When Jesus walked among us in the flesh, He taught the crowd who followed Him and He taught His disciples to observe what the Scripture interpreters and proclaimers of their day taught them from the Word of God, but not to follow their example. Their spiritual leaders gave them “to do” lists but did not “do” the “to do’s” themselves. In fact, they were laying heavy burdens on their followers. The burden that they laid on their followers was to exalt them. They wanted to be popular, and well-treated. They wanted special titles of recognition. [1]
Elizabeth Villani wrote in an article for HR Magazine, “Western humanity has, over the last 50 years, bred a civilization that fundamentally relies upon others to feel good enough. We fill our gap in confidence with clothes, holidays, gadgets, alcohol, relationships and yes, recognition - looking to them to make us happy.” [2]
God did not create us to bear the weight of being in the place of God to others. We should recognize our frailty. Our fallibleness! Let us maintain a humble view of ourselves and an exalted view of God’s Messiah Jesus. He’s the Savior sent from heaven by God our Father to save us from our sin.
Jesus Christ urges His leaders not to embrace titles like “Rabbi” meaning teacher because… “One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.” He urges us not to call our spiritual leaders, “father” because… “One is your Father, He who is in heaven.” And He repeated, “Do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.”
All the glory and the respect for teaching should be to God’s Messiah Jesus Christ. He is the One who gives us the true revelation of God and the true meaning of Scripture.
Jesus taught that the one “who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” Thus, we have apostles like Peter, James, John, and Paul identifying themselves as slaves (doulos) of Jesus Christ. Paul could say of himself and his proteges, “We do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.” [3]
It was in this context that our Lord and Savior lamented, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” [4]
While our Messiah taught us to respect and obey the earthly governments of this world, [5] He calls us His followers to have One leader, and that is the One whom the Father sent, even Him Jesus our Messiah. He is the One we are to bless, and to worship. We place Jesus Christ in the highest place, and everyone else, especially, teachers and servants of His Word in comparatively humble places. He alone is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving!
[1] Matthew 23:1-7
[2] hrmagazine.co.uk/content/features/why-needing-recognition-is-a-clear-sign-of-emotional-immaturity
[3] Mt. 23:8-12; 1 Peter 1:1, James 1:1, Rev. 1:1, Rom. 1:1; 2 Cor. 4:5
[4] Matthew 23:37-39
[5] Romans 12:18; Romans 13:1-8; Acts 5:29 – inasmuch as their will does not demand disobedience to His will.
Bearing witness to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus!
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Monday, January 22, 2024
Christ is the Key to Scripture Interpretation
“The Lord your God God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your midst, from your brethren. Him you shall hear.” Deuteronomy 18:15
The Prophet from whom all true prophets spring forth is Jesus Christ. He gives us the correct understanding of God, the Kingdom of God, and of the Scriptures. He is the Word made flesh.
Attached are several slides with Scriptures that bear witness to importance of knowing Christ and knowing the Scriptures for a person's eternal salvation.
The Prophet from whom all true prophets spring forth is Jesus Christ. He gives us the correct understanding of God, the Kingdom of God, and of the Scriptures. He is the Word made flesh.
Attached are several slides with Scriptures that bear witness to importance of knowing Christ and knowing the Scriptures for a person's eternal salvation.
Saturday, January 20, 2024
Slaves of Christ
I heard a portion of this message by John MacArthur on BOTT radio yesterday morning. I looked it up this morning, and found the full message. I abbreviated the message from 4,083 words to 1,239 words. For the full article, please click on the link to John’s website @ www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/GTY112/slaves-of-christ. I praise the Lord for His slave John MacArthur.
The Greek word for slave (doulos) appears 130 times in the New Testament. The companion word in Greek for doulos is kurios. Kurios means lord. This is the dominant narrative of a human’s relationship to Jesus Christ. He is Lord. We are His slaves.
When it comes to Scripture, we’ve got to let God say what God said. We also got to understand the goodness of God. To serve Him is not to serve an abusive person.
