We are living in peril-filled times. I am especially concerned for the well-being of families and individuals across this nation. The government can only do so much to keep people afloat during difficult times. The government depends on the American worker to produce taxable income, but what if the American worker cannot find work?
According to businessinsider.com, retailers have confirmed more than 1,000 store closures in 2021 so far. More than 8,000 US stores closed last year, and experts predict 10,000 possible closures in 2021.
Below is a list from Moneywise.com of predicted store closings:
1. Christopher & Banks Stores closing in 2021: Up to 449
2. Family Video Stores closing in 2021: 250
3. Starbucks Stores closing in 2020-2021: 500
4. Gap Stores closing between 2020-2023: 220
5. Godiva Chocolatier Stores closing in 2021: 117
6. Justice Stores closing in 2021: Up to 103
7. Banana Republic Stores closing between 2020-2023: 130
8. The Children’s Place Stores closing in 2021: 122
9. J.C. Penney Stores closing in 2021-2022: Up to 90
10. Fossil Stores closing in 2021: 65 to 75
11. Disney Stores closing in 2021: at least 60
12. Express Stores closing in 2021: Up to 60
13. Macy’s Stores closing in 2021: 45
14. Bed Bath & Beyond Stores closing in 2021: at least 43
15. Fry’s Electronics Stores closing in 2021: Up to 31
16. Stock Field Stores closing in 2021: 25
17. Designer Brands DSW Stores closing in 2021: Up to 24
18. Best Buy Stores closing in 2021: More than 20
19. GameStop Stores closing in 2021: Dozens?
20. Paper Source Stores closing in 2021: At least 11
21. Kroger Stores closing in 2021: 9
22. Goodwill Stores closing in 2021: 8
23. Michaels Stores closing in 2021: At least 5
24. Toys ‘R’ Us Stores closing in 2021: 2
25. Bloomingdale’s Stores closing in 2021: 1
What can be done now to turn our nation around? God’s Word advises us to seek Him while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near.
“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” [1] There needs to be repentance of sin, a forsaking of wrong ways, and a return to the Lord. His mercy and His forgiveness of our sin is the answer.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” [2] God has the solutions. He will share them with us if we listen.
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” [3] God’s Word yields good results in the lives of those who embrace and believe it.
“For you shall go out with joy and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” [4] Rather than doom and gloom, we will have joy, peace, singing, clapping of hands and good produce... IF we will turn FROM sin and TO the Lord and His Word, and trust Him.
The most important truth to hold onto without any skepticism is this: “He [Jesus Christ] Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” [5] If our sins are propitiated for... atoned for... washed away by blood of the Lamb of God, we have access to the grace of God, and nothing is impossible for God! This propitiation is available to the whole world when we believe in Jesus Christ.
[1] Isaiah 55:6-7
[2] Isaiah 55:8-9
[3] Isaiah 55:10-11
[4] Isaiah 55:12-13
[5] 1 John 2:2
Saturday, July 31, 2021
Friday, July 30, 2021
Reproach has Broken My Heart
“Reproach has broken My heart, and I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. For they persecute the ones You have struck, and talk of the grief of those You have wounded. [1]
This reproach, this heaviness, this aloneness, this torture, this persecution, this grief, and these wounds were for our sake and for our salvation.
“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” [2]
The cruel treatment that Jesus Christ endured was for our sin. He gave perfect obedience to God. We gave proneness to sin for which He had to pay dearly.
All sin matters. Humanity’s sin cost the Son of God great pain, grief, and death. Murder, lying, deceiving, hatred, unfaithfulness, fornication, adultery, gossip, unforgiveness, thievery, greed, rivalry, and selfishness! The fruit of a sin nature. Sin is the deadliest pandemic. It really matters! It ends with death. And for those whose sin whose sin debt has not been paid, it costs an eternity of separation from God. An eternity in hell!
This is why the suffering of our Savior matters. He suffered not for His own mistake or misunderstanding, but for ours. He is the Lamb of God that takes away our sin. All we need to do to be saved is to appropriate Christ’s sacrifice on the cross by confessing Him as our Savior and Lord. Embrace Him whom God has sent to save you by trusting in Him and confessing Him!
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah Our God is the God of salvation; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.” [3]
[1] Psalm 69:20-21, 26
[2] Isaiah 53:5-6
[3] Psalm 68:19-20
This reproach, this heaviness, this aloneness, this torture, this persecution, this grief, and these wounds were for our sake and for our salvation.
“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” [2]
The cruel treatment that Jesus Christ endured was for our sin. He gave perfect obedience to God. We gave proneness to sin for which He had to pay dearly.
All sin matters. Humanity’s sin cost the Son of God great pain, grief, and death. Murder, lying, deceiving, hatred, unfaithfulness, fornication, adultery, gossip, unforgiveness, thievery, greed, rivalry, and selfishness! The fruit of a sin nature. Sin is the deadliest pandemic. It really matters! It ends with death. And for those whose sin whose sin debt has not been paid, it costs an eternity of separation from God. An eternity in hell!
This is why the suffering of our Savior matters. He suffered not for His own mistake or misunderstanding, but for ours. He is the Lamb of God that takes away our sin. All we need to do to be saved is to appropriate Christ’s sacrifice on the cross by confessing Him as our Savior and Lord. Embrace Him whom God has sent to save you by trusting in Him and confessing Him!
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation! Selah Our God is the God of salvation; and to God the Lord belong escapes from death.” [3]
[1] Psalm 69:20-21, 26
[2] Isaiah 53:5-6
[3] Psalm 68:19-20
Thursday, July 29, 2021
Let Go And Let God
“The Word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest...” [1]
The theme of the Book of Hebrews is faith in God’s Son. The author alludes to the faith failures of the Israelites as a warning to us. They had the Word of God, but the Word of God did not have them. When push came to shove, they would become restless and doubt God’s Word. Their lack of belief and restlessness never yielded good results. They only entered God’s rest when they believed His Word (the Holy Scriptures).
“God rested on the seventh day from all His works.” [2]
God created the entire universe: sun, moon, stars, and earth, and then took a day to rest. He did this as an example for us. He created all things in such a way to work and leave for us an opportunity to rest one day out of seven. The only requirement is trust His Word. Your world will not collapse without your work. You can rest. God will bless you if you do.
“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” [3]
Let us cease from our own works on the Sabbath as God did. Let us be diligent to enter it. Our Sabbath Day work is to rest in God. This is what I tell myself when I slip into the workaholic mindset. I have to stop my own work, and trust God to bless me when I do. God does miracles when we trust in Him. At times, I have driven myself so hard, and only made matters worse. And others times, I have rested in the Lord and He resolved the matter quickly. Sometimes when I rest, God reveals to me that I have been toiling and stressing over meaningless matters.
“The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” [4]
Take time for God’s Word. Let it discern your thoughts and the intents of your heart. Rest in Him!
