February 28
People, particularly people of God, have a relentless foe who occupies himself with the on-going pursuit of their undoing. People of faith in Christ are especially beset by this evil entity because they, unlike the rest of the world, have managed to escape his clutches.
The unfortunate reality is that he will not rest with the preponderance of humanity being in his fiendish grip—he wants all of mankind to turn their backs upon the One True and Living God and bow their knee before the throne of the ‘prince and power of the air.’
What is feeble man to do in the face of such a determined and powerful foe? There is ample provision made for humanity to stand strong against the devil’s onslaught. Those who are born again, blood-bathed believers in Christ have the assurance of the Lord’s protection against the evil one. That provision is available to all who will accept it.
Revelation 12:11 says, “They conquered him (satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” The blood of Jesus pays the price for all man’s sin. The covering He supplies is sufficient to deliver every person ever born out of the clutches of the enemy—but every man must confess that deliverance for himself if it is to be effectual for him.
February 29 BONUS The Crucial Difference
Discernment is a very essential sense that one is advantaged greatly to possess. Discernment enables the one who has it to cut through the extraneous and see to the heart of a matter. It is what allows some voters to avoid being ensnared by the craftiness of duplicitous politicians.
It is what provides a woman in the dating arena the ability to sift through what a prospective suitor says so she may see the intent of his heart. It gives an athlete the acuity of mind to know how to position himself on the field of competition in order to prevent his opponent from gaining an advantage over him.
It is essential that we, the consumer, in the marketplace of ideas, have the ability to discern the credible from the incredible, the wise from the foolish, the facts from the fiction where spiritual information is concerned. There has been an influx of false teaching that has turned many from truth to falsehood, even as the Word cautions will happen in the days before Christ returns.
I Thessalonians 2:13 says of God’s unchanging truth, “You welcomed it not as a human message but as it truly is, the message of God which works effectively in you as believers.” When we have given our lives to Christ and the Holy Spirit resides within us, we can discern between the words of man and the wisdom of God—and that discernment makes the crucial difference in our eternal destiny.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
From the Throes to the Throne
February 27
We have a tendency to lapse into ‘pity-party mode’ at great—or slight—provocation. Why? Perhaps part of the reason is that we dread the unknown and part of the reason is that we base our expectation of the future on the worst aspects of our past.
We tend to define ourselves by the worst that’s happened to us and to base our expectations for the future upon the least-optimistic eventuality we can contemplate. We have constructed an emotional/mental ‘prison’ for ourselves and in it we are known by the worst thing we’ve ever done.
We are like David in this regard who, when pursued by an irrational enemy, acknowledged feelings quite comparable to ours. In Psalm 42:5 he said, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why are you disquieted within me...” We, too, are cast down and disquieted in the inner man. What recourse do we have? The same solution that David identified is available to us.
He goes on to say in this verse, “…Hope in God, for I will yet praise the One who is my Savior and my God.” When we are unable to find any avenue of escape from our tenuous circumstances, we must, look from the throes of despair to the Throne of our God and Savior as did David. We too shall find the Lord to be our escape, our hope!
We have a tendency to lapse into ‘pity-party mode’ at great—or slight—provocation. Why? Perhaps part of the reason is that we dread the unknown and part of the reason is that we base our expectation of the future on the worst aspects of our past.
We tend to define ourselves by the worst that’s happened to us and to base our expectations for the future upon the least-optimistic eventuality we can contemplate. We have constructed an emotional/mental ‘prison’ for ourselves and in it we are known by the worst thing we’ve ever done.
We are like David in this regard who, when pursued by an irrational enemy, acknowledged feelings quite comparable to ours. In Psalm 42:5 he said, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? Why are you disquieted within me...” We, too, are cast down and disquieted in the inner man. What recourse do we have? The same solution that David identified is available to us.
He goes on to say in this verse, “…Hope in God, for I will yet praise the One who is my Savior and my God.” When we are unable to find any avenue of escape from our tenuous circumstances, we must, look from the throes of despair to the Throne of our God and Savior as did David. We too shall find the Lord to be our escape, our hope!
Friday, February 26, 2010
Reap Faith's Outcome
February 26
We say we believe in God. We say we believe that Jesus never changes. We say we are confident that the works He performed two thousand years ago can and are still being performed today in response to prayers lifted in faith to His Throne of Mercy and Grace.
We hear about amazing miracles that are occurring in the Third World. We hear about people who walk for days to attend an evangelistic service where remarkable transformations of broken and sick bodies are happening in great numbers. We hear about people coming to faith in Christ, and we marvel.
We are like those who saw His glory in Mark 2:12 where we are told, “As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’” Yet we wonder why we are not seeing these miracles in our churches. Our prayers bounce off the ceiling. We wonder…
…But what have we done to point our lives in the direction of Jesus, the Source of the miraculous? What have we done to invite Him into our situation? Were we to appropriate His Word in faith, to anticipate His transforming touch upon our circumstances, we would not stand amazed when His wonders were performed; we would reap faith’s outcome!
We say we believe in God. We say we believe that Jesus never changes. We say we are confident that the works He performed two thousand years ago can and are still being performed today in response to prayers lifted in faith to His Throne of Mercy and Grace.
We hear about amazing miracles that are occurring in the Third World. We hear about people who walk for days to attend an evangelistic service where remarkable transformations of broken and sick bodies are happening in great numbers. We hear about people coming to faith in Christ, and we marvel.
We are like those who saw His glory in Mark 2:12 where we are told, “As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’” Yet we wonder why we are not seeing these miracles in our churches. Our prayers bounce off the ceiling. We wonder…
…But what have we done to point our lives in the direction of Jesus, the Source of the miraculous? What have we done to invite Him into our situation? Were we to appropriate His Word in faith, to anticipate His transforming touch upon our circumstances, we would not stand amazed when His wonders were performed; we would reap faith’s outcome!
Thursday, February 25, 2010
20/20 Vision
February 25
The ability to see is not exclusively dependent upon the acuity of our vision. In fact, we may have perfect 20/20 vision and be blind to spiritual truth. Conversely, we may be physically blind but see clearly in the spiritual realm. As precious as the gift of physical sight is, the ability to see spiritual truth is an infinitely greater blessing.
When Jesus moved among us along the shores of the Sea of Tiberius and the dusty streets of Galilee, people flocked to see Him. They had heard of His reputation as a healer and of His spell-binding oratory. In a day without libraries or TV or newspapers, He unquestionably provided a diversion. He alleviated their boredom, if nothing else.
So when He was approached by blind men seeking restoration of their sight in Matthew 9:28, He asked them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” Implicit in the question was the further inquiry, ‘…or are you merely here out of curiosity? Do you come simply because you’ve nothing to lose? Or are you truly stepping out in faith that knows who I am and what I can do?” He still asks us that today.
Oh, perhaps not as directly as He asked of the blind men who approached Him; but He asks by the delay of the answer to our prayers, by the exacerbation of the problem before it relents to the power of believing prayer. He asks because now, as then, He wants us to behold His glory with our spiritual eyes. That cannot happen if we do not first see the problem with eyes of faith in His power.
The ability to see is not exclusively dependent upon the acuity of our vision. In fact, we may have perfect 20/20 vision and be blind to spiritual truth. Conversely, we may be physically blind but see clearly in the spiritual realm. As precious as the gift of physical sight is, the ability to see spiritual truth is an infinitely greater blessing.
