October 2019:
10/1/19 Who are Your True Friends? 1
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COMMENTS: Isaac enjoyed the same fellowship with God that his father, Abraham did. He also enjoyed the wealth and prosperity his father possesses. Digging wells was hard work with no guarantee of finding water. The Philistines plugged the wells Abraham had dug. They filled and ruined perfectly good wells to hurt and torment Abraham and his family.
As Isaac would move and dig wells, any that found water would be taken over by local tribal herdsmen of Gerar who would confront and quarrel with Isaac everywhere he went. Isaac would let them take the wells and he would move on and dig wells again just to be confronted again. But finally, Isaac found land and dug a good well without quarrel or someone attempting to take it from him. Yet God continued to bless Isaac and help him locate where to dig his well to find water. To find the right place to dig and find a good supply of clean water was difficult and a price for those who possessed one.
Everyone want to be friends during good times, especially if we are generous with them. But during times of need, we find out who our true friends really are. You’ve heard it said “A friend while in need is a friend indeed”. Picking friends who remain true in bad times are priceless.
Christ is such a friend to us! Consider who enabled Isaac to prosper and gain wealth and herds and land and good wells. Who helped Isaac dig where he would find a good water source? Digging those wells was still hard work but the difference following God’s commands and instruction was noticed by Isaac’s pagan neighbors. They wanted the prosperity but not the commitment to God. So, they thought if they would be friends with Isaac, they would be blessed like him without giving up their pagan gods and sinful lifestyles.
But they could have had so much more, like Rehab and Ruth. God desired Isaac to be witness leading pagan nations to Him, but instead Israel repeatedly followed the pagan gods instead. God instructed Jonah to preach repentance to the Ninevites, the pagan people who invaded and killed Jonah’s people and family. When Jonah refused, he ended up in the belly of a large fish until he repented. The people of Nineveh did repent were spared judgment.
Do you want God’s blessings without giving up your gods and selfish and sinful pleasures? This didn’t work for the pagan neighbors of “Isaac. I didn’t even work for Isaac’s dependents, the Israelites. It doesn’t work for you and me either. Associating with Christians or even being a part of a church doesn’t entitle us to God’s blessings or eternal life. We need Him in our souls and receive His redemptive forgiveness in order to receive God’s gifts He intends for us. Otherwise, we are trying to steal from God and from His people. That may appear to go well for a time but God will not tolerate that forever. Satan steals from God for a time but not forever. God will say enough is enough and will reign judgment. History and scripture gives us countless examples.
God has so much more for us than just material possessions. His love and forgiveness and continual fellowship are so much more priceless than anything we can acquire on this world. Sure, we need food and money and water and shelter and family to thrive. We need fellowship with Christ so much more and 100 years from now, the things of this world will be gone but our relationship with Christ will remain and be what we value most. We need to seek and value Him now more than what things we want Him to give us. So, lets seek what HE wants and trust Him to give us material things we need and recognize we may need to let go of wanting some things we don’t need but just want because His wisdom determines what is best for us and our family and also best to fulfill His Will.
War is an all too familiar environment in every generation. The most dangerous enemies are not those who confront us face us as visible discernable invaders but those who infiltrate our communities and families looking and pretending to be like us and our friends. Islam terrorists come into a community and live among it’s people until called to service and reign death and destruction on that community through a bomb or gun or other deadly force. They are not suspected until it is too late. No defense is able to discern and warn or fight such an enemy without knowledge to search out and confront that enemy.
The same is true of our battle with satan. He and his demons come hidden or as friends or providing opportunities pleasing to us. Their skills in tempting us to sin and get involved in evil are polished by thousands of years of practice. We are not equipped or knowledgeable enough to fight such an enemy ourselves. Lust of the eye and pride of life are most common and most effective ways satan used to draw us into his trap.
Such was also true even in the first century church. You may wonder why anyone would preach a false gospel when Christ’s gospel is so wonderful and brings eternal life? But think again about the temptation of pride of life and lust of the eye. Service Christ keeps the honor and credit on Him and not on the one preaching or teaching. When we like getting the credit and praise for good deeds and wise teaching, we quickly put ourselves at risk of falling prey to distorting the Gospel into something that no longer honors Christ nor follows His teaching. The distortion likely starts out small and maybe harmless but is none the less not pure and true.
False teachers and prophets often are sincere in their teaching. They may have started out true but slowly wondered from Christ without even noticing the separation and fell prey to satan’s deception and tricks. They then become an enemy of the church and no longer a friend and partner in ministry. That is why it is so important to be on guard so we don’t become deceived and then become deceivers instead of servants.
Considering this may make us wonder what can we do or what hope do we have to succeed? First of all, realize we have no hope alone and any temptation to fight this battle alone is destined for failure. Today’s scripture tells us any gospel that is not centered on Christ, His human life here, and His death and resurrection and redemptive sacrifice is not of Him. When our life and focus and fellowship is focused on Him, then He equips us to discern and defeat satan’s temptations of all kinds. He will prick our spirit when we begin to wonder off alone. Even David did not notice when the “lust of the eye” drew him into adultery and murder. He went a year without fellowship with God, which he had known and relied on many years before, without even noticing the loss until the prophet Nathan confronted him and exposed his sin. If such could happen to David, how much easier can it happen to us. If David would have fled to God when he first felt the temptation, all would have been different. We need to learn the lesson and be and stay diligent too.
Our help and only hope lies in our relationship with Christ. By keeping our eyes on Him and staying open to the Holy Spirit’s abiding influence, we are and stay equipped with the tools and strength to expose and defeat satan’s attacks no matter how or how often they attack us. Stop and reflect on those you know who seem to maintain a joyous attitude in the midst of amazing hardships while others seem to be defeated and miserable giving in to every temptation that comes their way. The difference is who they are holding on it. The told saying “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” refers to working and staying focused on fixing your own problems. But have you ever tried to lift yourself up by your shoe strings? Impossible. So why do we try to fix our own problems alone. Why not seek help especially from the One who knows best how to fix us and help us and is so eager to help. HE paid a great price so we can and He will. We only need to ask, like the prodigal and He will come running to us. He has promised to do so and is patiently waiting for us to ask. SO, ASK ALREADY!!! I’m asking too because we never grow so far, we still can’t go it alone without His constant abiding council and help and strength and wisdom. AMEN? AMEN!
10/2/19 OBSTACLES 2
| Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. Exodus 14:13 RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: EXODUS 14:10-22 “ 10 And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”13 And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever. 14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.”15 And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. 16 But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea. 17 And I indeed will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them. So I will gain honor over Pharaoh and over all his army, his chariots, and his horsemen. 18 Then the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I have gained honor for Myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.”19 And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. 20 So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night.21 Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea into dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 So the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left.” |
COMMENTS: 400 years had passed since Joseph gained honor in Egypt and with Pharaoh and was given the rich land of Goshen by Pharaoh to raise his family and for his brothers and father to as well. 400 years resulted in Jacob’s family growing to 3 million. Their numbers were a threat in the minds of the current Pharaoh who didn’t remember nor appreciate what Joseph had done 400 years earlier. Likewise, the descendants of Jacobs had forgotten the miracles of Joseph and the deep faith Joseph had influenced his brothers and their families, and Jacob his father, to embrace.
Moses was God’s new servant of the time. He had been prepared for his mission since his birth without knowing that mission until he encountered God at the “burning bush”. His mission was to lead his people out of slavery to the land God had promised to Abraham and his descendants and to the people Moses would lead out of Egypt. Moses and they witnessed 10 miracles before they left. They witnessed God’s helping – protecting hand as they left preventing and overcoming every obstacle satan through their Egyptian captors had built and tried to force on them. Yet they still couldn’t trust God enough to help and protect them against the giants residing in their promised land. They couldn’t be faithful alone while Moses received the 10 commandments on Mt. Sinai.
Obstacles are satan’s method of discouraging and distracting God’s servants and followers from obeying Him.
Obstacles, however, are also God’s method of teaching His people to learn to trust and depend on Him and to strengthen their faith to trust Him for greater things and to overcome greater obstacles. Memory of His faithfulness is what He gives us to trust Him for greater things and to be faithful when encounter greater obstacles. The 10 plagues and pillar of light and parting of the Red Sea should have prepared them for Mt. Sinai and the 10 spies’ report but they refused to act off those memories. They failed to trust God for greater things and suffered loss of their land and wondered for 40 years until they all died.
So, what obstacles have you encountered? Have you learned and developed greater faith and obedience from them? Can you see now how those obstacles prepared you for greater service and obedience and, yes, greater obstacles? How has God used those experience to provide a powerful witness for you to share with others?
Remember, there are no obstacles in our Lord’s path. There is no hindering of His Plan. Do not be afraid! Stand firm and watch to see what He will do… When obstacles and trials seem like prison walls to be, I do the little I can do, and leave the rest to Thee. Frederick W. Faber, “I Worship Thee, Most Gracious God”
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10/3/19 OBSTACLES AND OPEN DOORS 3
And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” Genesis 41:38
RECOMMENDED READING: GENESIS 39:20-23 “20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.”
COMMENTS: Joseph’s story is an amazing – inspiring example of God’s faithfulness to those who are and remain faithful to Him. God used Joseph not only to show the Egyptians how God wanted them to live and who God was, but used Joseph to bring an opportunity for redemption and healing and forgiveness to his evil brothers and to his imperfect father – to his dysfunctional family. Joseph’s example remains across the centuries proclaiming the same God doing His Will and fulfilling His plan in the lives of the same flawed people and is still doing so today.
Joseph probably beat himself up reflecting on what he had said to his brothers that upset them enough to sell him into slavery. He probably wished he had just held his tongue. But his dreams were too good to keep them to himself even though he didn’t get the reaction he intended even from his own father.
But years later he discovered God had it all worked out and the obstacles he faced that seemed to be immoveable not only were overcome by God but overcome literally overnight. In a day or two Joseph went from being a slave in prison with no hope of being freed to second in command to Pharaoh with full freedom and authority at his command. He was given power over all but Pharaoh in Egypt and used that authority to save Egypt and surrounding people from starvation due to a drought yet to come and to bring greater wealth and power to the Pharaoh who respected and trusted him enough to give him that authority.
Joseph did learn wisdom from his youthful impulses and mistakes and the obstacles he encountered as a slave and prisoner taught him to fully trust God and follow His will and plan. To be and stay in close relationship and fellowship with the God who revealed Himself to him. He went from being the impulsive youth who thoughtlessly revealed his dreams to his father and brothers (Genesis 37:3-11) to a wise and calculating man who tested his brothers before revealing his identity to them (Genesis 44).
The obstacles and trials Joseph faced without knowing the outcome or future, made his faith stronger instead of weaker and made him trust God more instead of making him bitter towards God and reject God. Joseph still remembered his dreams and knew God would be faithful to redeem him at the proper time. AND GOD DID JUST THAT!
When life brings obstacles and reproofs, they will reveal who we are at our core. Embrace them and gain wisdom and maturity and greater faith. Reject them and forget the priceless lessons they offer. Stop and reflect on the obstacles you encountered in past and how they provided wisdom and greater strength and faith when you remained faithful. Also reflect on those lost benefits when you failed to stay true to God’s path and ended up disappointed or filled with regret. How did God then offer redemption and forgiveness. God won’t abandon us but will correct us because He loves and cares for us. We are precious to Him. BE GLAD! AMEN? AMEN!
The rough hewing of reproof is only to square us for the heavenly build.
D. L. Moody
10/4/19 His Prayers were Heard! 4
Daniel 10:10-12 – And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly loved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for now I have been sent to you.” And when he had spoken this word to me, I stood up trembling. Then he said to me, “Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand and humbled yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.”
COMMENTS: I wonder what it was like to experience a conversation with an angel or with Christ Himself. To be addressed as “a man greatly loved” and receive a message of great importance. Daniel’s encounter was much different than Saul on the Damascus road. Saul thought he was doing God’s will but discovered Jesus confronting him asking “why do you persecute me?” Jesus had been crucified and buried and risen but Saul didn’t believe he rose. That changed when he was confronted by the risen Christ. From that day on Saul was Paul and was addressed much differently by his Christ his Savior. He also became “a man greatly loved”.
Well, I admire Paul’s commitment and love His letters but have to admit I envision being a bit intimidated by him if were to meet him. I’m sure that will be a lot different when I shed my earthly body along with earthly sinful nature battle here and put on the new body Christ is preparing for me.
I admire Daniel too be suspect I related more to how I envision his personality and temperament. I also admire his faithfulness to God in both good times and trying and dangerous life-threatening times. To endure a lion’s den unwavering and even during peaceful prosperous times motivates me to do so too during peaceful prosperous times and during times of trial and times of illness.
A few days ago, I paid my respects to the widow of a dear friend and fellow school classmate of over 50 years ago and neighbor when we were boys. He had a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer enduring such pain and sickness that attacked and drained life from his body but not from his spirit.
Arlene and I had the privilege of visiting John and Mary Jane Craig 3 weeks earlier. Their love for each other but even more their love and faith in Christ shone through and was a great encourager to us and ministered to us. We reflected on past memories but also spoke of the confident hope of heaven and fellowship with loved ones there but most of all with Christ freed of the dirt of this world. Mary Jane expressed such gratitude for the years God gave them together and shared confidence and peace with whatever the future held. Of course, they had no idea John’s time was so short but suspect they had a suspicion since pancreatic cancer is one of the worst to have.
