March 31
How far are we willing to trust in the Living Christ? To what length will we go before we say we’ve gone far enough, and turn back from our resolve to walk hand-in-hand with Him through time into eternity? What trial might possibly bring us to the point of abandoning our commitment to abide in faith in the One True God?
Jesus has affirmed His willingness to abide with us forever. In Matthew 28:20 He is quoted as saying, “…lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” No matter how long life exists as we know it, He will still be extending His hand of love, be holding out His salvation, to every person who is willing to receive His gift of eternal life.
The ball is in our court, so-to-speak. Jesus will not fail or forsake us. Will we forsake Him when the sky above us looks so bleak that we can’t anticipate another glimpse of the sun? When our ideas for how to overcome the problems we face have been exhausted and we must confess a total lack of insight into how to proceed further? When it seems easier to don sackcloth and ashes than to take one more step?
Yes, even then, at the point of our extremity, we may declare as did David in Psalm 27:3, “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.” How could David, whose own son turned against him stand fast in faith? He could for the same reason we can; he knew God. We, too, know His character--and His character will not allow Him to let us fall.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Life's Not Fair--Jesus Is
March 30
Sometimes we feel so inadequate. There are days when nothing seems to go right. You know, like the one when you were encumbered with your umbrella all day long because the morning was overcast, but it didn’t rain. Or the time you forgot your wallet and didn’t have your driver’s license when you were pulled over by a police officer.
We are especially unnerved at those times when we feel an injustice has been perpetrated against us. We were victims of circumstances and someone used the unfortunate turn of events against us.
If we expect life to be ‘fair,’ we will often be disillusioned. Life is not fair. Its inequities and the resultant disappointments can overwhelm our sensibilities. So, what should we do? Cower in a corner and wait for the next unfortunate eventuality to overrun us? No. If we allow ourselves to be intimidated by every possible disappointment, we will hardly be worthy of the faith we profess.
We must remind ourselves that even though life is not always fair, the Lord is. Even when our best efforts come to nothing, we are not failures as long as we are maintaining our focus on Him and trusting in His provision. As the Apostle Paul says in Hebrews 13:6, “The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do unto me?” As stated so beautifully in Romans 8:35-39, nothing can separate us from His love.
Sometimes we feel so inadequate. There are days when nothing seems to go right. You know, like the one when you were encumbered with your umbrella all day long because the morning was overcast, but it didn’t rain. Or the time you forgot your wallet and didn’t have your driver’s license when you were pulled over by a police officer.
We are especially unnerved at those times when we feel an injustice has been perpetrated against us. We were victims of circumstances and someone used the unfortunate turn of events against us.
If we expect life to be ‘fair,’ we will often be disillusioned. Life is not fair. Its inequities and the resultant disappointments can overwhelm our sensibilities. So, what should we do? Cower in a corner and wait for the next unfortunate eventuality to overrun us? No. If we allow ourselves to be intimidated by every possible disappointment, we will hardly be worthy of the faith we profess.
We must remind ourselves that even though life is not always fair, the Lord is. Even when our best efforts come to nothing, we are not failures as long as we are maintaining our focus on Him and trusting in His provision. As the Apostle Paul says in Hebrews 13:6, “The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do unto me?” As stated so beautifully in Romans 8:35-39, nothing can separate us from His love.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
The Lord Will Be Your Confidence
March 29
We live in a remarkable time. In every way, we are the most advanced generation in history. The technological wonders we take for granted have made our lives so much easier than those of even our recent ancestors whose day-to-day existence was virtually consumed with simply supplying their basic needs.
Advances in medicine have allowed us to overcome scourges of by-gone generations. Small pox, diphtheria, tuberculosis…horrific diseases that decimated populations are now controlled by immunizations, antibiotics, and a better understanding of hygiene.
Yet, we live in a day that causes us to be anxious, even fearful, of what tomorrow might bring. The same technology that has simplified our lives and made us healthier and given us greater longevity threatens to eradicate us from the planet if the wrong man ‘has his finger on the button,’ or the wrong group acquires proficiency in the construction of nuclear weapons. But, the Foundation of our peace has not changed through the decades of our remarkable strides in technology and medicine.
The same One in whom our ancestors trusted is the One in whose hand we must place our lives and in whose keeping power we must base our security. He has assured us in Proverbs 3:26, “The Lord will be your confidence and He will keep your foot from being snared.” So we praise Him for the blessings He’s allowed us to have and trust Him to keep us, as He has always kept those who trust in Jesus—through the days of joy and at the time of trial.
We live in a remarkable time. In every way, we are the most advanced generation in history. The technological wonders we take for granted have made our lives so much easier than those of even our recent ancestors whose day-to-day existence was virtually consumed with simply supplying their basic needs.
Advances in medicine have allowed us to overcome scourges of by-gone generations. Small pox, diphtheria, tuberculosis…horrific diseases that decimated populations are now controlled by immunizations, antibiotics, and a better understanding of hygiene.
Yet, we live in a day that causes us to be anxious, even fearful, of what tomorrow might bring. The same technology that has simplified our lives and made us healthier and given us greater longevity threatens to eradicate us from the planet if the wrong man ‘has his finger on the button,’ or the wrong group acquires proficiency in the construction of nuclear weapons. But, the Foundation of our peace has not changed through the decades of our remarkable strides in technology and medicine.
The same One in whom our ancestors trusted is the One in whose hand we must place our lives and in whose keeping power we must base our security. He has assured us in Proverbs 3:26, “The Lord will be your confidence and He will keep your foot from being snared.” So we praise Him for the blessings He’s allowed us to have and trust Him to keep us, as He has always kept those who trust in Jesus—through the days of joy and at the time of trial.
Monday, March 28, 2011
He Excludes No One
March 28
Every person on the planet is a candidate to be a recipient of the love and mercy of our great God and King. Everybody. Oh, you and I might be able to tick off a dozen likely exceptions without even spending much time thinking about it. But He would exclude none of them.
Wait a minute! What about someone like Adolph Hitler? There was no redeeming quality in the man. Surely, the Lord has no compunction about opening the trap door to hell and letting him slide on down! What about the child molester who robs a child of innocence? What about the terrorist who slaughters the innocent?
You and I may disdain the thought of rubbing shoulders with such a one, but the reality is that Jesus died for these heinous sins as well as for our own. We may assign a weight to each sin; in our estimation, some are heavier than others. But God has no curve on which He grades. All sin demands the penalty of death—all sin but that which is under the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.
No matter how vile, how ruthless have been our acts, in spite of against whom they may have been perpetrated, if we come to the Throne of Mercy and Grace with sincere tears of repentance, we will be forgiven. As David said in Psalm 145:9, “The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.” He excludes no one from the plan of salvation. The only one who can exempt a man from receiving God’s free gift is himself.
Every person on the planet is a candidate to be a recipient of the love and mercy of our great God and King. Everybody. Oh, you and I might be able to tick off a dozen likely exceptions without even spending much time thinking about it. But He would exclude none of them.
Wait a minute! What about someone like Adolph Hitler? There was no redeeming quality in the man. Surely, the Lord has no compunction about opening the trap door to hell and letting him slide on down! What about the child molester who robs a child of innocence? What about the terrorist who slaughters the innocent?
You and I may disdain the thought of rubbing shoulders with such a one, but the reality is that Jesus died for these heinous sins as well as for our own. We may assign a weight to each sin; in our estimation, some are heavier than others. But God has no curve on which He grades. All sin demands the penalty of death—all sin but that which is under the blood of our Savior Jesus Christ.
No matter how vile, how ruthless have been our acts, in spite of against whom they may have been perpetrated, if we come to the Throne of Mercy and Grace with sincere tears of repentance, we will be forgiven. As David said in Psalm 145:9, “The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made.” He excludes no one from the plan of salvation. The only one who can exempt a man from receiving God’s free gift is himself.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Great Is His Faithfulness
March 27
How often can we anticipate that the Lord will forgive us once we have asked for cleansing from the sins we’ve committed? In Matthew 18:21 and 22 there is a question posed to the Lord by Peter which asks essentially, ‘How often is enough?’
Peter says, “If my brother offends me, is it sufficient if I forgive him seven times?” Jesus’ response to that is that if his brother seeks his forgiveness seventy times seven times, he should extend it to him each time. In other words, there is no limit on how much we are to forgive. It is a deep ocean that we must plumb every time we’re asked.