When Jesus moved among us along the shores of the Sea of Tiberius and the dusty streets of Galilee, people flocked to see Him. They had heard of His reputation as a healer and of His spell-binding oratory. In a day without libraries or TV or newspapers, He unquestionably provided a diversion. He alleviated their boredom, if nothing else.
So when He was approached by blind men seeking restoration of their sight in Matthew 9:28, He asked them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” Implicit in the question was the further inquiry, ‘…or are you merely here out of curiosity? Do you come simply because you’ve nothing to lose? Or are you truly stepping out in faith that knows who I am and what I can do?” He still asks us that today.
Oh, perhaps not as directly as He asked of the blind men who approached Him; but He asks by the delay of the answer to our prayers, by the exacerbation of the problem before it relents to the power of believing prayer. He asks because now, as then, He wants us to behold His glory with our spiritual eyes. That cannot happen if we do not first see the problem with eyes of faith in His power.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
No Turning Back
February 24
Knowledge can be a wonderful or a dangerous thing. Much effort and many resources have been expended to assure universal quality education. This application of money and dedicated service has resulted in an ever-increasing standard of living for an ever-growing number of people around the world.
Yet it has also resulted in a capability too terrible for words to have been placed in the hands of some of a reprobate mindset who desire to use this knowledge to destroy what is held dear by the preponderance of people on the planet—life itself.
In the spiritual realm, there is a danger of having the knowledge of the good things the Word intends for our edification, up-lifting and salvation. The knowledge of Jesus and His incomparable sacrifice in the behalf of those who believe is the only way to attain heaven as our life’s final destination.
But II Peter 2:21 says, “It would be better if they had never known the way of righteousness than if, after knowing it, they turn back.” God does not take lightly the mishandling of His Truth. Jesus, the Way, the Truth, the Life is given for our eternal blessing. To reject Him after knowing Him is to choose death over life.
Knowledge can be a wonderful or a dangerous thing. Much effort and many resources have been expended to assure universal quality education. This application of money and dedicated service has resulted in an ever-increasing standard of living for an ever-growing number of people around the world.
Yet it has also resulted in a capability too terrible for words to have been placed in the hands of some of a reprobate mindset who desire to use this knowledge to destroy what is held dear by the preponderance of people on the planet—life itself.
In the spiritual realm, there is a danger of having the knowledge of the good things the Word intends for our edification, up-lifting and salvation. The knowledge of Jesus and His incomparable sacrifice in the behalf of those who believe is the only way to attain heaven as our life’s final destination.
But II Peter 2:21 says, “It would be better if they had never known the way of righteousness than if, after knowing it, they turn back.” God does not take lightly the mishandling of His Truth. Jesus, the Way, the Truth, the Life is given for our eternal blessing. To reject Him after knowing Him is to choose death over life.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Life's Runway
February 23
High fashion. Changing styles. Rail thin runway models. K-Mart mock-ups of expensive attire. Clothing. It has become much more than Adam and Eve’s covering for their shame when their disobedience to God cost them their innocence in the Garden of Eden.
It can be an expression of taste and is also a reflection of budget. What we wear and how we accessorize it makes a statement about who we are and conveys that assessment of ourselves to everyone who sees us. Fine attire and expensive jewels shout to the world that we are affluent. Ordinary clothing declares our more humble means.
In ancient Israel, clothing had another purpose. The articles to be worn by the priests and by non-clergy had great significance and were applied judiciously to the accouterments worn to not only perform religious duties but also to evidence strict adherence to God’s laws. God, who knows man’s proclivity to dismiss the heavenly, set the riband as a reminder that he is to obey Him.
Numbers 15:39 specifies, “Tassels for you to look at will serve as reminders to you of all the Lord’s commands that you shall obey them.” These tassels tied the corners of a garment and hung as blue ribbons. The color signified heaven, of which they were to be ever mindful and reminded them of God, to whom they owed complete obedience—concepts not evident on today’s runway of life.
High fashion. Changing styles. Rail thin runway models. K-Mart mock-ups of expensive attire. Clothing. It has become much more than Adam and Eve’s covering for their shame when their disobedience to God cost them their innocence in the Garden of Eden.
It can be an expression of taste and is also a reflection of budget. What we wear and how we accessorize it makes a statement about who we are and conveys that assessment of ourselves to everyone who sees us. Fine attire and expensive jewels shout to the world that we are affluent. Ordinary clothing declares our more humble means.
In ancient Israel, clothing had another purpose. The articles to be worn by the priests and by non-clergy had great significance and were applied judiciously to the accouterments worn to not only perform religious duties but also to evidence strict adherence to God’s laws. God, who knows man’s proclivity to dismiss the heavenly, set the riband as a reminder that he is to obey Him.
Numbers 15:39 specifies, “Tassels for you to look at will serve as reminders to you of all the Lord’s commands that you shall obey them.” These tassels tied the corners of a garment and hung as blue ribbons. The color signified heaven, of which they were to be ever mindful and reminded them of God, to whom they owed complete obedience—concepts not evident on today’s runway of life.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Seeing As He Sees
February 22
“The Word of God is swift and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing the soul and spirit…discerning the intents of the heart” Hebrews 4:12. The Bible is alive, for it is the utterance of the Living God. Here it tells us that it will pierce us to the very core of who we are.
It will divide between the thoughts and intents of the soulish or natural man within us and of the spiritual man within each of us. It will reveal the hidden things in our heart. For it is not until we see ourselves as we are—see the hidden things God sees—that we can recognize our need for Jesus as our Savior.
As long as we think we’re good people, as long as we compare ourselves to other fallen members of the human family, we can rationalize away our foibles, justify our sins and polish our visage sufficiently that we may fool others and we may fool ourselves into thinking we’re decent and deserve God’s eternal reward. But doing so is not wise (II Corinthians 10:12).
However, when we see as God sees, when we measure ourselves not by the standard of other sinners but by the immutable Word of God, we will fall on our knees before Him to seek His mercy, His cleansing. When we have done this, then we will let His message “ring out …in every place we go…” so others may know and believe and be reconciled to our Holy God. (I Thessalonians 1:8).
“The Word of God is swift and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing the soul and spirit…discerning the intents of the heart” Hebrews 4:12. The Bible is alive, for it is the utterance of the Living God. Here it tells us that it will pierce us to the very core of who we are.
It will divide between the thoughts and intents of the soulish or natural man within us and of the spiritual man within each of us. It will reveal the hidden things in our heart. For it is not until we see ourselves as we are—see the hidden things God sees—that we can recognize our need for Jesus as our Savior.
As long as we think we’re good people, as long as we compare ourselves to other fallen members of the human family, we can rationalize away our foibles, justify our sins and polish our visage sufficiently that we may fool others and we may fool ourselves into thinking we’re decent and deserve God’s eternal reward. But doing so is not wise (II Corinthians 10:12).
However, when we see as God sees, when we measure ourselves not by the standard of other sinners but by the immutable Word of God, we will fall on our knees before Him to seek His mercy, His cleansing. When we have done this, then we will let His message “ring out …in every place we go…” so others may know and believe and be reconciled to our Holy God. (I Thessalonians 1:8).
