"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
In his letter to the believers in Corinth, the Apostle Paul told them that they should do everything that they do, eat, drink, or whatever, to the glory of God.
The non-believer will never really know or fully understand their purpose in life. Man was created for the purpose of fellowship with God. (1 Corinthians 5:5) Since the fall of man in the garden of Eden, the only way that we can maintain good fellowship with God now is to do that which is pleasing to Him, do things which give Him glory. (1 Peter 4:11) Everything that we do, whatever it is, should be done in such a way as to give God glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31) However, the first thing we must do is confess (Philippians 2:11) and believe. (Romans 10:9-10) As believers, because of our sinful human nature, it is difficult for us to maintain a good fellowship with God. Because we sin, we fall out of fellowship with God. We do not lose our relationship, we just mess up the fellowship. Therefore, we must continually confess our sins, ( 1 John 1:9), and we must pray and change our sinful behavior. (2 Chronicles 7:14) Then we will be able to fulfill our purpose and live our life to the glory of God.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Jesus Said "It Is Finished"
"When He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'It is finished.' With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit." John 19:30 (NIV)
The Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, records that one of the last words that Jesus said while He was on the cross before He died was "It is finished." This was a reference to the work that God, The Father, had assigned for Him to do for the redemption of mankind.
Jesus said that He must be about His Father's business and He must work the work of Him that sent Him. (Luke 2:49 & John 9:4) He knew from the very beginning that He came into this world to teach, suffer, and die, so that we could have the choice of salvation. (John 18:37) Because of His love for us, Christ died for us. (John 15:13-14 & Romans 5:8) He could have saved Himself or called for legions of angels to do whatever He wanted, but He knew that this was the only way that we could be saved and that the scriptures could be fulfilled. (Matthew 26:53-54) When Jesus said "It is finished" He knew that He had done all that needed to be done in the redemptive process for the salvation of man. Thankfully, He completed His work and He paid the price for our salvation. All we have to do is believe.
The Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, records that one of the last words that Jesus said while He was on the cross before He died was "It is finished." This was a reference to the work that God, The Father, had assigned for Him to do for the redemption of mankind.
Jesus said that He must be about His Father's business and He must work the work of Him that sent Him. (Luke 2:49 & John 9:4) He knew from the very beginning that He came into this world to teach, suffer, and die, so that we could have the choice of salvation. (John 18:37) Because of His love for us, Christ died for us. (John 15:13-14 & Romans 5:8) He could have saved Himself or called for legions of angels to do whatever He wanted, but He knew that this was the only way that we could be saved and that the scriptures could be fulfilled. (Matthew 26:53-54) When Jesus said "It is finished" He knew that He had done all that needed to be done in the redemptive process for the salvation of man. Thankfully, He completed His work and He paid the price for our salvation. All we have to do is believe.
Friday, March 29, 2013
Salvation Acceptance Or Rejection
"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: 'Aren't You The Christ? Save Yourself and us!' But the other criminal rebuked him. 'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.' Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.' Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with Me in paradise.' " Luke 23:39-43 (NIV)
Luke, the physician companion of the Apostle Paul, recorded that there were two criminals who were crucified along with Jesus, The Christ. (Luke 23:32-33) One of the criminals insulted Christ. The second one rebuked the first one and then asked Jesus to remember him when He enters His kingdom. Jesus told him that he would be with Him in paradise that day.
On that fateful day there were three crosses on the hill called Golgotha. When all was said and done symbolically, the cross in the center, upon which Jesus hung, represented salvation. The cross on one side of Him represented rejection, and the cross on the other side of Him represented acceptance. They represent the choice which we all have with respect to what Jesus has to offer. Either we will accept Him and receive salvation, or we will reject Him and spend eternity in torment. We have a choice, please choose wisely.
Luke, the physician companion of the Apostle Paul, recorded that there were two criminals who were crucified along with Jesus, The Christ. (Luke 23:32-33) One of the criminals insulted Christ. The second one rebuked the first one and then asked Jesus to remember him when He enters His kingdom. Jesus told him that he would be with Him in paradise that day.
On that fateful day there were three crosses on the hill called Golgotha. When all was said and done symbolically, the cross in the center, upon which Jesus hung, represented salvation. The cross on one side of Him represented rejection, and the cross on the other side of Him represented acceptance. They represent the choice which we all have with respect to what Jesus has to offer. Either we will accept Him and receive salvation, or we will reject Him and spend eternity in torment. We have a choice, please choose wisely.
Thursday, March 28, 2013
"Father Forgive Them"
"Then Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34 (NIV)
According to the record of Luke, the physician companion of the Apostle Paul, one of the last things that Jesus did as He hung on the cross at Calvary was to pray for the people who were responsible for His suffering and crucifixion.
There are those who believe that Jesus prayed that prayer for the forgiveness of those Roman solders who were involved in His physical crucifixion. However, most of us know that Jesus was actually praying for all of us, all of humanity, because it was for the remission of our sins that the shedding of His blood, His crucifixion, His death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection was necessary. (Galatians 1:4 & 1 John 2:2) The price He paid, He paid for all of us. (Romans 5:8 & 14:9) We should remember that as we celebrate the period of Passover, the Passion Week, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday.
According to the record of Luke, the physician companion of the Apostle Paul, one of the last things that Jesus did as He hung on the cross at Calvary was to pray for the people who were responsible for His suffering and crucifixion.
There are those who believe that Jesus prayed that prayer for the forgiveness of those Roman solders who were involved in His physical crucifixion. However, most of us know that Jesus was actually praying for all of us, all of humanity, because it was for the remission of our sins that the shedding of His blood, His crucifixion, His death on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection was necessary. (Galatians 1:4 & 1 John 2:2) The price He paid, He paid for all of us. (Romans 5:8 & 14:9) We should remember that as we celebrate the period of Passover, the Passion Week, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Jesus Is Coming Back
"Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with Me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done." Revelation 22:7 & 12 (NIV)
The Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was told to write these words and record what he saw and heard in the vision which God revealed to him future things to come. Jesus said that He was coming back soon. Blessed is the man who lives by and obeys the things written in The Word of God. When He comes back, Jesus will reward everyone according to what they have done.
The first time that Jesus came, He came to show us how to live and to save us from the penalty of our sins. The second time that He comes, He will come to gather all of the believers unto Himself, and the non-believers will be left behind. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) All those who lived by The Word of God will be blessed and rewarded. We will be judged and rewarded according to what we did that gave God glory. (Revelation 14:7)
The Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was told to write these words and record what he saw and heard in the vision which God revealed to him future things to come. Jesus said that He was coming back soon. Blessed is the man who lives by and obeys the things written in The Word of God. When He comes back, Jesus will reward everyone according to what they have done.
