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    Daily in Christ
    Daily in Christ
    Daily in Christ
    Ebook770 pages14 hours

    Daily in Christ

    By Neil T. Anderson and Joanne Anderson

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    About this ebook

    Neil and Joanne Anderson's bestselling 365-day devotional is now available in trade paper. Daily in Christ puts a spark into devotional readings and quiet times with its emphasis on a believer's identity in Christ.

    A motivating challenge for Christlike living.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarvest House Publishers
    Release dateJan 1, 2000
    ISBN9780736935654
    Daily in Christ
    Author

    Neil T. Anderson

    Dr. Neil T. Anderson is founder and president emeritus of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He was formerly chairman of the Practical Theology Department at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University in the USA. He holds five degrees from Talbot, Pepperdine University and Arizona State University. A former aerospace engineer, Dr. Anderson has 20 years of experience as a pastor and has written several best-selling books on living free in Christ.

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      Daily in Christ - Neil T. Anderson

      Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org).

      Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973,1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

      Verses marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

      Daily in Christ is adapted and used by permission from Victory Over Darkness (Regal Books); The Bondage Breaker (Harvest House Publishers, Inc.); Walking in the Light (Thomas Nelson Publishers); The Seduction of Our Children (Harvest House Publishers, Inc.).

      Cover by Left Coast Design, Portland, Oregon

      DAILY IN CHRIST

      Copyright © 1993 by Harvest House Publishers, Inc.

      Eugene, Oregon 97402

      www.harvesthousepublishers.com

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Anderson, Neil T., 1942—

      Daily in Christ / Neil and Joanne Anderson.

            p. cm.

      ISBN 978-1-56507-098-1 (Hardcover)

      ISBN 978-0-7369-0151-2 (Soft cover)

      1. Devotional Calendars. I. Anderson, Joanne, 1941—. II. Title.

      BV4811.A535 1993

      242.'2—dc20 93-18858

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other—except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

      Printed in the United States of America

                                10 11 12 13 14 15 16 / ##-SK / 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

      CONTENTS

      OUR JOURNEY

      January 1: THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GUIDANCE

      January 2: LIVE RESPONSIBLY TODAY

      January 3: GODLY GOALS AND DESIRES

      January 4: BLOCKED GOALS

      January 5: SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIVING

      January 6: AN INDISPENSABLE PREREQUISITE

      January 7: UNDERSTANDING WHO YOU ARE

      January 8: A NEW CREATURE

      January 9: OUR ONE POWER SOURCE

      January 10: IDENTIFYING A CHRISTIAN LEADER

      January 11: SPRING-LOADED TOWARD THE SPIRIT

      January 12: WITH ALL PRAYER AND PETITION

      January 13: BELIEVE IN GOD

      January 14: CHILDREN NEED MODELS

      January 15: OUR ESSENTIAL IDENTITY

      January 16: THE BELIEVER’S TENT

      January 17: SPIRITUALLY ALIVE

      January 18: THE EFFECTS OF THE FALL

      January 19: DEAD TO SIN

      January 20: THE WILL OF GOD

      January 21: A HIGHER PRIORITY

      January 22: SEEKING GOD’S FACE

      January 23: DEALING WITH THE DARK WORLD

      January 24: THE BONDAGE BREAKER

      January 25: YOUR POSITION IN CHRIST

      January 26: FACING A DECISION

      January 27: CHANGING DIRECTIONS

      January 28: THE LAWS OF GOD

      January 29: RECKLESS ABANDON

      January 30: THE DEFINITION OF DISCIPLESHIP

      January 31: MODELING GROWTH

      February 1: OUR TRANSFER

      February 2: A RADICAL, INNER TRANSFORMATION

      February 3: SALVATION IS REGENERATION

      February 4: AN ENTIRELY NEW SELF

      February 5: HOW WE PERCEIVE OURSELVES

      February 6: THE ESSENCE OF TEMPTATION

      February 7: BEYOND THE BOUNDARY

      February 8: NEW WINE

      February 9: LIMITING ANXIOUS FEELINGS

      February 10: COMBATING SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS

      February 11: OVERPOWERING THE CAPTORS

      February 12: THE ULTIMATE FAITH-OBJECT

      February 13: YOUR JOURNEY TOWARD CHRIST

      February 14: AN EVERLASTING LOVE

      February 15: THE ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN

      February 16: YOUR CONCEPT OF GOD

      February 17: A STRUGGLING SAINT

      February 18: THE BATTLE OF THE MIND

      February 19: KEEPING AN HONEST ACCOUNT

      February 20: HE’S ALWAYS THERE

      February 21: BE GOD-CENTERED

      February 22: THE LIGHT TO OUR PATH

      February 23: RELATIONSHIP, NOT REGIMEN

      February 24: FREE TO LIVE

      February 25: FREED FROM LEGALISM

      February 26: FREE TO CHOOSE

      February 27: A COMPASSIONATE COUNSELOR

      February 28: WALKING BY FAITH

      February 29: RAISING GREAT KIDS

      March 1: THE TWO ADAMS

      March 2: IN CHRIST

      March 3: THE TRUE CHAIN OF COMMAND

      March 4: SPIRITUAL AND UNSPIRITUAL LEADERS

      March 5: YIELDING CONTROL

      March 6: A DISTORTED IDENTITY

      March 7: FREE OF SATAN’S BONDAGE

      March 8: CONFORMING TO THE IMAGE OF GOD

      March 9: HOW MUCH WE CARE

      March 10: PUT UP THIS SAIL!