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” [5]
The Word of God leads us to our great High Priest: Jesus the Son of God. Not to an angry taskmaster! Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses. He invites us to come boldly to His throne to obtain mercy and find grace in our time of need. To let go and let God!
[1] Hebrews 4:2-3
[2] Hebrews 4:4
[3] Hebrews 4:9-11
[4] Hebrews 4:12
[5] Hebrews 4:14-16
The theme of the Book of Hebrews is faith in God’s Son. The author alludes to the faith failures of the Israelites as a warning to us. They had the Word of God, but the Word of God did not have them. When push came to shove, they would become restless and doubt God’s Word. Their lack of belief and restlessness never yielded good results. They only entered God’s rest when they believed His Word (the Holy Scriptures).
“God rested on the seventh day from all His works.” [2]
God created the entire universe: sun, moon, stars, and earth, and then took a day to rest. He did this as an example for us. He created all things in such a way to work and leave for us an opportunity to rest one day out of seven. The only requirement is trust His Word. Your world will not collapse without your work. You can rest. God will bless you if you do.
“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” [3]
Let us cease from our own works on the Sabbath as God did. Let us be diligent to enter it. Our Sabbath Day work is to rest in God. This is what I tell myself when I slip into the workaholic mindset. I have to stop my own work, and trust God to bless me when I do. God does miracles when we trust in Him. At times, I have driven myself so hard, and only made matters worse. And others times, I have rested in the Lord and He resolved the matter quickly. Sometimes when I rest, God reveals to me that I have been toiling and stressing over meaningless matters.
“The word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” [4]
Take time for God’s Word. Let it discern your thoughts and the intents of your heart. Rest in Him!
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” [5]
The Word of God leads us to our great High Priest: Jesus the Son of God. Not to an angry taskmaster! Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses. He invites us to come boldly to His throne to obtain mercy and find grace in our time of need. To let go and let God!
[1] Hebrews 4:2-3
[2] Hebrews 4:4
[3] Hebrews 4:9-11
[4] Hebrews 4:12
[5] Hebrews 4:14-16
Monday, July 26, 2021
Praise to the Father who Loves Us
“Heavenly Father, praise You, You love us, You save us by Your grace, You adopted us!”
Our Heavenly Father: Jesus taught us to address God as “Our Father in heaven” or “our Heavenly Father.” [1]
Our Heavenly Father loves us: Jesus enlightened a religious man named Nicodemus with these words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” [2] “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” [3]
Our Heavenly Father saves us by His grace: “by the grace of God I am what I am.” [4] “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” [5]
Our Heavenly Father adopted us into His family: “When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!’” [6]
“Heavenly Father, praise You, You love us, You save us by Your grace, You adopted us!”
[1] Matthew 6:9
[2] John 3:16
[3] 1 John 3:1
[4] 1 Corinthians 15:10
[5] Ephesians 2:8-9
[6] Galatians 4:4-6
Our Heavenly Father: Jesus taught us to address God as “Our Father in heaven” or “our Heavenly Father.” [1]
Our Heavenly Father loves us: Jesus enlightened a religious man named Nicodemus with these words, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” [2] “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” [3]
Our Heavenly Father saves us by His grace: “by the grace of God I am what I am.” [4] “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” [5]
Our Heavenly Father adopted us into His family: “When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, 'Abba, Father!’” [6]
“Heavenly Father, praise You, You love us, You save us by Your grace, You adopted us!”
[1] Matthew 6:9
[2] John 3:16
[3] 1 John 3:1
[4] 1 Corinthians 15:10
[5] Ephesians 2:8-9
[6] Galatians 4:4-6
Sunday, July 25, 2021
Maker of Heaven and Earth
“Then He [the Lord] brought him [Abram] outside and said, ‘Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.’ And He said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’” And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.” “On the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram.” [1]
Recently, God is graciously granting me a strong sense of His presence. I wake up thinking of Him as the God who created the heavens and the earth. I imagine the stars and know that He made them and sustains them all.
This morning, I stopped to think about this. Then, it came to me to look up the passage where God brought Abram out at and night and told him to look towards heaven. The Lord told Abram that his descendants would be beyond counting just like the stars. Abram believed God. God counted Abram’s faith as righteousness. Then, the Lord made a covenant with Abram.
How amazing that the God who created the heavens and earth would consider me worthy of His presence! King David wrote, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” [2]
When I was young, I felt that the only way to my earthly father’s heart was obedience and a high level of performance. At times, I tried to arise to that expectation, and at other times, I stopped trying altogether. How does one win the heart of a perfect and almighty God?
Who did Jesus focus on during His earthly ministry? Was it the high achievers? Was it the rich and famous?
Jesus focused on people with incomplete bodies like the blind, the lame, the mute, the deaf, the diseased (lepers) and the beggar. Like God Almighty showing Abram the stars, our Lord Jesus reached out to people with grace and miracle power. This is the God I need. One whose might is great enough to overcome my weakness. One whose grace is great enough to fill the achievement gaps in my life. He has been and is this to me.
Finally, my Heavenly Father said to me, “So, you see son, when you give your strength and show grace to those who cannot repay you, you are doing as I do.”
Jesus taught, “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
“Thank You Heavenly Father for being close to me though I can never earn or deserve Your attention and Your love. Thank You that You love and help me daily despite the many ways in which I fall short of Your glory. Help me to love others as You love me. This I pray in the Name of Jesus Your Son. Amen.”
[1] Genesis 15:5-6, 18
[2] Psalm 8:3-4
[3] Matthew 5:44-48
Recently, God is graciously granting me a strong sense of His presence. I wake up thinking of Him as the God who created the heavens and the earth. I imagine the stars and know that He made them and sustains them all.
This morning, I stopped to think about this. Then, it came to me to look up the passage where God brought Abram out at and night and told him to look towards heaven. The Lord told Abram that his descendants would be beyond counting just like the stars. Abram believed God. God counted Abram’s faith as righteousness. Then, the Lord made a covenant with Abram.
How amazing that the God who created the heavens and earth would consider me worthy of His presence! King David wrote, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” [2]
When I was young, I felt that the only way to my earthly father’s heart was obedience and a high level of performance. At times, I tried to arise to that expectation, and at other times, I stopped trying altogether. How does one win the heart of a perfect and almighty God?
Who did Jesus focus on during His earthly ministry? Was it the high achievers? Was it the rich and famous?
Jesus focused on people with incomplete bodies like the blind, the lame, the mute, the deaf, the diseased (lepers) and the beggar. Like God Almighty showing Abram the stars, our Lord Jesus reached out to people with grace and miracle power. This is the God I need. One whose might is great enough to overcome my weakness. One whose grace is great enough to fill the achievement gaps in my life. He has been and is this to me.
Finally, my Heavenly Father said to me, “So, you see son, when you give your strength and show grace to those who cannot repay you, you are doing as I do.”
