Holy Lord God Almighty

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.” [1]

How often are these words spoken in heaven? John tells us that four living creatures say these words day and night. I imagine that these expressions flow from their mouths like unto people standing in the cold who say continually, “It is cold.” God’s holiness and might override every other thought as one sees Him.

It is good to always be aware of God’s holiness and might.

King Abijah of Judah was aware of God’s holiness and might.

When an army of 800,000 choice men came against his army of 400,00 choice men, Abijah professed His faith in God’s holiness and might to win the battle. He told his enemy, “As for us, the Lord is our God.” “We keep the command of the Lord our God.” “God Himself is with us as our head.” “Do not fight against the Lord God.” “You shall not prosper.” [2]

As Abijah and his men cried out to the Lord, sounded trumpets to the Lord, and shouted to the Lord, God struck the opposing king so that he died and so did 500,000 of his men. Abijah and his men prevailed “because they relied on the Lord God.” [3].

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”

King David was aware of God’s holiness and might. He knew God as “the rock that is higher than I.” His “shelter.” His “strong tower.” David told his enemies upfront, “You shall be slain, all of you, like a leaning wall and a tottering fence.” He professed, “Those who seek my life, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.” [4]

King Solomon was aware of God’s holiness and might. He wrote, “The wrath of a king is like the roaring of a lion; whoever provokes him to anger sins against his own life.” [5] You don’t want provoke a lion to attack you. Those who provoked God to anger did not enjoy a happy ending.

The Apostle Paul was aware of God’s holiness and might. He wrote of how God the Father has made the Name of His Son above every other name.

“He [Jesus Christ] humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the Name, which is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [6]

This truth is illustrated by the fact that demons are afraid of Jesus. They recognize Jesus as the Son of God, a title that signifies His unique relationship with God and His power over evil. Demons are aware that Jesus has the power to send them to hell or to their final judgment. This knowledge instills fear in them, as they understand their ultimate fate is tied to Jesus.

“Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ ‘Legion,’ he replied because many demons had gone into him. And they begged him repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss.” [7]

The demons begged Jesus repeatedly not send them to hell, or the Abyss. O that all of us knew this truth as well as the demons do! Hell is so bad that even the demons don’t want to go there.

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come.”

“We need You holy and Almighty God to work in us according to Your Word... ‘It is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.’ Help us to ‘do all things without complaining and disputing, that we may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom we shine as lights in the world.’” [8]

Praise God for revealing His holiness and might to us in the Bible, and also by all the created things around us that He has made, including our own bodies. I pray that the world will see His holiness and might shine through you and me, as He shined through others that trusted in Him. The Apostle John, King Abijah, his soldiers, King David, King Solmon and the Apostle Paul to name a few of the many!

[1] Revelation 4:8
[2] 2 Chronicles 13:3, 10-12
[3] 2 Chronicles 13:13-20
[4] Psalms 61:2-3; 62:3; 63:9
[5] Proverbs 20:2
[6] Philippians 2:8-11
[7] Luke 8:30-31
[8] Philippians 2:13-15

Yoke Fellows – Good Figs

The Lord wants us to be His yoke fellows and good figs. [1]

God’s servant Jeremiah the prophet described God’s people as those who: “Deliver the plundered out of the hand of the oppressor. Do no wrong and do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, or the widow, nor shed innocent blood in this place.” [2]

What would happen if they listened to the Lord and obeyed Him?

“If you indeed do this thing, then shall enter the gates of this house, riding on horses and in chariots, accompanied by servants and people, kings who sit on the throne of David.” [3]

What would happen if they rejected the Word of the Lord?

“But if you will not hear these Words, I swear by Myself, says the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation.” [4]

The people that Jeremiah spoke to were living lavishly while others could barely survive. They destroyed innocent people to maintain their dominance and superiority in the world. [5]

The leaders in the days of Jesus were similar. Jesus said that they liked the best places, best titles and best recognitions. They were liars and deceivers. They made their followers fit for hell. They devoured the houses of widows. They made their fortunes by stealing from people who could not defend themselves. [6]

In the Gospels, Jesus cursed a fig tree that bore no fruit and it died. This miracle symbolized God’s judgment on those who refuse to be fellow yoke bearers with Him. [7]

The Lord told Jeremiah to make yokes and send them to the surrounding the nations. They were to submit to the Word of the Lord. [8]

Jeremiah also wore a yoke to the king of Jerusalem’s court. He urged his king to accept God’s Word concerning Babylon. Sadly, a false prophet named Hananiah contradicted Jeremiah. Hananiah’s name means the Lord is gracious. Hananiah broke the yoke off of Jeremiah’s neck. Hananiah prophesied that in two years that the judgment which Jeremiah prophesied of, namely Babylon, would no longer be a threat to their nation. He lied. Jeremiah told Hananiah by the Word of the Lord that he would die within the year for teaching rebellion against the Lord. That same year Hananiah died according to the Word of the Lord. [9]

When the disciples pointed out to Jesus the beauty of the temple that King Herod built for the people of Jerusalem, Jesus told them that the temple would be completely demolished. [10]

Jesus told them a parable about fig trees. “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!” [11]

The leaders of Jerusalem were not yoked to the God of God’s Word. They twisted God’s Word for personal gain. Jesus and His servant Jeremiah focused on saving souls from God’s fiery judgment on sin. They spoke what God told them to say.

What relevance do these prophecies have for us today?

Jesus prophesied of another Babylon to His servant John in the Book of Revelation. Like the first Babylon, the one of the last days before the Lord returns will be an evil empire. Those who serve the Lord will submit their necks to the yoke of proclaiming God’s judgments on it and to pointing people to Jesus Christ as the only Savior from sin and judgment.

John the Apostle recorded the revelation that Jesus gave him and sent it to the seven churches of Asia minor. The Lord has preserved these prophecies for us because they are vital for us to hear. How many times did Jesus use the word, “hear” in the Book of Revelation? Twelve times!

Jeremiah prophesied of the Messiah’s first coming, and Jesus fulfilled it. Jesus prophesied of His second coming in the Book of Revelation. Jesus will also fulfill this Word. [12]

“Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to hear and serve Your prophetic Word. Please help us to be yoke fellows with You, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To be good figs! In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.”

[1] Jeremiah 22-29
[2] Jeremiah 22:3
[3] Jeremiah 22:4
[4] Jeremiah 22:5
[5] Jeremiah 22:13-14
[6] Matthew 23:5-15; Luke 20:27
[7] Jeremiah 24:8; Mark 11:12-14, 20-21; Matthew 11:28-30; 21:43
[8] Jeremiah 27
[9] Jeremiah 28
[10] Matthew 24:1-2
[11] Matthew 24:32-33
[12] Jeremiah 23:5-6; Revelation 22:20

Civility

Civil servants whose conduct was uncivil caused a civil conflict.

