October31
October 29, 2011, was a very challenging day. It began like an ordinary Saturday. Fresh coffee was brewing in the kitchen, the weekend edition of the newspaper had arrived, preparation was being made for doing the ordinary Saturday errands. When the weather report forecast snow—4 to 8 inches—it seemed unusual for the time of year, but nothing that triggered concern.
The forecaster did say it would be wet snow and it would weigh heavily upon the trees because they were still leaf-covered. This condition, in turn, might trigger power outages. Still no concern.
As the snow fell, the beauty of it became apparent. There is little that compares to the majesty of newly-fallen snow. The dingy, rain-marred leaves had not acquired their usual Autumn splendor because of the amount of rain and corresponding lack of sun, so the pristine white robe of snow draped over the countryside was exquisite to behold.
When the power went out, it wasn’t an immediate cause for concern. ‘They’ had said it might do just that. The temperature, mercifully, wasn’t all that cold—just at the point required for rain to take on the frozen attribute of snow. As time passed without restoration of electricity, we took on more clothing—and it was still OK.
In a home that’s totally electric, not only is there no heat but there is also a lack of refrigeration and running water. There’s no ability to make hot coffee (or hot coco for the children) and certainly, no way to flush the toilet more than once. So, care is exercised to bundle a little more and be discretionary about the use of ‘the facilities.’
As the weary day draws on, it becomes apparent that there’s not going to be a quick solution to the problem. The power may be out, according to the representative who was finally reached after a half hour of waiting on the line, until nightfall or perhaps into the next day…
A minor inconvenience has become a major concern as cold becomes more pervasive and the symptoms of coming down with a cold as a result of prolonged exposure to even this minimally cold afternoon and evening become more obvious. More bundling—a fleece and stocking cap are donned.
Discomfort makes one realize how dependent one is upon the modern creature comforts that are taken so much for granted on an ordinary day. When the power comes on after over twelve hours of enduring the elements without said modern comforts, the chill is a long time in dissipating. The fleece and stocking cap are worn to bed and the heaviest quilt doesn’t seem quite warm enough.
Perhaps more disconcerting than the lack of electrical power is the lack of spiritual power discovered at this juncture. It didn’t take long to begin to begin to wonder where God was and why HE wasn’t enabling the power company to bring a quick resolution to the problem. Perhaps the great lesson of the day was not how frail I am without electricity, but how frail I am in the inner man—and how desperately I need an infusion of Holy Spirit power to help me overcome the desperate plight that overtakes me when my spiritual power line is shaken.
We may be unaware of it, but we have a high calling in Christ. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Not only do we bear a physical likeness to Him (Genesis 2:26), but here we are told that we were created in Christ to do good.
Jesus went around doing good. A large part of His earthly ministry was the good that He did in order to reveal the heart of God to errant man. Jesus never wasted a moment in a negative pursuit. He did not break the commandments in letter or in spirit and He did not incite others to do so.
He did not compel those who followed Him to give their substance to Him or to lay down their lives in battle in His behalf. He desired only that a man recognize the contrast between the temporal and the eternal, so, with the understanding of the vast gulf between the two, each man who willed to do so could choose the eternal (see Luke 18:18-30).
Jesus desired that, as Paul stated in Colossians 3:12, “As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved (we would) clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” If we allow Him to dress us in these fine garments of Heaven, we can be sure we will look like Christ before the eyes of a skeptical and unbelieving world—something I failed to do during my personal 'power outage' on October 29.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Marked
October 30
Marked for Christ. That sounds reminiscent of what was done to slaves in a by-gone era when one man’s servitude to another was accepted as a reasonable and common practice; it does not resonate to the modern ear. We know that some forms of slavery still exist, but those kinds of bondage do not include physically marking the slave.
Some today may be slaves to their employment, sacrificing many hours each day beyond those spent in the office. Some people are slaves to fashion, squandering their substance upon the latest designer offering. Some are slaves to passion, selling their souls for a moment of guilty pleasure.
None of these leave a mark—except upon the heart of the slave. And that’s where Jesus places His mark. He puts it there, upon the heart of the sinner, thereby covering forever the cruel impression that sin stamped upon the un-surrendered heart of the one who cut innocence and peace out of his life every time he embraced sin to himself.
But Ephesians 1:13 tells us that, “You were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” His mark, the Holy Spirit, does not inflict a scar! His Spirit brings power to pull down destructive strongholds, to erase every scar left by sin!
Marked for Christ. That sounds reminiscent of what was done to slaves in a by-gone era when one man’s servitude to another was accepted as a reasonable and common practice; it does not resonate to the modern ear. We know that some forms of slavery still exist, but those kinds of bondage do not include physically marking the slave.
Some today may be slaves to their employment, sacrificing many hours each day beyond those spent in the office. Some people are slaves to fashion, squandering their substance upon the latest designer offering. Some are slaves to passion, selling their souls for a moment of guilty pleasure.
None of these leave a mark—except upon the heart of the slave. And that’s where Jesus places His mark. He puts it there, upon the heart of the sinner, thereby covering forever the cruel impression that sin stamped upon the un-surrendered heart of the one who cut innocence and peace out of his life every time he embraced sin to himself.
But Ephesians 1:13 tells us that, “You were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.” His mark, the Holy Spirit, does not inflict a scar! His Spirit brings power to pull down destructive strongholds, to erase every scar left by sin!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Do We?
October 29
How do we define worship? How should we define worship? Many of us attend church on Sunday morning, sing a few hymns, struggle to stay awake through a sermon, drop a buck or two into the collection plate and think we’ve fulfilled our obligation to worship the Almighty God who made us and who sustains us.
But, have we worshiped Him? What if real worship entails more than our mere presence in a house designated for that purpose, and requires more of us than our brief attention to a few words designed to strengthen our faith, and costs more than a few paltry dollars donated from our ‘wellspring’ of generosity?
If it’s indeed more than the sum total of the above, have we missed it? Have we deluded ourselves into believing that we’re stalwarts of the faith who are complying with one of the most difficult of His requirements, found in Malachi 3:10, “Bring the tithe into the storehouse…,” when in actuality we’re going through the motions without any commitment to real worship?
One person can’t answer those questions for another, but perhaps the Word itself gives some insight. In Psalm 95:6, 7 we are told, “Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for He is our God, and we are the sheep of His pasture…” Have we bowed our hearts before Him? Have we knelt in awe of who He is? Do we weep at the magnitude of His grace, mercy and love? Have we? Do we?
How do we define worship? How should we define worship? Many of us attend church on Sunday morning, sing a few hymns, struggle to stay awake through a sermon, drop a buck or two into the collection plate and think we’ve fulfilled our obligation to worship the Almighty God who made us and who sustains us.
But, have we worshiped Him? What if real worship entails more than our mere presence in a house designated for that purpose, and requires more of us than our brief attention to a few words designed to strengthen our faith, and costs more than a few paltry dollars donated from our ‘wellspring’ of generosity?
If it’s indeed more than the sum total of the above, have we missed it? Have we deluded ourselves into believing that we’re stalwarts of the faith who are complying with one of the most difficult of His requirements, found in Malachi 3:10, “Bring the tithe into the storehouse…,” when in actuality we’re going through the motions without any commitment to real worship?
One person can’t answer those questions for another, but perhaps the Word itself gives some insight. In Psalm 95:6, 7 we are told, “Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for He is our God, and we are the sheep of His pasture…” Have we bowed our hearts before Him? Have we knelt in awe of who He is? Do we weep at the magnitude of His grace, mercy and love? Have we? Do we?
Friday, October 28, 2011
Out of Darkness
October 28
God goes to great length in His Word to substantiate for us exactly who we are in His eyes. In Psalm 100:3, David says, “Know that the Lord is God. It is He who has made us and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” Because we are the work of His hands, He cares for us (I Peter 5:7).
