April 30
There is one thing worthy of the focus of the Christian. Just one. That is not to negate the responsibility of all believers to follow the admonition given to the servants in Luke 19:13, “Occupy until I come.” In this parable, Jesus was conveying the necessity that believers go about the business of living life fully while keeping an eye on Heaven.
Whether we are working or relaxing or training up children or investing for the future—all—must be done with the realization that at any moment the eastern sky could split open and the moment of Christ’s return will be upon us. At that time, there will be neither opportunity to complete earthly tasks nor to accomplish heaven’s single requirement of owning Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Indeed, there will be no further need of the important things of time and the singular necessary act of receiving the salvation offered by the shed blood of the Lord will either be a fait accompli or the opportunity will be forever lost. In I Peter 1:13 the impetuous Apostle demonstrates that he finally got that one important thing right.
Here he says, “Prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” That one worthy thing, embracing the revealed Lord, requires a mind that has been prepared for His return by setting aside all else. To know Him is to be immersed in Him; nothing else is worthy.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
To Me Belongs Vengeance
April 29
Everyone has a conscience. Some of us may have seared ours to the point where it is so dulled that it can’t quicken within us when it should be able to alert us to the error of our ways, but the virtually universal fact is that people start out with a profound inner sense of right and wrong.
At an early age, it becomes apparent that there is a battle being waged within where each side—the good vs. the evil—are vying for ascendancy. Early indoctrination and acquired behaviors help determine whether it is the inner light or the inner darkness that will win the contest for control of the individual.
A most graphic contrast between conflicting values of two prominent world views is that regarding suicide bombers. People reared in the world of Islam view people who kill themselves and others in the name of Allah as heroes bound for paradise. The Christian world view counts such acts as mass murder and their perpetrators as worthy of eternal separation from the Holy God who IS LOVE. Both sides can’t be right and there can be no compromise between such divergent opinions.
The Christian believes Titus 2:11, 12, which says, “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to reject all ungodliness and worldly passions (including hatred), and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” It is neither the right nor the responsibility of the Christian to avenge wrongs in God’s behalf. He retains that prerogative for Himself according to Deuteronomy 32:35 which says, “To Me belongs vengeance…”
Everyone has a conscience. Some of us may have seared ours to the point where it is so dulled that it can’t quicken within us when it should be able to alert us to the error of our ways, but the virtually universal fact is that people start out with a profound inner sense of right and wrong.
At an early age, it becomes apparent that there is a battle being waged within where each side—the good vs. the evil—are vying for ascendancy. Early indoctrination and acquired behaviors help determine whether it is the inner light or the inner darkness that will win the contest for control of the individual.
A most graphic contrast between conflicting values of two prominent world views is that regarding suicide bombers. People reared in the world of Islam view people who kill themselves and others in the name of Allah as heroes bound for paradise. The Christian world view counts such acts as mass murder and their perpetrators as worthy of eternal separation from the Holy God who IS LOVE. Both sides can’t be right and there can be no compromise between such divergent opinions.
The Christian believes Titus 2:11, 12, which says, “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to reject all ungodliness and worldly passions (including hatred), and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” It is neither the right nor the responsibility of the Christian to avenge wrongs in God’s behalf. He retains that prerogative for Himself according to Deuteronomy 32:35 which says, “To Me belongs vengeance…”
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Distractions
April 28
Scoffers find fault with the inerrant word of God because of seeming discrepancies within its pages. They challenge the veracity of the scriptures because their finite minds have discovered contradictions between what the Bible says in one place compared to what it says in other verses.
Rather than seek the Lord for clarification, they simply discount the entirety of Holy Writ as being unreliable and unworthy of belief or study. They rob themselves of the opportunity to know the heart of God because their finite minds cannot readily grasp His infinite mind.
One concept that they challenge is that which assures man who is lost in trespasses and sin that salvation through Jesus Christ is free, that it is a gift (see II Corinthians 9:15). They cannot reconcile this truth with Jesus’ admonition in Matthew 16:24 which says, “If any man would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” How can a gift be free if one must deny himself to obtain it? Does that requirement constitute a ‘hidden cost’? Does that requirement negate the whole doctrine of salvation’s cost being pre-paid by Jesus? Does it require something of man that he must do in order to appease God’s righteous standard?
Consider an analogy of a college student whose tuition, room, board, and expenses are being paid by his parents. His education is their gift to him. In exchange for all they provide, the young man must remain focused on his studies and maintain good grades. If he neglects to do his part, he will disqualify himself from the university. In the same manner, if the recipient of God’s free gift of salvation does not value the law of heaven and comply with its tenets, he will disqualify himself. In both cases, the choice is in the hands of the recipient of the gift. To be effectual, the beneficiary of the gift must deny himself the distractions that prevent his attainment of the gift’s ultimate advantage.
Scoffers find fault with the inerrant word of God because of seeming discrepancies within its pages. They challenge the veracity of the scriptures because their finite minds have discovered contradictions between what the Bible says in one place compared to what it says in other verses.
Rather than seek the Lord for clarification, they simply discount the entirety of Holy Writ as being unreliable and unworthy of belief or study. They rob themselves of the opportunity to know the heart of God because their finite minds cannot readily grasp His infinite mind.
One concept that they challenge is that which assures man who is lost in trespasses and sin that salvation through Jesus Christ is free, that it is a gift (see II Corinthians 9:15). They cannot reconcile this truth with Jesus’ admonition in Matthew 16:24 which says, “If any man would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” How can a gift be free if one must deny himself to obtain it? Does that requirement constitute a ‘hidden cost’? Does that requirement negate the whole doctrine of salvation’s cost being pre-paid by Jesus? Does it require something of man that he must do in order to appease God’s righteous standard?
Consider an analogy of a college student whose tuition, room, board, and expenses are being paid by his parents. His education is their gift to him. In exchange for all they provide, the young man must remain focused on his studies and maintain good grades. If he neglects to do his part, he will disqualify himself from the university. In the same manner, if the recipient of God’s free gift of salvation does not value the law of heaven and comply with its tenets, he will disqualify himself. In both cases, the choice is in the hands of the recipient of the gift. To be effectual, the beneficiary of the gift must deny himself the distractions that prevent his attainment of the gift’s ultimate advantage.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Find Your Treasure
April 27
The story is told of a young man who received a Bible from his loving, godly father upon his graduation from college. The young man was so upset and disappointed at not having received a gift of substantially higher monetary value from his very wealthy father that he stormed out of his father’s house and did not return until being notified of his death decades later.
While going through his father’s possessions, all of which he had inherited, he came upon the faded package containing his Bible. Guilt and remorse flooded him as he finally understood his father’s complete devotion to him and the love in his heart that motivated his giving of a gift so significant to his own faith. But the package also contained a surprise.
Tucked into the Bible, on the same page as the verse that inquires, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26) his father had placed a check for an enormous amount of money, the deed to a lavish beach-side mansion and the title to one of the most esteemed automobiles of the day. The man was broken with grief as he finally understood that his father’s intent was to not only give him great wealth and fine gifts but to give him the one book where he could find the eternal treasure his father so highly valued.
He understood that his father had wished him to have not only temporal treasure but treasure that spends in heaven. Like so many parents who realize the futility of attempting to impart their faith to their offspring, the wealthy man knew his son had to seek it out for himself. By placing the worldly wealth his son valued so much in such close proximity to the eternal treasure, he trusted his son would, “…seek the Lord your God and find Him by searching for Him with all your heart” Deuteronomy 4:29. Your Heavenly Father’s heart longs for you to find your treasure. Don’t disappoint Him.
The story is told of a young man who received a Bible from his loving, godly father upon his graduation from college. The young man was so upset and disappointed at not having received a gift of substantially higher monetary value from his very wealthy father that he stormed out of his father’s house and did not return until being notified of his death decades later.
While going through his father’s possessions, all of which he had inherited, he came upon the faded package containing his Bible. Guilt and remorse flooded him as he finally understood his father’s complete devotion to him and the love in his heart that motivated his giving of a gift so significant to his own faith. But the package also contained a surprise.
Tucked into the Bible, on the same page as the verse that inquires, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26) his father had placed a check for an enormous amount of money, the deed to a lavish beach-side mansion and the title to one of the most esteemed automobiles of the day. The man was broken with grief as he finally understood that his father’s intent was to not only give him great wealth and fine gifts but to give him the one book where he could find the eternal treasure his father so highly valued.
He understood that his father had wished him to have not only temporal treasure but treasure that spends in heaven. Like so many parents who realize the futility of attempting to impart their faith to their offspring, the wealthy man knew his son had to seek it out for himself. By placing the worldly wealth his son valued so much in such close proximity to the eternal treasure, he trusted his son would, “…seek the Lord your God and find Him by searching for Him with all your heart” Deuteronomy 4:29. Your Heavenly Father’s heart longs for you to find your treasure. Don’t disappoint Him.
Thursday, April 26, 2012
April 26
There is a verse, Psalms 9:10, that is totally mystifying to anyone who thinks the only two ‘names’ for God are ‘God’ and ‘Almighty,’ for here David says, “Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” What this tells us is that people who have some understanding of the names of God (and they are myriad) will grasp His character and thereby enhance their trust in Him.
