Let Your Light Shine…

Matthew 5:14 (NIV)

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

Our Verse of the Day is tucked within a substantial portion of scripture commonly known as the “Sermon on the Mount” that is recorded for us in Matthew 5-7. I have reprinted the smaller passage for us below:

Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV)

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

In John 8:12 we read: “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” And we know that His light is true, as the testimony regarding Jesus is true. “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (Cf. John 9:5) And, again, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (Cf. John 3:19)

The subject here is LIGHT … enlightenment … understanding … wisdom and knowledge for living. And this light is found throughout the Word of God. As the Psalmist reflected, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Cf. Psalm 119:105) And Jesus (the Living Word) was sent by the Father to be light for us. But Jesus takes this message further, and He brings the meaning and purpose of “light” full circle. He asserts in this verse that you and I are the light of the world. How can that be? Well, the implication is that we walk in the light as He is in the light. (Cf. 1 John 1:7) Knowing Jesus means that we should know light from darkness. Knowing Jesus means we have the light of life within us. (Cf. Job 33:30; Psalm 36:9; Proverbs 6:23; John 1:4)

2 Timothy 1:8-10 (NIV)

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

Ephesians 5:8-13 (NIV)

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

Paul affirms what Jesus said to His disciples as well as to us. Believers are to be the light of the world! We are to share the knowledge of the truth that is in Christ. We are to live our lives (walk) in the light of truth. We are to be examples to those around us. We are to be very careful, then, how we live – not as unwise but as wise; making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. Therefore, we should not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. (Cf. Ephesians 5:15-17)

My friends, it is my prayer that we will not let our light … our knowledge of the Word of Truth be hidden to ourselves; rather, we will live it and share it as long as we have life. Yes, I pray we will let our light shine before others, that they may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven! This is our commission … our purpose as believers … to live out and share the Gospel. And so, I pray these words of Jesus will encourage and challenge us to do so even more as His return approaches. Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

You Have Preserved My Life…

Psalm 119:93 (NIV)

I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.

There is a battle that we fight most the time … the struggle with doubt and the sin of unbelief. We are vulnerable and question if there is absolute truth … truth that we can fully trust. And it is possible to succumb to the influence and demonic lies of the enemy at times … especially when we observe a world in great turmoil and where the suffering of people abounds. We might ask, “Where are you, God?” “Where are you when people need your help?” And if we neglect to consult the Word of God for answers to these types of questions, we are susceptible to reaching wrong conclusions and allowing our thoughts to wander in the direction of anxiety and fear….

Our Verse of the Day affirms that the Word of God IS the source of all truth … truth that is able to sustain and preserve our lives when we feel vulnerable or lost. We are encouraged to read it often … to memorize it and to implant it in our minds and hearts. For when we know and embrace its certainty, we will not be swayed or distracted by the uncertainty that we experience in this world. As Jesus taught and affirmed, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Cf. Matthew 4:4; Luke 4:4; Citing Deuteronomy 8:3) So, where is God now in our time of trouble? David declared this truth: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Cf. Psalm 46:1) Yes, God is ever-present! He has said, “Never, will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Cf. Hebrews 13:5; Joshua 1:5) I am reminded of what Paul wrote concerning the love of Christ as the anchor for our faith:

Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)

Who (or what) shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Think about what Paul is saying here. We are to expect challenges and hardships to occur in our lives. They are inevitable as long as we live in this fallen world. But none of the things that God allows under His sovereign will diminishes His love for us; rather, He uses them to develop, strengthen, and mature our faith in Him. So, I believe above all things that we need to trust the love of God! If we ever doubt His love, we make ourselves vulnerable to the lies and seduction of the enemy. We may not always understand how God works in our lives or why He allows the circumstances that we face and navigate, but I believe we can be assured that whatever happens is in accordance with His perfect and faithful love. Yes, that is why we need to know the Word of God … to know His will for us … to know His love for us … to be transformed by the renewing of our minds … to receive the salvation He has provided through His Son who is the living Word of God. Through faith in Jesus, our lives are preserved for eternity! We simply need to cry out to Him. As David wrote: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.” (Cf. Psalm 34:17)

My friends, how God delivers us from our troubles may not always be how we think He should do it. It is not up to us to make God’s decisions for Him nor should we even desire to do so. We do not have His foreknowledge … the ability to know the eventual outcomes. Only He knows the end from the beginning. (Cf. Isaiah 46:10) And so, we are well advised to trust that whatever happens is in accordance with His loving will and for the good those who love Him. (Cf. Romans 8:28) That is what faith is all about! That is why we are encouraged to persevere in faith! That is why it is important to know the Word of God … for by its wisdom and guidance our lives are preserved….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant so that you may be feared. ~ Psalm 119:36-38

I AM with You….

