Glory and Honor to Our Lord Jesus Christ

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…” [1]

God anointed prophets such as Moses, Samuel, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and many others to hear His voice and to communicate what He said. He spoke to these men in various ways including by visions and dreams. But in these last days… these are the last days… He spoke to us through His Son Jesus Christ.

Our Lord Jesus quoted from the prophets thus verifying that they spoke for God. He did miracles including dying and resurrecting from the dead. Miracles that no man could do! Thus, showing Himself to be the Messiah and Savior of the world.

“He [God] has appointed [His SonJesus] heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.” [2]

“Heir of all things.” Our Lord Jesus gets it all. God made the worlds through Him and gives Him dominion over them. “He upholds al things by the word of His power.” The world does not realize that their destiny is in the hands of the One that so many disdain to be identified with.

Jesus said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” [3] Jesus told Peter that His Church is built on the confession that He is Son of God. [4] Is the Name of Jesus proclaimed in your church? By you?

Jesus Christ is “better than the angels.” The angels in heaven worship Jesus our Lord. The devil, who is a fallen angel, and who promotes ill-will against Christ and His followers will be cast into the lake of fire where he will be tormented day and night. [5] The greatest disaster to be rescued by Christ from is hell.

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions.” [6]

Jesus Christ is not corrupt. He is not swayed by bribes or flattery. He loves righteousness. He enjoys the oil of gladness more than any other ruler because His rule improves the lives of those who acknowledge Him as Lord.

Glory and Honor to Our Lord Jesus Christ! “He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes—with the princes of His people. He grants the barren woman a home, like a joyful mother of children. Praise the Lord!” [7]

[1] Hebrews 1:1-2
[2] Hebrews 1:2-4
[3] Matthew 10:32-33
[4] Matthew 16:16-18
[5] Revelation 20:10
[6] Hebrews 1:8-9
[7] Psalm 113:7-9

Humility And Honor

“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” [1]

“Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the nations. Who will not fear You, Lord, and bring glory to Your Name?” [2]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please grant us humble hearts that are continuously aware of the immenseness Your glory, and aware of the smallness of our ability to do well without You. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.”

[1] Proverbs 23:4
[2] Revelation 15:3

Why Didn’t My Father Listen to God

They had a God-serving father. In fact, the Lord had used their father to bring about a revival of faith in their nation. Perhaps, they asked themselves why their father went to battle against Pharaoh Necho King of Egypt. Why did he have to die in battle that way? [1]

Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim king in place of his father Josiah and changed his name to Jehoiakim. [2] For eleven years, the prophet Jeremiah spoke God’s Word to King Jehoiakim directly and at other times only to his people. At one point, Jehoiakim burned Jeremiah’s writings in fire. He wanted to kill Jeremiah, but the Lord hid him. Sadly, Jehoiakim did not listen to the Lord. He ended up in a Babylonian prison. Why did this father not listen to the Lord?

After imprisoning Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon made his brother Zedekiah the king. [3] Jeremiah also brought God’s Word to Zedekiah for eleven years. Nine years into Zedekiah’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem. A year and half after that, he conquered the city. [4]

Nebuchadnezzar killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes along with all the nobility of Judah. Then, he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with bronze fetters for transfer to Babylon. The Babylonians burned down the king’s palace along with all the houses of the people. He also broke down the walls of Jerusalem.” [5] Why did this father not listen to the Lord?

How terrible to disregard God’s Word and to discover too late that you made a monumental mistake! One that impacted the lives of your family, your city, and your nation! The sons and the people of kings Josiah, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah paid dearly for these fathers not listening to the voice of the Lord through His prophets. I wonder how many people today are paying a dear price because someone they trusted to make good decisions ignored the voice of God’s Word.

It is one thing to lose an earthly temporary kingdom and quite another to lose a heavenly eternal one. “Dear Heavenly Father, I pray for earthly fathers that they will make the right decision to listen to Your voice and obey You. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] 2 Kings 23:29
[2] 2 Kings 23:34
[3] 2 Chronicles 36:10
[4] Jeremiah 39:1-2
[5] Jeremiah 39:6-8

Captives Set Free

The Sound of Freedom movie exposes the works of the evil one. The Lord says to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” [1] It exposed enslavement of people for the pleasure of others as ugly, cruel, and inhumane.