      March 11: PLAN A VS. PLAN B

      March 12: THIS SOURCE OF PLAN B

      March 13: GOD’S FEEDBACK SYSTEM

      March 14: GOD WORKS IN THE ORDINARY

      March 15: EQUIP YOUR CHILDREN

      March 16: PLACED INTO CHRIST

      March 17: NO LONGER UNDER OBLIGATION

      March 18: DEATH OF THE OLD SELF

      March 19: THE SPIRIT’S CONVICTION

      March 20: ACCUSATION AND CONVICTION

      March 21: FALSE SELF-CONCEPTS

      March 22: THE ONLY LIMIT TO FAITH

      March 23: WHAT GOD HAS PROVIDED

      March 24: STRONGHOLDS OF THE MIND

      March 25: HOW YOU WERE PROGRAMMED

      March 26: AT THE THRESHOLD OF TEMPTATION

      March 27: WHEN STRONGHOLDS BECOME ENTRENCHED

      March 28: RECOGNIZING YOUR STRONGHOLD

      March 29: RENEWING YOUR MIND

      March 30: IGNORING THE ENEMY

      March 31: THE OPERATING PRINCIPLE OF LIFE

      April 1: HOPE FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW

      April 2: A BLAMELESS CONSCIENCE

      April 3: SEATED WITH CHRIST

      April 4: INTERNAL INTERFERENCE

      April 5: LIVING TODAY

      April 6: YOUR CHILD’S IDENTITY

      April 7: FEELINGS OF ANGER

      April 8: SEALED IN HIM

      April 9: DEALING WITH ANXIETY

      April 10: CONFRONTING SPIRITUAL OPPOSITION

      April 11: THE REALITY OF THE SPIRITUAL WORLD

      April 12: THE ENEMY’S POTENTIAL

      April 13: A TRUTH ENCOUNTER

      April 14: THE POWER OF THE BELIEVER

      April 15: SATAN’S VOICE

      April 16: A SOLID BELIEF SYSTEM

      April 17: THE SEDUCTION OF OUR CHILDREN

      April 18: NEW AGE THINKING

      April 19: NEW AGE DECEPTION

      April 20: YOUR NEW SKIPPER

      April 21: YOUR LIFE APART FROM GOD

      April 22: CHANGING YOUR BEHAVIOR

      April 23: OVERCOMING THE EVIL ONE

      April 24: SATAN’S THREEFOLD TEMPTATION

      April 25: THE LUST OF THE FLESH

      April 26: THE LUST OF THE EYES

      April 27: THE PRIDE OF LIFE

      April 28: ACTIVE FAITH

      April 29: THE CHOICE OF FORGIVENESS

      April 30: THE COST OF FORGIVENESS

      May 1: CALLED TO BE A SAINT

      May 2: HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE

      May 3: THE PROPER USE OF WORDS

      May 4: SATAN’S SHOW OF POWER

      May 5: BLOOM WHERE YOU ARE PLANTED

      May 6: DISCERNING THE TRUTH

      May 7: WHAT GOD WANTS DONE

      May 8: SOWING AND REAPING

      May 9: PRAISING GOD

      May 10: SURVIVING A CRISIS

      May 11: BELIEVING IN CHRIST’S AUTHORITY

      May 12: TRUE HUMILITY

      May 13: SPIRIT-INSPIRED BOLDNESS

      May 14: DEPENDENCE ON GOD

      May 15: AN INTACT BELIEF SYSTEM

      May 16: OUR CHILDREN, SATAN’S TARGETS

      May 17: THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERSHIP

      May 18: ONE FEAR-OBJECT

      May 19: APPEARANCE, PERFORMANCE, AND STATUS

      May 20: SATAN’S PRIMARY STRATEGY

      May 21: OUR DEFENSE AGAINST SATAN

      May 22: RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT

      May 23: ALL THINGS

      May 24: UNDER THE SAME VOICE

      May 25: TRUSTING YOUR CHILD

      May 26: UNDERSTANDING THE SUPERNATURAL

      May 27: SPIRITUAL SENSITIVITY

      May 28: CHOOSING TRUTH

      May 29: THE LURE OF SATAN’S COUNTERFEITS

      May 30: WAKE UP!

