"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10
In our natural state we are dead in our "transgressions and sins" (Ephesians 2:1b), but now we who are God's children are spiritually alive in Christ Jesus! Praise His holy name! Praise His name that we have been redeemed from sin, the devil, and "the ways of this world (Ephesians 2:2)! Ephesians 2:3 reminds us that the ways of the world involve "gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following it's desires and thoughts" The ways of this world involve ignoring the Lord and His will for our lives. The ways of the world involve a "my rights" mentality. The ways of the world involve a philosophy of self-effort and self-improvement instead of turning to the Lord in total dependence for the forgiveness of our sins and the meeting of our needs.
We have been redeemed from "the ways of this world." We need to make sure this shows in our lives in our everyday walk on this earth. We must be passionate in our love and obedience to the Lord. We must live our lives in gratitude for His love and salvation to us. Our lives and ways of thinking must be totally different from those who do not know and love the Lord.
Ephesians 2:4-5 reminds us, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved." Because of God's great love and mercy for us we are no longer condemned for our sin! We are saved by grace, and we are His chosen children! Salvation is a gift to us and involves no effort or merit on our part. We are spiritually alive because of our union with Christ! Our spiritual standing with God is secure because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.
Ephesians 2:6 says, "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." This verse is speaking about an eternity with Christ. Notice it is speaking in the present tense. An eternity with Christ is so certain a future reality for us that we can already claim the promise of eternal joys! God redeems us from our sins and is preparing a place for us in eternity, so "He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7b). This gift of salvation to us which is totally undeserved brings glory to God.
Ephesians 2:10 tells us that you and I are "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." We have been recreated through Christ's blood and the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. He is forming us into His work of art, and He is working out His sovereign plan in our lives. He is recreating us to do the good works which He planned and predestined for us from eternity. The Lord has the blueprint for our lives.
Our whole purpose in this world must be different from those who do not know the Lord. We are His chosen people who were created to serve the Lord and bring praise to Him by our lives. I Peter 2:9 sums it up beautifully, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light." May it be our passion to live our lives for His glory!
Thursday, November 2, 2017
Friday, October 20, 2017
Ephesians 1
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." (Ephesians 1:3)
In Christ alone we experience everything we need for time and for eternity! As His children we have already been made recipients of every possible blessing. Some of these spiritual blessings we will not experience fully until we are eternally with the Lord. They are so sure a future reality, however, that we can claim them now! Hence, our attitudes must be different than the people of the world. When we face difficulties in this world we know we have a faithful God who will protect us and guide us. When we face difficulties in this world, we know we have a sure and eternal future with the Lord! Therefore, we can face each new day with assurance and joy.
As children of God we experience many awesome spiritual blessings. First, the Lord chose us and then adopted us to be His children! Secondly, in the Lord Jesus Christ we also according to Ephesians 1:7-8 "have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Slaves in Biblical times were freed by the payment of ransom. The payment required for our ransom from sin and the devil was the blood of Jesus. Jesus had to suffer hell on the cross for us, so we would not need to suffer the just punishment for our sins. In the unconditional and unbounded love and grace of God we were forgiven of our sins and made His children!
Another spiritual blessing we receive from the Lord is according to Ephesians 1:10b His bringing "all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." In a world where many things do not make sense in our minds we can anticipate with excitement a time when all things will be brought together under Christ's headship. In eternity the things that we can not understand on this earth will all fall into place and make sense! We will then fully see that the Lord's plan and purpose through it all was good and right.
Finally, according to Ephesians 1:13b-14 we have the spiritual blessing of being "marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of His glory." The seal of the Holy Spirit on us means we belong to the Lord for time and for eternity! This seal is a a kind of down payment on the glories we will experience for all of eternity!
We are given salvation and all of God's spiritual blessings for a purpose, however. That purpose is to bring glory and honor to the Lord with our lives. Ephesians 1:4b says that He chose us "to be holy and blameless in His sight." Only the blood of the cross was sufficient to purchase our salvation, and because of that blood we stand righteous before the Holy God. As His children, however, we also need to grow in practical day to day holiness in our lives. As children of God we need to reflect the character of Jesus more and more in our lives. According to Ephesians 1:12b it is our purpose as the Lord's children that we "might be for the praise of His glory." Only as we are living for the Lord and for His glory are we ever going to find purpose and meaning in our lives. It is the only way to joy and peace.
According to Ephesians 1:17b It should be our consuming passion that we "may know Him better." We should desire with all of our hearts to have not just a head knowledge of the Lord, but also a growing experience of His love and working in our lives. The Lord promises us that we have His strength to live for His glory. According to Ephesians 1:19-20 we have "His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead." We have His resurrection power in our lives! Isn't that an awesome thought? May it be our passion to live our lives in holiness and in His resurrection power! May it be our passion to live for His glory!
In Christ alone we experience everything we need for time and for eternity! As His children we have already been made recipients of every possible blessing. Some of these spiritual blessings we will not experience fully until we are eternally with the Lord. They are so sure a future reality, however, that we can claim them now! Hence, our attitudes must be different than the people of the world. When we face difficulties in this world we know we have a faithful God who will protect us and guide us. When we face difficulties in this world, we know we have a sure and eternal future with the Lord! Therefore, we can face each new day with assurance and joy.
As children of God we experience many awesome spiritual blessings. First, the Lord chose us and then adopted us to be His children! Secondly, in the Lord Jesus Christ we also according to Ephesians 1:7-8 "have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Slaves in Biblical times were freed by the payment of ransom. The payment required for our ransom from sin and the devil was the blood of Jesus. Jesus had to suffer hell on the cross for us, so we would not need to suffer the just punishment for our sins. In the unconditional and unbounded love and grace of God we were forgiven of our sins and made His children!
Another spiritual blessing we receive from the Lord is according to Ephesians 1:10b His bringing "all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." In a world where many things do not make sense in our minds we can anticipate with excitement a time when all things will be brought together under Christ's headship. In eternity the things that we can not understand on this earth will all fall into place and make sense! We will then fully see that the Lord's plan and purpose through it all was good and right.
Finally, according to Ephesians 1:13b-14 we have the spiritual blessing of being "marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession-to the praise of His glory." The seal of the Holy Spirit on us means we belong to the Lord for time and for eternity! This seal is a a kind of down payment on the glories we will experience for all of eternity!
We are given salvation and all of God's spiritual blessings for a purpose, however. That purpose is to bring glory and honor to the Lord with our lives. Ephesians 1:4b says that He chose us "to be holy and blameless in His sight." Only the blood of the cross was sufficient to purchase our salvation, and because of that blood we stand righteous before the Holy God. As His children, however, we also need to grow in practical day to day holiness in our lives. As children of God we need to reflect the character of Jesus more and more in our lives. According to Ephesians 1:12b it is our purpose as the Lord's children that we "might be for the praise of His glory." Only as we are living for the Lord and for His glory are we ever going to find purpose and meaning in our lives. It is the only way to joy and peace.
According to Ephesians 1:17b It should be our consuming passion that we "may know Him better." We should desire with all of our hearts to have not just a head knowledge of the Lord, but also a growing experience of His love and working in our lives. The Lord promises us that we have His strength to live for His glory. According to Ephesians 1:19-20 we have "His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead." We have His resurrection power in our lives! Isn't that an awesome thought? May it be our passion to live our lives in holiness and in His resurrection power! May it be our passion to live for His glory!
Thursday, October 5, 2017
Isaiah 51:1-16
"Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn." Isaiah 51:1
There are many things going on in this world which could cause us to succumb to fear. This Scripture passage in Isaiah chapter fifty-one offers comfort when we we are becoming entangled in the tentacles of fear. A child of God need not be controlled by fear. When we begin to fear anything or anyone, we must quickly run to the Lord for comfort and protection. The Lord in His sovereignty already has our lives all planned, so we need not fear.
When we begin to sink into despair or fear for any reason; the Lord says to us in Isaiah 51:1, "Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut." We, who are the Lord's children and are seeking to live for Him, can look to Jesus, our rock and foundation. Jesus Christ is "the rock" from which you and I "were cut." Jesus is the rock to whom we need to turn in times of great fear. The Lord Jesus gives our lives a sure foundation even in times of uncertainty and fear.
Verse two of Isaiah fifty-one also suggests that we can follow the examples of the Biblical heroes of faith for inspiration in our own walk of faith. Hebrews chapter eleven gives us a wonderful account of many of these Biblical heroes of faith. Furthermore, we can emulate those examples of people in our current life who are walking in faith without fear and with sure confidence in their Lord. These people are all links in the chain of faith, and they can be an inspiration to us.
Isaiah 51:3 says that "the Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord." Zion was a name for God's people in Isaiah's day. The Lord will comfort His people when they go through fearful or difficult situations. He will turn the "ruins" and "deserts" of our lives into blessings. A believer in the Lord Jesus Christ will proceed from victory to victory. No ultimate spiritual harm can ever come to a child of God. Even if we die we will immediately go to be with the Lord. What have we to fear? Therefore, Isaiah 51:3b goes on to say, "joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving, and the sound of singing." Among God's people there need not be crippling fear, but rather joy, thanksgiving, and singing!
As children of God we need not fear, because the Lord is a just and righteous God. God says in Isaiah 51:6 that the heavens and earth will vanish someday. But then in that same verse the Lord goes one to say, "But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail." We need to fear nothing, because our righteous and faithful God is always with us to comfort and protect us. God says to us in Isaiah 51:12, "I, even I, am He who comforts you."
With the Lord on our side we need never retreat of cower in fear. The Lord can diffuse any situation that we consider to be potentially dangerous or fearful! The great God of the universe says to us His children "For is am the Lord your God who churns up the sea so that its waves roar-the Lord Almighty, is His name." (Isaiah 51:15) The great Lord of the universe personally cares about and loves us! He knows us by name. He knows everything about us. He has our entire futures planned out moment by moment! He will always give comfort and strength enough for every difficult and fearful situation in our lives! Praise His name! Let's rest our lives in Him in joy and thanksgiving and not in fear! Romans 8:31 b promises, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
There are many things going on in this world which could cause us to succumb to fear. This Scripture passage in Isaiah chapter fifty-one offers comfort when we we are becoming entangled in the tentacles of fear. A child of God need not be controlled by fear. When we begin to fear anything or anyone, we must quickly run to the Lord for comfort and protection. The Lord in His sovereignty already has our lives all planned, so we need not fear.
When we begin to sink into despair or fear for any reason; the Lord says to us in Isaiah 51:1, "Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were cut." We, who are the Lord's children and are seeking to live for Him, can look to Jesus, our rock and foundation. Jesus Christ is "the rock" from which you and I "were cut." Jesus is the rock to whom we need to turn in times of great fear. The Lord Jesus gives our lives a sure foundation even in times of uncertainty and fear.
Verse two of Isaiah fifty-one also suggests that we can follow the examples of the Biblical heroes of faith for inspiration in our own walk of faith. Hebrews chapter eleven gives us a wonderful account of many of these Biblical heroes of faith. Furthermore, we can emulate those examples of people in our current life who are walking in faith without fear and with sure confidence in their Lord. These people are all links in the chain of faith, and they can be an inspiration to us.
Isaiah 51:3 says that "the Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; He will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord." Zion was a name for God's people in Isaiah's day. The Lord will comfort His people when they go through fearful or difficult situations. He will turn the "ruins" and "deserts" of our lives into blessings. A believer in the Lord Jesus Christ will proceed from victory to victory. No ultimate spiritual harm can ever come to a child of God. Even if we die we will immediately go to be with the Lord. What have we to fear? Therefore, Isaiah 51:3b goes on to say, "joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving, and the sound of singing." Among God's people there need not be crippling fear, but rather joy, thanksgiving, and singing!
As children of God we need not fear, because the Lord is a just and righteous God. God says in Isaiah 51:6 that the heavens and earth will vanish someday. But then in that same verse the Lord goes one to say, "But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail." We need to fear nothing, because our righteous and faithful God is always with us to comfort and protect us. God says to us in Isaiah 51:12, "I, even I, am He who comforts you."
With the Lord on our side we need never retreat of cower in fear. The Lord can diffuse any situation that we consider to be potentially dangerous or fearful! The great God of the universe says to us His children "For is am the Lord your God who churns up the sea so that its waves roar-the Lord Almighty, is His name." (Isaiah 51:15) The great Lord of the universe personally cares about and loves us! He knows us by name. He knows everything about us. He has our entire futures planned out moment by moment! He will always give comfort and strength enough for every difficult and fearful situation in our lives! Praise His name! Let's rest our lives in Him in joy and thanksgiving and not in fear! Romans 8:31 b promises, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Isaiah 46
There are times in life when we are hit with unexpected and unpleasant events and circumstances. Isaiah 46 is a wonderful passage to read when we are facing a crisis or an uncertain future. In this chapter in Isaiah God is talking to His special Old Testament people, the Israelites. We can apply these same words to our own lives as His children today. This chapter in Isaiah tells us that God is the only true God. The chapter also demonstrates the foolishness of relying on anything or anyone but the Lord in facing life's challenges.
Babylon was Israels's enemy in Old Testament times. Isaiah told Israel at the time of the writing of this book that some day Babylon's false deities were going to be carried off into captivity. These false deities would fall and fail. Not so the Lord! In Isaiah 46:3 the Lord told Israel that He had carried Israel since her birth. He has also carried us, His children today, since our birth! Our Lord will never fail us!
The Lord said to Israel and the Lord says to us today, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (John 46:4) The writer of this devotional is old enough to have a few gray hairs. Looking back on her life she can see that the Lord has indeed always sustained her and carried her through both difficult and pleasant times. He has always rescued her in times of crisis. When one is a bit older one begins to gain some perspective on the Lord's faithfulness. One has seen His faithfulness in the past. Hence, it is a bit easier to begin to have greater trust in His faithfulness in the future.
In verse five of Isaiah 46 the Lord goes on to say, "To whom will you compare Me or count Me equal? To whom will you liken Me that we may be compared?" These are rhetorical questions on the Lord's part. There is no God, but our true God. No one or no other resource can be compared to to Him in terms of His power, glory, sovereignty, mercy, or love. If we trust in anyone or any resource in this life other the Lord for our ultimate protection and well-being, we are sinning. We are then making that person or resource our idol. The Lord God alone must be our first love and passion. He alone must be the One to whom we turn for protection and help. He alone is our help, our salvation, and our hope in this life and for eternity.
Read verses eight through eleven of Isaiah 46, and let the words flow through your spirit. Revel and find joy in their words of comfort to you. The Lord says to you, "Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart---I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please---What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do."
Our sovereign God is in control of the seeming uncertainties in this world. He is in sovereign control of our lives as His children. He is watching over us and protecting us in His goodness. He has every detail of our lives in His sovereign will and plan. He knows our beginning from our end on this earth and has an eternal future for us with Him. His purpose for us will stand. When we truly believe and begin to comprehend the glory of that concept there is no room for fear, worry, or panic even in times of crisis!
