Read: Acts 19:23-41
If you really want to get folks upset, threaten their economy.
A bad economic picture gets politicians voted out of office, and the threat of a downturn nearly got the apostle Paul kicked out of Ephesus.
Here's what happened. Paul came to town and started "reasoning and persuading concerning . . . the kingdom of God" (Acts 19:8). For more than two years he shared the gospel, and many began following Jesus.
Because Paul was so successful in getting people to see that there is only one true God, many Ephesians stopped worshiping the goddess Diana. This was bad news for the local silversmiths, who made their living creating and selling Diana statuettes. If enough people stopped believing in her, business would dry up. A commotion and an uproar broke out when the craftsmen figured this out.
This Ephesus incident can remind us to evaluate our reasons for worshiping God. The silversmiths wanted to protect their worship as a way of protecting their prosperity, but may that never be said of us. Don't ever let your worship of God become an avenue to good fortune.
We worship God because of His love for us and because of who He is, not because loving Him can help our bottom line. Let's worship God the right way.--Dave Branon
Friday, December 26, 2014
Thursday, December 25, 2014
NOW IS THE TIME
Read: Luke 2:8-20
During our church's Christmas celebration, I watched the choir members assemble in front of the congregation while the music director rifled through papers on a slim black stand. The instruments began, and the singers launched into a well-known song that started with these words: "Come, now is the time to worship."
Although I expected to hear a time-honored Christmas carol, I smiled at the appropriate choice of music. Earlier that week I had been reading Luke's account of Jesus' birth, and I noticed that the first Christmas lacked our modern-day parties, gifts, and feasting--but it did include worship.
After the angel announced Jesus' birth to some wide-eyed sheperds, a chorus of angels began "praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest!' " (Luke 2:13-14). The shepherds responded by running to Bethlehem where they found the newborn King lying in a barnyard bassinet. They returned to their fields "glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had seen and heard" (v. 20). Coming face to face with the Son inspired the shepherds to worship the Father.
Today, consider your response to Jesus' arrival on earth. Is there room for worship in your heart on this day that celebrates his birth?--Jennifer Benson Schuldt
During our church's Christmas celebration, I watched the choir members assemble in front of the congregation while the music director rifled through papers on a slim black stand. The instruments began, and the singers launched into a well-known song that started with these words: "Come, now is the time to worship."
Although I expected to hear a time-honored Christmas carol, I smiled at the appropriate choice of music. Earlier that week I had been reading Luke's account of Jesus' birth, and I noticed that the first Christmas lacked our modern-day parties, gifts, and feasting--but it did include worship.
After the angel announced Jesus' birth to some wide-eyed sheperds, a chorus of angels began "praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest!' " (Luke 2:13-14). The shepherds responded by running to Bethlehem where they found the newborn King lying in a barnyard bassinet. They returned to their fields "glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had seen and heard" (v. 20). Coming face to face with the Son inspired the shepherds to worship the Father.
Today, consider your response to Jesus' arrival on earth. Is there room for worship in your heart on this day that celebrates his birth?--Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
DEATH DESTROYED
Read: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
Medical researchers are working tirelessly to find a cure for cancer, a clue to the mystery of Alzheimer's, and ways to conquer a host of other debilitating diseases. But what if you awoke to headlines saying DEATH DESTROYED! Would you believe it? Could you believe it?
The New Testament proclaims that for the believer in Christ, death has been destroyed--reduced to inactivity--rendered incapable of doing what it once did. "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory' " (1 Cor. 15:54).
This good news is for everyone who will receive it--just as the angel told the shepherds when Jesus was born, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).
The birth of Jesus was the beginning of the end for death. "The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:56-57).
That is why we celebrate Christmas!--David McCasland
Medical researchers are working tirelessly to find a cure for cancer, a clue to the mystery of Alzheimer's, and ways to conquer a host of other debilitating diseases. But what if you awoke to headlines saying DEATH DESTROYED! Would you believe it? Could you believe it?
The New Testament proclaims that for the believer in Christ, death has been destroyed--reduced to inactivity--rendered incapable of doing what it once did. "So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory' " (1 Cor. 15:54).
This good news is for everyone who will receive it--just as the angel told the shepherds when Jesus was born, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).
The birth of Jesus was the beginning of the end for death. "The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:56-57).
That is why we celebrate Christmas!--David McCasland
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
THE PURSUING GOD
Read: Galatians 4:1-7
Pastor Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan rightly observes that Christianity is unique among all religions for it is about God's pursuit of us to draw us to Himself. In every other religious system, people pursue their god, hoping that through good behavior, keeping of rituals, good works, or other efforts they will be accepted by the god they pursue.
The British poet Francis Thompson catches the profound nature of this reality when he writes of the relentless pursuit of God in his life. In his work titled "The Hound of Heaven," he writes that as he fled from God he couldn't outrun "those strong feet that followed . . . with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace." But God's untiring pursuit of the wayward is not just Thompson's story. At the heart of the Christian message is the wonderful truth of God's pursuit of every one of us. As Paul affirms, "God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law" (Gal. 4:4-5).
And it's not just the Christmas story. It's the story of God's pursuit of Adam and Eve after the fall. His pursuit of me! His pursuit of you! Where would we be today if God weren't the "Hound of Heaven"?----Joe Stowell
Pastor Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan rightly observes that Christianity is unique among all religions for it is about God's pursuit of us to draw us to Himself. In every other religious system, people pursue their god, hoping that through good behavior, keeping of rituals, good works, or other efforts they will be accepted by the god they pursue.
The British poet Francis Thompson catches the profound nature of this reality when he writes of the relentless pursuit of God in his life. In his work titled "The Hound of Heaven," he writes that as he fled from God he couldn't outrun "those strong feet that followed . . . with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace." But God's untiring pursuit of the wayward is not just Thompson's story. At the heart of the Christian message is the wonderful truth of God's pursuit of every one of us. As Paul affirms, "God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law" (Gal. 4:4-5).
And it's not just the Christmas story. It's the story of God's pursuit of Adam and Eve after the fall. His pursuit of me! His pursuit of you! Where would we be today if God weren't the "Hound of Heaven"?----Joe Stowell
Monday, December 22, 2014
HIDDEN TREASURE
Read: Colossians 1:27-2:3
A British treasure hunter discovered a huge stash of Roman coins buried in a field in southwest England. Using a metal detector, Dave Crisp located a large pot holding 52,000 coins. These ancient silver and bronze coins, which date from the third century AD and weigh more than 350 pounds, are valued at $5 million.
While Crisp's treasure may cause us to dream about somehow finding similar riches, we as Christians should be on a different kind of treasure hunt. What we seek does not not consist of silver and gold. Rather our quest is to gather the precious gems of of insight so that we might gain the "full assurance of understanding . . . , both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:2-3). The hidden treasure of knowing the Lord more completely is found in the Bible. The psalmist said, "I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure" (Ps. 119:162).
If we read the Word of God hurriedly or carelessly, we will miss its deep insights. These truths must be sought earnestly with all the attention of someone seeking hidden treasure.