During the era in which the New Testament was written, there were about 12 million slaves in the Mediterranean world. To free Greeks and Romans, freedom was everything. Slaves had no freedom and no rights. They couldn’t defend themselves in a court. They couldn’t be citizens. They couldn’t own property.
Popular culture in those days was to refer to one’s relationship with god as philos. Philos means friend. The thought of being a slave to anyone, even to a god, was despicable in the Greek world. “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” [1] The message of the cross was a stumbling block to the Greek mind. Paul conveyed to them a message of a crucified Jew who wanted to make people His slave.
“Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus” was his first point. He wrote, “Am I now seeking the favor of men or of God?” Slavery to Christ is about seeking His favor. “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a slave of Christ.” [2]
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” [3]
The first point of the books of James and Jude are, “a slave of Jesus Christ.” At the beginning of the last book of the Bible, we read, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His slaves, the things which must shortly take place; He sent and communicated it by His angel to His slave John.” [4] James, Jude, and John knew what slavery meant. They lived in a world of slavery.
To be of slave of Christ is to be on the good side in the Book of Revelation. “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the slaves of our God on their forehead.” “In the days of the seventh angel’s voice, when he’s about to sound, and the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His slaves the prophets.” The prophets, the apostles, and the preachers in the time of tribulation are slaves. “His judgments are true and righteous; He judges the great harlot corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His slaves.” “Give praise to our God, all you His slaves, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” “There shall no longer be any curse; the throne of God, the Lamb, shall be in it, and His slaves shall serve Him.” Past, present, and future; we are slaves, those who are redeemed by the Lord are His slaves. [5]
A servant is someone who performs a function for a wage and is free to quit. A slave is purchased and owned. Peter wrote, “You are not redeemed with corruptible things like silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.” Paul said, “The church of God, which He bought with His own blood.” [6] This is slave language. We are owned because we were bought.
Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us the following commission, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” This commission involves knowing who Jesus is in relationship to us, obeying Him, and trusting Him. This is not about, “God, come into my life and fulfill my dreams.” He said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself.” [7]
Paul wrote, “If you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” The Christian life is about being a faithful slave. To be the person in the parable to whom Jesus says, “Well done, good and faithful slave.” [8]
The Lord provides His slaves a place to live, food to eat, and clothes to wear. Paul wrote, “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” He lavishes grace upon grace. His place of rulership is a throne of mercy for us in our time of need. We don’t have anywhere else to go. We depend on our Lord for our provisions, and our protection. He promises, “I’ll never leave you or forsake you.” He is a good shepherd who cares for His sheep. [9]
A slave in Caesar’s household was at the top of the slave ranks because of who his master was. Paul doesn’t hesitate to say, “Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ,” because his Lord is the Lord of lords and the King of kings.
Jesus Christ is the best Master. He loves us His slaves. He seeks what is best for us. After making us children and joint heirs, He seats us with Him on His throne to reign with Him. He lavishes on us all the gifts of His grace.
“Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the the form of God, He did not regard equality with God a thing to be held onto, grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave.” It’s good enough for Him, and it’s good enough for us. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” In the crisis of the moment in the garden, Jesus said to the Father, “Not My will, but Yours be done.” [10]
“He took the form of a slave, and being made in the likeness of men, being found in appearance as a man, humbled Himself in becoming obedient even to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Jesus is the perfect model of self-denying slave of God. And what was His return on investment? “Therefore also God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name which is above every name.” [11] He is the slave who became Lord, and we are the slaves who will one day be raised to share His throne.
[1] 1 Corinthians 1:18
[2] Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10
[3] Matthew 6:24
[4] James 1:1, Jude 1:1, Revelation 1:1
[5] Revelation 7:3; 10:7; 19:2, 5; 22:3
[6] 1 Peter 1:18-19; Acts 20:28
[7] Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 9:23
[8] Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 25:23
[9] Philippians 4:19; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 5:4
[10] Philippians 2:5-6; John 5:19; Luke 22:42
[11] Philippians 2:8-9
The Greek word for slave (doulos) appears 130 times in the New Testament. The companion word in Greek for doulos is kurios. Kurios means lord. This is the dominant narrative of a human’s relationship to Jesus Christ. He is Lord. We are His slaves.
