Sunday, October 31, 2010
PRAYER REQUEST!!! PLEASE RE-POST
PRAYER REQUEST!!! PLEASE RE-POST!! KAYLA SCOTT'S 22 MONTH OLD SON SHOT HIMSELF IN THE CHEST WITH A BRAD NAILER~ IT WENT IN HIS HEART~ HE IS NOW IN CRITICAL CONDITION AND NOT DOING WELL ~ NEITHER IS THE MOM ~ PLEASE ......START A PRAYER CHAIN FOR THIS BABY~ PLEASE COPY & REPOST AS YOU WOULD WANT SOMEONE TO DO IT... FOR Y...OU ~ THANKS
Friday, October 29, 2010
Because he hath set his love upon me
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. (Psalms 91:14)
God will protect His own. Love is the avenue in which we can minister to God and we can recognize who He is by acknowledging His name. At the same time it is God who rescues us and lifts us up higher than the dangers at hand.
God will protect His own. Love is the avenue in which we can minister to God and we can recognize who He is by acknowledging His name. At the same time it is God who rescues us and lifts us up higher than the dangers at hand.
Isaac and Jacob Viewing the Future, by Faith
Isaac and Jacob Viewing the Future, by Faith
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph. (Hebrews 11:20-21)
Since we have previously considered Abraham's offering of Isaac (in the meditation on God's promises on August 9), let's move on to consider Isaac and Jacob. While pronouncing prophetic blessings upon their descendants, these two men became examples of viewing the future, by faith.
The example of Isaac actually occurred in the midst of a deceitful plot by one of his own sons. Isaac wanted to pass on a blessing to his oldest son, Esau. "Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him…'Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die'" (Genesis 27:1, 4). Jacob (the supplanter or "schemer") disguised himself and lied to his father, attempting to steal the blessing. "And Jacob said to his father, 'I am Esau your firstborn…sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me'…And he did not recognize him…so he blessed him" (Genesis 27:19, 23). Although Esau later was given a blessing as well, the blessing for Jacob passed on the headship of the family to this younger son. "Be master over your brethren, and let your mother's sons bow down to you" (Genesis 27:29). When informed of the deceit, Isaac let the blessing stand.. The Lord indicates this was an act of faith in the purposes of God.
The example of Jacob also occurred in an unusual setting. Joseph was bringing his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to his father for a family blessing. "Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them" (Genesis 48:10). Joseph brought Ephraim (the younger) toward Jacob's left hand and Manasseh (the firstborn) toward his right hand. However, Jacob crossed his hands, thereby switching the primary blessing. "And Joseph said to his father, 'Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.' But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he'" (Gen 48:18-19).
These actions may not seem significant to us. Yet, the Lord lists them as notable steps of faith in Him. Why? Because these blessings reflected and instituted aspects of God's sovereign plans, in spite of inappropriate scheming and established traditions.
O sovereign Lord, I bow in faith to Your perfect plans and purposes. What a comfort to know that Your will cannot be thwarted by inappropriate schemes or established traditions. Teach me to view the future with faith in Your wisdom and Your sovereignty.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph. (Hebrews 11:20-21)
Since we have previously considered Abraham's offering of Isaac (in the meditation on God's promises on August 9), let's move on to consider Isaac and Jacob. While pronouncing prophetic blessings upon their descendants, these two men became examples of viewing the future, by faith.
The example of Isaac actually occurred in the midst of a deceitful plot by one of his own sons. Isaac wanted to pass on a blessing to his oldest son, Esau. "Now it came to pass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, that he called Esau his older son and said to him…'Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that my soul may bless you before I die'" (Genesis 27:1, 4). Jacob (the supplanter or "schemer") disguised himself and lied to his father, attempting to steal the blessing. "And Jacob said to his father, 'I am Esau your firstborn…sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me'…And he did not recognize him…so he blessed him" (Genesis 27:19, 23). Although Esau later was given a blessing as well, the blessing for Jacob passed on the headship of the family to this younger son. "Be master over your brethren, and let your mother's sons bow down to you" (Genesis 27:29). When informed of the deceit, Isaac let the blessing stand.. The Lord indicates this was an act of faith in the purposes of God.
The example of Jacob also occurred in an unusual setting. Joseph was bringing his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to his father for a family blessing. "Now the eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Joseph brought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them" (Genesis 48:10). Joseph brought Ephraim (the younger) toward Jacob's left hand and Manasseh (the firstborn) toward his right hand. However, Jacob crossed his hands, thereby switching the primary blessing. "And Joseph said to his father, 'Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.' But his father refused and said, 'I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he'" (Gen 48:18-19).
These actions may not seem significant to us. Yet, the Lord lists them as notable steps of faith in Him. Why? Because these blessings reflected and instituted aspects of God's sovereign plans, in spite of inappropriate scheming and established traditions.
O sovereign Lord, I bow in faith to Your perfect plans and purposes. What a comfort to know that Your will cannot be thwarted by inappropriate schemes or established traditions. Teach me to view the future with faith in Your wisdom and Your sovereignty.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
More on Abraham's Patient, Heavenly Pilgrimage, by Faith
More on Abraham's Patient, Heavenly Pilgrimage, by Faith
And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.. (Hebrews 11:15-16)
Abraham (and his family) lived as "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13). He lived as an obedient sojourner here on earth, trusting God to lead him about as one who was in the world, but not of the world. He also lived as a patient, heavenly pilgrim, trusting God to lead him to the eternal homeland that awaits all who have saving faith in the Lord. We have a similar calling from the Lord. "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11).
Abraham understood that spiritual sojourners and heaven-bound pilgrims must stay away from earth-bound cravings that undermine one's godly quest. "And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return." Abraham and his seed had many tests and trials in their pilgrimage with the Lord. If they had set their attention on the country they forsook, they would have been tempted to return there. The enemy of our souls wants to wage war against us by ensnaring us again in the world that we have forsaken: "in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). Everyone is vulnerable to such attack. Even one of Paul's early associates in ministry fell prey to this enticement. "Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world" (2 Timothy 4:10). Thus, the Lord warns us to stay away from any indulgent relationship with the world. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15).
Instead, we are to desire the priorities of Abraham and his family. "But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country." Even though the land of promise was in their inheritance some day, they hungered for the realities of heaven above. Such heaven-focused faith is pleasing to our heavenly Father. "Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." In this heavenly city ("the city of the living God—Hebrews 12:22), we will dwell forever with our glorious Lord!
Lord God, the only true and living God, I regret those times that the world has drawn my attention away from my heavenly homeland. I cry out to You—please anchor my heart in heaven above, that I might thereby please You in my pilgrimage here on earth below, Amen.
And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.. (Hebrews 11:15-16)
Abraham (and his family) lived as "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13). He lived as an obedient sojourner here on earth, trusting God to lead him about as one who was in the world, but not of the world. He also lived as a patient, heavenly pilgrim, trusting God to lead him to the eternal homeland that awaits all who have saving faith in the Lord. We have a similar calling from the Lord. "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11).
Abraham understood that spiritual sojourners and heaven-bound pilgrims must stay away from earth-bound cravings that undermine one's godly quest. "And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return." Abraham and his seed had many tests and trials in their pilgrimage with the Lord. If they had set their attention on the country they forsook, they would have been tempted to return there. The enemy of our souls wants to wage war against us by ensnaring us again in the world that we have forsaken: "in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2). Everyone is vulnerable to such attack. Even one of Paul's early associates in ministry fell prey to this enticement. "Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world" (2 Timothy 4:10). Thus, the Lord warns us to stay away from any indulgent relationship with the world. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15).
