Pause for Power: A 365-Day Journey through the Scriptures

by Warren W. Wiersbe

Overview

Topical. Relevant. Fresh. Pause for Power: A 365-Day Journey through the Scriptures  will inspire readers to experience an unforgettable year of spiritual growth.

Wiersbe Bible studies and commentaries have become a trusted resource for exploring scripture. Pause for Power continues that legacy. This unique devotional is designed to help readers discover spiritual insights through a simple, yet informative, approach to God’s Word.

In just a few minutes each day, readers will encounter powerful truths that can impact their daily lives. Features include:

Select scripture readings that explore practical, everyday topics
Themed commentary from Wiersbe’s popular “BE” series
Thoughtful questions that prompt personal reflection
A small prayer that carries a big idea

Readers will experience an unforgettable year in God’s Word.
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781434702692
Publisher:	Cook, David C
Publication date:	11/01/2010
Series:	Year in the Word Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe is an internationally known Bible teacher and the former pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago. For ten years he was associated with the Back to the Bible radio broadcast, first as Bible teacher and then as general director. Dr. Wiersbe has written more than 160 books, including the popular “BE” series of Bible commentaries, which has sold more than four million copies. He and his wife, Betty, live in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Read an Excerpt

Pause for Power

A 365-DAY JOURNEY THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES

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By Warren W. Wiersbe

David C. Cook

Copyright © 2010 Warren W. Wiersbe
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4347-0269-2

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CHAPTER 1

Consistent Actions

Read Romans 2:1—3:20

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

Romans 2:7–8

God had given Israel great material and spiritual riches: a wonderful land, a righteous law, a temple and priesthood, God's providential care, and many more blessings. God had patiently endured Israel's many sins and rebellions, and had even sent them His Son to be their Messiah. Even after Israel crucified Christ, God gave the nation nearly forty more years of grace and withheld His judgment. It is not the judgment of God that leads people to repentance, but the goodness of God; but Israel did not repent.

In Romans 2:6–11, Paul was explaining a basic principle of God's judgment: God judges according to deeds, just as He judges according to truth. Paul was dealing here with the consistent actions of people's lives, the total impact of their character and conduct.

True saving faith results in obedience and godly living, even though there may be occasional falls. When God measured the deeds of the Jews, He found them to be as wicked as those of the Gentiles.

Something to Ponder

Is it possible for people to grow to have consistently good (not perfect) character and conduct? If so, how? How does this fit with Paul's claim that no one is righteous apart from Christ's sacrifice (Rom. 3:9–10)?

CHAPTER 2

Devoted to Devotions

Read Colossians 4:2

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.

Colossians 4:2

It has well been said that the purpose of prayer is not to get our will done in heaven, but to get God's will done on earth. Prayer is not telling God what to do or what to give. Prayer is asking God for that which He wants to do and give, according to His will (1 John 5:14–15). As we read the Word and fellowship with our Father, we discover His will and then boldly ask Him to do what He has planned. Richard Trench (1807–1886), archbishop of Dublin, said it perfectly: "Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying hold of His willingness."

Of course, it is possible to pray in our hearts and never use the gift of speech (1 Sam. 1:13), but we are using words even if we don't say them audibly. True prayer must first come from the heart, whether the words are spoken or not.

Something to Ponder

As you pray, in what ways are you "watchful"? In what ways are you "thankful"?

CHAPTER 3

The Mark of Maturity

Read Philippians 1:6–10

This is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ.

Philippians 1:9–10

Paul found joy in his memories of the friends at Philippi and in his growing love for them. He also found joy in remembering them before the throne of grace in prayer.

This is a prayer for maturity, and Paul began it with love. He prayed that they might experience abounding love and discerning love. Christian love is not blind! The heart and mind work together so that we have discerning love and loving discernment.

The ability to distinguish is a mark of maturity. When a baby learns to speak, he or she may call every four-legged animal a "bowwow." But then the child discovers that there are cats, mice, cows, and other four-legged creatures.

