September 30
The unbeliever has no conflict. The unbeliever walks after his flesh to fulfill all its lusts. He goes where he wants, does what he wants, pursues what he wants. Whatever his eyes or his passion desire, his energy will be directed toward obtaining it.
The believer who focuses on Jesus and His Kingdom’s purposes with a single eye has no conflict. He endeavors to please the Lord and to fulfill His will with the entirety of his life. He directs his energy toward the attainment of the mission of Christ within the inner man and in external circumstances.
The ‘soulish Christian,’ on the other hand is the believer who yearns for the things of time as much as or more than he desires the purposes of the Lord. It is this type of individual who is identified in Galatians 5:15-18. Of such it is said that they, “bite and devour one another…”
“…Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The flesh and the Spirit are contrary…but if you are under the Spirit, you are not under the law.” To be surrendered to the Holy Spirit of the Living God is to be at peace with Him and thereby at peace with yourself—to be without conflict in conforming your purposes to in His.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Receive What You Ask
September 29
The Lord Jesus Christ, who cannot fail and cannot lie makes an astounding promise in Matthew 21:22. Here He says, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” That’s a very straight forward assertion regarding the power that is afforded to the person of faith.
The key word, believe, conveys much. It involves embracing the claims of the Lord; it involves knowing who He is and what He stands for. It requires that in understanding Him, the believer empathizes with all that His character and person entail.
The one who knows Christ as Savior and Lord will align the things for which he asks in prayer with the will of God. The one who prays, believing in the integrity of the One who promised and in the veracity of His message will not ask for anything that would be counter to the Lord’s ministry or to His will.
The person who truly understands and believes and embraces the Truth that is Christ will ask nothing amiss or for selfish gain. The motivation of his asking will be to further the purpose of the Lord in the establishment of His Kingdom within the hearts of men—and that is a powerful prayer that will not be denied.
The Lord Jesus Christ, who cannot fail and cannot lie makes an astounding promise in Matthew 21:22. Here He says, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” That’s a very straight forward assertion regarding the power that is afforded to the person of faith.
The key word, believe, conveys much. It involves embracing the claims of the Lord; it involves knowing who He is and what He stands for. It requires that in understanding Him, the believer empathizes with all that His character and person entail.
The one who knows Christ as Savior and Lord will align the things for which he asks in prayer with the will of God. The one who prays, believing in the integrity of the One who promised and in the veracity of His message will not ask for anything that would be counter to the Lord’s ministry or to His will.
The person who truly understands and believes and embraces the Truth that is Christ will ask nothing amiss or for selfish gain. The motivation of his asking will be to further the purpose of the Lord in the establishment of His Kingdom within the hearts of men—and that is a powerful prayer that will not be denied.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Snared by Time
September 28
The evil one does not stand idly by when a man who has been caught within his snare of sin, who has been living a life that was moving along the conveyor belt to hell, hears the gospel of Jesus Christ and escapes the flame of the pit toward which he was bound.
In Mark 4:25, Jesus tells us that when the seeds of the knowledge of truth and life are sown into a heart, Satan, “…immediately comes and scatters tares," (Matthew 13:29-30) or “takes away the word that was planted there.”
Immediately. Someone, something, some circumstance will interject itself into the life of the newly saved, infant believer, and he will question his decision. He will wonder at the wisdom of turning his back on old friends, old habits, old pursuits. He will weigh all he’s lost in the realm of time with the potential of all he’ll gain eternally.
If he wants to live for Jesus, he will long to appropriate for himself the entirety of the promises that are now his; but he may be like the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-24) who esteems the treasure of earth to be greater than that of eternity and is snared by the evil one because of his affinity for the allure of the things of time.
The evil one does not stand idly by when a man who has been caught within his snare of sin, who has been living a life that was moving along the conveyor belt to hell, hears the gospel of Jesus Christ and escapes the flame of the pit toward which he was bound.
In Mark 4:25, Jesus tells us that when the seeds of the knowledge of truth and life are sown into a heart, Satan, “…immediately comes and scatters tares," (Matthew 13:29-30) or “takes away the word that was planted there.”
Immediately. Someone, something, some circumstance will interject itself into the life of the newly saved, infant believer, and he will question his decision. He will wonder at the wisdom of turning his back on old friends, old habits, old pursuits. He will weigh all he’s lost in the realm of time with the potential of all he’ll gain eternally.
If he wants to live for Jesus, he will long to appropriate for himself the entirety of the promises that are now his; but he may be like the rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-24) who esteems the treasure of earth to be greater than that of eternity and is snared by the evil one because of his affinity for the allure of the things of time.
Friday, September 27, 2013
Why, Then?
September 27
Romans 12:3 tells us that God has given to every man a measure of faith. It does not suggest that it is the same measure given to each man or that it is not an equal measure. The important thing isn’t the amount of faith a man has but how he uses it.
In fact, in Matthew 17:20, Jesus says, “If you have faith the size of a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here and be cast into the sea,’ and it will be done.”
A mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, so by extrapolation, Jesus is saying if we have even a miniscule amount of faith, we will be able to do mighty spiritual exploits.
Why then do we not see great miracles abounding? Perhaps the answer is as simple as the reality that we live our lives so preoccupied with the temporal that we neglect to exercise the spiritual power that is ours.
Romans 12:3 tells us that God has given to every man a measure of faith. It does not suggest that it is the same measure given to each man or that it is not an equal measure. The important thing isn’t the amount of faith a man has but how he uses it.
In fact, in Matthew 17:20, Jesus says, “If you have faith the size of a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here and be cast into the sea,’ and it will be done.”
A mustard seed is the smallest of all seeds, so by extrapolation, Jesus is saying if we have even a miniscule amount of faith, we will be able to do mighty spiritual exploits.
Why then do we not see great miracles abounding? Perhaps the answer is as simple as the reality that we live our lives so preoccupied with the temporal that we neglect to exercise the spiritual power that is ours.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Christ's Prayer Covers Us
September 26
When we are safely within the fold of faith, our worries are over, right? We would like to hope so. We would like to embrace the ideology of the ‘prosperity gospel’ that tells us that once we’ve accepted Jesus the path ahead of us will wend through some beautiful, secure places.
But that ignores the evidence of the scriptures where we see each apostle (other than John who died of old age on the Isle of Patmos after being exiled there) being cruelly tortured and executed because of his unswerving faith in the Christ whose person and whose gospel he loved better than life.
It negates the evidence of the lives of people of faith through the centuries who have endured hardship and pain and ostracism and death because they counted Jesus and His Word the Bible to be the only Truth in a world of lies. And they esteemed that Truth to be worthy of their own lives if that became the price they had to pay to embrace it.
Jesus warns us through His admonition to Peter in Luke 22:31, 32, “Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat that he may destroy you, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” That prayer covers us, too. Jesus desires that we be strong for Him, that we not allow either the blessings or the hardships of the Christian life to cause us to divert our eyes from Him who is Life.
When we are safely within the fold of faith, our worries are over, right? We would like to hope so. We would like to embrace the ideology of the ‘prosperity gospel’ that tells us that once we’ve accepted Jesus the path ahead of us will wend through some beautiful, secure places.
But that ignores the evidence of the scriptures where we see each apostle (other than John who died of old age on the Isle of Patmos after being exiled there) being cruelly tortured and executed because of his unswerving faith in the Christ whose person and whose gospel he loved better than life.
It negates the evidence of the lives of people of faith through the centuries who have endured hardship and pain and ostracism and death because they counted Jesus and His Word the Bible to be the only Truth in a world of lies. And they esteemed that Truth to be worthy of their own lives if that became the price they had to pay to embrace it.
Jesus warns us through His admonition to Peter in Luke 22:31, 32, “Simon, look out! Satan has asked to sift you like wheat that he may destroy you, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” That prayer covers us, too. Jesus desires that we be strong for Him, that we not allow either the blessings or the hardships of the Christian life to cause us to divert our eyes from Him who is Life.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
We Have Received Grace
September 25
God’s unfathomable love for us caused Him to send a Savior who would redeem us from our sin, who would ‘buy us back’ for fellowship with Him and for presenting us blameless before the Throne of Mercy and Grace. Apart from the cleansing we receive when bathed in Jesus’ shed blood, we can have neither.