Yet, John’s life and friendship are a treasure encouraging me and helping me in my faith and walk with Christ even more going forward. One day, maybe soon, I will be joining him too. What a wonderful day that will be. I can only imagine the joy he is experiencing now.
You and I have so many good examples of those before us when impacted our lives positively, so it is important to take time now and again and reflect on their lives and example in order to keep that influence alive and not forgotten.
Daniel still impacts me as I reflect on his life and writing. Daniel was not born into a powerful position but a simply Jewish man who was exiled to Babylon as a boy and grew into adulthood there. He remained faithful to God, who opened doors to opportunities of becoming a powerful government official for many years under the authority of more than one king. He never forgot the situation of his own people, the Jewish exiles. He was painfully aware that God has sent them far away from their own land because of their sins. For following false gods. He also knew God promised to bring them back home after 70 years. By today’s scripture time was almost up, so Daniel began praying and preparing for that return.
Daniel was one of just a few left that remembered their home because most had died. Daniel was well advanced in years now and was hoping to return but was not forcing the issue in his prayers. Instead, he was seeking preparation for himself and his people so God’s promise could be fulfilled with the younger generations. After 21 days of praying, the angel finally comes to Daniel. He calls Daniel “a man greatly loved” by God and gives him great respect and encouragement. He also explains why he was late coming to remove concern and doubts likely going through Daniel’s mind. The angel also said that he came because of the words in Daniel’s prayer. Such a visit was too much for Daniel and almost put him in shock but only briefly.
Prayer was a big deal for Daniel. He refused to give up praying when faced the Lion’s Den. How big a deal is prayer for you? Well, Daniel’s prayers were a big deal for God too. SO ARE YOURS AND MINE TOO!
Prayer is an incredible gift we have been given. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God,” says the Lord (Philippians 4:6). “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will hear you,” He says (Jeremiah 29:12). And John reminds us, “This is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14).
Why should this be? There is only one reason—because God has loved us and has given His Son Jesus to become our Savior. We are not outsiders and strangers anymore. Now that we have come to trust in Jesus, He has made us children of God Himself. And any good father hears his children when they call. Small and weak as we are, God listens to us. Let’s thank Him for the privilege of prayer—and use it, too! OUR PRAYERS MATTER TOO. THEY MATTER TO HIM TOO!
YES, YOU AND I ARE BELOVER BY GOD TOO! AMEN? AMEN!
THE PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for letting us pray to You through Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. Would you be surprised if an angel popped up in your room? Why or why not?
2. What is easiest for you about praying?
3. What is hardest for you about praying?
10/5/19 The Forest and The Trees 5
Then Jacob said to Joseph: “God Almighty … said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people, and give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession.’” Genesis 48:3-4
RECOMMENDED READING: GENESIS 35:1-5 “Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.”2 And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. 3 Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.” 4 So they gave Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the terebinth tree which was by Shechem.5 And they journeyed, and the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.”
COMMENTS: It is very important that our faith and trust in God be strong if we are going to participate in His plan and to fulfill our purpose and leave the legacy, He has designed for us. As I reflect on the legacy of His faithful followers recorded in scripture, I see average people like most in abilities and status but exceptional in faith. That difference opened doors for God to elevate them to places of great influence and positive impact to their generation and people. But because their life experience has been recorded in scripture, their impact and influence and legacy continue from their time through today and beyond. That is how God desires to use His faithful beloved children while on earth and continue to do so even after their work is done and they are enjoying their reward in heaven.
God has a wonderful way of using average people who follow and obey Him in wonderful ways. He doesn’t promise a quiet safe calm comfortable life, but does promise an eternal reward and home with Him in heaven with like minded loved ones. That is what those identified in scripture have been enjoying for centuries. That is what our ancestors who followed Him are enjoying. Such a wonderful reward is not earned but is a gift given to those who simply repent and receive His forgiveness for their sins. Faithfulness to Him and obedience to His commands going forward are a response of love and trust we express to Him for all He has done and continues to do. A response not given out of obligation or duty but a response of love and gratitude. The reason and motivation are huge because a response of love and gratitude is much stronger and more sustainable than a response of obligation or duty.
What were the “trees” in Jacob’s life that were so distracting that they could have taken his focus off God’s plan for his life? The sins of his son, Judah; the supposed death of his beloved son, Joseph; a famine in Canaan that threatened to destroy the seventy-plus members of his household; the anxiety of sending ten of his sons to Egypt in search of food; the possibility of losing his youngest son, Benjamin, as collateral for food; moving his household to a new land and culture—and those are just the ones we know about. But Jacob kept his eye on the prize: God’s promise to create a nation through Abraham, Isaac, and now, him. BUT THAT IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY! God sustained and protected Joseph and then elevated Joseph to a place to administer redemption to his brothers but also to his father. To his entire family. That is the story of redemption Christ paid dearly so it can be offered and made available to every family and everyone everywhere and any time.
Don’t let the “trees” you encounter today take your eyes off of God’s “forest”—His everlasting plan for your life.
He that fears not the future may enjoy the present.
Thomas Fuller
10/6/19 Our Justification 6
“Just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus..” Romans 3:26
RECOMMENDED READING: Romans 8:25-33 “25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. “
COMMENTS: Faith is believing in and working towards a goal without seeing evidence of it nor even progress towards that goal in spite of work. God asks us to trust Him and have faith in His promises. That means believing Him and doing what He asks even when our efforts and His promises don’t seem to be making any progress. The first century church grew explosively even though Christians were being tortured and killed without any noticed consequences to the guilty. Evil kings and governors and officials still did their evil mischief and Christians kept sharing Christ’s gospel message and Christ hadn’t returned to punish evil and reward His servants. Now 2000 years later Christians are still being persecuted and Christ still hasn’t returned yet.
Does that mean Christ doesn’t keep His promises? Does that mean we should put our faith in something more tangible or predictable or concrete? Absolutely not! So, what are we missing? Well, we are missing the full definition of trust in God and accepting His timing and ways.
The first century Christians did have faith in His return but that wasn’t all they hung their faith on. The promise of heaven – new immortal resurrection bodies, a home in heaven with loved ones and most of all with Christ made suffering and even death endurable. They knew death, as Paul expressed in Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”, is not an end but a beginning and is freedom from the evil and suffering of this world. Christ’s promises are fulfilled to each one of us when we die but certainly to the entire world, as well as to us individually, on the day He returns.
Faith is so important to us. Scripture tells us we are justified by our faith. Justification brings peace with God, satisfying His standard of perfection from us in order to be in relationship with Him and for Him to abide in us. What is that justification? It is seeing us through Christ’s sacrifice. Through His shed blood.
Justification changes the outcome of judgment. Judgment now decides for the sinner instead of against him. Memory looks back upon past sins with deep sorrow for the sin, but yet without dreading any penalty to come; for Christ has paid the debt of His people to the last jot and tittle and received the divine receipt. Unless God can be so unjust as to demand double payment for one debt, no soul for whom Jesus died as a substitute can ever be cast into hell.
Faith then is believing Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient to satisfy a just and perfect Father. To doubt our forgiveness can be terrifying. But He wants us to have confidence in our salvation and forgiveness. If God is just, I, a sinner, alone and without a substitute, must be punished. But Jesus stands in my place and is punished for me; and now, if God is just, I, a sinner, standing in Christ, can never be punished. God must change His nature before one soul for whom Jesus was a substitute can ever by any possibility suffer the punishment of the law.
Therefore, Jesus having taken the place of the believer-having rendered a full equivalent to divine wrath for all that His people ought to have suffered as the result of sin-the believer can shout with glorious triumph, “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect?”1 Not God, for He has justified; not Christ, for He has died, yes, has risen again. My hope lives not because I am not a sinner, but because I am a sinner for whom Christ died; my trust is not that I am holy, but that being unholy, He is my righteousness. My faith rests not upon what I am or shall be or feel or know, but in what Christ is, in what He has done, and in what He is now doing for me.
This is the Good News of the Gospel Message! This is the reason for the Christian’s Faith 2000 years ago under Roman rule, and in every generation and in every country and circumstance since.
HE HAS PROVED HIMSELF IN EVERY GENERATION SINCE CREATION. HE IS FAITHFUL AND WORTHY OF OUR TRUST. HE SPECIALIZES IN BLESSING AND BEING CLOSE TO HIS FOLLOWERS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE STORMS RAGE WITH NO EVIDENCE OF STOPPING.
Take some time to reflect on personal examples as well as historic examples. Doing so is blessing and encouraging me and pray it will you too. AMEN? AMEN!
10/7/19 Harvest Law 7
“Therefore, know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9
RECOMMENDED READING: NUMBERS 14:18 “18 ‘The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.’”
COMMENTS: Scripture gives us both clear examples and clear promises God gives us. Promises that God’s judgment will fall on the guilty and their heirs for 3-4 generations while God’s mercies and Grace will be showered on the repentant and their heirs for 1000 generations. God’s mercy and Grace is disproportionately more abundant than His judgments. He loves to bless and hates to judge, but must judge when sin and evil become so strong and destructive that He must stop it and stop those guilty of doing it. By contrast, those who do His Will and follow His commands, He also blesses to reward and encourage them. But most of all because of His love for them. He loves the sinners who continue in their sins but must judge them when their deeds become destructive to others. The evil Adolf Hitler reigned on the world was comprehendible but was allowed for a season because of the support and choices his countrymen made. But God did intervene and bring judgment on him and his followers.
CHRIST IS RETURNING SOON TO BIND AND JUDGE SATAN AND HIS FOLLOWERS AND REMOVE THEIR INFLUENCE FROM EARTH AND REBUILD THE EARTH SATAN CORRUPTED, JUDGE HIS FOLLOWERS, AND RESTORE HIS CREATION TO BE AND LIVE AS HE INTENDED.
CHRIST IS COMING AS A KING TO REIGN AND THOSE WHO FOLLOWED HIM WILL REIGN WITH HIM. A position they did not earn but one given to them because they chose to receive His mercy and follow His commands.
An overlooked principle of Scripture is God’s harvest law: we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). Farmers and gardeners know this well, and Christians should know it also. The principle has roots in the Old Testament. The sins of one generation would echo for four more generations, but the blessings of one generation’s obedience would influence a thousand generations. Those are round numbers, used to illustrate a point: disobedience and obedience ripple out from our choices, impacting others.
In the days prior to his death, Jacob gathered his sons together to tell them what their future held (Genesis 49:1-27). His firstborn son, Reuben, should have held pride in the future, but because of his sins he would not. The second- and third-born sons, Simeon and Levi, should have been next, but they too were demoted. The fourth-born son, Judah, was made the tribal leader through whom the Messiah would come (Genesis 49:10), the One eventually called “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5).
Every thought, word, and deed sown today will bear fruit tomorrow—for good or for ill.
“Holiness in the seed shall have happiness in the harvest.” Thomas Adam
10/8/19 The Aware Life 8
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
Recommended Reading: GENESIS 50:19-21 “ 19 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? 20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. 21 Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”
COMMENTS: The story of Joseph recorded in Genesis is a wonderful example of God’s character and His influence on man. Joseph and his family each individually had same influences but responded differently to them. Joseph responded by embracing a personal relationship with God and following His commands. His brothers did the opposite, keeping God at arm’s length and embracing satan’s temptations. Joseph too was tempted by even stronger temptations and even punishments for being obedient to God. But those punishments did not come from God but from satan as a way of trying to break his will power. God didn’t choose those punishments but permitted them within limits. Without limits, satan would have destroyed Joseph, but God only permitted suffering to fall on Joseph within limit of what he could endure and in ways Joseph would still be able to remain faithful to God and honor Him. The story of Job helps give us God’s perspective and the battle satan tries to wage with God for our soul and life. Satan only wins when we surrender to him and allow him to. God permits us to make our own choices, good and bad. But He will not allow satan to tempt us beyond what we are capable of resisting nor endure more suffering than what we can endure. He also remains near ready to lend a hand of help and encouragement and strength as we ask and seek. The problem is all too often we don’t seek nor invite His help. Instead, we complain and blame Him as the Israelites did with every difficulty, they encountered on route to promised land from bondage they left in Egypt. They forgot the story of Joseph and the example he lived so well. If they only had followed Joseph’s example, they would have entered the land God promised them 40 years sooner. But God still fulfilled His promise to them. Their sin and rebellion delayed fulfilment to their children. They, like we, need to learn how to live each day in “continual awareness that God is with us and working in our lives.” Joseph learned and experienced that awareness and lived at times faithful without evidence of God’s abiding presence. That evidence would come powerfully and obviously but not always immediately. God never withheld His presence from Joseph but did hide evidence of His presence from Joseph as He did for Job too. He does this to help build their faith and trust Him so they will remain faithful and gain strength to weather storms of life true to Him. Joseph learned and gained that strength. His brothers learned that later when they finally surrendered to God’s will. They became vulnerable to Joseph’s power and influence in order to allow their faith to be tested and grow. They put themselves in God’s hands too, making themselves vulnerable to potential harm.
But God remained faithful to them and restored their family to a loving relationship with each other and with God.
Awareness is behind the idea of Romans 8:28—that God is always at work to accomplish His purposes. The lengthy story of Joseph and his brothers contains many moments where the brothers would have benefitted from stopping and asking, “What is God doing in this situation? What is He showing us? Let’s pause and seek Him before going forward.” Twice Joseph spoke the principle of Romans 8:28. The brothers acted wrongly toward Joseph, yes. But God used it for good in all their lives—ultimately it resulted in the preservation of Jacob’s family (Genesis 45:5-7; 50:19-21).