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Do you need a Word from God to lift you up? I think our Verse of the Day will do so. It reminds us how God is active in the lives of those who love Him – who have been called according to His purpose. God is with His people! God is for His people! He is ever present and engaged to help us; to strengthen us; to uphold us … when the challenges of life tend to overwhelm us.

Isaiah 41:8-14 (NIV)

But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, “You are my servant”; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Look at the context for a moment. Those who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced … those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish … those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. God said we are not to fear! “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Cf. Isaiah 54:17) Indeed, our Verse of the Day reminds me of what Paul shared in Romans 8 regarding the engagement of God in our lives through Christ Jesus. I have reprinted a portion for our reference and encouragement:

Romans 8:26-39 (NIV)

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As you face each day and the challenges it might bring you, be encouraged! God is with you! God is for you! The Holy Spirit helps you to pray according to the will of the Father. Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God interceding for you! If you are in Christ, you are no longer condemned … you are beloved! There is nothing that is able to separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! Yes, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Cf. Joshua 1:9)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” ~ Deuteronomy 31:6-8

Unashamed of the Gospel…

Romans 1:16 (NIV)

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Our Verse of the Day is a familiar passage, and so many thoughts come to mind about the importance of sharing the Gospel … the Good News about Jesus Christ! Why is this so important? Well, Paul answers that question: “Because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” There are two key points here regarding the Gospel: Power of God and Salvation! The power of God is His Word. He spoke creation into existence! (Cf. Genesis 1) And so, in order for a person to come to faith and receive salvation, the Word of God (the message about Jesus) must be heard and understood. For Jesus IS the incarnate Word of God! (Cf. John 1:1-5; 14)

Paul wrote: “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Cf. Romans 10:17) And what is the word about Christ? What is the core message about Christ?

John 3:16-18 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

1 John 4:9-10 (NIV)

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

John 3:31-36 (NIV)

The One who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The One who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony. Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for He gives the Spirit without limit. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in His hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

Romans 3:21-25 (NIV)

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood—to be received by faith.

There are a multitude of Scriptures that emphasize the salvific power of the Word of God; but we can see with just these few I have shared that our atonement can only be received through Christ Jesus – the Son of God! Life, eternal life, is given to us as we hear His words, listen to them, and apply them to our hearts. And I love this pronouncement from God through the Prophet Isaiah: “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” (Cf. Isaiah 55:11) Indeed, God has ordained that His Word … His Son … shall bring forth salvation. As Jesus affirmed: “I know that His command leads to eternal life. So, whatever I say is just what the Father has told me say.” (Cf. John 12:50) This is why sharing the Gospel is so important … so that unbelievers can come to a knowledge of the truth and place their faith in Jesus Christ.

Proclaiming the message of Christ (a message that permeates both Old and New Testaments) is imperative if people are to know the truth and respond to it! Against great opposition, trial, and persecution, Paul was determined to persevere in the preaching of the Gospel. And it is quite evident from the record of his life that Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel, its message, or its power to transform the human heart. God does not want His people in rebellion against Him; rather, He desires peace, reverence, and oneness in His relationship with us. Sharing the Gospel is the telling of God’s message of forgiveness and reconciliation through His Son, Jesus the Christ! The Gospel is not a human invention or imagination because the compassion and unfailing love of God has been revealed from Genesis through Revelation through His Word. As Paul asserted in Romans 1:17, “For in the Gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last (from faith to faith), just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Citing Habakkuk 2:4)

As Paul and the other apostles and disciples experienced, sharing the Gospel can become quite wearisome. Although we have been called in Christ Jesus to believe in Him and His atoning sacrifice for our sins, putting our faith in action will not be without cost or hardship. Jesus taught: “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Cf. Luke 14:27) Even now, we see that our faith in Jesus has become the impetus of ridicule, scorn, persecution, and ever-increasing hatred in this world. But we should not be surprised…. When Jesus sent out His disciples to minister to “the lost sheep of Israel,” He forewarned, “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.” (Read Matthew 10) And Jesus counseled: “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (Cf. John 15:18-19)