Jesus taught, “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
“Thank You Heavenly Father for being close to me though I can never earn or deserve Your attention and Your love. Thank You that You love and help me daily despite the many ways in which I fall short of Your glory. Help me to love others as You love me. This I pray in the Name of Jesus Your Son. Amen.”
[1] Genesis 15:5-6, 18
[2] Psalm 8:3-4
[3] Matthew 5:44-48
Friday, July 23, 2021
A River of Gladness for God's People
The enemies of Ezra’s people did many things to ensure that they would fail.
They:
Asked for help but planned to sabotage them. [1]
Discouraged and troubled them. [2]
Hired counselors (legal help) to frustrate their purpose. [3]
Composed litigation and submitted it to authorities. [4]
Portrayed them as seditious rebels who did not pay taxes [5]
Projected the king would lose his dominion if they prospered [6]
Recommended that the king stop the work. [7]
Their tactics worked; the king forcefully stopped the work of God’s people. [8]
However, two years later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah began prophesying in the name of God, and the people began to build once again based on the Word of God and based on faith in the power of God. “The prophets of God were with them, helping them.” [9]
The enemies questioned the builders. They informed the king on them. [10]
Despite the setbacks and hardships caused by those who opposed them, the story has a happy ending for God’s people. They trusted in God. They kept doing His work. The king eventually ceased to listen to their enemies. He mandated that their enemies should help fund their work. He threatened to execute anyone who opposed them.
“There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God...” [11] This river flows from God’s throne and it is rich with words from Him that help those who love and serve Him.
[1] Ezra 4:1-3
[2] Ezra 4:4
[3] Ezra 4:5
[4] Ezra 4:6
[5] Ezra 4:7-15
[6] Ezra 4:16
[7] Ezra 4:21
[8] Ezra 4:23
[9] Ezra 5:1-2
[10] Ezra 5:3-17
[11] Psalm 46:4
They:
Asked for help but planned to sabotage them. [1]
Discouraged and troubled them. [2]
Hired counselors (legal help) to frustrate their purpose. [3]
Composed litigation and submitted it to authorities. [4]
Portrayed them as seditious rebels who did not pay taxes [5]
Projected the king would lose his dominion if they prospered [6]
Recommended that the king stop the work. [7]
Their tactics worked; the king forcefully stopped the work of God’s people. [8]
However, two years later, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah began prophesying in the name of God, and the people began to build once again based on the Word of God and based on faith in the power of God. “The prophets of God were with them, helping them.” [9]
The enemies questioned the builders. They informed the king on them. [10]
Despite the setbacks and hardships caused by those who opposed them, the story has a happy ending for God’s people. They trusted in God. They kept doing His work. The king eventually ceased to listen to their enemies. He mandated that their enemies should help fund their work. He threatened to execute anyone who opposed them.
“There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God...” [11] This river flows from God’s throne and it is rich with words from Him that help those who love and serve Him.
[1] Ezra 4:1-3
[2] Ezra 4:4
[3] Ezra 4:5
[4] Ezra 4:6
[5] Ezra 4:7-15
[6] Ezra 4:16
[7] Ezra 4:21
[8] Ezra 4:23
[9] Ezra 5:1-2
[10] Ezra 5:3-17
[11] Psalm 46:4
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
Do the Work of an Evangelist
“Do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” [1]
According to the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism, only 10% of our churches are succeeding at leading people to Christ. Ninety percent of American churches are either not growing, or only growing because Christians are leaving other churches to join theirs.
Why isn’t evangelism happening more, or better? Some possible reasons are:
Church membership is about getting my needs met not reaching the lost.
We do not want to share the Gospel for fear we will offend others.
Too many activities... too busy to do the things that really matter.
Evangelism is Christ’s commission to every church and to every believer. Evangelism needs to be a priority. Some suggestions are:
Start with prayer! A simple prayer is, “Lord Jesus, please give me Your heart for lost people.” Pray at stoplights for the people, do the same in grocery store lines, at the bank, and at the post office. Let Jesus cultivate in you a heart that cares to see lost souls saved by Jesus.
Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” [2] And, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [3]
Be inviters. It’s simple! Invite unchurched friends to church.
First time guests usually decide about whether they will return based on their first few minutes’ experience. If no one greets them, they may decide they’re not welcome. Don’t alienate newcomers from Christ by being cliquish, sloppy, or boorish. Take a look at what happens in the service from the perspective of an outsider.
LINE-UP by:
Looking for newcomers.
Introducing yourself.
Never allowing a newcomer to feel unwelcomed.
Engaging in conversation.
Using time before and after the service to build friendship.
Prioritizing friendship to newcomers. [4]
Come to Church prayed up. Yes, pray for the message. Pray for the worship team. Pray for the Sunday school teachers and learners. But also pray for God’s love to be strong among all the believers. Pray for perfect love that casts out fear. [5]
[1] 2 Timothy 4:5
[2] Luke 19:10
[3] Mark 10:45
[4] Adapted from pastormentor.com
[5] 1 John 4:18
According to the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism, only 10% of our churches are succeeding at leading people to Christ. Ninety percent of American churches are either not growing, or only growing because Christians are leaving other churches to join theirs.
Why isn’t evangelism happening more, or better? Some possible reasons are:
Church membership is about getting my needs met not reaching the lost.
We do not want to share the Gospel for fear we will offend others.
Too many activities... too busy to do the things that really matter.
Evangelism is Christ’s commission to every church and to every believer. Evangelism needs to be a priority. Some suggestions are:
Start with prayer! A simple prayer is, “Lord Jesus, please give me Your heart for lost people.” Pray at stoplights for the people, do the same in grocery store lines, at the bank, and at the post office. Let Jesus cultivate in you a heart that cares to see lost souls saved by Jesus.
Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” [2] And, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” [3]
Be inviters. It’s simple! Invite unchurched friends to church.
First time guests usually decide about whether they will return based on their first few minutes’ experience. If no one greets them, they may decide they’re not welcome. Don’t alienate newcomers from Christ by being cliquish, sloppy, or boorish. Take a look at what happens in the service from the perspective of an outsider.
LINE-UP by:
Looking for newcomers.
Introducing yourself.
Never allowing a newcomer to feel unwelcomed.
Engaging in conversation.
Using time before and after the service to build friendship.
Prioritizing friendship to newcomers. [4]
Come to Church prayed up. Yes, pray for the message. Pray for the worship team. Pray for the Sunday school teachers and learners. But also pray for God’s love to be strong among all the believers. Pray for perfect love that casts out fear. [5]
[1] 2 Timothy 4:5
[2] Luke 19:10
[3] Mark 10:45
[4] Adapted from pastormentor.com
[5] 1 John 4:18
Tuesday, July 20, 2021
The Holy Spirit and Evangelism
Why did the Gospel message impact so many so quickly in the first three centuries?
Dr. Stephen Elliott in his article entitled, “Signs and Wonders in Evangelism,” emphasizes miracles. “Whenever and wherever the Gospel message is substantiated by God’s miraculous activities, the church almost inevitably experiences dramatic conversion growth.”