Live an aware life today. Instead of responding impulsively or reacting intuitively, go more slowly and see what God may be saying.
It is a sin as much to quarrel with God’s providence as to deny his providence.
Thomas Watson
10/9/19 OVERDUE 9
O God, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from You. Psalm 69:5
Scripture: JEREMIAH 16:17-18 “17 For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes. 18 And first I will repay double for their iniquity and their sin, because they have defiled My land; they have filled My inheritance with the carcasses of their detestable and abominable idols.” COMMENTS: God is slow to judgment and prompt or quick to forgive. When we see the evil mischief of others, whether world leaders like Nero or Hitler or Stalin or the harmful mischief of bullies or difficult bosses, we may become frustrated that God’s judgment is not immediate on them. We may wonder why God permits such evil to continue. We ask God to help and protect those suffering from evil or disease in the world and ask why those responsible for that evil continue doing their evil deeds. Such was the case when Nero came to power as Caesar of Rome. He was responsible for killing thousands of Christians brutally by crucifixion, by hungry lions, by being burned alive as torches along Roman roads, and by enduring Roman prisons and abuse. Nero had Rome set on fire and blamed Christians for doing it as an excuse to expand his attack on them. Well, history records Herod’s rule lasted just 14 years. He ruled from 54AD til 68AD, committing suicide at age 31. He was only 17 when he became Caesar. He gained this position by opportunity and birth and at least in his early years of rule, was influenced and guiding by his mother.
So, what would motivate a young man to do such evil and feel such hatred for Christ followers? How could such a young man think of such brutal ways to kill Christ followers? The influence of others was a powerful force, I am sure. Evil influence of others is a powerful tool satan uses. BUT GOD USES THE IMPERFECT LIVES OF FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS TO INFLUENCE OTHERS TOO AND EVEN USED THE EVIL DEEDS OF NERO TO SPREAD CHRISTIANITY TO THE FAR CORNERS OF THE WORLD AND CAUSE EXPLOSIVE GROWTH IN NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS DURING THOSE TERRIBLE YEARS.
So, why did God allow such a young man become Caesar in the first place? Well, leadership abilities and self-confidence are considered vital qualities the world demands of its leaders. But what about a moral standards and proper sense of right and wrong? What about the qualities God considers most important? Consider the qualities God saw in David when He chose David as a boy to be Israel’s next king. Compare those qualities to the qualities in Saul the people valued when they chose Saul to be their first king.
Truth is, God values much different qualities than we humans do but history always proves God’s values and standards to be far above and better than man’s.
God does not condone evil but does allow humans to make their own choices, good or bad. God allows evil to continue from those poor choices for a time but will use evil those evil choices and evil conduct for good in spite of their destructive path. But that evil has never continued without judgment and death stopping it.
Jesus has promised to return, stop and bind satan, and judge his actions and the actions of those who chose to follow him.
God offers forgiveness to any and all who admit their sins and repent of those sins. Every human is guilty of being a satan follower and worthy of God’s judgment. He bought and offers forgiveness and redemption from God’s judgment and the path to death satan deliberately leads us down. All we have to do is accept God’s offer and begin following His lead instead of satan’s. He evil offers forgiveness and faithful help when we fail to stay on the path, He then puts us on.
But if we refuse His offer and redemption, the consequences of that choice are not God’s fault and delay in reigning judgment on those who refuse His mercy only shows He doesn’t want to judge us and won’t until He must to prevent the destruction of evil. Any good that comes from evil is not satan’s doing but God’s only.
If something is nagging at you and making you feel guilty, don’t wait or put off confessing it. Joseph’s brothers suffered decades worth of agony because of their unconfessed sin, but the shadows in their lives cleared up after they came clean.
Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” A guilty conscience is a cruel master and unnecessary. God wants to give us mercy, not judgment and will move mountains to encourage us to come to Him. Why? BECAUSE HE LOVE US!!
Are you overdue for confession?
“We can be… sure that any hidden sin in us will eventually display itself in an undesirable way. The time to catch it is now.” Stormie Omartian
10/10/19 God in and Thru Crisis 10
Set your mind on things above….For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:2-3
RECOMMENDED READING: COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 “ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
COMMENTS: Today’s news is filled with nothing but crisis. Everything seems to be a crisis, overwhelming us if we let it. The dictionary defines crisis as “a time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger.” We all face real dangers and hardships during our lives and, for some of us, more often than for others. For some, crisis is due primarily to their own poor or foolish choices. For them, required is changing those choices as well as dealing with consequences of past poor choices. For others, crisis comes because of poor choices others have made that were beyond our control or input. Either way, crisis demands our attention to avoid further consequences that may affect others or more than those already affected.
Christ has promised to never leave or forsake us. But in the midst of crisis, His abiding presence may not be felt or seen. BUT HE IS STILL HERE AND, ON THE JOB, EVEN OR ESPECIALLY WHEN UNNOTICED! In order to seen Him in the midst of crisis and to follow His lead and council through crisis, we must learn to trust Him and do what He asks. WE MUST ALSO TAKE OUT EYES OFF THE CRISIS AND ON HIM. PUT OUR EYES ON HIM IN OUR PRAYERS AS WE WAIT. IN OUR PRAYERS AS WE STUDY HIS WORD. IN OUR PRAYERS AS WE CONTINUE DOING DAILY DUTIES AND SATISFYING DAILY OBLIGATIONS. Let go of what we can’t change and changing what we can. SEEKING AND ASKING FOR HELP INSTEAD OF JUST TRYING TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS OURSELVES UNTIL THEY BECOME ANOTHER CRISIS.
We can and will see Him in the midst of crisis more clearly if we take some time to pray and see Him first before trying to manage crisis. He comes with peace, with power, with protection, and with the sense of His abiding presence. BUT MOST OF ALL WITH HIS FULL AUTHORITY OVER ALL.
If you’re in a crisis today, look upward. Set your mind on things above, not on things of earth, for your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares I have already come. ‘Tis grace hath bro’t me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
John Newton, “Amazing Grace”
10/11/19 My Fortress 11
“How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. … For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 62:3-4a, 5-6
COMMENTS: Have you ever felt that “someone was out to get you?” Maybe it was a sequence of circumstances pilling one on another. Job must have felt that way but didn’t yield to temptation of blaming God for loss of fortune – family – health.
Today’s psalm does indicate writer was under attack or knew of someone under such attack. He didn’t deny attack but did acknowledge God as his protector. The remember the child story of the 3 pigs and wolf who blew down the houses of the two pigs who built flimsy houses but could not blow down the house of the third house, built properly to last. We know how the story ended but need to realize we all do have a formidable enemy determined to destroy us motivated by an evil motive to hurt God by hurting and destroying us. The author of this psalm is not identified and does appear shaken that God, who He trusts and knows, is delaying intervening and coming to his defense. He asks sincerely and desperately, How long?
Have you ever asked God in desperation how long?
1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
Scripture tells us to be vigilant. We can’t see our adversary with our eyes even though we will see others doing the mischief. Corey Ten Boom faced the guards responsible for her torture and torture and death of her sister and parents during that terrible time of Nazi tyranny and rule. Why did God allow Hitler to gain rule and pursue his evil plan? Why did He allow six million Jews to be murdered along with millions of Ally soldiers who gave their lives to defeat Hitler’s military machine?
Well, why did God allow satan to inflict evil on Job? We are given an explanation in latter part of Job. God allowed satan to test Job’s faithfulness to God but within limits. Job faced accusations from his friends and even from his wife, but refused to blame God or doubt God’s faithfulness to him.
Christ has promised to not leave or forsake us. He has promised to prepare our eternal home for us and to be with Him free of pain and suffering and evil and aging – death. He has not promised to shield us from suffering, within limits, while on earth but that such suffering only is allowed with a purpose of eternal value and significance and importance.
We need to learn to trust Him as Job did and be faithful to Him no matter what. Afterall, a few years of suffering for eternity with Him is worth any sacrifice and if such suffering influences even one to repent and come to Him for redemption, it will be worth such suffering too. So, must we insist to know why now or should we trust Him enough to wait for His timing and explanation in His time. Granted, we have no right to ask and He has no obligation to give one, but His compassion does draw Him to help and encourage and minister to our doubts and fears in the meantime.
If early Christians enduring death by lions or being torched for their faith. If early Christians enduring years of hiding from tyrants like Nero governing Rome and ordering attacks on innocent Christians, then why should we complain if we endure some measure of injustice or suffering. One day soon Christ has promised to return and make things right and bind the source of evil in the world. Christ is preparing for His return right now and is also preparing your eternal home and mine. That was enough to empower and give the early Christians courage to endure suffering and is enough for us to if we put our hand in His and open our soul for the Holy Spirit to abide in and council us.
Well, we all need a safe space when we can find comfort and encouragement. We have such a safe haven and rock to stand on. Psalm 118:22 “18 The Lord hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death.19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord:20 This gate of the Lord, into which the righteous shall enter.21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.23 This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
This scripture doesn’t identify Christ but is clearly identifying God’s protection and provision. The rock identified in Psalm is clearly identified many places in our New Testament which includes 1 Corinthians 3:11 ““No one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ”
Jesus is the cornerstone and foundation of the fortress that is our salvation. He is our hope and security in every attack, in every time of distress. To hear the saving Word of Jesus and by the Spirit’s power to build on that Word is to build our house on a rock. We can say of our crucified and risen Lord, “He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.” No enemy, no distress, no wolf, no lion, can tear this house down.
THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You are our rock, our salvation, and our fortress. When we are weak and shaken in days of distress, shelter us with Your mighty power. Amen.
Reflection Questions:
1. When things are difficult, do you have a specific physical place you go for solace and to collect your thoughts?
2. Are you able to wait on God and His timing when you’re having trouble with people and/or circumstances? Do you open the Bible during such times in search of answers?
3. When others are experiencing trials in their lives, do you feel sufficiently equipped to offer them any truths from Scripture to address their needs?
10/12/19 New Creation 12
His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3
RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: John 10:10 “10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
COMMENTS: Satan is the thief identified in John 10:10 come to rob – kill – destroy everything and everyone, all of God’s creation. Genesis 1 identifies the order and description of what God created and continues to create. Humans are the most advanced and God-like of His creation and the most valued by Him, so is the focus of satan’s attacks. Man is given by God free will and ability to choose good or evil. Satan is doing everything he can to convince and trick us to follow him, like Eve and Adam did.
But God is not sitting back and letting satan do his mischief without limits. God shows us who his is through His creation and also through His Word. He went through great effort to reveal Himself and organizing the Bible over a 1600-year period of time and many writers so it became the most complete and accurate and divinely inspired single book of God and His involvement in the world and lives of people throughout the ages.
He has revealed enough for us to understand what He wants from us and for us to understand what behavior is good and what is bad. He has also revealed enough for us to understand the consequences of following evil and benefits of following Good. He also has explained the source of evil and provided tools and council to help us choose good.
We get in trouble when we neglect and ignore and reject Him and are healed and restored to relationship with Him when we come to Him seeking to change to be more like Him.
He reveals enough so we can know Him and love and trust Him, but withholds what we can not comprehend because He is so far about us. He shares promises He has made and how they were kept and then shows us promises that apply to us and gives us assurance He will keep those promises too.
John 10:10 goes on to tell us Christ came to defeat satan’s war on God of destroying people by providing eternal life and offer of a restored personal eternal relationship with God through His sacrifice and fulfilled mission. Christ is not only our go-between with the Father but His death was and is the price required to restore eternal life as God intended back to each and everyone who will simply accept this precious gift. He makes us a new creation like Himself, good.
Romans 8:19-22 “19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 “ 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 4:6 “6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,”[a] made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.”
In spite of the evil one being present, Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10).
In moments where you feel limited or constrained in this world, remember that you are a new creation in Christ. Our only constraint is the limits of our faith.
The whole creation is Thy charge, but saints are Thy peculiar care. Isaac Watts
10/13/19 Everything You Need 13 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3
Scripture Reading: 2 PETER 1:1-8 “ Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
COMMENTS: We live in a dangerous world – a world in which everywhere we go there is evidence of satan’s evil influence and people yielding and following his sinister plan. Alone we are no match to his skills and cunning and influence. He has had thousands of years to gain experience and sharpen skills in his powers of persuasion. Adam and Eve yielded to believing and following his lies, but today satan has a lot more experience as he tempts us. Yet, he is still using the same tactics and methods and is still blind to knowing and understanding God’s strategy and plan. His foolishness is still as great as is his arrogance and blinding pride.
He is still no match to God’s power and wisdom and might. He is leading a losing war against God and those who follow his lead are on the losing side too.
God has given us everything we need to successfully battle and resist satan and also all we need to be faithful to and victorious in leading and living a Christ centered life.
As a parent, I certainly understand the dangers and worries and battles of raising children in society today. How do we prepare and have peace as we raise children to live in the world today? Yes, these are daunting times, but remember – we are not alone nor without help and wise council. God’s divine power gives us everything we need, resources tried and true and selected for us by God Himself. He has also given us the assurance that even if our children stray from the Faith, they will return when they grow older and wiser and have families of their own. I have experienced that to be true within my own family but still have family waiting and praying for who have still not yet returned. The prodigal parable and story remind me of my role as a father. To wait and pray and be accessible and available. Yet to not only be accessible but also not to support or empower poor and sinful behavior either. Administering “tough love” has been a struggle for me am resolved and determined. You and I need to regularly remind ourselves the goal is well worthy of any sacrifice or pain enduring in the meantime, even if it takes many years and even if I don’t see the fruit of that investment in my lifetime.