What you read here is just a smattering of the revelation of who God is as He unveils Himself to you through His names. May this brief list whet your appetite for more:
El Emet—the God of Truth
El Tsaddik—the Righteous God
El Shaddai—the All-Sufficient God
El Elyon—the Most High God
El Olam—the Everlasting God
El Roi—the God Who Sees Me
El De’ot—Omniscient God El Gibbor—Mighty Omnipotent God Warrior and Champion
El Hakkavod—God of Glory
El Hakkadosh—Holy, Sacred, Totally Unique God
El Eschad—the One God
El Hanne’eman—the Faithful God
These are but a few of the names of God through which He reveals not only His character but His heart to man. He declares His uniqueness through two of the names we contemplate here—El Eschad and El Hakkadosh—both of which proclaim His Oneness. He alone is God. He declares His faithfulness, His righteousness, His everlasting sufficiency, His great power to save, His eternal glory.
But perhaps the most comforting of all the names of the Holy One is Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23), for through Christ who came to dwell among us and reveal the Almighty to us, we see the veracity of the assertion found in I John 4:8, “…God is Love.”
There is a verse, Psalms 9:10, that is totally mystifying to anyone who thinks the only two ‘names’ for God are ‘God’ and ‘Almighty,’ for here David says, “Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” What this tells us is that people who have some understanding of the names of God (and they are myriad) will grasp His character and thereby enhance their trust in Him.
What you read here is just a smattering of the revelation of who God is as He unveils Himself to you through His names. May this brief list whet your appetite for more:
El Emet—the God of Truth
El Tsaddik—the Righteous God
El Shaddai—the All-Sufficient God
El Elyon—the Most High God
El Olam—the Everlasting God
El Roi—the God Who Sees Me
El De’ot—Omniscient God El Gibbor—Mighty Omnipotent God Warrior and Champion
El Hakkavod—God of Glory
El Hakkadosh—Holy, Sacred, Totally Unique God
El Eschad—the One God
El Hanne’eman—the Faithful God
These are but a few of the names of God through which He reveals not only His character but His heart to man. He declares His uniqueness through two of the names we contemplate here—El Eschad and El Hakkadosh—both of which proclaim His Oneness. He alone is God. He declares His faithfulness, His righteousness, His everlasting sufficiency, His great power to save, His eternal glory.
But perhaps the most comforting of all the names of the Holy One is Emmanuel, God with us (Matthew 1:23), for through Christ who came to dwell among us and reveal the Almighty to us, we see the veracity of the assertion found in I John 4:8, “…God is Love.”
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
His Watch Care Over You
April 25
The God we serve is all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful, all-loving. If He were not, it would be a bit disconcerting to know, “The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” Psalm 14:2. If He didn’t know us and desire to do us good with His great power because He loves us, it would be terrifying to realize that He sees us all the time!
Yet we who believe are sure in the depth of our soul that God is a loving Father whose great desire is to bless us and to lift us to higher and ever higher planes of loving and serving Him. We take great comfort in the words of the Prophet Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:25, “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the ones who seek Him.”
When we see Jesus, the God/Man who left His throne in Heaven to walk among us, to demonstrate the Father’s love through His kindness, His healing, His wisdom, His miracles, we cannot help but be moved toward faith in Him and peace in the knowledge that His eye is ever upon us. He is not spying on us to catch us in a fault; no! His purpose is to bless us! Jesus gives us further words of assurance in Matthew 10:29-31.
He says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. The very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not, therefore, for you are of much more value than many sparrows.” The God who sees you and knows you desires to use His power to do you good because He loves you. His Word is replete with assurance that His watch care over you is your blessing.
The God we serve is all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful, all-loving. If He were not, it would be a bit disconcerting to know, “The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” Psalm 14:2. If He didn’t know us and desire to do us good with His great power because He loves us, it would be terrifying to realize that He sees us all the time!
Yet we who believe are sure in the depth of our soul that God is a loving Father whose great desire is to bless us and to lift us to higher and ever higher planes of loving and serving Him. We take great comfort in the words of the Prophet Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:25, “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the ones who seek Him.”
When we see Jesus, the God/Man who left His throne in Heaven to walk among us, to demonstrate the Father’s love through His kindness, His healing, His wisdom, His miracles, we cannot help but be moved toward faith in Him and peace in the knowledge that His eye is ever upon us. He is not spying on us to catch us in a fault; no! His purpose is to bless us! Jesus gives us further words of assurance in Matthew 10:29-31.
He says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. The very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not, therefore, for you are of much more value than many sparrows.” The God who sees you and knows you desires to use His power to do you good because He loves you. His Word is replete with assurance that His watch care over you is your blessing.
Please Bear With Me...
The blog seems to have a new format which I have not figured out! Consequently, the paragraphs are running together. When I edit, my edit won't publish. I hope to resolve the matter, but in the meantime, I have no alternative but to allow the format to be as it is. It is difficult to read; I am sorry.
His Watch Care Over You
April 25
The God we serve is all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful, all-loving. If He were not, it would be a bit disconcerting to know, “The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” Psalm 14:2. If He didn’t know us and desire to do us good with His great power because He loves us, it would be terrifying to realize that He sees us all the time!
Yet we who believe are sure in the depth of our soul that God is a loving Father whose great desire is to bless us and to lift us to higher and ever higher planes of loving and serving Him. We take great comfort in the words of the Prophet Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:25, “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the ones who seek Him.”
When we see Jesus, the God/Man who left His throne in Heaven to walk among us, to demonstrate the Father’s love through His kindness, His healing, His wisdom, His miracles, we cannot help but be moved toward faith in Him and peace in the knowledge that His eye is ever upon us. He is not spying on us to catch us in a fault; no! His purpose is to bless us! Jesus gives us further words of assurance in Matthew 10:29-31.
He says, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall to the ground without your Father. The very hairs of your head are numbered. Fear not, therefore, for you are of much more value than many sparrows.” The God who sees you and knows you desires to use His power to do you good because He loves you. His Word is replete with assurance that His watch care over you is your blessing.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
No Price Sufficient To Cover The Cost
April 24
An amazing incongruity of Christianity is the fact that we need do nothing to please God sufficiently to gain our salvation—it is a free gift, paid in full by the shed blood of Jesus (Romans 6:23). We need not, in fact, we cannot, add in any measure to the requirement that has already been met in our behalf.
We cannot merit salvation, for all mankind is fallen and cannot lift himself up because he is under the weight of sin. Indeed, we cannot purchase our salvation because there is no price sufficient to cover the cost of Heaven’s Perfect Lamb that was slain in our behalf.
As the Apostle says in I Peter 1:18, 19, “You were not redeemed from sin with corruptible things like silver and gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, the Lamb without blemish or spot.” Our salvation required a perfect sacrifice and there is no other perfect sacrifice to be slain upon the altar than the One that has already been lifted up. It can never be added to or detracted from. For all eternity, it stands.
Although we are not required to pay for our salvation, Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “Without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.” So we come to Him without resources. We come only with the desire to search His ways and follow His truth. What we cannot buy with good deeds or money, is received by faith.
An amazing incongruity of Christianity is the fact that we need do nothing to please God sufficiently to gain our salvation—it is a free gift, paid in full by the shed blood of Jesus (Romans 6:23). We need not, in fact, we cannot, add in any measure to the requirement that has already been met in our behalf.
We cannot merit salvation, for all mankind is fallen and cannot lift himself up because he is under the weight of sin. Indeed, we cannot purchase our salvation because there is no price sufficient to cover the cost of Heaven’s Perfect Lamb that was slain in our behalf.
As the Apostle says in I Peter 1:18, 19, “You were not redeemed from sin with corruptible things like silver and gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, the Lamb without blemish or spot.” Our salvation required a perfect sacrifice and there is no other perfect sacrifice to be slain upon the altar than the One that has already been lifted up. It can never be added to or detracted from. For all eternity, it stands.
Although we are not required to pay for our salvation, Hebrews 11:6 tells us, “Without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him.” So we come to Him without resources. We come only with the desire to search His ways and follow His truth. What we cannot buy with good deeds or money, is received by faith.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Our Full Reward
April 23
God wants to be at the top of our list of priorities. We understand that fully, for we expect the same thing from the people we love. Parents anticipate that their children will love them so well that obedience will be second nature.
Parents love and nurture their youngsters with all they are and all they possess, so being loved and recognized as their children’s authority figure is not too much to expect.
Spouses foresee exclusivity in their relationship to one another. In fact, to breach that expectation is the only Biblical grounds for divorce (see Matthew 5:31, 32). Though we live in an age when sexual activity is engaged at an early age and ‘open marriages’ are not uncommon, God’s law in the matter remains unchanged.
Employers fully anticipate the loyalty of those who work for them. The employee who speaks ill of the company will find himself scouring the want ads of the newspaper. Within each of us is the full comprehension of the veracity of these expectations for we all carry them into our most intimate and valued relationships. It is not surprising to us, then, that in this regard we are like our Heavenly Father who also expects us to put Him first.
In fact, He values our making Him our top priority so much that He attaches a promise to our doing so! In Luke 12:31, Jesus says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all things will be added unto you.” If we put Him first, the Christ who loves us assures our full reward.
God wants to be at the top of our list of priorities. We understand that fully, for we expect the same thing from the people we love. Parents anticipate that their children will love them so well that obedience will be second nature.
Parents love and nurture their youngsters with all they are and all they possess, so being loved and recognized as their children’s authority figure is not too much to expect.
Spouses foresee exclusivity in their relationship to one another. In fact, to breach that expectation is the only Biblical grounds for divorce (see Matthew 5:31, 32). Though we live in an age when sexual activity is engaged at an early age and ‘open marriages’ are not uncommon, God’s law in the matter remains unchanged.
Employers fully anticipate the loyalty of those who work for them. The employee who speaks ill of the company will find himself scouring the want ads of the newspaper. Within each of us is the full comprehension of the veracity of these expectations for we all carry them into our most intimate and valued relationships. It is not surprising to us, then, that in this regard we are like our Heavenly Father who also expects us to put Him first.
