Grieve…

Grieve…

He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so, He became their Savior. In all their distress He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and mercy, He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Yet, they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit. So He turned and became their enemy, and He Himself fought against them. (Isaiah 63:8-10)

Our verse provides a woeful commentary on the unfaithfulness of God’s chosen people. Of His treasured possession, God said: “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me.” God had wrought His salvation as He parted the Red Sea before their eyes. He redeemed them from the slavery and oppression of Egypt. He carried them and provided for them through the wilderness journey. Yet, all the while, they rebelled against their Savior and Redeemer; and in doing so … grieved His Holy Spirit! Even after Jesus was sent from heaven to seek and to save the lost sheep of Israel (Cf. Matthew 10:6; Matthew 15:24; Luke 19:10), He grieved over the unwillingness of His own to recognize the presence of God in their midst. (Cf. Matthew 23:37; Luke 13:34)

To grieve is to suffer deep sorrow or feel great anguish or distress such as when a loved one dies. So, when we grieve someone, we afflict them with deep sadness, agony, heartache, and pain. This describes what Holy Spirit feels when a child of God transgresses the will of God or walks in willful rebellion. Notice I said, a child of God … one who has been born of God.

John 1:10-13 (NKJV)

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

My friends, how unthinkable it is for the children of God, the Body of Christ, to grieve His Holy Spirit! We are children who should be true to Him! He redeemed us by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus … the Lamb who was slain before the foundation of the world! He has carried us in His unfailing love and mercy! Shall we continue to resist the will of our Savior – who called us to a holy life? O saints, “Do not quench the Spirit!” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) For we are commanded to love another just as Jesus loved us! (John 15:12) Indeed, it is in this context that Paul exhorts us: “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the Day of Redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

Have a Blessed Day!

Ashamed…

Ashamed…

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:20-23)

Embarrassment. Humiliation. These words describe our inner feelings when we are ashamed of our actions, character, or relationships. Think of the last time you felt ashamed. Recount what you did or said that caused you embarrassment or humiliation. Did it afflict your conscience with regret or remorse or fill you with inner turmoil? Do you remember the occasion and being ashamed? This is what sin does to us. This is what rebellion and disobedience to the Word of God causes within us. It is the conviction of the Holy Spirit within believers that is meant to bring us to confession and repentance.

When we fail because of our sinful human nature, a believer will feel ashamed. We have displeased God and we know it! A chasm, a separation has occurred and we want restoration. Like King David, we plead with God: “Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:9-12) We do all this because we have disgraced God and feel ashamed of ourselves.

Yet, there is another aspect to the word “Ashamed”. It has to do with our reluctance or unwillingness to do something because we fear shame, embarrassment, or humiliation. Consider what Jesus said in Luke 9:23-26 in this regard: “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” (See Mark 8:34-38) Perhaps, this is why Paul admonished Timothy: “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. (2 Timothy 1:7-8)

As Peter encouraged: “If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” So, let us join with Paul and declare: “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.” (Romans 1:16)

Have a Blessed Day!

Faithful…

Faithful…

But it was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath He swore to your ancestors that He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:8-9)

All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of His covenant. (Psalm 25:10) Yes, He is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (Psalm 86:11) Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you. (Psalm 89:8) Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does. (Psalm 145:13)

Throughout the Old Testament, the testimonies of God’s faithfulness are attested. We see His faithfulness to the promises made to Abraham and his descendants. Testimonies abound in the Word of God as to the faithfulness of God to those who love Him. And I think that is an important point for us to consider. Psalm 18:25 declares: “To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless….” The implication is that our ability to experience the faithfulness of God appears to be connected to our demonstrated faithfulness toward Him.

Yet, I have found that even if we are faithless, God remains faithful. The great love and faithfulness of God is demonstrated in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) Indeed, Paul assures us: “God will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:8-9) Likewise, Paul prayed the following: “May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

My friends, we worship and serve a faithful God who will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. (1 Corinthians 10:13) He is faithful to strengthen us and protect us from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3) And He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) I pray that we will praise God for His great faithfulness to us … and thoughtfully consider how to be more faithful to Him – living worthy of our redemption in Christ!