Babylon was Israels's enemy in Old Testament times. Isaiah told Israel at the time of the writing of this book that some day Babylon's false deities were going to be carried off into captivity. These false deities would fall and fail. Not so the Lord! In Isaiah 46:3 the Lord told Israel that He had carried Israel since her birth. He has also carried us, His children today, since our birth! Our Lord will never fail us!
The Lord said to Israel and the Lord says to us today, "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." (John 46:4) The writer of this devotional is old enough to have a few gray hairs. Looking back on her life she can see that the Lord has indeed always sustained her and carried her through both difficult and pleasant times. He has always rescued her in times of crisis. When one is a bit older one begins to gain some perspective on the Lord's faithfulness. One has seen His faithfulness in the past. Hence, it is a bit easier to begin to have greater trust in His faithfulness in the future.
In verse five of Isaiah 46 the Lord goes on to say, "To whom will you compare Me or count Me equal? To whom will you liken Me that we may be compared?" These are rhetorical questions on the Lord's part. There is no God, but our true God. No one or no other resource can be compared to to Him in terms of His power, glory, sovereignty, mercy, or love. If we trust in anyone or any resource in this life other the Lord for our ultimate protection and well-being, we are sinning. We are then making that person or resource our idol. The Lord God alone must be our first love and passion. He alone must be the One to whom we turn for protection and help. He alone is our help, our salvation, and our hope in this life and for eternity.
Read verses eight through eleven of Isaiah 46, and let the words flow through your spirit. Revel and find joy in their words of comfort to you. The Lord says to you, "Remember this, fix it in mind, take it to heart---I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please---What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do."
Our sovereign God is in control of the seeming uncertainties in this world. He is in sovereign control of our lives as His children. He is watching over us and protecting us in His goodness. He has every detail of our lives in His sovereign will and plan. He knows our beginning from our end on this earth and has an eternal future for us with Him. His purpose for us will stand. When we truly believe and begin to comprehend the glory of that concept there is no room for fear, worry, or panic even in times of crisis!
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Isaiah 43
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One---, your Savior;---you are precious and honored in my sight." Isaiah 43:1b-4
One can find wonderful promises in God's Word where one least expects it. Isaiah 43 is one example of this. In this passage God is making some wonderful promises to the people of Israel. We can apply these same promises to our lives as His people today! This chapter of Isaiah tells us that the Lord formed us, created us, and redeemed us; so as His children we need not fear! We need to ask the Lord's help to never fear but to always trust Him. He chose us to serve Him as His children!
Isaiah 43 tells us that the Lord calls us and knows us each by name! We can replace all of our fears with the Lord's joy and peace, because He gives us the right to a personal relationship with Him! He says to you and to all His children, "I have summoned you by name; you are Mine." (Isaiah 43:1b) What is even more wonderful is that He gives us His name! We are part of His family! As His children we belong to the Lord!
The Lord also promises that He will always be with us. When we "pass through the rivers" of life's difficulties they will not sweep over us. When we "walk through the fire" we "will not be burned." (Isaiah 43:2) We will always have difficulties in this life. That is inevitable. But the Lord will be with us protecting us and guiding us all the way! As His children we are "precious and honored" in His sight, and He loves us! (Isaiah 43:4) We need not be afraid of anything, because He is always with us. In fact, His command to us in Isaiah 43:5 is "Do not be afraid, for I am with you."
When you or I are feeling overwhelmed with life's struggles we can cry to the Lord, and He will see us through those troubles! The waters of life and the fires of life can not overwhelm us as His children! The waters of life and the fires of life are under His control, so we need not fear. He will be with us and give us His strength, as we pass through them. The Lord will not give us His extra strength ahead of time, but He will give us His extra sustaining strength at just the right time when we are going through our deepest trials.
He called us by name and created us for a purpose. God's purpose for us is that we live for His glory! We are His servants, whom He has chosen to serve Him! We have been chosen to know the Lord, believe on Him, and understand that He is God! Most of the world does not understand this; but as His children He is our Savior, our God, and our hope forever! No one can change what He has determined! No one can deliver us out of His hand! He is our Redeemer, Lord, Creator, and King!
He has done great things for us in the past, and He will do great things for us in the future. He does new things for us each day! The longer the writer of this devotional walks with the Lord the more she sees how he is always faithful. He is always faithful to us even when we can't understand what is going on in our lives. He makes a way in the deserts of life. He does this, because He formed you and I Himself that we might bring glory to His name!
One can find wonderful promises in God's Word where one least expects it. Isaiah 43 is one example of this. In this passage God is making some wonderful promises to the people of Israel. We can apply these same promises to our lives as His people today! This chapter of Isaiah tells us that the Lord formed us, created us, and redeemed us; so as His children we need not fear! We need to ask the Lord's help to never fear but to always trust Him. He chose us to serve Him as His children!
Isaiah 43 tells us that the Lord calls us and knows us each by name! We can replace all of our fears with the Lord's joy and peace, because He gives us the right to a personal relationship with Him! He says to you and to all His children, "I have summoned you by name; you are Mine." (Isaiah 43:1b) What is even more wonderful is that He gives us His name! We are part of His family! As His children we belong to the Lord!
The Lord also promises that He will always be with us. When we "pass through the rivers" of life's difficulties they will not sweep over us. When we "walk through the fire" we "will not be burned." (Isaiah 43:2) We will always have difficulties in this life. That is inevitable. But the Lord will be with us protecting us and guiding us all the way! As His children we are "precious and honored" in His sight, and He loves us! (Isaiah 43:4) We need not be afraid of anything, because He is always with us. In fact, His command to us in Isaiah 43:5 is "Do not be afraid, for I am with you."
When you or I are feeling overwhelmed with life's struggles we can cry to the Lord, and He will see us through those troubles! The waters of life and the fires of life can not overwhelm us as His children! The waters of life and the fires of life are under His control, so we need not fear. He will be with us and give us His strength, as we pass through them. The Lord will not give us His extra strength ahead of time, but He will give us His extra sustaining strength at just the right time when we are going through our deepest trials.
He called us by name and created us for a purpose. God's purpose for us is that we live for His glory! We are His servants, whom He has chosen to serve Him! We have been chosen to know the Lord, believe on Him, and understand that He is God! Most of the world does not understand this; but as His children He is our Savior, our God, and our hope forever! No one can change what He has determined! No one can deliver us out of His hand! He is our Redeemer, Lord, Creator, and King!
He has done great things for us in the past, and He will do great things for us in the future. He does new things for us each day! The longer the writer of this devotional walks with the Lord the more she sees how he is always faithful. He is always faithful to us even when we can't understand what is going on in our lives. He makes a way in the deserts of life. He does this, because He formed you and I Himself that we might bring glory to His name!
Thursday, September 7, 2017
Isaiah 40:27-31
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31
Do you ever feel discouraged and want to give up? Do you ever feel that a task or trial that the Lord has given you is too much to handle? Do you ever wrongly feel as if you are all alone in handling a challenge in your life? God's Old Testament people in Isaiah's day felt that way. God's people at that time were saying, "My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God." (Isaiah 40:27b)
When we begin to feel this way in our lives we must recall God's promises in His Holy Word to always be with us and to always strengthen us. Isaiah 40:28 says, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom." The Lord is a great and powerful God; and this great God of the universe chooses to give His enabling strength to us, His children! Isaiah 40:29 says, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
The key to endurance in this life is not our own strength, for "even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall." (Isaiah 40:30) The key to endurance in this life is the Lord's strength in our lives. His supply of strength for us is limitless and is always readily available! The way we avail ourselves of the Lord's strength is by putting our total trust expectantly in the Lord. We must not seek to run ahead of the Lord or try to seek out our own fallible resources. We need to wait on the Lord for His strength with the absolute confidence that He will give His strength to us.
We might go into the Lord's presence in prayer weary, tired, and discouraged. We can leave the Lord's presence in prayer strengthened and refreshed! Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." As we wait on the Lord and trust Him, our strength for facing life's challenges are renewed and invigorated! This happens when we begin exchanging our finite weaknesses for the Lord's infinite strength. Then like the eagles, who are known for their vigor, we will be able to fly or rise above the challenges of this life. This kind of strength is found only in the Lord, but in the Lord's strength we can "run and not grow weary." The Lord is our strength!
Do you ever feel discouraged and want to give up? Do you ever feel that a task or trial that the Lord has given you is too much to handle? Do you ever wrongly feel as if you are all alone in handling a challenge in your life? God's Old Testament people in Isaiah's day felt that way. God's people at that time were saying, "My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God." (Isaiah 40:27b)
When we begin to feel this way in our lives we must recall God's promises in His Holy Word to always be with us and to always strengthen us. Isaiah 40:28 says, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom." The Lord is a great and powerful God; and this great God of the universe chooses to give His enabling strength to us, His children! Isaiah 40:29 says, "He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."
The key to endurance in this life is not our own strength, for "even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall." (Isaiah 40:30) The key to endurance in this life is the Lord's strength in our lives. His supply of strength for us is limitless and is always readily available! The way we avail ourselves of the Lord's strength is by putting our total trust expectantly in the Lord. We must not seek to run ahead of the Lord or try to seek out our own fallible resources. We need to wait on the Lord for His strength with the absolute confidence that He will give His strength to us.
We might go into the Lord's presence in prayer weary, tired, and discouraged. We can leave the Lord's presence in prayer strengthened and refreshed! Isaiah 40:31 says, "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." As we wait on the Lord and trust Him, our strength for facing life's challenges are renewed and invigorated! This happens when we begin exchanging our finite weaknesses for the Lord's infinite strength. Then like the eagles, who are known for their vigor, we will be able to fly or rise above the challenges of this life. This kind of strength is found only in the Lord, but in the Lord's strength we can "run and not grow weary." The Lord is our strength!
Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Isaiah 39
"What did they see in your palace?" Isaiah 39:4
If someone would closely examine your or my life and home what would they see? Would they see lives that are passionate about our relationship with the Lord? Would they see lives that are consumed with a desire to please and obey the Lord in all things, or would they see lives and homes consumed with materialism and the pursuit of temporal possessions?
In our Scripture passage today God had just healed King Hezekiah from a serious illness. Because of King Hezekiah's desperate plea to God in prayer God had granted him fifteen more years of life. Shortly after this the king of Babylon sent King Hezekiah letters and a gift. The king of Babylon did this, because he had heard of King Hezekiah's recent illness and recovery.
When the envoys from Babylon came to visit King Hezekiah's palace, he could have shared his testimony of God's grace in his life. King Hezekiah could have shared with the Babylonian envoys how the Lord had been gracious to him and had answered his prayers for healing. It would have been a perfect opportunity to share with these people the love and grace of his God. Instead King Hezekiah used this occasion as an opportunity to brag about "what was in his storehouses-the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them." (Isaiah 39:2b)
After the envoys from Babylon left King Hezekiah's palace the prophet, Isaiah, came to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did they see in your palace?" (Isaiah 39:4) Notice Hezekiah's answer to the prophet's question in the later part of Isaiah 39:4. Hezekiah said to the prophet, Isaiah, "They saw everything in my palace." Then Hezekiah went on to say, "There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them."
Hezekiah did not mention speaking to the Babylon envoys about the spiritual and eternal treasures he had in the Lord God. King Hezekiah did not mention speaking to the envoys about God's blessings in his life in healing him from his serious illness. He did not speak of the daily blessings and treasures of the Lord's presence in his life. King Hezekiah spoke only of his material and temporal treasures.
The prophet, Isaiah, then told King Hezekiah, "The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord." (Isaiah 39:6) The information gained by the Babylon envoys about King Hezekiah's treasures would be valuable to future Babylon kings, and someday Hezekiah's descendants would be taken into captivity. All King Hezekiah's hoarding of earthly possessions and all his pride and dependence on these things was useless. King Hezekiah's focus should have been on the Lord God and on eternal and spiritual treasures.
Matthew 6:19-21 tells us, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Where is your and my heart? Do we place value in the material and temporal things, or are we placing value on spiritual and eternal treasures? If others came to our houses today, what would they see in our homes and lives? May others see in us the treasures of a vibrant love relationship with the Lord. May they see the joy of the Lord in our lives. May they see obedience to the Lord in all areas of our lives. May they see us storing up eternal and spiritual treasures! Nothing this earth has to offer is worth pursuing. The Lord and His spiritual treasures are all that ultimately counts in this world and for eternity!
If someone would closely examine your or my life and home what would they see? Would they see lives that are passionate about our relationship with the Lord? Would they see lives that are consumed with a desire to please and obey the Lord in all things, or would they see lives and homes consumed with materialism and the pursuit of temporal possessions?
In our Scripture passage today God had just healed King Hezekiah from a serious illness. Because of King Hezekiah's desperate plea to God in prayer God had granted him fifteen more years of life. Shortly after this the king of Babylon sent King Hezekiah letters and a gift. The king of Babylon did this, because he had heard of King Hezekiah's recent illness and recovery.
When the envoys from Babylon came to visit King Hezekiah's palace, he could have shared his testimony of God's grace in his life. King Hezekiah could have shared with the Babylonian envoys how the Lord had been gracious to him and had answered his prayers for healing. It would have been a perfect opportunity to share with these people the love and grace of his God. Instead King Hezekiah used this occasion as an opportunity to brag about "what was in his storehouses-the silver, the gold, the spices, the fine oil, his entire armory and everything found among his treasures. There was nothing in his palace or in all his kingdom that Hezekiah did not show them." (Isaiah 39:2b)
After the envoys from Babylon left King Hezekiah's palace the prophet, Isaiah, came to King Hezekiah and asked him, "What did they see in your palace?" (Isaiah 39:4) Notice Hezekiah's answer to the prophet's question in the later part of Isaiah 39:4. Hezekiah said to the prophet, Isaiah, "They saw everything in my palace." Then Hezekiah went on to say, "There is nothing among my treasures that I did not show them."
Hezekiah did not mention speaking to the Babylon envoys about the spiritual and eternal treasures he had in the Lord God. King Hezekiah did not mention speaking to the envoys about God's blessings in his life in healing him from his serious illness. He did not speak of the daily blessings and treasures of the Lord's presence in his life. King Hezekiah spoke only of his material and temporal treasures.
The prophet, Isaiah, then told King Hezekiah, "The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all your fathers have stored up until this day, will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the Lord." (Isaiah 39:6) The information gained by the Babylon envoys about King Hezekiah's treasures would be valuable to future Babylon kings, and someday Hezekiah's descendants would be taken into captivity. All King Hezekiah's hoarding of earthly possessions and all his pride and dependence on these things was useless. King Hezekiah's focus should have been on the Lord God and on eternal and spiritual treasures.