When it comes to Scripture, we’ve got to let God say what God said. We also got to understand the goodness of God. To serve Him is not to serve an abusive person.
During the era in which the New Testament was written, there were about 12 million slaves in the Mediterranean world. To free Greeks and Romans, freedom was everything. Slaves had no freedom and no rights. They couldn’t defend themselves in a court. They couldn’t be citizens. They couldn’t own property.
Popular culture in those days was to refer to one’s relationship with god as philos. Philos means friend. The thought of being a slave to anyone, even to a god, was despicable in the Greek world. “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” [1] The message of the cross was a stumbling block to the Greek mind. Paul conveyed to them a message of a crucified Jew who wanted to make people His slave.
“Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus” was his first point. He wrote, “Am I now seeking the favor of men or of God?” Slavery to Christ is about seeking His favor. “If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a slave of Christ.” [2]
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” [3]
The first point of the books of James and Jude are, “a slave of Jesus Christ.” At the beginning of the last book of the Bible, we read, “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His slaves, the things which must shortly take place; He sent and communicated it by His angel to His slave John.” [4] James, Jude, and John knew what slavery meant. They lived in a world of slavery.
To be of slave of Christ is to be on the good side in the Book of Revelation. “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the slaves of our God on their forehead.” “In the days of the seventh angel’s voice, when he’s about to sound, and the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His slaves the prophets.” The prophets, the apostles, and the preachers in the time of tribulation are slaves. “His judgments are true and righteous; He judges the great harlot corrupting the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His slaves.” “Give praise to our God, all you His slaves, you who fear Him, the small and the great.” “There shall no longer be any curse; the throne of God, the Lamb, shall be in it, and His slaves shall serve Him.” Past, present, and future; we are slaves, those who are redeemed by the Lord are His slaves. [5]
A servant is someone who performs a function for a wage and is free to quit. A slave is purchased and owned. Peter wrote, “You are not redeemed with corruptible things like silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.” Paul said, “The church of God, which He bought with His own blood.” [6] This is slave language. We are owned because we were bought.
Our Lord Jesus Christ gave us the following commission, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” This commission involves knowing who Jesus is in relationship to us, obeying Him, and trusting Him. This is not about, “God, come into my life and fulfill my dreams.” He said, “If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself.” [7]
Paul wrote, “If you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” The Christian life is about being a faithful slave. To be the person in the parable to whom Jesus says, “Well done, good and faithful slave.” [8]
The Lord provides His slaves a place to live, food to eat, and clothes to wear. Paul wrote, “My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” He lavishes grace upon grace. His place of rulership is a throne of mercy for us in our time of need. We don’t have anywhere else to go. We depend on our Lord for our provisions, and our protection. He promises, “I’ll never leave you or forsake you.” He is a good shepherd who cares for His sheep. [9]
A slave in Caesar’s household was at the top of the slave ranks because of who his master was. Paul doesn’t hesitate to say, “Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ,” because his Lord is the Lord of lords and the King of kings.
Jesus Christ is the best Master. He loves us His slaves. He seeks what is best for us. After making us children and joint heirs, He seats us with Him on His throne to reign with Him. He lavishes on us all the gifts of His grace.
“Have this attitude in yourselves, which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the the form of God, He did not regard equality with God a thing to be held onto, grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave.” It’s good enough for Him, and it’s good enough for us. Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” In the crisis of the moment in the garden, Jesus said to the Father, “Not My will, but Yours be done.” [10]
“He took the form of a slave, and being made in the likeness of men, being found in appearance as a man, humbled Himself in becoming obedient even to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Jesus is the perfect model of self-denying slave of God. And what was His return on investment? “Therefore also God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name which is above every name.” [11] He is the slave who became Lord, and we are the slaves who will one day be raised to share His throne.