One of the sure marks of maturity is discerning love and loving discernment.

Something to Ponder

With daily decisions, do you tend to seek what is good, or do you try to discern what is truly best?

CHAPTER 4

Avoiding Oblivion

Read 1 John 2:17

The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:17

Every great nation in history has become decadent and has finally been conquered by another nation. Some nineteen world civilizations have slipped into oblivion. There is no reason why we should think that our present civilization will endure forever. "Change and decay in all around I see," wrote Henry F. Lyte (1793–1847), and if our civilization is not eroded by change and decay, it will certainly be swept away and replaced by a new order of things at the coming of Christ.

Slowly but inevitably, and perhaps sooner than even we Christians think, the world is passing away, but those who do God's will abide forever. Long after this world system—with its vaunted culture, its proud philosophies, its egocentric intellectualism, and its godless materialism—has been forgotten, and long after this planet has been replaced by the new heavens and the new earth (Rev. 21:1), God's faithful servants will remain, sharing the glory of God for all eternity. And this prospect is not limited to Moody, Spurgeon, Luther, or Wesley and their likes—it is open to each and every humble believer. If you are trusting Christ, it is for you.

Something to Ponder

If you are expecting to share the glory of God for all eternity, what things are you doing now to prepare for such an encounter?

CHAPTER 5

Sovereignty and Responsibility

Read Romans 9:14–33

Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

Romans 9:14–15

Moses was a Jew; Pharaoh was a Gentile, yet both were sinners. In fact, both were murderers! Both saw God's wonders. Yet Moses was saved and Pharaoh was lost. Pharaoh was a ruler, and Moses was a slave, yet it was Moses who experienced the mercy and compassion of God—because God willed it that way. Nobody can condemn God for the way He extends His mercy, because God is righteous in His judgments (see Ps. 19:9 KJV).

Paul wrote of divine sovereignty and then human responsibility. Here is a paradox: The Jews sought for righteousness but did not find it, while the Gentiles, who were not searching for it, found it! The reason? Israel tried to be saved by works and not by faith. They rejected "grace righteousness" and tried to please God with "law righteousness." The Jews thought that the Gentiles had to come up to Israel's level to be saved, when actually the Jews had to go down to the level of the Gentiles to be saved.

Something to Ponder

When you can't fully understand God's working, what do you do to maintain your faith?

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Pause for Power by Warren W. Wiersbe. Copyright © 2010 Warren W. Wiersbe. Excerpted by permission of David C. Cook.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