Matthew 6:19-21 tells us, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Where is your and my heart? Do we place value in the material and temporal things, or are we placing value on spiritual and eternal treasures? If others came to our houses today, what would they see in our homes and lives? May others see in us the treasures of a vibrant love relationship with the Lord. May they see the joy of the Lord in our lives. May they see obedience to the Lord in all areas of our lives. May they see us storing up eternal and spiritual treasures! Nothing this earth has to offer is worth pursuing. The Lord and His spiritual treasures are all that ultimately counts in this world and for eternity!
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Isaiah 6:1-8
"'Woe to me' I cried, 'I am am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.' Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, 'See this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.' Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here I am, Send me!'" (Isaiah 6:5-8)
Isaiah was a prophet in the Old Testament times of the Bible. In this chapter of the Bible Isaiah was in the temple. Suddenly Isaiah had a vision from God. Isaiah was suddenly able to see beyond the limits of ordinary understanding and eyesight. God allowed Isaiah to see the Lord God in all His holiness. Isaiah also saw God in all His greatness, sovereignty, and glory.
Isaiah further saw angels in His vision in the temple. These angels had six wings. With two of their wings these angels covered their faces. This showed the glory and supremacy of God. With two of their wings these angels covered their feet. This showed their humility before the Lord God. Finally, with two wings these angels were flying. This showed their obedience to the Lord in all things. We also need to stand in awe and bow in humility before God's glory and holiness. We also need a willing and obedient spirit in all things.
The angels were calling, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory." (Isaiah 6:3). The Lord is infinitely holy. He is majestic and sovereign, and the whole earth is filled with His glory! The Lord's power is seen all around us in our world. It is seen in how the Lord controls creation and in how He controls the nations.
When Isaiah saw all these things in His vision He realized the depths of His unworthiness and sin. In Isaiah 6:5 he said in response, "Woe to me!" You and I are also naked in our sins before a holy God. We like to compare ourselves with others sometimes, and we like to imagine ourselves as good and decent people. The more we realize God's holiness, however, the more we realize our sinfulness and unworthiness.
Isaiah was overcome with an awareness of God's holiness and an awareness of his own sin and unworthiness. But God said to him in Isaiah 2:7b, "your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for." You and I also deserve hell and God's condemnation. Praise God, however, that He chose us to be His children! Praise God that He cleansed us from our sins through the blood of Jesus on the cross! The Lord says to you and me, as he said to Isaiah long ago, "your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
Then the drama of Isaiah vision unfolded one more step. God said to Isaiah, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? Isaiah's response was, "Here I am. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:8). In light of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for our sins on the cross for us we need to live our lives in eternal gratitude to Him. We need to be passionate about our desire for an ever growing personal relationship with the Lord. We need to be passionate about our desire to serve Him. We need to submissively obey the Lord in all things. We need to be willing to go where He wants us to go and do what He wants us to do. We must be a willing servant for Him wherever He has placed us in our small corner of this world. We must seek to bring Him glory in all areas of our lives! We must pursue practical holiness in our lives. How can we do anything else in light of what He has done for us?
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Psalm 51
"Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin." Psalm 51:2
"Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7b
Sin is not a popular topic. We do not like to think about the sins that reside in our lives. We can not appreciate the wonder of our salvation in Jesus, however, if we do not realize the gravity of our sins. Also, we as redeemed believers, can not fight against sin and grow in holiness, if we do not come to an ever greater awareness of the gravity of our sins.
In Psalm 51 David expressed a deep sense of the depth and depravity of his sins. David also expressed a profound desire for the Lord's forgiveness from his sins. David said in Psalm 51:1-2, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."
David called his grievous sins "transgressions" and "iniquity." David knew he was in desperate need of the Lords's "unfailing love" and "great compassion." David knew his only chance of being restored to a love relationship with the Lord was by having his sins blotted out and washed away. We too need to have a deep sense of our sins. We too must run to the Lord in repentance and for forgiveness from our sins. We too must be washed from our sins by the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Jesus Christ needs to wash away our sins and restore us to a right relationship with the Lord.
David went on to say in Psalm 51:3-4, "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight." We often like to excuse and justify our sins, but there is no justification for sin against our Lord God. We must confess those sins like the tax collector in Luke 18:13b. Our prayer must be,"God, have mercy on me, a sinner." There must be sorrow for sin, confession of sin to our Lord God, and a turning away from sin. Like David our penitent prayer from our heart must be "Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51:7b) Jesus Christ can and does wash away our sins and turns the filthy rags of our sinful lives into white robes of righteousness!
Verse eight of Psalm fifty-one even suggests that unconfessed sin can have physical consequences on our bodies. Our desire and prayer to the Lord should be, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10) Jesus Christ can restore us to a right relationship with Him, if we confess our sins and seek His cleansing with a sincere heart. The Lord will then restore to us the joy of our salvation. Joy in our relationship with the Lord only comes after we confess our sins, After confessing our sins we must also pray for a "willing spirit to sustain" us in our struggle against sin and in our desire to live holy lives (Psalm 51:12).
The Lord does nor desire our empty rituals and sacrifices. Psalm 51:17 says "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart." The sacrifices that the Lord desires from us is our grief over our sins. He wants us to run to Him for forgiveness and restoration.
Psalm 51 :15 suggests that the Lord also desires the sacrifice of our mouths declaring His praises and our thanks for His forgiveness in our lives. The Lord desires the sacrifices of lives totally devoted to Him in thanks for what He has done and continues to do for us! Sin is a grievous thing in our lives. Praise God for His salvation in our lives! Let us live our lives in a sacrifice and service of praise to Him!
"Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7b
Sin is not a popular topic. We do not like to think about the sins that reside in our lives. We can not appreciate the wonder of our salvation in Jesus, however, if we do not realize the gravity of our sins. Also, we as redeemed believers, can not fight against sin and grow in holiness, if we do not come to an ever greater awareness of the gravity of our sins.
In Psalm 51 David expressed a deep sense of the depth and depravity of his sins. David also expressed a profound desire for the Lord's forgiveness from his sins. David said in Psalm 51:1-2, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."
David called his grievous sins "transgressions" and "iniquity." David knew he was in desperate need of the Lords's "unfailing love" and "great compassion." David knew his only chance of being restored to a love relationship with the Lord was by having his sins blotted out and washed away. We too need to have a deep sense of our sins. We too must run to the Lord in repentance and for forgiveness from our sins. We too must be washed from our sins by the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God. Jesus Christ needs to wash away our sins and restore us to a right relationship with the Lord.
David went on to say in Psalm 51:3-4, "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight." We often like to excuse and justify our sins, but there is no justification for sin against our Lord God. We must confess those sins like the tax collector in Luke 18:13b. Our prayer must be,"God, have mercy on me, a sinner." There must be sorrow for sin, confession of sin to our Lord God, and a turning away from sin. Like David our penitent prayer from our heart must be "Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." (Psalm 51:7b) Jesus Christ can and does wash away our sins and turns the filthy rags of our sinful lives into white robes of righteousness!
Verse eight of Psalm fifty-one even suggests that unconfessed sin can have physical consequences on our bodies. Our desire and prayer to the Lord should be, "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." (Psalm 51:10) Jesus Christ can restore us to a right relationship with Him, if we confess our sins and seek His cleansing with a sincere heart. The Lord will then restore to us the joy of our salvation. Joy in our relationship with the Lord only comes after we confess our sins, After confessing our sins we must also pray for a "willing spirit to sustain" us in our struggle against sin and in our desire to live holy lives (Psalm 51:12).
The Lord does nor desire our empty rituals and sacrifices. Psalm 51:17 says "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart." The sacrifices that the Lord desires from us is our grief over our sins. He wants us to run to Him for forgiveness and restoration.
Psalm 51 :15 suggests that the Lord also desires the sacrifice of our mouths declaring His praises and our thanks for His forgiveness in our lives. The Lord desires the sacrifices of lives totally devoted to Him in thanks for what He has done and continues to do for us! Sin is a grievous thing in our lives. Praise God for His salvation in our lives! Let us live our lives in a sacrifice and service of praise to Him!
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Psalm 46
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
"'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth'. The Lord almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46:10-11
In life we face many challenges and problems and sometimes deep trials, but God has promised us in Psalm 46:1 to be "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." He will be my "refuge and strength" and your "refuge and strength." We can have fearless trust in Him no matter what upheavals are occurring in our lives and no matter what catastrophic events are happening all around us! Psalm 42:2-3 reminds us that we need not feat even if "the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
We can trust the Lord even if all we hold dear is taken from us, because He is our powerful "refuge and strength!" He is our constant help and strength in all kinds of problems and in the deepest of trials! He gives us just what we need of His strength day by day and moment by moment. The Lord has been our help in the past, and He will be our help and strength in the future! When we can't see our way out of a problem situation in our lives, the Lord already has a plan in place for our lives! We can trust Him. His will and timing are always best.
Sometimes the Lord allows trials in our lives to get our attention and to help us grow spiritually. Sometimes trials are given to us to help us grow more dependent on the Lord and to help us grow in our love for Him. Even in trials the Lord is smiling down on us, protecting us, and seeing us to victory! He sustains us, protects us, and pours His blessings on us sometimes especially in difficult times in our lives, Even in the difficult times in our lives we can be full of the Lord's joy, because no ultimate spiritual harm will ever come to a child of God!
Psalm 46:4 reminds us that our Lord is the "Most High" who dwells within us! Nations rise and fall because of the Lord's power and control. This same powerful God is our fortress and our protection! So all we have to do is rest in His care and not fear. He says to us in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." The Almighty Lord of the universe is with us eternally!
We must put aside the voices of the world and of self-reliance, and we must trust in Him to meet our every need. We must trust the Lord to lead us through even very difficult times. We need to grow in our love for Him. We need to truly rest in the Lord and listen for His still small voice of direction for our lives! The longer this devotional writer walks with the Lord the more she sees His faithfulness in her life. His grace is always sufficient. His victory is always sure, and His promises are always reliable!
"'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth'. The Lord almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." Psalm 46:10-11
In life we face many challenges and problems and sometimes deep trials, but God has promised us in Psalm 46:1 to be "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." He will be my "refuge and strength" and your "refuge and strength." We can have fearless trust in Him no matter what upheavals are occurring in our lives and no matter what catastrophic events are happening all around us! Psalm 42:2-3 reminds us that we need not feat even if "the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
We can trust the Lord even if all we hold dear is taken from us, because He is our powerful "refuge and strength!" He is our constant help and strength in all kinds of problems and in the deepest of trials! He gives us just what we need of His strength day by day and moment by moment. The Lord has been our help in the past, and He will be our help and strength in the future! When we can't see our way out of a problem situation in our lives, the Lord already has a plan in place for our lives! We can trust Him. His will and timing are always best.
Sometimes the Lord allows trials in our lives to get our attention and to help us grow spiritually. Sometimes trials are given to us to help us grow more dependent on the Lord and to help us grow in our love for Him. Even in trials the Lord is smiling down on us, protecting us, and seeing us to victory! He sustains us, protects us, and pours His blessings on us sometimes especially in difficult times in our lives, Even in the difficult times in our lives we can be full of the Lord's joy, because no ultimate spiritual harm will ever come to a child of God!
Psalm 46:4 reminds us that our Lord is the "Most High" who dwells within us! Nations rise and fall because of the Lord's power and control. This same powerful God is our fortress and our protection! So all we have to do is rest in His care and not fear. He says to us in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." The Almighty Lord of the universe is with us eternally!
We must put aside the voices of the world and of self-reliance, and we must trust in Him to meet our every need. We must trust the Lord to lead us through even very difficult times. We need to grow in our love for Him. We need to truly rest in the Lord and listen for His still small voice of direction for our lives! The longer this devotional writer walks with the Lord the more she sees His faithfulness in her life. His grace is always sufficient. His victory is always sure, and His promises are always reliable!
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
ll Chronicles 14-16
"Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, 'Lord, there is no one like You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O Lord, our God, for we rely on You." ll Chronicles 14:11
"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." ll Chronicles 16:9
In the beginning of King Asa's reign Asa displayed a deep desire to serve God in obedience and truth. ll Chronicles 14:2 tells us that Asa sought with all his heart to do "what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God." Asa sought to bring God's people back to God, and he removed many of the idols that were prevalent in the land. Because of this God's people experienced God's blessings. Asa said at on point during this time, "The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God; we sought Him and He has given us rest on every side (ll Chronicles 14:7b)"
But then one day God's people were attacked by an enemy from another country. This enemy's army greatly outnumbered King Asa's army. King Asa knew he was helpless against such an army without God's help,so he prayed to the Lord for help. Asa prayed in ll Chronicles 14:11, "Lord, there is no one like You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help me, O Lord our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You."
Asa knew that He was powerless in himself, but he also knew that with the Lord on his side a great victory could be won. Asa depended on the Lord and proceeded in the Lord's strength. Because of his trust and reliance on the Lord, Asa won a great victory that day. When seemingly insurmountable difficulties arise in our lives we also must turn to the Lord. God is the all powerful God who can bring all His resources to our aid. The Lord is the only One who can and will bring victory to us in our deepest and darkest times. Like Asa we must say to the Lord, "we rely on You." We must trust and rest in the Lord alone.
For many years Asa continued to be filled with a zeal for serving the Lord and doing the Lord's will. Then a time came, however, when King Asa and God's people were threatened by another country. This time King Asa did not go to the Lord in prayer for help. King Asa relied on another country for help. King Asa made a treaty with a pagan king from a pagan land that did not even acknowledge the Lord. King Asa put his trust in a worldly king rather than in the Lord. King Asa forgot to go to the Lord for his only source of help.
This should be a warning to us also. We must always rely on the Lord alone in a time of need and crisis. We must not panic and run ahead of the Lord. We must not rely on our own devices or on human resources. We must rest in trust in the Lord our God. He will bring His sure victory in His perfect timing, if we rely on Him. ll Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."
Because King Asa relied on human resources that day the army who fought against him escaped, and King Asa did not win a victory that day. Sadly, King Asa became bitter and angry until his death and did not continue to rely on the Lord. We must rely and rest in the Lord alone for all our needs. There is no other source of help, strength, protection, and love than from the Lord. The Lord has to be the one to whom we run with all our needs. He alone will "strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." If we are truly committed to the Lord, He will prove Himself strong on our behalf in every need. We then will go from victory to victory in the Lord!
"For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." ll Chronicles 16:9
In the beginning of King Asa's reign Asa displayed a deep desire to serve God in obedience and truth. ll Chronicles 14:2 tells us that Asa sought with all his heart to do "what was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God." Asa sought to bring God's people back to God, and he removed many of the idols that were prevalent in the land. Because of this God's people experienced God's blessings. Asa said at on point during this time, "The land is still ours, because we have sought the Lord our God; we sought Him and He has given us rest on every side (ll Chronicles 14:7b)"
But then one day God's people were attacked by an enemy from another country. This enemy's army greatly outnumbered King Asa's army. King Asa knew he was helpless against such an army without God's help,so he prayed to the Lord for help. Asa prayed in ll Chronicles 14:11, "Lord, there is no one like You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help me, O Lord our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this vast army. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You."