In fact, He values our making Him our top priority so much that He attaches a promise to our doing so! In Luke 12:31, Jesus says, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and all things will be added unto you.” If we put Him first, the Christ who loves us assures our full reward.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Because We Believe (Addendum to April 22)
The world’s value system differs from the one espoused by people of faith in Christ. We are not surprised when those who believe in another ‘god’ or who believe in no god at all speak and act differently than the way prescribed by the Word. The scriptures are quite clear as to how our Holy God expects His people to comport themselves.
Beyond the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:1-17), there are myriad places in scripture where we are told how we are to live, including how husbands and wives should interact (see I Corinthians 7:1-40 and Ephesians 5:1-33), how parents and children should interact (see Ephesians 6:1-4) and how masters (employers) and slaves (employees) should relate to each other (see Ephesians 6:5-9).
We are not surprised when the world does not evidence respect for these God-given admonitions. But what do we do with the reality that many Christians don’t either? How do we deal with the fact that many Christian husbands do not love their wives better than they love themselves? That many Christian wives to not reverence their husbands? That Christian children are rebellious? That Christian employers/employees defraud one another their due?
When we see these discrepancies between profession of faith and implementation of it in our own lives, we must reconcile the breech. We must either face the fact that we do not believe the God who saved us has authority over us or we must conform our lives to that belief. We can’t have it both ways. If we live by the world’s standard, we may justify our reaction to another individual by the way he treats us. If we live by God’s standard, we must react to each person in our lives as the Lord would have us do.
Beyond the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:1-17), there are myriad places in scripture where we are told how we are to live, including how husbands and wives should interact (see I Corinthians 7:1-40 and Ephesians 5:1-33), how parents and children should interact (see Ephesians 6:1-4) and how masters (employers) and slaves (employees) should relate to each other (see Ephesians 6:5-9).
We are not surprised when the world does not evidence respect for these God-given admonitions. But what do we do with the reality that many Christians don’t either? How do we deal with the fact that many Christian husbands do not love their wives better than they love themselves? That many Christian wives to not reverence their husbands? That Christian children are rebellious? That Christian employers/employees defraud one another their due?
When we see these discrepancies between profession of faith and implementation of it in our own lives, we must reconcile the breech. We must either face the fact that we do not believe the God who saved us has authority over us or we must conform our lives to that belief. We can’t have it both ways. If we live by the world’s standard, we may justify our reaction to another individual by the way he treats us. If we live by God’s standard, we must react to each person in our lives as the Lord would have us do.
Because He Loves
April 22
Our Lord comes to us with amazing gifts in His outstretched hands. He is not like the false gods of the world who impose stringent demands upon anyone who seeks mercy. No, the One True and Living Savior is generous—He is generous, He is giving, He is forgiving, He is patient, He is kind—because He loves.
The gods who are fabricated in the minds of desperate men who long to please the deity they do not know and whom they fear, are wrathful and demanding. Their ire is easily raised against the non-compliant. And when their fury is unleashed, the object of the whirlwind of their wrath is caught in its gale-like force and swept away by it!
Can we fault the adherent to faith in such a god when he performs inhuman atrocities against his fellow man? Can we wonder at his willingness to be used in wanton cruelty when we realize the unspeakable horror that he fears will be his punishment if he does not! We know an amazing transformation can occur in the life of such a one if he can hear the truth of God’s love for him; if he can see the revelation of who God really is—by seeing the love of Christ! How can he see? How can he call on Christ to save him if he hasn’t heard of Him?
The Word says he cannot if there is no preacher (see Romans 10:14) SO LET US PROCLAIM HIS LOVE! Once he knows Christ’s love and calls on the Lord, the vilest of men will be renewed in the inner man, for Jesus has said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives…” Luke 11:9, 10, for our God is no respecter of persons (see Colossians 3:25). He extends His gift of salvation to all who will receive it.
Our Lord comes to us with amazing gifts in His outstretched hands. He is not like the false gods of the world who impose stringent demands upon anyone who seeks mercy. No, the One True and Living Savior is generous—He is generous, He is giving, He is forgiving, He is patient, He is kind—because He loves.
The gods who are fabricated in the minds of desperate men who long to please the deity they do not know and whom they fear, are wrathful and demanding. Their ire is easily raised against the non-compliant. And when their fury is unleashed, the object of the whirlwind of their wrath is caught in its gale-like force and swept away by it!
Can we fault the adherent to faith in such a god when he performs inhuman atrocities against his fellow man? Can we wonder at his willingness to be used in wanton cruelty when we realize the unspeakable horror that he fears will be his punishment if he does not! We know an amazing transformation can occur in the life of such a one if he can hear the truth of God’s love for him; if he can see the revelation of who God really is—by seeing the love of Christ! How can he see? How can he call on Christ to save him if he hasn’t heard of Him?
The Word says he cannot if there is no preacher (see Romans 10:14) SO LET US PROCLAIM HIS LOVE! Once he knows Christ’s love and calls on the Lord, the vilest of men will be renewed in the inner man, for Jesus has said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives…” Luke 11:9, 10, for our God is no respecter of persons (see Colossians 3:25). He extends His gift of salvation to all who will receive it.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
It Takes A Tender Heart
April 21
There is hope for all men to be saved because Jesus has come to set all men free from bondage to sin. How can someone who is caught in the jaws of the basest element of his own nature even begin to hope there is pardon available for him? He can not only hope, he can be confident that salvation is available for him because the Word says so.
In I Timothy 2:3, 4, Paul says to his young protégé, “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who wills that all men be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” This is possible, Paul goes on to say, not because a man is worthy but because, “…the Man Christ Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all…” I Timothy 2:5, 6.
The price Jesus paid covers all the sins of everyone who has ever transgressed the law to any degree. Whether his infraction is small or great, it is under the shed blood of the Lord who paid the only price that can satisfy the just requirement of our Holy God. The Lord is available to every man who reaches out to Him, but a man’s heart may become callous. If he declines the gracious wooing of the Savior often enough, he becomes totally insensitive to it, for his heart is no longer tender toward the things of Christ.
We can allow ourselves to become inured to the Lord’s tug upon our hearts so the prophet admonishes in Isaiah 55:6, 7, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near…let the wicked man forsake his evil thoughts and actions and turn to the Lord who will have mercy on him, for God will freely pardon him.” Because Jesus has come to set all men free from sin, His amazing gift is for all. But a cold, hard, bitter sinner rarely senses the love that woos him. It takes a tender heart to receive salvation.
There is hope for all men to be saved because Jesus has come to set all men free from bondage to sin. How can someone who is caught in the jaws of the basest element of his own nature even begin to hope there is pardon available for him? He can not only hope, he can be confident that salvation is available for him because the Word says so.
In I Timothy 2:3, 4, Paul says to his young protégé, “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who wills that all men be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” This is possible, Paul goes on to say, not because a man is worthy but because, “…the Man Christ Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all…” I Timothy 2:5, 6.
The price Jesus paid covers all the sins of everyone who has ever transgressed the law to any degree. Whether his infraction is small or great, it is under the shed blood of the Lord who paid the only price that can satisfy the just requirement of our Holy God. The Lord is available to every man who reaches out to Him, but a man’s heart may become callous. If he declines the gracious wooing of the Savior often enough, he becomes totally insensitive to it, for his heart is no longer tender toward the things of Christ.
We can allow ourselves to become inured to the Lord’s tug upon our hearts so the prophet admonishes in Isaiah 55:6, 7, “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near…let the wicked man forsake his evil thoughts and actions and turn to the Lord who will have mercy on him, for God will freely pardon him.” Because Jesus has come to set all men free from sin, His amazing gift is for all. But a cold, hard, bitter sinner rarely senses the love that woos him. It takes a tender heart to receive salvation.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Seek Me And Find Me
April 20
We enjoyed playing ‘Hide and Seek’ when we were children. Many of us fondly remember warm summer nights when we had only the stars and the street lights to illumine our search for friends who were concealed behind trees, under porches, among the trash cans—anyplace an imaginative child considered to be a good hiding place.
Although God doesn’t hide from us, we do hide ourselves from Him. We live our lives without giving much thought to Him or to His law or to His perfect plan for us. Mankind relishes his ‘freedom from God’ to a greater extent today in the Western world than he ever has. Indeed, there was a time when Western man drew near to God and was blessed by discovering His mind as well as His heart.
A wonderful blessing that our Loving God affords to us is that the path to Him can always be restored if we will but turn our hearts back to Him. In Jeremiah 29:12-14 He states very clearly through the prophet, “You will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you shall search for Me with all Your heart. I will be found by you.”
God wants sinners to search for Him. He wants the lost to find Him. Jesus states very clearly in Luke 19:10 that His mission, His purpose for coming to earth, “…is to seek and to save the lost.” The reality is that we don’t have to look for God because Jesus has already sought us! Essentially, all we must do is to make ourselves available to be found by Him!
We enjoyed playing ‘Hide and Seek’ when we were children. Many of us fondly remember warm summer nights when we had only the stars and the street lights to illumine our search for friends who were concealed behind trees, under porches, among the trash cans—anyplace an imaginative child considered to be a good hiding place.
Although God doesn’t hide from us, we do hide ourselves from Him. We live our lives without giving much thought to Him or to His law or to His perfect plan for us. Mankind relishes his ‘freedom from God’ to a greater extent today in the Western world than he ever has. Indeed, there was a time when Western man drew near to God and was blessed by discovering His mind as well as His heart.