That is the motivation behind all the works of the Holy One that have transpired through the ages and are recorded in the Scriptures. The sole purpose of the exploits in the behalf of His ancient people, the thread of salvation that is woven through the entirety of the books of the Bible, the life and death and resurrection of Christ is toward the end that mankind be saved.
And once we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, there can be only one underlying purpose for our lives. Whether we are salesmen or housewives or teachers or physicians or engineers or architects, He wants us to take up the cause for which Jesus laid down His life. He wants us to be messengers who carry the gospel into the world around us (Matthew 16:15) as well as celebrate it in the church (Hebrews 10:25)!
In Romans 1:5 Paul articulated that purpose clearly and his life demonstrated it unmistakably, “We have received grace…through Him to bring about the obedience of faith among the nations on behalf of His name.” When we ‘embrace the grace’ and enfold to our hearts the Gracious One, He then sends us among the lost that we might impart the knowledge of grace to them.
God’s unfathomable love for us caused Him to send a Savior who would redeem us from our sin, who would ‘buy us back’ for fellowship with Him and for presenting us blameless before the Throne of Mercy and Grace. Apart from the cleansing we receive when bathed in Jesus’ shed blood, we can have neither.
That is the motivation behind all the works of the Holy One that have transpired through the ages and are recorded in the Scriptures. The sole purpose of the exploits in the behalf of His ancient people, the thread of salvation that is woven through the entirety of the books of the Bible, the life and death and resurrection of Christ is toward the end that mankind be saved.
And once we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, there can be only one underlying purpose for our lives. Whether we are salesmen or housewives or teachers or physicians or engineers or architects, He wants us to take up the cause for which Jesus laid down His life. He wants us to be messengers who carry the gospel into the world around us (Matthew 16:15) as well as celebrate it in the church (Hebrews 10:25)!
In Romans 1:5 Paul articulated that purpose clearly and his life demonstrated it unmistakably, “We have received grace…through Him to bring about the obedience of faith among the nations on behalf of His name.” When we ‘embrace the grace’ and enfold to our hearts the Gracious One, He then sends us among the lost that we might impart the knowledge of grace to them.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
We Are The Ones
September 24
Just as our blood sacrifices cannot cleanse us of sin, neither can our good works that we endeavor to perform through our righteous living. Oh, certainly, God wants us to live honorable lives. The best of us strive to do so and the worst of us endeavor to give the appearance of doing so, but neither is sufficient.
A holy God cannot be appeased through the vain endeavors of man to please Him or to assuage His rightful anger over our failure to comply with His law which reflects His perfection to a degree that we cannot even see, let alone begin to understand.
What recognition can we possibly have of the perfect law of God which requires holy eyes to behold? What compliance can we have with God’s immutable code when our minds cannot begin to grasp the meaning of the word ‘holy’? Because God is holy, He sees through His holiness. We see through a veil of sin. But Philippians 3:3 extends to us the way to extricate ourselves from our dilemma.
Here we are told, “We are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus and do not put confidence in the flesh.” When we receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, He gives us His Holy Spirit who empowers us to live the righteous life we cannot live on our own. Just as no blood but His own can cleanse us, no spirit but His own can enable us to walk in His righteousness.
Just as our blood sacrifices cannot cleanse us of sin, neither can our good works that we endeavor to perform through our righteous living. Oh, certainly, God wants us to live honorable lives. The best of us strive to do so and the worst of us endeavor to give the appearance of doing so, but neither is sufficient.
A holy God cannot be appeased through the vain endeavors of man to please Him or to assuage His rightful anger over our failure to comply with His law which reflects His perfection to a degree that we cannot even see, let alone begin to understand.
What recognition can we possibly have of the perfect law of God which requires holy eyes to behold? What compliance can we have with God’s immutable code when our minds cannot begin to grasp the meaning of the word ‘holy’? Because God is holy, He sees through His holiness. We see through a veil of sin. But Philippians 3:3 extends to us the way to extricate ourselves from our dilemma.
Here we are told, “We are the circumcision, the ones who serve by the Spirit of God, boast in Christ Jesus and do not put confidence in the flesh.” When we receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, He gives us His Holy Spirit who empowers us to live the righteous life we cannot live on our own. Just as no blood but His own can cleanse us, no spirit but His own can enable us to walk in His righteousness.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Now We Do
September 23
From the beginning, only one sacrifice—blood—could cover the magnitude of the sin that stands between man and his Maker. In the Garden, it was the Creator Himself who slew the animal to make the covering for Adam and Eve. Their own flimsy attempt to conceal their sin from Him availed them nothing.
Cain’s rage over the rejection of his sacrifice of grain and his jealousy over God’s acceptance of Abel’s blood sacrifice led to the first murder. Man, whose neglect to surrender to the laws of the Lord, has swelled that statistic as he continues through the corridor of sin that he chose over God’s path of righteousness.
Yet even the best of sacrifices, a spotless lamb, repeated over and over through the decades and centuries that went by could not erase the scarlet stain of sin that left its dark blot upon the soul of mankind. From one Passover to another, a perfect lamb was slain, yet man was still covered in his sin.
Until, as we are told in Colossians 1:22, “He has reconciled you by His physical body, through His death, to present you holy, faultless and blameless before Him,” Jesus laid down His life as the pure, holy, sacrificial Lamb required to cleanse us of our sin—once and for all, the only perfect sacrifice--we had no covering, no redemption.
Now we do.
From the beginning, only one sacrifice—blood—could cover the magnitude of the sin that stands between man and his Maker. In the Garden, it was the Creator Himself who slew the animal to make the covering for Adam and Eve. Their own flimsy attempt to conceal their sin from Him availed them nothing.
Cain’s rage over the rejection of his sacrifice of grain and his jealousy over God’s acceptance of Abel’s blood sacrifice led to the first murder. Man, whose neglect to surrender to the laws of the Lord, has swelled that statistic as he continues through the corridor of sin that he chose over God’s path of righteousness.
Yet even the best of sacrifices, a spotless lamb, repeated over and over through the decades and centuries that went by could not erase the scarlet stain of sin that left its dark blot upon the soul of mankind. From one Passover to another, a perfect lamb was slain, yet man was still covered in his sin.
Until, as we are told in Colossians 1:22, “He has reconciled you by His physical body, through His death, to present you holy, faultless and blameless before Him,” Jesus laid down His life as the pure, holy, sacrificial Lamb required to cleanse us of our sin—once and for all, the only perfect sacrifice--we had no covering, no redemption.
Now we do.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Follow
September 22
Colossians 2:6, 7 states very clearly the expectation of the Lord we profess to love and serve regarding how we walk along this Path of Salvation He has set before us. We know we have, by His grace, discovered the only road that leads to eternal life and He wills us to follow it in truth.
The Word here states clearly, “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith.” We don’t walk in Christ and expect to continue to walk in our own way. We don’t walk in Christ and expect Him to trod with us into the dens of iniquity we once frequented.
We are not only to walk differently, we are to walk in a different direction, on a different path! Jesus tells us that the way to destruction is broad but the way to life eternal is narrow. Many throng the path to damnation; the path to life is less frequented (Matthew 7:13, 14). We may find ourselves traversing a lonely way when we are saved.
But, if we have truly experienced the saving grace of Jesus, if we truly value our relationship with Him, we will walk that path faithfully and we will not turn back. Though we may look over our shoulder at times, it will not be because we’re longing for the old way, but because we’re hoping those who see Him in us will follow.
Colossians 2:6, 7 states very clearly the expectation of the Lord we profess to love and serve regarding how we walk along this Path of Salvation He has set before us. We know we have, by His grace, discovered the only road that leads to eternal life and He wills us to follow it in truth.
The Word here states clearly, “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith.” We don’t walk in Christ and expect to continue to walk in our own way. We don’t walk in Christ and expect Him to trod with us into the dens of iniquity we once frequented.