Asa knew that He was powerless in himself, but he also knew that with the Lord on his side a great victory could be won. Asa depended on the Lord and proceeded in the Lord's strength. Because of his trust and reliance on the Lord, Asa won a great victory that day. When seemingly insurmountable difficulties arise in our lives we also must turn to the Lord. God is the all powerful God who can bring all His resources to our aid. The Lord is the only One who can and will bring victory to us in our deepest and darkest times. Like Asa we must say to the Lord, "we rely on You." We must trust and rest in the Lord alone.
For many years Asa continued to be filled with a zeal for serving the Lord and doing the Lord's will. Then a time came, however, when King Asa and God's people were threatened by another country. This time King Asa did not go to the Lord in prayer for help. King Asa relied on another country for help. King Asa made a treaty with a pagan king from a pagan land that did not even acknowledge the Lord. King Asa put his trust in a worldly king rather than in the Lord. King Asa forgot to go to the Lord for his only source of help.
This should be a warning to us also. We must always rely on the Lord alone in a time of need and crisis. We must not panic and run ahead of the Lord. We must not rely on our own devices or on human resources. We must rest in trust in the Lord our God. He will bring His sure victory in His perfect timing, if we rely on Him. ll Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."
Because King Asa relied on human resources that day the army who fought against him escaped, and King Asa did not win a victory that day. Sadly, King Asa became bitter and angry until his death and did not continue to rely on the Lord. We must rely and rest in the Lord alone for all our needs. There is no other source of help, strength, protection, and love than from the Lord. The Lord has to be the one to whom we run with all our needs. He alone will "strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." If we are truly committed to the Lord, He will prove Himself strong on our behalf in every need. We then will go from victory to victory in the Lord!
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
I Chronicles 16
"Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done." I Chronicles 16:11-12
"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise." I Chronicles 16:24-25
What a joyful day it was for God's Old Testament people! They were bringing the ark of God, the symbol of the Lord's presence among them to the Royal City. The Levites carried the ark with poles on their shoulders. There was rejoicing among the people. There was singing and and the playing of musical instruments. There was much giving of praise and thanks to the Lord on that joyous day.
King David then gave his musicians a Psalm of praise and thanks to the Lord. This Psalm of King David is recorded in I Chronicles 16:8-36. It is a Psalm of praise that we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ today can also commit to the Lord. In the following paragraphs the writer of this devotional will take great liberty in seeking to paraphrase this Psalm of David in order to apply it to your and my lives.
Never stop giving thanks to our awesome Lord. His arms are always open to us, so never fail to call upon our faithful God. Make known to those around you His salvation and what He has done in your lives. Continually sing praise to the Lord. Delight yourselves in the name of the Lord. Seek the Lord and His will continually. Find your joy and strength for living in the Lord alone. Do not search for your happiness in the things of the world. You will not find it there.
Remember and never forget the wonders and great things the Lord has done in you lives. Don't forget the times the Lord has answered prayers and rescued you out of seemingly impossible situations. He is the Lord, our faithful God. His faithfulness never ceases. The Lord's faithfulness was present in the generations of our ancestors who loved the Lord. The Lord's faithfulness is present in our lives today. His faithfulness will also continue in our children's and grandchildren's lives who serve Him. The Lord is a faithful God!
In light of the Lord's great faithfulness let us continually sing praise to Him. Let us tell others of His salvation and blessings in our lives. For the Lord is great and abundantly worthy of our praise! He is an awesome and majestic God! He alone is God. He alone is the source of our strength and joy. Give to the Lord the glory and praise which He deserves. Bring your offerings to the Lord. Bring you tithes and money, but more importantly offer yourselves in sacrifice to Him. Worship the Lord for His splendor and His holiness.
The Lord created the world and maintains the world. May even the heavens, the earth, the seas, and the forests bring praise to the Lord's name! The Lord above reigns! He is Lord of Lords! Give thanks to your Lord, for He is abundant in His goodness! His love is eternal.
When in trouble cry out to the Lord to save you. Then when He answers your prayers give thanks to your holy and faithful God. Delight yourselves in praising the Lord! Praise be to our Lord, the God of His chosen people from generation to generation. The Lord is our everlasting God. May all God's people say, "Amen! Praise the Lord! (I Chronicles 16:36b)
"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise." I Chronicles 16:24-25
What a joyful day it was for God's Old Testament people! They were bringing the ark of God, the symbol of the Lord's presence among them to the Royal City. The Levites carried the ark with poles on their shoulders. There was rejoicing among the people. There was singing and and the playing of musical instruments. There was much giving of praise and thanks to the Lord on that joyous day.
King David then gave his musicians a Psalm of praise and thanks to the Lord. This Psalm of King David is recorded in I Chronicles 16:8-36. It is a Psalm of praise that we as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ today can also commit to the Lord. In the following paragraphs the writer of this devotional will take great liberty in seeking to paraphrase this Psalm of David in order to apply it to your and my lives.
Never stop giving thanks to our awesome Lord. His arms are always open to us, so never fail to call upon our faithful God. Make known to those around you His salvation and what He has done in your lives. Continually sing praise to the Lord. Delight yourselves in the name of the Lord. Seek the Lord and His will continually. Find your joy and strength for living in the Lord alone. Do not search for your happiness in the things of the world. You will not find it there.
Remember and never forget the wonders and great things the Lord has done in you lives. Don't forget the times the Lord has answered prayers and rescued you out of seemingly impossible situations. He is the Lord, our faithful God. His faithfulness never ceases. The Lord's faithfulness was present in the generations of our ancestors who loved the Lord. The Lord's faithfulness is present in our lives today. His faithfulness will also continue in our children's and grandchildren's lives who serve Him. The Lord is a faithful God!
In light of the Lord's great faithfulness let us continually sing praise to Him. Let us tell others of His salvation and blessings in our lives. For the Lord is great and abundantly worthy of our praise! He is an awesome and majestic God! He alone is God. He alone is the source of our strength and joy. Give to the Lord the glory and praise which He deserves. Bring your offerings to the Lord. Bring you tithes and money, but more importantly offer yourselves in sacrifice to Him. Worship the Lord for His splendor and His holiness.
The Lord created the world and maintains the world. May even the heavens, the earth, the seas, and the forests bring praise to the Lord's name! The Lord above reigns! He is Lord of Lords! Give thanks to your Lord, for He is abundant in His goodness! His love is eternal.
When in trouble cry out to the Lord to save you. Then when He answers your prayers give thanks to your holy and faithful God. Delight yourselves in praising the Lord! Praise be to our Lord, the God of His chosen people from generation to generation. The Lord is our everlasting God. May all God's people say, "Amen! Praise the Lord! (I Chronicles 16:36b)
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Galatians 5:22-26
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23
God expects His children to be spiritual fruit bearers. John 15:8 tells us, "This is my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." As children of God our lives must match the professions that come from our mouths. Our salvation is all of grace and has nothing to do with ourselves. We are saved for a purpose, however. That purpose is to bring glory to the Lord.
One way that we bring glory to the Lord is by exhibiting the Christ-like characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Others need to see Christ living in us through the fruit of the Holy Spirit in us. There is a song whose words state, "They will know we are Christians by our love." We need to show the fruit of sacrificial love to others. Others also need to know we are Christians by our joy, peace, and patience in all circumstances.
Others further need to be able to see and know we are Christians by our kindness and goodness. Kindness and goodness are closely associated with patience. If we are patient with other people and their shortcomings, we will also display the fruit of the Spirit of goodness and kindness. Kindness is exhibited in a care and concern for others. It involves going out of our way to treat others the way we would like to be treated. Goodness involves a willingness to help others. Goodness also involves a willingness to avoid evil and to follow God's paths.
Next, others need to see and know we are Christians by our faithfulness and our gentleness. A faithful person is obedient to the Lord in all things. A faithful person remains true and obedient to the Lord even when going through difficult times in his or her life. A faithful person can be counted on to keep the promises and commitments that he or she has made to his or her fellow human beings. The fruit of the Spirit of gentleness should also be found in the lives of the children of God. Gentleness does not entail weakness. Gentleness is God's power in us under His control. Gentleness involves humility. Gentleness involves a kind, considerate, and gracious spirit towards others.
Finally, others need to see and know we are Christians by the fruit of the Spirit of self-control. Self-control involves being willing to stop oneself from acting impulsively and selfishly. Self-control involves being willing to stop oneself from engaging in behaviors which are not good for oneself, not good for others, or not pleasing to the Lord.
The world believes greatness is found in personal power, position, talent, and wealth. Our God tells us that those things are not important. What matters is that we are living for the Lord's glory and that we are exhibiting Christ-like attitudes in our lives. May we increasingly exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives of "joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." May others truly see Christ living in us.
Galatians 5:25 says, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Living Spirit directed and fruit-bearing lives involves allowing the Holy Spirit to direct and lead us in all things throughout every moment of the day. Living Spirit directed and fruit-bearing lives involves choosing each day to start anew and fresh in the Spirit's power. It also involves maintaining that dependence on the Holy Spirit's power throughout the day. We as children of God still have sin present in out lives, but it should be our consuming passion to increasingly live Spirit directed and fruit-bearing lives!
God expects His children to be spiritual fruit bearers. John 15:8 tells us, "This is my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." As children of God our lives must match the professions that come from our mouths. Our salvation is all of grace and has nothing to do with ourselves. We are saved for a purpose, however. That purpose is to bring glory to the Lord.
One way that we bring glory to the Lord is by exhibiting the Christ-like characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Others need to see Christ living in us through the fruit of the Holy Spirit in us. There is a song whose words state, "They will know we are Christians by our love." We need to show the fruit of sacrificial love to others. Others also need to know we are Christians by our joy, peace, and patience in all circumstances.
Others further need to be able to see and know we are Christians by our kindness and goodness. Kindness and goodness are closely associated with patience. If we are patient with other people and their shortcomings, we will also display the fruit of the Spirit of goodness and kindness. Kindness is exhibited in a care and concern for others. It involves going out of our way to treat others the way we would like to be treated. Goodness involves a willingness to help others. Goodness also involves a willingness to avoid evil and to follow God's paths.
Next, others need to see and know we are Christians by our faithfulness and our gentleness. A faithful person is obedient to the Lord in all things. A faithful person remains true and obedient to the Lord even when going through difficult times in his or her life. A faithful person can be counted on to keep the promises and commitments that he or she has made to his or her fellow human beings. The fruit of the Spirit of gentleness should also be found in the lives of the children of God. Gentleness does not entail weakness. Gentleness is God's power in us under His control. Gentleness involves humility. Gentleness involves a kind, considerate, and gracious spirit towards others.
Finally, others need to see and know we are Christians by the fruit of the Spirit of self-control. Self-control involves being willing to stop oneself from acting impulsively and selfishly. Self-control involves being willing to stop oneself from engaging in behaviors which are not good for oneself, not good for others, or not pleasing to the Lord.
The world believes greatness is found in personal power, position, talent, and wealth. Our God tells us that those things are not important. What matters is that we are living for the Lord's glory and that we are exhibiting Christ-like attitudes in our lives. May we increasingly exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives of "joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." May others truly see Christ living in us.
Galatians 5:25 says, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." Living Spirit directed and fruit-bearing lives involves allowing the Holy Spirit to direct and lead us in all things throughout every moment of the day. Living Spirit directed and fruit-bearing lives involves choosing each day to start anew and fresh in the Spirit's power. It also involves maintaining that dependence on the Holy Spirit's power throughout the day. We as children of God still have sin present in out lives, but it should be our consuming passion to increasingly live Spirit directed and fruit-bearing lives!
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Galatians 5:16-26
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23
The Holy Spirit first came on Christ's church at Pentecost. We read about this exciting event in Acts chapter two. Pentecost was a wonderful and spectacular event in the life of the early church. The Holy Spirit does not come into the hearts of believers today with tongues of fire and a rushing wind, as it did on this one occasion. In spite of this, the Holy Spirit is in the heart of every child of God today also.
It was the Holy Spirit who convinced us of our sins and caused us to have the ability and the desire to believe. It was the Holy Spirit who caused us to repent of our sins and to turn to the Lord for forgiveness. As children of God the Holy Spirit now reminds us of what we have learned from reading God's Word. The Holy Spirit is the One who helps us to apply God's Word to our daily lives.
The Holy Spirit lives in our hearts as believers and gives us the power and desire to live for the Lord Jesus. If we are true children of God we must also grow in our spiritual lives. We must more and more begin to display Christlike attitudes in our lives. Galatians 5:16 reminds us that we must "live by the Spirit" and "not gratify the desires of the sinful nature." We must get rid of anything impure and selfish. We must rid ourselves of hatred, jealousy, and divisiveness. In its place we must show the fruit of the the Holy Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit which should be increasingly evident in our lives are listed in Galatians 5:22:23. That passage says to us, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Love, the first fruit of the Spirit mentioned in this Scripture passage, involves unselfishly putting the good of others first. True love is willing to sacrifice for others and does not think only about one's own needs and desires.
Joy as well as love and all the other fruit of the Spirit comes only from the Lord. When the Lord changes our hearts He gives us a deep down joy that is not dependent on what we consider favorable circumstances. This joy comes from the presence of Jesus Christ in our hearts. It is a joy which we can possess even in times of great difficulty in our lives, because we know and trust the Lord.
Peace is yet another fruit of the Holy Spirit. Peace is a calmness that we as children of God can experience in even the worst of circumstances. We can experience peace, because we know the Lord is walking right beside us. We can experience peace, because we know that He is in control of every detail of our lives. Peace also comes from walking in God's ways. If we are out of fellowship with the Lord and walking in our own stubborn ways, we can not experience peace.
Patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that is not often evident in our fast-paced society. We tend to want things right now, and we do not like waiting. God wants us, however, to follow His perfect leading and to depend on His perfect timing for the events of our lives. We must learn to trust that the Lord knows what is best for us and that He knows when it is best for us. Patience is waiting for God to lead us without grumbling. The fruit of the Holy Spirit of patience also shows itself in our relationships with others. Patience involves long-suffering and patience with the wrongs others commit against us. We can only demonstrate patience in our dealings with others, if our hearts are filled with the love of the Lord.
May it be our passion to truly show the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. May we show His love to others, His joy and peace in all circumstances, and His patience in our lives!
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Galatians 2
"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing."
Galatians 2:20-21
In the book of Galatians we learn the precious truth that our eternal salvation rests in grace alone. Our salvation entirely rests in our faith in Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice for our sins on the cross. In the book of Galatians the apostle Paul was fighting against legalistic teachers who were falsely teaching the Galatian church that they had to return to the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament times. By teaching this the legalistic teachers were in effect saying that Christ alone was insufficient for salvation.