Instead, we are to desire the priorities of Abraham and his family. "But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country." Even though the land of promise was in their inheritance some day, they hungered for the realities of heaven above. Such heaven-focused faith is pleasing to our heavenly Father. "Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them." In this heavenly city ("the city of the living God—Hebrews 12:22), we will dwell forever with our glorious Lord!
Lord God, the only true and living God, I regret those times that the world has drawn my attention away from my heavenly homeland. I cry out to You—please anchor my heart in heaven above, that I might thereby please You in my pilgrimage here on earth below, Amen.
The Books of Poetry
The Books of Poetry
Ecclesiastes 7-8 Friday: Zechariah 1-7
Saturday: Acts 15-16
Sunday: I Peter 4-5
Ecclesiastes 7
1
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
2
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
10
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
11
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
12
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
15
All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
16
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
17
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18
It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
20
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22
For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
23
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
25
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
26
And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
28
Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ecclesiastes 8
1
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
2
I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
3
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
4
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
5
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
7
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
8
There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
9
All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
10
And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.
11
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
13
But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
14
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
15
Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16
When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
17
Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
Ecclesiastes 7-8 Friday: Zechariah 1-7
Saturday: Acts 15-16
Sunday: I Peter 4-5
Ecclesiastes 7
1
A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth.
2
It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.
3
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
4
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.
5
It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
6
For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.
7
Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart.
8
Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.
10
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
11
Wisdom is good with an inheritance: and by it there is profit to them that see the sun.
12
For wisdom is a defence, and money is a defence: but the excellency of knowledge is, that wisdom giveth life to them that have it.
13
Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which he hath made crooked?
14
In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.
15
All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.
16
Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself ?
17
Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?
18
It is good that thou shouldest take hold of this; yea, also from this withdraw not thine hand: for he that feareth God shall come forth of them all.
19
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.
20
For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.
21
Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee:
22
For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.
23
All this have I proved by wisdom: I said, I will be wise; but it was far from me.
24
That which is far off, and exceeding deep, who can find it out?
25
I applied mine heart to know, and to search, and to seek out wisdom, and the reason of things, and to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness:
26
And I find more bitter than death the woman, whose heart is snares and nets, and her hands as bands: whoso pleaseth God shall escape from her; but the sinner shall be taken by her.
27
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account:
28
Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not: one man among a thousand have I found; but a woman among all those have I not found.
29
Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ecclesiastes 8
1
Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man's wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.
2
I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God.
3
Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him.
4
Where the word of a king is, there is power: and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
5
Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.
6
Because to every purpose there is time and judgment, therefore the misery of man is great upon him.
7
For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be?
8
There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
9
All this have I seen, and applied my heart unto every work that is done under the sun: there is a time wherein one man ruleth over another to his own hurt.
10
And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity.
11
Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.
12
Though a sinner do evil an hundred times, and his days be prolonged, yet surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him:
13
But it shall not be well with the wicked, neither shall he prolong his days, which are as a shadow; because he feareth not before God.
14
There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
15
Then I commended mirth, because a man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun.
16
When I applied mine heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done upon the earth: (for also there is that neither day nor night seeth sleep with his eyes:)
17
Then I beheld all the work of God, that a man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun: because though a man labour to seek it out, yet he shall not find it; yea farther; though a wise man think to know it, yet shall he not be able to find it.
MY OLD NATURE PUT TO DEATH
MY OLD NATURE PUT TO DEATH
Ephesians 4:22-24
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+4:22-24
Dear Father, righteous and holy God,
Enable me to put away completely my old human nature - the former
lifestyle corrupted by deceitful desires.
Help me to be renewed in the spirit of my mind, to put on a new
nature, created in your likeness in true righteousness and
holiness.
Father, make me holy like Jesus, righteous with his righteousness!
In the name of the holy Jesus I pray for true holiness within me.
Amen.
Ephesians 4:22-24
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+4:22-24
Dear Father, righteous and holy God,
Enable me to put away completely my old human nature - the former
lifestyle corrupted by deceitful desires.
Help me to be renewed in the spirit of my mind, to put on a new
nature, created in your likeness in true righteousness and
holiness.
Father, make me holy like Jesus, righteous with his righteousness!
In the name of the holy Jesus I pray for true holiness within me.
Amen.
[[A Song of degrees.]] They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever. (Psalms 125:1)
[[A Song of degrees.]] They that trust in the LORD [shall be] as mount Zion, [which] cannot be removed, [but] abideth for ever. (Psalms 125:1)
Take courage, O child of the Redeemer, for like Mount Zion, you are immovable in the Lord's strength! Why? Simply because, as all of Christ's gathered lambs, you have already come to His heavenly mount (Hebrews 12) and are already citizens of His heavenly city (Philippians 3:20). By faith we have come to such a place and so, by faith we are made immovable! Rejoice in your strength, and so, live as pleasing to the Lord!
Take courage, O child of the Redeemer, for like Mount Zion, you are immovable in the Lord's strength! Why? Simply because, as all of Christ's gathered lambs, you have already come to His heavenly mount (Hebrews 12) and are already citizens of His heavenly city (Philippians 3:20). By faith we have come to such a place and so, by faith we are made immovable! Rejoice in your strength, and so, live as pleasing to the Lord!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Abraham's Patient, Heavenly Pilgrimage, by Faith
Abraham's Patient, Heavenly Pilgrimage, by Faith
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. (Hebrews 11:13-14)
We looked at Sarah's testimony in Hebrews previously (in the meditation on God's promises on August 8). Now, we will move on to consider a strategic facet of Abraham's testimony regarding his obedient, earthly sojourn, by faith. Therein, we saw him traveling through life on earth as an alien, a stranger (in the world, but not of it). Now, we will see Abraham's patient, heavenly pilgrimage, by faith. His previous testimony concluded with this pilgrimage theme: "For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10). Early in the present continuing testimony, the two themes are coupled. "They were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." A stranger (sojourner) is one who does not belong to the given locale. The pilgrim is one who is marching toward a given spiritual destination.
Abraham and his family (Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob) were promised the land flowing with milk and honey. "These all died in faith, not having received the promises." They did not personally possess the promised land. Yet, they lived with a sense of guaranty that God would fulfill His promises: "but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them." They fully accepted the certainty that the Lord would some day give that land to their seed. Meanwhile, they confessed that they were content to live as strangers concerning this world and as pilgrims anticipating the world to come: "and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."
Now, the pilgrimage aspect of Abraham's testimony (and his family's) is emphasized. "For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland." As the years passed and the promised land was not given to them, their hearts yearned for a true, lasting, eternal homeland. "For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland." God wants to develop this perspective of heavenly pilgrimage in our hearts as well. "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11). The Lord wants us to set our daily course toward heaven, rejecting earthly cravings that diminish spiritual vitality.
Father God, You have fulfilled so many promises for me here on this earth. I praise You and thank You for such loving grace. Still, my heart yearns for that which heaven alone can provide. Thus, I press on as a pilgrim, bound for my homeland above.
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. (Hebrews 11:13-14)
We looked at Sarah's testimony in Hebrews previously (in the meditation on God's promises on August 8). Now, we will move on to consider a strategic facet of Abraham's testimony regarding his obedient, earthly sojourn, by faith. Therein, we saw him traveling through life on earth as an alien, a stranger (in the world, but not of it). Now, we will see Abraham's patient, heavenly pilgrimage, by faith. His previous testimony concluded with this pilgrimage theme: "For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Hebrews 11:10). Early in the present continuing testimony, the two themes are coupled. "They were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." A stranger (sojourner) is one who does not belong to the given locale. The pilgrim is one who is marching toward a given spiritual destination.