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Living Water from the Throne
February 21
Ideas about the afterlife, concepts of what heaven is like are as varied as the thousands of religious systems that occupy the planet. Some believe that life is in a perpetual state of transition, of relocation from one plane of existence to another—dependent upon the works of one lifetime, the quality of the next will be determined.
One growing monotheistic religion teaches that the only certain route to heaven and its rewards of continual sexual gratification and intoxicating libation is by slaying non-believers and being slain in battle against them. Its bloodthirsty god demands that they shed blood to gain paradise.
Christianity gives another view entirely of these very human, very elemental perceptions of what affords and what constitutes eternal reward. While these systems focus on the fulfillment of human desires in eternity, our Most High God reveals that it is His own lofty standard which is beyond human comprehension that comprises the rewards of heaven.
Eternal blessings do not come to us because we earn or deserve them; they come because we simply hold out our hand in faith to Jesus to receive them. In Revelation 22:1 we are given this glimpse of eternity: “He showed me the River of Living Water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the Throne of God and of the Lamb.” It is given by and springs from Christ—from His goodness and His grace!
Ideas about the afterlife, concepts of what heaven is like are as varied as the thousands of religious systems that occupy the planet. Some believe that life is in a perpetual state of transition, of relocation from one plane of existence to another—dependent upon the works of one lifetime, the quality of the next will be determined.
One growing monotheistic religion teaches that the only certain route to heaven and its rewards of continual sexual gratification and intoxicating libation is by slaying non-believers and being slain in battle against them. Its bloodthirsty god demands that they shed blood to gain paradise.
Christianity gives another view entirely of these very human, very elemental perceptions of what affords and what constitutes eternal reward. While these systems focus on the fulfillment of human desires in eternity, our Most High God reveals that it is His own lofty standard which is beyond human comprehension that comprises the rewards of heaven.
Eternal blessings do not come to us because we earn or deserve them; they come because we simply hold out our hand in faith to Jesus to receive them. In Revelation 22:1 we are given this glimpse of eternity: “He showed me the River of Living Water, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the Throne of God and of the Lamb.” It is given by and springs from Christ—from His goodness and His grace!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Whose Responsibility?
February 20
We have come to a point in our country which most of those who grew up in the days when capitalism propelled our nation to greatness could never have foreseen—even if we’d had a crystal ball that empowered us to discern the future! We currently have a president and a congress who seem determined to plunge our nation into the abyss of socialism!
A cursory investigation of recent history reveals a truth that our current leaders would do well to heed—socialism doesn’t work! To require the workers of a nation—whether in industry or medicine or commerce—to shoulder the responsibility for non workers and illegal aliens goes against the grain of the principles upon which America stands.
And, that concept goes against the tenets of the Bible as well. Galatians 6:4-5, for example says, “Let every man prove his own work and then shall he have rejoicing in himself, and not in another; for every man shall bear his own burden.”
II Thessalonians 3:10 is even more direct. It says, “If a man will not work, neither should he eat.”
This principle was first applied in this land in the Jamestown Colony which was failing under socialism but which began to thrive when individual responsibility, based on these scriptures, became the rule. Never let it be said that we will not give a hand-up to anyone who is suffering reversals; but rue the day that doling out hand-outs becomes the policy of the land!
We have come to a point in our country which most of those who grew up in the days when capitalism propelled our nation to greatness could never have foreseen—even if we’d had a crystal ball that empowered us to discern the future! We currently have a president and a congress who seem determined to plunge our nation into the abyss of socialism!
A cursory investigation of recent history reveals a truth that our current leaders would do well to heed—socialism doesn’t work! To require the workers of a nation—whether in industry or medicine or commerce—to shoulder the responsibility for non workers and illegal aliens goes against the grain of the principles upon which America stands.
And, that concept goes against the tenets of the Bible as well. Galatians 6:4-5, for example says, “Let every man prove his own work and then shall he have rejoicing in himself, and not in another; for every man shall bear his own burden.”
II Thessalonians 3:10 is even more direct. It says, “If a man will not work, neither should he eat.”
This principle was first applied in this land in the Jamestown Colony which was failing under socialism but which began to thrive when individual responsibility, based on these scriptures, became the rule. Never let it be said that we will not give a hand-up to anyone who is suffering reversals; but rue the day that doling out hand-outs becomes the policy of the land!
Friday, February 19, 2010
Rising Water
February 19
We’ve all feared at times that we’d gotten into a matter that was beyond our ability to navigate successfully. The winds and waves of the storm we found swirling around us were blowing us off course; they were blinding us to our direction and diminishing our hope for attaining the success toward which we hoped to be moving.
Perhaps we purchased stock in a company that sounded promising but it failed in a tumultuous economy. Maybe we trusted a lover who proved to be unworthy of our trust. Perhaps we sought spiritual counsel from a non-traditional source and found ourselves ensnared in the duplicitous clutches of a charlatan. It could be that we’ve made so many wrong turns that we don’t trust our judgment any more.
At these times, when we are overwhelmed by our circumstances and our inability to rightly assess them, let alone control them, the Word of God has an answer. In Psalm 69:1-2, we discover that we are not alone in our dilemma. Here the psalmist says, “Save me, O God, for the water has risen to my head. I have sunk in deep mire and there is no footing for me.”
When we are overcome by our circumstances, when the bark of our life is awash in a tumultuous sea of difficulty, it is then—when we are at the end of our own resources, when we know we are incapable of helping ourselves—that we may turn with confidence to Jesus! He is the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, and at His feet we will find the guidance, the help, the strength we so desperately need to right our course.
We’ve all feared at times that we’d gotten into a matter that was beyond our ability to navigate successfully. The winds and waves of the storm we found swirling around us were blowing us off course; they were blinding us to our direction and diminishing our hope for attaining the success toward which we hoped to be moving.
Perhaps we purchased stock in a company that sounded promising but it failed in a tumultuous economy. Maybe we trusted a lover who proved to be unworthy of our trust. Perhaps we sought spiritual counsel from a non-traditional source and found ourselves ensnared in the duplicitous clutches of a charlatan. It could be that we’ve made so many wrong turns that we don’t trust our judgment any more.
At these times, when we are overwhelmed by our circumstances and our inability to rightly assess them, let alone control them, the Word of God has an answer. In Psalm 69:1-2, we discover that we are not alone in our dilemma. Here the psalmist says, “Save me, O God, for the water has risen to my head. I have sunk in deep mire and there is no footing for me.”
When we are overcome by our circumstances, when the bark of our life is awash in a tumultuous sea of difficulty, it is then—when we are at the end of our own resources, when we know we are incapable of helping ourselves—that we may turn with confidence to Jesus! He is the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, and at His feet we will find the guidance, the help, the strength we so desperately need to right our course.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Trust Your Source
February 18
Trust your source. That is an admonition today’s generation of learners would do well to heed. We live in an age of deliberate distortion of truth. Our history, for example, is being rewritten to negate the monumental contributions of our Christian founders and to embellish and extol the virtually non-existent input of other cultures into the mix of human achievement.
It’s a lie, but most who study the history books don’t have a clue that truth has been lost in political correctness. Most students are totally unaware that the textbooks they study have been funded by subversive groups and the institutions of learning they attend are the recipients of much-needed funding from those same groups—in exchange for promoting this fallacious ‘history’.