Paul admonished the Galatian church that these ceremonial practices of the past had merely been pointing to the coming of the Savior. These ceremonial laws were no longer necessary. Jesus had fulfilled the law's requirement. Jesus had paid the total penalty for sin. So too, our salvation as believers today rests in grace and faith alone. Praise God that this is true! If our salvation rested even in part on our own merit, we would be in dire straits! The law and our sins no longer have power to condemn us to a Christless eternity. All of our sins have been washed away by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross!
Because of God'g grace we now are new creatures in Christ! Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross we now belong to Him. As His children you and I have relinquished our lives to Christ. We are no longer in sin's grasp or in the devil's grip. II Corinthians 1:22 promises us that the Lord has "set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." Instead of living in Satan's realm we now have relinquished that life for an exchanged life in Christ. "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
Galatians 2:20b goes on to say, "The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." As followers of Jesus Christ our new lives in Him are characterized by a walk of faith. Our new lives in Christ are trusting lives. In our new lives in Christ we can come to the Lord with all our needs and trust that He will always be with us. In our new lives in Christ we can trust that the Lord will always be our source of comfort and our friend. In our new lives in Christ we can trust that He will always guide and protect us. In our new lives in Christ we know we have a Savior who loved us so much that He was willing to give Himself on the cross to pay for our sins.
Finally, in our lives in Christ we are confident that Christ's sacrifice for our sins was sufficient. We need not and can not add anything to salvation's requirements. It was all taken care of by our Savior! As His children we now can relinquish our old lives of sin and live new lives in Christ. We can do this; because Jesus Christ lives in us, giving us power to live for Him. Christ died on the cross for us, and He lives within us. Hence, we now can live lives of trust and faith in Him! Praise His name!
Galatians 2:20-21
In the book of Galatians we learn the precious truth that our eternal salvation rests in grace alone. Our salvation entirely rests in our faith in Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice for our sins on the cross. In the book of Galatians the apostle Paul was fighting against legalistic teachers who were falsely teaching the Galatian church that they had to return to the ceremonial practices of the Old Testament times. By teaching this the legalistic teachers were in effect saying that Christ alone was insufficient for salvation.
Paul admonished the Galatian church that these ceremonial practices of the past had merely been pointing to the coming of the Savior. These ceremonial laws were no longer necessary. Jesus had fulfilled the law's requirement. Jesus had paid the total penalty for sin. So too, our salvation as believers today rests in grace and faith alone. Praise God that this is true! If our salvation rested even in part on our own merit, we would be in dire straits! The law and our sins no longer have power to condemn us to a Christless eternity. All of our sins have been washed away by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross!
Because of God'g grace we now are new creatures in Christ! Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross we now belong to Him. As His children you and I have relinquished our lives to Christ. We are no longer in sin's grasp or in the devil's grip. II Corinthians 1:22 promises us that the Lord has "set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." Instead of living in Satan's realm we now have relinquished that life for an exchanged life in Christ. "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me."
Galatians 2:20b goes on to say, "The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." As followers of Jesus Christ our new lives in Him are characterized by a walk of faith. Our new lives in Christ are trusting lives. In our new lives in Christ we can come to the Lord with all our needs and trust that He will always be with us. In our new lives in Christ we can trust that the Lord will always be our source of comfort and our friend. In our new lives in Christ we can trust that He will always guide and protect us. In our new lives in Christ we know we have a Savior who loved us so much that He was willing to give Himself on the cross to pay for our sins.
Finally, in our lives in Christ we are confident that Christ's sacrifice for our sins was sufficient. We need not and can not add anything to salvation's requirements. It was all taken care of by our Savior! As His children we now can relinquish our old lives of sin and live new lives in Christ. We can do this; because Jesus Christ lives in us, giving us power to live for Him. Christ died on the cross for us, and He lives within us. Hence, we now can live lives of trust and faith in Him! Praise His name!
Thursday, June 1, 2017
Psalm 42
We all have a passion for certain things in our lives. We all have priority list for what we feel is most important in this life. We all have certain goals for which we strive and which consume our energies. The psalmist in Psalm 42 had a deep longing and passion for God. His very heart was longing and crying out for the Lord. What is most important to us in our lives? Like the psalmist in Psalm 42 our consuming passion should be for the Lord God. Our consuming passion should be for developing our love relationship with the Lord. Our consuming passion should be to live for the Lord.
The psalmist said in Psalm 42:1-2, "As the deep pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" A deer pants and longs for water, because its life is dependent on water. This is especially true when the deer is being chased by hunters. So also the psalmist longed to be with God. Apparently circumstances prevented the psalmist from temporarily going to the temple and communing with the Lord on the level that he would have liked to commune with God. Hence, the psalmist's heart was aching and longing for God. His heart was crying out for God. The psalmist was not running after and longing for pleasure, position, or the material things of this world; but he was overwhelmed with a longing for God Himself.
You and I need that kind of passion in our love relationship with the Lord. The things of this world will pass away. Only our love for the Lord and our relationship with the Lord will last throughout eternity. Also our hearts will be restless and will not find true peace and joy until they are resting in the Lord. The Lord alone is the answer to our soul's thirst. Joy, peace, and the longing of our souls can not even be found in what the Lord gives us or does for us. It is found in the Lord Himself! Jesus said in John 7:37b. "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink," The Lord alone is the answer to our soul's longing.
The psalmist apparently was going through a difficult time in his life when he wrote this Psalm. He said in Psalm 42:3, "My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long. 'Where is your God?'" Sometimes during times of trial and difficulty in our lives, we may be tempted to think that the Lord has forgotten us, Just the opposite is true, however, The Lord is always with us. This is especially true during the difficult times in our lives. Also the Lord uses times of trial and difficulty in our lives to draw us closer to Him. Difficult times in our lives help us to grow in our love relationship with the Lord. Hence, trials in our lives help to satisfy our passion and longing for the Lord.
When the psalmist was feeling overwhelmed with the problems in his life, he remembered the Lord's past blessings in his life. He also remembered the past joys of worshiping with God's people in the temple. The psalmists went on to say in verses five and eleven of Psalm 42, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed with me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God."
God will fulfill our every need during both times of trial and during times of relative ease in our lives. The Lord will do this for us, if we put our trust and hope in Him. The Lord will do this for us, if our consuming passion and longing is for Him. Even when we feel overwhelmed with a difficulty in our lives, the Lord is always with us. In Psalm 42:8 the psalmist said, "By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me-a prayer to the God of my life." No matter what the circumstances in our lives the Lord is our source of joy and peace. May the Lord be our consuming passion in our lives!
The psalmist said in Psalm 42:1-2, "As the deep pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" A deer pants and longs for water, because its life is dependent on water. This is especially true when the deer is being chased by hunters. So also the psalmist longed to be with God. Apparently circumstances prevented the psalmist from temporarily going to the temple and communing with the Lord on the level that he would have liked to commune with God. Hence, the psalmist's heart was aching and longing for God. His heart was crying out for God. The psalmist was not running after and longing for pleasure, position, or the material things of this world; but he was overwhelmed with a longing for God Himself.
You and I need that kind of passion in our love relationship with the Lord. The things of this world will pass away. Only our love for the Lord and our relationship with the Lord will last throughout eternity. Also our hearts will be restless and will not find true peace and joy until they are resting in the Lord. The Lord alone is the answer to our soul's thirst. Joy, peace, and the longing of our souls can not even be found in what the Lord gives us or does for us. It is found in the Lord Himself! Jesus said in John 7:37b. "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink," The Lord alone is the answer to our soul's longing.
The psalmist apparently was going through a difficult time in his life when he wrote this Psalm. He said in Psalm 42:3, "My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long. 'Where is your God?'" Sometimes during times of trial and difficulty in our lives, we may be tempted to think that the Lord has forgotten us, Just the opposite is true, however, The Lord is always with us. This is especially true during the difficult times in our lives. Also the Lord uses times of trial and difficulty in our lives to draw us closer to Him. Difficult times in our lives help us to grow in our love relationship with the Lord. Hence, trials in our lives help to satisfy our passion and longing for the Lord.
When the psalmist was feeling overwhelmed with the problems in his life, he remembered the Lord's past blessings in his life. He also remembered the past joys of worshiping with God's people in the temple. The psalmists went on to say in verses five and eleven of Psalm 42, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed with me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God."
God will fulfill our every need during both times of trial and during times of relative ease in our lives. The Lord will do this for us, if we put our trust and hope in Him. The Lord will do this for us, if our consuming passion and longing is for Him. Even when we feel overwhelmed with a difficulty in our lives, the Lord is always with us. In Psalm 42:8 the psalmist said, "By day the Lord directs His love, at night His song is with me-a prayer to the God of my life." No matter what the circumstances in our lives the Lord is our source of joy and peace. May the Lord be our consuming passion in our lives!
Thursday, May 25, 2017
Psalm 37
Those who belong to the Lord experience true wisdom, prosperity, and success. They may not be wise in the world's view of things. They also may not be successful or wealthy according to the world's standards. A true child of God, however, has all he or she needs for time and for eternity! As children of God we experience the Lord walking beside us and directing all of our steps! As children of God we possess the Lord's wisdom. We experience the Lord's definition of success and prosperity in our lives. The secret to being wise and successful according to the Lord's definition is to trust in the Lord.
We need to not only trust in the Lord, but we need to actually delight ourselves in the Lord. We must have a sense of the Lord's presence in our lives. We must have a passion for the things of the Lord. We must delight in reading His Holy Word. We must delight in seeking to do His will. Our ultimate delight should not be in our homes, our jobs, or even our families. Our delight and purpose for our lives should be found in the Lord and in serving Him. Then the other things in our lives will take their rightful place in our lives. Then the Lord's desires will become our desires, and thus we will also be given the desires our hearts.
As children of God you and I are rich in His blessings and promises! All the wealth and wisdom of this world can not begin to compare to the joy and blessings of belonging to the Lord. He promises to always be with us. We read in Psalm 37:5-6, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."
Even when we face insurmountable problems the Lord will see us through or around our problems, if we trust in Him. No problem is too big or too small for the Lord. God is all sufficient. We only need to come to Him with our needs and leave them with Him. Psalm 37:7 tells us, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret---." We need to calmly wait in trust for the Lord to work out the details of our lives. We need to be busy in God's kingdom, but we need to be trusting the Lord to work out His plan of our lives. The Lord's command to us is "do not fret" and do not worry.
The child of God is rich and successful in the Lord! The child of God is successful in things that matter for eternity! The child of God is rich in the blessings of God's promises. Psalm 37:17b-19 says, "---the Lord uphold the righteous. The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty."
God never promises that we will have all days of sunshine and days where everything goes according to our plans. He does promise, however, to always be with us and meet our needs. Psalm 37:23-24 promises, "If the Lord delights in a man's ways, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand." What an awesome promise!
No wealth or success we might experience in this world can begin to compare to the wealth and security we have in the Lord and in His promises! Verse twenty-five is one of this devotional writer's favorite verses in Psalm 37. It reads like this, "I was young and now I am old. yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." This devotional writer doesn't like to think of herself as old, but she has lived long enough to see that the Lord is always faithful. His plan is always best, and His timing is always perfect. God's people will always be protected forever, and there is a future for the child of God!
We need to not only trust in the Lord, but we need to actually delight ourselves in the Lord. We must have a sense of the Lord's presence in our lives. We must have a passion for the things of the Lord. We must delight in reading His Holy Word. We must delight in seeking to do His will. Our ultimate delight should not be in our homes, our jobs, or even our families. Our delight and purpose for our lives should be found in the Lord and in serving Him. Then the other things in our lives will take their rightful place in our lives. Then the Lord's desires will become our desires, and thus we will also be given the desires our hearts.
As children of God you and I are rich in His blessings and promises! All the wealth and wisdom of this world can not begin to compare to the joy and blessings of belonging to the Lord. He promises to always be with us. We read in Psalm 37:5-6, "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."
Even when we face insurmountable problems the Lord will see us through or around our problems, if we trust in Him. No problem is too big or too small for the Lord. God is all sufficient. We only need to come to Him with our needs and leave them with Him. Psalm 37:7 tells us, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret---." We need to calmly wait in trust for the Lord to work out the details of our lives. We need to be busy in God's kingdom, but we need to be trusting the Lord to work out His plan of our lives. The Lord's command to us is "do not fret" and do not worry.
The child of God is rich and successful in the Lord! The child of God is successful in things that matter for eternity! The child of God is rich in the blessings of God's promises. Psalm 37:17b-19 says, "---the Lord uphold the righteous. The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty."
God never promises that we will have all days of sunshine and days where everything goes according to our plans. He does promise, however, to always be with us and meet our needs. Psalm 37:23-24 promises, "If the Lord delights in a man's ways, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand." What an awesome promise!
No wealth or success we might experience in this world can begin to compare to the wealth and security we have in the Lord and in His promises! Verse twenty-five is one of this devotional writer's favorite verses in Psalm 37. It reads like this, "I was young and now I am old. yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." This devotional writer doesn't like to think of herself as old, but she has lived long enough to see that the Lord is always faithful. His plan is always best, and His timing is always perfect. God's people will always be protected forever, and there is a future for the child of God!
Thursday, May 18, 2017
II Corinthians 12
II Corinthians 12:1-10
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." II Corinthians 12:9
The apostle Paul had an affliction or infirmity of some kind. The precise nature of this infirmity that plagued Paul's life is uncertain. Paul called his affliction in II Corinthians 12:7b "a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." It would seem as if the "thorn" that Paul experienced in his life was significant. Paul went on to say in II Corinthians 12:8, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me."
God's answer to Paul's prayer in II Corinthians 12:9 was "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." God was telling Paul that His love and kindness would be enough for Paul. The Lord was telling Paul that with the Lord's strength in his life Paul would be able to bear the "thorn" in his life.
The "thorn" of affliction in Paul's life had been given to him to keep him humble. It was given to Paul to keep him from self-reliance and to cause him to rely on the Lord alone for strength. The Lord's strength and grace in Paul's life would be sufficient. Because Paul was willing to accept God's will in not removing the "thorn" from his life, Paul experienced the Lord's blessing. Even the "thorn" became a blessing to Paul! Paul's "thorn" or weakness enabled Paul to experience the Lord's strength in his life. God's strength was more clearly exhibited and completed in Paul's weaknesses!
God sometimes allows problems and afflictions in our lives also. The Lord does not always remove every affliction and problem that we ask Him to remove from our lives. He will instead give us the grace that we need to live victoriously in spite of those problems. The Lord's grace is sufficient for every circumstance and need. Only as we lose our dependence on self and avail ourselves of the Lord's strength do we become dynamic instruments in the Lord's hand. Sometimes the Lord allows afflictions and trials in our lives to keep us close to Him and dependent on Him. Relying and resting on the Lord's strength brings glory and honor to the Lord. Trials are in this way turned to blessing and triumph in our lives!
