“What you sow is not made alive…
Unless it dies.
And what you sow,
Is not that body that shall be,
But mere grain…
But God gives it a body as He pleases,
And to each seed its own body.
So, also is the resurrection of the dead.
The body is sown in corruption,
The body is raised in incorruption.
The body is sown in dishonor,
The body is raised in glory.
The body is sown in weakness,
The body is raised in power.
The body is sown a natural body,
The body is raised a spiritual body.
There is a natural body,
And there is a spiritual body.
‘The first man Adam became a living being.’
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
The first man was of the earth, made of dust;
The second Man is the Lord from heaven.
As was the man of dust,
So, also are those who are made of dust;
And as is the heavenly Man,
So, also are those who are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the man of dust,
We shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
Behold, I tell you a mystery:
We shall not all sleep,
But we shall all be changed—
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
At the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound,
And the dead will be raised incorruptible,
And we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
This mortal must put on immortality.
So, when this corruptible has put on incorruption,
And this mortal has put on immortality,
Then, shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’
‘O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?’
Thanks be to God,
He gives us the victory…
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren,
Be steadfast, immovable,
Always abounding in the work of the Lord,
Know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:36-38, 42-45, 47-49, 51-55, 57
Saturday, May 30, 2020
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Praise God for His Word
I praise God for His Word!
This morning, I woke up with thoughts of how during His earthly ministry, Jesus experienced abandonment and rejection. Many disciples split off from Him. [1] His twelve disciples forsook and fled from Him when He was arrested. [2] These incidents seem to indicate that Jesus was not a good leader. He could not hold people together. Even those who were closest to Him. But after His resurrection, and after He baptized His disciples in the Holy Spirit, the number of His disciples grew incredibly. Good disciples! Dedicated disciples!
I pray the Lord will revive His Church in these last of the last days.
Many builders have rejected Christ. They do not want to talk about Jesus. They do not want to be associated with people who are overly enthusiastic about Him. They are making a big mistake.
“The Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” [3]
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. His Word is good counsel. King David highly regarded the Word of the Lord. He asked the Lord to help him to always cherish God’s Word.
“Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
The law of Your mouth is better to me
than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
I hate the double-minded,
But I love Your law.
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers,
For I will keep the commandments of my God!
The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Consider my affliction and deliver me,
For I do not forget Your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
I see the treacherous, and am disgusted,
Because they do not keep Your word.
Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
Princes persecute me without a cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your Word.
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
Great peace have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.” [4]
David did not want to be beholden to ungodly behaviors such as covetousness, worthless pursuits, double mindedness, evil deeds, and treachery. He wanted to be a companion with God-fearers, a keeper of God’s precepts, a delighter in God’s law, a follower in Lord’s footsteps, a rejoicing person in God’s Word, and a praising person of God.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word. Please help us to always delight-in and praise You for Your Word. It is in Your Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] John 6:66
[2] Mark 14:50
[3] Psalm 118:22-24
[4] Psalm 119:36-37, 63, 72, 92, 103, 105, 113-115, 130, 132-133, 141, 153-154, 158-159, 161-162, 165, 171
This morning, I woke up with thoughts of how during His earthly ministry, Jesus experienced abandonment and rejection. Many disciples split off from Him. [1] His twelve disciples forsook and fled from Him when He was arrested. [2] These incidents seem to indicate that Jesus was not a good leader. He could not hold people together. Even those who were closest to Him. But after His resurrection, and after He baptized His disciples in the Holy Spirit, the number of His disciples grew incredibly. Good disciples! Dedicated disciples!
I pray the Lord will revive His Church in these last of the last days.
Many builders have rejected Christ. They do not want to talk about Jesus. They do not want to be associated with people who are overly enthusiastic about Him. They are making a big mistake.
“The Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” [3]
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. His Word is good counsel. King David highly regarded the Word of the Lord. He asked the Lord to help him to always cherish God’s Word.
“Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
The law of Your mouth is better to me
than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
I hate the double-minded,
But I love Your law.
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers,
For I will keep the commandments of my God!
