This morning, I read of the blessings that the Lord bestows on those who obey Him, AND of the curses that the Lord bestows on those who forsake Him. [1]
The Lord made a covenant with His people. He commanded them not to turn away from Him to serve other gods… that there would be no root among them that brings forth bitterness. He warned them not to defy the covenant, saying, “Let it not happen, when he [anyone among them] hears the words of this curse that he blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall have peace, even though I follow the dictates of my heart.’ As though the drunkard could be included with the sober.” [2]
During a conversation with Peter, Jesus asked him, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” [3] “These” most likely refers to the fish that they were eating. Fishing was Peter’s career. His identity was tied to fishing, but what about Jesus? Did Peter love Jesus enough to tend sheep for Him? Love impacts our decisions. Love for the Lord leads one to lay down one’s own ambitions for the sake of others. This the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.
May our love for Jesus exceed all other loves! May we focus on feeding the Lord’s sheep with spiritual food rather than on feeding our flesh. May He be glorified in our lives! God’s blessings are on those whose heart is steadfast with Him.
[1] Deuteronomy 28:1-68
[2] Deuteronomy 29:19
[3] John 21:15
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Sunday, March 29, 2020
He Obeyed And Sacrificed
Before I get to the story of Jesus, I want to speak of Israel’s first king. His name was Saul.
God spoke to Moses long before Saul was born. He said to Moses, “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord your God has given, you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.” [1]
The Amalekites attacked the weak and weary of Israel when Israel was no threat to them. It was a slaughter. God gave the Amalekites a long opportunity to repent of their sin.
After the Lord anointed Saul to be Israel’s first king, he said to him, “I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them…” [2]
Saul attacked the Amalekites and defeated them, but he spared their king and the best of their livestock. He failed to adhere to God’s plan… as king, which was his job.
The Lord told Samuel, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” [3]
The Lord’s word to Saul via His messenger Samuel was, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” [4]
Fast forward to the Garden of Gethsemane! Jesus is kneeling and praying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” “Being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” [5]
Jesus obeyed God’s plan. He drank the cup of God’s wrath against humanity’s sin. He did not disobey God’s plan for Him. He also sacrificed. His sacrifice on the cross was for our disobedience and rebellion… not His own.
Earthly kings cannot save us from death. Jesus can! Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He raises everyone who believes in Him from the dead. He gives believers in Him eternal life. Salvation is His gift to everyone who believes in Him.
[1] Deuteronomy 24:17-19
[2] 1 Samuel 15:1-3
[3] 1 Samuel 15:7-11
[4] 1 Samuel 15:22-23
[5] Luke 22:41-44
God spoke to Moses long before Saul was born. He said to Moses, “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you were coming out of Egypt, how he met you on the way and attacked your rear ranks, all the stragglers at your rear, when you were tired and weary; and he did not fear God. Therefore it shall be, when the Lord your God has given, you rest from your enemies all around, in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance, that you will blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. You shall not forget.” [1]
The Amalekites attacked the weak and weary of Israel when Israel was no threat to them. It was a slaughter. God gave the Amalekites a long opportunity to repent of their sin.
After the Lord anointed Saul to be Israel’s first king, he said to him, “I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them…” [2]
Saul attacked the Amalekites and defeated them, but he spared their king and the best of their livestock. He failed to adhere to God’s plan… as king, which was his job.
The Lord told Samuel, “I greatly regret that I have set up Saul as king, for he has turned back from following Me, and has not performed My commandments.” [3]
The Lord’s word to Saul via His messenger Samuel was, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.” [4]
Fast forward to the Garden of Gethsemane! Jesus is kneeling and praying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” “Being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” [5]
Jesus obeyed God’s plan. He drank the cup of God’s wrath against humanity’s sin. He did not disobey God’s plan for Him. He also sacrificed. His sacrifice on the cross was for our disobedience and rebellion… not His own.
Earthly kings cannot save us from death. Jesus can! Jesus is the resurrection and the life. He raises everyone who believes in Him from the dead. He gives believers in Him eternal life. Salvation is His gift to everyone who believes in Him.
[1] Deuteronomy 24:17-19
[2] 1 Samuel 15:1-3
[3] 1 Samuel 15:7-11
[4] 1 Samuel 15:22-23
[5] Luke 22:41-44
Saturday, March 28, 2020
The Proper Distinction Between Law And Gospel
“The Law tells us what we are to do. The Gospel reveals to us what God is doing.
The Law is speaking concerning our works. The Gospel, concerning the great works of God.
The Law gives people a sense of right and wrong. The Gospel is an invitation to partake of heavenly blessings.
The Law is to be preached to sinners who feel secure to keep sinning. The Gospel is be preached to sinners who feel alarmed about their sins.
The Law contains threats for sinners. The Gospel contains no threats at all, but only words of consolation.
The Law produces thirst; it leads the hearer to hell and slays him. The Gospel refreshes the hearer and leads him to heaven.
In the Law we hear the tenfold summons, “Thou shalt.” The Gospel does not require anything good that man must furnish not a good heart, not a good disposition, no improvement of his condition, no godliness, no love either of God or men. It issues no orders, but it changes man. The Gospel plants love into his heart and makes him capable of all good works. It demands nothing, but it gives all. Should not this fact make us leap for joy?” [1]
“The LAW was given by Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came by JESUS CHRIST.” [2]
“Thus, it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that REPENTANCE and REMISSION of SINS should be preached IN HIS NAME to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the PROMISE of MY FATHER upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are ENDUED with POWER from ON HIGH.” [3]
After the Law, after the Gospel, next comes the Promise of the Father which is the blessed Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the enduement of power from on high. He helps us to live a new life.
[1] Excerpts from “The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel,” by C. F. W. Walther, Concordia Publishing House, 1929
[2] John 1:17
[3] Luke 24:46-49
The Law is speaking concerning our works. The Gospel, concerning the great works of God.
The Law gives people a sense of right and wrong. The Gospel is an invitation to partake of heavenly blessings.
The Law is to be preached to sinners who feel secure to keep sinning. The Gospel is be preached to sinners who feel alarmed about their sins.
The Law contains threats for sinners. The Gospel contains no threats at all, but only words of consolation.
The Law produces thirst; it leads the hearer to hell and slays him. The Gospel refreshes the hearer and leads him to heaven.
In the Law we hear the tenfold summons, “Thou shalt.” The Gospel does not require anything good that man must furnish not a good heart, not a good disposition, no improvement of his condition, no godliness, no love either of God or men. It issues no orders, but it changes man. The Gospel plants love into his heart and makes him capable of all good works. It demands nothing, but it gives all. Should not this fact make us leap for joy?” [1]
“The LAW was given by Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came by JESUS CHRIST.” [2]
“Thus, it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that REPENTANCE and REMISSION of SINS should be preached IN HIS NAME to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the PROMISE of MY FATHER upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are ENDUED with POWER from ON HIGH.” [3]
After the Law, after the Gospel, next comes the Promise of the Father which is the blessed Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the enduement of power from on high. He helps us to live a new life.
[1] Excerpts from “The Proper Distinction between Law and Gospel,” by C. F. W. Walther, Concordia Publishing House, 1929
[2] John 1:17
[3] Luke 24:46-49
Monday, March 23, 2020
Let Us Ever Walk With Jesus
“Let us ever walk with Jesus,
Follow His example pure,
Flee the world, which would deceive us
And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading,
Body here, yet soul above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Savior, lead, I follow Thee.” [1]
Follow Jesus! Flee the world, which would deceive us.
“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known— ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams.” [2]
There is no other god but the One true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Don’t listen to anyone who tries to convince you otherwise.
“If your brother, the son of your mother, your son or your daughter, the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, secretly entices you, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods…’” [3] Don’t listen! Don’t exchange an eternity with God for the sake of a family member, spouse, child, or friend. God does not want us to give up eternity with Him for the sake of unity with an idolatrous family member or friend.
“If you hear someone in one of your cities, which the Lord your God gives you to dwell in, saying, ‘Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods.’” [4] Don’t go after other gods when neighbors do.
The Lord advises, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” [5] Did you hear that? Be zealous for the Lord all day! There is a hereafter. You don’t want to miss it.
May the Lord help us to remain steadfastly devoted unto Him. Not competitive, but as Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [6]
[1] Sigismund von Birken, 1626-1681
[2] Deuteronomy 13:1-3
[3] Deuteronomy 13:6
[4] Deuteronomy 13:12-13
[5] Proverbs 23:17-18
[6] John 13:35
Follow His example pure,
Flee the world, which would deceive us
And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading,
Body here, yet soul above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Savior, lead, I follow Thee.” [1]
Follow Jesus! Flee the world, which would deceive us.
“If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods’—which you have not known— ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams.” [2]
There is no other god but the One true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Don’t listen to anyone who tries to convince you otherwise.
“If your brother, the son of your mother, your son or your daughter, the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, secretly entices you, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods…’” [3] Don’t listen! Don’t exchange an eternity with God for the sake of a family member, spouse, child, or friend. God does not want us to give up eternity with Him for the sake of unity with an idolatrous family member or friend.
“If you hear someone in one of your cities, which the Lord your God gives you to dwell in, saying, ‘Corrupt men have gone out from among you and enticed the inhabitants of their city, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods.’” [4] Don’t go after other gods when neighbors do.
The Lord advises, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” [5] Did you hear that? Be zealous for the Lord all day! There is a hereafter. You don’t want to miss it.
May the Lord help us to remain steadfastly devoted unto Him. Not competitive, but as Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [6]
[1] Sigismund von Birken, 1626-1681
[2] Deuteronomy 13:1-3
[3] Deuteronomy 13:6
[4] Deuteronomy 13:12-13
[5] Proverbs 23:17-18
[6] John 13:35
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Speak God’s Word
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” [1]
God reveals to us in Jeremiah a man whose “heroism” is based on divine grace. Before he was born, God called him. Before he did anything good or bad, the Lord ordained him.
“Then I [Jeremiah] said: ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.’” [2]
God’s heroes are unlike worldly heroes. They have no confidence in themselves. They don’t seek to be the focus of everyone’s attention. They can live without worldly applause.
“The Lord said to me: ‘Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord. Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.’” [3]
The Lord gave Jeremiah marching orders:
Don’t speak negatively of yourself
Go where I send you
Speak what I command you to say
Don’t fear your audience
I will deliver you
The Lord’s equipment for Jeremiah was His Word.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, the Bible. Help us to faithfully speak for You as many have done and as many are still doing. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”
[1] Jeremiah 1:5
[2] Jeremiah 1:6
[3] Jeremiah 1:7-9
God reveals to us in Jeremiah a man whose “heroism” is based on divine grace. Before he was born, God called him. Before he did anything good or bad, the Lord ordained him.
“Then I [Jeremiah] said: ‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.’” [2]
God’s heroes are unlike worldly heroes. They have no confidence in themselves. They don’t seek to be the focus of everyone’s attention. They can live without worldly applause.
“The Lord said to me: ‘Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,’ says the Lord. Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me: ‘Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.’” [3]
The Lord gave Jeremiah marching orders:
Don’t speak negatively of yourself
Go where I send you
Speak what I command you to say
Don’t fear your audience
I will deliver you
The Lord’s equipment for Jeremiah was His Word.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word, the Bible. Help us to faithfully speak for You as many have done and as many are still doing. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. Amen.”
[1] Jeremiah 1:5
[2] Jeremiah 1:6
[3] Jeremiah 1:7-9
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Remember
“The Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, which flow out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey.” [1]
“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments…” [2]
“[Lest], when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God...” [3]
“Then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’” [4]
“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…” [5]
Remember! Sometimes it takes something drastic to jar our memories. We become so focused on the here and now that we forget the there and later. Remember, the Lord is bringing us to a land better than the land of Israel. He is bringing us to an eternity with Him in paradise.
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he [Lazarus their brother] was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” [6]
Lazarus died during that two-day delay, but Scripture tells us that Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary. Jesus had a plan. He was going to reveal His great love for these two sisters by not healing their brother when he was sick. His plan was to heal Lazarus after he was dead.
“Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless, let us go to him.” [7]
Jesus told His disciples that He was glad for their sakes that He was not present when Lazarus died. He had a plan. His plan was to raise Lazarus from the dead to boost their faith in Him.