The devil’s goal is to make everyone his slave. How does he do this? He tempts people to sin, and once they do it, he says, “now you belong to me.” He tells God that the humans made in God’s image now belong to him. Why? Because just as he rebelled against God’s rule, so has this man or woman made in God's image.

The devil’s goal is to get people addicted to sinning so that their enslavement to him becomes stronger and more secure, and harder to break. He sets up a stronghold over them that no human wisdom, or effort can break.

Any government or authority figure that coerces or seduces people to sin against God is working as an agent of Satan to enslave people to chains of sin! Slaves are not free! They cannot rebel against their master without being beaten, deprived, or killed.

Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’

They answered Him, ‘We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?’

Jesus answered them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.’” [2]

The good news here is that our Lord Jesus, who just happens to be the most powerful king in the universe, wants people to be free from sin. He died on the cross to atone for our sins. He resurrected from the dead to show His power over sin, death, and the devil. He gives believers in Him the Holy Spirit to help us delight in God and in God’s will, so that the devil cannot enslave us to sin again.

The Lord is merciful to us. Without Him, none of us would be here today. Without Him, we can never rise above where we have always been. We may have certain freedoms given to us by the Lord, but unless we seek and trust Him, there will be so many freedoms that we will miss out on. Like seeing captives set free. Like healing brokenhearted people! [3] Jesus wants us to enjoy serving alongside of Him, but it is up to us to accept His invitation. Can we trust Him to use us in ways that He has never used us before? That’s what being a disciple of Jesus is about.

[1] Ephesians 5:11
[2] John 8:31-36
[3] Luke 4:18

Suffering for the Gospel’s Sake

“Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the Gospel according to the power of God.” [1]

“Do not be ashamed of our Lord.” The Lord Jesus is the One who came down from His glory and lived among us even as a defenseless baby. As a baby, He depended on His father, Joseph, to rescue Him from a king’s plot to kill Him. He suffered pain and rejection throughout His earthly life. Some people did not want to look at Him. He was despised, not esteemed, by people. He was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for us. He took our punishment so that we could enjoy peace. The wounds that He received were so that we could experience healing. [2]

“Do not be ashamed of me the Lord’s prisoner.” Paul asks Timothy to abstain from shame in regards to his imprisonment. He calls him instead to join in suffering by the power of God. Our suffering for the Gospel’s sake glorifies Jesus Christ.

“God has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began.” [3]

Before time on earth began, God knew the human race would betray Him, so it was no surprise to Him when it first happened, and no surprise to Him that it keeps happening. But then, there’s grace; God’s grace!

“[God’s purpose and grace] has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. [4]

We would not have known about God’s grace had not our Savior came to earth. Jesus was the most unselfish man that ever lived. He died as a lamb to the slaughter for our sin, and afterwards, resurrected, and after that, breathed the Holy Spirit on those who forsook Him during His suffering. What amazing grace!

“To this Gospel I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” [5]

Christ brought Paul into the ministry of grace by calling him to preach, model and teach the Gospel to the pagan people of the world. He suffered many setbacks and hurts, but he did not give up on the ministry of the Gospel because he knew that Jesus had laid up a crown of life for him. This is true for all who serve the Gospel.

[1] 2 Timothy 1:8
[2] Isaiah 53:2-5
[3] 2 Timothy 1:9
[4] 2 Timothy 1:10
[5] 2 Timothy 1:11-12

Unboxed By God

One day, all those who have trusted in Christ will be freed from oppression that is in this world. What a wonderful day that will be! Oppression is like being placed in a box and having a label pasted to you, and not being able to escape from the box no matter how hard you try to do so.

There was once a governor named Nehemiah. He was appointed to his position by the ruling king of the world, King Artaxerxes of Persia (modern day Iran).

Nehemiah’s goal was to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. As if removing the rubble, and rebuilding the city was not enough of a challenge, he also had to overcome the oppressors of his people.

