I have often said, “God’s Word is the glue that holds me together. Without God’s Word I would come apart.” I post Scripture on social media because I want to share my blessings from the Lord with friends.
For example, I read in the Bible read good news of a godly governor who listened to the cries of the poor…
“We are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have been brought into slavery. It is not in our power to redeem them, for other men have our lands and vineyards.” [1]
Godly Governor Nehemiah rebuked the money lenders. He said…
“What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies? Restore now to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, also a hundredth of the money and the grain, the new wine, and the oil, that you have charged them.” [2]
Nehemiah shook out his garment and said, “So may God shake out each man from his house, and from his property, who does not perform this promise. Even thus may he be shaken out and emptied.” All the assembly said, “Amen!” and praised the Lord. Then the people did according to this promise.” [3] He established a law and attached to it undesirable consequences for lawbreakers.
Nehemiah and his staff did not take wages during his twelve years as governor. He said that the former governors laid heavy burdens on them. He said, “Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.” [4]
He and his servants worked with the people. He fed 150 Jews and rulers at his table daily.
He prayed, “Remember me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.” [5]
While he was appreciated by some, Nehemiah had enemies due to his rebuilding of Jerusalem. These enemies wanted to meet with him in the villages in the plain of Ono. They were like, “Oh no!” (from Ono). They thought to do him harm. Nehemiah sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” [6]
“They sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.” “They all were trying to make us afraid, saying, ‘Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.’ ‘Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.’” He was told, “They are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.” He replied, “Should such a man as I flee?” [7]
Nehemiah placed the enemies of God in God’s hands. He prayed, “My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.” And as a result, the construction was completed and Nehemiah’s enemies, “Perceived that this work was done by our God.” [8]
I read the prophetic words of Jesus, written long before He was crucified:
“For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.” [9]
Jesus sacrificed Himself for our sins. He is the best “governor” because He laid down His life for us. Jesus provides for us…
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (experience want). “He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies; He anoints my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” [10]
God’s Spirit of wisdom urges us to be faithful towards God and others, even as Nehemiah and Jesus were…
“Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand all.” [11]
“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich.” [12]
“One who increases his possessions by usury and extortion gathers it for him who will pity the poor.” [13]
“A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but he who hates covetousness will prolong his days.” [14]
“He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!” [15]
“A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.” [16]
“He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife but he who trusts in the Lord will be prospered.” [17]
I read of the empathetic closeness of JESUS to us:
“We see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” [18]
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.” [19]
“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” [20]
The Bible affirms that God is faithful, and that His faithful ones are abundantly blessed! Praise be to His Holy Name!
[1] Nehemiah 5:5
[2] Nehemiah 5:9, 11
[3] Nehemiah 5:13
[4] Nehemiah 5:15
[5] Nehemiah 5:19
[6] Nehemiah 6:2-3
[7] Nehemiah 6:4, 9-11
[8] Nehemiah 6:14, 16
[9] Psalm 22:16-18
[10] Psalm 23:1, 5-6
[11] Proverbs 28:4-5
[12] Proverbs 28:6
[13] Proverbs 28:8
[14] Proverbs 28:16
[15] Proverbs 28:19
[16] Proverbs 28:20
[17] Proverbs 28:25
[18] Hebrews 2:9-10
[19] Hebrews 2:14
[20] Hebrews 2:17-18
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Sunday, July 26, 2020
Well Done Good & Faithful Servant
Nehemiah was a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes of Persia. He referred to himself, Israel, and Moses as the Lord’s servants. Suddenly, by God’s grace, this humble servant of God and king was sent to lead the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. [1]
Paul referred to himself as the prisoner of the Lord. He appealed to a slave owner named Philemon to let Onesimus serve the Lord. He wrote to Philemon, saying, “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains. He once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart.” [2]
Paul referred to Onesimus as a son. Apparently, Paul had led Onesimus to believe in Christ. Onesimus was now a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. Paul called him “my own heart.” In other words, very dear to him.
Paul reminded Philemon that he owed his life to him. Paul had led Philemon to Christ. He wanted Philemon to treat Onesimus as a partner and to receive him with the same respect that he would receive the apostle. He wrote, “If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.” [3]
One out of every five people in the Roman empire was a slave. Slavery was common. Though Paul was not enslaved to any man, he often referred to himself as a slave of Jesus Christ. So, did Peter, John, and James! Jesus Christ did the work of a slave when He washed His disciples feet. He urged us to have the same mindset.
The concept of serving the interests of another above one’s own interests is so foreign to us today. Early Christianity was widely embraced by slaves. They turned what was considered contemptible, namely servitude, into a badge of honor.
The good news about being a slave of Christ is that His ultimate goal for us is to tell us at the end of our lives: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” [4]
I too want to be locked into serving such a loving Lord as Jesus Christ.
[1] Nehemiah 1-2
[2] Philemon 1:11-12
[3] Philemon 1:17-19
[4] Matthew 25:21
Paul referred to himself as the prisoner of the Lord. He appealed to a slave owner named Philemon to let Onesimus serve the Lord. He wrote to Philemon, saying, “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains. He once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart.” [2]
Paul referred to Onesimus as a son. Apparently, Paul had led Onesimus to believe in Christ. Onesimus was now a born-again believer in Jesus Christ. Paul called him “my own heart.” In other words, very dear to him.
Paul reminded Philemon that he owed his life to him. Paul had led Philemon to Christ. He wanted Philemon to treat Onesimus as a partner and to receive him with the same respect that he would receive the apostle. He wrote, “If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me. But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account. I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.” [3]
One out of every five people in the Roman empire was a slave. Slavery was common. Though Paul was not enslaved to any man, he often referred to himself as a slave of Jesus Christ. So, did Peter, John, and James! Jesus Christ did the work of a slave when He washed His disciples feet. He urged us to have the same mindset.
The concept of serving the interests of another above one’s own interests is so foreign to us today. Early Christianity was widely embraced by slaves. They turned what was considered contemptible, namely servitude, into a badge of honor.
The good news about being a slave of Christ is that His ultimate goal for us is to tell us at the end of our lives: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” [4]
I too want to be locked into serving such a loving Lord as Jesus Christ.
[1] Nehemiah 1-2
[2] Philemon 1:11-12
[3] Philemon 1:17-19
[4] Matthew 25:21
Thursday, July 23, 2020
Kingdom Builders
The Trans-Euphrates governor and his associates asked the builders who were busy rebuilding the temple to the Lord, “Who authorized you to rebuild this temple and to finish it?” “What are the names of those who are constructing this building?” [1]
Intimidation, anger, and questioning!
“The eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped...” [2] Next, the political leaders sent a letter to King Darius detailing the work that the builders were doing. They gave the king the names of the builders. They gave the king quotes from the leaders like this one: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth.” [3] Thankfully, God had given the builders prophets named Haggai and Zechariah to be WITH them and SUPPORT THEM.
Thankfully, King Darius did not take the word of the critics of those builders at face value, but had a search done of the royal records. After a diligent search, it was discovered that the builders had been authorized to do the work a long time ago by King Cyrus. The complainants were actually breaking the law by hindering a fully sanctioned work by a previous king. [5]
King Darius sent a decree to the governor of the Trans-Euphrates, “Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site. Their expenses are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury.” [6]
To those who thought to disregard the aforementioned words of King Darius, he decreed: “A beam is to be pulled from their house and they are to be impaled on it. And for this crime their house is to be made a pile of rubble. May God, who has caused His Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.” [7]
This was a miracle of God! God is greater than all earthly power and authorities. He is able to ensure the ongoing success of the builders of His kingdom.
The temple was completed. The priesthood was organized and outfitted. Sacrifices were made to the Lord. The Passover was kept. [8]
“For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.” [9]
“Those who know Your Name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” [10]
“The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” [11]
God’s grace to humankind is His Son Jesus Christ. When we trust In Him, He gets His kingdom work accomplished and we enjoy the privilege of being a part of His wonderful deeds.