This knowledge should supersede any other opinion that anyone else may have regarding us. It shouldn’t matter if our employer thinks we’re unworthy of promotion. It shouldn’t matter if our friends think we’re dull company. It shouldn’t matter if our spouse thinks we’re beginning to show our age. God says we’re His.
In I Samuel 12:22 the prophet says, “For the sake of His great name the Lord will not reject His people; the Lord was pleased to make you His own.” An employer might limit our opportunities for advancement, our friends may ruin our social life, our spouse may not validate us as we would like—but God has made us His own!
Just what does that mean? Peter, the impetuous apostle spells it out for us in chapter 2, verse 9 of his first epistle, which says, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” All this—and we walk in the light of His glory!
God goes to great length in His Word to substantiate for us exactly who we are in His eyes. In Psalm 100:3, David says, “Know that the Lord is God. It is He who has made us and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture.” Because we are the work of His hands, He cares for us (I Peter 5:7).
This knowledge should supersede any other opinion that anyone else may have regarding us. It shouldn’t matter if our employer thinks we’re unworthy of promotion. It shouldn’t matter if our friends think we’re dull company. It shouldn’t matter if our spouse thinks we’re beginning to show our age. God says we’re His.
In I Samuel 12:22 the prophet says, “For the sake of His great name the Lord will not reject His people; the Lord was pleased to make you His own.” An employer might limit our opportunities for advancement, our friends may ruin our social life, our spouse may not validate us as we would like—but God has made us His own!
Just what does that mean? Peter, the impetuous apostle spells it out for us in chapter 2, verse 9 of his first epistle, which says, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” All this—and we walk in the light of His glory!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Sealed
October 27
Our God has made some great and precious promises to us. Some of us live our lives as though those amazing words of hope and help are merely ink stains in an ancient book. How foolish we are if we do not realize that the Lord’s word is ‘yea and amen,’ that it stands forever (II Corinthians 1:18, Isaiah 40:8).
The realization that we who have given our lives into His hands by receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior are entitled to eternal hope should also carry the further elucidation of our understanding to the great provision He has made for us regarding the ordinary challenges of life and to the overcoming of every assault of the evil one against us.
In Isaiah 43:1 the Word of protection and provision is very clear to His ancient people Israel and by extension to believers in Christ as well. It tells us, “This is what the Lord says, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel, ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.’”
The God of creation takes care of His own. He did not fashion us and then abandon us to our own devices. He did not make us and then simply leave us with a few clues as to how we might navigate through life. No. He paid a high price for us—Jesus’ shed blood—and that price means He has sealed us to Himself and will care for us forever.
Our God has made some great and precious promises to us. Some of us live our lives as though those amazing words of hope and help are merely ink stains in an ancient book. How foolish we are if we do not realize that the Lord’s word is ‘yea and amen,’ that it stands forever (II Corinthians 1:18, Isaiah 40:8).
The realization that we who have given our lives into His hands by receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior are entitled to eternal hope should also carry the further elucidation of our understanding to the great provision He has made for us regarding the ordinary challenges of life and to the overcoming of every assault of the evil one against us.
In Isaiah 43:1 the Word of protection and provision is very clear to His ancient people Israel and by extension to believers in Christ as well. It tells us, “This is what the Lord says, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel, ‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.’”
The God of creation takes care of His own. He did not fashion us and then abandon us to our own devices. He did not make us and then simply leave us with a few clues as to how we might navigate through life. No. He paid a high price for us—Jesus’ shed blood—and that price means He has sealed us to Himself and will care for us forever.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
One Valuable Thing
October 26
God has a way of setting things in order—in order as HE deems it should be. When our sense of the scheme of things differs from His, it is only a matter of time until He shakes our efforts, causing them to fall into the place He has ordained for them. In Matthew 23:11, 12, Jesus said, “The greatest among you shall be your servant…”
This flies in the face of the world’s scheme where the least serve the great, where the humble bow before the proud. But in God’s equation, the math is turned around; the balance is tallied in a different number system.
How can we get our calculation to ‘add up’ correctly? How can we assure that we will not labor in vain over our ‘assignment’? The Word gives us a methodology to follow in our endeavor to solve the equation. In Philippians 2:3, Paul says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
The apostle who had, by his own estimation more about which to boast than anyone else (II Corinthians 11:16 – II Corinthians 12:11) said that apart from Christ, he was nothing and had nothing about which to be proud. Paul affirmed by the laying down of his life for the gospel that the only valuable thing we have in time is our eternal salvation.
God has a way of setting things in order—in order as HE deems it should be. When our sense of the scheme of things differs from His, it is only a matter of time until He shakes our efforts, causing them to fall into the place He has ordained for them. In Matthew 23:11, 12, Jesus said, “The greatest among you shall be your servant…”
This flies in the face of the world’s scheme where the least serve the great, where the humble bow before the proud. But in God’s equation, the math is turned around; the balance is tallied in a different number system.
How can we get our calculation to ‘add up’ correctly? How can we assure that we will not labor in vain over our ‘assignment’? The Word gives us a methodology to follow in our endeavor to solve the equation. In Philippians 2:3, Paul says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.”
The apostle who had, by his own estimation more about which to boast than anyone else (II Corinthians 11:16 – II Corinthians 12:11) said that apart from Christ, he was nothing and had nothing about which to be proud. Paul affirmed by the laying down of his life for the gospel that the only valuable thing we have in time is our eternal salvation.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
In The Behalf Of Truth
October 25
A missionary to a moslem country told the story of standing in one of two long lines at the post office one morning when the Holy Spirit spoke to him and told him to pray for the individual who would approach him. It didn’t appear that anyone had taken special note of him, but in his heart, he assented to the voice of the Lord.
At that time, a man turned to him and asked him if he knew about God. The missionary affirmed that he did, indeed, know God very well. Because of the constraints placed upon missionary activity in moslem lands, the missionary suggested that the man visit him in his home where they could have an open discussion.
When the visit occurred later in the day, the moslem man received Jesus as his Savior. Perhaps he had been informed that the individual at the post office was a missionary and made it a point to meet him, or maybe he simply acted upon an impulse, but in either case, “The Lord guides the humble…and teaches them His way,” Psalm 25:9.
Both the missionary and the searcher complied with the legal constraints against any religion but islam being practiced in public, yet both men acted boldly. Though they were, “…subject to rulers and authorities…(they were) ready to do what is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable…” (Titus 3:1,2) in the behalf of God’s immutable truth.
A missionary to a moslem country told the story of standing in one of two long lines at the post office one morning when the Holy Spirit spoke to him and told him to pray for the individual who would approach him. It didn’t appear that anyone had taken special note of him, but in his heart, he assented to the voice of the Lord.
At that time, a man turned to him and asked him if he knew about God. The missionary affirmed that he did, indeed, know God very well. Because of the constraints placed upon missionary activity in moslem lands, the missionary suggested that the man visit him in his home where they could have an open discussion.
When the visit occurred later in the day, the moslem man received Jesus as his Savior. Perhaps he had been informed that the individual at the post office was a missionary and made it a point to meet him, or maybe he simply acted upon an impulse, but in either case, “The Lord guides the humble…and teaches them His way,” Psalm 25:9.
Both the missionary and the searcher complied with the legal constraints against any religion but islam being practiced in public, yet both men acted boldly. Though they were, “…subject to rulers and authorities…(they were) ready to do what is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable…” (Titus 3:1,2) in the behalf of God’s immutable truth.
Monday, October 24, 2011
The Greatest In Heaven
October 24
The virtue of humility is extolled over and over again in the Word of God. In Psalm 147:6, David states, “The Lord sustains the humble but the wicked He casts to the ground.” In Psalm 149:4, he says, “The Lord…crowns the humble with salvation.” It is possible that the arrogant cannot, or will not see their need for a Savior.
The brother of Jesus, in his brief epistle says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord and HE will lift you up,” James 4:10. Someone who knew Jesus well, who grew up in the same house with Him, recognized that His intent was not to subdue a man’s inner self but to raise him to the height of his potential.