To regain an understanding of the founding of our nation and of the immersion of the fathers of the United States of America in the Judeo/Christian scriptures a student must rediscover the writings of an earlier generation by searching out the textbooks of a by-gone era. In the dusty archives of forgotten rooms in the library, a scholar who seeks to know the truth will find it.
He will discover the accurately chronicled truth of our founding as a nation. And in so doing, he will comply with the admonition found in II Timothy 3:14, “As for you, continue in the truth which was firmly believed, knowing the integrity of those from whom you learned.” In the natural realm and in the realm of the spirit, we must trust our source and try the spirit—then hold fast to truth.
Trust your source. That is an admonition today’s generation of learners would do well to heed. We live in an age of deliberate distortion of truth. Our history, for example, is being rewritten to negate the monumental contributions of our Christian founders and to embellish and extol the virtually non-existent input of other cultures into the mix of human achievement.
It’s a lie, but most who study the history books don’t have a clue that truth has been lost in political correctness. Most students are totally unaware that the textbooks they study have been funded by subversive groups and the institutions of learning they attend are the recipients of much-needed funding from those same groups—in exchange for promoting this fallacious ‘history’.
To regain an understanding of the founding of our nation and of the immersion of the fathers of the United States of America in the Judeo/Christian scriptures a student must rediscover the writings of an earlier generation by searching out the textbooks of a by-gone era. In the dusty archives of forgotten rooms in the library, a scholar who seeks to know the truth will find it.
He will discover the accurately chronicled truth of our founding as a nation. And in so doing, he will comply with the admonition found in II Timothy 3:14, “As for you, continue in the truth which was firmly believed, knowing the integrity of those from whom you learned.” In the natural realm and in the realm of the spirit, we must trust our source and try the spirit—then hold fast to truth.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
"He Cares..." Includes Me!
February 17
I had just moved for the third time during my new marriage. I was standing on a small ladder to put up new curtains at the bedroom window. When I reached up to install the rod, I fell backward off the stepladder but had no sensation of falling! I simply ‘floated’ down like a feather and landed softly on the floor.
The first words that came to my mind were, “You have delivered me from death, You have delivered my feet from falling to walk before God in the light of life” (Psalm 56:13). Perhaps I wouldn’t have died from falling off a ladder, but I could have been severely injured, yet God did not allow even my hair to be tousled!
This made me acutely aware of the ever-present care of the Holy Spirit of the Living God. This made me know in the depth of my being that He is not merely the God who watches over the universe, who watches over every person in a distant, impersonal way.
This made me realize beyond a doubt that, “HE CARES FOR YOU,” (I Peter 5:7) includes me! The Christ we serve is a personal God. When He bore the stripes on His back, it was for my disease. When He died on the cross, it was for my sin. And it was for you. Claim the intimacy your Savior longs to have with you.
I had just moved for the third time during my new marriage. I was standing on a small ladder to put up new curtains at the bedroom window. When I reached up to install the rod, I fell backward off the stepladder but had no sensation of falling! I simply ‘floated’ down like a feather and landed softly on the floor.
The first words that came to my mind were, “You have delivered me from death, You have delivered my feet from falling to walk before God in the light of life” (Psalm 56:13). Perhaps I wouldn’t have died from falling off a ladder, but I could have been severely injured, yet God did not allow even my hair to be tousled!
This made me acutely aware of the ever-present care of the Holy Spirit of the Living God. This made me know in the depth of my being that He is not merely the God who watches over the universe, who watches over every person in a distant, impersonal way.
This made me realize beyond a doubt that, “HE CARES FOR YOU,” (I Peter 5:7) includes me! The Christ we serve is a personal God. When He bore the stripes on His back, it was for my disease. When He died on the cross, it was for my sin. And it was for you. Claim the intimacy your Savior longs to have with you.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Treadmill
February 16
Psalm 106:12, 13 states an example from the experience of the ancient Israelites that we would do well to heed in our own walk with the Lord. It reveals a pitfall that can snare any of us who has given his heart to Christ and who is on his way to the fulfillment of the promises God has assured are for those who trust Him.
Here we are told, “They believed His promises and sang His praise but they soon forgot His works and would not wait for His counsel.” These are very sobering words. When the Israelites had seen the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, when they saw the army of Pharaoh brought to nothing by the hand of the Lord, they were rejoicing in their deliverance.
But it didn’t take long before they reverted from their faith and praise for His glorious miracle in their behalf and forgot His benefits and negated His counsel. They established a pattern that believers have followed since. Yet today, we do the same thing—we see the beauty of Christ and all He has done for us. We accept Him as Savior and declare Him to be our Lord. Then we return to our old haunts and our old friends and forget Him.
It takes an act of our will to refrain from making the mistake the Israelites made. Time and time again, they turned from Him, got into trouble, called on His name and were delivered—only to repeat the cycle over and over. We can get on that treadmill, too. We recognize our need for salvation, give our heart to the Lord, vow to be faithful and true to Him, then backslide into our old life May we instead embrace Him with all our heart and allow Him to hold us fast to Himself.
Psalm 106:12, 13 states an example from the experience of the ancient Israelites that we would do well to heed in our own walk with the Lord. It reveals a pitfall that can snare any of us who has given his heart to Christ and who is on his way to the fulfillment of the promises God has assured are for those who trust Him.
Here we are told, “They believed His promises and sang His praise but they soon forgot His works and would not wait for His counsel.” These are very sobering words. When the Israelites had seen the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, when they saw the army of Pharaoh brought to nothing by the hand of the Lord, they were rejoicing in their deliverance.
But it didn’t take long before they reverted from their faith and praise for His glorious miracle in their behalf and forgot His benefits and negated His counsel. They established a pattern that believers have followed since. Yet today, we do the same thing—we see the beauty of Christ and all He has done for us. We accept Him as Savior and declare Him to be our Lord. Then we return to our old haunts and our old friends and forget Him.
It takes an act of our will to refrain from making the mistake the Israelites made. Time and time again, they turned from Him, got into trouble, called on His name and were delivered—only to repeat the cycle over and over. We can get on that treadmill, too. We recognize our need for salvation, give our heart to the Lord, vow to be faithful and true to Him, then backslide into our old life May we instead embrace Him with all our heart and allow Him to hold us fast to Himself.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Blueprint for Success
February 15
Deuteronomy 30:9-16 is as clear a blueprint for success as any that has ever been devised by a life coach or a career counselor. In a nutshell, it tells believers that if we will love our Father God and obey Him, if we will enter into the contractual agreement that He sets before us, we will be blessed.
In Deuteronomy 30:14, He assures that this is not some far-off, pie-in-the-sky deal that’s too good to be true. It’s not something we must endeavor to apprehend through our much study and in depth contemplation. No. This is a matter that we may resolve by simply stating our desire to do so.
The verse says, “The word is very near you; it is in your mouth, it is in your heart…” When you have accepted the plan of salvation which the Triune God formulated before the foundation of the earth, that the Lamb of God (Jesus) died for your sins (Revelation 13:8), you are on the course to success!
And that success transcends mere earthly achievements and temporal acquisitions. When you receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord, when you say as did Thomas, “My Lord and my God,” (John 20:28), you have allowed Him to make you an heir of eternal life, one who will reign with Jesus in heaven
Deuteronomy 30:9-16 is as clear a blueprint for success as any that has ever been devised by a life coach or a career counselor. In a nutshell, it tells believers that if we will love our Father God and obey Him, if we will enter into the contractual agreement that He sets before us, we will be blessed.