Have a Blessed Day!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. ~ Hebrews 10:23

Promise…

Promise…

Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what He has promised him.” (Genesis 18:18-19)

God made a promise to Abraham. It was a declaration or assurance that He would do certain things for him. God assured Abraham saying: “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” (Genesis 17:17) His inheritance of the Promised Land was established, and the journey of his descendants commenced. And in time, when the Israelites had entered and possessed the land, Joshua would attest: “Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one of them was fulfilled.” (Joshua 21:45)

When the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem, King David offered thanksgiving before the Lord and said: “He remembers His covenant forever, the promise He made, for a thousand generations, the covenant he made with Abraham, the oath he swore to Isaac. He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to Israel as an everlasting covenant: “To you I will give the land of Canaan as the portion you will inherit.” (1 Chronicles 16:15-18) Likewise, King Solomon proclaimed: “Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. You have kept your promise to your servant David my father; with your mouth you have promised and with your hand you have fulfilled it—as it is today. (1 Kings 8:23-24)

Indeed, God has been faithful to keep His promises to His people throughout all generations! And today, those who love Him have great assurance in the promises of the New Covenant –established and sealed in the blood of Christ Jesus! Yes, from King David, God brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as He promised! (Acts 13:23) In Him we have the promise of salvation and eternal life. In Him, we receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. In Him, we have the promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1) For Jesus promised to return and take us to be with Him forever….

Have a Blessed Day!

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.~ 2 Peter 3:9

Your Unfailing Love…

Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV)

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Our Verse of the Day is a great reminder of how an intimate relationship with God is so vital to our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It encourages us to examine the depth of God’s love for us. Indeed, being close to God is what He has always purposed for each of us! It has been said of King David that he was “a man after God’s own heart.” (Cf. 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) Yet we see throughout the Psalms that David struggled to fully become all that he knew God desired him to be. I think we encounter the same situations and circumstances in our own lives … struggles within our minds and hearts … experiencing failures because of our self-centered decisions … navigating our emotions and the physiological reactions they can produce within us. We need to remember that pursuing a life intent on reflecting the revealed heart of God does not mean we will attain perfection here in our natural bodies; rather, it just means we are committed in our pursuit of holiness, and we are driven to surrender to God everything within us … our entire beings (mind, body, and soul).

When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. To me, this is a picture of how an abiding, intimate relationship with God should function. We know our inner weaknesses … the sin that so easily entangles us … and we are not unaware when our own hearts entice us and temptation is drawing us away. (Cf. James 1:13-15) It is in these moments we should cry out to God and place our trust in Him. We are encouraged to tell Him, “I am slipping. My own strength is failing. My need for your strength, O Lord, is urgent!” And herein is when we find the opportunity to attest: “Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.” Indeed, God meets us where we are and gives us strength, courage, and hope! I am reminded of a similar thought Paul shared with the Corinthian church:

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NIV)

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation (or testing) has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted (or tested) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted (or tested), He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Perhaps, Paul had Psalm 94 in mind when he addressed those believers and encouraged them to trust God in those circumstances and situations when they were confronted with the tests of faith. And although the Psalm (in context) addressed the physical threats of armies and enemies against the people of God, I believe Paul wanted believers to consider the spiritual forces and enemies we battle when faced with the inclinations of the thoughts of our hearts. Too often, those thoughts attempt to lead us away from the holiness of fellowship with God. Indeed, without an intimate relationship with Christ Jesus through His indwelling Spirit, we are helpless in the ongoing struggle between the flesh and the spirit. (Cf. Galatians 5:17)

Whether physical enemies are in view, or spiritual forces of darkness are in action, both situations should prompt us to seek the help of God. Such circumstances should lead us to rely on the only One who is trustworthy and faithful. As I stated in a prior lesson, we simply have to come to a place in our hearts and lives where we wholly embrace that God loves us! As David reflected, “the unfailing love” of God is what truly supports us! His comfort and consolation will calm your anxieties. And I believe that intimacy with God is the only way in which we will experience His incredible, powerful love … a love that is for us … a love that supports us in our struggles … a love that fights the battles we are too weak to win. It is a love that consoles us and comforts us when we feel helpless. It is a love that brings true light when we feel lost in darkness.

My friends, God is pouring Himself into our situations … into our concerns … into our fears and anxieties. Whatever you are experiencing or battling, God is ever-present and available if you simply go to Him in prayer. As David urged, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Cf. Psalm 55:22) The Apostle Peter quoted this Psalm when he wrote, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (Cf. 1 Peter 5:6-8)

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him. ~ Psalm 28:7

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him. ~ Psalm 32:10

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust. ~ Psalm 91:2

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. ~ Proverbs 29:25

Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. ~ Jeremiah 17:7

The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him, ~ Nahum 1:7

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. ~ James 1:12-14

Holiness – Reverence for God

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

In our Verse of the Day, Paul gives us a great and timely message regarding our pursuit of holiness out of reverence for God. To me, the point being made is that our motivation for obedience is to be based in reverence and not merely obligation or duty. Let’s look at our passage in the larger context. Since 2 Corinthians 7 begins with the word “therefore,” we need to understand what it is there for. Thus, we will need to go back to 2 Corinthians 6 to get a better idea:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NIV)

¹⁴Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵What harmony is there between Christ and Belial (Satan)? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Citing Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27)

¹⁷Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” (Citing Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34, 41)