A wonderful blessing that our Loving God affords to us is that the path to Him can always be restored if we will but turn our hearts back to Him. In Jeremiah 29:12-14 He states very clearly through the prophet, “You will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you shall search for Me with all Your heart. I will be found by you.”
God wants sinners to search for Him. He wants the lost to find Him. Jesus states very clearly in Luke 19:10 that His mission, His purpose for coming to earth, “…is to seek and to save the lost.” The reality is that we don’t have to look for God because Jesus has already sought us! Essentially, all we must do is to make ourselves available to be found by Him!
Thursday, April 19, 2012
May I interject here, and this is not to trivialize the suffering of our brothers who are incarcerated and tortured for their faith, that those who hold them captive are bound by a more cruel bondage than are they!
There is an eternal bondage, that if it is not broken by the freeing, cleansing blood of Christ, will relegate the one who is bound--by false religion by secular humanism, by every futile way contrived in the imagination of man or in the demonic mind of satan--to a Christ-less eternity where, as the Lord tells us, "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth," Luke 13:28.
There is also a 'worm of regret' that Jesus speaks of in Mark 9:44, 46, 48 that conveys to us the very real anguish of the one who finds himself in hell and has all of eternity to lament the opportunities he had to receive the Lord as Savior but declined them.
There is an eternal bondage, that if it is not broken by the freeing, cleansing blood of Christ, will relegate the one who is bound--by false religion by secular humanism, by every futile way contrived in the imagination of man or in the demonic mind of satan--to a Christ-less eternity where, as the Lord tells us, "There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth," Luke 13:28.
There is also a 'worm of regret' that Jesus speaks of in Mark 9:44, 46, 48 that conveys to us the very real anguish of the one who finds himself in hell and has all of eternity to lament the opportunities he had to receive the Lord as Savior but declined them.
Pray for Our Brothers in Bondage
April 19
The historical record tells us that all of Jesus’ apostles except John died at the hands of haters of the gospel. These good and honorable men were vilified and vilely treated because of their endeavor to live the life of faith and to share the tenets of Christianity among the lost with whom they shared the good news of salvation.
These men did not count life as something to be cherished. As Paul said in Philippians 1:21, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” He echoed the heart of every one of the apostles when he penned those amazing words! None of them valued their lives except as vehicles by which the message of Jesus might be carried to unbelievers.
These bold proclaimers of the Truth that sets men free had no fear of death—to them, death did not exist! They were confident in the assurance they had from the Lord that believers pass from life to LIFE! As Paul states in Romans 8:38,39, “I am persuaded that neither death nor life; nor angels nor demons; nor the present nor the future—no powers, no height, no depth, nothing in all creation—nothing!—can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Statistically, there are more Christians being persecuted for their faith today than at any other time in history. Iranian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani is a most notable example. Though not restricted to the following countries, much persecution of Christians occurs within them: Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Cambodia, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Let us pray for our brothers in bondage—that their faith fail not, for their Jesus has promised, “I will never fail you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
The historical record tells us that all of Jesus’ apostles except John died at the hands of haters of the gospel. These good and honorable men were vilified and vilely treated because of their endeavor to live the life of faith and to share the tenets of Christianity among the lost with whom they shared the good news of salvation.
These men did not count life as something to be cherished. As Paul said in Philippians 1:21, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” He echoed the heart of every one of the apostles when he penned those amazing words! None of them valued their lives except as vehicles by which the message of Jesus might be carried to unbelievers.
These bold proclaimers of the Truth that sets men free had no fear of death—to them, death did not exist! They were confident in the assurance they had from the Lord that believers pass from life to LIFE! As Paul states in Romans 8:38,39, “I am persuaded that neither death nor life; nor angels nor demons; nor the present nor the future—no powers, no height, no depth, nothing in all creation—nothing!—can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Statistically, there are more Christians being persecuted for their faith today than at any other time in history. Iranian Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani is a most notable example. Though not restricted to the following countries, much persecution of Christians occurs within them: Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Cambodia, China, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Let us pray for our brothers in bondage—that their faith fail not, for their Jesus has promised, “I will never fail you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
MICAH 7:8
Jesus did not promise that those who believe in Him would never face difficult times. He in fact, said the opposite in John 16:33, "...In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world."
We know, "...the sun shines on the just and on the unjust; the rain falls on the just and on the unjust" Matthew 5:45. The good have not been promised lives without trial and the wicked have not been set aside for life's hardships. Life 'happens' to everyone.
But the godly know that when their trials come, when their hard times appear, they have a sure word of the Lord to stand on. It is in Micah 7:8, and it says, "Rejoice not over me, O, mine enemy! For when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." God is there to help His people through life's tough times.
He is "...our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" Psalm 46:1. Do not be faint of heart, saint of God! You are precious to the Holy One. Do not doubt His help as you endeavor to overcome the challenges of life and do not doubt His complete provision for you for not only time but also for eternity.
God bless you, my brother, my sister
We know, "...the sun shines on the just and on the unjust; the rain falls on the just and on the unjust" Matthew 5:45. The good have not been promised lives without trial and the wicked have not been set aside for life's hardships. Life 'happens' to everyone.
But the godly know that when their trials come, when their hard times appear, they have a sure word of the Lord to stand on. It is in Micah 7:8, and it says, "Rejoice not over me, O, mine enemy! For when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." God is there to help His people through life's tough times.
He is "...our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble" Psalm 46:1. Do not be faint of heart, saint of God! You are precious to the Holy One. Do not doubt His help as you endeavor to overcome the challenges of life and do not doubt His complete provision for you for not only time but also for eternity.
God bless you, my brother, my sister
Safe In His Love
April 18
World events swirl tumultuously around us. At times, we feel we’re caught in a whirlwind of bellicose events that could lead to man’s doom. Nations vie for ascendancy and an uneasy peace is shaken at the thought of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Nobody seems able to control the madness.
Fear has invaded the heart and spirit of many who look for solutions to the calamities that loom before us, and to those who tremble anxiously before threatening circumstances, the Lord says, “Why should you fear mere men who shall die, who are as grass that withers away, and forget the Lord your Maker who has stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth…?” (Isaiah 51:12, 13)
What He’s saying is, ‘Get things in perspective.’ It isn’t that our God is oblivious to the madness. He is not such a supreme optimist that He fails to recognize the precarious ground man is treading. He understands the ranting of those who exalt themselves above the law of righteousness. Rather, He is saying, ‘Hold My hand. Walk with Me. I who have all power; I who keep the planets in their orbits, am fully able to protect you.’
In Deuteronomy 33:12 He says, “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields them…the one the Lord loves rests securely on His bosom.” Paul states that same assurance to believers in Hebrews 13:6 where he says, “The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid…” May we appropriate these promises and trust confidently in the One who keeps them, the One who keeps those who believe in Him safe in His love.
World events swirl tumultuously around us. At times, we feel we’re caught in a whirlwind of bellicose events that could lead to man’s doom. Nations vie for ascendancy and an uneasy peace is shaken at the thought of the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Nobody seems able to control the madness.
Fear has invaded the heart and spirit of many who look for solutions to the calamities that loom before us, and to those who tremble anxiously before threatening circumstances, the Lord says, “Why should you fear mere men who shall die, who are as grass that withers away, and forget the Lord your Maker who has stretched forth the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth…?” (Isaiah 51:12, 13)
What He’s saying is, ‘Get things in perspective.’ It isn’t that our God is oblivious to the madness. He is not such a supreme optimist that He fails to recognize the precarious ground man is treading. He understands the ranting of those who exalt themselves above the law of righteousness. Rather, He is saying, ‘Hold My hand. Walk with Me. I who have all power; I who keep the planets in their orbits, am fully able to protect you.’
In Deuteronomy 33:12 He says, “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields them…the one the Lord loves rests securely on His bosom.” Paul states that same assurance to believers in Hebrews 13:6 where he says, “The Lord is my Helper; I will not be afraid…” May we appropriate these promises and trust confidently in the One who keeps them, the One who keeps those who believe in Him safe in His love.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The Anchor That Holds
April 17
One of the indications of His soon return, a list of which Jesus gave when asked what would be the signs of the end of the world (see Matthew 24:3-15) is that there would be, “…earthquakes in divers places.”
Currently, there are about 20,000 earthquakes recorded yearly. It is anticipated that there will be 17 major quakes (7.0-7.9) and one great quake (8.0 or above) on the Richter Scale, annually. Though buildings in earthquake zones are constructed to specifications to minimize death and destruction, there is significant loss due to quakes each time one occurs.
Natural disasters pose serious threats to all parts of the world. Whether a tsunami, triggered by an earthquake in the depths of the sea, or a hurricane, or a blizzard, or an avalanche, the unleashed fury of nature places man in a helpless position. The most powerful men among us recognize our utter inability to prevent these onslaughts. The Bible addresses the unsettling reality of them and it also gives us an anchor to hold us fast when they occur.
In Psalm 16:8 David says, “I have set the Lord always before me…therefore, I will not be shaken.” In Psalm 125:1, the psalmist says, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” When the earth shakes or when nations rattle their swords, or when trouble comes to the person of faith, he may rest secure because Christ who loves him is the anchor that holds in the storm.
One of the indications of His soon return, a list of which Jesus gave when asked what would be the signs of the end of the world (see Matthew 24:3-15) is that there would be, “…earthquakes in divers places.”
Currently, there are about 20,000 earthquakes recorded yearly. It is anticipated that there will be 17 major quakes (7.0-7.9) and one great quake (8.0 or above) on the Richter Scale, annually. Though buildings in earthquake zones are constructed to specifications to minimize death and destruction, there is significant loss due to quakes each time one occurs.