Heaven and being with family in heaven is the goal and what dwarfs any other. Nothing else will matter if that goal is not achieved. The wonderful news is, THAT IS GOD’S GOAL TO AND HE IS EVEN MORE PASSIONATE ABOUT ACHIEVING THAT GOAL THAN WE ARE!
What does that phrase mean—our knowledge of Him? It means learning more about God. As we see His handiwork in creation and study His message in Scripture, we become learners. Don’t assume you know everything there is to know about God and His Word. The Bible requires a lifetime of study. There are truths you’ve not yet discovered, promises you’ve not yet claimed, and aspects of God’s character you’ve not yet fathomed.
But the knowledge of God means more than simply knowing more about Him. It means knowing Him more—more intimately, more personally—which comes through daily communion with Him in prayer and in the Word. Let’s be quick to say: “Thank You, Lord, for meeting all my needs, including my need for godliness in an ungodly world.”
“God gives you everything you need because He is everything you need.” David Jeremiah
10/14/19 HEART AND HABIT 13
Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You. Psalm 119:38
RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE PSALM 119:33-40 – “33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, And I shall keep it to the end.34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to covetousness.37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, And revive me in Your way.38 Establish Your word to Your servant, Who is devoted to fearing You.39 Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good.40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me in Your righteousness.”
COMMENTS: How long has it been since took some time to quiet yourself, clear your mind of the business of the day and reflected on who God is and what He has done and continues to do for you and your family. The last time you noticed the sun rise and sun set, the majesty of the sun and moon as they light the day and night, the birds singing in the early morning greeting you to another God given day? The wonder of how each morning is a fresh beginning enabling you to either fix the errors of yesterday or build on accomplishments of yesterday. Every evening is an opportunity to review days work done and plan adjustments for tomorrow. Even those retired or volunteering have a morning and evening to do so as well.
When we begin each morning spending time with Him reading His Word and praying and seeking His council and plan for the day, we do a great deal to assure a successful – productive day but also a day of walking in harmony with our God doing work that has eternal lasting results.
Habits tend to be mindless actions we do repeatedly without thinking but simply because we have done them so long, our lives are not complete without continuing them. Some habits are destructive and expensive like smoking. Others can be destructive like swearing or harsh words and unrestrained anger. But there are good habits that bring productive results. Going to work and doing tasks well can become a habit that makes continuing easier. Going to church and worshipping can too.
But a very important habit worthy of repeating is morning devotions and evening prayer and reflection. Well, even good habits can become mindless meaningless duties if reason or purpose and passion for that purpose is lost or forgotten. Relationship with others suffer greatly when good habits do not include love. So is our relationship with God. He deserves priority of prime time with Him each day, but even more, He deserves our love. Yet when we neglect spending that time and expressing our love to Him, we grieve Him since He missing that time with us, but He also knows how harmful and destructive neglect is for the individual too.
God is always accessible and eager to be in fellowship with each of us. Since we can’t see Him with our eyes nor hear Him with our ears generally, it is easy to conclude He isn’t near. But when we see His majesty all around us in creation, in the lives of other believers, in circumstances that obviously were affected by His helping Hands, we realize He is near. Likewise, when we read His Word and are reminded of how He helped and worked in the lives of the Faithful years ago, we rediscover how He normally works and provides.
But when we remain faithful especially when can’t feel His presence, we prepared ourselves so are ready when He does speak. We also enable God to speak to us through His word constantly to guide and strengthen us and help us seek opportunities He gives us during the day that we otherwise might miss because of day’s duties and obligations and distractions.
Joseph was prepared for evil his brothers planed and for slavery – injustice – temptation – discouragement while in Egypt because he maintained a relationship with God.
Daniel was prepared for captivity in Babylon along with pagan culture and threats of prison and torture and execution at hands of his captures. By having and maintaining a daily relationship with God, he was able to stay true, maintain hope, and was ready to hear and obey when God spoke to him.
Daniel was recognized and acknowledged by an angel as favored by God. So was Mary, Jesus’ mother. That complement was rarely given in scripture but those given to were not special in abilities or intelligent or in status. But God recognized their faithfulness and determine – consistent relationship they maintained with Him and honored that faithfulness by giving them special opportunity and position to both demonstrate their faith and obedience but also gave them special opportunity to make an eternal difference in the lives of those who knew them and in lives going forward generation after generation.
Consider the wonder of how Joseph’s and Daniel’s still Is impacting lives thousands of years later because they are recorded in God’s Word. God honored them by including their stories in His Word. God wants to at least record your story in the memories of those who know you, enabling your influence to continue long after your death.
How will you be remembered after you are gone? By mowing a local cemetery, I have opportunity to be reminded of influence those buried there is refreshed in our memories and continues to impact us. That is the case for me each week I mow there.
So how does God want to remind you He is near and remind us of examples He has given us to encourage and guide us? Maybe we need to more often stop and look around or even turn around and simply look and listen. We just might be surprised to learn “He always has our back” when we notice He is there.
There are 8000 promises from God to each of us recorded in scripture. 1000 of them are in Isaiah alone. He always keeps His promises. Some are redeemed often and daily while others are long range or held until His return. That doesn’t mean He is stingy or holding on to them because doesn’t want to give them up. He is simply preparing people, and us, and circumstances to receive them. AMEN? AMEN!
Some things naturally go together—salt and pepper, bread and butter, pencil and paper, needle and thread. When it comes to godliness, God has given us all we need. But we must diligently provide two parts to the equation—a devoted heart and disciplined habits. Psalm 119:38 alludes to both. Our hearts must be devoted to fearing (reverencing) God, and we must form habits that establish us in the Word. Notice the two key words in this verse.
Devoted: Devotion is better than dedication. We can be dedicated to something without being devoted to it. Some people are dedicated to preserving their marriage, but not lovingly devoted to their spouse. We must keep our hearts tender, receptive, and thirsty for the Lord.
Established: Being established in the Word requires continual reading, studying, pondering, applying, and sharing. Little happens without steady habits, and habits are hard to sustain unless we work energetically to establish them. Reaching goals requires commitment and consistency. To live a godly life, we must diligently develop a heart of devotion and engage the habit of godliness.
Self-control is the exercise of inner strength under the direction of sound judgment that enables us to do, think, and say the things that are pleasing to God. Jerry Bridges
10/15/19 Diligence 15
Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself. Deuteronomy 4:9
Recommended Reading: DEUTERONOMY 6:4-9 “4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
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COMMENTS: Our scripture (above) for today from Deut. 6 is much neglected but vitally important council in properly rearing children and sustaining a healthy – happy family atmosphere and family unit Lets take a few minutes to discuss and reflect on these wise words of instruction given by God Himself.
Loving God with all our soul is at the heart of being in relationship with God and being obedient to God’s Commandments. Jesus even confirmed this as key when responding to a question asked by a prominent pharisee who asked “what is the most important Commandment in the Law? Jesus’ words are recorded in Matthew 22:36-40; Luke 10:27; Mark 12:30-31
Matthew 22:37-40 “ 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[b] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[c] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Keeping a long list of do’s and don’ts became unmanageable in old testament Jewish communities. Over 600 laws were added to the 10 Commandments God gave Moses, which were hard to remember but strictly enforced without compassion by scribes and pharisees and Sadducees that made up the synagogue and priestly ruling organization of Jesus’ day. Yet they did not obey those rules themselves.
What Deut. 6 told the ancient Jews and Jesus tells us in the above New Testament scriptures, is that obedience of God’s Commandments starts and continues by loving Him with all our heart. Loving Him makes obeying Him a joy instead of an obligation. Loving Him also makes loving our neighbor a natural result too. In other words, loving God draws us to seek a closer relationship with Him which opens us to desire to and actually become more like Him. The natural result is to seek an even deeper relationship with Him which results in loving Him more and seeking to be even more like Him, which includes loving our neighbor more. This holy cycle is the natural grow process each Christian will experience as long as he or she does the work required.
That work involves daily prayer and bible study and just spending time fellowshipping with Christ with open minds and hearts. His Holy Spirit is near and ready to respond as we become open to Him. The Prodigal story assures us God is ready and near but also eager to run to us if we only turn and walk towards Him. Times that walk will seem difficult as pride and other distractions discourage going in that direction. The reason is satan doesn’t want us to be in relationship with God and works hard to discourage and distract us.
Consider a farmer who not only must prepare the soil before planting seed, but must till and work the ground during summer in order for seed to grow and bear fruit at harvest time. The farmer cannot neglect the crop after planting or will be disappointed to discover weeds over powering the crop and chocking it to death. Satan will chock out God’s crop in you too if we neglect our relationship with Him. It is not God’s neglect of us but ours of Him. He requires we love Him in order for Him to respond to us. He already loves and does so much for us, but desires to do far more when we open ourselves to receive Him. He holds sacred allowing us to make our own choices, good or bad, which includes freedom to choose to love or neglect Him.
So, if God seems a million miles away, He really isn’t but it is us that need to turn around and face Him in order to discover how close He really is. It is just as foolish as trying to see someone while having your back towards them. No, you must face someone in order to see them, right? Well, if you can’t see or feel God’s presence, try stopping turning around and face His Word – Read it – and spend some time praying to Him but also some time being quiet and listening too. It also is good to find a wise friend to help guide you in the Christian journey of faith we all must take in order to grow in our love and faith and obedience. That journey isn’t easy nor short but is worthwhile and is secure if we walk it with our hand in His and our eyes on Him. AMEN? AMEN!
Diligence is a theme of the book of Deuteronomy, which tells us to “diligently heed the voice of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 28:1); to “diligently [teach God’s law] to your children” (6:7); to “diligently keep the commandments” (6:17); and to diligently weed out corruption from our midst (13:13-15). Are you diligent about listening to God’s voice, teaching His words to your children, obeying Him, and ridding your life of impurities?
According to 2 Peter 1:10, by diligence we make our “calling and election sure.” Those who follow the Lord with a constant effort of persistence grow in their daily confidence and assurance of His love. Don’t just follow Jesus from a distance. Be diligent about keeping in step with Him. Take your faith seriously every day, like a farmer cultivating his crops.
Diligence makes the rough places plain, the difficult easy, and the unsavory tasty.
Richard Greenham
10/16/19 A Virtuous Life 16
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Recommended Reading: Luke 6:45 “45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
COMMENTS: Virtues are behavior demonstrating good moral choices. During the 5th century, the Christian Church identified, from I Corinthians 13, the 7 cardinal virtues: temperance, prudence, courage, justice, faith, hope, and love,
I Corinthians 13:13 identifies faith, hope, and love as the enduring virtues with the greatest being love. Love is the fuel necessary to sustain the other virtues as well as reach and sustain a personal relationship with our creator and savior. Jesus bought the privilege of having such a relationship with our God and love enables us to give back to Him the payment and reward He desires for His sacrifice. That reward is fellowship with us and love from us back to Him. We need His love and mercy more than life. We need His wise council and strength and endurance, but He needs and desires our love and fellowship to bring Him joy too. We hurt Him with our sins and satan does all he can to hurt him by luring us into sin, but He is more than big enough to endure all our sins and loving enough to continue to do so and offer us eternal life and fellowship with Him, undeserved but bought and available if receive as God’s gift to us.
Scripture does not contain the full list of Christian virtues, but Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit is a good place to begin because they identify the evidence of these virtues. They are: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Virtues—and their opposite, vices—are not passive attributes. They are the result of the choices we make to pursue godliness (moral perfection or Christlikeness) or not. For example, the fruit of the Spirit appear in the lives of those who choose to be cleansed of their sin and be filled with the Holy Spirit (1 John 1:9; Ephesians 5:18). The psalmist put it well—praying for thoughts, words, and resulting actions that will please God.
Ask God today for the filling of His Spirit that the life of Christ may be manifest through you, leading to a virtuous life.
So, let our works and virtues shine, to prove the doctrine all divine. Isaac Watts
10/17/19 GOD IS THE GOD OF EVERYTHING GOOD! 17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. James 1:17
RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: MATTHEW 7:11 “ 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”
COMMENTS: God has put in the heart of every parent and grandparent a instinctive desire to care for their children and grandchildren by sacrificing in order to provide for their needs. But out of a desire to be loved, all too often they give them things that are harmful to them.
But God has not commissioned parents and grandparents to be liked and loved by their children and grandchildren but to raise them to love and obey God and His Commandments. They are also given a promise in scripture that if they raise a child to love and obey God; they will not depart from doing so when they are old (Proverbs 22:6)
Some of those commands given to parents:
1. Deut. 6:6-7 Repeat God’s commands to your children daily both when at home and when away, when resting and when working.
- 2 Timothy 3:15 Parents need to recall history of their faith and impact others had on their walk with Christ and expose and guide their children in the same way.
- Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your children while they are young enough to learn. Not doing so helps them to destroy themselves.
- Ephesians 6:4 Parents are not to allow their anger to provoke anger in their children due to impulsive responses, but instead use wisdom and planned responses guide discipline and instruct to them.