A Year in the Word,
Day 1: Consistent Actions,
Day 2: Devoted to Devotions,
Day 3: The Mark of Maturity,
Day 4: Avoiding Oblivion,
Day 5: Sovereignty and Responsibility,
Day 6: Sins of the Saints,
Day 7: Heart Gifts,
Day 8: Measuring Sticks,
Day 9: Paul's Witness,
Day 10: It Just Isn't Fair,
Day 11: Get Out of Babylon!,
Day 12: Hope: It's Alive,
Day 13: Be (and Stay) Encouraged,
Day 14: Order in the Church,
Day 15: The Apostle,
Day 16: Idol Time,
Day 17: Secrets of Church Success,
Day 18: Truth First,
Day 19: Commotion versus Commitment,
Day 20: Defending God,
Day 21: No Longer Babies,
Day 22: Which Master Will You Choose?,
Day 23: Times, Good and Bad,
Day 24: Minor Matters,
Day 25: A Coming Harvest,
Day 26: All Together Now!,
Day 27: Run for Your (Spiritual) Life,
Day 28: Tongues,
Day 29: Seat of Honor,
Day 30: The Harvest,
Day 31: Not in It for the Money,
Day 32: Mixed Messages,
Day 33: Better Than One,
Day 34: Surprising Worship,
Day 35: Group Consideration,
Day 36: Step toward Knowledge,
Day 37: Everybody In!,
Day 38: Loss Suits,
Day 39: Kid Stuff,
Day 40: Holding It Together,
Day 41: Ignorance Is Amiss,
Day 42: Why Trials?,
Day 43: Motives for Obedience,
Day 44: Whether Vain,
Day 45: Spiritual Exercise,
Day 46: Do You Understand?,
Day 47: Gone but Not Forgotten,
Day 48: Marked for Christ,
Day 49: At Ease,
Day 50: A Common Problem,
Day 51: Rising Above,
Day 52: When Hope Becomes Hopeless,
Day 53: Eli-Who?,
Day 54: Heart Problems,
Day 55: Mobile Homes,
Day 56: A Relatable King,
Day 57: A Geography Lesson,
Day 58: Confident of Answers,
Day 59: A Sure Sign,
Day 60: A Fashion Statement,
Day 61: Internal Changes,
Day 62: Religion Gone Wrong,
Day 63: The Real Thing,
Day 64: People Are Watching,
Day 65: Shape Up or Ship Out,
Day 66: Four Factors,
Day 67: Lighten Up,
Day 68: Sharing the Fullness,
Day 69: Weapons,
Day 70: Longing for Maturity,
Day 71: Reward Offered,
Day 72: The Love God Hates,
Day 73: The Best Sex,
Day 74: Overcoming Fear,
Day 75: As Sure as the World,
Day 76: Obeying God's Will,
Day 77: A Clear Proclamation,
Day 78: Closing the Distance,
Day 79: All You Need,
Day 80: By the Spirit,
Day 81: Terrible Times,
Day 82: Lord of All,
Day 83: Spiritual Senses,
Day 84: Leaving Slavery Behind,
Day 85: A Genuine Truth,
Day 86: Zealous, but Wrong,
Day 87: Seeking Refuge,
Day 88: Sounds and Silence,
Day 89: Rules of the Game,
Day 90: Complete!,
Day 91: Enemies of the Cross,
Day 92: No Place for Pride,
Day 93: Isaiah's Vision,
Day 94: Countdown,
Day 95: A Legal Matter,
Day 96: First, the Bad News,
Day 97: Two Good Examples,
Day 98: Mercy and Faithfulness,
Day 99: It's Not about Me,
Day 100: Motivation for Ministry,
Day 101: In Good Company,
Day 102: Lasting Contentment,
Day 103: A "Poor" Example,
Day 104: Backsliding Is Not Good Exercise,
Day 105: Faith Looks Forward,
Day 106: No Longer the Law,
Day 107: Miracle Recovery,
Day 108: Speaking the Language,
Day 109: Privilege,
Day 110: Time Matters,
Day 111: Doctrine and Duty,
Day 112: Act Now,
Day 113: Authority and Maturity,
Day 114: The Single Mind,
Day 115: A Sober Reverence,
Day 116: The Rules,
Day 117: Fear as a Motivator,
Day 118: The Hope Sequence,
Day 119: How the Mighty Fall,
Day 120: Playing by the Rules,
Day 121: Purer Gold,
Day 122: Tell and Show,
Day 123: The Spark,
Day 124: Back to (God's) Nature,
Day 125: A Downward Cycle,