      May 31: DO IT ANYWAY

      June 1: WHAT WE TREASURE

      June 2: FOCUS ON THE SIGNIFICANT

      June 3: FENCES AROUND THE LAWS

      June 4: POSITIVE BELIEVING

      June 5: NOT AVAILABLE IN THE SECULAR WORLD

      June 6: SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT

      June 7: IF HE WILLS

      June 8: THE TOTAL REALM OF REALITY

      June 9: THE GOALS YOU SHOULDN’T SET

      June 10: OUR VULNERABILITY

      June 11: DOING GOD’S WORK

      June 12: FREE FROM THE FEAR OF DEATH

      June 13: ALREADY ACCEPTED

      June 14: THE DEFINITION OF DISCIPLINE

      June 15: A REBELLIOUS GENERATION

      June 16: THE NATURAL PERSON

      June 17: THE SPIRITUAL PERSON

      June 18: THIS FLESHLY PERSON

      June 19: LIVING BELOW OUR POTENTIAL

      June 20: HELP FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT

      June 21: THE ISSUE OF CONTROL

      June 22: THE TRUTH OF CHRIST’S VICTORY

      June 23: USING YOUR UNIQUE GIFTS AND ABILITIES

      June 24: TEMPTATION’S HOOK

      June 25: PRESERVING UNITY

      June 26: GOD GENTLY GUIDES

      June 27: FOLLOWING OUR SHEPHERD

      June 28: NO MIDDLE GROUND

      June 29: SUBMIT TO GOD

      June 30: OPEN DIALOGUE WITH YOUR CHILD

      July 1: DELIGHT IN THE LORD

      July 2: A WHOLE-BRAIN GOD

      July 3: YOUR UNIQUE ROLE

      July 4: MAINTAINING YOUR FREEDOM

      July 5: OUR GREATEST MOTIVATION

      July 6: EVERY CHRISTIAN’S RESPONSIBILITY

      July 7: WHOLENESS AND MEANING IN LIFE

      July 8: YOUR BEST DEFENSE

      July 9: THE SOURCE OF ALL HOPE

      July 10: PREDISPOSED TO DO HIS WILL

      July 11: CHILDREN AND THE OCCULT

      July 12: FEAR NOT!

      July 13: CONFLICTING WORLDVIEWS

      July 14: DO NOT BE DECEIVED

      July 15: UNMET SPIRITUAL NEEDS

      July 16: SUCCESS COMES IN CANS, PART I

      July 17: SUCCESS COMES IN CANS, PART II

      July 18: DEMONSTRATING WHAT WE BELIEVE

      July 19: CONFESSING WHAT WE BELIEVE

      July 20: PERCEPTIONS AND EMOTIONS

      July 21: A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP

      July 22: BEHAVING YOUR WAY INTO GOOD FEELINGS

      July 23: THE POWER TO CHOOSE

      July 24: HUMANITY’S BASIC NEEDS

      July 25: THE LEVELS OF PRAYER

      July 26: GIVE YOUR CHILD TO GOD

      July 27: THE FEAR OF MAN

      July 28: SATISFACTION IN LIFE

      July 29: KEEP ON WALKING

      July 30: CREATING OUR OWN LIGHT

      July 31: LIVING WATER

      August 1: HIS ACCEPTED, ADOPTED CHILD

      August 2: AUTHORITY AND POWER

      August 3: OUR ACCESS TO CHRIST’S AUTHORITY

      August 4: UNINHIBITED SPONTANEITY

      August 5: THE COUNTERFEITS

      August 6: GOD-SENT CHRISTIANS

      August 7: TRYING TO CONTROL OTHERS

      August 8: HEARING VOICES

      August 9: CLEAR, LOVING COMMUNICATION

      August 10: YOUR ADVOCATE

      August 11: REPROGRAMMING THE MIND

      August 12: LIVING ABOVE LIFE’S CIRCUMSTANCES

      August 13: A LIBERATING FRIEND

      August 14: SPIRITUAL WAR

      August 15: LOVING OTHERS

      August 16: SATAN’S DEFEAT

      August 17: FALSE GUIDANCE

      August 18: TEST EVERYTHING

      August 19: ASKING WHY?