Are you eager to find the treasures stored in Scripture? Start digging!---Dennis Fisher
In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
---Colossians 2:3
A British treasure hunter discovered a huge stash of Roman coins buried in a field in southwest England. Using a metal detector, Dave Crisp located a large pot holding 52,000 coins. These ancient silver and bronze coins, which date from the third century AD and weigh more than 350 pounds, are valued at $5 million.
While Crisp's treasure may cause us to dream about somehow finding similar riches, we as Christians should be on a different kind of treasure hunt. What we seek does not not consist of silver and gold. Rather our quest is to gather the precious gems of of insight so that we might gain the "full assurance of understanding . . . , both of the Father and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Col. 2:2-3). The hidden treasure of knowing the Lord more completely is found in the Bible. The psalmist said, "I rejoice at Your Word as one who finds great treasure" (Ps. 119:162).
If we read the Word of God hurriedly or carelessly, we will miss its deep insights. These truths must be sought earnestly with all the attention of someone seeking hidden treasure.
Are you eager to find the treasures stored in Scripture? Start digging!---Dennis Fisher
In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
---Colossians 2:3
Sunday, December 21, 2014
REJECTED LIGHT
READ: JOHN 12:35-46
In the early hours of December 21, 2010, I witnessed an event that last occurred in 1638--a total lunar eclipse on the winter solstice. Slowly the shadow of the earth slipped across the bright full moon and made it appear a dark red. It was a remarkable and beautiful event. Yet it reminded me that while physical darkness is part of God's created design, spiritual darkness is not.
Scottish pastor Alexander McLaren said: "Rejected light is the parent of the densest darkness, and the man who, having the light, does not trust it, piles around himself thick clouds of obscurity and gloom." Jesus described this self-imposed spiritual eclipse of heart and mind when He said, "If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matt. 6:23).
The great invitation of Christmas is to open our hearts to the Savior who came to end our darkness. Jesus said, "While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. . . . I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:36,46).
The way out of our spiritual night is to walk in the light with Him.---David McCasland
In the early hours of December 21, 2010, I witnessed an event that last occurred in 1638--a total lunar eclipse on the winter solstice. Slowly the shadow of the earth slipped across the bright full moon and made it appear a dark red. It was a remarkable and beautiful event. Yet it reminded me that while physical darkness is part of God's created design, spiritual darkness is not.
Scottish pastor Alexander McLaren said: "Rejected light is the parent of the densest darkness, and the man who, having the light, does not trust it, piles around himself thick clouds of obscurity and gloom." Jesus described this self-imposed spiritual eclipse of heart and mind when He said, "If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!" (Matt. 6:23).
The great invitation of Christmas is to open our hearts to the Savior who came to end our darkness. Jesus said, "While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light. . . . I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:36,46).
The way out of our spiritual night is to walk in the light with Him.---David McCasland
Saturday, December 20, 2014
ALWAYS ON DUTY
Read: Acts 20:22-32
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.
---Hebrews 13:17
As my kids were discarding their trash at the local mall food court, my oldest son was almost run into by a man who was clearly on a mission. My younger son jokingly remarked, "Maybe he stole something." Thinking I might be able to use this as a teaching moment, I said, "That's what the Bible calls judging." He then asked with a smile: "Why are you always 'pastoring" me?"After I finished laughing, I told my sons that I could never take a vacation from shepherding them.
The apostle Paul told the Ephesian elders that they too could never take a vacation from shepherding God's people (Acts 20). He was convinced that false teachers would try to ravage the church (v. 29), and the elders needed to protect the group from them. Caring for God's people includes feeding them spiritually, leading them gently, and warning them firmly. Leaders in the church are to be motivated by the incalculable price Christ paid on the cross (v.28).
Church leaders have a big responsibility to watch over our souls, for one day they will give an account to the Lord for their work among us. Let's bring them joy now by responding to their faithful, godly leadership with obedience and submission (Heb. 13:17). --Marvin Williams
Friday, December 19, 2014
All Is Well
Read: Psalm 46:1-3
Recently, my husband and I were reacquainted with a young man we had known as a child many years ago. We fondly reminisced about a Christmas program when Matthew had sung--in a perfect boy soprano--the song "All Is Well" by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Michael W. Smith. It was a wonderful memory of a song beautifully sung.
Recently, my husband and I were reacquainted with a young man we had known as a child many years ago. We fondly reminisced about a Christmas program when Matthew had sung--in a perfect boy soprano--the song "All Is Well" by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Michael W. Smith. It was a wonderful memory of a song beautifully sung.
All is well, all is well;
Lift up your voice and sing.
Born is now Emmanuel,
Born is our Lord and Savior.
Sing Alleluia, sing Alleluia, all is well.
To hear the words of that song at Christmastime is comforting to many. But some people are unable to absorb the message because their lives are in turmoil. They've experienced the loss of a loved one, persistent unemployment, a serious illness, or depression that will not go away. Their hearts loudly cry out, "All is not well--not for me!"
But for those of us who celebrate the birth of our Savior--despite the dark night of the soul we may experience--all is well because of Christ. We are not alone in our pain. God is beside us and promises never to leave (Heb. 13:5). He promises that His grace will be sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9). He promises to supply all our needs (Phil. 4:19). And He promises us the amazing gift of eternal life (John 10:27-28).
As we receive God's promises, we can agree with the poet John Greenleaf Whittier, who wrote, "Before me, even as behind, God is, and all is well." ---Cindy Hess Kasper
Today's Bible Reading: Psalm 46:1-3
(1) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (2) Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; (3) though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Christmas Journey
Read: Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4-5
How far is it from Nazareth to Bethlehem? If you're in Pennsylvania, it's about 9 miles and takes about 10 minutes by car. But if you're in Nazareth of Galilee, and you're traveling along with your pregnant wife, as Joseph was, it's about 80 miles to Bethlehem. That journey probably took Joseph and Mary about a week, and they didn't stay in a nice hotel when they got there. All Joseph could find was a stall in a stable, and that's where Mary delivered "her firstborn Son" (Luke 2:7).
But the journey for the infant Jesus was much farther than 80 miles. He left His place in heaven at God's right hand, came to earth, and accepted our humanity. Eventually, He was stretched out on a cross to die, and He was buried in a borrowed tomb. But the journey was not over. He conquered death, left the tomb, walked again among men, and ascended to heaven. Even that is not the journey's end. Someday He will return as King of kings and Lord of lords.
As you take a Christmas journey this month, reflect on the journey Jesus made for us. He came from heaven to earth to die for us, making salvation available through His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection.
Praise God for that first Christmas journey!----Dave Egner
Today's Bible Reading--Luke 2:1-7; Galatians 4:4-5
Luke 2
(1) And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. (2) This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. (3) So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. (4) Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, (5) to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. (6) So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. (7) And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Galatians 4
(4) But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, (5) to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
December 17, 2014
HOPE IN HIM
READ: ISAIAH 53
As we drove home from a Christmas party one evening, my family and I approached a small country church nestled between glittering snowbanks. From a distance, I could see its holiday display. Strings of white lights formed the capital letters: H-O-P-E. The sight of that word shining in the darkness reminded me that Jesus is, and always has been, the hope of humankind.