- Proverbs 3:12 God corrects us, who He loves, so parents are to correct their children motivated by their love for them.
- Colossians 3:21 Parents should not be too hard on their children when disciplining them, thereby discouraging and tempting them to give up.
Well, scripture does provide a great wealth of wisdom in raising children based on time proven experiences of generations past but even more based on God’s infinite proven wisdom!
Scripture gives us explanation of why a Good God allows evil to continue on earth and in the lives of His creation. Psalm 145:17 “The Lord is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.” God is always righteous, so is not be the author of evil. James says that God is not tempted to do evil Himself, nor does He tempt us to do evil (James 1:13). In fact, He sends sunlight and rain for everyone, the just and unjust alike (Matthew 5:44-45). God only allows evil in the world for a time, not to encourage evil but to allow people and individuals the freedom to choose good or evil. His desire and encouragement is to choose good but does allow foolish choices along with discouraging those choices by also providing consequences. The clearest example is God allowing Satan to send suffering upon Job and his family (Job 1–2). Satan was constrained by God’s purpose and permission—and by His goodness He restored blessings to Job’s family.
If you see or experience evil in the world, don’t be tempted to blame God. Instead, pray for His kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. The blame of evil lies on satan, not on God. Satan is the author of all evil and works hard to tempt and persuade people and all individuals to choose evil over good and satan’s sinister plan over God’s infinitely good and wise plan. The choice is a “no brainer” when take the time to objectively weigh the choice, but when we let emotions and selfish passions and desires to gain control, then the choice isn’t so easily or even wanted.
But the Good News is Jesus sacrificed and died so we can be forgiven and given another chance to choose more wisely. Jesus also provides His Holy Spirit to help guide and encourage and equip and strength everyone willing to receive that help. Help to choose wisely instead of foolishly. Choose Good over evil.
Satan would have us think evil is better than good and even trick us into thinking evil is good. But evil is evil no matter how it is packaged or labeled. Good is good no matter how it is talked about or discouraged either.
Take some time to review ways satan has tricked and falsely presented his evil to you and how he has falsely presented God’s good too. Then reflect on ways God warned during temptation. By doing so, draw closer to God seeking His help and learning so future choices will more consistently be wise and foolish choices less frequent. AMEN? AMEN!
Times are bad, God is good.
Richard Sibbes
10/18/19 “I Know My Faith Is Founded” 18
Hebrews 11:1 “ Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen”
Romans 10:17 “ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
John 8:24 “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.” 1 John 5:5 “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. “ Romans 10:9 “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.“ Hebrews 12:2 “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
COMMENTS:
Faith is something everyone has. Everyone builds their life and sets priorities on something. For some, it is acquiring wealth and security. For some it is finding happiness and fulfillment. For some, it is pleasing parents or piers and gaining their love and respect. For some it is gaining success and respect of others. For some it is gaining enough resources to retire and live a life of ease. For some it is raising a family. For some it is acquiring a particular job and supporting a family and career goal. For some it is accomplishing a goal or task or …
The list goes on and has played on in the lives of countless millions before us and continues to be played out today. But the Bible tells us that whoever who puts their faith in anything or anyone other than Jesus are putting their faith in something or someone who will fail them. Why? Because such will not last nor be true and strong enough to sustain or provide what we need either for our lifetime but especially beyond for eternity.
The only One who can and does is Jesus Christ – the creator / redeemer / sustainer of everyone who puts their faith in Him for their lifetime and beyond for eternity. Those who build their lives on the shifting ground of human wisdom or ever-changing cultural trends, will not stand up against the storms and floods of life. In response to an overwhelming storm of guilt, worldly wisdom may suggest, “Don’t worry. Everyone else is doing the same thing.” In the disasters of personal conflict, human wisdom may advise, “Go ahead, get even. You deserve the satisfaction.” In ongoing arguments, our own reasoning may lead us to proclaim our own views angrily and loudly, as we refuse to listen to others. We are more than capable of providing our own shifting ground.
But building the foundation of our lives on the Rock of Jesus Christ is far more secure than anything else. Jesus Himself stated this truth: “Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25).
After hearing various popular ideas concerning His identity, Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered with a rock-solid confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16).
In the same confession of faith, we stand unmoved on God’s sure Word: the Word that reveals to us what Peter confessed. Jesus is the Christ—the promised Messiah of Israel—and the Son of the living God. It is a confession that human reason “cannot fathom.” Even Peter, according to his own wisdom, could not have answered the question, for as Jesus pointed out to him, “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17b). Our faith rests secure in the Father’s wisdom as revealed to us in His Word. Rains and floods will come, and winds will blow, but a life of faith built on Jesus, the living Word, will not fall.
Reflection Questions:
1. Do you find it a challenge to keep your eyes on God’s Word when there’s so much going on in the world around us?
2. Can you recall an example when trusting God in His Word saved you from a real blunder?
3. Do you take any preventative measures to keep yourself unsaturated by the world?
10/19/19 OPPOSITES 19 I, even I, am And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 1 John 3:22
Recommended Reading: HEBREWS 13:21 “21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
COMMENTS: Take some time to reflect on opposites common to your life experience. Daily opposites like: day and night, white and black, good and evil, truth and lies, strong and weak, …The list goes on and on. Most of these opposites reflect positive and negative experiences and outside influences and value of pursuing positive influences. Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
John reminds us of the value and benefit of focusing on positive influences in 1 John 1:6 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth”
We cannot serve God and the world at the same time (Matthew 6:24). The closer we move in the direction of the world and its values, the farther away from God we find ourselves. Therefore, we must live on the right side of the “opposites continuum.” We must make choices that please God, choices that move us ever closer to Him. With every step we take toward the world, our testimony for Christ is compromised.
Of two evils, choose neither. Charles H. Spurgeon
10/20/19 A Journey of Love 20
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
2 Corinthians 5:9
RECOMMENDED READING: COLOSSIANS 1:9-10“ “9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; “
COMMENTS: Marriage is the core institution and covenant of the family unit. Marriage is a commitment and covenant invented and implemented by God from the very beginning of creation. Adam and Eve were married by God Himself. The marriage covenant is a voluntary public commitment and covenant between a man and woman to each other and before God and others to love and care for each other no matter what circumstances or personal difficulties are encountered until death. The other condition God place on requirements of couple planning to be married is they be man and woman. That requirement was necessary to bear children but God also gave the man and the woman different gifts and abilities so together they would be able to accomplish and battle challenges more effectively than each can alone.
Today with gay marriage and divorce so popular and common, it is difficult to see the benefits and examples of those who follow God’s standard for marriage. The biggest condition or requirement for a good marriage is including God in the marriage covenant and partnership. Even though men and women have different but equal gifts and abilities that complement each other, but even together there are gifts and abilities and benefits they are not able to develop and use. Only God has those abilities, which He offers and provides to couples who include a daily relationship with Him in their marriage and personal daily lives.
We live in an age when it is less popular and even controversial and confrontational to talk about marriage within parameters God identifies in the Bible. Marriage between only a man and woman who love each other and who put and keep God at center of their marriage. It is odd society would not consider it wrong to not allow a parent to give their child a rattle snake instead of a kitten or puppy while permitting a pregnant mother to kill her unborn child even near end of pregnancy by tearing that infant apart alive from her body.
Well, man want to make his own laws based on his standard of right and wrong. Based on what he wants to do and on a standard that allows him to do what he wants. But truth is, God is the only One authorized and worthy to establish the standard of right and wrong that is true enough to be used to create Law that is true.
Denying existence of God or His Law does not make that law or Him less real. His love and value He places on us is great and true enough and so essential for our wellbeing, that it is hard for me to understand nor comprehend how any could deny His motives and existence.
But pride and selfish desire to do what we want blinds even you and me to fully follow God’s way and Law and desires. He still gives us free will, so everyone can still freely choose good or evil. Choose to believe lies or truth. Choose satan’s deceptions or God’s truth. That doesn’t change which is true and which is not, but does impact consequences or blessings we will encounter and experience as a result .We can free choose our path, but we can not choose results or consequences.
God will not be mocked or ignored forever. Sooner or later His Will shall prevail and satan will be judged and bound along with those who chose to follow Him.
God limited and chooses boundaries and standards for our good and not evil. Not to spoil our fun or keep us from good experiences or freedom but to provide the best path and atmosphere and opportunities to provide the best life and future for us.
It is no surprise that the apostle Paul used marriage to illustrate the bond between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:22-33). The most basic explanation is because both are based on a relationship. Just as saying “I do” at the altar is only the beginning in a marriage, saying “I believe” to Christ is only the beginning of that relationship as well.
Married couples will agree: Marriage is a never-ending journey. Couples spend a lifetime plumbing the depths of a spouse’s life and personality. True love means always seeking to love a spouse better and more deeply. Likewise, entering into a relationship with Christ means the same—spending a lifetime getting to know Him and learning to love Him better and more deeply. Just as spouses seek to demonstrate their love for one another, so we pursue an ever-deeper knowledge on how to please the One who died and now lives for us.
Loving for a lifetime is a daily journey. Think of ways you can show your love for Christ today in thought, word, or deed.
“The child of God has only one dread—to offend his Father. The child of God has only one desire—to please and delight in him.” Charles Bridges
10/21/19 THE STUDY OF GOD 21
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!
Psalm 139:17
RECOMMENDED READING PSALM 139 “O Lord, You have searched me and known me.2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.5 You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;It is high, I cannot attain it.7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”Even the night shall be light about me;12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,But the night shines as the day;The darkness and the light are both alike to You.13 For You formed my inward parts;You covered me in my mother’s womb.14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret,And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written,The days fashioned for me,When as yet there were none of them.17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.19 Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.20 For they speak against You wickedly;Your enemies take Your name in vain. 21 Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You?And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?22 I hate them with perfect hatred; I count them my enemies.23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;24 And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”
COMMENTS: We are again looking at Psalm 139. Such a powerful psalm of seeking God – praising & worship to Him. He is so worthy of our praise and worship but even more worthy of our time. Time is the commodity we all have the same amount of each day. I find the day consistently goes much better and accomplish much more when I spend time with Him in devotion and worship and in prayer first. Days I get up late and abbreviate or put off devotions have a significant negative impact. You would think it wouldn’t take may examples of each to make it easy and motivate me to stay on track with morning devotions. Well, it is still a daily battle but one honor most or nearly all the time. Well, truth is that God does all He can to be and stay accessible and make access to Him as easy and meaningful to us. Satan, however, does everything he can to prevent this. Why? Well, because he knows the only way to cause God pain and harm us is to drive a wedge between God and us. The only way he can do that is to distract us and then lure us with tempting sinful behavior to hinder God’s influence.
- THE ONLY WAY TO KNOW GOD IS TO SPEND TIME WITH HIM.
- THE ONLY WAY TO UNDERSTAND GOD IS TO SPEND TIME IN HIS WORD DISCOVERING HIS WORDS AND WAYS AND DISCOVERING HOW HE REVEALED HIMSELF AND HELPS THOSE FAITHFUL TO HIM BEFORE US.
- THE ONLY WAY TO LIKE HIM IS TO FOLLOW HIS INSTRUCTION AND BE AND STAY CLOSE TO HIM.
- THE ONLY WAY TO STAY NEAR HIM IS TO PUT AND KEEP OUR EYES AND FOCUS ON HIM.
- WE CAN DO THIS AND STILL GO ABOUT OUR DAY AND WORK AND SATISFY DAY’S OBLIGATIONS.
So, what about theology—the study of God? Though only three letters—GOD—no other subject overwhelms our mind more. God is infinite in every way and all His attributes are eternal. His existence is unending; His holiness undying; His qualities non-contradicting. The study of God is full of mystery and paradox, but never illogical.
While we can’t fully understand all there is to know about God, we can always strive to know Him better. And the more we learn of Him, the greater our devotion to Him. An increasing knowledge of Him leads to growing worship, praise, hope, and joy.
Wayne Grudem wrote, “The study of theology is not merely a theoretical exercise of the intellect. It is a study of the living God, and of the wonders of all his works in creation and redemption. We cannot study this subject dispassionately!”[1]
Our response to the study of the theology of Scripture should be that of the psalmist who said, “How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!” Wayne Grudem
10/22/19 LAUNCHING GOOD HABITS 22
Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Colossians 3:10
RECOMMENDED READING COLOSSIANS 3:5-14 “5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
COMMENTS: A popular contemporary Christian song title “My Father’s Eyes” speaks of obtaining God’s perspective towards Him and towards others. To love as He loves, forgive as He forgives, live pure as He is pure. Doing so requires His abiding and constant helping Hand. He does so through the Holy Spirit, which is His abiding presence available to live in and guide and help each believer individually and personally all the time and all at the same time.
One of the many mysteries about God is “3 in 1”. The Father – Son – Holy Spirit are one as God and are One in mind and knowledge and mission and thought. They are on in agreement and all hear and respond to our prayers as One. Yet we are told Christ is our advocate to the Father for us – presenting our case and prayer requests to the Father. We are also told that Christ must leave before the Comforter (Holy Spirit) would come. So if God is everywhere and 3 in One, why did Christ have to leave before the Holy Spirit would come and how can Christ pray to and be an advocate for us to the Father and still be one with Him? Why, when He lived as a human on earth, did Christ need to pray to the Father and what did it mean for Christ to grow in knowledge and wisdom as grew from child to adolescent to adult?