If this degree of compassion toward the offender is expected of us when someone hurts us, how much more can we expect that our Heavenly Father will extend forgiveness to us when we approach Him, laden with the burden of our failure to live the godly life Jesus has died to secure for us! Do we dare hope He will be merciful seventy times seven times—and more?!
When we fully understand that it is not our goodness but Christ’s that saves us, when we fully grasp the reality that we can do nothing to merit His free gift of salvation, then we are able to understand the assurance given in Lamentations 3:22, 23 which says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed; for His compassions fail not. They are new every morning…”
His love bought us and His loves holds us—even when our sin would cause us to slip away. Indeed, as the verse concludes, “…great is His faithfulness.”
How often can we anticipate that the Lord will forgive us once we have asked for cleansing from the sins we’ve committed? In Matthew 18:21 and 22 there is a question posed to the Lord by Peter which asks essentially, ‘How often is enough?’
Peter says, “If my brother offends me, is it sufficient if I forgive him seven times?” Jesus’ response to that is that if his brother seeks his forgiveness seventy times seven times, he should extend it to him each time. In other words, there is no limit on how much we are to forgive. It is a deep ocean that we must plumb every time we’re asked.
If this degree of compassion toward the offender is expected of us when someone hurts us, how much more can we expect that our Heavenly Father will extend forgiveness to us when we approach Him, laden with the burden of our failure to live the godly life Jesus has died to secure for us! Do we dare hope He will be merciful seventy times seven times—and more?!
When we fully understand that it is not our goodness but Christ’s that saves us, when we fully grasp the reality that we can do nothing to merit His free gift of salvation, then we are able to understand the assurance given in Lamentations 3:22, 23 which says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed; for His compassions fail not. They are new every morning…”
His love bought us and His loves holds us—even when our sin would cause us to slip away. Indeed, as the verse concludes, “…great is His faithfulness.”
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Do Not Esteem Lightly
March 26
God loves us with an unfailing love. How do we reciprocate? Do we presume upon His great love? Do we take it for granted? Do we think about it at all? Some among humankind have determined within the vacuous corridors of their own minds that God does not exist and His love, His relevance are non-existent.
The Word takes people of this ilk into account. Of them it says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no god…’” (Psalm 53:1). Proverbs 10:21 further states that a fool shall, “…die for lack of wisdom.” We see evidence of this in the natural when someone neglects to orient his actions around sound choices.
The greatest evidence of the proverb’s dire prediction will be when those who have negated God will be sent out of His presence eternally. Then we raise the question that is often on the lips of one who challenges the existence of a literal hell as a place of punishment, ‘How can a loving God send anyone to such a place of torment?”
Because God is just and holy and because no sin can abide in His presence, He hasn’t, therefore, an alternative to banishing sin that is not under the blood of Jesus to outer darkness. As Psalm 119:156 states clearly, “Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my life according to Your law.”
When we forsake the law by turning our back on Jesus who fulfilled the law in our behalf, we remove ourselves from the covering of His blood--of His love. May we not esteem lightly His precious gift of righteousness in the sight of the Holy One who inhabits eternity.
God loves us with an unfailing love. How do we reciprocate? Do we presume upon His great love? Do we take it for granted? Do we think about it at all? Some among humankind have determined within the vacuous corridors of their own minds that God does not exist and His love, His relevance are non-existent.
The Word takes people of this ilk into account. Of them it says, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no god…’” (Psalm 53:1). Proverbs 10:21 further states that a fool shall, “…die for lack of wisdom.” We see evidence of this in the natural when someone neglects to orient his actions around sound choices.
The greatest evidence of the proverb’s dire prediction will be when those who have negated God will be sent out of His presence eternally. Then we raise the question that is often on the lips of one who challenges the existence of a literal hell as a place of punishment, ‘How can a loving God send anyone to such a place of torment?”
Because God is just and holy and because no sin can abide in His presence, He hasn’t, therefore, an alternative to banishing sin that is not under the blood of Jesus to outer darkness. As Psalm 119:156 states clearly, “Your compassion is great, O Lord; preserve my life according to Your law.”
When we forsake the law by turning our back on Jesus who fulfilled the law in our behalf, we remove ourselves from the covering of His blood--of His love. May we not esteem lightly His precious gift of righteousness in the sight of the Holy One who inhabits eternity.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Because He's Our Loving Father
March 25
We live in perilous times. The daily news unfolds reports of one upheaval after another in far-flung corners of the globe and within our own borders. Governments and institutions that once seemed unshakable seem to be teetering.
Any thinking individual cannot but ponder current events in the light of eschatological predictions. We know what Jesus and the prophets have said about the last days, about the events that foreshadow His return, and we think we see them in ever-increasing numbers, with ever escalating frequency.
But we also know that our God is faithful. We know His promises are yea and amen. We know we will not be abandoned to the desperate times that are coming upon the earth for He has assured believers throughout the pages of scripture that His protection will shield us from all harm.
The prophet stated it comfortingly in Isaiah 54:10 where he said of the Lord’s care, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace with you be removed…” Because He's our loving Father, His compassion will not fail; we will always be secure in His hand.
We live in perilous times. The daily news unfolds reports of one upheaval after another in far-flung corners of the globe and within our own borders. Governments and institutions that once seemed unshakable seem to be teetering.
Any thinking individual cannot but ponder current events in the light of eschatological predictions. We know what Jesus and the prophets have said about the last days, about the events that foreshadow His return, and we think we see them in ever-increasing numbers, with ever escalating frequency.
But we also know that our God is faithful. We know His promises are yea and amen. We know we will not be abandoned to the desperate times that are coming upon the earth for He has assured believers throughout the pages of scripture that His protection will shield us from all harm.
The prophet stated it comfortingly in Isaiah 54:10 where he said of the Lord’s care, “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor My covenant of peace with you be removed…” Because He's our loving Father, His compassion will not fail; we will always be secure in His hand.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Unfailing Love and Compassion
March 24
The prophet Hosea was given a unique assignment by the Lord. God told Hosea to marry a woman who would be unfaithful to him, even though he was to remain steadfast in his love for her and even though he was to take her back time and again after her acts of disloyalty to their marriage vows.
The Holy One uses the backdrop of Hosea’s dysfunctional marriage to illustrate the characteristics that every good marriage should have: righteousness, justice, love, compassion and faithfulness, and it is these traits that God weaves into His relationship with His people—even though they are unfaithful to Him.
Our God is ever righteous. His character is impeccable and He never reacts toward us out of anger or vengeance even when we are unrighteous in our behavior before Him. He is a just God whose laws are altogether reasonable and upstanding. His love toward us is unfailing, even when we are unlovely. His compassions fail not; they are renewed to us each morning (Lamentations 3:22, 23).
His faithfulness is everlasting. God has said that He will “never forsake His saints” Psalm 37:28. His righteous judgment goes before them and encompasses them. As Hosea was required to be loyal to his unfaithful wife, so our God and King is steadfast in His love for us. He has said, “I will betroth you to Me forever…” Hosea 2:19. When we turn to Him, He will always be there for us (Zechariah 1:3).
The prophet Hosea was given a unique assignment by the Lord. God told Hosea to marry a woman who would be unfaithful to him, even though he was to remain steadfast in his love for her and even though he was to take her back time and again after her acts of disloyalty to their marriage vows.
The Holy One uses the backdrop of Hosea’s dysfunctional marriage to illustrate the characteristics that every good marriage should have: righteousness, justice, love, compassion and faithfulness, and it is these traits that God weaves into His relationship with His people—even though they are unfaithful to Him.
Our God is ever righteous. His character is impeccable and He never reacts toward us out of anger or vengeance even when we are unrighteous in our behavior before Him. He is a just God whose laws are altogether reasonable and upstanding. His love toward us is unfailing, even when we are unlovely. His compassions fail not; they are renewed to us each morning (Lamentations 3:22, 23).
His faithfulness is everlasting. God has said that He will “never forsake His saints” Psalm 37:28. His righteous judgment goes before them and encompasses them. As Hosea was required to be loyal to his unfaithful wife, so our God and King is steadfast in His love for us. He has said, “I will betroth you to Me forever…” Hosea 2:19. When we turn to Him, He will always be there for us (Zechariah 1:3).
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
To the End of the Age
March 23
Everyone desires to have a mentor, a parent in the Lord on whom to lean for advice, for encouragement, for partnership in prayer in times of distress or anxiety. Nobody wants to face life’s uncertainties alone. For the support we need, we turn to those whose lives have demonstrated faithful resolve through their own difficult times.