¹⁸And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (Citing 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8)

Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

As we look at the larger context, we see Paul admonish us regarding the nature of our walk with God. His concern is about our pursuit of holiness as temples of the living God. And from this perspective, we need to look at how to keep our lives clean and righteous. To that end, Paul stresses that believers should NOT seek a “yoked” relationship with unbelievers because there is an inherent spiritual incompatibility that ensues from the relationship. He is saying we should not “bind” ourselves in such arrangements where spiritual conflict is inevitable. He asks what does righteousness and wickedness have in common? What fellowship can light have with darkness? What agreement is there between the worship of God and the worship of idols? The answer, of course, is there can be no harmony between two such opposite or opposing forces. There is a natural separation in this realm. And so, Paul takes us to the higher reality that we (the Church) are the temple of the living God. We are the Body of Christ through His indwelling/abiding Spirit within each of us….

With this view in mind, Paul sets out to address the scriptural promises that God has made with His people; believers whom He has called “out of the world” and who represent His temple. God says, “I will live WITH them and walk among them. I will be their God and they will be my people.” God calls us out of the world and says to be separate … sanctified (holy) and set apart for service to God. And in another place, God says, “I will be a Father to you. You will be my sons and daughters.” How wonderful are His thoughts toward us! How miraculous is it that the Creator of the universe expresses such a passionate desire to have intimate relationship with His people … those who have consecrated themselves to Him?

Although we live IN the world, we are not OF the world. We are the Church … the CALLED-OUT ones. Jesus said, “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 15:19) I think this is the very thing Paul is concerned about in his appeal to the Corinthian Church. We cannot pursue holiness if we continue to pursue the things of this world. Righteousness and wickedness cannot coexist. Light and darkness are separate. What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? We cannot serve both God and the idols of our affections. We cannot have an intimate relationship with the Father if we do not consecrate ourselves to Him through Christ Jesus. But when we separate ourselves from the things of the world and commit ourselves unto the Father, we prepare ourselves for Him to enter into relationship with us. For it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (Cf. Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 1 Peter 1:16) Thus, Paul urges us to purify ourselves from everything that defiles our bodies and our spirits.

The Word of God is clear that the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ desire to have intimate relationship with us. The question is: “Do we want to have an intimate relationship with God?” If so, then we need to do those things with separate us from the world. The Apostle John taught: “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) These are the three primary avenues of temptation for us, and so we need to consider our spiritual strategies for separation from the world. Our greatest tool (spiritual weapon) is the Word of God! We need to read it, understand it, and put it into practice! I believe the more we engage the Word of God in our lives, the more we will find, feel, and express reverence for God.

My friends, I think the application for our Verse of the Day is self-evident. Our mission is to perfect (or complete) holiness in our lives out of respect … out of reverence … out of love for God. We have been chosen “out of the world” by Jesus Christ to serve in His Kingdom … which is not of this world either. (Cf. John 18:36) Think about the great honor and privilege believers have received to enter into His sanctifying work through the Spirit in order to be separated from the world and enter the Kingdom of Light! And the promise is that God will receive us if we are IN Christ Jesus. God Himself will love us and be a father unto us, and He will dwell among us. (Cf. John 14:23) He will be our God and we will be His chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light! (Cf. 1 Peter 2:9) This is why we pursue holiness and righteousness in our lives. Consecration is the expression of our sincere reverence for Father God – the One who sent His Beloved Son to rescue us from darkness … to redeem us from sin … to release us from captivity … to reconcile us to Himself and to grant us everlasting life. Let these promises be our meditation with all thanksgiving for the great mercy shown to us … that we would be CHOSEN to be separated and to have intimate relationship with our Creator. Yes! Let our hearts be stirred up with these thoughts today … with fresh anointing … with fresh fire!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I Stand at the Door…

Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

Our Verse of the Day encourages us as the Church … the Body of Christ … to take an action that would seem so obvious for believers; and yet, Jesus had to confront the Church at Laodicea to self-examine what they had become as a local body. I believe the modern church needs to do the same in these latter days….

Revelation 3:14-22 (NIV)

To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

In review of this passage, we find in the list of “attributes” that afford a clear description of the Lord Jesus Christ as the author of the words being communicated through the Apostle John to the Seven Churches – and specifically to the church at Laodicea. He is the Truth … He is the Faithful Witness … and He has power and authority over all creation! We discern the omniscience of Christ … “I know your deeds.” And Jesus describes their state of ministry as neither cold nor hot … but lukewarm. It is clear that Jesus is referring to their works … their ministry; and His displeasure with them is quite evident from the tone. The language used is that Jesus would “vomit” them out of His mouth. The metaphor indicates that lukewarm, apathetic, indifferent followers make Jesus sick to His stomach. If you and I are not “on fire” for Christ and being witnesses of the Gospel in both word and deed, this warning of “rejection” should catch our attention for sure….