Again in Proverbs 15:33 it is affirmed, “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” Without godly wisdom, one cannot even recognize his need for salvation. Without being attuned to the Holy Spirit, one cannot perceive the wooing of his God.
Our Heavenly Father beckons each of us into the arc of safety, for He wants all men to be redeemed (I Timothy 2:4). Christ came to us to show us the love and salvation of the Father. When we ignore Him, we turn our back on life, but in Matthew 18:4 He tells us, “Whoever humbles himself like a little child is the greatest in…Heaven.”
The virtue of humility is extolled over and over again in the Word of God. In Psalm 147:6, David states, “The Lord sustains the humble but the wicked He casts to the ground.” In Psalm 149:4, he says, “The Lord…crowns the humble with salvation.” It is possible that the arrogant cannot, or will not see their need for a Savior.
The brother of Jesus, in his brief epistle says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord and HE will lift you up,” James 4:10. Someone who knew Jesus well, who grew up in the same house with Him, recognized that His intent was not to subdue a man’s inner self but to raise him to the height of his potential.
Again in Proverbs 15:33 it is affirmed, “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” Without godly wisdom, one cannot even recognize his need for salvation. Without being attuned to the Holy Spirit, one cannot perceive the wooing of his God.
Our Heavenly Father beckons each of us into the arc of safety, for He wants all men to be redeemed (I Timothy 2:4). Christ came to us to show us the love and salvation of the Father. When we ignore Him, we turn our back on life, but in Matthew 18:4 He tells us, “Whoever humbles himself like a little child is the greatest in…Heaven.”
Sunday, October 23, 2011
The Rewarding Investment
October 23
Arrogance is nowhere listed among the attributes of God. The One who merely spoke and the worlds came into being is not proud or haughty. We are told in Genesis 1:31 that God, “…saw everything that He had made and it was good.” He isn’t gloating in His amazing feat of creation; He’s simply observing the wonder of it.
Some of us are quite successful. We have achieved much through our professional endeavors and we are comfortable inside our skin. It is sometimes difficult for us to maintain our humility when we are satisfied with our accomplishments. Some of us are not content. We feel life has disappointed us. We’ve fallen short of our goals.
Into whichever category we may file ourselves, we must acknowledge that ultimately, everything we achieve in life as well as everything we fail to attain is in God’s hands. He has a purpose in allowing our lives to unfold just as they have and it behooves us to recognize Him at the center of all that concerns us.
There is a Biblical promise that comes with maintaining our humility before the Lord in spite of our success or lack thereof. Proverbs 22:4 says, “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” No other investment carries such a potential for reward—wealth that transcends time, honor in the eyes of God, and life eternal.
Arrogance is nowhere listed among the attributes of God. The One who merely spoke and the worlds came into being is not proud or haughty. We are told in Genesis 1:31 that God, “…saw everything that He had made and it was good.” He isn’t gloating in His amazing feat of creation; He’s simply observing the wonder of it.
Some of us are quite successful. We have achieved much through our professional endeavors and we are comfortable inside our skin. It is sometimes difficult for us to maintain our humility when we are satisfied with our accomplishments. Some of us are not content. We feel life has disappointed us. We’ve fallen short of our goals.
Into whichever category we may file ourselves, we must acknowledge that ultimately, everything we achieve in life as well as everything we fail to attain is in God’s hands. He has a purpose in allowing our lives to unfold just as they have and it behooves us to recognize Him at the center of all that concerns us.
There is a Biblical promise that comes with maintaining our humility before the Lord in spite of our success or lack thereof. Proverbs 22:4 says, “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.” No other investment carries such a potential for reward—wealth that transcends time, honor in the eyes of God, and life eternal.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
HOPE
October 22
Hope is a precious commodity. It is the staying power that gets men through tough times. It is the stuff from which heroes are made. Countless examples could be sited of individuals who put their hope in Jesus when they were in seemingly hopeless situations and such stories inspire others when their circumstances are dire.
Think of a prisoner of war in a filthy cell, deprived of nourishing food, beaten to within an inch of his life, denied human contact except that of his tormentors and we get a glimpse of real despair. But myriad accounts exist of men in such circumstances who maintained hope because of scripture verses they’d memorized in Sunday school.
When the Word is hidden within a heart, it is there to inspire and to encourage, even when ones situation is abysmal. Like David in Psalm 42:5 the oppressed may say, “Why are you downcast, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
In his letter to the Roman believers Paul prayed, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). May we add that prayer to those we pray for our brothers who are cast down, for hope is a remarkable ‘elevator of the soul.’
Hope is a precious commodity. It is the staying power that gets men through tough times. It is the stuff from which heroes are made. Countless examples could be sited of individuals who put their hope in Jesus when they were in seemingly hopeless situations and such stories inspire others when their circumstances are dire.
Think of a prisoner of war in a filthy cell, deprived of nourishing food, beaten to within an inch of his life, denied human contact except that of his tormentors and we get a glimpse of real despair. But myriad accounts exist of men in such circumstances who maintained hope because of scripture verses they’d memorized in Sunday school.
When the Word is hidden within a heart, it is there to inspire and to encourage, even when ones situation is abysmal. Like David in Psalm 42:5 the oppressed may say, “Why are you downcast, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
In his letter to the Roman believers Paul prayed, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). May we add that prayer to those we pray for our brothers who are cast down, for hope is a remarkable ‘elevator of the soul.’
Friday, October 21, 2011
Fear
October 21
Using the commonly held definition of the word ‘fear,’ to be afraid of, Psalm 147:11 makes no sense. Here David says, “The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” The thoughts within the verse itself are contradictory, based upon our common usage of the word ‘fear.’
But in this psalm, and throughout the Bible, the word has a totally different meaning, which is, ‘reverential awe.’ The Lord delights in those who hold Him in reverential awe, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” When we understand the meaning of the word fear, the passage makes complete sense.
We extol the Lord our God because He is wondrous in majesty and matchless in power. We are in awe of Him, not only for the glorious realm in which He abides but because He reaches out to us from that place that is beyond our ability to conceptualize and touches us by His Holy Spirit and awakens our dead spirit—then wraps us in His love!
When this happens, we may allow our praise to redound through the corridors of heaven as did the prophet’s in Isaiah 40:31, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength! They will soar on wings like eagles! They will run and not be weary! They will walk and not faint!” We are in awe of the majesty of the One who gives our strengthened hope wings through His unfailing love!
Using the commonly held definition of the word ‘fear,’ to be afraid of, Psalm 147:11 makes no sense. Here David says, “The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” The thoughts within the verse itself are contradictory, based upon our common usage of the word ‘fear.’
But in this psalm, and throughout the Bible, the word has a totally different meaning, which is, ‘reverential awe.’ The Lord delights in those who hold Him in reverential awe, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” When we understand the meaning of the word fear, the passage makes complete sense.
We extol the Lord our God because He is wondrous in majesty and matchless in power. We are in awe of Him, not only for the glorious realm in which He abides but because He reaches out to us from that place that is beyond our ability to conceptualize and touches us by His Holy Spirit and awakens our dead spirit—then wraps us in His love!
When this happens, we may allow our praise to redound through the corridors of heaven as did the prophet’s in Isaiah 40:31, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength! They will soar on wings like eagles! They will run and not be weary! They will walk and not faint!” We are in awe of the majesty of the One who gives our strengthened hope wings through His unfailing love!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Unseen Hope
October 20
The patriarchs, the heroes of the faith who inhabit the Old Testament lived with an unseen hope. Unlike us, who have Christ to look upon for our eternal salvation and our present help, they had only a promise. The people of God were accustomed to waiting for the fulfillment of the hope that had been extended to them.
They had endured 400 years of slavery in Egypt (see Genesis 39-Exodus 15) while awaiting the deliverance that had been promised to them and subsequent to that, they waited so long for their expected Messiah, that when He came, they did not recognize Him! (See the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.)
But through all their waiting, they were encouraged by prophets and kings to hope. In Lamentations 3:21-23, the prophet Jeremiah stated, “This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.”