The citizens wanted less burdens. The leaders promised them more burdens. The Bible says that the king did not listen to the people for this “turn of events was from God, that the Lord might fulfill His Word, which He had spoken by the hand of Ahijah...” [1]

King Rehoboam rejected the advice which older leaders gave him. He preferred the words of his young friends. The older leaders recommended kindness. Rehoboam’s friends recommended burdens. The Bible says, “He [Rehoboam] did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord.” [2]

Rehoboam and his young friends should have leaned on the Lord.

What about you and me? The Bible says that it was evil for Rehoboam not to seek the Lord. Oh wait! That’s right! The first commandment is to love God. How did we miss that?

Betrayal by a buddy is a bitter pill to palate.

“It is not an enemy who reproaches me; then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance.” [3]

David was a king who loved the Lord. His grandson turned his back on the Lord. The nation divided during Rehoboam’s reign.

“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.” [4]

God’s GPS directs us to love. God doesn’t drop us the moment that we disappoint Him. Hatred has a short fuse. Hatred does not get us to a good place.

King David praise God’s Word. [5]

God’s Word teaches us right from wrong. He directs us to “Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” [6]

Love does not fornicate, covet, talk foolishly, vulgarly jest. Love is characterized by a gratitude for God and people. The Bible says, “For this you know that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.” [7]

God’s Word directs us to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.” [8]

Following God’s GPS helps us to avoid behavioral pot holes that produce to civil conflicts. He says, “Redeem the time, because the days are evil.” “Understand what the will of the Lord is.” “Do not be drunk with wine.” “Be filled with the Spirit.” “Speak to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” “Sing and make melody in your heart to the Lord.” “Give thanks always for all things to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” “Submit to one another in the fear of God.” [9]

Let us lean on the Lord for help and strength. Let us trust in Him to convict people to behave with civility. I have found that most motorists drive according to the speed limit when they see a police car. I have found that people eat right when the wrong food hurts them. So, I pray, “Lord, please convict us to read and obey You, otherwise, we tend to disregard You to our own destruction. Please grant us civility towards You and one another. In Name of Jesus Your Son, I pray, Amen.”

[1] 2 Chronicles 10:14-15
[2] 2 Chronicles 10:3-13; 12:14
[3] Psalm 55:12-13
[4] Proverbs 10:12
[5] Psalm 56:10
[6] Ephesians 5:2
[7] Ephesians 5:2-7
[8] Ephesians 5:11
[9] Ephesians 5:16-21

Avoid Losses Experience Gains

Many centuries ago the Lord appeared to Solomon the king of Israel and told him how to overcome losses and experience gains. Solomon had prayed, God said...

“I have heard your prayer... when I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” [1]

The only way up from losses is down. Down on one’s knees before God, speaking to Him, not letting up until you know that you have His attention, repenting of your sins and asking Him to forgive you. Then, allow Him to do His healing, reorganizing, and transforming work in you.

God uproots and casts away those who rebel against Him: “But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My Name I will cast out of My sight and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.” [2]

God fulfills His promises to those who serve Him and to those who do not: “Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness [destroyed]. But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the mercy of God forever and ever.” [3]

God separates rejectors from receivers even as a refiner separates dross from gold and silver: “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the hearts.” [4]

Receivers from God gain from Him lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, and love. Abiding in Him helps us to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” [5]

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” [6]

Paul speaks of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the above passage. He speaks of one hope, one faith, one baptism and one God. When a person is abiding in Christ, these beliefs and practices come forth.

God has provided for us nurturers. He calls them apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. God equips His servants for the work of ministry through them. They edify or feed the body of Christ to bring us into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the fullness of Christ. They stabilize our faith so that we will not be deceived by false teachers. They work to get us firmly joined to the body of Christ so that we grow in God’s love. [7]

God told Solomon to heed His lead. The Lord helps losers to overcome losses as we embrace Him and His ways. The Lord says, “Put off your former conduct.” “Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” “Don’t give place to the devil.” “Steal no longer. “Work.” “Impart grace to hearers. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” “Put far from you bitterness and malicious evil speaking.” “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” [8]

In God’s economy, He turns love for Him and love for neighbor into blessings for all involved.

[1] 2 Chronicles 7:12-14
[2] 2 Chronicles 7:19-20
[3] Psalm 52:7-8
[4]Proverbs 17:3
[5] Ephesians 4:2-3
[6] Ephesians 4:4-6
[7] Ephesians 4:11-16
[8] Ephesians 4:22-23, 27-32

A Glorious Life

“God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah” [1]

Think of it! Apart from God’s grace, you and I will suffer searing heat, agony, weeping, gnashing of teeth, and darkness for all eternity without hope of escape.

God is gracious to you and to me to warn us about hell. Jesus spoke about hell more than anyone else in the Bible. His love for you and me moved Him to bring the topic up.

The world is lost. If we gauge our acceptance by God by how many people in this world accept us, we are watching the wrong gauge. The Bible says, “Men will praise you when you do well for yourself.” But that such people “shall never see light.” “A man who is in honor, yet does not understand, is like the beasts that perish.” [2]

The world delights in immediate gratification and refuses to face the reality of a real heaven and a real hell where human souls continue to live forever. They hate God’s instruction. They cast His Words behind them. They join with thieves in robbing. They join with adulterers in adultery. They slander close friends behind their backs. God is warning the world via the Bible, “Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver: whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.” [3]

We need a new language! A language that communicates love for God and neighbor! A tongue that offers praise to God. A mouth that is guarded from speaking evil because it serves the message of God’s salvation.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” [4]

Let us not follow what seems right. Let us know what is right according to the Bible and do it.

Let us pray the prayer of David as often as we need it...

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.” [5]

To be cast from God’s presence is to be cast into hell. The price tag to escape hell and to enter heaven is repentance of sin and faith in God. “I give to You God my sins. Please give me Your Holy Spirit. Please restore to me the joy of your salvation and empower me to teach transgressors your ways that they might be converted unto You.”

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise.” [6] We don’t have to be a “somebody” to catch God’s eye. A humble reckoning of self before God and a vocalized request for His help will turn Him toward us. He is merciful. He has compassion on us.

“Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished. In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the Lord, one departs from evil.” [7] God’s mercy and truth are given to those who fear Him enough to say “no” to evil and “yes” to their need of God’s Savior, Jesus Christ.

I identify with the words of Paul. God has revealed His Gospel to me by His Spirit. He empowers me to minister for Him. He graces me to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ. [8]

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, [and do prayer walks around my neighborhood] that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” [9]

Yes, amen, be saved by God’s grace! Be forgiven by God! Be accepted by God! Be empowered by God! Know you have a home in heaven with God when you die because you are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Saved by His merits not your own! Know the width, length, depth and height of Christ’s love for you. Be filled by the Holy Spirit with the fullness of GodI Amen! What a glorious life!

[1] Psalm 49:15
[2] Psalm 49:18-20
[3] Psalm 50:17-23
[4] Proverbs 16:25
[5] Psalm 51:10-13
[6] Psalm 51:17
[7] Proverbs 16:5-6
[8] Ephesians 3:2-8
[9] Ephesians 3:13-19

Praising the Lord

To think and vocalize wholesome words is wise.

