<!-- Begin
dayName = new Array ("Sunday", "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday", "Friday", "Saturday")
monName = new Array ("January", "February", "March", "April", "May", "June", "July", "August", "September", "October", "November", "December")
now = new Date

Jan = new Array
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Mar[8] = "<p>3/08 new include file</p><p>fda3 ;rwahtfs'e;wsjf'egnvb s; ; l3 w4;rge;k3q';4lwitj ;3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj ;nw/er kn;g.nvxkf.fjhaw;lr.</p><p>3/08 new include file</p><p>fda3 ;rwahtfs'e;wsjf'egnvb s; ; l3 w4;rge;k3q';4lwitj ;3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twjfda3 ;rwahtfs'e;wsjf'egnvb s; ; l3 w4;rge;k3q';4lwitj ;3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj fda3 ;rwahtfs'e;wsjf'egnvb s; ; l3 w4;rge;k3q';4lwitj ;3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj fda3 ;rwahtfs'e;wsjf'egnvb s; ; l3 w4;rge;k3q';4lwitj ;3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj fda3 ;rwahtfs'e;wsjf'egnvb s; ; l3 w4;rge;k3q';4lwitj ;3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj fda3 ;rwahtfs'e;wsjf'egnvb s; ; l3 w4;rge;k3q';4lwitj ;3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj fda3 ;rwahtfs'e;wsjf'egnvb s; ; l3 w4;rge;k3q';4lwitj ;3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj fda3 ;rwahtfs'e;wsjf'egnvb s; ; l3 w4;rge;k3q';4lwitj ;3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj fda3 ;rwahtfs'e;wsjf'egnvb s; ; l3 w4;rge;k3q';4lwitj ;3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;gnvxkf.'4twj  ;nw/er kn;g.nvxkf.3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g '4twj3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g  ;nw/er nvxkf.3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g '4twj3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g  ;nw/er kn;gfjhaw;lrnvxkf.3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g '4twj3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g  ;nw/er kn;gfjhaw;l</p><p>nvxkf.3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g '4twj3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g  ;nw/er kn;gfjhaw;lrnvxkf.3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g '4twj3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g  ;nw/er kn;gfjhaw;lrnvxkf.3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g '4twj3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g  ;nw/er kn;gfjhaw;lrnvxkf.3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g '4twj3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g  ;nw/er kn;gfjhaw;lrnvxkf.3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g '4twj3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g  ;nw/er kn;gfjhaw;lrnvxkf.3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g '4twj3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g  ;nw/er kn;gfjhaw;lrnvxkf.3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g '4twj3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g3o;wl4tg;  ;34iwt ;q3hw '4twj  ;nw/er kn;g  ;nw/er kn;gfjhaw;lrrkn;gfjhaw;lr.</p>"
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Mar[18] = "<span class='style12'><em>Day 1 -  Where is God?  Is He listening? </span><p class='style8'><i>Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night? Where is the one who makes us wiser than the animals and birds?</i> (Job 35:10-11).</p><p>As the crowded elevator moved toward the first floor lobby, Katie had never felt more alone. Her entire world had come unraveled in one catastrophic moment. </p><p>She was coming from the doctor’s office with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. How could she have been prepared for such a blow? She had children to care for, a husband to love, and a crowded agenda of activities. After a decade of marriage, Katie and Brad were looking forward to the next one, and several more after that. Where was God? How could He let the unthinkable destroy her future? </p><p>Perhaps you’ve felt like Katie. We all reach crisis points when we can do nothing but cry out to God in pain and confusion. We have all had black moments when we have suspected, in the darkest part of our souls, that maybe He simply is not listening. Maybe He does not even care. </p><p>But how does God feel about that? Is He cold and indifferent, reminding us that everybody else has problems, too? Or does He take us into His arms with love and compassion?</p><p>There is nothing cold or indifferent about the God I have known for nearly six decades. The Bible says that He is love and that He never stops desiring an ever-closer relationship with us. My experience has shown that to be true. </p><p>God has a wonderful plan for every single one of us, no matter what our circumstances may be. The greatest part of that plan is for us to know Him intimately—to enjoy the deepest and most fulfilling relationship we can possibly have. He expressed this desire in a profound way. The most profound depth of love is sacrifice, and our Lord has made the greatest sacrifice possible out of His love for us. He put aside His power, rights, and splendor as Creator of the Universe in order to rescue us from the consequences of our own sin. As a tiny, helpless baby He came to the world He had created, in a universe He ruled, and He made Himself known to us as Jesus of Nazareth.</p><p>Today’s application: Meditate on the various tragedies that can suddenly invade our lives.  Recollect any you have personally experienced, and how you dealt with them.  </p><p><b>Additional reading:</b> Isaiah 49:15.</p>"
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Mar[29] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 1 - Living in the Holy Spirit’s Power</span><p class='itals'>When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere. (Acts 1:8)</p><p>In my travels around the world for Campus Crusade for Christ, I have met thousands of Christians over the years. Many of them have been walking in the daily victory of the Lord, but others have come to me with questions and doubts. I have frequently encountered Christians who were struggling with frustration and despair. They have asked, &#0147;Dr. Bright, how can I see God work more dramatically in my life? How can I experience the joy and the power that I know I should be living out? What is the missing link in my spiritual life?&#0148;</p><p>That missing link is none other than the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps there is no other subject that remains in such a mist of confusion in Christian circles. This fact should not surprise us. The enemy will pay nearly any price to see us confused and deluded when it comes to the Spirit of God indwelling and guiding us. The devil knows that any believer who learns how to live in the Spirit’s power will break through his clever barriers. This is why he fosters so many arguments on the subject. In these devotionals, we are unlikely to put an end to every one of those disagreements, but I believe we can look into the Bible and find out exactly what God teaches about the Holy Spirit.</p><p>My fervent prayer is that through these devotionals you will not only <I>learn</I> the truths contained, but that you will <I>live</I> them. I want you to know what it is that the Spirit wants to do in your life, and I want you to walk in the power and victory that only He can bring. Otherwise, how can we experience any joy? Without His Spirit, how can we serve God? How, in our own failing strength, can we set about fulfilling the Great Commission?</p><p>As you prayerfully make your journey through these daily devotionals, I believe God will begin to change you on the inside. It matters not where the circumstances of your life have placed you at present. You may be an experienced and active servant of God, or you may be a brand new believer. You may have never given the Holy Spirit much thought, or you may know more about the subject than what is in this book. Whatever your situation may be, I trust that these truths will encourage you to live in greater dependence on the magnificent Holy Spirit Who indwells you. As you learn about each of the wonderful ministries of the Holy Spirit, I know you will be eager to see that same Spirit have greater control in your life. You will want more of His comfort, His guidance, His teaching, His power, and His fruit in your life.</p><p>I assure you that God wants you to have all those things and more. The Bible tells us that He has been waiting since the foundation of the universe to unfold the wonderful plans He has for you, and through the power of the Spirit you can know and embrace those plans. It is my prayer God will draw you closer to Him, fill you with His Spirit, and use you mightily to reach the world for Him.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Acts 2.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What has your experience been with the Holy Spirit? Have there been times in your life with you have felt His presence and/or experienced His power?</p>"
Mar[30] =" <span class='devohead'>Day 1 - Living in the Holy Spirit’s Power</span><p class='itals'>When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere. (Acts 1:8)</p><p>In my travels around the world for Campus Crusade for Christ, I have met thousands of Christians over the years. Many of them have been walking in the daily victory of the Lord, but others have come to me with questions and doubts. I have frequently encountered Christians who were struggling with frustration and despair. They have asked, &#0147;Dr. Bright, how can I see God work more dramatically in my life? How can I experience the joy and the power that I know I should be living out? What is the missing link in my spiritual life?&#0148;</p><p>That missing link is none other than the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps there is no other subject that remains in such a mist of confusion in Christian circles. This fact should not surprise us. The enemy will pay nearly any price to see us confused and deluded when it comes to the Spirit of God indwelling and guiding us. The devil knows that any believer who learns how to live in the Spirit’s power will break through his clever barriers. This is why he fosters so many arguments on the subject. In these devotionals, we are unlikely to put an end to every one of those disagreements, but I believe we can look into the Bible and find out exactly what God teaches about the Holy Spirit.</p><p>My fervent prayer is that through these devotionals you will not only <I>learn</I> the truths contained, but that you will <I>live</I> them. I want you to know what it is that the Spirit wants to do in your life, and I want you to walk in the power and victory that only He can bring. Otherwise, how can we experience any joy? Without His Spirit, how can we serve God? How, in our own failing strength, can we set about fulfilling the Great Commission?</p><p>As you prayerfully make your journey through these daily devotionals, I believe God will begin to change you on the inside. It matters not where the circumstances of your life have placed you at present. You may be an experienced and active servant of God, or you may be a brand new believer. You may have never given the Holy Spirit much thought, or you may know more about the subject than what is in this book. Whatever your situation may be, I trust that these truths will encourage you to live in greater dependence on the magnificent Holy Spirit Who indwells you. As you learn about each of the wonderful ministries of the Holy Spirit, I know you will be eager to see that same Spirit have greater control in your life. You will want more of His comfort, His guidance, His teaching, His power, and His fruit in your life.</p><p>I assure you that God wants you to have all those things and more. The Bible tells us that He has been waiting since the foundation of the universe to unfold the wonderful plans He has for you, and through the power of the Spirit you can know and embrace those plans. It is my prayer God will draw you closer to Him, fill you with His Spirit, and use you mightily to reach the world for Him.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Acts 2.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What has your experience been with the Holy Spirit? Have there been times in your life with you have felt His presence and/or experienced His power?</p>"
Mar[31] = "Place quote here"

Apr = new Array
Apr[1] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 1 - Living in the Holy Spirit’s Power</span><p class='itals'>When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere. (Acts 1:8)</p><p>In my travels around the world for Campus Crusade for Christ, I have met thousands of Christians over the years. Many of them have been walking in the daily victory of the Lord, but others have come to me with questions and doubts. I have frequently encountered Christians who were struggling with frustration and despair. They have asked, &#0147;Dr. Bright, how can I see God work more dramatically in my life? How can I experience the joy and the power that I know I should be living out? What is the missing link in my spiritual life?&#0148;</p><p>That missing link is none other than the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps there is no other subject that remains in such a mist of confusion in Christian circles. This fact should not surprise us. The enemy will pay nearly any price to see us confused and deluded when it comes to the Spirit of God indwelling and guiding us. The devil knows that any believer who learns how to live in the Spirit’s power will break through his clever barriers. This is why he fosters so many arguments on the subject. In these devotionals, we are unlikely to put an end to every one of those disagreements, but I believe we can look into the Bible and find out exactly what God teaches about the Holy Spirit.</p><p>My fervent prayer is that through these devotionals you will not only <I>learn</I> the truths contained, but that you will <I>live</I> them. I want you to know what it is that the Spirit wants to do in your life, and I want you to walk in the power and victory that only He can bring. Otherwise, how can we experience any joy? Without His Spirit, how can we serve God? How, in our own failing strength, can we set about fulfilling the Great Commission?</p><p>As you prayerfully make your journey through these daily devotionals, I believe God will begin to change you on the inside. It matters not where the circumstances of your life have placed you at present. You may be an experienced and active servant of God, or you may be a brand new believer. You may have never given the Holy Spirit much thought, or you may know more about the subject than what is in this book. Whatever your situation may be, I trust that these truths will encourage you to live in greater dependence on the magnificent Holy Spirit Who indwells you. As you learn about each of the wonderful ministries of the Holy Spirit, I know you will be eager to see that same Spirit have greater control in your life. You will want more of His comfort, His guidance, His teaching, His power, and His fruit in your life.</p><p>I assure you that God wants you to have all those things and more. The Bible tells us that He has been waiting since the foundation of the universe to unfold the wonderful plans He has for you, and through the power of the Spirit you can know and embrace those plans. It is my prayer God will draw you closer to Him, fill you with His Spirit, and use you mightily to reach the world for Him.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Acts 2.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What has your experience been with the Holy Spirit? Have there been times in your life with you have felt His presence and/or experienced His power?</p>"
Apr[2] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 2 - Where is God? Is He Listening?</span><p class='itals'>Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night? Where is the one who makes us wiser than the animals and birds? (Job 35:10-11).</p><p>As the crowded elevator moved toward the first floor lobby, Katie had never felt more alone. Her entire world had come unraveled in one catastrophic moment.</p><p>She was coming from the doctor’s office with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. How could she have been prepared for such a blow? She had children to care for, a husband to love, and a crowded agenda of activities. After a decade of marriage, Katie and Brad were looking forward to the next one, and several more after that. Where was God? How could He let the unthinkable destroy her future?</p><p>Perhaps you’ve felt like Katie. We all reach crisis points when we can do nothing but cry out to God in pain and confusion. We have all had black moments when we have suspected, in the darkest part of our souls, that maybe He simply is not listening. Maybe He does not even care. Is He cold and indifferent, reminding us that everybody else has problems, too? Or does He take us into His arms with love and compassion?</p><p>There is nothing cold or indifferent about the God I have known for nearly six decades. The Bible says that He is love and that He never stops desiring an ever-closer relationship with us. My experience has shown that to be true.</p><p>God has a wonderful plan for every single one of us, no matter what our circumstances may be. The greatest part of that plan is for us to know Him intimately&#0151;to enjoy the deepest and most fulfilling relationship we can possibly have. He expressed this desire in a profound way. The most profound depth of love is sacrifice, and our Lord has made the greatest sacrifice possible out of His love for us. He put aside His power, rights, and splendor as Creator of the Universe in order to rescue us from the consequences of our own sin. As a tiny, helpless baby He came to the world He had created, in a universe He ruled, and He made Himself known to us as Jesus of Nazareth.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Isaiah 49:13-18.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Has God ever seemed distant to you during times of crisis? How can you develop an intimate relationship with Him that will see you through difficult circumstances?</p>"
Apr[3] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Apr[4] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Apr[5] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 5 - The Spirit of Christ in You</span><p class='itals'>Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)</p><p>Have you ever stopped to count the many ways the Holy Spirit ministers to your life? The Spirit transforms our lives through a new birth. He provides comfort to us in difficult times. He strengthens us when we are weak. He intercedes for us even when we do not know how to pray. He teaches us God's truth. He bears witness with our spirit that we belong to God. He sets us apart for holy service to the Lord. He refreshes us deep in our souls. He produces the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. He unifies all believers everywhere. He empowers us to lead holy lives that are pleasing to God. He brings us the ultimate joy and gives us a deep, inner peace which nothing can disturb. Above all, He empowers us to complete the mission Jesus Christ came to accomplish, to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).</p><p>The most wonderful thing about this plan is the way Jesus multiplied His ministry to all of us. When He walked among us physically, His time was limited. He could only be in one place at one time, and with only a few people. But as He lives within us in the person of the Holy Spirit, there are no limits on our access to Him. Any time, any place, every believer can live in the wonderful presence of God.</p><p>But we think, &#0147;If only I could talk to Jesus as the disciples were able to do! If only I could sit at His feet, hear His teachings, and see His miracles. Life would be so much simpler and so much less frightening if I had God in the flesh right here beside me.&#0148;</p><p>It is easy for us to envy the disciples. After all, they had physical access to Jesus for three full years.  But it was after He ascended to heaven to sit on the right hand of the Father that Jesus’ disciples received the Holy Spirit.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Acts 2:1-13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Take time to consider what may be keeping you from truly experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in your own life.</p>"
Apr[6] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 6 - God’s Transforming Power</span><p class='itals'>When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere. (Acts 1:8)</p><p>The four gospels present the disciples as being rather childish and inept when Jesus was among them physically. They were often slow to understand the concepts He was teaching. They had rivalries and quarrels that are almost embarrassing for us to read about today. Anyone might have wondered how these disciples could ever be capable of carrying on the ministry that Jesus began.</p><p>Our Lord constantly corrected them as they experienced failures of faith, and the failure to grasp what lay ahead in Jerusalem. When he led His inner circle of disciples to pray with Him in the garden on that fateful night, they kept falling asleep. Then, when He was arrested, their courage failed. After His crucifixion, they made no attempt even to claim the body or help with funeral arrangements.</p><p>If the story had ended there, it’s likely no gospels would ever have been written&#0151;and Jesus would be an obscure footnote in Palestinian history. Praise God that the greatest story ever told did not end there! When Jesus left them for the final time, He sent the Holy Spirit. And history is quite clear about the quality of the disciples’ lives after that event.</p><p>Upon Jesus’ arrest, Peter had denied his relationship with his Master three times before a small crowd. But Acts 2 tells us that after the Spirit came, this same Peter preached a public sermon so powerful that three thousand people received Jesus as their Lord and Savior (Acts 2:1-41). What an incredible upgrade in courage in so short a period of time! Peter and the other disciples continued to preach, often in the face of Roman hostility. What made the difference at this point was the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.</p><p>Despite the massive and intimidating power of the Roman Empire and the religious leaders, the disciples became men who changed the very history of the world. God wants you to experience that same power. He wants you to walk in the same power and victory as those world-shaking disciples of two thousand years ago.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b Acts 2:14-22.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!/b> Think about the times when you could have witnessed to someone about the Lord Jesus Christ, but were timid and afraid, lacking the boldness of the Holy Spirit.  Ask God to fill you with the Spirit, and to give you new opportunities.  He will!</p>"
Apr[7] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 7 - The Gentle Whisper of the Holy Spirit</span><p class='itals'>Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. (Psalm 37:7)</p><p>At this point you might well ask, &#0147;Why don’t I experience God dramatically, as those early believers did? Why do I not see anyone experiencing God that way?&#0148; A man from Old Testament times, a prophet named Elijah, struggled with this in 1 Kings 19.</p><p>Elijah lived in a day, much like today, when many people doubted or scoffed at God. He longed to see God move with tremendous power and silence the critics. Sometimes God did that. But there was also a time when Elijah's very life was in danger, and God seemed silent. An evil and godless queen named Jezebel sent her armies on a mission to have Elijah killed, and the prophet became angry and frustrated. Was this his reward for being loyal and faithful to God? Why didn’t the Lord stretch out His arm to defend an obedient servant? His depression and despair cut so deep that Elijah, resting beneath a tree, finally asked God to simply let him die. If God wasn’t going to speak or act, and if seemingly no one but Elijah served the true Lord anyway, what was the point of living?</p><p>God taught Elijah an unforgettable lesson. He sent the ailing prophet to a mountain and commanded him to stand and watch as the Lord passed. Wasn’t that what Elijah wanted, after all? His heart must have raced as he anticipated looking upon the manifest glory of God with his own two eyes.</p><p>Elijah understood the message God was sending him. God can hurl windstorms whenever He chooses. He can make the earth tremble or set it aflame. He has the power to do these and more. But He usually does not choose to move among us in spectacular or sensational ways, but rather in the sound of a gentle whisper.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>1 Kings 19.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Consider the depression of the great prophet, Elijah, even to the point of suicide, and how the Lord faithfully ministered to him through an angel. In what ways has God ministered to you when you have been discouraged or defeated?</p>"
Apr[8] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 8 -  You Cannot Escape From God!</span><p class='itals'>The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him sincerely.&#0148; (Psalm 145:18)</p><p>Although Elijah saw God send fire from heaven on top of Mount Carmel in the judgment of the false prophets from the Baal religion (1 Kings 18), most of the time, as has been my experience, the voice of God is soft and subtle. Please do not miss His voice by assuming it must be loud and dramatic. Very often we come to God with rather dramatic questions: &#0147;Is this the person I should marry?&#0148; Or, &#0147;Is that the life vocation you desire me to choose?&#0148; How convenient it would be for us if God would simply write His answer in the clouds. How we long to hear an audible voice, or see a stroke of lightning that etches His directions upon a tree.</p><p>But God is not interested in simple convenience. He wants us to know Him as our friend and Lord. He desires that we know Him well enough to learn to hear His still, small voice, even when it is as gentle as a whisper. True friendship is never quick or convenient. We must work at it over a long period of time.</p><p>Perhaps God’s message for you will become evident in a deep study of His Word. Perhaps you will hear it in the wise counsel of a friend. Perhaps it will emerge through long, searching times of prayer and fellowship with Him. He wants us to know Him well and to love Him deeply. The Holy Spirit helps us do that. For many years I have lived according to the verse, \"It is God who works in you to will and act according to His good purpose\" (Philippians 2:13, NIV).</p><p>Where is God when you need Him? He is with you, beside you, within you. Let us learn to listen for a lifetime.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Psalm 139:7-10.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask God to reveal to you throughout your days how the Spirit is working in your life. Look for ways that the Spirit is manifesting Himself through your relationships, your work, and your ministry.</p>"
Apr[9] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 9 - The Greatest Power</span><p class='itals'>By my great power I have made the earth and all its people and every animal. (Jeremiah 27:5)</p><p>David Livingstone was the first western man to explore much of central Africa one hundred fifty years ago. He had a passion for that beautiful continent where the Gospel had yet to be taken. He led expeditions that pushed deeper and deeper into the jungles and savannahs&#0151;often thousands of miles at a stretch.</p><p>In November 1855, while traveling along the Zambezi river in south-central Africa, Livingstone became the first European to set eyes on Victoria Falls. Those who have seen this natural wonder understand how incredible a sight is. The massive falls plunge 360 feet to the earth below. Some in Livingstone’s party might have thought they had discovered the world’s greatest unknown, untapped source of natural power. But as Livingstone knew, they had done no such thing. There is a source infinitely more powerful.</p><p>When you discover what it means for the Holy Spirit to be active in your life, you experience a power greater than anything on earth. The power from a hydroelectric dam can light up a city. It can provide hundreds of thousands of people with electricity. But the power of the Holy Spirit touches eternity itself. Unfortunately, this power is just as hidden and mysterious to most people as Victoria Falls in the days before Livingstone.</p><p>A well-known church in California recently commissioned Christian pollster George Barna to conduct a survey of their congregation. The church discovered that over half the congregation did not believe that the Holy Spirit was a living entity! And this is a solid, Bible-believing church.</p><p>Much of the mystery and ignorance comes, of course, through the fact that God’s Spirit transcends our five senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. He can only be perceived by our spirit&#0151;that unseen part of us that is renewed at salvation. Through your spirit you have a relationship with the living God, who is Spirit. We cannot touch Him physically, though we can be touched emotionally by Him. We cannot see Him, yet He refines our vision and understanding of our awesome Creator and Savior. We cannot hear His voice, though we can listen for His guidance.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 11:33-36.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> In prayer, acknowledge to God His great and awesome power and Spirit. Submit yourself anew to Him, asking His Spirit to fill you with His love, wisdom, and power.</p>"
Apr[10] = "<span class='devohead'>Day10 - Who is the Holy Spirit?</span><p class='itals'>He will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13) I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. (Joel 2:28)</p><p>The truth about the Holy Spirit can be found in the Bible. In the Old Testament He is mentioned 142 times and referred to by fifteen different names. Among them are the Spirit of God (Genesis 1:2), the Spirit of the Lord (Judges 11:29), Holy Spirit (Psalm 51:11), My Spirit (Joel 2:28) and the Spirit of Grace and Supplication (Zechariah 12:10).</p><p>In the New Testament, 256 different references are made to the Holy Spirit. He is called by seven different names, among them the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18), the Spirit of God (Matthew 3:16), My Spirit (Matthew 12:18), the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17), the Counselor (John 14:26), the Spirit of the Lord (Acts 5:9) and the Spirit of Jesus (Acts 16:7).</p><p>There are many names for the Holy Spirit, but also many misconceptions about Him. Perhaps this is because He is impossible to picture in our minds. With some effort, most of us can form mental images of God the Father and God the Son. We can read about God and His dealings with His people in the Old Testament. We can read about Jesus in the New Testament. We can understand their relationship by watching how earthly fathers and sons relate to each other. It is considerably more difficult to understand the Holy Spirit.</p><p>We cannot visualize Him. We have no earthly model to help us comprehend Him and His work, and He never speaks of Himself&#151;His role is to glorify the Father and the Son.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 2:10.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What do the various names above teach us about the Spirit’s nature and role?</p>"
Apr[11] = "<span class='devohead'Day 11 - The Holy Spirit is a Person</span><p class='itals'>He will guide you into all truth. (John 16:13)</p><p>Many people make the mistake of depersonalizing the Spirit. They think of Him as some kind of will or force within them, not a He but an It. They confuse Him with the vague generic idea of a conscience. They pick up false ideas from Eastern religions about some small &#0147;spark&#0148; of God within us. But the Bible is very clear that none of these are accurate descriptions of who the Holy Spirit is and how He relates to us.</p><p>God’s Spirit is fully a person with all His own individual traits. As a true personality and not a vague &#0147;force,&#0148; the Spirit has a number of personal traits.</p><table><tr><td width=20 align=left>&#0183;</td><td>The Holy Spirit has knowledge: &#0147;But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by His Spirit, and His Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God's deep secrets. No one can know what anyone else is really thinking except that person alone, and no one can know God's thoughts except God's own Spirit&#0148; (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).</td></tr><tr><td width=20 align=left>&#0183;</td><td>The Holy Spirit can be grieved. &#0147;And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, He is the one who has identified you as His own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption&#0148; (Ephesians 4:30).</td></tr><tr><td width=20 align=left>&#0183;</td><td>The Holy Spirit has a will: &#0147;It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have&#0148; (1 Corinthians 12:11).</td></tr><tr><td width=20 align=left>&#0183;</td><td>The Holy Spirit expresses love: &#0147;I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me&#0148; (Romans 15:30 NIV).</td></tr><tr><td width=20 align=left>&#0183;</td><td>The Holy Spirit can be lied to: &#0147;Then Peter said, 'Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself… You weren't lying to us but to God&#0148; (Acts 5:3, 5:4d).</td></tr><tr><td width=20 align=left>&#0183;</td></tr><tr><td width=20 align=left>&#0183;</td><td>The Holy Spirit speaks to us: &#0147;One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have for them’&#0148; (Acts 13:2).</td></tr><tr><td width=20 align=left>&#0183;</td><td>The Holy Spirit teaches us: &#0147;But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative&#0151;and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit&#0151;he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you&#0148; (John 14:26).</td></tr></table><p><b>The Holy Spirit guides us:</b> &#0147;When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth&#0148; (John 16:13a).</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 2:12-16.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> <I>Make the following your own heartfelt prayer:</p><p>Dear Lord, thank you for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in me. My life would be so dark without Your presence. Thank You that You are a personal God, and that I can know You intimately. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit loves, teaches, and speaks to me, and lives Christ’s life through me. Help me to be aware, moment by moment, of Your Holy Spirit working in my life and in the world around me. May my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be more and more glorified through me. Amen</I>.</p>"
Apr[12] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 12 -  The Holy Spirit is God</span><p class='itals'>… baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)</p><p>The Bible proclaims that God is One yet Triune. That is, He exists as Three Persons in One. How can God be one and three at the same time?</p><p>The Bible has many references to the fact that God is Triune. At Creation, God declared, &#0147;Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves&#0148; (Genesis 1:26a). After mankind fell into sin, the Lord said, &#0147;The people have become as we are, knowing everything, both good and evil&#0148; (Genesis 3:22a).</p><p>All the while, the Bible states that God is One: &#0147;Hear, O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One!&#0148; (Deuteronomy 6:4 NASB).</p><p>Centuries ago, one of the world’s most gifted thinkers and theologians, Saint Augustine, pondered the concept of the Trinity as he strolled along the beach. He noticed a boy running back and forth with a bucket attempting to fill a small hole in the sand with water. When Augustine asked the boy what he was doing, he replied, &#0147;I am trying to put the ocean into this hole.&#0148; Augustine understood that he was even then attempting something equally impossible. He was trying to &#0147;put an infinite God into his finite mind.&#0148;  Our finite minds are simply not capable of completely understanding the divine nature of God who created 100 to 200 billion galaxies.</p><p>I do not understand how God can be One and Three, but there are many mysteries I embrace despite my inability to master them.</p><p>The Holy Spirit is co-equal with God the Father and God the Son (John 14:16). He possesses all of the attributes of God: He is all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, sovereign, holy, absolute truth, righteous, just, loving, merciful, faithful, and He never changes. He is not a servant of God or a lesser expression of the Lord. He is in every sense the living God.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Mark 1:9-11.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Which of the three manifestations of the Trinity do you most relate to – God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Sprit? Ask God to stretch your understanding and experience of each person in the Trinity!</p>"
Apr[13] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 13 - The Holy Spirit’s Mission</span><p class='itals'>No one is able to say, &#0147;Jesus is Lord,&#0148; except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3)</p><p>The Holy Spirit has been at work in the world since creation, and He temporarily indwelt certain individuals in the Old Testament for specific purposes. When He came at Pentecost, however, it was to permanently indwell all believers and to accomplish a network of mission and ministries.<I>First, the Holy Spirit came to convict the world of sin and lead us into all truth</I>. Jesus revealed sin and taught about God constantly. Now, the Holy Spirit is the one who shows us our failings and our need for a Savior. He then draws us to God’s truth and salvation through Jesus Christ. Did you know that you can never come to salvation unless the Holy Spirit is involved? Jesus said, &#0147;The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit&#0148; (John 3:5). In sharing your faith with a non-believer, it is the Spirit who is at work, convicting your friend of his sin and drawing him to God.</p><p><I>Second, God sent His Holy Spirit to glorify Christ</I>. Jesus proclaimed regarding the Holy Spirit, &#0147;He will bring Me glory by revealing to you whatever He receives from Me&#0148; (John 16:14). When Jesus walked the earth in the flesh, He was glorified through His miracles. The Spirit takes up that glorification task, always bringing honor to the name of Christ.</p><p><I>Third, the Holy Spirit’s mission is to empower believers</I>. Just before Jesus was crucified, He made the most startling promise of His entire ministry to His disciples. He proclaimed, &#0147;The truth is, anyone who believes in Me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in My name, and I will do it&#0148; (John 14:12-13a).  I was amazed the first time I read that promise, and I am still in awe 55 years later.  The truth is that we have no power to serve God in ourselves; supernatural power is needed, and the Spirit provides it.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Exodus 31:2-3; 1 Samuel 16:13-14; Ezekiel 2:2; John 16:5-16.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> In what ways have you personally experienced the Holy Spirit’s work as described in this devotional? Specifically sk the Holy Spirit to (1) reveal to you any sin in your life, (2) glorify Christ through you, and (3) empower you to be an effective witness for our Lord Jesus Christ.</p>"
Apr[14] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 14 - The Spirit’s Power</span><p class='itals'>By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. (Ephesians 3:20)</p><p>The disciples were powerless even with the constant presence of Jesus among them. But after the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, they performed miracle upon miracle. The entrance of the Spirit was like turning on a power transformer among the first Christians.</p><p>The Holy Spirit can transform you in the same way. The promise Jesus made, that His followers would exceed His miraculous achievements, applies to you as much as Peter, James, or John.</p><p>The great evangelist D. L. Moody learned this truth through his own experience. There was something missing from his preaching, his planning, and every area in which he tried to serve the Lord. A group of women saw his unhappiness and understood exactly what was missing from his ministry. They began to meet daily and pray that the presence of the Holy Spirit would overwhelm Moody in his work, and give him the power he was missing. One day D. L. Moody was walking down a street in New York City when suddenly, without any warning, a sense of the power and goodness of God came over him. The Lord revealed Himself to Moody right there on the street, and the evangelist was totally overcome. From that moment on, his ministry was completely transformed.</p><p>In all my decades of ministry, I have seen the Spirit transform believers and their work time after time. The Spirit has led Campus Crusade in many different directions, into many different strategies, and to found many new ministries.</p><p>What about your life and work at this point? Is the Holy Spirit filling you daily and empowering you for service, or do you feel the frustration of trying to live the supernatural life by natural means?  That life is only available when you know the presence and power of the Holy Spirit as a way of life. He will draw you every day to know Him in a deeper, more intimate way.  You must surrender yourself to God's presence in you&#0151;His Holy Spirit!</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Ephesians 1:15-23.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What are some areas in your life that could greatly benefit from the presence and power of the Holy Spirit? Make a list and surrender each item to God.</p>"
Apr[15] = "span class='devohead'>Day 15 - Preparing to be Filled</span><p class='itals'>If we are living in the light of God’s presence, just as Christ is, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from every sin. (1 John 1:7)</p><p>Many years ago, D. L. Moody, the world’s most popular evangelist, was preparing to lead a series of meetings in England. But an elderly English pastor wanted to know, &#0147;Why do we need this 'Mr. Moody’? He is uneducated and inexperienced. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?&#0148;</p><p>A wise colleague smiled and responded, &#0147;No, but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on Mr. Moody.&#0148;</p><p>As a young man, Moody was discouraged from preaching because he felt thoroughly unequipped as a communicator. But as we have seen, Moody surrendered himself completely to the Holy Spirit and was filled with His power. After that day, his life and ministry were filled with miracles. He said, &#0147;I believe firmly that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and everything that is contrary to God’s law, the Holy Spirit will fill every corner of our hearts. But if we are full of pride and conceit and ambition and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God. We must be emptied before we can be filled.&#0148;</p><p>We want to be filled with the living water that never runs dry&#0151;but first we have to confess our sins to the Lord so He can remove the impurities from our lives. The all-powerful, loving Creator of the universe wishes to take full control of the smallest details of our lives. There is no limit to what might be accomplished if we simply yield to His Lordship. Yet too often we fill our lives with unworthy things, and we leave no room for the Holy Spirit.</p><p>Apart from Him, nothing you attempt to do can have any ultimate worth; through His Spirit, all things are possible. </p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 15:4-8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to help you search your heart for any sin, including any pride or conceit or selfish ambition, that would hinder your being filled with the Spirit of God."