We turn to the one who introduced us to the household of faith. We seek the prayers of a minister of the Lord who has nourished us in the faith through the years of our walk. We turn to our sisters and brothers who have stood beside in in prayer through our difficult hour.
One of the unfortunate things about growing older is that many of those bulwarks of faith who, through our Christian walk, have been there for us, have gone on to their glorious eternal reward. We know they are among that great cloud of witnesses who encourage us from Heaven, but they are no longer near at hand in our time of need.
Rather than feel alone, the elderly saint of God must remember that the One who was their Source is still near, is still abiding within his own heart. He must know, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him” Psalm 103:13. His presence, His power are ever ‘there,’ even to the end of the age.
Everyone desires to have a mentor, a parent in the Lord on whom to lean for advice, for encouragement, for partnership in prayer in times of distress or anxiety. Nobody wants to face life’s uncertainties alone. For the support we need, we turn to those whose lives have demonstrated faithful resolve through their own difficult times.
We turn to the one who introduced us to the household of faith. We seek the prayers of a minister of the Lord who has nourished us in the faith through the years of our walk. We turn to our sisters and brothers who have stood beside in in prayer through our difficult hour.
One of the unfortunate things about growing older is that many of those bulwarks of faith who, through our Christian walk, have been there for us, have gone on to their glorious eternal reward. We know they are among that great cloud of witnesses who encourage us from Heaven, but they are no longer near at hand in our time of need.
Rather than feel alone, the elderly saint of God must remember that the One who was their Source is still near, is still abiding within his own heart. He must know, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him” Psalm 103:13. His presence, His power are ever ‘there,’ even to the end of the age.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
He Rises to Show You Compassion
March 22
If there is one place in the New Testament where Jesus’ love is evidenced completely, it is in Acts 7:56. Here, Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is being stoned. Saul, the future Apostle Paul, is standing by, holding the garments of those who are casting the stones. Stephen, at the threshold of Heaven, sees Jesus standing at God’s right hand.
We are told in other places in scripture that Jesus sits at the right hand of God, but here, with his dying breath, Stephen affirms that Jesus is standing. We can extrapolate from his account that our Savior is rising to greet him upon his arrival into Heaven. What a precious insight this gives us of what our own entry into the realm of glory will be!
There is another place in the Word where our God is depicted as standing. It is in Isaiah 30:18 where it says, “The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. “Blessed are all who wait for Him.” Perhaps the key difference between the Old and New Testament accounts of the Lord’s position is the word ‘wait.’
Perhaps these examples give us an indication of God’s watchfulness over us even if it is not evident. Though He is ever in a position to help us in our time of trial, we cannot always perceive His readiness. Whether we are at the threshold of His presence and can see Him clearly as did Stephen or whether we must wait as we merely muddle through, we can be sure that HE is poised to ‘be there’ at our point of need.
If there is one place in the New Testament where Jesus’ love is evidenced completely, it is in Acts 7:56. Here, Stephen, the first Christian martyr, is being stoned. Saul, the future Apostle Paul, is standing by, holding the garments of those who are casting the stones. Stephen, at the threshold of Heaven, sees Jesus standing at God’s right hand.
We are told in other places in scripture that Jesus sits at the right hand of God, but here, with his dying breath, Stephen affirms that Jesus is standing. We can extrapolate from his account that our Savior is rising to greet him upon his arrival into Heaven. What a precious insight this gives us of what our own entry into the realm of glory will be!
There is another place in the Word where our God is depicted as standing. It is in Isaiah 30:18 where it says, “The Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. “Blessed are all who wait for Him.” Perhaps the key difference between the Old and New Testament accounts of the Lord’s position is the word ‘wait.’
Perhaps these examples give us an indication of God’s watchfulness over us even if it is not evident. Though He is ever in a position to help us in our time of trial, we cannot always perceive His readiness. Whether we are at the threshold of His presence and can see Him clearly as did Stephen or whether we must wait as we merely muddle through, we can be sure that HE is poised to ‘be there’ at our point of need.
Monday, March 21, 2011
What No Other God Does
March 21
How is it that we as believers can transgress far beyond God’s law, yet He extends His promises and His comforts to us? Can we go too far? Can we cause Him so much disappointment in us that He will forever turn His back upon us and our prayers?
It would seem not. The ‘track record’ of our Heavenly Father is one of forgiveness and restoration. His policy is that He does not keep an account of our failures but looks continually for our hand reached out to Him. Each time we extend the soiled slate of our sins to Him, He wipes it clean and gives us a fresh start in Christ.
Though we laden ourselves with transgressions, though we focus ourselves on the world and its illicit pleasures, He receives us with open arms, He comforts us with words of grace, He draws us close to His Throne and invites us to come again as His beloved child unto that place where mercy dwells.
Nehemiah says in chapter nine, verse 17 of the book of scripture that bears his name, “You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” Perhaps that one word distinguishes the God of the Bible from every false imitation. He does what no other god does. He loves—so He forgives and restores.
How is it that we as believers can transgress far beyond God’s law, yet He extends His promises and His comforts to us? Can we go too far? Can we cause Him so much disappointment in us that He will forever turn His back upon us and our prayers?
It would seem not. The ‘track record’ of our Heavenly Father is one of forgiveness and restoration. His policy is that He does not keep an account of our failures but looks continually for our hand reached out to Him. Each time we extend the soiled slate of our sins to Him, He wipes it clean and gives us a fresh start in Christ.
Though we laden ourselves with transgressions, though we focus ourselves on the world and its illicit pleasures, He receives us with open arms, He comforts us with words of grace, He draws us close to His Throne and invites us to come again as His beloved child unto that place where mercy dwells.
Nehemiah says in chapter nine, verse 17 of the book of scripture that bears his name, “You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.” Perhaps that one word distinguishes the God of the Bible from every false imitation. He does what no other god does. He loves—so He forgives and restores.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Guided and Guarded
March 20
Life on planet Earth is fraught with challenges. Hidden dangers lurk in unsuspected places. The sudden and unforeseen calamity can assail at any time. What seems like a quiet and prosperous life can be turned topsy-turvy at any given moment without apparent provocation.
Life on planet Earth is precarious at best and life-threatening at worst. There seems to be no way to avoid the potential, unwanted eventualities that can intrude themselves into man’s optimistic plan for success and happiness.
Unless…unless man has an unshakable faith in the One who has given Himself to make life secure for time and beautiful for eternity. Revelation 7:17 says, “The Lamb at the center of the throne will be your shepherd; He will lead you to springs of living water. And God will wipe away all tears from your eyes.”
The believer in Jesus needn’t fear the unseen eventualities that intrude into every life. The person of faith need only hold the hand of the Lord to know he is being led in safety, and that the entirety of his journey until its final day will be guided and guarded by the One whose own journey in time made his secure unto eternity.
Life on planet Earth is fraught with challenges. Hidden dangers lurk in unsuspected places. The sudden and unforeseen calamity can assail at any time. What seems like a quiet and prosperous life can be turned topsy-turvy at any given moment without apparent provocation.
Life on planet Earth is precarious at best and life-threatening at worst. There seems to be no way to avoid the potential, unwanted eventualities that can intrude themselves into man’s optimistic plan for success and happiness.
Unless…unless man has an unshakable faith in the One who has given Himself to make life secure for time and beautiful for eternity. Revelation 7:17 says, “The Lamb at the center of the throne will be your shepherd; He will lead you to springs of living water. And God will wipe away all tears from your eyes.”
The believer in Jesus needn’t fear the unseen eventualities that intrude into every life. The person of faith need only hold the hand of the Lord to know he is being led in safety, and that the entirety of his journey until its final day will be guided and guarded by the One whose own journey in time made his secure unto eternity.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Our Place of Comfort
March 19
A beloved child desires no place of comfort above that which he finds in his loving father’s arms. Though the little one may delight in Mommy’s embrace, it is Daddy to whom he looks when he’s frightened and needs to feel sheltered from life’s challenges. When the playground bully threatens, it is his father whose power is invoked.
Grown-ups are a lot like that little child. We, too, desire a place of security when challenges arise in great, swelling waves to engulf us. Whether it is financial ruin in a troubled economy, or personal trauma from a failing relationship, or humiliation because of a professional set-back, we want a place to nestle our head and feel strong arms of protection and comfort and love around us.
Our Heavenly Father understands our desire to lose ourselves and find ourselves in Him when we long for a place of security which only He can provide. Deuteronomy 33:12 says, “Let the beloved of the Lord rest in Him, for He shields them all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.”