If these precious faithful ones could maintain a hopeful expectancy in spite of slavery, in spite of an unseen answer to a glorious promise, cannot we who have seen Jesus, who have read the eyewitness accounts to His glory, hold fast to the hope He has given to us in spite of man’s abysmal condition! Can we not believe that our redemption draws near! (Luke 21:28)
The patriarchs, the heroes of the faith who inhabit the Old Testament lived with an unseen hope. Unlike us, who have Christ to look upon for our eternal salvation and our present help, they had only a promise. The people of God were accustomed to waiting for the fulfillment of the hope that had been extended to them.
They had endured 400 years of slavery in Egypt (see Genesis 39-Exodus 15) while awaiting the deliverance that had been promised to them and subsequent to that, they waited so long for their expected Messiah, that when He came, they did not recognize Him! (See the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John.)
But through all their waiting, they were encouraged by prophets and kings to hope. In Lamentations 3:21-23, the prophet Jeremiah stated, “This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.”
If these precious faithful ones could maintain a hopeful expectancy in spite of slavery, in spite of an unseen answer to a glorious promise, cannot we who have seen Jesus, who have read the eyewitness accounts to His glory, hold fast to the hope He has given to us in spite of man’s abysmal condition! Can we not believe that our redemption draws near! (Luke 21:28)
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
For This We Labor and Strive
October 19
Man has a problem. He possesses a sin nature from which springs all the world’s problems. Can’t get along with your mother-in-law? The root of the impasse between you is your sin nature. Irascible politicians in Washington botching up the country? They can’t help themselves because they have a sin nature. The tinderbox in the Middle East? Back to that same root cause—sin.
The unfortunate fact is that the most destructive force known to man—sin—is all around us; and not only that, it is within us. It’s an insidious, devastating entity that has attacked the planet and is devouring it. Because of sin there is a dearth of joy within the hearts of men. Without joy, man cannot extend himself in love or hope or goodness or mercy…A man cannot give what he does not possess.
Because of sin, politicians scheme and connive for ascendancy, to aggrandize themselves, to accrue more power. The power elite are helpless to do right for there is no innate goodness within them. They are steeped in sin. Without deliverance from sin, nations rattle their sabers of war because hatred is the fruit of sin and they have gorged themselves on it.
The only way out of the quandary is that stated by Paul in I Timothy 4:9, 10, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves acceptance, and for this we labor and strive, that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.” If man will believe in Jesus’ propitiatory death for his sins, he can say as Peter quoted David in Acts 2:26, 27, “My heart is glad…I live in hope…”
Man has a problem. He possesses a sin nature from which springs all the world’s problems. Can’t get along with your mother-in-law? The root of the impasse between you is your sin nature. Irascible politicians in Washington botching up the country? They can’t help themselves because they have a sin nature. The tinderbox in the Middle East? Back to that same root cause—sin.
The unfortunate fact is that the most destructive force known to man—sin—is all around us; and not only that, it is within us. It’s an insidious, devastating entity that has attacked the planet and is devouring it. Because of sin there is a dearth of joy within the hearts of men. Without joy, man cannot extend himself in love or hope or goodness or mercy…A man cannot give what he does not possess.
Because of sin, politicians scheme and connive for ascendancy, to aggrandize themselves, to accrue more power. The power elite are helpless to do right for there is no innate goodness within them. They are steeped in sin. Without deliverance from sin, nations rattle their sabers of war because hatred is the fruit of sin and they have gorged themselves on it.
The only way out of the quandary is that stated by Paul in I Timothy 4:9, 10, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves acceptance, and for this we labor and strive, that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.” If man will believe in Jesus’ propitiatory death for his sins, he can say as Peter quoted David in Acts 2:26, 27, “My heart is glad…I live in hope…”
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
A Great Reward
October 18
The winds of life blow upon everyone. No one who has ever lived has traversed the entirety of his existence from birth to old age without encountering the storms of life, some of which are of gale force.
But the assurance we have from the Bible is that though the heavens may darken with gathering gloom, though the winds may blow, though the seas may roar, we can stand securely upon the promises that are found in His immutable Word.
David, who was no stranger to adversity, wrote about one of those assurances in Psalm 15:2-5. Here he says, “He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart…who honors those who fear the Lord…he who does these things will never be shaken.”
In Isaiah 33:15-16 it is stated, “He who walks righteously and speaks what is right…will dwell on the heights; his refuge will be the mountain fortress; his needs will be supplied.” Truth and righteousness are linked with the security that only God can supply. His greatest reward seems to be an untroubled spirit—despite life’s storms.
The winds of life blow upon everyone. No one who has ever lived has traversed the entirety of his existence from birth to old age without encountering the storms of life, some of which are of gale force.
But the assurance we have from the Bible is that though the heavens may darken with gathering gloom, though the winds may blow, though the seas may roar, we can stand securely upon the promises that are found in His immutable Word.
David, who was no stranger to adversity, wrote about one of those assurances in Psalm 15:2-5. Here he says, “He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart…who honors those who fear the Lord…he who does these things will never be shaken.”
In Isaiah 33:15-16 it is stated, “He who walks righteously and speaks what is right…will dwell on the heights; his refuge will be the mountain fortress; his needs will be supplied.” Truth and righteousness are linked with the security that only God can supply. His greatest reward seems to be an untroubled spirit—despite life’s storms.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Security--Established Upon His Honor
October 17
The Lord expresses confidence in His people regarding those who walk uprightly in the integrity of their hearts. Proverbs 10:9 says, for example, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” It is comforting to anyone to be told by the God of the Universe that his walk is secure.
One of life’s basic necessities is for security. All our striving is toward the goal of obtaining the things we need—food, shelter, clothing, a viable income—things that enable us to have a sense of well-being, a sense of being unthreatened by the ups and downs of life. We want to know we can handle the challenges that come our way.
A building block in the foundation of integrity upon which a man endeavors to construct the structure of his life is truth. Proverbs 13:5 tells us, “The righteous hate what is false.” The brother of the Lord says in his brief book, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways,” James 1:8.
If life’s foundation is built upon anything but truth and the integrity it produces in a man, he will find the entirety of his existence spent upon a futile attempt to gain the security, the sense of well-being, the sense of being safe even when confronted by threatening circumstances that the Lord extends to those who establish their lives upon His honor.
The Lord expresses confidence in His people regarding those who walk uprightly in the integrity of their hearts. Proverbs 10:9 says, for example, “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” It is comforting to anyone to be told by the God of the Universe that his walk is secure.
One of life’s basic necessities is for security. All our striving is toward the goal of obtaining the things we need—food, shelter, clothing, a viable income—things that enable us to have a sense of well-being, a sense of being unthreatened by the ups and downs of life. We want to know we can handle the challenges that come our way.
A building block in the foundation of integrity upon which a man endeavors to construct the structure of his life is truth. Proverbs 13:5 tells us, “The righteous hate what is false.” The brother of the Lord says in his brief book, “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways,” James 1:8.
If life’s foundation is built upon anything but truth and the integrity it produces in a man, he will find the entirety of his existence spent upon a futile attempt to gain the security, the sense of well-being, the sense of being safe even when confronted by threatening circumstances that the Lord extends to those who establish their lives upon His honor.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Hold Firmly To Truth
October 16
The integrity in which our Heavenly Father desires us to walk is extolled in both the Old and New Testaments. It is not like the dietary law and the laws requiring observance of feasts and events; rather, it is an on-going, eternal veracity in which He expects us to conduct the entirety of our lives.
In Psalm 34:12, 13 we are told, “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.” The quality of our lives is impacted by the words we speak and the truthfulness in which we speak them.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 6, verse 14, Paul says, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. This is an essential part of the “whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6: 13-20) that we must wear if we are to successfully combat the enemy of our souls.