Well, I ask these questions as thought I have the answers. Truth is no one does, especially those theologians that say they have the answers. Scripture gives us God’s attributes but still leave God’s capability a mystery because there is far more to discover and understand about God than we are capable to know and understand as humans. Man could not create a God with attributes described in scripture or create a scripture with wisdom or as perfect as our Bible. Other gods worshipped and followed in past and present are inferior to our God foremost because they are false and created out of the imagination of some humans and our God is the Creator who was not created but has always been. False gods are described with powers greater than human but still are limited in abilities and possess evil attributes. God has no limits and is perfectly Good, not evil.
Rafael Badziag interviewed 21 billionaires and discovered they all had 6 common core habits: 1. They get up early. 2. They keep healthy and exercise regularly. 3. They are avid readers. 4. They take time to reflect and contemplate and think. 5. They develop routines and rituals that support their goals and core beliefs. 6. They practice discipline and self control.
Many of them have not changed their life style or standard of living from the modest means they grew up having. Such has become a habit and safehaven for them, helping them keep proper perspective and a sense of appreciation for what they have.
Well, as Christians, we would do well to adopt these core habits too in order to reach our goals. Not goals to be wealthy in earthly treasures but wealthy in our relationship with Christ and accomplishing His goals and fulfilling His plan for our lives. Serving Christ is what He created us to do and obeying Him gives us life and meaning and fulfillment. Pursuing selfish ambitions may bring success in achieving those goals, but they will be empty and short lived. Wealth and possessions are all left behind when we leave this world. We all have the same number of minutes in each day and we all go into eternity only bringing our soul with us. What we have and where we go are in God’s hands, not ours. Rewards and gifts He provides are solely due to our willingness to accept His redemption for our sinful past and behavior.
We work hard to earn our home in heaven when the only payment and currency accepted is His shed blood for us. No other payment or currency will be enough nor accepted. Yet our labors and service and worship will add to His payment by supporting His plan to use us to impact and guide others into accepting His redemption plan and payment currency too.
I am fully convinced we will be amazed how God will reveal His use of us and those before and after us to touch lives and lead others into the kingdom too. The reward most precious to us, I believe, will not be a mansion or streets of gold but in having our believed ones with us and seeing the impact our faithfulness had on lives of others encouraging and influencing them to accept Christ’s redemption too.
Of course, the most precious and greatest joy we will have will be in having fellowship with Christ more intimate and personal than possible on earth and to worship and praise Him like we were not able to do nor sustain while on earth.
Earthly wealth – popularity – health – power – security at best are short lived since they only last at most a lifetime and are all left behind at death. They are intended to be a resource to aid us in doing God’s work but all too often are a source of distraction and temptation to misuse them.
So, instead of idolizing and imitating people we admire or envy, let’s imitate the perfect example God gave us. Himself in the life of Christ revealed in His Word and demonstrated in the lives of many over the centuries who faithfully followed Him. Instead of working to gain personal success, let’s focus on working for the success of His goals and plan.
Seeking His council as we prepare for each day, prayfully walk each step of the day in fellowship with Him and being willing and disciplined to stop and even take detours that He nudges us to do in order to cross paths with someone He wants us to encourage or minister to. To plan and follow an agenda that meets obligations of the day, but not to make that agenda a priority above God’s priorities for the day.
Days I’ve done this have nearly always resulting in accomplishing goals – obligations I needed to do but in addition accomplished unplanned or unexpected goals God intended but weren’t on my “things to do list”.
Days I was “too busy” to seek and follow His plan and too busy to allow detours, were days I often encountered problems or road blocks that ended up costing time and loosing ground towards those goals.
Well, there were exceptions but the principle of following God’s path first and consistently is always the best and lasting path. Especially when take God’s eternal perspective when we see through “Our Father’s Eyes”.
Imagine the life of someone long gone who you knew well. Imagine one who worked hard and gain much but without God. Then imagine another you also knew well who was faithful to God. Weigh the lasting impact of each life and appraise which followed a better and more lasting path? Which left a more valuable legacy? Which is enjoying a better reward in heaven? Then go and do likewise
Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people.
A. W. Tozer
10/23/19 CONTROLLING OR CONTROLLED? 23
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Romans 8:14
RECOMMENDED READING GALATIANS 5:22-26 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. “ COMMENTS: Have you known someone who isn’t satisfied until being in control of their circumstances and others influencing their circumstances? They are used to being in control and tend to do so by micromanaging others. They may spend a great deal of time trying to gain control of circumstances and trying to manipulate them for their own gain. I have seen tragedy in the lives of such people because they eventually have to face a situation beyond their control and ability to control and because of damage done to lives of those they try to control.
By contrast, God does not ask nor want us to try to control our circumstances or others but to allow Him to be involved in those circumstances and in lives of others. A popular prayer written by Reinhold Niebuhr is “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Balance in using our will to obey God by following His lead and instruction and being the positive influence, He calls us to be in the lives of others is vital in living a successful Christian life and leave a legacy that honors Christ.
A big temptation is to attempt to control or change others who we view as weak in areas or circumstances we consider ourselves strong. Well, truth is satan knows our weaknesses and tends to dwell on tempting us in our areas of weakness and not in strength. But then we find it difficult to understand why others are weak in areas we are strong, but often they see our weaknesses and wonder why we are weak in those areas which may be strengths to them.
The truth is God intends for us to help and encourage each other and it is no accident He brings those into our lives with strength where we are weak and weak in areas, we are strong. He desires and calls us to lift up and encourage each other but to do so humbly knowing our own weaknesses and seeking His help over our own weaknesses.
There is one other reason, I believe. God is also passionate about being in relationship with Him and with each other. We are not designed to be alone, either alone from each other nor alone from Him. We wither and die when we are away from Him but are not doing His will when we avoid others either.
Here are some supporting scriptures:
Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
I Corinthians 12:25-27 “…so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If any one part suffers, every part suffers with it, if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Thought one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken”
This scripture from Ecc. 4 identifies two working and supporting each other but then speaks of a rope of 3 strands. Who is the third strand? I interpret the third person to be God. God desires to be included in all our relationships and situations and circumstances all the time. Christ wasn’t revealed fully in Old Testament times but was present. We have clues, but we are told in our New Testament that He was and is part of the God head from before creation. He was involved in creation, in every revelation of God. Christ’s revelation was not completed until His birth – His life – His death and resurrection – His ascension – and someday His return to rule and judge and “remodel the world and universe satan has corrupted”.
We can find many more scriptures supporting the premise that God wants us to be in relationship with each other while being in relationship with Him. We need Him to be in control and us to be obedient, not the other way around.
The best way to handle who and what we can’t control is to live a life under the control of the Holy Spirit. When we are led by the Spirit of God, we are led by One who loves us and provides for us in every situation. And, one who allows us to manifest love and other virtues in every situation (Galatians 5:22-23).
Don’t spend the day worrying about what you can’t control. Instead, yield to the control of the Holy Spirit. Let Him guide you and equip you for every circumstance.
Man is most free when controlled by God alone. Augustine
10/24/19 GOD IS THE GOD EVEN OVER EVERYTHING BAD 24
RECOMMENDED READING: GENESIS 45:5 ; 50:20 “5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life…20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
COMMENTS: Have you ever wondered why God lets bad things happen to good people? Such questions usually come during times of personal hardship or suffering or tragedy. Truth is tragedy and hardship find its way into every family sooner or later. But it seems some families and individuals seem to experience more than their share of tragedy.
Well, scripture tells us that God causes the sun to rise on the evil and good and sends rain on the righteous and unrighteous (Matthew 5:45) God is longsuffering and gives everyone many and every opportunity to repent and accept His gift of forgiveness and redemption. Even those who don’t seem to be given such an opportunity, God finds a way of doing so. Countless thousands of accounts of Jesus revealing Himself to Muslim people in countries outlawing evangelism confirm God finds a way when no way can be seen.
God spoke to Saul on the Damascus Road likely because He knew Saul would not listen to Gospel from anyone else so He came Himself to do so. Saul became Paul solely because Christ confronted Saul Himself and shocked him with blindness to open his spiritual eyes.
But even those who Christ confronts directly still have free will and option of continuing to reject Christ, but at their own peril. Refusing is still their option but consequence is solely in God’s Hands. He delays and tarries and continues to protect even evil people for a time because of His love and compassion even for their soles but assures us that His justice will be satisfied and those who insist on continuing in their evil ways will be judged.
History, especially biblical history recorded in scripture, repeatedly and consistently proves God is both faithful and just. He requires His people to be faithful to His commands and instruction and to be His Ambassadors to the pagan world. The Israelites were not privileged to satisfy their own wants and selfish desires, but were privileged to equip and direct them to tell the world about God and His faithfulness and Ways. They repeatedly failed by abandoning God and following pagan gods. The result was punishment and suffering until they repented and turned back to God. Even their judgment, however, showed the world and us more about God and importance of following Him. God can be ignored or denied or even mocked for a brief time, but God is God of all and His Will will prevail. To refuse or ignore or deny such is folly. Will we choose to be on His side, the winning side, or on satan’s side – the loosing side? Most don’t look at it this way, but when we refuse to follow God’s direction, the only other choice is satan’s way.
When we don’t like God’s way or timing or think He is late or abandoning us, just reflect on experiences of those before us. Reflect on the above scripture in Genesis and how Joseph’s brothers brought 12 years of suffering on Joseph and Jacob because of their evil deeds. They appeared to get away with their evil and Joseph saw no reason to hope for justice. But he remained faithful and God brought far greater good out of the evil his brothers did and even the option of redemption back to those same brothers.
So why did God let Joseph’s brothers go unpunished for 12 years while letting Joseph be punished unjustly for those 12 years? Well, consider how God was at working during those 12 years and miracles performed during great drought and insights given to Joseph and wisdom Joseph demonstrated. Consider how God waits on us patiently like Jesus described in the parable of the Prodigal. He is and remains faithful when we see His faithfulness but especially when we see no evidence. Realize He is still on the job and will not stop or quit.
Consider His perspective. Eternity in Heaven with Him is a far greater and lasting goal that make even years of hardship worthwhile. If you knew 50 years of suffering would make the difference between a loved one accepting Christ or being eternally lost, would you not gladly accept that suffering? Well, do you trust God enough to accept all He puts on your plate and in your life believing He is working not only for our good but for the good of our loved ones too.
But keep in mind, He loves both your loved ones and even those you don’t like or even are enemies to you. Corrie TenBoom encountered one of the Nazi guards while leading a revival crusade years after WWII ended. Anger and the pain of last suffering welled up in your memory. Her parents and sister were still gone and scares of her suffering were still deep and painful, but God compelled her to lead this repentant x-guard and x-Nazi to the throne of Grace too. She had to step aside and let God calm her spirit and so persuade her to do so, but she finally did just that, and that guard experienced God’s Grace and forgiveness and new life too.
Remember, “IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL WHEN WE SEE JESUS!!” as a familiar hymn state. AMEN? AMEN!
If you don’t understand one of God’s moves in your life, be patient while you pray and wait for the purpose to be revealed.
“God never foreordains an evil event without a good purpose.
John Frame
10/25/19 FINISHING THE RACE 25 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1
Recommended Reading: ACTS 20:24 “24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God..”
COMMENTS: Consider the personal sacrifice those before us have made to assure our freedom and safety in the country we live in. Sacrifice of life or health or even time with family. Even employment requires sacrifice of time and energy in order to earn provision for family and self, so to some degree we all are required to make sacrifice for others. When we do so, others are blessed and we are blessed also. Those before us who were faithful to Christ and lead others to Christ by example and by witnessing and by spending time encouraging and supporting others, left a legacy that others picked up and continued. The chain reaction of sin spreads destruction for many generations potentially if continues unrestrained. But the positive impact of living a Christ – like life given even greater and more powerful a chain reaction. Consider the impact of Joseph’s and Daniel’s and Mary’s lives whose story recorded in scripture continues to impact and change lives thousands of years later. Consider the impact of Christ’s life and sacrifice that has changed history and continues to change the present and will do so for eternity.
We think Christ’s impact is because He is God. Well His mission was one beyond ours but because of His redemptive mission being completed, we have a mission that He wants to partner with us to make our lives a lasting legacy too. Taking time to reflect and honor those before us who sacrificed during war time to defend us against foreign and even domestic enemies is important. Recognizing enemies who are focused on robbing us of life and family and freedoms are becoming more obvious. Isis and other Muslim radical groups bent on causing death and destruction without regard for themselves is reaching epidemic frequency and getting closer and closer. Being a Christ follower with values and beliefs included in Christ’s teachings and in scripture are becoming less accepted and even tolerated by society. The progress of decent from life to death – from good to evil – from being Christ followers to satan followers, unfolds and progresses from tolerating sin to accepting sin to believing sin is acceptable to believing sin is good to believing good, as Christ lived and taught to be evil. End result, historically, is God’s judgment and restoration. Truth is, God will have His way either by our willing obedience or by executing judgment. Obedience brings life and God’s blessing. Judgment brings death and eternal punishment.
The choice is ours. We can’t make the source for others, only ourselves. The heartache is parents can not make the choice for their children and evil influences on our children are overwhelming. To endure witnessing a prodigal child straying from the faith of parents and grandparents is a significant hardship and suffering.
