August 31
There is much debate today about the concept we innocently term, “a woman’s right to choose.” Those innocuous words veil an evil of enormous magnitude, for in more direct language they declare that a woman has a right to abort her unborn child.
This is in direct opposition to God’s position in the matter, for He has stated in Exodus 21:22, 23 that if harm comes to an unborn child through strife, the perpetrator is to be punished. God does not take lightly the loss of a gestating infant. He sees the little one as a living human being.
Just as the smallest crumb of bread is still bread, so the tiniest child in its mother’s womb is still a life for whom Christ died. If we desire blessings from God, we must view life as He sees it. We cannot harm His little ones. To do so is to relegate ourselves to punishment. In Matthew 18:6 Jesus said that it would be better for a man to have a millstone hung around his neck and drowned than to harm a child.
In Deuteronomy 30:19 it says, “I have set before you life and death—blessing and cursing—therefore, choose life.” We have it within our power to choose one extreme or the other for time and for eternity. Will we follow the Lord’s will or our own? Will we defend life from pre-cradle to the grave or count some lives to be of little consequence? If we count the Bible as truly the unchanging Word of the Living God, we will be staunch advocates of life.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
August 30
God is the Master of time management. He worked for six days and accomplished the creation of all that exists! He arranged the calendar to have seven days and He rested—and admonished us to rest—on the seventh day. By the example He set, we can see that the Lord values the wise usage of time.
In Ephesians 5:14-17 the Word further states, “Awake, you who sleep! Arise from the dead (works of sin) and Christ shall give you light. In that light you will walk wisely, not as fools, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
Here we are told by Paul that God expects us to use the time He has allotted to us to acquire understanding of truth as revealed in the light of Christ and to go beyond the dead works of darkness into the fullness of serving Jesus by shining His light. Paul understood this because he had been zealous to stamp out the new off-shoot of Judaism that claimed Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah.
In His determination to maintain the purity of His faith he led many to their doom. But when he was bathed in the Lord’s blinding light, he became physically blind but spiritually illumined! He here shares with us the importance of seeing Jesus, being awake to His purposes, and serving Him in the beauty of holiness. As our day becomes steeped in the darkness of evil we must shine forth His saving light.
God is the Master of time management. He worked for six days and accomplished the creation of all that exists! He arranged the calendar to have seven days and He rested—and admonished us to rest—on the seventh day. By the example He set, we can see that the Lord values the wise usage of time.
In Ephesians 5:14-17 the Word further states, “Awake, you who sleep! Arise from the dead (works of sin) and Christ shall give you light. In that light you will walk wisely, not as fools, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Be not unwise but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
Here we are told by Paul that God expects us to use the time He has allotted to us to acquire understanding of truth as revealed in the light of Christ and to go beyond the dead works of darkness into the fullness of serving Jesus by shining His light. Paul understood this because he had been zealous to stamp out the new off-shoot of Judaism that claimed Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah.
In His determination to maintain the purity of His faith he led many to their doom. But when he was bathed in the Lord’s blinding light, he became physically blind but spiritually illumined! He here shares with us the importance of seeing Jesus, being awake to His purposes, and serving Him in the beauty of holiness. As our day becomes steeped in the darkness of evil we must shine forth His saving light.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
August 29
Peter was fully aware of the inner war between the natural man and the spirit man. He had fought this battle and lost at a crucial time in his discipleship. When Jesus was arrested and the young girl accused Peter of being associated with Him, he denied with an oath, “I know not this man of whom you speak!” (Mark 14:71)
This was all the more bitter a disappointment to Peter because Jesus had told him when he declared that he would follow Him anywhere and endure any suffering for Him, that good as his intentions may be, Peter would deny the Lord three times before the rooster crowed the next morning (Mark 14:30).
Because Peter knew the anguish of soul that comes with failure to live up to the high expectations we place upon ourselves, he counseled our spiritual man in the way to gain victory over our natural man. His insight, stated in I Peter 4:1-2, would be well heeded by all who desire to walk uprightly before the Living God.
Here Peter says, “Arm yourselves with the mind of Christ for He suffered in the flesh…and can equip you so you will no longer live after the desires of the natural man but after the will of God.” The One who died for our sin can give our spirit man victory when he battles the natural man over our proclivity to walk in sin!
Peter was fully aware of the inner war between the natural man and the spirit man. He had fought this battle and lost at a crucial time in his discipleship. When Jesus was arrested and the young girl accused Peter of being associated with Him, he denied with an oath, “I know not this man of whom you speak!” (Mark 14:71)
This was all the more bitter a disappointment to Peter because Jesus had told him when he declared that he would follow Him anywhere and endure any suffering for Him, that good as his intentions may be, Peter would deny the Lord three times before the rooster crowed the next morning (Mark 14:30).