Stephen’s appeal is for Christians to place a higher emphasis on the person and work of the Spirit. “We speak much of God the Father and God the Son, but rarely do we even talk about the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples not to undertake the Great Commission until they were filled with the Holy Spirit’s presence and power.” [1] We cannot do miracles, but God the Holy Spirit can. Therefore, let us pray for the Holy Spirit to have freedom to work in and through us.
When God showed up in power on Mount Carmel, the people of God fell to their faces and cried out “The Lord, He is God, The Lord, He is God.” [2]
Below are Biblical examples of the power miracles to influence people to believe in God:
After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the concluding statement in the biblical narrative is, “many … put their faith in Him.” [3]
“By the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ.” [4]
“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst.” [5]
“And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.” [6]
“Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.” [7]
“God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.” [8]
“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.” [9]
“The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.” [10]
So vital is faith in Christ to be eternally saved that God the Holy Spirit is willing and has done miracles to help yield results whenever and wherever the Gospel is preached.
Early Church Christians prayed to God: “Extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” [11]
[1] seedbed.com/signs-and-wonders-in-evangelism
[2] 1 Kings 18:39
[3] John 11:45
[4] Romans 15:19
[5] Acts 2:22
[6] Mark 16:20
[7] Acts 14:3
[8] Hebrews 2:4
[9] Acts 6:8
[10] Acts 8:6
[11] Acts 4:30
Dr. Stephen Elliott in his article entitled, “Signs and Wonders in Evangelism,” emphasizes miracles. “Whenever and wherever the Gospel message is substantiated by God’s miraculous activities, the church almost inevitably experiences dramatic conversion growth.”
Stephen’s appeal is for Christians to place a higher emphasis on the person and work of the Spirit. “We speak much of God the Father and God the Son, but rarely do we even talk about the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples not to undertake the Great Commission until they were filled with the Holy Spirit’s presence and power.” [1] We cannot do miracles, but God the Holy Spirit can. Therefore, let us pray for the Holy Spirit to have freedom to work in and through us.
When God showed up in power on Mount Carmel, the people of God fell to their faces and cried out “The Lord, He is God, The Lord, He is God.” [2]
Below are Biblical examples of the power miracles to influence people to believe in God:
After Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the concluding statement in the biblical narrative is, “many … put their faith in Him.” [3]
“By the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the Gospel of Christ.” [4]
“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst.” [5]
“And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.” [6]
“Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.” [7]
“God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.” [8]
“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.” [9]
“The crowds with one accord were giving attention to what was said by Philip, as they heard and saw the signs which he was performing.” [10]
So vital is faith in Christ to be eternally saved that God the Holy Spirit is willing and has done miracles to help yield results whenever and wherever the Gospel is preached.
Early Church Christians prayed to God: “Extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” [11]
[1] seedbed.com/signs-and-wonders-in-evangelism
[2] 1 Kings 18:39
[3] John 11:45
[4] Romans 15:19
[5] Acts 2:22
[6] Mark 16:20
[7] Acts 14:3
[8] Hebrews 2:4
[9] Acts 6:8
[10] Acts 8:6
[11] Acts 4:30
Monday, July 19, 2021
Praying for the Salvation of Lost Souls
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” [1]
Yes, the souls who need Christ are plentiful. Below are petitions based on Bible verses that Intervarsity put together to help harvesters to pray for the salvation of lost souls:
Heavenly Father, please help me become whatever kind of Christ-like servant _____ can identify with so that by all possible means he will be saved. [2]
Heavenly Father, please send more believers into ______’s life who will exemplify Christ and cause her to want to know Christ for herself. [3]
Heavenly Father, please open doors for proclaiming the mystery of Christ to ______. [4]
Heavenly Father, please enable me to speak Your Word to ______ with great boldness. [5]
Heavenly Father, please break the blindness on ______’s mind caused by the god of this age. Help him see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. [6]
Heavenly Father, please break complacency in _____’s mind and help her to want to be changed. [7]
Heavenly Father, please grant ______ a noble and good heart, help him hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. [8]
Heavenly Father, please help ______ see with her eyes, hear with her ears, understand with her heart and turn, and you will heal her. [9]
Heavenly Father, please me gently instruct ______ when he is in opposition to you, in the hope that you will grant him repentance leading him to knowledge of the truth, and that he will come to his senses and escape from the trap of the devil. [10]
Heavenly Father, please bring ______ to the point he declares with his mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believes in his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and he will be saved. [11]
Heavenly Father, please give me opportunity and boldness to invite ______ to come home to You. [12]
[1] Matthew 9:37-38
[2] 1 Corinthians 9:22
[3] Matthew 9:38
[4] Colossians 4:3
[5] Acts 4:29
[6] 2 Corinthians 4:4
[7] John 4:15
[8] Luke 8:11-15
[9] Matthew 13:15
[10] 2 Timothy 2:25-26
[11] Romans 10:9
[12] Luke 14:23
Friday, July 16, 2021
Words Are Necessary
“Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel...” [1]
Words. Words are necessary to share the Gospel with others!
“Preach the Gospel. Use words if necessary.” Ever heard this one? Tim Keller, said, “It’s like saying, ‘Feed the hungry. Use food if necessary.’” Words are necessary. We need to speak. We need to say things to lost coworkers, neighbors, friends, and family. We need to tell them about Jesus Christ. The Gospel is communicated by words because its the story of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is about the virgin birth, the life, the words, the death, the resurrection, the ascension, and the return of Jesus Christ. We can’t leave Jesus out of the conversation. The Gospel is about people believing in JESUS!
Paul confessed that Gospel ministry is a daunting task. He told the Corinthians, “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” Even so, he did it. “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” He leaned on God the Holy Spirit for help... “My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” [2]
Among some people, we should feel helpless. We should feel at a loss for words. Why? Because the name of Jesus is offensive to them, but we cannot leave Him out of the conversation.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How can they hear without someone preaching to them?” [3] That’s words. We have to tell them about Jesus. He is the Gospel. Thus, we must pray for boldness. We must pray for courage to use words. Words are necessary.
If Paul needed prayer for boldness to evangelize, how much more do you and me? Paul’s boldness to speak for Christ clearly yielded good results.
“Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the chance we’ve had to hear Your word and to be moved by it. Lord help us. Make us strong. Make us brave. Help us to love the lost enough to speak Your words to them, as You do. Help us to see more people believe in Your Son Jesus Christ, and then become His disciples. We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
[1] Ephesians 6:19-20
[2] 1 Corinthians 2:2-4
[3] Romans 10:15
Words. Words are necessary to share the Gospel with others!