Before Jesus was born, people hoped for the Messiah--the One who would shoulder their sin and intercede with God on their behalf (Isaiah 53:12). They expected the Messiah to arrive through a virgin who would bear a son in Bethlehem and would name him Immanuel, "God with us" (7:14). The night Jesus was born, their hope was fulfilled (Luke 2:1-14).
Although we're no longer waiting for Jesus in the form of an infant, He is still the source of our hope. We watch for His second coming (Matthew 24:30); we anticipate the heavenly home He is preparing for us (John 14:2); and we dream of living with Him in His celestial city (1 Thess. 4:16). As Christians, we can look forward to the future because the baby in the manger was, and still is, "the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope" (1 Timothy 1:1).---Jennifer Benson Shuldt
Today's Bible Reading--Isaiah 53:4-12
(4) Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. (5) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (6) All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. (7) He was oppressed and He was afflicted yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth. (8) He was taken from prison and from judgment, and who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgressions of My people He was stricken. (9) And they made His grave with the wicked--but with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. (10) Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in His hand. (11) He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, for He shall bear their iniquities. (12) Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
AVOID THE HUSKS
READ: LUKE 15: 11-24
Ah, the life of a pig! Each new day brings nothing but slopping through the mud and snorting happily at mealtime. And what meals they have! Crunchy corn husks--or whatever leftovers get tossed into the pen.
Sound good? No? It probably didn't sound good to the prodigal son either.
Before he started eating with pigs, he had a warm bed, a rich inheritance, a loving father, a secure future--and probably good food. But it wasn't enough. He wanted "fun." He wanted to run his own life and do whatever he desired. It resulted in a pig's dinner.
Whenever a young person ignores the guidance of godly parents and the instruction of God's Word, similar results occur. It always shocks me when someone who professes to know Jesus chooses a life that rejects God's clear teaching. Whether the choices include sexual sin, addictive substances, a lack of ambition, or something else, any action that leaves God out risks ending badly.
If we ignore clear biblical morals and neglect our relationship with God, we can expect trouble. Luke tells us that the young man turned things around after he came to his senses (Luke 15:17). Keep your senses about you. Live for God by the guidance of His Word--unless you have a hankering for the husks.---Dave Branon
Ah, the life of a pig! Each new day brings nothing but slopping through the mud and snorting happily at mealtime. And what meals they have! Crunchy corn husks--or whatever leftovers get tossed into the pen.
Sound good? No? It probably didn't sound good to the prodigal son either.
Before he started eating with pigs, he had a warm bed, a rich inheritance, a loving father, a secure future--and probably good food. But it wasn't enough. He wanted "fun." He wanted to run his own life and do whatever he desired. It resulted in a pig's dinner.
Whenever a young person ignores the guidance of godly parents and the instruction of God's Word, similar results occur. It always shocks me when someone who professes to know Jesus chooses a life that rejects God's clear teaching. Whether the choices include sexual sin, addictive substances, a lack of ambition, or something else, any action that leaves God out risks ending badly.
If we ignore clear biblical morals and neglect our relationship with God, we can expect trouble. Luke tells us that the young man turned things around after he came to his senses (Luke 15:17). Keep your senses about you. Live for God by the guidance of His Word--unless you have a hankering for the husks.---Dave Branon
Today's Bible Reading---Luke 15:11-24
(11) "A certain man had two sons. (12) And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. (13) And... the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions....(14) But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. (15) Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into fields to feed swine. (16) And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate.... (17) "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, (19) and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."' (20) "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion.... (21) And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' (22) But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe....(23) And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; (24) for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry."
Monday, December 15, 2014
December 15, 2014 (Romans 12: 9-21)
OUR DAILY BREAD
A SUPPORTING ROLE
After the American TV personality Ed McMahon died in 2009, one newspaper headline read, "When it came to being the No. 2 man, he was No. 1." Best known for his 30-year tenure as Johnny Carson's late-night sidekick, McMahon excelled at helping Carson succeed in the spotlight. While most entertainers strive for top billing, McMahon was content with a supporting role.
When the Apostle Paul gave instructions about how to exercise our gifts as members of the body of Christ (Rom. 12:3-8), he affirmed the value of supporting roles. He began by saying that we should have a realistic opinion of ourselves (v. 3), and he concluded with a call to genuine, unselfish love: "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another" (v. 10). Or, as J. B. Phillips translates it, "a willingness to let the other man have the credit."
Our gifts and abilities come to us by God's grace and are to be used by faith (vv. 3,6) in love and service for Christ--not for personal recognition.
May God grant us the ability to embrace with enthusiasm the supporting roles to which He calls us. The ultimate goal is His glory and not our own.----David McCasland
Sunday, December 14, 2014
A DAILY LIFE FULL OF GOD'S PRESENCE
By the power of the precious blood of Christ, it is possible for a Christian to live moment by moment in God's presence. Whenever any little sin would come to frustrate your fellowship with God, you may instantly confess and claim the Lord's prevailing blood. Immediately the fellowship is restored. Why should you waste time? The blood of Christ is available moment by moment, day after day. You can never exhaust the cleansing power of the blood of Christ. His blood is not only able to cleanse every past sin, but also every sin that you could ever commit.
By the power of the precious blood of Christ, you may enjoy a conscience free from the stain of guilt. Because of this, you can boldly to God. "Let us come forward...with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience" (Hebrews 10:22). By the blood of Christ, your conscience can be free from guilt. Like a freshly washed window, it can be clear, bright, and full of light.
Finally, by the power of precious blood of Christ, you can overcome every accusation of Satan. Though his accusations may be strong, the blood of Christ is stronger. It answers them, every one. This blood is your weapon. With this weapon you could never be defeated by Satan; rather, he will be defeated by you.
How dear and how precious is the blood of Christ! By this blood you can live in God's presence day after day.
By the power of the precious blood of Christ, you may enjoy a conscience free from the stain of guilt. Because of this, you can boldly to God. "Let us come forward...with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience" (Hebrews 10:22). By the blood of Christ, your conscience can be free from guilt. Like a freshly washed window, it can be clear, bright, and full of light.
Finally, by the power of precious blood of Christ, you can overcome every accusation of Satan. Though his accusations may be strong, the blood of Christ is stronger. It answers them, every one. This blood is your weapon. With this weapon you could never be defeated by Satan; rather, he will be defeated by you.
How dear and how precious is the blood of Christ! By this blood you can live in God's presence day after day.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
ACCUSATION FROM SATAN
However, sometimes after you confess and apply the blood you may continue to have some bad feeling within. Does this indicate that your sin is not forgiven? Or that the blood of Christ does not work? Or that something further is needed? You must answer, "Absolutely not!"
Where, then, do these bad feelings come from after you have confessed and applied the blood? Their source is God's enemy, Satan. To understand this we must see who Satan is and what he does.