Abraham and his family (Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob) were promised the land flowing with milk and honey. "These all died in faith, not having received the promises." They did not personally possess the promised land. Yet, they lived with a sense of guaranty that God would fulfill His promises: "but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them." They fully accepted the certainty that the Lord would some day give that land to their seed. Meanwhile, they confessed that they were content to live as strangers concerning this world and as pilgrims anticipating the world to come: "and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."
Now, the pilgrimage aspect of Abraham's testimony (and his family's) is emphasized. "For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland." As the years passed and the promised land was not given to them, their hearts yearned for a true, lasting, eternal homeland. "For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland." God wants to develop this perspective of heavenly pilgrimage in our hearts as well. "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul" (1 Peter 2:11). The Lord wants us to set our daily course toward heaven, rejecting earthly cravings that diminish spiritual vitality.
Father God, You have fulfilled so many promises for me here on this earth. I praise You and thank You for such loving grace. Still, my heart yearns for that which heaven alone can provide. Thus, I press on as a pilgrim, bound for my homeland above.
The eyes of the LORD [are]
The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry. (Psalms 34:15)
God recognized us. Often times we do not see any sign of God answering our petitions, yet He hears our cries and deals with them specifically in His own way. Though we might not be constantly thinking of God, we are always in His thoughts as He hears our requests for help.
God recognized us. Often times we do not see any sign of God answering our petitions, yet He hears our cries and deals with them specifically in His own way. Though we might not be constantly thinking of God, we are always in His thoughts as He hears our requests for help.
Monday, October 25, 2010
God [is] our refuge and strength,
God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; (Psalms 46:1-2)
So strong is our victorious Lord that ever more can we, His people, trust in His promise to protect us. Fear not, O believer, for even now is the kingdom of God visible by your faith! Take up your heavenly reign! Rejoice in your seat at the Father's throne! God will be your sturdy defense and never will the enemy's darts pierce your hide, so go forth proclaiming the Lord's victory in boldness.
So strong is our victorious Lord that ever more can we, His people, trust in His promise to protect us. Fear not, O believer, for even now is the kingdom of God visible by your faith! Take up your heavenly reign! Rejoice in your seat at the Father's throne! God will be your sturdy defense and never will the enemy's darts pierce your hide, so go forth proclaiming the Lord's victory in boldness.
CHRIST'S GIFTS
CHRIST'S GIFTS
Ephesians 4:8-13
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+4:8-13
Dear Father, giver of lasting gifts,
Thank you for the gracious gifts bestowed by your Messiah on us
when he descended into the depths for us and ascended into the
heights to reign with you.
He gave us, his church, lasting gifts - apostles and prophets,
evangelists, and shepherd/teachers for the equipment of the saints,
for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
Thank you for these gifts given until we all attain the unity he
intends for us: faithful loyalty to Jesus, and full knowledge of
the Son of God himself - to mature manhood- so that we can attain
to the measure of the full stature of Christ himself.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Ephesians 4:8-13
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+4:8-13
Dear Father, giver of lasting gifts,
Thank you for the gracious gifts bestowed by your Messiah on us
when he descended into the depths for us and ascended into the
heights to reign with you.
He gave us, his church, lasting gifts - apostles and prophets,
evangelists, and shepherd/teachers for the equipment of the saints,
for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.
Thank you for these gifts given until we all attain the unity he
intends for us: faithful loyalty to Jesus, and full knowledge of
the Son of God himself - to mature manhood- so that we can attain
to the measure of the full stature of Christ himself.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
More on the Source of Faith
More on the Source of Faith
And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:16)
The path of discipleship can only be traveled by faith (by trusting in our unseen Lord). Progress can never be made by sight (by relying upon that which our human senses can gather and process). "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Therefore, it is vital that we understand where we must go for the source of our faith: "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus is the source of faith. The Scriptures often expound upon this fundamental truth.
This truth was again declared when the lame man was healed at the temple gate. This miracle occurred when two of the Lord's disciples were going to the temple in Jerusalem to pray. "Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer" (Acts 3:1). A crippled man requested a gift. "And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful… asked for alms" (Acts 3:2-3). Peter and John had no money to give, but they offered far more than the man had sought. "Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk'" (Acts 3:6). They offered this man healing in the name of Jesus Christ. "And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God" (Acts 3:7-8). The miracle was extensive. The lame man was not only strengthened to walk, he was also enabled to leap and stirred to give exuberant praise unto the Lord.
As an astonished crowd gathered, Peter explained how the miracle was related to the name of Jesus. "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know.." The name of Jesus referred to His person and His power (that is, all that Jesus was and all that He was able to do). This demonstration of Jesus' power was experienced through faith in His name (that is, reliance upon who He was and what He could do). Then, Peter explained the source of such faith. "Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." Jesus is the source of faith. Those who know Jesus to be a wonder-working Lord will trust Him to do extraordinary things.
O glorious Lord, I see many matters that only You can handle—problems in the world, needs in the churches, difficulties threatening loved ones, burdens in my life. I trust in Your name. Please show again who You are and what You alone can do, Amen.
And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:16)
The path of discipleship can only be traveled by faith (by trusting in our unseen Lord). Progress can never be made by sight (by relying upon that which our human senses can gather and process). "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Therefore, it is vital that we understand where we must go for the source of our faith: "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus is the source of faith. The Scriptures often expound upon this fundamental truth.
This truth was again declared when the lame man was healed at the temple gate. This miracle occurred when two of the Lord's disciples were going to the temple in Jerusalem to pray. "Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer" (Acts 3:1). A crippled man requested a gift. "And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful… asked for alms" (Acts 3:2-3). Peter and John had no money to give, but they offered far more than the man had sought. "Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk'" (Acts 3:6). They offered this man healing in the name of Jesus Christ. "And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God" (Acts 3:7-8). The miracle was extensive. The lame man was not only strengthened to walk, he was also enabled to leap and stirred to give exuberant praise unto the Lord.
As an astonished crowd gathered, Peter explained how the miracle was related to the name of Jesus. "And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know.." The name of Jesus referred to His person and His power (that is, all that Jesus was and all that He was able to do). This demonstration of Jesus' power was experienced through faith in His name (that is, reliance upon who He was and what He could do). Then, Peter explained the source of such faith. "Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all." Jesus is the source of faith. Those who know Jesus to be a wonder-working Lord will trust Him to do extraordinary things.
O glorious Lord, I see many matters that only You can handle—problems in the world, needs in the churches, difficulties threatening loved ones, burdens in my life. I trust in Your name. Please show again who You are and what You alone can do, Amen.
THE POWER OF GOD
THE POWER OF GOD
Ephesians 1:22-23
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+1:22-23
Dear Father, God of our Lord Jesus
Help me to directly experience the power of what you did when you
made Christ head over all things for the congregation of your
people, the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who
fills all in all.
My Father, I am part of that body, your church. How I thank you
for that!
I bless your holy name always!
Never let me take it for granted, never let me neglect it!
Thank you, Father, thank you, thank you!
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Ephesians 1:22-23
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+1:22-23
Dear Father, God of our Lord Jesus
Help me to directly experience the power of what you did when you
made Christ head over all things for the congregation of your
people, the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who
fills all in all.
My Father, I am part of that body, your church. How I thank you
for that!
I bless your holy name always!
Never let me take it for granted, never let me neglect it!
Thank you, Father, thank you, thank you!
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Growing in Grace through Living by Faith
Growing in Grace through Living by Faith
Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith…For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4 and Romans 1:16-17)
In our previous devotions about Jesus as our ultimate example, we concluded our series on "humility and grace" and began to consider "faith and grace." If we want to grow in the grace of God, we must live by faith, since faith accesses grace. "We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:2).