Natural disasters pose serious threats to all parts of the world. Whether a tsunami, triggered by an earthquake in the depths of the sea, or a hurricane, or a blizzard, or an avalanche, the unleashed fury of nature places man in a helpless position. The most powerful men among us recognize our utter inability to prevent these onslaughts. The Bible addresses the unsettling reality of them and it also gives us an anchor to hold us fast when they occur.
In Psalm 16:8 David says, “I have set the Lord always before me…therefore, I will not be shaken.” In Psalm 125:1, the psalmist says, “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” When the earth shakes or when nations rattle their swords, or when trouble comes to the person of faith, he may rest secure because Christ who loves him is the anchor that holds in the storm.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Blessed Assurance
April 16
One of the great blessings enjoyed by people of faith is knowing that their lives are secure in the hand of a God who loves them and cares about everything that touches them. This truth is perhaps most definitively stated in I Peter 5:7 where the impetuous apostle tells us that we may, “Cast all your cares upon Jesus, for He cares for you.”
David’s words, too, echo to us through the corridors of time. He says in Psalm 16:5, “Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.” How precious to know that our Heavenly Father has assigned to each of us a portion that is sufficient to our needs, that our lot is secure because HE SAYS IT IS.
In Jeremiah 33:6, the ‘weeping prophet’ tells us that the Lord has assured, “I will heal My people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and prosperity.” We long for health of mind, body, spirit. We yearn for peace--not only peace among nations of the earth, not only freedom from tumult in our neighborhoods, but for the inner peace that comes when we know our lives are in Christ.
Because Jesus has said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand,” (John 10:28) we know there is no more secure place we can be than in His keeping. Though war may rage around us, though kingdoms may rise and fall, we who know Him as Savior may rest in His arms of love forever.
One of the great blessings enjoyed by people of faith is knowing that their lives are secure in the hand of a God who loves them and cares about everything that touches them. This truth is perhaps most definitively stated in I Peter 5:7 where the impetuous apostle tells us that we may, “Cast all your cares upon Jesus, for He cares for you.”
David’s words, too, echo to us through the corridors of time. He says in Psalm 16:5, “Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure.” How precious to know that our Heavenly Father has assigned to each of us a portion that is sufficient to our needs, that our lot is secure because HE SAYS IT IS.
In Jeremiah 33:6, the ‘weeping prophet’ tells us that the Lord has assured, “I will heal My people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and prosperity.” We long for health of mind, body, spirit. We yearn for peace--not only peace among nations of the earth, not only freedom from tumult in our neighborhoods, but for the inner peace that comes when we know our lives are in Christ.
Because Jesus has said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand,” (John 10:28) we know there is no more secure place we can be than in His keeping. Though war may rage around us, though kingdoms may rise and fall, we who know Him as Savior may rest in His arms of love forever.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
A Covenant
April 15
Today is ‘income tax day’ in the United States (deferred until 04/17/12 because today is a Sunday). Whatever one owes to the government must be paid up by today. Some people are ahead of the game—they have already paid their just due to ‘Uncle Sam’ and are waiting for their tax return.
This is because they have included in their diligence the payment of a little extra toward their taxes from each paycheck, just so at this time of the year they can anticipate a bit back. Others who have not done so will be expected to write a check to cover the balance of what the Internal Revenue Service says they owe.
This is patterned after the Word of God regarding spiritual truth. For example, in Deuteronomy 7:12, the Hebrews who have been set free from bondage in Egypt are told, “If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep His covenant of love with you, as He swore to your forefathers.” God has set up His covenant of love as the IRS has set up the tax system.
There are always at least two parties to a covenant (the payer and the payee as in the case of the American taxpayer and the IRS). Each party has rights and privileges as well as duties and responsibilities. When each fulfills his obligation, things run smoothly. In the case of our spiritual covenant with our Holy God, when we have received Jesus as Savior and Lord, we are entitled to the eternal joys of heaven.
Today is ‘income tax day’ in the United States (deferred until 04/17/12 because today is a Sunday). Whatever one owes to the government must be paid up by today. Some people are ahead of the game—they have already paid their just due to ‘Uncle Sam’ and are waiting for their tax return.
This is because they have included in their diligence the payment of a little extra toward their taxes from each paycheck, just so at this time of the year they can anticipate a bit back. Others who have not done so will be expected to write a check to cover the balance of what the Internal Revenue Service says they owe.
This is patterned after the Word of God regarding spiritual truth. For example, in Deuteronomy 7:12, the Hebrews who have been set free from bondage in Egypt are told, “If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep His covenant of love with you, as He swore to your forefathers.” God has set up His covenant of love as the IRS has set up the tax system.
There are always at least two parties to a covenant (the payer and the payee as in the case of the American taxpayer and the IRS). Each party has rights and privileges as well as duties and responsibilities. When each fulfills his obligation, things run smoothly. In the case of our spiritual covenant with our Holy God, when we have received Jesus as Savior and Lord, we are entitled to the eternal joys of heaven.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Free of the Penalty
April 14
How much of the law of God do you know? How many of the Ten Commandments can you recite? Do you know them in order? Well, welcome to the club. Most of us don’t. Even those who profess faith in the One, True, Living God, even we who have received Jesus as our Savior and Lord, are among those who don’t actually know the law—even its most familiar aspects.
This state of ignorance on our part is at total variance with what the Bible says in the matter. Joshua 1:8 admonishes, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from you; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” It’s quite a word of counsel—and it promises quite a blessing!
But we have largely ignored it. We employ some of its tenets in our day-to-day lives. We don’t kill or steal, but we are rather ‘foot-loose’ with some other of its warnings. Have we committed adultery? Have we coveted our neighbor’s success? And the big one—have we taken the Lord’s holy name in vain? Have we used the name of Jesus blasphemously? Have we uttered prayers in His name without investing our heart in them? The list of self-probing questions could go on to include all the infractions of God’s holy and immutable law that we have all committed.
We know we stand guilty before Him. We know we have returned to our sin “as a dog to its vomit…” Proverbs 26:11, so we know our failure isn’t merely in not knowing the law, but in not living the law we know! This brings us to conclude that our need is for a Savior who fulfills the law for us. We have that Savior in Jesus. The Giver of the law is the Fulfiller of the law in our behalf. He lived the law and He died to pay our penalty for breaking the law. Because of Jesus, we are made righteous. Because of Jesus, we are made free of the penalty of the law we’ve broken.
How much of the law of God do you know? How many of the Ten Commandments can you recite? Do you know them in order? Well, welcome to the club. Most of us don’t. Even those who profess faith in the One, True, Living God, even we who have received Jesus as our Savior and Lord, are among those who don’t actually know the law—even its most familiar aspects.
This state of ignorance on our part is at total variance with what the Bible says in the matter. Joshua 1:8 admonishes, “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from you; meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” It’s quite a word of counsel—and it promises quite a blessing!
But we have largely ignored it. We employ some of its tenets in our day-to-day lives. We don’t kill or steal, but we are rather ‘foot-loose’ with some other of its warnings. Have we committed adultery? Have we coveted our neighbor’s success? And the big one—have we taken the Lord’s holy name in vain? Have we used the name of Jesus blasphemously? Have we uttered prayers in His name without investing our heart in them? The list of self-probing questions could go on to include all the infractions of God’s holy and immutable law that we have all committed.
We know we stand guilty before Him. We know we have returned to our sin “as a dog to its vomit…” Proverbs 26:11, so we know our failure isn’t merely in not knowing the law, but in not living the law we know! This brings us to conclude that our need is for a Savior who fulfills the law for us. We have that Savior in Jesus. The Giver of the law is the Fulfiller of the law in our behalf. He lived the law and He died to pay our penalty for breaking the law. Because of Jesus, we are made righteous. Because of Jesus, we are made free of the penalty of the law we’ve broken.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Be Doers, Not Mere Hearers
April 13
We are to be ‘’doers of the Word,’’ not mere hearers (James 1:23-25). The gospel is not something to which we merely give assent with our lips; it is something we are to live. In Romans 2:13, the Apostle Paul makes the same assertion regarding the law, adding, “…it is not the hearers of the law but the doers of the law who shall be justified.”
James, the half-brother of Jesus tells us another advantage that those who live the law achieve over those who know the law but do not use the law as the foundation for their lives. He says, “The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom… doing what he has heard and seen in the law…will be blessed in all he does,” James 1:25.
Our loving Heavenly Father knows our frame. He understands our proclivity to disobedience and to sin. He knows the calamity we bring upon ourselves by our failure to follow godly paths; He knows our fallen nature inclines us toward the denizens of sin, so He has established His law as a roadmap to guide us back from the destructive, sinful places to which we’ve wandered.
When we realize our miserable state, grasp the reality that we are helpless to extricate ourselves from sin without the help of Jesus; when we allow Him to cleanse us from sin, set us on a path of righteousness—then we can go forward in the power of the Word and the law which the Lord kept perfectly in our behalf. Then we discover the blessing of being doers, not mere hearers, of God’s immutable Word and His perfect law.
We are to be ‘’doers of the Word,’’ not mere hearers (James 1:23-25). The gospel is not something to which we merely give assent with our lips; it is something we are to live. In Romans 2:13, the Apostle Paul makes the same assertion regarding the law, adding, “…it is not the hearers of the law but the doers of the law who shall be justified.”