The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Consider my affliction and deliver me,
For I do not forget Your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
I see the treacherous, and am disgusted,
Because they do not keep Your word.
Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
Princes persecute me without a cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your Word.
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
Great peace have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.” [4]
David did not want to be beholden to ungodly behaviors such as covetousness, worthless pursuits, double mindedness, evil deeds, and treachery. He wanted to be a companion with God-fearers, a keeper of God’s precepts, a delighter in God’s law, a follower in Lord’s footsteps, a rejoicing person in God’s Word, and a praising person of God.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word. Please help us to always delight-in and praise You for Your Word. It is in Your Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] John 6:66
[2] Mark 14:50
[3] Psalm 118:22-24
[4] Psalm 119:36-37, 63, 72, 92, 103, 105, 113-115, 130, 132-133, 141, 153-154, 158-159, 161-162, 165, 171
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Saved by God’s Grace
When the Philistines were fighting Keilah, what did David do? He inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.”
David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more than if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” David inquired of the Lord once again. The Lord said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
God gave David and his men the victory.
Then, King Saul, his father-in-law, called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. David asked the Lord, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.” The Lord replied, “He will come down.” David asked, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” The Lord replied, “They will deliver you.” David and his men escaped.
Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.
The Ziphites offered to betray David into Saul’s hands.
Saul was on one side of a mountain, and David and his men were on the other side of the mountain. Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them. But a messenger came to Saul and warned of a Philistine invasion. So, Saul broke off the attack on David. David called that place the Rock of Escape (Jesus is the Rock of our salvation). [1]
A lengthened life is God’s gift to those who listen to Him:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.” [2]
Today, there still is a remnant of God’s people according to the election of grace. “Saved by God’s grace” means our salvation is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. [3]
The odds are stacked against us. We cannot win. Except for God! Praise be to God for extending grace to us in Jesus Christ His Son. We win because God saves us by His grace in Christ Jesus, not by our works.
[1] 1 Samuel 23
[2] Proverbs 9:10-11
[3] Romans 11:5-6
David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more than if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” David inquired of the Lord once again. The Lord said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
God gave David and his men the victory.
Then, King Saul, his father-in-law, called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. David asked the Lord, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.” The Lord replied, “He will come down.” David asked, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” The Lord replied, “They will deliver you.” David and his men escaped.
Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.
The Ziphites offered to betray David into Saul’s hands.
Saul was on one side of a mountain, and David and his men were on the other side of the mountain. Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them. But a messenger came to Saul and warned of a Philistine invasion. So, Saul broke off the attack on David. David called that place the Rock of Escape (Jesus is the Rock of our salvation). [1]
A lengthened life is God’s gift to those who listen to Him:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.” [2]
Today, there still is a remnant of God’s people according to the election of grace. “Saved by God’s grace” means our salvation is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. [3]
The odds are stacked against us. We cannot win. Except for God! Praise be to God for extending grace to us in Jesus Christ His Son. We win because God saves us by His grace in Christ Jesus, not by our works.
[1] 1 Samuel 23
[2] Proverbs 9:10-11
[3] Romans 11:5-6
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Mercifully Elected
“So then it [election] is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” [1]
God elects sinners for salvation. We don’t get to do that. In fact, we don’t get to elect ourselves. Election is always a result of God’s mercy.
Jesus spoke of a Pharisee who stood and prayed with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” Jesus spoke of a tax collector who would not raise his eyes to heaven. He beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Jesus said the tax collector was justified by God. The Pharisee was not. Jesus taught that self-exaltation leads to humiliation, whereas humility before God leads to exaltation. [2]
Brennan Manning wrote that the Gospel is for people who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace. “Honest disciples who admit they are scalawags.” [3]
“Thank You Heavenly Father for being merciful to me. Please help me to be merciful towards others. In the Name of Your Son Jesus I pray. Amen.”
[1] Romans 9:16
[2] Luke 18:9-14
[3] The Ragamuffin Gospel, Multnomah Books, 7680 Goddard St., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
God elects sinners for salvation. We don’t get to do that. In fact, we don’t get to elect ourselves. Election is always a result of God’s mercy.