During this season when bad reports flow like a mighty river, let us remember the Lord. He is bringing us to better place. This world is not where it all ends. There is still more life to come, and it is a better life when we believe in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” [8]
[1] Deuteronomy 8:7-8
[2] Deuteronomy 8:11
[3] Deuteronomy 8:14
[4] Deuteronomy 8:18
[5] John 11:5-6
[6] John 11:14-15
[7] John 11:25-26
“Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments…” [2]
“[Lest], when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God...” [3]
“Then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.’” [4]
“You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…” [5]
Remember! Sometimes it takes something drastic to jar our memories. We become so focused on the here and now that we forget the there and later. Remember, the Lord is bringing us to a land better than the land of Israel. He is bringing us to an eternity with Him in paradise.
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he [Lazarus their brother] was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” [6]
Lazarus died during that two-day delay, but Scripture tells us that Jesus loved Martha and her sister Mary. Jesus had a plan. He was going to reveal His great love for these two sisters by not healing their brother when he was sick. His plan was to heal Lazarus after he was dead.
“Then Jesus said to them plainly, “Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe. Nevertheless, let us go to him.” [7]
Jesus told His disciples that He was glad for their sakes that He was not present when Lazarus died. He had a plan. His plan was to raise Lazarus from the dead to boost their faith in Him.
During this season when bad reports flow like a mighty river, let us remember the Lord. He is bringing us to better place. This world is not where it all ends. There is still more life to come, and it is a better life when we believe in Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” [8]
[1] Deuteronomy 8:7-8
[2] Deuteronomy 8:11
[3] Deuteronomy 8:14
[4] Deuteronomy 8:18
[5] John 11:5-6
[6] John 11:14-15
[7] John 11:25-26
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Be Clean
Due to a pandemic, the government wants everyone to constantly wash their hands. I looked at the word “unclean” in the Bible. Using BibleGateway.com set on the New King James Bible Version, I could see how many times the word “unclean” appears in the Bible. Here are stats:
124 x – Books of Moses
153 x – All Old Testament including Books of Moses
22 x – Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke
44 x – All New Testament books including the Gospels
197 x – The entire Bible
The Book of Leviticus uses the word “unclean” ninety-two times. Many of these passages state that if a person does ____, or eats ______, etc., they are unclean.
The Gospels use the word “unclean” most often to refer to a person who had been defiled and negatively affected by an unclean spirit.
“Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out…” [1] Jesus removed the unclean spirit from the man and people were amazed. “Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’” [2]
Jesus gave authority to His disciples to cast out unclean spirits. “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” [3]
The ministry of casting out unclean spirit continued after Jesus ascended to heaven. “Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” [4]
The Bible associates uncleanness with sin done in the body. “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” [5] “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.” [6]
New Jerusalem is a place that is free from uncleanness. “There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [7]
Jesus is the key to victory over unclean spirits. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” [8] His blood cleanses our conscience so that we hear and obey His Spirit’s voice and leading.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world. An atoning sacrifice for our sins! We ask that You forgive our sins and cleanse our land from unclean spirits that defile people. Please bring about newness through the indwelling presence of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”
[1] Mark 1:23
[2] Mark 1:27
[3] Mark 6:7
[4] Acts 5:16
[5] Romans 1:24-25
[6] Ephesians 5:5
[7] Revelation 21:27
[8] Hebrews 9:14
124 x – Books of Moses
153 x – All Old Testament including Books of Moses
22 x – Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke
44 x – All New Testament books including the Gospels
197 x – The entire Bible
The Book of Leviticus uses the word “unclean” ninety-two times. Many of these passages state that if a person does ____, or eats ______, etc., they are unclean.
The Gospels use the word “unclean” most often to refer to a person who had been defiled and negatively affected by an unclean spirit.
“Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out…” [1] Jesus removed the unclean spirit from the man and people were amazed. “Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned themselves, saying, ‘What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.’” [2]
Jesus gave authority to His disciples to cast out unclean spirits. “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” [3]
The ministry of casting out unclean spirit continued after Jesus ascended to heaven. “Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” [4]
The Bible associates uncleanness with sin done in the body. “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” [5] “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.” [6]
New Jerusalem is a place that is free from uncleanness. “There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [7]
Jesus is the key to victory over unclean spirits. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” [8] His blood cleanses our conscience so that we hear and obey His Spirit’s voice and leading.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your Son into the world. An atoning sacrifice for our sins! We ask that You forgive our sins and cleanse our land from unclean spirits that defile people. Please bring about newness through the indwelling presence of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”
[1] Mark 1:23
[2] Mark 1:27
[3] Mark 6:7
[4] Acts 5:16
[5] Romans 1:24-25
[6] Ephesians 5:5
[7] Revelation 21:27
[8] Hebrews 9:14
Monday, March 16, 2020
Humble Yourself Before The Lord
At 4 am this morning, I was thinking of winnowing, potsherds, Zedekiah and a time in my life when a song by Second Chapter of Acts helped me.
John the Baptist said that Jesus winnows out chaff and collects wheat. [1]
Jeremiah told religious leaders that they would become like the broken potsherds that were disposed of outside their city. The blood of innocent children sacrificed to idols was on their hands. They refused to repent. [2] Americans have torn millions of babies from the wombs of mothers. Many have been warned not to sacrifice these unborn babies on the altars of their own convenience but did it anyway.
Zedekiah was a king who feared people more than God. He put his chips on people rather than on God and lost. The King of Babylon slaughtered his sons before his eyes. Afterwards, his eyes were put out and he was bound with bronze shackles. [3]
The song, “Humble Yourself” by the Second Chapter of Acts came to me during a difficult time in my life. I was trying to learn Mandarin. We were staying in a missionary’s home while he was on furlough because we had no place of our own. We had little money. Sherry was suffering. A fellow missionary advised me that the only way up is down. Her words upset me because I thought to myself, “How much lower can I go?” But the Lord confirmed that word through the lyrics of the song, “Humble Yourself.”
[Verse 1]
“You pick the crown
And you have found
Pride comes before a stumble
The bigger you are
The harder you fall
Don’t harden your heart
When you hear Him Call
[Verse 2]
Don’t think of yourself as overly smart
God uses your mind
But looks to the heart
To see if your thoughts are open and true
Cause He really cares what you’ve been up to
[Verse 3]
Don’t worry or fret
You’ll get what you need
The flowers He clothes
The sparrow He feeds
And you will receive a greater reward
By putting your faith and trust in the Lord
[Chorus]
Humble yourself before the Lord
Humble yourself
Humble yourself before the Lord
Humble yourself” [4]
After I humbled myself before the Lord, He did come through for me. The Lord winnowed out the chaff from my life and preserved its wheat. As soft clay in His hands I was not shattered. I was shaped. The Lord did lift me up.
[1] Luke 3:17
[2] Jeremiah 19
[3] Jeremiah 39:3-7
[4] Songwriters: Anne Herring / Jim Tenneboe, Humble Yourself lyrics © Latter Rain Music, Emi Christian Music Pub Obo Latter Rain Music, Midi Mouse Music
John the Baptist said that Jesus winnows out chaff and collects wheat. [1]
Jeremiah told religious leaders that they would become like the broken potsherds that were disposed of outside their city. The blood of innocent children sacrificed to idols was on their hands. They refused to repent. [2] Americans have torn millions of babies from the wombs of mothers. Many have been warned not to sacrifice these unborn babies on the altars of their own convenience but did it anyway.
Zedekiah was a king who feared people more than God. He put his chips on people rather than on God and lost. The King of Babylon slaughtered his sons before his eyes. Afterwards, his eyes were put out and he was bound with bronze shackles. [3]
The song, “Humble Yourself” by the Second Chapter of Acts came to me during a difficult time in my life. I was trying to learn Mandarin. We were staying in a missionary’s home while he was on furlough because we had no place of our own. We had little money. Sherry was suffering. A fellow missionary advised me that the only way up is down. Her words upset me because I thought to myself, “How much lower can I go?” But the Lord confirmed that word through the lyrics of the song, “Humble Yourself.”
[Verse 1]
“You pick the crown
And you have found
Pride comes before a stumble
The bigger you are
The harder you fall
Don’t harden your heart
When you hear Him Call
[Verse 2]
Don’t think of yourself as overly smart
God uses your mind
But looks to the heart
To see if your thoughts are open and true
Cause He really cares what you’ve been up to
[Verse 3]
Don’t worry or fret
You’ll get what you need
The flowers He clothes
The sparrow He feeds
And you will receive a greater reward
By putting your faith and trust in the Lord
[Chorus]
Humble yourself before the Lord
Humble yourself
Humble yourself before the Lord
Humble yourself” [4]
After I humbled myself before the Lord, He did come through for me. The Lord winnowed out the chaff from my life and preserved its wheat. As soft clay in His hands I was not shattered. I was shaped. The Lord did lift me up.
[1] Luke 3:17
[2] Jeremiah 19
[3] Jeremiah 39:3-7
[4] Songwriters: Anne Herring / Jim Tenneboe, Humble Yourself lyrics © Latter Rain Music, Emi Christian Music Pub Obo Latter Rain Music, Midi Mouse Music
Sunday, March 15, 2020
Heavenly Jerusalem
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” [1]
“You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.” [2]
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
And He will dwell with them,
And they shall be His people.
God Himself will be with them and be their God.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain,
For the former things have passed away.’” [3]
“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.” [4]
“There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [5]
[1] John 5:24
[2] Hebrews 12:22-23
[3] Revelation 21:1-4
[4] Revelation 21:22-23
[5] Revelation 21:27
“You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.” [2]
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying,
‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
And He will dwell with them,
And they shall be His people.
God Himself will be with them and be their God.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes;
There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.
There shall be no more pain,
For the former things have passed away.’” [3]
“I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.” [4]
“There shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” [5]
[1] John 5:24
[2] Hebrews 12:22-23
[3] Revelation 21:1-4
[4] Revelation 21:22-23
[5] Revelation 21:27
Friday, March 13, 2020
Spiritually Mindedness
Jesus taught, “Most
assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot
enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that
which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You
must be born again.’” [1]
There is a naturalization process to enter God’s
Kingdom. We must believe in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, who became an
atoning sacrifice for us. Only Jesus gives the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is
the One who births people anew so that we have a new heart and spirit to honor
God.
“Those who live according to the flesh set their
minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit,
the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against
God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those
who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but
in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does
not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” [2]
“Dear Heavenly Father, during these perilous days
of evil reports, thank You for the Good News that our Redeemer lives. Thank You
for the gift of the transforming Holy Spirit. Thank You for spiritual rebirth
and mindedness.”
[1] John 3:5-7
[2] Romans 8:5-9
Monday, March 9, 2020
The Captain of the Host Is Jesus
“When we cried out to the Lord, He heard our voice and sent the Angel and brought us up out of Egypt; now here we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your border.” [1]
“For the Lord is marching on
And His army is ever strong
And His glory shall be seen upon our land
Raise the anthem, sing the victor's song
Praise the Lord for the battle's won
No weapon formed against us shall stand
For the Captain of the host is Jesus
We're following in His footsteps
No foe can stand against us in the fray
We are marching in Messiah's band
The keys of vict'ry in His mighty hand
Let us march on to take our promised land
For the Lord is marching on
And His army is ever strong
And His glory shall be seen upon our land.” [2]
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Captain of the Armies of Heaven. [3] Old Testament Joshua was a type of Christ in this sense. Jesus Christ is also our Good Shepherd. [4] He leads His sheep to green pastures. [5]
“Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” [6]
Links below:
A study on “The Angel of the Lord” or “Messenger of the Lord.” Angel is Greek for messenger. A teaching about Theophany (the pre-incarnate appearance of Christ) in the Old Testament
https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_26.cfm
YouTube presentation of the song, “For the Lord is Marching On”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opo0f84QqzM
[1] Numbers 20:16
[2] “For the Lord is Marching On” song by Kent Henry
[3] Revelation 19:11-14
[4] John 10:11
[5] Psalm 23:1-2
[6] Revelation 11:15
“For the Lord is marching on
And His army is ever strong
And His glory shall be seen upon our land
Raise the anthem, sing the victor's song
Praise the Lord for the battle's won
No weapon formed against us shall stand
For the Captain of the host is Jesus
We're following in His footsteps
No foe can stand against us in the fray
We are marching in Messiah's band
The keys of vict'ry in His mighty hand
Let us march on to take our promised land
For the Lord is marching on
And His army is ever strong
And His glory shall be seen upon our land.” [2]
The Lord Jesus Christ is the Captain of the Armies of Heaven. [3] Old Testament Joshua was a type of Christ in this sense. Jesus Christ is also our Good Shepherd. [4] He leads His sheep to green pastures. [5]
“Then the seventh angel sounded: and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!’” [6]
Links below:
A study on “The Angel of the Lord” or “Messenger of the Lord.” Angel is Greek for messenger. A teaching about Theophany (the pre-incarnate appearance of Christ) in the Old Testament
https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/don_stewart/don_stewart_26.cfm
YouTube presentation of the song, “For the Lord is Marching On”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Opo0f84QqzM
[1] Numbers 20:16
[2] “For the Lord is Marching On” song by Kent Henry
[3] Revelation 19:11-14
[4] John 10:11
[5] Psalm 23:1-2
[6] Revelation 11:15
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Plague Stopped by an Atoning Sacrifice
“Moses said to Aaron, ‘…take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the Lord. The plague has begun.’ “He… made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; so, the plague was stopped.” [1]
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” [2]
Once an atonement was made, the plaque among the Israelites stopped. God loved us and sent His Son to be an atonement for our sins. Faith in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross destroys the destructive consequences of sin… both in this world and the next.
“Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—for the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever—that he should continue to live eternally, and not see the Pit. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah” [3]
Human pride scoffs at yielding itself to God. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” [4] May the Lord grant us the grace of humility, the blessing of brokenness and the gift of contrition. The Lord urges us, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” [5]
Don’t be destroyed by the curses of sin. Claim the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the forgiveness of your sins! Let Christ take whatever is coming against you, and let Him halt and reverse the effects of the plague.
[1] Numbers 16:46-48
[2] 1 John 4:10
[3] Psalm 49:6-9, 15
[4] Psalm 51:17
[5] Luke 21:34-36
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” [2]
Once an atonement was made, the plaque among the Israelites stopped. God loved us and sent His Son to be an atonement for our sins. Faith in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross destroys the destructive consequences of sin… both in this world and the next.
“Those who trust in their wealth and boast in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him—for the redemption of their souls is costly, and it shall cease forever—that he should continue to live eternally, and not see the Pit. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, for He shall receive me. Selah” [3]
Human pride scoffs at yielding itself to God. “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.” [4] May the Lord grant us the grace of humility, the blessing of brokenness and the gift of contrition. The Lord urges us, “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” [5]
Don’t be destroyed by the curses of sin. Claim the blood of Jesus Christ shed for the forgiveness of your sins! Let Christ take whatever is coming against you, and let Him halt and reverse the effects of the plague.
[1] Numbers 16:46-48
[2] 1 John 4:10
[3] Psalm 49:6-9, 15
[4] Psalm 51:17
[5] Luke 21:34-36
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Jesus Increase Self Decrease
Jesus and His disciples were baptizing. [1] So were John the Baptist and his disciples. [2] John the Baptist was informed, “Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him!” [3]
John responded, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’” [4]
John compared himself to a friend of the bridegroom who rejoices to hear the bridegroom’s voice. [5] Then, he told his disciples, “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” [6]
John explained to them that God gave to Jesus the Holy Spirit without measure [7], and that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God, and that whoever believes in Jesus has everlasting life.
“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” [8]
Are we competing with Jesus? Limiting Jesus? Or is Jesus increasing in our lives? Do we believe that He is the One who the heavenly Father loves… the One we should acknowledge and seek to imitate, or do we have other idol-figure in our lives? Perhaps, our own ego? John encouraged his followers by way of example to rejoice in Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the door to heaven. He is the resurrection. He has everlasting life. He is the way to the Father.
[1] John 3:22
[2] John 3:23
[3] John 3:26
[4] John 3:28
[5] John 3:29
[6] John 3:30
[7] John 3:34
[8] John 3:35-36
John responded, “You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’” [4]
John compared himself to a friend of the bridegroom who rejoices to hear the bridegroom’s voice. [5] Then, he told his disciples, “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” [6]
John explained to them that God gave to Jesus the Holy Spirit without measure [7], and that Jesus is the Beloved Son of God, and that whoever believes in Jesus has everlasting life.
“The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand. He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” [8]
Are we competing with Jesus? Limiting Jesus? Or is Jesus increasing in our lives? Do we believe that He is the One who the heavenly Father loves… the One we should acknowledge and seek to imitate, or do we have other idol-figure in our lives? Perhaps, our own ego? John encouraged his followers by way of example to rejoice in Jesus. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He is the door to heaven. He is the resurrection. He has everlasting life. He is the way to the Father.
[1] John 3:22
[2] John 3:23
[3] John 3:26
[4] John 3:28
[5] John 3:29
[6] John 3:30
[7] John 3:34
[8] John 3:35-36
Monday, March 2, 2020
Repentance & Faith
Psalm 38 is of the penitential genre along with Psalms 6, 32, 51, 102, 130, and 143. Penitential refers to repentance of sin. What does repentance look like?
“Your hand presses me down.” [1] David’s agony was because of his own sin. Jesus was made the target of the same agony, but for our sins, not for His own. Jesus sustained the weight for the sins of the whole world. Understanding the agony helps us to understand something of the greatness of the love that sent Him to the cross – for us.
“My iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness.” [2] David’s sins were the cause of the crisis. David hoped that an honest and heartfelt telling of his misery would move God’s compassion.
“My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, and my relatives stand afar off. Those who seek my life lay snares for me; those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all day long.” [3] David’s misery was unrelieved by either friends or relatives. His loved ones either did not care or could not help David. He also faced determined enemies who constantly plotted his destruction.
“For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.” [4] David chose to allow his affliction to press him towards God instead of away from the God.
“But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied. Those also who render evil for good, they are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.” [5] On the one hand, David felt afflicted because of his lack of goodness before God and on the other hand, he felt afflicted because his peers felt he was too good. “They are my adversaries,” the Hebrew word translated adversaries is the root for the title Satan. “They Satanically hate me, as if they were transformed into so many breathing devils.” [6]
“Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” [7] The psalm closes with a heartfelt cry. More than anything, David wanted the sense of God’s presence (be not far from me). It is likely that the absence of that sense was David’s greatest trial in this dark season.
David pressed his need before God with urgency and looked to the Lord as his only salvation. The psalm ends without a change in circumstances but with continued faith in God.
[1] Psalm 38:2
[2] Psalm 38:4-5
[3] Psalm 38:11-12
[4] Psalm 38:15
[5] Psalm 38:19-20
[6] 2019 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com
[7] Psalm 38:21-22
“Your hand presses me down.” [1] David’s agony was because of his own sin. Jesus was made the target of the same agony, but for our sins, not for His own. Jesus sustained the weight for the sins of the whole world. Understanding the agony helps us to understand something of the greatness of the love that sent Him to the cross – for us.
“My iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness.” [2] David’s sins were the cause of the crisis. David hoped that an honest and heartfelt telling of his misery would move God’s compassion.
“My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, and my relatives stand afar off. Those who seek my life lay snares for me; those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, and plan deception all day long.” [3] David’s misery was unrelieved by either friends or relatives. His loved ones either did not care or could not help David. He also faced determined enemies who constantly plotted his destruction.
“For in You, O Lord, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God.” [4] David chose to allow his affliction to press him towards God instead of away from the God.
“But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; and those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied. Those also who render evil for good, they are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.” [5] On the one hand, David felt afflicted because of his lack of goodness before God and on the other hand, he felt afflicted because his peers felt he was too good. “They are my adversaries,” the Hebrew word translated adversaries is the root for the title Satan. “They Satanically hate me, as if they were transformed into so many breathing devils.” [6]
“Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” [7] The psalm closes with a heartfelt cry. More than anything, David wanted the sense of God’s presence (be not far from me). It is likely that the absence of that sense was David’s greatest trial in this dark season.
David pressed his need before God with urgency and looked to the Lord as his only salvation. The psalm ends without a change in circumstances but with continued faith in God.
[1] Psalm 38:2
[2] Psalm 38:4-5
[3] Psalm 38:11-12
[4] Psalm 38:15
[5] Psalm 38:19-20
[6] 2019 The Enduring Word Bible Commentary by David Guzik – ewm@enduringword.com
[7] Psalm 38:21-22
Sunday, March 1, 2020
Saved By Grace
The parables of “The Unjust Steward” and “Lazarus and the Rich Man” [1] follow the parables of “The Lost Sheep,” “The Lost Coin,” and “The Lost Son.” [2] Both the unjust steward and Lazarus are men who had nothing to offer the Lord in terms of wealth or a great resumé, and yet, both escape with their lives at the end of their stories.
“He [Jesus] also said to His disciples: ‘There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.’” [3]
The steward or treasurer in this parable of Jesus either messed up or was falsely accused. His rich boss was about to terminate him, so he made friends with his bosses’ debtors by reducing one’s debts by 50% and another’s debt by 20%. He hoped they would take him in after he was fired. Based on the context of the chapter in which this parable is told, I believe the treasurer was just trying to survive.
Jesus told His disciples, “No servant 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.” [4] The emphasis is not to love worldly wealth more than God.
“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him [Jesus]. He [Jesus] said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.’” [5]
Money and success are highly esteemed among people who want to justify themselves. But this kind of self-worth is an abomination to God. People are intrinsically valuable to God. He created us in His image. We do not need to prove our value. God loves us.
Jesus told another parable in the presence of the Pharisees. “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate. So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted-up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” “Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.” [6]
The rich man assumed that he was safe due to his abundant provisions, but his life was devoid of God. He had no compassion on poor Lazarus. He had no relationship with God.
Lazarus had nothing to offer God, but a wounded, homeless, and hungry man. The Lord had mercy on Him and brought him to be with Father Abraham. Like the steward of the rich man who failed his master, he knew that he needed grace if he was going to have a place to live in the future. We all need the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be welcomed into His eternal home. He is the only Savior from sin.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross for my sins. You are my Savior. I trust You to save me though I do not deserve to be saved. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.”
[1] Luke 16
[2] Luke 15
[3] Luke 16:1
[4] Luke 16:13
[5] Luke 16:14-15
[6] Luke 16:19-20, 22-2, 25
“He [Jesus] also said to His disciples: ‘There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was wasting his goods.’” [3]
The steward or treasurer in this parable of Jesus either messed up or was falsely accused. His rich boss was about to terminate him, so he made friends with his bosses’ debtors by reducing one’s debts by 50% and another’s debt by 20%. He hoped they would take him in after he was fired. Based on the context of the chapter in which this parable is told, I believe the treasurer was just trying to survive.
Jesus told His disciples, “No servant 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.” [4] The emphasis is not to love worldly wealth more than God.
“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him [Jesus]. He [Jesus] said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.’” [5]
Money and success are highly esteemed among people who want to justify themselves. But this kind of self-worth is an abomination to God. People are intrinsically valuable to God. He created us in His image. We do not need to prove our value. God loves us.
Jesus told another parable in the presence of the Pharisees. “There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate. So it was that the beggar died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted-up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” “Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and you are tormented.” [6]
The rich man assumed that he was safe due to his abundant provisions, but his life was devoid of God. He had no compassion on poor Lazarus. He had no relationship with God.
Lazarus had nothing to offer God, but a wounded, homeless, and hungry man. The Lord had mercy on Him and brought him to be with Father Abraham. Like the steward of the rich man who failed his master, he knew that he needed grace if he was going to have a place to live in the future. We all need the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ to be welcomed into His eternal home. He is the only Savior from sin.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross for my sins. You are my Savior. I trust You to save me though I do not deserve to be saved. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.”
[1] Luke 16
[2] Luke 15
[3] Luke 16:1
[4] Luke 16:13
[5] Luke 16:14-15
[6] Luke 16:19-20, 22-2, 25
Friday, February 28, 2020
The Beloved Well-Pleasing Son
“The Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him [JESUS], and a voice came from heaven which said, ‘You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.’” [1]
“Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days, He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.” [2]
The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness. The wilderness was a place of discomfort including hunger, heat, loneliness and finally, the devil.