Apr[16] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 16 - How to Know Whether You Are Filled With the Spirit</span><p class='itals'>Let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. (Ephesians 5:18).</p><p>If you are a Christian, that is, if you have sincerely asked Jesus to come into your life as your Savior, Lord, and Master, then the Holy Spirit has already made a home in your heart. The moment you said &#0147;yes&#0148; to Jesus, the Spirit came in&#0151;even if you did not feel anything. Our faith is based on fact rather than feelings. <I>The Four Spiritual Laws</I> booklet used by Campus Crusade for Christ to introduce people to Christ uses a train diagram to illustrate this. The train is pulled by <I>fact</I>, which is followed by the <I>faith</I> car.  <I>Feeling</I> is the caboose. We are fact-driven, not feeling-driven believers.</p><p>After the Spirit comes into your life through the new birth, He remains in residence.. Why, then, do so many believers feel and see no evidence of that fact? Why do they feel powerless? The answer is that it is one thing to <I>host</I> the Holy Spirit. It is another to be <I>filled</I> with the Holy Spirit. </p><p>It has often been said that the Spirit can be resident without being &#0147;president.&#0148; You can yield control to Him all of the time, some of the time, or none of the time. After salvation itself, this is perhaps the greatest concern of all. The choice is up to you. You have a free will to either obey God or disobey God.</p><p>How, then, can you know you are filled with the Holy Spirit? First, recognize that He is present, and He will never leave you. Second, look for the evidence of His work in your life. Here are a few of the questions you might ask yourself:<UL>   <LI>Do you feel the joy and vitality of serving God?<LI>Do you desire to spend time with God in prayer and His inspired Word?<LI>Are your relationships honoring and glorifying Christ more and more?<LI>Are you regularly, fruitfully sharing your faith in Christ with non-believers?<LI>Are you growing in faith and in the knowledge of God daily?<LI>Is God leading you out into regular, productive ministry? <LI>Is there evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in your life? (see reading below)<LI>Are you using your spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ? </UL></p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Galatians 5:16-23.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Consider the eight questions listed above.  What changes need to occur in your life for you to truly experience the Holy Spirit? Ask God to help you!</p>"
Apr[17] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 17 - Obstacles to Being Filled with the Holy Spirit</p><p>The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. (Galatians 5:17).</p><p>It is sad to recognize the truth: our enemy, the devil, has any number of weapons to keep us from relying upon the Holy Spirit to strengthen and guide us in living for Christ. It is important to stop and consider a few of these weapons:</p><p>Prideful Self-Reliance. Pride is the most basic of sins; it confronts each one of us. Our pride places our own self-will on the throne of our lives rather than Christ. This &#0147;Me first&#0148; message, of course, is one to which the Scriptures are completely opposed.</p><p>Worldliness. We often become so intrigued with the false treasures of this world that we lose sight of the blessings God has for us. Jesus proclaimed to His followers, &#0147;How do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process?&#0148; (Mark 8:36).</p><p><b>The Approval of Others.</b> Undue concern for popular opinion can stand in the way of all that God would like to do in your life. King Solomon, one of the wisest men who ever lived, wrote, &#0147;The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted&#0148; (Proverbs 29:25, NASB).</p><p><b>Lack of Faith.</b> Some believers cannot summon the will to place themselves completely in God’s hands. How could it be that He has yet to earn our complete loving faith? The Bible tells us He knew us even before He formed us in the womb. He cherishes the plans He has for us, as any Father does for His child. Yet we withhold our dependence upon Him. </p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 12:1-5.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask God to show you if pride, worldliness, approval of others, or lack of faith are problems in your life.  If so, confess to God your lack of total dependence on Him, and allow the Holy Spirit to have complete control of your life.</p>"
Apr[18] = "Pla<span class='devohead'>Day 18 -  Spiritual Breathing</span><p class='itals'>There is a problem&#0151;your sins have cut you off from God. Because of your sin, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. (Isaiah 59:2)</p><p>Though Jesus has provided forgiveness for all sins--past, present, and future--we rob ourselves of intimacy with God through our disobedience.</p><p>In order to stay in intimate fellowship with our loving Lord, we must confess any sin as soon as we become aware of it&#0151;thought, word, or deed. To confess your sins is to experience His wonderful cleansing. Your relationship with our holy God will be restored to newness and greater strength.</p><p>I hope you make a habit of confessing your sins as rapidly as they occur. The most important spiritual lesson that I have learned and taught for over 40 years is a concept for confession called &#0147;Spiritual Breathing.&#0148; It is a simple way of understanding and pursuing the act of confession through the analogy of exhaling and inhaling.  Millions of Christians around the world practice this simple but revolutionary biblical truth.</p><p>First, <I>exhale</I>. Confess your sin to the Lord. Agree with God that your thoughts or actions have displeased Him. Then thank Him, on the basis of Christ’s death on the cross, that He has forgiven you of your sin. Be assured that because God is merciful, He will always forgive your sins if you sincerely confess them. &#0147;But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong&#0148; (1 John 1:9).</p><p>Second, <I>inhale</I>. Surrender your life once more to the Lord. Ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit. Ask Him to strengthen you so that your inner attitudes and outer actions will keep you from falling into the same sin again.</p><p>Think for a moment about how your body needs to breathe.  When you exhale, you are ridding your lungs of carbon dioxide and other impurities that would cause disease if they stayed in your system.  Then, when you inhale, you breathe in the oxygen that is crucial for maintaining a healthy body.  So it is with spiritual life.  When we sin, our fellowship with God is broken.  That is why we feel distant from God, and become complacent and discouraged.  But through spiritual breathing, we can enjoy renewed fellowship with God and experience the abundant life He promises.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> James 4:7-10.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Have you sinned in thought, word, or deed today?  If so, apply the above biblical concept of &#0147;Spiritual Breathing&#0148;. Begin to incorporate this spiritual discipline into your daily life.</p>"
Apr[19] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 19 - Step #1 to Being Filled With the Spirit - Desire</span><p class='itals'>If you are thirsty, come to me! If you believe in me, come and drink! (John 7:37-38)</p><p>Throughout the next few days, I will share five steps to being filled with the Holy Spirit.</p><p>Step #1is to have a desire to be controlled and empowered with the Holy Spirit.</p><p>I had been a believer for two years in 1947 when I traveled to Forest Home, a retreat center in California, to be the dean of a junior high conference. Dr. Henrietta Mears, my spiritual mentor and the dynamic director of Christian education at First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, had just returned from Europe and at chapel time gave a passionate plea to help take the gospel to a needy, desperate world.</p><p>After chapel, she, William Evans, Jr., the son of our pastor, and I were meeting together and were suddenly enveloped with the presence of the Holy Spirit. We were intoxicated with the joy of His presence. I remember falling to my knees, overcome with a sense of His glory and majesty. I had the feeling that, if I could not praise Him, my heart would burst. William Jr. has said that he felt as though coals of fire were running up and down his spine.</p><p>Into the room came Richard Halverson, a defeated, frustrated minister who was ready to resign his ordination and go back to pursuing an acting and singing career in Hollywood. But the moment he entered the room, he too was transformed by the presence of the Holy Spirit. God called all of us that night to a whole new dimension of holiness, power, and grace.</p><p>Dr. Richard Halverson went on to become one of the leading ministers in America and became chaplain of the U.S. Senate. William Evans Jr. became the outstanding pastor of many U.S. presidents through the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Dr. Henrietta Mears continued her fruitful ministry and had a powerful impact on the lives of multitudes.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 7:38-39.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Pray the following prayer if you are ready to invite the Holy Spirit to fill you:</p><p class='itals'>Awesome Creator God and Savior, thank You that You long to live Your life in and through me. What a privilege! I desire, with all my heart, to be controlled and empowered by Your Holy Spirit. I confess my sin to You . . . I give You every area of my life: my spouse, my children, my work, my dreams, my healthy, all of my possessions. They are Yours! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for working Your plan through me. Please remind me that no matter how I feel, Your Holy Spirit is living Your life through me as I become Your hands, Your fee, and Your heart to others around me. Thank you. To You be all glory! Amen.</p>"
Apr[20] = "<span class='devohead'Day 20 - Step #2 to Being Filled With the Spirit - Confession</span><p class='itals'>If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. (I John 1:9)</p><p>Sin short-circuits our fellowship with God. It pollutes our prayers and deadens our ability to hear His voice. We must come before God and confess all disobedience to Him.</p><p>In 1952, Vonette and I were first beginning our ministry at UCLA, but she was troubled by an experience from college. Then, every time she prayed to be filled with the Holy Spirit, the Lord would remind her of this college experience. As we discussed her concern, I told her that it seemed to me to be an extremely minor issue. My advice was to ask God for forgiveness and move on. But Vonette saw the issue as deeper, something she needed to resolve. She wrote letters to the people involved in that situation and offered her apology. Immediately there was something different about Vonette’s life. The evidence? The next fifty young women she talked to at UCLA received Christ. God was sending us a message through that incident that we would never forget. Vonette simply obeyed God, confessed the sin in her life, and acted on her repentance. As a result, the Holy Spirit filled her and produced an incredible harvest through her ministry.</p><p>Confess to the Lord whatever sin may be in your life. Always ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those unrealized sins, the ones that fly beneath our spiritual radar. Prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to show you the areas in your life where changes are required. List these areas of disobedience on a sheet of paper. Then agree with the Lord about the nature of the items on your list: they are sins. Accept the forgiveness you have received through Christ's death on the cross. </p><p>Then repent. As an act of your will, make a choice not to continue these unhealthy patterns in the future. Ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to fulfill your commitments. Burn the paper with its list of your sins. This will help you realize that just as the flame destroys your list, so God promises to erase from His memory <I>all</I> of your sins. </p><p>Every sin that you and I have ever committed and will ever commit has been paid for with the precious blood of our Savior. Jesus cancelled all of the charges against us. We are forgiven for all time.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b>1 John 1:5-2:6</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Confess your sin to God; apologize to those you have wronged. Repent, reconcile, and experience the joy of Christ's forgiveness.</p"
Apr[21] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 21  - Step #3 to Being Filled With the Spirit - Surrender</span><p class='itals'>Obedience is far better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22)</p><p>Another important step in being filled with the Holy Spirit is to surrender control of every area of your life to our Lord Jesus Christ.</p><p>For most Christians, this is usually the major obstacle. There is always some area of their lives that they are unwilling to turn over to Christ's rule. It may be finances, relationships, work, friends, or something else. But it is usually something that they feel they cannot possibly give up. That area will keep them from knowing the sweet joy, peace, and excitement of being totally surrendered to our Lord. I have believed and trusted God for more than fifty years, and He has never disappointed but only blessed me.</p><p>Listen to the words of the Apostle Paul as he admonished the believers in Rome to give themselves completely to the Lord:<p class='ind'<I>And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice&#0151;the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is (Romans 12:1-2).</I></p>The very God who created and still controls over 100 billion galaxies and all they contain is the very One who loved you and me when we were dead in our sins.  He loved us enough to send His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to earth as a human being, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, to be crucified for us.  You can trust His with every area of your life.</p><p>How about your love for Him? Do you truly love the Lord? Do you love Him enough to trust Him with the whole picture&#0151;everything that makes up your life? Think about each one of those major areas of work, goals, family, relationships, habits. Which is the hardest for you to trust to God? This question is a test of no less than your love for Him. We trust those whom we love.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Hebrews 12:1-12.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Are you willing to give every area of your life to God and put Him in charge of your life – completely? What fears do you have about surrendering <I>everything</I> to God? Ask God to give you the strength you need to honestly identify your weaknesses.</p>"
Apr[22] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 22 -Step #4 to Being Filled With the Spirit – Ask!</span><p class='itals'>What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you! (1 Kings 3:5)</p><p>If you have let go of all the areas of life you were withholding from God, and if you have surrendered complete control to Him, then you need only make this wonderful request: simply ask the Holy Spirit to fill you. By faith, thank God for filling you with His precious Holy Spirit.</p><p>Just as you were saved by faith, you will be filled by faith. Salvation was made available to you by your simple, childlike faith in what Christ did for you on the cross. Being filled by the Spirit works much the same way: you simply trust the Spirit to fill you. He will.</p><p>So many wonderful things will begin to happen in your life after that moment. You will know Jesus Christ as you have never known Him before. You will discover His exciting and challenging will for you. And because it is something He created you to do, you will be eager and happy about that. You will experience the intense joy of fellowship with Him every single day, wherever you go and whatever you may be doing. You will no longer be hesitant to share your faith with non-believers on a daily basis, because you will want others to experience the same joy you are experiencing.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Luke 11:11-13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b>  If you have not been filled with the Spirit before, use the following prayer to surrender yourself totally to God and the filling of His Spirit:<p class='itals'>Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge the fact that my life has been a hopeless pattern of sin and disobedience against the loving and gracious plan You had for me all along. I thank You and praise You for forgiving my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. And now, at this watershed moment of my life, I invite Christ to again take His place of authority on the throne of my life. Nothing will be held back. I give it all to You. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and transforming me into the kind of person you created me to be.</p>"
Apr[23] = "<span class='devohead'Day 23 - Step #5 to Being Filled With the Spirit - Expect!</span><p class='itals'>Listen to me! You can pray for anything, and if you believe, you will have it. (Mark 11:24)</p>The final step in being filled with the Spirit is to expect the Holy Spirit to work in and through you regardless of how you feel.</p><p>If you have met the above conditions and have, by faith, asked the Holy Spirit to fill you&#0151;rejoice! The work has been done. Now you can expect the Spirit to work in and through you even when you feel nothing special. Our faith is based on the facts from God's inspired Word rather than our feelings.</p><p>At times you may feel as if you are full to bursting with the love and joy of the Holy Spirit. But there may also be times when you will feel as if you are in the lowest valley. If so, you may wonder if the Holy Spirit is on vacation&#0151;or if all this business about His filling was just your imagination in the first place. Take comfort. These are simply the ups and downs of our moods. Regardless of how we feel, God is working out His perfect will in us and through us whenever we allow Him to do so.</p><p>By the power of the Holy Spirit, God is molding His children into the nature of His Son. Each day that goes by, there should be more of Christ and less of our old, sinful natures. You can expect to experience a growing pattern of victories as you face trials and struggles. You can expect to feel more peace as you are confronted by crises. The Holy Spirit, as He fills your life, will be teaching you, comforting you, redirecting you toward higher and higher planes where you can be of ever greater service to God. Things that may be powerful temptations to you today will become much easier for you to withstand as you mature.</p><p>Being filled with the Spirit is an experience that brings unspeakable joy and delight to the human soul. Expect to see your life change in remarkable ways as you are filled with the power and delight of God’s Comforter.</p><p>Bible Reading for Today: Ephesians 5:15-20.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Many people find that keeping a journal with thoughts and reflections on their walk with God is very helpful. You may want to consider this practice, noting the changes in your life toward godliness.</p>"
Apr[24] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 24  &#0150; A Hall of Mirrors</span><p class='itals'>You must warn each other every day, as long as it is called &#0147;today,&#0148; so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Hebrews 3:13)</span></p><p>If you’ve ever visited an amusement park, perhaps you found yourself wandering into the Hall of Mirrors. It is quite a disorienting experience. On every wall is a mirror, but the mirrors are sloped, twisted, and angled to create distorted reflections.</p><p>I think we could all agree that while the Hall of Mirrors might be an amusing place to visit, we would rather not live there. Unfortunately, we do live in a world of twisted and distorted views. On the day when Adam and Eve rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden, sin first made its way into the world. It has done its work of destruction ever since. Sin might be described as the force that twists all the &#0147;mirrors&#0148; out of shape. It shows us only grotesque views of what God created to be beautiful.</p><p>Sin has corrupted everything. We have no point of reference—unless we begin to see life from a godly, biblical perspective. That is one function of the Holy Spirit. In this world, we cannot trust our own impressions. We need judgment; we need a dependable authority. The Holy Spirit is with us at all times, whispering in our ears. If we can learn to hear His voice, we will have a guide who never fails. </p><p>Even with the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life, you still have a free will, and can be willful and disobedient. You can give in to temptation and reap the sad consequences. Then, the next time temptation comes along, you will find it much easier to ignore the still, small voice of the Spirit and give in again. This is what we call a &#0147;slippery slope.&#0148;</p><p>But why are we so easily deceived? One might think that common sense alone would be enough to keep us out of trouble. It should be easy enough to see that giving in to this particular temptation would be bad for the health; giving in to that particular one would destroy the marriage. Yet people make tragically poor decisions every day.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Hebrews 3.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What do you value in life? What wrong attitudes from the world have seeped into your thinking through the media, friends, or co-workers? What truth is the Holy Spirit revealing to you that you need to embrace wholeheartedly?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Apr[25] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 25  &#0150; Why Are We So Easily Deceived?</span><p class='itals'>Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. <span style='font-style:normal'>(2 Corinthians 4:4)</span></p><p>I believe there are four reasons why people are deceived so frequently in life.</p><p>The first is the matter of <I>who is doing the deceiving</I>. The Bible tells us that the chief prince and ruler of this world is Satan, the Master of Deception. The devil works overtime, trying to distort every truth we have received from God. He makes ugly things seem beautiful and foolishness seem wise.</p><p>Meanwhile, we gain comfort in the fact that after the experience of salvation, our souls are under God’s protection. Nothing Satan could devise can snatch us from the security of His grip. The war is over, but spiritual battles and skirmishes continue to rage all around us. Satan wants to convince you that he has not been defeated. He cannot take away your eternal life with God, but he can cause you great misery on this earth.</p><p>A second reason for our deception also involves the Great Deceiver. <I>Satan’s lies can be more difficult to detect because he mixes in just a pinch of truth</I>. Half-truths are far more deceptive than outright lies. In the garden, the devil actually quoted God’s Word; he did the same when he was in the wilderness with Jesus. But as always, he twisted the truths of God’s holy Word.</p><p>A third reason it is difficult to see through the world’s false reality is because <I>sin distorts our reasoning and judgment</I>. This is like wearing smudged eyeglasses—or, in biblical terminology, &#0147;we see things imperfectly as in a poor mirror&#0148; <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Corinthians 13:12). It is not only the &#0147;mirrors&#0148; which lie to us, but also our very reasoning faculties are corrupted.</p><p>A fourth reason for our deception is that <I>the basic values of the world, which are so opposed to God’s values, are held before us so many times that they become persuasive</I>. The world constantly praises the immediate, while the Bible speaks for the eternal. The world exalts the self, while the Bible exalts Christ.</p><p>Our only safe harbor is the Word of God. If we stray away from it, we will fall prey to the world’s delusions. Praise God that He gave us His holy, inspired, inerrant Word</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 8:32.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask God to fill you with the Spirit that you might have a discerning eye and hear to the truth.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Apr[26] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 26   &#0150; </p><p>How does God’s Word Make a Difference?<</span><p class='itals'>Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophecy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God. <span style='font-style:normal'>(2 Peter 1:20-21)</span></p><p>God provided His Word so that we would have a road map for navigating our way through a complex and dangerous world. What a wonderful thing to realize that we have access to the very teachings and principles that guided God’s people thousands of years ago—and to know that His Word is eternal and never changes.</p><p>The Scriptures give us, in sixty-six books of history, poetry, prophecy, and wisdom, a thorough picture of God’s laws, love, and character; and case studies of His way of dealing with people. As the Spirit brings light to these words for your life, you will learn more about God than in any other way.</p><p>It is no wonder that non-believers are puzzled by our allegiance to the Book; they have no Holy Spirit to illumine and apply the words. But Christ sent the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. He does that in many ways, but the most basic of them all is through His Word. The day you became a Christian, the scales regarding the holy Scriptures fell from your eyes. Up to that point, you could expect to receive no more blessing from those pages than any other non-believer might. You would have seen little more than an ancient book.</p><p>The day you accepted Christ, all that changed. The Spirit came into your life, and He opened your eyes to see <I>into</I> Scripture with true understanding. Over and over you will hear believers say, &#0147;The words really jumped off the page for me!&#0148; It is a living Word we read and cherish. Time and again the Spirit will use these Words to shed light on the issues of your life.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 2 Timothy 3:16.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> The Bible is our ultimate road map. Do you value God’s Word? Make a commitment to read it, study it, memorize it, and meditate upon it each morning and throughout the day. Ask God to help you make it your first conscious thought in the morning and last conscious thought each night.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Apr[27] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 27  &#0150; How Does the Spirit of Truth Teach Us?</span><p class='itals'>When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. <span style='font-style:normal'>(John 16:13)</span></p><p>As Jesus dined with the disciples in the upper room during that final Passover, He offered them a preview of things to come. He told of the coming of the Spirit, who would continue the work that He, Jesus, had begun. In other words, the Spirit comes with a focused agenda. He brings God’s Word and plan to you.</p><p>But what are His methods for imparting truth to us? The well-known English pastor Charles Spurgeon who lived in the 1800’ssuggested three distinct strategies. The Holy Spirit, he observed, employs <I>suggestion, direction, and illumination<I> in order to show us truth.</p><p><I>Suggestion</I>. Have you ever had a thought cross your mind out of the blue, one that seemed entirely distinct from your normal thought processes? Such notions could come from almost anywhere, of course, but we need to be aware that the Spirit will often place thoughts directly into our heads. For example, there might suddenly be a powerful notion to pray for a specific individual. Or, we might find that the perfect words are suddenly in our mouths as we share our faith.</p><p>Obviously, we need to be careful about what we credit to the Spirit. We can certainly be misled about the source of an idea. This is why it is so important to take &#0147;every thought captive to the obedience of Christ&#0148; (2 Corinthians 10:5b, NASB). We need to use wise discernment and &#0147;test the spirits&#0148; to be certain we are correctly recognizing God’s voice.</p><p><I>Direction</I>. In suggestion, a single thought stands out in the mind as if it appeared from nowhere. The Holy Spirit is capable of directing our thoughts in a particular line of reasoning that produces new insight and new understanding of the truth. Direction does not involve implanted words, but a guided stream of thought.</p><p><I>Illumination</I>. Who better to interpret the Scriptures than the very One who inspired them? In our reading below, there is a crucial New Testament passage that gives us more information about the Spirit’s illumination.</p><p>You have something the world will never have—until it turns to Christ. The greatest wisdom of the age seems to make no sense at all unless illumined by the Holy Spirit.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:7-14.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Before you read God’s Word, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you and give you understanding.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Apr[28] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 28   &#0150; How Do We Cooperate with the Spirit of Truth?</span><p class='itals'>The Spirit teaches you all things, and what He teaches is true—it is not a lie. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 John 2:27).</span></p><p>You may have observed the following fact of any classroom: Some students make excellent grades while others fail, even though the teaching was the same for both. Most of the difference is in a student’s attitude toward learning. In the same way, you will learn from the Spirit of Truth not based on His performance—He is available equally and fully to all believers—but on your cooperation and teachability as His student. There are several things you can do to become an &#0147;honors student&#0148; under the Holy Spirit.</p><p><b>Trust the Holy Spirit to teach you.</b> It all begins with faith. See Jesus’ words in our theme verse above. We would be very foolish not to trust the Spirit to teach us and not to be the best possible students.</p><p><b>Revel in God’s truth by hearing, reading, and memorizing the Word of God. </b>It is comforting to realize that we have the Spirit’s basic textbook. A great deal of what He has for you to learn has already been recorded in the Scriptures. You need to be diligent in the study of God's Word every single day of your life. In time, you will not be able to imagine doing anything else, so powerful will be the impact of His Word in your life. </p><p><b>Uncover God’s will by meditating on the truths He has revealed in His Word. /b>There is an art to meditating on the Word of God, and it takes some time to cultivate such an art. We are more accustomed to reading for information. That is important, but we also need to take time to tlet the Word simply soak into our hearts and minds.</p><p>Reflection and meditation go much deeper than the kind of reading most of us do. We must attempt to dig deeply into the Scripture passage, understand it as thoroughly as possible, and discover what the Spirit might be saying to us through it. Listen to the Holy Spirit’s application of the passage to your life. Be sensitive to what He is saying and to His instruction. When we read the Word, we should never say, &#0147;Yes, I have read this verse before; I will move on.’ We must listen anew for what the verse says about our life here and now.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 John 2:18-29.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Do you have a systematic way of continually reading and studying God’s Word? Ask the Spirit of Truth to teach you all that He has for you. Dedicate yourself to listening, learning, and living.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Apr[29] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 29   &#0150; Test the Insights to Make Sure They Are From God</span><p class='itals'>Test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Thessalonians 5:21)</span></p><p>Many terrible delusions have come from misapplication of Scripture. How can we know that we are hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit—the only Spirit of Truth—and not some other voice? I would suggest asking the following questions:</p><p><I>First, are your impressions consistent with Scripture?</I> The Holy Spirit will never ask you to act in a manner that is in conflict with Scripture. The more you learn about God’s Word, as you grow in your faith, the more you will be impressed with the consistency of the scriptural message. For example, God will never lead you to marry an unbeliever or to do anything dishonest.</p><p><I>Second, does the insight make sense?</I> Satan suggested to Jesus that He should jump off the highest point of the temple in order to let the angels catch Him. Jesus knew His mission, and common sense indicated that this was not part of it. There are some decisions in life that you will not need to pray about. The good common sense that God gave you, controlled by the Holy Spirit, should be sufficient to help you make wise decisions.</p><p><I>Third, is the insight sensible in the light of circumstances?</I> If you are deeply in debt but you want to buy an expensive new car, it is very unlikely that God is the one telling you to make the purchase. Remember that our God is not a God of disorder and irrationality.</p><p><I>Fourth, do godly pastors, teachers, and counselors agree with the impressions you have received?</I> It is quite important to seek wise counsel. I have done this countless times in my life, and I hope you will do the same. Surround yourselves with wise, mature believers; they will provide a spiritual &#0147;safety net&#0148; to help protect you from a poor interpretation of God’s will.</p><p><I>Finally, does the insight you have received generate deep, inner peace?</I> This is the kind of peace the world simply cannot give. Running away from our circumstances may also generate peace—but only for a time. The kind of peace I am speaking of is not dependent on your circumstances. It is the supernatural peace that comes directly from God.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 John 4:1-6.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Record the above five points on a small card and use it as a handy guide to test what may be future insights from God. Do not act upon an insight that &#0147;passes&#0148; just one point, but only on those that &#0147;pass&#0148; on most or all of the five points.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Apr[30] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 30   &#0150; Hasten to Apply God’s Truth to Your Life</span><p class='itals'>Remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don’t obey, you are only fooling yourself. <span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>In the long run, of course, learning from the Spirit makes a difference in your life only if you act upon what you have learned. He teaches you not so that you will have more information, but so that you will have more impact.</p><p>If you refuse to act, the Spirit will finally stop teaching you. I know you will not make that mistake. As you learn something, you usually see quickly enough the reason why the Spirit taught it to you. No teaching is more practical than His teaching, and that will only spur you to listen even more attentively.</p><p>A good example of being sensitive to the Spirit is found in the Old Testament. The prophet named Elisha was filled with a zeal for serving God. One night, he was in the city of Dothan, surrounded by hostile forces from Aram.</p><p>Elisha had a servant who was very frightened. But his master said there was no reason to be fearful, for there were more warriors on God’s side than the enemy’s. This seemed like an irrational thing to say, for there were hordes of men, chariots, and horses outside the walls of Dothan. But Elisha prayed, &#0147;O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!&#0148; (2 Kings 6:17). And when the servant looked again, he saw that the surrounding troops were also surrounded—by horses and chariots of fire. There was a heavenly host that no one but Elisha had been capable of seeing.</p><p>Being taught by the Spirit means learning to see the invisible realities of life—your world from heaven’s point of view. When others quake with fear, you will have a calm assurance of the sovereignty of God, even as you watch His hand at work. You can live and act with confidence and joyful assurance.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 2 Kings 6.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Commit yourself to the steps outlined in the following TRUTH acrostic so your mind and heart will be tuned to the wisdom of God:</p><p>Trust the Holy Spirit to teach you.</p><p>Revel in God’s truth by hearing, reading, and memorizing the Word of God.</p><p>Uncover God’s will by meditating on the truths He has revealed in His Word.</p><p>Test the insights to be certain they are from God.</p><p>Hasten to apply God’s truth to your life.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May = new Array