“Preach the Gospel. Use words if necessary.” Ever heard this one? Tim Keller, said, “It’s like saying, ‘Feed the hungry. Use food if necessary.’” Words are necessary. We need to speak. We need to say things to lost coworkers, neighbors, friends, and family. We need to tell them about Jesus Christ. The Gospel is communicated by words because its the story of Jesus Christ. The Gospel is about the virgin birth, the life, the words, the death, the resurrection, the ascension, and the return of Jesus Christ. We can’t leave Jesus out of the conversation. The Gospel is about people believing in JESUS!
Paul confessed that Gospel ministry is a daunting task. He told the Corinthians, “I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.” Even so, he did it. “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” He leaned on God the Holy Spirit for help... “My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” [2]
Among some people, we should feel helpless. We should feel at a loss for words. Why? Because the name of Jesus is offensive to them, but we cannot leave Him out of the conversation.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How can they hear without someone preaching to them?” [3] That’s words. We have to tell them about Jesus. He is the Gospel. Thus, we must pray for boldness. We must pray for courage to use words. Words are necessary.
If Paul needed prayer for boldness to evangelize, how much more do you and me? Paul’s boldness to speak for Christ clearly yielded good results.
“Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the chance we’ve had to hear Your word and to be moved by it. Lord help us. Make us strong. Make us brave. Help us to love the lost enough to speak Your words to them, as You do. Help us to see more people believe in Your Son Jesus Christ, and then become His disciples. We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
[1] Ephesians 6:19-20
[2] 1 Corinthians 2:2-4
[3] Romans 10:15
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Administering God’s Word Accurately
At age one, King Joash’s mother killed his brothers and took over the nation as queen. Jehoida the priest and his wife hid him for six years. Jehoida made a carefully devised plan to dethrone the queen and restore the throne to Joash. It took six years, but his mother was executed for her crimes and Jehoida crowned Joash King of Judah. [1]
“Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” However, after Jehoida died, Joash listened to other leaders. Their advice was to serve wooden images and idols. Consequently, God’s wrath came upon the land. The Lord sent prophets to them to bring them back to the Lord, but they would not listen. [2]
Jehoida the priest had a son named Zechariah. Zechariah spoke to Joash by the Spirit of the Lord. He declared, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’” [3]
King Joash had Zechariah stoned to death. He “did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him but killed his son.” As Zechariah died, he said, “The Lord look on it, and repay!” [4]
The Lord did repay. A small company of Syrians defeated Judah’s large army. The Lord delivered Judah into their hand because they had forsaken Him. Joash was wounded in this battle and Joash died soon afterwards by the hands of assassins. [5]
What a parable of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ! Jehoida represents God the Father. He preserved Joash from his wicked mother when he could not protect himself. Jehoida also ensured that Joash received his rightful inheritance due to him by birthright. He crowned him king. Zechariah represents God’s Son. He sacrificed his life to bring Joash back to God. In a sense, Joash represents sinners. Sinners are apt to take God’s blessings, then forsake Him, and afterwards turn against Him and His SON. When Joash betrayed God, his life took a hard turn for the worse. In fact, he died a horrible death.
It is important to know and to obey God’s Word. God warns us to keep His Word carefully:
“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” [6]
“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” [7]
“Even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” [8]
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” [9]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive our sins that cost Your Son His life on the cross. Please grant us grace to teach and obey Your Word faithfully all our days. For Your glory and for the salvation of our listeners. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
[1] 2 Chronicles 22:10-11; chapter 23; and 24:1
[2] 2 Chronicles 24:2; 17-19
[3] 2 Chronicles 24:20
[4] 2 Chronicles 24:20-22
[5] 2 Chronicles 24:23-25
[6] 1 Timothy 4:16
[7] Revelation 22:18-19
[8] Galatians 1:8
[9] James 3:1
“Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” However, after Jehoida died, Joash listened to other leaders. Their advice was to serve wooden images and idols. Consequently, God’s wrath came upon the land. The Lord sent prophets to them to bring them back to the Lord, but they would not listen. [2]
Jehoida the priest had a son named Zechariah. Zechariah spoke to Joash by the Spirit of the Lord. He declared, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’” [3]
King Joash had Zechariah stoned to death. He “did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him but killed his son.” As Zechariah died, he said, “The Lord look on it, and repay!” [4]
The Lord did repay. A small company of Syrians defeated Judah’s large army. The Lord delivered Judah into their hand because they had forsaken Him. Joash was wounded in this battle and Joash died soon afterwards by the hands of assassins. [5]
What a parable of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ! Jehoida represents God the Father. He preserved Joash from his wicked mother when he could not protect himself. Jehoida also ensured that Joash received his rightful inheritance due to him by birthright. He crowned him king. Zechariah represents God’s Son. He sacrificed his life to bring Joash back to God. In a sense, Joash represents sinners. Sinners are apt to take God’s blessings, then forsake Him, and afterwards turn against Him and His SON. When Joash betrayed God, his life took a hard turn for the worse. In fact, he died a horrible death.
It is important to know and to obey God’s Word. God warns us to keep His Word carefully:
“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” [6]
“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” [7]
“Even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” [8]
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” [9]
“Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive our sins that cost Your Son His life on the cross. Please grant us grace to teach and obey Your Word faithfully all our days. For Your glory and for the salvation of our listeners. I pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
[1] 2 Chronicles 22:10-11; chapter 23; and 24:1
[2] 2 Chronicles 24:2; 17-19
[3] 2 Chronicles 24:20
[4] 2 Chronicles 24:20-22
[5] 2 Chronicles 24:23-25
[6] 1 Timothy 4:16
[7] Revelation 22:18-19
[8] Galatians 1:8
[9] James 3:1
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Praise the Lord He Defeats our Foes
A great multitude of enemies came against King Jehoshaphat and his people. He was afraid. He set himself to seek the Lord. He proclaimed a fast. People from all the cities of Judah sought the Lord. King Jehoshaphat led the people in a prayer. The last sentence of his prayer to God was, “We have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” [1]
“All Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.” [2]
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, and he urged the people, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” [3]
King Jehoshaphat bowed prostrate before the Lord in worship and all the people did so as well. Then, the priests “stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.” [4]
King Jehoshaphat urged his people to... “Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” “After that, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as THEY WENT OUT BEFORE THE ARMY and were saying: ‘Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.’” [5]
“When they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.” They destroyed one another. When Judah came to the place of battle, they discovered their enemies dead. They had a new task... to collect all the spoils... an abundance of valuables. It took them three days to cart away all the treasures. They blessed the Name of the Lord as they returned from the battle. Praise the Lord. [6]
When we were missionaries in the orient, Sherry’s sister Jami sent videos for our children to watch. Our TV screen only played videos via a VCR. The videos that I enjoyed the most were the Gospel Bill videos. I have attached a link to the musical version of the story of Jehoshaphat which was done by Ken Blount and his worship team. The title of the song is, “Fear Not.”
I hope and pray that during our times of testing, we will fear not, but sing praises and worship songs to the Lord. He can do much more than we can imagine. Praise the Lord!