At one point, he had to confront those who had an abundance of money and set them straight. They were charging exorbitant interest fees on loans to the poor. As a result, some of the laborers had their lands confiscated by the rich and even felt obligated to sell their daughters to them just so they could eat. [1]

Nehemiah said to the rich, “What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?” He told them to restore the crops, houses and property immediately to the laborers. Thankfully, they complied, and did so. [2]

Nehemiah led by example. He had more than 150 people eat at his table each day. He did not demand his rightful pay, because he saw that the laborers were greatly oppressed. He took his case to the Lord, praying, “Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.” [3]

Outside his district were enemies who sought to sabotage Nehemiah’s progress. They asked him to meet with them, but he refused to do so because he knew that they meant to do him harm. Four times, they asked for a meeting with him, and four times Nehemiah replied to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” [4]

Next, the oppressors falsely accused him and his people of being rebels. They accused him of planning to make himself a king over the people. They said that he was paying prophets to proclaim him a king. They threatened to report him to King Artaxerxes if he did not meet with them. He replied to them, saying, “No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart.” They were trying to make Nehemiah and his coworkers afraid. Nehemiah prayed, “O God, strengthen my hands.” [5]

The oppressors sent to him a messenger who warned him that a man was going to assassinate him. Again, calling for a meeting with him. Nehemiah discerned that those who wanted to keep his people under their thumbs were using fear tactics to do so. They made up stories. Governors, who serve themselves, use fear to exploit people, while governors who serve others, protect, and encourage them. Nehemiah refused to back down to the death threats against him. [6]

Nehemiah completed the rebuild. Both his enemies and the surrounding nations were disheartened because they perceived that this work was done by God. [7]

How did Nehemiah overcome oppression? How was it he remained free from the box and label that his enemies wanted to stick on him?

He trusted in God for help.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” [8]

He laid his case out before God and ask God to intervene on his behalf. This is what King David did, when he prayed, “Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us! For we are exceedingly filled with contempt. Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those who are at ease, with the contempt of the proud.” [9]

God gave Nehemiah wisdom. The source from which destructive strife flows is pride. Nehemiah’s enemies were proud men who did not like his servant-style leadership.

Proud people are like the religious leaders who hated Jesus in the Gospels. They hated Jesus because He was seeking God's glory and doing what was best for everyone involved. “By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom. Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase.” [10]

How does God unbox us and remove the false labels from us? He has to remove the narratives in our heads that are not from God. Stop listening to the devil and believing his lies. Listen to God!

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” [11]

God gave up His best for us. His Son! What more do we need for Him to do to show us that He is on our side and wants us to enjoy a meaningful and fruitful life? Let’s say no to boxes and labels, and live, and be who God made us to be. As the Apostle Peter said, “Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble.” [12]

[1] Nehemiah 5:1-8
[2] Nehemiah 5:9-12
[3] Nehemiah 5:17-19
[4] Nehemiah 6:1-4
[5] Nehemiah 6:5-9
[6] Nehemiah 6:10-14
[7] Nehemiah 6:16
[8] Psalm 121:1-2
[9] Psalm 123:3-4
[10] Proverbs 13:10-11
[11] Romans 8:32-35
[12] 2 Peter 1:10

Forever With The Lord

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place.” [1]“Shortly is the ancient Greek phrase en tachei, which means ‘quickly or suddenly coming to pass,’ indicating rapidity of execution after the beginning takes place. The idea is not that the event may occur soon, but that when it does, it will be sudden.” [2]

“And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw.”

“Revelation… is a book of signs: the angel sign-ified this message to John. It is a book that communicates in signs.” [3] It is the Word of God. It testifies to JESUS!

“To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” [4]

“Loved us” refers to the cross. Jesus always loves us, but He especially revealed His love for us by dying on the cross for our sins. Besides taking away our sin stains, which we could never do, Jesus made us kings and priests to God His Father. He took away that which condemned us, and He gave us a new identity, namely kings with authority and priests to serve.

“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” [5]

Just as Jesus ascended into the clouds after His appearance to His disciples, He will return to earth with the clouds. This time every eye will see Him.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” [6]

Jesus is not just a good man, a prophet or miracle worker. He identifies Himself as the Almighty who started and ends all things. He exists in the past, present, and future.

“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” [7]

The appearance of Jesus to John is so overwhelming that he falls as though dead. Jesus gives John assurance that he need not be afraid. He is the resurrected one whom John saw on Easter morning. He is now in His glorified state, but His intentions have not changed. He has the keys to Hades (the unseen realm) and death, and He intends to use them. His will get those who believe in Him past the unseen realm and past death so we can be with Him in paradise.

Revelation! If Jesus Christ was concerned enough to give it, we should heed it.