The first time that Jesus came, He came to show us how to live and to save us from the penalty of our sins. The second time that He comes, He will come to gather all of the believers unto Himself, and the non-believers will be left behind. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) All those who lived by The Word of God will be blessed and rewarded. We will be judged and rewarded according to what we did that gave God glory. (Revelation 14:7)
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Blessing After Blessing After Blessing
"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another." John 1:16 (NIV)
The Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, who wrote the gospel which bears his name so that man would believe that Jesus, is The Christ, The Son of God. In this verse, John clearly stated that because of the grace of God, we have all received blessing after blessing.
We have all been blessed with more blessings than we can count. God has blessed us all over and over again. We take most of our blessings for granted, and yet we ask Him for more. Thank God that the fullness of His grace is "super-abundant" and never ending. All that we have and all that we are, we have received from Him. God has blessed us through the fullness of His grace from the breath of life, (Genesis 2:7), and every good and perfect gift, (Psalms 84:11 & James 1:17), all that we eat and drink (Ecclesiastes 3:13), with a good job, wealth, and possessions (Ecclesiastes 5:19), to salvation (Ephesians 2:8), to and including eternal life (Romans 6:23). God has blessed us with so much that we have to be thankful for, including the gift of His Son, (John 3:16), who hung, bled, died, and rose from the grave so that we could be saved from the penalty of our sins.
The Apostle John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, who wrote the gospel which bears his name so that man would believe that Jesus, is The Christ, The Son of God. In this verse, John clearly stated that because of the grace of God, we have all received blessing after blessing.
We have all been blessed with more blessings than we can count. God has blessed us all over and over again. We take most of our blessings for granted, and yet we ask Him for more. Thank God that the fullness of His grace is "super-abundant" and never ending. All that we have and all that we are, we have received from Him. God has blessed us through the fullness of His grace from the breath of life, (Genesis 2:7), and every good and perfect gift, (Psalms 84:11 & James 1:17), all that we eat and drink (Ecclesiastes 3:13), with a good job, wealth, and possessions (Ecclesiastes 5:19), to salvation (Ephesians 2:8), to and including eternal life (Romans 6:23). God has blessed us with so much that we have to be thankful for, including the gift of His Son, (John 3:16), who hung, bled, died, and rose from the grave so that we could be saved from the penalty of our sins.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Blessed Is He Whom God Corrects
"Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of The Almighty." Job 5:17 (NIV)
This comment was made to Job by his friend Eliphaz, one of the three friends who came to him after he was afflicted with a dreaded disease. His point was that God punishes those that He loves to correct them.
Our parents disciplined us because they loved us. The same is true of God, His punishment is out of His love for us. His chastisement is to correct us and teach us. (Deuteronomy 8:5, Psalms 94:12, Proverbs 3:11-12, John 15:2, and Revelation 3:19) This is an honest attempt to put a positive spin on a negative situation. God may only be allowing us to go through a bad situation in order to prepare us for the blessing that He has for us on the other side of the storm. God did not punish Job, He allowed Satan to test him. But Job went through his storm and was blessed with twice as much has he had before the storm. (Job 42:12) However, the Bible clearly states that God does chastise His children. Do not despise Him for His discipline of us, because we deserve it, and so much more. Thank God for His mercy.
This comment was made to Job by his friend Eliphaz, one of the three friends who came to him after he was afflicted with a dreaded disease. His point was that God punishes those that He loves to correct them.
Our parents disciplined us because they loved us. The same is true of God, His punishment is out of His love for us. His chastisement is to correct us and teach us. (Deuteronomy 8:5, Psalms 94:12, Proverbs 3:11-12, John 15:2, and Revelation 3:19) This is an honest attempt to put a positive spin on a negative situation. God may only be allowing us to go through a bad situation in order to prepare us for the blessing that He has for us on the other side of the storm. God did not punish Job, He allowed Satan to test him. But Job went through his storm and was blessed with twice as much has he had before the storm. (Job 42:12) However, the Bible clearly states that God does chastise His children. Do not despise Him for His discipline of us, because we deserve it, and so much more. Thank God for His mercy.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
God Can Turn Enemies' Curses Into Blessings
"Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. He struck his hands together and said to him, 'I summoned you to curse my enemies, but you have blessed them these three times. Now leave at once and go home! I said I would reward you handsomely, but The LORD has kept you from being rewarded.' Balaam answered Balak, 'Did I not tell the messengers you sent me, 'Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of The LORD, and I must say only what The LORD says'?" Numbers 24:10-14 (NIV)
Balak, king of the Moabites, was fearful of the large number of Israelites near his country, so he sent for Balaam, an oracle, to have him put a curse upon the Israelites. (Numbers 22:5-6) Balaam was warned in a vision not to go with the messengers to the king and not to curse the people. (Numbers 22:12) He did not go with the messengers, so the king sent a larger group to summon him. In a vision that night God said to him "Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you." On his way to the king the angel of The Lord blocked his path and his donkey refused three times to go forward, even after being beaten, because he saw the angel of The Lord and the sword in His hand. After the third time, the donkey spoke to Balaam, and The Lord opened his eyes and he saw what the donkey saw. (Numbers 22:32-33) When he had spoken to the angel of The Lord, Balaam was allowed to go to the king, but instead of cursing the people, he blessed them three times.
As Joseph said to his brothers when they sold him into slavery, you meant it for evil but God meant it for good. (Genesis 50:20) Some of the evil plans that our enemies have in store for us, God can turn them into blessings for us. The people of God can be unaware of the evil that was planned for them which God turned into blessings. God can protect us from dangers seen and unseen. (Joshua 24:17, 1 Samuel 30:23, Ezra 8:31, Psalms 5:11, Psalms 12:7, John 17:15, & 2 Thessalonians 3:3) What He has done for others, He can do for us too. We just need to believe and obey.
Balak, king of the Moabites, was fearful of the large number of Israelites near his country, so he sent for Balaam, an oracle, to have him put a curse upon the Israelites. (Numbers 22:5-6) Balaam was warned in a vision not to go with the messengers to the king and not to curse the people. (Numbers 22:12) He did not go with the messengers, so the king sent a larger group to summon him. In a vision that night God said to him "Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you." On his way to the king the angel of The Lord blocked his path and his donkey refused three times to go forward, even after being beaten, because he saw the angel of The Lord and the sword in His hand. After the third time, the donkey spoke to Balaam, and The Lord opened his eyes and he saw what the donkey saw. (Numbers 22:32-33) When he had spoken to the angel of The Lord, Balaam was allowed to go to the king, but instead of cursing the people, he blessed them three times.