“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” [1]

I testify that praising God is wholesome, good, and yields joy. When I worship the Lord, I experience joy. God created us to glorify Him. Singing unto Him brings us into harmony with God and with our very purpose for existing.

“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” [2]

I am so glad that I have a church within 15 minutes of my house where musicians, singers and others like me enjoying speaking and singing words of love and thanksgiving to God. There is no mandatory cover charge to enter the building but offerings are welcomed to keep the light of Christ shining there. We are happy to support our local church. I am grateful to God for those who pioneered it and keep it thriving.

There are many good reasons to think and speak the language of praise unto God. First of all, He made of me a new creation. I used to live among the dead, that is, those who didn’t know God. I lived as though there was no tomorrow. Jesus came to me when I was at my worst. He offered to me forgiveness of my sins. He offered to me a newness. When I said, “YES” to Jesus Christ, He filled me with His Spirit and brought me into fellowship with God and God’s people.

“You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins... that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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.” “Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” “You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” “In whom also you are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” [3]

I hope and pray that you join with me in thinking, speaking, and singing words of praise and thanksgiving to God. I am telling you... God wants to fill you with joy in the Holy Spirit! With wholesome thoughts and words that yield abundant life to your whole being: body, soul and spirit. Praise the Lord!

[1] Proverbs 15:4, 23
[2] Psalm 47:6-8
[3] Ephesians 2:1, 7-9, 13, 19, 22

Wisdom and Knowledge

On a night when Solomon offered a 1,000 burnt offerings on a bronze altar before the Lord, God appeared to him and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?” King Solomon asked God for wisdom and knowledge that would help him make good judgments for the people. God granted Solmon’s request. [1]

Solomon composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs [2] with his gifts of wisdom and knowledge from the Lord. Three of his compositions have been preserved for us in the Bible. He wrote Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs.

Wisdom and knowledge are the givers in Solomon’s proverbs. Foolishness is the robber.

“A scoffer seeks wisdom and does not find it, but knowledge is easy to him who understands Go from the presence of a foolish man, when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit. Fools mock at sin, but among the upright there is favor.” “A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident.” “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, but he who is impulsive exalts folly.” [3]

The fool has a self-defeating tendency to scoff. To scoff is speak to someone or about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way. The wise person invests himself in understanding things and then, holds onto knowledge he has gained for future use. The fool chooses the path of deception and cheating (sinful behaviors). He makes light of doing wrong. He assumes wrongly that his bad choices will yield good returns. He has no patience for honesty and integrity. He is impulsive. The wise person anchors his or her choices to the wisdom and knowledge of God that is recorded in the Bible, namely, to love God and love neighbor in all that one does. Goodwill!

God is wiser than anyone else. He knows all things. And what has He done for people? He has given His Son for us to be our Redeemer from sin’s captivity. In Christ, God has forgiven our previous bad choices (sins). God has made wisdom and prudence to abound toward us in Christ. God has made known to us the mystery of His will. The Creator reveals to us wisdom and knowledge that we could not grasp without Him. [4]

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the Word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” [5]

God gives His Holy Spirit to us who believe in His Son. The Holy Spirit is God with us and in us. The Holy Spirit is not a skeptic. He is not a scoffer. He is a confidence giver. He is a counselor. His presence in us is God’s way of affirming to us that we are on our way to the heavenly Promised Land. He is the guarantee of our eternal inheritance. The wisdom and knowledge of such an inheritance in Christ helps us to be patient and committed to making good choices.

The Holy Spirit led Paul to pray “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.” [6]

Christianity is a revealed religion. People can read the Bible, quote the Bible and even teach the Bible, but only the Holy Spirit can reveal it so that it becomes alive and transformative. The Holy Spirit turns the lights on for us so that we believe and have zeal to build our lives on God’s Word.

Our Heavenly Father resurrected Jesus Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. Jesus is now far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come. All things are under His feet. [7]

Jesus holds the keys to the kingdom of God. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” The door Jesus opens no one can shut, and the door He shuts no one can open. Knowing that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life is the highest form of wisdom and knowledge. [8]

May the Lord grant to you, my dear friend, His wisdom and knowledge in Christ Jesus! Amen!

[1] 2 Chronicles 1:6-12
[2] 1 Kings 4:32
[3] Proverbs 14:6-9, 16, 29
[4] Ephesians 1:6-9
[5] Ephesians 1:13-14
[6] Ephesians 1:17-19
[7] Ephesians 1:20-21
[8] Matthew 16:19; Revelation 3:7; John 14:6

Solus Christus

“Solus Christus” is a Latin phrase meaning “Christ alone.” Only faith in Jesus Christ saves one’s soul. To add or take away from this teaching amounts to idolatry. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the hill to die on, or as Paul put it, to be crucified for.

Let’s walk through Paul’s letter to the Galatians and observe His jealousy for glory of Christ.

Paul credits his apostleship to Jesus Christ. Christ ordained him to be a “sent one” by God. “Apostle” is a Greek word that literally means a “sent one.” Paul is a prophet of God, His spokesman, His ambassador, His proclaimer, not because he decided to become a pastor, but the rather, because Jesus Christ ordained him for this ministry. Jesus revealed Himself to Paul and told Paul to reveal Him to others.

“Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.” [1]

What did our Lord Jesus Christ do for our salvation?

“He gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” [2]

No one else did this for us – only Christ alone.

God wants us to keep this truth pure.

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different Gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Gospel of Christ. But 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. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other Gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” [3]

The Gospel is God’s grace to us. We don’t need to add works of our flesh to what Christ has done for us. To do so, is to defile the Gospel. Such a one is a false prophet. A cult leader! Accursed by God! A liar! For example, John Smith, the founder of Mormonism, he wrote that an angel gave to him a different gospel.

Our Lord Jesus Christ is above all others. Only the truth revealed to us by Jesus is to be trusted. Paul wrote, “I make known to you, brethren, that the Gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [4]

Jesus Christ was not just a prophet or priest. He was not just the founder of a particular branch of religion. He is God enfleshed in human skin. He is only reliable revealer of God.

The Gospel that Paul preaches is from God. He had been well-schooled in Judaism, but Judaism did not bring him to God. Christ did!

“I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood.” [5]

Paul traces his calling to preach the Gospel back to when he was still in his mother’s womb. Before he could do anything for God, himself or anyone else, God ordained him. Paul gave to Christ alone the glory for his understanding of salvation. Flesh and blood did not reveal Christ to Him. God did! Paul understood the Gospel clearly before he met any of the disciples who walked with Jesus.

“Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me...” “After three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter...” “And they glorified God in me.” [6]

“False brothers” is what Paul called those who preached the need to of be circumcised. He compared them to slavers. He did not submit to their persuasion. He withstood them to their faces. When Peter separated himself from eating with uncircumcised Gentiles due to his fear of those who adhered to circumcision, Paul reminded him, “a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ... for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” [7]

To be a Christian is to be crucified to self-saving doctrines and to wholly lean on Christ alone.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” [8]

Paul reminded his Jewish believing brothers that, “Abraham ‘believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ ...Only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.” [9]

Faith in one’s ability is to fulfill the Law amounts to idolatry. It is to believe you are above other sinners so much so that you can save yourself from sin. You cannot.