When we awaken to the reality that the evil one has set about to destroy us, we will do what is needful to defeat him. Because deception has been part of his strategy from the beginning (in Genesis 3:1-7 he planted the suggestion that God’s word was not reliable), our best way to combat him is by holding firmly to TRUTH!
The integrity in which our Heavenly Father desires us to walk is extolled in both the Old and New Testaments. It is not like the dietary law and the laws requiring observance of feasts and events; rather, it is an on-going, eternal veracity in which He expects us to conduct the entirety of our lives.
In Psalm 34:12, 13 we are told, “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.” The quality of our lives is impacted by the words we speak and the truthfulness in which we speak them.
In his letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 6, verse 14, Paul says, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place. This is an essential part of the “whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6: 13-20) that we must wear if we are to successfully combat the enemy of our souls.
When we awaken to the reality that the evil one has set about to destroy us, we will do what is needful to defeat him. Because deception has been part of his strategy from the beginning (in Genesis 3:1-7 he planted the suggestion that God’s word was not reliable), our best way to combat him is by holding firmly to TRUTH!
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Because He Loves Us
October 15
God is not pleased with our façade of integrity. Oh, yes, we may carry one around and it may serve our purpose of convincing those around us that we are honorable and trustworthy, but it doesn’t fool the One, True and Living God who knows the hearts of all men—who knows my heart.
Jesus says of Himself, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No man comes to the Father but by Me” John 14:6. Can we then presume to believe that half-truths and feigned integrity can satisfy His holy standard? To do so is to deceive ourselves.’
Psalm 51:6 informs us regarding His will for us, “Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inner parts.” It is in the depth of who we are that our Maker and Savior desires us to be upright and honorable. It is in the inner-most part of our being that He wants us to be as He is.
In I Corinthians 13:6 the Apostle Paul says, “Love…rejoices with the truth.” Because God loves us, He wants us to walk in uprightness with Christ. Because He loves us, He has given us the way to be holy as He is holy. Because He loves us, He washed us free of sin and placed upon us the crown of His righteousness (II Timothy 4:8).
God is not pleased with our façade of integrity. Oh, yes, we may carry one around and it may serve our purpose of convincing those around us that we are honorable and trustworthy, but it doesn’t fool the One, True and Living God who knows the hearts of all men—who knows my heart.
Jesus says of Himself, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No man comes to the Father but by Me” John 14:6. Can we then presume to believe that half-truths and feigned integrity can satisfy His holy standard? To do so is to deceive ourselves.’
Psalm 51:6 informs us regarding His will for us, “Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; You teach me wisdom in the inner parts.” It is in the depth of who we are that our Maker and Savior desires us to be upright and honorable. It is in the inner-most part of our being that He wants us to be as He is.
In I Corinthians 13:6 the Apostle Paul says, “Love…rejoices with the truth.” Because God loves us, He wants us to walk in uprightness with Christ. Because He loves us, He has given us the way to be holy as He is holy. Because He loves us, He washed us free of sin and placed upon us the crown of His righteousness (II Timothy 4:8).
Friday, October 14, 2011
A Straight Way
October 14
Have you ever heard the old saying, “Goodness is its own reward”? Most of us have heard it or some variation of it. The whole point is that we should, for the most part, be content simply to do the right thing, the good thing, without any expectation of receiving any recognition for our choice.
To carry that concept even further, some have observed that it’s possible to do the right thing all the time without being noticed but just pull a blunder and watch how rapidly every eye within range of your mistake will take note of it.
The Bible commends those who strive for righteousness and endeavor to allow goodness to govern their approach to people and circumstances, and to life in general. In Psalm 119:1 it says, “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.”
Our God values the sincere effort of a man to walk after the way of the Christ he professes to love and serve. Indeed, He states emphatically, “The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.” It behooves us to let goodness be our reward so the Lord can reward our goodness.
Have you ever heard the old saying, “Goodness is its own reward”? Most of us have heard it or some variation of it. The whole point is that we should, for the most part, be content simply to do the right thing, the good thing, without any expectation of receiving any recognition for our choice.
To carry that concept even further, some have observed that it’s possible to do the right thing all the time without being noticed but just pull a blunder and watch how rapidly every eye within range of your mistake will take note of it.
The Bible commends those who strive for righteousness and endeavor to allow goodness to govern their approach to people and circumstances, and to life in general. In Psalm 119:1 it says, “Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.”
Our God values the sincere effort of a man to walk after the way of the Christ he professes to love and serve. Indeed, He states emphatically, “The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.” It behooves us to let goodness be our reward so the Lord can reward our goodness.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Peace and Holiness
October 13
The compatibility of the two aspects of the admonition Paul gives in Hebrews 12:14 may not be readily apparent. It says, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Indeed, we should live in peace and yes, we must be holy to see God. But, what’s the connection?
Maybe it has something to do with what the beloved Apostle said in I John 4:20, “…How can a man hate his brother who he has seen and say he loves God who he has not seen?” This makes evident the fact that we build love upon love. If we truly love God, we will evidence that fact by loving our brother.
Correspondingly, when we love our brother because we love God, we will live at peace with him and, “The peace of God which passes all understanding will keep our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:7. When we are in Christ Jesus, we can be holy because He is holy.
To be holy is to assure that one day, at the end of this journey where we have built our lives upon the foundation of Jesus’ loving sacrifice for us by extending His love to others and abiding in His peace, we shall enter the realm of glory where we shall ever abide in heaven, where we shall see the radiant, loving face of God.
The compatibility of the two aspects of the admonition Paul gives in Hebrews 12:14 may not be readily apparent. It says, “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Indeed, we should live in peace and yes, we must be holy to see God. But, what’s the connection?
Maybe it has something to do with what the beloved Apostle said in I John 4:20, “…How can a man hate his brother who he has seen and say he loves God who he has not seen?” This makes evident the fact that we build love upon love. If we truly love God, we will evidence that fact by loving our brother.
Correspondingly, when we love our brother because we love God, we will live at peace with him and, “The peace of God which passes all understanding will keep our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:7. When we are in Christ Jesus, we can be holy because He is holy.
To be holy is to assure that one day, at the end of this journey where we have built our lives upon the foundation of Jesus’ loving sacrifice for us by extending His love to others and abiding in His peace, we shall enter the realm of glory where we shall ever abide in heaven, where we shall see the radiant, loving face of God.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Who Will We Serve?
October 12
In Romans 6:22 Paul poses a transition that may not at first appear to be a transaction worth entering. Here he says, “Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness and the result is eternal life. Is he really talking about exchanging one form of slavery for another?
Yes, he is. Paul is clearly pointing up the fact that everyone will serve someone. A man who chooses to serve sin will be its slave. A man who chooses to serve God will be His slave. There is no other convenient definition for the term. A slave is one who serves another.
Like the people who were in bondage before the Civil War in America, we are servants. Unlike them, however, we have the option of deciding who we will serve. Because we were born into sin, our master is the evil one, but Jesus paid the price to buy us back, to redeem us from this cruel task master. Will we accept the exchange?
Sometimes we become so comfortable in our servitude that we are reluctant to leave our master. Prior to the Civil War, people who had been in bondage for generations feared having a new master. Those of us who have accepted the Lord’s payment for our purchase no longer fear, for we know that in servitude to Him, we are free.
In Romans 6:22 Paul poses a transition that may not at first appear to be a transaction worth entering. Here he says, “Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness and the result is eternal life. Is he really talking about exchanging one form of slavery for another?
Yes, he is. Paul is clearly pointing up the fact that everyone will serve someone. A man who chooses to serve sin will be its slave. A man who chooses to serve God will be His slave. There is no other convenient definition for the term. A slave is one who serves another.
Like the people who were in bondage before the Civil War in America, we are servants. Unlike them, however, we have the option of deciding who we will serve. Because we were born into sin, our master is the evil one, but Jesus paid the price to buy us back, to redeem us from this cruel task master. Will we accept the exchange?