As Joseph said to his brothers when they sold him into slavery, you meant it for evil but God meant it for good. (Genesis 50:20) Some of the evil plans that our enemies have in store for us, God can turn them into blessings for us. The people of God can be unaware of the evil that was planned for them which God turned into blessings. God can protect us from dangers seen and unseen. (Joshua 24:17, 1 Samuel 30:23, Ezra 8:31, Psalms 5:11, Psalms 12:7, John 17:15, & 2 Thessalonians 3:3) What He has done for others, He can do for us too. We just need to believe and obey.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
May God Bless Us And Enlarge Our Territory
"Jabez cried out to The God of Israel, 'Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request." 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NIV)
Jabez, a son in the genealogy of Judah (Levi), the fourth son of Jacob, who the Bible records was more honorable than his unnamed brothers (1 Chronicles 4:9), prayed that God would bless him, increase his influence and allow him to prosper in all of his endeavors. He also wanted the hand of God to be with him, to lead, guide, direct, protect, and strengthen him. God blessed Jabez and gave him what he asked for.
We know that God hears and answers the prayers of the righteous. If we want the favor of God's blessings, then we need to be more obedient to His Word. We should pray like Jabez prayed and ask God to keep His hand on us, to lead, guide, direct, protect, and strengthen us as we go about doing His work. If we do that, then we just might have more influence and success with people as we spread The Word of God. The Bible does not say exactly how successful Jabez was, but there was a city named Jabez where the scribes dwelt that was probably named after him. (1 Chronicles 2:55) There is no limit to how influential, successful, and prosperous we could become if the hand of God is on us.
Jabez, a son in the genealogy of Judah (Levi), the fourth son of Jacob, who the Bible records was more honorable than his unnamed brothers (1 Chronicles 4:9), prayed that God would bless him, increase his influence and allow him to prosper in all of his endeavors. He also wanted the hand of God to be with him, to lead, guide, direct, protect, and strengthen him. God blessed Jabez and gave him what he asked for.
We know that God hears and answers the prayers of the righteous. If we want the favor of God's blessings, then we need to be more obedient to His Word. We should pray like Jabez prayed and ask God to keep His hand on us, to lead, guide, direct, protect, and strengthen us as we go about doing His work. If we do that, then we just might have more influence and success with people as we spread The Word of God. The Bible does not say exactly how successful Jabez was, but there was a city named Jabez where the scribes dwelt that was probably named after him. (1 Chronicles 2:55) There is no limit to how influential, successful, and prosperous we could become if the hand of God is on us.
Friday, March 22, 2013
Find A Place Of Prayer
"On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there." Acts 16:13 (NIV)
Luke, the physician and companion of the Apostle Paul, recorded that Paul and Silas went outside of the city gate and headed to the river looking for a common gathering place which was known as a place of prayer. When they arrived there they found that a group of women had already gathered there.
The early Christians were a praying people. Even when there wasn't a church building for them to gather in, they gathered and prayed by the riverside and in each others homes. (Acts 12:12) The Bible says that we ought to always pray. (Luke 18:1) We should pray in private at times. (Matthew 6:6) However, we are encouraged to come together and pray, even if there are only two or three of us. (Matthew 18:20) There is power in prayer. Prayer is an effective tool which we ought to use more often. (James 5:16) "Little prayer, little power; much prayer, much power; no prayer, no power." (Unknown) We can pray anywhere, and anytime. We cannot pray too much. So, go to prayer meetings. If your church does not have one, consider starting one. Make your home a place of prayer.
Luke, the physician and companion of the Apostle Paul, recorded that Paul and Silas went outside of the city gate and headed to the river looking for a common gathering place which was known as a place of prayer. When they arrived there they found that a group of women had already gathered there.
The early Christians were a praying people. Even when there wasn't a church building for them to gather in, they gathered and prayed by the riverside and in each others homes. (Acts 12:12) The Bible says that we ought to always pray. (Luke 18:1) We should pray in private at times. (Matthew 6:6) However, we are encouraged to come together and pray, even if there are only two or three of us. (Matthew 18:20) There is power in prayer. Prayer is an effective tool which we ought to use more often. (James 5:16) "Little prayer, little power; much prayer, much power; no prayer, no power." (Unknown) We can pray anywhere, and anytime. We cannot pray too much. So, go to prayer meetings. If your church does not have one, consider starting one. Make your home a place of prayer.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Blessed Coming And Going
"You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out." Deuteronomy 28:6 (NIV)
Moses told the people of God that if they obeyed The Word of God, they would be blessed throughout all of their journeys, going wheresoever they go and coming back home. (Deuteronomy 28:1 & 6)
As Christians we belong to God, we are also His people, and therefore this conditional blessing also applies to us today. Hearing The Word of God on Sundays, and reading The Bible, does not do us any good if we do not internalize The Word and live by it. If we obey Him, God will bless us wherever we go (Deuteronomy 28:3 & 6), bless whatever we do (Deuteronomy 28:8), bless our children (Deuteronomy 28:4), protect us from our enemies (Deuteronomy 28:7), and God will bless us with abundant prosperity (Deuteronomy 28:11). All of these special conditional blessings will come to us and accompany us as we go through our lives, if we obey The LORD. (Deuteronomy 28:2) Whether we are at home or away from home, coming or going, God will bless us, if we obedient to His Word.
Moses told the people of God that if they obeyed The Word of God, they would be blessed throughout all of their journeys, going wheresoever they go and coming back home. (Deuteronomy 28:1 & 6)
As Christians we belong to God, we are also His people, and therefore this conditional blessing also applies to us today. Hearing The Word of God on Sundays, and reading The Bible, does not do us any good if we do not internalize The Word and live by it. If we obey Him, God will bless us wherever we go (Deuteronomy 28:3 & 6), bless whatever we do (Deuteronomy 28:8), bless our children (Deuteronomy 28:4), protect us from our enemies (Deuteronomy 28:7), and God will bless us with abundant prosperity (Deuteronomy 28:11). All of these special conditional blessings will come to us and accompany us as we go through our lives, if we obey The LORD. (Deuteronomy 28:2) Whether we are at home or away from home, coming or going, God will bless us, if we obedient to His Word.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Go And Make Disciples Teach Them
"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of The Father and of The Son and of The Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.' " Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
After His resurrection, Jesus, The Christ, told His disciples that He had been given all power in heaven and on earth. Then He gave them the command, which is referred to as "the great commission", to go teach and preach to all the people in the world the things which He had taught them. So that they would also become His disciples and be baptized. Jesus also promised them that He would always be with them.
This final command of Jesus to His disciples, and to us as His present day disciples, to teach the gospel is recorded in all four of the gospels. (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, & John 21:15-17) We all are to tell others about salvation through belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, not just the preachers and pastors. We talk to a lot of people each day, but do we tell any of them about Christ? It is time for us to make a commitment to obey the great commission and tell others about the gospel, in order to help non-believers become disciples of Christ. Our job is to tell them about it. The Holy Spirit's job is convict them, convince them, convert them, and consecrate them.