“Thank You Lord Jesus for revelation, especially that You removed our sin and made us Your kings and priests. Thank You that by faith in You we shall get past death and be with You forevermore.”

[1] Revelation 1:1
[2] Enduring Word Commentary (Walvoord) 
[3] Enduring Word Commentary
[4] Revelation 1:5-6
[5] Revelation 1:7
[6] Revelation 1:8
[7] Revelation 1:17-18

Worthy is The Lamb of Worship

There is a scroll in the hand of God. The scroll has seven seals. The question is, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to remove its seals?” [1] The answer at first is… “no one.” [2]

But finally, John is told by a heavenly elder, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to remove its seven seals.” [3]

Lamb, Lion, and Root of David are metaphors for Jesus Christ. He receives the scroll.

Afterwards, heavenly elders and angelic beings sing a new song. The opening of this scroll marks the beginning of the end of the devil’s reign of terror on the earth. When the judgements written in this scroll are finished, the new heaven and new earth are revealed.

What is the response to this heavenly event? The response is singing to our Lord Jesus Christ…

“They sang a new song, saying:
‘You are worthy to take the scroll,
And to open its seals;
For You were slain,
And have redeemed us to God by Your blood
Out of every tribe, tongue, people, and nation,
And have made us kings and priests to our God;
And we shall reign on the earth.” [4]

The voices of 10,000 x 10,000 angels speak with a loud voice, and say…

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power, riches, and wisdom,
And strength, honor, glory, and blessing!” [5]

Heavenly and earthly creatures say…

“Blessing, honor, glory, and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” [6]

Amazing! The One whom many on earth disregarded, gets it all! He who redeems sinners by His blood receives the praise, honor and glory that is due Him.

The Lamb of God transforms His followers into kings and priests for God.

However, before this event occurs, the devil works relentlessly to sabotage the faith in Christ. He wants people to deny and disown Christ. He knows his time is short.

Let us pray as Paul prayed for people, “May He [God] establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.” [7] Let us trust in the Lord with all our hearts. Isaiah wrote, “If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.” [8] James wrote that a double-minded person will not receive anything from the Lord.” [9] Jesus preached, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Good News.” [10]

“Thank You Lamb of God for being slain for us… for redeeming us from our sins. Thank You for giving us eternal life. You ARE worthy of all praise and blessing! Amen! Hallelujah!”

[1] Revelation 5:1-2
[2] Revelation 5:4
[3] Revelation 5:6
[4] Revelation 5:9-10
[5] Revelation 5:11-12
[6] Revelation 5:13
[7] 1 Thessalonians 3:13
[8] Isaiah 7:9
[9] James 1:7-8
[10] Mark 1:15

My Soul Magnifies the Lord

She was the first Christmas caroler. That young virgin girl from Israel! She praised God for Jesus! Numerous song composers have followed her example since then. What a magnanimous gift Christ is. When Mary got the news that she was pregnant with the Messiah, she rejoiced in God our Savior.

As a boy, my family attended the annual community Christmas concert in LaPorte, Indiana. All the praises were to Jesus. The final selection was always Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus. It was the choir’s way of saying, “Jesus, we are so glad You came the first time, but we look forward to Your second coming when the world becomes Yours and You rule forever. The Hallelujah Chorus was sung so beautifully and with such enthusiasm that I got goose bumps every time I heard it.

Mary praised the Lord with the following words, “My soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His Name.” [1] God looks with favor on the humble. They seek not to BE worshipped, but to GIVE worship to God.

Mary had great foresight. She saw that all generations would call her blessed. If Mary had not served God, she would be unknown today. As it is, many girls are named after her.

Years ago, Jesus provided for me opportunities to share His story with a lady named Paulette. She came to church on the Sunday before Christmas. She gave her life to Jesus. She died three months later. However, in the three short months prior to her death she made great impact on others. The church was packed out on the day of her funeral. Paulette was little known before she met Jesus, but well-known afterwards.

We all need JESUS. The greatest military in the world, can sink suddenly like a Titanic without God. But if we are at our most vulnerable point and attacked from multiple sides, Immanuel, God with us, can save us.

Mary declared that God did great things for her. The greatest thing God did for us is JESUS.