Satan is the "devil," which in the original language of the Bible means "accuser." So Revelation 12:10 refers to him as "the accuser of our brothers,...who accuses them before our God day and night." Satan, God's enemy, spends most of his time day and night accusing God's people. This is his job. Of course, God did not ask him to do this. Rather, he has taken it upon himself to accuse God's people incessantly.
This is revealed in the story of Job. Job was a righteous man, and feared God (Job 1:1). Yet it is recorded that Satan appeared before God to accuse Job before Him. He said, "Does Job fear God without cause?...You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions are spread throughout the land. But stretch forth Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face" (Job 1:9-11). In other words, Satan accused Job of only fearing God because God had blessed him. Satan claimed that God bribed Job and that if God took away all Job's riches, Job would curse God. This illustrates Satan's accusing in the spiritual realm.
In the book of Zechariah, the high priest, Joshua, stood before God and Satan stood at his right hand "to be his adversary" (3:1). Joshua was "clothed with filthy garments" (v. 3). This speaks of his poor, sinful condition. How often your poor condition gives Satan the opportunity to accuse you. This implies that Satan is not only God's enemy, but he is your enemy as well. Whenever you come to God, Satan resists your coming by accusing you.
Nothing cripples a Christian spiritually more than accusation. Whenever you listen to Satan's accusation, you are powerless. It is as if all the strength is drained from your spirit. A Christian under accusation finds it hard to fellowship with others and even harder to pray. He feels as though he cannot approach God.
This is the enemy's subtlety. He never appears in a red suit with a pitchfork crying, "I am the devil! Now I am going to condemn you!" He is more clever than that. He accuses you inwardly and even tricks you into thinking that his accusations are God's speaking.
How can you distinguish between God's true enlightening in your conscience and Satan's accusation? Sometimes it is difficult, but there are three ways:
First, God's light supplies you, whereas Satan's accusation drains you. When God speaks concerning your sins, you may feel very exposed and wounded. Nevertheless, you are also supplied and encouraged to draw close to God and apply the precious blood of Christ. Satan's accusations, on the other hand, are totally negative. The more you listen, the harder it is to pray. You feel empty and discouraged.
Second, God's speaking is always specific, whereas Satan's condemnation is quite often (though not always) general. Sometimes you may be tricked into thinking that you are just tired, or that you have had a rough day. Other times, you may just have a general impression that you are not right with God. But when you search your conscience, you find no specific sin that would cause you to be separated from God. Or you may wake up with a general feeling of depression or a feeling of uneasiness toward God. All these general feelings of condemnation that have no apparent source in sin are of Satan and should be rejected. When God speaks, He is specific and positive. But when Satan speaks, he is often general and negative.
Third, any uneasy feeling which remains after you confess and claim the blood is of Satan. There is never a need to confess and claim the blood again. God's demand is at once satisfied by the blood. But Satan is never satisfied. He would like to see you confess again and again. Proverbs 27:15 says, "A quarreling wife is as bothersome as a continual dripping on a rainy day." Satan's accusations are like that--like a dripping faucet, or like a nagging wife--they will not let you go to sleep. But God's speaking is different. When you confess and claim the cleansing of the blood, God is instantly satisfied. Any further voice is Satan's.
If you confess your sin and claim the precious blood, yet some uneasiness continues to tug within, you should stop praying immediately. Do not confess anymore. Rather, turn to the source of the accusation and say something like this: "Satan, I have confessed my sin to God. He has forgiven my sin, and the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed me from it. This uneasiness that I sense right now is not from God; it is from you, and I reject it! Satan, now you must look at the blood of Christ. That blood answers everyone of your accusations." Try speaking to Satan in this way. When you use the blood in this way, Satan is defeated and he knows it. Revelation 12:10-11 says, " The accuser of our brothers has been cast down....And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony." The word of your testimony is just your declaration that the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed you from every sin and that this blood has defeated Satan. When you speak boldly in this way, Satan's accusations are overcome.
The Christian life is a kind of warfare. Satan, "your adversary...as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). For this warfare, you need the proper weapons. One important weapon which you must utilize is the blood of Christ.
Where, then, do these bad feelings come from after you have confessed and applied the blood? Their source is God's enemy, Satan. To understand this we must see who Satan is and what he does.
Satan is the "devil," which in the original language of the Bible means "accuser." So Revelation 12:10 refers to him as "the accuser of our brothers,...who accuses them before our God day and night." Satan, God's enemy, spends most of his time day and night accusing God's people. This is his job. Of course, God did not ask him to do this. Rather, he has taken it upon himself to accuse God's people incessantly.
This is revealed in the story of Job. Job was a righteous man, and feared God (Job 1:1). Yet it is recorded that Satan appeared before God to accuse Job before Him. He said, "Does Job fear God without cause?...You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions are spread throughout the land. But stretch forth Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face" (Job 1:9-11). In other words, Satan accused Job of only fearing God because God had blessed him. Satan claimed that God bribed Job and that if God took away all Job's riches, Job would curse God. This illustrates Satan's accusing in the spiritual realm.
In the book of Zechariah, the high priest, Joshua, stood before God and Satan stood at his right hand "to be his adversary" (3:1). Joshua was "clothed with filthy garments" (v. 3). This speaks of his poor, sinful condition. How often your poor condition gives Satan the opportunity to accuse you. This implies that Satan is not only God's enemy, but he is your enemy as well. Whenever you come to God, Satan resists your coming by accusing you.
Nothing cripples a Christian spiritually more than accusation. Whenever you listen to Satan's accusation, you are powerless. It is as if all the strength is drained from your spirit. A Christian under accusation finds it hard to fellowship with others and even harder to pray. He feels as though he cannot approach God.
This is the enemy's subtlety. He never appears in a red suit with a pitchfork crying, "I am the devil! Now I am going to condemn you!" He is more clever than that. He accuses you inwardly and even tricks you into thinking that his accusations are God's speaking.
How can you distinguish between God's true enlightening in your conscience and Satan's accusation? Sometimes it is difficult, but there are three ways:
First, God's light supplies you, whereas Satan's accusation drains you. When God speaks concerning your sins, you may feel very exposed and wounded. Nevertheless, you are also supplied and encouraged to draw close to God and apply the precious blood of Christ. Satan's accusations, on the other hand, are totally negative. The more you listen, the harder it is to pray. You feel empty and discouraged.
Second, God's speaking is always specific, whereas Satan's condemnation is quite often (though not always) general. Sometimes you may be tricked into thinking that you are just tired, or that you have had a rough day. Other times, you may just have a general impression that you are not right with God. But when you search your conscience, you find no specific sin that would cause you to be separated from God. Or you may wake up with a general feeling of depression or a feeling of uneasiness toward God. All these general feelings of condemnation that have no apparent source in sin are of Satan and should be rejected. When God speaks, He is specific and positive. But when Satan speaks, he is often general and negative.