[1] Ezra 5:3-4
[2] Ezra 5:5
[3] Ezra 5:6-11
[4] Ezra 5:1-2
[5] Ezra 6:1-5
[6] Ezra 6:7-8
[7] Ezra 6:11-12
[8] Ezra 6:14-21
[9] Ezra 6:22
[10] Psalm 9:10
[11] Titus 2:11
Intimidation, anger, and questioning!
“The eye of their God was watching over the elders of the Jews, and they were not stopped...” [2] Next, the political leaders sent a letter to King Darius detailing the work that the builders were doing. They gave the king the names of the builders. They gave the king quotes from the leaders like this one: “We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth.” [3] Thankfully, God had given the builders prophets named Haggai and Zechariah to be WITH them and SUPPORT THEM.
Thankfully, King Darius did not take the word of the critics of those builders at face value, but had a search done of the royal records. After a diligent search, it was discovered that the builders had been authorized to do the work a long time ago by King Cyrus. The complainants were actually breaking the law by hindering a fully sanctioned work by a previous king. [5]
King Darius sent a decree to the governor of the Trans-Euphrates, “Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God. Let the governor of the Jews and the Jewish elders rebuild this house of God on its site. Their expenses are to be fully paid out of the royal treasury.” [6]
To those who thought to disregard the aforementioned words of King Darius, he decreed: “A beam is to be pulled from their house and they are to be impaled on it. And for this crime their house is to be made a pile of rubble. May God, who has caused His Name to dwell there, overthrow any king or people who lifts a hand to change this decree or to destroy this temple in Jerusalem.” [7]
This was a miracle of God! God is greater than all earthly power and authorities. He is able to ensure the ongoing success of the builders of His kingdom.
The temple was completed. The priesthood was organized and outfitted. Sacrifices were made to the Lord. The Passover was kept. [8]
“For seven days they celebrated with joy the Festival of Unleavened Bread, because the Lord had filled them with joy by changing the attitude of the king of Assyria so that he assisted them in the work on the house of God, the God of Israel.” [9]
“Those who know Your Name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You.” [10]
“The grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” [11]
God’s grace to humankind is His Son Jesus Christ. When we trust In Him, He gets His kingdom work accomplished and we enjoy the privilege of being a part of His wonderful deeds.
[1] Ezra 5:3-4
[2] Ezra 5:5
[3] Ezra 5:6-11
[4] Ezra 5:1-2
[5] Ezra 6:1-5
[6] Ezra 6:7-8
[7] Ezra 6:11-12
[8] Ezra 6:14-21
[9] Ezra 6:22
[10] Psalm 9:10
[11] Titus 2:11
Wednesday, July 22, 2020
Winning With God’s Help
The Lord moved the heart of King Cyrus of Persia to have the temple rebuilt in Jerusalem. This was to fulfill the prophecy of Jeremiah the prophet. However, “When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, they came to Zerubbabel and to the heads of the families and said, “Let us help you build because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to him since the time of Esarhaddon king of Assyria, who brought us here.” [1]
The enemies of God, His work and His people wanted them to open their hearts to hypocritical helpers. The Jews responded, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.” [2]
The stealthy infiltration tactics of the enemies did not succeed so they tried others method to defeat them. “Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They bribed officials to work against them.
At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, they lodged an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.” [3]
The enemies resorted to five tactics to halt the work of God: 1) Infiltrate their ranks with play actors who would defeat them from within; 2) discouragement; 3) fearmongering; 4) bribes authorities to oppose them; 5) smearing their reputations. The work was temporarily halted due to these enemies.
However, the work was completed because God gave the people men of faith to move forward. “So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.” [4]
The Prophets Haggai and Zechariah had a close relationship with God and His Word. Also, they used the prophetic gift that God gave them to help their people navigate to victory over the roadblocks of their enemies.
God gets His will done, but it is good when we His people also pray for it and want it to happen. The conclusion of the story is that God wins. Hallelujah!
[1] Ezra 4:1-2
[2] Ezra 4:3
[3] Ezra 4:4-6
[4] Ezra 6:14
The enemies of God, His work and His people wanted them to open their hearts to hypocritical helpers. The Jews responded, “You have no part with us in building a temple to our God. We alone will build it for the Lord, the God of Israel, as King Cyrus, the king of Persia, commanded us.” [2]
The stealthy infiltration tactics of the enemies did not succeed so they tried others method to defeat them. “Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They bribed officials to work against them.
At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, they lodged an accusation against the people of Judah and Jerusalem.” [3]
The enemies resorted to five tactics to halt the work of God: 1) Infiltrate their ranks with play actors who would defeat them from within; 2) discouragement; 3) fearmongering; 4) bribes authorities to oppose them; 5) smearing their reputations. The work was temporarily halted due to these enemies.
However, the work was completed because God gave the people men of faith to move forward. “So the elders of the Jews continued to build and prosper under the preaching of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah, a descendant of Iddo. They finished building the temple according to the command of the God of Israel and the decrees of Cyrus, Darius and Artaxerxes, kings of Persia.” [4]
The Prophets Haggai and Zechariah had a close relationship with God and His Word. Also, they used the prophetic gift that God gave them to help their people navigate to victory over the roadblocks of their enemies.
God gets His will done, but it is good when we His people also pray for it and want it to happen. The conclusion of the story is that God wins. Hallelujah!
[1] Ezra 4:1-2
[2] Ezra 4:3
[3] Ezra 4:4-6
[4] Ezra 6:14
Saturday, July 18, 2020
Navigating via Gifts of the Holy Spirit
“Earnestly desire the best gifts.” [1]
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of activities,
but it is the same God who works all in all.
The manifestation of the Spirit is given to...
Each one for the profit of all:
To one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit,
To another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
To another faith by the same Spirit,
To another the working of miracles,
To another prophecy,
To another discerning of spirits,
To another different kinds of tongues,
To another the interpretation of tongues.
The same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” [2]
Gifts of the Spirit are given according to the grace of God. The Lord says that it is okay to earnestly desire them. I am praying for the gifts of...
Word of Wisdom
Word of Knowledge
Faith
Discerning of spirits
Dr. Hong Sit taught me years ago that the gifts are navigational gifts. They help the Church to navigate through the darkness and confusion. He went on to teach that 1 Corinthians 13 is about love which is the engine that empowers the ship or Church to move forward. So, Christ's gifts help us to steer, and His love empowers us.
Divine wisdom helps us to see the right choice
Divine knowledge is precise info regarding a person, place, situation
Divine faith is ability to trust God against odds
Discernment of spirits distinguishes between the clean and unclean
The human race is up against spiritual powers of wickedness in high places. [3] To win this war, we need good intel from God’s Spirit.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your Church, Your body of believers, divine gifts via Your Holy Spirit. Please lead us to employ them for Your glory and for the blessing of the people. For it is in the Name of Your Son Jesus that I pray. Amen.”
[1] 1 Corinthians 12:31
[2] 1 Corinthians 12:5-11
[3] Ephesians 6:12
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of activities,
but it is the same God who works all in all.
The manifestation of the Spirit is given to...
Each one for the profit of all:
To one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit,
To another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
To another faith by the same Spirit,
To another the working of miracles,
To another prophecy,
To another discerning of spirits,
To another different kinds of tongues,
To another the interpretation of tongues.
The same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” [2]
Gifts of the Spirit are given according to the grace of God. The Lord says that it is okay to earnestly desire them. I am praying for the gifts of...
Word of Wisdom
Word of Knowledge
Faith
Discerning of spirits
Dr. Hong Sit taught me years ago that the gifts are navigational gifts. They help the Church to navigate through the darkness and confusion. He went on to teach that 1 Corinthians 13 is about love which is the engine that empowers the ship or Church to move forward. So, Christ's gifts help us to steer, and His love empowers us.