Day 126: Right Ruling,
Day 127: Reaching Out to Israel,
Day 128: Progress,
Day 129: Deceptive Strength,
Day 130: Divided Loyalties,
Day 131: Let Peace Rule,
Day 132: The Price of Salvation,
Day 133: A Submissive Mind,
Day 134: Chains,
Day 135: The Gospel Truth,
Day 136: Walk On,
Day 137: Law and Legalism,
Day 138: Wants and Needs,
Day 139: On the Fringe,
Day 140: Homeward Bound,
Day 141: The Same Gospel,
Day 142: A Note of Encouragement,
Day 143: On Trial,
Day 144: The Right to Serve,
Day 145: Money Management,
Day 146: Living in Circles,
Day 147: The Silent Lamb,
Day 148: Sounds of Silence,
Day 149: Winning the Saved,
Day 150: Joyful Obedience,
Day 151: The Road Less Traveled,
Day 152: The Grapes of Resistance,
Day 153: Something Old, Something New,
Day 154: You Get What You Deserve?,
Day 155: Heirs, Apparently,
Day 156: The Wisdom of Fleeing,
Day 157: Lifestyle Envy,
Day 158: False Doctrine,
Day 159: The Living Dead,
Day 160: Prepared to Pray,
Day 161: Body Building,
Day 162: A Separate Peace,
Day 163: In Search of Good Samaritans,
Day 164: Nonconformity,
Day 165: Superior Sympathy,
Day 166: Carved in Stone,
Day 167: As One Approved,
Day 168: Faith and Consequences,
Day 169: Looking Death in the Face,
Day 170: Character Matters,
Day 171: Larger Than Life,
Day 172: A Quest for Adventure,
Day 173: Seize the Day,
Day 174: Without Genealogy,
Day 175: Self-Deception,
Day 176: Whom Do You Trust?,
Day 177: Thirst Quencher,
Day 178: Looking Out for Number One,
Day 179: Appealing to a Higher Court,
Day 180: A Hopeful Forecast,
Day 181: Organism and Organization,
Day 182: Looking Up,
Day 183: Entrusted and Enabled,
Day 184: Outer Appearances,
Day 185: Used to the Dark?,
Day 186: Servanthood,
Day 187: Making Marriage Last,
Day 188: Gaining and Losing,
Day 189: Willful Ignorance,
Day 190: Aha!,
Day 191: Satisfaction Guaranteed,
Day 192: Low and Mighty,
Day 193: An Exclusive Relationship,
Day 194: Noah Way,
Day 195: Beautiful Feet,
Day 196: Sowing and Reaping,
Day 197: The Great House,
Day 198: Gratitude,
Day 199: Glory Be,
Day 200: Hear and Now,
Day 201: License and Liberty,
Day 202: Discern as You Learn,
Day 203: Sincerely Wrong,
Day 204: A Perfect Standing,
Day 205: Yielded,
Day 206: Foolish Rulers,
Day 207: Discipline versus Disobedience,
Day 208: Good Beginnings,
Day 209: Patiently Plodding,
Day 210: The Mirror,
Day 211: Needs and Greeds,
Day 212: Wisdom in Action,
Day 213: A Servant's Reward,
Day 214: Politically Correct,
Day 215: Awaiting Balance,
Day 216: The Right Balance,
Day 217: The Slanderers of Uz,
Day 218: Prayer at Work,
Day 219: Friends in High Places,
Day 220: Inconsistently Consistent,
Day 221: Responding to Evil,
Day 222: The Secret of Joy,
Day 223: A Matter of Life and Death,
Day 224: Hidden Treasure,
Day 225: Three Themes,
Day 226: Seed Power,
Day 227: Special Sufferings,
Day 228: The Sacrifice of Fools,
Day 229: Victory: Now and Later,
Day 230: Options for Suffering,
Day 231: Salvation: A United Effort,
Day 232: Enjoyment and Eternity,
Day 233: Jubilee!,
Day 234: No Problem Too Big,
Day 235: Nothing Left to Live For,
Day 236: A Peace at a Time,
Day 237: The Greatest Attraction,
Day 238: God as Author,
Day 239: In Touch with God,
Day 240: Disorder in the Court,
Day 241: Maintaining Togetherness,
Day 242: Pleasing Priorities,
Day 243: When Pleasure Is Treasured,