Third, any uneasy feeling which remains after you confess and claim the blood is of Satan. There is never a need to confess and claim the blood again. God's demand is at once satisfied by the blood. But Satan is never satisfied. He would like to see you confess again and again. Proverbs 27:15 says, "A quarreling wife is as bothersome as a continual dripping on a rainy day." Satan's accusations are like that--like a dripping faucet, or like a nagging wife--they will not let you go to sleep. But God's speaking is different. When you confess and claim the cleansing of the blood, God is instantly satisfied. Any further voice is Satan's.
If you confess your sin and claim the precious blood, yet some uneasiness continues to tug within, you should stop praying immediately. Do not confess anymore. Rather, turn to the source of the accusation and say something like this: "Satan, I have confessed my sin to God. He has forgiven my sin, and the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed me from it. This uneasiness that I sense right now is not from God; it is from you, and I reject it! Satan, now you must look at the blood of Christ. That blood answers everyone of your accusations." Try speaking to Satan in this way. When you use the blood in this way, Satan is defeated and he knows it. Revelation 12:10-11 says, " The accuser of our brothers has been cast down....And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony." The word of your testimony is just your declaration that the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed you from every sin and that this blood has defeated Satan. When you speak boldly in this way, Satan's accusations are overcome.
The Christian life is a kind of warfare. Satan, "your adversary...as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). For this warfare, you need the proper weapons. One important weapon which you must utilize is the blood of Christ.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
GUILT IN YOUR CONSCIENCE
Man's second crucial problem is with himself. Within him, in his conscience, there is a heavy load of guilt. How many young people today are burdened by guilt! Guilt is a big problem to man.
Sins offend God on the one hand and defile us on the other. What is guilt? Guilt is the stain of sins on your conscience. When you are young, your conscience is only stained a little. But as you grow older, these stains accumulate. Like a window which is never washed, the conscience grows darker and darker until eventually little light can penetrate.
No detergent, no chemical, no acid can wash the stain of guilt from your conscience. Not even a nuclear bomb can dislodge this stain; no, your conscience demands something more powerful than that.. Your conscience needs the precious blood of Christ.
Hebrews 9:14 says, "How much more is done by the blood of Christ? He offered himself through the eternal Spirit as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will make our consciences pure from useless acts so we may serve the living God." The blood of Christ is powerful enough to purge, or cleanse, your conscience from every guilty stain.
How does the blood of Christ purge guilt from your conscience? Suppose you receive a traffic ticket for parking on the sidewalk. You have three problems: first, you broke the law; second, you owe the government a fine; and third, you have a copy of the traffic ticket to remind you of the fine. Now suppose you are penniless and find it impossible to pay the fine. You cannot just throw away the ticket, because the police hold a copy, and they will prosecute you if you do not pay. You have a real problem.
This is a picture of what happens whenever you sin. First, you have broken God's law; that is, you have done something that offends God. Second, you owe God's law something. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. This is a rather stiff fine, impossible for you to pay. And third, you have guilt in your conscience, like the traffic ticket in your pocket, as a nagging reminder of your offense.
Now there is good news. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, his death fully met all the requirements of God's law for you. In other words, your debt of sin has been paid. Praise the Lord! Jesus Christ, through his death on the cross, paid it all!
So now, the first two problems have been solved: God is no longer offended, and the debt of sin has been fully paid. But what about your conscience? The stain of guilt, like the traffic ticket, remains as a record of your sin.
This is where the blood of Christ cleanses your conscience. Because Christ's death has paid the debt of sin, his blood may now wipe out the record of that debt. Just as when the fine is paid, the traffic ticket may be torn up and thrown away, so also any guilt on your conscience may be wiped out.
This is so easy to experience. Whenever you sin and sense guilt within, you may simply open to God and pray something like this: "O God, forgive me for what I did today. Thank you, Lord, on the cross you died for me and paid for this sin that I have committed. Lord, I believe that this sin has been forgiven by you. Right now I claim your precious blood to cleanse my conscience from any stain of guilt." Remember 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." And as Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as the east is from the west, / So far has he removed our transgressions from us." Who can say how far east is from west? In the same way, when you confess your sins, God removes them infinitely far away from you. They are not associated with you anymore. Because of this, you may have rest in your conscience.
When God forgives, He forgets. Do not think that after God has forgiven your sins, He may one day come back and remind you of them again. No, when it comes to your forgiven sins, God has a very short memory. Sometimes you may have a better memory than God. Can God really forget? This is what Jeremiah 31:34 says, "I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." If God forgets your sins, you may forget them also. Don't remind God of something He has already forgotten.
Christ died nearly two thousand years ago. His blood has already been shed and is available twenty-four hours a day to cleanse your conscience. Whenever you sin, there is no need to wait. Waiting does not improve the power of the blood. The blood is all-powerful. Wherever you are, any time of day, if you sense guilt in your conscience, just claim the precious blood. "Blessed is he whose transgressions is forgiven;... / Blessed is the man whom / Jehovah does not impute iniquity" (Psalm 32:1-2). Through the precious blood of Christ, the problem of guilt is solved.
Sins offend God on the one hand and defile us on the other. What is guilt? Guilt is the stain of sins on your conscience. When you are young, your conscience is only stained a little. But as you grow older, these stains accumulate. Like a window which is never washed, the conscience grows darker and darker until eventually little light can penetrate.
No detergent, no chemical, no acid can wash the stain of guilt from your conscience. Not even a nuclear bomb can dislodge this stain; no, your conscience demands something more powerful than that.. Your conscience needs the precious blood of Christ.
Hebrews 9:14 says, "How much more is done by the blood of Christ? He offered himself through the eternal Spirit as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will make our consciences pure from useless acts so we may serve the living God." The blood of Christ is powerful enough to purge, or cleanse, your conscience from every guilty stain.
How does the blood of Christ purge guilt from your conscience? Suppose you receive a traffic ticket for parking on the sidewalk. You have three problems: first, you broke the law; second, you owe the government a fine; and third, you have a copy of the traffic ticket to remind you of the fine. Now suppose you are penniless and find it impossible to pay the fine. You cannot just throw away the ticket, because the police hold a copy, and they will prosecute you if you do not pay. You have a real problem.
This is a picture of what happens whenever you sin. First, you have broken God's law; that is, you have done something that offends God. Second, you owe God's law something. Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. This is a rather stiff fine, impossible for you to pay. And third, you have guilt in your conscience, like the traffic ticket in your pocket, as a nagging reminder of your offense.
Now there is good news. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, his death fully met all the requirements of God's law for you. In other words, your debt of sin has been paid. Praise the Lord! Jesus Christ, through his death on the cross, paid it all!
So now, the first two problems have been solved: God is no longer offended, and the debt of sin has been fully paid. But what about your conscience? The stain of guilt, like the traffic ticket, remains as a record of your sin.
This is where the blood of Christ cleanses your conscience. Because Christ's death has paid the debt of sin, his blood may now wipe out the record of that debt. Just as when the fine is paid, the traffic ticket may be torn up and thrown away, so also any guilt on your conscience may be wiped out.