Well, parents and grandparents, like the prodigal’s father, can be available and faithful to prayer. To be available without empowering continued sinful choices but to also be faithful in prayer knowing God desires redemption and repentance from our prodigal children more than their parents and grandparents do. Staying the course is vital knowing the hard work is God’s Who will work in background to accomplish His Will in ways we can’t imagine. Genesis 50:20 “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.” This scripture relates to Joseph’s reunion conversation with his brothers who sold Joseph into slavery. Joseph endured 12 years of slavery and prison unfairly until God accomplished a transformation in Joseph’s brothers but also even in Joseph. Building a people of decency and character – a Christ like and Christ led people is the goal and should be the goal of every parent too.
A good soldier will follow orders and sacrifice even his life to reach the goal. A good parent will do so too, the orders of his “Commander-in-Chief”.
Finishing the race is the image of the Christian life as presented in the New Testament—with endurance and perseverance being the traits called for. We are not running anyone else’s race; we are running “the race that is set before us.” Since every race is different and unique, to finish is to win the race God has set before us individually.
Look at this day as one step in your race to glory, fueled by endurance and perseverance.
“Beginning well is a momentary thing; finishing well is a lifelong thing.” Ravi Zacharias
10/26/19 CHRIST IS OUR COMPASS 26 Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
Recommended Reading: LUKE 9:51 “51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem,”
COMMENTS: I have grown to be very dependent on GPS to provide directions when traveling in unfamiliar places or unfamiliar roads even in familiar locations. GPS often takes us down strange narrow roads, making turns we could never trace back if lost our GPS signal. But consistently we always end up at our destination amazingly at the time predicted by the GPS. It knows how far away and what time the destination is. Likewise, when ready to go home, just by pressing the “home” button, GPS automatically calculates the most direct route home and when will arrive.
The GPS screen only gives the immediate and next turn to make instead of the entire route, which is helpful but not always preferred. Likewise, if miss a turn or make a deliberate detour or unscheduled stop, it automatically recalculates and changes the route to the destination and arrival time.
If I decide to take another route or detour even on purpose, the GPS patiently but repeatedly gives the necessary course change to get back on route to destination. Before GPS, a compass and paper map were only directions available to us when traveling. So, when taking trips, especially in busy – confusing cities or areas, Arlene would do the driving and I would do the navigating armed with map in hand. You see, we both realized she was the better driver while I was better at being diligent in directions and following map. Well, I especially needed frequent reminders of next turn and how far to next turn while she didn’t, so I would tend to be more ready when she needed updates than she was when I needed them while driving.
I am reminded just how much life journey is like this. God gives us His Word as our paper road map but also His Holy Spirit and many of His people available to come beside us to give us course corrections and council along the way. Some of us require frequent course corrections and encouragement and status updates while others feel nagged or not trusted with frequent “helpful” offers. God knows which we need and provides what we need. He also knows how to administer council and offer course corrections in a way we notice and are most open to receive properly. But we still have option of choice and often will choose unwisely determined to take a detour because we can’t see reason or logic of continuing the path we are on. We, instead, think we need to help God out and take a “more direct route” instead.
Well, how well has the gone in your experience? I dare say your experience is like mine. At best my way ends up being disappointing or much worse. If I would have stayed on God’s directed path, I would have arrived sooner and more productive. But Genesis 50:20 reminds us, from Joseph’s experience and insights, satan is the author of our detours and distractions and rebellious mindsets because he is the author of the sinful and foolish choices, we are constantly bombarded with to tempt us. Satan, and his deliberate and many of his deceived followers, plan to do us harm but God re-engineers those plans and events and choices to do us good. That doesn’t mean we can do anything we want without regard for consequences. No, there still are consequences for us when we continue to sin, but sins thrust on us by others outside our control or choice are indeed in God’s control and in His focus in order to guide to a good destination.
Hebrews reminds us that the best way to navigate the Christian life while on earth is to put and fix our eyes on Jesus as the author and finisher of our faith. He is our GPS and road map. He is our guide focused and determine to guide us to a good destination, a destination He has planned and is building for us to enjoy when we arrive.
Fix your eyes on Jesus today and you will always be on the path to His kingdom.
“All my theology is reduced to this narrow compass—Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Archibald Alexander
10/27/19 Being Like Jesus 27
Be conformed to the image of His Son. Romans 8:29
RECOMMENDING SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 8:26-30 “26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.”
COMMENTS: Christ came and completed His plan of redemption so we again had a choice. Once we choose sin, we no longer have the ability to choose the result. By Christ’s sacrifice, people once again have the option of choosing God’s redemption and forgiveness and fresh start. But even accepting Christ’s forgiveness and sacrifice is not sufficient to sustain living a life going forward free of sin or consistently making wise or good choices. He knows we are not strong or wise enough to maintain a life of only making wise choices. He knows we are weak and easily discouraged and distracted. The same temptations and deception satan successfully persuade us with still result in forgiven and saved people descending back into habitual sinful choices and behavior because satan has not been bound.
But the rest of the Good News is God has already planned and provides a solution. He provides His Word to instruct and inspire us and teach us. He provides other believers to encourage and mentor and guide us and help us. He also provides His Holy Spirit to abide in and guide us 24x7x365 not only providing encouragement and guidance but strength and direct assistance in daily battles with satan and his followers. We are not strong enough to battle satan but the Holy Spirit is more than strong enough and wise enough and experienced enough! Yet even our success in living a Christ – like life is totally dependent on seeking and accepting the Holy Spirit’s presence and help in our lives.
Identical twins look alike and act alike in many ways but are definitely different. Their exposure to and different experiences. There are mannerisms and preferences and emotions that remain common because of their common roots and genetics and that influence, but the influence of different people in their lives does impact the person each is. Being in consistent relationship with Christ does impact us and makes us more Christ – like as time goes on. We begin thinking like Him and embracing His priorities and motives and purpose. We begin looking at others more like He does and loving like He does. We begin changing what our schedule guides us each day and we also gain greater wisdom and discernment when making daily choices. The Holy Spirit’s guiding influence becomes stronger and more consistent in our daily journey and satan’s influence becomes less influential. But we need to be careful and alert because satan doesn’t give up easily or for good. He comes back adjusting his tactics to try to get us to take our eyes off Jesus.
Well, God is always near and ready but will not force Himself on us. He honors our choice to follow Him or not, but will not stop trying and offering His help and assistance.
It is about time we give Him the attention and obedience we desperately need and He so deserves and wants from us. A famous statement is “know your friends but know your enemies even better”. There is wisdom in that statement but it is important to know Christ as our greatest priority. Knowing satan without knowing and following Christ first is a dangerous and foolish method. Afterall, we are no match for satan’s cunning and skills at deception. That is Christ’s job and His Holy Spirit’s focus.
Strive to be like Christ…. Often put the question, Would Christ have done as I am doing—spoken as I am speaking, felt as I am feeling? Am I like Christ in this? James Hood Wilson
10/28/19 Mighty in You 28
Christ…is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 2 Corinthians 13:3
Recommended Reading: 2 Corinthians 13:1-6 “15 This will be the third time I am coming to you. “By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent I write to those who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again I will not spare— 3 since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you. 4 For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you. 5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.”
COMMENTS: As a parent and grandparent, I understand the anxiety and frustration of children demonstrating rebellious and self-destructive behavior and choices. It is normal for children to want to make their own choices and experience more freedom both in making and in implementing their choices. Even non-defiant children have these same desires too. Both, however, also experience anxiety and fear of the “unknown” as they make and face either benefits or consequences of those choices. Teens are asked and expected to make some life changing choices that will define their future and future of their children for many years. The big different is wiser children listen to the advice of their parents and grandparents and other trusted adults, respecting their advice base on their experience, before making those choices. Likewise, when children and adults exercise respect for each other while communicating, vital positive relationships are established. There is a God given reason why God designed families and professions overlap of 20-30 years so the older generation has the opportunity to pass on their experience and wisdom and values and to the next generation. As sin became more prevalent and especially after the flood, the length of a lifetime went from 800+ years to 120 years and then 72 years during David’s time. As the average years of life dropped, the overlap diminished. How sad the younger generations lost opportunity to gain from that overlap but how sad the older generations failed to gain God’s wisdom because of their own sinfulness. The experience they passed on was more evil behavior than examples of God’s faithfulness and blessing from obedient behavior. But scripture is our example and cross generational teacher.
But take a moment and reflect what it would be like if our ancestors were still alive back 800 years to share their experiences and stories, especially stories of God’s faithfulness. Wouldn’t that be wonderful. What if our children and grandchildren had learned from their experience faithfulness to God and what if we did too? What if we lived in a society where that was the norm?
Well, we will have to wait until heaven to experience those conversations and discoveries. Heaven will give us opportunities to listen to and share God stories from our ancestors and individuals from biblical times. But in the meantime, we do have scripture and do have God’s Holy Spirit abiding with and dwelling within each of us offering God’s own wisdom and strength and influence. We have His companionship and fellowship but mostly His Love and promises to strengthen and guide fill us with confident hope and joy for both peaceful and turbulent times.
We also have His continued mercy to forgive and heals us when we are weak and wonder far from His side and loving embrace. He doesn’t leave us but we often turn from Him and wonder from Him.
“For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you” 2 Corinthians 13:4.
Each of us have particular strengths and weaknesses, and sometimes our weaknesses rule over our strengths. But in our walk of faith, we can tap into Christ’s strength.
If you’re facing a crisis today, let the Lord calm you. If you have a problem with no resolution, give it to Him. If there’s an opportunity, ask God to strengthen you for it. If you feel weary, remember how God gives us strength sufficient for each day (Deuteronomy 33:25). Christ is not weak toward you, but mighty in you!
“Whatever and wherever we are at any given moment of any given day, God is God enough!”
Jill Briscoe
10/29/19 The Delight of Friendship 29
Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel. Proverbs 27:9
RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: JOHN 15:14-15 “14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
COMMENTS: Think a bit about who all would consider a close friend. Someone who you completely trust to give you wise council and keep your confidence and have your best interest at heart. Someone who you can call or go to anytime day or night and know they will prioritize you and give you full attention while putting aside the task you are interrupting. Of course, there are times when they would need to ask you to return at a better time, but even in those times, you have the peace of knowing they will come to you as soon as possible.
I have to say, I have many friends who I trust and interact with – every couple of weeks and others just every few months. Many of them are within my own family while others in our church family or just unrelated people with common work or responsibilities that drew us together. It’s easy to let the common responsibilities or work dominate time spent together but relationship becomes deeper and more trusted and meaningful when more is shared and developed.
Since our children are grown and married with their own family duties and responsibilities and focus, time spent with them is less frequent but still close and loving. My relationship with them each is close and unique but is more adult. But the relationship with my wife, Arlene, continues to be one of deepening love and friendship. 41+ years of marriage have enabled us to know and understand each other and even anticipating when help and support is needed. She is the friend I love and need the most of anyone on earth I call “friend”.
But there is one who calls me friend and who is my dearest and most dependable and valued friend. One who is far more than a friend and knows me better than even myself. One who has been near and with me since my beginning and promises to continue being so forever. One who just hasn’t helped and been with me, but even created me and is preparing an eternal home for me. One who isn’t just my Best Friend but anyone’s Best Friend willing to receive His friendship. That one is none other than Jesus Christ Himself! I often struggle with identifying Him as Friend when He is also my Lord and Savior and Creator along with being the Mighty God of all. It seems irreverent and mockery to call Him Friend. BUT HE IS ARE DEAREST AND BEST FRIEND TOO! We are to praise and worship and obey Him as Almighty God while also fellowshipping with Him daily, making our relationship with Him real and two way – much different than possible with any other religion or world view. Relationship with a deity of any other religion is always one way. Well, true is every other religion teaches and describes a deity that does not exist except in the mind of its creator while Christianity teaches and reveals the identity of the One True God. A God who desires to be in a two-way relationship with each human – a God powerful enough to create everything but small enough to personally fellowship with each one of us too. No man could have imagined such a God or a live described to us of Jesus’ life He chose to live on earth and sacrifice He chose to make for our sins.
The concept of God as Triune who is One while being in Heaven and everywhere else in the universe at the same time while also being in a human body living and dying on a cross at the defined point of time He chose. Giving His creation free choice of sin vs. evil while knowing how history unfolds from the Beginning and even eternity past through eternity future. A God who had no beginning nor an end. A God who has not demanded perfect obedience without providing a way to redemption when fail but also a way of obedience thru fellowship with Him.
God is far greater and more powerful and more perfect and Good than we can imagine. He is also a better friend and provider than we can imagine. He is more than worthy of our trust and faith and friendship. He will guide us to become a better friend to others too.
Do you know someone who needs a good friend? Consider how you might share your wisdom and loyalty with that person and delight their heart.