Despite whatever vitriol or persecution that might come to believers, the Gospel must be shared! This is the call and commission of very born-again, Spirit-filled believer. Our faith should be bold, courageous, unashamed, undeniable, and unwavering! Indeed, we have been filled and equipped by His indwelling Holy Spirit! “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We are to implore others on Christ’s behalf to be reconciled with God.” (Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:20) And as we see the end of the age approaching, we can enter it with full confidence; for Jesus has already told His disciples what to expect: “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of Me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other; and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Cf. Matthew 24:9-14) Even so, come Lord Jesus.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me His prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the Gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7-10

A Completed Work…

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Our Verse of the Day is a great reminder of the promise and faithfulness of God to complete your sanctification in Christ Jesus! Let’s look at the larger passage for context:

Philippians 1:1-11 (NIV)

¹ Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:

²Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ⁷It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the Gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. ⁸God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. ⁹And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

What a powerful opening dialogue in his Letter to the Philippians! Paul clearly explains that the work of God in each of us individually has a corporate goal or purpose in mind. Paul appreciates their partnership with him in the declaration (preaching) of the Gospel; and he prays for their love (rooted in their relationship with Christ) to increase the fruit of wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives us. The desire of God is the completion of our personal holiness and devotion to Him; and the awesome news is that God is still working in each of us! Indeed, Paul assures us that God will continue His work in us until it is completed!

My friends, it is my prayer that today you will take time to consider all the work God has done in your life through the life of His Son, Jesus Christ. I pray that each of us will surrender ourselves to the obedience that comes from faith so that we too will be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the Day of Christ … when He comes in His glory! As the Apostle James urged: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (Cf. James 1:2-4)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. ~ Hebrews 7:24-25

In That Day…

Isaiah 12:4 (NIV)

In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted.

Our Verse of the Day has excited me – with its call to praise; to worship; to give the LORD the glory due His Name! All of these are the very fiber of what fellowship with our Creator means! His care and concern for us; our very lives; and all that He has done to give us fullness of life in Him is reason enough to exalt Him and to praise His Name!

Yet, I sense there is someone who feels that God has not done for you as you think or believe that He should. If God has disappointed you, and you do not feel He has answered your prayers or responded to your cause, I encourage you, even in your sense of despair, to consider what God has already done for you. Indeed, the Lord has done exceedingly, abundantly above all that you could ask or think! For God has granted you, according to the riches of His glory, that Christ may dwell in your heart through faith … and that you may know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge … and that you may be filled with all the fullness of God! (Cf. Ephesians 3:14-21) Hallelujah! It is for our salvation, first and foremost, that we should reverence God and worship Him….

I like the words of the Prophet Habakkuk because I think He captures this thought quite well:

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NIV)

Though the fig tree does not blossom and there are no grapes on the vines; though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food; though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls—Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will delight in the God of my salvation.

And, of course, the Apostle Paul affords us some wisdom and insight along these lines:

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I delight in weaknesses and infirmities; in insults and reproaches; in needs and hardships; in threats and persecutions; in difficulties and distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

My friends, we need to understand that God is far above our circumstances and sovereign over every aspect of our lives. Indeed, it is our inadequacies and weaknesses that have drawn us to Him; and I believe that is what He desires most of all. The Father desires that we would come to Him in all situations and abide in Him. If we trust God for His gift of salvation, how can we not trust Him for all things in our lives? And worship is how we express our trust … our faith. Praise and worship communicate the deepest hope of our hearts … the desire to know God and to be known by Him.

Isaiah 12 (NIV)

In that day you will say: “I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim His name; make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”

I believe TODAY should be “THAT” Day! TODAY is the day to give praise to the LORD and to declare His Name; to make known what He has done … that He has granted us salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ! For the Father has exalted Him to the highest place and given Him the Name that is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Cf. Philippians 2:9-11) Let us praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. (Cf. Psalm 148:13) In doing so, I believe you will lighten the weight of disappointment and discouragement … and find delight in what the Lord has done! And I pray that you are encouraged daily to persevere in faith….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ So, I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’” (Citing Psalm 95:7-11) See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. As has just been said: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Hebrews 3:7-15

Your Vindication…

Psalm 138:8 (NIV)

The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

Our Verse of the Day is an uplifting song of praise composed by King David. I thought just a simple reprinting of the entire psalm would be sufficient for us:

Psalm 138 – Of David.