After His resurrection, Jesus, The Christ, told His disciples that He had been given all power in heaven and on earth. Then He gave them the command, which is referred to as "the great commission", to go teach and preach to all the people in the world the things which He had taught them. So that they would also become His disciples and be baptized. Jesus also promised them that He would always be with them.
This final command of Jesus to His disciples, and to us as His present day disciples, to teach the gospel is recorded in all four of the gospels. (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:47, & John 21:15-17) We all are to tell others about salvation through belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, not just the preachers and pastors. We talk to a lot of people each day, but do we tell any of them about Christ? It is time for us to make a commitment to obey the great commission and tell others about the gospel, in order to help non-believers become disciples of Christ. Our job is to tell them about it. The Holy Spirit's job is convict them, convince them, convert them, and consecrate them.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
It's Time To Leave Some People Behind
"The LORD had said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.' " Genesis 12:1 (NIV)
Moses records that God told Abram, later to be called Abraham, the father of the faithful, to leave his home, his people, and his country, to go to a place that He would show him and He will bless him.
Every person that God allows into our life is not to always be in our life. Some people come into our life for a reason, some for a season, but after they have fulfilled God's purpose for them in our life, it is time for us to move on and leave them behind. The memory and the lesson learned will always be a part of us, but they were not meant to always be with us. Abraham left his father and his friends, and he was blessed because he obeyed the will of God. The men of God who married foreign women left their wives and children to regain God's favor. (Ezra 10:10-11) Jesus told His disciples to leave behind any place or people who would not listen to The Word of God. (Matthew 10:14) We should make sure that the people in our lives are not keeping us from doing the work of The Lord and being blessed. Maybe it is time for us to stop associating with some of our friends, and even some of our family members, if God is telling us to leave them behind and be blessed. Do not be unequally yoked to a loved one or to friends. (2 Corinthians 6:14) Let no one stand between you and the will of God.
Moses records that God told Abram, later to be called Abraham, the father of the faithful, to leave his home, his people, and his country, to go to a place that He would show him and He will bless him.
Every person that God allows into our life is not to always be in our life. Some people come into our life for a reason, some for a season, but after they have fulfilled God's purpose for them in our life, it is time for us to move on and leave them behind. The memory and the lesson learned will always be a part of us, but they were not meant to always be with us. Abraham left his father and his friends, and he was blessed because he obeyed the will of God. The men of God who married foreign women left their wives and children to regain God's favor. (Ezra 10:10-11) Jesus told His disciples to leave behind any place or people who would not listen to The Word of God. (Matthew 10:14) We should make sure that the people in our lives are not keeping us from doing the work of The Lord and being blessed. Maybe it is time for us to stop associating with some of our friends, and even some of our family members, if God is telling us to leave them behind and be blessed. Do not be unequally yoked to a loved one or to friends. (2 Corinthians 6:14) Let no one stand between you and the will of God.
Monday, March 18, 2013
We Find Comfort In The Love Of God
"May Your unfailing love be my comfort, according to Your promise to Your servant. Let Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight." Psalms 119:76-77 (NIV)
King David, who was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), makes an earnest request for God's favor. He prays for the merciful kindness of God to comfort him in his hour of need. He wants, and asks for God's tender mercies. Because he delights in The Word of God, David knows that God will keep His promises to him.
God loves us more than we will ever know or understand. His love for us is unchanging, it is the same today, as it was yesterday, and as it will be forever in the future. (Hebrews 13:8) Because of His love for us, He made promises to us also. God said that if we obey His Word that He would never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6) He said, "I am with you always ..." (Matthew 28:20) So, in our hour of need, He is with us. It is God who comforts us. "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." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) To God be the glory.
King David, who was a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), makes an earnest request for God's favor. He prays for the merciful kindness of God to comfort him in his hour of need. He wants, and asks for God's tender mercies. Because he delights in The Word of God, David knows that God will keep His promises to him.
God loves us more than we will ever know or understand. His love for us is unchanging, it is the same today, as it was yesterday, and as it will be forever in the future. (Hebrews 13:8) Because of His love for us, He made promises to us also. God said that if we obey His Word that He would never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6) He said, "I am with you always ..." (Matthew 28:20) So, in our hour of need, He is with us. It is God who comforts us. "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." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) To God be the glory.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Don't Go Along With The Crowd
"When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. 'I am innocent of this man's blood,' he said. 'It is your responsibility!' All the people answered, 'Let His blood be on us and on our children!' Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified." Matthew 27:24-26 (NIV)
After he heard what Jesus said, Pilate washed his hands of the matter because he found no fault with Jesus. However, he ordered that Jesus be flogged before he turned Him over to the solders to be crucified.
Pilate gave in and went along with the request of the crowd, even though in his heart he knew that Jesus was not guilty of any crime. Washing his hands did not absolve Pilate of the sin of condeming an innocent man. He also had Jesus flogged before he handed Him over to the solders. Pilate was trying to please the crowd. It is hard to stand alone and go against the crowd, even when we know that what the crowd wants is wrong. In order to be popular, to fit in, or to be accepted by the group, we frequently cave in to peer pressure. As Christians, we are not to conform to the ways of the worldly. (Romans 12:2) We are in this world, but we are not of this world. We are to be like Christ who said that He was not of this world. (John 8:23 & 18:36) We are not to yield to the temptation of the world or of the crowd, for yielding is sin.
After he heard what Jesus said, Pilate washed his hands of the matter because he found no fault with Jesus. However, he ordered that Jesus be flogged before he turned Him over to the solders to be crucified.
Pilate gave in and went along with the request of the crowd, even though in his heart he knew that Jesus was not guilty of any crime. Washing his hands did not absolve Pilate of the sin of condeming an innocent man. He also had Jesus flogged before he handed Him over to the solders. Pilate was trying to please the crowd. It is hard to stand alone and go against the crowd, even when we know that what the crowd wants is wrong. In order to be popular, to fit in, or to be accepted by the group, we frequently cave in to peer pressure. As Christians, we are not to conform to the ways of the worldly. (Romans 12:2) We are in this world, but we are not of this world. We are to be like Christ who said that He was not of this world. (John 8:23 & 18:36) We are not to yield to the temptation of the world or of the crowd, for yielding is sin.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
His Name Is "I AM"
"God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.' " Exodus 3:14 (NIV)
In the record of Moses of his encounter with The Lord at the burning bush, Moses wanted to know what name should he say is the name of The God of their fathers who sent him unto them. God's reply to him was tell them "I AM" has sent him.
