to live and I’m thankful for each day I’m alive.”

Terry didn’t finish his run across Canada because he died of the dreaded 
disease. Yet even to the end, he remained thankful for each day and 
considered
each one God’s gift to him. With an attitude of thankfulness, he made the 
most of a difficult situation.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What is the difference between being thankful for all circumstances and 
being thankful
in all circumstances as prescribed in
1 Thessalonians 5:18
?

2. What are your circumstances right now? Is it time for you to begin 
developing a greater attitude of thankfulness in your life?

FURTHER READING:

1 Chronicles 16:8 ; Psalms 136:1


Why Being Thankful Is a Powerful Way to Live Free
By Debbie McDaniel, Crosswalk.com Writer

The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am 
helped; therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.”
Psalms 28:7

We have so much to be grateful for in this life, every single day. But 
reality is that sometimes constant life demands, battles, and worries give 
more
room to defeat than to a heart of thanks. Or we forget, in the midst of 
busyness and pressures, just to pause and give thanks for all that God has 
done
and continues to do in our lives.

Sometimes it really is a sacrifice to offer praise and thanks. We may not 
feel like it. We’re struggling. We’re weary. Or maybe, we feel like He let 
us
down. We think God seems distant, like he’s far away, or doesn’t really care 
about what’s troubling us. Painful life blows and losses might have recently
sent us spiraling.

But here’s what can make a lasting difference. We have a choice, every day, 
to give him thanks. And with a heart of thanksgiving, we realize that no 
matter
what we face, God doesn’t just work to change our situations and help us 
through our problems. He does more. He changes our hearts. His power, 
through
hearts of gratitude and focused minds on Him, releases the grip our 
struggles have over us. We’re strengthened by His peace, refueled by His 
joy.

No matter what our current situation, or the struggles we may be facing, 
here’s what choosing to be thankful does:

list of 7 items
• It gets our eyes off ourselves, and helps us to focus back on God.

• It reminds us we’re not in control, but that we serve a Mighty God who is. 
It keeps us in a place of humility and dependency on Him, as we recognize
how much we need Him.

• It helps us to recognize we have so much to be thankful for, even all the 
little things, which often we may forget to thank Him for. It takes our 
attention
off our problems and helps us instead to reflect on the goodness of His many 
blessings.

• It reminds us that God is the Giver of all good gifts. We were never 
intended to be fully self-sufficient in this life. A grateful heart reminds 
us that
ultimately God is our Provider, that all blessings and gifts are graciously 
given to us by His hand.

• A heart of gratitude leaves no room for complaining. For it is impossible 
to be truly thankful and filled with negativity and ungratefulness at the 
same
time.

• It makes the enemy flee. The forces of darkness can’t stand to be around 
hearts that give thanks and honor to God. Our praise and thanksgiving will 
make
them flee.

• It opens the door for continued blessings. It invites His presence. God 
loves to give good gifts to His children. He delights in our thankfulness 
and
pours out His Spirit and favor over those who give honor and gratitude to 
Him.

list end

Intersecting Faith & Life: Maybe you’re in a hard place right now. Maybe you 
feel like God has left you on your own, to fend for yourself, or the battle
seems too hard. Maybe there’s never enough money left at the end of the 
month and you can’t figure out how to make things work. No matter what, in 
it all,
be assured that God is with you and He cares. Choose a heart of gratefulness 
today. Make a list of all that God has blessed and filled your life with,
that it’s been easy to take for granted at times. Trust He knows what 
concerns you and is at work even now, to bring you through this uncertain 
season.
Thank Him for providing all you need.

Further Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 , Psalms 136 , Psalms 103:1-5



PresbyCan Daily Devotional

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Today's Devotional

Thanksgiving In Memory

Colossians 3:15b-17 – Be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you 
richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you 
sing psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever 
you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him. (NIV)

One of the greatest things about celebrating Thanksgiving is the singing of 
long-time favourite hymns that keep coming back to us, hymns with words 
like:
"Now thank we all our God, with heart and hands and voices, who wondrous 
things has done, in whom His world rejoices." With thanks comes praise, 
praise
for beauty and love: "For the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the 
skies, for the love which from our birth over and around us lies, Lord of 
all
to Thee we raise, this our sacrifice of praise." And more: "Now thank the 
Lord, we thank the Lord for all his love."

Thankfulness for God's love yields more praises like, "Come, let us all 
unite and sing, God is love; God is love. O tell to earth's remotest bound, 
in
Christ is full redemption found; His blood can cleanse our sins away; His 
Spirit turns our night to day, and leads our soul with joy to say, 'God is 
love;
God is love.' He will be with us all the way; God is love; God is love." 
"Come, let us sing of a wonderful love, tender and true, tender and true; 
out
of the heart of the Father above, streaming to me and to you."