Just like the little child who wants his Daddy’s arms around him when he’s afraid, we are told by our great Father God that His arms are open to us. When our finances collapse like an avalanche upon us, when those we love abandon us, when all our efforts toward success come to nothing, we may find comfort, security, love in Jesus.
A beloved child desires no place of comfort above that which he finds in his loving father’s arms. Though the little one may delight in Mommy’s embrace, it is Daddy to whom he looks when he’s frightened and needs to feel sheltered from life’s challenges. When the playground bully threatens, it is his father whose power is invoked.
Grown-ups are a lot like that little child. We, too, desire a place of security when challenges arise in great, swelling waves to engulf us. Whether it is financial ruin in a troubled economy, or personal trauma from a failing relationship, or humiliation because of a professional set-back, we want a place to nestle our head and feel strong arms of protection and comfort and love around us.
Our Heavenly Father understands our desire to lose ourselves and find ourselves in Him when we long for a place of security which only He can provide. Deuteronomy 33:12 says, “Let the beloved of the Lord rest in Him, for He shields them all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.”
Just like the little child who wants his Daddy’s arms around him when he’s afraid, we are told by our great Father God that His arms are open to us. When our finances collapse like an avalanche upon us, when those we love abandon us, when all our efforts toward success come to nothing, we may find comfort, security, love in Jesus.
Friday, March 18, 2011
The Glorious Aspects of His Promises
March 18
The burdens of life can be overwhelming. Although the Bible tells us, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory God has prepared for those who love Him,” Romans 8:18, yet the weight of them can bear heavily upon even the individual of strong faith.
Many a believer has sought the Lord with tears regarding the circumstances in which he has found himself. Whether the source of the trauma be war or sickness or persecution or famine, when prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling, heart-wrenching disappointment sets in.
But even in the throes of disillusionment with prayer power that seems to fizzle, there is a word in which a man of faith may take hope in his dark hour. Jesus has promised that He will never leave him comfortless, He will come to him at his point of need (John 14:18). Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are broken in spirit.
When life drives over the wreckage of our hope like a run-away freight train, we may know that from the dust and devastation of the seeming disaster, God will raise up a strong man of faith, for indeed, when circumstances appear overwhelming, faith in God allows the glorious aspects of His promises to be visible to everyone who is willing to see.
The burdens of life can be overwhelming. Although the Bible tells us, “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory God has prepared for those who love Him,” Romans 8:18, yet the weight of them can bear heavily upon even the individual of strong faith.
Many a believer has sought the Lord with tears regarding the circumstances in which he has found himself. Whether the source of the trauma be war or sickness or persecution or famine, when prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling, heart-wrenching disappointment sets in.
But even in the throes of disillusionment with prayer power that seems to fizzle, there is a word in which a man of faith may take hope in his dark hour. Jesus has promised that He will never leave him comfortless, He will come to him at his point of need (John 14:18). Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are broken in spirit.
When life drives over the wreckage of our hope like a run-away freight train, we may know that from the dust and devastation of the seeming disaster, God will raise up a strong man of faith, for indeed, when circumstances appear overwhelming, faith in God allows the glorious aspects of His promises to be visible to everyone who is willing to see.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
He Takes Joy In Him
March 17
We are reminded on St. Patrick’s Day of the intense love of a people for their country. We also reflect upon the conflict that endured for many years in Ireland between two warring factions of the Church of Christ. The Catholics and the Protestants were armed against one another for a long, shameful period in Ireland’s history.
Doctrine is important. The Bible admonishes us in I Timothy 4:16 to, “…take heed to sound doctrine whereby you save yourself and those who hear you.” We should study the Word thoroughly and arrive at a doctrinal position that is substantiated by the truth of scripture.
Yet we must not allow doctrinal differences to act as a wedge between ourselves and others of like precious faith. Zephaniah 3:17 tells us, “The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save; He takes great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”
He doesn’t qualify His salvation, His delight or His love. He does not sing joyfully over only those whose doctrine follows a specific prescription. Our Father looks at the heart of each individual and if He sees Christ dwelling there as Savior and Lord, He takes great joy in him—whether he be Catholic or Protestant.
We are reminded on St. Patrick’s Day of the intense love of a people for their country. We also reflect upon the conflict that endured for many years in Ireland between two warring factions of the Church of Christ. The Catholics and the Protestants were armed against one another for a long, shameful period in Ireland’s history.
Doctrine is important. The Bible admonishes us in I Timothy 4:16 to, “…take heed to sound doctrine whereby you save yourself and those who hear you.” We should study the Word thoroughly and arrive at a doctrinal position that is substantiated by the truth of scripture.
Yet we must not allow doctrinal differences to act as a wedge between ourselves and others of like precious faith. Zephaniah 3:17 tells us, “The Lord your God is with you; He is mighty to save; He takes great delight in you. He will quiet you with His love; He will rejoice over you with singing.”
He doesn’t qualify His salvation, His delight or His love. He does not sing joyfully over only those whose doctrine follows a specific prescription. Our Father looks at the heart of each individual and if He sees Christ dwelling there as Savior and Lord, He takes great joy in him—whether he be Catholic or Protestant.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Receive and Share
March 16
One of the main causes of depression among moderns is the fact that although we rub shoulders with dozens of people every day, we have little opportunity for meaningful interaction with any of them. We maintain a professional decorum with the people at work, without having personal relationships with them.
We nod a friendly greeting to our neighbors without ever cultivating true friendship with them. We support our churche but invest little beyond our tithe into its successful functioning. Even within our families, we hold ourselves back from the strong bonds of interaction that are the foundation of true unity.
This detachment from meaningful fellowship is a serious matter that brings many people who appear happy and successful on the surface to the point of virtual despair deep within themselves. As with every dilemma that man faces, the Word of God has a strategy for overcoming it. If we will but appropriate it, we will have the ability to be a viable source of support to those who are weighted by the cares of the world.
In II Corinthians 1: 3, 4 we are told that our Heavenly Father is, “…the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received…” We can give nothing we have not first been given. We must receive and share His comfort with those who are depressed.
One of the main causes of depression among moderns is the fact that although we rub shoulders with dozens of people every day, we have little opportunity for meaningful interaction with any of them. We maintain a professional decorum with the people at work, without having personal relationships with them.
We nod a friendly greeting to our neighbors without ever cultivating true friendship with them. We support our churche but invest little beyond our tithe into its successful functioning. Even within our families, we hold ourselves back from the strong bonds of interaction that are the foundation of true unity.
This detachment from meaningful fellowship is a serious matter that brings many people who appear happy and successful on the surface to the point of virtual despair deep within themselves. As with every dilemma that man faces, the Word of God has a strategy for overcoming it. If we will but appropriate it, we will have the ability to be a viable source of support to those who are weighted by the cares of the world.
In II Corinthians 1: 3, 4 we are told that our Heavenly Father is, “…the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received…” We can give nothing we have not first been given. We must receive and share His comfort with those who are depressed.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
We Wrestle and Fidget
March 15
We can’t avoid recognizing the contrast between the extraordinary feats of the miraculous that were done by Jesus and His apostles and other followers in the early church with the lack of these amazing revelations of the power of the Living God at work within us today.
Our churches, even those whose doctrinal statements include belief in the viability of the spiritual gifts to believers, including the gifts of healing and of miracles, do not see frequent evidence of those affirmations of faith at work among us. We must contemplate the reason we fail to see, for we know the Word of God is immutable.
We see an insight into this disparity between the early church and ourselves in Acts 2:42-47. This lengthy passage clarifies the fellowship experience of the early believers. The contrast between them and the church today is stark. It begins, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…” How many of us can say we do the same?
It goes on, “…Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done…” How many of us are ‘filled with awe’ at the prospect of spending time in church, among others of like precious faith? Would it be more accurate to say we first wrestle our way out of bed and then fidget through the service, while we plan the rest of our day? If we want more of God’s power, perhaps we must first be in awe of Jesus.
We can’t avoid recognizing the contrast between the extraordinary feats of the miraculous that were done by Jesus and His apostles and other followers in the early church with the lack of these amazing revelations of the power of the Living God at work within us today.
Our churches, even those whose doctrinal statements include belief in the viability of the spiritual gifts to believers, including the gifts of healing and of miracles, do not see frequent evidence of those affirmations of faith at work among us. We must contemplate the reason we fail to see, for we know the Word of God is immutable.