May[1] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 31   &#0150; Our Helper in Prayer</span><p class='itals'></p><p>This is how you should pray: &#0147;Father, may your name be honored. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us our food day by day. And forgive us our sins—just as we forgive those who have sinned against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Luke 11:2-4)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>Visualize the scene that opens Luke 11: Jesus is caught up in deep prayer, barely conscious of the disciples who have gathered to watch Him with fascination.</p><p>Imagine what those disciples saw, heard, and felt. Here was a man praying as no one had ever been seen or heard to pray. In those days, the Pharisees offered prayers that were public, pompous, and predictable. They mouthed a long stream of &#0147;vain repetitions,&#0148; as Jesus called them. Prayer was a &#0147;town square&#0148; demonstration of one’s religiosity. It was also one-way communication, for God seemed silent during this period; He had not powerfully spoken or dealt with His people since the time of the prophets. Prayer had become an empty, meaningless exercise.</p><p>But here was Jesus, who prayed at all times—who slipped away each morning for prayer, sought God in the midst of each important development, and seemed to have an incredible intimacy with His Father. This kind of prayer resembled a meeting with a beloved friend. So the disciples watched with fascination as He prayed. One of them could no longer contain his desire to experience something so wonderful. As Jesus finished praying, the disciple cried out, &#0147;Lord, teach us to pray!&#0148;</p><p>Have you ever felt like that? Have you commiserated with Ziggy, the cartoon character who stood on the mountain peak and called out to heaven, &#0147;Am I to be put on hold for the rest of my life?&#0148; All of us feel a deep craving not simply to talk to God, but to talk with God. We have no desire for the mere trappings of prayer; we want the real thing. And each of us has felt the disappointment of dry, dead prayer, in which our words seem to bounce off the ceiling and return to us unheard.</p><p>We read books on the subject. We try new methods. We wonder if there is some hidden formula or secret that will provide the key to powerful prayer. But in reality there is only one secret, and His name is the Holy Spirit. He carries us beyond our weaknesses and limitations. He carries us directly into the incredible, loving presence of God Himself.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Luke 11.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Do you have difficulty finding time to pray, or pray only on the run? Why is this? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you what you need to know in order to have an intimate conversation with God.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[2] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 32   &#0150; How Prayer Brings Us to God</span><p class='itals'>The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. <span style='font-style:normal'>(James 5:16)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>Prayer is the most intimate communication ever devised. It is heart to heart, spirit to Spirit communication between creation and Creator. It is talking with God: asking Him for guidance, praising Him for His goodness, sharing with Him the needs of ourselves and others, and knowing by faith that He hears and will grant our requests.</p><p>God longs to meet with us in prayer, because it represents the difference between truly <I>knowing</I> each other versus merely knowing <I>about</I> each other. You could spend your life studying the works of all the great theologians, and read every worthy Christian book ever written about God. You could become an expert on all the facts that have been revealed about Him. But still you would not know God, not even remotely, unless you communed with Him in prayer.</p><p>As I live in the Spirit, prayer is the foundation of my day and my way of life. As I awaken each morning, I invite the Lord to work in me and through me. I pray that everything that comes to my mind is filtered through the blood of Christ and the Word of God. And then I turn my thoughts to praise, prayer, and thanksgiving. What an honor to be able to bring our concerns to the One who made us and holds the universe together. As long as we can pray, there is hope in all things.</p><p>Intercessory prayer (praying for the needs of others), offered in a righteous spirit, can actually influence the course of history. It has happened many times in the past; in fact I believe it happens every day. In 1934, just to name one example, a farmer asked a group of his friends to come to his farm and spend the day in prayer. He was just an ordinary farmer. As the men prayed together, they felt compelled to ask God to raise up a man from their city to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth. There was no immediate answer. But the farmer’s teenage son became a believer during the crusade that year. Although you would not recognize the farmer’s name, you most likely have heard of his son: my friend Billy Graham.</p><p>That farmer was a world-shaker, because God answered his simple prayer. Never forget that you have every opportunity that farmer had.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> James 5:17-18.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Lord to use you as a prayer vessel for Him to accomplish something great for His kingdom. Be sensitive to how the Holy Spirit leads you.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[3] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 33   &#0150; The Spirit Prompts Us to Pray</span><p class='itals'>Now all of us, both Jews and Gentiles, may come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 2:18)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>In the days when the temple was still in use in Jerusalem, only the high priest was allowed to enter the holy of holies to atone for the sins of the people—and this only once a year. When he entered that sacred place, he came into the very presence of God. An individual’s closest encounter with God would be to interact with the priest, on the public side of the curtain.</p><p>Yet, as believers, now we can go past the curtain. We can approach the eternal, infinite Creator God of the universe any time of the day, any day of the year. Why? Because of the selfless sacrifice of our Savior Jesus when He died on the cross for our sins, we can &#0147;boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place&#0148; (Hebrews 10:19). The Spirit is the one who eagerly clasps your hand and walks you into God’s throne room.</p><p>Have you ever felt that little nudge? You may be going about your business, your mind on many earthly matters, when you sense a little mental tug. You feel the urge to pray about a particular matter or person. This impression could even wake you in the middle of the night. We hear of many Christians who, in various situations, were led to pray for a loved one or friend, only to find that this person was in a dangerous situation at that very moment.</p><p>Not long ago I felt a strong impression to pray for an outstanding man the Lord has used to impact 120 countries. I prayed for him only to feel yet another prompting, an urge to call my friend. So I dialed his telephone number. When I asked my friend how he was doing, he told me that it was the worst day of his life. He began to describe in detail the awful things that were happening to him that day. I tried to minister to his needs, sharing some similar experiences from my own life and how God had worked in the midst of them. Finally we prayed together.</p><p>At the end of the conversation, I could tell my friend had new strength and encouragement. He was amazed that I had called him at the very moment he needed encouragement. The Holy Spirit had used me to bring him comfort. This has been my experience on numerous occasions.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Hebrews 4:16.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Do not dismiss the &#0147;nudges&#0148; of the Holy Spirit when the names or faces of people come across your mind. Pray for them!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[4] = "<span class='devohead’>Day 34   &#0150; The Holy Spirit Guides Our Prayers</span><p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(John 16:7) </p><p>The Holy Spirit molds and shapes our prayers, helping them to be effective and consistent with the will of God. He guides us through the needs of the day, through the emotions of the hour, and through recollections of people we care about. He helps us pray for all the many things we need to bring before the Father.</p><p>As He does this, something wonderful happens. The Spirit brings our desires into conformity with God’s will. It may be that you have encountered a very difficult situation in life. You feel a great deal of anxiety, and naturally you ask God for a change in the circumstances. But as the days and prayers move by, you find that the circumstances remain the same while your attitude has utterly changed: you suddenly comprehend how God could use someone like you in just such a setting. You realize that He didn’t want to help you out of this mess, but to help you through it. More miracles happen in the midst of a crisis than when we are fleeing from our circumstances.</p><p>God’s Spirit guides your prayer over time, until you are asking for Him to lead you rather than remove you from the situation.</p><p>You pray for God to change things, but in the process, you are the one changed. It works much like the anchor on a ship. When men take hold of the chain to the anchor, their efforts pull the boat toward the anchor, rather than the anchor up to the boat. In the same way, when we pray, tugging at the &#0147;chain&#0148; of prayer pulls us toward God.</p><p>Prayer keeps you anchored in every sense of the word. When you feel the pull of the Spirit to turn your heart toward prayer, you can be joyful in realizing that you will be even closer to the wonderful purposes of God by the time you have finished</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Philippians 2:13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What steps does God want you to take so you will have a prayer relationship with the Lord that is open, dynamic, and intimate?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
"<span class='devohead’>Day 35   &#0150; The Holy Spirit Intercedes For Us in Prayer</span><p class='itals'>The Holy Spirit prays for us… <span style='font-style:normal'>(Romans 8:26)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>Here is one of the most remarkable promises and supernatural ministries of the Spirit in prayer. &#0147;In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express&#0148; (Romans 8:26, NIV). I have always found this to be a tremendously encouraging concept.</p><p>You may say, &#0147;But I lack the knowledge of how to pray!&#0148; Every believer should learn to pray biblically. However, that is not the major issue, because the Spirit prays for those things we lack the understanding to pray for. He also expresses the depth of emotion that we might feel if we could see with complete spiritual clarity. He helps us pray beyond our many limitations. Knowing this makes me all the more eager to pray, as I am sure it does you.</p><p>The Holy Spirit knows us better than we know ourselves. He understands our desires, our fears, our strengths, and our weaknesses. He knows what we need before we even know to ask for it. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, knows the mind of God. &#0147;He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will&#0148; (Romans 8:27, NIV). Who better to speak to our heavenly Father for us than the Holy Spirit?</p><p>We have so many limitations, so many failings. But we can be joyful in the realization that the Spirit of God stands in the gap, interceding for us. Your prayers are more powerful than you can possibly realize, because He enhances and enlarges them</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 8:35-39.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> The Holy Spirit wants to help you develop an intimate prayer relationship with your heavenly Father. Commit yourself to practicing the truths in the AID acrostic so you can experience the power of Spirit-filled prayer:</p><p><b>Address</b> God respectfully in prayer.<br><b>Initiate</b> transparent conversation with God.<br><b>Declare</b> your confidence in God.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[5] = "<span class=devohead>Day 34   &#0150; The Holy Spirit Guides Our Prayers</span><p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(John 16:7) </p><p>The Holy Spirit molds and shapes our prayers, helping them to be effective and consistent with the will of God. He guides us through the needs of the day, through the emotions of the hour, and through recollections of people we care about. He helps us pray for all the many things we need to bring before the Father.</p><p>As He does this, something wonderful happens. The Spirit brings our desires into conformity with God’s will. It may be that you have encountered a very difficult situation in life. You feel a great deal of anxiety, and naturally you ask God for a change in the circumstances. But as the days and prayers move by, you find that the circumstances remain the same while your attitude has utterly changed: you suddenly comprehend how God could use someone like you in just such a setting. You realize that He didn’t want to help you out of this mess, but to help you through it. More miracles happen in the midst of a crisis than when we are fleeing from our circumstances.</p><p>God’s Spirit guides your prayer over time, until you are asking for Him to lead you rather than remove you from the situation.</p><p>You pray for God to change things, but in the process, you are the one changed. It works much like the anchor on a ship. When men take hold of the chain to the anchor, their efforts pull the boat toward the anchor, rather than the anchor up to the boat. In the same way, when we pray, tugging at the &#0147;chain&#0148; of prayer pulls us toward God.</p><p>Prayer keeps you anchored in every sense of the word. When you feel the pull of the Spirit to turn your heart toward prayer, you can be joyful in realizing that you will be even closer to the wonderful purposes of God by the time you have finished</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Philippians 2:13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What steps does God want you to take so you will have a prayer relationship with the Lord that is open, dynamic, and intimate?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"

May[5] = "<span class=devohead>Day 36   &#0150; The Holy Spirit Leads Us in Prayerful Worship</span><p class='itals'></p><p>Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Psalm 100:2)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>Prayer, of course, is more than a flood of requests. The Spirit helps us to praise and exalt God when we pray. He gives us the realization of the awesomeness of God. He leads us to comprehend just how infinite, how majestic, and how sovereign He truly is, and then, as a result, we can do nothing other than worship in spirit and in truth.</p><p>The Spirit frees us from the monotony and dryness of dead prayer by filling our hearts with the wonderful music of true worship. Music begins where words leave off, and sometimes the only way to express our feelings about God’s greatness is through the transcendence of melody and verse. Paul urges us, &#0147;Let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts&#0148; (Ephesians 5:18-19). The Spirit makes worship a natural and joyful thing, not merely at church but wherever we may be.</p><p>You will find that prayer is the spark that sets worship aflame. You may begin a devotional time with a mood nowhere close to that of worship. But then, as you praise your Lord for His many benefits, as you thank Him for all He has done in your life, as you realize all the many requests you are allowed to bring before Him—what can you do but exalt and magnify His name? You will break out in song within your heart, for words will not be enough. Then you will feel mentally, emotionally, and spiritually refreshed for having worshiped. The Spirit, in His wisdom, knew you needed that. So He became your worship leader.</p><p>In each of these ways, the Spirit makes the difference in our prayer.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Psalm 150.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Have you ever sung a song to the Lord, just by yourself? It is a form of worship. Try it. Choose a song you already know or simply make up your own! He is listening. You will bless Him, and you will be blessed.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[6] = "<span class=devohead>Day 37   &#0150; How We Pray in the Spirit</span><p class='itals'>Continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Jude 1:20)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>We have seen some of the many ministries of the Holy Spirit in prayer. But how can we be caught up in the kind of prayer that allows us to sense the transforming presence of God? There are a number of considerations to remember.</p><p>We need to avoid certain common misunderstandings. Too often we feel that God is impressed by our verbal eloquence or the length of our prayers. He has no particular regard for either of these. A prayer from the heart, whatever the eloquence or length, is what He looks for. He wants us to pray in the very midst of our life and emotions. These are the times when we are likely to lift up the most heartfelt prayers.</p><p>Paul writes, &#0147;Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests&#0148; (Ephesians 6:18, NIV). Your most effective prayers may come in the most unlikely places—though we never become so &#0147;informal&#0148; that we lose sight of the greatness and awesomeness of the One to whom we are praying. This brings us to our first suggestion for praying in the spirit.</p><p>To pray in the Spirit is to pray with a reverent heart. We should never come before God without reverence and awe. &#0147;Since we are receiving a Kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe&#0148; (Hebrews 12:28). Fear is a word that is often missing today from our understanding of a relationship with God, but I believe it refers to a surpassing sense of how awesome and holy God is. When we come to grips with these realities, we are humbled, and God rewards the humble. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed, &#0147;The high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, the Holy One, says this: ‘I live in that high and holy place with those whose spirits are contrite and humble. I refresh the humble and give new courage to those with repentant hearts’&#0148; (Isaiah 57:15).</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Psalm 34:9.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Do you pray with reverence and &#0147;on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests&#0148;? Let this begin to be a part of your continuing, reverent dialogue with the Lord. Look for opportunities throughout your day to talk with God!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[7] = "<span class=devohead>Day 38   &#0150; Thankfulness and Transparency</span><p class=itals>No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Thessalonians 5:18) <span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>When we pray as the Holy Spirit leads, we experience thankfulness. Do you spend as much time expressing gratitude as you do asking for more blessings? If not, this is a sign that you are not truly praying in the Spirit, who will usher you into God’s presence and fill you with a thankful heart. You should have times of prayer that are completely given to thanking Him. The next time you cannot feel the presence of God, and you struggle to find an attitude of worship, spend some time expressing your gratitude. You will be amazed at how quickly your mood will change.</p><p>Praying as the Spirit leads also gives us the freedom to be ourselves. As we have seen in James 5:16, &#0147;the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much&#0148; (NASB, emphasis added). If we have confessed our sin, we realize there is no obstacle between God and us. We can be completely open and honest, telling Him exactly what is on our hearts. &#0147;If our conscience is clear, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive whatever we request because we obey Him and do the things that please Him&#0148; (1 John 3:21, 22). The key to answered prayer, then, is being in harmony with God. As we come into His presence and know Him more fully, that harmony occurs.</p><p>No relationship can be deep and strong without honest communication, and your relationship with God is no different. Wonderful liberation is experienced when we learn what it is like to be completely honest with God, with no shame or striving to be something we are not. We can worship Him &#0147;in spirit and in truth,&#0148; as Jesus told the woman at the well (John 4:23). When you pray in the Spirit, you will be transparent with God. He knows all that is inside us anyway.</p><p>Speak to God as your Father, your dearest Friend. Speak simply and honestly with Him, telling Him the deepest concerns and emotions you are feeling. Open up with full transparency.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Is there anything in your life – pride, unbelief, a wrong perspective of God, or any unconfessed sin – that is getting in the way of your prayers? Speak to God knowing that He sees right through you. He knows your every secret thought and deed. Confess to Him your secret sins. Thank Him that in spite of your sin, He loves you deeply, and that the blood of Christ cleanses you. Ask the Spirit to give you a greater awareness of God’s work in your life.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[8] = "<span class=devohead>Day 39   &#0150; Declare Your Confidence in God</span><p class=itals>Since this new covenant gives us such confidence, we can be very bold. <span style='font-style:normal'>(2 Corinthians 3:12)</span></p><p>There is no need to come before God with hesitation and timidity, as if we lack trust in His power. We are praying to the Creator and Sustainer of the universe. If we are praying as the Spirit directs, we can confidently come before Him with our requests.</p><p>This means fully realizing our dependence upon Him. One of the most essential effects of prayer is the way it reminds us how helpless we are apart from Him. Each day we must submit ourselves to His lordship again, because our spirits are rebellious and stubborn. As we come before God, we acknowledge our limitations. We cast ourselves upon His mercy and His power, affirming that we can do no good thing on our own.</p><p>Then, having felt our own helplessness, we express faith in His worthiness. Praying as the Spirit directs strengthens our faith that though we are weak, He is strong. As we pray, we believe—we believe that He will act as He desires. We believe He will work through us. We believe that He is totally sovereign. Faith is strengthened when we pray in the Spirit, and we begin to live in the confident assurance that He is Lord, and that He is working in our world and through us. Praying in the power of the Holy Spirit always leads to greater confidence and hope in God.</p><p>In the matter of prayer, perseverance counts. Faith that God will act is not the same as faith that God will act today, tomorrow, or whatever my schedule may be. He wants us to pray without ceasing, to keep praying with persistence. He knows that the discipline of sustained prayer is good for us. We do not serve a God of convenience but a God of perfect timing—a timing we usually will not know in advance. Keep on keeping on as you pray in the Spirit with faith and endurance. Never give up!</p><p>God gave me a vision in 1945 to produce a film on the life of Jesus. The vision became a reality thirty-three years later. God gave me a vision to train world leaders. Twenty-five years later, that vision became a reality.</p><p>Always keep on believing; God’s timing is perfect.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 John 5:14-15.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> If you have a need that a specific promise in God’s Word answers, go to God with it expressing confidence, faith, and thanksgiving that He will keep His promise.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[9] = "<span class=devohead>Day 40   &#0150; How Prayer Reveals His Power</span><p class=itals>Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Colossians 4:2)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>The greatest revelation of God’s power in the world comes through the vehicle of our prayer, as guided by the Holy Spirit. Prayer, often with fasting, accomplishes what nothing else will.</p><p>In the mid 1800s, the great explorer David Livingstone feared for his life. As the sun set on his small camp in the interior of Africa, he knew the local tribe planned to attack that night and kill him and all of those by his side. Even in the midst of these warnings, Livingstone was strangely filled with peace. God was with him, and God could always be trusted. That night, Livingstone slept without anxiety—and his camp was unthreatened.</p><p>Two years later, a miracle happened: the chief of that hostile tribe became a Christian. Livingstone was eager to learn the story of why the tribe had never attacked on that memorable evening. The chief confirmed to him that an uprising had indeed been planned. They had left their settlement with weapons, anger, and the intent to kill. But as the tribe approached Livingstone’s camp, they had been surprised by what they saw: forty-seven mighty warriors guarding the place where the famous explorer slept.</p><p>Livingstone was shocked to hear this story two years later, because he knew there had been no guards. What was the truth?</p><p>On a visit home to England, he found out. Livingstone was informed that on that night of crisis two years earlier, across the ocean in Scotland, forty-seven church members had gathered, drawn by the Spirit, to pray fervently for Livingstone. Those prayer warriors stood watch over Livingstone before almighty God, and his life was spared.</p><p>When people are caught up in the Spirit to pray before God, incredible things happen all around us. We release His miraculous power to a world that has forgotten how powerful God is.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> James 5:16-18.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to direct your prayers. You will find yourself praying as you have never prayed before—prayer that avails much, prayer that transforms you, and prayer that changes the world around you through the guidance and power of the Spirit.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[10] = "<span class=devohead>Day 41   &#0150; Our Motivator to Holiness</span><p class=itals>You must be holy because I am holy. 91 Peter 1:16)</P> <span style='font-style:normal'>(At the beginning of the 19th century there lived a sculptor named Dannecker, one of the finest artists in the world. He specialized in carving images of Greek gods and goddesses. But Dannecker wanted to produce a true masterpiece—and he set his mind on sculpting a figure of Christ.</p><p>Dannecker’s finished work was so beautiful that it brought gasps of admiration from everyone who saw it. Word of the new masterpiece finally reached the ears of the emperor Napoleon. &#0147;Come to Paris,&#0148; he invited, through a message to the artist. &#0147;Carve me a statue of Venus for the Louvre.&#0148;</p><p>The artist Dannecker politely replied, &#0147;Sir, the hands that carved the Christ can never again carve a heathen goddess.&#0148;</p><p>Once we have touched those nail-scarred hands and looked into the eyes of the One who gave His life for us, we cannot live the old way any longer. When we have touched what is holy, we begin to look at all else in a completely different way. As committed believers, we resolve to live in a way that is clean, pure, and holy.</p><p>We must do our work for God in the darkness of this world. There are activities that must be left behind, habits we must break, and relationships we can no longer pursue. We know that our God has standards much higher than those of the world, and that our lives must begin to conform to them as closely as possible.</p><p>But how can we attain a holiness worthy of God? We realize immediately that we simply cannot, for we are prone to sin and failure. This is why Jesus came to die for us, even when we were yet sinners—because we had no hope of becoming worthy on our own. Yet the scriptural command remains, consistent and clear: we must be holy. We must lead lives of purity.</p><p>It seems a paradox, but we know our Lord would never give a command without affording us the provision for keeping it. How can we live in purity while we are surrounded by so much sin and temptation? The Holy Spirit is the answer.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 6:22; Ephesians 5:1.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Is there an area in your life where you are struggling to be pure? Ask the Holy Spirit, to help you.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[11] = "<span class=devohead>Day 42   &#0150; Purity: The Goal of Holy Living</span><p class=itals>Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God. <span style='font-style:normal'>(2 Corinthians 7:1)</span></p><p>Holiness begins with the idea of separation—we have been set apart for a purpose. We are to maintain a distinction from the sinfulness of the world so that we might be dedicated to God. Our intention is to be as much like Him as humanly possible, and to share in His holiness. We are exhorted to &#0147;be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children&#0148; (Ephesians 5:1, NIV).</p><p>God is our Father, and any doting father wishes to pass down the best character traits to his offspring. In a similar way, God desires to bestow His holiness upon us. He accomplishes this by being present, in all His purity and goodness, within us. Yet somehow we manage to forget something so wonderful, and Paul found it necessary to remind his friends at Corinth of this fact: &#0147;Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body&#0148; (1 Corinthians 6:19, 20).</p><p>Our bodies are, in the truest and most literal sense, temples of the living God. This requires purity in life. It means that our attitudes, motives, desires, actions, words, character, and lifestyle should proclaim the presence of our royal Guest. Paul instructs Timothy, his beloved spiritual &#0147;son&#0148; in the Lord, &#0147;If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for His purpose. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work&#0148; (2 Timothy 2:21).</p><p>This is the central idea of holiness: we strive to keep our lives as clean vessels, worthy of the miraculous presence of God that fills these earthly containers.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Timothy 6:13-19.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> With what aspects of your life or personal habits do you know God is not pleased? What do you think is keeping you from confessing these wrong attitudes or actions and turning away from them? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you turn away from these things.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[12] = "<span class=devohead>Day 43   &#0150; A New Life!</span><p class=itals>Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Colossians 3:1)</span></p><p>Purity is important to a silversmith. Yet he has no precise formula for knowing when his liquefied metal is pure. He simply recognizes that the silver is free of dross when he can see his reflection in the metal. You will know your life is pure when it reflects Christ with clarity. If your life is filled with impurities and &#0147;dross,&#0148; how can your friends ever see the face of Christ reflected in it? In that regard, the mission of the Holy Spirit is to keep you separate from anything that would mar the image of Christ in us, including outright evil, as well as anything that dishonors God.</p><p>But it is extremely important to understand that the Holy Spirit does not sanctify our old nature. The Book of Romans tells us, &#0147;The old sinful nature within us is against God. It never did obey God’s laws and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their old sinful selves, bent on following their old evil desires, can never please God&#0148; (8:7, 8, TLB). It is impossible to take something old and decaying and make it brand new.</p><p>The &#0147;old man&#0148; that represents your former nature is dead, and he can never be rehabilitated. You began this life with that carnal, worldly nature that comes with your membership in the human race. But when you were reborn in Christ, the Holy Spirit gave your old nature the death sentence. Then He gave you an entirely new and clean life. Physically, we look exactly the same. Mentally, we have the same ability to choose as before. Emotionally, we may not feel a great deal of difference at times. But spiritually, it is the difference between life and death—both of those natures still live in conflict within you, the old, sin nature and the new, godly one. However, the old nature has been condemned and awaits final destruction when you finally come into God’s full and unshielded presence at death; but it still attempts to distract and mislead you.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Proverbs 17:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What would your life look like if the Holy Spirit was given free access to &#0147;renovate&#0148; your heart and life for Christ?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[13] = "<span class=devohead>Day 44   &#0150; How the Spirit Brings Holiness</span><p class=itals>Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God, who calls you, is faithful; he will do this. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24) <span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>Few believers realize how many spiritual events occur in that incredible instant when we invite Christ to be our Savior.</p><p>First and foremost, <I>we are liberated from Satan’s grasp and reconciled to God.</I> The Bible explains, &#0147;For He has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who bought our freedom with His blood and forgave us all our sins&#0148; (Colossians 1:13, 14, TLB).</p><p>Second, <I>we become brand new creatures</I>. Paul tells us this marvelous truth: &#0147;If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!&#0148; (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV). It is like wiping the slate clean and starting life all over again, in complete purity. All the perfection of Christ is attributed to us, though we have not merited this in the least. The Bible declares, &#0147;You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God&#0148; (1 Corinthians 6:11, NIV).</p><p>Here is a crucial point. Though these things have happened, and though we have been made completely new, we can still choose to listen to the destructive influence of the old self. <I>The Holy Spirit will be about His work, strengthening and sanctifying us to bring us closer and closer to the image of Christ</I>. But old habits die hard. The voice of the devil will still be in our ear, whispering enticements to do things the old, sinful way. And remember, the flesh is at war with God.</p><p>Your life will not immediately become beautiful and sinless at the moment Christ comes to indwell you. But you will want a new kind of life that reflects Christ at its center. The Holy Spirit will show you everything in a new light. He will prod you to make changes, and He will give you the supernatural power to make those changes.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 10:13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> As a &#0147;new creature,&#0148; in what ways does your life show that &#0147;the old has gone, the new has come.&#0148;</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[15] = "<span class=devohead>Day 44   &#0150; How the Spirit Brings Holiness</span><p class=itals>Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until that day when our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God, who calls you, is faithful; he will do this. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Thessalonians 5:23, 24) <span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>Few believers realize how many spiritual events occur in that incredible instant when we invite Christ to be our Savior.</p><p>First and foremost, <I>we are liberated from Satan’s grasp and reconciled to God.</I> The Bible explains, &#0147;For He has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who bought our freedom with His blood and forgave us all our sins&#0148; (Colossians 1:13, 14, TLB).</p><p>Second, <I>we become brand new creatures</I>. Paul tells us this marvelous truth: &#0147;If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!&#0148; (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV). It is like wiping the slate clean and starting life all over again, in complete purity. All the perfection of Christ is attributed to us, though we have not merited this in the least. The Bible declares, &#0147;You were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God&#0148; (1 Corinthians 6:11, NIV).</p><p>Here is a crucial point. Though these things have happened, and though we have been made completely new, we can still choose to listen to the destructive influence of the old self. <I>The Holy Spirit will be about His work, strengthening and sanctifying us to bring us closer and closer to the image of Christ</I>. But old habits die hard. The voice of the devil will still be in our ear, whispering enticements to do things the old, sinful way. And remember, the flesh is at war with God.</p><p>Your life will not immediately become beautiful and sinless at the moment Christ comes to indwell you. But you will want a new kind of life that reflects Christ at its center. The Holy Spirit will show you everything in a new light. He will prod you to make changes, and He will give you the supernatural power to make those changes.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 10:13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> As a &#0147;new creature,&#0148; in what ways does your life show that &#0147;the old has gone, the new has come.&#0148;</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[16] = "<span class=devohead>Day 45  &#0150; How Sin Brings Corruption</span><p class=itals>Do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 4:30)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>There is nothing complicated about the process of sin. We are tempted; we give in to the temptation; we act in disobedience to God; we reap the destructive consequences. But the ramifications are much more complex than this. Think of the ripples that result when a stone is tossed into still waters. Even a small sin creates &#0147;ripples&#0148; that have far-reaching consequences.</p><p>First, sin creates a barrier in your relationship with God. Could the Lord overlook our daily trifles of misconduct? No, for our Lord is a holy God. His standards are absolute purity and perfection. So He cannot look upon the slightest stain of sin, any more than light can co-exist with darkness or black with white. That obstruction must be removed or we will experience a blockage to our access to God. If we continue in our own selfish ways, God will turn His face from us, and we will quench the still, quiet voice of His Holy Spirit.</p><p>Sin affects not only our access to God, but our very perspective in life. When we disobey God’s commands, we are blinded. We are unable to see with the clear vision that godliness brings. Sin can be like a tiny speck of dust in the eye that causes the vision to be blurry. It is impossible to keep our eyes on God while violating His laws.</p><p>In addition, there is the emotional issue of realizing that we bring grief to the Spirit within us. We naturally want to please those we love, and causing them pain causes us pain. You will feel a deep sense of mourning when you know you have acted in disobedience to your loving heavenly Father.</p><p>Our sin brings pain not only to God but to others. This is another part of the ripple effect of sin—we seldom realize how many people are affected by one act of spiritual disobedience.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 2 Samuel 11 – 12:25</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> While the blood of Christ completely washes away all our sin, we cannot always undo the consequences, such as harm to others. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you if there is anyone to whom you owe some restitution.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[17] = "<span class=devohead>Day 46  &#0150; Why We Continue to Sin</span><p class=itals>I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Galatians 5:16-17)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>There is everything to gain and only sorrow to lose when we live moment by moment in the purity of holiness. The choice is so clear, yet so many believers fail the test day after day, choice after choice. Why is this so?</p><p>For one thing, we make the mistake of attempting to live in purity through our own weak abilities and self-effort. It takes a supernatural enabling to live in constant victory when we are surrounded by the lure and temptations of the world. That ability is available only through the Holy Spirit. Our own weakness brought us to God in the first place, and it is a great mistake to continue living in that weakness. Yet most believers do.</p><p>At the same time, many of us sin because we fail to realize our true nature. After the American Civil War, all slavery was outlawed. Those who had lived as slaves were completely free. But tragically, there were many who were not told. They continued to live and toil in bondage because they had no knowledge that a new life was possible. We, too, often fail to realize the truth of our emancipation. Christ has truly set us free. We need not live in servitude to the devil. The time has come to shake off the chains and begin a new life.</p><p>There is also the problem of simply giving in to the desires of the old sin nature. We fall into those old sinful patterns. The devil, of course, is always at work through the world and the old sin nature that is still within us. We should never forget that he will use every clever strategy to make the world and its sin seem attractive.</p><p>Our God is loving and full of grace. He is gentle and forgiving. But it is equally true that &#0147;our God is a consuming fire&#0148; (Hebrews 12:29). We need to realize that He must, as a part of His just and holy nature, punish sin for what it is: an affront to His purity.</p><p>If you were to spend five minutes each day in silent contemplation of the awesome majesty and absolute justice of God, would you continue to sin frivolously? I believe that if each of us will come to grips with His incredible attributes, we will live with a wholesome fear of God. We will live, through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, with more purity and holiness than we ever thought possible.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Galatians 3:2-3, Ephesians 6:10-12</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with an understanding of His power and liberty, and a desire to live your life fully in Him.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[18] = "<span class=devohead>Day 47  &#0150; How We Can Break the Sin Cycle</span><p class=itals>He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live to please themselves. Instead, they will live to please Christ, who died and was raised for them. (2 Corinthians 5:15)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>To live for self is to be consumed with self-absorption. It will set us immediately at odds not only with God but with all other people including ourselves. We will be led to break God’s laws and to break ourselves upon them. Only misery, sorrow, and tragedy can result.</p><p>However, living for Christ will place us under the influence of the Spirit of God, who will guide us with love and grace. We will live to please God and others, therefore finding wonderful fulfillment and peace for ourselves. In the meantime, we will be constantly about the work of purification, keeping our lives as clean vessels for the shining presence of God. Paul encourages us, &#0147;Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God&#0148; (2 Corinthians 7:1, NIV).</p><p>You can break the cycle of sin and sorrow by doing several things:</p><p><I>Perceive your position as a new creation in Christ</I>. You may not feel righteous. You may think God still condemns you for past sin. But in truth, you have been freed from sin and death by Christ’s own death on the cross. The Spirit of God lives within you. When the Father looks at you, He sees all the righteousness of His dearly beloved Son. &#0147;God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God&#0148; (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV).</p><p><I>Uproot your sinful nature by faith.</I> Since Christ was put to death for you, you must put your old self to death for Him. God wants us to crucify the old, corrupted person we once were. Forgiveness and salvation come once, but the execution of the sinful nature is a daily, moment by moment event.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Galatians 5:22-25.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> On a scale of 1 to 10, how is your life reflecting the presence of God? Ask the Spirit to give you His wisdom to remember your position in Christ and to uproot your sinful nature.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[19] = "<span class=devohead>Day 48  &#0150; More Ways to Break the Sin Cycle</span><p class=itals>So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(James 4:7)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>Here are some more ways to break the sin cycle in your life:</p><p><I>Resist sin and Satan’s temptations</I>. Temptation may seem severe, but it is only a test. The Lord will never allow Satan to tempt you beyond what you are able to endure. He will always provide you with a way out.</p><p><I>Imitate godly behavior</I>. Little children learn by imitating their parents. Believers learn in exactly the same way—by emulating the godly behavior of others. Paul told the church in Corinth, &#0147;Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ&#0148; (1 Corinthians 11:1, NASB). It is important to have uplifting models. Just as your children need them, so do you. Mentors can be very helpful as role models for godly behavior. And, of course, Jesus Himself is the ultimate model.</p><p><I>Think holy thoughts</I>. But what kind of holy thoughts? In Galatians 5, Paul counsels us to immerse our minds in all that is worthy. We are surrounded, however, by the very opposite. But it is an essential Christian discipline to control the environment of your imagination. Your thoughts and values change when exposed to pornography, violence, and other sinful activities. Even spending time with cynical, sarcastic people will have its effect upon your perspective.</p><p><I>Yield to the Spirit’s control</I>. Let Him empower you daily to walk in all of God’s ways. Ask Him moment by moment to guide you and keep you from evil.</p><p>It is dangerous and destructive to live in our own self-centered, limited strength and understanding. To do so makes us vulnerable to decisions that can destroy our spiritual life and witness. I live in reverential fear of God and do not wish to test the laws of the spiritual realm any more than I want to test the law of gravity by jumping out of a window in a tall building.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Galatians 5:16; 3 John 1:11.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What changes need to occur in your life in order to break the cycle of sin that is holding you captive?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[20] = "<span class=devohead>Day 49  &#0150; You Can Live a Life of Purity</span><p class=itals>Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, that I may honor you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Psalm 86:11)</span></p><p>If by chance you are afraid to approach Him because of the sin in your past, you need to be freed of those shackles. Guilt is the cruelest and most domineering of masters.</p><p>You may be shaking your head and saying, &#0147;God would never embrace me; He knows my wicked past. He knows how I have lived. He knows the places I have gone and the things I have done. He could feel nothing but disgust with my life.&#0148; If this is how you feel, you have not fully understood and reckoned with the perfect grace, compassion, and forgiveness that God has to offer. He has already forgiven every one of your sins. He loves you no less than He did on the day He created you, and now He longs to heal your troubled spirit.</p><p>You cannot, through your own best self-effort, overcome the powerful temptation of sin. The Holy Spirit alone can free you from destructive habits, attitudes, and addictions and mold you into the image of Christ. Ask the Holy Spirit to shine a searchlight on every aspect of your life. Ask Him to show you the impurities that need to be cleaned away, as well as any obstacles to the holy and pleasing life He would like you to lead.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 2 Peter 3:14.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Commit yourself to the truths outlined in the PURITY acrostic and start moving today toward a holy lifestyle.</p><p><b>Perceive</b> your position as a new person in Christ.<br><b>Uproot</b> your sinful nature by faith.<br><b>Resist</b> sin and Satan’s temptations.<br><b>Imitate</b> godly behavior.<br><b>Think</b> holy thoughts.<br><b>Yield</b> to the Spirit’s control.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[21] = "<span class=devohead>Day 50  &#0150; Our Comfort in Adversity</span><p class=itals>Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Psalm 50:15)</span></p><p>Life is difficult. We find it to be unpredictable, challenging, and often brutal. We shake our heads as we see innocent people abused and dishonest people prospering. The world does not seem to play by the broadest rules of fairness and justice. I am certain that somewhere on the road of your own experience, you have discovered this truth in the most painful of manners. We can only rest in the assurance that God has a purpose for all the adversity He allows in our lives.</p><p>In such times we can afford to be reminded that suffering refines our character. There are things we cannot learn, virtues we cannot gain through any path other than the crucible of suffering. Young children must learn certain things the hard way, as we have all observed. We can tell them what is right and what is wrong, but there is no more powerful teacher than experience. Life works the same way, on a different level, for the rest of us. We need to learn patience, and we can only learn it through the agony of waiting. We need to learn forgiveness, and we can only develop it when there is something difficult to forgive.</p><p>Suffering is never welcome but nearly always useful. When we undergo some painful affliction in life, our first question is, &#0147;Why should I have to experience this?&#0148; I would suggest to you that this is the wrong question. A better one would be, &#0147;What is God trying to teach me through my suffering?&#0148; We will never know why bad things happen, but we can discover what good things can emerge from them. Affliction is often the messenger of God’s deepest truths.</p><p>When any kind of fine metal is being refined, impurities must be burned away. When we feel pain in life, we can look upon it as our own period of refinement. We can remember that we are on the way to becoming God’s pure and strong metal, ready to serve Him. As a matter of fact, we can go beyond even patience and acceptance. In our theme verse above, the Bible tells us that suffering is an opportunity for nothing less than joy.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> James 1:2-4.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What hardships are you currently facing? How are these difficulties affecting your relationship with God? Are you willing to allow the Holy Spirit to comfort you?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[22] = "<span class=devohead>Day 51  &#0150; Count It All Joy!</span><p class=itals>Whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. <span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:2)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>Have you ever looked upon trouble as a time for joy? This is not foolishness but the deepest kind of wisdom. This joyful perspective is the very key to persevering and growing in wisdom during times of affliction. We look at our feet and see not a stumbling block but a stepping stone. This is a necessary stop on the way to a life that is useful to God. It is the way to deeper understanding through the fires of experience. It is the way to being able to comfort and counsel others. Tears may come, but they should be tears not only of pain but of hard-won joy.</p><p>It has been said that we as Christians are like tea bags: we are not much good until we have gone through a bit of hot water. When the temperature rises, we learn something about ourselves and about God. We find out that we need a little seasoning, and that He is steadfast and faithful in our trials. You might learn many things about God simply by reading them in a book such as this one; but you will learn far more deeply and more powerfully through your own experience. Can you trust God? I must tell you that you can, but your faith will never be real until you are forced, through circumstances, to place all your trust in Him.</p><p>Two years ago I was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis and told there was no hope of recovery. Yet God has filled me with His peace and is doing something wonderful in my life. Since I received the news that the world would consider terrible, God has actually found new uses for me. He has focused my limited energy on some of the greatest opportunities I have ever encountered. I have had more time to devote to books such as this one, and to numerous video projects that I could not have done in my previous busy schedule. I have been able to help launch the Global Pastor’s Network, whose goal is to train millions of lay pastors to plant five million house churches around the world using the <I>JESUS<I> film and other ministry tools.</p><p>Our loving God is so creative and resourceful. Where we see limitations, He sees unlimited opportunity. He finds great joy in bringing the greatest miracles from the harshest conditions.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Isaiah 43:1-2.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Have you experienced times of suffering in which you later were able to see God’s work in your life? When have you experienced joy in the midst of suffering? How is this possible? Commit all your circumstances to God today!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[23] = "<span class=devohead>Day 52  &#0150; More Reasons for Suffering</span><p class=itals>My child, don’t ignore it when the Lord disciplines you, and don’t be discouraged when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes those he accepts as his children. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Hebrews 12:5-6)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>We suffer for more reasons than just the need for refinement, of course. It is also true that we bring about affliction through our own disobedience. Any good parent will punish a child who misbehaves. We call this discipline, and it occurs in the spiritual as well as the physical realm. Undisciplined children—we have all known a few—grow up to face confusion and hardship. Their parents have not properly prepared them, through discipline, for the realities of the world.</p><p>In the same way, God must discipline us because He loves us, even if that means hardship and suffering at times. Affliction is often a &#0147;wake-up call,&#0148; dramatically drawing our attention to the poor choices we have made. We learn a lesson we will not need to relearn. In wisdom we understand that God has punished us because He loves us (see theme verse above).</p><p>Whatever the reason for our suffering, we find that it offers an opportunity to draw closer to God. Some individuals who are disciplined become bitter, while others become better. It is always a matter of attitude and free will. Think of the experience of Job, the godly character of the Old Testament who suffered more pain and anguish than we can possibly comprehend. Yet through his suffering, Job gained an incredible intimacy with God, who became very real and present to him. In the end Job could say, &#0147;Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him&#0148; (Job 13:15, NKJ).</p><p>Though it may be difficult to believe at times, suffering glorifies God and points the way to future glory as well. See our reading below.</p><p>Christ’s suffering culminated in His crucifixion. But beyond the cross of pain lies the victory of the open tomb. Beyond death lies resurrection. And beyond whatever suffering may be your lot, you will find &#0147;the wonderful joy of sharing His glory when it is displayed to all the world,&#0148; as promised in our reading below/<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Peter 4:12-13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Are you suffering? Have you given your struggles to God? Use this time to become more intimate with God. Thank Him for His purposes in your suffering, and for your victory over it.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[24] = "<span class=devohead>Day 53  &#0150; How the Spirit Comforts Us</span><p class=itals>I, even I, am the one who comforts you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Isaiah 51:12)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>The disciples must have trembled in fear in that upper room as Jesus told them He would be leaving. What would life be like without the Master? Yet Jesus told them He would not leave them alone; He would be sending them a Comforter. The word He used is translated as Comforter, Counselor, Encourager. These are all services we perform for a hurting person. It has the meaning of someone who is called alongside, to help in times of trouble.</p><p>The Holy Spirit is the One who comes to us with tender comfort and encouragement, but who also brings power and strength. He is the ideal companion when we are beset by misery and grief. He knows us deeply, intimately, better than we know ourselves. He knows exactly what kind of encouragement we need, and He has the power to strengthen and heal us. In times when we feel incapable of expressing the depth of our pain, we know that He understands.</p><p>It is a wonderful truth to contemplate: we need never again be alone. Where could you go to escape the companionship of the Holy Spirit? What pain could you feel that He would not understand and comfort? I hope you will remember that wherever you are, whatever trial you may be facing, the Comforter is right there beside you. Perhaps you remember the film <I>The Hiding Place</I> from some years ago. The book and the film tell the story of my dear friend Corrie ten Boom and her sister, Betsy, who were sent to Ravensbruck concentration camp because they protected Jewish people during World War II. One night several women were gathered around Betsy as she led a Bible study. One of them suddenly spoke up bitterly. &#0147;If your God is such a good God,&#0148; she said, &#0147;why does He allow this kind of suffering?&#0148; She slowly opened her hands to reveal broken, beaten fingers. &#0147;I’m the first violinist of the symphony orchestra. Did your God will this?&#0148;</p><p>Corrie looked sadly at the woman’s hands. &#0147;We can’t answer that question,&#0148; she said with compassion. &#0147;All we know is that our God came to this earth, became one of us, suffered with us, and was crucified and died. And He did it for love.&#0148;<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 2 Corinthians 1:3-6.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Allow the Holy Spirit use you as a vessel of comfort for someone else. Ask the Spirit to open your eyes to the needs of those around you.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[25] = "<span class=devohead>Day 54  &#0150; Power and Peace</span><p class=itals>&#0147;Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world&#0148; <span style='font-style:normal'>(John 16:33)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>God’s love for us is deep and personal. Through His Spirit, He enters into the places of our pain and performs a work of healing that cannot be matched. Only He is capable of bringing joy, strength, and endurance in the face of the worst of calamities. All across the world we hear stories of believers under persecution. In many countries, Christians are pursued and punished, even put to death. And yet it is in these very settings that we discover great miracles occurring. Believe me, representatives of Campus Crusade’s International Ministry department bring us new and breathtaking stories all the time. It would take another book for me to recount even a fraction of them.</p><p>Such incredible power in the face of affliction is not possible through any human agency or reserve, but only through the supernatural power of God’s Spirit. He loves us with an everlasting love, and He fills us with an everlasting comfort.</p><p>They can take away all our possessions. They can even take away our physical life. But they can never take away the most precious attainment we have, which is our living relationship with God. To know that is to be empowered.</p><p>Along with that power comes peace. Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German scholar and theologian, denounced the Nazis as evil and became a potent voice in the German resistance. In 1943, the Nazis arrested Bonhoeffer and incarcerated him in a Nazi concentration camp. On a Sunday morning, after leading a worship service, he was hanged. The camp’s liberation by the Allied forces was only days away, but not in time to save Bonhoeffer’s life. As he was being taken to the gallows, the scholar remarked to an English prisoner of war, &#0147;This is the end, but for me the beginning of life.&#0148; Where can that kind of peace be found? Only one place: the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.</p><p>Any believer who walks in the Spirit should enjoy that kind of peace. And no believer should ever be controlled by anxiety, for an overmastering anxiety is a symptom of being out of step with the Spirit.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 8:38-39; Philippians 4:6-7.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> In the midst of your troubles, large or small, by faith release the power of the Holy Spirit into them, and receive God’s peace.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[26] = "<span class=devohead>Day 55  &#0150; Comfort From Fellow Believers</span><p class=itals>All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. <span style='font-style:normal'>(2 Corinthians 1:3-4)<span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:22)</span></p><p>One of the wonderful things that God does through our pain is to draw us closer to our fellow believers. We are reminded just how much we need them and how incomplete we are on our own. Have you ever watched geese fly south for the winter? By flying in their famous &#0147;V&#0148; formation, the birds fly 71 percent farther than if they flew independently. The beating wings of the lead flyer create an updraft for the goose directly behind it. Then, when the lead flyer tires out, it drops back and a fresher member of the flock takes its place.</p><p>Sick or wounded geese fly inside the &#0147;V,&#0148; where there is the least wind resistance. The others help an ailing goose if it is forced to land. Two other geese follow the sick one down, nursing and protecting their fallen comrade until it either recovers or dies. Only then do they fly off.</p><p>God teaches us a lesson through those geese. When we stand together, we are far greater than the sum of our parts. We care for our sick and wounded through the church. We watch and wait for God to send us to someone who particularly needs us. And God will often place someone who needs you right in your path. You will speak to someone at work or receive a phone call from an old friend. That little prompting in your spirit will tell you, &#0147;This is a time for ministry. The Lord wants me to help and encourage this person.&#0148;</p><p>You should also expect God to send comforters when you are the one who needs comfort. Some Christians are prideful about accepting help. They have learned this not from the Bible but from the world, which teaches independence and self-sufficiency. There is no reason you should suffer in solitude; there is every reason to let your trial become an opportunity to draw closer to other believers.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 8:28; 1 Thessalonians 4:18.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask for help and prayer when you need it! Allow other Christians to minister to your needs. God desires to bless us through our fellow.</p><p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[27] = "<span class=devohead>Day 56  &#0150; The Mighty Promises of God</span><p class=itals>All of God’s promises have been fulfilled in him. That is why we say &#0147;Amen&#0148; when we give glory to God through Christ. <span style='font-style:normal'>(2 Corinthians 1:20)</span></p><p>As you face trials, and as you draw closer to other believers, rest also on the mighty promises of God. I cannot tell you just how much these powerful words have sustained me through times of ill health. Have you taken time to study God’s promises? Doing so will greatly bless your heart. We cling to the wonderful claims of Scripture because we know that God has never once failed to honor them.</p><p>We seldom realize the incredible extent to which God wants to bless us through these promises. At any time we are invited to claim one and soak in the blessing that comes through it. For example, the Lord promises to …</p><block quote></p><p>sustain all who fall,<br>be near to all who call upon Him,<br>fulfill the desire of those who fear Him,<br>keep all who love Him,<br>execute justice for the oppressed,<br>give food to the hungry,<br>set the prisoners free,<br>open the eyes of the blind,<br>raise up those who are bowed down,<br>support the fatherless and widows,<br>heal the brokenhearted<br>&nbsp;<br>(Psalm 145:14, 18-20; 146:7-9; 147:3, NASB). </block quote></p><p>Those verses offer a handful of amazing promises, but I assure you they are merely the tip of the iceberg. There are literally hundreds of promises in Scripture, and each one is life-changing. When you need comfort, go to the Word and seek out these comforting promises.</p><p>I challenge you to begin making a list of them. Claim them for your own, and keep a record of how God proves faithful to His promises. Abundant living is the result of trusting in the cherished promises of God.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Mark 11:22-24.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> As you read your Bible each day, ask, &#0147;What promise is here for me to claim?&#0148; Then claim that promise with unwavering faith.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[28] = "<span class=devohead>Day 57  &#0150; Cooperating With the Holy Spirit in Adversity</span><p class=itals>Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Peter 5:7)</span></p><p>The Spirit is our Comforter, and He is always with us in every time of trial or grief. But this comfort is not something we accept passively. We need to be proactive in cooperating with the Spirit as He helps us. There are several actions that will enable you to experience the comforting strength of the Holy Spirit in difficult times. Today we will discuss two of them.</p><p>Cast your cares on God. Today’s theme verse above says to give all our worries and cares to God. Do you know what it means to sign your anxieties over to the Lord? I will tell you how to do that.</p><p>Next time you feel overwhelmed by your worries, go to a place of solitude. Perhaps you can sit beneath a leafy tree somewhere, with nature all around you. Take pen and paper with you and write God a letter. Tell Him in the letter that you realize you are incapable of holding the position of chairman, president, and CEO of your life; you hereby resign and offer those positions to God. From now on, you pledge to let Him supervise all the operations of You, Inc. State that you need not lose another minute’s sleep in worrying about the challenges of life. God is in charge; this is His operation from now on. Sign your letter and post it somewhere you will see it often.</p><p>Sometimes we need an uplifting little ceremony like that just to help us understand the reality of truly casting our cares upon Him. As long as we believe we are in this alone, we will never feel true comfort. Assigning your anxieties to the Lord is an essential discipline.</p><p>Offer yourself for God’s use in the midst of hardship. When we face adversity, either we can become self-absorbed and completely focused on our problems, or we can turn our eyes to selfless ministry. You will find in all Paul’s letters that as he faced trials and disappointments, Paul turned himself more and more to serving his many friends in the body of Christ. See our reading below. As you face trials, redouble your commitment to serve God in the midst of them.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 2 Timothy 2:8-13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Today, cast <I>all</I>, not some, of your worries on the Lord. Commit yourself to serving God and others.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[29] = "<span class=devohead>Day 58  &#0150; The Comforting Strength of the Holy Spirit</span><p class=itals>&#0147;Trust Me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.&#0148; <span style='font-style:normal'>(Psalm 50:15)</span></p><p>Here are some more actions that will enable you to experience the comforting strength of the Holy Spirit in difficult times:</p><p><b>Meditate on God’s promises.</b> Let me stress once again the power of claiming God’s promises. These are the richest and most exciting truths known to humanity, and the best time to reach for them is when we need comfort. I advise every Christian to compile a list of favorite promises from God’s Word, memorize them, and keep the list available at all times. Wallets and purses are good places for them, and you can keep them on your refrigerator or in your place of prayer as well. I have a stack of twenty-five verses, which are laminated and available to memorize a few minutes here and there. One of the greatest blessings of my life has been claiming and experiencing the reality of these promises. I encourage you to memorize as many of God’s promises as possible, so that the Holy Spirit may bring to your mind the perfect promise at just the time you need it.</p><p>That trust will be bolstered by claiming any of the multitude of promises found in the Scriptures. Here is one to start you out, a verse that will afford you untold comfort in tough times: &#0147;Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor forsake you&#0148; <span style='font-style:normal'>(Deuteronomy 31:8).</p><p><b>Face your trials with the assurance of victory.</b> C. H. Spurgeon often declared he was so sure of his salvation that he could grab onto a cornstalk, swing out over the fires of hell, look into the face of the devil, and sing, &#0147;Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!&#0148;</p><p>Throughout my years of ministry I have spoken frequently about the importance of being solidly assured of our salvation. In the same way, we can claim victory over anything the devil may be throwing in our path.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Thessalonians 1:5.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Memorize Deuteronomy 31:8, &#0147;Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor forsake you.&#0148;</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
May[30] = "<span class=devohead>Day 59  &#0150; We Never Give Up!</span><p class=itals>Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Philippians 4:8)</span></p><p>Is there any way the schemes of Satan can be successful in the face of God’s power? Not if we claim the victory through Christ. Our victory as believers is assured not because of good works, but because at the cross Jesus Christ triumphed over Satan, the world, and sin. The war itself has been won, and we must face these lingering skirmishes with full assurance. Paul writes,</p><block quote>That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).</block quote><p><b>Occupy your mind with positive thoughts</b>. Hold a coin in your hand and you will agree that you can view only one side at a time. Suffering is a kind of coin that is paid out to everyone. If you are going to view one side, choose the victorious one. Look closely at the side whose inscription reads, &#0147;And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them&#0148; (Romans 8:28). Study the image on this side of the coin—the image of Christ that we are coming to resemble more every day through the power of the Spirit, and in the wisdom and endurance that comes through our suffering. Hold this coin tightly in your hand, for it will help to purchase a future of maturity and assurance.</p><p>These are some of the positive thoughts that should control your mind when you are being tested. Paul suffered as much as any of us, and he turned every tear to joy. I believe that if you comprehend this truth, you will learn to face your trials with a positive mindset.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Isaiah 41:10; Romans 5:3-5.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Today, consider all of the good things in your life. Thank and praise God for each one of them!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[1] = "<span class=devohead>Day 60  &#0150; His Faithfulness and Our Gratefulness</span><p class=itals>Trust yourself to the God who made you, for He will never fail you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Peter 4:19)</span></p><p>Remember God’s faithfulness. Do you remember Jesus’ story of the shepherd who leaves his ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that is lost (Luke 15:3–7)? There is also a small arctic sea bird called a guillemot. It lays its eggs side by side with countless other guillemots on narrow, rocky ledges in the far north. All the eggs look exactly alike, but if one is moved, the mother will notice. She will search for her egg until she finds it, then she will return it to its original location. How much more faithful is God than a shepherd or a bird? He will never leave you nor forsake you. Put your trust in the faithfulness of God, and obey Him in your actions as you await the victory that will come through adversity.</p><p><b>Thank God in the midst of your difficult circumstances.</b> When times are good, give thanks. When times are bad, also give thanks. When times are somewhere in the middle, give thanks. Because Christ lives in us through His Spirit, we are to maintain an attitude of thanksgiving at all times. Paul wrote, &#0147;No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus&#0148; (1 Thessalonians 5:18).</p><p>I believe you will find that even during the most difficult trials, there will never be a time when you cannot think of a wide assortment of blessings for which to be thankful. Indeed, the trials themselves present occasions for thanksgiving. We can say, &#0147;Thank You, Lord, for the things you will teach me from this experience. Thank You for the wisdom I will store up in the school of suffering. Thank You that, although I do not fully understand why I am facing these hardships, I fully understand that You can be trusted, and that everything I encounter will be used for my good.&#0148;</p><p>You will be amazed at how your frame of mind will change simply by thanking God. He will honor you for your steadfast faith. The Holy Spirit will bring you comfort and encouragement, and you will feel a &#0147;second wind&#0148; to run the race and claim victory at the finish line.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Colossians 3:15-17; 4:2.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Have you ever thanked God in the midst of your difficult circumstances? Why or why not? What was the result? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you remember to thank God the next time you face something hard in your life.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[2] = "<span class=devohead>Day 61  &#0150; Victory in Suffering</span><p class=itals>Victory comes from you, O LORD. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Psalm 3:8)</span></p><p>On July 30, 1967, a teenager named Joni Eareckson Tada was paralyzed in a diving accident. She completely lost the use of her arms and legs. How would you expect a teenager to deal with such tragedy? What kind of mindset would you predict?</p><p>From her book, Joni, I will allow her to answer for herself:</p><block quote>Only God knows why I was paralyzed. Maybe He knew I’d ultimately be happier serving Him. If I were still on my feet it’s hard to say how things might have gone. I probably would have drifted through life—marriage, maybe even divorce—dissatisfied and disillusioned. When I was in high school, I reacted to life selfishly and never built on any lasting values. I lived simply for each day and the pleasure I wanted—and almost always at the expense of others … [Now] I wouldn’t change my life for anything. I even feel privileged.&#0148;</block quote>p></p><p>Here is a Christian who has walked through the valley of suffering and emerged with a feeling of privilege. She is not crazy, and she is not deluding herself. She is like Peter, Paul, and all Christians who have counted it an honor to be held worthy of suffering for the glory of God. There is comfort in seeing how God works and uses our pain. There is comfort for our souls that comes through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. There is comfort in knowing what rewards await us when we enter into the presence of Christ after this life.</p><p>No one is eager to suffer, but we should never be overcome by our misery. After all, we serve the ultimate Overcomer, and He will comfort and strengthen us, and use us for purposes greater than we can imagine. I will leave you with one final promise in this chapter: &#0147;You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with His comfort through Christ&#0148; (2 Corinthians 1:5).</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 John 5:1-5.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> The Holy Spirit longs to hold you and comfort you with His peace and love, if you will only let Him. Purposefully practice the following steps in the COMFORT acrostic:</p><blockquote><b>Cast</b> your cares on God.<br><br><b>Offer</b> yourself for God’s use in the midst of hardship.<br><b>Meditate</b> on God’s promises.<br><br><b>Face</b> your trials with the assurance of victory.<br><br><b>Occupy </b>your mind with positive thoughts.<br><br><b>Remember</b> God’s faithfulness.<br><br><b>Thank</b> God in the midst of your difficult circumstances.</blockquote><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[3] = "<span class=devohead>Day 62  &#0150; Our Peacemaker in Conflict</span><p class=itals>Christ Himself has made peace. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 2:14)</span></p><p>All around us there are wars and rumors of wars. It has always been that way, and always will be until our Lord returns. By now it should be clear that humanity will be at war with itself as long as it remains at war with God. Only in Him is there peace; apart from Him there can be no future but one of turmoil and tragedy.</p><p>The only effective peace agreement is the one written in Christ’s blood. It cleanses us of all the strife that consumes us in our struggles with God and one another. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, &#0147;For Christ Himself has made peace … by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us&#0148; (Ephesians 2:14). Only godly individuals and nations, of course, will know the kind of peace Paul is describing. We are the soldiers who mobilize to spread the wonderful gospel of Christ’s liberation all over the world. We are the soldiers who fight in the knowledge that our victory is already secure.</p><p>Peace is a wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit, who knits believers tightly together. I believe most Christians fail to realize just how much emphasis is placed upon our peace and unity in the New Testament. Jesus said, &#0147;My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as You and I are one, Father—that just as You are in Me and I am in You, so they will be in Us, and the world will believe You sent Me&#0148; (John 17:21).</p><p>Only the Holy Spirit can banish the barriers dividing the human race—nationality, race, economics, politics, age, or sex—and mold our hearts together. If the Spirit is truly guiding us, we cannot help seeing that such barriers have come down: &#0147;There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all&#0148; (Ephesians 4:4-6, NIV).<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 16:33; 1 Peter 3:8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to clearly show you what walls have developed between you and other believers. Confess your wrong attitudes and behaviors to God and ask Him to show you how to build bridges with those who love Him as much as you do but may express it in a different way!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[4] = "<span class=devohead>Day 62  &#0150; Our Peacemaker in Conflict</span><p class=itals>Christ Himself has made peace. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 2:14)</span></p><p>All around us there are wars and rumors of wars. It has always been that way, and always will be until our Lord returns. By now it should be clear that humanity will be at war with itself as long as it remains at war with God. Only in Him is there peace; apart from Him there can be no future but one of turmoil and tragedy.</p><p>The only effective peace agreement is the one written in Christ’s blood. It cleanses us of all the strife that consumes us in our struggles with God and one another. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, &#0147;For Christ Himself has made peace … by making us all one people. He has broken down the wall of hostility that used to separate us&#0148; (Ephesians 2:14). Only godly individuals and nations, of course, will know the kind of peace Paul is describing. We are the soldiers who mobilize to spread the wonderful gospel of Christ’s liberation all over the world. We are the soldiers who fight in the knowledge that our victory is already secure.</p><p>Peace is a wonderful ministry of the Holy Spirit, who knits believers tightly together. I believe most Christians fail to realize just how much emphasis is placed upon our peace and unity in the New Testament. Jesus said, &#0147;My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as You and I are one, Father—that just as You are in Me and I am in You, so they will be in Us, and the world will believe You sent Me&#0148; (John 17:21).</p><p>Only the Holy Spirit can banish the barriers dividing the human race—nationality, race, economics, politics, age, or sex—and mold our hearts together. If the Spirit is truly guiding us, we cannot help seeing that such barriers have come down: &#0147;There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all&#0148; (Ephesians 4:4-6, NIV).<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 16:33; 1 Peter 3:8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to clearly show you what walls have developed between you and other believers. Confess your wrong attitudes and behaviors to God and ask Him to show you how to build bridges with those who love Him as much as you do but may express it in a different way!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[5] = "<span class=devohead>Day 64  &#0150; Bonded in One Hope</span><p class=itals></p><p>But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we exist for Him. And there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made everything and through whom we have been given life. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Corinthians 8:6)</span></p><p>Kozlow, a criminal who later became a Christian, wrote about life in a Soviet prison. He and other prisoners cursed each other, the institution, and those who ran it. They lived in a miniature universe of bitterness as they struggled to endure the cruel, inhumane conditions. &#0147;We opened up our veins or our stomachs, or hanged ourselves,&#0148; reports Kozlow. &#0147;[Yet] the Christians (often with sentences of twenty to twenty-five years) did not despair. One could see Christ reflected in their faces. Their pure, upright life, deep faith and devotion to God, their gentleness and their wonderful manliness became a shining example of real life for thousands.&#0148;</p><p>What made the difference? Why did the nonbelievers take their own lives while the believers were able to rise above their circumstances? <I>Hope</I>. The believers knew they had an eternal life and a reward that could not be taken away. They knew that the Spirit of God was among them. This is a hope that is all-encompassing, a hope that is infinite. Within each of us it should endure and become so overwhelming, so compelling that the world cannot help responding. Who could possibly bear a brighter hope? Ours outshines ten thousand suns, for it originates with the one who created them. &#0147;Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead&#0148; (1 Peter 1:3, NIV).</p><p>We share one hope because we share one Lord. We are diverse, no matter how strong our unity. We come in many nationalities, and we worship in many styles. But the Lord our God is one God. As I have traveled throughout the world over the past fifty years, I have observed that the moment I am with other believers, we know we are brothers and sisters because of our mutual love for our Lord. Our clothing, our culture, our language, and our customs may differ, but the Lord who binds us together is one and the same. He does not change.