Jesus can be born in us today. Not as a baby inside us, but spiritually! We need not be without God. Christmas is not just for Mary. Christmas is for us! We too can sing God praises. For Mary’s miracle is our miracle too!

[1] Luke 1:46-49

Adoration

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise. Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations. For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds.

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be above all the earth.” [1]

We have hearts! We have voices! Perhaps, we have musical instruments! Let us sing and praise the Lord. Let us exalt Him! Let us give Him glory for He is worthy!

Things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

God is our Father! Christ is our Redeemer! The Holy Spirit is our Wonderful Counselor!

I am attaching a link to a song that helped me in my praise and worship life back in 1984.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yf2BiO4NETs

Sherry and I were running a homeless shelter in Columbia, Missouri. She was expecting our firstborn child – Grace. From an earthly perspective, we were poor. Some of the homeless people that we served had violent tendencies.

Even so, the Gospel was changing lives, and that was beautiful. The Holy Spirit kept giving us songs to sing to the Lord. He moved on a brother in Christ named Jimmy Heath to give me a cassette tape by Mike Adkins entitled, “Thank You for the Dove.” I listened to and sang the “Adoration” song over and over. Missouri University Hospital allowed us to play this tape in the delivery room while our daughter was born. The song that played as she entered the world was, “Be at peace my child! I am aware of you!” Praise the Lord!

Now, as I reflect on that time, I thank God for filling us with His praises. As our eyes were fixed on Him, we weathered storm after storm with peace and joy.

May your life be filled with the high praise of God today! May He sing over you! May You rest in His love!

[1] Psalm 57:7-11

Faith That Works When We Are Old

Abram was 99.

The Lord appeared him.

The Lord said…

“I am Almighty God;

Walk before Me.

Be blameless.

And I will make My covenant between Me and you.

I will multiply you exceedingly.”

Abram fell on his face.

God talked with him, saying…

“As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you.

You shall be a father of many nations.

No longer shall your name be called Abram.

Your name shall be Abraham;

For I have made you a father of many nations.

I will make you exceedingly fruitful;

I will make nations of you,

Kings shall come from you.

I will establish My covenant between Me and you…

Between your descendants after you in their generations.

An everlasting covenant!

To be God to you and your descendants after you.

I give to you and your descendants after you…

The land in which you are a stranger,

All the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession;

And I will be their God.” [1]

“Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” [2]

What struck me about these two passages is that Abraham was 99 years old when the Lord appeared to Him and made wonderful promises to Him. The Lord told him that he would be a father of many offspring. God would bring forth kings and nations from this man of faith. Nothing is too hard for the Lord.

Later, “…Abraham still stood before the Lord. And Abraham came near and said, ‘Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?’ ‘Suppose ten should be found there?’ And He said, ‘I will not destroy it for the sake of ten.’” [3]

God helped Abraham to forgive Lot. Abraham did not live in the cities that God planned to destroy. His nephew Lot whose workers strove with Abraham’s workers lived there. Even so, Abraham asked the Lord to spare the twin cities if even 10 righteous people lived there. Surely, Lot, his family and his servants were more than 10 people.

Sadly, Lot’s servants are not mentioned after their city’s destruction. What happened to them?

Lot chose the richest land and left his uncle with the cheaper property. Now, Abraham has 118 servants. Lot seems to have none.

Though there were not 10 righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, the Lord did send angels to get Lot’s family out before the fire fell. This was God’s answer to Abraham’s prayer.

Abraham lived by faith in God. Faith in God does not depend on one’s youthfulness. The Lord says of Abraham, “Not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore ‘it was accounted to him for righteousness.’” [4]

Faith is powerful even in our old age. Faith depends on God Almighty’s unlimited power. When Abraham chose faith in God over the best land, he made the best choice.

[1] Genesis 17:1-8
[2] Genesis 18:14
[3] Genesis 18:22-23, 32
[4] Romans 4:19-22

First Love

Keep your spiritual fire burning. A lady who had not been to church in a while heard a rumor that the President would be at church Sunday. She called the Pastor and asked about it. He said, “No, but the King of kings will be here and that should be good enough for you.”

Ho-hum Christianity is when “we believe,” but yawn in the face of God. “What an insult to God!” “No fire! No zeal! No enthusiasm for the things of God! A half-hearted dry-eyed church in a hell-bent world!”

