Haman accused God’s people of being lawbreakers. He had a genocidal plan to eliminate them. Thankfully, God exposed Haman as the one who was evil. God’s people had fasted and prayed. Haman was executed. God’s man Mordecai was promoted. [1]
Government officials passed a law with the specific goal of making Daniel, a good and trust-worthy man, into a lawbreaking criminal. God saved Daniel from the mouth of lions and those who plotted his death were eaten by the lions instead. [2]
The Apostle Paul was on trial due to false accusers. He stated, “…I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar.” [3] God helped him to overcome the kangaroo court.
King Saul had it in his mind to kill his son-in-law, David. God rescued David multiple times from Saul’s attempts to kill him and placed David on Saul’s throne. [4]
David wrote, “Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The Lord redeems the soul of His servants, and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.” [5]
These Biblical accounts of God saving His servants from evil doers are in a sense promises to anyone who wants to serve God today. Hold on! Keep serving and honoring the Lord! God can turn everything around a day. “In that day the Lord of hosts will be for a crown of glory and a diadem of beauty to the remnant of His people, for a spirit of justice to him who sits in judgment, and for strength to those who turn back the battle at the gate.” [6]
[1] Esther 3:8 – 8:17
[2] Daniel 6:1-23
[3] Acts 25:11
[4] 1 Samuel 18-31
[5] Psalm 34:21-22
[6] Isaiah 28:5-6
Friday, April 26, 2019
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
The Functions of Law & Gospel
“Fulfillment of the Law is judged by God's perfection, not our best effort.” [1]
The Law acts as a curb and a mirror. The Law as a curb “warns us of impending danger, shocking us back onto the right path.” The Law as a mirror helps us “to see ourselves as God sees us.” [2]
“The Gospel... reveals the actions of God alone to save those who are ‘dead in their trespasses and sins.’ He alone pays the penalty for sin. He alone offers righteousness, salvation, and peace on His merciful terms.
The Gospel not only describes and proclaims what God has done it actually offers the merits of God's work in Christ to all who believe.” [3]
[1] Steven P. Mueller, Called to Believe, Wipf and Stock Publishers, Eugene Oregon, 2006, p. 38
[2] Ibid, pp. 43-44; Ephesians 2:1
[3] Ibid, p. 46; Luke 24:47, Romans 1:17
The Law acts as a curb and a mirror. The Law as a curb “warns us of impending danger, shocking us back onto the right path.” The Law as a mirror helps us “to see ourselves as God sees us.” [2]
“The Gospel... reveals the actions of God alone to save those who are ‘dead in their trespasses and sins.’ He alone pays the penalty for sin. He alone offers righteousness, salvation, and peace on His merciful terms.
The Gospel not only describes and proclaims what God has done it actually offers the merits of God's work in Christ to all who believe.” [3]
[1] Steven P. Mueller, Called to Believe, Wipf and Stock Publishers, Eugene Oregon, 2006, p. 38
[2] Ibid, pp. 43-44; Ephesians 2:1
[3] Ibid, p. 46; Luke 24:47, Romans 1:17
Monday, April 22, 2019
Fearing God Not People
Zedekiah listened to the voices of people more than to the voice of God. Thus, he abdicated his leadership role among them. In the absence of strong leadership, his nation continued down a path of abandoning God and denying God’s Word. His nation was destroyed. His sons were put to death before his eyes. He was executed.
“Zedekiah the king said to Jeremiah, ‘I am afraid of the Jews who have defected to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they abuse me.’” [1]
Jeremiah, the prophet, was also afraid of what the people would do to him if he spoke and led people according to God’s Word, but he prayed about it, and found strength and peace in the Lord to surrender his will to the will of God.
“’Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord.” [2]
Nations, neighborhoods, and individuals need us to share God’s Word to them.
“Heavenly Father, please open doors for us to speak for You and please grant us the boldness by Your Spirit to speak to them when You do. This I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.”
[1] Jeremiah 38:19
[2] Jeremiah 1:8
“Zedekiah the king said to Jeremiah, ‘I am afraid of the Jews who have defected to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they abuse me.’” [1]
Jeremiah, the prophet, was also afraid of what the people would do to him if he spoke and led people according to God’s Word, but he prayed about it, and found strength and peace in the Lord to surrender his will to the will of God.