[1] 2 Chronicles 20:1-12
[2] 2 Chronicles 20:13
[3] 2 Chronicles 20:14-17
[4] 2 Chronicles 20:18-19
[5] 2 Chronicles 20:20-21
[6] 2 Chronicles 20:22-26
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpYA5sHhPnY
“All Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.” [2]
Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel, and he urged the people, “Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” [3]
King Jehoshaphat bowed prostrate before the Lord in worship and all the people did so as well. Then, the priests “stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.” [4]
King Jehoshaphat urged his people to... “Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.” “After that, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as THEY WENT OUT BEFORE THE ARMY and were saying: ‘Praise the Lord, for His mercy endures forever.’” [5]
“When they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.” They destroyed one another. When Judah came to the place of battle, they discovered their enemies dead. They had a new task... to collect all the spoils... an abundance of valuables. It took them three days to cart away all the treasures. They blessed the Name of the Lord as they returned from the battle. Praise the Lord. [6]
When we were missionaries in the orient, Sherry’s sister Jami sent videos for our children to watch. Our TV screen only played videos via a VCR. The videos that I enjoyed the most were the Gospel Bill videos. I have attached a link to the musical version of the story of Jehoshaphat which was done by Ken Blount and his worship team. The title of the song is, “Fear Not.”
I hope and pray that during our times of testing, we will fear not, but sing praises and worship songs to the Lord. He can do much more than we can imagine. Praise the Lord!
[1] 2 Chronicles 20:1-12
[2] 2 Chronicles 20:13
[3] 2 Chronicles 20:14-17
[4] 2 Chronicles 20:18-19
[5] 2 Chronicles 20:20-21
[6] 2 Chronicles 20:22-26
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpYA5sHhPnY
Friday, July 9, 2021
Loving God
Yes, the God whose very essence is love enjoys being loved by us people in return.
In the days of Jeremiah, the Lord lamented the loss of His people’s love when He said, “Thus says the Lord: I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown.” [1]
The Lord reminiscences with fondness of that season long ago when the people actually loved Him. Though they were in a raw wilderness, they were kind and loving towards Him.
Once, Jesus asked His disciple and future Church leader, Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Thankfully, Simon Peter did and was able to answer to His Lord, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” [2]
Amidst all the people of planet earth is there anyone who loves the Lord Jesus, and is not ashamed to say so?
“I love You Lord!”
“I will love You, O Lord, my strength.” [3]
“Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells.” [4]
My prayer is for others and for myself is to love the Lord. He is worthy of our love! He enjoys love that is expressed with words and actions...
“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” [5]
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” [6]
“Heavenly Father, please revive Your people’s ability to love You with fervent love. You are worthier of our love than anything or anyone else in this world. Thank You for Your great love for us, especially expressed through sending Your Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins on the cross, and to resurrect on the third day for our resurrection unto eternity with You. And thank You for Your Holy Spirit who lives and abides with us. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Jeremiah 2:2
[2] John 21:15
[3] Psalm 18:1
[4] Psalm 26:8
[5] 2 Thessalonians 3:5
[6] Jude 1:21
In the days of Jeremiah, the Lord lamented the loss of His people’s love when He said, “Thus says the Lord: I remember you, The kindness of your youth, The love of your betrothal, When you went after Me in the wilderness, In a land not sown.” [1]
The Lord reminiscences with fondness of that season long ago when the people actually loved Him. Though they were in a raw wilderness, they were kind and loving towards Him.
Once, Jesus asked His disciple and future Church leader, Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Thankfully, Simon Peter did and was able to answer to His Lord, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” [2]
Amidst all the people of planet earth is there anyone who loves the Lord Jesus, and is not ashamed to say so?
“I love You Lord!”
“I will love You, O Lord, my strength.” [3]
“Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells.” [4]
My prayer is for others and for myself is to love the Lord. He is worthy of our love! He enjoys love that is expressed with words and actions...
“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.” [5]
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” [6]
“Heavenly Father, please revive Your people’s ability to love You with fervent love. You are worthier of our love than anything or anyone else in this world. Thank You for Your great love for us, especially expressed through sending Your Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins on the cross, and to resurrect on the third day for our resurrection unto eternity with You. And thank You for Your Holy Spirit who lives and abides with us. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] Jeremiah 2:2
[2] John 21:15
[3] Psalm 18:1
[4] Psalm 26:8
[5] 2 Thessalonians 3:5
[6] Jude 1:21
Thursday, July 8, 2021
Moving Forward by Faith
For by-faith-missionaries, trusting the Lord to provide for personal needs and for the needs of the mission is a way of life.
The Lord did two amazing things in our lives when we were missionaries to China. The first was to bestow on us the gift of faith. Faith that He would always meet our needs! He gave us faith to praise Him in advance for victory against all odds. Living by faith was the first miracle. Secondly, as the Holy Spirit led, guided, and spoke truth to us, He did a sanctifying work in our hearts. He would put His finger on something that He wanted to change, and He changed us
We need the Holy Spirit’s power to be like Jesus. For example, as we set our hearts to follow Jesus, the evil one would fling flaming lying arrows at us. The Holy Spirit gave us steadfast faith in our Lord Jesus, and Jesus saved us. Our Lord turned what was meant for evil into a larger victory, not only for us personally, but also for our mission.
This morning, I read in the Bible, 2 Chronicles 11:13-17, how when the nation of Israel split in two, the northern king went against God and the southern king stuck with God. King Jeroboam rejected the Lord’s priests. Verse 15 says that he set up “priests for the high places, for the demons, and calf idols which he made.” The Lord’s priests left his nation and moved south to Judah. Verse 16 says that they “set their heart to seek the Lord God.” Verse 17 says that “they strengthened the kingdom of Judah.”
Psalm 1 says that the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, but delights in the Lord’s word, and meditates on it day and night is blessed. This man shall prosper, but the wicked shall pass away like chaff in the wind.
Psalm 2 speaks of nations, people, kings, and rulers taking their stand against the Lord. They say they want to cast off the Lord’s restraints. What does the Lord do in this Psalm? He laughs. He derides them. He has His King. The King is His Son. Verses 11-12 advise, “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”
Proverbs 8 speaks of wisdom. Verse 13 says that wisdom is to fear the Lord and to hate evil, pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. Verses 15 speaks of God’s wisdom giving kings and rulers the ability to reign and decree justice. He loves those who love Him. God’s wisdom bestows enduring riches and righteousness according to verse 18. His fruit is better than gold according to verse 19. The Lord says in verse 21: “That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.”
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross to cancel all Satan’s and sin’s claim against us, and for giving us Your Holy Spirit. Please grant all Your people faith to trust in You and to move forward by faith in Your Word, the Bible. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
The Lord did two amazing things in our lives when we were missionaries to China. The first was to bestow on us the gift of faith. Faith that He would always meet our needs! He gave us faith to praise Him in advance for victory against all odds. Living by faith was the first miracle. Secondly, as the Holy Spirit led, guided, and spoke truth to us, He did a sanctifying work in our hearts. He would put His finger on something that He wanted to change, and He changed us
We need the Holy Spirit’s power to be like Jesus. For example, as we set our hearts to follow Jesus, the evil one would fling flaming lying arrows at us. The Holy Spirit gave us steadfast faith in our Lord Jesus, and Jesus saved us. Our Lord turned what was meant for evil into a larger victory, not only for us personally, but also for our mission.