Friendship flourishes at the fountain of forgiveness. William A. Ward
10/30/19 God of Everything You Need 30
| The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm 23:1
RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING: PSALM 34:9-10 “9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!There is no want to those who fear Him.10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.” COMMENTS: God has promised to supply all we need, but hasn’t promised to satisfy all our wants, but often provides for many of them. Doing so demonstrates the abundance of His supply and compassion for us. We love to provides gifts that bring joy and excitement into the lives of our children and grandchildren, so we should not be surprised when God does so too. But there are times we must withhold gifts we can provide because of the harm they will inflict if given too soon. A gift of a car or hunting rifle to a child would be dangerous and foolish because he is not capable of using it properly nor understands the risks and dangers misuse can bring. Likewise, God knows the dangers and tragedy that many gifts we want would bring if given to us too soon. We may not think of ourselves as children, but consider how immature we are in our faith and obedience and trust in Him. We may be mature in some respects while very immature in others. So, if we reflect and take account of God’s provision in the past and use and misuse of those provisions from us, we may discover our own sin causing us to remain immature and not in as full a relationship with God that He desires for us. With much blessing comes much responsibility and risk of misuse, so we need to be careful what we seek and ask for. Instead, we should focus more on needs of others and using resource God put in our hands to meet greater needs of others while trusting and praising Him for provision He has already provided for us. Is it a greater blessing for God to supply for all our needs and wants or that He provides sufficient for our greatest needs and surplus to reach out and provide for our neighbor’s needs too? I believe, if we are honest, we know the answer to that question. He doesn’t give to us so we can satisfy all our selfish desires and wants even though He allows us to make that choice. He provides extra so we can be generous. Doing so provides joy and fulfillment greater than we ever could hope for if we satisfied our selfish wants. But, let’s face it, all too often we convince ourselves that selfish wants we could live without are necessities we need. Food for today is sufficient but not for tomorrow until tomorrow is how God works so we remain dependent and retain trust in Him. When we store up more and more, the temptation to trust Him less and rely on ourselves more becomes greater. God provided manna for the Israelites, while wondering in their desert for 40 years, was God’s way of teaching them to trust Him while causing them to not store beyond their need each day. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t save and plan for our future. But how we use that surplus and who we include in that planning is vital to our faithfulness and legacy we leave after us. I know of a number of businessmen who were very successful in business and acquired great wealth and reinvested in their businesses. They wisely knew how to meet needs and demands of their customers and also knew when and how to best to invest in their businesses. They also invested most of their waking hours into their business at sacrifice of family and church and fellowship with Christ. They lived decent moral lives and provided for their families but not for their church and even community charity. One of those businessmen died recently with much fanfare. His accomplishments were honored by word and by those who came to give their respects. The world would say He lived a long life to be envied and modeled. By contrast another man passed who was 15 years younger. They both left children and grandchildren, but the younger man left far less money and possessions to his children than the businessman. Instead of leaving a legacy of wealth to his children, the younger man left a legacy stated briefly in these words: “One life lived, many lives changed!” The impact he had on his family and everyone else who knew him is profound. The example he gave of loving and living for Christ is leaving a powerful lasting legacy that far outshined anything the older businessman could imagine let alone try to achieve. The 23rd Psalm opens with the key summary statement “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want …” That means that He provides so we need nothing. He gives us everything we need. David is believed to be the writer of this psalm. As a shepherd, he knew the importance of providing for the needs of his sheep and also that he was supplied sufficiently to do so. Failing to do so would result in failure to provide for his weak and vulnerable sheep, placing himself as well as his sheep in danger of becoming a meal for a hungry lion. Christ became that meal instead of us and suffered so we need not if we only gather around His protective “wing” and accept His redemptive sacrifice as payment for our sins. If you are Christ’s, you belong to the Good Shepherd—and you have everything you need in Him. “He who has the Holy Spirit in his heart and the Scripture in his hands has all he needs.” |
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10/31/19 WWJD? 31
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow in His steps. 1 Peter 2:21
RECOMMENDED SCRIPTURE READING I PETER 2:18-25 “18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. 21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
COMMENTS: Suffering for a greater purpose was definitely the case for Christ both during His human life as well as for His death by crucifixion. He chose to submit to the evil plans and actions of authorities and soldiers who crucified Him. He could have refused the cross and destroyed those responsible. He could have accepted His ultimate place as king, but would He? His Father’s Will did not match such an option and such an option would not have satisfied the Father’s requirement for justice as payment for the sins of you and me and the sins of those before us and after us. The only option to gain our forgiveness was for a perfect sacrifice, and only Christ was qualified to be that sacrifice. He suffered greatly but with the purpose of showing us how we should live and then being that sacrifice. He showed us what God is like and taught us how He intended for us to live.
His purpose for coming as a human didn’t come with expectation, we would live like Him and willingly endure as He did great suffering. However, many have endured great suffering and martyrdom at the hands of evil humans doing satan’s bidding. These suffering Christians did so with the purpose of following and sharing Christ’s message without compromise with the purpose of providing an option for life. This purpose reflects a love and passion for others to know God and enjoy His mercies too.
Many have given their lives to save others, which often is during war but also during times of crisis or circumstance of eminent danger and even death. In such cases the purpose of saving a life overshadows the natural impulse of self-preservation.
Suffering and dying for a greater purpose are noble and good, but what about sacrificing for false purposes or goals. Goals based on lies or untrue teaching. Many devout followers of false religions, invented by humans many years ago, teach sacrifice and martyrdom in order to earn their eternal reward and home. They do so in order to gain their own selfish goals without regard for purpose of gaining life for others.
Earning God’s favors and rewards is not taught in scripture nor by Christ. The Bible and Christ’s own teachings reflect God’s desire for personal relationship with us with the way being to accept Christ’s gift of sacrifice as payment for our forgiveness. Then good deeds and sacrifice for others is no longer attempted payment for desired reward but a response of love and appreciation to God. Truth is we could never earn enough but He did so we didn’t need to.
Such realization and discovery bring great joy and freedom in doing good and renewed energy and motivation to do it too. To see impact in lives of others from our good deeds is a powerful motivation but knowing the joy we give Christ when we serve Him and worship Him brings even greater joy and satisfaction. Following this order also brings greater results because God also is free to enhance our live impact when we follow His instruction and serve as a response to His love and sacrifice instead of trying to earn ourselves what He sacrificed to provide to us as a free gift.
Sacrifice for no good purpose or for a false purpose or lie is a great tragedy and unnecessary. Such sacrifice is in vain and brings no good – lasting result. We may not, on the surface, be able to distinguish the difference between sacrifice that has a good purpose and one that doesn’t because many good people sacrifice. Satan is skillful in deceiving us to skip a step in our redemption thinking it is unnecessary or happens automatically. NO IT DOESN’T! We must recognize and admit our sins and ask for His forgiveness. We must ask Him, invite Him to come into our hearts and forgive us and save us. We must ask for His help to change our selfish – sinful – prideful wills to match His perfect Will. He doesn’t do so uninvited but is eager and ready to do so when we invite Him into our soul.
That is putting first things first and once that is done, the purpose of sacrifice we make and endure has the greater and true purpose of doing His Will and following His Plan. Results and impact of such sacrifice is eternal and ultimately greater good. So, we shouldn’t waste our sacrifice on unfounded purpose or motives. Instead, make sure our sacrifice is to honor and praise Him and to point attention to Him and not on ourselves. That way, His purposes and Will and Plan is supported by our sacrifices instead of opposing or hindering His Will and purposes. Afterall, His Will and purpose is for everyone to know and enjoy His mercy and forgiveness. To be in relationship with everyone. But not everyone is willing to be in relationship with Him. But there are many who would be if we told them and showed them who He is and what He is like. Our best way to witness is by example, a way not possible unless He is living in our lives and soul influencing and guiding and strengthening us. Such an example is the most powerful and convincing way of leading others to Christ. During times of great suffering and martyrdom during first century, conversions happened in large numbers. The same is true in countries of great persecution of Christians. Why? Because people who sacrifice for His purposes do so while possessing and showing something others desperately want. Great confident Hope and trust.
That famous question—What would Jesus do? —came from an 1896 Christian novel, In His Steps, by Charles Sheldon. It posed a biblical question: In our walk and talk, how can we be more like Him?
On the outside, it happens as we diligently endeavor to imitate Jesus. The apostle Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
On the inside, it happens by the secret operation of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus ascended to heaven, He sent His Spirit to live within us and to live His life through us. As we walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25), the personality of Jesus is formed within us. In this way, we work out our salvation as Christ works within us.
In what way can you be more like Christ today?
“Christ became a man and, as a result of His earthly ministry, we see how God intended for humans to behave. Jesus is our unblemished example.” Charles Swindoll
GIDEON BIBLE REFERENCE SCRIPTURES:
HELP IN TIME OF NEED:
- The way of salvation: John 14:6, Acts 16.32, Romans 10:9
- Comfort in time of loneliness : Psalm 23, Isaiah 41:10, Hebrews 13:5-6
- Comfort in time of sorrow 2 Cor. 1:3-5, Romans 8:26-28
- Relief in time of suffering 2 Cor. 12:8-10, Hebrews 12:3-13
- Guidance in time of decision James 1:5-6, Proverbs 3:5-6
- Protection in time of danger Psalm 91, Psalm 121
- Courage in time of fear Hebrews 13:5-6, Ephesians 6:10-18
- Peace in time of turmoil Isaiah 26:3-4, Philippians 4:6-7
- Rest in time of weariness Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 23
- Strength in time of temptation James 1:12-16, 1Cor. 10:6-13
- Warning in time of indifference Gal. 5:19-21, Hebrews 10:26-31
- Forgiveness in time of conviction Isaiah 1:18, 1Jn, 1:7-8
SUGGESTED READINGS (HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS):
- The creation Genesis 1-2
- The fall of man Gen 3
- The flood of Noah Gen 6-9
- The call of Abraham Gen 12:1-9
- Deliverance of Israel from Egypt Exodus 11-14
- Dedication of the temple 2 Chronicles 5-7
- The Babylonian Captivity of Israel 2 Chr. 36
- Revival of Israel after captivity Nehemiah 8-9
- Promises of the coming Messiah Isaiah 9:2-7, Ps22, Is.53
- The Birth of Christ Mtt1:18-2:23, Lk1:26-2:40
- The Triumphal Entry Lk19:28-44
- The last supper Mk14:2-26
- The Garden of Gathsemane 26:36-46
- The Betreyal of Jesus 26-47-56
- The arrest and trial of Jesus Jn 18:12-19:16
- The death of Christ Lk 23:26-56, Jn19:16-42
- The resurrection of Christ Lk24, Jn20
- The ascension of Christ Acts 1:1-12
- The coming of the Holy Spirit Acts2:1-21
- The conversion of Paul Acts 9:1-31
- The heroes of Faith Hebrews 11
SUGGESTED READINGS (SPIRITUAL STANDARDS)
- The 10 commandments Exodus 20:1-17
- The sermon on the mount Mtt 5-7
- The golden rule Mtt7:12
- The greatest commandment Mtt 22:36-40
- The righteousness of Faith Romans 3:19-28
- The Royal Law James 2:8, Romans 13:8-10
- Christ’s New Commandment John 13:34-35
- Christian love 1 Cor. 13
DYNAMIC DOCTRINES
- God’s greatness and man’s weakness Isaiah 40
- The two fold Revelation of God Psalm 19
- Man’s universal guilt Rom 1:18-2:16
- Atonement Leviticus 16, Romans 5
- The new birth John 3
- Justification by Faith Eph 2:1-10, Gal 2:16-21
- Christ, the Good Shepherd Ps 23, John 10:1-18
- Christ’s intercession for His Own Jn 17, Heb 7:25
- The High Priestly Work of Christ Heb. 7:25, Heb. 4:14-16
- Christ’s Humiliation and Exhaltation Philippians 2:5-11
- Resurrection of the Christian Dead 1 Cor. 16, 1Thess. 4:13-18
- The second coming of Christ Mtt 24, 2 Thess. 1:7-2:12
- The Last Judgment Rev. 20:10-15
- The New Heaven and New Earth Rev. 21-22
PRACTICAL PRECEPTS:
- Christian Home relationships Eph. 5:22-6:4
- A model wife and mother Prov. 31:10-31
- Marriage and divorce Mtt 19:3-9, Malachi 2:14-16
- The sin of adultery Prov. 6:23-33
- The prodigal son Luke 15:11-32
- Employer-employee relationships Col 3:22-4:1
- Business and prof. principles Ps15, Prov. 3:1-12
- Seperation of worldliness 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1, 1 Jn 2:15-17
- Decisions of doubtful things Rom.14
- Christian fruitfulness Jn15
- Heavenly wisdom James 3:14-18
- Christian responsibilities Rom. 12-13
- Christian stewardship 2 Cor. 8-9
- Christian witnessing Mtt 28:18-20, Jm17:18-20
- Prevailing prayer Mtt 6:5-15, Philippians 4:6-7
- Heavenly priorities Mtt 6:25-33
- Brevity of man’s days Ps 90
- The causes of war James 4:1-4
- The value of the soul Mk. 8:36-37
WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT:
- ITSELF: 2 Tim. 3:15-16 , Psalm 19:7
- GOD: Psalm 99:9, 1 Tim.1:17, Isaiah 45:21-22
- MAN: Gen. 1:27, Gen 2:7, Isaiah 43:7
- HEAVEN: Rev.21:3-4, 21:27
- SIN: Romans 5:12, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 3:23
- HELL: 2 Thess 1:8-9, Rev. 20:15
- CHRIST –HIS ADVENT Micah 5:2, Mtt.1:21-23, Lk 2:10-11
- CHRIST – HIS PERSON John 10:30, 14:6
- CHRIST –HIS WORK Lk. 22:19-20, 1 Peter 2:24, Col.1:14, Isaiah 53:5-6
- CHRIST-HIS RESURRECTION Lk. 24:36,39, 1 Cor. 15:3-4
- FAITH Acts 20:20-21, Heb. 11:6, Eph. 2:8-9
- LIFE John 3:3, 1:12-13, 3:36, 2 Cor.5:17
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