      August 20: HOW GOD WORKS

      August 21: HIS DISCIPLE

      August 22: YOUR CHILD’S MUSIC

      August 23: REFLECTING REALITY

      August 24: THE GENUINE PROPHET

      August 25: SPIRITUALLY AWARE

      August 26: GOD’S PROTECTION

      August 27: THE DEATH OF FEAR

      August 28: THE VALUE OF COUNSEL

      August 29: SELF-CENTERED VS. GOD-CENTERED

      August 30: EXPRESSING YOUR NEEDS

      August 31: ONE BASIS FOR TEMPTATION

      September 1: LIVING IN HARMONY

      September 2: OUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

      September 3: MANAGING OUR PROBLEMS

      September 4: LIFE ON THE CUTTING EDGE

      September 5: GOD’S INDICATORS

      September 6: SUPPRESSION OF EMOTIONS

      September 7: INDISCRIMINATE EXPRESSION OF EMOTIONS

      September 8: ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR EMOTIONS

      September 9: PERSEVERING TRIBULATIONS

      September 10: LOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

      September 11: THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH

      September 12: ONLY GOD IS GOD

      September 13: DENYING SELF

      September 14: PICKING UP THE CROSS DAILY

      September 15: FOLLOWING HIM

      September 16: THIS VIEW FROM THE CROSS

      September 17: RIGHTING WRONGS

      September 18: YOUR CHILD’S SELF-PERCEPTION

      September 19: SPIRITUAL IDENTITY

      September 20: SECURITY IN ETERNITY

      September 21: A CHANGE IN OUR VERY ESSENCE

      September 22: THOSE WHO OPPOSE US

      September 23: THE REALITY OF DEMONS

      September 24: IF YOUR FAITH IS OFF

      September 25: SUCCESS IN GOD’S EYES

      September 26: OUR RELATIONSHIP TO SIN

      September 27: YOUR CHOICE

      September 28: WINNING THE BATTLE

      September 29: WHO’S RESPONSIBLE FOR CONVICTION

      September 30: DISCIPLINE VS. JUDGMENT

      October 1: THE FATHER OF LIES

      October 2: ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT

      October 3: BEYOND THE BOUNDARY OF GOD’S DESIGN

      October 4: BE SUBMISSIVE

      October 5: THE PROPER USE OF PROPHECY

      October 6: LOOKING FOR THE GOOD IN YOUR CHILDREN

      October 7: WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP

      October 8: BEING EMOTIONALLY HONEST

      October 9: GOD’S CONCEPT OF HAPPINESS

      October 10: GOD’S GOAL FOR YOU

      October 11: TOTALLY ALIVE

      October 12: THE CHRISTIAN’S MAGNA CHARTA

      October 13: CHRIST, OUR RULER

      October 14: BELIEVING TRUTH IS A CHOICE

      October 15: CHANGING CHRISTIAN PRACTICES

      October 16: THE PRIMARY LABORATORY

      October 17: UNDER SPIRITUAL ATTACK

      October 18: THE PEACE OF GOD

      October 19: DON’T BELIEVE IT

      October 20: THE EQUATION FOR WHOLENESS

      October 21: GOD’S MINISTRY OF DARKNESS

      October 22: SING AND MAKE MELODY

      October 23: EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE

      October 24: RESOLVING A PAST CONFLICT

      October 25: THE HIDDEN HURTS

      October 26: EVALUATING YOUR PAST

      October 27: FORGIVING YOUR PAST

      October 28: LIVING WITH SIN’S CONSEQUENCES

      October 29: THE PROCESS OF FORGIVENESS

      October 30: WE ARE BUTTERFLIES

      October 31: A VERY REAL DEVIL

      November 1: A CHANGE OF BELIEFS

      November 2: TAKING EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE

      November 3: OUR ONLY VALID WEAPON

      November 4: HELPING OTHERS FIND FREEDOM

      November 5: SHOWING YOURSELF FAITHFUL

      November 6: THE ULTIMATE REALITY

      November 7: GIVING YOUR CHILD THE BEST

      November 8: RELATIONSHIP FIRST

      November 9: BECOMING THE PERSON GOD WANTS

      November 10: FERTILE SOIL FOR GROWTH

      November 11: THE WAY OF ESCAPE

      November 12: FIVE HINDRANCES

      November 13: COMPLETE IN CHRIST

      November 14: FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

      November 15: INFLUENCING YOUR CHILD’S LIFE

      November 16: THE SIGNIFICANT DOMINION

      November 17: SAFETY, SECURITY, AND BELONGING

      November 18: THE OLDEST LIE OF SATAN

      November 19: HOW FAITH AFFECTS OUR LIVES

      November 20: SIGNS AND WONDERS

      November 21: LORD, TOUCH ME

      November 22: PROPHETIC MESSAGES

      November 23: THIS FULL ARMOR OF GOD

      November 24: THE BELT OF TRUTH

      November 25: THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

      November 26: THIS SHOES OF PEACE

      November 27: THE SHIELD OF FAITH

      November 28: THE HELMET OF SALVATION

      November 29: THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

      November 30: RESPONSIBILITIES OVER RIGHTS

      December 1: SEEING LIFE FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE

      December 2: WE ARE SAINTS

      December 3: THE ACCEPTANCE OF GOD

      December 4: BEATING THE SYSTEM

      December 5: GIVING IN TO THE SYSTEM

      December 6: REBELLING AGAINST THE SYSTEM

      December 7: WHY YOU SHOULDN’T BE DEFENSIVE

      December 8: SIN-CONFESS-RESIST

      December 9: WHAT WE BELIEVE

      December 10: THE FEAR THAT EXPELS ALL OTHERS

      December 11: GREATER IS HE

      December 12: THE EXPRESSION OF PRIDE

      December 13: ADAPTING MINISTRY

      December 14: LEND ME YOUR HOPE

      December 15: THE SPIRITUAL PROBLEM OF REBELLION

      December 16: SOUL PROSPERITY

      December 17: CONSULT YOUR GOD

      December 18: THE TRUE NATURE OF BONDAGE

      December 19: A MATTER OF BEING SOMEONE

      December 20: THE POWER IN THE TRUTH

      December 21: A CHILD’S BEST DEFENSE

      December 22: USING OUR GIFTS AND TALENTS

      December 23: OUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENT

      December 24: GOD GIVES THE GIFTS

      December 25: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD

      December 26: PRUNING THE BRANCHES

      December 27: THE GREAT ETERNAL CONSTANT

      December 28: OUR RESPONSIBILITIES

      December 29: PERSONALLY RESISTING SATAN

      December 30: ONE TRUE AND LIVING GOD

      December 31: APART FROM CHRIST I CAN DO NOTHING

      Notes

      Freedom in Christ Ministeries

      OUR JOURNEY

      Joanne and I have been on a pilgrimage for 50-plus years. More than 25 of those years have been in the covenant relationship of marriage. We were fortunate to have a solid, although rather stoic, Scandinavian family heritage. Our parents both celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversaries. Religion has occupied center stage for most of our pilgrimage. Church was always a part of our life.