We are not only to walk differently, we are to walk in a different direction, on a different path! Jesus tells us that the way to destruction is broad but the way to life eternal is narrow. Many throng the path to damnation; the path to life is less frequented (Matthew 7:13, 14). We may find ourselves traversing a lonely way when we are saved.
But, if we have truly experienced the saving grace of Jesus, if we truly value our relationship with Him, we will walk that path faithfully and we will not turn back. Though we may look over our shoulder at times, it will not be because we’re longing for the old way, but because we’re hoping those who see Him in us will follow.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Walk In The Way He Commands
September 21
How we walk makes a difference. As the old saying goes, ‘You may be the only gospel some men ever read.’ The Lord desires that those who profess faith in Him and name His name comport themselves as He would have them to do. We must ask ourselves what He wills for us, then we must do it.
Life can make it difficult for us to be Christ-like all the time. We know there are unscrupulous people with whom we must deal on a daily basis and we know it sometimes appears that we put ourselves at a distinct disadvantage when we play by His rules while these who know Him not, flagrantly break them.
But that does not deny the truth of II Corinthians 9:13 that says, “Through the proof of this, they will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ.” This seems to be saying that when believers are faithful to Him as they live life, they are evidencing an integrity that affirms their profession of faith.
Were we to put expediency above obedience to the law of Christ, we would evidence ourselves to be just like everyone who complies with His will when it seems to suit their purpose while ignoring His will in favor of their own when it does not. Loving Jesus means walking continually in the way He says is holy.
We do that as we walk in the way He commands us to walk, when we truly follow Him. We do that when we allow Him to live in us and through us. We do that when we take seriously His admonition, "Be ye holy for I the Lord your God am holy," I Peter 1:16.
How we walk makes a difference. As the old saying goes, ‘You may be the only gospel some men ever read.’ The Lord desires that those who profess faith in Him and name His name comport themselves as He would have them to do. We must ask ourselves what He wills for us, then we must do it.
Life can make it difficult for us to be Christ-like all the time. We know there are unscrupulous people with whom we must deal on a daily basis and we know it sometimes appears that we put ourselves at a distinct disadvantage when we play by His rules while these who know Him not, flagrantly break them.
But that does not deny the truth of II Corinthians 9:13 that says, “Through the proof of this, they will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ.” This seems to be saying that when believers are faithful to Him as they live life, they are evidencing an integrity that affirms their profession of faith.
Were we to put expediency above obedience to the law of Christ, we would evidence ourselves to be just like everyone who complies with His will when it seems to suit their purpose while ignoring His will in favor of their own when it does not. Loving Jesus means walking continually in the way He says is holy.
We do that as we walk in the way He commands us to walk, when we truly follow Him. We do that when we allow Him to live in us and through us. We do that when we take seriously His admonition, "Be ye holy for I the Lord your God am holy," I Peter 1:16.
Friday, September 20, 2013
Know Christ, No Deception
September 20
Faith is essentially an act of will. Each person accepts or rejects the claims of Christ as his heart dictates. Each person perceives God as he will—or disdains the thought of His existence—depending upon his own decision regarding the evidence at hand that declares of the veracity of God’s being (see Psalm 19:1).
The reality is that different people in different cultures have evolved a god-essence that is unique to themselves. Some see god as demanding great feats to prove devotion. They drag themselves to shrines honoring their ‘god’ with their foreheads pressed into the dirt.
Some believe their ‘god’ demands them to murder any who disbelieve—and these are willing to sacrifice themselves in the process of killing as many unbelievers as they can expedite to eternity. Some sacrifice even their children to the blood lust of their ‘god.’ How can it be that there is such rampant unbelief in the One True God?
The mindset of the denial of Christ existed even when He lived and walked among men, performing all manner of miracles and demonstrating the greatest love that has ever existed. John 12:37 acknowledges, “Even though He had performed many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him.” Perhaps the answer lies in the words, "the heart of man is deceitful above all things," Jeremiah 17:9.
To discern truth, a man must set his heart to know the One who is truth, for without knowing Him in the reality of who He is, all manner of deception will be his portion, all manner of evil will be his convoluted truth.
Faith is essentially an act of will. Each person accepts or rejects the claims of Christ as his heart dictates. Each person perceives God as he will—or disdains the thought of His existence—depending upon his own decision regarding the evidence at hand that declares of the veracity of God’s being (see Psalm 19:1).
The reality is that different people in different cultures have evolved a god-essence that is unique to themselves. Some see god as demanding great feats to prove devotion. They drag themselves to shrines honoring their ‘god’ with their foreheads pressed into the dirt.
Some believe their ‘god’ demands them to murder any who disbelieve—and these are willing to sacrifice themselves in the process of killing as many unbelievers as they can expedite to eternity. Some sacrifice even their children to the blood lust of their ‘god.’ How can it be that there is such rampant unbelief in the One True God?
The mindset of the denial of Christ existed even when He lived and walked among men, performing all manner of miracles and demonstrating the greatest love that has ever existed. John 12:37 acknowledges, “Even though He had performed many signs in their presence, they did not believe in Him.” Perhaps the answer lies in the words, "the heart of man is deceitful above all things," Jeremiah 17:9.
To discern truth, a man must set his heart to know the One who is truth, for without knowing Him in the reality of who He is, all manner of deception will be his portion, all manner of evil will be his convoluted truth.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Surely
September 19
Our hearts long after God. We yearn to know the depth of His love for us and the extent of His power employed in our behalf. We strive for Him the way we have striven for the love of our earthly fathers. To the extent that we have felt loved by the men who raised us, to that extent we can know God’s love.
If we have felt the love of our fathers, we will readily receive God’s love. If we have felt disappointed in our desire to feel our fathers’ love, we will be disappointed in our longing to feel the love of God our Father. Though we yearn and hunger to know His love, our ability to feel Him will be thwarted in some measure by our human experience.
Yet, this is not the way the Lord intends it to be. He wants all of us to know Him in the fullness of His love for us. He wants all of us to employ the power of prayer that leads us to quickened spirits and fulfilled lives. Jesus gives us a promise in Mark 11:24 that is most precious and uplifting.
Here He says, “I tell you, all the things you pray for, believe that you have received them and you will have them.” This speaks of the love of a Father who desires to fulfill the deepest longings of His children. Surely, all His perfect gifts are lovingly extended to those who hunger for Him—especially for the intimacy of relationship with Him.
Our hearts long after God. We yearn to know the depth of His love for us and the extent of His power employed in our behalf. We strive for Him the way we have striven for the love of our earthly fathers. To the extent that we have felt loved by the men who raised us, to that extent we can know God’s love.
If we have felt the love of our fathers, we will readily receive God’s love. If we have felt disappointed in our desire to feel our fathers’ love, we will be disappointed in our longing to feel the love of God our Father. Though we yearn and hunger to know His love, our ability to feel Him will be thwarted in some measure by our human experience.
Yet, this is not the way the Lord intends it to be. He wants all of us to know Him in the fullness of His love for us. He wants all of us to employ the power of prayer that leads us to quickened spirits and fulfilled lives. Jesus gives us a promise in Mark 11:24 that is most precious and uplifting.
Here He says, “I tell you, all the things you pray for, believe that you have received them and you will have them.” This speaks of the love of a Father who desires to fulfill the deepest longings of His children. Surely, all His perfect gifts are lovingly extended to those who hunger for Him—especially for the intimacy of relationship with Him.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Apostles
September 18
Sometimes when we reflect upon the lives of the apostles, we wonder what motivated them to endure all that befell them because they professed faith in Jesus and declared His salvation among the heathen empire that ultimately destroyed their lives for their effort.
These men who went about doing good, who spoke words of encouragement to the hopeless, words of health to the sick, words of life to the dying were imprisoned, beaten mercilessly, and vilely handled because of their effort to share with the lost the message of salvation that had transformed their lives.
The prophet Jeremiah in Chapter 20, verse 9 gives some insight into the motivation behind those who see God with a clear eye and serve Him with a full heart. Here he declares, “If I say, ‘I won’t mention Him or speak any longer in His name,’ His message becomes a fire burning in my heart.”