In Deuteronomy 30:14, He assures that this is not some far-off, pie-in-the-sky deal that’s too good to be true. It’s not something we must endeavor to apprehend through our much study and in depth contemplation. No. This is a matter that we may resolve by simply stating our desire to do so.
The verse says, “The word is very near you; it is in your mouth, it is in your heart…” When you have accepted the plan of salvation which the Triune God formulated before the foundation of the earth, that the Lamb of God (Jesus) died for your sins (Revelation 13:8), you are on the course to success!
And that success transcends mere earthly achievements and temporal acquisitions. When you receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord, when you say as did Thomas, “My Lord and my God,” (John 20:28), you have allowed Him to make you an heir of eternal life, one who will reign with Jesus in heaven
Sunday, February 14, 2010
The Tool for Success
February 14
The outcome of our endeavors will be determined by a two-pronged tool that we have at our disposal. God has given us great power over our own success in life and He tells us very clearly the aspect of our personhood that will most greatly impact the things we attempt to achieve.
The ‘tool’ in question is specified in Proverbs 12:14 where it says, “A man will be satisfied with good by the words of his mouth, and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.” The two-pronged tool that our loving heavenly Father has given us to achieve our success in life is everything we say and everything we do.
More succinctly stated perhaps, our success in life will be determined by our attitude—for it is our attitude that determines what we say and do. Proverbs 23:7 puts it another way, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” The person who perceives himself as being ill-equipped for life will find life’s challenges to be overwhelming. He will be negative in his words and irresolute about his actions.
If, on the other hand, a man perceives himself as being productive, capable, well-esteemed among his peers, insightful, resourceful, happy, successful, he will delve into the challenges and decisions he faces with optimism—and that positive outlook will propel him to success. It behooves him, it behooves each of us, to skillfully employ the tool the Lord has given us to work out our life’s goals.
The outcome of our endeavors will be determined by a two-pronged tool that we have at our disposal. God has given us great power over our own success in life and He tells us very clearly the aspect of our personhood that will most greatly impact the things we attempt to achieve.
The ‘tool’ in question is specified in Proverbs 12:14 where it says, “A man will be satisfied with good by the words of his mouth, and the work of a man’s hands will reward him.” The two-pronged tool that our loving heavenly Father has given us to achieve our success in life is everything we say and everything we do.
More succinctly stated perhaps, our success in life will be determined by our attitude—for it is our attitude that determines what we say and do. Proverbs 23:7 puts it another way, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” The person who perceives himself as being ill-equipped for life will find life’s challenges to be overwhelming. He will be negative in his words and irresolute about his actions.
If, on the other hand, a man perceives himself as being productive, capable, well-esteemed among his peers, insightful, resourceful, happy, successful, he will delve into the challenges and decisions he faces with optimism—and that positive outlook will propel him to success. It behooves him, it behooves each of us, to skillfully employ the tool the Lord has given us to work out our life’s goals.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The Deal of Your Life!
February 13
In order for a contract to be binding, it must be followed to the letter. For example, if you submit a contract to purchase a house that stipulates the sellers must repair a leak in the roof before you’ll finalize the purchase, indeed, they must do so if they wish you to buy the home they have for sale.
God has entered into a contractual agreement with His people and it affects every aspect of our lives. God will never renege on any part of His commitment to us, but we can cause the contract He’s set before us to be null and void if we are unwilling to comply with our part of the agreement.
The most essential element of our covenant (contract) with God is our salvation. In Acts 16:31 we are told, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” Jesus has already paid the price for our salvation at Calvary, but if we don’t believe He did, and therefore don’t accept what He did to purchase our salvation, we will not be saved.
In order then to reap the covenant blessings—and there are many of them—we must do as we are admonished in Deuteronomy 29:9: “Observe the words of the covenant and follow them so that you will succeed in everything you do.” Study the Bible, discover the promises God has made within its pages. Accept them as your own and comply with their stipulations—then reap His great reward!
In order for a contract to be binding, it must be followed to the letter. For example, if you submit a contract to purchase a house that stipulates the sellers must repair a leak in the roof before you’ll finalize the purchase, indeed, they must do so if they wish you to buy the home they have for sale.
God has entered into a contractual agreement with His people and it affects every aspect of our lives. God will never renege on any part of His commitment to us, but we can cause the contract He’s set before us to be null and void if we are unwilling to comply with our part of the agreement.
The most essential element of our covenant (contract) with God is our salvation. In Acts 16:31 we are told, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” Jesus has already paid the price for our salvation at Calvary, but if we don’t believe He did, and therefore don’t accept what He did to purchase our salvation, we will not be saved.
In order then to reap the covenant blessings—and there are many of them—we must do as we are admonished in Deuteronomy 29:9: “Observe the words of the covenant and follow them so that you will succeed in everything you do.” Study the Bible, discover the promises God has made within its pages. Accept them as your own and comply with their stipulations—then reap His great reward!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Value the Essentials
February 12
Our bodies are important to us. We take the care and maintenance of them very seriously. We pay for health insurance to assure ourselves that if we ever need care that is beyond our own resources to supply, we will have the provision we need in spite of our own financial limitations.
There is no part of our self-hood that is unimportant to us. We pray against major disease or disorder or accident that might impair our health and well-being. We undergo examinations to ascertain that all is well and to enable the remedy of any problem that may occur while it is in a manageable stage.
While we don’t place a hangnail in the same category as a heart defect, we certainly don’t wish to deal with the pain of a hangnail. I Corinthians 12:22 says, “All the more are those parts of the body that seem to be weak, necessary parts of us.” The thumb is important. If you think not, try bashing it with a hammer!
The things we take for granted are significant. Those body parts that we use without thought or appreciation are essential in our day-to-day execution of our life’s activities. And so are those spiritual aspects of our life that we tend to take for granted or neglect—prayer, Bible reading, sharing our faith—are essential!
Our bodies are important to us. We take the care and maintenance of them very seriously. We pay for health insurance to assure ourselves that if we ever need care that is beyond our own resources to supply, we will have the provision we need in spite of our own financial limitations.
There is no part of our self-hood that is unimportant to us. We pray against major disease or disorder or accident that might impair our health and well-being. We undergo examinations to ascertain that all is well and to enable the remedy of any problem that may occur while it is in a manageable stage.
While we don’t place a hangnail in the same category as a heart defect, we certainly don’t wish to deal with the pain of a hangnail. I Corinthians 12:22 says, “All the more are those parts of the body that seem to be weak, necessary parts of us.” The thumb is important. If you think not, try bashing it with a hammer!
The things we take for granted are significant. Those body parts that we use without thought or appreciation are essential in our day-to-day execution of our life’s activities. And so are those spiritual aspects of our life that we tend to take for granted or neglect—prayer, Bible reading, sharing our faith—are essential!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
What's in a Name?
February 11
We know God attaches great significance to names. Two prime examples of the importance of names are those of our first parents—Adam is derived from a word that refers to the color of the earth. The Bible tells us that God fashioned Adam from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7) so the name given well suited him.
The helpmate God fashioned for Adam from one of his ribs (the first surgery ever performed is described in Genesis 2:21, 22) was named Eve, which means life. Since all subsequent human life sprang from this woman, the name God chose for her is extremely meaningful and descriptive of the role she was to play in human events. God has even changed the names of individuals as they have come into the fullness of the role He had for them.