Because Peter knew the anguish of soul that comes with failure to live up to the high expectations we place upon ourselves, he counseled our spiritual man in the way to gain victory over our natural man. His insight, stated in I Peter 4:1-2, would be well heeded by all who desire to walk uprightly before the Living God.
Here Peter says, “Arm yourselves with the mind of Christ for He suffered in the flesh…and can equip you so you will no longer live after the desires of the natural man but after the will of God.” The One who died for our sin can give our spirit man victory when he battles the natural man over our proclivity to walk in sin!
Friday, August 28, 2009
August 28
God does not leave us helpless to acquire Christ-like attributes to our character. He desires that we become reflections of His loveliness and He promotes our refining toward that end. We do not always prefer the methods He uses to hone our Christ-likeness, however. Sometimes we actually resist His methods!
Why would we be reluctant to take on the loveliness of Heaven’s pure Lamb? Why would we cling to the base qualities of earth when we can be endued with the lofty attributes of the Lord of Creation? Are we so foolish as to prefer earth’s bonds to Heaven’s wings?
The explanation for our resistance is found in Romans 5:3,4 where it says, “…tribulation develops maturity of character and character allows the love of God to be demonstrated in us by the Holy Ghost.” Although we earnestly desire to be vessels of God’s demonstrated love, we do not wish to experience tribulation!
It is inherent within the natural man to avoid trouble, to resist scorn, to overcome failure, to flee pain. Each of us desires to be perceived as a victor and God’s plan for conforming our character to the Lord’s is often fraught with these things. He’s there to help us defeat them, but first we must confront them with faith!
God does not leave us helpless to acquire Christ-like attributes to our character. He desires that we become reflections of His loveliness and He promotes our refining toward that end. We do not always prefer the methods He uses to hone our Christ-likeness, however. Sometimes we actually resist His methods!
Why would we be reluctant to take on the loveliness of Heaven’s pure Lamb? Why would we cling to the base qualities of earth when we can be endued with the lofty attributes of the Lord of Creation? Are we so foolish as to prefer earth’s bonds to Heaven’s wings?
The explanation for our resistance is found in Romans 5:3,4 where it says, “…tribulation develops maturity of character and character allows the love of God to be demonstrated in us by the Holy Ghost.” Although we earnestly desire to be vessels of God’s demonstrated love, we do not wish to experience tribulation!
It is inherent within the natural man to avoid trouble, to resist scorn, to overcome failure, to flee pain. Each of us desires to be perceived as a victor and God’s plan for conforming our character to the Lord’s is often fraught with these things. He’s there to help us defeat them, but first we must confront them with faith!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
August 27
Jesus has done a perfect work. The moment we accept His gift of redemption we are washed clean, made righteous, and are perfect to stand before a holy God. Without Christ’s work of redemption, we are not perfect to stand before Him, for the Word says that “He is of purer eyes than to behold evil” (Habakkuk 1:13).
There is great comfort in the realization that the gift Jesus gave us is complete and entire. There is nothing required of us beyond our acceptance of the unspeakable gift of Christ Himself. Yet we are given the opportunity to allow Him to work in us and transform us from the creatures of time that we are to the creatures of eternity He has allowed us to become.
For the most part, that opportunity is given to us in order that we might be effectual to His purposes on earth rather than to perfect us for heaven for we know our heavenly perfection will come when we see Him and are transformed into a clearer likeness of Him through truly beholding Him for the first time (I John 3:2). Without actually seeing Him, we are limited in our ability to be like Him. Our earthly service is honed, however, by appropriating II Peter 1:5-8 to ourselves.
Here we are admonished to, “…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge; to knowledge self control; to self control perseverance and to perseverance, godliness and kindness and love. For, if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive…for Christ” He desires that we be effective and productive—and that happens only when we take on His own character as the Word here describes. This acquisition requires our surrender and our effort.
Jesus has done a perfect work. The moment we accept His gift of redemption we are washed clean, made righteous, and are perfect to stand before a holy God. Without Christ’s work of redemption, we are not perfect to stand before Him, for the Word says that “He is of purer eyes than to behold evil” (Habakkuk 1:13).
There is great comfort in the realization that the gift Jesus gave us is complete and entire. There is nothing required of us beyond our acceptance of the unspeakable gift of Christ Himself. Yet we are given the opportunity to allow Him to work in us and transform us from the creatures of time that we are to the creatures of eternity He has allowed us to become.