Our present, initial verse also builds upon our earlier studies about humility, which was repeatedly contrasted with pride. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Habakkuk was inspired of the Spirit to state the same truth in this form. "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him." James contrasted pride with humility. Here, the prophet concluded his statement by contrasting pride with faith. The proud person is depending upon himself. The humble person is willing to depend upon the Lord. The humble person is the one who will be growing in the grace of God.
This simple proclamation of living by faith is so profound that it is repeated in three strategic epistles in the New Testament. The first mention is in Romans in connection with the gospel of grace. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Paul was not embarrassed by the good news of the grace of God that was available in Jesus Christ. He knew that it was God's powerful truth that would save the soul of anyone (Jew or Gentile) who would believe in Christ. That message of grace offered God's righteousness to all who would believe. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." The same righteousness that the law demanded, the gospel of grace provided.. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22). The righteousness that people need (both for a standing in heaven and for a walk on earth) comes by grace through faith. Yes, initially and continually, "The just shall live by faith."
O righteous Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your righteousness, by grace through faith. My heart rejoices that I have a righteous standing before You in heaven above. My heart humbly cries out in faith for a daily impartation of that same righteousness in and through my life for a godly walk on earth below, through the grace of Christ, Amen.
Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith…For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4 and Romans 1:16-17)
In our previous devotions about Jesus as our ultimate example, we concluded our series on "humility and grace" and began to consider "faith and grace." If we want to grow in the grace of God, we must live by faith, since faith accesses grace. "We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:2).
Our present, initial verse also builds upon our earlier studies about humility, which was repeatedly contrasted with pride. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Habakkuk was inspired of the Spirit to state the same truth in this form. "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him." James contrasted pride with humility. Here, the prophet concluded his statement by contrasting pride with faith. The proud person is depending upon himself. The humble person is willing to depend upon the Lord. The humble person is the one who will be growing in the grace of God.
This simple proclamation of living by faith is so profound that it is repeated in three strategic epistles in the New Testament. The first mention is in Romans in connection with the gospel of grace. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Paul was not embarrassed by the good news of the grace of God that was available in Jesus Christ. He knew that it was God's powerful truth that would save the soul of anyone (Jew or Gentile) who would believe in Christ. That message of grace offered God's righteousness to all who would believe. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." The same righteousness that the law demanded, the gospel of grace provided.. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22). The righteousness that people need (both for a standing in heaven and for a walk on earth) comes by grace through faith. Yes, initially and continually, "The just shall live by faith."
O righteous Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your righteousness, by grace through faith. My heart rejoices that I have a righteous standing before You in heaven above. My heart humbly cries out in faith for a daily impartation of that same righteousness in and through my life for a godly walk on earth below, through the grace of Christ, Amen.
Growing in Grace through Living by Faith
Growing in Grace through Living by Faith
Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith…For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4 and Romans 1:16-17)
In our previous devotions about Jesus as our ultimate example, we concluded our series on "humility and grace" and began to consider "faith and grace." If we want to grow in the grace of God, we must live by faith, since faith accesses grace. "We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:2).
Our present, initial verse also builds upon our earlier studies about humility, which was repeatedly contrasted with pride. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Habakkuk was inspired of the Spirit to state the same truth in this form. "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him." James contrasted pride with humility. Here, the prophet concluded his statement by contrasting pride with faith. The proud person is depending upon himself. The humble person is willing to depend upon the Lord. The humble person is the one who will be growing in the grace of God.
This simple proclamation of living by faith is so profound that it is repeated in three strategic epistles in the New Testament. The first mention is in Romans in connection with the gospel of grace. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Paul was not embarrassed by the good news of the grace of God that was available in Jesus Christ. He knew that it was God's powerful truth that would save the soul of anyone (Jew or Gentile) who would believe in Christ. That message of grace offered God's righteousness to all who would believe. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." The same righteousness that the law demanded, the gospel of grace provided.. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22). The righteousness that people need (both for a standing in heaven and for a walk on earth) comes by grace through faith. Yes, initially and continually, "The just shall live by faith."
O righteous Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your righteousness, by grace through faith. My heart rejoices that I have a righteous standing before You in heaven above. My heart humbly cries out in faith for a daily impartation of that same righteousness in and through my life for a godly walk on earth below, through the grace of Christ, Amen.
Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith…For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4 and Romans 1:16-17)
In our previous devotions about Jesus as our ultimate example, we concluded our series on "humility and grace" and began to consider "faith and grace." If we want to grow in the grace of God, we must live by faith, since faith accesses grace. "We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:2).
Our present, initial verse also builds upon our earlier studies about humility, which was repeatedly contrasted with pride. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Habakkuk was inspired of the Spirit to state the same truth in this form. "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him." James contrasted pride with humility. Here, the prophet concluded his statement by contrasting pride with faith. The proud person is depending upon himself. The humble person is willing to depend upon the Lord. The humble person is the one who will be growing in the grace of God.
This simple proclamation of living by faith is so profound that it is repeated in three strategic epistles in the New Testament. The first mention is in Romans in connection with the gospel of grace. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Paul was not embarrassed by the good news of the grace of God that was available in Jesus Christ. He knew that it was God's powerful truth that would save the soul of anyone (Jew or Gentile) who would believe in Christ. That message of grace offered God's righteousness to all who would believe. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." The same righteousness that the law demanded, the gospel of grace provided.. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22). The righteousness that people need (both for a standing in heaven and for a walk on earth) comes by grace through faith. Yes, initially and continually, "The just shall live by faith."
O righteous Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your righteousness, by grace through faith. My heart rejoices that I have a righteous standing before You in heaven above. My heart humbly cries out in faith for a daily impartation of that same righteousness in and through my life for a godly walk on earth below, through the grace of Christ, Amen.
Growing in Grace through Living by Faith
Growing in Grace through Living by Faith
Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith…For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4 and Romans 1:16-17)
In our previous devotions about Jesus as our ultimate example, we concluded our series on "humility and grace" and began to consider "faith and grace." If we want to grow in the grace of God, we must live by faith, since faith accesses grace. "We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:2).
Our present, initial verse also builds upon our earlier studies about humility, which was repeatedly contrasted with pride. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Habakkuk was inspired of the Spirit to state the same truth in this form. "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him." James contrasted pride with humility. Here, the prophet concluded his statement by contrasting pride with faith. The proud person is depending upon himself. The humble person is willing to depend upon the Lord. The humble person is the one who will be growing in the grace of God.
This simple proclamation of living by faith is so profound that it is repeated in three strategic epistles in the New Testament. The first mention is in Romans in connection with the gospel of grace. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Paul was not embarrassed by the good news of the grace of God that was available in Jesus Christ. He knew that it was God's powerful truth that would save the soul of anyone (Jew or Gentile) who would believe in Christ. That message of grace offered God's righteousness to all who would believe. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." The same righteousness that the law demanded, the gospel of grace provided.. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22). The righteousness that people need (both for a standing in heaven and for a walk on earth) comes by grace through faith. Yes, initially and continually, "The just shall live by faith."
O righteous Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your righteousness, by grace through faith. My heart rejoices that I have a righteous standing before You in heaven above. My heart humbly cries out in faith for a daily impartation of that same righteousness in and through my life for a godly walk on earth below, through the grace of Christ, Amen.
Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith…For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4 and Romans 1:16-17)
In our previous devotions about Jesus as our ultimate example, we concluded our series on "humility and grace" and began to consider "faith and grace." If we want to grow in the grace of God, we must live by faith, since faith accesses grace. "We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:2).