Oshea, which means deliverer, was given a new name, Joshua, which means Jehovah delivers (Numbers 13:16). Oshea was born in captivity. It was the hope of his parents that he would be the one chosen to lead the Hebrews out of bondage. He was given the opportunity to do so and the Lord God wanted to make it abundantly clear that deliverance was ultimately from Him, so He changed Oshea’s name to reflect that truth.
Our deliverance from every kind of bondage is in the mighty name of Jesus (a form of the name Joshua) who is our Emmanuel, our God with us. We may exalt that name, knowing that when His praise is on our lips we are indeed in touch with the Majesty on High! We may cling to that name in times of trouble. We may call unto that name with the complete expectancy that He will indeed be with us and deliver us from every trial that ever may beset us!
We know God attaches great significance to names. Two prime examples of the importance of names are those of our first parents—Adam is derived from a word that refers to the color of the earth. The Bible tells us that God fashioned Adam from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7) so the name given well suited him.
The helpmate God fashioned for Adam from one of his ribs (the first surgery ever performed is described in Genesis 2:21, 22) was named Eve, which means life. Since all subsequent human life sprang from this woman, the name God chose for her is extremely meaningful and descriptive of the role she was to play in human events. God has even changed the names of individuals as they have come into the fullness of the role He had for them.
Oshea, which means deliverer, was given a new name, Joshua, which means Jehovah delivers (Numbers 13:16). Oshea was born in captivity. It was the hope of his parents that he would be the one chosen to lead the Hebrews out of bondage. He was given the opportunity to do so and the Lord God wanted to make it abundantly clear that deliverance was ultimately from Him, so He changed Oshea’s name to reflect that truth.
Our deliverance from every kind of bondage is in the mighty name of Jesus (a form of the name Joshua) who is our Emmanuel, our God with us. We may exalt that name, knowing that when His praise is on our lips we are indeed in touch with the Majesty on High! We may cling to that name in times of trouble. We may call unto that name with the complete expectancy that He will indeed be with us and deliver us from every trial that ever may beset us!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Trust Our Father's Provision
February 10
Our children are precious to us. If we are ‘normal’ people, with normal emotions we love our children better than life itself. The Bible takes note of our strong emotional attachment to our offspring. In fact, it says that the love God has for us is even better than the love parents have for their children (Psalm 27:10).
II Corinthians 12:14 specifies that it is the responsibility of parents to “…lay up…” of their resources for their children. The offspring can anticipate that their parents shall provide for them of their material possessions as well as of their wisdom and faith and love.
In Matthew 7:11 Jesus points out that if we can anticipate good things from our parents, we may even more completely trust that, “…your Father in heaven will grant good things to us when we ask them of Him.” This assures us that God loves us, provides for us, as does a father, and yet the love He extends to us exceeds that of an earthly parent.
If we can rely upon our earthly parents to do us good, to provide our needs, if we can know that it is their intention to leave their earthly resources to us when they have gone on to their reward, so may we depend that our heavenly Father will supply all we need in time and in eternity from the abundance of His treasures.
Our children are precious to us. If we are ‘normal’ people, with normal emotions we love our children better than life itself. The Bible takes note of our strong emotional attachment to our offspring. In fact, it says that the love God has for us is even better than the love parents have for their children (Psalm 27:10).
II Corinthians 12:14 specifies that it is the responsibility of parents to “…lay up…” of their resources for their children. The offspring can anticipate that their parents shall provide for them of their material possessions as well as of their wisdom and faith and love.
In Matthew 7:11 Jesus points out that if we can anticipate good things from our parents, we may even more completely trust that, “…your Father in heaven will grant good things to us when we ask them of Him.” This assures us that God loves us, provides for us, as does a father, and yet the love He extends to us exceeds that of an earthly parent.
If we can rely upon our earthly parents to do us good, to provide our needs, if we can know that it is their intention to leave their earthly resources to us when they have gone on to their reward, so may we depend that our heavenly Father will supply all we need in time and in eternity from the abundance of His treasures.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Yea and Amen
February 9
There is no angling with God. There is no wavering. There is no favoritism. He has a clear and distinct policy that applies to everyone who approaches Him in the name of Jesus Christ. We who believe may rest upon His promises and trust that they are for each of us to claim.
In II Corinthians 1:19, 20 Paul says, “The Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached to you…is not ‘yea and nay,’ for all the promises of God in Him are yea (yes) and in Him amen (so be it) to the glory of God.”
When we stand on the Word of God, upon the promises Jesus came to assure to us, we know they are true! They were true when the Lord inspired the scribes who penned them, they were true when Jesus reiterated them and expanded upon them when He walked among the children of men, and they are true today.
Whatever our need may be, whatever the deep longing of our heart may entail, we know if we ask anything in His name, He “will do it” John 14:13. We cannot ask for something that would be sinful to desire, but if our request is in accordance with His precepts, His promises, His love, it shall be granted to us.
There is no angling with God. There is no wavering. There is no favoritism. He has a clear and distinct policy that applies to everyone who approaches Him in the name of Jesus Christ. We who believe may rest upon His promises and trust that they are for each of us to claim.
In II Corinthians 1:19, 20 Paul says, “The Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached to you…is not ‘yea and nay,’ for all the promises of God in Him are yea (yes) and in Him amen (so be it) to the glory of God.”
When we stand on the Word of God, upon the promises Jesus came to assure to us, we know they are true! They were true when the Lord inspired the scribes who penned them, they were true when Jesus reiterated them and expanded upon them when He walked among the children of men, and they are true today.
Whatever our need may be, whatever the deep longing of our heart may entail, we know if we ask anything in His name, He “will do it” John 14:13. We cannot ask for something that would be sinful to desire, but if our request is in accordance with His precepts, His promises, His love, it shall be granted to us.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Head-on to Destruction
February 8
It is to one final destination that the enemy of our souls desires to bring the child of God. It is to one culminating point that all his mischief against us is directed. When he assaults our minds with doubt, it is with this end in his mind. When he assails our bodies with pain and disease, it is toward this end he points us.
Psalm 14:1 tells us straight out the precise intent of the mischief of the enemy against people of faith. All his raging against us is because he wants us to be among those who are in the category of fools, people this passage tells us say in their hearts, “…there is no God…”
Why does he care if we denounce the Lord God Most High? The passage goes on to tell us that then we will have become, “…corrupt in action and be revolting.”
The evil one knows that if he can bring us to the point of denying God, he can reduce us to the most base of attitudes and actions. If he can bring us to the point of turning our back on Jesus, we will be facing head-on into destruction!
It might be a destruction that we cannot even see, but its end will undo us. When the chief minion of hell has negated our faith, caused us to disbelieve the Holy One who inhabits eternity, he knows he has brought us to the point where no depravity is too hideous, no act too vile for us to perform, no word too profane for us to utter. It is then we have become his slave, chained to our sin—and lost
It is to one final destination that the enemy of our souls desires to bring the child of God. It is to one culminating point that all his mischief against us is directed. When he assaults our minds with doubt, it is with this end in his mind. When he assails our bodies with pain and disease, it is toward this end he points us.