[1] 1 Corinthians 1:18
[2] Romans 1:1; Galatians 1:10
[3] Matthew 6:24
[4] James 1:1, Jude 1:1, Revelation 1:1
[5] Revelation 7:3; 10:7; 19:2, 5; 22:3
[6] 1 Peter 1:18-19; Acts 20:28
[7] Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 9:23
[8] Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 25:23
[9] Philippians 4:19; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 5:4
[10] Philippians 2:5-6; John 5:19; Luke 22:42
[11] Philippians 2:8-9
Sunday, January 14, 2024
The Blessing of Abraham
“His mother [Rebekah] said to him [Jacob], “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.” [1]
Rebekah was Christlike when she was willing to bear the curse of Jacob’s sin so that he could be blessed of God. Paul wrote to the Galatians about Christ bearing the curse of the law so that we Gentiles who believe in Christ receive the blessing of Abraham… we receive the promised Holy Spirit…
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” [2]
Jacob received God’s blessing but had to flee from his brother. Before he fled, his father gave him an added blessing, saying, “May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may be an assembly of peoples; and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and your descendants with you, that you may inherit the land in which you are a stranger, which God gave to Abraham.” The writer of Hebrews testifies to Isaac’s faith, saying, “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.” [3] The inheritance of Abraham is given to all who believe in Christ. He is the descendent of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through whom all the blessings of God are received.
What happened after the blessing? Jacob had a dream. In his dream, he saw a ladder stretching from earth to heaven. Angels of God ascended and descended on it. This ladder represents Jesus. He is the mediator between God and humanity. He is the path through Whom communication flows back and forth between God and humanity. The Lord told Jacob, “In your Seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Paul wrote of this Seed saying, “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ.” [4]
We who receive the blessing of faith in Christ inherit a better land than the temporary properties of earth. We receive an eternal place with God. We like Jacob may experience betrayal and persecution from others in our race who have rejected the life of faith in God, but the blessings far outweigh the curses. We have this promise from God, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” [5]
[1] Genesis 27:13
[2] Galatians 3:13-14
[3] Genesis 27:22, 41; Genesis 28:3-4; Hebrews 11:20
[4] Genesis 28:12, 14; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6; Galatians 3:16
[5] 2 Corinthians 4:17
Rebekah was Christlike when she was willing to bear the curse of Jacob’s sin so that he could be blessed of God. Paul wrote to the Galatians about Christ bearing the curse of the law so that we Gentiles who believe in Christ receive the blessing of Abraham… we receive the promised Holy Spirit…
“Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’), that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” [2]
Jacob received God’s blessing but had to flee from his brother. Before he fled, his father gave him an added blessing, saying, “May God Almighty bless you, and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may be an assembly of peoples; and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and your descendants with you, that you may inherit the land in which you are a stranger, which God gave to Abraham.” The writer of Hebrews testifies to Isaac’s faith, saying, “By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.” [3] The inheritance of Abraham is given to all who believe in Christ. He is the descendent of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through whom all the blessings of God are received.
What happened after the blessing? Jacob had a dream. In his dream, he saw a ladder stretching from earth to heaven. Angels of God ascended and descended on it. This ladder represents Jesus. He is the mediator between God and humanity. He is the path through Whom communication flows back and forth between God and humanity. The Lord told Jacob, “In your Seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Paul wrote of this Seed saying, “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ.” [4]
We who receive the blessing of faith in Christ inherit a better land than the temporary properties of earth. We receive an eternal place with God. We like Jacob may experience betrayal and persecution from others in our race who have rejected the life of faith in God, but the blessings far outweigh the curses. We have this promise from God, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” [5]
[1] Genesis 27:13
[2] Galatians 3:13-14
[3] Genesis 27:22, 41; Genesis 28:3-4; Hebrews 11:20
[4] Genesis 28:12, 14; 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6; Galatians 3:16
[5] 2 Corinthians 4:17
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
The Lord Appeared to Abram
“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly.’
Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: ‘As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also 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]
The Lord was gracious to appear to Abram. He was gracious to introduce Himself to him, and give him instruction, and a promise to bless him. The Lord’s prophetic word to him was that God would make him a father of many nations. The Lord changed his name from Abram (father of people) to Abraham (father of many people). He promised to be the God of Abraham’s descendants.
“Then God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.’” [2] Giving birth to a son in their old age was a hard promise for Abraham and Sarah to believe, but the key to this miracle is Messiah. Their son Isaac, and indeed they too, were destined to be in the family tree of Messiah. When it comes to Messiah nothing is impossible with God. Anything can happen!
“And the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.’” [3]
The Lord asked, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?” The answer was no. “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and household after him, that they may keep the way of the Lord…” Abraham and God were aware of each other. Abraham kept the way of the Lord. So, the Lord told him that He was going to take a look at the sin that was happening in Sodom and Gomorrah because many cried about it. [4]
Upon hearing this news, Abraham went into intercessory prayer mode. He interceded for the people of these cities, asking God to spare them if He could find at least ten righteous people there. It has been said, “The more you look at God the more become like Him.” Here, we see Jesus Messiah working in and through Abraham to urge God to be merciful and gracious to two very wicked cities of sinners for the sake of a few righteous people who lived there. God agreed to spare these wicked cities from destruction for the sake of ten righteous people. God did not find ten righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, but He did send two angels to get Lot’s family of four out of there before the fire fell. [5]
[1] Genesis 17:1-8
[2] Genesis 17:15-16
[3] Genesis 18:17-19
[4] Genesis 18:20-21
[5] Genesis 18:22-33; Genesis 19
Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: ‘As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. Also 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]
The Lord was gracious to appear to Abram. He was gracious to introduce Himself to him, and give him instruction, and a promise to bless him. The Lord’s prophetic word to him was that God would make him a father of many nations. The Lord changed his name from Abram (father of people) to Abraham (father of many people). He promised to be the God of Abraham’s descendants.
“Then God said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.’” [2] Giving birth to a son in their old age was a hard promise for Abraham and Sarah to believe, but the key to this miracle is Messiah. Their son Isaac, and indeed they too, were destined to be in the family tree of Messiah. When it comes to Messiah nothing is impossible with God. Anything can happen!
“And the Lord said, ‘Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him? For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and justice, that the Lord may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.’” [3]
The Lord asked, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing?” The answer was no. “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and household after him, that they may keep the way of the Lord…” Abraham and God were aware of each other. Abraham kept the way of the Lord. So, the Lord told him that He was going to take a look at the sin that was happening in Sodom and Gomorrah because many cried about it. [4]
Upon hearing this news, Abraham went into intercessory prayer mode. He interceded for the people of these cities, asking God to spare them if He could find at least ten righteous people there. It has been said, “The more you look at God the more become like Him.” Here, we see Jesus Messiah working in and through Abraham to urge God to be merciful and gracious to two very wicked cities of sinners for the sake of a few righteous people who lived there. God agreed to spare these wicked cities from destruction for the sake of ten righteous people. God did not find ten righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, but He did send two angels to get Lot’s family of four out of there before the fire fell. [5]
[1] Genesis 17:1-8
[2] Genesis 17:15-16
[3] Genesis 18:17-19
[4] Genesis 18:20-21
[5] Genesis 18:22-33; Genesis 19
Monday, January 8, 2024
Your Shield and Great Reward
“After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.’ But Abram said, ‘Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’ Then Abram said, ‘Look, You have given me no offspring; indeed one born in my house is my heir!’ And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.’ Then He brought him 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. Then He said to him, ‘I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.’” [1]
The Lord graciously reached out to Abram. Gave him a vision! Urged him not to be afraid! Reminded him that He was his shield and his exceedingly great reward!
When Abram expressed disappointment to the Lord in regards to the status of his legacy, the Lord gave Abram an object lesson. The objects were the numerous stars in the sky. He told Abram that his legacy would include descendants as numerous as the stars that he could count. Abram believed in the Lord. The Lord also promised to give Abram land.