Jesus spoke of a Pharisee who stood and prayed with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” Jesus spoke of a tax collector who would not raise his eyes to heaven. He beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Jesus said the tax collector was justified by God. The Pharisee was not. Jesus taught that self-exaltation leads to humiliation, whereas humility before God leads to exaltation. [2]
Brennan Manning wrote that the Gospel is for people who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace. “Honest disciples who admit they are scalawags.” [3]
“Thank You Heavenly Father for being merciful to me. Please help me to be merciful towards others. In the Name of Your Son Jesus I pray. Amen.”
[1] Romans 9:16
[2] Luke 18:9-14
[3] The Ragamuffin Gospel, Multnomah Books, 7680 Goddard St., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Friday, May 1, 2020
Drawing Near To God
The ark of the covenant of God was not where it should be. It remained distant from the people for twenty years. The Israelites lamented after the Lord.
Samuel urged them, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
Samuel told the people to gather, and he would pray for them. They gathered, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. They fasted and confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.”
At this solemn moment, the Philistines attacked Israel. The devil does not want people to draw near to God. The Israelites were afraid. They said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
Samuel sacrificed a lamb to the Lord. He prayed. The Lord answered his prayer with loud thunder. The thunder scared the Philistines. They became confused. The Lord defeated them.
Afterwards, Samuel set up a stone and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” The Philistines were subdued. The cities they had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, and there was peace. [1]
A metaphor for Jesus in Bible is a lamb that is slain. The priests of God sacrificed lambs to atone for the sins of people. Jesus is called the Lamb of God because He is the One who takes away the sin of all who believe in Him.
The nation of Israel had departed from God to serve foreign gods. The enemy took advantage of their apostacy. He oppressed and abused the people. They were like sheep without a shepherd to protect them from predators. They were afraid.
The people of Israel wanted Samuel to pray for them. He urged them to forsake foreign gods and prayer to the one true God. He atoned for their sin by sacrificing a lamb to God. Once their sinned was forgiven by God the devil had no legal claim again them.
What they had been unable to do in twenty years, happened in a day. The Lord defeated their enemies. They turned to the Lord, sought His forgiveness, and received His help.
Like the nation of Israel, we have sinned against God. We need His forgiveness. God has set forth Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. In this way, God is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. [2] May the Lord help the people of our nation to forsake other gods and hold steadfast to faith in Christ alone.
[1] 1 Samuel 7:2-10, 12-14
[2] Romans 3:23-26
Samuel urged them, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
Samuel told the people to gather, and he would pray for them. They gathered, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. They fasted and confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.”
At this solemn moment, the Philistines attacked Israel. The devil does not want people to draw near to God. The Israelites were afraid. They said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
Samuel sacrificed a lamb to the Lord. He prayed. The Lord answered his prayer with loud thunder. The thunder scared the Philistines. They became confused. The Lord defeated them.
Afterwards, Samuel set up a stone and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” The Philistines were subdued. The cities they had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, and there was peace. [1]
A metaphor for Jesus in Bible is a lamb that is slain. The priests of God sacrificed lambs to atone for the sins of people. Jesus is called the Lamb of God because He is the One who takes away the sin of all who believe in Him.
The nation of Israel had departed from God to serve foreign gods. The enemy took advantage of their apostacy. He oppressed and abused the people. They were like sheep without a shepherd to protect them from predators. They were afraid.
The people of Israel wanted Samuel to pray for them. He urged them to forsake foreign gods and prayer to the one true God. He atoned for their sin by sacrificing a lamb to God. Once their sinned was forgiven by God the devil had no legal claim again them.
What they had been unable to do in twenty years, happened in a day. The Lord defeated their enemies. They turned to the Lord, sought His forgiveness, and received His help.
Like the nation of Israel, we have sinned against God. We need His forgiveness. God has set forth Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. In this way, God is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. [2] May the Lord help the people of our nation to forsake other gods and hold steadfast to faith in Christ alone.
[1] 1 Samuel 7:2-10, 12-14
[2] Romans 3:23-26
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