There is an urgency within the bosom of the one who devotes his life to serving the Lord. The one who has seen Him, who feels the presence of His Holy Spirit, who has been redeemed by His salvation cannot deny the Lord and he cannot fail to extend the opportunity to know Him to the lost though he may suffer for his effort.
Our prayer as believers in an age of accelerated persecution of Christians must be that we, too, will calculate the cost and count the price as nothing compared to the glorious treasure set before us. May we, like the apostles of old, know in the depth of our being that whatever may be extracted from us we will gladly lay it down for the sake of, "knowing Christ and Him crucified," I Corinthians 2:2.
Like them, may we esteem this life and its treasures as dung (Philippians 3:8) for the sake of the gospel of the Lord. Though we endure hardship for speaking His name among the lost, may we boldly proclaim His salvation in the highways and by-ways with the prayer that, like the apostles, we may spend ourselves so those who hear may join the ranks of the redeemed.
Sometimes when we reflect upon the lives of the apostles, we wonder what motivated them to endure all that befell them because they professed faith in Jesus and declared His salvation among the heathen empire that ultimately destroyed their lives for their effort.
These men who went about doing good, who spoke words of encouragement to the hopeless, words of health to the sick, words of life to the dying were imprisoned, beaten mercilessly, and vilely handled because of their effort to share with the lost the message of salvation that had transformed their lives.
The prophet Jeremiah in Chapter 20, verse 9 gives some insight into the motivation behind those who see God with a clear eye and serve Him with a full heart. Here he declares, “If I say, ‘I won’t mention Him or speak any longer in His name,’ His message becomes a fire burning in my heart.”
There is an urgency within the bosom of the one who devotes his life to serving the Lord. The one who has seen Him, who feels the presence of His Holy Spirit, who has been redeemed by His salvation cannot deny the Lord and he cannot fail to extend the opportunity to know Him to the lost though he may suffer for his effort.
Our prayer as believers in an age of accelerated persecution of Christians must be that we, too, will calculate the cost and count the price as nothing compared to the glorious treasure set before us. May we, like the apostles of old, know in the depth of our being that whatever may be extracted from us we will gladly lay it down for the sake of, "knowing Christ and Him crucified," I Corinthians 2:2.
Like them, may we esteem this life and its treasures as dung (Philippians 3:8) for the sake of the gospel of the Lord. Though we endure hardship for speaking His name among the lost, may we boldly proclaim His salvation in the highways and by-ways with the prayer that, like the apostles, we may spend ourselves so those who hear may join the ranks of the redeemed.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Jesus, the Living God, Is Faithful
September 17
Jeremiah 29:11 conveys one of the most comforting thoughts in scripture—and the Word of God is filled with comfort! Certainly, the truth of salvation through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are the essence of comfort to fallen man in a corrupt and dying world, but Jeremiah here gives us a hope for not only today but for our tomorrows.
The prophet says, “I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord, to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” With all the turmoil in today’s world, it is difficult to read the news headlines or to watch the evening news without anxiety. With all the stress in our busy, demanding lives, it's difficult to unwind, to let go of the responsibilities that demand our time and energy.
It is disconcerting to know that there is a people—they walk among us and seem to share our values and our hopes—who desire to see our downfall, whose expectation is that their culture will supersede ours and we will be left with the option of embracing their religion and their worldview or accepting death or servitude if we refuse.
It is disconcerting to know that there are natural events—hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, asteroids—that could wreak havoc on life as we know it. We know lawlessness has increased and disdain for goodness and truth are rampant. We dread the thought of the challenges that cloud the future. We know that of ourselves we are unable to overcome the worst of what looms ahead.
But we know the One who will never fail. We know He will be victorious and He has assured us that we are co-heirs of a blessed hope that transcends time and embraces eternity. We know we will see the good—the future and the hope—He’s promised because Jesus Christ, the Living God of Creation who inhabits time and eternity and our hearts, is faithful!
Jeremiah 29:11 conveys one of the most comforting thoughts in scripture—and the Word of God is filled with comfort! Certainly, the truth of salvation through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection are the essence of comfort to fallen man in a corrupt and dying world, but Jeremiah here gives us a hope for not only today but for our tomorrows.
The prophet says, “I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord, to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.” With all the turmoil in today’s world, it is difficult to read the news headlines or to watch the evening news without anxiety. With all the stress in our busy, demanding lives, it's difficult to unwind, to let go of the responsibilities that demand our time and energy.
It is disconcerting to know that there is a people—they walk among us and seem to share our values and our hopes—who desire to see our downfall, whose expectation is that their culture will supersede ours and we will be left with the option of embracing their religion and their worldview or accepting death or servitude if we refuse.
It is disconcerting to know that there are natural events—hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, asteroids—that could wreak havoc on life as we know it. We know lawlessness has increased and disdain for goodness and truth are rampant. We dread the thought of the challenges that cloud the future. We know that of ourselves we are unable to overcome the worst of what looms ahead.
But we know the One who will never fail. We know He will be victorious and He has assured us that we are co-heirs of a blessed hope that transcends time and embraces eternity. We know we will see the good—the future and the hope—He’s promised because Jesus Christ, the Living God of Creation who inhabits time and eternity and our hearts, is faithful!
Monday, September 16, 2013
His Good Pleasure
September 16
Perhaps the greatest enemy of the purposes of our God is the people who profess to know His name! That’s a very disconcerting thought. As we observe the evil machinations around us of governments and ideologies, it is difficult to fathom our own complicity in the problems we see on every hand.
Consider the disciples’ response in Matthew 14:26-27 when Jesus appeared to them walking on the water in the midst of a storm, “It is a ghost! They said and cried out in fear. Immediately, Jesus spoke to them, ‘Have courage. It is I. Be not afraid.’”
Or the prayers of the faithful in the behalf of Peter who’d been imprisoned and scheduled for execution because of his preaching of the risen Christ (Acts 12:1-16). Much fervent supplication had been made for Peter’s release. An angel came to him in prison and miraculously set him free. But the believers who had gathered to pray for his release thought they saw a ghost when he came to them! How like them we are! We pray. We want to see Jesus move in our behalf in the midst of our dilemma.
And when He does, we cannot believe it! Does this negativity undo faith? The Word says it does. May we remind ourselves when we pray that we are before the Throne of Mercy and Grace, that our God is good and it is His stated purpose to hear and answer when we supplicate Him in the behalf of our needs. May we allow our doubt to be overcome by confidence in Jesus, for HE is faithful and it is His good pleasure to give us the victory!
Perhaps the greatest enemy of the purposes of our God is the people who profess to know His name! That’s a very disconcerting thought. As we observe the evil machinations around us of governments and ideologies, it is difficult to fathom our own complicity in the problems we see on every hand.
Consider the disciples’ response in Matthew 14:26-27 when Jesus appeared to them walking on the water in the midst of a storm, “It is a ghost! They said and cried out in fear. Immediately, Jesus spoke to them, ‘Have courage. It is I. Be not afraid.’”
Or the prayers of the faithful in the behalf of Peter who’d been imprisoned and scheduled for execution because of his preaching of the risen Christ (Acts 12:1-16). Much fervent supplication had been made for Peter’s release. An angel came to him in prison and miraculously set him free. But the believers who had gathered to pray for his release thought they saw a ghost when he came to them! How like them we are! We pray. We want to see Jesus move in our behalf in the midst of our dilemma.
And when He does, we cannot believe it! Does this negativity undo faith? The Word says it does. May we remind ourselves when we pray that we are before the Throne of Mercy and Grace, that our God is good and it is His stated purpose to hear and answer when we supplicate Him in the behalf of our needs. May we allow our doubt to be overcome by confidence in Jesus, for HE is faithful and it is His good pleasure to give us the victory!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
It's Not Your Battle
September 15
When the Mongolian hoards marched across Asia, leaving devastation in their wake, when the Nazis goose-stepped through Europe, crushing the Danes, the Poles, the French…when a stunned America sat in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the Lord held out a word of hope to believers.
It is found in II Chronicles 20:15 and it says, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast multitude, for the battle is not yours but the Lord’s.” The battle is not yours but the Lord’s. In the throes of warfare, those words can lift and sustain the man of faith.