      In our first years of marriage, the Lord arranged for our religious practices to be confronted, and we were torn from the colorless conformity of past traditions to the living dynamic of a personal relationship with God. I was the first to respond, happily throwing off the past and looking forward to a grand and challenging adventure. Then Joanne, struggling to let go of the comfort of her culture and roots, decided to trust Jesus.

      The Lord called me from a successful career in engineering to seminary and then ministry. Once I started in seminary, higher education became a continuous part of our life. The result was five earned degrees and ten years of teaching at Talbot School of Theology. I never considered education, however, to be an end in itself. Ministry was always the focus. Connecting people to God was the desired result.

      Joanne married an engineer, but dutifully followed me into ministry. She was the devotional and introspective one. I was the one who wanted to get it done. Joanne was content to raise Heidi and Karl, and to focus on her personal relationship with God. I wanted to reach the world for Christ. Consequently, Joanne sometimes saw ministry as a hindrance to our relationship. I didn’t always see how the ministry could possibly be an interference in our marriage. A major life-threatening and life-changing event took place that brought me to the end of my resources and Joanne to the end of her past. I discovered the resources of God and deepened my commitment to the priority of relationships. Joanne surrendered to the care and protection of God. Jesus became the center of our relationship and ministry. The Freedom in Christ ministry was born, and now extends around the world.

      Joanne and I have become partners in ministry. The Lord brought us to the end of ourselves. If we had known before we began this pilgrimage what we were going to go through, we probably wouldn’t have chosen to come this way. Looking back, however, we’re glad we came. Together we can say from experience and with confidence that God makes everything right in the end. The will of God is good, acceptable, and perfect (Romans 12:2). We have learned to never doubt in darkness what God has clearly shown in the light, and to be content in all of life’s circumstances.

      I never had a desire to write a book, but God graciously had just that in mind. In a period of two years, four bestselling books emerged: Victory Over the Darkness, The Bondage Breaker, Walking in the Light (originally titled Walking Through the Darkness), and The Seduction of Our Children. They serve as the basis for this devotional.

      We know who we are. We are children of God, as are all true believers. We believe that Jesus came to give us life, and that eternal life is not something we get when we die. We are alive in Christ right now. We also believe that Jesus came to undo the works of Satan (1 John 3:8). In our journey, we have discovered the reality of God’s presence in our lives, and also the reality of Satans presence in this world. Learning to live as a child of God and standing against the powers of darkness are the foundations of this book. There is, however, only one book that should serve as the foundation for your faith and your daily walk. That is the Bible. If this book can enhance that process and keep you daily in Christ, we will be thrilled.

      For every daily devotion, we tried to give a practical thought to help you in your own pilgrimage. Joanne concludes each devotion with a suggested prayer, capturing the heart of each message and offering direction for further prayer with your heavenly Father.

      And we couldn’t have done it alone. We want to thank Ed Stewart, who pulled much of this material out of my books and organized it. We also want to thank all the wonderful staff at Harvest House.

      Finally, and close to our heart, we dedicate this book to our son, Karl. Our pilgrimage has been yours, but yours is just getting started. May your journey through life be one that is always drawing you near to Him, whom we call our Father.

      NEIL AND JOANNE ANDERSON

      January 1

      THE HOLY SPIRIT’S GUIDANCE

      For all who are being led by the Spirit of God,

      these are sons of God (Romans 8:14).

      A young pilot had just passed the point of no return when the weather changed for the worse. Visibility dropped to a matter of feet as fog descended to the earth. Putting total trust in the cockpit instruments was a new experience to him, for the ink was still wet on the certificate verifying that he was qualified for instrument flying.

      The landing worried him the most. His destination was a crowded metropolitan airport he wasn’t familiar with. In a few minutes he would be in radio contact with the tower. Until then, he was alone with his thoughts. His instructor had practically forced him to memorize the rule book. He didn’t care for it at the time, but now he was thankful.

      Finally he heard the voice of the air traffic controller. I’m going to put you on a holding pattern, the controller radioed. Great! thought the pilot. However, he knew that his safe landing was in the hands of this person. He had to draw upon his previous instructions and training, and trust the voice of an air traffic controller he couldn’t see. Aware that this was no time for pride, he informed the controller, This is not a seasoned pro up here. I would appreciate any help you could give me.

      You’ve got it! he heard back.