“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.’ But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’ 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.” [10]

God sent forth His Son, Jesus, to redeem us that we might receive the adoption as sons. And having become His sons and daughters, God sent forth His Spirit of His Son into our hearts to help us pray to our “Abba, Father!” [11] God does this work through faith in Christ alone.

Paul told those who were preaching Christ plus circumcision: “If you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.” [12]

The Lord says to walk in the Spirit and live by the Spirit of God. If you plant works of the flesh, you will reap corruption. If you sow to the Spirit of God, you will reap everlasting life. [13]

Paul gloried in Christ alone. “God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” [14]

Brothers and sisters, stand up for faith in Christ alone. Don’t allow the Gospel of Christ to be diluted or diminished by any other teaching. Thus, you will serve as a true “sent one.” A true prophet of God!

[1] Galatians 1:1
[2] Galatians 1:4-5
[3] Galatians 1:6-10
[4] Galatians 1:11-12
[5] Galatians 1:4-16
[6] Galatians 1:17-24
[7] Galatians 2:1-16
[8] Galatians 2:20-21
[9] Galatians 3:6-7
[10] Galatians 3:10, 13-14
[11] Galatians 4:4-6
[12] Galatians 5:2, 4, 6
[13] Galatians 5:16, 25
[14] Galatians 6:8, 14

Peace Through Praise

The Lord provided for King David and his army captains a weapon that neither earthly nor heavenly foe could overcome. It was the weapon of praise and worship unto the Lord.

“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.” [1]

These musicians prophesied with their instruments. They drew their inspiration for music composition from the Holy Spirit. Heman wrote Psalm 88. Asaph wrote Psalms 50, 73-83. Jeduthun directed the music for Psalms 39, 62, and 77.

“The sons of Heman the king’s seer in the Words of God, to exalt His horn. For God gave Heman 14 sons and 3 daughters. All these were under the direction of their father for the music in the house of the Lord, with cymbals, stringed instruments, and harps, for the service of the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman 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.” [2]

These songwriters of the Lord, sung of the Lord’s guidance. They sung of His faithfulness to those who trust in Him. His justice! Rest! Waiting patiently for God until He acts! Not fretting because it only causes harm. Inheriting the earth! Enjoying an abundance of peace! [3]

What does the Lord do when the wicked plots to hurt His servants. “The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.” [4]

The songwriters of the Lord, sing of God providing abundantly for those who do what is right. “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful and lends; and his descendants are blessed.” [5]

The songwriters of the Lord, sing of the good speech God gives his servants due to His Law being in their hearts. The Lord gives His servants victories over unlawful lawfare.

“The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice. The Law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. The wicked watches the righteous and seeks to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.” [6]

The songwriters of the Lord, sing of the sudden disappearance of the proud troublemaker and of the peace of the man who did what was right. “I have seen the wicked in great power and spreading himself like a native green tree. Yet he passed away, and behold, he was no more; indeed, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the blameless man and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace.” [7]

The songwriters of the Lord, sing of the Lord’s salvation, and of His strength. “The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.” [8]

The songwriters of the Lord, sing their prayers to the Lord: “Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” [9]

The words and thoughts of the Lord yield good physical, mental, and emotional health. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.” “Counselors of peace have joy.” [10]

Many battles have been lost due to soldiers losing confidence and being overcome by panic. The Lord reminds His warriors that right makes might. Our goal is to glorify the Lord!

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” [11]

The songwriters of the Lord, sing of confidence in His deliverance such as Paul wrote about: “Don’t be frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.” [12]

The songwriters of the Lord, sing of the sweetness of His amazing grace, of His deep love, and of His fellowship divine such as Paul wrote about: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.” [13]

“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of the flesh) but are mighty in God for the pulling down of strongholds.” As we worship God, He fights our battles for us. “Now 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.” [14] Peace through praise!

[1] 1 Chronicles 25:1
[2] 1 Chronicles 25:5-7
[3] Psalm 37:3-11
[4] Psalm 37:12-13
[5] Psalm 37:25-26
[6] Psalm 37:30-33
[7] Psalm 37:35-37
[8] Psalm 37:39
[9] Psalm 38:21-22
[10] Proverbs 12:18, 20
[11] Psalm 46:10
[12] Philippians 1:28
[13] 2 Corinthians 13:14
[14] 2 Corinthains 10:4; 2 Chronicles 20:22

Yes or No Before I Go

“Now Satan stood up against Israel and moved David to number Israel.” [1]

David wanted to build a house for the Lord. This was a good desire. Should he not take a census and collect revenue from the people to pay for it?

Numbering Israel had been done without punishment in the time of Moses. During that census, each person over 20 years of age was to make an atonement offering to the Lord of about $5 so that there would be no plague among them. The revenue was to be used to build a tabernacle.

“When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the Lord a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them.” “Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel.” “This half shekel is an offering to the Lord.” ”Those, twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the Lord.” “Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the tent of meeting. It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the Lord, making atonement for your lives.” [2]

One problem here is that while God moved Moses to take the census, Satan “moved David to number Israel.” Jesus did not do what Satan asked him to do when Satan tempted Him. Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, when the Lord moved Moses to take a census of the people, He told Moses to collect atonement offerings from the people so that there would be no plague among them.

David was a type of Messiah for Israel but fell short of perfect obedience to the Lord. David also suffered a similar setback when he moved the Ark of the Covenant inappropriately. See 1 Chronicles 13:9-10 and 1 Chronicles 15:12-15. Was it the fault of the priests for not instructing David during these two incidents or did David erroneously assume that he did not have to obey the Law completely? Whichever the case, the Lord blames the devil for moving David to take the census incorrectly. Sin brought about a plague on the people.

“God was displeased with this thing; therefore, He struck Israel. So David said to God, ‘I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing; but now, I pray, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.’” [3]

We all are guilty of imperfect obedience to God. We all displease Him in one way or another. We all need to confess our sin and foolishness to God and ask Him to forgive us. We all need the atoning sacrifice of Christ to blot out our sins against God and others.

David responded correctly to the Lord’s displeasure with him. He confessed his sin and his foolishness and asked the Lord to forgive him. The Lord did forgive David. He even gave David three options concerning the plague that was to ensue due to the lack of atonement.

“Then the Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, ‘Go and tell David, saying, thus says the Lord: I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you.’ ‘Either three years of famine, or three months to be defeated by your foes with the sword of your enemies overtaking you, or else for three days the sword of the Lord—the plague in the land, with the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’” [4]

David chose option three, saying, “I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” [5]

“So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel, and 70,000 men of Israel fell. And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was destroying, the Lord looked and relented of the disaster, and said to the angel who was destroying, ‘It is enough; now restrain your hand.’ And the angel of the Lord stood by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.” [6]

One angel of God slew 70,000 people with an plague and was about to destroy the city of Jerusalem as well. Throughout Scripture and especially in the Book of Revelation angels are God’s servants to execute His judgments on sinful humanity.