God referred to Himself as "I AM" at least eighteen times in the book of Exodus, but none of them is more emphatic than here in verse fourteen of chapter three. God said to Moses, "This is My name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation." (Exodus 3:15) The name of God is powerful. When Jesus, The Christ, said "I AM" in the garden at Gethsemane, the solders who had come to arrest him all fell down backwards. (John 18:6) Grown men were knocked off of their feet and onto their backsides when Jesus said, "I AM". That, in and of itself, should be enough to prove that there is power in His name. No other person and not other name could do that. All praises to His holy, righteous, and powerful name.
In the record of Moses of his encounter with The Lord at the burning bush, Moses wanted to know what name should he say is the name of The God of their fathers who sent him unto them. God's reply to him was tell them "I AM" has sent him.
God referred to Himself as "I AM" at least eighteen times in the book of Exodus, but none of them is more emphatic than here in verse fourteen of chapter three. God said to Moses, "This is My name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation." (Exodus 3:15) The name of God is powerful. When Jesus, The Christ, said "I AM" in the garden at Gethsemane, the solders who had come to arrest him all fell down backwards. (John 18:6) Grown men were knocked off of their feet and onto their backsides when Jesus said, "I AM". That, in and of itself, should be enough to prove that there is power in His name. No other person and not other name could do that. All praises to His holy, righteous, and powerful name.
Friday, March 15, 2013
The Wrath Of God
"Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made." & "The waters flooded the earth for a hundred and fifty days." Genesis 7:4 & 7:24
God told Noah that He was going wipe the face of the earth clean with a flood of water. Only Noah's family and the animals in the ark were spared from the wrath of God. (Genesis 7:23)
Being very displeased with the wicked sinful activities of man, God let the entire earth feel His wrath. (Genesis 6:5-8) Unfortunately, man has not changed and the earth will again feel the wrath of God. This earth will be destroyed and a new earth will be created in which the righteous will dwell. (2 Peter 3:13 & Revelation 21:1) However, God promised that He will never again destroy the earth with waters of a flood. (Genesis 9:11) The experts cannot agree on the exact nature of the next destruction of earth, but The Bible clearly states that the earth will "melt with fervent heat ... and ... it will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10) Believers will not be around to see this, they will have been raptured. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18) Will you be spared from the wrath of God the next time that the earth is destroyed?
God told Noah that He was going wipe the face of the earth clean with a flood of water. Only Noah's family and the animals in the ark were spared from the wrath of God. (Genesis 7:23)
Being very displeased with the wicked sinful activities of man, God let the entire earth feel His wrath. (Genesis 6:5-8) Unfortunately, man has not changed and the earth will again feel the wrath of God. This earth will be destroyed and a new earth will be created in which the righteous will dwell. (2 Peter 3:13 & Revelation 21:1) However, God promised that He will never again destroy the earth with waters of a flood. (Genesis 9:11) The experts cannot agree on the exact nature of the next destruction of earth, but The Bible clearly states that the earth will "melt with fervent heat ... and ... it will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10) Believers will not be around to see this, they will have been raptured. (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18) Will you be spared from the wrath of God the next time that the earth is destroyed?
Love Love Love
"How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves. How handsome you are, my lover! Oh, how charming! And our bed is verdant." Song of Solomon 1:15-16 (NIV)
The words of King Solomon in The Bible book the Song of Solomon, are the words of a lover to his beloved lady, and the replies that she speaks to him. It is a love song of a man to his wife and her replies of love to him. These are believed to be the words of King Solomon to his first wife, the Shulamite maiden, before he married the 699 others and took the 300 concubines.
The "call and response" pattern of a man expressing his love to a woman, followed by the woman expressing her love for her man, is repeated throughout the eight chapters of this book. This is the love that is expressed during the courtship, the engagement period, and during the honeymoon of marriage, before the storms of life take away the sweet innocence. As we go through life we need to remember the love that we had at the beginning of our relationships, and keep that before us as we progress through the years of marriage from the blissful beginnings to the marital maturity. Our love for our mate should be as Christ's love for the Church, strong, unfailing, patient, kind, and enduring. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
The words of King Solomon in The Bible book the Song of Solomon, are the words of a lover to his beloved lady, and the replies that she speaks to him. It is a love song of a man to his wife and her replies of love to him. These are believed to be the words of King Solomon to his first wife, the Shulamite maiden, before he married the 699 others and took the 300 concubines.
The "call and response" pattern of a man expressing his love to a woman, followed by the woman expressing her love for her man, is repeated throughout the eight chapters of this book. This is the love that is expressed during the courtship, the engagement period, and during the honeymoon of marriage, before the storms of life take away the sweet innocence. As we go through life we need to remember the love that we had at the beginning of our relationships, and keep that before us as we progress through the years of marriage from the blissful beginnings to the marital maturity. Our love for our mate should be as Christ's love for the Church, strong, unfailing, patient, kind, and enduring. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
"He Did Evil In The Eyes Of The Lord"
"He did evil in the eyes of The LORD, but not as his father and mother had done. He got rid of the sacred stone of Baal that his father had made. Nevertheless he clung to the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit; he did not turn away from them." 2 Kings 3:2-3 (NIV)
The unknown author of the book of second Kings recorded that the king of Israel did not follow The Word of God, in fact "he did evil in the eyes of The Lord". That phrase is repeated twenty-four times in the books of first and second Kings, and it is repeated an additional nine times in the book of second Chronicles. Each time that it is repeated it refers to the behavior of the king.
It is difficult for the people to do right when they are following a leader who is doing wrong. God gave each of us the free will to choose between right and wrong. We can also choose who we will follow and who we won't follow. We need to compare what our leaders say that we should do with what The Bible says that we should do. In order to do that, we must read and study The Bible. The Word of God will give guidance and direction to those who believe. (Psalms 25:9 & 48:14, Proverbs 3:6 & 11:5) If the leader is not following The Word of God, then we should not be following them. Do not let it be said that we "did evil in the eyes of The LORD" because we were following someone down a sinful path. We need to turn away from our sinful, evil, wicked ways and seek God. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
The unknown author of the book of second Kings recorded that the king of Israel did not follow The Word of God, in fact "he did evil in the eyes of The Lord". That phrase is repeated twenty-four times in the books of first and second Kings, and it is repeated an additional nine times in the book of second Chronicles. Each time that it is repeated it refers to the behavior of the king.
It is difficult for the people to do right when they are following a leader who is doing wrong. God gave each of us the free will to choose between right and wrong. We can also choose who we will follow and who we won't follow. We need to compare what our leaders say that we should do with what The Bible says that we should do. In order to do that, we must read and study The Bible. The Word of God will give guidance and direction to those who believe. (Psalms 25:9 & 48:14, Proverbs 3:6 & 11:5) If the leader is not following The Word of God, then we should not be following them. Do not let it be said that we "did evil in the eyes of The LORD" because we were following someone down a sinful path. We need to turn away from our sinful, evil, wicked ways and seek God. (2 Chronicles 7:14)
The Power Of God Used By The Man Of God
"Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground. When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, 'Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?' 'Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,' Elisha replied. 'You have asked a difficult thing,' Elijah said, 'yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours, otherwise not.' As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." 2 Kings 2:8-11 ((NIV)
The unknown author of the books of first and second Kings records the final events in the life of the prophet Elijah and his ascension into heaven without dying. The prophet Elisha, the disciple of Elijah, asked for a double portion of the spirit of Elijah when Elijah was taken from him, and The Lord granted his request.