This morning, I read in the Bible, 2 Chronicles 11:13-17, how when the nation of Israel split in two, the northern king went against God and the southern king stuck with God. King Jeroboam rejected the Lord’s priests. Verse 15 says that he set up “priests for the high places, for the demons, and calf idols which he made.” The Lord’s priests left his nation and moved south to Judah. Verse 16 says that they “set their heart to seek the Lord God.” Verse 17 says that “they strengthened the kingdom of Judah.”
Psalm 1 says that the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, but delights in the Lord’s word, and meditates on it day and night is blessed. This man shall prosper, but the wicked shall pass away like chaff in the wind.
Psalm 2 speaks of nations, people, kings, and rulers taking their stand against the Lord. They say they want to cast off the Lord’s restraints. What does the Lord do in this Psalm? He laughs. He derides them. He has His King. The King is His Son. Verses 11-12 advise, “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.”
Proverbs 8 speaks of wisdom. Verse 13 says that wisdom is to fear the Lord and to hate evil, pride, arrogance, the evil way, and the perverse mouth. Verses 15 speaks of God’s wisdom giving kings and rulers the ability to reign and decree justice. He loves those who love Him. God’s wisdom bestows enduring riches and righteousness according to verse 18. His fruit is better than gold according to verse 19. The Lord says in verse 21: “That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, that I may fill their treasuries.”
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ who died on the cross to cancel all Satan’s and sin’s claim against us, and for giving us Your Holy Spirit. Please grant all Your people faith to trust in You and to move forward by faith in Your Word, the Bible. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”
Sunday, July 4, 2021
The Ultimate Day of Freedom
“...You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.” [1]
The greatest thing to happen is to be saved from a disconnected life. A life disconnected from God! And how does that happen?
The Thessalonians turned to God from idols. They committed to serving the living and true God. They lived with anticipation. Anticipating the Lord’s return! They believed the Gospel, namely that Christ died for the sins of the whole world on the cross and resurrected on the third day, and that He is coming again, and that whosoever believes in Him is saved from God’s wrath on sin.
Let’s consider for a moment the value of salvation from God’s wrath on sin.
Romans 1:18 says that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Have you witnessed any ungodliness lately? Have you witnessed any unrighteous suppression of the truth?
Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” [2]
Jesus is described as the One who “will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.” [3]
The Bible is quite clear in Revelation 20:15 about what happens to those who reject God’s designated Savior... “And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
What a great decision it is to turn from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son to return from heaven. Jesus delivers from the wrath that is to come.
Herein is the good news: “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [4] The FREE GIFT is eternal life in Christ Jesus. This is the greatest freedom! The gift of having your sins forgiven by God! The gift of being saved by God – not by yourself or anyone else – but saved by God! The gift of salvation from God’s wrath on sin!
I am so glad that God saves me by His grace in Christ Jesus. I urge anyone who is reading this post and who has not yet turned from idols to serve the living and true God... do so today! Believe in Jesus Christ. Don’t depend on yourself or others. Confess Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He is able to make this 4th of July your ultimate day of freedom!
[1] 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
[2] Matthew 10:28
[3] Revelation 19:15
[4] Romans 6:23
The greatest thing to happen is to be saved from a disconnected life. A life disconnected from God! And how does that happen?
The Thessalonians turned to God from idols. They committed to serving the living and true God. They lived with anticipation. Anticipating the Lord’s return! They believed the Gospel, namely that Christ died for the sins of the whole world on the cross and resurrected on the third day, and that He is coming again, and that whosoever believes in Him is saved from God’s wrath on sin.
Let’s consider for a moment the value of salvation from God’s wrath on sin.
Romans 1:18 says that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Have you witnessed any ungodliness lately? Have you witnessed any unrighteous suppression of the truth?
Jesus said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” [2]
Jesus is described as the One who “will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.” [3]
The Bible is quite clear in Revelation 20:15 about what happens to those who reject God’s designated Savior... “And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
What a great decision it is to turn from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son to return from heaven. Jesus delivers from the wrath that is to come.
Herein is the good news: “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [4] The FREE GIFT is eternal life in Christ Jesus. This is the greatest freedom! The gift of having your sins forgiven by God! The gift of being saved by God – not by yourself or anyone else – but saved by God! The gift of salvation from God’s wrath on sin!
I am so glad that God saves me by His grace in Christ Jesus. I urge anyone who is reading this post and who has not yet turned from idols to serve the living and true God... do so today! Believe in Jesus Christ. Don’t depend on yourself or others. Confess Christ Jesus as your Lord and Savior. He is able to make this 4th of July your ultimate day of freedom!
[1] 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
[2] Matthew 10:28
[3] Revelation 19:15
[4] Romans 6:23
Saturday, July 3, 2021
God Cares for You
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me.” [1]
Are you in trouble? Look to the Lord’s right hand. Who stands at the right hand of God our Father? Our Lord Jesus does! God saves us by Him whom is at His right hand, which is our Lord Jesus. He is the Savior!
“...Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” [2]
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.” [3]
I praise God for saving us by His grace and according to His mercy which lasts forever. This is how the Lord perfects that which concerns us. He does it as we trust in Him... as we trust in His mercy that never runs dry.
“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.” [4]
Not with a small portion, but with all our hearts. Not facilitating between our own understanding and His. Lean altogether on Him. Acknowledge Him who made the heavens and earth. Acknowledge our Heavenly Father who sent His only begotten Son into the world to die as a sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Acknowledge the presence, power, and pleasantness of the Holy Spirit who our Lord Jesus sent from heaven to guide us into all truth...
“When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” [5]
“He gives grace to the humble.” [6]
“Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” [7]
Herein is the essence of faith in God... believing that He cares for you.
[1] Psalm 138:7
[2] 1 Peter 3:21-22
[3] Psalm 138:8
[4] Proverbs 3:5-6
[5] John 16:13
[6] Proverbs 3:34
[7] 1 Peter 5:6-7
Are you in trouble? Look to the Lord’s right hand. Who stands at the right hand of God our Father? Our Lord Jesus does! God saves us by Him whom is at His right hand, which is our Lord Jesus. He is the Savior!
“...Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.” [2]
“The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands.” [3]
I praise God for saving us by His grace and according to His mercy which lasts forever. This is how the Lord perfects that which concerns us. He does it as we trust in Him... as we trust in His mercy that never runs dry.
“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.” [4]
Not with a small portion, but with all our hearts. Not facilitating between our own understanding and His. Lean altogether on Him. Acknowledge Him who made the heavens and earth. Acknowledge our Heavenly Father who sent His only begotten Son into the world to die as a sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Acknowledge the presence, power, and pleasantness of the Holy Spirit who our Lord Jesus sent from heaven to guide us into all truth...