      For the next 45 minutes, the controller gently guided the pilot through the blinding fog. As course and altitude corrections came periodically, the young pilot realized the controller was guiding him around obstacles and away from potential collisions. With the words of the rule book firmly placed in his mind, and with the gentle voice of the controller, he landed safely at last.

      The Holy Spirit guides us through the maze of life much like that air traffic controller. The controller assumed that the young pilot understood the instructions of the flight manual. His guidance was based on that. Such is the case with the Holy Spirit: He can guide us if we have a knowledge of God’s Word and His will established in our minds.

      Lord, as this new year begins, I choose to be sensitive to Your

             voice and resolutely committed to doing Your will.

      January 2

      LIVE RESPONSIBLY TODAY

      Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for

      tomorrow will care for itself (Matthew 6:34).

      Trusting God for tomorrow is a question of our worth. Jesus said, Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? (Matthew 6:26). Birds are not created in the image of God. We are! Birds will not inherit the kingdom of God, but we shall. Birds are mortal; mankind is immortal. If God takes care of the birds, so much more will He take care of us. That’s why the apostle Paul could write, My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).

      Matthew 6:30,31 states: If God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? Do not be anxious then. God lays His own reputation on the line. If we trust and obey, He will provide. This is a question of God’s integrity. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things…Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:32,34).

      God’s will is that we live responsibly today and trust Him for tomorrow. Are we people of little faith, or do we really believe that the fruit of the Spirit will satisfy us more than earthly possessions? Do we really believe that if we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we shall be satisfied? Do we really believe that if we seek to establish God’s kingdom, God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory? If we do, then we will seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to us (Matthew 6:33).

      Thank You, Lord, for so faithfully caring for me. I

      gladly cast all of my cares about today on You.

      January 3

      GODLY GOALS AND DESIRES

      Has God said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken,

      and will He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19).

      One key to successful living is learning to distinguish a godly goal from a godly desire.

      A godly goal is any specific orientation reflecting God’s purpose for your life that does not depend on people or circumstances beyond your ability or right to control. Who do you have the ability and right to control? Virtually no one but yourself. The only person who can block a godly goal or render it uncertain or impossible is you.

      By contrast, a godly desire is any specific orientation that depends on the cooperation of other people or the success of events or favorable circumstances you cannot control. You cannot base your self-worth or your personal success on your desires, no matter how godly they may be, because you cannot control all the people or circumstances that affect fulfillment.

      When people or circumstances block our goals, we get angry. If our mentally perceived goal is uncertain, we feel anxious. If the goal appears impossible, we get depressed. But what God-given goal can be blocked, uncertain, or impossible? With God all things are possible, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. No one can keep us from being what God wants us to be except us.

      Notice how God distinguishes between goals and desires. John wrote, My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin (1 John 2:1). Certainly God desires that we don’t sin, but His status as God and His purposes cannot be blocked by anyone who exercises his will against repentance. But it is God’s desire that everyone repent even though not everyone will.

      God accomplished His goal when Jesus said, It is finished. What God has determined to do, He will do, so we can be all that He created us to be.

      Lord, show me Your purposes for my life and

      help me make them my goals.

      January 4

      BLOCKED GOALS

      The fruit of the light consists in all goodness and

      righteousness and truth (Ephesians 5:9).

      One morning I rose early, had my devotions, and started making a special breakfast for my family. I was stirring the muffin mix, singing and feeling great, when my sleepy-eyed son, Karl, wandered into the kitchen. He grabbed a box of cereal and an empty bowl and headed for the table.

      Hey, Karl, just a second. We’re not having cereal this morning. We’re going to sit around the table together and have a big breakfast with muffins.

      I don’t like muffins, Dad, he mumbled, opening the cereal box.

      Wait, Karl, I insisted, starting to get annoyed. We’re going to sit around the table together and have a big breakfast with muffins.

      But I don’t like muffins, Dad, he repeated.

      I lost it. Karl, we’re going to sit around the table together and have a big breakfast with muffins! I barked. Karl closed the cereal box, threw it in the cupboard, and stomped back to his room. My great idea had suddenly turned to shambles. I had to spend the next several minutes apologizing to Karl for my outburst.

      Like me, I’m sure you have suffered your share of blocked goals. You had this great plan to do something wonderful for God, your church, your family, or a friend. Then your plan was thrown into disarray by hectic daily events over which you had no control. You didn’t get your way at the board meeting. Your child decided to be the lead guitarist in a rock band instead of becoming a doctor like you planned.

      When you base your life on the success of plans that are subject to people and circumstances, your life will be one long, emotional roller coaster ride. And the only way to get off the roller coaster is to walk by faith according to the truth of God’s Word. Who you are must not be dependent on the cooperation of others or favorable circumstances. Decide to become the spouse, parent, leader, or worker God wants you to be. No one can block that goal except you.

      Heavenly Father, show me today where I have allowed people or

      circumstances, instead of You, to determine what You want me to be.

      January 5

      SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIVING

      We are to grow up in all aspects into Him (Ephesians 4:15).

      It was for freedom that Christ set us free (Galatians 5:1).