Sometimes we become so comfortable in our servitude that we are reluctant to leave our master. Prior to the Civil War, people who had been in bondage for generations feared having a new master. Those of us who have accepted the Lord’s payment for our purchase no longer fear, for we know that in servitude to Him, we are free.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Perfecting Holiness
October 11
In I Thessalonians 4:7, Paul says, “God did not call us to be impure but to live holy lives.” This flies in the face of those who rationalize sin and assure ourselves that God understands who we are and as long as we do our best we will certainly be given entry through heaven’s portals.
This statement affirms that He has far loftier expectations for us. Paul expands upon this concept in Ephesians 1:4-6 where he says, “God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of His glorious grace which He has freely given us…”
It is exciting to contemplate the magnitude of opportunity we have to transcend our human condition and tap into the heavenly state He makes available to us. We understand that He desires all men to appropriate the gift of holiness that Christ has supplied for us. We know He died to set all men free from sin. He has predestined us to dwell with Him, if we will but receive the gift.
Common sense dictates our choice, but some deny the veracity of the only viable decision that lies before us. II Corinthians 7:1 tells us that, “Since we have these promises…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” This negates any rationale that would establish us in a worldly state when holiness is our Christ-given portion.
In I Thessalonians 4:7, Paul says, “God did not call us to be impure but to live holy lives.” This flies in the face of those who rationalize sin and assure ourselves that God understands who we are and as long as we do our best we will certainly be given entry through heaven’s portals.
This statement affirms that He has far loftier expectations for us. Paul expands upon this concept in Ephesians 1:4-6 where he says, “God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of His glorious grace which He has freely given us…”
It is exciting to contemplate the magnitude of opportunity we have to transcend our human condition and tap into the heavenly state He makes available to us. We understand that He desires all men to appropriate the gift of holiness that Christ has supplied for us. We know He died to set all men free from sin. He has predestined us to dwell with Him, if we will but receive the gift.
Common sense dictates our choice, but some deny the veracity of the only viable decision that lies before us. II Corinthians 7:1 tells us that, “Since we have these promises…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” This negates any rationale that would establish us in a worldly state when holiness is our Christ-given portion.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Only Christ
October 10
What’s the point of aspiring to goals that are virtually unattainable? A famous line in a movie was, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” That’s a point well taken. We have to be aware of our limitations or we will be forever yearning to have things that will never be ours, we will be forever aspiring to attain goals we can never reach.
If I am of ordinary appearance, I probably shouldn’t pack my bags and move to Hollywood and wait to be discovered for the movies. If I am of limited intellect, I probably shouldn’t aspire to invent some new thing that will revolutionize the way the world functions.
If I tend to be self-focused, I am not a candidate to serve the Red Cross or establish the next missionary outreach to some suffering pocket of humanity in a remote corner of the globe. But there is one lofty aspiration for which I should reach, for the Word of God tells me that I must.
In I Peter 1:15, 16, the impetuous apostle says, “Just as God who called you is holy, so be ye holy in all that you do, for it is written, ‘Be holy because I am holy.’” That’s a tall order for those of us who dwell in a tabernacle of flesh. That’s an unattainable goal for anyone to accomplish alone. Only Christ who is holy can impart holiness to us.
What’s the point of aspiring to goals that are virtually unattainable? A famous line in a movie was, “A man’s got to know his limitations.” That’s a point well taken. We have to be aware of our limitations or we will be forever yearning to have things that will never be ours, we will be forever aspiring to attain goals we can never reach.
If I am of ordinary appearance, I probably shouldn’t pack my bags and move to Hollywood and wait to be discovered for the movies. If I am of limited intellect, I probably shouldn’t aspire to invent some new thing that will revolutionize the way the world functions.
If I tend to be self-focused, I am not a candidate to serve the Red Cross or establish the next missionary outreach to some suffering pocket of humanity in a remote corner of the globe. But there is one lofty aspiration for which I should reach, for the Word of God tells me that I must.
In I Peter 1:15, 16, the impetuous apostle says, “Just as God who called you is holy, so be ye holy in all that you do, for it is written, ‘Be holy because I am holy.’” That’s a tall order for those of us who dwell in a tabernacle of flesh. That’s an unattainable goal for anyone to accomplish alone. Only Christ who is holy can impart holiness to us.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Vicariously Holy
October 9
What does the word ‘holy’ mean? What is ‘sanctification’? If your answers to either or both of those questions aren’t particularly edifying or satisfactory, be assured that you’re not alone. None of us can define these terms by anything we are. Perhaps we have a better chance of doing so by identifying what we aren’t.
First of all, we aren’t God. Most of us tend to associate the word ‘holy’ with Him. To be holy is to be worthy of being exalted and of receiving complete devotion and perfect praise. We know we don’t deserve to be venerated or considered to be divine, so we can eliminate any reference to ourselves from our definition of ‘holy.’
Second, of course we also know that a holy God doesn’t require sanctification. By virtue of who He is, He is already free from sin and imputed with sacredness to which we cannot add or detract. Neither can He grow in divine grace, for He is divine grace. But His word assures us that He will impute holiness to us! He will sanctify us!
In I Thessalonians 5:23, Paul writes, “May God Himself, the God of all peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So we are vicariously made holy and sanctified because of Jesus so when HE comes, we shall be fit for our heavenly home.
What does the word ‘holy’ mean? What is ‘sanctification’? If your answers to either or both of those questions aren’t particularly edifying or satisfactory, be assured that you’re not alone. None of us can define these terms by anything we are. Perhaps we have a better chance of doing so by identifying what we aren’t.
First of all, we aren’t God. Most of us tend to associate the word ‘holy’ with Him. To be holy is to be worthy of being exalted and of receiving complete devotion and perfect praise. We know we don’t deserve to be venerated or considered to be divine, so we can eliminate any reference to ourselves from our definition of ‘holy.’
Second, of course we also know that a holy God doesn’t require sanctification. By virtue of who He is, He is already free from sin and imputed with sacredness to which we cannot add or detract. Neither can He grow in divine grace, for He is divine grace. But His word assures us that He will impute holiness to us! He will sanctify us!
In I Thessalonians 5:23, Paul writes, “May God Himself, the God of all peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” So we are vicariously made holy and sanctified because of Jesus so when HE comes, we shall be fit for our heavenly home.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
No Fear
October 8
God’s defense of His people covers all the bases. We tend to be fearful of some aspects of life’s challenges while remaining confident in spite of others, but the Bible tells us that we need never be concerned about anything.
Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing but in all things, by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God.” Paul further assured the believer in the following verse that doing so would invoke the “peace of God that passes understanding” into his life and “keep his heart and mind” secure in Christ.
With that kind of promise to lean on, we should ever be bold and resolute in not only our personal faith but also in our outreach to others. In Isaiah 50:9, the prophet says, “It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment, moths will eat them up.” Those who come against the child of God will simply exhaust themselves in the battle!
The great One who has taken it upon Himself to take the part of believers who have placed their lives into Jesus’ loving hand has given His sure word on which the faithful may stand—we are helped; we will not be condemned in our personal experience or in our witness, for we, “wait in hope for the Lord; HE is our Help and our Shield,” Psalm 33:20. We have no fear in life’s challenges, for He keeps us.
God’s defense of His people covers all the bases. We tend to be fearful of some aspects of life’s challenges while remaining confident in spite of others, but the Bible tells us that we need never be concerned about anything.
Philippians 4:6 says, “Be anxious for nothing but in all things, by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God.” Paul further assured the believer in the following verse that doing so would invoke the “peace of God that passes understanding” into his life and “keep his heart and mind” secure in Christ.
With that kind of promise to lean on, we should ever be bold and resolute in not only our personal faith but also in our outreach to others. In Isaiah 50:9, the prophet says, “It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who is he that will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment, moths will eat them up.” Those who come against the child of God will simply exhaust themselves in the battle!
The great One who has taken it upon Himself to take the part of believers who have placed their lives into Jesus’ loving hand has given His sure word on which the faithful may stand—we are helped; we will not be condemned in our personal experience or in our witness, for we, “wait in hope for the Lord; HE is our Help and our Shield,” Psalm 33:20. We have no fear in life’s challenges, for He keeps us.