¹I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. ²I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness; for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. ³When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me. ⁴May all the kings of the earth praise you, Lord, when they hear what you have decreed. ⁵May they sing of the ways of the Lord, for the glory of the Lord is great. ⁶Though the Lord is exalted, He looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, He sees them from afar. ⁷Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. ⁸The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever— do not abandon the works of your hands.

What does it mean to be vindicated? Merriam-Webster defines it as “to be cleared of blame” … “to be shown or proven to be right or justified” … “to be free from accusation.” And I love the thought of vindication … especially for those of the faith. “For without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who come to Him must believe that He exists and the He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Cf. Hebrews 11:6) And I believe the reward will include our vindication regarding our “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Cf. Hebrews 11:1) … that our faith will one day be proven right! Indeed, we will be free from the Accuser! Oh, I love how King David expressed this thought on vindication in Psalm 17:15, “As for me, I will be vindicated and will see Your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing Your likeness.” (NIV)

Some additional reflections:

Isaiah 50:4-9 (NIV)

⁴The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. ⁵The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious; I have not turned away. ⁶I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. ⁷Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. ⁸He who vindicates me is near. Who then will bring charges against me? Let us face each other! Who is my accuser? Let him confront me! ⁹It is the Sovereign Lord who helps me. Who will condemn me? They will all wear out like a garment; the moths will eat them up.

Romans 8:31-39 (NIV)

³¹What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³²He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all—how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? ³³Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. ³⁴Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. ³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” (Citing Psalm 44:22) ³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Oh, my friends, we have every reason to persevere in faith! And I encourage us to do so because there is great reward for faith in our Lord Jesus. He vindicates us now and will be our vindication on that Great Day! Yes, I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise! I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. ~ Psalm 37:3-6

His Patience Means Salvation…

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

I sense with each passing day of rebellion and disregard for God in this world, there are many believers who are asking if we are living in the “end times.” Is the Lord Jesus returning? If all the “required” prophecies have been fulfilled, then what is His delay in coming? In our Verse of the Day, the Apostle Peter gives us some insight into the answer because these same questions were being asked within a generation of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Times of unrest and civil disorder within the Roman Empire and the Jewish nation had reached such fervor that by 70 A.D. Jerusalem and the Temple had been destroyed. For the followers of Christ Jesus, it must have felt similar to the times we see unfolding before our own eyes. And it is a question that believers would continue to ask in generations to come as kingdoms rise and fall … as totalitarian dictators attempt world dominance … and as untold humans are subjected to a myriad of atrocities under the influence of demonic forces. So, the people of God ask: “Where are you, God? How long will you allow evil to continue? In the Book of Acts, we read this account:

Acts 1:1-11 (NIV)

¹In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach ²until the day He was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen. ³After His suffering, He presented Himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the Kingdom of God. ⁴On one occasion, while He was eating with them, He gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ⁵For John baptized in water, but in a few days you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.” ⁶Then they gathered around Him and asked Him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by His own authority. ⁸But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” ⁹After He said this, He was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. ¹⁰They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. ¹¹“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”

Notice the question they asked of Jesus before He ascended: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” They must have believed that Jesus in His risen body would now rule and reign over Israel. To me, to have this discussion recorded, indicates the apostles were indeed eyewitnesses of His bodily resurrection in a physical human form to have interacted with Him over the past 40 days to inquire of His intentions post resurrection. But observe a couple of things: 1) Jesus does not answer their question; rather, He tells them, “it is not for you to know.” None of us will ever know the day or the hour. But then Jesus turns their thoughts to the anointing of the Holy Spirit to “receive power” to become His witnesses. The question regarding the restoration of the Kingdom of Israel had been redirected to the building of the coming Kingdom of Heaven. And then, without explanation or further physical contact, Jesus left them … ascending into the clouds and leaving their view. Then two angels appeared and spoke to the apostles; assuring them Jesus would come back again.