This passage is especially meaningful to me because the Lord gave me a similar promise the day that I placed my life in His hands to trust in Him. The dialogue between Jesus and I went like this… Jesus: “Don’t do that [destroy your life], give your life to Me, and I will use it to touch many people.” Me: “Lord, I have only messed this life up, if You can do anything with it, it’s Yours.” Jesus Christ saved me from my sin and gave me His Holy Spirit.
My testimony is to love God and love His Word, or as John puts it in the Book of Revelation, to live for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. [2]
Jesus our Messiah does miracles in our lives as we simply love Him and proclaim His Word. He helps us as we trust in Him to touch the lives of many people, AND He does give us an inheritance. Even life with Him forevermore!
[1] Genesis 15:1-7
[2] See Revelation 1:2, 9; 6:9; 12:17; 19:10
The Lord graciously reached out to Abram. Gave him a vision! Urged him not to be afraid! Reminded him that He was his shield and his exceedingly great reward!
When Abram expressed disappointment to the Lord in regards to the status of his legacy, the Lord gave Abram an object lesson. The objects were the numerous stars in the sky. He told Abram that his legacy would include descendants as numerous as the stars that he could count. Abram believed in the Lord. The Lord also promised to give Abram land.
This passage is especially meaningful to me because the Lord gave me a similar promise the day that I placed my life in His hands to trust in Him. The dialogue between Jesus and I went like this… Jesus: “Don’t do that [destroy your life], give your life to Me, and I will use it to touch many people.” Me: “Lord, I have only messed this life up, if You can do anything with it, it’s Yours.” Jesus Christ saved me from my sin and gave me His Holy Spirit.
My testimony is to love God and love His Word, or as John puts it in the Book of Revelation, to live for the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus. [2]
Jesus our Messiah does miracles in our lives as we simply love Him and proclaim His Word. He helps us as we trust in Him to touch the lives of many people, AND He does give us an inheritance. Even life with Him forevermore!
[1] Genesis 15:1-7
[2] See Revelation 1:2, 9; 6:9; 12:17; 19:10
Saturday, January 6, 2024
God’s Kingdom Outlasts Earthly Empires
The human population was exploding. Men were choosing women according to their outward beauty. The Lord announced a limit to His Spirit’s willingness to strive against their rebellious ways. The people produced mighty and famous men rather than men who gloried in God. Their thoughts were evil. God regretted creating them. They caused Him grief. He decided to destroy them, but then, there was one man who was different. The Lord favored him. Why? [1]
“Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations.” “Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” Noah is a type of Christ. He doesn’t compromise with the world’s culture. He walks with God. “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” [2]
The Lord told Noah that He saw the violence and corruption of the people. His plan was to destroy them, but His covenant with Noah was to save him, his sons, and their wives, as well as some birds and animals of every existing kind. [3]
After the Lord cleansed the earth, “Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma...” [4]
“God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.’” In regards to violence and destruction of human life, the Lord told Noah, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man. And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it.” God wanted people. He wanted them to fill the world that He had made for them. Noah’s three sons and their three wives produced abundantly, and eventually the whole earth was populated. [5]
One of Noah’s descendants, a man named Nimrod, began to be a mighty one on the earth. He built nine cities including the city of Babel. In Babel, the people said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” Nimrod helped the people to rebel against God. He rallied people to form a coalition with the intent of rebelling against God’s Word. At this point, the Lord confused their languages and “scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.” [6]
What did God call Abraham to do? The Lord called Abraham to follow Him. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” [7]
Jesus said of the devil, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” [8] The devil wants people to build empires that unseat God from His rightful place in their lives. All such empires will perish. Those who join with the devil, his beastly leaders and his false prophets will perish with them. [9]
The good news is that God’s Word says that as many as received Him [Jesus – God’s Savior from sin], to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. The Bible says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” In Christ, God forgives all your sins. In Christ, you receive God’s Holy Spirit. In Christ, there is eternal life. God is creating a new heaven and a new earth where there is only righteousness, and Christ will give you a place with Him there, as you trust and follow Him. [10]
