Evening, August 8
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“If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!”  — Mark 9:23
Bible League: Living His Word
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
— 1 John 4:1 ESV

Every Christian is a prophet, just like every Christian is a priest and a king. But there are also Christians who have the special gift of prophecy and who are specifically called to exercise it on a regular basis. Ordained ministers and evangelists are examples of such men.

Although there are prophets in the church, not every prophet is a true prophet. Our verse for today tells us that there are many false prophets. What is a false prophet? A false prophet is one who falsely claims to receive special revelations from the Lord, or who claims to receive special revelations from a source other than the Lord. Although they may be capable of performing great signs and wonders (see Matthew 24:24), their inspiration and power comes from Satan rather than the Holy Spirit. Instead of leading people into the truth, they lead them into the lies of Satan.

Hence, you can't simply believe whatever a person who claims to be a prophet tells you. You can't naively accept someone as a prophet simply because he or she claims to be a prophet. Jesus Himself said we should "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). His point is that false prophets may come in the name of the Lord, may look good on the surface, but in actuality are tools of Satan trying to use the church for selfish and nefarious purposes.

That's why we must, as our verse for today tells us, test the spirits to see whether they are from God. How do we test the spirits? Here are some ways: First of all, a prophet must come in the name of the Lord and not some other name. Second, a prophecy must be in harmony with the Bible. Third, a prophecy that denies Jesus is Lord is a false prophecy (See 1 John 4:2-3). Fourth, a prophet that says "I am the Christ" (Matthew 24:5), or that says "Look, here is the Christ" (Matthew 24:23), is a false prophet. Fifth, if a prophecy predicts the future, it must come to pass (Deuteronomy 18:22). Finally, false prophets can be recognized by their fruit. False prophets bear bad fruit (Matthew 7:16-20).

Beware, then, the false prophets. Make sure the leaders you are listening to come from God.
Bible in a Year
Old Testament Reading
Psalm 82, 83, 84


Psalm 82 -- God presides in the great assembly. He judges among the gods.

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Psalm 83 -- God, don't keep silent. Don't keep silent, and don't be still, God.

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Psalm 84 -- How lovely are your dwellings, O Lord Almighty!

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New Testament Reading
Romans 8:19-39


Romans 8 -- No Condemnation for those in Christ Jesus; We Are More than Conquerors

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Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library.
Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion
“For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Insight
“God is Spirit” means he is not a physical being limited to one place. He is present everywhere and he can be worshiped anywhere, at any time. It is not where we worship that counts, but how we worship.
Challenge
Is your worship genuine and true? Do you have the Holy Spirit's help? How does the Holy Spirit help us worship? The Holy Spirit prays for us, teaches us the words of Christ, and tells us we are loved.
Morning and Evening by Spurgeon
Mark 9:23  All things are possible to him that believeth.

Many professed Christians are always doubting and fearing, and they forlornly think that this is the necessary state of believers. This is a mistake, for "all things are possible to him that believeth;" and it is possible for us to mount into a state in which a doubt or a fear shall be but as a bird of passage flitting across the soul, but never lingering there. When you read of the high and sweet communions enjoyed by favored saints, you sigh and murmur in the chamber of your heart, "Alas! these are not for me." O climber, if thou hast but faith, thou shalt yet stand upon the sunny pinnacle of the temple, for "all things are possible to him that believeth." You hear of exploits which holy men have done for Jesus; what they have enjoyed of him; how much they have been like him; how they have been able to endure great persecutions for his sake; and you say, "Ah! as for me, I am but a worm; I can never attain to this." But there is nothing which one saint was, that you may not be. There is no elevation of grace, no attainment of spirituality, no clearness of assurance, no post of duty, which is not open to you if you have but the power to believe. Lay aside your sackcloth and ashes, and rise to the dignity of your true position; you are little in Israel because you will be so, not because there is any necessity for it. It is not meet that thou shouldst grovel in the dust, O child of a King. Ascend! The golden throne of assurance is waiting for you! The crown of communion with Jesus is ready to bedeck your brow. Wrap yourself in scarlet and fine linen, and fare sumptuously every day; for if thou believest, thou mayst eat the fat of kidneys of wheat; thy land shall flow with milk and honey, and thy soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. Gather golden sheaves of grace, for they await thee in the fields of faith. "All things are possible to him that believeth."

Daily Light on the Daily Path
Romans 10:13  for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

John 6:37  "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.

Luke 23:42,43  And he was saying, "Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!" • And He said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise."

Matthew 20:32-34  And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" • They said to Him, "Lord, we want our eyes to be opened." • Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

Luke 11:13  "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

1 John 5:14,15  This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. • And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

Morning August 8
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