“’Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord.” [2]
Nations, neighborhoods, and individuals need us to share God’s Word to them.
“Heavenly Father, please open doors for us to speak for You and please grant us the boldness by Your Spirit to speak to them when You do. This I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen.”
[1] Jeremiah 38:19
[2] Jeremiah 1:8
Saturday, April 13, 2019
No Other gods Before Me
“You shall have no other gods before Me.” [1]
As the day approaches when we celebrate the Resurrection from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that the Holy Spirit will convict us and cleanse us of idol-worship.
I’m not talking about idols of stone or metal, but the ones who vie for a higher place than Christ in our lives. Idols such as sports and movie figures! Idols such as comic book heroes! The Easter bunny! And the idol of idols... self! “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.” [2] Worship of false gods does not end well.
All goodness, love, joy, and peace flows from our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who defeated our sin and our death when He died for our sins on the cross. He defeated our true adversary, the devil.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He deserves all our praise and worship. Christ gives us the indwelling Holy Spirit of God by whom we can truly die to self, and love God and our neighbor.
[1] Exodus 20:3
[2] Proverbs 13:10
As the day approaches when we celebrate the Resurrection from the dead of our Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that the Holy Spirit will convict us and cleanse us of idol-worship.
I’m not talking about idols of stone or metal, but the ones who vie for a higher place than Christ in our lives. Idols such as sports and movie figures! Idols such as comic book heroes! The Easter bunny! And the idol of idols... self! “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom.” [2] Worship of false gods does not end well.
All goodness, love, joy, and peace flows from our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the One who defeated our sin and our death when He died for our sins on the cross. He defeated our true adversary, the devil.
Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He deserves all our praise and worship. Christ gives us the indwelling Holy Spirit of God by whom we can truly die to self, and love God and our neighbor.
[1] Exodus 20:3
[2] Proverbs 13:10
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Peter’s Word To Soldiers
Key points of Peter’s Message…
To the soldiers of the Italian Regiment…
Gathered at the home of Cornelius (their leader):
God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power
Jesus went about doing good
Jesus healed people who were oppressed by the devil
God was with Jesus
Peter and others were witnesses of all things which Jesus did
Those witnesses ate and drank with the risen Jesus
Jesus commanded Peter and the other witnesses to preach to people…
To testify that Jesus shall Judge the living and the dead…
To testify that all the [Biblical] prophets point to Jesus…
So that whosoever believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins
The outcomes of Peter’s preaching were:
The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the Word
The new-believers were baptized
Acts 10:34-48
To the soldiers of the Italian Regiment…
Gathered at the home of Cornelius (their leader):
God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power
Jesus went about doing good
Jesus healed people who were oppressed by the devil
God was with Jesus
Peter and others were witnesses of all things which Jesus did
Jesus was crucified
God raised Jesus up on the third day
God showed the risen Jesus to His witnessesThose witnesses ate and drank with the risen Jesus
Jesus commanded Peter and the other witnesses to preach to people…
To testify that Jesus shall Judge the living and the dead…
To testify that all the [Biblical] prophets point to Jesus…
So that whosoever believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins
The outcomes of Peter’s preaching were:
The Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the Word
The new-believers were baptized
Acts 10:34-48
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
When the Lord Wants It Done
The man was threatening, arresting, and murdering Christians.
But the Lord Jesus appeared to him and asked him why he was persecuting Him. Essentially, Jesus told the man that he was only hurting himself. The man submitted himself to Jesus.
Next, the Lord gave a Christian man a vision. He told this Christian the name of a street, and a resident’s name who lived on that street. He informed the Christian that in this house he would find the anti-Christ-man, whom He had just converted, praying. Now, the Christian protested at first. He knew of the harm which the praying man had previously committed against Christians. The Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My Name...” The Christian obeyed the Lord, and the man, who once hurt and killed Christians, became a preacher of Christ.
“Immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.” All who heard him were amazed. He, who destroyed Christians, is now proving to people that this Jesus is the Christ. [1]
This story is happening today as well. Different people! Different places! Especially, in the countries of Iraq and Iran! The Lord Jesus is appearing to anti-Christian individuals and bringing them to faith in Himself so that they join Him in bringing the Gospel to others.
“Thank You Lord Jesus for Your amazing grace. You save unworthy sinners and make them Your mouth, hands, and feet to speak the message of Your amazing grace to others.”
[1] Acts 9:1-22 full account
But the Lord Jesus appeared to him and asked him why he was persecuting Him. Essentially, Jesus told the man that he was only hurting himself. The man submitted himself to Jesus.
Next, the Lord gave a Christian man a vision. He told this Christian the name of a street, and a resident’s name who lived on that street. He informed the Christian that in this house he would find the anti-Christ-man, whom He had just converted, praying. Now, the Christian protested at first. He knew of the harm which the praying man had previously committed against Christians. The Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My Name...” The Christian obeyed the Lord, and the man, who once hurt and killed Christians, became a preacher of Christ.
“Immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.” All who heard him were amazed. He, who destroyed Christians, is now proving to people that this Jesus is the Christ. [1]
This story is happening today as well. Different people! Different places! Especially, in the countries of Iraq and Iran! The Lord Jesus is appearing to anti-Christian individuals and bringing them to faith in Himself so that they join Him in bringing the Gospel to others.
“Thank You Lord Jesus for Your amazing grace. You save unworthy sinners and make them Your mouth, hands, and feet to speak the message of Your amazing grace to others.”
[1] Acts 9:1-22 full account
Friday, April 5, 2019
JESUS Resurrected on the Third Day
“When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. With great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.” [1]
Prayer! Filled with the Holy Spirit! Boldly speaking God’s Word! Powerfully witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus! Great grace upon them all! Yes, to all of the above!
All true prophets point people to Jesus, “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself [Jesus].” [2]
“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” [3]
“Holy Spirit, please fill us. Help us to speak the Word of God boldly with the view to powerfully witness for JESUS. May Your grace, God’s great grace, be upon us. For it is in Jesus’ Name that I pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 4:31, 33
[2] Luke 24:27
[3] Revelation 19:10
Prayer! Filled with the Holy Spirit! Boldly speaking God’s Word! Powerfully witnessing to the resurrection of Jesus! Great grace upon them all! Yes, to all of the above!
All true prophets point people to Jesus, “And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself [Jesus].” [2]
“The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” [3]
“Holy Spirit, please fill us. Help us to speak the Word of God boldly with the view to powerfully witness for JESUS. May Your grace, God’s great grace, be upon us. For it is in Jesus’ Name that I pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 4:31, 33
[2] Luke 24:27
[3] Revelation 19:10
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
Spreading the Gospel to All the World
“He [JESUS] also presented Himself alive after His suffering by MANY infallible proofs, being SEEN by them during 40 days and speaking of the things pertaining to the KINGDOM of GOD. … He commanded them … to wait for the Promise of the Father, ‘which,’ He said, ‘you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the HOLY SPIRIT not many days from now.’
‘You shall receive POWER when the HOLY SPIRIT has come upon you; and you shall be MY WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” [1]
The HOLY SPIRIT is the Promise of the Father. JESUS baptizes us His disciples with the HOLY SPIRIT so that we are HIS WITNESSES and LIGHTS in this dark world.
“Thank You HEAVENLY FATHER and GLORIFIED SON for BAPTIZING us with the HOLY SPIRIT! HOLY SPIRIT please radiate from us today. Help us to spread the GOSPEL of SALVATION to all the world. In JESUS' NAME, we pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 1:3-5, 8
‘You shall receive POWER when the HOLY SPIRIT has come upon you; and you shall be MY WITNESSES in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” [1]
The HOLY SPIRIT is the Promise of the Father. JESUS baptizes us His disciples with the HOLY SPIRIT so that we are HIS WITNESSES and LIGHTS in this dark world.
“Thank You HEAVENLY FATHER and GLORIFIED SON for BAPTIZING us with the HOLY SPIRIT! HOLY SPIRIT please radiate from us today. Help us to spread the GOSPEL of SALVATION to all the world. In JESUS' NAME, we pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 1:3-5, 8
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