When the warfare in question is not between nations but ideologies the battle lines can be somewhat blurred. Who is the enemy? Who is capable of treachery? Who is a proponent of the cause? Who is worthy of trust? Much soul searching must be done to ascertain the answers to these perplexities regarding the conflagration.
When a person’s battle is more intimate—an emotional upheaval, a physical ailment, a financial need—the enemy seems clear but the course of action can be fraught with confusion until those precious words of truth resound to the glory of God! It’s not your battle, it’s His—and through Christ, He will give you victory!
When the Mongolian hoards marched across Asia, leaving devastation in their wake, when the Nazis goose-stepped through Europe, crushing the Danes, the Poles, the French…when a stunned America sat in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, the Lord held out a word of hope to believers.
It is found in II Chronicles 20:15 and it says, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast multitude, for the battle is not yours but the Lord’s.” The battle is not yours but the Lord’s. In the throes of warfare, those words can lift and sustain the man of faith.
When the warfare in question is not between nations but ideologies the battle lines can be somewhat blurred. Who is the enemy? Who is capable of treachery? Who is a proponent of the cause? Who is worthy of trust? Much soul searching must be done to ascertain the answers to these perplexities regarding the conflagration.
When a person’s battle is more intimate—an emotional upheaval, a physical ailment, a financial need—the enemy seems clear but the course of action can be fraught with confusion until those precious words of truth resound to the glory of God! It’s not your battle, it’s His—and through Christ, He will give you victory!
Saturday, September 14, 2013
A Single Eye
September 14
A profound principle for achieving, for being, is seeing the goal with a single eye. In James 1:8 the Lord’s brother reminds us that “a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Jesus said, “As you cannot serve two master, for you will love the one and hate the other, neither can you serve God and mammon” Luke 16:13.
The psalmist’s prayer in Psalm 86:11 establishes this principle very succinctly, “Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.” That undeniable need for consistency is affirmed again and again in the scriptures.
The Lord desires that His people reap the benefit of knowledge—knowledge of who He is and how to approach Him effectively. Just as potentates of old had to be approached in a prescribed manner, so we have a way that leads most directly to the realization of our objectives in prayer.
God does not want us fumbling along unproductive paths, through the thicket of doubt, through the desert of despair, along the trail of deception. He wants us to know how to reach Him with the cries of our heart, and that direct road is through unwavering faith that springs from a mind surrendered to and rooted in His Truth…
…And a heart filled with a profound awareness of His love that compelled Him to pay such a great price for our salvation, His “unspeakable gift,” II Corinthians 9:15.
A profound principle for achieving, for being, is seeing the goal with a single eye. In James 1:8 the Lord’s brother reminds us that “a double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” Jesus said, “As you cannot serve two master, for you will love the one and hate the other, neither can you serve God and mammon” Luke 16:13.
The psalmist’s prayer in Psalm 86:11 establishes this principle very succinctly, “Teach me Your way, Lord, and I will live by Your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear Your name.” That undeniable need for consistency is affirmed again and again in the scriptures.
The Lord desires that His people reap the benefit of knowledge—knowledge of who He is and how to approach Him effectively. Just as potentates of old had to be approached in a prescribed manner, so we have a way that leads most directly to the realization of our objectives in prayer.
God does not want us fumbling along unproductive paths, through the thicket of doubt, through the desert of despair, along the trail of deception. He wants us to know how to reach Him with the cries of our heart, and that direct road is through unwavering faith that springs from a mind surrendered to and rooted in His Truth…
…And a heart filled with a profound awareness of His love that compelled Him to pay such a great price for our salvation, His “unspeakable gift,” II Corinthians 9:15.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Power and Faithfulness
September 13
Sometimes even a man of God, a man ‘after God’s own heart’ as was the psalmist David, can find himself in utter despair. If we acknowledge the reality of this negative emotion, most of us can attest to its impact within our own lives. We know what it’s like to have our minds shrouded in frustration and despondency.
In Psalm 119:25, 26, David stated it very clearly, “My life is down to the dust…” there’s no place further down to go than into the dust. There’s no lower level to which to sink—either in outlook or in the quagmire of negativity that caused it to be so bleak, than to be groveling in the ground, covered with the grime of pessimism.
Yet, David doesn’t end his thought on this dour note. As always in his beautiful writing, the sweet songster leaves us with a lilt in his tone and encouragement to our heart. He continues in this passage with, “…give me life through Your Word. You know of my trouble and You hear me.”
We may take courage through the life-giving Word of God David expresses here! We, too, may allow our hope to be renewed, our faith to be re-invigorated, our heart to be encouraged, for as we read His promises and understand the power and faithfulness behind them, we reaffirm our trust in Jesus who will not fail us.
Sometimes even a man of God, a man ‘after God’s own heart’ as was the psalmist David, can find himself in utter despair. If we acknowledge the reality of this negative emotion, most of us can attest to its impact within our own lives. We know what it’s like to have our minds shrouded in frustration and despondency.
In Psalm 119:25, 26, David stated it very clearly, “My life is down to the dust…” there’s no place further down to go than into the dust. There’s no lower level to which to sink—either in outlook or in the quagmire of negativity that caused it to be so bleak, than to be groveling in the ground, covered with the grime of pessimism.
Yet, David doesn’t end his thought on this dour note. As always in his beautiful writing, the sweet songster leaves us with a lilt in his tone and encouragement to our heart. He continues in this passage with, “…give me life through Your Word. You know of my trouble and You hear me.”
We may take courage through the life-giving Word of God David expresses here! We, too, may allow our hope to be renewed, our faith to be re-invigorated, our heart to be encouraged, for as we read His promises and understand the power and faithfulness behind them, we reaffirm our trust in Jesus who will not fail us.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Winning Battles
September 12
Great and mighty battles are won in the arena of the spirit and in the battlefield of the mind. Man is quite susceptible to attack in these two areas—perhaps even more than he is to the vile darts of disease and disorder and injury and weakness to which he is the prey of the enemy who attacks his body as well as his mind and soul.
There is power in prayer to overcome the assault of the evil one who has come to rob man of faith, to destroy his hope and to kill his body, for, "He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world," I John 4:4. When the believer has appropriated the prayer power to see the enemy’s devices undone in a battle, when ‘old slewfoot’ has turned tail and run, the believer cannot rest, however.
For although the devil is beaten for a season—and knows he will be beaten at the final showdown between him and Jesus—he will regroup, re-strategize, and attack again. When we are weary of the fight, he has just begun. Why, we might ask, are we compelled to fight him off again and again? Why isn't our victory complete when we stand in faith?
We know the battle is the Lord’s; that Jesus fights for us and will always prove to be greater than our enemy. He permits the war to go on for a season, because, “God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith” Romans 1:17. Faith grows, as His righteousness is revealed in us.
Great and mighty battles are won in the arena of the spirit and in the battlefield of the mind. Man is quite susceptible to attack in these two areas—perhaps even more than he is to the vile darts of disease and disorder and injury and weakness to which he is the prey of the enemy who attacks his body as well as his mind and soul.
There is power in prayer to overcome the assault of the evil one who has come to rob man of faith, to destroy his hope and to kill his body, for, "He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world," I John 4:4. When the believer has appropriated the prayer power to see the enemy’s devices undone in a battle, when ‘old slewfoot’ has turned tail and run, the believer cannot rest, however.
For although the devil is beaten for a season—and knows he will be beaten at the final showdown between him and Jesus—he will regroup, re-strategize, and attack again. When we are weary of the fight, he has just begun. Why, we might ask, are we compelled to fight him off again and again? Why isn't our victory complete when we stand in faith?
We know the battle is the Lord’s; that Jesus fights for us and will always prove to be greater than our enemy. He permits the war to go on for a season, because, “God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith” Romans 1:17. Faith grows, as His righteousness is revealed in us.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Twelve Years Ago
September 11
The Apostle John was noted for his tender heart. He had delighted in being at the side of Jesus. Some of the most warm and compelling parts of the New Testament are those passages that came from John’s pen. Even when in exile on the Isle of Patmos, his words were gentle, they were without vindictiveness.