Paul went on to say in II Corinthians 12:9b-10, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Through Paul's affliction Christ became increasingly real to him. Through his trials Paul grew in his personal love relationship with the Lord. Paul was willing to endure his affliction the rest of his life; if it would better display the power, presence, and glory of the Lord in his life. Paul even delighted in his afflictions, because he knew they were bringing about favorable results in his life. He also knew they were bringing greater glory to the Lord. Paul knew that his weakness in his own human strength resulted in a greater flow of the Lord's strength in him.
We also can glory and delight in our trials and weaknesses. It is in our weakness that the power of our Lord is most clearly displayed. The Lord can not use our foolish attempts at self-reliance. When we depend on the Lord and His strength alone, however, we can be used in powerful ways for the glory of the Lord. Let it be our passion to rely on the Lord's all-sufficiency, power, and grace alone!
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." II Corinthians 12:9
The apostle Paul had an affliction or infirmity of some kind. The precise nature of this infirmity that plagued Paul's life is uncertain. Paul called his affliction in II Corinthians 12:7b "a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me." It would seem as if the "thorn" that Paul experienced in his life was significant. Paul went on to say in II Corinthians 12:8, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me."
God's answer to Paul's prayer in II Corinthians 12:9 was "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." God was telling Paul that His love and kindness would be enough for Paul. The Lord was telling Paul that with the Lord's strength in his life Paul would be able to bear the "thorn" in his life.
The "thorn" of affliction in Paul's life had been given to him to keep him humble. It was given to Paul to keep him from self-reliance and to cause him to rely on the Lord alone for strength. The Lord's strength and grace in Paul's life would be sufficient. Because Paul was willing to accept God's will in not removing the "thorn" from his life, Paul experienced the Lord's blessing. Even the "thorn" became a blessing to Paul! Paul's "thorn" or weakness enabled Paul to experience the Lord's strength in his life. God's strength was more clearly exhibited and completed in Paul's weaknesses!
God sometimes allows problems and afflictions in our lives also. The Lord does not always remove every affliction and problem that we ask Him to remove from our lives. He will instead give us the grace that we need to live victoriously in spite of those problems. The Lord's grace is sufficient for every circumstance and need. Only as we lose our dependence on self and avail ourselves of the Lord's strength do we become dynamic instruments in the Lord's hand. Sometimes the Lord allows afflictions and trials in our lives to keep us close to Him and dependent on Him. Relying and resting on the Lord's strength brings glory and honor to the Lord. Trials are in this way turned to blessing and triumph in our lives!
Paul went on to say in II Corinthians 12:9b-10, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Through Paul's affliction Christ became increasingly real to him. Through his trials Paul grew in his personal love relationship with the Lord. Paul was willing to endure his affliction the rest of his life; if it would better display the power, presence, and glory of the Lord in his life. Paul even delighted in his afflictions, because he knew they were bringing about favorable results in his life. He also knew they were bringing greater glory to the Lord. Paul knew that his weakness in his own human strength resulted in a greater flow of the Lord's strength in him.
We also can glory and delight in our trials and weaknesses. It is in our weakness that the power of our Lord is most clearly displayed. The Lord can not use our foolish attempts at self-reliance. When we depend on the Lord and His strength alone, however, we can be used in powerful ways for the glory of the Lord. Let it be our passion to rely on the Lord's all-sufficiency, power, and grace alone!
Thursday, April 27, 2017
Il Corinthians 5
"So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it."
II Corinthians 5:9
How much time do you and I spend trying to please other people? If we love someone we will try to show our love for them, and we will try to do things for them that bring them joy. Our main joy and priority in life must be found in pleasing the Lord, however. It is God's purpose for our lives that we live for His glory and that we find our ultimate joy in Him alone. Paul said in ll Corinthians 5:9, "So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." We must seek to please the Lord in our words, thoughts, habits, attitudes, and deeds. It must be our consuming desire to moment by moment live in the center of the Lord's will and to please Him in all things.
Earlier in the chapter in ll Corinthians 5 in the last part of verse two Paul spoke of His and every believer's "longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling." Every believer knows that the moments of this life on earth are fleeting and temporary and that eternal joys await us in the future. Only in eternity will we be free from sin and its consequences in our lives and in our world, and only then will we be completely free to experience uninhibited joy in our love relationship with the Lord.
Until then, however, ll Corinthians 5:7 reminds us that "we live by faith, not by sight." As we live our lives here on earth we also "make it our goal" to glorify and please the Lord in all areas of our lives (ll Corinthians 5:9). We seek to avoid self-importance, pride, and the foolish pursuit of worldly things as our source of fulfillment. Instead our goal and priority must be our love relationship with the Lord and our desire to serve Him with all our hearts.
We say with Paul in ll Corinthians 5:14-15, "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again" The love of Christ must so consume us that it controls, compels, and urges us to live our lives with purpose and to live them only for the glory of the Lord.
The Lord Jesus died for our sins, and He made us His children. Because of His atoning death on the cross we are new creatures in Him. ll Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" As new creatures in Christ we have new attitudes, hew identities in Christ, and new purpose. That purpose according to ll Corinthians 5:20 is to live for Jesus Christ's glory and be "Christ's ambassadors" to the world. By our lives we must create a desire in others to come to the Lord Jesus for His forgiveness and His grace.
II Corinthians 5:21 says, "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." The Lord Jesus died to pay the punishment for our sins. Jesus Christ also lived a perfectly righteous life for us that we were unable to live. So Christ's righteousness is now given to us. We now have a righteous standing before the Almighty God because of Christ's righteousness given to us. We must grow in practical holiness also, however, and we must begin to more and more reflect the Lord Jesus in our lives. It must be our consuming desire to live for the glory of the Lord. We must increasingly think as God would want us to think and act the way God would want us to act. This is God's purpose and will for our lives.
II Corinthians 5:9
How much time do you and I spend trying to please other people? If we love someone we will try to show our love for them, and we will try to do things for them that bring them joy. Our main joy and priority in life must be found in pleasing the Lord, however. It is God's purpose for our lives that we live for His glory and that we find our ultimate joy in Him alone. Paul said in ll Corinthians 5:9, "So we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." We must seek to please the Lord in our words, thoughts, habits, attitudes, and deeds. It must be our consuming desire to moment by moment live in the center of the Lord's will and to please Him in all things.
Earlier in the chapter in ll Corinthians 5 in the last part of verse two Paul spoke of His and every believer's "longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling." Every believer knows that the moments of this life on earth are fleeting and temporary and that eternal joys await us in the future. Only in eternity will we be free from sin and its consequences in our lives and in our world, and only then will we be completely free to experience uninhibited joy in our love relationship with the Lord.
Until then, however, ll Corinthians 5:7 reminds us that "we live by faith, not by sight." As we live our lives here on earth we also "make it our goal" to glorify and please the Lord in all areas of our lives (ll Corinthians 5:9). We seek to avoid self-importance, pride, and the foolish pursuit of worldly things as our source of fulfillment. Instead our goal and priority must be our love relationship with the Lord and our desire to serve Him with all our hearts.
We say with Paul in ll Corinthians 5:14-15, "For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and was raised again" The love of Christ must so consume us that it controls, compels, and urges us to live our lives with purpose and to live them only for the glory of the Lord.
The Lord Jesus died for our sins, and He made us His children. Because of His atoning death on the cross we are new creatures in Him. ll Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" As new creatures in Christ we have new attitudes, hew identities in Christ, and new purpose. That purpose according to ll Corinthians 5:20 is to live for Jesus Christ's glory and be "Christ's ambassadors" to the world. By our lives we must create a desire in others to come to the Lord Jesus for His forgiveness and His grace.
II Corinthians 5:21 says, "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." The Lord Jesus died to pay the punishment for our sins. Jesus Christ also lived a perfectly righteous life for us that we were unable to live. So Christ's righteousness is now given to us. We now have a righteous standing before the Almighty God because of Christ's righteousness given to us. We must grow in practical holiness also, however, and we must begin to more and more reflect the Lord Jesus in our lives. It must be our consuming desire to live for the glory of the Lord. We must increasingly think as God would want us to think and act the way God would want us to act. This is God's purpose and will for our lives.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
II Corinthians 4
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed, perplexed, but not in despair." II Corinthians 4:6-8
"Therefore we do not lose heart---For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." II Corinthians 4:16-18
Do you ever feel discouraged? Do you ever feel like everything is falling apart, and you do not know where to turn next? This is actually a good place to be, because it is then that the Lord can begin to do His work in you. The Lord is our great strength giver. He has called us to be His servants, and He will give us the strength to live for Him day by day and moment by moment!
We need never be discouraged; because the Lord in His mercy has redeemed us from sin, chosen us to be His child and servant, and is busy about the task of transforming us into His likeness! Those who are not believers and do not belong to the Lord truly do not understand the joy that we have in the Lord. The devil has blinded their minds, so they cannot see the Lord's glory. They cannot see that Jesus is the very Son of God! We need to be eternally thankful to the Lord for choosing us as His children and for being our Lord and Savior.
II Corinthians 4:6b tells us that He "made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." What a priceless treasure! What a priceless treasure we have in our salvation! What a priceless treasure we have in belonging to the Lord! What a priceless treasure we have in the Lord Jesus Christ living in our hearts and lives! Praise His name!
ll Corinthians 4:7 says, "we have this treasure in jars of clay." In Bible times it was customary to hid treasures and valuable items in clay jars which had very little value or beauty in themselves.Thus attention was not attracted to the jars; and the valuable contents were protected. We have the Lord's treasure in us who are unworthy and frail humans, so that His glory will be shown in us. Through our insufficiency the Lord chooses to reveal His all-sufficiency, grander, power, and greatness! We are nothing in ourselves, but He chooses to fill us with His all-surpassing power! The more we realize that we are nothing in ourselves, the more He can infuse us with His power.
We need to reflect the Lord Jesus and His beauty in our lives. We must ask the Lord to break us of self, self-will, and self-reliance; so that His light and power and glory shines forth in our lives. This is the road to the Lord's best for you and me! It is the road to joy and spiritual prosperity!
ll Corinthians 4:8 tells us that in life's trials and troubles we often feel "hard pressed on every side" and "perplexed." As His children, however, we are never "crushed." because the Lord is with us all the way. We will never be abandoned by Him! The frailty of our humanness makes us more dependent on His strength and thus reveals His life in us in a greater way! We can believe with absolute certainty that the Lord will lead us through this life and through death and to eternity! Any difficulties you or I may experience in this life are nothing compared to the glories that we will experience with the Lord in His presence. We must fix our eyes not on the things we see, namely life's difficulties or material things, but on the Lord Jesus and on eternal realities!
"Therefore we do not lose heart---For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." II Corinthians 4:16-18
Do you ever feel discouraged? Do you ever feel like everything is falling apart, and you do not know where to turn next? This is actually a good place to be, because it is then that the Lord can begin to do His work in you. The Lord is our great strength giver. He has called us to be His servants, and He will give us the strength to live for Him day by day and moment by moment!
We need never be discouraged; because the Lord in His mercy has redeemed us from sin, chosen us to be His child and servant, and is busy about the task of transforming us into His likeness! Those who are not believers and do not belong to the Lord truly do not understand the joy that we have in the Lord. The devil has blinded their minds, so they cannot see the Lord's glory. They cannot see that Jesus is the very Son of God! We need to be eternally thankful to the Lord for choosing us as His children and for being our Lord and Savior.
II Corinthians 4:6b tells us that He "made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." What a priceless treasure! What a priceless treasure we have in our salvation! What a priceless treasure we have in belonging to the Lord! What a priceless treasure we have in the Lord Jesus Christ living in our hearts and lives! Praise His name!
ll Corinthians 4:7 says, "we have this treasure in jars of clay." In Bible times it was customary to hid treasures and valuable items in clay jars which had very little value or beauty in themselves.Thus attention was not attracted to the jars; and the valuable contents were protected. We have the Lord's treasure in us who are unworthy and frail humans, so that His glory will be shown in us. Through our insufficiency the Lord chooses to reveal His all-sufficiency, grander, power, and greatness! We are nothing in ourselves, but He chooses to fill us with His all-surpassing power! The more we realize that we are nothing in ourselves, the more He can infuse us with His power.
We need to reflect the Lord Jesus and His beauty in our lives. We must ask the Lord to break us of self, self-will, and self-reliance; so that His light and power and glory shines forth in our lives. This is the road to the Lord's best for you and me! It is the road to joy and spiritual prosperity!
ll Corinthians 4:8 tells us that in life's trials and troubles we often feel "hard pressed on every side" and "perplexed." As His children, however, we are never "crushed." because the Lord is with us all the way. We will never be abandoned by Him! The frailty of our humanness makes us more dependent on His strength and thus reveals His life in us in a greater way! We can believe with absolute certainty that the Lord will lead us through this life and through death and to eternity! Any difficulties you or I may experience in this life are nothing compared to the glories that we will experience with the Lord in His presence. We must fix our eyes not on the things we see, namely life's difficulties or material things, but on the Lord Jesus and on eternal realities!
Thursday, March 30, 2017
II Corinthians 3
Do others see Jesus Christ living in us? Do we reflect Jesus in our lives? Does what we say and profess about our faith agree and correlate with how we live our lives? The apostle Paul told the Corinthian Christians in II Corinthians 3:2-3 that they were to be living letters or examples to those who do not know Christ Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Paul said in II Corinthians 3:2-3, "You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the Living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."
We also by the example of our lives are living letters "known and read by everybody." We must be God's "letter from Christ" to the world around us. We can be that kind of living letter or example to the world around us, because we have been transformed by the blood of Jesus. As redeemed children of God we also have the Holy Spirit now living in us. Hence, we must reflect Christ in our lives. We must be a living letter "written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God." Since many people never read a Bible, we must be Christ's living and walking "letter from Christ." The people of the world are watching us closely. Do they perceive and recognize Christ in our lives?
Many people today have a veil over their hearts. They refuse to acknowledge the Lord Jesus. The veil over their hearts according to II Corinthians 3:14b "has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away." The Holy Spirit has worked in our hearts as believers and has removed that veil of unbelief, and II Corinthians 3:17b goes on to remind us that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
Because we have experienced that awesome freedom, joy, and forgiveness found only in Christ; we can and must reflect the Lord Jesus in our lives. II Corinthians 3:18 says, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory are being transformed into His likeness." As a mirror is a reflection of us, so we in and through our lives must be a reflection of the Lord Jesus. We must reflect the Lord Jesus in our attitudes, thoughts, actions, and in our character. We must reflect the Lord's glory to those around us, We must become "transformed into His likeness."
In order to be able to reflect the Lord Jesus' glory in our lives we ourselves must truly contemplate and behold the Lord Jesus in all of His glory. We can begin to contemplate and behold the Lord's glory by reading and immersing ourselves in God's Holy Word. As we focus on the Lord Jesus and get to know Him better through His Holy Word, we cannot help but begin to trust and love Him more and more. Hence, we are much more likely to then follow the Lord's paths and will for our lives, and in the process we will bring increasing glory to the Lord's name. As we behold and contemplate Christ in His Holy Word, we become more like the Lord Jesus. In this way we bring glory to His name.