The devil wanted Jesus to prove himself. Prior to the wilderness, the Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove and the Heavenly Father spoke from heaven and said. “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well-pleased.”
Jesus knew He was loved. He was already pleasing to God. He did not need to jump through the devil's hoops. Jesus didn't need to turn stones into bread. He didn't need to jump off the temple and be rescued by angels. He certainly didn't need to fall down and worship the devil in exchange for worldly wealth.
Jesus knew His status with God even in the place of discomfort.
JESUS left the devil in the dust that day.
He remained in fellowship with the Heavenly Father and was filled with the Holy Spirit. His ministry results were resourced by divine communion.
“Dear Heavenly Father, Jesus the Son, and precious Holy Spirit, please grant us Your presence and fellowship throughout our journey here on earth. For it is in the Name of Jesus that I pray. Amen.”
[1] Luke 3:22
[2] Luke 4:1-2
“Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days, He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry.” [2]
The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness. The wilderness was a place of discomfort including hunger, heat, loneliness and finally, the devil.
The devil wanted Jesus to prove himself. Prior to the wilderness, the Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove and the Heavenly Father spoke from heaven and said. “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well-pleased.”
Jesus knew He was loved. He was already pleasing to God. He did not need to jump through the devil's hoops. Jesus didn't need to turn stones into bread. He didn't need to jump off the temple and be rescued by angels. He certainly didn't need to fall down and worship the devil in exchange for worldly wealth.
Jesus knew His status with God even in the place of discomfort.
JESUS left the devil in the dust that day.
He remained in fellowship with the Heavenly Father and was filled with the Holy Spirit. His ministry results were resourced by divine communion.
“Dear Heavenly Father, Jesus the Son, and precious Holy Spirit, please grant us Your presence and fellowship throughout our journey here on earth. For it is in the Name of Jesus that I pray. Amen.”
[1] Luke 3:22
[2] Luke 4:1-2
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
The Father Gives His Spirit to Askers
“If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” [1]
“How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Are we asking for temporary or everlasting gifts from our Heavenly Father?
Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” [2]
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for seeking the wrong things, saying, “You Pharisees... your... full of greed and wickedness. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.” [3]
Once, three preachers in China spoke with great joy to a large crowd. I was there. They were joyful because the Lord had counted them worthy to suffer for His Name’s sake. Their joy was heavenly. Amidst political persecution, Jesus blessed them to see many people pick up their cross and follow Him.
“Heavenly Father, please give us Your Holy Spirit for the sake of hallowing Your Name and for the sake of doing Your will here on earth. For it is in the Name of Your Son Jesus that I pray. Amen.”
[1] Luke 11:11-13
[2] Luke 11:2
[3] Luke 11:39, 43
“How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Are we asking for temporary or everlasting gifts from our Heavenly Father?
Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” [2]
Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for seeking the wrong things, saying, “You Pharisees... your... full of greed and wickedness. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.” [3]
Once, three preachers in China spoke with great joy to a large crowd. I was there. They were joyful because the Lord had counted them worthy to suffer for His Name’s sake. Their joy was heavenly. Amidst political persecution, Jesus blessed them to see many people pick up their cross and follow Him.
“Heavenly Father, please give us Your Holy Spirit for the sake of hallowing Your Name and for the sake of doing Your will here on earth. For it is in the Name of Your Son Jesus that I pray. Amen.”
[1] Luke 11:11-13
[2] Luke 11:2
[3] Luke 11:39, 43
Saturday, February 22, 2020
Jesus To The Rescue
Lately, I’ve been reading a book to Sherry as she drives us home from work. This book emphasizes the good works of those who rescued girls from sex traffickers in San Francisco, and the Christian education that they provided for them afterwards.
King David compared the person who robs a person of life to a lion that devours unsuspecting innocent prey. In Psalm 10:8-11, he wrote, “He sits in the lurking places of the villages. In the secret places he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless. He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den. He lies in wait to catch the poor. He catches the poor when he draws him into his net. So he crouches, he lies low, that the helpless may fall by his strength. He has said in his heart, ‘God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.’”
Thankfully, the Lord and His servants do not forget the plight of the innocent who have been overpowered by beasts. In Psalm 12:5, the Lord responds, “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise, says the Lord. I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
Jesus rescued Mary Magdalene both from the demons without her life and within in her life. And she became a part of His ministry team. In Luke 8:1-2, “The twelve were with Him [Jesus], and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons.”
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for You and for Your servants who rescue people from thieves who steal their lives. Please continue to raise up more laborers for this harvest, for the harvest is great and the laborers are few.”
King David compared the person who robs a person of life to a lion that devours unsuspecting innocent prey. In Psalm 10:8-11, he wrote, “He sits in the lurking places of the villages. In the secret places he murders the innocent. His eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless. He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den. He lies in wait to catch the poor. He catches the poor when he draws him into his net. So he crouches, he lies low, that the helpless may fall by his strength. He has said in his heart, ‘God has forgotten; He hides His face; He will never see.’”
Thankfully, the Lord and His servants do not forget the plight of the innocent who have been overpowered by beasts. In Psalm 12:5, the Lord responds, “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now I will arise, says the Lord. I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”
Jesus rescued Mary Magdalene both from the demons without her life and within in her life. And she became a part of His ministry team. In Luke 8:1-2, “The twelve were with Him [Jesus], and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons.”
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for You and for Your servants who rescue people from thieves who steal their lives. Please continue to raise up more laborers for this harvest, for the harvest is great and the laborers are few.”
Thursday, February 20, 2020
The Author of Peace
“Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, ‘Thus with violence the great city Babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore.’” [1] The Babylon of Revelation refers to is a spiritual whore. She is the mother of whores. She symbolizes those who live contrary to God and refuse to submit to His ways.
“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” [2] That which is contrary to God, that which causes confusion, shall be succeeded by God’s kingdom which is symbolized in New Jerusalem. She is God’s bride. She is faithful to God. She comprises followers of Jesus Christ.
Babylon first appears in the Bible under the guise of the tower of Babel in Genesis 11. The Hebrew word for “confused” in Genesis 11:9 is babal, which sounds like Babylon. The great evil of the tower builders is their sinful pride against the rule of God. [3] The Bible says… “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” [4]
The world is full of envy and self-seeking, and thus, causes confusion. Idolatry also causes confusion: “…Their molded images are wind and confusion.” [5] “…They shall go in confusion together, who are makers of idols.” [6] God, on the other hand, is love. He is compassionate as we see in the example of His Son Jesus Christ in the Gospels. “God is not the author of confusion but of peace…” [7] There is peace in God!
[1] Revelation 18:21
[2] Revelation 21:2
[3] biblestudytools.com
[4] James 3:16
[5] Isaiah 41:29
[6] Isaiah 45:16
[7] 1 Corinthians 14:33
“Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” [2] That which is contrary to God, that which causes confusion, shall be succeeded by God’s kingdom which is symbolized in New Jerusalem. She is God’s bride. She is faithful to God. She comprises followers of Jesus Christ.
Babylon first appears in the Bible under the guise of the tower of Babel in Genesis 11. The Hebrew word for “confused” in Genesis 11:9 is babal, which sounds like Babylon. The great evil of the tower builders is their sinful pride against the rule of God. [3] The Bible says… “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” [4]
The world is full of envy and self-seeking, and thus, causes confusion. Idolatry also causes confusion: “…Their molded images are wind and confusion.” [5] “…They shall go in confusion together, who are makers of idols.” [6] God, on the other hand, is love. He is compassionate as we see in the example of His Son Jesus Christ in the Gospels. “God is not the author of confusion but of peace…” [7] There is peace in God!
[1] Revelation 18:21
[2] Revelation 21:2
[3] biblestudytools.com
[4] James 3:16
[5] Isaiah 41:29
[6] Isaiah 45:16
[7] 1 Corinthians 14:33
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
The Power of Christ’s Forgiveness
“’That you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins’—He said to the man who was paralyzed, ‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’ Immediately he rose up before them, took up what he had been lying on, and departed to his own house, glorifying God.” [1]
How can you know that God has forgiven your sins? Jesus healed a paralyzed man so that His listeners that day would KNOW that He has power to forgive sins.
Sin paralyzes a person’s prayer life with God. God’s Word says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.” “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” [2]
The good news is that the Son of Man [JESUS] has the power to forgive sin. He says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [3]
“Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive my sins, so that like the man whom You healed of paralysis, I may rise up with new ability to bring You glory... for it is in Your Name Lord Jesus that I pray. Amen.”
[1] Luke 5:24-25
[2] Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2
[3] 1 John 1:9
How can you know that God has forgiven your sins? Jesus healed a paralyzed man so that His listeners that day would KNOW that He has power to forgive sins.
Sin paralyzes a person’s prayer life with God. God’s Word says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.” “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” [2]
The good news is that the Son of Man [JESUS] has the power to forgive sin. He says: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” [3]
“Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive my sins, so that like the man whom You healed of paralysis, I may rise up with new ability to bring You glory... for it is in Your Name Lord Jesus that I pray. Amen.”
[1] Luke 5:24-25
[2] Psalm 66:18; Isaiah 59:2
[3] 1 John 1:9
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
Victory Over Unclean Spirits
“Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.” [1]
God gave to the priests of Israel the ministry of discernment. They were to help His people to distinguish between the holy and unholy, between the unclean and clean. He warned these leaders not to partake of substances so that their gift of discernment would not be impaired.
One of the blessings of our Savior Jesus and His Holy Spirit is the ability to discern between clean and unclean spirits. Jesus did this ministry when He walked among us.
“Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!' But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him." [2]
The words unclean and holy appear in the passage above. Jesus freed a man from an unclean spirit. How did that unclean spirit get control of that man in the first place? Just as any invading force would that overtakes a city! Little by little! First, by grooming their target's mind! Second, by relentless attempts to enter! Third, by entering when the person is vulnerable! Fourth, by taking control!
Living in San Francisco and learning of the kinds of evils that have went on in this city, namely human trafficking, it has helped me to see more clearly how a lot of the movies coming out of Hollywood are products of similar unclean spirits. These spirits want to groom people for takeover with unclean thoughts, and ultimately enslave people to sin so they are subject to them.
Jesus sets people free from defiling spirits by the power of His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is more powerful than unclean spirits. “And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of God!’ And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.” [3]
Our Lord Jesus sets people free from unclean spirits that have defiled their thought-lives and brought them into captivity.
Jesus helps His disciples to discern when an unclean spirit is present. He also gives us authority to rebuke them and cast them out in His Name. He says to us, “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” [4]
[1] Leviticus 10:9-10
[2] Luke 4:33-35
[3] Luke 4:41
[4] Matthew 10:7-8
God gave to the priests of Israel the ministry of discernment. They were to help His people to distinguish between the holy and unholy, between the unclean and clean. He warned these leaders not to partake of substances so that their gift of discernment would not be impaired.
One of the blessings of our Savior Jesus and His Holy Spirit is the ability to discern between clean and unclean spirits. Jesus did this ministry when He walked among us.
“Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, 'Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!' But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him." [2]
The words unclean and holy appear in the passage above. Jesus freed a man from an unclean spirit. How did that unclean spirit get control of that man in the first place? Just as any invading force would that overtakes a city! Little by little! First, by grooming their target's mind! Second, by relentless attempts to enter! Third, by entering when the person is vulnerable! Fourth, by taking control!
Living in San Francisco and learning of the kinds of evils that have went on in this city, namely human trafficking, it has helped me to see more clearly how a lot of the movies coming out of Hollywood are products of similar unclean spirits. These spirits want to groom people for takeover with unclean thoughts, and ultimately enslave people to sin so they are subject to them.
Jesus sets people free from defiling spirits by the power of His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is more powerful than unclean spirits. “And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of God!’ And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.” [3]
Our Lord Jesus sets people free from unclean spirits that have defiled their thought-lives and brought them into captivity.