We see an insight into this disparity between the early church and ourselves in Acts 2:42-47. This lengthy passage clarifies the fellowship experience of the early believers. The contrast between them and the church today is stark. It begins, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…” How many of us can say we do the same?
It goes on, “…Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done…” How many of us are ‘filled with awe’ at the prospect of spending time in church, among others of like precious faith? Would it be more accurate to say we first wrestle our way out of bed and then fidget through the service, while we plan the rest of our day? If we want more of God’s power, perhaps we must first be in awe of Jesus.
Monday, March 14, 2011
If We Live Our Faith
March 14
If we love the Lord as we profess to do, it is the longing of our heart to serve Him. That is not to negate the every-day hopes and dreams we have for ourselves and for our families. That is not to say we become ‘so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good,’ that is to acknowledge that the top priority of our lives is to be useful to Him.
Does this require us to abandon our career, leave our home and head to a mission field on the other side of the earth? For some believers it might mean just that, but for the preponderance of us it means simply to “occupy until I come” Luke 19:13. It means to share our faith with those near at hand. It means to allow our lives to be living epistles that testify of Jesus and His salvation.
How can we do that successfully? What techniques, what strategies can we employ that will enable us to interject the faith we have in our Savior—in the One who died to set us free from sin and to equip us for life on Earth as well as for eternal life in Heaven—into the lives of those around us? We know we can’t do it on our own. It requires the help of the Holy Spirit within us to project our faith in a way that compels others to believe.
We also have another insight from the Word itself which says in Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” The counsel seems to be that if we will live our faith, our faith will itself teach and admonish those around us. If we make Jesus our priority, our faith will shine through the way we live before Him—and before those whose lives touch ours.
If we love the Lord as we profess to do, it is the longing of our heart to serve Him. That is not to negate the every-day hopes and dreams we have for ourselves and for our families. That is not to say we become ‘so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good,’ that is to acknowledge that the top priority of our lives is to be useful to Him.
Does this require us to abandon our career, leave our home and head to a mission field on the other side of the earth? For some believers it might mean just that, but for the preponderance of us it means simply to “occupy until I come” Luke 19:13. It means to share our faith with those near at hand. It means to allow our lives to be living epistles that testify of Jesus and His salvation.
How can we do that successfully? What techniques, what strategies can we employ that will enable us to interject the faith we have in our Savior—in the One who died to set us free from sin and to equip us for life on Earth as well as for eternal life in Heaven—into the lives of those around us? We know we can’t do it on our own. It requires the help of the Holy Spirit within us to project our faith in a way that compels others to believe.
We also have another insight from the Word itself which says in Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” The counsel seems to be that if we will live our faith, our faith will itself teach and admonish those around us. If we make Jesus our priority, our faith will shine through the way we live before Him—and before those whose lives touch ours.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
PRAY FOR JAPAN...PRAY FOR OUR WORLD
Because of the recent earthquake in Japan and the resultant tsunami, thousands in that nation as well as in our own country have lost their lives and much property has been destroyed. The global impact of this disaster has not begun to be calculated.
We have seen evidence from a map issued by the Geospatial Information Authority in Japan which shows an eight foot shift in their land mass. This is consistent with what would be expected due to an 8.9 magnitude earthquake. Additionally, there are reports from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy which estimate the 8.9-magnitude quake shifted our planet on its axis by nearly 4 inches.
Lord Jesus, in light of all that is transpiring on our planet--earthquakes and other natural disasters, wars, rumors of war, nations and ideologies rising against one another, the disintegration of the family, men's hearts failing them for fear--we cannot but lift our eyes to You and supplicate Your mercy toward us at this perilous juncture in time.
Dear Lord, we pray especially for the people of Japan whose nation has been devastated by this enormous earthquake. We pray You will help them rebuild and we especially implore you to comfort those who have lost loved ones. There is no easy way to say a final goodbye to those near in heart, but this sudden calamity has wrenched many away from the bosom of families and their grief is profound.
Help us not to be fearful as we see events that remind us that Your coming is soon; rather, let us grow strong in faith and steadfast in our expectation of seeing You face-to-face. Help us to be resolute in our determination to canvass our world with the knowledge of Your love and salvation. Help us to have Your holy boldness that tells of Your mercy which is renewed every morning so that in troubled times we will "Cast all our cares upon You," (I Peter 5:7), knowing that You indeed, "care for us." In Your mighty name we ask, Jesus. Amen.
We have seen evidence from a map issued by the Geospatial Information Authority in Japan which shows an eight foot shift in their land mass. This is consistent with what would be expected due to an 8.9 magnitude earthquake. Additionally, there are reports from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology in Italy which estimate the 8.9-magnitude quake shifted our planet on its axis by nearly 4 inches.
Lord Jesus, in light of all that is transpiring on our planet--earthquakes and other natural disasters, wars, rumors of war, nations and ideologies rising against one another, the disintegration of the family, men's hearts failing them for fear--we cannot but lift our eyes to You and supplicate Your mercy toward us at this perilous juncture in time.
Dear Lord, we pray especially for the people of Japan whose nation has been devastated by this enormous earthquake. We pray You will help them rebuild and we especially implore you to comfort those who have lost loved ones. There is no easy way to say a final goodbye to those near in heart, but this sudden calamity has wrenched many away from the bosom of families and their grief is profound.
Help us not to be fearful as we see events that remind us that Your coming is soon; rather, let us grow strong in faith and steadfast in our expectation of seeing You face-to-face. Help us to be resolute in our determination to canvass our world with the knowledge of Your love and salvation. Help us to have Your holy boldness that tells of Your mercy which is renewed every morning so that in troubled times we will "Cast all our cares upon You," (I Peter 5:7), knowing that You indeed, "care for us." In Your mighty name we ask, Jesus. Amen.
As You See The Day Approaching
March 13
Many prefer to attend the Church of Bedside Communion or the Cathedral of the Glorious Golf Course. Their contention is that worship can be done apart from the gathering together of those of like precious faith. They believe that they are capable of touching the hem of the garment of Christ apart from the fellowship of other believers.
Because God looks at hearts rather than at locality, there is an element of truth in that conviction. We have heard the glorious stories of prisoners of war, denied any trappings of their faith who maintained a viable relationship with the Lord in their captivity. Because He transcends time and circumstances, faith-maintaining exercises are possible apart from the church.
But there is a vast difference between the person on the battlefield or the individual in a sick bed who cannot attend a worship service and the Christian who says he’s committed to the Lord but has a thousand other things that compel him to defer church attendance in order to catch up on needed rest or to improve his golf game. These intrusions into a Sunday morning drag down the spirit of the one who forsakes the House of the Lord and his communion with fellow believers.
Indeed, they fly in the face of the Word of God which says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another to gather together—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” Hebrews 10:25. So, let us consider ourselves encouraged! Let us avail ourselves of every opportunity to gather in His name, for we certainly see the signs of His soon return more clearly every day!
Many prefer to attend the Church of Bedside Communion or the Cathedral of the Glorious Golf Course. Their contention is that worship can be done apart from the gathering together of those of like precious faith. They believe that they are capable of touching the hem of the garment of Christ apart from the fellowship of other believers.
Because God looks at hearts rather than at locality, there is an element of truth in that conviction. We have heard the glorious stories of prisoners of war, denied any trappings of their faith who maintained a viable relationship with the Lord in their captivity. Because He transcends time and circumstances, faith-maintaining exercises are possible apart from the church.
But there is a vast difference between the person on the battlefield or the individual in a sick bed who cannot attend a worship service and the Christian who says he’s committed to the Lord but has a thousand other things that compel him to defer church attendance in order to catch up on needed rest or to improve his golf game. These intrusions into a Sunday morning drag down the spirit of the one who forsakes the House of the Lord and his communion with fellow believers.
Indeed, they fly in the face of the Word of God which says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another to gather together—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” Hebrews 10:25. So, let us consider ourselves encouraged! Let us avail ourselves of every opportunity to gather in His name, for we certainly see the signs of His soon return more clearly every day!
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Only Jesus
March 12
Some religious groups presume to proclaim that their adherents become ‘gods.’ They believe that there is a place of ruler-ship awaiting those who live out their lives on this planet in a way that complies with the requirements set before them by the hierarchy of the organization.
This doctrine may be titillating to the gullible but it has no substantiation in God’s Holy, Infallible Word the Bible. In the final analysis, this assertion must be dismissed as the ‘doctrines of devils’ that the Word proclaims will be preached in the latter days, in the time just before Jesus returns when deception is rampant (I Timothy 4:1).