David saw the Lord’s angel with a sword stretched out over Jerusalem, so he and the elders fell on their faces before the Lord. David asked the Lord to place the curse on him rather than on the people. David was a type of Christ when he asked that the curse of the Law be placed on him rather than on the people, but God did not allow it, because only the sinless of Son of God could rightfully be the Substitute for sinners. Jesus drank the cup of God’s wrath on sin so that sinners who believe in Him would not have to do so. [7]

The Lord’s angel commanded Gad to counsel David to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. David purchased the property from Ornan, built an altar, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings to the Lord. He called on the Lord. The Lord answered David from heaven by fire on the altar of burnt offering. The Lord commanded the angel to put away his sword. [8]

It just so happened that the property David purchased for the altar was on Mount Moriah close to the spot where Abraham had offered up Isaac. Also, near the place where Jesus Christ died on the cross to become the atoning sacrifice for our sins. In the Book of Revelation only those whose names are recorded in the Lamb’s book of life are accepted into New Jerusalem. How did they avoid the plague of an eternity in hell? The answer is that they had a relationship with the Lamb of God, that is, Jesus Christ. [9]

David did not need to collect revenue from the people to build a house for the Lord. He had all he needed. Before he died, he provided for his son Solomon, timber, stone, woodsmen, stonecutters, skillful workers, as well as gold, silver, bronze and iron without limit. [10]

The devil often tempts us with the “elsewhere” as though God has not already provided for us what we need for life and godliness. Let us always pray and wait on the Lord for discernment before acting on a decision. Ask the Lord, “Did You already provide for this?” Often the answer is right under our nose or it is on the way and we just need to be wait for it. We can ask the Lord, “What does Your Word have to say about it?” “Am I obeying You?” “Will it glorify You?” “Is it love?”

Let the Holy Spirit lead you! “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” “Walk in the way of love.” “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” [11]

Let the meekness of Jesus guide you: “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” [12]

Ask the Lord yes or no before you go!

[1] 1 Chronicles 21:1
[2] Exodus 30:12-14, 16
[3] 1 Chronicles 21:7-8
[4] 1 Chronicles 21:9, 11-12
[5] 1 Chronicles 21:13
[6] 1 Chronicles 21:14-15
[7] 1 Chron. 21:16-17; Mt. 26:39; Gal. 3:13-14; Rom. 5:9
[8] 1 Chronicles 21:18-27
[9] Revelation 20:15; Luke 10:20
[10] 1 Chronicles 22:1-16
[11] Romans 8:14; Ephesians 5:2; Galatians 5:15
[12] Psalm 34:18

The Truth Be Told

We have a great crowd of witnesses telling the truth in the Bible. Truth saves! Lies lose!

The Psalmist spoke the truth in regards to who the Lord saves and who He condemns.

“The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.” [1]

The world may applaud sinners, but the Lord does not.

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” [2]

God favors those who believe what He says. God says that we are sinners. He says that we will not have peace until we acknowledge our sin and ask Him to forgive us. Like the tax collector in the Bible did. “He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’” Jesus said of him, “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” [3]

Who does the Lord favor? “Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” [4]

Those who harden their heart against God will regret it. The Lord says, “The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation.” [5]

God’s love is about rejecting sin’s temptation to serve evil desires. God’s love is to walk as Jesus walked. Jesus honored God in everything He did. He told people the truth out of love for their eternal soul and out of goodwill towards their shalom or wholeness body, soul and spirit.

The bad news is that whirlwinds (tornados) do knock physical homes off foundations. The good news is, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” [6] The Lord turns the setback of those who trust in Him into a springboard from which more good comes than they experienced before.

God’s servant Paul wanted truth to be told. He did not want the devil to deceive and corrupt people. He wrote to the Corinthians saying, “I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different Gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” [7]

Don’t do the devil any favors by enduring his lies. He wants to shift the weight of saving your soul onto you instead of leaving that burden with Christ. Christ is the Savior. Saving is what Jesus does. Let God be God. Simply trust Him to do what He says. God does not lie. He tells the truth.

There is one middle being between God and people. He is God’s Son Jesus Christ. Any person or organization that convinces you to believe otherwise is lying. Christ alone saves your soul and converts it. Conversion is a miracle of God. Salvation does not originate with you or me. Salvation is a work of Christ from start to finish.

Paul warned the Corinthians, “For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. To our shame I say that we were too weak for that!” [8]

There are so many scammers. Don’t yield to them. They want to rob you. Paul said he was too weak to do that! He knew that Christ had already paid the price for their salvation on the cross. Now, that Christ had done that, they just needed to warn other lost souls to believe in Christ.

Paul did not use tales of riches, and testimonies of freedom from pain and problems as a platform from which to gain an audience. To the contrary, he gloried in what Jesus had helped him to endure for the sake of bringing people to Christ. He spoke of hard work, floggings, beatings, stoning, incarcerations, shipwrecks, robbers, perils, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, fasting, coldness, fastings, deep concerns for churches, weaknesses, anger and infirmity. [9]

Let’s tell people the truth rather than leave them susceptible to an eternity without God in hell.

[1] Psalm 34:15-16
[2] Psalm 32:1-5
[3] Luke 18:13-14
[4] Psalm 33:18-19
[5] Proverbs 10:7, 9, 12, 25
[6] Romans 8:28
[7] 2 Corinthians 11:3-4
[8] 2 Corinthians 11:20-21
[9] 2 Corinthians 11:22-30

Born Again

Please find a link attached to a movie about Chuck Colson. Chuck was White Advisor to President Nixon until he was indicted on crimes and imprisoned. While in prison, the Lord transformed Chuck into His ambassador to prisoners. He was freed and started a wonderful ministry to prisoners. Chuck testified that God took sin’s mess and made a message that opened better doors for him than his previous so-called high position in the White House had done. The movie is called, Born Again.

https://youtu.be/OwUTSUpkdwY?si=pYC3Zf63jW4NqjqU

I read the following verses this morning.

“O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy Name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:2-5

The Lord makes shattered lives beautiful.

Gathering to Worship and Learn from the Lord

In the days of King David, the nation of Israel was made up of 12 tribes of people that had descended from 12 fathers. The Lord provided for each tribe a portion of the nation’s property. Kind of like a nation made up of 12 states! The Levites were the exception to this rule because they did not have a “state” of their own but were allocated land by the generosity of the other tribes. The Lord was Levi’s inheritance. [1]

“David spoke to the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brethren to be the singers accompanied by instruments of music, stringed instruments, harps, and cymbals, by raising the voice with resounding joy.” [2]

Thus, music compositions and singers to sing became a vital thread in the tapestry of Israel. Blessed is the nation that has music composers, musicians and singers who honor the Lord.