This is so easy to experience. Whenever you sin and sense guilt within, you may simply open to God and pray something like this: "O God, forgive me for what I did today. Thank you, Lord, on the cross you died for me and paid for this sin that I have committed. Lord, I believe that this sin has been forgiven by you. Right now I claim your precious blood to cleanse my conscience from any stain of guilt." Remember 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." And as Psalm 103:12 says, "As far as the east is from the west, / So far has he removed our transgressions from us." Who can say how far east is from west? In the same way, when you confess your sins, God removes them infinitely far away from you. They are not associated with you anymore. Because of this, you may have rest in your conscience.
When God forgives, He forgets. Do not think that after God has forgiven your sins, He may one day come back and remind you of them again. No, when it comes to your forgiven sins, God has a very short memory. Sometimes you may have a better memory than God. Can God really forget? This is what Jeremiah 31:34 says, "I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." If God forgets your sins, you may forget them also. Don't remind God of something He has already forgotten.
Christ died nearly two thousand years ago. His blood has already been shed and is available twenty-four hours a day to cleanse your conscience. Whenever you sin, there is no need to wait. Waiting does not improve the power of the blood. The blood is all-powerful. Wherever you are, any time of day, if you sense guilt in your conscience, just claim the precious blood. "Blessed is he whose transgressions is forgiven;... / Blessed is the man whom / Jehovah does not impute iniquity" (Psalm 32:1-2). Through the precious blood of Christ, the problem of guilt is solved.
Monday, December 8, 2014
SEPARATION FROM GOD
SEPARATION FROM GOD
When Adam sinned in the garden of Eden, he immediately hid from God. Before Adam sinned, he enjoyed God and was in His presence all the time. Yet after he sinned, he hid. Sin always results in separation from God.
Even as a Christian you may experience this. After committing some little sin, you sense a great gulf between you and God. Because God is righteous, He cannot tolerate sins. This is what the prophet Isaiah said: "Surely the LORD's power is enough to save you. He can hear you when you ask him for help. It is your evil that has separated you from your God. Your sins cause him to turn away from you, so he does not hear you." (Isaiah 59:1-2).
After Adam sinned, God did not say, "Adam, what have you done?" Rather, God is not as much concerned with what sins you may commit, as He is with the fact that your sins separate you from Him. God loves you, but He abhors your sins. As long as your sins remain, God must stay away. In this condition, you feel far from God. For God to come, sins must go.
There is only one thing in the entire universe that can take away sins--the precious blood of Christ. No amount of prayer, no amount of weeping, no ritual, no penance, no promise to do better, no guilty feeling, no period of waiting--no, nothing but the precious blood of Christ--can remove sins. Hebrews 9:22 says that "without shedding of blood is no forgiveness."
This is illustrated in Exodus. Some of the children of Israel may have been as sinful as the Egyptians. Yet when God sent His angel to slay all the firstborn children in the land of Egypt, He did not say, "When I see your good behavior, I will pass over you." God did not require that the children of Israel pray, do penance, or promise to behave. No, God commanded them to slay the Passover lamb and to sprinkle its blood on their doorposts. He said, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13). God never looked to see what kind of people were in the house; when He saw the blood, He simply passed away.
That Passover lamb was a picture of Christ. When John the Baptist first saw the Lord he proclaimed, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). Jesus is the Lamb of God. By His precious blood all your sins have been taken away.
What then should you do when you have sinned and feel far from God? You should simply confess that sin to God and believe that the blood of Jesus has taken that sin away. First John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." When you confess your sins, immediately all distance between you and God is gone.
Don't worry about any feeling or lack of feeling at this point. The blood of Christ is primarily for God's satisfaction, not for yours. Remember, God said, "When I (not you) see the blood...." On the night of the Passover, the children of Israel were within the house while the blood of the lamb was without. Within the house, they could not see the blood; nevertheless, they had peace through knowing that God was satisfied with that blood.
Once a year, on the day of atonement, the high priest went alone into the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood on the expiation cover of the ark (Leviticus 16:11-17). No one was allowed to watch. This is a shadow of Christ who, after His resurrection, went into the heavenly tabernacle and sprinkled His own blood before God as the propitiation for your sins (Hebrews 12:24) and satisfying God on your behalf. Even though you cannot see the blood, you can believe in its effectiveness. This blood solves your problem toward God.
If God esteems the blood of Christ sufficient to remove your sins, can you do the same? Or do you require some good feeling besides? Can your requirement be higher than God's? No, you must simply confess, "O God, thank You that the blood of Christ has taken away all my sins. If You are happy with the blood, then I am happy also."
When Adam sinned in the garden of Eden, he immediately hid from God. Before Adam sinned, he enjoyed God and was in His presence all the time. Yet after he sinned, he hid. Sin always results in separation from God.
Even as a Christian you may experience this. After committing some little sin, you sense a great gulf between you and God. Because God is righteous, He cannot tolerate sins. This is what the prophet Isaiah said: "Surely the LORD's power is enough to save you. He can hear you when you ask him for help. It is your evil that has separated you from your God. Your sins cause him to turn away from you, so he does not hear you." (Isaiah 59:1-2).
After Adam sinned, God did not say, "Adam, what have you done?" Rather, God is not as much concerned with what sins you may commit, as He is with the fact that your sins separate you from Him. God loves you, but He abhors your sins. As long as your sins remain, God must stay away. In this condition, you feel far from God. For God to come, sins must go.
There is only one thing in the entire universe that can take away sins--the precious blood of Christ. No amount of prayer, no amount of weeping, no ritual, no penance, no promise to do better, no guilty feeling, no period of waiting--no, nothing but the precious blood of Christ--can remove sins. Hebrews 9:22 says that "without shedding of blood is no forgiveness."
This is illustrated in Exodus. Some of the children of Israel may have been as sinful as the Egyptians. Yet when God sent His angel to slay all the firstborn children in the land of Egypt, He did not say, "When I see your good behavior, I will pass over you." God did not require that the children of Israel pray, do penance, or promise to behave. No, God commanded them to slay the Passover lamb and to sprinkle its blood on their doorposts. He said, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13). God never looked to see what kind of people were in the house; when He saw the blood, He simply passed away.
That Passover lamb was a picture of Christ. When John the Baptist first saw the Lord he proclaimed, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29). Jesus is the Lamb of God. By His precious blood all your sins have been taken away.
What then should you do when you have sinned and feel far from God? You should simply confess that sin to God and believe that the blood of Jesus has taken that sin away. First John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." When you confess your sins, immediately all distance between you and God is gone.
Don't worry about any feeling or lack of feeling at this point. The blood of Christ is primarily for God's satisfaction, not for yours. Remember, God said, "When I (not you) see the blood...." On the night of the Passover, the children of Israel were within the house while the blood of the lamb was without. Within the house, they could not see the blood; nevertheless, they had peace through knowing that God was satisfied with that blood.
Once a year, on the day of atonement, the high priest went alone into the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood on the expiation cover of the ark (Leviticus 16:11-17). No one was allowed to watch. This is a shadow of Christ who, after His resurrection, went into the heavenly tabernacle and sprinkled His own blood before God as the propitiation for your sins (Hebrews 12:24) and satisfying God on your behalf. Even though you cannot see the blood, you can believe in its effectiveness. This blood solves your problem toward God.