      T here are two concepts which determine the victory and fruitfulness of a Christian. The first concept is maturity. Paul wrote: We are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ…to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:15,13). God has given us everything we need to grow to maturity in Christ (2 Peter 1:3). But Satan is opposed to our maturity and will do anything he can to keep us from realizing who we are and what we have in Christ. We must experience victory over the dark side before we can fully mature.

      The second concept of the successful Christian life is freedom. Paul declared: It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1). This verse not only assures us that God wants us free, but also warns us that we can lose our freedom by returning to the law.

      Before we received Christ, we were slaves to sin. But because of Christ’s work on the cross, sin’s power over us has been broken. Satan has no right of ownership or authority over us. He is a defeated foe, but he is committed to keeping us from realizing that. He knows he can block your effectiveness as a Christian if he can deceive you into believing that you are nothing but a product of your past, subject to sin, prone to failure, and controlled by your habits. As long as he can confuse you and blind you with his dark lies, you won’t be able to see that the chains which once bound you are broken. You are free in Christ, but if the devil can deceive you into believing you’re not, you won’t experience the freedom which is your inheritance. I don’t believe in instant maturity, but I do believe in instant freedom, and I have seen thousands of people set free by the truth. Once a person is free, you would be amazed at how quickly he or she matures!

      Lord, I rejoice that it was for my freedom that You came to

      set me free. Remind me today to walk in Your freedom.

      January 6

      AN INDISPENSABLE PREREQUISITE

      Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true

      God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent (John 17:3 NIV).

      T he focus of my ministry, both as a pastor and a seminary professor, has been the interrelated ministries of discipling and Christian counseling. I have been a discipler and a counselor of countless individuals. I have also taught discipleship and pastoral counseling at the seminary level and in churches and leadership conferences across the country. Much of my interaction with people has been to expose the insidious reality of Satan’s relentless assault of deception on the Christian’s mind. He knows that if he can keep you from understanding who you are in Christ, he can keep you from experiencing the maturity and freedom which is your inheritance as a child of God.

      I am intrigued by the overlap of the ministries of discipling and counseling. Christian discipleship focuses on truth and tends to be future-oriented, provoking spiritual growth and maturity. Christian counseling considers the past to correct problems and address areas of weakness. Your past has shaped your present belief system and will determine your future unless it is dealt with. Biblically, discipleship and counseling are not separate ministries. Both are intensely personal ministries which are necessary to apply the truth to set people free from their past and establish them complete in Christ.

      Furthermore, it is my conviction that discipleship and counseling must both start where the Bible starts: with a knowledge of God and our identity in Christ. If we really knew God, our behavior would change radically and instantly. That’s what happened in Scripture. Whenever heaven opened to reveal the glory of God, individual witnesses were immediately and profoundly changed. I believe that the greatest determinant of mental and spiritual health and freedom is a true understanding of God and a right relationship with Him. A good theology is an indispensable prerequisite to a good psychology.

      Father, I am eternally grateful to You that in Christ I am a saint

      dwelling in the heavenlies instead of a sinner wallowing in the mud.

      January 7

      UNDERSTANDING WHO YOU ARE

      For all who are being led by the Spirit of God,

      these are sons of God (Romans 8:14).

      I enjoy asking people, Who are you? It sounds like a simple question requiring a simple answer, but it really isn’t. For example, if someone asked me, Who are you? I might answer, Neil Anderson.

      No, that’s your name. Who are you?

      I’m an American.

      No, that’s where you live.

      I could also say that I’m five feet nine inches tall and a little over 150 pounds—actually quite a little over 150 pounds! But my physical dimensions and appearance aren’t me either. If you chopped off my arms and legs would I still be me? If you transplanted my heart, kidneys, or liver would I still be me? Of course! Now if you keep chopping you’ll get to me eventually because I’m in here somewhere. But who I am is far more than what you see on the outside.

      We may say with the apostle Paul that we recognize no man according to the flesh. But we tend to identify ourselves and each other primarily by physical appearance (tall, short, stocky, slender) or what we do (plumber, carpenter, nurse, engineer, clerk). Furthermore, when asked to identify ourselves in relation to our faith, we usually talk about our doctrinal position (Protestant, evangelical, Calvinist, charismatic), our denominational preference (Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Independent), or our role in the church (Sunday school teacher, choir member, deacon, usher).

      But is who you are determined by what you do, or is what you do determined by who you are? That’s an important question, especially as it relates to Christian maturity. I subscribe to the latter. I believe wholeheartedly that your hope for growth, meaning, and fulfillment as a Christian is based on understanding who you are—specifically your identity in Christ as a child of God. Your understanding of who you are in Christ will greatly determine how you live your life.

      Lord Jesus, I know I am complete in You. Don’t allow me to fall back

      into fleshly attributes today in an attempt to impress others or You.

      January 8

      A NEW CREATURE

      Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things

      passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17).

      Dan and Cindy were a fine young Christian couple who were preparing for ministry on the mission field. Then tragedy struck: Cindy was raped. As hard as she tried to get back to normal life, Cindy couldn’t shake the horrible memories and feelings from her experience.