Our present, initial verse also builds upon our earlier studies about humility, which was repeatedly contrasted with pride. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Habakkuk was inspired of the Spirit to state the same truth in this form. "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him." James contrasted pride with humility. Here, the prophet concluded his statement by contrasting pride with faith. The proud person is depending upon himself. The humble person is willing to depend upon the Lord. The humble person is the one who will be growing in the grace of God.
This simple proclamation of living by faith is so profound that it is repeated in three strategic epistles in the New Testament. The first mention is in Romans in connection with the gospel of grace. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Paul was not embarrassed by the good news of the grace of God that was available in Jesus Christ. He knew that it was God's powerful truth that would save the soul of anyone (Jew or Gentile) who would believe in Christ. That message of grace offered God's righteousness to all who would believe. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." The same righteousness that the law demanded, the gospel of grace provided.. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22). The righteousness that people need (both for a standing in heaven and for a walk on earth) comes by grace through faith. Yes, initially and continually, "The just shall live by faith."
O righteous Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your righteousness, by grace through faith. My heart rejoices that I have a righteous standing before You in heaven above. My heart humbly cries out in faith for a daily impartation of that same righteousness in and through my life for a godly walk on earth below, through the grace of Christ, Amen.
Growing in Grace through Living by Faith
Growing in Grace through Living by Faith
Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith…For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4 and Romans 1:16-17)
In our previous devotions about Jesus as our ultimate example, we concluded our series on "humility and grace" and began to consider "faith and grace." If we want to grow in the grace of God, we must live by faith, since faith accesses grace. "We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:2).
Our present, initial verse also builds upon our earlier studies about humility, which was repeatedly contrasted with pride. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Habakkuk was inspired of the Spirit to state the same truth in this form. "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him." James contrasted pride with humility. Here, the prophet concluded his statement by contrasting pride with faith. The proud person is depending upon himself. The humble person is willing to depend upon the Lord. The humble person is the one who will be growing in the grace of God.
This simple proclamation of living by faith is so profound that it is repeated in three strategic epistles in the New Testament. The first mention is in Romans in connection with the gospel of grace. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Paul was not embarrassed by the good news of the grace of God that was available in Jesus Christ. He knew that it was God's powerful truth that would save the soul of anyone (Jew or Gentile) who would believe in Christ. That message of grace offered God's righteousness to all who would believe. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." The same righteousness that the law demanded, the gospel of grace provided.. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22). The righteousness that people need (both for a standing in heaven and for a walk on earth) comes by grace through faith. Yes, initially and continually, "The just shall live by faith."
O righteous Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your righteousness, by grace through faith. My heart rejoices that I have a righteous standing before You in heaven above. My heart humbly cries out in faith for a daily impartation of that same righteousness in and through my life for a godly walk on earth below, through the grace of Christ, Amen.
Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith…For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4 and Romans 1:16-17)
In our previous devotions about Jesus as our ultimate example, we concluded our series on "humility and grace" and began to consider "faith and grace." If we want to grow in the grace of God, we must live by faith, since faith accesses grace. "We have access by faith into this grace in which we stand" (Romans 5:2).
Our present, initial verse also builds upon our earlier studies about humility, which was repeatedly contrasted with pride. "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). Habakkuk was inspired of the Spirit to state the same truth in this form. "Behold the proud, his soul is not upright in him." James contrasted pride with humility. Here, the prophet concluded his statement by contrasting pride with faith. The proud person is depending upon himself. The humble person is willing to depend upon the Lord. The humble person is the one who will be growing in the grace of God.
This simple proclamation of living by faith is so profound that it is repeated in three strategic epistles in the New Testament. The first mention is in Romans in connection with the gospel of grace. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Paul was not embarrassed by the good news of the grace of God that was available in Jesus Christ. He knew that it was God's powerful truth that would save the soul of anyone (Jew or Gentile) who would believe in Christ. That message of grace offered God's righteousness to all who would believe. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith." The same righteousness that the law demanded, the gospel of grace provided.. "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22). The righteousness that people need (both for a standing in heaven and for a walk on earth) comes by grace through faith. Yes, initially and continually, "The just shall live by faith."
O righteous Lord, I praise You for the gift of Your righteousness, by grace through faith. My heart rejoices that I have a righteous standing before You in heaven above. My heart humbly cries out in faith for a daily impartation of that same righteousness in and through my life for a godly walk on earth below, through the grace of Christ, Amen.
For by grace are ye saved
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
We are saved through the grace of God and only the grace of God. There is no other way for us to get to heaven. If we think the good we do will earn us a hope in heaven, then we shall be deeply dismayed when Jesus says, "Depart from me, I never knew you." Let us not take pride in ourselves in thinking that our works will get us into heaven. Let us rather praise the Lord for His marvelous grace!
We are saved through the grace of God and only the grace of God. There is no other way for us to get to heaven. If we think the good we do will earn us a hope in heaven, then we shall be deeply dismayed when Jesus says, "Depart from me, I never knew you." Let us not take pride in ourselves in thinking that our works will get us into heaven. Let us rather praise the Lord for His marvelous grace!
Friday, October 8, 2010
HEAVENLY BLESSINGS
HEAVENLY BLESSINGS
Ephesians 1:5-8
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+1:5-8
Dear Father, King of an eternal kingdom,
In love you destined us to be your sons through Jesus Christ,
exactly as you wanted to do.
My heart overflows with thanksgiving and praise for this glorious
graciousness which you bestowed on us in your beloved Son.
Thank you that in him and through his blood we are forgiven of
every sin and released from our bondage to sin - all of this
according to your unfailing love lavished on us!
In the name of Jesus and by his authority I pray. Amen.
Ephesians 1:5-8
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Ephesians+1:5-8
Dear Father, King of an eternal kingdom,
In love you destined us to be your sons through Jesus Christ,
exactly as you wanted to do.
My heart overflows with thanksgiving and praise for this glorious
graciousness which you bestowed on us in your beloved Son.
Thank you that in him and through his blood we are forgiven of
every sin and released from our bondage to sin - all of this
according to your unfailing love lavished on us!
In the name of Jesus and by his authority I pray. Amen.
Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Faith's Results
Jesus, the Ultimate Example of Faith's Results
"The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary…The Lord God has opened My ear…I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed." (Isaiah 50:4-7)
In our previous prophetic verses, we saw that the promised Servant of the Lord would undertake His Messianic mission through faith in His heavenly Father. "My God shall be My strength" (Isaiah 49:5). These verses depicted Jesus as the ultimate example of faith. Now, a corresponding prophetic passage reveals the blessed consequences of trusting in the Lord. Herein, we see Jesus as the ultimate example of faith's results.
Once again, the prophetic parties are the Messiah and His heavenly Father. The confessions of Jesus (trusting in the Father) comprise the prophetic statements. "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned." Jesus was "discipled" day by day by the Father (certainly using, in part, His godly parents). "The Lord God has opened My ear." This equipped Jesus to minister to burdened lives: "that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary." In fact, people were amazed in general at the manner in which He spoke. "So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth" (Luke 4:22).
As Jesus would trust in the Father, He would also be prepared for the mounting difficulties that He would face. "I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting." In approaching the cross, these prophecies of Jesus (and the enablement He found through depending upon the Father) were fulfilled. "Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands" (Matthew 26:67). Though He knew all of this awaited Him before He came to Jerusalem that last time, He put His faith in the Father. "For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed." The Father helped Him. He marched on resolutely to keep His redemption appointment at the cross. "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). These are the wonderful consequences of faith.
Father, Your Son, my Savior, was prepared, strengthened, sustained, and used through faith in You. I need to experience these same blessed results of faith in my life. Please build my faith, more and more, for Your glory and service, Amen.
