Rex Jennings

5 hrs

In Touch Daily Devotional

Brokenness: The Process
Sometimes God's work in us is painful—but the result is always beautiful.
November 21, 2024

Romans 8:29-31

29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
30 and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

It’s tempting to think we don’t need much improvement. While many people concede they could probably use a little bit of “maintenance” in some areas, they will usually add, “But I’m a good person.” However, the truth is that the Father refuses to settle for humanity’s meager vision of “good enough.” He wants something so much better for us.
God sees each believer as the person he or she will be when fully yielded to Christ. He then sets about achieving that complete renovation by transforming the present self into the image of His Son (1 Corinthians 15:49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.). An essential step in God’s remodeling work involves removing whatever is ungodly in our life. This process is often uncomfortable, but it’s worth it! God targets habits, attitudes, and relationships that don’t honor Him. He applies pressure to direct our attention to those places so we’ll surrender them to Him.
Conforming our will to God’s changes who we are. In the midst of our transformation, pain from His tools may temporarily obscure the beauty of His design. But nothing is more splendid to the Lord than a committed, obey-no-matter-what follower. Submit to Him so that He might remake you into the son or daughter He has in mind.

5 hrs

Love Worth Finding Daily Devotional

November 21, 2024 – Are You Bold for Jesus? Acts 4:31 Sermon: 2273 Holy Boldness, Part 2

Pray Over This

“And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:31

Ponder This

One of the first times I was ever called on to witness, I had not been saved very long. My church gave my mother an assignment taking a survey in our community. My mother did not want to go from door to door taking a Christian survey. She said, “Adrian, will you take this survey for me?” And I said, “Yes, Mama, I will.”
I went to my first door, and I said, “Oh, I don’t want to do this. I don’t want to knock on that door. I’m afraid. I don’t know what’s behind that door. I don’t know what they’re going to say.” But at that moment, the Scripture came to me. Jesus said, “You go and make disciples, and I’m with you.” I cannot tell you the change that made in my heart as a new Christian. I said, “Well, listen, Jesus, we’re going together to this door.” And I went down that street with Jesus. That’s where the boldness comes from: knowing the Lord Jesus Christ is with you.
The crowd “marveled” at Peter and John (Acts 4:13 When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.) They thought these men were ignorant; they hadn’t been to college or seminary. But they had been with Jesus. His presence is the basis of boldness.
• When have you been afraid to be bold in your faith?
• Why does Christ’s presence change our boldness?
Practice This
Ask God to guide you with His boldness throughout the day.

8 hrs

God’s Horseback Gospel

Nov 21

"For whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved." (Romans 10:13, NAS) Lord, help us to call on You, in Jesus' name. Please check out today's poem, "Story," and the daily "Pass the Reins" devotional at: https://www.godshorsebackgospe....l.com/daily-poem/sto Thanks, and God bless your day. (Please share.)

1 d

In Touch Daily Devotional

Victory Over Unforgiveness
When you are hurt, trust God with your pain, and ask for His help to overcome any wrong attitudes that linger.
November 20, 2024

Matthew 6:9-15

9 ``Pray, then, in this way: `Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 `Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
11 `Give us this day our daily bread.
12 `And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 `And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [ For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.']
14 ``For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
15 ``But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

After teaching His followers to pray, Jesus gave a warning about allowing unforgiveness to reside in the heart. He said that those who refuse to forgive others won’t be forgiven by the Father. Be careful not to misunderstand Jesus’ meaning here. We don’t lose our salvation when we refuse to pardon others. Rather, we break fellowship with God because an unrepentant attitude interferes with regular confession and turning away from sin.
Forgiveness is an act of the will more than an act of the heart. We don’t often feel like showing mercy to someone who’s wronged us—but that’s exactly what we’re called to do (Matthew 5:38-40 38 ``You have heard that it was said, `AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.'
39 ``But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 ``If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.) A resentful spirit grows into a terrible burden. The Lord knows that forgiveness is best, even when it is difficult. Claim the divine mercy He offers, and ask Him to enable you to lay aside anger and resentment. As part of the decision to move forward in grace, make a habit of praying for those who hurt you. And if God so leads, seek their forgiveness for your wrong attitude or actions.
A bitter spirit doesn’t fit who we are in Christ. That’s why Scripture emphasizes the need to forgive. Choose to be liberated from your burden—Jesus promised to make us free when we choose to believe and obey Him (John 8:31-32 31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, ``If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.".

1 d

Love Worth Finding Daily Devotional

November 20, 2024 – You Are Never Alone Acts 4:13 Sermon: 2273 Holy Boldness, Part 1

Pray Over This

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

Ponder This

We need to keep company with God the Son. In this passage, the apostles were keeping company with the Son of God. You cannot walk in His presence and be a coward; you just can’t do it. The people asked, “How did this man get healed?” They said, “Don’t blame it on us. Blame it on Jesus. Give Him the glory. By Him—by His name, by His presence—this man was healed.”
We need to walk with Jesus—so make certain that Jesus is real to you. He is just as real as the man I sat next to. I have talked with Him. I’ve fellowshipped with Him. I love Him. He’s not just somebody that I read about in a book.
One of my favorite hymns says, “I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses; and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own.”
Jesus Christ is not up in Heaven peering through the clouds. Jesus Christ is here. That’s the reason you ought to sing. That’s the reason you ought to worship. That’s the reason you ought to rejoice. He has not left us alone; He is here with us always.
• Who has shown you what it looks like to keep company with Jesus?
• When does Jesus feel near to you during your week?
Practice This
Take a walk and talk to Jesus in prayer.