James, the half-brother of Jesus tells us another advantage that those who live the law achieve over those who know the law but do not use the law as the foundation for their lives. He says, “The man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom… doing what he has heard and seen in the law…will be blessed in all he does,” James 1:25.
Our loving Heavenly Father knows our frame. He understands our proclivity to disobedience and to sin. He knows the calamity we bring upon ourselves by our failure to follow godly paths; He knows our fallen nature inclines us toward the denizens of sin, so He has established His law as a roadmap to guide us back from the destructive, sinful places to which we’ve wandered.
When we realize our miserable state, grasp the reality that we are helpless to extricate ourselves from sin without the help of Jesus; when we allow Him to cleanse us from sin, set us on a path of righteousness—then we can go forward in the power of the Word and the law which the Lord kept perfectly in our behalf. Then we discover the blessing of being doers, not mere hearers, of God’s immutable Word and His perfect law.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Our Triune God
April 12
When we speak of the Holy Spirit, we know we are discussing the Third Person of the Trinity. Christians believe that our Triune God is, in the essence of Himself, three persons in One Holy Being.
He is the Father God who we envision as filling eternity. He is the Son of God who came to earth to pay the penalty for man’s sin. He is the Spirit/Breath of God, by whom all worlds were fashioned and all men’s hearts are drawn to Himself.
Our Father God is said to inhabit in eternity (Isaiah 57:15). Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity is the Living Word of God who was with God, and who was God in the beginning (John 1:1). The Holy Spirit of God, “…moved upon the face of the deep at creation (Genesis 1:2). When we understand the unity of this holy, triune Being, we realize the veracity and power of the Bible, His love letter to man.
As Paul states in his letter to his young protégé, “The Bible is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that God’s man may be fully equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17). Let us honor the Father. Let us embrace the finished work of the Son, our Savior. Let us respond to the wooing of the Holy Spirit—that each of us may follow as He leads.
When we speak of the Holy Spirit, we know we are discussing the Third Person of the Trinity. Christians believe that our Triune God is, in the essence of Himself, three persons in One Holy Being.
He is the Father God who we envision as filling eternity. He is the Son of God who came to earth to pay the penalty for man’s sin. He is the Spirit/Breath of God, by whom all worlds were fashioned and all men’s hearts are drawn to Himself.
Our Father God is said to inhabit in eternity (Isaiah 57:15). Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity is the Living Word of God who was with God, and who was God in the beginning (John 1:1). The Holy Spirit of God, “…moved upon the face of the deep at creation (Genesis 1:2). When we understand the unity of this holy, triune Being, we realize the veracity and power of the Bible, His love letter to man.
As Paul states in his letter to his young protégé, “The Bible is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that God’s man may be fully equipped for every good work (II Timothy 3:16-17). Let us honor the Father. Let us embrace the finished work of the Son, our Savior. Let us respond to the wooing of the Holy Spirit—that each of us may follow as He leads.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Peace
April 11
Peace, that harmony of spirit and mind that allows an individual to walk through life without having waves of regret regarding past mistakes wash over him; without having the debris of present trials swirl around him, causing him to shield his eyes from the havoc of life’s regrets and challenges, is a commodity that men yearn to attain.
How can a man who is steeped in mistakes that have led him into innumerable sins of commission as well as sins of omission, gain peace, that coveted sense that in spite of everything negative that has ever touched his life, all is well? The Biblical answer is a simple one, yet for those who do not value scripture, it is beyond their ken.
In Psalm 119:165, David, who had done murder, committed adultery, and watched his family, disintegrate into warring factions because of his myriad sins offers us the solution to our perplexing quandary. Here he says, “Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.”
If one will turn his heart toward the law, embrace it, and honor the Law-Giver, he will find himself enveloped in “…the peace of God that passes understanding which will keep his heart and his mind in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:7. To honor God, to obey His Word, to receive His salvation is to gain the peace that transcends the trials of time.
Peace, that harmony of spirit and mind that allows an individual to walk through life without having waves of regret regarding past mistakes wash over him; without having the debris of present trials swirl around him, causing him to shield his eyes from the havoc of life’s regrets and challenges, is a commodity that men yearn to attain.
How can a man who is steeped in mistakes that have led him into innumerable sins of commission as well as sins of omission, gain peace, that coveted sense that in spite of everything negative that has ever touched his life, all is well? The Biblical answer is a simple one, yet for those who do not value scripture, it is beyond their ken.
In Psalm 119:165, David, who had done murder, committed adultery, and watched his family, disintegrate into warring factions because of his myriad sins offers us the solution to our perplexing quandary. Here he says, “Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.”
If one will turn his heart toward the law, embrace it, and honor the Law-Giver, he will find himself enveloped in “…the peace of God that passes understanding which will keep his heart and his mind in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:7. To honor God, to obey His Word, to receive His salvation is to gain the peace that transcends the trials of time.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Questions? Comments?
If you have questions or comments that you'd like to express, please do so at:
sandralee_7@hotmail.com.
Thank you for being part of our spiritual journey.
sandralee_7@hotmail.com.
Thank you for being part of our spiritual journey.
God's Slant
April 10
Just as the beliefs and opinions of media representatives can be discerned by the ‘slant’ they place upon news events that they report, so it is easy to discern God’s ‘slant’ where His law is concerned. The Bible is replete with verses that praise His law and with admonitions concerning the penalty for its transgression.
Psalm 19:7-10 beautifully extols the virtue of the law. It says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The reverent awe of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than much fine gold. They are sweeter than honey.”
We can rather readily grasp the assertions that the law is invaluable toward the soul’s conversion from sin to salvation; that in understanding and obeying it, the simple will be made wise. We can assent to the high esteem in which we will hold our Holy God if we value His law. But most of us cannot begin to fathom either the claim that it is more to be desired than much fine gold or that it is sweeter than honey! It is beyond our finite understanding to value a body of law to that degree.
Our inability to understand the Word’s estimation of the worth and the sweetness of the law lies in our own failure to esteem it as highly as we should. Yes, we know it keeps us from anarchy. We know the law addresses the wrongs that plague our society. But to us, it’s a tool that is effective for keeping life functioning as it should. But when we truly love our loving God, we will grasp the depth of love He reveals in His ‘slant’ toward His incontrovertible law.
Just as the beliefs and opinions of media representatives can be discerned by the ‘slant’ they place upon news events that they report, so it is easy to discern God’s ‘slant’ where His law is concerned. The Bible is replete with verses that praise His law and with admonitions concerning the penalty for its transgression.
Psalm 19:7-10 beautifully extols the virtue of the law. It says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The reverent awe of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than much fine gold. They are sweeter than honey.”
We can rather readily grasp the assertions that the law is invaluable toward the soul’s conversion from sin to salvation; that in understanding and obeying it, the simple will be made wise. We can assent to the high esteem in which we will hold our Holy God if we value His law. But most of us cannot begin to fathom either the claim that it is more to be desired than much fine gold or that it is sweeter than honey! It is beyond our finite understanding to value a body of law to that degree.
Our inability to understand the Word’s estimation of the worth and the sweetness of the law lies in our own failure to esteem it as highly as we should. Yes, we know it keeps us from anarchy. We know the law addresses the wrongs that plague our society. But to us, it’s a tool that is effective for keeping life functioning as it should. But when we truly love our loving God, we will grasp the depth of love He reveals in His ‘slant’ toward His incontrovertible law.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Inner Frame Work
April 9
The Word of God is given short shrift in our day. Although there was a time when it was honored, when it was foundational to building the lives of individuals (the earliest U.S. universities were established in order that the Word could be conveyed to the masses), it has now become irrelevant to a significant number of people. It has become passé.
Many people say they believe in God; they believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world who took upon Himself the sins of all men in order to redeem all who believe in His propitiatory death from the penalty of death that the Holy One dictates is just payment for the transgression of His immutable law. But the lifestyle of our nation does not evidence that profession of faith.
As the Bible itself tells us, “The Word of God is swift and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword; it pierces to the depth of ones being, dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intents of the heart” Hebrews 4:12. This powerful verse tells us that the holy writ is designed to address the inner-sanctum of an individual’s life.
It does not speak of outer manifestations but of inner attitudes. What it does is pierce a man at the depth of who he is. It shines the light of God’s truth on a man’s heart. It causes him to see the skeleton that holds him up—and if that inner framework does not include Christ, it makes him aware that it will cause him to ultimately fall.
The Word of God is given short shrift in our day. Although there was a time when it was honored, when it was foundational to building the lives of individuals (the earliest U.S. universities were established in order that the Word could be conveyed to the masses), it has now become irrelevant to a significant number of people. It has become passé.
Many people say they believe in God; they believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world who took upon Himself the sins of all men in order to redeem all who believe in His propitiatory death from the penalty of death that the Holy One dictates is just payment for the transgression of His immutable law. But the lifestyle of our nation does not evidence that profession of faith.
As the Bible itself tells us, “The Word of God is swift and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword; it pierces to the depth of ones being, dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intents of the heart” Hebrews 4:12. This powerful verse tells us that the holy writ is designed to address the inner-sanctum of an individual’s life.
It does not speak of outer manifestations but of inner attitudes. What it does is pierce a man at the depth of who he is. It shines the light of God’s truth on a man’s heart. It causes him to see the skeleton that holds him up—and if that inner framework does not include Christ, it makes him aware that it will cause him to ultimately fall.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
HE IS RISEN! Mark 16:6
The cherubs on their harps will play
To usher in this glorious day;
The angels sing in sweet accord
The wonder of our risen LORD--
While humble man kneels down to pray
And thank our God for Easter Day!