Friday, October 7, 2011
OOPS!...
...the last line of paragraph 2 should read, "...the 'real deal.' Sorry. Poor editing. Will try to do better.
From Our Shoulder To His
October 7
Recognizing the constraints of our limitations is sobering to most people. We don’t like to think of ourselves as wanting in any capacity. We enjoy believing that we are in charge—even if deep inside we are cognizant of our self-delusion. The wealthy among us are quite content to spend of their abundance to secure for themselves the niceties of life.
They are willing to indulge as well those individuals whom they perceive to be potentially helpful to them in the attainment of whatever desirable goal they wish to achieve, such as political influence, social position, or personal pleasure. Yet, they, too, are aware that their money has the power to purchase only a façade. The ‘read deal’ comes another way.
The Word offers some insight into the true source of our blessings. Psalm 28:7, for example, says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him.” Has He the capacity to reach down wherever we are to afford us help? According to Isaiah 59:1, He does. Here it says, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not shortened that He cannot save or His ear too dull to hear us when we call to Him.”
Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and our strength; He is our ever-present help in trouble.” How should we react when we consider the faithfulness of the One who has no limitations and who employs His amazing resources in our behalf when we simply call upon Him? Psalm 68:19 says, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” When we feel hemmed in on every side, when we feel too weighted by a load of cares to lift our hands to the Source of our help, even then, our Lord is reaching down to help us up and to lift our burden from our shoulder to His.
Recognizing the constraints of our limitations is sobering to most people. We don’t like to think of ourselves as wanting in any capacity. We enjoy believing that we are in charge—even if deep inside we are cognizant of our self-delusion. The wealthy among us are quite content to spend of their abundance to secure for themselves the niceties of life.
They are willing to indulge as well those individuals whom they perceive to be potentially helpful to them in the attainment of whatever desirable goal they wish to achieve, such as political influence, social position, or personal pleasure. Yet, they, too, are aware that their money has the power to purchase only a façade. The ‘read deal’ comes another way.
The Word offers some insight into the true source of our blessings. Psalm 28:7, for example, says, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him.” Has He the capacity to reach down wherever we are to afford us help? According to Isaiah 59:1, He does. Here it says, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not shortened that He cannot save or His ear too dull to hear us when we call to Him.”
Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and our strength; He is our ever-present help in trouble.” How should we react when we consider the faithfulness of the One who has no limitations and who employs His amazing resources in our behalf when we simply call upon Him? Psalm 68:19 says, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” When we feel hemmed in on every side, when we feel too weighted by a load of cares to lift our hands to the Source of our help, even then, our Lord is reaching down to help us up and to lift our burden from our shoulder to His.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The Power to Accomplish
October 6
Some people appear to be completely without resources for survival on the most elemental level. We see documentaries that detail the constraints of their meager existence and we wonder how they manage to trudge from one dreary, empty day to another. We are stunned by the magnitude of their poverty.
And we don’t realize that we are surrounded by people in well-appointed homes, who are wearing fashionable, lovely clothing, and enjoying the finest quality foods every day who are equally devoid of the real sustenance of life. Their poverty may not be evident to the eye, but it is every bit as real and it is ultimately more devastating than financial destitution.
Our ability to help those trapped in either set of circumstances is limited. Yes, we may donate money to organizations that reach out to the poverty stricken of the world, but beyond that, our opportunities to assist them out of their dire straits are impeded by time and distance and borders and political red tape. We are considerably challenged as well regarding the ‘starving rich,’ the people living in plenty who are spiritually languishing but don’t even recognize their need.
Though we may be unable to make a difference, David affirms in Psalm 72:12, “God will deliver the needy who cry out to Him. He will help the afflicted.” We must pray that the needy—the financially impoverished and the spiritually bereft—recognize their need for Jesus, the full Supply for all they lack. The power of prayer can pull down the effects of a troubled economy or of spiritual blindness. We have the power to accomplish through faith in Jesus what we have no ability to do in the strength of our humanity.
Some people appear to be completely without resources for survival on the most elemental level. We see documentaries that detail the constraints of their meager existence and we wonder how they manage to trudge from one dreary, empty day to another. We are stunned by the magnitude of their poverty.
And we don’t realize that we are surrounded by people in well-appointed homes, who are wearing fashionable, lovely clothing, and enjoying the finest quality foods every day who are equally devoid of the real sustenance of life. Their poverty may not be evident to the eye, but it is every bit as real and it is ultimately more devastating than financial destitution.
Our ability to help those trapped in either set of circumstances is limited. Yes, we may donate money to organizations that reach out to the poverty stricken of the world, but beyond that, our opportunities to assist them out of their dire straits are impeded by time and distance and borders and political red tape. We are considerably challenged as well regarding the ‘starving rich,’ the people living in plenty who are spiritually languishing but don’t even recognize their need.
Though we may be unable to make a difference, David affirms in Psalm 72:12, “God will deliver the needy who cry out to Him. He will help the afflicted.” We must pray that the needy—the financially impoverished and the spiritually bereft—recognize their need for Jesus, the full Supply for all they lack. The power of prayer can pull down the effects of a troubled economy or of spiritual blindness. We have the power to accomplish through faith in Jesus what we have no ability to do in the strength of our humanity.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
He Strengthens Our Hearts
October 5
We can hardly begin to imagine the suffering that Christ endured. Yes, physical suffering has beset countless people through the millennia of man’s existence. Many have endured torture as Jesus did, many besides Him have been scourged and even crucified. But His suffering was far beyond the physical.
Jesus, the sinless Second Person of the Triune Godhead suffered in a way none of us ever can. He suffered from the weight of the sin of all mankind pressed upon His sinless person. Because He bore our sin, He could not sense the presence of the Father, the part of Himself that existed together with Him from eternity.
But there was a grand purpose to all He endured. He did not simply determine from the upper echelon of Heaven that He wanted to experience the worst the enemy could hurl at Him through the attack he would launch against a man who set about to live the pure life God had desired from the beginning for His finest creation.
No, “Because Christ Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help succor those who are being tempted.” Paul’s words in Hebrews 2:18 resonate to us. We know we are tempted to sin, we may even be tempted to abandon our faith. But because Jesus understands, He is able to strengthen our hearts at the point of our greatest temptation.
We can hardly begin to imagine the suffering that Christ endured. Yes, physical suffering has beset countless people through the millennia of man’s existence. Many have endured torture as Jesus did, many besides Him have been scourged and even crucified. But His suffering was far beyond the physical.
Jesus, the sinless Second Person of the Triune Godhead suffered in a way none of us ever can. He suffered from the weight of the sin of all mankind pressed upon His sinless person. Because He bore our sin, He could not sense the presence of the Father, the part of Himself that existed together with Him from eternity.
But there was a grand purpose to all He endured. He did not simply determine from the upper echelon of Heaven that He wanted to experience the worst the enemy could hurl at Him through the attack he would launch against a man who set about to live the pure life God had desired from the beginning for His finest creation.
No, “Because Christ Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help succor those who are being tempted.” Paul’s words in Hebrews 2:18 resonate to us. We know we are tempted to sin, we may even be tempted to abandon our faith. But because Jesus understands, He is able to strengthen our hearts at the point of our greatest temptation.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
When You Think Not
October 4
The Bible is a book of prose and poetry and of history and of prophecy. Its language is soaring when recounting the exploits of mighty kings and tender when whispering sweetly of a man’s love for his spouse or of God’s love for man. It is accurately documented when chronicling the exploits of God’s people. There is no other ancient manuscript that has as many original source scrolls.
When it speaks of the unfolding of future events, its language is deliberately veiled in terms that can be understood only by those who are living in the time frame to which it is being addressed. All others find themselves in a fog of confusion that shrouds their understanding and which even scholars find baffling.