And for children too: "Can a little child like me thank the Father 
fittingly? Yes, oh yes, be good and true, patient, kind, in all you do; love 
the Lord,
and do your part; learn to say with all your heart, 'Father, we thank Thee, 
Father, we thank Thee, Father in heaven, we thank Thee.'" Yes, how fitting
and necessary are these words for us older folks too! So, "Sing them over 
again to me." "Come, ye thankful people, come."

Come with even more uplifting praise: "Morning has broken, like the first 
morning. Praise for the singing, praise for the morning; praise for them 
springing
fresh from the Word. Praise every morning God's recreation of the new day."

On Thanksgiving Day, with reverence and awe, we can certainly say with the 
psalmist, "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be 
glad
in it."
(Psalm 118:24 ESV)

Prayer: Dear God, You have given us so much to be thankful for: Your love in 
Your self-giving Son Jesus Christ, Your presence in Your Spirit, Your Word
in the Bible, Your free salvation that requires of us only faith, and that, 
too, is a gift from You. So we give thanks to You for You are good; Your 
love
endures forever" (from Psalm 107:1). Thanks for songwriters. Thank You for 
Your eternal promise of heaven. We dedicate to You a thankful heart. Use it,
Lord, that others may know. May we be thankful day by day. Amen.


A Thankful Tomorrow
by Ryan Duncan, Crosswalk.com Editor

“How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear 
you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in 
you.” –

Psalms 31:19

I’ve always really enjoyed Thanksgiving. Sure, the family can be pretty 
crazy at times, and I usually end up on dish duty after the meal, but 
Thanksgiving
has always been a time for me to stop and realize how blessed I am. Friends, 
family, a warm meal, there are many simple things in this life that are easy
to take for granted, so it’s good to have a day that reminds us to be 
thankful for all God has given us. The problem is that’s usually how long it 
lasts,
a day. After the food has been eaten and prayers have been said, many people 
wake up the next morning and jump head first into the madness of Black 
Friday.

I can only remember shopping twice on Black Friday, and I regretted it both 
times. It’s complete chaos, with people running, screaming, and sometimes 
even
fighting each other over things they want to buy. I’ve never had any crazy 
experiences myself, but my brother-in-law remembers a particularly strange 
incident
that happened while he was in college. One year, while he and my sister were 
still dating, he drove up to visit her on the Friday after Thanksgiving. He
had left his house at 3am with hopes of avoiding the holiday rush and was 
making good time on the freeway when suddenly, out of nowhere, a long line 
of
traffic appeared in the distance.

At first he thought there had been an accident, but as he got closer he 
realized that the stalled traffic was due to cars making complete stops on 
the
freeway so their passengers could get out, jump the guard rails, and climb a 
small hill to a nearby outlet mall. It’s ironic, and a little sad, that a
day which celebrates American greed happens after the holiday about being 
thankful. At times like these, it’s important that as Christians realize we 
cannot
live Christ-centered lives when we leapfrog between God and possessions.

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the 
other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot 
serve
both God and Money.”
(Matthew 6:24 )

So don’t throw out your thankfulness with the evening leftovers, but hold 
onto it as the Advent season begins. Remember the blessings Christ has given
us and use them to prepare yourself for Christmas, when we celebrate the 
birth of Christ, the greatest gift of all.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Don’t let the crazy shopping season distract 
you from what’s really important.

Further Reading

1 Timothy 4:4

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!

oday's Turning Point with David Jeremiah
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Today's Turning Point
David Jeremiah's Website
Thursday, October 12

Net Neutrality

For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong 
to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

Mark 9:41

Recommended Reading
Mark 9:38-41
It was hard to watch this year’s French Open without shedding a tear during 
the tennis match between Juan Martín del Potro and Nicolás Almagro. The 
score
was tied when Almagro’s knee gave out. As Almagro realized what had 
happened, he broke down, fell backward in defeat, and sobbed so loudly the 
sound of
his weeping could be heard in the farthest galleries. Del Potro, who himself 
has battled injuries, instantly crossed the net, knelt beside his stricken
opponent, consoled him, helped him up, and embraced him. Spectators wiped 
their eyes as the two men left the court in a remarkable display of 
compassion.

Listen to Today's Radio Broadcast
If our opponents need our compassion, how much more our friends, family, and 
fellow church members? If world class athletes can show compassion, how much
more should we? When injured in life, we need those who will weep with us, 
kneel with us, and give us a cup of cold water. We need to be ready to do 
the
same.

God’s compassion for mankind reached out to us through Jesus Christ on the 
cross. Surely our lives should display His compassion to others as well.