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 15:13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What attitudes do you harbor in your heart—prejudice, insecurity, jealousy, a love for gossip—that get in the way of being at peace with other believers? How does God want you to treat your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Ask the Spirit to change your attitudes and help you be at peace.</p><p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[6] = "<span class=devohead>Day 65  &#0150; One Faith</span><p class=itals>There is only one Lord, one faith… <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 4:5)</span></p><p>As Christians we share one faith! This is a point that must be explained rather carefully. As we all know, there are many theological differences among believers. For example, there are many points of contention about the smaller matters of practice in worship. Doctrinal controversies and disagreements are all around us. So how is it that we say we have one faith? It is true because the Spirit is the One who shapes our faith. We may make many mistakes and take many wrong turns, which leads to disunity. But the genuine faith that is molded by the Holy Spirit will lead us together in unity and agreement if we will only follow Him.</p><p>There is one faith, though many misapplications of it. The Holy Spirit will always lead truly surrendered believers to the essentials. He will convict us of the reality of one crucified, resurrected, and living Christ who will return. He will always lead us to trust His Word and to devote ourselves to prayer. These are givens, and any variation from them is a sign of the Spirit’s absence. There is one faith as promoted by the Spirit, and that faith can only unify us because it is the same for all of us.</p><p>As believers, we are all one body, and share one hope, one Lord, one faith, and one baptism of the Holy Spirit. And we have the same glorious heavenly Father, for we have been adopted into His spiritual family. The Bible declares, &#0147;There is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all&#0148; (Ephesians 4:6).<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 1:16-17.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Your church may not agree with everything the church down the street, or around the corner, believes, but if they belong to Christ by faith in His sacrificial death and resurrection, are you embracing and honoring them as brothers and sisters? How can you be an instrument of peace in your community?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[7] = "<span class=devohead>Day 66  &#0150; Maintaining the Unity of the Spirit</span><p class=itals>Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud  or rude. Love does not demand its own way. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Corinthians 13:4-5)</span></p><p>We know that many believers do not experience the unity of the body of Christ. To walk together in unity requires drawing closer and closer to our brothers and sisters in the Spirit’s power. As a matter of fact, this can be seen as a good leading indicator of spiritual health. When we find that strong and supportive Christian fellowship is missing from our lives, it is a good indication that we do not know the practical meaning of Holy Spirit unity. We can remedy this problem by beginning with self-examination, taking a close look at the character qualities He is constantly developing within us.</p><p>As the Spirit molds us closer to Christ’s image, we will grow in the humility of Christ. It certainly does not come naturally to this selfish and prideful world. Sin grows from pride, but humility maintains a proper and accurate perception of who we are in God’s great scheme of things. We pour ourselves out for others, just as Christ poured Himself out for us. Humility enhances unity; pride creates division.</p><p>We must be gentle. We must be patient. Above all, love is absolutely essential to unity among us. True love, the kind discussed in 1 Corinthians 13, is available only through the Holy Spirit. This is why, throughout my years of ministry, I have so frequently spoken and written on the subject of how to love others by faith through the enabling of the Holy Spirit. We could never achieve supernatural, sacrificial love without allowing Him to love us and to love others through us. When we invite God to love people through us, miracles can and will happen.</p><p>We must cultivate the attributes of Christ if we are interested in building unity. If we spend our time working with the Holy Spirit in these areas, we will have little time for focusing on the shortcomings of others in a conflict.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 John 4:7-8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Is there some prickly person you have trouble loving? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you make a decision to love them, and do so by faith, as an act of the will.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[8] = "<span class=devohead>Day 67  &#0150; Understand the Perspectives of Others</span><p class=itals>They must not speak evil of anyone, and they must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Titus 3:2)</span></p><p>Isn’t it amazing how differently we see the world when we stop to take a second look from the other person’s perspective?</p><p>As a new Christian numerous years ago, I was quite intolerant of many other believers. I judged them as being neither hot nor cold for the Lord. In fact, I was so critical of established believers that I determined to keep those whom I led to Christ separated from them. Why let these unexcited, spiritually empty Christians pollute the zeal of the new converts? That attitude did not last long, for God helped me to see my own arrogance and pride. I had lacked any compassion for the experiences of those who had known Christ for a great deal longer than I. The Holy Spirit helped me feel love for them rather than condemnation, and I began to try looking at life from their vantage point. I reached out for opportunities to teach these older believers about the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Many of them were revived and became fruitful witnesses for Christ. I believe we both learned more about God from these experiences.</p><p>A little humility should help us &#0147;keep the main thing the main thing.&#0148; In the New Testament, the unity of believers is a main emphasis. In disputes over minor matters of faith, we tend to put all our focus on who is in the right and who is in the wrong. The precise answer may typically be less important than we think.</p><p>From the Spirit’s perspective, what is <I>always</I> tremendously important is how well we love and support each other.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Colossians 3:12-17.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Do you feel uncomfortable when you are around other believers who go to a different church or belong to a different denomination? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to love them as Christ loves them. Remember that Jesus Christ is your common bond!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[9] = "<span class=devohead>Day 68  &#0150; Nurture a Spirit of Forgiveness, not Bitterness</span><p class=itals></p><p>Get rid of all bitterness. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 4:31)</span></p><p>Throughout the New Testament, unity is lifted up as a supreme goal of the body of Christ. It is a terrible tragedy when we allow petty disagreements to corrupt that unity. The answer is to focus on the great central doctrines that unite us instead of the marginal ones that divide us. We can simply agree to disagree in areas where the Bible does not speak decisively.</p><p>Understanding the perspectives of others is a kind of &#0147;preventive maintenance&#0148; to help us avoid damaging conflicts.</p><p>The world is filled with people who desperately need to be forgiven—and even more who need to forgive. Bitterness is that terrible weed that springs up in the soul and eventually chokes out all that is pure within us. It obscures our vision and perspective. It dominates our thoughts. It becomes a looming obstacle that cuts us off from perfect fellowship with God. Bitterness often begins over the smallest, most trivial slight—maybe even an imagined one. If unchecked, the root of bitterness will grow by feeding upon itself.</p><p>The devil can use bitterness more powerfully than nearly any other emotion. Eventually it becomes a cancer that will consume the spirit. Only one medicine can arrest that cancer’s growth and remove it forever: forgiveness. We have another word for it in our faith, and that word is grace. The grace of God made it possible for us to be forgiven of the ultimate sin of rebellion against Him. And if He could forgive us such a great debt, there is no sin committed by another person that we are not able to forgive.</p><p>Jesus taught us to pray, &#0147;Forgive us our sins—just as we forgive those who have sinned against us&#0148; (Luke 11:4). The Holy Spirit wants to give us the power for that kind of forgiveness.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 14:1-4; Ephesians 4:32.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Who in your life do you need to forgive? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any bitterness to you that you are consciously or secretly harboring in your heart. Ask God to forgive you. Seek a way of reconciling your relationship with that person.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[10] = "<span class=devohead>Day 69  &#0150; Initiate the Building of Bridges</span><p class=itals>So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Romans 14:19)</span></p><p>What will you do in your relationships with others? Two people can choose how to function together. They can fight a duel or sing a duet. There can be words of anger or sounds of music sweet to the ears of God. The same term used in music to mean a pleasing blend of notes can also be used to describe a reconciled relationship. That word is <I>harmony</I>, which in our theme verse above the Bible encourages us to have as our goal.</p><p>I think we can all agree that there are enough walls in this world. My heart has broken more than once at the sight of terrible, unresolved conflicts within the body of Christ. Why is it that we find it impossible to work out our differences, all the while claiming to be guided by the Holy Spirit who craves unity and reconciliation? We need to knock down a few walls and set bridges in their place. What a refreshing experience when we are able to witness two antagonistic parties coming back together: separated spouses, schismatic church factions, bitter business partners.</p><p>Those who are able to love their enemies give evidence of a supernatural force at work in their lives. Love will turn an enemy into a brother.</p><p>Can we practice love in daily life? I believe that of all the things we do, this is the one that most arrests the attention of a watching world. The world cannot understand how a woman can forgive the thief who broke into her home; how a father can forgive the son who ran away and broke his heart; how a woman and her husband can love to Christ the man who had raped her, and then upon his release from prison, invite him to live in their house for a while. The world knows that a greater force than human emotion must be at work—a force that transcends selfishness and retribution, a force that is willing to endure undeserved pain in order to serve another human being. </p><p>Nothing is more powerful than God’s love. Let God show love through you, in unity and harmony, and the world will come hurrying to learn more about the One who inspires such love and unity.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Matthew 5:47; 1 Peter 4:8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Is your life more distinguished by bridges of love and harmony or by barriers of conflict and discord? How can you be an instrument of peace among those torn by strife? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and use you.</p><p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[11] = "<span class=devohead>Day 70  &#0150; Yield to One Another Out of Respect for Christ</span><p class=itals>Submit to one another… <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 5:21)</span></p><p>If we can love one another, we can yield to one another. Yielding is the outward proof of inward love. Christ yielded Himself to the Father in all things. As His followers, we should yield ourselves not only to Him but also to one another, as an example of our respect for Jesus: &#0147;Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ&#0148; (Ephesians 5:21).</p><p>If I were to ask you how you felt about those in your local body of believers, I expect you would immediately tell me how you loved them. Most of us can love in principle. The hard part is loving by application. What if you had a tremendous idea for your Bible study group, and you spent hours planning it and working out the details—only to have another member submit a competing plan? You may well love that fellow member, but are you willing to yield? If you truly love your fellow believers, you will submit to them frequently for the good of the body and the will of the Lord. There can be healthy and positive discussion of alternatives, but love requires us to yield frequently. The Spirit will gently prod you on those occasions when you need to step back and put aside your pride.</p><p>Unity does not mean embracing heresy. What if someone were to stand in your church or Christian group and proclaim that Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammed should now be considered as equals? What if a leader challenged the historicity of the resurrection of Jesus Christ? We must face the fact that there are some authentic issues that should be fought for, even if unity suffers. The truth is that there can be no long-term unity if heresy is embraced. The Holy Spirit will not tolerate its presence.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Philippians 2:3-8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Jesus Christ wants His body to be unified. The Holy Spirit is His instrument to bring harmony and deep community by cleansing us, transforming us, and uniting us in divine love. Commit yourself to practicing the truths in the UNITY acrostic: </p><p><br><b>Understand</b> the perspectives of others.<br><b>Nurture</b> a spirit of forgiveness, not bitterness.<br><b>Initiate</b> the building of bridges between factions.<br><b>Treat</b> others with love.<br><b>Yield</b> to one another out of respect for Christ.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[12] = "<span class=devohead>Day 71  &#0150; Love One Another</span><p class=itals>Love comes from God. Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 John 4:7)</span></p><p>Believers are called to be peacemakers, but not to elevate the modern idea of &#0147;tolerance&#0148; above truth. Tolerance should never be confused with love or extended for the sake of unity. We are called to love one another and to treat each other respectfully, just as we would like to be treated. But if we tolerate immoral behavior or misguided, heretical teaching for any reason, we are no longer light and salt to those who are perishing. We must never compromise God’s biblical truth.</p><p>Having firmly stated that, we must recognize that the greater number of Christian disputes do not have these central areas of doctrinal integrity at their center. They may be about anything from church carpet color to political power to personality differences. Those are the issues the Spirit will help you conquer in the name of loving Christian unity. If we allow the smaller conflicts to tear us asunder, the world will shake its head and conclude that we are no different from anyone else. But when the Holy Spirit’s sacrificial, yielding love and compassion prevail, something special can be seen by everyone. Only then can we become a city set on a hill, ablaze with light. Only then can we become salt and light to an unbelieving world.</p><p>Jesus said, &#0147;Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples&#0148; (John 13:35). The Spirit’s love and unity are miraculous, unique, and beyond anything the world can possibly manufacture.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 2 John 5, 6.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Have you asked the Holy Spirit to make you an instrument of His divine love to promote unity in your family, church, community, and country? Be open to the new opportunities He puts before you!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[13] = "<span class=devohead>Day 72  &#0150; Our Protector from Evil</span><p class=itals></p><p>For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 6:12).</span></p><p>It happens all around us: an invisible war. You are a fighter in it, and I am, too. This war is the conflict that we as Christians call spiritual warfare. Make no mistake: this is authentic war with authentic, invisible enemies. Satan entices the mind, titillates the senses, and uses our areas of weakness to provoke sin and ruin the purity of our fellowship.</p><p>But if the enemy is a powerful creature rather than one of flesh and blood, and if he is infinitely more intelligent than we are, and if he has had all of human history to perfect his deceit and trickery, how can we possibly hope to do battle with him—let alone win?</p><p>The Bible reveals that we have spiritual weaponry for fighting spiritual battles: &#0147;Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil&#0148; (Ephesians 6:11). Paul made use of the Roman military terminology of his day to help us understand that indeed, life is a spiritual battle; we cannot afford to go out unprepared.</p><p>Faith, salvation, truth, the Word—we seldom think of these as armor, but this is precisely what they are. If believers are going to stop surrendering to the flesh, the world, and the devil, we must learn to fight spiritually. We must put on all the armor of the spiritual warrior.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Philippians 4:8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Do you believe Satan actively wants to discourage you and stunt your growth in the Lord? What are some of the tactics he has used in your life in the past? Were those tactics successful? How can you guard against these attacks?</p><p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[14] = "<span class=devohead>Day 73  &#0150; The Armor of God</span><p class=itals></p><p>Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Peter 5:8)</span></p><p>The Word of God commands believers to put on &#0147;the sturdy belt of truth&#0148; (Ephesians 6:14). Before a Roman soldier went into battle, he rolled up his long robe waist high and then secured it with a sash or girdle. If he did not, his movements would be hindered. We, too, are to gird ourselves with truth—God’s Word.</p><p>We also wear the &#0147;body armor of God’s righteousness&#0148; (Ephesians 6:14). The armor of Paul’s time was a breastplate covering the chest and abdomen which protected the wearer from being wounded by his enemy’s sword. Our enemy loves to defeat us by reminding us of our unworthiness. But if we have confessed our sin to God, we are covered with Christ’s righteousness. The devil fires his flaming darts of deadly accusation, but the armor of the righteousness of Christ completely covers us.</p><p>&#0147;For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared&#0148; (Ephesians 6:15). No good soldier would wear an ordinary shoe or sandal into battle. Roman soldiers wore boots with embedded nails that functioned like today’s cleats. The Good News of the gospel provides solid spiritual footing for each of us.</p><p>The next piece of armor we are to take up is &#0147;faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan&#0148; (Ephesians 6:16). The clever enemies of Rome often dipped their arrows in hot tar, set them afire, and then fired them. The Romans, of course, could take shelter behind their shields, which were often as tall as wooden doors. Strong faith in Christ is our hiding place and shelter when it seems the world is shooting flaming arrows at us from every direction.</p><p>Then you should &#0147;put on salvation as your helmet&#0148; (Ephesians 6:17). The helmet was essential for the battlefield. The breastplate and shield might protect a soldier from nearly all the flaming darts, but his head would still be exposed from above. Salvation protects the mind.</p><p>Finally, we wield as our only weapon &#0147;the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God&#0148; (Ephesians 6:17). The Roman soldiers used long, heavy broad swords and small, swift daggers. The Word of God is like the dagger—quick, powerful, and sharp.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Hebrews 4:12.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> In the midst of our trials, the Word of God pierces the darkness, pointing accurately to truth when confusion is all around us. Read God’s Word every day. Study it, memorize it, and apply its truths to your daily living.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[15] = "<span class=devohead>Day 74  &#0150; Exposing the Father of Lies</span><p class=itals>Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, rebuke and expose them. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 5:11)</span></p><p>It is amazing to consider the web of lies and deceit that surrounds us at all times. A spider’s webbing is so thin that it is nearly invisible, but the lies of the devil are even more elusive. We could be ensnared at any time if not for the Spirit, who exposes the Great Deceiver. Satan prefers to work not in the open but through deception and trickery, with a skill and cunning he has learned through centuries of experience.</p><p>The devil has a personal strategy for each individual believer. Most of us know where our weak spots are. If your marriage is not strong, that is the place where he will surely try to break through your lines of defense and harm you spiritually. If you struggle with honesty in business, he will throw temptation after temptation at you in this area.</p><p>I remember a young man I met during my days in seminary. He had come home from the mission field filled with defeat. I listened carefully as he described his frustration and despair. It was clear that he was living in the energy of the flesh, which amounts to going onto the battlefield day after day without armor. I explained this to the young man and told him he desperately needed to be filled with the Spirit.</p><p>His response was an angry one. Had he not been serving on the mission field for years, and given of himself sacrificially to reach people for Christ? He stormed out of my office.</p><p>After deeper consideration, he called me and asked for a second meeting where we continued our discussion of the Holy Spirit. A few days later I heard from the young man by mail. He had asked God to confirm to him whether my words were true, and the Spirit acknowledged within him that indeed they were true. My friend invited the Holy Spirit to fill him, and he shared with me the joy and excitement of his new discovery.</p><p>Just as the Spirit overcame the deception that this young man was doing all the right things, He will point you to all the truth you need. We simply need to ask Him to do so, as this believer did.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 16:13; Ephesians 5:14-17.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When confronted with possible deception: (1) ask the Holy Spirit for discernment, and (2) test the information you have against the Word of God.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[16] = "<span class=devohead>Day 75  &#0150; The World, the Flesh, and the Devil</span><p class=itals>The Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.&#0148; <span style='font-style:normal'>(1John 4:4)</span></p><p>For many centuries, Christian scholars have spoken of a three-pronged attack that believers must face when encountering temptation. The attacks are from the world, the flesh, and the devil. They are interrelated, and they overlap—but each of these three should be considered individually.</p><p>In the Bible, &#0147;the world&#0148; is a term that refers to the ordered, arranged system of physical reality that is under Satan’s control. The devil himself is referred to as &#0147;the prince of this world&#0148; (John 12:31). The world, biblically speaking, includes the people who follow his deceptions as well as their false beliefs.</p><p>Worldliness can be very subtle. Many Christians fall under the spell of materialism, for example. But there are many other forms of worldliness. In dealing with the temptation of worldliness, you still must face the lure of the flesh. The flesh is the earthly part of man with its lusts and desires. The Bible teaches us that living according to the flesh is a sure road to death. The way of the flesh includes not only hunger, lust, and other appetites, but also impulses such as anger and greed.</p><p>Praise God that His Spirit helps us crucify the flesh. &#0147;Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin … So you should consider yourselves dead to sin and able to live for the glory of God through Christ Jesus&#0148; (Romans 6:6, 11). Much of our spiritual growth and maturity comes through the painful sacrifice of cooperating with the Spirit, moment by moment.</p><p>The third attack of sin and temptation is that of the devil himself. He is ultimately behind all temptation; he is the unseen enemy. You cannot face the lion from hell unless you have the strength of the Lion of Judah. You must fight the hellfire of Satan with the holy fire of the Spirit. He will give you shelter behind the shield of faith and help you strike back, powerfully using the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. We can triumph over Satan in the coliseum of life only because the Victor Himself, Jesus Christ, lives within us through His Spirit.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 John 2:14-17.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What areas of your life are challenged by the world, the flesh, and the devil?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[17] = "<span class=devohead>Day 76  &#0150; Preparing for Battle</span><p class=itals>Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Romans 12:2)</span></p><p>There are several things we can do to prepare for battle and assure victory over temptation. First, <I>we must claim God’s promises for victory over temptation.</I> The Scriptures offer us powerful ammunition for standing firm in the times we are tempted the most. There are several liberating promises in the following passage alone:</b><block quote>No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you will be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13, NASB).</block quote><p>We feel isolated and alone when we struggle on the verge of disobedience. We think that no one can help, no one can understand what we are experiencing. But the Bible promises us that other people also face such temptations every day, and that God never fails to provide self-control to His children when they seek His help. Not only that, but the temptation will never be sizeable enough that we will have no chance of victory over it. We are promised that He will not allow a temptation that we cannot overcome with His help, and He always offers an escape route. This is wonderful news!</p><p>Second, <I>in preparing to face temptation, we must occupy our minds with thoughts that are pleasing to God</I>.</p><p>Third, when tempted, <I>we should always unite with other believers in prayer.</I> Call a &#0147;war council&#0148; prayer meeting of Christians you really trust, and trust them with the trials you are facing. As they pray daily for you, you will feel bolstered by new power and resolve such as you have never experienced. God will honor you for your humility in seeking the prayerful support of your fellow Christians. He will bless not only your life but the lives of those who come to your aid. It is also true that we are far less likely to commit a sin when our friends and family are holding us accountable.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> James 5:16.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Do you have a Christian person or a group to whom you are accountable and from whom you can ask for prayer support? Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to someone or some group that could be an encouragement and support for you.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[18] = "<span class=devohead>Day 77  &#0150; In the Heat of Conflict</span><p class=itals>Humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(James 4:7)</span></p><p>What can we do in the line of fire? For one thing, we can resist Satan and his schemes.</p><p>Does that sound too simplistic? There is nothing new or exciting about the idea that the answer to temptation is to resist it. The world would have us believe resistance is impossible, but we are not as weak as the modern world wants to tell us we are. From the magazines and movies of our time, one would think no married person could resist the lure of adultery, that everyone must eventually give in and cheat in business and on their taxes. But as we daily offer our bodies as living sacrifices to our wonderful Lord, the ideas of corruption and disobedience should become more and more repugnant to us. We should become more committed in our resolve to stand firm, to resist the temptation and send the devil on his way.</p><p>The command of the Bible is simple cause and effect: resist the temptation, and it will go away and leave you in peace for now. Keep resisting it whenever it returns, and you will gain strength. Keep giving in, and you are headed down a slippery slope to spiritual self-destruction. The key comes at the beginning of that passage. When we submit ourselves to God, we have placed Him before our own desires and appetites. We will seek to please Him in all things.</p><p>I can tell you that our greatest weapon in the face of inner conflict is the Word of God wielded with the power of the Spirit of God.</p><p>God’s Word is the objective, eternal truth for all believers. God’s Spirit, on the other hand, is His presence in our individual lives. If we had the Bible alone, the truth would seem cold and impersonal; if we had only the Holy Spirit, the truth would be subjectively misapplied based on our personal biases. But when we put the objective Word in the hands of the Spirit who knows us individually and intimately, there is no crisis we cannot face. There is no temptation too large.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Hebrews 4:12-13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to point out the weak spots where the devil is getting a foothold in your life. Trust the Spirit to give you victory over your temptations.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[19] = "<span class=devohead>Day 78  &#0150; Preparing for the Next Battle</span><p class=itals>I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Galatians 5:16)</span></p><p>We cannot serve the world and our Lord at the same time. We must make a choice—sometimes many times in a day—between yielding to our old nature and the world’s ways, and living by the Spirit and God’s ways. Have you let bad habits or poor choices get a grip on your affections? If those things have a hold on you, the devil’s work is much easier. The key to guarding your affections and keeping them free of those entanglements is to abide in Christ through the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John, &#0147;I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing&#0148; (John 15:5, NIV). As you abide in Him, through prayer, reflection, and the Word, He will be actively performing a great work in you. As you let the Spirit do His work, you will behave and feel a bit more like Christ today than you did yesterday.</p><p>As that happens, your loving affection for Him will grow deeper and deeper. You will see that only He can truly satisfy. And when the devil comes along with cheap, empty substitutes for God’s joy and fulfillment, you will see those things for what they are. Guard your affections and give God your greatest love, your greatest time, your greatest commitment. Never give the devil a foothold.</p><p>In the presence of sustained and overwhelming opposition, we need to remember what God has done in the past, where He is at work right now, and what He has promised for a wonderful future. We know that Christ will have the final victory; that He is greater than he who is in the world; that there is no temptation greater than His power in us; and that daily victory through the enabling of the Holy Spirit is ours for the asking.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Galatians 5:16-24.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> The Holy Spirit living in you is more powerful than any temptation. He longs to protect you and embolden you toward victory. As a warrior trains for battle, prepare yourself for attack by practicing the steps found in the &#0147;COURAGE acrostic:</p><p><b>Claim</b> God’s promises for victory over temptation.<br><b>Occupy</b> your mind with thoughts that are pleasing to God.<br><b>Unite</b> with other believers in prayer.<br><b>Resist</b> Satan and his schemes.<br><b>Arm</b> yourself with the sword of the Spirit.<br><b>Guard</b> your affections.<br><b>Expect</b> God to prevail and thank Him for every victory.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[20] = "<span class=devohead>Day 79  &#0150; We Are More Than Conquerors</span><p class=itals></p><p>God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. <span style='font-style:normal'>(James 1:12)</span></p><p>As our faith and confidence grow, we begin to see ourselves differently. The Bible says that &#0147;we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us&#0148; (Romans 8:37, NIV). When we face temptation, we should never feel isolated, weak, or helpless. Whatever the devil may try to tell you, you are in fact a conqueror—a champion! For now, you are running the race with all the concentration and endurance that effort requires. But in the end, you are promised that every ounce of spiritual fortitude will be made worthwhile.</p><p>The crown mentioned in our theme verse above is a crown worth waiting for. Imagine arriving home after a hard day in which you skipped lunch. You rummage around in the kitchen and find a candy bar. Just as you lift it toward your mouth, your spouse walks into the kitchen and says, &#0147;Hey, that thing will spoil your appetite—I was going to take you to the finest restaurant in town!&#0148; I believe you would put the cheap candy bar away quickly. Why let it take the edge off a far greater, far more delicious feast that lies in store for you?</p><p>There is no temptation, no matter how powerful, that would not pale in the light of the reward that awaits you and me in heaven. I want to run the race and be counted worthy of that crown. I want to avoid those entanglements that could trip me up and keep me from running at full speed. I have a goal that is greater than anything the world can offer, and I intend to keep letting the Spirit give me power, wisdom, and victory in the face of the most alluring temptations this dark world can offer. I leave you with this challenge from the Old Testament:</p><p>&#0147;Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!&#0148; (2 Chronicles 20:17).<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Philippians 3:13-14; Hebrews 12:1.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> You are more than a conqueror in Christ. What are some of the battles you are currently fighting for Christ’s cause? Depend on the strength of the Holy Spirit to make you victorious!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[21] = "<span class=devohead>Day 80  &#0150; Our Source for Service</span><p class=itals>We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 2:10)</span></p><p>Anyone would agree that Ernest Hemingway had special gifts. He wrote memorable, best-selling novels such as The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. He won both a Pulitzer and a Nobel Prize, yet he found time for all kinds of adventures in his globe-trotting life. He fought in a world war, flew planes, fished in deep-sea waters, fought bulls, and generally served as the very icon of the &#0147;macho&#0148; American adventurer. His rugged image, his work, and his ideas were known worldwide.</p><p>Yet in 1961, he removed himself from a tortured existence by taking his own life. How could this be? Why would someone with such a lust for life, and so many gifts to offer the world, commit suicide?</p><p>Meanwhile, unannounced in the headlines, there are countless &#0147;little&#0148; people across the world—living quiet lives, having never fought a bull, wrestled a championship marlin, or written a classic novel. These folks find fulfillment, excitement, and sheer joy just the same. They find their significance not through publicity, power, and personal gifts, but through godly power and spiritual gifts. They have found something that shines so brightly it leaves money and fame in the shadows.</p><p>An author may write a masterpiece if he is extremely fortunate and productive with his craft. It may remain in print for a few decades or, very rarely, for a few centuries. But the Bible claims that you are a masterpiece of heavenly art. Like all great art, you bear the stamp and style of the Artist who produced you.</p><p>Best of all, you are an <I>active</I> work of art. You are a masterpiece created with a function: to do &#0147;good things&#0148; that He laid out for you even before you were born. </p><p>You are a masterpiece even now, whether you know it or not. But the best is yet to come. When you discover what He created you to do, and you begin to fulfill that bright destiny, your joy will be exceeded only by the joy of your Creator who has planned it all along.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 139:14.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Have you ever thought about your uniqueness? What are some of the ways you are currently being used by God?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[22] = "<span class=devohead>Day 81  &#0150; The Life of the Body</span><p class=itals>We are all parts of His one body. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Romans 12:5)</span></p><p>Have you ever thought about how God sees your life? He sees past, present, and future as if they were all one, for He does not dwell within time as we do. Our minutes, days, and years are a created structure within His eternity. From His place in eternity, He looks upon your life as a whole unit. He knows the gifts He designed for you, and He knows the tasks that need to be fulfilled. All that remains is for you to find the gift, discover the need, and do what God designed you to do.</p><p>The Spirit is the one who activates your gifts and begins to mold them toward service. It is also the Spirit who works powerfully through your gifts, in a way that astounds you. God has a wonderful plan for your life, and you have taken the first steps toward discovering what it is.</p><p>One of the most wonderful traits of spiritual gifts is the way they bond you with other believers. Gifts are never meant to be used in isolation. God gives them to you for edifying the body of Christ. Unless you use your gifts, something will be missing in your local Christian fellowship. People will lack something of value. And if others fail to use their gifts, you will lack something as well.</p><p>It is no coincidence that the Bible calls the church the &#0147;body of Christ.&#0148; He is the head, and each of us is a body part. Jesus left the world forty days after His resurrection, but in a miraculous manner, He created a way to continue being present and active in it, right up to this day. His body lives and walks and serves through the accumulation of believers indwelt by the Spirit who are using their gifts.</p><p>Jesus created His church to be a community that works with the same beautiful complexity as the parts of a human body. The human body is God’s physical masterpiece, and the church is His spiritual one. In both cases, a wound to one part means pain for the whole body. A broken finger means that a physical body will feel the ache and be hampered in all that it tries to do. A suffering church member means that the body of Christ will experience pain and malfunction. We were never intended to be independent agents as believers. We need each other vitally, and we cannot fully experience the Christian life without the give and take of functioning in the body.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 12:3-16.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> In what ways are you currently using your gifts to build up the body of Christ? What spiritual gifts have other recognized in you through your service?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[23] = "<span class=devohead>Day 82  &#0150; Equipped to Fulfill God’s Plan</span><p class=itals>God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Romans 12:6)</span></p><p>It is a great mistake to suppose that all Christians should be carbon copies of one another, for diversity is what allows us to accomplish such a wide array of tasks in building God’s kingdom. Instead of allowing our differences to divide us, we should be realizing that they are the very distinctions that make us special. Diversity shows the genius of God’s design. He made us with unique gifts, varying perspectives, and distinct personalities so we could thrive as a healthy body and complete the tasks He has for us here on earth. Each of us is a vital part of the body of Christ.</p><p>The glue that holds the body of Christ together, of course, is the Holy Spirit. Without the Spirit we would have no hope of ever finding unity. It is the same Spirit who allows one to be a helper and another a teacher, one to be an administrator and another an encourager. When we are in tune with Him, we see the big picture; we recognize the marvelous way we complement each other. The Spirit binds us together in love and bestows upon us unique gifts to accomplish, step by step, the plan Christ has for His church.</p><p>The topic of gifts is an intriguing and controversial one. The biblical word for gifts is <I>charisma</I>, which means &#0147;gifts of grace.&#0148; The Bible teaches that they are given to us as tools of individual service, provided so that we may build up the body of Christ and fulfill God’s plan for the church and the world.</p><p>You may have one gift or you may have several. No matter how insignificant a member of the body may seem, the Bible promises that this person is an integral part of the body of Christ with special spiritual abilities. This concept should certainly affect the way we treat one another within the church—and it should also affect the way you think of yourself as a member of the body.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 12:11.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> The Holy Spirit generously bestows spiritual gifts on believers in order to build up the church and glorify Christ. Commit yourself to practicing the truths in the GIFTS acrostic:</p><p><b>Give</b> of your gifts in love through the power of the Holy Spirit.<br><b>Identify</b> your gifts through the confirmation of others as you serve.<br><b>Fulfill</b> God’s purpose for your life by developing your gifts.<br><b>Think</b> rightly about yourself and your gifts.<br><b>Serve</b> in response to the need of others, regardless of your gifts.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[24] = "<span class=devohead>Day 83  &#0150; What Are Your Gifts?</span><p class=itals>God has given gifts to each of you from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Peter 4:10)</span></p><p>Perhaps your life is like Ira Yates’ sheep ranch. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, his ranch offered insufficient financial support for his family. Then a seismographic crew from an oil company struck oil on his property. Yates, the one-time sheep-rancher, had been sitting on a financial empire without knowing it. You may look at your life as a barren property, yet the Bible promises that there are riches buried within. You are endowed with gifts that make you capable of doing what no one else could do in the same way.</p><p>And what are these gifts? A number of them are mentioned in the New Testament:</p><p>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Apostleship (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10; Romans 12:6; Ephesians 4:11)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Teaching (1 Corinthians 12:28, 29; Romans 12:7)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Helping/serving (1 Corinthians 12:28; Romans 12:7)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Showing mercy/kindness (Romans 12:8)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Pastor/teacher (Ephesians 4:11)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Leadership (Romans 12:8)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Administration (1 Corinthians 12:28)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Giving (Romans 12:8)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Special faith (1 Corinthians 12:9)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Exhortation/Encouragement (Romans 12:8)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Discerning of spirits (1 Corinthians 12:10)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Working of miracles (1 Corinthians 12:10)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Healing (1 Corinthians 12:9)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Speaking in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10)<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;Interpreting tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10)</p><p>This list is not exhaustive—there could be others. God has many purposes and His Spirit will enable you to fulfill whatever task He needs you to do at the time.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Have you discovered your gifts? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal your gifts to you and help you make them as effective as possible in building up the church and glorifying Christ. There are many resources available to help you in identifying your gifts. Visit your local Christian bookstore or check with someone from your church. In the meantime, here is a start: Make a list of what you <I>enjoy</I> doing most, and another list of what you are <I>able</I> to do best. Where the two lists agree will give you a clue as to what your spiritual gift may be.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[25] = "Place quote here"