Divine wisdom helps us to see the right choice
Divine knowledge is precise info regarding a person, place, situation
Divine faith is ability to trust God against odds
Discernment of spirits distinguishes between the clean and unclean
The human race is up against spiritual powers of wickedness in high places. [3] To win this war, we need good intel from God’s Spirit.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your Church, Your body of believers, divine gifts via Your Holy Spirit. Please lead us to employ them for Your glory and for the blessing of the people. For it is in the Name of Your Son Jesus that I pray. Amen.”
[1] 1 Corinthians 12:31
[2] 1 Corinthians 12:5-11
[3] Ephesians 6:12
Sunday, July 12, 2020
Facing Death With God’s Word
The thought of one’s death can evoke an wide range of emotions especially if the only resource one to face death is oneself. One day, our earth suits will expire. Our breathing will halt. All our systems shut down! What can we do?
The answer is JESUS. Believe what HE said. Rely on His grace! Then, He will be with us in that moment. JESUS has already overcome death, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself [JESUS] likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” [1]
We need not fear death because JESUS took it head-on at the cross and at the tomb, soundly defeated death for us. Yes, “The wage of sin is death, but the GIFT of GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [2] GOD gives to us eternal life as a gift not as a wage.
We have this promise from God, “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of GOD which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [3] Our salvation is based on GOD’s LOVE for us in JESUS.
The day is coming when, “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.” [4]
As Jesus said to us, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” [5]
[1] Hebrew 2:14-15
[2] Romans 6:23
[3] Romans 8:38-39
[4] Revelation 21:4
[5] Luke 12:32
The answer is JESUS. Believe what HE said. Rely on His grace! Then, He will be with us in that moment. JESUS has already overcome death, “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself [JESUS] likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” [1]
We need not fear death because JESUS took it head-on at the cross and at the tomb, soundly defeated death for us. Yes, “The wage of sin is death, but the GIFT of GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [2] GOD gives to us eternal life as a gift not as a wage.
We have this promise from God, “Neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of GOD which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” [3] Our salvation is based on GOD’s LOVE for us in JESUS.
The day is coming when, “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.” [4]
As Jesus said to us, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” [5]
[1] Hebrew 2:14-15
[2] Romans 6:23
[3] Romans 8:38-39
[4] Revelation 21:4
[5] Luke 12:32
Friday, July 10, 2020
Prevailing While Relying
Has the Lord done miracles for you?
In 1985, my wife and I were directing the New Life Evangelistic Center of Columbia, Missouri. The ministry involved sheltering homeless women and children, as well as providing utility assistance, free clothing, and food distribution for those who walked into the center during office hours. Our goal was to share the Gospel with people.
One day, I experienced a severe allergic reaction followed by a high fever of 104. I was advised at a free clinic to go to ER. I did and was admitted. After three days, my health had not improved, but my medical bill had reached $1,700. The hospital sent a social worker to me who asked me how I planned to pay my bill. I told her that I did not have a salary and was living by faith. I would pay the bill by faith. She did not like that answer. She noted that my wife and I both had college degrees. She told me that we would have to pay the full amount.
After considering her words, I checked out from the hospital. I did not want my debt to the hospital to keep on increasing. I was still sick and weak. I went home and went to bed. Sherry directed the ministry center. I started reading the Bible day and night. I read the entire Bible from to cover to cover in 28-days.
On the 28th day, the Lord brought 2 Chronicles 13:10-18 to my remembrance. I felt impressed that I was to sound a trumpet and shout to the Lord. I found a vacuum cleaner pipe and was able to make a sound through it three times. Then, I shouted, “Victory in Jesus! Victory over sickness! Victory over finances! Victory for Sherry’s upcoming childbirth! Victory for paying the hospital bill!
That very day my fever broke. My strength returned. There was a roll out of blessings afterwards.
The State of Missouri began forcing people on state aid in hospital beds out to the streets. The hospital called us and asked us to house them in our shelter. We did. Later, a lady on the Board of Regents at the hospital saw that I owed the hospital money and cancelled my bill of $1,700 and reduced Sherry’s upcoming birth fee from $3,000 to $500. Soon after that, an out of state donor sent us a random gift of $500 to cover any personal bills that we might have.
While I was ill, a lady named Bunny Walters began helping Sherry in the ministry center. Bunny eventually took over the ministry which freed us up to go to China and preach the Gospel. God boosted our faith by these miracles. When our first child was born, we named her Grace with no middle name, because we could testify that God’s grace enough. Glory to God!
I am an advocate for bold faith in God in the face of trials. I am an advocate for Christians rising up and relying on God to do miracles. Nothing is impossible with God. Let us be believing believers!
“The Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; and the priests who minister to the Lord are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites attend to their duties. And they burn to the Lord every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense; they also set the show bread in order on the pure gold table, and the lamp stand of gold with its lamps to burn every evening; for we keep the command of the Lord our God... Now look, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with sounding trumpets to sound the alarm against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper!” [1]
“Jeroboam caused an ambush to go around behind them; so, they were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them. And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear and they cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. And the children of Israel fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hand. Then Abijah and his people struck them with a great slaughter; so, five hundred thousand choice men of Israel fell slain. Thus, the children of Israel were subdued at that time and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers.” [2]
Picture: The New Life Evangelistic Center as it looked in 1986.
[1] 2 Chronicles 13:10-12
[2] 2 Chronicles 13:13-18
In 1985, my wife and I were directing the New Life Evangelistic Center of Columbia, Missouri. The ministry involved sheltering homeless women and children, as well as providing utility assistance, free clothing, and food distribution for those who walked into the center during office hours. Our goal was to share the Gospel with people.
One day, I experienced a severe allergic reaction followed by a high fever of 104. I was advised at a free clinic to go to ER. I did and was admitted. After three days, my health had not improved, but my medical bill had reached $1,700. The hospital sent a social worker to me who asked me how I planned to pay my bill. I told her that I did not have a salary and was living by faith. I would pay the bill by faith. She did not like that answer. She noted that my wife and I both had college degrees. She told me that we would have to pay the full amount.
After considering her words, I checked out from the hospital. I did not want my debt to the hospital to keep on increasing. I was still sick and weak. I went home and went to bed. Sherry directed the ministry center. I started reading the Bible day and night. I read the entire Bible from to cover to cover in 28-days.
On the 28th day, the Lord brought 2 Chronicles 13:10-18 to my remembrance. I felt impressed that I was to sound a trumpet and shout to the Lord. I found a vacuum cleaner pipe and was able to make a sound through it three times. Then, I shouted, “Victory in Jesus! Victory over sickness! Victory over finances! Victory for Sherry’s upcoming childbirth! Victory for paying the hospital bill!
That very day my fever broke. My strength returned. There was a roll out of blessings afterwards.
The State of Missouri began forcing people on state aid in hospital beds out to the streets. The hospital called us and asked us to house them in our shelter. We did. Later, a lady on the Board of Regents at the hospital saw that I owed the hospital money and cancelled my bill of $1,700 and reduced Sherry’s upcoming birth fee from $3,000 to $500. Soon after that, an out of state donor sent us a random gift of $500 to cover any personal bills that we might have.
While I was ill, a lady named Bunny Walters began helping Sherry in the ministry center. Bunny eventually took over the ministry which freed us up to go to China and preach the Gospel. God boosted our faith by these miracles. When our first child was born, we named her Grace with no middle name, because we could testify that God’s grace enough. Glory to God!
I am an advocate for bold faith in God in the face of trials. I am an advocate for Christians rising up and relying on God to do miracles. Nothing is impossible with God. Let us be believing believers!