"The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary…The Lord God has opened My ear…I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed." (Isaiah 50:4-7)
In our previous prophetic verses, we saw that the promised Servant of the Lord would undertake His Messianic mission through faith in His heavenly Father. "My God shall be My strength" (Isaiah 49:5). These verses depicted Jesus as the ultimate example of faith. Now, a corresponding prophetic passage reveals the blessed consequences of trusting in the Lord. Herein, we see Jesus as the ultimate example of faith's results.
Once again, the prophetic parties are the Messiah and His heavenly Father. The confessions of Jesus (trusting in the Father) comprise the prophetic statements. "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned." Jesus was "discipled" day by day by the Father (certainly using, in part, His godly parents). "The Lord God has opened My ear." This equipped Jesus to minister to burdened lives: "that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary." In fact, people were amazed in general at the manner in which He spoke. "So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth" (Luke 4:22).
As Jesus would trust in the Father, He would also be prepared for the mounting difficulties that He would face. "I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting." In approaching the cross, these prophecies of Jesus (and the enablement He found through depending upon the Father) were fulfilled. "Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands" (Matthew 26:67). Though He knew all of this awaited Him before He came to Jerusalem that last time, He put His faith in the Father. "For the Lord God will help Me; therefore I will not be disgraced; therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed." The Father helped Him. He marched on resolutely to keep His redemption appointment at the cross. "Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51). These are the wonderful consequences of faith.
Father, Your Son, my Savior, was prepared, strengthened, sustained, and used through faith in You. I need to experience these same blessed results of faith in my life. Please build my faith, more and more, for Your glory and service, Amen.
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:18)
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. (John 14:18)
Despite times of sorrow and loneliness, the Lord will ever be our Father. We who believe shall never be forsaken and shall never lack His provision. Praise the Lord for His lovingkindness. Praise the Lord for His unbounded mercy upon your soul. Praise forever the Lord who has delivered you from death into His everlasting and princely family. Praise the Lord and rejoice O you peoples of the Almighty God!
Despite times of sorrow and loneliness, the Lord will ever be our Father. We who believe shall never be forsaken and shall never lack His provision. Praise the Lord for His lovingkindness. Praise the Lord for His unbounded mercy upon your soul. Praise forever the Lord who has delivered you from death into His everlasting and princely family. Praise the Lord and rejoice O you peoples of the Almighty God!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Subject: When it rains, it pours but...
Subject: When it rains, it pours but...
The Pastor’s message this weekend and last weekend are still resounding in me this morning. May I wake from my slumber! If I am dreaming may I never wake, if I am awake, may I never sleep…
Pastor Don spoke about Jesus when he made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, how it did not bring about the season they were hoping for, or had waited for because it wasn’t time for that season. The triumph they were expecting wasn’t the victory they received. In fact what would begin as a triumphant entry would end in defeat. To add insult to injury they would put Jesus to death and with Him, the hope of a nation… We know that’s not how it ended for Jesus. We know that what was appeared to be a defeat was a victory in disguise. Have you ever noticed that for us who are in Christ, God sometimes disguises victory as defeat but he has never brought us a defeat disguised as a victory?
On my way to work I saw the clouds massing themselves like an army advancing over the mountains with the darker clouds beginning to flank themselves across the horizon from west to east. The wind was kicking up and the temperature began to drop slightly.. another storm is on the way. Isn’t it interesting that the same clouds and rain storms that causes flood also brings an end to a drought? Sometimes it brings neither; sometimes it’s just raining! It’s not the storms that come in season that seem to do the most damage, it’s the ones that come out of season. They’re not expected or anticipated when they come out of season… More often than not, they’re typically not any worst than the worst storms that come in season, they’re just not expected or anticipated. It’s not really anyone’s fault either. I don’t go around wearing a raincoat or a parka in July, and I’m not going to start. However, I am in the habit of listening to the forecast and keeping my eye on the horizon as I go about…, rainy season or not. Reading God’s word, spending time with the Lord in prayer, and trusting Him enough to put into practice what His word teaches is like paying attention to the weather. Inevitably, storms will come.
When it rains, it pours on the children of God as well. Still, for us in Christ, even when there is pain in the offering, God still dwells within His sanctuary. When rains long enough or hard enough, I put on my raincoat, change from wet clothes to dry, play in a puddle or two, unclog my drains that back up, fix a leak in the roof if necessary. Some of it’s fun some of it isn’t. Sometimes it causes damage while other times it doesn’t. Like the time my ceiling caved in and half the church showed up to help bail out the swimming pool in our living room. That all came from a 30 minute rainstorm… I was more encouraged by the help and love I received than any trauma caused by the damage the rain had done. In the midst of that storm I saw God move in the midst of his people. What seemed like a curse turned out to be a blessing!
In the midst of all that swirls about you, I and us, there is comfort from one another poured out through the Spirit that God has given us, there is mercy and grace, peace and forgiveness, encouragement, a faith that strengthens, a love that binds, a mending for a broken heart that pours out like rain from the throne of Grace. God showers us with affirmation of who he is, who WE are in His eyes. He reminds us of his promises to each of us, none of which he has ever failed to keep. Because of Him, I have more reason to hope than to be afraid, more reason to stand and wait. By the spirit and grace of God I am stirred, but not shaken circumstances, yours mine or ours. I am reminded of whom I am, who you are and who we are in Christ. Where does my hope come from? In Whom shall I trust? What is His name?
…My son may be headed to Afghanistan this time around and it will be worst in Afghanistan than it was in Iraq. Family members back east having sever financial difficulties.. I see the clouds are forming again, and it looks like another storm heading this way). I find myself smiling and crying almost all at once. Beyond the storm, I feel the Spirit of the one who commands them, Beyond the storm I see Him in the rays of light that pierces through the clouds that surround me… Sometimes I even feel His power! Still there are times when the clouds are sewn up tight and no light shines through. Even when I can’t see Him, or feel Him, I know He sees me; I know He can feel me and all the aches within me, every tremor of hurt or anger or sorrow or doubt… I know that even when it feels as though He has left me, He is right there beside me, in the rain and the thunder, he never left me. I know that this is true for me, for you, for all of us even when it doesn’t seem like it or feels like it, no matter how fierce the storm.
So on my way to work, in the midst of the clouds gathering, I could swear God said to me, “chin up!” and I couldn’t help but cry a little and smile a lot!
“Chin Up!”
Oh! One more passing thought I’d like to share.., Pastor Don shared with us about what he considers’ to his one of his failings as a Pastor… He finds it difficult at times to go to someone, and point out their wrong and sees that as one of his weaknesses… The truth is we serve God out of the strength He’s given us. The same is true of our pastor. To me in my life, what the Pastor considers to be his failure has been a vessel through which God’s grace pressed down, shaken together and poured out to overflowing on me!
I Love you all, see you on Sunday!
Sherman L. De Veaux
412th TENG/ENI Instrumentation Division
Airborne Laser Program
The Pastor’s message this weekend and last weekend are still resounding in me this morning. May I wake from my slumber! If I am dreaming may I never wake, if I am awake, may I never sleep…
Pastor Don spoke about Jesus when he made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, how it did not bring about the season they were hoping for, or had waited for because it wasn’t time for that season. The triumph they were expecting wasn’t the victory they received. In fact what would begin as a triumphant entry would end in defeat. To add insult to injury they would put Jesus to death and with Him, the hope of a nation… We know that’s not how it ended for Jesus. We know that what was appeared to be a defeat was a victory in disguise. Have you ever noticed that for us who are in Christ, God sometimes disguises victory as defeat but he has never brought us a defeat disguised as a victory?