The Lord shares some of His power with men of faith who are doing His work. Elijah was clearly a man of God and he was able to call upon the power of God. Elisha was also a man of God and he received a double portion of Elijah's spirit and was also able to call upon the power of God. God allow both men to part the waters and cross on dry land as He had allow Moses to part the Rea Sea. Both men used the power of God to destroy those who disrespected them. (2 Kings 1:9-12 & 2 Kings 2:23-24) Respect The Lord God and respect the man of God who is doing The Lord's work. There is power in the words of the man of God because God shares His power with him. Again I say, be very careful how you approach, speak to, and treat the man of God, because you do not want to incur the wrath of God.
The unknown author of the books of first and second Kings records the final events in the life of the prophet Elijah and his ascension into heaven without dying. The prophet Elisha, the disciple of Elijah, asked for a double portion of the spirit of Elijah when Elijah was taken from him, and The Lord granted his request.
The Lord shares some of His power with men of faith who are doing His work. Elijah was clearly a man of God and he was able to call upon the power of God. Elisha was also a man of God and he received a double portion of Elijah's spirit and was also able to call upon the power of God. God allow both men to part the waters and cross on dry land as He had allow Moses to part the Rea Sea. Both men used the power of God to destroy those who disrespected them. (2 Kings 1:9-12 & 2 Kings 2:23-24) Respect The Lord God and respect the man of God who is doing The Lord's work. There is power in the words of the man of God because God shares His power with him. Again I say, be very careful how you approach, speak to, and treat the man of God, because you do not want to incur the wrath of God.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Respect The Man Of God, Respect His Position
"So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his knees before Elijah. 'Man of God,' he begged, 'please have respect for my life and the lives of these fifty men, your servants! See, fire has fallen from heaven and consumed the first two captains and all their men. But now have respect for my life The Angel of The LORD said to Elijah, 'Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.' So Elijah got up and went down with him to the king." 2 Kings 1:13-15 (NIV) (Read 1:1-18)
After the king fell through some lattice work and injured himself, he wanted to know if he was going to recover from his injuries. He sent a messenger to go inquire to an idol god, but the prophet Elijah stopped the messenger and told him that the king would die. Upon learning that Elijah had stopped his messenger, the king sent a captain with fifty men to bring Elijah to him. When he reached Elijah, the captain ordered Elijah to come down from the hill and come with them to see the king. Elijah called down fire from heaven and it consumed the captain and all fifty men. The king sent a second captain and another fifty men, and the same thing happened to them. The third captain humbly approached Elijah, bowed down before him and asked Elijah to spare his life and the lives of his men. Then The Angel of The LORD told Elijah to go with the third captain and he went with him.
How we approach someone, what we say, and how we say it can determine the kind of response we will receive. We need to be very careful in the way that we approach, and how we speak to God, and the man of God. We may not like the person but we need to always respect who he represents. Pastors are referred to as the angel of the church. (Revelation 2:1, 2:8, 2:12, 2:18, 3:1, 3:7, & 3:14) Even when King Saul was trying to kill him, David still respected Saul and would not harm him, even when he had to opportunity. (1 Samuel 24:1-11) The Bible says touch not My anointed, and do My prophets no harm. (1 Chronicles 16:22 & Psalms 105:15) You may not like all preachers, but be careful how you approach them, what you say to them, and what you say about them. You do not want to harm them or harm their reputation. Respect the man of God, and respect The God that he represents.
After the king fell through some lattice work and injured himself, he wanted to know if he was going to recover from his injuries. He sent a messenger to go inquire to an idol god, but the prophet Elijah stopped the messenger and told him that the king would die. Upon learning that Elijah had stopped his messenger, the king sent a captain with fifty men to bring Elijah to him. When he reached Elijah, the captain ordered Elijah to come down from the hill and come with them to see the king. Elijah called down fire from heaven and it consumed the captain and all fifty men. The king sent a second captain and another fifty men, and the same thing happened to them. The third captain humbly approached Elijah, bowed down before him and asked Elijah to spare his life and the lives of his men. Then The Angel of The LORD told Elijah to go with the third captain and he went with him.
How we approach someone, what we say, and how we say it can determine the kind of response we will receive. We need to be very careful in the way that we approach, and how we speak to God, and the man of God. We may not like the person but we need to always respect who he represents. Pastors are referred to as the angel of the church. (Revelation 2:1, 2:8, 2:12, 2:18, 3:1, 3:7, & 3:14) Even when King Saul was trying to kill him, David still respected Saul and would not harm him, even when he had to opportunity. (1 Samuel 24:1-11) The Bible says touch not My anointed, and do My prophets no harm. (1 Chronicles 16:22 & Psalms 105:15) You may not like all preachers, but be careful how you approach them, what you say to them, and what you say about them. You do not want to harm them or harm their reputation. Respect the man of God, and respect The God that he represents.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Confess And Repent To Regain God's Favor
"Then Ezra the priest stood up and said to them, 'You have been unfaithful; you have married foreign women, adding to Israel's guilt. Now make confession to The LORD, The God of your fathers, and do His will. Separate yourselves from the peoples around you and from your foreign wives.' The whole assembly responded with a loud voice: 'You are right! We must do as you say.' " Ezra 10:10-12 (NIV)
When Ezra, the prophet and a priest, learned that the people of Israel, including some of the priests and the Levites, had not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable idol worshipping practices and had even married them, he tore his clothes, wept, fasted, and prayed because they had gone against the commandments of God not to do so. (Ezra 9:1-15) As the people saw him and heard him, they began to join in with him. They confessed, repented, and promised to correct the error of their ways. (Ezra 10:1-5)
When we sin, we go against The Word of God and we fall out of His favor. In order to get back into the goodness of God' favor, we must confess our sins, and repent, and turn from our sinful ways. "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
When Ezra, the prophet and a priest, learned that the people of Israel, including some of the priests and the Levites, had not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable idol worshipping practices and had even married them, he tore his clothes, wept, fasted, and prayed because they had gone against the commandments of God not to do so. (Ezra 9:1-15) As the people saw him and heard him, they began to join in with him. They confessed, repented, and promised to correct the error of their ways. (Ezra 10:1-5)
When we sin, we go against The Word of God and we fall out of His favor. In order to get back into the goodness of God' favor, we must confess our sins, and repent, and turn from our sinful ways. "If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Some People Will Not Like Us Doing God's Work
"Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia." Ezra 4:4-5 (NIV)
The prophet Ezra recorded that as the people began to rebuild the temple, their enemies and detractors began to actively attempt to discourage them, tried to strike fear in their hearts, and even hired counselors to work against them and to frustrate them.