“The Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken Him; and the priests who minister to the Lord are the sons of Aaron, and the Levites attend to their duties. And they burn to the Lord every morning and every evening burnt sacrifices and sweet incense; they also set the show bread in order on the pure gold table, and the lamp stand of gold with its lamps to burn every evening; for we keep the command of the Lord our God... Now look, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with sounding trumpets to sound the alarm against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the Lord God of your fathers, for you shall not prosper!” [1]
“Jeroboam caused an ambush to go around behind them; so, they were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them. And when Judah looked around, to their surprise the battle line was at both front and rear and they cried out to the Lord, and the priests sounded the trumpets. Then the men of Judah gave a shout and as the men of Judah shouted, it happened that God struck Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. And the children of Israel fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hand. Then Abijah and his people struck them with a great slaughter; so, five hundred thousand choice men of Israel fell slain. Thus, the children of Israel were subdued at that time and the children of Judah prevailed, because they relied on the Lord God of their fathers.” [2]
Picture: The New Life Evangelistic Center as it looked in 1986.
[1] 2 Chronicles 13:10-12
[2] 2 Chronicles 13:13-18
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
The Cups of Wrath and Forgiveness
Jeremiah proclaimed God’s judgments on sin, but also spoke of God’s love for sinners. He told them that after a season of uprooting, God would replant them. He gave them hope. He told them that God was going to write His words on their hearts. God was going to rebuild them with a new depth of understanding of His great love for them.
Amid upheaval and hardship, Jeremiah prophesied of Messiah…
“’Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” [1]
He urged people to base their hope in the Lord’s righteousness.
Our Messiah Jesus drank the cup of eternal wrath on sin that we deserved. He offers to us the cup of God’s forgiveness. The cup of salvation! He offers to us a new covenant…
“Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” [2]
Jesus Christ is our promise of victory during seasons of refinement. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and our sin. He baptizes us with His Holy Spirit so we can enjoy and love God.
[1] Jeremiah 23:5-6
[2] Matthew 26:27-28
Amid upheaval and hardship, Jeremiah prophesied of Messiah…
“’Behold, the days are coming,’ says the Lord, ‘That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; a King shall reign and prosper and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” [1]
He urged people to base their hope in the Lord’s righteousness.
Our Messiah Jesus drank the cup of eternal wrath on sin that we deserved. He offers to us the cup of God’s forgiveness. The cup of salvation! He offers to us a new covenant…
“Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” [2]
Jesus Christ is our promise of victory during seasons of refinement. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, and our sin. He baptizes us with His Holy Spirit so we can enjoy and love God.
[1] Jeremiah 23:5-6
[2] Matthew 26:27-28
Saturday, July 4, 2020
Grace-based Love
Grace-based love is not based on the person’s merit, but on Christ’s divine love and forgiveness... remember when Jesus prayed, “Father forgive them for they not what they do.”
Christ's example:
“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [1]
Jesus demonstrated for us and called us to demonstrate for others God’s grace-based love:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [2]
The way this law works is that we recognize the grace we have received from God through His Son Jesus Christ, and love people based on God’s grace to us, and as the Holy Spirit urges us. Love can be an act of obedience to God, as well as an emotion that springs from compassion given to us by God’s Spirit.
“A certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he [the robbed and beaten man] was. And when he saw him...
1) He had compassion.
2) He went to him.
3) Bandaged his wounds.
4) Poured on oil and wine.
5) He set him on his own animal.
6) Brought him to an inn.
7) Took care of him.
8) Took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper.
9) Said to the innkeeper, ‘Take care of him.’
10) Said to the innkeeper. ‘Whatever more you spend, I will repay you.’ [3]
By his actions he demonstrated love for God and love for neighbor. An extravagant and overtop way to keep the Ten Commandments.
The Good Samaritan gave to the wounded man with no expectation of a positive payback from him. He practiced grace-based love. Loving his neighbor was God’s grace at work in him.
[1] Romans 5:6-8
[2] John 13:34-35
[3] Luke 10:30-37
Christ's example:
“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [1]
Jesus demonstrated for us and called us to demonstrate for others God’s grace-based love:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [2]
The way this law works is that we recognize the grace we have received from God through His Son Jesus Christ, and love people based on God’s grace to us, and as the Holy Spirit urges us. Love can be an act of obedience to God, as well as an emotion that springs from compassion given to us by God’s Spirit.
“A certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he [the robbed and beaten man] was. And when he saw him...
1) He had compassion.
2) He went to him.
3) Bandaged his wounds.
4) Poured on oil and wine.
5) He set him on his own animal.
6) Brought him to an inn.
7) Took care of him.
8) Took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper.
9) Said to the innkeeper, ‘Take care of him.’
10) Said to the innkeeper. ‘Whatever more you spend, I will repay you.’ [3]
By his actions he demonstrated love for God and love for neighbor. An extravagant and overtop way to keep the Ten Commandments.
The Good Samaritan gave to the wounded man with no expectation of a positive payback from him. He practiced grace-based love. Loving his neighbor was God’s grace at work in him.
[1] Romans 5:6-8
[2] John 13:34-35
[3] Luke 10:30-37
Sunday, June 28, 2020
Reaching Forward
“Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” [1]
Hope is anticipating a future that is better than the present. Hope is good for us.
Christian hope is different than optimism. Optimism can amount to a baseless belief that somehow things will always get better. Christian hope is based on a person: Jesus Christ.
Paul believed that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay our sin debt. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day. Paul’s hope was based in the victory of Messiah over death and in His promise to resurrect all who believe in Him.
Jesus will transform our lowly bodies to conform to His glorious body. Our miracle working Savior does this miracle. This is the prize. This is the hope He has given to us. Our heavenly citizenship that is not based on our works, race, social class, or gender, but based on what Jesus Christ did for us. He is our blessed hope!
[1] Philippians 3:13-14, 20-21
Hope is anticipating a future that is better than the present. Hope is good for us.
Christian hope is different than optimism. Optimism can amount to a baseless belief that somehow things will always get better. Christian hope is based on a person: Jesus Christ.
Paul believed that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay our sin debt. Jesus Christ rose from the dead on the third day. Paul’s hope was based in the victory of Messiah over death and in His promise to resurrect all who believe in Him.
Jesus will transform our lowly bodies to conform to His glorious body. Our miracle working Savior does this miracle. This is the prize. This is the hope He has given to us. Our heavenly citizenship that is not based on our works, race, social class, or gender, but based on what Jesus Christ did for us. He is our blessed hope!
[1] Philippians 3:13-14, 20-21
Monday, June 8, 2020
Grace That Makes Rich
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” [1]
“...as poor, yet making many rich...” [2]
“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” [3]
There’s a different kind of wealth that the Lord gives to those who walk with Him, namely the wealth of faith and spiritual fruits and gifts.
Jesus went to the cross to take away the sins of the world. We just need to receive this gift by faith. Once sin is removed, Jesus gives us another gift, namely the gift of His indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit enriches those who have Him with faith in God and fruits of God’s character such as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. The Holy Spirit gives gifts such as words of wisdom, words of knowledge, words of faith, gifts of healing, miracles, prophetic utterances and discerning of spirits. [4] These fruits and gifts of the Spirit empower the one who has them to enrich the lives of those around him or her. The Christian might be poor and uneducated by the world'’ standards, but in truth, do more to enrich the lives of others than many millionaires combined.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for becoming poor for us so that we could receive You and the fruits and gifts of Your Holy Spirit. Please enrich the lives of others as we depend upon Your grace to work in and through us. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] 2 Corinthians 8:9
[2] 2 Corinthians 6:10
[3] James 2:5
[4] Galatians 5:22-23 & 1 Corinthians 11:8-10
“...as poor, yet making many rich...” [2]
“Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?” [3]
There’s a different kind of wealth that the Lord gives to those who walk with Him, namely the wealth of faith and spiritual fruits and gifts.