In his Second Letter to the Thessalonians, Paul addressed the issue of delay and provided this explanation:

2 Thessalonians 2 (NIV)

¹Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, ²not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. ³Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. ⁴He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming himself to be God.⁵Don’t you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? ⁶And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. ⁷For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the One who now holds it back will continue to do so till He is taken out of the way. ⁸And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming. ⁹The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, ¹⁰and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. ¹¹For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie ¹²and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.¹³But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first-fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.¹⁵So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. ¹⁶May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

We see from Paul that there is a future event that must occur before the appointed day of Jesus’ return. To be sure, the Holy Spirit is working through the Body of Christ to restrain the rebellion and lawlessness prophesied to come. But there will come a time of trouble such as never was since there was a nation. (Cf. Daniel 12:1) As our Lord Jesus taught: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake those days will be shortened.” (Cf. Matthew 24:21-22) So when that Lawless One is revealed, time is short! Yet, I believe we can discern that the “delay” works to advantage of those who are being saved through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit through belief in the truth.

And so, in our Verse of the Day, Peter affords us critical information on the timing of Jesus’ return. I will reprint the entire chapter for context:

2 Peter 3 (NIV)

¹ Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. ²I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. ³Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. ⁴They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ He promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” ⁵But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. ⁶By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. ⁷By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. ⁸But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. ⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

¹⁰But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. ¹¹Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives ¹²as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. ¹³But in keeping with His promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. ¹⁴So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him. ¹⁵Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. ¹⁶He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. ¹⁷Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. ¹⁸But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

What a powerful discourse we have recorded from the Apostle Peter! The entire chapter helps us to understand that the return of Jesus Christ is His promise. And after the day of His judgment has been fulfilled, He has promised a new heaven and a new earth. The former has been subjected to destruction and removed. So, Peter asserts that because of what will take place, Jesus is exercising patience. His longsuffering is an act of great love and mercy. Jesus wants everyone to come to repentance and to receive the salvation He has offered through His blood. His patience means salvation as Paul attested as well.

When I think about application, I look to the summation and the question Peter asked: “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” (2 Peter 3:11-12) Indeed, Father God has been longsuffering with mankind, but the signs of the times indicate the Day of the Lord approaches! And I really think that we should note how Peter concluded: “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:17-18) I pray this meditation will both challenge you and encourage you in your walk with Christ. As Peter exhorted, “Make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with Him.” Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

God Watches Over You…

Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV)

The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Our Verse of the Day has great relevance as the direction of the culture and this world continues its demonic influence to dominate our lives. Perhaps our collective perspective should shift from what we see to what we do not see. For this is the essence of our faith … the assurance of our faith … what the Spirit enables us to see through Christ Jesus our Lord:

Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (NKJV)

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (ESV)

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (NIV)

It is not with physical eyes only that we can see what is happening in our world. Through faith, we are able to see with spiritual eyes … the eyes of our hearts having been enlightened with the Word of God … that we might see what God has revealed to us. And God appointed Paul to expose and articulate the ongoing mysterious and deceptive work of Satan (even within the Church) since its inception during Pentecost:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12 (NIV)

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him, we ask you, brothers and sisters, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by the teaching allegedly from us—whether by a prophecy or by word of mouth or by letter—asserting that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness (Sin) is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt Himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that He sets Himself up in God’s temple, proclaiming Himself to be God.

Don’t you remember that when I was with you, I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of His mouth and destroy by the splendor of His coming.

The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the Truth and so be saved. For this reason, God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.

Powerful words for us to consider! Powerful revelation as to what lies ahead … as physical, natural forces merge with spiritual forces of darkness to rusher in the coming of the lawless one! Even now we see the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create widespread deception and powerful delusion. So, as I look at all the turmoil and cultural upheaval in our nation, I am reminded of the care and protection God has over my life. The Psalmist’s words instill a great trust in the promises of God to watch over me. Indeed, the entire Psalm is a beautiful reflection, and I want to reprint it for us again:

Psalm 121 (NIV)

¹I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
²My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

³He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber;
⁴Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
⁶the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

⁷The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life;
⁸the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

When we think about the Lord “watching” over us, I feel a deep sense of security as it affirms the grace and love He lavishes upon those who love Him. There are some other verses that repeat this theme, so I will share them here as well:

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction. ~ Psalm 1:6

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. ~ Psalm 33:18-19

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. ~ Psalm 34:15-16

The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. ~ Psalm 145:20

The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but He frustrates the ways of the wicked. ~ Psalm 146:9

My friends, I encourage you to trust in the Lord. His Word affirms that He is watching over you and protecting your life. He will direct your steps. He will establish your peace. He will go before you and be your rearguard. Indeed, I believe these are wonderful thoughts for us to consider and embrace today….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ~ Luke 12:4-7

Setting Priorities…

Mark 8:36 (NIV)

What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?