We need to understand and expect that when we are doing The Lord's work, we will have opposition, detractors, and those who will actively work against us to frustrate and block our efforts. The will of God is going to happen, all they can do, at best, is delay our victory. We will have our troubles, but we have been assured that we will have the victory because The Lord has already overcome the world. (John 16:33, 1 John 4:4, & 1 John 5:4) Keep on working for The Lord, regardless of what happens.
The prophet Ezra recorded that as the people began to rebuild the temple, their enemies and detractors began to actively attempt to discourage them, tried to strike fear in their hearts, and even hired counselors to work against them and to frustrate them.
We need to understand and expect that when we are doing The Lord's work, we will have opposition, detractors, and those who will actively work against us to frustrate and block our efforts. The will of God is going to happen, all they can do, at best, is delay our victory. We will have our troubles, but we have been assured that we will have the victory because The Lord has already overcome the world. (John 16:33, 1 John 4:4, & 1 John 5:4) Keep on working for The Lord, regardless of what happens.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Make A Joyful Noise When You Praise God
"With praise and thanksgiving they sang to The LORD: 'He is good; His love to Israel endures forever.' And all the people gave a great shout of praise to The LORD, because the foundation of the house of The LORD was laid. But many of the older priests and Levites and family heads, who had seen the former temple, wept aloud when they saw the foundation of this temple being laid, while many others shouted for joy. No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise. And the sound was heard far away. Ezra 3:11-13 (NIV)
The prophet Ezra recorded that as the foundation of the temple was being laid, the people praised The Lord. They made a loud joyful noise as they praised The Lord, which could be heard from far away.
Praise and worship was not meant to be a silent activity. The Bible states that we should make a joyful noise unto The Lord. (Psalms 66:1, 81:1, 95:1, 95:2, 84:4, 84:6, & 100:1) We are to sing songs of praise unto The Lord. (1 Chronicles 16:9, Psalms 30:4, Psalms 47:6 & 7, Psalms 68:4, Psalms 96:2, Psalms 135:3, Psalms 149:1, Jeremiah 20:13, Romans 15:11, & James 5:13) Praise was not supposed to be a solemn activity. Let us be obedient and let us make a joyful noise unto The Lord.
The prophet Ezra recorded that as the foundation of the temple was being laid, the people praised The Lord. They made a loud joyful noise as they praised The Lord, which could be heard from far away.
Praise and worship was not meant to be a silent activity. The Bible states that we should make a joyful noise unto The Lord. (Psalms 66:1, 81:1, 95:1, 95:2, 84:4, 84:6, & 100:1) We are to sing songs of praise unto The Lord. (1 Chronicles 16:9, Psalms 30:4, Psalms 47:6 & 7, Psalms 68:4, Psalms 96:2, Psalms 135:3, Psalms 149:1, Jeremiah 20:13, Romans 15:11, & James 5:13) Praise was not supposed to be a solemn activity. Let us be obedient and let us make a joyful noise unto The Lord.
Enemies Can Be A Blessing
"In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill The Word of The LORD spoken by Jeremiah, The LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing: 'This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The LORD, The God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and He has appointed me to build a temple for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Anyone of His people among you, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of The LORD, The God of Israel, The God who is in Jerusalem.' " Ezra 1:1-3 (NIV)
The prophet Ezra records that The Lord God moved on the heart of Cyrus, the king of Persia, and he released the people of Judah from captivity and allow them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. The ten northern tribes of Israel were conquered and enslaved by the Assyrians. The two southern tribes of Judah were conquered and enslaved by the Babylonians, who were subsequently overthrown by the Persians.
God changed the heart of an enemy of His people and used him to help His people. God can make our enemy a footstool to help take us up a little higher. (Psalms 110:1, Luke 20:43, Acts 2:35, Hebrews 1:13, & Hebrews 10:13) God can take the bad that people do to us and turn into a good thing. (Genesis 50:20) All things work together for good for them who love The Lord. (Romans 8:28)
The prophet Ezra records that The Lord God moved on the heart of Cyrus, the king of Persia, and he released the people of Judah from captivity and allow them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. The ten northern tribes of Israel were conquered and enslaved by the Assyrians. The two southern tribes of Judah were conquered and enslaved by the Babylonians, who were subsequently overthrown by the Persians.
God changed the heart of an enemy of His people and used him to help His people. God can make our enemy a footstool to help take us up a little higher. (Psalms 110:1, Luke 20:43, Acts 2:35, Hebrews 1:13, & Hebrews 10:13) God can take the bad that people do to us and turn into a good thing. (Genesis 50:20) All things work together for good for them who love The Lord. (Romans 8:28)
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
His Blood For Our Forgiveness
"Then He took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you. This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Matthew 26:27-28 (NIV)
These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, to His disciples at the last supper before they left the upper room and went to the garden at Gethsemane. He made it clear that only by the shedding of His blood would the sins of the many be forgiven.
The cup of wine represents and signifies the blood of Christ. The blood of Jesus was shed for the remission of our sins. He who was without sin, took on the sins of the world, and paid the penalty for our sins, so that we might be saved. When God, The Father, looks at us now, He sees the blood of His Son. We are redeemed from our sins, purchased by the blood of Christ. For without the shedding of His blood, there would be no remission of sin. (Hebrews 9:22) It is through His blood that we are cleansed from our sins.
These are the words of Jesus, The Christ, to His disciples at the last supper before they left the upper room and went to the garden at Gethsemane. He made it clear that only by the shedding of His blood would the sins of the many be forgiven.
The cup of wine represents and signifies the blood of Christ. The blood of Jesus was shed for the remission of our sins. He who was without sin, took on the sins of the world, and paid the penalty for our sins, so that we might be saved. When God, The Father, looks at us now, He sees the blood of His Son. We are redeemed from our sins, purchased by the blood of Christ. For without the shedding of His blood, there would be no remission of sin. (Hebrews 9:22) It is through His blood that we are cleansed from our sins.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Only Believers Will Understand
"The man without The Spirit does not accept the things that come from The Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul told the Christians in Corinth that non-believers cannot understand the things of God because they lack the gift of discernment which is given to believers by The Holy Spirit.