[1] Genesis 6:1-8
[2] Genesis 6:9, 22; Hebrews 11:7
[3] Genesis 6:11-21
[4] Genesis 8:20-21
[5] Genesis 9:1, 6-7, 18-19
[6] Genesis 10:8-12; 11:3-9
[7] Genesis 12:1-3; Hebrews 11:8-10
[8] John 10:10
[9] Revelation 20:10-15
[10] John 1:11-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 3:13
“Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations.” “Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” Noah is a type of Christ. He doesn’t compromise with the world’s culture. He walks with God. “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.” [2]
The Lord told Noah that He saw the violence and corruption of the people. His plan was to destroy them, but His covenant with Noah was to save him, his sons, and their wives, as well as some birds and animals of every existing kind. [3]
After the Lord cleansed the earth, “Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma...” [4]
“God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them: ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.’” In regards to violence and destruction of human life, the Lord told Noah, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man. And as for you, be fruitful and multiply; bring forth abundantly in the earth and multiply in it.” God wanted people. He wanted them to fill the world that He had made for them. Noah’s three sons and their three wives produced abundantly, and eventually the whole earth was populated. [5]
One of Noah’s descendants, a man named Nimrod, began to be a mighty one on the earth. He built nine cities including the city of Babel. In Babel, the people said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” Nimrod helped the people to rebel against God. He rallied people to form a coalition with the intent of rebelling against God’s Word. At this point, the Lord confused their languages and “scattered them abroad over the face of all the earth.” [6]
What did God call Abraham to do? The Lord called Abraham to follow Him. “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” [7]
Jesus said of the devil, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” [8] The devil wants people to build empires that unseat God from His rightful place in their lives. All such empires will perish. Those who join with the devil, his beastly leaders and his false prophets will perish with them. [9]
The good news is that God’s Word says that as many as received Him [Jesus – God’s Savior from sin], to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name. The Bible says, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” In Christ, God forgives all your sins. In Christ, you receive God’s Holy Spirit. In Christ, there is eternal life. God is creating a new heaven and a new earth where there is only righteousness, and Christ will give you a place with Him there, as you trust and follow Him. [10]
[1] Genesis 6:1-8
[2] Genesis 6:9, 22; Hebrews 11:7
[3] Genesis 6:11-21
[4] Genesis 8:20-21
[5] Genesis 9:1, 6-7, 18-19
[6] Genesis 10:8-12; 11:3-9
[7] Genesis 12:1-3; Hebrews 11:8-10
[8] John 10:10
[9] Revelation 20:10-15
[10] John 1:11-13; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 3:13
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Walking With God
“Noah walked with God.” [1]
There is fullness of joy in the Lord’s presence. To walk with Him is to have one’s mind stay on Him. Listening to Him! Speaking to Him! Allowing Him to direct one’s path and speech.
“There are many who say, ‘Who will show us any good?’ Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.” [2]
Yes, the Lord fills the heart of one who receives Him with a gladness that exceeds the gladness of consuming earthly food and drink.
“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. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” [3]
The goal is not the things. It is the Lord, but He created and sustains all things, and He blesses those who serve Him with grace that is sufficient to meet our needs and to meet the needs of our ministry unto Him. Praise the Lord!
[1] Genesis 6:9
[2] Psalm 4:6-7
[3] Proverbs 3:5-10
There is fullness of joy in the Lord’s presence. To walk with Him is to have one’s mind stay on Him. Listening to Him! Speaking to Him! Allowing Him to direct one’s path and speech.
“There are many who say, ‘Who will show us any good?’ Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased.” [2]
Yes, the Lord fills the heart of one who receives Him with a gladness that exceeds the gladness of consuming earthly food and drink.
“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. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” [3]
The goal is not the things. It is the Lord, but He created and sustains all things, and He blesses those who serve Him with grace that is sufficient to meet our needs and to meet the needs of our ministry unto Him. Praise the Lord!
[1] Genesis 6:9
[2] Psalm 4:6-7
[3] Proverbs 3:5-10
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