Jesus helps His disciples to discern when an unclean spirit is present. He also gives us authority to rebuke them and cast them out in His Name. He says to us, “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” [4]
[1] Leviticus 10:9-10
[2] Luke 4:33-35
[3] Luke 4:41
[4] Matthew 10:7-8
Saturday, February 8, 2020
The High Priest is Praying for You
The Lord gave Moses the clothing and accessories designs for the apparel of the high priest. The design included a breastplate of linen that was threaded with gold, blue, purple and scarlet threads. The breastplate also had twelve settings on it for twelve precious stones. Each stone represented a tribe of Israel. The Lord explained the meaning of this breastplate to Moses.
The Lord said, “So, Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually.” [1]
The high priest carried the names of the people near to his heart and to the Lord in prayer.
Later, in the Bible, we learn that Israel’s high priest was a type of Messiah, but Jesus is Messiah. Jesus is the One in heaven who knows our names, carries us in His heart, and intercedes for us.
“He [Jesus], because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” [2]
Sherry and I are blessed to have a Cantonese speaking lady who often prays over us by reciting from memory the words of Psalm 121. I share this Psalm with you now. May the Lord comfort you through His word to know that He loves you, knows your name, prays for you and is always watching over you.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.” [3]
[1] Exodus 28:15, 17, 21, 29
[2] Hebrews 7:24-25
[3] Psalm 121
The Lord said, “So, Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the Lord continually.” [1]
The high priest carried the names of the people near to his heart and to the Lord in prayer.
Later, in the Bible, we learn that Israel’s high priest was a type of Messiah, but Jesus is Messiah. Jesus is the One in heaven who knows our names, carries us in His heart, and intercedes for us.
“He [Jesus], because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” [2]
Sherry and I are blessed to have a Cantonese speaking lady who often prays over us by reciting from memory the words of Psalm 121. I share this Psalm with you now. May the Lord comfort you through His word to know that He loves you, knows your name, prays for you and is always watching over you.
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills—
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.” [3]
[1] Exodus 28:15, 17, 21, 29
[2] Hebrews 7:24-25
[3] Psalm 121
Thursday, February 6, 2020
The Angel of the Lord
“Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” [1]
The Angel (Angel is the Greek word for Messenger) is the Sent-one by God. He leads God’s people. He speaks God’s Word. God overcomes the enemies of those who obey His voice.
“So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” [2]
The Lord blesses food and drink and takes away sickness from our midst. Jesus multiplied bread and often healed ALL who came to listen to Him teach.
“I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.” [3]
He fights our battles.
“And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.’” [4]
With the announcement of God’s Word and of God’s covenant to His people, there is the sprinkling of blood. Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world by the shedding of His blood on the cross. God’s Word comes to us by grace. Grace to forgive our sins when we do not deserve to be forgiven. Grace to include us in His plan of redemption.
“Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.” [5]
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. After our sin is cleansed away by God, He reveals Himself to us. God enjoys communing with us.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.’” [6]
The Lord sets His Word in stone. He does not flip flop His position. His YES is YES. His NO is NO. He is altogether dependable.
“And He said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.’ Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” [7]
“Thank You Heavenly Father for sending Your Angel; Your Messenger; Your Son to us. Your Name is in Him… JESUS… meaning Savior. We experience Your kingdom in Him. Thank You for communing with us, and for showing us Your glory. Thank You for Your promise that as we trust in Your Messenger, Christ, and follow Him, we too, one day, will be transformed. We will see You face to face in all Your glory. Praise be to Your holy Name.”
[1] Exodus 23:20-22
[2] Exodus 23:25
[3] Exodus 23:27
[4] Exodus 24:8
[5] Exodus 24:9-10
[6] Exodus 24:12
[7] Mark 9:1-3
The Angel (Angel is the Greek word for Messenger) is the Sent-one by God. He leads God’s people. He speaks God’s Word. God overcomes the enemies of those who obey His voice.
“So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.” [2]
The Lord blesses food and drink and takes away sickness from our midst. Jesus multiplied bread and often healed ALL who came to listen to Him teach.
“I will send My fear before you, I will cause confusion among all the people to whom you come and will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.” [3]
He fights our battles.
“And Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant which the Lord has made with you according to all these words.’” [4]
With the announcement of God’s Word and of God’s covenant to His people, there is the sprinkling of blood. Christ is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world by the shedding of His blood on the cross. God’s Word comes to us by grace. Grace to forgive our sins when we do not deserve to be forgiven. Grace to include us in His plan of redemption.
“Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel. And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.” [5]
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God. After our sin is cleansed away by God, He reveals Himself to us. God enjoys communing with us.
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.’” [6]
The Lord sets His Word in stone. He does not flip flop His position. His YES is YES. His NO is NO. He is altogether dependable.
“And He said to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.’ Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” [7]
“Thank You Heavenly Father for sending Your Angel; Your Messenger; Your Son to us. Your Name is in Him… JESUS… meaning Savior. We experience Your kingdom in Him. Thank You for communing with us, and for showing us Your glory. Thank You for Your promise that as we trust in Your Messenger, Christ, and follow Him, we too, one day, will be transformed. We will see You face to face in all Your glory. Praise be to Your holy Name.”
[1] Exodus 23:20-22
[2] Exodus 23:25
[3] Exodus 23:27
[4] Exodus 24:8
[5] Exodus 24:9-10
[6] Exodus 24:12
[7] Mark 9:1-3
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
A Clean And Steadfast Heart
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image…
For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,
Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children…
To the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
But showing mercy to thousands,
To those who love Me and keep My commandments.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God…
In vain [as empty or nothing לַשָּׁ֑וְא],
For the Lord will not hold him guiltless…
Who takes His name in vain!
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” [1]
“Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
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]
“There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.” “…whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated… What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” [3]
Food does not defile us, unclean spirits do. Unclean spirits seek to plant evil thoughts in us as mentioned above. We should reject those unclean thoughts just as we reject gross tasting food.
“A woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.” [4] Jesus healed her.
Jesus casts out unclean spirits.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for creating in us a clean heart, and steadfastness to love and worship You. Thank You for Your great mercy on us. Please rebuke away and shield us from unclean spirits that seek to defile us. Keep us from temptation and deliver us from evil, so that we constantly abide in You and bear good fruit for Your glory. For it is in Your Name, and for Your glory, that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Exodus 20:4-8
[2] Proverbs 4:23, 26-27
[3] Mark 7:15, 18-23
[4] Mark 7:25, 29-30
For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,
Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children…
To the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
But showing mercy to thousands,
To those who love Me and keep My commandments.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God…
In vain [as empty or nothing לַשָּׁ֑וְא],
For the Lord will not hold him guiltless…
Who takes His name in vain!
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” [1]
“Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
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]
“There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.” “…whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated… What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” [3]
Food does not defile us, unclean spirits do. Unclean spirits seek to plant evil thoughts in us as mentioned above. We should reject those unclean thoughts just as we reject gross tasting food.
“A woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.” [4] Jesus healed her.
Jesus casts out unclean spirits.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for creating in us a clean heart, and steadfastness to love and worship You. Thank You for Your great mercy on us. Please rebuke away and shield us from unclean spirits that seek to defile us. Keep us from temptation and deliver us from evil, so that we constantly abide in You and bear good fruit for Your glory. For it is in Your Name, and for Your glory, that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Exodus 20:4-8
[2] Proverbs 4:23, 26-27
[3] Mark 7:15, 18-23
[4] Mark 7:25, 29-30
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
A Believing Heart is Better than a Hardened Heart
“So, Moses went out from Pharaoh and entreated the Lord. And the Lord did according to the word of Moses; He removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people. Not one remained. But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.” [1]
Pharaoh had ten opportunities to repent and believe in God but hardened his heart after each magnanimous miracle which God did.
“He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” [2]
Pharaoh and his army were suddenly destroyed in the waters of the Red Sea.
“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.’” [3]
Jesus has given us opportunity via His Word, the Bible, to believe the Gospel, namely that He died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day, and that when we believe in Him, we receive eternal life. He says to us, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” Now, today, is your opportunity to receive His kingdom by receiving Christ as Your Lord and Savior.
Jesus says to us, “Repent!” Don’t harden your heart! “Believe in the Gospel.” May it be so us for us, our loved ones, and our neighbors.
[1] Exodus 8:30-32
[2] Proverbs 29:1
[3] Mark 1:14-15
Pharaoh had ten opportunities to repent and believe in God but hardened his heart after each magnanimous miracle which God did.
“He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” [2]
Pharaoh and his army were suddenly destroyed in the waters of the Red Sea.
“Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.’” [3]
Jesus has given us opportunity via His Word, the Bible, to believe the Gospel, namely that He died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead on the third day, and that when we believe in Him, we receive eternal life. He says to us, “The kingdom of God is at hand.” Now, today, is your opportunity to receive His kingdom by receiving Christ as Your Lord and Savior.
Jesus says to us, “Repent!” Don’t harden your heart! “Believe in the Gospel.” May it be so us for us, our loved ones, and our neighbors.
[1] Exodus 8:30-32
[2] Proverbs 29:1
[3] Mark 1:14-15
Saturday, January 25, 2020
Love in the Last Days
The disciples asked Jesus: “What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” [1] After describing some signs, He ended His sharing with the following parable:
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory,
And all the holy angels with Him,
Then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
All the nations will be gathered before Him,
And He will separate them one from another,
As a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
And He will set the sheep on His right hand,
But the goats on the left.
Then the King will say to those on His right hand,
‘Come, you blessed of My Father,
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from…
The foundation of the world…” [2]
The blessed of the Father, GAVE to JESUS…
Food for hunger
Drink for thirst
Accommodation for estrangement
Clothes for nakedness
Visitation for sickness
Visitation for imprisonment
The cursed withheld from JESUS the above. [3]
The King said to the blessed: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” [4]
The Lord said to the cursed: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” [5]
The conclusion: “And these [the cursed] will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [6]
Jesus said, “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” [7]
“Dear Lord Jesus, please keep the flames of Your love burning in our hearts. Please move us to love with action not just with words. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Matthew 24:3
[2] Matthew 25:31-34
[3] Matthew 25:35-39, 41-44
[4] Matthew 25:40
[5] Matthew 25:45
[6] Matthew 25:46
[7] Matthew 24:12
“When the Son of Man comes in His glory,
And all the holy angels with Him,
Then He will sit on the throne of His glory.
All the nations will be gathered before Him,
And He will separate them one from another,
As a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats.
And He will set the sheep on His right hand,
But the goats on the left.
Then the King will say to those on His right hand,
‘Come, you blessed of My Father,
Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from…
The foundation of the world…” [2]
The blessed of the Father, GAVE to JESUS…
Food for hunger
Drink for thirst
Accommodation for estrangement
Clothes for nakedness
Visitation for sickness
Visitation for imprisonment
The cursed withheld from JESUS the above. [3]
The King said to the blessed: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” [4]
The Lord said to the cursed: “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.” [5]
The conclusion: “And these [the cursed] will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” [6]
Jesus said, “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” [7]
“Dear Lord Jesus, please keep the flames of Your love burning in our hearts. Please move us to love with action not just with words. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Matthew 24:3
[2] Matthew 25:31-34
[3] Matthew 25:35-39, 41-44
[4] Matthew 25:40
[5] Matthew 25:45
[6] Matthew 25:46
[7] Matthew 24:12
Saturday, January 18, 2020
The Glory of God’s Presence
Jacob and his large family of thirteen children, two wives and two nursemaids were on their way to Bethel. Bet-El is Hebrew for House of God. He told his family: “Put away the idols that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone.” [1]
Jacob wanted to come into God’s presence in a holy fashion, namely, stripped of all that competed for God’s glory in their lives. Let’s get rid of our idols. Let’s purify ourselves. Let’s put on clean clothes. Let us give God reverence. This God, our God, delivered me in the day of my distress and His presence has been with me.
His family followed his instruction and received a blessing from God: “As they journeyed, the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.” [2]
Jacob and his family arrived at Bethel. “He built an altar there and called the place El Bethel (God of the House of God), because there, God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.” [3]
Then God appeared to Jacob again and blessed him. God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. God gave Jacob a commission to be fruitful and multiply, to produce nations and kings, and to inherit the land that He promised to Abraham and Isaac. [4]
And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.” [5]
Truly, Bethel, the House of God, is entered whenever and wherever we put to death (bury) our idols. We come to God not to ask for more of this world, but to reverence God for who He is and that He chooses to BE in our lives. How Amazing!!! He created and sustains the universe! He loves us!