Psalm 14:1 tells us straight out the precise intent of the mischief of the enemy against people of faith. All his raging against us is because he wants us to be among those who are in the category of fools, people this passage tells us say in their hearts, “…there is no God…”
Why does he care if we denounce the Lord God Most High? The passage goes on to tell us that then we will have become, “…corrupt in action and be revolting.”
The evil one knows that if he can bring us to the point of denying God, he can reduce us to the most base of attitudes and actions. If he can bring us to the point of turning our back on Jesus, we will be facing head-on into destruction!
It might be a destruction that we cannot even see, but its end will undo us. When the chief minion of hell has negated our faith, caused us to disbelieve the Holy One who inhabits eternity, he knows he has brought us to the point where no depravity is too hideous, no act too vile for us to perform, no word too profane for us to utter. It is then we have become his slave, chained to our sin—and lost
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Stand and Prevail!
February 7
If there has ever been any doubt that the Christian life is one of virtually continual warfare, we need only read the Bible to discover there are within the pages of this book we venerate countless admonitions to be vigilant, to be prepared, to be sober in order to successfully engage the enemy of our souls in battle.
If we understand the nature of our foe, we will believe that his intention is to rob us of all that the Lord wants us to have—first of all, of salvation, and also of relationship with Jesus and certainly, he would purloin the power Jesus has assured is to be in our prayers. Theft is the evil one’s stock-in-trade.
The enemy of our soul also seeks our destruction. Certainly, it will suffice his intent if he merely shatters our faith. If, when the winds of adversity blow, we jump the ship of faith, he will have accomplished his destructive mission. But he prefers that in so doing, he also leaves us spiritually dead to the claims of Christ. How do we then engage this warfare that has been thrust upon us?
How do we avoid the enemy’s stinging darts and fiery arrows?
I Thessalonians 5:8 says that we are to be armed for battle, to engage head-on—“We must be sober and put on the breastplate of faith and love; we must wear the helmet of hope and salvation.” If we do, we may be assured that we will stand in the day of battle—and prevail!
If there has ever been any doubt that the Christian life is one of virtually continual warfare, we need only read the Bible to discover there are within the pages of this book we venerate countless admonitions to be vigilant, to be prepared, to be sober in order to successfully engage the enemy of our souls in battle.
If we understand the nature of our foe, we will believe that his intention is to rob us of all that the Lord wants us to have—first of all, of salvation, and also of relationship with Jesus and certainly, he would purloin the power Jesus has assured is to be in our prayers. Theft is the evil one’s stock-in-trade.
The enemy of our soul also seeks our destruction. Certainly, it will suffice his intent if he merely shatters our faith. If, when the winds of adversity blow, we jump the ship of faith, he will have accomplished his destructive mission. But he prefers that in so doing, he also leaves us spiritually dead to the claims of Christ. How do we then engage this warfare that has been thrust upon us?
How do we avoid the enemy’s stinging darts and fiery arrows?
I Thessalonians 5:8 says that we are to be armed for battle, to engage head-on—“We must be sober and put on the breastplate of faith and love; we must wear the helmet of hope and salvation.” If we do, we may be assured that we will stand in the day of battle—and prevail!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
February 6
Not many of us have achieved all our goals in life. Perhaps it was the vacation we scheduled to a tropical paradise that had to be abbreviated because of a hurricane. Perhaps it was a relationship that did not fulfill its initial promise. Perhaps it was a retirement plan that was thwarted by a bad economy.
There aren’t words adequate to describe the level of frustration and emotional trauma that an individual experiences when a profound hope is disappointed. Unless one has gone through it, he cannot grasp the magnitude or depth of inner turmoil that such events produce.
When left reeling from the effects of these storms of life that devastate the well-laid plans we thought couldn’t fail, we must turn to the One who cannot fail. We will sustain renewed hope and courage to forge on when we contemplate the Word and the assurance it offers each of us who hope in the eternal God.
The words of Joshua 21:45 encourage people of faith in the midst of their trials that, “None of the good promises the Lord had made to Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.” Our unchanging Lord and Savior maintains that promise to us today. As He kept His word to His ancient people, so He keeps His word to us.
Not many of us have achieved all our goals in life. Perhaps it was the vacation we scheduled to a tropical paradise that had to be abbreviated because of a hurricane. Perhaps it was a relationship that did not fulfill its initial promise. Perhaps it was a retirement plan that was thwarted by a bad economy.
There aren’t words adequate to describe the level of frustration and emotional trauma that an individual experiences when a profound hope is disappointed. Unless one has gone through it, he cannot grasp the magnitude or depth of inner turmoil that such events produce.
When left reeling from the effects of these storms of life that devastate the well-laid plans we thought couldn’t fail, we must turn to the One who cannot fail. We will sustain renewed hope and courage to forge on when we contemplate the Word and the assurance it offers each of us who hope in the eternal God.
The words of Joshua 21:45 encourage people of faith in the midst of their trials that, “None of the good promises the Lord had made to Israel failed. Everything was fulfilled.” Our unchanging Lord and Savior maintains that promise to us today. As He kept His word to His ancient people, so He keeps His word to us.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Faith Is the Substance
February 5
“Don’t buy a pig in a poke.” “Seeing is believing.” “Show me!” “Where’s the beef?” All these familiar clichés advise investigation into a matter before trusting it to be as it first appears. We’ve all ignored these admonitions and found ourselves to be disappointed because we initially neglected to discern rightly.
Generally speaking, we are wise to “Err on the side of caution.” The one area in life that is benefitted when we receive it on faith regards our relationship with Jesus. Not that He does not bear scrutiny. In fact, the more we investigate His claims, the clearer it becomes that He is worthy of our complete trust.
Yet, His word in the matter is, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing Me are truly blessed.” This was spoken to Thomas, forever immortalized in the term, “Doubting Thomas,” when he said he could not believe Christ had risen until he touched the nail prints in His hands.
Indeed, this addresses a perplexity each believer faces at some point or another in his walk with Jesus. There will be a time when you must rely upon either your common sense or the Word of God; upon what you see or upon what He says is true—remembering—“Faith is the substance of things…unseen” (Hebrews 11:1).
“Don’t buy a pig in a poke.” “Seeing is believing.” “Show me!” “Where’s the beef?” All these familiar clichés advise investigation into a matter before trusting it to be as it first appears. We’ve all ignored these admonitions and found ourselves to be disappointed because we initially neglected to discern rightly.
Generally speaking, we are wise to “Err on the side of caution.” The one area in life that is benefitted when we receive it on faith regards our relationship with Jesus. Not that He does not bear scrutiny. In fact, the more we investigate His claims, the clearer it becomes that He is worthy of our complete trust.
Yet, His word in the matter is, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing Me are truly blessed.” This was spoken to Thomas, forever immortalized in the term, “Doubting Thomas,” when he said he could not believe Christ had risen until he touched the nail prints in His hands.
Indeed, this addresses a perplexity each believer faces at some point or another in his walk with Jesus. There will be a time when you must rely upon either your common sense or the Word of God; upon what you see or upon what He says is true—remembering—“Faith is the substance of things…unseen” (Hebrews 11:1).
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Gauge
February 4
A lot of our time is spent in a quest for affirmation. We want to trust the essential aspects of life and truth and eternity and we want a secure hook to hang them upon. We give our lives to Jesus because we trust Him, because there is no other figure in history or in the present whose perfection compels our trust.