We see and hear much that believers who are anchored in the Word recognize as the very deception the Bible admonishes us to guard against. Whether it is the alluring assertion that men can rule planets, or reign as lords of heaven, or luxuriate in a sensual paradise of wine and eternal virgins, the source of the deception is the evil one.
The Bible makes very clear the fact that only One is worthy of dominion and power and glory (Revelation 1:6), and that One is Jesus. Paul says it well in Colossians 1:18: “Christ is the head of the body, the Church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, so in all things, He must reign supreme.”
JESUS must reign supreme. Only Jesus.
Some religious groups presume to proclaim that their adherents become ‘gods.’ They believe that there is a place of ruler-ship awaiting those who live out their lives on this planet in a way that complies with the requirements set before them by the hierarchy of the organization.
This doctrine may be titillating to the gullible but it has no substantiation in God’s Holy, Infallible Word the Bible. In the final analysis, this assertion must be dismissed as the ‘doctrines of devils’ that the Word proclaims will be preached in the latter days, in the time just before Jesus returns when deception is rampant (I Timothy 4:1).
We see and hear much that believers who are anchored in the Word recognize as the very deception the Bible admonishes us to guard against. Whether it is the alluring assertion that men can rule planets, or reign as lords of heaven, or luxuriate in a sensual paradise of wine and eternal virgins, the source of the deception is the evil one.
The Bible makes very clear the fact that only One is worthy of dominion and power and glory (Revelation 1:6), and that One is Jesus. Paul says it well in Colossians 1:18: “Christ is the head of the body, the Church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from the dead, so in all things, He must reign supreme.”
JESUS must reign supreme. Only Jesus.
Friday, March 11, 2011
The Pillar and Foundation of Truth
March 11
God considers the faithful in Christ to be members of His household—His family. Jesus strongly suggested this when He said that His father’s house contains many mansions—much space—for believers through the years to be welcomed to their heavenly abode and to dwell with Him forever (John 14:2).
Our Holy God also has high expectations of His people as to how they will comport themselves and how they will manage the Body of Christ, the Church, here on earth. His desire is that the people who are called by His name assume the responsibility for conveying His love and integrity among the unbelieving world that surrounds them.
His Church is to be a reflection of Himself, a foretaste of the heavenly abode which Jesus has gone to prepare for those who believe. If we are not faithful to execute this responsibility, how can we draw men to the Christ whose salvation is imperative for their eternal well-being? Indeed, we cannot.
I Timothy 3:1-16 is a detailed expression of the requirements placed upon believers in general and upon those in a leadership role in particular. Paul concludes the chapter with the assertion that, “…the Church of the living God (is) the pillar and foundation of the truth.” When we are that, the Christ who was received to glory is glorified in us!
God considers the faithful in Christ to be members of His household—His family. Jesus strongly suggested this when He said that His father’s house contains many mansions—much space—for believers through the years to be welcomed to their heavenly abode and to dwell with Him forever (John 14:2).
Our Holy God also has high expectations of His people as to how they will comport themselves and how they will manage the Body of Christ, the Church, here on earth. His desire is that the people who are called by His name assume the responsibility for conveying His love and integrity among the unbelieving world that surrounds them.
His Church is to be a reflection of Himself, a foretaste of the heavenly abode which Jesus has gone to prepare for those who believe. If we are not faithful to execute this responsibility, how can we draw men to the Christ whose salvation is imperative for their eternal well-being? Indeed, we cannot.
I Timothy 3:1-16 is a detailed expression of the requirements placed upon believers in general and upon those in a leadership role in particular. Paul concludes the chapter with the assertion that, “…the Church of the living God (is) the pillar and foundation of the truth.” When we are that, the Christ who was received to glory is glorified in us!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
To Church...Or Not?
March 10
A lot of believers choose other than church attendance as their Sunday morning activity. Many who claim Christ as Lord see no discrepancy in their lack of association with a local body of believers and the salvation they profess. They assert that Jesus can be worshiped as effectively on the golf course or from their own beds as He can in the corporate worship setting of the local church.
While the Bible does admonish that we maintain an on-going communion with the Lord, even though prayer and Scripture and the Holy Spirit have been given to us toward that end, the reality is that we are admonished to fellowship regularly with those of like precious faith. Doing so is the pattern established by First Century believers.
Why should people who have worked hard all week—rising early and returning home late, who have sacrificed their Saturdays to errands and chores they simply can’t perform on week days that consume their time—dedicate the one day they can have to themselves to going to church? The Word of God does supply an answer to the ‘Why?’ that perplexes so many harried Christians.
In I Peter 2:9 the Apostle says, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God! You may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” If we believe that about ourselves, we recognize that the Church is the best place to celebrate our priesthood, our holy nationhood, our security in belonging to God! It is the best place to praise Him in the light of His presence and power which are most evident when we gather in His name.
A lot of believers choose other than church attendance as their Sunday morning activity. Many who claim Christ as Lord see no discrepancy in their lack of association with a local body of believers and the salvation they profess. They assert that Jesus can be worshiped as effectively on the golf course or from their own beds as He can in the corporate worship setting of the local church.
While the Bible does admonish that we maintain an on-going communion with the Lord, even though prayer and Scripture and the Holy Spirit have been given to us toward that end, the reality is that we are admonished to fellowship regularly with those of like precious faith. Doing so is the pattern established by First Century believers.
Why should people who have worked hard all week—rising early and returning home late, who have sacrificed their Saturdays to errands and chores they simply can’t perform on week days that consume their time—dedicate the one day they can have to themselves to going to church? The Word of God does supply an answer to the ‘Why?’ that perplexes so many harried Christians.
In I Peter 2:9 the Apostle says, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God! You may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” If we believe that about ourselves, we recognize that the Church is the best place to celebrate our priesthood, our holy nationhood, our security in belonging to God! It is the best place to praise Him in the light of His presence and power which are most evident when we gather in His name.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
One of the Last Things
March 9
If there is one thing that may have seemed virtually impossible only a generation ago regarding the pre-requisites for the return of Jesus, it is the fact that He said the gospel would be preached worldwide just before His return. Although missionaries made valiant efforts toward that end, anyone could see its attainment was a virtual impossibility.
There have always been pockets of isolation where men exist in as primitive a state as our cave-dwelling ancestors. There have always been people groups whose rigid walls of separatism barred the penetration of the good news of Jesus Christ. In such places, the individual hasn’t had the option of hearing alternate points of view and deciding what he will believe.
The choice has been pre-determined and none but the prescribed world view/religion has been acceptable. In such places of resistance, whole people groups have been denied the possibility of hearing the message of the Savior who came to earth to redeem man from sin by His sacrifice of Himself for that sin. So how does this reality track with Jesus’ assertion in Matthew 24:14 where He says…
…“The gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.” The advent of the internet which goes into primitive and ‘closed’ cultures brings a dissemination of the Word of God in truth and power that was impossible a few decades ago. With this turn of events, with the choice it presents to the lost, one of the last things that hinder Jesus’ coming has been removed!
If there is one thing that may have seemed virtually impossible only a generation ago regarding the pre-requisites for the return of Jesus, it is the fact that He said the gospel would be preached worldwide just before His return. Although missionaries made valiant efforts toward that end, anyone could see its attainment was a virtual impossibility.
There have always been pockets of isolation where men exist in as primitive a state as our cave-dwelling ancestors. There have always been people groups whose rigid walls of separatism barred the penetration of the good news of Jesus Christ. In such places, the individual hasn’t had the option of hearing alternate points of view and deciding what he will believe.
The choice has been pre-determined and none but the prescribed world view/religion has been acceptable. In such places of resistance, whole people groups have been denied the possibility of hearing the message of the Savior who came to earth to redeem man from sin by His sacrifice of Himself for that sin. So how does this reality track with Jesus’ assertion in Matthew 24:14 where He says…
…“The gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations and then the end will come.” The advent of the internet which goes into primitive and ‘closed’ cultures brings a dissemination of the Word of God in truth and power that was impossible a few decades ago. With this turn of events, with the choice it presents to the lost, one of the last things that hinder Jesus’ coming has been removed!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
...Before He Splits the Sky
March 8
Indeed, the indication is that Jesus will soon come to claim His bride—the Church—and the events of the end time will unfold. Most of us who believe in the Lord as Savior and soon-coming King have mixed emotions in the matter. On the one hand, we truly do long for His coming. On the other, we have attachments that we despair of letting go.