“Thank You Heavenly Father for delivering us from all our distresses. You have preserved our lives. You have blessed us with in so many ways. We give You reverence. Thank You for Your presence.”
[1] Genesis 35:3-4
[2] Genesis 35:5
[3] Genesis 35:7
[4] Genesis 35:8-12
[5] Genesis 35:15
Jacob wanted to come into God’s presence in a holy fashion, namely, stripped of all that competed for God’s glory in their lives. Let’s get rid of our idols. Let’s purify ourselves. Let’s put on clean clothes. Let us give God reverence. This God, our God, delivered me in the day of my distress and His presence has been with me.
His family followed his instruction and received a blessing from God: “As they journeyed, the terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob.” [2]
Jacob and his family arrived at Bethel. “He built an altar there and called the place El Bethel (God of the House of God), because there, God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.” [3]
Then God appeared to Jacob again and blessed him. God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. God gave Jacob a commission to be fruitful and multiply, to produce nations and kings, and to inherit the land that He promised to Abraham and Isaac. [4]
And Jacob called the name of the place where God spoke with him, Bethel.” [5]
Truly, Bethel, the House of God, is entered whenever and wherever we put to death (bury) our idols. We come to God not to ask for more of this world, but to reverence God for who He is and that He chooses to BE in our lives. How Amazing!!! He created and sustains the universe! He loves us!
“Thank You Heavenly Father for delivering us from all our distresses. You have preserved our lives. You have blessed us with in so many ways. We give You reverence. Thank You for Your presence.”
[1] Genesis 35:3-4
[2] Genesis 35:5
[3] Genesis 35:7
[4] Genesis 35:8-12
[5] Genesis 35:15
Saturday, January 11, 2020
Guaranteed Entrance into the Promised Land
God promised to Abraham and Sarah a son. They grew weary of waiting on God’s promise to be fulfilled, so Sarah gave her servant Hagar to Abraham that he might have a child by her.
The Apostle Paul uses this historic happening to illustrate the Law and the Gospel to the Christians of Galatia. He wrote:
“It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman [Hagar], the other by a free woman [Sarah]. But he [Ishmael] who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he [Isaac] of the free woman through promise, which things are symbolic.” [1]
“The flesh” refers to unbelief and self-dependence whereas “promise” refers to faith and dependence on God’s promise.
Paul calls Hagar [the Egyptian] Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai is where God gave Moses the Law. Paul refers to Sarah as Jerusalem. The Israelites entered the Holy Land by faith in God’s Promise. Paul refers to human attempts to please God as bondage, and trust in God’s Promise as freedom. The Promise refers to Christ, which will be clarified later.
“Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar… Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” [2]
Galatians 3:27 is a Hallelujah for those who trust in the Lord’s Promise. Miracles! In Christ: the barren gives birth; those who do not labor receive results; the desolate woman has more children than the woman with husband…
“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
Paul emphasizes: “Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.” “So then, brothers, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.” [3]
What did Abraham do to deserve such blessings? He believed that God would do for him what he could not accomplish via Sarah… albeit, his faith did falter… he did have a child by Hagar. Still God kept His promise to Abraham. And God credited righteousness to Abraham’s account for believing in Him. Galatians 3:6 says…
“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Then, Paul turns this story on us and says, “Know, therefore, that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” and adds, “so then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” [4]
What faith? Faith in Christ!
Paul wrote, “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 [us non-Jews] in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” [5]
The curses of the law are listed in Leviticus 26:14-39 and Deuteronomy 27:11-26. These curses are for those who do not obey the Lord perfectly.
Jesus Christ obeyed the Law perfectly. He is the only who ever lived in human flesh and did so.
Jesus Christ took the curses which our imperfect obedience deserves and gave us the blessing of Abraham, namely God. We receive the Holy Spirit (the presence of God with us) by believing in Christ. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to believers in Christ. The Holy Spirit helps to live for God.
Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In Him [Christ] you also trusted… having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.” The Holy Spirit is God’s down-payment on our eternal salvation. He is a sign that God has purchased our salvation and WILL bring us to heaven.
Why is Abraham’s son Isaac so important?
Isaac represents salvation by grace. Christ is a descendant of Isaac. The Seed through whom all the nations are blessed refers to Christ.
“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.” [6]
Paul states that the Law which was given to Moses did not cancel out the Promise that was given to Abraham. He states that the inheritance was given to Abraham in the Promise of Christ. [7]
The conclusion of the matter is this: “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” [8]
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious Promise. All good things have come to us in Christ Jesus Your Son. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is Christ in us, the hope of glory. Thanks to the death of Your Son on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, we have a sure promise of entering Heavenly Jerusalem, which is far greater than any Promised Land that ever preceded it. You are our confidence! You are our sure salvation. All glory to You. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”
[1] Galatians 3:22-23
[2] Galatians 3:24-26
[3] Galatians 3:28, 31
[4] Galatians 3:6, 9
[5] Galatians 3:13-14
[6] Galatians 3:16
[7] Galatians 3:17-18
[8] Galatians 3:29
The Apostle Paul uses this historic happening to illustrate the Law and the Gospel to the Christians of Galatia. He wrote:
“It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman [Hagar], the other by a free woman [Sarah]. But he [Ishmael] who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he [Isaac] of the free woman through promise, which things are symbolic.” [1]
“The flesh” refers to unbelief and self-dependence whereas “promise” refers to faith and dependence on God’s promise.
Paul calls Hagar [the Egyptian] Mount Sinai. Mount Sinai is where God gave Moses the Law. Paul refers to Sarah as Jerusalem. The Israelites entered the Holy Land by faith in God’s Promise. Paul refers to human attempts to please God as bondage, and trust in God’s Promise as freedom. The Promise refers to Christ, which will be clarified later.
“Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar… Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.” [2]
Galatians 3:27 is a Hallelujah for those who trust in the Lord’s Promise. Miracles! In Christ: the barren gives birth; those who do not labor receive results; the desolate woman has more children than the woman with husband…
“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”
Paul emphasizes: “Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.” “So then, brothers, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.” [3]
What did Abraham do to deserve such blessings? He believed that God would do for him what he could not accomplish via Sarah… albeit, his faith did falter… he did have a child by Hagar. Still God kept His promise to Abraham. And God credited righteousness to Abraham’s account for believing in Him. Galatians 3:6 says…
“Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
Then, Paul turns this story on us and says, “Know, therefore, that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham” and adds, “so then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.” [4]
What faith? Faith in Christ!
Paul wrote, “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 [us non-Jews] in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” [5]
The curses of the law are listed in Leviticus 26:14-39 and Deuteronomy 27:11-26. These curses are for those who do not obey the Lord perfectly.
Jesus Christ obeyed the Law perfectly. He is the only who ever lived in human flesh and did so.
Jesus Christ took the curses which our imperfect obedience deserves and gave us the blessing of Abraham, namely God. We receive the Holy Spirit (the presence of God with us) by believing in Christ. The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to believers in Christ. The Holy Spirit helps to live for God.
Ephesians 1:13-14 says, “In Him [Christ] you also trusted… having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.” The Holy Spirit is God’s down-payment on our eternal salvation. He is a sign that God has purchased our salvation and WILL bring us to heaven.
Why is Abraham’s son Isaac so important?
Isaac represents salvation by grace. Christ is a descendant of Isaac. The Seed through whom all the nations are blessed refers to Christ.
“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.” [6]
Paul states that the Law which was given to Moses did not cancel out the Promise that was given to Abraham. He states that the inheritance was given to Abraham in the Promise of Christ. [7]
The conclusion of the matter is this: “If you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” [8]
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious Promise. All good things have come to us in Christ Jesus Your Son. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is Christ in us, the hope of glory. Thanks to the death of Your Son on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, we have a sure promise of entering Heavenly Jerusalem, which is far greater than any Promised Land that ever preceded it. You are our confidence! You are our sure salvation. All glory to You. In the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.”
[1] Galatians 3:22-23
[2] Galatians 3:24-26
[3] Galatians 3:28, 31
[4] Galatians 3:6, 9
[5] Galatians 3:13-14
[6] Galatians 3:16
[7] Galatians 3:17-18
[8] Galatians 3:29
Saturday, January 4, 2020
Believing God Despite Difficulties
Isaiah and Jeremiah believed in God despite their experiences of difficulties.
God told Isaiah to write on a tablet...
Make a record…
The people were rebellious…
Refusing to hear the Lord’s law.
Saying to God’s seers, “Don’t see!”
Saying to God’s prophets, “Don’t prophesy!
Don’t declare right things!
Speak to us smooth things!
Prophesy deceit.
Leave God’s way.
Turn from His path,
Cause the Holy One…
To cease from before us.”
Isaiah warned them…
You despise God’s Word…
You trust in oppression and perversity,
Your high wall is about to fall…
It will fall suddenly…
God shall break your wall…
As a potter breaks a pot…
There shall not be a fragment left…
Large enough to carry fire or water.
Then, the Lord advised them…
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence…
Shall be your strength.”
Then, the Lord promised them…
“The Lord will wait…
That He may be gracious to you;
He will be exalted in having mercy on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
Blessed are all those who wait for Him.” [1]
The Lord told Jeremiah…
To break a flask before the leaders and say…
Even so the Lord will break this people and this city,
As one breaks a potter’s vessel,
Because of its idolatry. [2]
Later, Jeremiah wrote Lamentations…
He was greatly aggrieved.
Rather than softening to God’s Word…
His city hardened itself.
They were shattered by an invading force.
In the year 2020 the Lord is saying…
“The just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.” [3]
Our resolution is…
“We are not of those who draw back to perdition,
But of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” [4]
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Please keep our hearts tender to You.
Help us to live by faith…
As Your Son said to Satan…
‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word that…
Proceeds from the mouth of God.’
Please grant us grace…
Please fill us with Your Holy Spirit…
So that we live by faith…
And never turn back.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!”
[1] Isaiah 30:8-15, 18
[2] Jeremiah 19:10-13
[3] Hebrews 10:38
[4] Hebrews 10:39
God told Isaiah to write on a tablet...
Make a record…
The people were rebellious…
Refusing to hear the Lord’s law.
Saying to God’s seers, “Don’t see!”
Saying to God’s prophets, “Don’t prophesy!
Don’t declare right things!
Speak to us smooth things!
Prophesy deceit.
Leave God’s way.
Turn from His path,
Cause the Holy One…
To cease from before us.”
Isaiah warned them…
You despise God’s Word…
You trust in oppression and perversity,
Your high wall is about to fall…
It will fall suddenly…
God shall break your wall…
As a potter breaks a pot…
There shall not be a fragment left…
Large enough to carry fire or water.
Then, the Lord advised them…
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence…
Shall be your strength.”
Then, the Lord promised them…
“The Lord will wait…
That He may be gracious to you;
He will be exalted in having mercy on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
Blessed are all those who wait for Him.” [1]
The Lord told Jeremiah…
To break a flask before the leaders and say…
Even so the Lord will break this people and this city,
As one breaks a potter’s vessel,
Because of its idolatry. [2]
Later, Jeremiah wrote Lamentations…
He was greatly aggrieved.
Rather than softening to God’s Word…
His city hardened itself.
They were shattered by an invading force.
In the year 2020 the Lord is saying…
“The just shall live by faith;
But if anyone draws back,
My soul has no pleasure in him.” [3]
Our resolution is…
“We are not of those who draw back to perdition,
But of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” [4]
“Dear Heavenly Father,
Please keep our hearts tender to You.
Help us to live by faith…
As Your Son said to Satan…
‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
But by every word that…
Proceeds from the mouth of God.’
Please grant us grace…
Please fill us with Your Holy Spirit…
So that we live by faith…
And never turn back.
In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen!”
[1] Isaiah 30:8-15, 18
[2] Jeremiah 19:10-13
[3] Hebrews 10:38
[4] Hebrews 10:39
Wednesday, January 1, 2020
Power in the Name of Jesus
Once, two Christians were going to a place of public prayer.
On the way, they met a beggar.
The beggar had never been able to walk.
He asked the Christians for money.
One of them said to the man, “Look at us.”
The beggar expected the Christian to give him money.
But the Christian said to the beggar...