If God esteems the blood of Christ sufficient to remove your sins, can you do the same? Or do you require some good feeling besides? Can your requirement be higher than God's? No, you must simply confess, "O God, thank You that the blood of Christ has taken away all my sins. If You are happy with the blood, then I am happy also."
Sunday, December 7, 2014
THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST
To sustain your physical life, you need certain basic items such as
water, oxygen, food, clothing, and shelter. In addition, your body
requires a certain amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Without
all these, your physical life would die, or at least suffer greatly.
It is the same with your spiritual life. Your spiritual life, just like your physical life, requires certain basic elements. These are essential. Without them, you will find it difficult to survive as a Christian in a world that does not know Christ. One of these basic elements is the blood of Christ.
It is the same with your spiritual life. Your spiritual life, just like your physical life, requires certain basic elements. These are essential. Without them, you will find it difficult to survive as a Christian in a world that does not know Christ. One of these basic elements is the blood of Christ.
Why do you need the blood of Christ? Because, essentially, fallen man
has three basic problems. Even as a Christian, you still carry around
the fallen human life. So day after day, you may still be plagued with
these three problems.
These three problems involve three parties: God, yourself, and Satan. Toward God, you often sense separation. Within yourself, you often sense guilt. And from Satan, you often sense accusation. These three--separation from God, feelings of guilt, and accusation from Satan--can be three big problems in your Christian life. How can these be overcome? Only by the blood of Christ.
These three problems involve three parties: God, yourself, and Satan. Toward God, you often sense separation. Within yourself, you often sense guilt. And from Satan, you often sense accusation. These three--separation from God, feelings of guilt, and accusation from Satan--can be three big problems in your Christian life. How can these be overcome? Only by the blood of Christ.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Words of Wisdom
Over the years, I have gathered different sayings that really put
into perspective what I want my kids to know. I thought I would share
them with you.
Words of Wisdom
Words of Wisdom
- If nothing else, always be kind. There is no better way to show good character and strength in who you are.
- Enjoy life and always live life to the fullest. You only get one life, so live it up.
- Don’t lose sight of who you are to please others.
- Create the life you want. You are responsible for what you end up doing.
- Live your dream no matter what other people may think. Don’t be apologetic for it.
- No matter what other people say, as long as you did your best and can look yourself in the mirror, you’re doing better than most.
- Take a risk and go after your dreams. You don’t want to look back and regret not taking advantage of those moments when you could have taken the leap.
- Be honest. Lying gets you no where but miserable.
- Realize that everyone who walks through your life is there to teach you something. It might be good or bad, but you will be wiser for seeing a lesson in the experience.
- When in a relationship, whether with a significant other or a friendship, don’t ever make excuses for someone’s bad treatment of you. There is never a reason for someone to make you feel less than another. If anyone ever touches you in an inappropriate way, don’t second guess yourself. Leave that relationship!!!
- Words have power. Use them with care.
- You can have anything in life you want. If you don’t get it, you didn’t want it badly enough to work hard enough for it.
- Forgive those who make a mistake, but not those who take advantage of your forgiving nature.
- Be the person you want people to think you are. Do what you want to be remembered for.
- No matter how bad your life is, there is someone out there who has it worse. Be thankful for what you do have.
- You can always reinvent yourself. Age doesn’t matter, it’s only a number.
Day 30--- A Leader Who Serves
Day 30--- A Leader Who Serves
Read: Matthew 20:25-27; Philippians 2:5-11
Have you ever wondered... What it really means to be a servant? How to serve as Jesus did?
Read: Matthew 20:25-27; Philippians 2:5-11
Have you ever wondered... What it really means to be a servant? How to serve as Jesus did?
Jesus doesn't ask us to serve any differently than he served. He's been
there--on earth, among grumpy, demanding people, feeling tired and worn
thin. Paul explains in Philippians 2:5-11 that Jesus was the ultimate
servant. Reading those passages may make you feel like Jesus is a tough
act to follow. But Jesus made it clear in Matthew 20:25-27 that it is
your attitude that matters most.
When you see life through Jesus' eyes, it's natural to spot opportunities to serve. Too often we miss them because we focus on ourselves. We can't see beyond the wall of our own problems and concerns. Only when we look beyond ourselves can we be the servants that Jesus desires us to be.
In Luke 22:24-27, Jesus tells his disciples that the leader among them would be a servant. By setting your heart on serving, you can follow in Jesus' footsteps.
This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as he did (1 Peter 2:21).
When you see life through Jesus' eyes, it's natural to spot opportunities to serve. Too often we miss them because we focus on ourselves. We can't see beyond the wall of our own problems and concerns. Only when we look beyond ourselves can we be the servants that Jesus desires us to be.
In Luke 22:24-27, Jesus tells his disciples that the leader among them would be a servant. By setting your heart on serving, you can follow in Jesus' footsteps.
This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as he did (1 Peter 2:21).
Friday, December 5, 2014
Day 29---Spreading the Good New
Day 29---Spreading the Good News
Read: Acts 8:4-40; Colossians 4:5-6
Have you ever wondered... How to share the good news of salvation? With whom you can share your faith?
Read: Acts 8:4-40; Colossians 4:5-6
Have you ever wondered... How to share the good news of salvation? With whom you can share your faith?
Spill your news. Shout your joy. Spread your announcement. After
all, good news is meant to be shared. Why stifle the best message ever
known to humanity? So you've met Jesus Christ? You know him personally?
Then tell your friends and family all about your new friend.
When we are enjoying God's goodness, it's natural to want to talk about him. It's refreshing. Just as you'd share your latest announcement--a new car, a baby on the way, a broken relationship restored--the best news ever should always be on the tip of your tongue. Tell others about the person who has changed your life. Don't push away an opportunity to speak.
Jesus' disciples couldn't contain themselves. They heard. They believed. Then they told everybody. Can you identify with their energy and enthusiasm? Have you felt the undeniable urge to tell someone how Jesus changed your life?
"Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you." So the man left and began to tell the people in the Ten Towns about what Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed (Mark 5:19-20).
When we are enjoying God's goodness, it's natural to want to talk about him. It's refreshing. Just as you'd share your latest announcement--a new car, a baby on the way, a broken relationship restored--the best news ever should always be on the tip of your tongue. Tell others about the person who has changed your life. Don't push away an opportunity to speak.
Jesus' disciples couldn't contain themselves. They heard. They believed. Then they told everybody. Can you identify with their energy and enthusiasm? Have you felt the undeniable urge to tell someone how Jesus changed your life?
"Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you." So the man left and began to tell the people in the Ten Towns about what Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed (Mark 5:19-20).
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Day 28---Finding Comfort in the Dark
Day 28---Finding Comfort in the Dark
Read: Psalm 18:1-6; 34:19
Have you ever wondered... Why Christians suffer? Where to turn for comfort in tough times?