David appointed Levites to minister before the Lord to:

Commemorate – remember and celebrate God deeds
Thank and praise the Lord
Make music with stringed instruments, harps, cymbals, and trumpets [3]

The Levites served their nations by composing music to the Lord, singing to the Lord and leading the nation to worship the Lord. Can you imagine how great it would be if your government allocated manpower and resources to remember, thank, and praise the Lord?

Below are excerpts from one of the songs they sang to the Lord:

“Give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His Name!
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him!
Talk of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy Name!
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord!
Seek His face evermore!
Remember His marvelous works which He has done!
Remember His covenant forever!
Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day!
Declare His glory among the nations!
Give to the Lord glory and strength!
Give to the Lord the glory due His Name!
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness!
Let them say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”
The Lord is good! His mercy endures forever! [4]

At the end of the song, “All the people said, ‘Amen!’ and praised the Lord.” [5]

Taking time to worship and praise the Lord is a vital part of any vibrant ministry.

During worship and prayer yesterday, the Holy Spirit convicted me that to refine my ability to present Biblical truth, I need to do it in the context of discipleship... with a group of disciples who, like me, want the Lord to teach and refine us.

The Lord gave me some encouraging words this morning...

“For Your Name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him, and He will show them His covenant.” [6]

I need the Lord to forgive my past failures and to teach me. I need the Lord to refine me. I want both my biological and spiritual descendants to inherit all that God has for them.

“One thing I have desired of the Lord that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.” [7]

The Lord says, “I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me.” [8]

The Lord says, “Listen to Me, My children, for blessed are those who keep My ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to Me, watching daily at My gates, waiting at the posts of My doors. For whoever finds Me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord.” [9]

The Lord reminded me this morning as I considered the journey ahead, “God loves a cheerful giver. God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” And “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!” [10]

Praise the Lord!

[1] Joshua 14:3
[2] 1 Chronicles 15:11
[3] 1 Chronicles 16:4-6
[4] 1 Chronicles 16:8-12, 15, 23-24, 28-29, 31, 34
[5] 1 Chronicles 16:36
[6] Psalm 25:11-14
[7] Psalm 27:4
[8] Proverbs 8:17
[9] Proverbs 8:32-35
[10] 2 Corinthians 9:7-8; Psalm 27:14

Enriched by God’s Grace

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

The Holy Spirit inspired His servant David to pen the above words more than a thousand years before Jesus uttered them from the cross. Jesus, God’s Son, experienced separation, distance, from the Heavenly Father, not for sins He committed, but for ours.

“Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning?” [1]

The Holy Spirit provides for us the inner witness of God with us. He speaks to us. While hanging on the cross, that inner witness was taken from Jesus. He knew God was far from Him.

“I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, ‘He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!’ But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb You have been My God.” [2]

A worm is unattractive and unadorned. It is low to the ground. To feel as a worm is to feel worthless. Yet, Jesus helped so many people! He opened blind eyes, made the lame to walk again, caused the mute to speak again, cleansed the lepers, rebuked evil spirits from harassing people, resurrected the dead and spoke the words of eternal life. Now, people are maliciously breaking His heart. Amidst this treatment. He reminds God that He is the One who brought Him forth from His mother’s womb. He moved His mother to hold and feed Him. He had served God. His felt the feelings that abused and abandoned people experience.

Jesus reminded the Father of His glory... His reputation as Deliverer of those who cry out to Him. The Deliverer of those who trust in Him!

“You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.” [3]

He asks His Father to fulfill the promise of His presence. “Be not far from Me, for trouble is near; for there is none to help.” [4]

Jesus describes to His Father what He is going through, “Many bulls have surrounded Me; strong bulls of Bashan have encircled Me. They gape at Me with their mouths, like a raging and roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death. For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” [5]

Hateful people roar at Him like an angry lion. He feels the horns of many bulls ripping Him apart. Dogs want to lick up His blood. He is spent. Spikes make His hands and feet pulsate with pain. He is stripped of His clothes. His executioners are gambling over His clothing. Playing a game while He dies! Making a mockery of His love for unworthy sinners!

He asks God to be near Him. He wants a quick deliverance. He doesn’t want the bulls and lion to overcome Him. He wants to proclaim and praise God.

“O Lord do not be far from Me. O, My Strength, hasten to help Me! Deliver Me from the sword, My precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion’s mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. I will declare Your Name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly, I will praise You.” [6]

He urges His brothers to praise, glorify and revere God. By faith, He sees the people of the world remembering God, turning to God and worshiping God. He sees the kingdoms of the world becoming the kingdoms of the Lord. He sees Himself ruling over the nations.

“You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you offspring of Israel! For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from Him; but when He cried to Him, He heard. My praise shall be of You in the great assembly; I will pay My vows before those who fear Him. The poor shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever! All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. For the kingdom is the Lord’s, and He rules over the nations.” [7]

And this shall be as the Scripture says, “Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every name, that at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” [8] Praise the Lord!

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” [9] Glory to God!

[1] Psalm 22:1
[2] Psalm 22:6-10
[3] Psalm 22:3-5
[4] Psalm 22:11
[5] Psalm 22:12-18
[6] Psalm 22:19-22
[7] Psalm 22:23-28
[8] Philippians 2:5-11
[9] 2 Corinthians 8:9

Close to You

“Why do birds suddenly appear
Every time you are near?
Just like me, they long to be
Close to you.” [1]

I remember Karen Carpenter singing this song when it was a number one hit on the radio. I thought to myself, “How wonderful it would be to be close to someone that I admire, and that she would feel the same way about me.” Well, the Lord did bless me with that someone in Sherry my wife. Praise the Lord! 43 years later, I enjoy being close to her.

The Lord longs for this kind of relationship with me and you as well.

King David enjoyed such a relationship with the Lord. He wrote, “I will love You, O Lord, my strength.” “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good inheritance.” “In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” “Keep me as the apple of Your eye; hide me under the shadow of Your wings.” [2]

In fact, the Lord neither enjoys nor condones unfaithfulness. The Lord allows those who don’t love Him to depart from Him. He wants to be close to us but will not force Himself upon us if our feeling is not mutual. For example, when His people no longer wanted to worship or serve Him in the Old Testament: “Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.” [3]

The love that the apostles had for Jesus Christ is a great example for us. Paul wrote, “We commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fasting; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the Word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” [4]

You see how greatly Paul loved the Lord? There was no trial too great, to dampen Paul’s love for Christ. Oh, that all God’s people had such a great love for Him. He is worthy of such love! Just think of what Jesus did for you and me. He took a cruel whipping, slapping, spitting, nails through His hands and feet, and death itself to demonstrate how He longs to be close to you and me. He intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father at this moment.

Paul urged us, “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” [5] Don’t take the Lord’s love for granted! Love Him back enthusiastically!

Our Lord and Savior Jesus warns us against relationships that are unequal. He doesn’t like them and He doesn’t want us to lower our standard for them either. He says, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’” [6]

In other words, be careful about whom you draw close too. Some will try to quench and divert your longing to be close to Christ. Such people are those that you should unequivocally tell that you are in a relationship with Christ and that you will not compromise your relationship with Him for them. Much like the lovers in the Song of Songs did in the Bible! No amount of mocking could diminish their love for each other. No, our inner circle should consist of those who love God. Just think of Peter, James and John! They wanted to be near the Lord. John called himself the disciple whom Jesus loved.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world to be the propitiation for our sins. Thank You for wanting to be close with me. I want to be close with you.”