Day 244: Lost Patience,
Day 245: Short-Term Memory,
Day 246: Killer Instinct,
Day 247: Fruitfulness,
Day 248: Submission and Attraction,
Day 249: Mud Wrestling with God,
Day 250: Acts of Faith,
Day 251: Brothers in Arms,
Day 252: How Firm Is Your Foundation?,
Day 253: Glory,
Day 254: Victory through Surrender,
Day 255: Empowered and Enabled,
Day 256: When in Rome ...,
Day 257: Three Friends,
Day 258: No Condemnation,
Day 259: Response Options,
Day 260: Much Upheaval; Much Comfort,
Day 261: The Privilege of Suffering,
Day 262: A Final Appointment,
Day 263: No Reputation,
Day 264: Stand Firm,
Day 265: Good and Cheap,
Day 266: From Sinner to Servant,
Day 267: Human Error,
Day 268: Mind Control,
Day 269: A Word from the Unwise,
Day 270: Love and Discipline,
Day 271: Real Life,
Day 272: Hard Truth,
Day 273: Mixed Messages,
Day 274: Accept No Substitutes,
Day 275: Not Enough Love?,
Day 276: At War with Ourselves,
Day 277: A Helpful, but Overlooked, Ministry,
Day 278: Be Not Afraid,
Day 279: Leading the Way,
Day 280: Remarkable Plans,
Day 281: Hand in Hand,
Day 282: Proper Nutrition,
Day 283: Dual Citizenship,
Day 284: Prophet Sharing,
Day 285: Misusing a Good Gift,
Day 286: Why Bother?,
Day 287: Time to Move On,
Day 288: Bearing the Pain,
Day 289: God Responds,
Day 290: Hanging On to Hope,
Day 291: Bright Forecast,
Day 292: Religion Gone Wrong,
Day 293: The War Is Over,
Day 294: Forgetting Love,
Day 295: Times and Seasons,
Day 296: International News,
Day 297: Questioning God,
Day 298: The Rebel Within,
Day 299: The Beginning of Wisdom,
Day 300: Role Models,
Day 301: Specializing,
Day 302: Imitations,
Day 303: A Man of Light,
Day 304: One Another,
Day 305: Surrender,
Day 306: Gentile Light,
Day 307: Sing Along,
Day 308: Problems Then and Now,
Day 309: Love and Knowledge,
Day 310: Truth versus Lies,
Day 311: Everything Old Is New Again,
Day 312: Wealth and Health,
Day 313: Bible in a Bible,
Day 314: Now Ear This,
Day 315: Test Time,
Day 316: Two "News",
Day 317: Slow and Steady Loses the Race,
Day 318: Walking and Working,
Day 319: Believing and Behaving,
Day 320: The Antidote to Worry,
Day 321: For Real,
Day 322: Workers Wanted,
Day 323: Zophar, So Good?,
Day 324: Great Expectations,
Day 325: True Preaching,
Day 326: Dying to Live,
Day 327: Take It from Peter,
Day 328: The Right Book,
Day 329: Spiritual Powerhouses,
Day 330: Name Recognition,
Day 331: Join the Parade,
Day 332: Living versus Existing,
Day 333: Streams of Mercy,
Day 334: No Guarantees,
Day 335: An Offering of Suffering,
Day 336: Slow to Anger,
Day 337: Learning Contentment,
Day 338: Forsaked and Forgiven,
Day 339: Losing Weight,
Day 340: Some Things Never Change,
Day 341: Dead Faith,
Day 342: A Secret and a Thorn,
Day 343: Whose Supper Is This, Anyway?,
Day 344: Come Again,
Day 345: A Better Yield,
Day 346: Comfort King,
Day 347: The Right Stuff,
Day 348: Watch Your Diet,
Day 349: Fighting the Wolves,
Day 350: On Faith,
Day 351: Crop Failure?,
Day 352: Revealing Words,
Day 353: Drop Anchor,
Day 354: Signing Off,
Day 355: No Confidence in the Flesh,
Day 356: Eat, Drink, and Be Thankful,
Day 357: Maintaining Standards,
Day 358: Gritty Integrity,
Day 359: Family, Stones, Priests, Citizens,
Day 360: Good for All Ages,
Day 361: By Faith Alone,
Day 362: Fear Less,
Day 363: Salty Talk,
Day 364: A Dead-End Street,
Day 365: Two Extremes,