April 8
The Bible is a fantastic history book. It is replete with the exploits of kings and nations and simple individuals who trusted God and found Him to be faithful. We are not surprised when we read the accounts of Hebrew Kings like David and Solomon who extol the virtues of the Holy One, but even pagan monarchs praise Him.
In Daniel 2:47, for example, King Nebuchadnezzar says to Daniel, the prophet who endured the lions’ den rather than worship an image of a false god, “Of a truth, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings…” This is no small assertion for one who has been steeped in paganism the entirety of his life.
Of course, we who believe are encouraged in every generation by God’s faithfulness to His people, but there is encouragement as well in the incontrovertible message of the Word of God that He loves all mankind and desires all men to be saved. We see this truth over and over and we recognize that no matter how deep our plummet into depravity, Jesus’ hand of love can reach us there and draw us out. As Paul says in Romans 15:4, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.”
Our loving God and Savior has many avenues of reaching us with His love. His Spirit communes with ours, His provision grants our needs, and His Word informs us of His faithfulness in the past so we will be confident of it in the present. Yet nothing in all of the history of God’s dealings with His people speaks of His love so completely as does the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The God-Man whose victory over death we celebrate today is most fully alive when we allow Him to be alive within our hearts.
To usher in this glorious day;
The angels sing in sweet accord
The wonder of our risen LORD--
While humble man kneels down to pray
And thank our God for Easter Day!
April 8
The Bible is a fantastic history book. It is replete with the exploits of kings and nations and simple individuals who trusted God and found Him to be faithful. We are not surprised when we read the accounts of Hebrew Kings like David and Solomon who extol the virtues of the Holy One, but even pagan monarchs praise Him.
In Daniel 2:47, for example, King Nebuchadnezzar says to Daniel, the prophet who endured the lions’ den rather than worship an image of a false god, “Of a truth, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings…” This is no small assertion for one who has been steeped in paganism the entirety of his life.
Of course, we who believe are encouraged in every generation by God’s faithfulness to His people, but there is encouragement as well in the incontrovertible message of the Word of God that He loves all mankind and desires all men to be saved. We see this truth over and over and we recognize that no matter how deep our plummet into depravity, Jesus’ hand of love can reach us there and draw us out. As Paul says in Romans 15:4, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.”
Our loving God and Savior has many avenues of reaching us with His love. His Spirit communes with ours, His provision grants our needs, and His Word informs us of His faithfulness in the past so we will be confident of it in the present. Yet nothing in all of the history of God’s dealings with His people speaks of His love so completely as does the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. The God-Man whose victory over death we celebrate today is most fully alive when we allow Him to be alive within our hearts.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Jesus Takes Away Our Sin
April 7
Are you feeling in a slump? Do the cares of life have you languishing under the stress of them? Do the trials you face press so heavily upon you that you feel like you have the weight of the world dragging by a chain that’s around your neck? If so, there are some words of great comfort to be found in the scriptures.
One thing that often precipitates our sense of being overwhelmed with care is sin. We may not like to think about that. We may not care to acknowledge our complicity in our own misery, but the truth is that much of the burden we bear has been placed upon us by our own hands.
When we as children are disobedient to our parents, we provoke them to anger and their discipline follows. When we as adults elect to ‘cheat’ on our spouses, we provoke the stressful juggling of lies and subterfuge that our extra-marital involvement requires of us. When we indulge power-grabbing politicians, we ultimately become burdened by their oppressive demands. What begins as an exercise of ‘freedom’ becomes a weight of oppression upon us.
But when we return to the Biblical law of life, we discover as David did in Psalm 19:7, that, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are true and righteous altogether, making wise the simple.” We further find help from the burden of sin when we, “Cast it all upon Jesus, knowing that He cares…” I Peter 5:7. Jesus takes away our sin and when He does, our burden is lifted indeed! Jesus takes away our sin and we walk tall.
Because we know the sin we've done is sealed in a tomb--carried to the grave in our behalf--we need not bear it any more! Let us reach out to the One whose sacrifice has set us free! Let us lay our lives at His nail-scared feet even as our sin was laid upon His sinless person.
Are you feeling in a slump? Do the cares of life have you languishing under the stress of them? Do the trials you face press so heavily upon you that you feel like you have the weight of the world dragging by a chain that’s around your neck? If so, there are some words of great comfort to be found in the scriptures.
One thing that often precipitates our sense of being overwhelmed with care is sin. We may not like to think about that. We may not care to acknowledge our complicity in our own misery, but the truth is that much of the burden we bear has been placed upon us by our own hands.
When we as children are disobedient to our parents, we provoke them to anger and their discipline follows. When we as adults elect to ‘cheat’ on our spouses, we provoke the stressful juggling of lies and subterfuge that our extra-marital involvement requires of us. When we indulge power-grabbing politicians, we ultimately become burdened by their oppressive demands. What begins as an exercise of ‘freedom’ becomes a weight of oppression upon us.
But when we return to the Biblical law of life, we discover as David did in Psalm 19:7, that, “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are true and righteous altogether, making wise the simple.” We further find help from the burden of sin when we, “Cast it all upon Jesus, knowing that He cares…” I Peter 5:7. Jesus takes away our sin and when He does, our burden is lifted indeed! Jesus takes away our sin and we walk tall.
Because we know the sin we've done is sealed in a tomb--carried to the grave in our behalf--we need not bear it any more! Let us reach out to the One whose sacrifice has set us free! Let us lay our lives at His nail-scared feet even as our sin was laid upon His sinless person.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Above All Else
April 6
Food. Clothing. Shelter. These are the basics. These are the essentials without enough of which human life cannot be sustained on any but a sub-standard level. In order to be viable, a life must have these three necessities. A person cannot even begin to plan an education or anticipate a lucrative career if he doesn’t have them.
Yet, there is another aspect to a man’s life that is even more crucial than are these—and he often lives the entirety of his life without being aware of his lack of it! A person may live in the lap of luxury, enjoy all the finest things life can offer, including fine cuisine, exquisite homes and jewels, abounding wealth and be without the one thing that is more important than all the others combined.
Does that sound preposterous? It does only if you are among those who do not possess that one essential that transcends all others. If you own it, you know its value and you esteem it above all else. That one thing is salvation through Jesus Christ. Perhaps the reality of that assertion is best summed up in Mark 8:36 where Jesus asks, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?”
In Matthew 4:4 where Jesus is refuting the devil himself who has just offered Him food, riches, and the hearts of men if He will but bow before him, the Lord says, “Man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Jesus, the Living Word, extols the written Word of God as the sustenance that is more essential than anything else to life—for time and forever.
Food. Clothing. Shelter. These are the basics. These are the essentials without enough of which human life cannot be sustained on any but a sub-standard level. In order to be viable, a life must have these three necessities. A person cannot even begin to plan an education or anticipate a lucrative career if he doesn’t have them.
Yet, there is another aspect to a man’s life that is even more crucial than are these—and he often lives the entirety of his life without being aware of his lack of it! A person may live in the lap of luxury, enjoy all the finest things life can offer, including fine cuisine, exquisite homes and jewels, abounding wealth and be without the one thing that is more important than all the others combined.
Does that sound preposterous? It does only if you are among those who do not possess that one essential that transcends all others. If you own it, you know its value and you esteem it above all else. That one thing is salvation through Jesus Christ. Perhaps the reality of that assertion is best summed up in Mark 8:36 where Jesus asks, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?”
In Matthew 4:4 where Jesus is refuting the devil himself who has just offered Him food, riches, and the hearts of men if He will but bow before him, the Lord says, “Man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Jesus, the Living Word, extols the written Word of God as the sustenance that is more essential than anything else to life—for time and forever.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
He Must Fulfill Them
April 4
There is no way fallen man can impress God to gain His favor. There is no way any mere mortal can, of his own strength or ingenuity satisfy the just requirements of our Holy God—requirements that necessitate holiness prior to attainment of salvation, prior to gaining access to the throne of Heaven.
There are countless routes that men have contrived in order to attain whatever vision of heaven appeals to them. They will sacrifice, they will endure self-imposed suffering—anything their minds can conceive—in order to secure their place in eternity. But all man’s wishful schemes to gain heaven’s favor are futile.
There is only one rational answer to the quandary posed by the fact that He who is Holy desires fellowship with we who are fallen. The One whose requirements are far beyond man’s ability to attain, must fulfill them Himself. “There is only One Mediator between God and man, the Man, Christ Jesus” I Timothy 2:5. Jesus came to fulfill God’s just requirements of man.
We are not saved because we are worthy. We are not saved because we are able to bridge the gap between our sin and God’s holiness. No. It is as stated in Titus 3:5, “God our Savior saved us, not because of righteous things we had done but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and by the Holy Spirit.” Man’s salvation is God-initiated and God-accomplished.
There is no way fallen man can impress God to gain His favor. There is no way any mere mortal can, of his own strength or ingenuity satisfy the just requirements of our Holy God—requirements that necessitate holiness prior to attainment of salvation, prior to gaining access to the throne of Heaven.
There are countless routes that men have contrived in order to attain whatever vision of heaven appeals to them. They will sacrifice, they will endure self-imposed suffering—anything their minds can conceive—in order to secure their place in eternity. But all man’s wishful schemes to gain heaven’s favor are futile.
There is only one rational answer to the quandary posed by the fact that He who is Holy desires fellowship with we who are fallen. The One whose requirements are far beyond man’s ability to attain, must fulfill them Himself. “There is only One Mediator between God and man, the Man, Christ Jesus” I Timothy 2:5. Jesus came to fulfill God’s just requirements of man.