Read: Psalm 18:1-6; 34:19
Have you ever wondered... Why Christians suffer? Where to turn for comfort in tough times?
Christians are certainly not exempt from trouble, but when we feel
as if we are buried in pain, God offers us comfort to carry us through.
Life after conversion doesn't suddenly become a smooth, easy ride, but
it is different. We have access to God's richest treasures. His comfort
is one of them.
In difficult times, he pours comfort on our weary souls. When life seems good, it's easy to call on God. We casually toss prayers in his direction. We walk with a light step until pain stops us abruptly. Suddenly, God seems far away. We flounder in our pain, struggling to cry out, and all we can muster is a faint whisper.
With compassion, God hears. He sees you, fighting against despair. If we can only lift our eyes to him, we will see him rushing to share his comfort with us. He is our hero, our savior, our peace.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the father who is full of mercy and all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
For a more in-depth study, read: Habakkuk 3:17-19
In difficult times, he pours comfort on our weary souls. When life seems good, it's easy to call on God. We casually toss prayers in his direction. We walk with a light step until pain stops us abruptly. Suddenly, God seems far away. We flounder in our pain, struggling to cry out, and all we can muster is a faint whisper.
With compassion, God hears. He sees you, fighting against despair. If we can only lift our eyes to him, we will see him rushing to share his comfort with us. He is our hero, our savior, our peace.
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the father who is full of mercy and all comfort. He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
For a more in-depth study, read: Habakkuk 3:17-19
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Day 27---Three in One
Day 27---Three in One
Read: Mark 1:10-11; Matthew 28:19
Have you ever wondered... About the Trinity? How to relate to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?
Read: Mark 1:10-11; Matthew 28:19
Have you ever wondered... About the Trinity? How to relate to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?
In two thousand years, biblical scholars have yet to explain the
Trinity in fewer than five hundred words. The trinity is one of those
beautiful, divine mysteries that we'll never fully understand--not until
we stand in heaven and share God's wisdom. We can accept that God
doesn't intend for us to understand everything in life. We can be
satisfied that God understands, and he has revealed as much as our
limited minds can contain.
These verses from Matthew and Mark shed some light on the Trinity. It's astounding to imagine a God who is everywhere all the time, and yet was also crucified on one cross thousands of years ago. This God is not a cold spirit, watching from atop a cloud. He is with you--right here, right now.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14).
For a more in-depth study, read: John 14:16-17; Romans 5:5-6
These verses from Matthew and Mark shed some light on the Trinity. It's astounding to imagine a God who is everywhere all the time, and yet was also crucified on one cross thousands of years ago. This God is not a cold spirit, watching from atop a cloud. He is with you--right here, right now.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all (2 Corinthians 13:14).
For a more in-depth study, read: John 14:16-17; Romans 5:5-6
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Day 26---Believe and Be Baptized
Day 26---Believe and Be Baptized
Read: Matthew 3:11, 13-17; 1 Peter 3:21
Have you ever wondered... What baptism is? If you must be baptized in order to be a Christian?
John (a man), baptized Jesus (the Savior of humanity). Does that sound a bit ironic to you? It did to John the Baptist--and he told Jesus so. But Jesus wanted to stress the importance of baptism, and he wanted to leave us a model to follow, so he was baptized. Jesus didn't need forgiveness; he was perfect. But he followed the will of his Father, which included baptism.
A marriage commitment begins with a ring. The couple publicly commits to each other. At the ceremony, the couple declares, "I'm no longer my own--I'm married!" Baptism announces that you are no longer your former, independent self. You have chosen a relationship, and you take Jesus' name, "Christian."
Baptism is a blessing, not a burden; an honor, not a chore; a privilege, not a punishment. By obeying Jesus' command to be baptized, you symbolically die to sin and are reborn with Christ.
Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of changed hearts and lives. He told people to believe in the one who would come after him, and that one is Jesus." (Acts 19:4).
For a more in-depth study, read: Acts 2: 38-39
Read: Matthew 3:11, 13-17; 1 Peter 3:21
Have you ever wondered... What baptism is? If you must be baptized in order to be a Christian?
John (a man), baptized Jesus (the Savior of humanity). Does that sound a bit ironic to you? It did to John the Baptist--and he told Jesus so. But Jesus wanted to stress the importance of baptism, and he wanted to leave us a model to follow, so he was baptized. Jesus didn't need forgiveness; he was perfect. But he followed the will of his Father, which included baptism.
A marriage commitment begins with a ring. The couple publicly commits to each other. At the ceremony, the couple declares, "I'm no longer my own--I'm married!" Baptism announces that you are no longer your former, independent self. You have chosen a relationship, and you take Jesus' name, "Christian."
Baptism is a blessing, not a burden; an honor, not a chore; a privilege, not a punishment. By obeying Jesus' command to be baptized, you symbolically die to sin and are reborn with Christ.
Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of changed hearts and lives. He told people to believe in the one who would come after him, and that one is Jesus." (Acts 19:4).
For a more in-depth study, read: Acts 2: 38-39
Day 25---Accountable to God
Day 25---Accountable to God
Read: Romans 14:10-12; Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Corinthians 9:16
Have you ever wondered... Once you're saved, are you accountable to God for your actions? What God requires from you?
Romans reminds us that it doesn't matter much what people on earth think about us. It's God who matters. It's a scary thought to realize that one day each of us will stand alone before the judgement seat of Christ. God sees our hearts. He knows our thoughts. He watches every move we make.
If you know Christ, then you don't have to fear him. Your eternity is secure. But, we are accountable to him for our choices. Someday we will stand before him and answer for our decisions.
Sometimes it's hard to hold ourselves to God's strict standards. Good friends can hold each other accountable. A close friend can ask how you're responding to a particular temptation that always seems to break you. A fellow believer can help you live up to God's standards. Remember, ultimately you're accountable only to him--but in the meantime, we can help each other.
The LORD knows what is happening in the world of the dead, so he surely knows the thoughts of the living. (Proverbs 15:11)
For a more in-depth study, read: Proverbs 15:2-3
Read: Romans 14:10-12; Matthew 5:13-16; 1 Corinthians 9:16
Have you ever wondered... Once you're saved, are you accountable to God for your actions? What God requires from you?
Romans reminds us that it doesn't matter much what people on earth think about us. It's God who matters. It's a scary thought to realize that one day each of us will stand alone before the judgement seat of Christ. God sees our hearts. He knows our thoughts. He watches every move we make.
If you know Christ, then you don't have to fear him. Your eternity is secure. But, we are accountable to him for our choices. Someday we will stand before him and answer for our decisions.
Sometimes it's hard to hold ourselves to God's strict standards. Good friends can hold each other accountable. A close friend can ask how you're responding to a particular temptation that always seems to break you. A fellow believer can help you live up to God's standards. Remember, ultimately you're accountable only to him--but in the meantime, we can help each other.
The LORD knows what is happening in the world of the dead, so he surely knows the thoughts of the living. (Proverbs 15:11)
For a more in-depth study, read: Proverbs 15:2-3
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