Jun[26] = "<span class=devohead>Day 84  &#0150; For Glory and for Growth</span><p class=itals>A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Corinthians 12:7)</span></p><p>The gifts of the Spirit glorify Christ. As that occurs, the church will grow in size and strength. It is important to remember that in no way should our gifts puff us up with pride or fill us with any delusions of grandeur. True spiritual gifts never point to our glory but only to the magnificence of Christ. As you observe a gifted teacher or evangelist, you will observe how this question is answered: To what extent do this person’s gifts glorify Christ? To what extent do they magnify this person’s ego?</p><p>As we observe a gifted administrator, for example, it will become clear whether this person uses his or her gift to fulfill the purposes of Christ or to solidify personal power. The visible gifts, such as these, tend to be the ones in danger of being misused—and the Spirit will discipline believers who misappropriate the precious gifts they have been given for their own benefits.</p><p>The Bible states the case this way: &#0147;Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God Himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to Him forever and ever&#0148; (1 Peter 4:11). Gifts are focused fully and constantly upon the glory of God, plain and simple. When any controversy arises concerning them, this is an important truth to keep in mind. How is the name of Christ exalted and glorified? If Christ is not the center of focus, spiritual gifts are not being properly used.</p><p>As each member of the body of Christ exercises his or her gifts, we are continuing Christ’s work on earth. Theologian and author J. I. Packer explains in his book <I>Keep in Step with the Spirit</I>, &#0147;Our exercise of spiritual gifts is nothing more nor less than Christ himself ministering through his body to his body, to the Father, and to all mankind. From heaven Christ uses Christians as his mouth, his hands, his feet, even his smile; it is through us, his people, that he speaks and acts, meets, loves, and saves here and now in this world.&#0148;<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Colossians 3:1-4.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> As you exercise your spiritual gifts, continually ask yourself, &#0147;Is my focus on Christ?&#0148; Glorify Him in all that you do!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[27] = "<span class=devohead>Day 85  &#0150; He is With Us and In Is</span><p class=itals>Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Matthew 28:20)</span></p><p>Two thousand years ago, Jesus lived upon the earth and ministered to people. After He departed for heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He appointed His Spirit to carry on His work through us—not in a vague, symbolic sense but in a true, supernatural one. He once delivered His teachings in Israel; He now delivers them across the world through us. He once traveled among all the towns and provinces there; He now travels to every inhabited continent and nation through us. He once performed miracles to the people of His time; He now performs them in our time through us. He once healed people, loved people, encouraged people, and showed them a new way to live. All of those things are happening today through you and me, manifesting our gifts as His living body. We are His hands, His feet, His presence in the world. And we glorify Him.</p><p>As Christ is exalted through our gifts, the church continues to be blessed and enlarged. Our gifts are for the good of the whole, as if we were the individual cells in the human body. That body remains healthy when each cell performs its appointed task. If the cells rebelled and stopped working for the good of the entire human body, we would have what is known medically as cancer. A healthy church needs healthy, selfless members using their gifts to glorify Christ and strengthen His body through the good of the fellowship. When the church breaks into factions and power struggles, the &#0147;cells&#0148; have become cancerous.</p><p>Imagine also a human body in which a few of the cells were expected to perform all the body’s functions. I think you will agree that the health prognosis for this individual would not be good. We see that spiritually when a church expects its pastor and staff to do all the ministry. We tend to use a &#0147;professional&#0148; paradigm for the church, expressing that we pay these men to do the work for us. But the Bible teaches that every member is to serve; everyone has been given gifts to use, and each one is necessary.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 6:19.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What needs do you see in your church and community that you believe God wants you to meet?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[28] = "<span class=devohead>Day 86  &#0150; Putting Your Gifts to Work</span><p class=itals>Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Timothy 4:14)</span></p><p>God wants His children to experience the contentment and joy that come from serving Him in the power of the Holy Spirit. How can you begin today to put your gifts to work for the good of the body of Christ?</p><p>First, identify your gifts through the confirmation of others as you serve. Some ministries have developed simple written tests to help you think about your aptitudes and tendencies, and thus discover what your gifts might be. But the best way for you to learn what the Spirit has equipped you to do is through service. Minister in a wide variety of opportunities and discover where you are the most effective, where you derive the greatest sense of satisfaction, where Christ is most glorified and your fellow members are most strengthened. I believe that if you set about doing this in your church, you will soon begin to learn about your gifts. But the important thing is to be active in service, as Paul admonished Timothy in our theme verse above.</p><p>Second, give of your gifts in love through the power of the Holy Spirit. &#0147;Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts&#0148; (1 Corinthians 14:1, NASB). Never let your focus move to yourself, but keep it on serving Christ and His body. As always, the key to doing that is found in the most wonderful of all words, <I>love</I>. If you begin to regard others as more important than yourself and look to their benefit, you will find yourself using your gifts—almost without realizing it.</p><p>The Bible reminds us in 1 Corinthians 13 that no matter what you accomplish, no matter how hard you work, your gifts will amount to nothing without love. Used in the service of love for Christ and His church, however, they will make an eternal impact.</p><p>As you begin using and developing your gifts, you will be fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Timothy 1:6-8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> In what ways do you see God’s Spirit working in others?</p><p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[29] = "<span class=devohead>Day 87  &#0150; Your Gifts in Perspective</span><p class=itals>As God’s messenger, I give each of you this warning: Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Romans 12:3)</span></p><p>Think rightly about yourself and your gifts. . Humility is not necessarily lowering one’s estimate of oneself, but being more accurate in that assessment. On the one hand, you are irreplaceable and eternally significant in your place in the body of Christ. The church will never be what God intends it to be unless you are there exercising your gifts. On the other hand, this is no occasion for pride; it is the Spirit who has the power, the Spirit who provides the ability, and the Spirit who does the work through you. Balance your view of self with a thorough understanding of these points.</p><p>Avoid the misconception that there is some kind of hierarchy of gifts. There is a long-standing myth that &#0147;visible&#0148; gifts such as teacher or pastor are more important or glamorous. People with these gifts are at the center of attention. Those with gifts such as giving, on the other hand, can be nearly invisible. These gifts may be practiced quietly, sometimes anonymously. But in truth, the proper use of gifts means that none are glamorous at all—they all magnify Christ, and the encourager of one hurting soul is just as precious to God as the teacher of five thousand.</p><p>Trying to implement someone else’s gift will leave you frustrated and miserable. Your greatest joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment will come only when you exercise the true gifts the Holy Spirit has placed within you. You and your gifts are like fingers in a perfectly fitted glove. God created you with a combination of gifts and qualities that no one else has. You are unique. And with His power, you can fulfill the role He has for you.</p><p>Remember, too, that the &#0147;quiet&#0148; gifts may be the most essential of all. How will we ever get the details done unless someone uses the gift of helps? How will we find the resources without someone’s gift of giving? We need each other. Someone with leadership is helpless without someone else who can administrate. The preacher is ineffective without believers who have the gifts of prayer, fasting, giving, and service. Use your true gift with a right understanding of its place in your life, and your place in ministry.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 12:27-31.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Is there something in your life you need to stop doing and something else you need to <I>start</I> doing? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you his <I>wisdom</I> to know what to do, and His <I>boldness</I> to actually do it!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[30] = "<span class=devohead>Day 88  &#0150; Serve Others With Your Gifts</span><p class=itals>For you have been called to live in freedom—not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Galatians 5:13)</span></p><p>Serve in response to the needs of others, regardless of your gifts. I believe that we as Christians should use our gifts without actually being gift-centered. There is a difference. We should be driven by needs rather than gifts, for as we identify the needs, our gifts emerge in ministry.</p><p>Jesus is the ultimate example of service. If Jesus had reasoned like most of us, he might have said something like this: &#0147;My time on earth is short, so I plan to focus on My gift of teaching. I will be needing plenty of time to Myself. I have some major sermons to prepare.&#0148;</p><p>But that is not how Jesus behaved. He always found the time to encourage children and those who were overlooked by society. He constantly managed to stop to heal a sick person or attend dinner with someone shunned by society. He responded to the needs of both the haves and the have-nots. Jesus was not focused selfishly on Himself and His gifts, but on the needs of others. He said that He came to seek and to save those who were lost (Luke 19:10), and He lived totally for the needs of those around Him. Though He was God, Jesus humbled Himself, washed His disciples’ feet, and took the worst imaginable punishment on our behalf because our greatest need of all was salvation.</p><p>Jesus said, &#0147;For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many&#0148; (Matthew 20:28). He should be our ultimate model for service.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Matthew 23:1-12.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Take some time to examine your motives. Do you serve others because you love them and as a service to Christ? Or are other motives directing your actions? Ask the Holy Spirit to purify your heart!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"

Jun = new Array
Jun[1] = "<span class=devohead>Day 89  &#0150; Fulfillment through Our Gifts</span><p class=itals>Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Romans 12:5) </span></p><p>Serving in the power of the Holy Spirit will bring you the greatest fulfillment life has to offer. You are one piece of a great, worldwide jigsaw puzzle whose picture of the eternal body of Christ has yet to be completely assembled. There can be nothing more forlorn and useless than a puzzle piece that has fallen on the floor, been swept under the carpet, and separated from the rest of the puzzle. Without that one piece, the great picture can never be complete. The piece itself has no value. But when it is found, and when it settles into the puzzle with a satisfying click, all its shapes and colors suddenly fit with perfect precision. The puzzle piece interlocks properly on every side and helps to make a beautiful picture. The use of gifts under the Spirit’s direction is the missing piece to the puzzle of modern Christianity.</p><p>Let us try to imagine a church that took this idea completely to heart. What would such a congregation be like? Think of it—every member busy using his or her gifts to build the fellowship, honor Christ, and reach nonbelievers.</p><p>Such a church would truly be a &#0147;city on a hill&#0148; in that community, a lighthouse that would attract seekers from every direction. There would be little time for petty and divisive controversies, because miracles of grace would be on every side, to the delight of all. Christ would live, breathe, and bless the world through such a church. As a matter of fact, the world would flock to that church, almost beating down the doors.</p><p>I do not believe this is an idealistic pipe dream, but the very plan that God has for every church in this world. Too many of our congregations are struggling to justify their existence, to protect their slumping attendance, and much of that is because believers are not being led to use their gifts. The church is not ministering to needs. We can do better, and it can begin with you. Find and exercise your spiritual gifts, and help all your fellow believers do the same.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Ephesians 2:8-10.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Thank God today for his work in you and through you!</p><p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[2] = "<span class=devohead>Day 90  &#0150; Our Empowerment for Evangelism</span><p class=itals>We are Christ’s ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(2 Corinthians 5:20)</span></p><p>If we are truthful, we must admit that we are sometimes indifferent about the souls of certain people. There is that man who rudely honks his horn in traffic, the uncaring receptionist at the other end of a telephone line, the tiresome person ahead of us in line at the grocery store. We even have friends with whom we never attempt to discuss the most important news the world has ever heard—the news of Jesus Christ.</p><p>We know we should share the wonderful, life-changing news of the gospel, but we are afraid. We feel inadequate, or we think other things are more important. And, perhaps most of all, we lack the love that would compel us to share our faith. Meanwhile, God loves every single one of these lost, lonely people with an everlasting love. He desperately yearns to reach them.</p><p>But He yearns to reach them <I>through us</I>. God’s way is to rescue people through other people. He has sprinkled us around the world to be &#0147;the salt of the earth&#0148; (Matthew 5:13), acting as a preservative against immorality. He has set us ablaze with His glory to be the &#0147;light of the world&#0148; (Matthew 5:14), illuminating the path to Jesus for others.</p><p>How important is it that we share our faith? It was so important to Jesus that His final words to His disciples before He ascended to heaven were, &#0147;Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere&#0148; (Mark 16:15). By making these His last words, Jesus underscored the priority He places on sharing the Good News with others. These are our marching orders—Job One for this lifetime.</p><p>Many Christians believe that evangelism is one small part of our faith, or that it is a particular gift for those who are called to it. But we know two things from the Great Commission: witnessing is at the very heart of our faith, and it is for everyone.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Luke 19:10.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Is witnessing difficult for you? Why or why not? When was the last time you told someone about your relationships with Jesus? What motivates you to share your faith?</p><p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[3] = "<span class=devohead>Day 91  &#0150; The Burden of Eternity</span><p class=itals>Therefore, go… <span style='font-style:normal'>(Matthew 28:19)</span></p><p>The Great Commission to introduce others to Christ is not just a suggestion from our Lord, it is a command. It is no small thing to carry on our shoulders the burden of others’ eternal destiny. All around us are people who could die at any time and face an eternity of punishment and separation from God, simply because no one told them the wonderful news of salvation. Many of us live through years and decades without sharing our faith with people who work beside us, go to school with us, or live next door.</p><p>Yes, the burden of someone else’s eternal destiny, heaven or hell, is an awesome responsibility. Yet it should not be considered a burdensome task. We should look upon sharing our faith as the greatest of joys. Indeed, if it is the Holy Spirit who witnesses through us, who prods us to speak and gives us the words, then we should feel the same joy that He feels. I have met countless Christians who have told me that they had never realized how thrilling and satisfying it was to be used by God to lead a friend to Christ.</p><p>We witness because our hearts are motivated by joy and our wills are motivated by obedience. Jesus said, &#0147;Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit&#0148; (Matthew 28:19). This is a command of Christ, and the one which I take to be the greatest one of all. We are to go and make disciples. We must obey and obey joyfully.</p><p>As we move forward to share our witness, we need never fear. Christ sent us with this promise: &#0147;And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age&#0148; (Matthew 28:20).<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Joshua 1:9.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to begin to work in your life to prepare you for the next opportunity you have to share with someone about Jesus Christ!</p><p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[4] = "<span class=devohead>Day 92  &#0150; The Spirit Gives Us Power</span><p class=itals>When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about Me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Acts 1:8)</span></p><p>We cannot fail to notice that in both Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8 that Jesus emphasizes the empowerment of the Spirit for our witnessing. If the Spirit did not speak through you, you would be unlikely to have any success leading others to Christ. But because He promises to be with you &#0147;always, even to the end of the age,&#0148; you can be confident of your ability to share your faith successfully.</p><p>Add this promise from Jesus to His disciples: &#0147;Now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven&#0148; (Luke 24:49). Is it not interesting that pending the arrival of the Spirit, Jesus actually restrained His disciples from going out into the world and sharing their faith? Without His enabling, all our efforts would be in vain; with Him, we can turn the world upside down.</p><p>Peter’s transformation at Pentecost is a dramatic example of what happens when a person is filled with the heavenly power of God’s Spirit. When Jesus was arrested, Peter publicly denied Him three times (John 18:17-27). Yet only a short time later, Peter preached a sermon so powerful that three thousand people became believers in one day (Acts 2:14-41). How is it that a man cowers before a servant girl one day, then preaches one of history’s most powerful sermons a few days later? There is only one answer—through the magnificent power of the Holy Spirit! The same Spirit who filled Peter lives within you if you are a born-again follower of Christ.</p><p>Recently I have been involved in launching the Global Pastor’s Network to train millions of laymen and professional leaders to start house churches. Each one of our leaders is able to appropriate the power of the Holy Spirit, and we have every confidence that miracles will happen, strongholds will be taken down, and millions of lost people will come into the kingdom of our dear Lord Jesus Christ. Without the Spirit, we would have no boldness or confidence. But we can do all things through Him who strengthens us.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Acts 2.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with boldness!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[5] = "<span class=devohead>Day 93  &#0150; The Spirit Persuades and Convicts</span><p class=itals>We know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God’s deep secrets. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Corinthians 2:10)</span></p><p>There is a great misconception about evangelism: People believe it has something to do with winning an argument. Naturally, arguing is the worst way to convince someone of anything. Pride becomes involved, two sides square off, and it is unlikely that anyone will leave with a changed mind. Certainly when it comes to witnessing, we need not argue or contend with people intellectually. No one is ever debated into the kingdom of God. It is our role to practice gentle persuasion, and it is the Holy Spirit who does the persuading. He works in the hearts and minds of the people to whom we witness. He bursts through mental barriers to convict people of the truth.</p><p>Many years ago, I was a counselor at one of Billy Graham’s Los Angeles crusades held in the Hollywood Bowl. At the end of the meeting, another counselor brought a man to me who was an engineer. The engineer stated that if I could answer his questions, he would become a Christian. I asked him if he wanted to know Christ. He said he did. I suggested that he pray and receive Christ and then we would discuss his questions. Amazingly, he agreed. After we prayed, I asked to hear his questions. He looked at me with a smile and said, &#0147;I don’t have any questions. They are all answered.&#0148;</p><p>We can be certain that the Spirit will remove an individual’s barriers of doubt. But He does something else as well: He convicts people of their sin and their need for salvation. We often worry about how we can persuade a nonbeliever to be saved from his sin when he refuses to acknowledge the existence of sin. Again, this work of persuasion is not our responsibility but the work of the Holy Spirit. Anyone who has ever shared his faith can attest to the powerful conviction that often fills one who is confronted by the gospel. There is a sudden, overpowering awareness of the reality of sin; a person suddenly sees himself through new eyes. There are often tears, remorse, and a tremendous desire for immediate salvation.</p><p>We simply need to take God at His Word that the Spirit will accomplish His work in the hearts and minds of those to whom we witness.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Isaiah 55:6-11.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When talking with someone about Christ, ask God for discernment as to who just wants to argue versus who is really open and seeking. Avoid arguing, and pray for real opportunities to share the good news of the love of Christ.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[6] = "<span class=devohead>Day 94  &#0150; The Spirit Provides the Right Words</span><p class=itals>Just say what God tells you to… <span style='font-style:normal'>(Mark 13:11)</span></p><p>When witnessing, how will we know what to say? I often hear reluctant witnesses saying, &#0147;My tongue would be tied if I shared my faith. I would have no idea what to say!&#0148;</p><p>If the Spirit can work within the mind of the friend to whom you are witnessing, He can work inside you, too. When salvation is on the line, be certain that the Spirit will provide you with just the right words to say to your friend. Over the years I have often smiled as younger Christians have told me, &#0147;It was as if someone else was doing the talking! I had no idea I could share my faith like that—the right words just kept coming.&#0148; Someone else was doing the talking. It will be your lips, your mouth, and your voice, but the Spirit will guide your conversation in just the direction it should go. You need only be open to His leadership. Before you share your faith, always have a private word of prayer first. Ask God to forgive you of any unconfessed sin and fill you with His Spirit. He will give you the right words every time.</p><p>Listen to what Jesus told His disciples as He spoke of their future: &#0147;But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry about what to say in your defense. Just say what God tells you to. Then it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit&#0148; (Mark 13:11). The Bible gives many instances of how this happened to Peter, Paul, Stephen, and others. Some of the most powerful sermons in history were delivered when Christians were arrested by Roman authorities. Read the Book of Acts closely and you will see that this book might well have been called &#0147;The Acts of the Spirit,&#0148; for all the power in the early church came through Him, as it still does today.</p><p>The Spirit will speak through you, and He will always use Scripture as His sword to penetrate a person’s soul and spirit. I hope you will always have your Bible with you when you share your faith, even if it is a small New Testament that fits in your pocket. Take some time to learn the key verses for sharing your faith. And never worry in advance about whether your friend accepts the Bible as His authority. This is irrelevant; what matters is that the Spirit accepts the Word and uses it powerfully. The truth will cut through with precision, as the writer of Hebrews reminds us in our reading below.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Hebrews 4:12-13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Study the Scriptures so that you will know what to say when you are witnessing. A good resource for identifying useful verses related to leading someone to Christ is &#0147;The Four Spiritual Laws&#0148; (found at nearly all Christian bookstores). Trust the Holy Spirit to help you to know and use the verses you need.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[7] = "<span class=devohead>Day 95  &#0150; Preparing in the Spirit</span><p class=itals>Whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Philippians 1:27)</span></p><p>I have often made this statement: I have never led anyone to Christ, and I never will. Those words invariably cause a few uplifted eyebrows, which settle back down when my listeners realize the words are literally true: it is not me but the Holy Spirit who does the leading – all of it – and it is He who has given me the privilege of praying with someone as they receive Christ. No one can experience salvation unless it is through the work of the Holy Spirit.</p><p>What a relief to know that it is the Holy Spirit who is responsible for producing fruit. We simply take the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leave the results to God.</p><p>Beginning with today’s devotional, I would like to leave you with several directives on witnessing that I have found helpful over the years.</p><p>First, <I>walk in a manner that demonstrates honorable character and the Spirit-filled life</I>. Your character must be above reproach. There will be times when you stumble. But in every way possible, you must ask the Holy Spirit to help you be a person of integrity capable of bringing as much honor as possible to the gospel. This does not mean that an admirable spiritual lifestyle is a sufficient witness; you must also be proactive in opening your mouth and sharing the gospel. But an impure life will greatly damage your witness. It has been said that your life is the first Bible some people will ever read.</p><p>Second, <I>intercede for the lost in prayer</I>. My friend, for whom are you praying daily? Do you remember to pray for the salvation of your loved ones, neighbors, and friends? Your supervisor at work? Your unreached cousin? The struggling single parent three houses down? If you have lacked the will to go and share Christ with these people, do you lack the will to pray for them? Bring their names before God daily and see if He does not give you the desire and the strength to share Christ’s love and forgiveness with them.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 10:1-4.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Are you praying for opportunities to share your faith? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a passion to see people come to Christ!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[8] = "<span class=devohead>Day 96  &#0150; Witnessing in the Spirit</span><p class=itals>But I will send you the Counselor – the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will tell you all about me. <span style='font-style:normal'>(John 15:26)</span></p><p>Take the initiative to present the gospel. When will that defining moment finally come about? It is up to you. We are told that when the explorer David Livingstone shared his faith with a tribal leader in Africa, the leader asked him a piercing question. If the lost must face eternal punishment, he asked, why had it taken so long for Livingstone’s country to send a messenger?</p><p>Imagine leading your neighbor to Christ, seeing his tears of joy, then having to answer that question. With salvation and forgiveness so transforming and wonderful, life in Christ so abundant and joyful, fellowship with other believers so full and rewarding, why have we waited? Why have we risked seeing someone die suddenly without hearing the incredible news of the gospel? The conclusion is inescapable: We must take the initiative and present the gospel at every opportunity.</p><p>The best place to begin is right in your own home. Jesus told the first Christians to begin their witness in Jerusalem, where they lived. Note the pattern in how Jesus instructed us to share the gospel in our theme verse above: &#0147;in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth&#0148; (Acts 1:8). You might paraphrase it this way: in your hometown, across your state and territory, and over the seas to every inhabited town and village. But it begins right where you stand, and it begins with those within the sound of your voice and the touch of your hand. Reach out to those people, then see how far your reach will finally extend. </p><p><I>Never argue, but show loving concern</I>. God never desires for you to get caught up in words that divide—obviously the game of your adversary, the devil. Trust the Spirit, who is so much more powerful than Satan. Remember to love and to listen. Keep to God’s Word, which will be empowered by the Spirit, and avoid tangential questions.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Titus 2:8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to give you an opportunity to share you faith, and to fill you with His Sprit as you share the most wonderful news life has to offer.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[9] = "<span class=devohead>Day 97  &#0150; The Holy Spirit Will Lead You</span><p class=itals>Let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Galatians 5:25)</span></p><p>Expect the Holy Spirit to lead you to receptive people. I am constantly alert to see who God will send across my path. Some years ago I was stranded at the St. Louis airport after a conference. Poor weather conditions had led to all flights being canceled. I was weary and discouraged. But as in all times of disappointment, I fixed my mind on Romans 8:28: &#0147;We know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans&#0148; (TLB) and 1 Thessalonians 5:18: &#0147;Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.&#0148; God had His reasons for the delay, and I was thankful in the midst of it.</p><p>Arriving back in the lobby of the hotel, I immediately met a businessman who was clearly hungry for God. I explained to my new friend how to receive Christ, and together we knelt and prayed. With great joy he entered the family of God. As we finished praying, my new brother in Christ beamed a smile that could light up an auditorium and asked, &#0147;What do you do for a living?&#0148; I told him that I travel the world, sharing Christ with anyone who will listen. Then he made a statement I shall never forget: &#0147;You must bring a lot of happiness into this world.&#0148;</p><block quote></p><p>I went to bed that night with a wide smile of my own, singing praises to God because I knew it was true: I have the privilege of bringing a lot of happiness into this world. So do you and every believer. And since that is true, are you not eager for God to bring you people who need that happiness found only through faith in our Lord?</block quote><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Isaiah 48:17.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Have you ever encountered a person or situation where you knew it was caused by nothing you did, but was a divine appointment? Trust the Holy Spirit to continue to lead you in this way!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[10] = "<span class=devohead>Day 98  &#0150; Speak, Stay, Seek</span><p class=itals>Speak as though God himself were speaking through you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Peter 4:11)</span></p><p>Share what God has done for you. The Bible makes it very clear that all that we have, all that God has done for us, every good thing we possess, was given so that we can demonstrate the goodness of God. One thing no one can argue about is what God has done for you. I challenge you to prepare a personal three-minute testimony. Use the simple three-point outline of:</p><blockquote>1. What your life was like before you met Christ<br>2. How you received Christ<br>3. What your life has been like ever since</block quote><p>Share the wonderful things God has done for you! You are the living proof of the redemptive power of God, so be certain that your witness is warm and personal. Your listeners cannot help responding to the light that glows from your life and experience.</p><p>Finally, three further suggestions: I>Speak boldly, stay on track, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your conversation</I>. I believe that if you keep these three simple S-words in mind, your witness is sure to be compelling and fruitful. You speak boldly because you come as an ambassador for Christ, a spokesman for the Creator of this universe. You stay on track because, compared to what you have to say, any other subject would be trivial and inconsequential. And you seek the Spirit’s guidance because with such a Guide, there are no wrong turns to be taken, no poor words to be chosen, no lack of wisdom or discernment to possibly bring a shadow across your encounter.</p><p>Is it not wonderful to consider that the very Spirit of God lives within you and seeks to make Christ known in every corner of the globe through you? What other activity could you possibly prefer to being a vessel of the holy, perfect Savior, doing the greatest work that life has to offer, bearing fruit that will last for all eternity? After more than half a century, that thought still makes my heart race. I cannot wait to share the gospel with everyone who will listen—and trust the results to the One who is in control.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Peter 2:9.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> If you have never prepared your three-minute personal testimony, take time today to do it! Find a Christian friend to share it with. Ask the Holy Spirit to use your testimony in a powerful way!