Jesus went to the cross to take away the sins of the world. We just need to receive this gift by faith. Once sin is removed, Jesus gives us another gift, namely the gift of His indwelling Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit enriches those who have Him with faith in God and fruits of God’s character such as love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. The Holy Spirit gives gifts such as words of wisdom, words of knowledge, words of faith, gifts of healing, miracles, prophetic utterances and discerning of spirits. [4] These fruits and gifts of the Spirit empower the one who has them to enrich the lives of those around him or her. The Christian might be poor and uneducated by the world'’ standards, but in truth, do more to enrich the lives of others than many millionaires combined.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for becoming poor for us so that we could receive You and the fruits and gifts of Your Holy Spirit. Please enrich the lives of others as we depend upon Your grace to work in and through us. For it is in Your Name that we pray. Amen.”
[1] 2 Corinthians 8:9
[2] 2 Corinthians 6:10
[3] James 2:5
[4] Galatians 5:22-23 & 1 Corinthians 11:8-10
Saturday, June 6, 2020
The Fellowship of Christ's Sufferings
“We commend ourselves as ministers of God:
In much patience,
In tribulations,
In needs,
In distresses,
In stripes,
In imprisonments,
In tumults,
In labors,
In sleeplessness,
In fasting;
By purity,
By knowledge,
By long-suffering,
By kindness,
By the Holy Spirit,
By sincere love,
By the word of truth,
By the power of God,
By the armor of righteousness...
By honor and dishonor,
By evil report and good report;
As deceivers, and yet true;
As unknown, and yet well known;
As dying, and behold we live;
As chastened, and yet not killed;
As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
As poor, yet making many rich;
As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” [1]
Paul the Apostle wrote of a different kind of divine validation from which to speak for Christ to the world. His credentials to speak for God included a long list of sufferings that he incurred while sharing the Good News of Christ with others. He told the Philippians that he wanted to fellowship in Christ’s sufferings and be conformed to Messiah’s death. [2]
I thank God for all who paid a great price to bring me to Christ.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your servants who go through so much to keep Your light, Your love, Your joy, and Your peace flowing in this cruel world. Please continue to grace our world with such servants as these. And please grant us the grace to join in this unique fellowship. It is in the Name of Your Son Jesus that I pray. Amen.”
[1] 2 Corinthians 6:5-10
[2] Philippians 3:10
In much patience,
In tribulations,
In needs,
In distresses,
In stripes,
In imprisonments,
In tumults,
In labors,
In sleeplessness,
In fasting;
By purity,
By knowledge,
By long-suffering,
By kindness,
By the Holy Spirit,
By sincere love,
By the word of truth,
By the power of God,
By the armor of righteousness...
By honor and dishonor,
By evil report and good report;
As deceivers, and yet true;
As unknown, and yet well known;
As dying, and behold we live;
As chastened, and yet not killed;
As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;
As poor, yet making many rich;
As having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” [1]
Paul the Apostle wrote of a different kind of divine validation from which to speak for Christ to the world. His credentials to speak for God included a long list of sufferings that he incurred while sharing the Good News of Christ with others. He told the Philippians that he wanted to fellowship in Christ’s sufferings and be conformed to Messiah’s death. [2]
I thank God for all who paid a great price to bring me to Christ.
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your servants who go through so much to keep Your light, Your love, Your joy, and Your peace flowing in this cruel world. Please continue to grace our world with such servants as these. And please grant us the grace to join in this unique fellowship. It is in the Name of Your Son Jesus that I pray. Amen.”
[1] 2 Corinthians 6:5-10
[2] Philippians 3:10
Saturday, May 30, 2020
The Blessed Hope
“What you sow is not made alive…
Unless it dies.
And what you sow,
Is not that body that shall be,
But mere grain…
But God gives it a body as He pleases,
And to each seed its own body.
So, also is the resurrection of the dead.
The body is sown in corruption,
The body is raised in incorruption.
The body is sown in dishonor,
The body is raised in glory.
The body is sown in weakness,
The body is raised in power.
The body is sown a natural body,
The body is raised a spiritual body.
There is a natural body,
And there is a spiritual body.
‘The first man Adam became a living being.’
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
The first man was of the earth, made of dust;
The second Man is the Lord from heaven.
As was the man of dust,
So, also are those who are made of dust;
And as is the heavenly Man,
So, also are those who are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the man of dust,
We shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
Behold, I tell you a mystery:
We shall not all sleep,
But we shall all be changed—
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
At the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound,
And the dead will be raised incorruptible,
And we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
This mortal must put on immortality.
So, when this corruptible has put on incorruption,
And this mortal has put on immortality,
Then, shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’
‘O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?’
Thanks be to God,
He gives us the victory…
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren,
Be steadfast, immovable,
Always abounding in the work of the Lord,
Know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:36-38, 42-45, 47-49, 51-55, 57
Unless it dies.
And what you sow,
Is not that body that shall be,
But mere grain…
But God gives it a body as He pleases,
And to each seed its own body.
So, also is the resurrection of the dead.
The body is sown in corruption,
The body is raised in incorruption.
The body is sown in dishonor,
The body is raised in glory.
The body is sown in weakness,
The body is raised in power.
The body is sown a natural body,
The body is raised a spiritual body.
There is a natural body,
And there is a spiritual body.
‘The first man Adam became a living being.’
The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
The first man was of the earth, made of dust;
The second Man is the Lord from heaven.
As was the man of dust,
So, also are those who are made of dust;
And as is the heavenly Man,
So, also are those who are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the man of dust,
We shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
Behold, I tell you a mystery:
We shall not all sleep,
But we shall all be changed—
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
At the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound,
And the dead will be raised incorruptible,
And we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
This mortal must put on immortality.
So, when this corruptible has put on incorruption,
And this mortal has put on immortality,
Then, shall be brought to pass the saying that is written:
‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’
‘O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?’
Thanks be to God,
He gives us the victory…
Through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren,
Be steadfast, immovable,
Always abounding in the work of the Lord,
Know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:36-38, 42-45, 47-49, 51-55, 57
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Praise God for His Word
I praise God for His Word!
This morning, I woke up with thoughts of how during His earthly ministry, Jesus experienced abandonment and rejection. Many disciples split off from Him. [1] His twelve disciples forsook and fled from Him when He was arrested. [2] These incidents seem to indicate that Jesus was not a good leader. He could not hold people together. Even those who were closest to Him. But after His resurrection, and after He baptized His disciples in the Holy Spirit, the number of His disciples grew incredibly. Good disciples! Dedicated disciples!
I pray the Lord will revive His Church in these last of the last days.
Many builders have rejected Christ. They do not want to talk about Jesus. They do not want to be associated with people who are overly enthusiastic about Him. They are making a big mistake.
“The Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” [3]
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. His Word is good counsel. King David highly regarded the Word of the Lord. He asked the Lord to help him to always cherish God’s Word.
“Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
The law of Your mouth is better to me
than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
I hate the double-minded,
But I love Your law.
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers,
For I will keep the commandments of my God!
The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Consider my affliction and deliver me,
For I do not forget Your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
I see the treacherous, and am disgusted,
Because they do not keep Your word.
Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
Princes persecute me without a cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your Word.
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
Great peace have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.” [4]
David did not want to be beholden to ungodly behaviors such as covetousness, worthless pursuits, double mindedness, evil deeds, and treachery. He wanted to be a companion with God-fearers, a keeper of God’s precepts, a delighter in God’s law, a follower in Lord’s footsteps, a rejoicing person in God’s Word, and a praising person of God.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word. Please help us to always delight-in and praise You for Your Word. It is in Your Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] John 6:66
[2] Mark 14:50
[3] Psalm 118:22-24
[4] Psalm 119:36-37, 63, 72, 92, 103, 105, 113-115, 130, 132-133, 141, 153-154, 158-159, 161-162, 165, 171
This morning, I woke up with thoughts of how during His earthly ministry, Jesus experienced abandonment and rejection. Many disciples split off from Him. [1] His twelve disciples forsook and fled from Him when He was arrested. [2] These incidents seem to indicate that Jesus was not a good leader. He could not hold people together. Even those who were closest to Him. But after His resurrection, and after He baptized His disciples in the Holy Spirit, the number of His disciples grew incredibly. Good disciples! Dedicated disciples!