There are those today who say that The Bible and belief in God is foolishness. Non-believers are quick to question and discredit The Bible and those of us who believe it is the true Word of a living God. The prophets said that there would be people who had eyes but could not see, and who had ears but could not hear. (Isaiah 6:9-10, Jeremiah 5:21, & Ezekiel 12:2) Jesus, The Christ, said the same thing when He explained why He spoke in parables. (Matthew 13:13-17) Wisdom and understanding come from God. (Job 12:13, Proverbs 2:6, & Proverbs 9:10) We only understand as God gives us insight and enlightenment, and He illuminates things for us. In order to understand and accept the things of God, we must first believe in God. We will only understand it all after we see Him face to face.
The Apostle Paul told the Christians in Corinth that non-believers cannot understand the things of God because they lack the gift of discernment which is given to believers by The Holy Spirit.
There are those today who say that The Bible and belief in God is foolishness. Non-believers are quick to question and discredit The Bible and those of us who believe it is the true Word of a living God. The prophets said that there would be people who had eyes but could not see, and who had ears but could not hear. (Isaiah 6:9-10, Jeremiah 5:21, & Ezekiel 12:2) Jesus, The Christ, said the same thing when He explained why He spoke in parables. (Matthew 13:13-17) Wisdom and understanding come from God. (Job 12:13, Proverbs 2:6, & Proverbs 9:10) We only understand as God gives us insight and enlightenment, and He illuminates things for us. In order to understand and accept the things of God, we must first believe in God. We will only understand it all after we see Him face to face.
Walk And Talk Righteously And Be Blessed
"He who walks righteously and speaks what is right, who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes, who stops his ears against plots of murder and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil, this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress. His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him." Isaiah 33:15-16 (NIV)
The prophet Isaiah told the people that a good Christian man's character and conversation will lead to his safety and his comfort because The Lord will protect him and provide for him.
We need to understand that some blessings are conditional, our actions will determine whether or not we receive them. Those who walk in God's way, who follow His Word, will be blessed with benefits that are not afforded to others. Those who fear The Lord shall not want for anything, all of their needs will be supplied. Belief in, reverence for, and submission to The Lord will result in His blessings of protection and provision.
The prophet Isaiah told the people that a good Christian man's character and conversation will lead to his safety and his comfort because The Lord will protect him and provide for him.
We need to understand that some blessings are conditional, our actions will determine whether or not we receive them. Those who walk in God's way, who follow His Word, will be blessed with benefits that are not afforded to others. Those who fear The Lord shall not want for anything, all of their needs will be supplied. Belief in, reverence for, and submission to The Lord will result in His blessings of protection and provision.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
God Blesses Us Daily
"Praise be to The Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens." Psalms 68:19 (NIV)
"Blessed be The Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even The God of our salvation." (KJV) "Blessed be The Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God of our salvation." ((NAS)
"Blessed be The Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even The God Who is our salvation." (Amplified Bible)
King David clearly praises God, our Savior, in this psalm. It is also clear that he is praising God for blessing us. However, the experts do not agree on the exact nature of the blessing. The benefits which God provides are daily blessings, which we are overloaded with and are too numerous to count. (Matthew Henry) God bears us up and protects us from our enemies. (C John Collins) God daily provides, supports, and upholds us. (Finnis Dake) The benefit that God provides is protection for His people. (Thomas Nelson)
Regardless of which version of The Bible we read, or which Bible expert we believe, it is clear that God blesses us and helps us, even if we do not understand all of the blessings that we receive. I believe that we are blessed daily in more ways than we know, and more often than we realize. Each heart beat and each breath is a blessing. We take so many bodily function blessing for granted. We are blessed with things and people in our lives, some to help us and some to teach us. Blessings can also take the form of protection from dangers, seen and unseen. Just know that as a believer God has blessed us in the past, God is blessing us right now, and God will bless us in the future.
"Blessed be The Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even The God of our salvation." (KJV) "Blessed be The Lord, who daily bears our burden, The God of our salvation." ((NAS)
"Blessed be The Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even The God Who is our salvation." (Amplified Bible)
King David clearly praises God, our Savior, in this psalm. It is also clear that he is praising God for blessing us. However, the experts do not agree on the exact nature of the blessing. The benefits which God provides are daily blessings, which we are overloaded with and are too numerous to count. (Matthew Henry) God bears us up and protects us from our enemies. (C John Collins) God daily provides, supports, and upholds us. (Finnis Dake) The benefit that God provides is protection for His people. (Thomas Nelson)
Regardless of which version of The Bible we read, or which Bible expert we believe, it is clear that God blesses us and helps us, even if we do not understand all of the blessings that we receive. I believe that we are blessed daily in more ways than we know, and more often than we realize. Each heart beat and each breath is a blessing. We take so many bodily function blessing for granted. We are blessed with things and people in our lives, some to help us and some to teach us. Blessings can also take the form of protection from dangers, seen and unseen. Just know that as a believer God has blessed us in the past, God is blessing us right now, and God will bless us in the future.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
God Will Finish The Good Work He Began In Us
"In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi and he told them that God would complete the good work which He had begun in them. Paul was pleased with their work in spreading the gospel, but he was confident that better things were yet to come for them.
In essence Paul told them that God was not finished with them yet. The same thing can be said of us today. This is not an excuse to rationalize our sins. We are to continuously make efforts to be more Christ-like. We are a work in progress. We are saved and blessed for a purpose, there is work for us to do. God is still working on us and working through us to accomplish His plan. God will complete His work on us when Christ returns. Until then, as believers we are part of the body of Christ, and there is kingdom building work for us to do while He is working on us to make us more Christ-like.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Philippi and he told them that God would complete the good work which He had begun in them. Paul was pleased with their work in spreading the gospel, but he was confident that better things were yet to come for them.
In essence Paul told them that God was not finished with them yet. The same thing can be said of us today. This is not an excuse to rationalize our sins. We are to continuously make efforts to be more Christ-like. We are a work in progress. We are saved and blessed for a purpose, there is work for us to do. God is still working on us and working through us to accomplish His plan. God will complete His work on us when Christ returns. Until then, as believers we are part of the body of Christ, and there is kingdom building work for us to do while He is working on us to make us more Christ-like.
Friday, March 1, 2013
God Supplies All We Need To Do A Good Work
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)
The Apostle Paul said that God was able to give them all of the spiritual and physical things that they needed in order to do, and to continue to do a good work for Him by helping others.
God can and does bless us with all that we need so that we can be a blessing to others. When we are doing a good work for Him, we will be blessed. Demonstrating the love of God by helping others is doing a very good work. He who blesses others shall himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)
The Apostle Paul said that God was able to give them all of the spiritual and physical things that they needed in order to do, and to continue to do a good work for Him by helping others.
God can and does bless us with all that we need so that we can be a blessing to others. When we are doing a good work for Him, we will be blessed. Demonstrating the love of God by helping others is doing a very good work. He who blesses others shall himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)
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