Also as we read and immerse ourselves in God's Holy Word, we more and more see God's holiness and our own sinfulness. This leads to repentance and a turning away from sin in our lives. Hence, as we are beholding and contemplating Christ in all His holiness; we are becoming more like Jesus Christ and becoming a better reflection of Him to the world around us. As we truly behold Jesus in all of His glory and holiness, we become better living letters for Christ to the world around us. We then like II Corinthians 3:18b says "are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." May it be our passion to grow in our love for the Lord Jesus! May it be our passion to grow in our perception of the glory of our Lord and Savior. May it be our passion to better reflect the Lord Jesus in our lives!
We also by the example of our lives are living letters "known and read by everybody." We must be God's "letter from Christ" to the world around us. We can be that kind of living letter or example to the world around us, because we have been transformed by the blood of Jesus. As redeemed children of God we also have the Holy Spirit now living in us. Hence, we must reflect Christ in our lives. We must be a living letter "written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God." Since many people never read a Bible, we must be Christ's living and walking "letter from Christ." The people of the world are watching us closely. Do they perceive and recognize Christ in our lives?
Many people today have a veil over their hearts. They refuse to acknowledge the Lord Jesus. The veil over their hearts according to II Corinthians 3:14b "has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away." The Holy Spirit has worked in our hearts as believers and has removed that veil of unbelief, and II Corinthians 3:17b goes on to remind us that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
Because we have experienced that awesome freedom, joy, and forgiveness found only in Christ; we can and must reflect the Lord Jesus in our lives. II Corinthians 3:18 says, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory are being transformed into His likeness." As a mirror is a reflection of us, so we in and through our lives must be a reflection of the Lord Jesus. We must reflect the Lord Jesus in our attitudes, thoughts, actions, and in our character. We must reflect the Lord's glory to those around us, We must become "transformed into His likeness."
In order to be able to reflect the Lord Jesus' glory in our lives we ourselves must truly contemplate and behold the Lord Jesus in all of His glory. We can begin to contemplate and behold the Lord's glory by reading and immersing ourselves in God's Holy Word. As we focus on the Lord Jesus and get to know Him better through His Holy Word, we cannot help but begin to trust and love Him more and more. Hence, we are much more likely to then follow the Lord's paths and will for our lives, and in the process we will bring increasing glory to the Lord's name. As we behold and contemplate Christ in His Holy Word, we become more like the Lord Jesus. In this way we bring glory to His name.
Also as we read and immerse ourselves in God's Holy Word, we more and more see God's holiness and our own sinfulness. This leads to repentance and a turning away from sin in our lives. Hence, as we are beholding and contemplating Christ in all His holiness; we are becoming more like Jesus Christ and becoming a better reflection of Him to the world around us. As we truly behold Jesus in all of His glory and holiness, we become better living letters for Christ to the world around us. We then like II Corinthians 3:18b says "are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." May it be our passion to grow in our love for the Lord Jesus! May it be our passion to grow in our perception of the glory of our Lord and Savior. May it be our passion to better reflect the Lord Jesus in our lives!
Thursday, March 16, 2017
II Corinthians 1
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." II Corinthians 1:3-4
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." II Corinthians 1:20-22
Have you ever wondered why life does not always go according to our best laid plans and wishes? Have you ever wondered why God sometimes allows difficult circumstances in our lives? The main reason there are problems in the world and in our lives is because of sin. Sin has disrupted God's world and is the ultimate source behind all the problems we experience in this world. God, however, often uses difficult circumstances in our lives for our good and for His glory.
The first chapter of II Corinthians gives us some clues as to the benefits and reasons for difficult circumstances in our lives as Christians, Verse three and four of II Corinthians chapter one tells us that God is a compassionate God and that He is our source of comfort. The Lord is our comfort in difficult times so that we in turn can comfort others with that same comfort we receive from God. Difficult times in our own lives makes us more sensitive to the needs of others. If we never experienced any difficulties in our lives, we would not be able to comfort others.
Another reason that God allows difficult times in our lives is suggested in II Corinthians 1:9b. When speaking of trials that Paul had experienced in his own life Paul said, "But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God." When all is going smoothly in our lives we have a tendency to become smug and complacent. We begin to think that we are self-sufficient. Difficult times makes us realize that we must depend on the Lord's strength alone. God's grace and strength is all-sufficient, and our weakness is the perfect opportunity for His power to be displayed. Difficult times causes us to "set our hope" on the Lord for our strength and deliverance II Corinthians 1:10b). The Lord must become our only source of confidence.
Yet another reason for difficult times is our lives is suggested in II Corinthians 1:11. Difficult times causes us to seek the Lord in prayer in a deeper way. Difficult times cause us to come to the Lord in prayer for our needs and the needs of others. This in turn results in us seeing God's awesome answers to prayer in our lives and in the lives of others.
No matter what circumstances come our way we can count on God's precious promises to always be with us. II Corinthians 1:20-22 tells us, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'yes' in Christ. And so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
We can be sure of God's promises to always be with us! We belong to the Lord for time and for eternity! His Holy Spirit is in our hearts guaranteeing us an eternal presence with the Lord! Because of the Holy Spirit in our hearts we can "stand firm" in our faith no matter what the circumstances in our lives. We can do this, because we know we serve a faithful and all-wise God!
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." II Corinthians 1:20-22
Have you ever wondered why life does not always go according to our best laid plans and wishes? Have you ever wondered why God sometimes allows difficult circumstances in our lives? The main reason there are problems in the world and in our lives is because of sin. Sin has disrupted God's world and is the ultimate source behind all the problems we experience in this world. God, however, often uses difficult circumstances in our lives for our good and for His glory.
The first chapter of II Corinthians gives us some clues as to the benefits and reasons for difficult circumstances in our lives as Christians, Verse three and four of II Corinthians chapter one tells us that God is a compassionate God and that He is our source of comfort. The Lord is our comfort in difficult times so that we in turn can comfort others with that same comfort we receive from God. Difficult times in our own lives makes us more sensitive to the needs of others. If we never experienced any difficulties in our lives, we would not be able to comfort others.
Another reason that God allows difficult times in our lives is suggested in II Corinthians 1:9b. When speaking of trials that Paul had experienced in his own life Paul said, "But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God." When all is going smoothly in our lives we have a tendency to become smug and complacent. We begin to think that we are self-sufficient. Difficult times makes us realize that we must depend on the Lord's strength alone. God's grace and strength is all-sufficient, and our weakness is the perfect opportunity for His power to be displayed. Difficult times causes us to "set our hope" on the Lord for our strength and deliverance II Corinthians 1:10b). The Lord must become our only source of confidence.
Yet another reason for difficult times is our lives is suggested in II Corinthians 1:11. Difficult times causes us to seek the Lord in prayer in a deeper way. Difficult times cause us to come to the Lord in prayer for our needs and the needs of others. This in turn results in us seeing God's awesome answers to prayer in our lives and in the lives of others.
No matter what circumstances come our way we can count on God's precious promises to always be with us. II Corinthians 1:20-22 tells us, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'yes' in Christ. And so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come."
We can be sure of God's promises to always be with us! We belong to the Lord for time and for eternity! His Holy Spirit is in our hearts guaranteeing us an eternal presence with the Lord! Because of the Holy Spirit in our hearts we can "stand firm" in our faith no matter what the circumstances in our lives. We can do this, because we know we serve a faithful and all-wise God!
Thursday, February 23, 2017
Psalm 34
Psalm thirty-four is a beautiful Psalm. Psalm thirty-four is filled with beautiful promises from the Lord to His people. David wrote Psalm thirty-four when he was homeless and still hiding from Saul. Saul was trying to take David's life. David could have concluded that he had nothing for which to be thankful. Instead David said in Psalm 34:1, "I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips." Notice David said his praises for the lord would be on his lips at ALL times. Do we praise the Lord at all times? Do we praise the Lord when we have financial reverse? Do we praise the Lord when we experience heartache and sorrow? Do we praise the Lord when we experience daily irritations and interruptions?
We must remember that God works all things together for our good. This does not mean that all of life's events are good in themselves. It does mean, however, that the Lord uses even what we consider the bad circumstances in our lives for our ultimate spiritual good. Through difficult times in our lives the Lord teaches us patience, perseverance, and dependence on Him rather than in ourselves. We grow spiritually during those times. So even in difficult times we need to say with David in Psalm 34:3, "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together." Praising God in all circumstances is the secret to a life filled with joy. Praise on our lips and praise in our hearts for the Lord lifts us above our difficulties.
When David was in the midst of a difficult circumstance in his life he sought out the Lord, and the Lord delivered him from all his fears (Psalm 34:4). God did not deliver David from some of his fears but from ALL his fears. We also must bring all our fears and worries to the Lord, and we must leave them with the Lord. We must trust that the Lord will take care of our difficult circumstances in His perfect way. Psalm 34:5 tells us, "those who look to Him are radiant" with joy. When we keep our eyes focused on the Lord and on His promises our fears and worries will slip away, and our joy and trust in the Lord will increase.
Psalm 34:6 goes on to tell us that David called to the Lord in his troubles. David knew that he had no resources in himself. David knew that he was totally dependent on the Lord. The Lord heard David's prayers, and He saved him from all his troubles. The Lord will also save and help us in times of trouble. In fact, Psalm 34:7 promises us that "the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them." The Lord's protective guidance and help is all around us each and every moment of our lives. The Lord tells us to to taste and experience His goodness and faithfulness. Blessed and joyful is the person who finds his or her refuge and strength in the Lord alone!
When you or I are feeling overwhelmed with one of life's difficulties we need to trust the Lord, and we need to stand in awe of Him. A child of God can trust the Lord completely, because Psalm 34:10b reminds us that "those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." Wow! What a promise! When our hearts are breaking the Lord hears our prayers. Psalm 34:17-19 says, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all."
Notice once again the world ALL is used. The Lord delivers us from ALL our troubles when we approach Him in faith. He does this in His perfect time and in His perfect way. Things will not be perfect until we reach our eternal home. In fact, the Lord promises us that we will have difficulties in this life. We can trust the Lord, however, to be with us all the way! He has His perfect plan for our lives, and no ultimate spiritual harm can ever come to a child of God!
We must remember that God works all things together for our good. This does not mean that all of life's events are good in themselves. It does mean, however, that the Lord uses even what we consider the bad circumstances in our lives for our ultimate spiritual good. Through difficult times in our lives the Lord teaches us patience, perseverance, and dependence on Him rather than in ourselves. We grow spiritually during those times. So even in difficult times we need to say with David in Psalm 34:3, "Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together." Praising God in all circumstances is the secret to a life filled with joy. Praise on our lips and praise in our hearts for the Lord lifts us above our difficulties.
When David was in the midst of a difficult circumstance in his life he sought out the Lord, and the Lord delivered him from all his fears (Psalm 34:4). God did not deliver David from some of his fears but from ALL his fears. We also must bring all our fears and worries to the Lord, and we must leave them with the Lord. We must trust that the Lord will take care of our difficult circumstances in His perfect way. Psalm 34:5 tells us, "those who look to Him are radiant" with joy. When we keep our eyes focused on the Lord and on His promises our fears and worries will slip away, and our joy and trust in the Lord will increase.
Psalm 34:6 goes on to tell us that David called to the Lord in his troubles. David knew that he had no resources in himself. David knew that he was totally dependent on the Lord. The Lord heard David's prayers, and He saved him from all his troubles. The Lord will also save and help us in times of trouble. In fact, Psalm 34:7 promises us that "the angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them." The Lord's protective guidance and help is all around us each and every moment of our lives. The Lord tells us to to taste and experience His goodness and faithfulness. Blessed and joyful is the person who finds his or her refuge and strength in the Lord alone!
When you or I are feeling overwhelmed with one of life's difficulties we need to trust the Lord, and we need to stand in awe of Him. A child of God can trust the Lord completely, because Psalm 34:10b reminds us that "those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." Wow! What a promise! When our hearts are breaking the Lord hears our prayers. Psalm 34:17-19 says, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all."
Notice once again the world ALL is used. The Lord delivers us from ALL our troubles when we approach Him in faith. He does this in His perfect time and in His perfect way. Things will not be perfect until we reach our eternal home. In fact, the Lord promises us that we will have difficulties in this life. We can trust the Lord, however, to be with us all the way! He has His perfect plan for our lives, and no ultimate spiritual harm can ever come to a child of God!
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Psalm 33
"Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him." Psalm 33:1
"We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name." Psalm 33:20-21
Joy should be evident in the life of every child of God. The Lord has given us so many blessings. Hence, our hearts and lips should burst out in song and praise to the Lord. Psalm 33:1 says, "Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him." The Lord has saved us by His grace. The Lord's love and mercy to us is eternal. and He is always faithful. Therefore "it is is fitting for the upright to praise Him."
Everyday and always our praise for the Lord must be fresh and new. Psalm 33:3 says, "Sing to Him a new song." The Lord deserves our continual and daily praise, because as Psalm 33:4 promises, "the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does."
The Lord deserves our praise, because He is awesome in His character. The Lord also deserves our praise, because He displays power and glory in His creation. Psalm 33:6 tells us, "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth." God not only created this awesome universe, but He continues to maintain it in perfect order. "For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm." (Psalm 33:9) Finally, Psalm 33:11 reminds us that the Lord is worthy of our praise; because "the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations." Our God is a faithful God, and His plans will always remain firm and eternal.
Blessed and joyful is the nation or individual who has the Lord as their God, (Psalm 33:12). He is our only sure foundation and refuge for time and for eternity. Psalm 33:17 exhorts us that a dependence on the things or powers of this world for our safety and protection is "a vain hope for deliverance." There is safety and protection for the child of God, however! That safety and protection is found in the Lord! Psalm 33:18 blesses us by saying, "The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love."
Thus, we must use our lips and lives to praise our awesome and faithful Lord. For He alone is our faithful "help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name." (Psalm 33:20b-21) He alone is our joy and our unfailing source of security and love! Praise His glorious and awesome name!
"We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name." Psalm 33:20-21
Joy should be evident in the life of every child of God. The Lord has given us so many blessings. Hence, our hearts and lips should burst out in song and praise to the Lord. Psalm 33:1 says, "Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him." The Lord has saved us by His grace. The Lord's love and mercy to us is eternal. and He is always faithful. Therefore "it is is fitting for the upright to praise Him."
Everyday and always our praise for the Lord must be fresh and new. Psalm 33:3 says, "Sing to Him a new song." The Lord deserves our continual and daily praise, because as Psalm 33:4 promises, "the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does."