People tend to cool down by degrees. Jesus told one church, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” [1] First love is enthusiastic. First love is not minimal. First love is maximum! “Was there ever a time you loved Jesus more than you do now? Then, you left your first love.”

“In some churches you have to backslide to remain in fellowship.” How’s your urgency to bring the Gospel to the lost?

How many read news reports? How many read the Bible? How many believe news sources? How many believe the Bible? Which should we read more? [2]

“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You loved us before we were created. You gave us air to breathe. Gravity to keep our feet on solid ground! Hearts beating! Food, clothes, and houses! You gave Your only begotten Son to save us from our sins. So many reasons to love You and to love You with all our hearts. Lord, please forgive us and restore our first love for You. Help us to worship You with enthusiasm! Speak with fire! Serve with humility! Bring lost souls to You! Be glorified! We love You! TRULY LOVE YOU! In the Name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”

[1] Revelation 2:4

[2] Adrian Rogers quotes

Saved By the Lord from an Inescapable Pit

We may not be able to derive hope, mercy or faithfulness from people or circumstances around us. But the Lord is able to provide for our emotional needs by His Spirit. Jeremiah urged those around him who were suffering to wait on the Lord. Seek Him! The Lord would save them.

“This I recall to my mind therefore, I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” [1]

Yes, examine yourself amid losses, but turn to the Lord. He is the key to your victory. Lift up your heart and hands to God! Call upon the Name of the Lord. He delivers from the lowest pit. He responds to your call for help.”

“Let us search out and examine our ways and turn back to the Lord; let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven. I called on Your name, O Lord, from the lowest pit. You have heard my voice: do not hide Your ear from my sighing, from my cry for help.” [2]

The Lord is our soul’s advocate. He redeems us from the damage of wrongs done to us. He judges our case with a heart that empathizes with our suffering.

“O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul; You have redeemed my life. O Lord, You have seen how I am wronged; judge my case.” [3]

Jesus made a promise to those who mourn losses. He made a promise to those who have been deprived of righteousness. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” [4]

[1] Lamentations 3:21-23, 25-26
[2] Lamentations 3:40-41, 55-56
[3] Lamentations 3:58-59
[4] Matthew 5:4, 6

Revelations From God

Have you experienced a “light bulb” moment? A light bulb moment is when you come to understand something that you never understood? Can you recall having had a “light bulb” moment? Light bulb moments can reveal good or bad news... You realize you paid a bill that you thought you still owed... You found out that you paid the bill twice.

How fitting that the last book of the Bible is entitled, “Revelation” which means to uncover, unveil, and reveal. Satan’s propaganda against God and the Bible are strong because his time is short. He is trying to create a culture of lies against God and His people, but ultimately his plan will fail. However, until the Lord throws the devil and his followers into the Lake of Fire, we need divine revelation from Jesus Christ to know and stand for the truth… and that is the very reason our Lord Jesus Christ gave His servants the book of Revelation.

Below is a collection of Bible passages about divine revelation. My comments are in italics.

Revelation 1:1

“The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon take place...”

Galatians 1:15-16

“When God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the nations, my immediate response was not to consult any human being.” Christ revealed Himself to Paul so that Paul could reveal Christ to the nations.

Genesis 35:7

“There he built an altar, and he called the place El Bethel, because it was there that God revealed Himself to him when he was fleeing from his brother.” God revealed Himself to Jacob when he was under duress.

Genesis 41:25

“Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, ‘The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what He is about to do.’” God revealed the future to Pharaoh through Joseph to preserve the lives of His people from starvation.

Numbers 12:6

“When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.”

Psalm 19:1-2

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” God reveals Himself through the Bible and through creation.

Jeremiah 11:18

“The Lord revealed their plot to me, I knew it, for at that time he showed me what they were doing.” The Lord revealed their plot to Jeremiah to save his life from them.

Daniel 2:19

“During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision…”

Daniel 2:22-23

“He [God] reveals deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him. ‘I thank and praise You, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, You have made known to me what we asked of You, You have made known to us the dream of the king.’”

Daniel 2:29-30

“…He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will be. But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me because I have more wisdom than anyone living, but for our sakes who make known the interpretation to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your heart.”

Daniel 2:47

“The king said to Daniel, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”

Amos 3:7

“Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.”