John had much reason to detest his captors. He had seen the Jewish hierarchy conspire with their Roman masters to crucify Jesus, the One to whom he had devoted his life. He had seen his brother James executed by them as were his fellow disciples. He alone remained of them when he wrote the Book of Revelation.
Yet, he was able to look beyond the hatred and treachery of men to see their need for the Savior’s love and forgiveness. He was able to reach out to them with the words that had healed his soul and could heal theirs. On this Eleventh of September, may we who believe do the same. May we forgive. May we be wise and cautious. May we guard ourselves militarily.
May we guard our minds against the deception for which our enemy is noted, and, above all, may we lean on the Lord for His protection from our enemies who wish to destroy us. But may we, like John, “Look at how great a love the Father has given us, that we should be called His children!” I John 3:1, and may we extend that love to even our enemies—and pray they become our brothers.
September 11, 2001 was not just a day of treachery, it was not just an opening salvo of a world view whose goal is the overthrow of every opposing point of view—particularly the religion and culture of the West. No it was a continuation of the war that began when marauding desert raiders stormed from the dry wasteland where they abode to impose their barren belief system upon those they could conquer in battle.
Their goal has not changed, though their methods have adapted to modernity. They still kill, steal, and destroy in order to attain the end they pursue. Though we must remain vigilant against their insidious intent for mankind, we must never lose sight of the fact that Jesus loves them and that His blood was shed that they might be washed clean of their murderous intent and transformed into people of love for and faith in the One, true and living God.
May our prayers ever rise to the Lord’s throne of mercy and grace in their behalf. May they discover the Savior who died for them and may His love turn them from being men who love death to life men who embrace eternal life with Christ.
The Apostle John was noted for his tender heart. He had delighted in being at the side of Jesus. Some of the most warm and compelling parts of the New Testament are those passages that came from John’s pen. Even when in exile on the Isle of Patmos, his words were gentle, they were without vindictiveness.
John had much reason to detest his captors. He had seen the Jewish hierarchy conspire with their Roman masters to crucify Jesus, the One to whom he had devoted his life. He had seen his brother James executed by them as were his fellow disciples. He alone remained of them when he wrote the Book of Revelation.
Yet, he was able to look beyond the hatred and treachery of men to see their need for the Savior’s love and forgiveness. He was able to reach out to them with the words that had healed his soul and could heal theirs. On this Eleventh of September, may we who believe do the same. May we forgive. May we be wise and cautious. May we guard ourselves militarily.
May we guard our minds against the deception for which our enemy is noted, and, above all, may we lean on the Lord for His protection from our enemies who wish to destroy us. But may we, like John, “Look at how great a love the Father has given us, that we should be called His children!” I John 3:1, and may we extend that love to even our enemies—and pray they become our brothers.
September 11, 2001 was not just a day of treachery, it was not just an opening salvo of a world view whose goal is the overthrow of every opposing point of view—particularly the religion and culture of the West. No it was a continuation of the war that began when marauding desert raiders stormed from the dry wasteland where they abode to impose their barren belief system upon those they could conquer in battle.
Their goal has not changed, though their methods have adapted to modernity. They still kill, steal, and destroy in order to attain the end they pursue. Though we must remain vigilant against their insidious intent for mankind, we must never lose sight of the fact that Jesus loves them and that His blood was shed that they might be washed clean of their murderous intent and transformed into people of love for and faith in the One, true and living God.
May our prayers ever rise to the Lord’s throne of mercy and grace in their behalf. May they discover the Savior who died for them and may His love turn them from being men who love death to life men who embrace eternal life with Christ.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
No Matter His Sin
September 10
We live in a sin-filled world. It is difficult, it is virtually impossible to look around, to behold the inhumanity of man to his brother, without feeling righteous indignation at what we see. The embezzler whose thievery robs the elderly of their lives’ savings deserves prison for his treachery.
The pervert who rapes and murders a child is worthy of eternal torment. The terrorist who preys on the innocent by-stander who cannot fathom the intensity of the malice within his heart cannot be expedited quickly enough to join satan’s demons in the bowels of hell.
Yet the Word of God tells us that we must not be among those who condemn. Yes, we are admonished to try men’s works to see if they reflect the heart of the Savior, but judgment is not our prerogative. Romans 2:1 tells us, “When you judge another, you condemn yourself since you do the same things.” We may not be in the category of thieves and murderers and terrorists, but sin occupies our hearts, too.
That is, until we behold the mercy and love of Jesus who gave Himself for our sin. When we recognize our guilt and our total inability to absolve it, we will claim the gift Jesus purchased for us. Then, because we have received His forgiveness, we will be compelled to take the message of forgiveness to all men; for every man must have the chance to claim the cleansing he will receive—no matter his sin—when he embraces Jesus as His Savior and Lord and King.
We live in a sin-filled world. It is difficult, it is virtually impossible to look around, to behold the inhumanity of man to his brother, without feeling righteous indignation at what we see. The embezzler whose thievery robs the elderly of their lives’ savings deserves prison for his treachery.
The pervert who rapes and murders a child is worthy of eternal torment. The terrorist who preys on the innocent by-stander who cannot fathom the intensity of the malice within his heart cannot be expedited quickly enough to join satan’s demons in the bowels of hell.
Yet the Word of God tells us that we must not be among those who condemn. Yes, we are admonished to try men’s works to see if they reflect the heart of the Savior, but judgment is not our prerogative. Romans 2:1 tells us, “When you judge another, you condemn yourself since you do the same things.” We may not be in the category of thieves and murderers and terrorists, but sin occupies our hearts, too.
That is, until we behold the mercy and love of Jesus who gave Himself for our sin. When we recognize our guilt and our total inability to absolve it, we will claim the gift Jesus purchased for us. Then, because we have received His forgiveness, we will be compelled to take the message of forgiveness to all men; for every man must have the chance to claim the cleansing he will receive—no matter his sin—when he embraces Jesus as His Savior and Lord and King.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Romans 6:23
September 9
The law of God establishes mankind’s guilt before Him. The law of God leaves His errant creation no wiggle room. Every man born into this Vale of Tears must acknowledge before God and himself that he is condemned by his own sin. Paul reminds us in Romans 3:10 that, “…there is none righteous, no, not one.”
If God so chose, He would be totally justified (not that God would require justification) in banishing every one of the sinful brotherhood of man eternally to the abyss! But, that is not what the loving Father desires for the fallen creature that He created for fellowship with Himself!
In II Corinthians 3:9 Paul expresses the polar opposite positions that our Triune God set before Himself when Adam and Eve tasted of the forbidden fruit: “If the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness overflows with even more glory.” Condemnation vs. righteousness—the former, man earned; the latter, he can never earn--"For the wage of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ," Romans 6:23.
The One who inhabits the eternal glory of Himself has not chosen to abide in that radiance alone! It is the desire and longing of His heart to surround Himself with the fallen creature that He loves. That is why Jesus came to bear our sin, to cleanse us from it, and to establish our righteousness before the Father. That is why the Lord chose to give us His righteousness so we needn’t be condemned.
The law of God establishes mankind’s guilt before Him. The law of God leaves His errant creation no wiggle room. Every man born into this Vale of Tears must acknowledge before God and himself that he is condemned by his own sin. Paul reminds us in Romans 3:10 that, “…there is none righteous, no, not one.”
If God so chose, He would be totally justified (not that God would require justification) in banishing every one of the sinful brotherhood of man eternally to the abyss! But, that is not what the loving Father desires for the fallen creature that He created for fellowship with Himself!
In II Corinthians 3:9 Paul expresses the polar opposite positions that our Triune God set before Himself when Adam and Eve tasted of the forbidden fruit: “If the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness overflows with even more glory.” Condemnation vs. righteousness—the former, man earned; the latter, he can never earn--"For the wage of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ," Romans 6:23.