On my way to work I saw the clouds massing themselves like an army advancing over the mountains with the darker clouds beginning to flank themselves across the horizon from west to east. The wind was kicking up and the temperature began to drop slightly.. another storm is on the way. Isn’t it interesting that the same clouds and rain storms that causes flood also brings an end to a drought? Sometimes it brings neither; sometimes it’s just raining! It’s not the storms that come in season that seem to do the most damage, it’s the ones that come out of season. They’re not expected or anticipated when they come out of season… More often than not, they’re typically not any worst than the worst storms that come in season, they’re just not expected or anticipated. It’s not really anyone’s fault either. I don’t go around wearing a raincoat or a parka in July, and I’m not going to start. However, I am in the habit of listening to the forecast and keeping my eye on the horizon as I go about…, rainy season or not. Reading God’s word, spending time with the Lord in prayer, and trusting Him enough to put into practice what His word teaches is like paying attention to the weather. Inevitably, storms will come.
When it rains, it pours on the children of God as well. Still, for us in Christ, even when there is pain in the offering, God still dwells within His sanctuary. When rains long enough or hard enough, I put on my raincoat, change from wet clothes to dry, play in a puddle or two, unclog my drains that back up, fix a leak in the roof if necessary. Some of it’s fun some of it isn’t. Sometimes it causes damage while other times it doesn’t. Like the time my ceiling caved in and half the church showed up to help bail out the swimming pool in our living room. That all came from a 30 minute rainstorm… I was more encouraged by the help and love I received than any trauma caused by the damage the rain had done. In the midst of that storm I saw God move in the midst of his people. What seemed like a curse turned out to be a blessing!
In the midst of all that swirls about you, I and us, there is comfort from one another poured out through the Spirit that God has given us, there is mercy and grace, peace and forgiveness, encouragement, a faith that strengthens, a love that binds, a mending for a broken heart that pours out like rain from the throne of Grace. God showers us with affirmation of who he is, who WE are in His eyes. He reminds us of his promises to each of us, none of which he has ever failed to keep. Because of Him, I have more reason to hope than to be afraid, more reason to stand and wait. By the spirit and grace of God I am stirred, but not shaken circumstances, yours mine or ours. I am reminded of whom I am, who you are and who we are in Christ. Where does my hope come from? In Whom shall I trust? What is His name?
…My son may be headed to Afghanistan this time around and it will be worst in Afghanistan than it was in Iraq. Family members back east having sever financial difficulties.. I see the clouds are forming again, and it looks like another storm heading this way). I find myself smiling and crying almost all at once. Beyond the storm, I feel the Spirit of the one who commands them, Beyond the storm I see Him in the rays of light that pierces through the clouds that surround me… Sometimes I even feel His power! Still there are times when the clouds are sewn up tight and no light shines through. Even when I can’t see Him, or feel Him, I know He sees me; I know He can feel me and all the aches within me, every tremor of hurt or anger or sorrow or doubt… I know that even when it feels as though He has left me, He is right there beside me, in the rain and the thunder, he never left me. I know that this is true for me, for you, for all of us even when it doesn’t seem like it or feels like it, no matter how fierce the storm.
So on my way to work, in the midst of the clouds gathering, I could swear God said to me, “chin up!” and I couldn’t help but cry a little and smile a lot!
“Chin Up!”
Oh! One more passing thought I’d like to share.., Pastor Don shared with us about what he considers’ to his one of his failings as a Pastor… He finds it difficult at times to go to someone, and point out their wrong and sees that as one of his weaknesses… The truth is we serve God out of the strength He’s given us. The same is true of our pastor. To me in my life, what the Pastor considers to be his failure has been a vessel through which God’s grace pressed down, shaken together and poured out to overflowing on me!
I Love you all, see you on Sunday!
Sherman L. De Veaux
412th TENG/ENI Instrumentation Division
Airborne Laser Program
Monday, October 4, 2010
More on Contrasting Results for Self-Exaltation and Humility
More on Contrasting Results for Self-Exaltation and Humility
And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner!"…everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:13-14)
Our present meditation continues Jesus' parable that warns against self-righteousness and encourages lowliness of mind. In this teaching, the Lord declares contrasting results for self-exaltation and humility. "Everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." The contrasting examples in the parable are the prayers of a vainglorious religious leader and a contrite publican.
The Pharisee's prayer was addressed to himself and was filled with glorying about himself. "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men…I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess'" (Luke 18:11-12). In stark contrast to this arrogant, feigned prayer, the tax collector would not so much as lift his countenance toward heaven. Instead, he pounded his guilt-ridden chest, humbly pleading for mercy.. "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God be merciful to me a sinner'!" His attitude was like that of David, who knew he could not withstand the righteous judgment of God. "Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous" (Psalm 143:2).
These two men (who both appeared to be praying to God) faced drastically differing results. "I tell you, this man [the humble publican] went down to his house justified rather than the other [the self-righteous religious leader]" (Luke 18:14a). The self-exalting Pharisee was abased. He was dishonored before God and confirmed in his guilty, unrepentant state. "Everyone who exalts himself will be abased." The humble tax collector was exalted. Through humble dependence, he was raised up to the blessed realm of justification. "To him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5). He was declared not guilty, forgiven, righteous in God's sight. "He who humbles himself will be exalted."
Lord God, I deserve to be abased for the times I have exalted myself in Your sight. I want to take my stand with this repentant tax collector. I want to humble myself before You, pleading Your mercy. I hope in You to lift me up to new realms of obedience, godly growth, and service, through Christ Jesus, my Lord, Amen.
And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner!"…everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (Luke 18:13-14)
Our present meditation continues Jesus' parable that warns against self-righteousness and encourages lowliness of mind. In this teaching, the Lord declares contrasting results for self-exaltation and humility. "Everyone who exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." The contrasting examples in the parable are the prayers of a vainglorious religious leader and a contrite publican.
The Pharisee's prayer was addressed to himself and was filled with glorying about himself. "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men…I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess'" (Luke 18:11-12). In stark contrast to this arrogant, feigned prayer, the tax collector would not so much as lift his countenance toward heaven. Instead, he pounded his guilt-ridden chest, humbly pleading for mercy.. "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God be merciful to me a sinner'!" His attitude was like that of David, who knew he could not withstand the righteous judgment of God. "Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no one living is righteous" (Psalm 143:2).
These two men (who both appeared to be praying to God) faced drastically differing results. "I tell you, this man [the humble publican] went down to his house justified rather than the other [the self-righteous religious leader]" (Luke 18:14a). The self-exalting Pharisee was abased. He was dishonored before God and confirmed in his guilty, unrepentant state. "Everyone who exalts himself will be abased." The humble tax collector was exalted. Through humble dependence, he was raised up to the blessed realm of justification. "To him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5). He was declared not guilty, forgiven, righteous in God's sight. "He who humbles himself will be exalted."
Lord God, I deserve to be abased for the times I have exalted myself in Your sight. I want to take my stand with this repentant tax collector. I want to humble myself before You, pleading Your mercy. I hope in You to lift me up to new realms of obedience, godly growth, and service, through Christ Jesus, my Lord, Amen.
And such were some of you:
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:11)
Our lives prior to our personal redemption consisted of various backgrounds—some of which were very carnal (see the list in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Yet as Christians, those are now things of the past and should no longer control us. We have been washed! When we became Christians, we were cleansed of our sins. Sanctification is the process of setting us apart for God and growing in righteousness. Lastly, we were justified because of Christ's work and atonement. Our destination is not eternal bondage of sin and grief, but by the grace of God, we have a heavenly destination! A place of eternal joy and everlasting peace!