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[11] = "<span class=devohead>Day 99  &#0150; Sowing the Seeds</span><p class=itals>But some seeds fell on fertile soil and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Matthew 13:8) </p><p>It is your task to sow the seeds wherever possible. You cannot control where the seeds land, nor whether they take root. When Vonette and I were first ministering at UCLA, many students came to know the Lord. But sometimes I would hear about a student whom I had discipled for months returning to the old lifestyle, and I would be tremendously discouraged. Had I not shared the gospel correctly? Did it not &#0147;take&#0148;?</p><p>God answered my prayer by showing me the parable of the sower (Mark 4:15-20). In that story, a man sowed the earth with seeds that fell in various places. They fell either on a hardened path, rocky soil, thorny ground, or good soil. Jesus explained that just as there are plots of earth, some suitable and some less so—there are souls in the same condition. Within some people, the gospel never takes root. In others, the devil snatches away the seeds of faith before they can break out. But there are some whose souls are fertile for the gospel to grow and flourish. You cannot determine the receptivity of another person’s heart. You can only be faithful to distribute the seed as carefully and lovingly as possible.</p><p>Long ago I learned that it is unproductive for me to spend time worrying about those who have heard and rejected the gospel. I can only be responsible for the presentation. Though I must do everything I can to help new believers grow and mature in their faith, I praise God that the Holy Spirit, who helps me to witness clearly and powerfully, will do the work of growth in those individuals. Perhaps the seed will not germinate until tomorrow. Perhaps it will break the soil next year or next decade. Only the Lord knows, and it would be arrogant for me to demand the answers.</p><p>We are merely the sowers, you and I. We must engage in what I have called for many years &#0147;spiritual multiplication.&#0148; This concept is simply winning people to Christ, building them in their Christian faith, then sending them out to win and disciple others for our Lord Jesus, generation after generation. Let us sow abundantly—enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit, whose love and grace will do a miraculous work.</p><p>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Matthew 13:3-9; John 15:8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Follow the steps in the WITNESS acrostic to become a vibrant, courageous advocate for Christ:</p><p>Walk in a manner that demonstrates honorable character and the Spirit-filled life.</p><br><b>Intercede</b> for the lost in prayer.<br><b>Take</b> the initiative to present the Gospel.<br><b>Never</b> argue, but show loving concern.<br><b>Expect</b> the Holy Spirit to lead you to receptive people.<br><b>Share</b> what God has done for you.<br><b>Speak</b> boldly, stay on track, and seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your conversation.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[12] = "<span class=devohead>Day 100  &#0150; Our Counselor for Decision-making</span><p class=itals>&#0147;For I know the plans I have for you,&#0148; says the LORD. &#0147;They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope&#0148;. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Jeremiah 29:11)</span></p><p>Jim was an executive with a telephone company. He worked hard and built a good reputation, right up to the day that his division closed. The company had no desire to lose a fine employee like Jim, so they offered him a transfer to a branch in another state. For extra incentive, he could look forward to a hefty pay raise if he made the move.</p><p>Jim faced one of those agonizing decisions in life. He was a committee chairman and taught Sunday school at a church where the family had grown in their love for Christ. His wife had many friends and activities. Then there were the children, who were settled comfortably in their school. Pulling them out and moving them in the middle of the academic year would be a lot to ask of them.</p><p>Still, that promotion was worth considering—and he could use the pay raise. Jim decided to accept the offer and put his house up for sale. He and his wife began making all the busy preparations involved in a cross-country move, saying their good-byes and tying up loose ends. But as the move date approached, the couple’s nagging feeling only intensified. This decision had not brought a moment of real peace—for either of them.</p><p>&#0147;That’s when we started praying,&#0148; Jim said with a slightly embarrassed laugh. &#0147;Here I was a church leader, and I had forgotten to ask God what He wanted.&#0148; Jim and his wife agreed to pray for guidance, and both of them came to the conclusion that the Holy Spirit did not want them to make the move. This made nothing easier, of course; now Jim had no job. He decided that if God did not want the move, He must have some other plan. There was nothing to do but to trust God and see what transpired.</p><p>Several months later, Jim heard that the phone company had closed the division in the other state. If he had taken that job, he would have given up so many good things only to be stranded and jobless.</p><p>God knows the future already; it is not one of chance and chaos, but one defined by His perfect plan, lovingly worked out with our welfare in mind.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> James 1:5-8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> In what areas of your life would you like to receive guidance from the Holy Spirit? Have you asked for His wisdom? Why or why not? Today, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to listen for His voice?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[13] = "<span class=devohead>Day 101  &#0150; Hearing His Voice</span><p class=itals>They follow him because they recognize his voice. <span style='font-style:normal'>(John 10:4)</span></p><p>We are fallen human beings, born again of the Spirit yet prey to the weakness of the flesh. We often choose impulsively. We decide without taking the Spirit’s counsel or with an incorrect interpretation of it. The plan of God is perfect, but the steps of people are often faulty. Even the wisest of Christians have wandered from the right path at some time or another. So what should we do?</p><p>The solution, of course, is to learn to discern clearly the voice of the Master. Jesus compared Himself to a good shepherd leading the flock: &#0147;When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice&#0148; (John 10:4, NIV). We must come to a humble realization that we are sheep who need a shepherd for every step. The landscape is full of deep pits and hungry wolves, and we need to be led toward the green pastures and quiet waters the Shepherd desires for us. We must know His voice and follow it obediently.</p><p>Be assured that the Lord wants to lead you even more than you want to follow Him. The Good Shepherd would never hide from His sheep or lead them into a dangerous place. God is eager for you to hear His voice, and you need only have the desire to follow it. Hearing God’s voice is not only important for knowing the <I>general</I> plan that applies to all believers—abiding in prayer, studying the Word, living in purity, and so on—but also for knowing the <I>personal</I> plan that God has for each individual believer. For instance, you need not grapple with the question of whether to marry a nonbeliever; we know from the Word of God that this is forbidden to any of us. But you will need to confront the issue of whether to marry this Christian or that one, for this falls under the category of His <I>personal</I> plan for you.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 10:1-18.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Do you recognize the Shepherd’s voice? You can begin to cultivate a listening ear by reading the Bible and keeping your life free from sin.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[14] = "<span class=devohead>Day 102  &#0150; Be Patient</span><p class=itals>Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Psalm 37:7)</span></p><p>My good friend and spiritual mentor from many years ago, Henrietta Mears, provides a good example of how God leads us step by step. Early on, it was her firm conviction that God would call her to go overseas as a missionary. But she was not blessed with good eyesight. She recognized that this infirmity would be an obstacle to her service overseas. In time she realized the call to missions was not forthcoming from God. Meanwhile, she was growing to love a young man who was not a believer. Because he was not a Christian, Miss Mears had to break off the engagement. The issue of her personal vocation was difficult, and it clarified only over time; the issue of marriage, in this case, was simple and general. She recognized that she could not be unequally yoked with a nonbeliever.</p><p>Ultimately Dr. Mears ended up in Southern California, where she became the Director of Christian Education at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. From that position she had a global impact. She certainly had a tremendous influence on Vonette and me, as well as Richard Halverson (who would become Chaplain of the United States Senate), Billy Graham, and thousands of others. She founded Gospel Light Publications, impacting Christian literature worldwide. She also founded Forrest Home Christian Conference Center, where hundreds of thousands have experienced new life in Christ. But she had to be patient and obedient as God worked out His perfect will for her. We might say that her physical vision was limited, but her spiritual vision was far-reaching.</p><p>Step by step, God lays out His special plan for each of us. That has certainly been my personal experience in ministry. Perhaps we would be terrified if we could see the big picture from the very beginning. In His perfect time, God shows us what He wants us to see. We may be interested in the details of the plan, but He is always interested in the details of the relationship as we depend on Him daily.</p><p>In our souls we may be saying, &#0147;Just tell me, Lord! I cannot wait—I want to know now!&#0148; But the gentle voice of the Spirit replies, <I>Be patient. Know Me well, and the future will take care of itself. We will work it out together, you and I, if you will simply trust Me.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Proverbs 3:5-6.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Have you experienced God’s guidance in the past? What was the result? Where is the Holy Spirit leading you in the present? How is He confirming it?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[15] = "<span class=devohead>Day 103  &#0150; The Word, Prayer, and Providence</span><p class=itals>Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Psalm 119:105)</span></p><p>So how does the Spirit guide us toward the correct decision? The most common way is through His Word. The Bible is the yardstick we must use to measure all other forms of guidance. The Holy Spirit will never lead us down a path contrary to the Word, God’s direct, universal revelation.</p><p>As we read the Word, the Spirit will also guide us through prayer. If you really believe in the power of prayer, you will know that He plans to grant your request for guidance. You will talk to God, but more importantly, you will listen for His voice. Pray consistently about any matter and I believe you will find guidance. James tells us that this is really very simple: &#0147;If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking&#0148; (James 1:5).</p><p>We can look for the Spirit to guide us in a third way: through providential circumstances. We must take great care in reading the events around us, but there are times when we can discern the voice of God speaking through the circumstances of life.</p><p>Many years ago, I was driving in the mountains when my car started to heat up. I noticed a ranger station and stopped to ask for water for my car. I loosened my radiator cap, and it blew sky high. As I stooped to pick up the cap, a New Testament fell out of my breast pocket. After replacing both, I drove away. Obviously God was trying to say something to me. I listened to God and received a strong impression: He wanted me to speak to the ranger. So I turned the car around and headed back.</p><p>When I returned to his station, the ranger came out to greet me. He asked if I had forgotten something. I told him indeed I had; I had forgotten to talk to him about Jesus. The ranger was very receptive, and he eventually explained to me that there had been a time when he was a pillar in his church. Somewhere along the way, however, a negative spirit had taken root in him. He had given in to bitterness and had not gone to church for years. That day, the ranger and I got on our knees as he confessed his sin. God’s joy was restored to his life.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Psalm 32:8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Do you struggle with trusting God to know what is best for you? Why? If you are walking in obedience and by faith, do not consider events in your life mere &#0147;coincidence.&#0148; God is sovereign, and nothing in His universe is by accident. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a greater trust in God’s best for you!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[16] = "<span class=devohead>Day 104  &#0150; Counsel, Common Sense, and Convictions</span><p class=itals>Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Proverbs 15:22)</span></p><p>No believer should ever make an important decision without seeking godly counsel from a respected man or woman of God. This may be a pastor, a church elder, a Bible study leader, or anyone who has walked intimately with God over many years. See the words of Solomon in our theme verse above.</p><p>The Spirit will also lead us through what I call &#0147;sanctified common sense.&#0148; Many years ago, God helped me grasp this concept when I was reflecting upon the following verse: &#0147;God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind&#0148; (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJ). The &#0147;sound mind&#0148; referred to in this verse means a well-balanced mind, a mind that is under the control of the Holy Spirit.</p><p>There may be times when we feel God has not spoken clearly, but an immediate decision must be made. In such cases, we should use rational thinking grounded in the truths of God’s Word. God has given His children the &#0147;mind of Christ&#0148; (1 Corinthians 2:16), and that means if we put Him first and seek to honor Him, He will direct our decisions.</p><p>The Holy Spirit also guides us through inner impressions or promptings. When I was a new Christian, the Holy Spirit impressed me to visit the president of one of the largest oil companies in the world. I was very uncomfortable, but I felt I must be obedient to God’s leadership. I was amazed when the tycoon immediately agreed to see me. As I arrived at his office, he asked, &#0147;What can I do for you, young man?&#0148; I got right to the point and asked him about his relationship with Jesus Christ.</p><p>This powerful business leader sitting in front of me began to weep. He had received Christ as a young boy but had spent his entire adult life pursuing success. As he had gained the world, he felt that he had lost his soul. His wife, his children, particularly His Lord—he wanted them all back in his life. We wept together. As I stood to leave, he told me that he had not been in a church for thirty years, and that he intended to change that pattern on the following Sunday. I left his office rejoicing that I had obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit. God is so faithful, and we need only be attentive and sensitive.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 2:10-16.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Think of three people to whom you would go for godly counsel. Pray for them frequently, asking the Holy Spirit to give them wisdom.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[17] = "<span class=devohead>Day 105  &#0150; Supernatural Manifestations</span><p class=itals>In the last days, God said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Acts 2:17)</span></p><p>God will occasionally use supernatural manifestations such as dreams, visions, angels, or even an appearance of Christ Himself to guide us. These experiences happened in Bible times, and they happen today in various parts of the world.</p><p>God spoke to Jacob and Joseph in dreams. He revealed future events to prophets such as Daniel and Ezekiel through visions. An angel appeared to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and to the shepherds. The risen Lord Jesus stunned Paul on the Damascus Road. Let us be clear in affirming that these supernatural events are rare exceptions to God’s usual methods of leading us. Nearly all of our decisions can be made simply by dwelling in the Word, abiding in prayer, using a sound mind, and consulting godly counsel. But there is no reason to limit God simply because we do not fully understand His ways. There are times when His name is glorified in ways that are more uncommon.</p><p>Most Muslims reside in countries where it is tremendously difficult or even fatal to talk about Jesus. Like everyone else, Muslims come to Christ most often because of the witness of a friend. But the second leading reason they become believers is due to a vision, a dream, or some supernatural phenomenon.</p><p>There are so many ways in which God can reveal His will to us. The world and the billions of lives within it are a great tapestry He has woven, and your decisions affect the lives and decisions of many other people—all while God, who knows the future and everything else, is using all things for our good as we seek to glorify Him. For now, we can only see in a mirror dimly. But the time will come when we wake up in that perfect world of paradise and have all our questions answered. Then we will know all the answers to the great enigmas that plagued us in this life, and we will laugh at the sheer wisdom of God in His lovingkindness. Until then, we must walk by faith and not by sight. That is the adventure He has chosen for us.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Acts 27:23-26; Revelation 1:1.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to help you walk by faith and not by sight. If you ever do receive some kind of supernatural guidance, ask Him for discernment.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[18] = "<span class=devohead>Day 106  &#0150; Preparing Yourself to Hear God</span><p class=itals>All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do. <span style='font-style:normal'>(2 Timothy 3:16-17)</span></p><p>We have considered the many ways God may guide us. We should pay the most attention to the common and trustworthy ones, but be aware that He can speak to us in many different ways. The following directives provide the best counsel I can offer you in making godly decisions through the leadership of the Holy Spirit.</p><p>First, <I>ground yourself in the truth of God’s Word.</I> Let the Scriptures be the place where you go for refreshment, growth, and the sheer joy of knowing that God speaks to all generations through these words. As you dwell in the Scriptures as a lifetime discipline, you will find that decision-making becomes less of a chore. So many of our questions are already answered in this book; so much of God’s will is already spelled out for us.</p><p>From my lifetime of experience I urge you wholeheartedly to memorize key passages and let them take root within you, transforming your mind and your heart. I could never count the many times that some part of the Word has welled up within me at a crucial moment, before I could make a wrong decision or speak a word that might be displeasing to God. Let the Word dwell in you richly and you will be in a position to test any desire, impulse, or advice against the eternal Scriptures. I cannot say this strongly enough: test everything against the Word. Satan is always hoping to deceive believers. But it is far more difficult for him to lead you astray if you spend time reading, studying, and memorizing Scripture as a way of life.</p><p>Second, <I>use devotional time to listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading</I>. The most important part of our time with God is not what we say but what we hear and sense. Ask questions of the Lord and learn to discern His responses.</p><p>I can only tell you that in time you will come to recognize His voice as a farmer learns to interpret the weather signs. God will not hide from you.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 10:27-30.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask God to teach you to lean on the Spirit’s guidance for every decision you make.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[19] = "<span class=devohead>Day 107  &#0150; Discernment, Dedication, and Direction</span><p class=itals>I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will accept. When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask? <span style='font-style:normal'>(Romans 12:1)</span></p><p>Here are a few more directives to follow when making decisions through the leadership of the Holy Spirit.</p><p><I>Interpret Scripture passages, circumstances, and impressions carefully.</I> Many of us are too hasty to rationalize our desires. For example, a church elder leaves his wife saying that he knows God wants him to be happy. First of all, he would never find a Bible teaching to justify that plan—desertion of a marriage for personal gratification. In honest prayer, he would never receive that direction from God, who never contradicts His own Word.</p><p><I>Decide to surrender your will to God continually</I>. Why do we hesitate to lay all our desires before the One who desires nothing but good for us? Consider a young woman who is trying to select a career. She is afraid to ask God which career path she should choose. Deep down she worries that He will immediately brand her as a missionary and put her on a boat bound for distant seas.</p><p>That young woman should think about her concept of God. The God I serve loves me, and He knew even before I was born just how I should spend my life. If God wants this young lady to become a missionary, He will plant a deep desire within her in accordance with His will. If we trust God’s character, we will submit ourselves totally to His will.</p><p><I>Ask the Holy Spirit daily for wisdom and direction.</I> Do you believe that God wants you to stumble along in life, bereft of any guidance for doing the right thing? He would never entrust the building of His kingdom to such a system.</p><p>How many of your decisions, great and small, do you think the Holy Spirit wants to be involved in? Answer: <I>all of them</I>. He wants to partner with you in making your life as fruitful and fulfilling as possible. He never desires that you make a single wrong decision.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; James 1:5.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Take time throughout your day to ask the Spirit to give you wisdom and direction.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[20] = "<span class=devohead>Day 108  &#0150; Counsel, Confession, and Confidence</span><p class=itals>With many counselors, there is safety. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Proverbs 11:14)</span></p><p><I>Note the counsel of godly advisors. I think of them as being like God’s messengers. Often they will give you advice that might</I> save you from months or years of disappointment and heartache. At the very least, it should give you pause when a trusted advisor counsels against the thing you are strongly considering. God can speak directly through our mentors and trusted friends. I would be very hesitant to either fail to ask their advice, or to ignore their words.</p><p><I>Confess all sin to God and walk in obedience</I>. Too many people these days cringe at the word <I>obedience</I> while savoring the word <I>freedom</I>. But without obedience there can be no true freedom. Be obedient to God in the smallest details of your life, and thoroughly confess the sin that is revealed by the Spirit’s conviction. Use Spiritual Breathing to confess and purify you throughout the day. Exhale by confessing your sins. Then inhale—receive by faith again the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit. This practice of Spiritual Breathing, if you are diligent about it, will radically transform your life.</p><p><I>Expect the Holy Spirit to guide you as you take the next step by faith</I>. Our sovereign, omniscient Creator and Savior desires to guide us if we will only seek Him. Imagine you are driving through a crowded city. The most important appointment of your life is ahead, but traffic is heavy. You know this city fairly well, but who knows where today’s tie-ups will be? Which route should you choose? Suddenly, with a smile, you turn on the radio. A helicopter pilot is giving traffic updates from the sky. You follow his advice and move easily toward your appointment.</p><p>Every day we are moving closer to what God wants us to be, or we are becoming entangled in a confused world and its values. If we will only tune in to the &#0147;eye in the sky,&#0148; the One who sees all and knows every step we should take, life will work infinitely better in every way.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Isaiah 58:11.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> As you face decision, commit yourself to following the Holy Spirit’s leading by practicing the truths in the GUIDANCE acrostic:</p><p><B>Ground</b> yourself in the truth of God’s Word.<br><b>Use</b> devotional time to listen to the Holy Spirit’s leading.<br><b>Interpret</b> Scripture passages, circumstances, and impression carefully.<br><b>Decide</b> to surrender your will to God continually.<br><b>Ask</b> the Holy Spirit daily for wisdom and direction.<br><b>Note</b> the counsel of godly advisors.<br><b>Confess</b> all sin to God and walk in obedience.<br><b>Expect</b> the Holy Spirit to guide you as you take the next step by faith.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[21] = "<span class=devohead>Day 109  &#0150; Bearing Fruit in Character</span><p class=itals>Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. <span style='font-style:normal'>(John 15:5)</span></p><p>Family trees are fascinating. It is interesting to see how a man and woman, who lived perhaps two centuries ago, can have hundreds or even thousands of descendants in the modern world—or how another, once prolific family vanished from the earth. If a couple gives birth to seven or eight children who all have children of their own, within a few generations the family name is flourishing. We would call that a fruitful family line, like the one God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.</p><p>We can bear fruit physically, but we can do so spiritually as well. You could draw a &#0147;family tree&#0148; of Campus Crusade for Christ International, and it would resemble that of a prolific family. We have over 70 ministries under the umbrella of this ministry and have helped start hundreds of other ministries to many groups such as students, executives, athletes, musicians, inner-city dwellers, and minorities. We have spawned ministries to couples and singles, to lawyers and doctors. Our work with the <I>JESUS</I> film, under the leadership of Paul Eshleman, has resulted in one of the most effective witnessing tools in modern Christian history. At this writing, over five billion people have been exposed to the gospel message through the <I>JESUS</I> film, with hundreds of millions responding. In other words, we feel the Spirit of God has led Campus Crusade to bear fruit in many diverse directions.</p><p>These principles of fruitfulness are also true, of course, on a personal level. I am often perplexed to see so many professing Christians, even those in full-time ministry, struggling to demonstrate the pleasing fruit that God expects us to produce. Many seemingly committed Christians are given to anger and impatience, while some lack joy or love for others. The character of Christ should be evident in converts we have won to Christ. But first of all, it should be manifest in the growth of godly character in our own lives.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Romans 7:4-6.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> In what ways has your character grown since you have become a believer? In what ways do you see godly character in those around you?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[22] = "<span class=devohead>Day 110  &#0150; Abiding in the Vine</span><p class=itals>I am the vine; you are the branches. <span style='font-style:normal'>(John 15:5)</span></p><p>When we use the word fruit in this context, we refer to the qualities that bring us to resemble Christ more and more as we abide in Him. Have you ever looked closely at a grapevine? You will never see it struggling or straining to push out fruit. Fruit appears in season because the branches draw miraculous life from the vine. Given the right conditions—sunshine, water, and good soil—the grapevine produces abundant crops.</p><p>You need not struggle to be a fruitful believer, but simply abide in Christ. He is your sunshine from above, your living water, the rich soil in which you are planted. The Holy Spirit fills you as you abide in Him and obey Him. It is a matter of being <I>in</I> Christ rather than doing <I>for</I> Christ. My dear friend Charles Stanley writes, &#0147;The fruit of the Spirit was never intended to be a demonstration of our dedication and resolve. It is the evidence of our dependency on and sensitivity to the promptings of the Spirit.&#0148; In other words, you need not focus on love for this week, then patience for next week. Simply live each day in step with the Spirit, and He will bring a pleasing harvest of strong character qualities. You will be surprised and delighted to see patience, gentleness, and many other traits blooming in full flower in your life.</p><p>The more we walk in the power of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide and control our lives, the more Christ’s character will shine in what we say and do. The Bible explains, &#0147;We will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. Instead, we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ&#0148; (Ephesians 4:14-15).</p><p>When we begin to see bountiful fruit in the field of personal character, we will see, in particular, the greatest and most delicious fruit of them all—love.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Philippians 1:11</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> What might be keeping you from bearing fruit for the Lord? Ask the Holy Spirit to show you what thoughts, attitudes and behaviors are standing in your way, then ask Him to help you make the necessary changes in your life.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[23] = "<span class=devohead>Day 111  &#0150; Love is Supreme</span><p class=itals>When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Galatians 5:22-23)</span></p><p>To begin looking at spiritual fruit, we turn to the beloved list of spiritual character qualities that is found in Galatians. Notice that in these verses we find the word and rather than or. The Lord wants us to produce all of these characteristics in our lives, not just one or two. This is one of the beautiful qualities of abiding in Christ: we will show daily growth in love, daily growth in patience, daily growth in gentleness, and in all the rest. We may have one or more gifts of the Spirit, but we should demonstrate every fruit of the Spirit.</p><p>Notice the quality that Paul lists first. It is the one fruit that guides and enhances the growth of the rest—the one that reigns supreme. Elsewhere, Paul wrote that faith, hope, and love remain, but that &#0147;the greatest of these is love.&#0148;</p><p>Love is the ultimate test of our authenticity as God’s children. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul cites the many wonderful traits of true, godly love. Its essence is sacrifice—giving unselfishly of ourselves—and we can accomplish that highest goal only by abiding in Christ through the enabling of the Holy Spirit. The Bible uses the Greek word agape for this highest and noblest form of love. It can only be imparted to us by the Holy Spirit because it is supernatural. He helps us to love others by His power.</p><p>Agape love is based on choice—an act of the will—not on feelings or circumstances. We can all love those who love us in return. But it takes the power of the Holy Spirit to help us unconditionally love our enemies, to pray for them, to go the extra mile, and to turn the other cheek. Jesus demonstrated this unconditional love when He died on the cross—not just for us but for the very men who despised and persecuted Him. Such a love turns the world and its conventions upside down. It can be explained no other way but through the power and majesty of Christ, pouring Himself into human hearts through the Holy Spirit.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Think of someone who is an irritant to you and for whom you have no &#0147;feelings&#0148; of love. Now make a decision, a choice, to love that person - by faith. Watch how the Holy Spirit will use your decision.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[24] = "<span class=devohead>Day 112  &#0150; Love, Joy and Peace</span><p class=itals>The joy of the LORD is your strength! <span style='font-style:normal'>(Nehemiah 8:10)</span></p><p>Initially you meet Christ, then you slowly come to know Him more deeply. In time, I pray that you will learn to actually <I>abide</I> in Him. As you come to know Christ more fully, it is inevitable that His love will begin to show in your life. And to know Him is to manifest His love. He is our ideal in all things, but this one wonderful word, <I>love</I>, captures His meaning better than any other. Love is the theme, as the old chorus tells us; love is supreme.</p><p>You will grow to love your neighbor as God loves him. You will learn to love God more deeply, and even to love yourself as God loves you. As love becomes the theme of your life, you will naturally find more <I>joy</I> than you have ever experienced. You will find in love the <I>peace</I> that passes all understanding. Because of love it will be possible for you to be <I>patient</I>—and so on. The fruit of the Spirit will grow through abiding in the vine, and all of that delicious fruit will also bear the taste of the greatest of them all—love.</p><p>Do you remember the joy of your first love? True, powerful love is a joyous thing. But the joy of the Spirit is more powerful and significant than what the world considers to be joy. The joy of the Lord is deep, abiding, and based on truth rather than emotions. It runs deeper than mere happiness because it never rests on fleeting circumstances. Our joy comes directly from God and from the permanent truth of what He has done for us.</p><p>Jesus Christ has pardoned us from all our sins, great and small. He has freed us from guilt along with the awful toll it takes on human relationships. He abides with us intimately on a daily basis. And when this life is finished, He promises us an eternal life with Him more wonderful than we can imagine. How could we not feel joy in harboring those truths in our hearts? To abide in Christ means to have them always before you, and that will bring you joy.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 2 Corinthians 8:13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Is your life producing the fruit of love, joy, and peace? If it does not come spontaneously for you, begin to express these character qualities by faith - it will become more natural!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[25] = "<span class=devohead>Day 113  &#0150; Pervasive Joy and Peace</span><p class=itals>Yes, your joy will overflow! <span style='font-style:normal'>(John 15:11)</span></p><p>Do you believe there is a joy that transcends circumstances—even tragic ones? Dr. R. A. Torrey, who founded the Bible Institute of Los Angeles (BIOLA University), endured a period of terrible grief when his 12-year-old daughter was killed in an accident. Even though Dr. and Mrs. Torrey knew their beloved Elisabeth had gone to be with the Lord, they were brokenhearted as they faced the lonely years ahead without her presence.</p><p>In his grief Dr. Torrey cried out to the Lord for help. Then the power of the Holy Spirit broke through the misery in his heart. Dr. Torrey described the feeling as something like a fountain of eternal joy welling up within him. No matter how much he mourned his daughter, the joy of the Lord was the most compelling force within him—a fountain springing up, even amidst tragedy, to eternal life. The joy of the Lord is no small thing—it is unstoppable, and ultimately more powerful than even the hurts of life.</p><p>Along with his joy, Dr. Torrey felt <I>peace</I> as Jesus promised His disciples in our reading below. In times of terrible anxiety, your character can come to manifest not only joy but a peace that transcends present difficulties.</p><p>Why does such a peace grow within us? It is because we are no longer at war with God. Your sins have been forgiven and, through the Spirit, you can abide in His presence. You may still live in a difficult world, but when you encounter terrible circumstances that pass all understanding, you meet them with a peace that passes all understanding. The world has nothing to offer in such times. But as Christians we understand why someone like Corrie ten Boom, placed in a World War II prison camp, could actually love her persecutors, feel true <I>joy</I> while those around her were embittered, and be filled with a <I>peace</I> that undermined the tormentors who wanted to break her character. Their fruit was bitter, but hers was eternal; it was the fruit of a character built through abiding in Christ.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 14:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you heart with joy and peace – no matter what your circumstances.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[26] = "<span class=devohead>Day 114  &#0150; Patience and Kindness</span><p class=itals>Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 4:32)</span></p><p>As the Spirit molds you in love, in joy, and in peace, He will be teaching you the virtue of patience. &#0147;Patient endurance is what you need now, so you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised&#0148; (Hebrews 10:36).</p><p>Patience, also known in the Word as <I>longsuffering</I>, comes from a Greek term that describes our ability to endure evil without returning it. This is not something that comes naturally to any human being. Like love, it goes against the grain of our corrupt human nature. It points directly to the wisdom and perfect love of the Spirit who acts in love rather than reacting in anger. Patience allows us to accept what comes to us not only from others but from life itself. We wait for the right person to marry. We wait for the career opportunity that never seems to come. We wait to have a child, even as the years fade away. Why would we not give in to frustration and impatience? We are steadfast because the Spirit counsels wisdom. He teaches us to trust in God’s divine timing.</p><p>The Christian knows that time and destiny are in the hands of a God who loves us. His plan for us is perfect, and it ultimately makes no sense for us to lash out in frustration when we cannot see the details of the schedule. Paul wrote, &#0147;Be glad for all God is planning for you. Be patient in trouble, and always be prayerful&#0148; (Romans 12:12).</p><p>Along with love, it is patience that expresses itself in that fruit of the Spirit called kindness. Again, patience restrains us from striking back. Kindness might be described as a sweetness of character, and it holds a quiet power that takes the world by surprise. This kind person is rarely at the center of any great commotion. A kind man never performs his acts of righteousness for public praise. A kind woman reaches out to those who are lonely and ignored, just as Jesus did. Kindness is love behind the scenes, love broken down into small but meaningful gestures. The world grows more and more unkind, but the believer grows in compassion each day as he becomes more like Christ.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Proverbs 25:15; Colossians 1:1.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> In what ways are the attributes of patience and kindness manifested in your life? When are the times in your day when you need these qualities? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to be patient and kind.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[27] = "<span class=devohead>Day 115  &#0150; Goodness</span><p class=itals>For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 5:8-9)</span></p><p>To be good, by definition, is to be like God. Goodness is ruled by higher standards of righteousness, and it opposes evil.</p><p>Goodness is not a passive thing, but a very active one. Goodness is the love of God expressed in our actions. Just as the light rushes through to abolish the darkness, so goodness moves through the world and works in the name of the Lord, accomplishing the purposes that matter to Him.</p><p>Can you see the reasoning behind the order in which the fruit is listed, beginning with the supremacy of love? Love is joyful; joy breaks through and brings peace. Those at peace can be patient, and patience makes kindness possible. Kindness, in turn, is an expression of goodness. These fruit all grow together and lend their unique flavors to one another.