The Lord deserves our praise, because He is awesome in His character. The Lord also deserves our praise, because He displays power and glory in His creation. Psalm 33:6 tells us, "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth." God not only created this awesome universe, but He continues to maintain it in perfect order. "For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm." (Psalm 33:9) Finally, Psalm 33:11 reminds us that the Lord is worthy of our praise; because "the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations." Our God is a faithful God, and His plans will always remain firm and eternal.
Blessed and joyful is the nation or individual who has the Lord as their God, (Psalm 33:12). He is our only sure foundation and refuge for time and for eternity. Psalm 33:17 exhorts us that a dependence on the things or powers of this world for our safety and protection is "a vain hope for deliverance." There is safety and protection for the child of God, however! That safety and protection is found in the Lord! Psalm 33:18 blesses us by saying, "The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love."
Thus, we must use our lips and lives to praise our awesome and faithful Lord. For He alone is our faithful "help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy name." (Psalm 33:20b-21) He alone is our joy and our unfailing source of security and love! Praise His glorious and awesome name!
Thursday, February 2, 2017
I Corinthians 16:5-14
"A great door for effective work has opened to me." I Corinthians 16:9
In our passage today the Apostle Paul sent word to the Corinthian church that he would be remaining in Ephesus for awhile. Paul said in I Corinthians 16:8-9. "But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me." In spite of obstacles and enemies in Ephesus Paul believed God had opened up a door of ministry for him there, and he did not wish to miss that opportunity for ministry and service for his Lord. Paul knew that if God opened up a door of service, He would also give victory.
God opens ups doors of opportunity for us also. We must daily pray for the Lord's guidance in our lives. We must not run ahead of the Lord, and we must not seek to open doors of opportunity by force or our own efforts. Our own self-efforts will always fail. We must seek God's leading and timing. When it becomes clear, however, that the Lord is leading us in a particular direction we must follow the Lord and pursue that open door of service. We must follow the Lord's guidance with trust and confidence. We must also trust that the Lord will make our service for Him victorious and productive in spite of unavoidable obstacles along the way.
In our service for the Lord Paul says to us in I Corinthians 16:13-14, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." We must be very careful to be on guard against apathy. We must maintain our passion and excitement for the work of the Lord. We must also be on guard against the devil's philosophies and lifestyles which are all around us in the secular world. Sometimes the world's philosophies can sound so logical and inviting, if we are not on guard in our spiritual lives. As children of God we must filter and evaluate everything according to God's Holy Word. In our service for the Lord we must "stand firm in the faith." We need to do all that we can to grow in our love relationship with the Lord. The Lord must become number One in our lives, and He must dominate every area of our lives.
In our service for the Lord we must also be men and women of courage and strength. It is often difficult to live as children of God in this world. True courage and strength comes only from a deep personal relationship with our Lord. True courage and strength develops from relying on the Lord's strength and not on our own devices. Only when we are finding our strength in the Lord can we become effective servants in His kingdom.
Finally, I Corinthians 16:14 instructs us that in our service to the God we must "do everything in love." Service for God without love for God and others is worthless. I Corinthians 13:2b-3 says, "if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
May we not shrink from God's open doors of opportunity for service. May we serve the Lord and others in love, and may our ministries and lives be squarely based on the Word of God. May it be our passion to use every "door for effective work" for the Lord's glory!
In our passage today the Apostle Paul sent word to the Corinthian church that he would be remaining in Ephesus for awhile. Paul said in I Corinthians 16:8-9. "But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me." In spite of obstacles and enemies in Ephesus Paul believed God had opened up a door of ministry for him there, and he did not wish to miss that opportunity for ministry and service for his Lord. Paul knew that if God opened up a door of service, He would also give victory.
God opens ups doors of opportunity for us also. We must daily pray for the Lord's guidance in our lives. We must not run ahead of the Lord, and we must not seek to open doors of opportunity by force or our own efforts. Our own self-efforts will always fail. We must seek God's leading and timing. When it becomes clear, however, that the Lord is leading us in a particular direction we must follow the Lord and pursue that open door of service. We must follow the Lord's guidance with trust and confidence. We must also trust that the Lord will make our service for Him victorious and productive in spite of unavoidable obstacles along the way.
In our service for the Lord Paul says to us in I Corinthians 16:13-14, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." We must be very careful to be on guard against apathy. We must maintain our passion and excitement for the work of the Lord. We must also be on guard against the devil's philosophies and lifestyles which are all around us in the secular world. Sometimes the world's philosophies can sound so logical and inviting, if we are not on guard in our spiritual lives. As children of God we must filter and evaluate everything according to God's Holy Word. In our service for the Lord we must "stand firm in the faith." We need to do all that we can to grow in our love relationship with the Lord. The Lord must become number One in our lives, and He must dominate every area of our lives.
In our service for the Lord we must also be men and women of courage and strength. It is often difficult to live as children of God in this world. True courage and strength comes only from a deep personal relationship with our Lord. True courage and strength develops from relying on the Lord's strength and not on our own devices. Only when we are finding our strength in the Lord can we become effective servants in His kingdom.
Finally, I Corinthians 16:14 instructs us that in our service to the God we must "do everything in love." Service for God without love for God and others is worthless. I Corinthians 13:2b-3 says, "if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."
May we not shrink from God's open doors of opportunity for service. May we serve the Lord and others in love, and may our ministries and lives be squarely based on the Word of God. May it be our passion to use every "door for effective work" for the Lord's glory!
Thursday, January 26, 2017
I Corinthians 9:24-27
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it a slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." I Corinthians 9:24-27
In our race of life we must be passionate about our desire to live for the glory of the Lord. In our race of life we must be passionate about living holy lives for the Lord. As children of God we are no longer subject to the consequences of hell for our sins. Jesus has paid the punishment of our sins on the cross. The Lord has also lived a perfect life for us that we could not live. We are now in a positional state of holiness before God. It must also be our passion, however, to demonstrate practical holiness and to reflect the Lord Jesus in all areas of our lives. Romans 6:13 tells us that we must not offer our bodies as "instruments of wickedness." We must instead offer ourselves to the Lord as "instruments of righteousness" and holiness.
Before we became children of God we had no choice but to sin. We were not capable of refraining from sin in our lives. As children of God we once again have the capability to choose not to sin. We have the capability to choose to be "instruments of righteousness" and holiness for the Lord. We often still fail and sin, but we now have the desire and power and capability to choose to obey the Lord. This desire and power comes from the Holy Spirit now living in us.
As redeemed children of God we are now free from the penalty and power of sin, but sin is still present in our lives. Our minds and hearts desire to obey God, but the sin still remaining in us wishes to take dominance. So as children of God we are in a spiritual warfare or battle against sin until the day we die or until Jesus returns.
We must not think that practical holiness and victory over sin will come instantly or easily. I Timothy 4:7 says that in our spiritual warfare against sin we must train ourselves to be godly. In the days of the ancient Olympics the runners who competed in the races would undergo "strict training" (I Corinthians 9:25). This is true of our daily struggle and victory over sin also. Psalm 119:11 reminds us that one way we train ourselves to be godly and holy is by hiding God's Word in our heart. We must have a disciplined approach to hearing, reading, studying, and memorizing God's Word.
We must also take time to meditate on God's Word. We must think about God's Word and strive to apply its truths to our individual life's situations and to every area of our lives. We must strive to bring even our bodies and our physical appetites under the dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 9:27 tells us that we must make our bodies "slaves" for God and not slaves of our passions, desires, and weaknesses.
In our attempt at disciplined application of God's Word to our lives we will fail many times. In spite of this the Lord wants us to keep persevering in our struggles against sin no matter how many times we fail. In spite of sin and failure I Corinthians 9:25 says that the Lord wants us to run our race of life "in such a way as to get the prize." Our eternal lives are already secure in Christ. We must run life's race, however, in a way that it demonstrates that we are truly children of God. May this be our passion and desire!
In our race of life we must be passionate about our desire to live for the glory of the Lord. In our race of life we must be passionate about living holy lives for the Lord. As children of God we are no longer subject to the consequences of hell for our sins. Jesus has paid the punishment of our sins on the cross. The Lord has also lived a perfect life for us that we could not live. We are now in a positional state of holiness before God. It must also be our passion, however, to demonstrate practical holiness and to reflect the Lord Jesus in all areas of our lives. Romans 6:13 tells us that we must not offer our bodies as "instruments of wickedness." We must instead offer ourselves to the Lord as "instruments of righteousness" and holiness.
Before we became children of God we had no choice but to sin. We were not capable of refraining from sin in our lives. As children of God we once again have the capability to choose not to sin. We have the capability to choose to be "instruments of righteousness" and holiness for the Lord. We often still fail and sin, but we now have the desire and power and capability to choose to obey the Lord. This desire and power comes from the Holy Spirit now living in us.
As redeemed children of God we are now free from the penalty and power of sin, but sin is still present in our lives. Our minds and hearts desire to obey God, but the sin still remaining in us wishes to take dominance. So as children of God we are in a spiritual warfare or battle against sin until the day we die or until Jesus returns.
We must not think that practical holiness and victory over sin will come instantly or easily. I Timothy 4:7 says that in our spiritual warfare against sin we must train ourselves to be godly. In the days of the ancient Olympics the runners who competed in the races would undergo "strict training" (I Corinthians 9:25). This is true of our daily struggle and victory over sin also. Psalm 119:11 reminds us that one way we train ourselves to be godly and holy is by hiding God's Word in our heart. We must have a disciplined approach to hearing, reading, studying, and memorizing God's Word.
We must also take time to meditate on God's Word. We must think about God's Word and strive to apply its truths to our individual life's situations and to every area of our lives. We must strive to bring even our bodies and our physical appetites under the dominion of the Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 9:27 tells us that we must make our bodies "slaves" for God and not slaves of our passions, desires, and weaknesses.
In our attempt at disciplined application of God's Word to our lives we will fail many times. In spite of this the Lord wants us to keep persevering in our struggles against sin no matter how many times we fail. In spite of sin and failure I Corinthians 9:25 says that the Lord wants us to run our race of life "in such a way as to get the prize." Our eternal lives are already secure in Christ. We must run life's race, however, in a way that it demonstrates that we are truly children of God. May this be our passion and desire!
Thursday, January 19, 2017
Psalm 32
Praise God for His awesome gift of salvation! Psalm 32:1-2 says, Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit there is no deceit." Blessed means happy or joyful. Joyful is the individual whose sins have been forgiven by the Lord!
Experiencing the joy of God's forgiveness, however, depends on us first acknowledging and confessing our sins. We need to run to the Lord in sorrowful repentance, and then we need to allow His Holy Spirit to shape our lives into something beautiful for God. When we stubbornly refuse to acknowledge our sins, however, we will suffer consequences. David was a child of God, but for a time in his life he stubbornly refused to acknowledge a serious sin in his life. Hence, David suffered spiritually, psychologically, and even physically. David prayed to God in Psalm 32:3-4, "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer." We as children of God must be careful that we do not persist in deliberate sin and stubbornly refuse to acknowledge sin in our lives.
When we acknowledge our sins, the Lord receives us with open arms of forgiveness. David prayed in Psalm 32:5, "Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,'- and you forgave the guilt of my sin." When we acknowledge our sins the Lord forgives our sins. He also promises to be with us every step of our lives! The Lord directs our steps during both the pleasant and difficult circumstances of life.
When David finally acknowledged his sin he once again experienced the Lord's blessings on his life. David prayed in Psalm 32:6-7, "Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to You while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."
We must acknowledge our sins, and we must also seek the Lord. Then we will experience the Lord's favor and blessing on our lives. A God who is willing to forgive our sins is also a God whom we can trust. He is a God to whom we can devote our entire lives. When "the mighty waters" of chaotic and difficult circumstances arise in our lives we can trust in the Lord's protection and provision for us. He is our "hiding place" and protection. The Christian goes from victory to victory in his or her life. A Christian in thankfulness can then sing "songs of deliverance."
Experiencing God's victories in our lives is dependent on following God's will for our lives. God said to David in Psalm 32:8 and says to us today. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." God instructs us through His Holy Word, and we must immerse ourselves in His Holy Word every day. God also directs us through the circumstances that He allows in our lives. God is slowly shaping us into the people He wants us to become. He is slowly instructing and teaching us in the way He wants us to go.
We must be submissive and not rebellious to the Lord's leading in our lives, however. We must be careful that we are not "like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding, but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you." (Psalm 32:9) Only in total submission to God's will do we experience the Lord's blessing and joy. Psalm 32:10 says, "Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him." Let us daily examine our lives for any unconfessed sins. Let us confess those sins, and turn to the Lord in repentance. Let us submit to God's will for our lives and experience His protection, blessing, joy, and "unfailing love."
Experiencing the joy of God's forgiveness, however, depends on us first acknowledging and confessing our sins. We need to run to the Lord in sorrowful repentance, and then we need to allow His Holy Spirit to shape our lives into something beautiful for God. When we stubbornly refuse to acknowledge our sins, however, we will suffer consequences. David was a child of God, but for a time in his life he stubbornly refused to acknowledge a serious sin in his life. Hence, David suffered spiritually, psychologically, and even physically. David prayed to God in Psalm 32:3-4, "When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer." We as children of God must be careful that we do not persist in deliberate sin and stubbornly refuse to acknowledge sin in our lives.
When we acknowledge our sins, the Lord receives us with open arms of forgiveness. David prayed in Psalm 32:5, "Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,'- and you forgave the guilt of my sin." When we acknowledge our sins the Lord forgives our sins. He also promises to be with us every step of our lives! The Lord directs our steps during both the pleasant and difficult circumstances of life.
When David finally acknowledged his sin he once again experienced the Lord's blessings on his life. David prayed in Psalm 32:6-7, "Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to You while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."
We must acknowledge our sins, and we must also seek the Lord. Then we will experience the Lord's favor and blessing on our lives. A God who is willing to forgive our sins is also a God whom we can trust. He is a God to whom we can devote our entire lives. When "the mighty waters" of chaotic and difficult circumstances arise in our lives we can trust in the Lord's protection and provision for us. He is our "hiding place" and protection. The Christian goes from victory to victory in his or her life. A Christian in thankfulness can then sing "songs of deliverance."
Experiencing God's victories in our lives is dependent on following God's will for our lives. God said to David in Psalm 32:8 and says to us today. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." God instructs us through His Holy Word, and we must immerse ourselves in His Holy Word every day. God also directs us through the circumstances that He allows in our lives. God is slowly shaping us into the people He wants us to become. He is slowly instructing and teaching us in the way He wants us to go.
We must be submissive and not rebellious to the Lord's leading in our lives, however. We must be careful that we are not "like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding, but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you." (Psalm 32:9) Only in total submission to God's will do we experience the Lord's blessing and joy. Psalm 32:10 says, "Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him." Let us daily examine our lives for any unconfessed sins. Let us confess those sins, and turn to the Lord in repentance. Let us submit to God's will for our lives and experience His protection, blessing, joy, and "unfailing love."
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