But when the Apostle Paul expounds to us regarding the end times in I Thessalonians 4:15-18, we must take note. He says, “According to the Lord’s own word…we who are alive and remain until the return of Jesus, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. The Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a mighty shout of command and we will hear the voice of the archangel and the blast of the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first,,,
“Then we who are alive will be caught up together with them and meet the Lord in the air; and we shall be forever with Him…” If this doesn’t stir the soul of the believer, nothing will! And to add to the sense of anticipation, Paul states in I Corinthians 15:52, that it will all occur, “…in the twinkling of an eye.” The reality of this amazing eventuality encourages us to be ready, for as Jesus said, “At an hour when you think not, the Son of Man shall come…” Matthew 24:44.
The Bible is a book of prose and poetry and of history and of prophecy. Its language is soaring when recounting the exploits of mighty kings and tender when whispering sweetly of a man’s love for his spouse or of God’s love for man. It is accurately documented when chronicling the exploits of God’s people. There is no other ancient manuscript that has as many original source scrolls.
When it speaks of the unfolding of future events, its language is deliberately veiled in terms that can be understood only by those who are living in the time frame to which it is being addressed. All others find themselves in a fog of confusion that shrouds their understanding and which even scholars find baffling.
But when the Apostle Paul expounds to us regarding the end times in I Thessalonians 4:15-18, we must take note. He says, “According to the Lord’s own word…we who are alive and remain until the return of Jesus, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. The Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a mighty shout of command and we will hear the voice of the archangel and the blast of the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first,,,
“Then we who are alive will be caught up together with them and meet the Lord in the air; and we shall be forever with Him…” If this doesn’t stir the soul of the believer, nothing will! And to add to the sense of anticipation, Paul states in I Corinthians 15:52, that it will all occur, “…in the twinkling of an eye.” The reality of this amazing eventuality encourages us to be ready, for as Jesus said, “At an hour when you think not, the Son of Man shall come…” Matthew 24:44.
Monday, October 3, 2011
The Angels' Mighty Cheering Section
October 3
There is something spine-tingling about the roar of the crowd at a football game. The fans are exuberant when their team appears on the field. Not only are the team’s colors prominently displayed by the official gear being worn by the players but also by the towels their supporters wave.
And the noise of the crowd is deafening! There is nothing somber about this occasion! The fans have come to demonstrate their passion for the hometown boys and one of the ways they do it is through their vocal support. When the team is at the point of a crucial play, they will turn to the cheering section and signal that they should shout even louder.
Unless you are truly into the game, and unless your team has brought you to the pinnacle of success by winning the Super Bowl, you probably can’t feel into the excitement. But if you are, and if it has, your appetite has only been whet for more. One Lombardi Trophy cannot satisfy the hometown crowd. One Super Bowl ring is never enough.
But the sound of the cheers at a football game pales in comparison to the glorious chorus of praise sung to our Holy God by the angels that is heard throughout the corridors of Heaven! In Revelation 19:6 we are told that John the revelator heard: “…what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting, ‘Halleluiah! For the Lord God Almighty reigns.’”
Until we hear the angels’ mighty cheering section praising God, we’ve heard nothing!
There is something spine-tingling about the roar of the crowd at a football game. The fans are exuberant when their team appears on the field. Not only are the team’s colors prominently displayed by the official gear being worn by the players but also by the towels their supporters wave.
And the noise of the crowd is deafening! There is nothing somber about this occasion! The fans have come to demonstrate their passion for the hometown boys and one of the ways they do it is through their vocal support. When the team is at the point of a crucial play, they will turn to the cheering section and signal that they should shout even louder.
Unless you are truly into the game, and unless your team has brought you to the pinnacle of success by winning the Super Bowl, you probably can’t feel into the excitement. But if you are, and if it has, your appetite has only been whet for more. One Lombardi Trophy cannot satisfy the hometown crowd. One Super Bowl ring is never enough.
But the sound of the cheers at a football game pales in comparison to the glorious chorus of praise sung to our Holy God by the angels that is heard throughout the corridors of Heaven! In Revelation 19:6 we are told that John the revelator heard: “…what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting, ‘Halleluiah! For the Lord God Almighty reigns.’”
Until we hear the angels’ mighty cheering section praising God, we’ve heard nothing!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Look Up!
October 2
Though there are countless worldviews that expound their ideas of how heaven is to be attained, there is only One who came from heaven and gave us the roadmap to get there. That One is Jesus.
The exclusivity of His plan is offensive to some people. They cannot accept the idea that other directions to heaven will not lead to heaven. These are the very people who, if they boarded a plane for a certain city would fully expect that the proper coordinates would be followed to arrive there.
Those who have seen the light of this truth fully grasp the reality that, “There is no other name given under heaven whereby men might be saved,” Acts 4:12. The man who has caught a vision of his own depravity and his own need for a Savior has no trouble receiving the sinless Christ who shed His blood to wash man clean of sin.
And from the moment he sees and receives, that man realizes that he is no longer a citizen of this corrupt world. No! The citizenship of the believer in Jesus is now, “…in heaven and we eagerly await our Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:20. We “Look up…” knowing our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).
Though there are countless worldviews that expound their ideas of how heaven is to be attained, there is only One who came from heaven and gave us the roadmap to get there. That One is Jesus.
The exclusivity of His plan is offensive to some people. They cannot accept the idea that other directions to heaven will not lead to heaven. These are the very people who, if they boarded a plane for a certain city would fully expect that the proper coordinates would be followed to arrive there.
Those who have seen the light of this truth fully grasp the reality that, “There is no other name given under heaven whereby men might be saved,” Acts 4:12. The man who has caught a vision of his own depravity and his own need for a Savior has no trouble receiving the sinless Christ who shed His blood to wash man clean of sin.
And from the moment he sees and receives, that man realizes that he is no longer a citizen of this corrupt world. No! The citizenship of the believer in Jesus is now, “…in heaven and we eagerly await our Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,” Philippians 3:20. We “Look up…” knowing our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Christ Our Living Water
October 1
There is a longing, deep within the human bosom, for something better. It doesn’t seem to matter how good or how bad things already are, there is within each of us a realization that this isn’t all there is.
The Bible, God’s holy, inerrant word confirms this. He who has fashioned us and who has planted within us the hopes and longings that define our humanity understands our yearning for the perfection we lost in the Garden.
Jesus came to earth as a Man and lived the perfect life that we are incapable of living in order for our lost heritage to ultimately be returned to us. Though we do not see it in its entirety while we remain in a tabernacle of flesh, we do have the earnest of it. When we receive Christ as Savior and Lord, His Holy Spirit quickens within us a realization that our eternal hope is alive and glorious! The Word, which gives us a glimmer of the glory He has prepared for us whets our longing to see Jesus face-to-face.
Revelation 7:16-17 gives us wonderful assurances that, “Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them…the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.” No more hunger or thirst—not physical; not spiritual. There will be no more dry places in a literal desert or in a desert of the soul. Christ, our Living Water, will quench our thirst for life and we shall not cry again.
There is a longing, deep within the human bosom, for something better. It doesn’t seem to matter how good or how bad things already are, there is within each of us a realization that this isn’t all there is.
The Bible, God’s holy, inerrant word confirms this. He who has fashioned us and who has planted within us the hopes and longings that define our humanity understands our yearning for the perfection we lost in the Garden.
Jesus came to earth as a Man and lived the perfect life that we are incapable of living in order for our lost heritage to ultimately be returned to us. Though we do not see it in its entirety while we remain in a tabernacle of flesh, we do have the earnest of it. When we receive Christ as Savior and Lord, His Holy Spirit quickens within us a realization that our eternal hope is alive and glorious! The Word, which gives us a glimmer of the glory He has prepared for us whets our longing to see Jesus face-to-face.
Revelation 7:16-17 gives us wonderful assurances that, “Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them…the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.” No more hunger or thirst—not physical; not spiritual. There will be no more dry places in a literal desert or in a desert of the soul. Christ, our Living Water, will quench our thirst for life and we shall not cry again.
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