I pray the Lord will revive His Church in these last of the last days.
Many builders have rejected Christ. They do not want to talk about Jesus. They do not want to be associated with people who are overly enthusiastic about Him. They are making a big mistake.
“The Stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” [3]
Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. His Word is good counsel. King David highly regarded the Word of the Lord. He asked the Lord to help him to always cherish God’s Word.
“Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in Your way.
I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
The law of Your mouth is better to me
than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
I hate the double-minded,
But I love Your law.
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers,
For I will keep the commandments of my God!
The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Consider my affliction and deliver me,
For I do not forget Your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
I see the treacherous, and am disgusted,
Because they do not keep Your word.
Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
Princes persecute me without a cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your Word.
I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
Great peace have those who love Your law,
And nothing causes them to stumble.
My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.” [4]
David did not want to be beholden to ungodly behaviors such as covetousness, worthless pursuits, double mindedness, evil deeds, and treachery. He wanted to be a companion with God-fearers, a keeper of God’s precepts, a delighter in God’s law, a follower in Lord’s footsteps, a rejoicing person in God’s Word, and a praising person of God.
“Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word. Please help us to always delight-in and praise You for Your Word. It is in Your Name I pray. Amen.”
[1] John 6:66
[2] Mark 14:50
[3] Psalm 118:22-24
[4] Psalm 119:36-37, 63, 72, 92, 103, 105, 113-115, 130, 132-133, 141, 153-154, 158-159, 161-162, 165, 171
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Saved by God’s Grace
When the Philistines were fighting Keilah, what did David do? He inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.”
David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more than if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” David inquired of the Lord once again. The Lord said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
God gave David and his men the victory.
Then, King Saul, his father-in-law, called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. David asked the Lord, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.” The Lord replied, “He will come down.” David asked, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” The Lord replied, “They will deliver you.” David and his men escaped.
Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.
The Ziphites offered to betray David into Saul’s hands.
Saul was on one side of a mountain, and David and his men were on the other side of the mountain. Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them. But a messenger came to Saul and warned of a Philistine invasion. So, Saul broke off the attack on David. David called that place the Rock of Escape (Jesus is the Rock of our salvation). [1]
A lengthened life is God’s gift to those who listen to Him:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.” [2]
Today, there still is a remnant of God’s people according to the election of grace. “Saved by God’s grace” means our salvation is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. [3]
The odds are stacked against us. We cannot win. Except for God! Praise be to God for extending grace to us in Jesus Christ His Son. We win because God saves us by His grace in Christ Jesus, not by our works.
[1] 1 Samuel 23
[2] Proverbs 9:10-11
[3] Romans 11:5-6
David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more than if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” David inquired of the Lord once again. The Lord said, “Arise, go down to Keilah. For I will deliver the Philistines into your hand.”
God gave David and his men the victory.
Then, King Saul, his father-in-law, called all the people together for war, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men. David asked the Lord, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me into his hand? Will Saul come down, as Your servant has heard? O Lord God of Israel, I pray, tell Your servant.” The Lord replied, “He will come down.” David asked, “Will the men of Keilah deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” The Lord replied, “They will deliver you.” David and his men escaped.
Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand.
The Ziphites offered to betray David into Saul’s hands.
Saul was on one side of a mountain, and David and his men were on the other side of the mountain. Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them. But a messenger came to Saul and warned of a Philistine invasion. So, Saul broke off the attack on David. David called that place the Rock of Escape (Jesus is the Rock of our salvation). [1]
A lengthened life is God’s gift to those who listen to Him:
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For by Me your days will be multiplied, and years of life will be added to you.” [2]
Today, there still is a remnant of God’s people according to the election of grace. “Saved by God’s grace” means our salvation is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. [3]
The odds are stacked against us. We cannot win. Except for God! Praise be to God for extending grace to us in Jesus Christ His Son. We win because God saves us by His grace in Christ Jesus, not by our works.
[1] 1 Samuel 23
[2] Proverbs 9:10-11
[3] Romans 11:5-6
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Mercifully Elected
“So then it [election] is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” [1]
God elects sinners for salvation. We don’t get to do that. In fact, we don’t get to elect ourselves. Election is always a result of God’s mercy.
Jesus spoke of a Pharisee who stood and prayed with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” Jesus spoke of a tax collector who would not raise his eyes to heaven. He beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Jesus said the tax collector was justified by God. The Pharisee was not. Jesus taught that self-exaltation leads to humiliation, whereas humility before God leads to exaltation. [2]
Brennan Manning wrote that the Gospel is for people who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace. “Honest disciples who admit they are scalawags.” [3]
“Thank You Heavenly Father for being merciful to me. Please help me to be merciful towards others. In the Name of Your Son Jesus I pray. Amen.”
[1] Romans 9:16
[2] Luke 18:9-14
[3] The Ragamuffin Gospel, Multnomah Books, 7680 Goddard St., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
God elects sinners for salvation. We don’t get to do that. In fact, we don’t get to elect ourselves. Election is always a result of God’s mercy.
Jesus spoke of a Pharisee who stood and prayed with himself, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.” Jesus spoke of a tax collector who would not raise his eyes to heaven. He beat his breast, saying, “God, be merciful to me a sinner!” Jesus said the tax collector was justified by God. The Pharisee was not. Jesus taught that self-exaltation leads to humiliation, whereas humility before God leads to exaltation. [2]
Brennan Manning wrote that the Gospel is for people who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazing grace. “Honest disciples who admit they are scalawags.” [3]
“Thank You Heavenly Father for being merciful to me. Please help me to be merciful towards others. In the Name of Your Son Jesus I pray. Amen.”
[1] Romans 9:16
[2] Luke 18:9-14
[3] The Ragamuffin Gospel, Multnomah Books, 7680 Goddard St., Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Friday, May 1, 2020
Drawing Near To God
The ark of the covenant of God was not where it should be. It remained distant from the people for twenty years. The Israelites lamented after the Lord.
Samuel urged them, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
Samuel told the people to gather, and he would pray for them. They gathered, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. They fasted and confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.”
At this solemn moment, the Philistines attacked Israel. The devil does not want people to draw near to God. The Israelites were afraid. They said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
Samuel sacrificed a lamb to the Lord. He prayed. The Lord answered his prayer with loud thunder. The thunder scared the Philistines. They became confused. The Lord defeated them.
Afterwards, Samuel set up a stone and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” The Philistines were subdued. The cities they had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, and there was peace. [1]
A metaphor for Jesus in Bible is a lamb that is slain. The priests of God sacrificed lambs to atone for the sins of people. Jesus is called the Lamb of God because He is the One who takes away the sin of all who believe in Him.
The nation of Israel had departed from God to serve foreign gods. The enemy took advantage of their apostacy. He oppressed and abused the people. They were like sheep without a shepherd to protect them from predators. They were afraid.
The people of Israel wanted Samuel to pray for them. He urged them to forsake foreign gods and prayer to the one true God. He atoned for their sin by sacrificing a lamb to God. Once their sinned was forgiven by God the devil had no legal claim again them.
What they had been unable to do in twenty years, happened in a day. The Lord defeated their enemies. They turned to the Lord, sought His forgiveness, and received His help.
Like the nation of Israel, we have sinned against God. We need His forgiveness. God has set forth Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. In this way, God is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. [2] May the Lord help the people of our nation to forsake other gods and hold steadfast to faith in Christ alone.