Our lives prior to our personal redemption consisted of various backgrounds—some of which were very carnal (see the list in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Yet as Christians, those are now things of the past and should no longer control us. We have been washed! When we became Christians, we were cleansed of our sins. Sanctification is the process of setting us apart for God and growing in righteousness. Lastly, we were justified because of Christ's work and atonement. Our destination is not eternal bondage of sin and grief, but by the grace of God, we have a heavenly destination! A place of eternal joy and everlasting peace!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
EXHORTATIONS
EXHORTATIONS
Hebrews 13:1-5
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+13:1-5
Dear Father, hospitable king,
Fill me with brotherly love. Make me a generous provider of
hospitality to strangers. Let angels find provision under my roof,
even when I don't know who they really are.
Help me remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with
them, and those who are ill-treated, since I am also in the body.
Help me hold marriage in honor. May my own bed remain
forever undefiled.
Keep me from the love of money. Help me be content with what I
have, knowing that you will never fail me or forsake me.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Hebrews 13:1-5
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+13:1-5
Dear Father, hospitable king,
Fill me with brotherly love. Make me a generous provider of
hospitality to strangers. Let angels find provision under my roof,
even when I don't know who they really are.
Help me remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with
them, and those who are ill-treated, since I am also in the body.
Help me hold marriage in honor. May my own bed remain
forever undefiled.
Keep me from the love of money. Help me be content with what I
have, knowing that you will never fail me or forsake me.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Prophecy Revelation
Prophecy Revelation
Nahum Saturday: Acts 7-8
Sunday: Hebrews 11-13
Monday: Deuteronomy 4-6
Nahum 1
1
The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2
God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
3
The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
4
He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
5
The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
6
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
7
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
8
But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
9
What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
10
For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
11
There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.
12
Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
13
For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
14
And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.
15
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Nahum 2
1
He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
2
For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.
3
The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
4
The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.
5
He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.
6
The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.
7
And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.
8
But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.
9
Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.
10
She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.
11
Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and none made them afraid?
12
The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.
13
Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.
Nahum 3
1
Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not;
2
The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots.
3
The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:
4
Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.
5
Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.
6
And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock.
7
And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?
8
Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea?
9
Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.
10
Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.
11
Thou also shalt be drunken: thou shalt be hid, thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy.
12
All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.
13
Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars.
14
Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.
15
There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts.
16
Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and fleeth away.
17
Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they are.
18
Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them.
19
There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?
Nahum Saturday: Acts 7-8
Sunday: Hebrews 11-13
Monday: Deuteronomy 4-6
Nahum 1
1
The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2
God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
3
The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
4
He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
5
The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
6
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
7
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
8
But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
9
What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
10
For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
11
There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.
12
Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
13
For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
14
And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.
15
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Nahum 2
1
He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
2
For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.
3
The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
4
The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.
5
He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.
6
The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.
7
And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.
8
But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.
9
Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.
10
She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.
11
Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and none made them afraid?
12
The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.
13
Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.
Nahum 3
1
Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not;
2
The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots.
3
The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:
4
Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.
5
Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.
6
And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock.
7
And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?
8
Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea?
9
Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.
10
Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.
11
Thou also shalt be drunken: thou shalt be hid, thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy.
12
All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.
13
Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars.
14
Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.
15
There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts.
16
Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and fleeth away.
17
Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they are.
18
Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them.
19
There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?
Scorn for the Scornful, Grace for the Humble
Scorn for the Scornful, Grace for the Humble
Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34)
The Scriptures emphasize the Lord's commitment to pour out grace upon those who walk in humility, while opposing the path of those who walk in pride. "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'…Be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'… Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar" (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; and Psalm 138:6). In our present verse we have another pointed example. "Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble."
It is an absolute certainty that the Lord will scorn the scornful. "Surely He scorns the scornful." The scornful person shows arrogant disregard for the Lord and His righteous ways. He is a mocker of godliness and a boaster in wickedness. The Lord will assuredly scorn such people. He will treat them with a holy disdain. He will reject their path with holy contempt.
For so many of us who have a heart for the Lord, walking scornfully before the Lord is not a likely attitude. However, somewhat related attitudes may become a part of our walk (even inadvertently). Pride and haughtiness are two of the most common, and most deadly. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). These companion evils could both be summarized as self-exaltation. Such an approach to life always results in devastating downfalls. These attitudes and their consequences are most fully illustrated by the history of the devil himself. Before he became the ultimate rebel against God, he was a magnificent, privileged angelic being. "You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God …You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you" (Ezekiel 28:14-15). This iniquity that developed was self-exaltation. "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!…For you have said in your heart:…I will be like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:12-14). This haughty exalting of self brought a disastrous fall, which will end up forever in hell itself.
May we choose daily to walk with God's humble saints, refusing to join the ranks of the proud, with their self-advancing schemes. "Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud" (Proverbs 16:19)..
Lord God Most High, I repent of the times that I have exalted myself in word or deed or attitude. I renounce the prideful path of self-advancing humanity. I want to identify with Your humble saints, looking to You to shape and use our lives through Your abounding grace, Amen.
Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34)
The Scriptures emphasize the Lord's commitment to pour out grace upon those who walk in humility, while opposing the path of those who walk in pride. "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'…Be clothed with humility, for 'God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble'… Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar" (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; and Psalm 138:6). In our present verse we have another pointed example. "Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble."
It is an absolute certainty that the Lord will scorn the scornful. "Surely He scorns the scornful." The scornful person shows arrogant disregard for the Lord and His righteous ways. He is a mocker of godliness and a boaster in wickedness. The Lord will assuredly scorn such people. He will treat them with a holy disdain. He will reject their path with holy contempt.
For so many of us who have a heart for the Lord, walking scornfully before the Lord is not a likely attitude. However, somewhat related attitudes may become a part of our walk (even inadvertently). Pride and haughtiness are two of the most common, and most deadly. "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). These companion evils could both be summarized as self-exaltation. Such an approach to life always results in devastating downfalls. These attitudes and their consequences are most fully illustrated by the history of the devil himself. Before he became the ultimate rebel against God, he was a magnificent, privileged angelic being. "You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; you were on the holy mountain of God …You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you" (Ezekiel 28:14-15). This iniquity that developed was self-exaltation. "How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!…For you have said in your heart:…I will be like the Most High" (Isaiah 14:12-14). This haughty exalting of self brought a disastrous fall, which will end up forever in hell itself.
May we choose daily to walk with God's humble saints, refusing to join the ranks of the proud, with their self-advancing schemes. "Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud" (Proverbs 16:19)..
Lord God Most High, I repent of the times that I have exalted myself in word or deed or attitude. I renounce the prideful path of self-advancing humanity. I want to identify with Your humble saints, looking to You to shape and use our lives through Your abounding grace, Amen.
LIGHT THAT EXPOSES SIN
LIGHT THAT EXPOSES SIN
Hebrews 12:29
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+12:29
Dear Father, who dwells in indescribable light,
I want to love the Light. Your verdict is: Light has come into
the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their
deeds were evil.
They hate the light because they are afraid they will be exposed.
As for me, Lord God, I come into your Light, to your Son, that my
sinfulness can be exposed and expunged through him.
Because I want to live by the truth, I come into your light, so
that it may be clearly seen that my conversion, my conviction, and
my conformity to Jesus have been wrought in you.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Hebrews 12:29
http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Hebrews+12:29
Dear Father, who dwells in indescribable light,
I want to love the Light. Your verdict is: Light has come into
the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their
deeds were evil.
They hate the light because they are afraid they will be exposed.
As for me, Lord God, I come into your Light, to your Son, that my
sinfulness can be exposed and expunged through him.
Because I want to live by the truth, I come into your light, so
that it may be clearly seen that my conversion, my conviction, and
my conformity to Jesus have been wrought in you.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
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