</p><p>As we understand this sequence, we begin to form a picture of the kind of life the Spirit makes possible for us—and an inspiring, attractive picture it is.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> James 3:13; 2 Peter 1:3.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> The Holy Spirit longs to produce His fruit in you. Ask God to produce the fruit of the Spirit in you by praying the following:</p><p>Gracious Father, I ask You to produce Your fruit – the fruit of Your character – in my life. I commit myself to spend time in Your Word to know You better and to cultivate Your truth in my heart and mind. I confess all of my sins to You.</p><p>Thank You for Your abundant, merciful forgiveness. May Your Spirit quickly convict me of any sins so that nothing may damage my relationship with You. I commit myself to a prayer life of adoration, praise, thanksgiving, and petitions.</p><p>I commit myself also to a local body of believers who will challenge me to mature, a place where I can use my gifts to help build that body.</p><p>I desire to be a godly person, one filled with the fruit of the Spirit. I surrender my life to Jesus Christ, my Lord. Fill me completely with Your Holy Spirit, O Lord. I freely give myself to You for service and growth. Thank You for Your goodness and love.</p><p>May I always abide in the vine, which is Christ, bearing much fruit in the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Christ’s glorious name. Amen.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[28] = "<span class=devohead>Day 116  &#0150; Faithfulness and Gentleness</span><p class=itals>Remain faithful even when facing death, and I will give you the crown of life. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Revelation 2:10)</span></p><p>As we have seen, the character traits nurtured by God’s Spirit are closely aligned to one another. Someone who is patient, kind, and good is also likely to be faithful.</p><p>If we want to offer the ultimate test of character, perhaps it would be the test of faithfulness. Among early believers, some were drawn to Christ only to scatter in fear at the first sign of persecution. But those who abided deeply in Christ showed a faith that could endure, even in the face of death. The reward for that, as Jesus tells us in Revelation, is &#0147;the crown of life.&#0148; There are rewards in both this world and the next. Faithfulness implies truthfulness, sincerity, and trust. It inspires confidence and greatness in others. Hebrews chapter 11 glories in the faithfulness of Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Jacob, Rahab, David, Samuel, the prophets, and numerous others who go unnamed.</p><p>Over and over the Scriptures, our Lord calls us to be faithful. Someday you and I will stand before Jesus Christ and give an account of our lives. We will be judged not by our success, achievements, or performance—but by our faithfulness to Him.</p><p>Faithfulness is stirring, but what about gentleness? We often make the mistake of assigning to it the idea of being passive, timid, and ineffectual. But Jesus seems to promise tremendous rewards to the gentle. He said, &#0147;God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them&#0148; (Matthew 5:5). Gentleness has nothing to do with weakness. On the contrary, it is quiet strength under great control—for this is the precise meaning of the term as it is used in the Scriptures. Can you think of any better model of that concept than Jesus Himself? He was gentle but never passive, never weak, never ineffectual. Children flocked to Him, yet centurions and tax collectors were interested in His words. He was both tough and tender in a way that the Spirit enables us to be as well.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Matthew 25:21; Hebrews 11.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Lord to help you to live a faithful life on a daily basis!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[29] = "<span class=devohead>Day 117  &#0150; Self-control</span><p class=itals>All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Corinthians 9:25)</span></p><p>Self-control - we might think of this fruit as the final victory of love over our old sinful, rebellious, carnal human nature. How seldom we see it in today’s world of personal self-gratification. &#0147;It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city&#0148; (Proverbs 16:32). Indeed, it is easier to conquer a city than to conquer one’s own impulses.</p><p>The biblical term for self-control carries the meaning of strength that enables us to master our thoughts, our emotions, and our deeds. The Spirit takes every thought captive for Christ, but also our feelings and the works of our hands. Life apart from God is a life out of control, but the Spirit gradually focuses us, with ever sharper precision, on the purposes of Christ in this world. We are self-controlled because our mission is too great to waste a moment on trivial matters. When we reach that mindset, we experience the victory that God wants us to have. We become men and women of character, and we bear more than a passing resemblance to Christ Himself. That is a breathtaking thought—but it is the will of God for you, and it is very attainable.</p><p>As we consider these wonderful character traits that are embodied as the fruit of the Spirit, we naturally think of Christians we know who model them so well. I think of close friends and spiritual leaders I have admired. What seems obvious is that anyone who has demonstrated one of these qualities has demonstrated all of them in varying degrees—that is how the Spirit works. He is interested in developing in our lives the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, and all the rest.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Titus 2:1; 2:11-13.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Is there an area of your life where you need more self-control? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jun[30] = "<span class=devohead>Day 118  &#0150; Tending Your Garden of Godly Character</span><p class=itals>The way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Matthew 7:20) </span></p><p>Jesus said that trees and people can both be identified by their fruit. Think of your life as an open market, with the public walking by to see what kind of fruit you produce. Will they buy it? You would like your fruit to be the best it can be. So how do you cultivate it?</p><p>First, give some attention to the soil. If you have ever done any gardening, you know how crucial it is to plant your seeds in healthy soil. Not just any dirt will do! For healthy spiritual growth, we must ground ourselves in the good soil of the Word of God. Reading the Bible daily is only the beginning. We must be planted in the Word, absorbing it and allowing the Spirit to transform our hearts and minds.</p><p>Earnestly study God’s Word. Then, watch out for the weeds. If you have ever visited a large, well-tended, public garden, you have known a special joy. Buchard Gardens in Western Canada covers acres of land. It is filled with every flower imaginable, carefully tended to bloom at the pinnacle of perfection. But if this lovely garden were left untended for long, weeds would quickly encroach upon it, crowding out the lovely flowers, spoiling the lawns, and ruining the view.</p><p>Our weeds, of course, are the sins that try to creep into our lives at all times. We should keep short accounts with God, confessing and repenting, practicing Spiritual Breathing as regularly as a skilled gardener deftly uproots weeds in his garden.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Psalm 12:1-3; 1 John 1:9.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Take extra time to prayer and ask the Spirit to reveal to you any unknown sin in your life. Confess your sin to God, repent of it, and ask Him to fill you with His fruit.</p><p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"

Jul = new Array
Jul[1] = "<span class=devohead>Day 119  &#0150; Nurturing the Fruit</span><p class=itals>Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near <span style='font-style:normal'>(Hebrews 10:25)</span></p><p>Thriving plants must be watered and fed regularly. Neglect is deadly. If plants are not watered and fertilized regularly, they develop bugs, mold, fungus, and disease. In the garden of character, we meet with God in our daily prayer in order to be refreshed by the Holy Spirit. We also need to be committed to a local body of believers who can encourage and strengthen us in our walk.</p><p>Sunlight, too, is a crucial consideration. Have you ever tried to grow houseplants in a closet? Of course not. Living things need light, and so do we. The Light of life is the Spirit of Christ within us. Jesus described Himself as &#0147;the light that leads to life&#0148; (John 8:12). We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit, for only then can we grow and produce fruit. This is a very dark world in which we live, and it is no wonder that strong character is a rare commodity. There is a shortage of trust, for there is a shortage of integrity. But the Spirit illuminates your soul so that there is always the bright sunshine of springtime within you. No matter what difficulties may confront you in life, your character draws its life from the Spirit as it grows toward maturity.</p><p>Then there is the interesting matter of pruning. Most plants actually produce far more flowers and fruit when they are pruned, for pruning focuses and redirects growth. It eliminates wildness and disorganization. In our reading below, Jesus spoke about pruning. Pruning can be painful and discouraging, but if we want to produce abundant fruit for the Lord, we must undergo discipline. We must withstand trials to pass the test. As all good earthly parents know, loving discipline and the lessons from life are necessary to produce mature children. So it is with God’s children.</p><p>Growth, of course, requires time. Just as plants must bloom in season, there are no shortcuts to a godly character.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 15:1-4.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> The fruit of the Spirit grows slowly, so do not become discouraged if you do not see results right away. Invite God to begin transforming you, and daily submit to His work in you.</p><p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jul[2] = "<span class=devohead>Day 120  &#0150; The True Vine</span><p class=itals>I am the vine; you are the branches. <span style='font-style:normal'>(John 15:1)</span></p><p>We are attached to Christ Himself. The thinnest, weakest branches of a vine are ripped away during a storm. But as you grow in the Spirit, you will never be torn away. Jesus has promised that no one could snatch us away (John 10:28-29). Meanwhile, abide in Him. This means to dwell with Him in the deepest possible intimacy.</p><p>When you first met your best friend, you probably did not spend much time together. But in time, as you came to love one another, your time together increased in quantity and quality—you abided together and built a strong relationship that no storm would destroy. This is the way of abiding in Christ, too. Jesus tells us in John 15:4, 5 that if we remain rooted deeply in Him, we will bear much fruit. If you want to cultivate the most godly character, the only way to do so is to be deeply connected to the One you long to resemble—Jesus Christ Himself. Consider His character:</p><p>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;He was so loving that He reached out to minister to people He passed.<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;He was so joyful that He attended parties and celebrated when sinners found God.<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;He was so peaceful that He calmed stormy waters.<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;He was so patient that He never gave up on immature, quarreling disciples.<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;He was so kind that He embraced lepers.<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;He was so good that He cared for the physical hunger of a large crowd.<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;He was so faithful that He never neglected prayer, even when His time was short.<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;He was so gentle that children rushed to Him everywhere He traveled.<br>&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;&#0134;He was so self-controlled that He took our punishment when He could have escaped.</p><p>Jesus shined most brightly when He faced His most terrible moments. That is the greatest miracle of godly character, which produces shining perfection when pressure is applied. Over time, the darkest coal, under tremendous heat and pressure, can produce the most beautiful diamond. In the same way, your character can be transformed to be like Christ. All you need to do is stay rooted in Christ and abide in Him. Plant yourself in the grounding of His inspired Word, remove the weeds of sin, bask in the living water of deep, abiding prayer, and submit to the necessary pruning of spiritual discipline. Then others will see the garden of your character and be inspired to tend their own.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> John 15:7-8.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> In what ways are you abiding in the vine?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jul[3] = "<span class=devohead>Day 121  &#0150; Bearing Fruit For a Lifetime</span><p class=itals>If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Galatians 5:25)</span></p><p>According to author Tom Carter, the late Charles H. Spurgeon told of a warrior of towering reputation, and his enemies feared him greatly. More than anything else, they feared his sword, whose power had inspired wild rumors and legends. After hearing enough of these wild tales, his king finally demanded an examination of the notorious battle weapon. The warrior had his celebrated sword delivered to the palace by special messenger.</p><p>The king examined the weapon closely before finally sending back this message: &#0147;I see nothing wonderful in the sword; I cannot understand why any man should be afraid of it.&#0148;</p><p>The warrior must have smiled as he read the king’s words, for he replied, &#0147;Your Majesty has been pleased to examine the sword, but I did not send the arm that wielded it. If you had examined that, you would have understood the mystery.&#0148;</p><p>None of us, in our own strength, is any more impressive than that sword. But as we submit to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to wield us in the power of God, we become amazing instruments for God’s glory. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.</p><p>The Spirit is God’s powerful presence within us, and He makes all the difference in life. Next to our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection, I believe the arrival of the Spirit at Pentecost was the most earth-shaking event in human history. As the Spirit arrived to transform the followers of Jesus, they in turn became transformers. The cowardly became the courageous, and the defeated became victorious and dynamic. Soon the news of the gospel was penetrating every nation, every cultural barrier, and the Roman Empire itself was unable to withstand the Spirit’s mighty momentum.</p><p>Best of all, I can tell you that the Holy Spirit is still alive, well, and turning millions of lives upside down today. It remains only for us to follow His lead. If we do, we will surely duplicate or surpass the achievements of the first-century believers.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Acts 1:8, 4:29-31, 10:38, 11:21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> In what ways do you see the Spirit moving in your life? In your church?</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jul[4] = "<span class=devohead>Day 122  &#0150; Keeping in Step</span><p class=itals>By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 3:20)</span></p><p>Walking in the Spirit means walking in faith. Life has many twists and turns, and at times you will move through darkness where the footing is treacherous. But your hand will be in His, and like a little child you will learn to depend totally upon the One whose step never wavers. Keep in step with the Spirit and you will learn total dependence upon our Great God and Savior.</p><p>Then, as your faith and dependence grow, you will find yourself taking greater and bolder steps into the unknown. No more &#0147;baby steps&#0148; for you—you will want to take great, heroic strides for the Lord. That means attempting goals in His name that are so outrageous and humanly impossible that without His supernatural power, they are bound to fail. The finest Christian leaders I have known fit that profile. So great is their faith that they never hesitate when they hear the word impossible. They know that those are the occasions in which the name of the Lord is most glorified. When we take on seemingly insurmountable obstacles and tasks for our Lord with the help of the Holy Spirit and we succeed, great glory will be given to our great Lord.</p><p>The Spirit of God will not limit Himself because you are currently single or raising a family or working in the business world or pursuing an education. The precise circumstances of your life are only the background; His power is what matters, and it is not reserved for pastors or far-away missionaries. The question is, are you willing to be used? His purposes are wider than our dreams, dearer than our hopes.</p><p>But what if you are afraid? The Spirit gives courage the world cannot explain. What if you are afraid of falling into sin? The Spirit will strengthen you beyond its control, if you let Him. </p><p>If you desire to live a life free of fear and the devastation of sin and rebellion, walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. He is eager to help you.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 2 Corinthians 3:16-18</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Are you truly willing to be used by God? Ask the Holy Spirit today to fill you with His power!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jul[5] = "<span class=devohead>Day 123  &#0150; Overpowering in Praise</span><p class=itals>Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves. <span style='font-style:normal'>(Ephesians 5:19)</span></p><p>Keep in step with the Spirit, and your life will be filled with praise and worship, not fear and failure. The Spirit will take you places you never would have dreamed, and give you victories beyond your hopes. You will be constantly focused on those great purposes that glorify God. You will be using your gifts and enjoying the satisfaction of doing the things that God made you to do. You will be bearing incredible fruit in the attitudes of love, joy, peace, and so on. Your relationships will be edifying and positive.</p><p>Yet there will be wonderful surprises all along the way. You will not be some kind of mindless robot mechanically carrying out assigned tasks. You will be no cog in a heavenly machine, but the living, breathing, feeling person you were always meant to be, coming into your own because you are one of God’s own, fully surrendered to Him and to His kingdom. You will clearly see that any other kind of life is no more than a shadow of living, filled with spiritual confusion and divided loyalties. Only as you keep in step with the Spirit will you see how life was meant to be lived, and only then does the world have any hope of reconciliation with God.</p><p>Life in the Spirit is filled with joy, and it is typified by music. &#0147;Let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts. And you will always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ&#0148; (Ephesians 5:18-20).</p><p>Does that sound like the quality of life you would like to have? It brings the Spirit great joy to fill you with great joy.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Psalm 7:17.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Ask the Holy Spirit to help you move toward all the experiences of your life, including the challenges, with a spirit of worship.</p><p> <p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jul[6] = "<span class=devohead>Day 124  &#0150; Overcoming in Faith</span><p class=itals>Every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 John 5:4)</span></p><p> It would be wrong to give the impression that you will never encounter strife or hardship as you walk in the Spirit. But as long as you keep your eyes on our great God and Savior, and stay in perfect communion with the Spirit, you will not stumble.</p><p>I have experienced these challenges again and again. In the early 1970s, God impressed upon me to build an international leadership university. With the encouragement of the mayor, we miraculously purchased 5,000 acres of land in La Jolla, California, and we succeeded in doing so without relying upon any Campus Crusade for Christ finances. But we soon encountered obstacles, including zoning problems and a new mayor who was dead set against the development of that land for a Christian university.</p><p>As years passed and the battle dragged on, some Christians turned against the project. They complained about me and even called me names. This was a time of great personal testing for me. Yet I can assure you that God never let me have one moment of disquiet or lose one moment of sleep over this conflict. In fact, I now know that our plans were delayed because God was preparing something better.</p><p>Even as we were suffering through the long agonizing wait, wondering what God was up to, the amazing video and Internet technologies were quietly emerging. Instead of building a campus, which would have cost hundreds of millions of dollars, we can now teach countless people around the world on the Internet through our own form of distance learning. The Internet university we are developing is much larger and more far-reaching than anything I could have imagined.</p><p>I would counsel you to keep your eyes on Jesus during such times of stress. I have a simple system for doing that: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Meditate on the Word of God, obey His commands, trust His promises, and examine the lives of the men and women of faith who have gone before us.</p><p>Keep walking, keep watching Him, and by faith put one foot in front of the other. If you do, He will never allow you to stumble.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Hebrews 12:1-3.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Are you experiencing opposition to something you know is God’s will and He has led you to do? Keep on trusting and walking by faith. He is with you. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with His perseverance!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jul[7] = "<span class=devohead>Day 125  &#0150; Overflowing in Witness</span><p class=itals>Clearly, you are a letter from Christ prepared by us. It is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God. <span style='font-style:normal'>(2 Corinthians 3:3)</span></p><p>Have you noticed what happens to someone who seems to know where he is going and what he is doing? People begin to follow him; he becomes a leader without even realizing it. But this principle is infinitely more true of a believer who lives and walks in the Spirit. His or her life will be attractive. People will come to you, and they will have plenty of questions. They will approach you in their own times of confusion, or simply out of curiosity to know more about what makes you what you are. They will sense that nothing on earth can explain the radiance and joy they see in a Spirit-filled life.</p><p>Nothing captures the attention of the world so much as quiet power. For some believers, witnessing is a real burden and a subject of fear. But when those same people are filled with the Spirit, when they keep in step with Him, when they march into battle with a song of praise on their lips—and when this victorious march becomes a lifestyle—then the fear evaporates to be replaced by joy. We cannot wait to tell others about Christ, for we remember what life used to be like when we lived according to our own plans. We can remember what it means to struggle through life without the answers. And we know that the day we received Christ and began to grow in Him, the miracle began.</p><p>In the joy of the Holy Spirit, we will want to be proactive in going to people and telling them about Christ, because it is necessary in order to bring them to a moment of decision. But well before that moment, we will already have told them many things without ever speaking. It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words, and the picture of a life in step with the Spirit speaks volumes—or rather, it sings choruses. People can hear the beautiful music of a Spirit-filled life through the ears of their soul, for God has placed within them a great longing to come home to Him. They will recognize in your life the distant melody of that land and that life they long for, and they will come up beside you to ask where you are going. A conversation about Christ will ensue. And before you know it, they too will be following the Lord. This is very much how Jesus called His disciples, as they left all that they had to follow Him.</p><p>You, my friend, will become a spiritual Pied Piper. People will hear the music of God’s kingdom as you march toward the promised land, and the melody will be irresistible.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 2 Corinthians 2:14-17.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Walk today in the quiet power of the Spirit, knowing that the Creator of the universe lives inside of you, loves you, empowers you, and is your source of joy and peace.</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jul[8] = "<span class=devohead>Day 126  &#0150; Owning the Crown of Victory</span><p class=itals></p><p>I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return. <span style='font-style:normal'>(2 Timothy 4:7-8)</span></p><p>So we walk in the Spirit, we keep in step, but where does the road lead? It leads, in the end, to the only destination worth setting out for. The Spirit will take us home into the arms of a loving Father. Can you imagine the joy and the celebration of that arrival?</p><p>I believe that when you and I enter the great assembly in heaven and take that victory lap, there will be the cheering and songs of praise from the angels, who will all be gathered with the saints who have gone before us. But we will join in the music, for it will be directed toward God, not us. And as we come to the great throne that sits in the center of that assembly, we will gain our reward. Paul, James, John, and Peter all tell us that there is a crown given to believers when we finally come to stand before our Lord.</p><p>I know how Paul felt, because I experience all the deep emotions he expressed in that letter to Timothy in our theme verse above. I am near the end of my race, and my heart and mind are filled with praise to our mighty Savior who has brought me so far. I can only wonder where I would be today if I had not asked Him be my Savior and Lord. I wonder what my life would be like if I had not discovered the incredible presence, peace, and power of the Holy Spirit of God. It has been a long journey, and one not without its bends and bumps in the road. But I would not trade a moment of it for all the world, for I know where this road leads. It leads to a glorious place called heaven.</p><p>Now I look back at those who run a few steps behind me. I exhort you to run the race with the wind of the Spirit as your breath, with the fire of the Spirit as your energy, with the living water of Christ as your sustenance. Let Him fill you. Let Him give you the power to keep moving forward without giving in to fear, weariness, or fatigue. Keep your eyes on the prize, though that final destination may lay far distant in years or around the next corner.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> 1 Corinthians 2:9.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> Thank God today that he has allowed you to be in the race. Then thank Him that He is there to see you through to the finish line. Embrace his strength through the Spirit!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
Jul[9] = "<span class=devohead>Day 127  &#0150; Into the Victor’s Circle</span><p class=itals>All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. <span style='font-style:normal'>(1 Corinthians 9:25)</span></p><p>Decide today that you will live in the joy and victory of the resurrection through the enabling of the Holy Spirit. Trust in Him.</p><p>It will remain only for you to stay in the race, and run to win. Run for the crown. And visualize yourself with that great, gleaming arena finally looming before you, at the end of all your years. Listen! All the heavenly host can be heard within the arena as your strong, disciplined feet draw closer to the entrance. Then you are inside, and there is beautiful pandemonium—the voices of innumerable angels, and the applause of all those believers who have arrived before you.</p><p>As you finally come to the center of the arena, a victor’s crown is set upon your head. You look up into those eyes—those eyes of love, holiness, and perfection, and that glance you could not have met before today. And you see His smile. You recognize it as the face of the greatest Friend you have had these many years. It is the smile of that Friend who has whispered in your ear at every turn, who has empowered you at every conflict, who has built character within you at every opportunity. This is the Friend who was the giver of the gifts that defined your life and service. He is the One who came alongside you one wonderful day and never departed. He is the One who made life worth living, and turned every other relationship into a masterpiece of its own.</p><p>He has been your Friend, but now He stands revealed as the Alpha and the Omega, the Creator and King. He speaks: &#0147;Well done, good and faithful servant.&#0148; And He places upon your head the crown of victory, the one you were promised and which marks you as one who followed to the end. What can you do then? Only fall upon your knees. Only weep in joy and gratitude. Only reach up with trembling hands to remove the gleaming crown, and to place it at the feet of the One who bestowed it.</p><p>Then I believe He will smile with a light that could illuminate infinite galaxies, and He will say, one more time, &#0147;Well done!&#0148; And you will enjoy the fellowship that is your true reward, the eternal and perfect presence of our wonderful Lord.<p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Isaiah 40:29-31; Luke 19:11-27.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> As you pray, reaffirm that you are in the race to the end, and in the race to win. Know that our Savior will help you, and He will meet you with a crown at the race’s glorious end!</p><p style='font-size:9pt'>[From <i>His Intimate Presence</i>  by Bill Bright]</p>"
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Oct[11] = "<p class='itals'>&#0147;When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere.&#0148;(Acts 1:8)</p><p>In my travels around the world for Campus Crusade for Christ, I have met thousands of Christians over the years. Many of them have been walking in the daily victory of the Lord, but others have come to me with questions and doubts. I have frequently encountered Christians who were struggling with frustration and despair. They have asked, &#0147;Dr. Bright, how can I see God work more dramatically in my life? How can I experience the joy and the power that I know I should be living out? What is the missing link in my spiritual life?&#0148;</p><p>That missing link is none other than the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps there is no other subject that remains in such a mist of confusion in Christian circles. This fact should not surprise us. The enemy will pay nearly any price to see us confused and deluded when it comes to the Spirit of God indwelling and guiding us. The devil knows that any believer who learns how to live in the Spirit’s power will break through his clever barriers. This is why he fosters so many arguments on the subject. In these devotionals, we are unlikely to put an end to every one of those disagreements, but I believe we can look into the Bible and find out exactly what God teaches about the Holy Spirit.</p><p>My fervent prayer is that through these devotionals you will not only <I>learn</I> the truths contained, but that you will <I>live</I> them. I want you to know what it is that the Spirit wants to do in your life, and I want you to walk in the power and victory that only He can bring. Otherwise, how can we experience any joy? Without His Spirit, how can we serve God? How, in our own failing strength, can we set about fulfilling the Great Commission?</p><p>As you prayerfully make your journey through these daily devotionals, I believe God will begin to change you on the inside. It matters not where the circumstances of your life have placed you at present. You may be an experienced and active servant of God, or you may be a brand new believer. You may have never given the Holy Spirit much thought, or you may know more about the subject than what is in this book. Whatever your situation may be, I trust that these truths will encourage you to live in greater dependence on the magnificent Holy Spirit Who indwells you. As you learn about each of the wonderful ministries of the Holy Spirit, I know you will be eager to see that same Spirit have greater control in your life. You will want more of His comfort, His guidance, His teaching, His power, and His fruit in your life.</p><p>I assure you that God wants you to have all those things and more. The Bible tells us that He has been waiting since the foundation of the universe to unfold the wonderful plans He has for you, and through the power of the Spirit you can know and embrace those plans. It is my prayer God will draw you closer to Him, fill you with His Spirit, and use you mightily to reach the world for Him.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Acts 2.</p><p>Walk in the Spirit!What has your experience been with the Holy Spirit? Have there been times in your life with you have felt His presence and/or experienced His power?</p>"
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Oct[13] = "<p class='itals'>&#0147;When the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere.&#0148;(Acts 1:8)</p><p>In my travels around the world for Campus Crusade for Christ, I have met thousands of Christians over the years. Many of them have been walking in the daily victory of the Lord, but others have come to me with questions and doubts. I have frequently encountered Christians who were struggling with frustration and despair. They have asked, &#0147;Dr. Bright, how can I see God work more dramatically in my life? How can I experience the joy and the power that I know I should be living out? What is the missing link in my spiritual life?&#0148;</p><p>That missing link is none other than the presence and work of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps there is no other subject that remains in such a mist of confusion in Christian circles. This fact should not surprise us. The enemy will pay nearly any price to see us confused and deluded when it comes to the Spirit of God indwelling and guiding us. The devil knows that any believer who learns how to live in the Spirit’s power will break through his clever barriers. This is why he fosters so many arguments on the subject. In these devotionals, we are unlikely to put an end to every one of those disagreements, but I believe we can look into the Bible and find out exactly what God teaches about the Holy Spirit.</p><p>My fervent prayer is that through these devotionals you will not only <I>learn</I> the truths contained, but that you will <I>live</I> them. I want you to know what it is that the Spirit wants to do in your life, and I want you to walk in the power and victory that only He can bring. Otherwise, how can we experience any joy? Without His Spirit, how can we serve God? How, in our own failing strength, can we set about fulfilling the Great Commission?</p><p>As you prayerfully make your journey through these daily devotionals, I believe God will begin to change you on the inside. It matters not where the circumstances of your life have placed you at present. You may be an experienced and active servant of God, or you may be a brand new believer. You may have never given the Holy Spirit much thought, or you may know more about the subject than what is in this book. Whatever your situation may be, I trust that these truths will encourage you to live in greater dependence on the magnificent Holy Spirit Who indwells you. As you learn about each of the wonderful ministries of the Holy Spirit, I know you will be eager to see that same Spirit have greater control in your life. You will want more of His comfort, His guidance, His teaching, His power, and His fruit in your life.</p><p>I assure you that God wants you to have all those things and more. The Bible tells us that He has been waiting since the foundation of the universe to unfold the wonderful plans He has for you, and through the power of the Spirit you can know and embrace those plans. It is my prayer God will draw you closer to Him, fill you with His Spirit, and use you mightily to reach the world for Him.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today:</b> Acts 2.</p><p>Walk in the Spirit!What has your experience been with the Holy Spirit? Have there been times in your life with you have felt His presence and/or experienced His power?</p>"
Oct[14] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[15] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[16] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[17] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[18] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[19] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[20] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[21] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[22] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[23] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[24] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[25] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[26] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[27] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[28] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[29] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[30] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"
Oct[31] = "<span class='devohead'>Day 3 - The Holy Spirit Sent to Us<p class='itals'>It is actually best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Counselor won’t come. If I do go away, he will come because I will send him to you. (John 16:7)</p><p>Fully God and fully human, Jesus lived among us and demonstrated through His life and teachings just how we are supposed to live. He was the Word of God made flesh. Then, on the cross where men crucified Him, He paid the penalty for our sins. He took on our punishment so that we might be spared to enjoy eternal life and an intimate relationship with Him. He rose from the dead as the &#0147;first fruit&#0148; of this new order, just as we, too, will rise again.</p><p>Then something incredible and marvelous happened. When Jesus returned to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He made a way to remain among us as long as we live on this earth. He released the Holy Spirit to come and live inside each one of His followers. In that way, we have the mind and the spirit of Jesus within us.</p><p>That is why He told His disciples that it was better for them that He leave this world (John 16:6-7). They had only enjoyed the presence of Jesus among them physically. Now and for all time, He is among us in the deepest and most powerful way, living within our hearts. We have Jesus’ counsel, comfort, and friendship with us wherever we go, and no one can ever take it away. The Bible tells us this is a preview, a foretaste, of the wonderful fellowship that lies ahead of us when we join Him in eternity.</p><p><b>Bible Reading for Today: </b>John 14:15-21.</p><p><b>Walk in the Spirit!</b> When did you first hear about the Holy Spirit?  In what ways has He made an impact on your life? What questions and /or fears to you have about the Holy Spirit?</p>"

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Nov[25] = "Place quote here"
Nov[26] = "Place quote here"
Nov[27] = "Place quote here"
Nov[28] = "Place quote here"
Nov[29] = "Place quote here"
Nov[30] = "Place quote here"

Dec = new Array
Dec[1] = "Place quote here"
Dec[2] = "Place quote here"
Dec[3] = "Place quote here"
Dec[4] = "Place quote here"
Dec[5] = "Place quote here"
Dec[6] = "Place quote here"
Dec[7] = "Place quote here"
Dec[8] = "Place quote here"
Dec[9] = "Place quote here"
Dec[10] = "Place quote here"
Dec[11] = "Place quote here"
Dec[12] = "Place quote here"
Dec[13] = "Place quote here"
Dec[14] = "Place quote here"
Dec[15] = "Place quote here"
Dec[16] = "Place quote here"
Dec[17] = "Place quote here"
Dec[18] = "Place quote here"
Dec[19] = "Place quote here"
Dec[20] = "Place quote here"
Dec[21] = "Place quote here"
Dec[22] = "Place quote here"
Dec[23] = "Place quote here"
Dec[24] = "Place quote here"
Dec[25] = "Place quote here"
Dec[26] = "Place quote here"
Dec[27] = "Place quote here"
Dec[28] = "Place quote here"
Dec[29] = "Place quote here"
Dec[30] = "Place quote here"
Dec[31] = "Place quote here"
//  End -->