[1] 1 Samuel 7:2-10, 12-14
[2] Romans 3:23-26
Samuel urged them, “If you return to the Lord with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths from among you, and prepare your hearts for the Lord, and serve Him only; and He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
Samuel told the people to gather, and he would pray for them. They gathered, drew water, and poured it out before the Lord. They fasted and confessed, “We have sinned against the Lord.”
At this solemn moment, the Philistines attacked Israel. The devil does not want people to draw near to God. The Israelites were afraid. They said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.”
Samuel sacrificed a lamb to the Lord. He prayed. The Lord answered his prayer with loud thunder. The thunder scared the Philistines. They became confused. The Lord defeated them.
Afterwards, Samuel set up a stone and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” The Philistines were subdued. The cities they had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, and there was peace. [1]
A metaphor for Jesus in Bible is a lamb that is slain. The priests of God sacrificed lambs to atone for the sins of people. Jesus is called the Lamb of God because He is the One who takes away the sin of all who believe in Him.
The nation of Israel had departed from God to serve foreign gods. The enemy took advantage of their apostacy. He oppressed and abused the people. They were like sheep without a shepherd to protect them from predators. They were afraid.
The people of Israel wanted Samuel to pray for them. He urged them to forsake foreign gods and prayer to the one true God. He atoned for their sin by sacrificing a lamb to God. Once their sinned was forgiven by God the devil had no legal claim again them.
What they had been unable to do in twenty years, happened in a day. The Lord defeated their enemies. They turned to the Lord, sought His forgiveness, and received His help.
Like the nation of Israel, we have sinned against God. We need His forgiveness. God has set forth Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. In this way, God is just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. [2] May the Lord help the people of our nation to forsake other gods and hold steadfast to faith in Christ alone.
[1] 1 Samuel 7:2-10, 12-14
[2] Romans 3:23-26
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
My Heart Rejoices in the Lord
“Her rival provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the Lord had closed her womb. So it was, year by year, when she went up to the house of the Lord, that she provoked her severely; therefore she wept and did not eat.” [1]
The story of Hannah follows the story of Naomi in the Bible. [2]
Naomi was once bitter, but the Lord did not leave her there. He sweetened her life.
Hannah was verbally abused by her husband’s other wife. Some of the side effects of her rival’s treatment was sorrow, loss of appetite, and inability to accept love.
Hannah’s husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” [3] He could not comfort her. He could not cheer her up.
There’s no mention of Hannah blaming her husband for her unhappiness. There’s no mention of her fighting back against Peninnah. Instead, Hannah turned to the Lord and sought the Lord for conflict resolution. “She was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.” [4]
Her priest saw her praying before the Lord. Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore, he assumed she was drunk. So, he said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” [5]
Wow, even in church, she found no solace! However, this time Hannah defended her actions. She said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” [6] The priest responded by giving her a benediction of peace and said to her “May God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” [7]
The Lord answered Hannah’s prayer. “The Lord remembered her.” [8] She had asked the Lord for a son, and the Lord gave her one.
Like Naomi in the Book of Ruth, Hannah’s son would have a special place in God’s book. Naomi’s grandson was the grandfather of King David. Hannah’s son, Samuel, was the prophet of God who anointed David to be the king of Israel.
The Lord is wonderful. Hannah praised the Lord with the following words, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory.” [9]
[1] 1 Samuel 1:6-7
[2] Ruth 1-4 – 1 Samuel 1-2
[3] 1 Samuel 1:8
[4] 1 Samuel 1:10
[5] 1 Samuel 1:12-14
[6] 1 Samuel 1:15-16
[7] 1 Samuel 1:17
[8] 1 Samuel 1:19
[9] 1 Samuel 2:1, 8
The story of Hannah follows the story of Naomi in the Bible. [2]
Naomi was once bitter, but the Lord did not leave her there. He sweetened her life.
Hannah was verbally abused by her husband’s other wife. Some of the side effects of her rival’s treatment was sorrow, loss of appetite, and inability to accept love.
Hannah’s husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? And why is your heart grieved? Am I not better to you than ten sons?” [3] He could not comfort her. He could not cheer her up.
There’s no mention of Hannah blaming her husband for her unhappiness. There’s no mention of her fighting back against Peninnah. Instead, Hannah turned to the Lord and sought the Lord for conflict resolution. “She was in bitterness of soul and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.” [4]
Her priest saw her praying before the Lord. Her lips moved, but her voice was not heard. Therefore, he assumed she was drunk. So, he said to her, “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away from you!” [5]
Wow, even in church, she found no solace! However, this time Hannah defended her actions. She said, “No, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until now.” [6] The priest responded by giving her a benediction of peace and said to her “May God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.” [7]
The Lord answered Hannah’s prayer. “The Lord remembered her.” [8] She had asked the Lord for a son, and the Lord gave her one.
Like Naomi in the Book of Ruth, Hannah’s son would have a special place in God’s book. Naomi’s grandson was the grandfather of King David. Hannah’s son, Samuel, was the prophet of God who anointed David to be the king of Israel.
The Lord is wonderful. Hannah praised the Lord with the following words, “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the beggar from the ash heap, to set them among princes and make them inherit the throne of glory.” [9]
[1] 1 Samuel 1:6-7
[2] Ruth 1-4 – 1 Samuel 1-2
[3] 1 Samuel 1:8
[4] 1 Samuel 1:10
[5] 1 Samuel 1:12-14
[6] 1 Samuel 1:15-16
[7] 1 Samuel 1:17
[8] 1 Samuel 1:19
[9] 1 Samuel 2:1, 8
Monday, April 27, 2020
An Exceedingly Happy Ending
“Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, ‘There is a son born to Naomi.’ And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” [1]
At one point in her life, Naomi was exceedingly disappointed. She told the women of her hometown, “Do not call me Naomi (Pleasant); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” [2]
But God was preserving the genealogy of His Son, the Messiah and Savior of the world, through Naomi...
1) Her move to Moab.
2) Her son's marriage to Ruth.
3) The death of her husband and sons
4) Her return to her homeland
5) Her daughter-in-law’s, Ruth’s, loyalty to her
6) Ruth’s working in barley fields for income
These twists and turns in Naomi’s life led to her cradling a grandson (Obed) in her arms who was destined to become the grandfather of King David. Her grandson was destined to be in the family tree of the Messiah and Savior of the world: Jesus Christ. [3]
So, if you are a follower of Christ, and wonder, like I do sometimes about disappointments, consider this, everything that happens in this world is for the glory of Jesus Christ.
He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning, and the End. [4]
And by the way, the Book of Ruth ends with Naomi being exceedingly happy. Her story, and ours (who are in Christ) does have an exceedingly happy ending.
[1] Ruth 4:17
[2] Ruth 1:20-21
[3] Matthew 1:5-6
[4] Revelation 1:7-8
At one point in her life, Naomi was exceedingly disappointed. She told the women of her hometown, “Do not call me Naomi (Pleasant); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” [2]
But God was preserving the genealogy of His Son, the Messiah and Savior of the world, through Naomi...
1) Her move to Moab.
2) Her son's marriage to Ruth.
3) The death of her husband and sons
4) Her return to her homeland
5) Her daughter-in-law’s, Ruth’s, loyalty to her
6) Ruth’s working in barley fields for income
These twists and turns in Naomi’s life led to her cradling a grandson (Obed) in her arms who was destined to become the grandfather of King David. Her grandson was destined to be in the family tree of the Messiah and Savior of the world: Jesus Christ. [3]
So, if you are a follower of Christ, and wonder, like I do sometimes about disappointments, consider this, everything that happens in this world is for the glory of Jesus Christ.
He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning, and the End. [4]
And by the way, the Book of Ruth ends with Naomi being exceedingly happy. Her story, and ours (who are in Christ) does have an exceedingly happy ending.