“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Immediately, the beggar’s bones received strength. The beggar entered the place of public prayer with the men. He was walking, leaping, and praising God. When the people saw him walking and praising God, they were amazed, because they knew that he was the beggar that was previously lame.
Since there were many people there who did not believe in Jesus, the Christian began telling all the people around him the story of Jesus. He told the crowd that the beggar’s healing was achieved through faith in name of Jesus. He said, “Faith in Jesus gave this man perfect wholeness.”
The Christian urged the people to repent and be converted so that their sins would be forgiven and so that they too could receive the refreshing presence of Jesus.
Before the Christians could finish speaking, authorities arrested them and placed them in detention for the night.
While on trial, the Christians proclaimed that the lame was healed by the power of the name of Jesus Christ.
They proclaimed that salvation is in the name of Jesus.
After threatening them, the authorities released them.
The authorities could not punish the Christians since the whole community was glorifying God due to the miracle.
The man that Jesus healed was over forty years old.
About 5,000 men believed in Jesus from that incident. [1]
“Thank You Jesus for the faith that You gave Peter and John that day, please help us Christians in 2020 to have the same assurance of faith in Your Name so that more people will see and hear the power of Your Name and believe in You. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 3:1 - 4:21
On the way, they met a beggar.
The beggar had never been able to walk.
He asked the Christians for money.
One of them said to the man, “Look at us.”
The beggar expected the Christian to give him money.
But the Christian said to the beggar...
“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Immediately, the beggar’s bones received strength. The beggar entered the place of public prayer with the men. He was walking, leaping, and praising God. When the people saw him walking and praising God, they were amazed, because they knew that he was the beggar that was previously lame.
Since there were many people there who did not believe in Jesus, the Christian began telling all the people around him the story of Jesus. He told the crowd that the beggar’s healing was achieved through faith in name of Jesus. He said, “Faith in Jesus gave this man perfect wholeness.”
The Christian urged the people to repent and be converted so that their sins would be forgiven and so that they too could receive the refreshing presence of Jesus.
Before the Christians could finish speaking, authorities arrested them and placed them in detention for the night.
While on trial, the Christians proclaimed that the lame was healed by the power of the name of Jesus Christ.
They proclaimed that salvation is in the name of Jesus.
After threatening them, the authorities released them.
The authorities could not punish the Christians since the whole community was glorifying God due to the miracle.
The man that Jesus healed was over forty years old.
About 5,000 men believed in Jesus from that incident. [1]
“Thank You Jesus for the faith that You gave Peter and John that day, please help us Christians in 2020 to have the same assurance of faith in Your Name so that more people will see and hear the power of Your Name and believe in You. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] Acts 3:1 - 4:21
Saturday, December 28, 2019
Let Us Remember
“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” [1]
This morning, a couple of news articles caught my attention:
“ISIS beheads 10 Christian captives… and shooting an 11th in Nigeria, as part of a grisly campaign to avenge the deaths of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the group's spokesman.” [2]
“Police throughout China target Christians and demolish churches. Iran and North Korea… both regimes exert the full strength of their security apparatuses to spy on, imprison, torture, and even execute people who do not belong to either state’s official religion.” [3]
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for blessing us with food, clothes, dwelling places, transportation and for freedom to worship You in public places. Today, we remember our brothers and sisters who are suffering for their love for You. Please rescue them from the hands of those who seek to do them harm. Please provide for their needs and for the needs of their families. Please send forth Your holy angels to help them. For it is in Your Name that we pray, Amen.”
This morning, a couple of news articles caught my attention:
“ISIS beheads 10 Christian captives… and shooting an 11th in Nigeria, as part of a grisly campaign to avenge the deaths of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the group's spokesman.” [2]
“Police throughout China target Christians and demolish churches. Iran and North Korea… both regimes exert the full strength of their security apparatuses to spy on, imprison, torture, and even execute people who do not belong to either state’s official religion.” [3]
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for blessing us with food, clothes, dwelling places, transportation and for freedom to worship You in public places. Today, we remember our brothers and sisters who are suffering for their love for You. Please rescue them from the hands of those who seek to do them harm. Please provide for their needs and for the needs of their families. Please send forth Your holy angels to help them. For it is in Your Name that we pray, Amen.”
[1] Hebrews 13:3
[2] By Barnini Chakraborty | Fox News
[3] By Rev. Joseph D'Souza | Fox News
[2] By Barnini Chakraborty | Fox News
[3] By Rev. Joseph D'Souza | Fox News
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Faithful Stewards
“No servant 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.” [1]
Jesus was speaking to His disciples. Pharisees were within hearing distance of him. The Pharisees were the managers of religious teaching. Prior to teaching that no man can serve God and mammon (worldly wealth), Jesus told the parable of a steward who misused his position to cheat his master.
The Pharisees did not appreciate what Jesus was teaching His disciples. Consider this! Jesus was in the process of training a new group of leaders to replace the Pharisees. What does the Bible say about the Pharisees? How did they react to what Jesus taught His disciples?
“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.” [2]
The Pharisees mismanaged the positions God gave them. They were unjust stewards. The first portion of Luke 16 is about a steward who embezzled his master’s money. The Pharisees were serving money and not God. They derided the Messiah that God sent to the world.
The last portion of Luke 16 is a parable about a rich man and a poor man. They both die. The rich man ends up in Hades and the poor man ends up in next to Abraham. The rich man is in the torment of flames while the poor man is comforted.
“Lord Jesus, please forgive us for all the times worldly concerns have become larger than You, and larger than the mission that You have given us, namely, the ministry of soul-salvation. Please help us Your people to be found faithful to You and to Your mission when You return.”
[1] Luke 16:13
[2] Luke 16:14
Jesus was speaking to His disciples. Pharisees were within hearing distance of him. The Pharisees were the managers of religious teaching. Prior to teaching that no man can serve God and mammon (worldly wealth), Jesus told the parable of a steward who misused his position to cheat his master.
The Pharisees did not appreciate what Jesus was teaching His disciples. Consider this! Jesus was in the process of training a new group of leaders to replace the Pharisees. What does the Bible say about the Pharisees? How did they react to what Jesus taught His disciples?
“Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.” [2]
The Pharisees mismanaged the positions God gave them. They were unjust stewards. The first portion of Luke 16 is about a steward who embezzled his master’s money. The Pharisees were serving money and not God. They derided the Messiah that God sent to the world.
The last portion of Luke 16 is a parable about a rich man and a poor man. They both die. The rich man ends up in Hades and the poor man ends up in next to Abraham. The rich man is in the torment of flames while the poor man is comforted.
“Lord Jesus, please forgive us for all the times worldly concerns have become larger than You, and larger than the mission that You have given us, namely, the ministry of soul-salvation. Please help us Your people to be found faithful to You and to Your mission when You return.”
[1] Luke 16:13
[2] Luke 16:14
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Prepare to Meet Your God
Five calamites, and yet, they did not return to the Lord.
Lack of bread in all your places – “Yet you have not returned to Me” [1]
Lack of rain and drinking water – “Yet you have not returned to Me” [2]
Disease/pests against their crops – “Yet you have not returned to Me” [3]
Death via plague and war – “Yet you have not returned to Me” [4]
Overthrow as Sodom overthrown – “Yet you have not returned to Me” [5]
So now, “Prepare to meet your God!” [6]
With so much evil happening in our country, you would think there would be a massive turning the Lord. So many “leaders” are defiantly legislating against the Lord. We have mass shootings. We have mass addiction to alcohol, harmful drugs, and pornography. Rather than “fear the Lord,” the message of the day is “fear to believe in God and obey Him.”
“Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.” [7]
The people of Judah are a negative example for us. They would not worship the Lord. They were defiant. They delighted in a culture of no boundaries. What happened to them? Their land was invaded, destroyed and they were deported to serve the whims of a cruel tyrant.
One of their nation’s founders wrote, “Blessed are those who keep justice, and he who does righteousness at all times!” [8] But now they despise those who invested in their future.
A wise king instructed his people this way: “Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you spank him, he will not die. You shall spank him and deliver his soul from hell.” [9] Offer a lesser pain in a loving way to save the child from a greater pain later on.
The wise king also wrote, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” [10]
There is a hereafter. A face-to-face encounter with a holy God! God advises us to prepare to meet Him. It is going to happen.
The Apostle Paul advises us to... “Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” [11]
Christ is the answer! He transforms sinners into saints. Rather than defiance choose dependence! Rely on Christ. Daily place yourself in His hands. With the backing of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe you will be prepared to meet Him.
[1] Amos 4:6
[2] Amos 4:7-8
[3] Amos 4:9
[4] Amos 4:10
[5] Amos 4:11
[6] Amos 4:12
[7] 1 Chronicles 9:1
[8] Psalm 106:3
[9] Proverbs 23:13-14
[10] Proverbs 23:17-18
[11] Ephesians 4:22-24
Lack of bread in all your places – “Yet you have not returned to Me” [1]
Lack of rain and drinking water – “Yet you have not returned to Me” [2]
Disease/pests against their crops – “Yet you have not returned to Me” [3]
Death via plague and war – “Yet you have not returned to Me” [4]
Overthrow as Sodom overthrown – “Yet you have not returned to Me” [5]
So now, “Prepare to meet your God!” [6]
With so much evil happening in our country, you would think there would be a massive turning the Lord. So many “leaders” are defiantly legislating against the Lord. We have mass shootings. We have mass addiction to alcohol, harmful drugs, and pornography. Rather than “fear the Lord,” the message of the day is “fear to believe in God and obey Him.”
“Judah was carried away captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.” [7]
The people of Judah are a negative example for us. They would not worship the Lord. They were defiant. They delighted in a culture of no boundaries. What happened to them? Their land was invaded, destroyed and they were deported to serve the whims of a cruel tyrant.
One of their nation’s founders wrote, “Blessed are those who keep justice, and he who does righteousness at all times!” [8] But now they despise those who invested in their future.
A wise king instructed his people this way: “Do not withhold correction from a child, for if you spank him, he will not die. You shall spank him and deliver his soul from hell.” [9] Offer a lesser pain in a loving way to save the child from a greater pain later on.
The wise king also wrote, “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.” [10]
There is a hereafter. A face-to-face encounter with a holy God! God advises us to prepare to meet Him. It is going to happen.
The Apostle Paul advises us to... “Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” [11]
Christ is the answer! He transforms sinners into saints. Rather than defiance choose dependence! Rely on Christ. Daily place yourself in His hands. With the backing of the Creator and Sustainer of the universe you will be prepared to meet Him.
[1] Amos 4:6
[2] Amos 4:7-8
[3] Amos 4:9
[4] Amos 4:10
[5] Amos 4:11
[6] Amos 4:12
[7] 1 Chronicles 9:1
[8] Psalm 106:3
[9] Proverbs 23:13-14
[10] Proverbs 23:17-18
[11] Ephesians 4:22-24
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Avoid Behavioral Bear Traps
“The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.” [1]
Transgressors stumble over the Lord’s ways because He neither sins nor condones sin. “Why” say they, “would anyone not want to sin?” The righteous are blessed by the Lord to keep eternity in their view.
“Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’” [2]
How did the devil lure our first parents into sin? He got them to doubt the Lord’s Word.
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” [3]
Stay on the road of holy conduct and far from evil.
“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” [4]
We need the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to avoid being lured from our steadfastness by the wily devil. He is a master-hunter. He cannot hurt the Lord, so he seeks to trap and destroy us who are made in God’s image. However, if we cling to Christ, Christ will save us from him.
Praise the Lord!
[1] Hosea 14:9
[2] 2 Peter 3:3-4
[3] 2 Peter 3:10-11
[4] 2 Peter 3:17-18
Transgressors stumble over the Lord’s ways because He neither sins nor condones sin. “Why” say they, “would anyone not want to sin?” The righteous are blessed by the Lord to keep eternity in their view.
“Scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.’” [2]
How did the devil lure our first parents into sin? He got them to doubt the Lord’s Word.
“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness?” [3]
Stay on the road of holy conduct and far from evil.
“You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” [4]
We need the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to avoid being lured from our steadfastness by the wily devil. He is a master-hunter. He cannot hurt the Lord, so he seeks to trap and destroy us who are made in God’s image. However, if we cling to Christ, Christ will save us from him.
Praise the Lord!