We know we are to hold the things of earth in a light grasp. We know that whether Jesus comes today or whether His return is millennia away, we will individually be required to stand before Him and we will be judged by the thoughts of our minds, the sentiments of our hearts, the actions of our doing, and especially, by what we did regarding Jesus as Savior.
We know He has said, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” Revelation 22:12. We know He has said through the Apostle Peter, “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by the fervent heat and the earth and all it contains will be laid bare” II Peter 3:10.
With those sobering thoughts in mind, we know we might not have the luxury of a ‘death bed conversion.’ Whatever we are going to do with Jesus, we must have it done before He splits the sky and comes to take His Church to be with Him for eternity. His warning is clear, “You must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you think not” Luke 12:40.
Indeed, the indication is that Jesus will soon come to claim His bride—the Church—and the events of the end time will unfold. Most of us who believe in the Lord as Savior and soon-coming King have mixed emotions in the matter. On the one hand, we truly do long for His coming. On the other, we have attachments that we despair of letting go.
We know we are to hold the things of earth in a light grasp. We know that whether Jesus comes today or whether His return is millennia away, we will individually be required to stand before Him and we will be judged by the thoughts of our minds, the sentiments of our hearts, the actions of our doing, and especially, by what we did regarding Jesus as Savior.
We know He has said, “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” Revelation 22:12. We know He has said through the Apostle Peter, “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by the fervent heat and the earth and all it contains will be laid bare” II Peter 3:10.
With those sobering thoughts in mind, we know we might not have the luxury of a ‘death bed conversion.’ Whatever we are going to do with Jesus, we must have it done before He splits the sky and comes to take His Church to be with Him for eternity. His warning is clear, “You must be ready because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you think not” Luke 12:40.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Hailed By the Amazing Display
March 7
Because “signs and lying wonders”( II Thessalonians 2:9) will be part of the deception the antichrist launches against a world that is ripe for delusion, because the world will have turned aside from the truth of scripture and sought in its place affirmation of its sin, man shall find it virtually impossible to discern truth in the last days.
Most of mankind will be caught in the net of deception that will sweep through the Sea of Indifference where unregenerate man will be taking his ease in the time of the end. Because once stalwart seekers of truth will have reduced themselves to basking in the sun of prosperity, they will not be able to discern the looming danger of mighty waves of delusion that are rising to engulf them!
Here are two questions we must ask ourselves, presuming either of the other theories of the Rapture and Tribulation is true and not the ‘pre-trib’ theory: ‘How will I be able to recognize the lies of the antichrist? How will I be able to distinguish the deceptive wonders he will perform from the miracles the real Jesus will surely do upon His return? Again, our God has not left us to our own devices in such a momentous matter.
I Thessalonians 4:16 says, “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” When we see the archangel, when we hear the trumpet, when the graves are open and the believers who have gone on walk again among us, we will be able to know beyond a shadow of doubting that Jesus is the One being hailed by the amazing display!
Because “signs and lying wonders”( II Thessalonians 2:9) will be part of the deception the antichrist launches against a world that is ripe for delusion, because the world will have turned aside from the truth of scripture and sought in its place affirmation of its sin, man shall find it virtually impossible to discern truth in the last days.
Most of mankind will be caught in the net of deception that will sweep through the Sea of Indifference where unregenerate man will be taking his ease in the time of the end. Because once stalwart seekers of truth will have reduced themselves to basking in the sun of prosperity, they will not be able to discern the looming danger of mighty waves of delusion that are rising to engulf them!
Here are two questions we must ask ourselves, presuming either of the other theories of the Rapture and Tribulation is true and not the ‘pre-trib’ theory: ‘How will I be able to recognize the lies of the antichrist? How will I be able to distinguish the deceptive wonders he will perform from the miracles the real Jesus will surely do upon His return? Again, our God has not left us to our own devices in such a momentous matter.
I Thessalonians 4:16 says, “The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.” When we see the archangel, when we hear the trumpet, when the graves are open and the believers who have gone on walk again among us, we will be able to know beyond a shadow of doubting that Jesus is the One being hailed by the amazing display!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Our Best Clue
March 6
We are warned ahead of time by the Lord that deception will be rampant in the evil days prior to His return. In Matthew 24 and Luke 21:7-36 Jesus gives a lengthy dissertation on the things that must come to pass prior to His return; He warns that there will be widespread deception and that those who believe in Him must be alert and on their guard against it.
There will be many false messiahs who will purport themselves to have answers to mankind’s ever-increasing dilemma—war, rumors of war, false religious teachers, broken families…much of what we see around us today will prevail in the days described here and in our eagerness to believe someone has a solution to it all, we might be ensnared by the demonic lie about which Christ warns.
What then are we to do? He has told us what we should NOT believe; how can we know what we should believe? He has told us in the fore-mentioned scriptures that we must not run after every purported ‘messiah sighting.’ He has said that we should not be deluded by signs and lying wonders that may be performed by the one who sets himself up as god to be worshiped.
A straight-forward verse in Revelation 1:7,8 is the best clue we have. Here the Apostle John tells us from his place of exile on the Isle of Patmos, “Behold, He comes with clouds and every eye shall see Him, including the Jews and every kindred shall wail because of Him! (He shall say,) I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, which was and is and is to come—the Almighty!”
We are warned ahead of time by the Lord that deception will be rampant in the evil days prior to His return. In Matthew 24 and Luke 21:7-36 Jesus gives a lengthy dissertation on the things that must come to pass prior to His return; He warns that there will be widespread deception and that those who believe in Him must be alert and on their guard against it.
There will be many false messiahs who will purport themselves to have answers to mankind’s ever-increasing dilemma—war, rumors of war, false religious teachers, broken families…much of what we see around us today will prevail in the days described here and in our eagerness to believe someone has a solution to it all, we might be ensnared by the demonic lie about which Christ warns.
What then are we to do? He has told us what we should NOT believe; how can we know what we should believe? He has told us in the fore-mentioned scriptures that we must not run after every purported ‘messiah sighting.’ He has said that we should not be deluded by signs and lying wonders that may be performed by the one who sets himself up as god to be worshiped.
A straight-forward verse in Revelation 1:7,8 is the best clue we have. Here the Apostle John tells us from his place of exile on the Isle of Patmos, “Behold, He comes with clouds and every eye shall see Him, including the Jews and every kindred shall wail because of Him! (He shall say,) I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, which was and is and is to come—the Almighty!”
Saturday, March 5, 2011
He'll Come Again
March 5
Pie in the sky T.V. diet ads invite us to purchase their product and see ourselves transformed from middle-aged housewives with sagging jowls and bulging midriffs to the beauties we once were. Pitch men to the elderly boldly proclaim the ‘can’t go wrong’ plans of reverse mortgages and insurance investments.
And all we can say to these and the thousand other schemes that bombard us from the tube each day is, ‘Let the buyer beware.’ We live in an age when deception is afoot. Things that were once part of what we believed to be the unshakable foundation of our society are now looked upon with a wary eye because our leaders seem to be pointing us in another direction—toward their altered version of ‘reality’.
We who believe in the infallibility of the Bible know that the end times immediately preceding the return of Christ will be characterized by deception. As the coming of the evil one who is predicted draws near, we should anticipate his attempt to lure us into an expectation of benevolence; we know he will seem to have the solution to all the world’s ills, but that is the greatest aspect of his duplicity. It cloaks demonic evil.
So should we cower in fear; look for the devil under every rock? Should we hide our faith in the hope that the horror of that evil day will fail to notice us? No! As Jesus said, “When these things come to pass, look up and lift up your head, for your redemption draws near” Luke 21:28. We believe the glorious truth that assures when we see these things it will be as the angel said in Acts 1:11, “…Jesus…shall come again…”
Pie in the sky T.V. diet ads invite us to purchase their product and see ourselves transformed from middle-aged housewives with sagging jowls and bulging midriffs to the beauties we once were. Pitch men to the elderly boldly proclaim the ‘can’t go wrong’ plans of reverse mortgages and insurance investments.
And all we can say to these and the thousand other schemes that bombard us from the tube each day is, ‘Let the buyer beware.’ We live in an age when deception is afoot. Things that were once part of what we believed to be the unshakable foundation of our society are now looked upon with a wary eye because our leaders seem to be pointing us in another direction—toward their altered version of ‘reality’.