We are not saved because we are worthy. We are not saved because we are able to bridge the gap between our sin and God’s holiness. No. It is as stated in Titus 3:5, “God our Savior saved us, not because of righteous things we had done but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and by the Holy Spirit.” Man’s salvation is God-initiated and God-accomplished.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Because of His Mercy
April 4
There is no way fallen man can impress God or gain His favor. There is no way any mere mortal can, of his own strength or ingenuity satisfy the just requirements of our Holy God—requirements that necessitate holiness prior to attainment of salvation, prior to gaining access to the throne of Heaven.
There are countless routes that men have contrived in order to attain whatever vision of heaven appeals to them. They will sacrifice, they will endure self-imposed suffering—anything their minds can conceive—in order to secure their place in eternity. But all man’s wishful schemes to gain heaven’s favor are futile.
There is only one rational answer to the quandary posed by the fact that He who is Holy desires fellowship with we who are fallen. The One whose requirements are far beyond man’s ability to attain, must fulfill them Himself. “There is only One Mediator between God and man, the Man, Christ Jesus” I Timothy 2:5. Jesus came to fulfill God’s just requirements of man.
We are not saved because we are worthy. We are not saved because we are able to bridge the gap between our sin and God’s holiness. No. It is as stated in Titus 3:5, “God our Savior saved us, not because of righteous things we had done but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and by the Holy Spirit.” Man’s salvation is God-initiated and God-accomplished.
There is no way fallen man can impress God or gain His favor. There is no way any mere mortal can, of his own strength or ingenuity satisfy the just requirements of our Holy God—requirements that necessitate holiness prior to attainment of salvation, prior to gaining access to the throne of Heaven.
There are countless routes that men have contrived in order to attain whatever vision of heaven appeals to them. They will sacrifice, they will endure self-imposed suffering—anything their minds can conceive—in order to secure their place in eternity. But all man’s wishful schemes to gain heaven’s favor are futile.
There is only one rational answer to the quandary posed by the fact that He who is Holy desires fellowship with we who are fallen. The One whose requirements are far beyond man’s ability to attain, must fulfill them Himself. “There is only One Mediator between God and man, the Man, Christ Jesus” I Timothy 2:5. Jesus came to fulfill God’s just requirements of man.
We are not saved because we are worthy. We are not saved because we are able to bridge the gap between our sin and God’s holiness. No. It is as stated in Titus 3:5, “God our Savior saved us, not because of righteous things we had done but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and by the Holy Spirit.” Man’s salvation is God-initiated and God-accomplished.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Walk The Path With Him
April 3
Jesus is all that God is. Jesus is God. This is stated unequivocally by the ‘Beloved Apostle’ in the first verse of his gospel. John 1:1 says clearly, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John goes on to say in verse three, “All things were made by Him and without Him, nothing was made.”
His ministry graphically conveyed His nature. The words He spoke, the miracles He performed, the love He conveyed all testified to the power that was resident within Him, yet Jesus embodied His incomparable might within the accouterments of humility and grace. He who is Lord of all never ‘lorded it over’ others.
The gentle spirit of Jesus put the masses at ease. Though they stood in the presence of the progenitor of the universe, they had no hesitation to speak their needs and their hearts’ desires before Him. He conveyed to them His deep compassion for them and His great desire to supply their needs. Yet in one matter Jesus was adamant. In Mark 16:16 He states emphatically, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
In our day of political correctness, many are willing to compromise the truth that there is just one path to salvation, but Jesus is not among them! Because He loves us with an unchanging love, because He knows the consequence if we turn away, because He has paid the price for all the sins of all men, He desires that all men fully embrace the only way of salvation—Himself. If the One who is the embodiment of God has shown us the path of life, should we not walk that path with Him?
Jesus is all that God is. Jesus is God. This is stated unequivocally by the ‘Beloved Apostle’ in the first verse of his gospel. John 1:1 says clearly, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” John goes on to say in verse three, “All things were made by Him and without Him, nothing was made.”
His ministry graphically conveyed His nature. The words He spoke, the miracles He performed, the love He conveyed all testified to the power that was resident within Him, yet Jesus embodied His incomparable might within the accouterments of humility and grace. He who is Lord of all never ‘lorded it over’ others.
The gentle spirit of Jesus put the masses at ease. Though they stood in the presence of the progenitor of the universe, they had no hesitation to speak their needs and their hearts’ desires before Him. He conveyed to them His deep compassion for them and His great desire to supply their needs. Yet in one matter Jesus was adamant. In Mark 16:16 He states emphatically, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
In our day of political correctness, many are willing to compromise the truth that there is just one path to salvation, but Jesus is not among them! Because He loves us with an unchanging love, because He knows the consequence if we turn away, because He has paid the price for all the sins of all men, He desires that all men fully embrace the only way of salvation—Himself. If the One who is the embodiment of God has shown us the path of life, should we not walk that path with Him?
Monday, April 2, 2012
Who Jesus Is
April 2
From the first book in the Bible to the last, it is affirmed that Jesus is God. In Genesis 1:26, we are told, “And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness…” which is a clear indication of the triune nature of the Almighty that will unfold through the scriptures. In Revelation 1:8, John says of Him that He is, “…Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending saith the Lord who was and is and is to come, the Almighty.”
In Acts 10:43, Luke, the companion who accompanied Paul on his journeys says of Jesus, “All the prophets testify about Jesus that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” This statement begs the question, ‘How can any mere mortal be the vessel through whom salvation is poured?’ 'How can a man forgive sins?' And the only viable conclusion is, ‘That vessel is God Himself.’
A clarification of that extraordinary revelation comes in Paul’s letter to believers where he states, “Once made perfect, Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him” Hebrews 5:9. The perfection Paul attests to here is the perfect sacrifice that Christ was. Paul explains further in Hebrews 9:12 that it was not, “…the blood of goats and calves, but His own blood…by which He obtained eternal redemption for us.”
This is an astounding truth, for who could conceive in his wildest imagination that the Author of Creation (see John 1:1-3) would assume human flesh, dwell among us, suffer, die and arise from the grave in order to assure fallen man that he might rejoice because his name is written down in in Heaven even as Jesus said (see Luke 10:20). Our salvation experience is the culminating verification of who Jesus is!
From the first book in the Bible to the last, it is affirmed that Jesus is God. In Genesis 1:26, we are told, “And God said, Let US make man in OUR image, after OUR likeness…” which is a clear indication of the triune nature of the Almighty that will unfold through the scriptures. In Revelation 1:8, John says of Him that He is, “…Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending saith the Lord who was and is and is to come, the Almighty.”
In Acts 10:43, Luke, the companion who accompanied Paul on his journeys says of Jesus, “All the prophets testify about Jesus that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” This statement begs the question, ‘How can any mere mortal be the vessel through whom salvation is poured?’ 'How can a man forgive sins?' And the only viable conclusion is, ‘That vessel is God Himself.’
A clarification of that extraordinary revelation comes in Paul’s letter to believers where he states, “Once made perfect, Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him” Hebrews 5:9. The perfection Paul attests to here is the perfect sacrifice that Christ was. Paul explains further in Hebrews 9:12 that it was not, “…the blood of goats and calves, but His own blood…by which He obtained eternal redemption for us.”
This is an astounding truth, for who could conceive in his wildest imagination that the Author of Creation (see John 1:1-3) would assume human flesh, dwell among us, suffer, die and arise from the grave in order to assure fallen man that he might rejoice because his name is written down in in Heaven even as Jesus said (see Luke 10:20). Our salvation experience is the culminating verification of who Jesus is!
Sunday, April 1, 2012
April Fool
April 1
Today is April Fools’ Day. Today is the day pranksters can perpetrate their mischief to their hearts’ content—and no one can be offended! It’s all in the spirit of fun. It’s all in keeping with the tradition begun in ancient Persia—which is today called Iran.
The Persians played jokes on each other on the 13th day of their New Year (Norouz), which falls on April 1. This day, celebrated as far back as 536 BC is called Sizdah Bedar and is the oldest prank-tradition in the world still alive today.
The ramifications of the notion of being foolish are expanded in the Bible, which does not have a tradition of indulging pranks. The Bible is utterly serious when it states emphatically, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” Psalm 14:1. There can be no more disastrous consequence in an individual’s life than that of reaching such a conclusion!
The person who knows the planets rotate on their axes, that gravity holds us fast to the earth, yet believes life exists apart from an intelligent mind that conceived the wonder of all the eye can see and everything the mind can imagine has measured and assessed all he surveys with a very limited scope. His foolish denial of the Almighty will relegate him to a Christless eternity if he does not change his mind and heart.
Today is April Fools’ Day. Today is the day pranksters can perpetrate their mischief to their hearts’ content—and no one can be offended! It’s all in the spirit of fun. It’s all in keeping with the tradition begun in ancient Persia—which is today called Iran.
The Persians played jokes on each other on the 13th day of their New Year (Norouz), which falls on April 1. This day, celebrated as far back as 536 BC is called Sizdah Bedar and is the oldest prank-tradition in the world still alive today.
The ramifications of the notion of being foolish are expanded in the Bible, which does not have a tradition of indulging pranks. The Bible is utterly serious when it states emphatically, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” Psalm 14:1. There can be no more disastrous consequence in an individual’s life than that of reaching such a conclusion!
The person who knows the planets rotate on their axes, that gravity holds us fast to the earth, yet believes life exists apart from an intelligent mind that conceived the wonder of all the eye can see and everything the mind can imagine has measured and assessed all he surveys with a very limited scope. His foolish denial of the Almighty will relegate him to a Christless eternity if he does not change his mind and heart.
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