[1] Hosea 14:9
[2] 2 Peter 3:3-4
[3] 2 Peter 3:10-11
[4] 2 Peter 3:17-18
Wednesday, December 11, 2019
A Sign
“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.” [1]
“Observe mercy and justice and wait on your God continually.” [2]
“The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous and self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries.” [3]
Signs!
When we are driving, the information posted on road signs help us to know when to turn, when to slow down or speed up, as well as when to stop. The information affirms to us if we are on the right or wrong road.
The Bible is a sign that is full of helpful information. Proverbs 11:3 says that integrity and uprightness is the right road while perversity and unfaithfulness are the wrong road. Hosea 12:6 advises us to observe mercy and justice, and to wait on God rather than to proceed forward without Him. 2 Peter 2:9-10 says that the Lord is the Deliverer from temptation. The Lord says that lusting after the flesh and despising authorities is a wrong turn. He advises us not to be presumptuous, self-willed, and bold to speak evil of people in authority.
The angel told the shepherds on the first Christmas morning, "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” The angel told the shepherds that this child is the Messiah and Savior. [4]
“Lord God Heavenly Father, please help us see and follow the sign that You have provided for us: The Bible and Your Son Jesus Christ. Your Son became flesh and dwelt among us. He was born on earth and placed in a manger. He saves us from our sin. Please Holy Spirit help us to daily observe these signs so that we avoid an eternally bad accident on our way to heaven. This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
[1] Proverbs 11:3
[2] Hosea 12:6
[3] 2 Peter 2:9-10
[4] Luke 2:11-12
“Observe mercy and justice and wait on your God continually.” [2]
“The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous and self-willed. They are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries.” [3]
Signs!
When we are driving, the information posted on road signs help us to know when to turn, when to slow down or speed up, as well as when to stop. The information affirms to us if we are on the right or wrong road.
The Bible is a sign that is full of helpful information. Proverbs 11:3 says that integrity and uprightness is the right road while perversity and unfaithfulness are the wrong road. Hosea 12:6 advises us to observe mercy and justice, and to wait on God rather than to proceed forward without Him. 2 Peter 2:9-10 says that the Lord is the Deliverer from temptation. The Lord says that lusting after the flesh and despising authorities is a wrong turn. He advises us not to be presumptuous, self-willed, and bold to speak evil of people in authority.
The angel told the shepherds on the first Christmas morning, "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” The angel told the shepherds that this child is the Messiah and Savior. [4]
“Lord God Heavenly Father, please help us see and follow the sign that You have provided for us: The Bible and Your Son Jesus Christ. Your Son became flesh and dwelt among us. He was born on earth and placed in a manger. He saves us from our sin. Please Holy Spirit help us to daily observe these signs so that we avoid an eternally bad accident on our way to heaven. This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
[1] Proverbs 11:3
[2] Hosea 12:6
[3] 2 Peter 2:9-10
[4] Luke 2:11-12
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
Partakers of God’s Divine Nature
The Bible places God and Jesus our Lord on an equal plain. Both are referred to as “His divine power.” The Father and the Son, with the Holy Spirit are the Holy Trinity. The one and only Triune God.
Praise be to our Triune God for blessing us to partake of His divine nature. He helps us to escape the corruption that is in the world. Our diligence, faith, divine knowledge, self-control, perseverance, self-control, brotherly kindness, and love are from God. These blessings make us fruitful in our knowledge of Jesus our Lord.
The Lord grants us diligence to make our calling and election sure so that we do not stumble along the way, but the rather, enjoy an abundant entrance into His everlasting kingdom.
Praise be to our Triune God for blessing us to partake of His divine nature. He helps us to escape the corruption that is in the world. Our diligence, faith, divine knowledge, self-control, perseverance, self-control, brotherly kindness, and love are from God. These blessings make us fruitful in our knowledge of Jesus our Lord.
The Lord grants us diligence to make our calling and election sure so that we do not stumble along the way, but the rather, enjoy an abundant entrance into His everlasting kingdom.
Monday, December 2, 2019
Others & Still Others
“Others...
Were tortured,
Not accepting deliverance,
That they might obtain a better resurrection.
Still others...
Experienced trials of mocking and scourging,
Yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned,
They were sawn in two,
They were tempted,
They were slain with the sword.
They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins,
Being destitute, afflicted, tormented—
Of whom the world was not worthy.
They wandered in deserts and mountains,
In dens and caves of the earth.” [1]
“Others… still others” are the heroes of the faith whose names are not given in the Bible. These heroes of the faith wanted a better resurrection. They did not want their rewards on earth. They went through severe trials of the faith on behalf of the Word of the Lord. Their trials included physical pain, emotional pain, being misunderstood, maligned, and mistreated.
These “Others… still others” were a stumbling block to the world. The world wonders, “Why do you endure such treatment for a God that does not save you?” “Are you made in God's image? Look how marred and beaten you are!” “Yes,” the others… still others reply. “Our God became a man with an appearance that was marred more than any other man.” [2]
“Holy Spirit, please fill us with the love of God and neighbor so that we willingly endure trials of the faith for the sake of glory of Jesus Christ and for the sake of presenting the Gospel to lost souls.”
[1] Hebrews 11:35-38
[2] Isaiah 52:14
Were tortured,
Not accepting deliverance,
That they might obtain a better resurrection.
Still others...
Experienced trials of mocking and scourging,
Yes, and of chains and imprisonment.
They were stoned,
They were sawn in two,
They were tempted,
They were slain with the sword.
They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins,
Being destitute, afflicted, tormented—
Of whom the world was not worthy.
They wandered in deserts and mountains,
In dens and caves of the earth.” [1]
“Others… still others” are the heroes of the faith whose names are not given in the Bible. These heroes of the faith wanted a better resurrection. They did not want their rewards on earth. They went through severe trials of the faith on behalf of the Word of the Lord. Their trials included physical pain, emotional pain, being misunderstood, maligned, and mistreated.
These “Others… still others” were a stumbling block to the world. The world wonders, “Why do you endure such treatment for a God that does not save you?” “Are you made in God's image? Look how marred and beaten you are!” “Yes,” the others… still others reply. “Our God became a man with an appearance that was marred more than any other man.” [2]
“Holy Spirit, please fill us with the love of God and neighbor so that we willingly endure trials of the faith for the sake of glory of Jesus Christ and for the sake of presenting the Gospel to lost souls.”
[1] Hebrews 11:35-38
[2] Isaiah 52:14
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Come Lord Jesus!
The Lord gave Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of the ruling empire of his time, a prophetic dream. The Lord gave Daniel the interpretation of the dream. Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar the dream’s meaning.
“You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” [1]
The iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold represented the last of the last great worldly empires to rule over the world. These empires were impressive for people to behold. They seemed unbreakable, but after a little stone hit them, they were totally gone.
That little stone that becomes a great mountain and fills the earth is the Kingdom of God. His kingdom came to earth in the form of a baby born in a manger. This stone may seem harmless, even laughable to some, like a children’s story, but the little stone, Christ, shall bring down the mighty kingdoms of this world and replace them, and His kingdom shall not end. His kingdom shall never be overthrown. No more flip flopping between one political party and another. His Kingdom shall be firm like a rock, as well as great and glorious!
“Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” [2]
“Yes, come a second time Lord Jesus!”
[1] Daniel 2:34-35
[2] Hebrews 9:28
“You watched while a stone was cut out without hands, which struck the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together, and became like chaff from the summer threshing floors; the wind carried them away so that no trace of them was found. And the stone that struck the image became a great mountain and filled the whole earth.” [1]
The iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold represented the last of the last great worldly empires to rule over the world. These empires were impressive for people to behold. They seemed unbreakable, but after a little stone hit them, they were totally gone.
That little stone that becomes a great mountain and fills the earth is the Kingdom of God. His kingdom came to earth in the form of a baby born in a manger. This stone may seem harmless, even laughable to some, like a children’s story, but the little stone, Christ, shall bring down the mighty kingdoms of this world and replace them, and His kingdom shall not end. His kingdom shall never be overthrown. No more flip flopping between one political party and another. His Kingdom shall be firm like a rock, as well as great and glorious!
“Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” [2]
“Yes, come a second time Lord Jesus!”
[1] Daniel 2:34-35
[2] Hebrews 9:28
Friday, November 29, 2019
Magnifying the Lord
“Mary said:
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
Holy is His name.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.’” [1]
Mary said that she was of lowly state. She was the Lord’s maidservant. She was the servant of God not men. She waited on the Lord much like a waitress waits on customers at a meal table. She rejoices in God her Savior because He respected the lowly and the hungry more so than the mighty, proud, and rich. He chose her of all people to be the earthly mother of the Savior of the world. The Lord scattered the proud people who were full of imaginations about themselves. The proud had so much yet believed that they deserved and should have more. The Lord sent them a running. He chose the humble.
Yesterday, the Lord placed in Sherry’s heart a strong desire to take blankets, socks, and packets of tissues to the homeless street dwellers by the bay. They were so grateful for these blessings. It was 46 degrees at the time. She gave food to one woman who was so weak she tried to talk but no words came out of her mouth.
Sherry also has a homeless man named Adam that sits by her kettle stand at the Metreon. She has been sharing Jesus with him and praying for him daily. Adam told her about the homeless people living near Embarcadero.
When I consider all the time and money that is wasted on entertainment… sports, games, TV, movies, eating out, etc., all connected to the world of fantasy and imaginations… compared to watching Sherry distribute much needed supplies and love to the poor… REALITY, I choose to magnify the LORD.
“Thank You Jesus for choosing to do great things through Your handmaiden Mary. Thank You Jesus for Your servant Sherry...my precious grace gift from You! You who are mighty have done great things for me. Holy is Your Name!”
[1] Luke 1:46-49, 51-53
‘My soul magnifies the Lord,
My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
Holy is His name.
He has shown strength with His arm;
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
And the rich He has sent away empty.’” [1]
Mary said that she was of lowly state. She was the Lord’s maidservant. She was the servant of God not men. She waited on the Lord much like a waitress waits on customers at a meal table. She rejoices in God her Savior because He respected the lowly and the hungry more so than the mighty, proud, and rich. He chose her of all people to be the earthly mother of the Savior of the world. The Lord scattered the proud people who were full of imaginations about themselves. The proud had so much yet believed that they deserved and should have more. The Lord sent them a running. He chose the humble.
Yesterday, the Lord placed in Sherry’s heart a strong desire to take blankets, socks, and packets of tissues to the homeless street dwellers by the bay. They were so grateful for these blessings. It was 46 degrees at the time. She gave food to one woman who was so weak she tried to talk but no words came out of her mouth.
Sherry also has a homeless man named Adam that sits by her kettle stand at the Metreon. She has been sharing Jesus with him and praying for him daily. Adam told her about the homeless people living near Embarcadero.
When I consider all the time and money that is wasted on entertainment… sports, games, TV, movies, eating out, etc., all connected to the world of fantasy and imaginations… compared to watching Sherry distribute much needed supplies and love to the poor… REALITY, I choose to magnify the LORD.
“Thank You Jesus for choosing to do great things through Your handmaiden Mary. Thank You Jesus for Your servant Sherry...my precious grace gift from You! You who are mighty have done great things for me. Holy is Your Name!”
[1] Luke 1:46-49, 51-53
Saturday, November 16, 2019
God’s Word Produces Faith in Him
Below are three Bible passages about the power of God’s Word and four Bible passages
about the power of faith in God.
“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.” [1]
“How much better to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.”
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. [2]
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
every good work.” [3]
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we
understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things
which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” [4]
“God gives life to the dead and calls those things which do
not exist as though they did.” [5]
“So, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God.” [6]
Not only does God’s Word compel us away-from foolishness and
ungodliness, He produces faith in us through it so we can believe that the unseen
can become seen as we trust in Him. God speaks things into existence that formerly
did not exist.
“…God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these
stones.” [7]
God can even produce followers of Christ out of stones.
“Yay, Lord, we need stones to become children of Abraham
because the work is great and the laborers (of Your Word) are few.”
[1] Psalm 19:7-10
[2] Proverbs 16:16, 20, 24
[3] 2 Timothy 3:16-17
[4] Hebrews 11:1-3
[5] Romans 10:17
[6] Romans 4:17
[7] Matthew 3:9
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