The One who inhabits the eternal glory of Himself has not chosen to abide in that radiance alone! It is the desire and longing of His heart to surround Himself with the fallen creature that He loves. That is why Jesus came to bear our sin, to cleanse us from it, and to establish our righteousness before the Father. That is why the Lord chose to give us His righteousness so we needn’t be condemned.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
He Can Move The Mountains
September 8
Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue came to Jesus to implore of Him a miracle. His daughter was dying and Jairus had heard of the wondrous feats of faith this itinerant preacher was performing. Even in a day and age without mass communication, word of this Great Healer was spreading fast.
Crowds of people came to Jesus—people without hope, the lepers who were the outcasts of society, came to Him and were cleansed of the contagion that required them to shout, “Unclean! Unclean!” if they approached anyone on the street. Those deemed possessed of demons, insane, were healed by Him.
But as the crowd pressed around Jesus and followed Him to the home of Jarius, sad news was brought to the ruler of the synagogue: “Trouble not the Master; your daughter is dead,” Luke 8:49. What devastating words! The Healer was so near, yet death had struck its fatal blow and Jesus could not arrive in time to touch the child with the healing power in His touch.
Jarius was cast down, devastated, at the loss of his beloved child. But, Jesus spoke hope into the situation! As today, when we hear a word of hope, spoken into our abject despair, imagine Jairus’s joy when he heard Jesus say, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe and she will be made well” Luke 8:50. And she was raised up! There is no problem Jesus cannot solve.
He can move the mountains! He can move your mountain. Take your greatest need to Him, and see His glory revealed in and through you!
Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue came to Jesus to implore of Him a miracle. His daughter was dying and Jairus had heard of the wondrous feats of faith this itinerant preacher was performing. Even in a day and age without mass communication, word of this Great Healer was spreading fast.
Crowds of people came to Jesus—people without hope, the lepers who were the outcasts of society, came to Him and were cleansed of the contagion that required them to shout, “Unclean! Unclean!” if they approached anyone on the street. Those deemed possessed of demons, insane, were healed by Him.
But as the crowd pressed around Jesus and followed Him to the home of Jarius, sad news was brought to the ruler of the synagogue: “Trouble not the Master; your daughter is dead,” Luke 8:49. What devastating words! The Healer was so near, yet death had struck its fatal blow and Jesus could not arrive in time to touch the child with the healing power in His touch.
Jarius was cast down, devastated, at the loss of his beloved child. But, Jesus spoke hope into the situation! As today, when we hear a word of hope, spoken into our abject despair, imagine Jairus’s joy when he heard Jesus say, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe and she will be made well” Luke 8:50. And she was raised up! There is no problem Jesus cannot solve.
He can move the mountains! He can move your mountain. Take your greatest need to Him, and see His glory revealed in and through you!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Beyond Man's Ken
September 7
John 14:21 expresses a perfect circle of love. Here Jesus says, “The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” The magnitude of the glory of the hope and promise expressed in these words is beyond our ability to completely grasp!
First of all, how can a finite being begin to comprehend the inestimable treasure that is bestowed upon him by the infinite love of God? Man cannot begin to fathom the greatness of this lavish love his Lord and Savior and King extends to him.
Perhaps this is why so much of fallen man serves a god who requires submission, sacrifice—even unto death—of him. It is easy to imagine a wrathful god who must be satiated, who demands blood sacrifice, who cannot be placated until his enemies are destroyed! But a God who loves…
...But a God who sacrifices Himself so His fallen creation may be absolved of sin, set free of its burden of guilt and shame, made co-heir with Christ of the treasures of eternity! This is a love beyond man’s ken and can be understood only as it is revealed by the Holy Spirit as man opens his spirit to Him.
John 14:21 expresses a perfect circle of love. Here Jesus says, “The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father. I also will love him and will reveal Myself to him.” The magnitude of the glory of the hope and promise expressed in these words is beyond our ability to completely grasp!
First of all, how can a finite being begin to comprehend the inestimable treasure that is bestowed upon him by the infinite love of God? Man cannot begin to fathom the greatness of this lavish love his Lord and Savior and King extends to him.
Perhaps this is why so much of fallen man serves a god who requires submission, sacrifice—even unto death—of him. It is easy to imagine a wrathful god who must be satiated, who demands blood sacrifice, who cannot be placated until his enemies are destroyed! But a God who loves…
...But a God who sacrifices Himself so His fallen creation may be absolved of sin, set free of its burden of guilt and shame, made co-heir with Christ of the treasures of eternity! This is a love beyond man’s ken and can be understood only as it is revealed by the Holy Spirit as man opens his spirit to Him.
Friday, September 6, 2013
Without Distraction
September 6
We tend to wonder why our prayers aren’t answered. We understand that God has a time-table and He may put our prayers on ‘hold’ in order to facilitate the answer at the optimum time. It is when the delay becomes protracted that we become concerned that perhaps He will not respond.
I Corinthians 7:35 gives us a bit of insight into the perplexity in which we tend to find ourselves when it appears that God has not chosen to lean His ear toward us when we have supplicated Him in the behalf of a need that we know would be easy for Him to meet if only He would.
Here Paul says, “I am saying this for your benefit…so you may be devoted to the Lord without distraction.” We tend to be creatures of our age. We’re accustomed to doors that swing open for us as we approach them, to instant mashed potatoes, to cake mixes, to prepared pie crusts—everything is quick and easy.
But Paul understood that the Lord isn’t a genie in a bottle. He is not at our beck and call. He hears, He answers, but He will not be presumed upon. He desires that we seek Him with all our heart if we desire to find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29). He wants us to want HIM, not just what He can give us. He wants us to be devoted to Him, as the Word says, without distraction!
We tend to wonder why our prayers aren’t answered. We understand that God has a time-table and He may put our prayers on ‘hold’ in order to facilitate the answer at the optimum time. It is when the delay becomes protracted that we become concerned that perhaps He will not respond.
I Corinthians 7:35 gives us a bit of insight into the perplexity in which we tend to find ourselves when it appears that God has not chosen to lean His ear toward us when we have supplicated Him in the behalf of a need that we know would be easy for Him to meet if only He would.
Here Paul says, “I am saying this for your benefit…so you may be devoted to the Lord without distraction.” We tend to be creatures of our age. We’re accustomed to doors that swing open for us as we approach them, to instant mashed potatoes, to cake mixes, to prepared pie crusts—everything is quick and easy.
But Paul understood that the Lord isn’t a genie in a bottle. He is not at our beck and call. He hears, He answers, but He will not be presumed upon. He desires that we seek Him with all our heart if we desire to find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29). He wants us to want HIM, not just what He can give us. He wants us to be devoted to Him, as the Word says, without distraction!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Fathom the Power
September 5
Ephesians 1:20 makes an astounding assertion regarding the power of God. We who believe acknowledge that God has phenomenal power, power beyond our ability to imagine. How can we who walk within the limitations of our flesh begin to fathom the awesome power of the One True and Living God?
Ephesians 1:20 tells us how—“He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens.” The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are well-documented. We can begin to grasp the magnitude of God’s power by looking at Jesus–risen from the tomb!
Another amazing aspect of that power that spoke and the worlds came into being, that moved upon the dead body of our Messiah and life was restored, is the promise that Jesus gave to His followers in John 14:12 where He said they would do greater works than He had done because He went to the Father.
We must take Jesus, the living Word of God, at His word. He said it and it is so. Is anyone sick? Pray for healing! Is anyone without the necessities of life? Let him pray for the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills to provide his need. Is anyone lost? Let him turn to Jesus who "came to seek and save the lost," Luke 19:10.
Ephesians 1:20 makes an astounding assertion regarding the power of God. We who believe acknowledge that God has phenomenal power, power beyond our ability to imagine. How can we who walk within the limitations of our flesh begin to fathom the awesome power of the One True and Living God?
Ephesians 1:20 tells us how—“He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens.” The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are well-documented. We can begin to grasp the magnitude of God’s power by looking at Jesus–risen from the tomb!
Another amazing aspect of that power that spoke and the worlds came into being, that moved upon the dead body of our Messiah and life was restored, is the promise that Jesus gave to His followers in John 14:12 where He said they would do greater works than He had done because He went to the Father.