Our Verse of the Day has been studied before; but in light of our recent series of Scriptures focusing on the spiritual health of men, I believe we should look at it again in that context….

In Mark 8, we find Jesus on an evangelistic and ministerial tour of Judea with His disciples. Large crowds would gather along with some of the religious rulers and listen to His teachings. Sometimes He stopped at a hillside as people gathered to see and hear Him. They made stops in Bethsaida and Caesarea Philippi as they traveled, and Jesus would question His disciples to ascertain if they were understanding all that He was pouring into them about His identity and regarding the purpose for which God the Father had sent Him. In the final section of this chapter, Jesus challenges everyone to examine themselves and to make a decision about whether or not they wish to believe in Him and follow His Way:

Mark 8:34-38 (NIV)

Then Jesus called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the Gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

I encourage us to think deeply about what Jesus is declaring here. In essence, the message is: “If your life is not totally about Jesus, following Him and serving Him, then your decision to follow your own path will lead to ruin. Yes, humans have been granted “free will” to chart their own courses … to determine their own destinies … to choose to live their lives on their own terms. We see these mindsets all around us in this world. Perhaps, at times, we exhibit these attitudes ourselves; but Jesus indicates that we need to consider the cost of doing so. He asks: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” So, look at the context again because I see this question being asked in reference to whether you and I “want” to be His disciple. Jesus states that whoever wants to be His disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him. Indeed, those who have determined in their hearts to follow Him will no longer live their own lives; rather, they will die to self and will live for the One who died for them!

Generally, I think men are more challenged with keeping a balanced perspective on their career and financial goals because we tend to be occupational or vocational centric … meaning we place a high value on what we do and accomplish in our jobs and professions – the money we earn from doing so – and the self-esteem we attach to our careers and bank accounts. It is normal to have an interest or concern about household finances because of our deep-seated desire to be successful and consistent providers for our families. But Jesus asks us a very pointed question: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Another related question for men might be: “What good is it to “prosper” yourself in your work but lose your marriage or your children or your health in the process?” In other words, Jesus calls us to give consideration to the greatest priorities we have in our lives and to not lose sight of what has more eternal impact on ourselves and those we love.

The Apostle Paul shared this perspective with a young man named Timothy – who he mentored in the faith. Paul offered this observation: “For we brought nothing into the word, and we can take nothing out of it.” (Cf. 1 Timothy 6:7) Perhaps that is the sobering reminder that we need to form a healthier view of the life God has granted to each of us. Life is a gift. Everything we have is a gift. And while work and the enjoyment it brings to our lives is an important aspect of it … it is really only a context for us to discover, learn, and grow in the knowledge of God’s will for our us. Consider a parable that Jesus shared with His followers:

Luke 12:16-31 (NIV)

And He (Jesus) told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Then Jesus said to His disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap; they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will He clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His Kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Speaking especially to the men, we need to take this lesson and its wisdom to heart! God wants to do so much in our lives and through our lives … not only to conform us to the image of His Son … but to develop us for the good and well-being of others; especially our wives and children. So, our spiritual health is critical, and we need to exercise it regularly each day in prayer and study of the Word of God. Every once and awhile, you and I might need to reset our mindsets. As the Apostle Paul admonished, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Cf. Romans 12:2)

My friends, when life gets out of balance and we begin to focus more on work and career more than focusing on God, I pray we will set more time aside from our work and personal ambitions to rekindle His Kingdom in our hearts. Indeed, it is my prayer that each of us would make loving and serving God our sole priority. Then we can truly flourish in our spirits for the positive influence it will have on our marriages, our children, and our relationships with others. I assure you; it will be time well spent. As John wrote, “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health – just as your soul prospers. (Cf. 3 John 2:2)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” ~ 1 John 2:15-17