[1] Songwriters: Burt F. Bacharach / Hal David
[2] Psalm 18:1; Psalm 16:6, 11; Psalm 17:8
[3] 1 Chronicles 9:1
[4] 2 Corinthians 6:4-10
[5] 2 Corinthians 6:1
[6] 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
[7] John 13:23; John 21:20

A Home Beyond the Sun

Last night, the Lord blessed my wife, Sherry, and me with an inspiring movie about the adoption of an orphan girl by American couple. “Home Beyond the Sun” is based on a true story. I am glad that the God who created the whole universe and sustains it cares about that child who has no earthly parents. He cares enough to give him and her a home beyond the sun.

“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.” [1]

Our Heavenly Father willingly offers counsel, protection and provision to whomsoever will accept His Son Jesus Christ as the atoning sacrifice for their sins. In fact, even before we believe in Christ, the Heavenly Father is already graciously at work to rescue us from our prison.

The Lord speaks to us in so many ways... through His creation, by His Spirit, via circumstances, but He speaks directly and clearly to us via words recorded in the Bible.

You want a coach? Here’s coaching from your Creator: “My son [and daughter], give attention to My Words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put perverse lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.” [2]

Words are like containers by which thoughts are transferred from one to another. God uses words from the Bible to speak to us. They are living words. There’s life in them. They have health in them. But lies and perverse speech are bad for us. God coaches us and helps us to walk on the narrow road of truth. He says, “Let your eyes look straight ahead!” Set your GPS for heaven.

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” “Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. [3]

Wisdom is to not let the thought of a home reserved for you heaven to escape you. God’s Spirit is His downpayment on your salvation. He gave you His indwelling Holy Spirit to lead you home. Yes, there are perils to overcome at various places along the journey, but He’ll get you pass them.

“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men...” [4]

Our Heavenly Father reminds us to maintain an outward looking mentality. Remember to persuade others to embrace the heavenly vision.

“He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” [5]

Keeping our eyes on Christ spares us from being bogged down in the burden-laden bayou.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” [6]

Let us not revert to coping mechanisms that never helped us before. Jesus Christ often helps us out of ruts in ways that we could not have imagined to ask. His ways are best for us.

“Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” [7]

The above passage brings us back to the metaphor of adoption. To be reconciled to God means to be brought into His family. To be one of His dearly loved children! It means that He no longer holds our trespasses against us. We belong to Him. He’s not going to un-adopt us.

What hinders reconciliation with God? Unbelief! If you or I doubt that Jesus Christ became sin for us on the cross and gave us His righteousness in return. If we think, God still holds our past against us. He doesn’t! We are forgiven.

“You will again have compassion on us; You will trample our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” [8]

Those nails in His hands and His feet were a heavy price to pay to purchase us to God. He did not just pay USD3,000 to an orphanage in China to adopt us, He paid with His pain, with His blood and with His self-sacrificing love to bring us to God. Praise the Lord!

[1] Psalm 68:5
[2] Proverbs 4:20-27
[3] 2 Corinthians 5:1, 5-7
[4] 2 Corinthians 5:9-11
[5] 2 Corinthians 5:15
[6] 2 Corinthians 5:17
[7] 2 Corinthians 5:18-21
[8] Micah 7:19

The Prophetic Ministry of Jesus Christ

Throughout history God has revealed Himself via His Word and Spirit to people. When He does, He urges the taught-one to teach others. In the Old Testament era, learners were called “sons of the prophets” (בְּנֵֽי־הַנְּבִיאִ֥ים). In the New Testament era, we learners are called disciples.

The Hebrew term “sons of the prophets” occurs eleven times in the books of 1-2 Kings... all during the period of Elijah and especially Elisha! The disciples of Elijah and Elisha were from various places just as the disciples of Jesus came from various locations. [1]

After Elijah was taken up into heaven, his disciple, Elisha, received his anointing. After Jesus was taken up into heaven, His disciples received His anointing. And the disciples of Jesus led others to receive His Holy Spirit anointing including Gentiles. [2]

Groups acting in concert and designated by “prophets” appear throughout the Old Testament and in the New Testament. The Books of Acts mentions prophets as active in the church. Judas and Silas, Agabus and the four daughters of Phillip are mentioned specifically. [3]

The New Testament does not use the term “sons of the prophets” but Paul called Timothy “my true son in the faith.” He was not Paul’s biological son. He was Paul’s disciple. Paul was mentoring him. Timothy’s mother and grandmother were believers but his father was not. [4]

Among the sons of the prophets in the Old Testament, some were married. They shared a common table. Some of their work was done at the command of the master. Sometimes they sought his approval before doing something, yet they could act on their own. They erected community buildings. [5]

In the New Testament, Jesus sent His disciples out to preach the Gospel. Peter’s mother-in-law is mentioned so we know that he was married. Jesus sat and ate with His disciples. [6]

The Lord wants to a close relationship with you and me. If we are not close with Him, He is not to blame. He wants to disciple us. He wants to reveal the meaning of the Scriptures to us so that we can reveal their meaning to others. The difference between a supposed Christian-in-name-only and a disciple is a matter of stewardship of time, talent and treasure.

“They were unfaithful to the God of their fathers and played the harlot after the gods of the peoples of the land, whom God had destroyed before them. So the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, that is, Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria. He carried the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh into captivity.” [7]

They were unfaithful to God and lost their blessings. Does “unfaithful to God” describe you and me? In what ways are we being faithful to Him?

“The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts.” [8]

The wicked refers to the guilty before God. Not having God in our thoughts is wicked.

King David cried out to God when he saw a decline of faithfulness among his people. Are we crying out to God for our family members, relatives, friends and acquaintances who are unfaithful to God? They don’t attend church anymore! They don’t read the Bible or pray! God is not in their thoughts!

“Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases! For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak idly everyone with his neighbor...” saying, “who is lord over us?” [9]

They speak words that are meaningless but “The Words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” [10]

The Lord urges us, “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 1st fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” [11]

Let God have His rightful place in your life. Let Him be your Abba Father! “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights.” [12]

God in His love for us is patient and longsuffering with sinners, but there comes a point when He, “He scorns the scornful but gives grace to the humble.” If an individual or group of people continuously reject Him, He will take His grace to others who will gladly receive Him. Those who receive the Lord inherit glory and those who reject Him inherit shame. “The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools.” [13]

Rejection of the Lord and rejection of His ways is a sign of spiritual blindness which is a work of Satan. “If our Gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. “ [14]

We, who are the Lord’s disciples and His proclaimers, are in a relationship with Him because of His great grace which He lavished on us when He died for our sins on the cross, when He resurrected from the dead for our resurrection, and when He filled and anointed us with His precious indwelling Holy Spirit. As Paul wrote, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” [15]

Do you want to be a prodigy of the Prophet above all prophets, namely, Jesus Christ? Tell Him so. Follow Him as He leads you!