It is the unseen and the spiritual in people that determines the outward and 
actual.
Oswald Chambers

Read-Thru-the-Bible
Matthew 27 – 28

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TURNING POINT WITH DR. DAVID JEREMIAH
David Jeremiah's Website
Copyright 2017 Turning Point for God. All rights reserved.

Being Thankful in a World of Entitlement
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​by Chip Brogden
When we stop to reflect upon all that we have in Christ, it is natural and normal to respond with praise and thanks to God.

Scripture tells us that in the last days, perilous times will come as “men will become lovers of their own selves… unthankful” (2 Tim. 3:2). Unthankfulness is a symptom of this modern age. People in more prosperous areas of the world are not particularly thankful for their prosperity. Ironically, they have grown accustomed to thinking that the world (or God) owes them even more – a better job, a free or low-cost education, a nicer home, affordable health care, or an even higher standard of living. This entitlement mentality is unhealthy and leads to chronic discontentment and dissatisfaction.

On the other hand, followers of Jesus recognize that we are entitled to nothing. We also recognize that whatever we do have is the result of God’s blessing: “What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (I Cor. 4:7). It is impossible for a person to be thankful and to be prideful at the same time.

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE REST:
http://www.chipbrogden.com/being-thankful-in-a-world-of-entitlement/

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com 
 
PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Elaine

It's Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. this week, so no Bible study on Thursday.

Instead, I'm pleased to announce the re-opening of our online discipleship course, "Embrace the Cross."

Get instant access and study at your own pace from your computer:
http://students.chipbrogden.com

It's free, but donations are welcome if you feel led.

Registration opens and closes this week, so check it out soon.

Thankful for you!

I am your brother,

Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Back to the Cross
B​y Chip Brogden
Apart from the Cross, we do not know
what Resurrection is.

Religion seeks to reform a man; the Cross seeks to crucify him. Religion may fail to bring about the desired result, but the Cross never fails to achieve its end. Mankind will pursue morality, virtue, spirituality, even perform religious works and good deeds, in order to avoid death on a Cross. But there are no wounds, no scars, no evidence of having ever died and been made alive unto God. Either a man has never died, or he has died and been raised again. You cannot fake a resurrection.

The Cross is the means by which God reduces us to Christ, that we may be raised to new Life. What cannot be accomplished in a lifetime of self-effort is easily accomplished in God through the Cross. We may take many shortcuts along the way and attempt to escape the inevitable, but the day we cease striving and meekly accept the Cross we find everything is done for us...

CLICK BELOW TO READ THE REST:
http://www.chipbrogden.com/back-to-the-cross

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA

Elaine
A sea of glass and fire?

That's just one thing we'll talk about in tonight's online Bible study, in case you haven't registered yet:

THE 7 BOWL JUDGMENTS (Revelation 15-16)
Thursday, November 16, 2017
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/bible

If you can't make it tonight, register anyway so you can get access to the replay afterwards.

We're looking at the Book of Revelation from the perspective of hope, not fear, doom and gloom.

God does all things well, according to times and seasons of His own choosing.

Seen you soon!

I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

Dear Friends,

One of the most surprising things we have learned in our study of the Book of Revelation is that it is a message of hope - not doom.

Religion often characterizes God sitting on a throne and hurling down lightning bolts on rotten sinners (long after the "saints" have been safely raptured, of course).

Naturally, people who see God this way approach the Book of Revelation with a certain mindset that prevents them from seeing what's really going on.

Interestingly enough, we found that the seven seal judgments were man's own cruelty against man.

Similarly, the seven trumpets are a mixture of man doing things to man and the devil doing things to man.

Finally, we come to the seven bowls and discover the first REAL evidence of God directly sending judgments - and who does He pour them out on?

The Beast, the False Prophet, and Babylon.

Why?

So they can deceive the world no longer.

So the captives will be set free.

So the lies of the devil will be exposed.

So a "new heaven and earth" can come forth where Christ has preeminence.

See, God isn't trying to destroy the earth, but is trying to save it!

The earth doesn't belong to the devil, or the Beast, or the False Prophet, or Babylon.

The earth doesn't even belong to man!

"The earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein" (Ps. 24:1).

Man, the devil and the devil's cohorts are creating all the problems in the Book of Revelation - not God.

The devil is out to steal, kill and destroy - not God.

God's judgments are meant to deliver man by destroying the devil and the systems created by the devil (politics and religion) that deceive the world.

And how God does this is really spectacular.

This is exciting stuff!

Join us for this week's study to learn more...

THE 7 BOWL JUDGMENTS (Revelation 15-16)
Thursday, November 16, 2017
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time (New York)

Go here to register:
--> http://chipbrogden.com/live

It's free to register, but your gift of any amount helps make it possible for us to offer it freely.


I am your brother,
Chip Brogden
http://ChipBrogden.com

PO Box 282
Bunn NC 27508
USA