We who believe in the infallibility of the Bible know that the end times immediately preceding the return of Christ will be characterized by deception. As the coming of the evil one who is predicted draws near, we should anticipate his attempt to lure us into an expectation of benevolence; we know he will seem to have the solution to all the world’s ills, but that is the greatest aspect of his duplicity. It cloaks demonic evil.
So should we cower in fear; look for the devil under every rock? Should we hide our faith in the hope that the horror of that evil day will fail to notice us? No! As Jesus said, “When these things come to pass, look up and lift up your head, for your redemption draws near” Luke 21:28. We believe the glorious truth that assures when we see these things it will be as the angel said in Acts 1:11, “…Jesus…shall come again…”
Friday, March 4, 2011
A Place for You
March 4
As children grow up and move away from home to establish families of their own, parents often ‘downsize’ their homes. They have a number of reasons for doing so. Primarily, they simply don’t need as much space. Why have four bedrooms when only one is used?
Why have rooms of furniture that the kids won’t ever want or keep possessions that only gather dust, and require work to care for? And don’t the things possessed act as chains that keep the retirees from a freer lifestyle of visiting grandchildren and touring sites of interest in far flung corners of the earth that beckon to them?
So the practical thing to do is to get rid of the excess. Give the kids the items they’ve indicated they’d like to have and call Good Will to pick up the things that will be useful to someone who needs them but can’t afford to buy them. Unencumbered with clutter, Grandmother and Grandfather can live the lifestyle they’ve always desired.
But, that final down-sizing isn’t the end of it. There will be one more move, and for the believer, it will not be to a one bedroom bungalow with limited space and minimal furniture. Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions and…I’m going there to prepare a place for you…” The believer’s eternal home will be the most lavish of all!
As children grow up and move away from home to establish families of their own, parents often ‘downsize’ their homes. They have a number of reasons for doing so. Primarily, they simply don’t need as much space. Why have four bedrooms when only one is used?
Why have rooms of furniture that the kids won’t ever want or keep possessions that only gather dust, and require work to care for? And don’t the things possessed act as chains that keep the retirees from a freer lifestyle of visiting grandchildren and touring sites of interest in far flung corners of the earth that beckon to them?
So the practical thing to do is to get rid of the excess. Give the kids the items they’ve indicated they’d like to have and call Good Will to pick up the things that will be useful to someone who needs them but can’t afford to buy them. Unencumbered with clutter, Grandmother and Grandfather can live the lifestyle they’ve always desired.
But, that final down-sizing isn’t the end of it. There will be one more move, and for the believer, it will not be to a one bedroom bungalow with limited space and minimal furniture. Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions and…I’m going there to prepare a place for you…” The believer’s eternal home will be the most lavish of all!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
On Second Thought...
March 3
Jesus is coming back. Oh, you don’t think so? You’re not so sure? The reality is that whether you or I or any other person who puts his own musings on the subject above what the Bible says to affirm or deny the Lord’s promise to return, “This same Jesus who you see taken up from you shall return in like manner as you have seen Him go,” Acts 1:11.
The veracity of the Bible is proven, established, over centuries of being more closely scrutinized than any other book ever written. Were its infallibility not exquisitely beyond refute, today’s doubter may be sure he would find infinite substantiation for his position. It simply isn’t there.
To be on the side of truth, on the side of the One who is TRUTH, the Word of scripture must be embraced. To negate it, to deny it, to ignore it is to relegate oneself to the unfortunate position of being found without it on that last day when all men’s decisions will be weighed in the balance and those that exclude Jesus will be found wanting.
As sure as the sun will rise each morning until the end of all things is accomplished, “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Are you waiting for Him to come back? On second thought, don’t you think you should be?
Jesus is coming back. Oh, you don’t think so? You’re not so sure? The reality is that whether you or I or any other person who puts his own musings on the subject above what the Bible says to affirm or deny the Lord’s promise to return, “This same Jesus who you see taken up from you shall return in like manner as you have seen Him go,” Acts 1:11.
The veracity of the Bible is proven, established, over centuries of being more closely scrutinized than any other book ever written. Were its infallibility not exquisitely beyond refute, today’s doubter may be sure he would find infinite substantiation for his position. It simply isn’t there.
To be on the side of truth, on the side of the One who is TRUTH, the Word of scripture must be embraced. To negate it, to deny it, to ignore it is to relegate oneself to the unfortunate position of being found without it on that last day when all men’s decisions will be weighed in the balance and those that exclude Jesus will be found wanting.
As sure as the sun will rise each morning until the end of all things is accomplished, “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.” Are you waiting for Him to come back? On second thought, don’t you think you should be?
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
We Shall Be Like Him
March 2
Just what does it mean that we are children of God? What difference does it make to our every-day lives that we have entered into covenant relationship with God and He has adopted us into His family? How can we identify ourselves as His?
Certainly, we know the peace that comes with receiving Christ as Savior and Lord, the joy salvation brings, yet, how does that translate into practical assurance that we are members of not only the body of believers, the church, but of the family of God?
The difference in our every-day existence should be profound. We no longer go the places we once went; we no longer indulge the vices that were our sinful pleasures. The focus of our new life in Christ is to be the good steward of the investment He’s made in us, to employ lovingly the treasure of the great privilege He’s given to us.
We are encouraged in this by the words of the beloved apostle in I John 3:2, “…now we are children of God and what we will be has not yet been revealed. But we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” When He comes, we shall be easily identified by our ‘family resemblance’ to Jesus who loves us.
Just what does it mean that we are children of God? What difference does it make to our every-day lives that we have entered into covenant relationship with God and He has adopted us into His family? How can we identify ourselves as His?
Certainly, we know the peace that comes with receiving Christ as Savior and Lord, the joy salvation brings, yet, how does that translate into practical assurance that we are members of not only the body of believers, the church, but of the family of God?
The difference in our every-day existence should be profound. We no longer go the places we once went; we no longer indulge the vices that were our sinful pleasures. The focus of our new life in Christ is to be the good steward of the investment He’s made in us, to employ lovingly the treasure of the great privilege He’s given to us.
We are encouraged in this by the words of the beloved apostle in I John 3:2, “…now we are children of God and what we will be has not yet been revealed. But we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” When He comes, we shall be easily identified by our ‘family resemblance’ to Jesus who loves us.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The Spirit Testifies
March 1
Trials come. Doubts creep in. Error overtakes the unwary so we must ever be on guard for any potential eventuality. We must keep our finger on the pulse of what’s going on in every area of interest. Whether it’s the vigilance of parents who monitor their children’s e-mail or the astute business executive who checks the market several times a day, we know we must stay abreast of matters that concern us.
Our uncertainty arises not from our fear of the deliberate acts of those who may wish to do us ill but from the sure knowledge that eventually, something will go awry in spite of our best effort to assure that it doesn’t. We know it will be the unforeseen things for which we did not plan that will thwart us, not the things we anticipated.
If we transfer our apprehension into the spiritual realm, how then can we rest on the promises of God for our eternal salvation, for our security in the hollow of His hand for not only time but for eternity? How can we know beyond the shadow of doubting when the crises in life arise that He is indeed upholding His end of the bargain—we lay our lives at His feet and He guards our lives?
Because He knows our frame, He has inspired Paul to write the answer to this dilemma in Romans 8:16. Here is made the beautiful assertion that, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” We need not rely upon the words of scripture alone, although they should be enough. We needn’t depend on the assurance of other men. His Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and confirms that we are children of God!
Trials come. Doubts creep in. Error overtakes the unwary so we must ever be on guard for any potential eventuality. We must keep our finger on the pulse of what’s going on in every area of interest. Whether it’s the vigilance of parents who monitor their children’s e-mail or the astute business executive who checks the market several times a day, we know we must stay abreast of matters that concern us.
Our uncertainty arises not from our fear of the deliberate acts of those who may wish to do us ill but from the sure knowledge that eventually, something will go awry in spite of our best effort to assure that it doesn’t. We know it will be the unforeseen things for which we did not plan that will thwart us, not the things we anticipated.
If we transfer our apprehension into the spiritual realm, how then can we rest on the promises of God for our eternal salvation, for our security in the hollow of His hand for not only time but for eternity? How can we know beyond the shadow of doubting when the crises in life arise that He is indeed upholding His end of the bargain—we lay our lives at His feet and He guards our lives?
Because He knows our frame, He has inspired Paul to write the answer to this dilemma in Romans 8:16. Here is made the beautiful assertion that, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” We need not rely upon the words of scripture alone, although they should be enough. We needn’t depend on the assurance of other men. His Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts and confirms that we are children of God!
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