[1] Ruth 4:17
[2] Ruth 1:20-21
[3] Matthew 1:5-6
[4] Revelation 1:7-8
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Eyes Straight Heart Right with the Lord
“Give attention to My words; incline your ear to My sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.” [1]
Eyes, ears, and heart given to God produce good results. His Word is health and peace to those who receive it.
“Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.” [2]
The above passage speaks of very intentional and dedicated focus on God.
God’s Word has a purpose. It reveals Him and produces faith in Him. A light switch allows electricity to flow to a light bulb when it is in the ON position. Faith in God allows His divine power and intervention to FLOW to your life.
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put perverse lips far from you.” [3]
Where does deception and perversity come from? It comes from the devil. What does deception and perversity produce? Corruption! When our first parents sinned, sin corrupted them. They distanced themselves from God by hiding from Him. The Lord advises us to diligently keep our hearts right with Him. Beware of and avoid deceitful and perverse words.
We need the Lord. This is why we keep our heart right with Him with all diligence! We should sincerely pray to the Lord those two petitions contained in the prayer that He taught us: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
When a war is not going well, defenders search diligently for a key to turn the tide in the battle. JESUS is the KEY. JESUS provides GOOD INTEL. There is power in the NAME of JESUS! The enemy retreats when he is rebuked in the NAME of JESUS. Claim the shed blood of JESUS for the forgiveness of your sins. Satan’s claims on you have been cancelled when your sins are forgiven in JESUS’ NAME. JESUS establishes you. JESUS stabilizes your ways. JESUS keeps you on the path to victory.
The Bible foretells of two characteristics of our King Jesus Christ when He returns, “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God.” [4] Let us keep our eyes straight and our heart right with Him.
[1] Proverbs 4:20-22
[2] Proverbs 4:25-27
[3] Proverbs 4:23-24
[4] Revelation 19:13
Eyes, ears, and heart given to God produce good results. His Word is health and peace to those who receive it.
“Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you. Ponder the path of your feet and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.” [2]
The above passage speaks of very intentional and dedicated focus on God.
God’s Word has a purpose. It reveals Him and produces faith in Him. A light switch allows electricity to flow to a light bulb when it is in the ON position. Faith in God allows His divine power and intervention to FLOW to your life.
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put perverse lips far from you.” [3]
Where does deception and perversity come from? It comes from the devil. What does deception and perversity produce? Corruption! When our first parents sinned, sin corrupted them. They distanced themselves from God by hiding from Him. The Lord advises us to diligently keep our hearts right with Him. Beware of and avoid deceitful and perverse words.
We need the Lord. This is why we keep our heart right with Him with all diligence! We should sincerely pray to the Lord those two petitions contained in the prayer that He taught us: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.”
When a war is not going well, defenders search diligently for a key to turn the tide in the battle. JESUS is the KEY. JESUS provides GOOD INTEL. There is power in the NAME of JESUS! The enemy retreats when he is rebuked in the NAME of JESUS. Claim the shed blood of JESUS for the forgiveness of your sins. Satan’s claims on you have been cancelled when your sins are forgiven in JESUS’ NAME. JESUS establishes you. JESUS stabilizes your ways. JESUS keeps you on the path to victory.
The Bible foretells of two characteristics of our King Jesus Christ when He returns, “He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His Name is called The Word of God.” [4] Let us keep our eyes straight and our heart right with Him.
[1] Proverbs 4:20-22
[2] Proverbs 4:25-27
[3] Proverbs 4:23-24
[4] Revelation 19:13
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Worse Sinners Than Others?
Comparatively speaking, the worst tragedy is to miss eternity with God. Believers in Christ are guaranteed everlasting food, clothing, and housing for all eternity.
People once asked Jesus if the tragic death of some Galileans was because they worse sinners than others. The Roman Governor Pilate had executed them while they were in the process of making sacrifices to God. What did Jesus say?
“There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.’” [1]
Jesus emphasized everyone’s need of repentance. The Bible states that one sin against God makes a person guilty before God. “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” [2]
Not one person measures up to God’s standard of perfection. “…There is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” [3]
The Apostle Peter told his listeners how to overcome eternal death. We all die, but what happens after that is what is most important. Peter preached, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” [4]
The key to eternal happiness is to repent of trusting in our own efforts to reach God and to acknowledge that God has already reached out to us. He created us. He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. He gives us His Holy Spirit. In Christ, we can have a meaningful life no matter what the world does destroy it.
Rather than focus on death, let us focus on God’s promise of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus. Let us focus on good that God does through us whether we many or few days on earth.
[1] Luke 13:1-3
[2] James 2:10
[3] Romans 3:22-23
[4] Acts 2:38
People once asked Jesus if the tragic death of some Galileans was because they worse sinners than others. The Roman Governor Pilate had executed them while they were in the process of making sacrifices to God. What did Jesus say?
“There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.’” [1]
Jesus emphasized everyone’s need of repentance. The Bible states that one sin against God makes a person guilty before God. “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” [2]
Not one person measures up to God’s standard of perfection. “…There is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” [3]
The Apostle Peter told his listeners how to overcome eternal death. We all die, but what happens after that is what is most important. Peter preached, “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” [4]
The key to eternal happiness is to repent of trusting in our own efforts to reach God and to acknowledge that God has already reached out to us. He created us. He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. He gives us His Holy Spirit. In Christ, we can have a meaningful life no matter what the world does destroy it.
Rather than focus on death, let us focus on God’s promise of eternal life to those who believe in Jesus. Let us focus on good that God does through us whether we many or few days on earth.
[1] Luke 13:1-3
[2] James 2:10
[3] Romans 3:22-23
[4] Acts 2:38
Wednesday, April 1, 2020
COVID Departure - SPIRIT Arrival
We met Hurricane Ophelia just after we moved to Morehead City, NC. Ophelia drifted just offshore between September 14 – September 16, 2005. She caused a total of $70 million in damage, including breaking through the roof of our thrift store and pouring water within. She spun off the North Carolina coast for eight days. She fluctuated between strong tropical storm intensity and Category One intensity five times. Ophelia stayed in the relatively same location, caused a lot of beach erosion. Weak steering currents caused the storm to move very slowly, drift, and even become stationary.
As I consider our current situation with COVID lockdown until May 3, I think of that time when we waited in our home for Hurricane Ophelia to leave. The strongest gusts slightly shook our home. The water in our cul-de-sac ascended towards the front door of our home. We hoped the water would not breach the doorway. We had to stay in place and wait. We could not do anything but pray and trust in the Lord to take care of us. He did! Praise the Lord!
This morning, the Lord gave me…
“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side. Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” [1]
The Lord also gave me…
“The Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” [2]
After His resurrection, “He [Jesus] also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them for forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” “He commanded them [His disciples] to wait for the Promise of the Father…” saying, “…You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses...” [3]
My prayer is that a mighty move of the Holy Spirit will follow this time of waiting on the Lord.
[1] Psalm 124:1, 4-5, 8
[2] Deuteronomy 31:8
[3] Acts 1:3-5, 8
As I consider our current situation with COVID lockdown until May 3, I think of that time when we waited in our home for Hurricane Ophelia to leave. The strongest gusts slightly shook our home. The water in our cul-de-sac ascended towards the front door of our home. We hoped the water would not breach the doorway. We had to stay in place and wait. We could not do anything but pray and trust in the Lord to take care of us. He did! Praise the Lord!
This morning, the Lord gave me…
“If it had not been the Lord who was on our side. Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul; then the swollen waters would have gone over our soul. Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” [1]
The Lord also gave me…
“The Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” [2]
After His resurrection, “He [Jesus] also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them for forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.” “He commanded them [His disciples] to wait for the Promise of the Father…” saying, “…You shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses...” [3]
My prayer is that a mighty move of the Holy Spirit will follow this time of waiting on the Lord.
[1] Psalm 124:1, 4-5, 8
[2] Deuteronomy 31:8
[3] Acts 1:3-5, 8
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Walking With Jesus
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
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
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.”
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