[1] 2 Kings 2:3,5, 8, 14-15, 4:38, 5:22; Mt 9:1; John 1:44; Luke 5:1
[2] 2 Kings 2:13-14; Acts 1:8-9, 2:4, 8:17, 10:44, 19:6
[3] Jeremiah 26:7, 8, 11, Acts 11:27, 13:1, Acts 15:32, Acts 21:10
[4] Acts 16:1; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:5
[5] 1 Kings 20:35; 2 Kings 2:16-18, 4:1, 38-44, 6:1ff, 9:1
[6] Matthew 8:14, 11:1, 26:26-27
[7] 1 Chronicles 5:25-26
[8] Psalm 10:4
[9] Psalm 12:1-4
[10] Psalm 12:6
[11] Proverbs 3:7-10
[12] Proverbs 3:11-12
[13] Proverbs 3:34-35
[14] 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
[15] 2 Corinthians 4:7

See also: Bibliography R. B. Y. Scott, The Relevance of the Prophets (1942), 46-49; H. H. Rowley, The Servant of the Lord (1952), 97-134.

God’s Sufficient Grace

The Apostle Paul gave God the glory for all that was accomplished through Him saying, “I am what I am by the grace of God.” [1]

The Lord had said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s response to the Lord’s Word was, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” [2]

The Apostle Peter wrote, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” [3]

The Prophet Isaiah received two excellent revelations from God about whom God would help...

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who dwells in the high and holy place, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.” [4]

“But to this man will I look: to him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at My Word.” [5]

The Lord helped George Müller to embody the truth of the sufficiency of God’s grace as he leaned on the Lord to help him provide for over 10,000 orphans. Not only this! He supported Hudson Taylor’s mission to China. He traveled over 200,000 miles after he reached the age of 70 to encourage people to trust in the Lord.

“George Müller was known for his profound humility and complete reliance on God, believing himself to be an ‘earthen vessel’ chosen and filled by God for His work. He constantly sought to point others to God and away from himself, even in his ministry. His humility manifested in his utter dependence on prayer for every need, both personal and for the orphanage he founded, refusing to solicit donations or participate in fundraising.” [6]

To the one who said, “But if I work less, I do not earn enough for the support of my family. Even now, whilst I work so much, I have scarcely enough.” He said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

He advised, “My dear brother, it is not your work which supports your family, but the Lord; and he who has fed you and your family when you could not work at all, on account of illness, would surely provide for you and yours; if, for the sake of obtaining food for your inner man, you were to work only for so many hours a day as would allow you proper time for retirement. And is it not the case now that you begin the work of the day after having had only a few hurried moments for prayer; and when you leave off your work in the evening, and mean then to read a little of the Word of God, are you not too much worn out in body and mind to enjoy it, and do you not often fall asleep whilst reading the Scriptures, or whilst on your knees in prayer?”

“I longed, therefore, to have something to point the brother to, as a visible proof that our God and Father is the same faithful God that He ever was, — as willing as ever to prove himself the living God, in our day as formerly, to all who put their trust in Him.”

“Again, sometimes I found children of God tried in mind by the prospect of old age, when they might be unable to work any longer, and therefore were harassed by the fear of having to go into the poorhouse. I longed to set something before the children of God whereby they might see that He does not forsake, even in our day, those who rely upon Him.”

“Another class of persons were brethren in business.” They carried “on their business almost in the same way as unconverted persons do. The competition in trade, the bad times, the over-peopled country, were given as reasons why, if the business were carried on simply according to the Word of God, it could not be expected to do well. Such a brother, perhaps, would express the wish that he might be differently situated, but very rarely did I see that there was a stand made for God, that there was the holy determination to trust in the living God, and to depend on Him, in order that a good conscience might be maintained. To this class, likewise, I desired to show by a visible proof that God is unchangeably the same.”

“Then there was another class of persons, individuals who were in professions in which they could not continue with a good conscience, or persons who were in an unscriptural position with reference to spiritual things; but both classes feared, on account of the consequences, to give up the profession in which they could not abide with God, or to leave their position, lest they should be thrown out of employment. My spirit longed to be instrumental in strengthening their faith, by giving them not only instances from the Word of God of His willingness and ability to help all those who rely upon Him, but to show them by proofs that He is the same in our day.”

“I well knew that the word of God ought to be enough; but I considered that I ought to lend a helping hand to my brethren, if by any means, by this visible proof to the unchangeable faithfulness of the Lord, I might strengthen their hands in God; for I remembered what a great blessing my own soul had received through the Lord’s dealings with his servant A. H. Franke, who, in dependence upon the living God alone, established an immense orphan house, which I had seen many times with my own eyes. I therefore judged myself bound to be the servant of the Church of Christ in the particular point on which I had obtained mercy; namely, in being able to take God by His Word, and to rely upon it.”

“All these exercises of my soul, which resulted from the fact that so many believers with whom I became acquainted were harassed and distressed in mind or brought guilt on their consciences on account of not trusting in the Lord, were used by God to awaken in my heart the desire of setting before the church at large, and before the world, a proof that he has not in the least changed; and this seemed to me best done by the establishing of an orphan house. It needed to be something which could be seen, even by the natural eye.”

“Now, if I, a poor man, simply by prayer and faith, obtained, without asking any individual, the means for establishing and carrying on an orphan house, there would be something which, with the Lord’s blessing, might be instrumental in strengthening the faith of the children of God, besides being a testimony to the consciences of the unconverted of the reality of the things of God.”

“This, then, was the primary reason for establishing the orphan house. I certainly did from my heart desire to be used by God to benefit the bodies of poor children, bereaved of both parents, and seek in other respects, with the help of God, to do them good for this life. I also particularly longed to be used by God in getting the dear orphans trained up in the fear of God; but still, the first and primary object of the work was, and still is, that God might be magnified by the fact that the orphans under my care are provided with all they need, only by prayer and faith, without any one being asked by me or my fellow-laborers, whereby it may be seen that God is faithful still and hears prayer still. That I was not mistaken, has been abundantly proved since November 1835, both by the conversion of many sinners who have read the accounts which have been published in connection with this work, and also by the abundance of fruit that has followed in the hearts of the saints, for which, from my inmost soul, I desire to be grateful to God, and the honor and glory of which not only is due to Him alone, but which I, by His help, am enabled to ascribe to Him.” [7]

[1] 1 Corinthians 15:10
[2] 2 Corinthians 12:9
[3] 1 Peter 5:5
[4] Isaiah 57:15
[5] Isaiah 66:2
[6] Google Overview
[7] The Life of Trust: being a narrative of the Lord’s dealings with George Müller, written by himself (edited and condensed by Rev. H. Lincoln Wayland, pastor of the 3rd Baptist Church, Worcester, Mass., 1861). Chapter 4: “Home for Destitute Orphans.” (In the public domain, via Project Gutenberg). George Müller (1805−1898)