But once we have committed ourselves to the Lord for time and eternity, how do we trust ourselves to live out the wondrous born-again life He’s given to us? The beloved apostle, the one who leaned upon the bosom of the Lord (John 13:23) tells us how to measure the depth of our commitment.
In I John 3:14 he states emphatically, “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.” That’s a very strong assertion. It’s an extremely sobering point of contemplation.
Jesus loved us while we were sinners. When we receive Him as Savior and Lord, we will love others as He loves them. The feeling we have for them then becomes the gauge of our own salvation. When we love Jesus who is Life, there is no place in us for hatred which is death!
A lot of our time is spent in a quest for affirmation. We want to trust the essential aspects of life and truth and eternity and we want a secure hook to hang them upon. We give our lives to Jesus because we trust Him, because there is no other figure in history or in the present whose perfection compels our trust.
But once we have committed ourselves to the Lord for time and eternity, how do we trust ourselves to live out the wondrous born-again life He’s given to us? The beloved apostle, the one who leaned upon the bosom of the Lord (John 13:23) tells us how to measure the depth of our commitment.
In I John 3:14 he states emphatically, “We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death.” That’s a very strong assertion. It’s an extremely sobering point of contemplation.
Jesus loved us while we were sinners. When we receive Him as Savior and Lord, we will love others as He loves them. The feeling we have for them then becomes the gauge of our own salvation. When we love Jesus who is Life, there is no place in us for hatred which is death!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Who Will You Trust?
February 3
The prophet asks a question in Isaiah 40:27 that is a pattern for many of our questions today, “Jacob, why do you say and Israel, why do you assert, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord and my claim is ignored by my God’?” Why this lament? Why this wrenching belief that God doesn’t see or care?
From the Garden the archenemy of God the enemy of the soul of man has been sowing the seed of doubt in the goodness and integrity of God. When he allured Eve with the forbidden fruit, he did so by suggesting that she hadn’t understood God’s admonition—“Indeed, hath God said?” Genesis 3:1.
Continuing today is his strategy of planting doubt within the bosom of an individual. The ploy is often two-pronged. First, the seed of doubt in God’s integrity is sown into a mind that is troubled with anxiety, then the suggestion is planted that God simply doesn’t care about the problem being faced.
Man is confronted with a very basic decision to make about God—either He is who HE says He is or He is who His ancient foe asserts that He is. Will a man trust the God who promises He will never fail him and never deceive him or will he trust the father of lies who hates God and hates people? Who will you trust?
The prophet asks a question in Isaiah 40:27 that is a pattern for many of our questions today, “Jacob, why do you say and Israel, why do you assert, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord and my claim is ignored by my God’?” Why this lament? Why this wrenching belief that God doesn’t see or care?
From the Garden the archenemy of God the enemy of the soul of man has been sowing the seed of doubt in the goodness and integrity of God. When he allured Eve with the forbidden fruit, he did so by suggesting that she hadn’t understood God’s admonition—“Indeed, hath God said?” Genesis 3:1.
Continuing today is his strategy of planting doubt within the bosom of an individual. The ploy is often two-pronged. First, the seed of doubt in God’s integrity is sown into a mind that is troubled with anxiety, then the suggestion is planted that God simply doesn’t care about the problem being faced.
Man is confronted with a very basic decision to make about God—either He is who HE says He is or He is who His ancient foe asserts that He is. Will a man trust the God who promises He will never fail him and never deceive him or will he trust the father of lies who hates God and hates people? Who will you trust?
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Wisdom of Obedience
February 2
Most of us have resigned ourselves to an ordinary station in life. We don’t anticipate being beckoned by movie stars to look after their children or by the president to prepare food for him or his guests. But if we were told that we could achieve a great goal if we would simply do something—well—silly; would we?
Extraordinary things can happen to ordinary people as evidenced by the notoriety and acclaim lavished upon the select few who are invited to participate on programs like AMERICAN IDOL or BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT. Would we be bold enough to take the chance—to try out for the chance—to try for stardom?
Or would we feel too foolish to even try? The Israelites were given an instruction that sounded silly. In the Book of Joshua they were told to march silently seven times around the fortified city of Jericho and at the conclusion of the seventh circumambulation of the city, they were told to shout.
Joshua 6:16 recounts the following to us, “After the seventh time the priests blew the trumpets and Joshua said to the people, ‘Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!” Would you believe it? Would you do it? God’s people marched to victory when they were willing to dare to follow the instruction of our unseen God even when His directions sounded foolish.
Most of us have resigned ourselves to an ordinary station in life. We don’t anticipate being beckoned by movie stars to look after their children or by the president to prepare food for him or his guests. But if we were told that we could achieve a great goal if we would simply do something—well—silly; would we?
Extraordinary things can happen to ordinary people as evidenced by the notoriety and acclaim lavished upon the select few who are invited to participate on programs like AMERICAN IDOL or BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT. Would we be bold enough to take the chance—to try out for the chance—to try for stardom?
Or would we feel too foolish to even try? The Israelites were given an instruction that sounded silly. In the Book of Joshua they were told to march silently seven times around the fortified city of Jericho and at the conclusion of the seventh circumambulation of the city, they were told to shout.
Joshua 6:16 recounts the following to us, “After the seventh time the priests blew the trumpets and Joshua said to the people, ‘Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!” Would you believe it? Would you do it? God’s people marched to victory when they were willing to dare to follow the instruction of our unseen God even when His directions sounded foolish.
Monday, February 1, 2010
The Privilege
February 1
How would you feel if you were afforded the opportunity to undertake a task in the behalf of an individual of great renown? Perhaps, for example, a movie star such as Angelina Jolie heard about your wonderful rapport with children and she asked if you would be the nanny to her significant brood.
Or perhaps the president has heard about your culinary prowess and he delegates one of his emissaries to contact you about joining the White House kitchen staff. Heady stuff. Most of us don’t entertain such notions except in our wildest imagination.
Yet, Philippians 1:29 states that we have been given the privilege of doing something in the behalf of Jesus Christ! Movie stars and rock stars and sports heroes and government dignitaries pale in comparison to the Lord—and though they haven’t heard our names, He has designated us to represent Him!
We may decline to do so, however, for in the scripture noted it says that we have been given the privilege in Christ’s behalf to “…believe in Him and to suffer for Him.” At this point, we might say, ‘thanks, but no thanks,’—or will we claim our privilege to die to ourselves and live for the purpose of sharing Him with others?
How would you feel if you were afforded the opportunity to undertake a task in the behalf of an individual of great renown? Perhaps, for example, a movie star such as Angelina Jolie heard about your wonderful rapport with children and she asked if you would be the nanny to her significant brood.
Or perhaps the president has heard about your culinary prowess and he delegates one of his emissaries to contact you about joining the White House kitchen staff. Heady stuff. Most of us don’t entertain such notions except in our wildest imagination.
Yet, Philippians 1:29 states that we have been given the privilege of doing something in the behalf of Jesus Christ! Movie stars and rock stars and sports heroes and government dignitaries pale in comparison to the Lord—and though they haven’t heard our names, He has designated us to represent Him!
We may decline to do so, however, for in the scripture noted it says that we have been given the privilege in Christ’s behalf to “…believe in Him and to suffer for Him.” At this point, we might say, ‘thanks, but no thanks,’—or will we claim our privilege to die to ourselves and live for the purpose of sharing Him with others?
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