We must take Jesus, the living Word of God, at His word. He said it and it is so. Is anyone sick? Pray for healing! Is anyone without the necessities of life? Let him pray for the One who owns the cattle on a thousand hills to provide his need. Is anyone lost? Let him turn to Jesus who "came to seek and save the lost," Luke 19:10.
This Post For September 4th Is One Day Late
September 4
Paul’s life was rough. He endured much hardship in service to the Kingdom of Christ. The mere rigors of travel in that day and age were imposing, so he suffered much even are to faithfully represent Him to those of like precious faith and to unbelievers also.without factoring in the beatings, the shipwrecks…
Yet he willingly endured without complaint. Why? What made Paul so steadfast in his service to the Lord? The answer to that question comes in Galatians 2:20 where Paul gives us an insight into his life of service.
Here he says, “The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” The paramount focus of Paul’s life was the life, death and resurrection of our incarnate God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Paul realized that no earthly achievements, no temporal accolades will endure beyond the moment of drawing ones final breath. Because he understood that Jesus died to give him life and treasure beyond this world’s finest gifts, he embraced that truth and spent himself in the sharing of it with others.
Paul’s life was rough. He endured much hardship in service to the Kingdom of Christ. The mere rigors of travel in that day and age were imposing, so he suffered much even are to faithfully represent Him to those of like precious faith and to unbelievers also.without factoring in the beatings, the shipwrecks…
Yet he willingly endured without complaint. Why? What made Paul so steadfast in his service to the Lord? The answer to that question comes in Galatians 2:20 where Paul gives us an insight into his life of service.
Here he says, “The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” The paramount focus of Paul’s life was the life, death and resurrection of our incarnate God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Paul realized that no earthly achievements, no temporal accolades will endure beyond the moment of drawing ones final breath. Because he understood that Jesus died to give him life and treasure beyond this world’s finest gifts, he embraced that truth and spent himself in the sharing of it with others.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Through Christ
September 4, 2013
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5
May the Lord help us to always recognize our true enemy. No matter who appears to be against us, no matter what circumstances may challenge us, the reality is that our enemy is God's ancient foe. The one who comes to "steal, kill and destroy' is behind every onslaught we face. Our energy, therefore, must be applied to pulling down his stronghold and devastating him.
When we have done that (by the strength Christ promises to us--"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," I Peter 5:7--we will see the promise fulfilled in us.
May He ever help us to be strong in Him so Jesus may be ever glorified in and through us. May we be mindful also that "the joy of the Lord is our strength," Nehemiah 8:10.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Who Is God To Me?
September 3
God has high expectations of His people. Oh, you might not guess that fact from the way we live our lives, but it’s true. We are very self-oriented and we are very world-focused. Most people who live their day-to-day lives do so without any contemplation whatsoever of what God may want from them.
Perhaps they are totally unaware that He wants anything from them at all. Worst case scenario—they believe He wants the wrong thing from them. It is hard to imagine that terrorists who blow themselves up do so without the strong conviction that they are pleasing the god they serve.
The question becomes, ‘Who is god to them?’ If a person is following a false god, he will not do the bidding of the only wise, true and loving Savior. So, ‘Who is god to me?’ becomes an extremely important question that every man must answer.
If an individual knows the One Living and True God, it behooves him to also understand what He expects of man. Deuteronomy 4:14 makes it very clear that the Lord God commanded Moses saying, “Teach My people My statutes and My laws and My ordinances. Follow them in the land to which I send you.”
Wherever His people go, they are to faithfully represent Him to those of like precious faith and to unbelievers who are unaware that they need Him.
God has high expectations of His people. Oh, you might not guess that fact from the way we live our lives, but it’s true. We are very self-oriented and we are very world-focused. Most people who live their day-to-day lives do so without any contemplation whatsoever of what God may want from them.
Perhaps they are totally unaware that He wants anything from them at all. Worst case scenario—they believe He wants the wrong thing from them. It is hard to imagine that terrorists who blow themselves up do so without the strong conviction that they are pleasing the god they serve.
The question becomes, ‘Who is god to them?’ If a person is following a false god, he will not do the bidding of the only wise, true and loving Savior. So, ‘Who is god to me?’ becomes an extremely important question that every man must answer.
If an individual knows the One Living and True God, it behooves him to also understand what He expects of man. Deuteronomy 4:14 makes it very clear that the Lord God commanded Moses saying, “Teach My people My statutes and My laws and My ordinances. Follow them in the land to which I send you.”
Wherever His people go, they are to faithfully represent Him to those of like precious faith and to unbelievers who are unaware that they need Him.
Monday, September 2, 2013
...Revive and Restore Us
September 2
Jeremiah 6:16 says something that makes me think of America’s founding fathers. Here the Word proclaims, “Ask about the ancient paths—which one is the way to what is good? Then take it and find rest for yourselves.”
There is wisdom here for us today. We see changes being made to our government, to our economy, to our culture, to our total way of doing things and we wonder if our lot is being improved.
The reality is that we see evidence all around us of these newly-implemented schemes in our nation that have been tried and found wanting in other countries. The odds are that they will fail here, too. So why is our leadership bent upon unraveling the tried and true fabric of our nation and patching it with failure?
We can only ponder the motives for their schemes. But common sense tells us that if we are to prosper as a nation—as people of independence and prosperity and faith—we must return to the foundation that was put in place by men of profound faith in the One True and Living God! May He revive and restore us!
Jeremiah 6:16 says something that makes me think of America’s founding fathers. Here the Word proclaims, “Ask about the ancient paths—which one is the way to what is good? Then take it and find rest for yourselves.”
There is wisdom here for us today. We see changes being made to our government, to our economy, to our culture, to our total way of doing things and we wonder if our lot is being improved.
The reality is that we see evidence all around us of these newly-implemented schemes in our nation that have been tried and found wanting in other countries. The odds are that they will fail here, too. So why is our leadership bent upon unraveling the tried and true fabric of our nation and patching it with failure?
We can only ponder the motives for their schemes. But common sense tells us that if we are to prosper as a nation—as people of independence and prosperity and faith—we must return to the foundation that was put in place by men of profound faith in the One True and Living God! May He revive and restore us!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Identify the Enemy
September 1
Mankind has always been at war with himself. Since Cain slew Able, there has been a conflagration raging through the brotherhood of man. What God intended to be His family, His people, has denigrated into a relentless battle between political, religious, and economic ideologies.
More often than not, these differences have led to actual warfare. So, nations arm themselves and declare war and endeavor to bring the will of one entity to prevail over another. The idea of peaceful solution to the world’s woes is touted but is of little effect and negation has a negligible impact on the on-going conflict.
But, if the Word of God is to be believed—and we affirm that it is worthy of belief—there is nothing of value in man’s war with himself; for the enemy is not himself. The enemy is not his brother, though battles between brothers have raged relentlessly through the ages without resolution. Man refuses to identify his true foe.
Or perhaps his foe has blinded him to the reality of his treachery. The Word tells us in II Corinthians 10:4, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are powerful through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” Our foe, the devil, will be defeated in our spirit by the Spirit of God as we allow Him to strengthen our faith, hone our resolve, and keep our spirits in fighting form!
Mankind has always been at war with himself. Since Cain slew Able, there has been a conflagration raging through the brotherhood of man. What God intended to be His family, His people, has denigrated into a relentless battle between political, religious, and economic ideologies.
More often than not, these differences have led to actual warfare. So, nations arm themselves and declare war and endeavor to bring the will of one entity to prevail over another. The idea of peaceful solution to the world’s woes is touted but is of little effect and negation has a negligible impact on the on-going conflict.
But, if the Word of God is to be believed—and we affirm that it is worthy of belief—there is nothing of value in man’s war with himself; for the enemy is not himself. The enemy is not his brother, though battles between brothers have raged relentlessly through the ages without resolution. Man refuses to identify his true foe.
Or perhaps his foe has blinded him to the reality of his treachery. The Word tells us in II Corinthians 10:4, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but are powerful through God to the pulling down of strongholds.” Our foe, the devil, will be defeated in our spirit by the Spirit of God as we allow Him to strengthen our faith, hone our resolve, and keep our spirits in fighting form!
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