Amos 4:13

“He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals His thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord God Almighty is His Name.”

Matthew 11:25

“At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.’”

Matthew 11:27

“All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him.”

Matthew 16:17

“Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.’”

Luke 2:34-35

“Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother: ‘This Child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.’”

John 17:6

“I have revealed You to those whom You gave Me out of the world.”

Romans 1:17-18

“For in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”

Romans 10:20

“Isaiah boldly says, ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me; I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me.’”

1 Corinthians 2:9-11

“As it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’—the things God has prepared for those who love Him; these are the things God has revealed to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."

1 Corinthians 4:1

“This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed.”

1 Corinthians 4:10-11

“We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that His life may also be revealed in our mortal body.”

Galatians 3:23

“Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.”

2 Timothy 1:9-11

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. And of this Gospel I was appointed a herald, an apostle, and a teacher.”

Revelation 15:4

“…All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed.”

 

 

 

From Blasphemer to Believer

Dr. Hugh Ross with Reasons to Believe tells the story of a Dr. Bruce...

“In the early 1990s, two of my medical colleagues began to question me about my Christian beliefs. I was stunned by their ferocity and efforts to shake my faith. They succeeded. Doubts began to seep into my everyday thoughts. Why did I believe what I believed? And, just what did I believe? That and other factors led me into a deep, crippling depressive episode. This was a major milestone in my life, a depression that left me paralyzed with fear.”

[Dr. Bruce’s faith was restored as he read apologetic articles at the Reasons to Believe website. Afterwards, he wrote...]

“A nurse with whom I worked shared with me how her husband would ‘persecute’ her because of her Christianity. She described him as a “rabid” atheist. He was a fellow physician in our community. I told her to challenge her husband to explore the questions he was asking at reasons.org. [He did.]

“He was so moved that he started reading his wife’s Bible at midnight, and by the next afternoon, this atheist had given his life to Christ!”

“Those colleagues of mine who were derisively asking me questions? Now they have respect for me and often turn to me for personal advice on spiritual matters. Their scorn has turned to respect and honest, open conversations about the truthfulness of the Christian worldview.”

“I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” [1]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please turn more and more people from blasphemy to believing in Your Son Jesus Christ by the power of Your Holy Spirit via the Gospel message, that by Your abundant grace they may be saved and experience salvation. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.”

[1] 1 Timothy 1:13-14

Singing with Instruments to the Lord

The Lord commanded by His prophets that His people worship with cymbals, string instruments and with harps. Being a percussionist and a worshipper of God, I am so glad that He Himself likes to hear His praises with these instruments.

“He [King Hezekiah] stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with stringed instruments, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for thus was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets.” [1]

They also included wind instruments, and gestures of bowing to the Lord in worship. And note, the people were singing praises to the Lord with gladness.

“All the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshipped. Moreover King Hezekiah and the leaders commanded the Levites to sing praise to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. So they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshiped.” [2]

They praised the Lord day by day with singing and LOUD instruments. Praise the Lord!

“The children of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing to the Lord, accompanied by loud instruments.” [3]

Their voice and their prayer was heard by God in heaven.

“Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.” [4]

Worship services to the Lord feature teaching and exhortation with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. We sing with grace in our hearts to the Lord. We do this in the Name of the Lord Jesus. We give thanks to God our Father!

“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.” [5]

[1] 2 Chronicles 29:25
[2] 2 Chronicles 29:28-30
[3] 2 Chronicles 30:21
[4] 2 Chronicles 30:27
[5] Colossians 3:16-17

Outlasting Adversity

“If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small.” [1]

“According to Psychologists, there are four types of Intelligence:

1) Intelligence Quotient (IQ)
2) Emotional Quotient (EQ)
3) Social Quotient (SQ)
4) Adversity Quotient (AQ)

The Adversity Quotient (AQ): The measure of your ability to go through a rough patch in life, and come out of it without losing your mind.

When faced with troubles, AQ determines who will give up, who will abandon their family, and who will consider suicide. ” [2]

Parents, prepare your children for adversity. Show them how to look to the Lord for strength and help. Speak of God’s redeeming grace. Show them to how to depend on the Lord for help in times of difficulty. Encourage them to be humble enough to let people help them when they need help. Rather than prepare the road for your children. Prepare your children for the road.

[1] Proverbs 24:10
[2] Google