“When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” [5]
“He gives grace to the humble.” [6]
“Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” [7]
Herein is the essence of faith in God... believing that He cares for you.
[1] Psalm 138:7
[2] 1 Peter 3:21-22
[3] Psalm 138:8
[4] Proverbs 3:5-6
[5] John 16:13
[6] Proverbs 3:34
[7] 1 Peter 5:6-7
Friday, July 2, 2021
The Blessing of Sanctuary
“Consider now, for the Lord has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary; be strong and do it.” [1]
What a wonderful calling the Lord gave to Solomon through his father David! I see David in this passage as a type of Christ and Solomon as a type of the Church. David paid the price via numerous wars victories but had incredible wealth to give to his son to build the sanctuary.
“All this, the Lord made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans.” [2] God gave to David the plan for the sanctuary. He revealed the plan to Solomon.
“And David said to his son Solomon, ‘Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.’” [3] He assured his son that God’s presence would be with him to see the project through to completion.
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord.” [4] Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; Praise Him, O you servants of the Lord! You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God [5] The end goal of the project was to have a sanctuary to praise the Lord. A place to lift hands to the Lord and to stand before Him in worship! Praise God that He has established and is sustaining houses of worship all over the earth!
“For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places.” [6] All this is made possible due to GOD’S greatness. He can do whatever He pleases in whatever place He chooses. God says to us, “My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” [7]
And how are we to respond to all God’s grace and mercy...
“...Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” [8]
[1] 1 Chronicles 28:10
[2] 1 Chronicles 28:19
[3] 1 Chronicles 28:20
[4] Psalm 134:2
[5] Psalm 135:1-2
[6] Psalm 135:5-6
[7] Isaiah 55:9
[8] Colossians 3:12-17
What a wonderful calling the Lord gave to Solomon through his father David! I see David in this passage as a type of Christ and Solomon as a type of the Church. David paid the price via numerous wars victories but had incredible wealth to give to his son to build the sanctuary.
“All this, the Lord made me understand in writing, by His hand upon me, all the works of these plans.” [2] God gave to David the plan for the sanctuary. He revealed the plan to Solomon.
“And David said to his son Solomon, ‘Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.’” [3] He assured his son that God’s presence would be with him to see the project through to completion.
“Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and bless the Lord.” [4] Praise the Lord! Praise the name of the Lord; Praise Him, O you servants of the Lord! You who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God [5] The end goal of the project was to have a sanctuary to praise the Lord. A place to lift hands to the Lord and to stand before Him in worship! Praise God that He has established and is sustaining houses of worship all over the earth!
“For I know that the Lord is great, and our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deep places.” [6] All this is made possible due to GOD’S greatness. He can do whatever He pleases in whatever place He chooses. God says to us, “My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” [7]
And how are we to respond to all God’s grace and mercy...
“...Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” [8]
[1] 1 Chronicles 28:10
[2] 1 Chronicles 28:19
[3] 1 Chronicles 28:20
[4] Psalm 134:2
[5] Psalm 135:1-2
[6] Psalm 135:5-6
[7] Isaiah 55:9
[8] Colossians 3:12-17
Thursday, July 1, 2021
Rejoice and Shout Out Loud
“Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.” [1]
Good things happen when we cry to the Lord out of the depths of our hearts. This principle is true in Scripture, and true in my life. The Lord listens to our prayers and to our voices.
“Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness and let Your saints shout for joy. I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.” [2]
The Lord provides His priests righteous-ware and His saints with shouts of joy. The Lord provides His priests salvation-ware and His saints loud shouts for joy!
God filled the sweet psalmist of Israel, David, with a love for God and God’s people. The outcome of this love was a focus on building up worship among his people.
“David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals...” “...who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise the Lord.” “...To exalt His horn...” “...for the music in the house of the Lord... for the service of the house of God.” “Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman [the worship leaders and teachers] were under the authority of the king. So the number of them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of the Lord, all who were skillful, was 288. And they cast lots for their duty, the small as well as the great, the teacher with the student.” [3]
What a grand time it was! Three highly anointed fathers (Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun) with large families working together in harmony with their sons and others to promote the worship of God with music. They were receiving songs in prophetic mode from the Lord. God’s Spirit gave David the songs – prayer songs – psalms – and he passed them onto the musicians. David gave to God all the glory...
“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.” [4]
My response to all this???
“Thank You Heavenly Father! Thank You Heavenly Son Jesus Christ! Thank You Heavenly Holy Spirit! You are still on the throne! You are still the same today as yesterday! You do not change! You are still composing beautiful prayer songs! You are still giving Your people hearts to cry out to You. We KNOW YOU! You hear our cries! You give us songs! You give us singers and musicians to play YOUR songs! And we, Your saints rejoice and shout aloud!
[1] Psalm 130:1-2
[2] Psalm 132:9, 16
[3] 1 Chronicles 25:1, 3, 5-8
[4] 2 Samuel 23:2
Good things happen when we cry to the Lord out of the depths of our hearts. This principle is true in Scripture, and true in my life. The Lord listens to our prayers and to our voices.
“Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness and let Your saints shout for joy. I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.” [2]
The Lord provides His priests righteous-ware and His saints with shouts of joy. The Lord provides His priests salvation-ware and His saints loud shouts for joy!
God filled the sweet psalmist of Israel, David, with a love for God and God’s people. The outcome of this love was a focus on building up worship among his people.
“David and the captains of the army separated for the service some of the sons of Asaph, of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, stringed instruments, and cymbals...” “...who prophesied with a harp to give thanks and to praise the Lord.” “...To exalt His horn...” “...for the music in the house of the Lord... for the service of the house of God.” “Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman [the worship leaders and teachers] were under the authority of the king. So the number of them, with their brethren who were instructed in the songs of the Lord, all who were skillful, was 288. And they cast lots for their duty, the small as well as the great, the teacher with the student.” [3]
What a grand time it was! Three highly anointed fathers (Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun) with large families working together in harmony with their sons and others to promote the worship of God with music. They were receiving songs in prophetic mode from the Lord. God’s Spirit gave David the songs – prayer songs – psalms – and he passed them onto the musicians. David gave to God all the glory...
“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.” [4]
My response to all this???
“Thank You Heavenly Father! Thank You Heavenly Son Jesus Christ! Thank You Heavenly Holy Spirit! You are still on the throne! You are still the same today as yesterday! You do not change! You are still composing beautiful prayer songs! You are still giving Your people hearts to cry out to You. We KNOW YOU! You hear our cries! You give us songs! You give us singers and musicians to play YOUR songs! And we, Your saints rejoice and shout aloud!
[1] Psalm 130:1-2
[2] Psalm 132:9, 16
[3] 1 Chronicles 25:1, 3, 5-8
[4] 2 Samuel 23:2
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