      Six months after the tragedy, Dan and Cindy attended a church conference where I was speaking. During the conference Cindy called me in tears. Neil, I know God can turn everything into good, but how is He going to do that?

      Wait a minute, Cindy, I said. God will work everything out for good, but He doesn’t make a bad thing good. What happened to you was evil. God’s good thing is to show you how you can walk through your crisis and come out of it a better person.

      But I just can’t separate myself from my experience, she sobbed. I’ve been raped, Neil, and I’ll be a victim of that all my life.

      No, Cindy, I insisted. The rape happened to you, but it hasn’t changed who you are, nor does it have to control you. You were the victim of a terrible, ugly tragedy. But if you only see yourself as a rape victim for the rest of your life, you will never be free. You’re a child of God. You can’t fix the past, but you can be free from it.

      All of us have a number of hurtful, traumatic experiences in our past which have scarred us emotionally. You may have grown up with a physically, emotionally, or sexually abusive parent. Any number of traumatic, emotional events can clutter your soul with emotional baggage which seems to limit your maturity and block your freedom in Christ. You must renounce the experiences and lies that have controlled you and forgive those who have offended you.

      As a Christian, you are primarily the product of the work of Christ on the cross. You are literally a new creature in Christ. The old you is gone; the new you is here.

      Father, thank You for working all things for good in my life, even

      the effects of evil attacks meant for my harm and destruction.

      January 9

      OUR ONE POWER SOURCE

      The surpassing greatness of His power toward us who

      believe. These are in accordance with the working of

      the strength of His might…(Ephesians 1:19).

      In Ephesians 1:19-21 Paul gives us a peek at the dynamic source of our authority in Christ. He explains that the authority at our disposal flows from the reservoir of power which raised Jesus Christ from the dead and seated Him at the Father’s right hand. That power source is so dynamic that Paul used four different Greek words in verse 19 to describe it: power (dunameos), working (energeian), strength (kratous), and might (ischuos). Behind the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ lies the mightiest work of power recorded in the Word of God. And the same power which raised Christ from the dead and defeated Satan is the power available to us to overcome the works of Satan in our daily lives.

      Paul opens our eyes to the expansive scope of Christ’s authority, which is far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come (Ephesians 1:21). Think about the most powerful and influential political or military leaders in the world. Imagine the most feared terrorists, crime kingpins, and drug barons. Think about the notorious figures of the past and present who have blighted society with their diabolical misdeeds. Think about Satan and all the powers of darkness marshaled under his command. Jesus’ authority is not only above all these human and spiritual authorities past, present, and future, but He is far above them. We share the same position because we are seated with Christ in the heavenlies, which enables us to live in freedom and victory over demonic intrusion and influence.

      Don’t be deceived. You are not under Satan’s power or subject to his authority. You are in Christ above all demonic rule, authority, and power.

      Reigning with You, Lord—what a liberating thought! I

      praise You today for the power You share with me.

      January 10

      IDENTIFYING A CHRISTIAN LEADER

      There will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly

      introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought

      them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves (2 Peter 2:1).

      What comes to mind when you hear the terms false prophets and false teachers? Many people tend to think of Eastern mystics and gurus, the spokespersons for nonbiblical religions, or dynamic cult leaders—people who are recognizably outside the boundaries of the Christian church. But the apostle Peter devoted an entire chapter in one of his letters (2 Peter 2) to false prophets and teachers who operate within the church. False teachers may operate in our churches disguised as workers of righteousness.

      Notice that the lure of false teachers is not primarily their doctrine: And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned (verse 2). What does Peter mean by follow their sensuality? He is talking about Christians who evaluate a ministry based on the outward appearance and charm of its leaders. We say, He’s such a nice guy; She’s a very charismatic person; He’s a real dynamic speaker; She’s so sweet and sounds so sincere. But is physical attractiveness or a syrupy personality a biblical criterion for validating a ministry or a teacher? Of course not! The issue is always truth and righteousness. A Christian leader should be identified by his commitment to the truth, his righteous life, and his servant’s heart.

      Dear God, keep me from playing to the grandstand; I want

      only to live for You. Keep me accountable as a person of truth,

      righteousness, and love, ever fearful of discrediting Your name.

      January 11

      SPRING-LOADED TOWARD THE SPIRIT

      Walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out

      the desire of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

      When we first became Christians, we were like one-third horsepower lawn mower engines. We could accomplish something, but not very much because we weren’t very mature. Our ambition as Christians is to become engines that can power earth-moving machinery—real powerhouses for the Lord. But neither a lawn mower nor a bulldozer can accomplish anything without gas. And neither can we accomplish anything apart from Christ (John 15:5). No matter how mature you are, you can never be productive unless you are walking in the Spirit.

      When it comes to the choice between walking according to the flesh and walking according to the Spirit, our will is like a toggle switch. The new Christian’s will seems to be spring-loaded toward fleshly behavior. He is still the unwitting victim of a thoroughly trained flesh which only knows how to operate independently of God. The mature Christian’s will is spring-loaded toward the Spirit. He makes occasional poor choices, but he is

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