For the most part, that opportunity is given to us in order that we might be effectual to His purposes on earth rather than to perfect us for heaven for we know our heavenly perfection will come when we see Him and are transformed into a clearer likeness of Him through truly beholding Him for the first time (I John 3:2). Without actually seeing Him, we are limited in our ability to be like Him. Our earthly service is honed, however, by appropriating II Peter 1:5-8 to ourselves.
Here we are admonished to, “…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge; to knowledge self control; to self control perseverance and to perseverance, godliness and kindness and love. For, if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive…for Christ” He desires that we be effective and productive—and that happens only when we take on His own character as the Word here describes. This acquisition requires our surrender and our effort.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
August 26
Some people are lacking in self confidence. They think they fall short of those who effortlessly project themselves and their point of view into whatever situation in which they may find themselves. They long to be among the number who have compelling, confident personalities that others desire to follow and to emulate.
The confidence they long to have is deceptive, however, for no matter how successfully the envied one projects himself, he still has an inner longing that cannot be satisfied apart from God. In actuality, that is what we all long to have—that sense of well-being that comes from being in the center of God’s perfect will.
How can we achieve that great sense of all sufficiency that only the Lord can supply? How can we step beyond our desire to be confident in ourselves and be confident in Him? Proverbs 3:5, 6 gives us what we need to know about achieving the ultimate sense of confidence. It says…
…”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” The person who keeps his focus on the Lord rather than on himself, who trusts Him fully, will have every assurance that he is where he should be, doing what he ought to do.
Some people are lacking in self confidence. They think they fall short of those who effortlessly project themselves and their point of view into whatever situation in which they may find themselves. They long to be among the number who have compelling, confident personalities that others desire to follow and to emulate.
The confidence they long to have is deceptive, however, for no matter how successfully the envied one projects himself, he still has an inner longing that cannot be satisfied apart from God. In actuality, that is what we all long to have—that sense of well-being that comes from being in the center of God’s perfect will.
How can we achieve that great sense of all sufficiency that only the Lord can supply? How can we step beyond our desire to be confident in ourselves and be confident in Him? Proverbs 3:5, 6 gives us what we need to know about achieving the ultimate sense of confidence. It says…
…”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” The person who keeps his focus on the Lord rather than on himself, who trusts Him fully, will have every assurance that he is where he should be, doing what he ought to do.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
August 25
Psalm 119:125 says, “I am your servant; give me understanding that I may know your testimonies.” This is a compelling and profound request. It virtually turns servant-hood on its head. When we think of a servant in the traditional sense of the word, the image of one at the beck and call of another comes forth.
Though we have not perhaps been in the post of a servant, we have been in the position of an employee. We know what it’s like to be given and to receive orders and to endeavor to carry them out well. A servant must be about the business of satisfying the one being served.
In this verse of scripture, however, the psalmist is putting a different spin on his servant roll. He is acknowledging that he has the duty to serve the Lord, but he is desirous of according Him more than mere accommodation. The devoted servant of the Lord is asking for understanding that does not simply enable him to satisfy the desire of the One being served but that embraces the essence of Who He is. We, too, should desire to grasp a full measure of understanding of the testimonies of the Lord.
Such understanding, we are told in Psalm 19:7, “…will make wise the simple.” To extrapolate beyond the yearning of the psalmist to please the Master, is His desire to perfect us through our understanding of Him! We know Him and are blessed beyond servant-hood when we drink in the knowledge of the One we serve. In fact, we become a reflection of Him as we study His Word. Ultimately, we shall be like Jesus when one day we see Him as He is, when our understanding will have been perfected.
Psalm 119:125 says, “I am your servant; give me understanding that I may know your testimonies.” This is a compelling and profound request. It virtually turns servant-hood on its head. When we think of a servant in the traditional sense of the word, the image of one at the beck and call of another comes forth.
Though we have not perhaps been in the post of a servant, we have been in the position of an employee. We know what it’s like to be given and to receive orders and to endeavor to carry them out well. A servant must be about the business of satisfying the one being served.
In this verse of scripture, however, the psalmist is putting a different spin on his servant roll. He is acknowledging that he has the duty to serve the Lord, but he is desirous of according Him more than mere accommodation. The devoted servant of the Lord is asking for understanding that does not simply enable him to satisfy the desire of the One being served but that embraces the essence of Who He is. We, too, should desire to grasp a full measure of understanding of the testimonies of the Lord.
Such understanding, we are told in Psalm 19:7, “…will make wise the simple.” To extrapolate beyond the yearning of the psalmist to please the Master, is His desire to perfect us through our understanding of Him! We know Him and are blessed beyond servant-hood when we drink in the knowledge of the One we serve. In fact, we become a reflection of Him as we study His Word. Ultimately, we shall be like Jesus when one day we see Him as He is, when our understanding will have been perfected.
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