Still, Jesus declares His affection for the Church. He has rebuked them in righteousness and judgment. He has spiritually disciplined them. So, Jesus is expectant of prompt repentance from the people! The members of His Body there need to receive what Jesus revealed about them and give full consideration to what Jesus has exposed regarding the condition of their hearts. While this message was for the Church in Laodicea, I think it could be directed at the modern church of our generation … especially the Western Church … the American Church … which has said, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But we do not fully realize how this spiritual attitude has rendered us wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked…. Indeed, in this present hour, we are being called to humble ourselves and to repent … to turn from our wicked ways and to seek His face … and then Jesus would restore and heal us.

Then Jesus said to the Church: “Here I am!” I am available to you … even standing at the door of your sanctuary … at the doors of your hearts and knocking. I sense there is a plea in His voice … “Let me in!” The implication is potential but not certain action. The person or the church must respond! So, we need to hear His voice … as the voice of a Shepherd. We need to open our hearts to His rebuke and receive His correction. Jesus does so because He loves us and wants us to stay the course of faith and to do the good works which God prepared for us in advance to do. (Cf. Ephesians 2:10) If we open our hearts to Him, He will enter and initiate fellowship with us. Eating a meal together has long been a sign of covenant, friendship, and fellowship. Yes, we will experience the intimate relationship with Jesus that He desires for us to have with Him but we must respond to His invitation….

My friends, I believe in some ways the lukewarm church in Laodicea reflects the modern church of our generation. We need to heed the rebukes Jesus spoke to this church and to repent if we individually and corporately want to be effective witnesses in these latter days. I hope this review will prompt us to dive deeper into the Word of God and allow it to penetrate and to judge the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. (Cf. Hebrews 4:12) We should not be deceived, but be reminded that God will not be mocked. A person will reap what they sow. (Cf. Galatians 6:7) Because as we have seen, there is nothing in all creation hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. (Cf. Hebrews 4:13) And as Paul wrote: “Therefore, judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (Cf. 1 Corinthians 4:5)

It is my prayer that each of us be earnest and repent! Let us get on fire and make a difference in these days that God has granted us to live! Let us each complete the works God prepared in advance for us to do! Let us be faithful and true witnesses ourselves! Let us open the doors of our hearts and invite Him into the intimate place of our souls. Let us persevere and be victorious in our confession and practice of faith! Indeed, let us hear what the Spirit says to the churches!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. ~ Revelation 3:7-8

Your Word Gives Light…

Psalm 119:130 (NIV)

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

For our Verse of the Day, we continue in Psalm 119; and again, I will put our verse in its surrounding section for context:

פ Pe

¹²⁹Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.
¹³⁰The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
¹³¹I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.
¹³²Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
¹³³Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
¹³⁴Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts.
¹³⁵Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.
¹³⁶Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.

צ Tsadhe

¹³⁷You are righteous, Lord, and your laws are right.
¹³⁸The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
¹³⁹My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.
¹⁴⁰Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
¹⁴¹Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.
¹⁴²Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
¹⁴³Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.
¹⁴⁴Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.

As I meditate on these words and the light they bring, I cannot help but imagine the inner feelings of those who penned these Spirit inspired thoughts. I can just sense the intensity of zeal for the Word of God already available to them … for all of its instruction and wisdom in righteousness and order and goodness. Psalm 119 conveys a deep realization that God wants His people to know the truth and that He desires those who love Him to live according to it. And so there is a great hunger and thirst for the Word of God within us. It beckons us to learn and to apply and to be transformed!

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

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.

Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Father God, we thank you for Your Word … passed down over the millennia! We thank you for instruction in wisdom and the knowledge of righteousness! We praise you for the light you have brought into the world so that we might know you, the only true God. Indeed, we hold fast to your promise of eternal life for those who put their faith in your Son … our Savior … Jesus the Christ. I pray that Your Word will change us … transform us … conform us into His image. I pray that you would direct our footsteps according to your word and let no sin rule over us. May those who love you delight in your commands to do them. Let your grace abound, O Lord, so that we might obey your word. For I ask these things in your Mighty Name. Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

“The days are coming,” declares the Sovereign Lord, “when I will send a famine through the land— not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. People will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it.” ~ Amos 8:11-12

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

Faith…

Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

I think most of us are familiar with our Verse of the Day. The inspired writer of the Letter to the Hebrews has provided us with a definition of “faith” for our theology. I have provided some various translations for our consideration in order to get the full impact of this definition; but I encourage you to take time and read the entire Chapter 11 (link here) to have the context of the definition in full view.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (English Standard Version – ESV)

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (New King James Version – NKJV)

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. – (New Living Translation – NLT)

What we see in the definition is the relationship between faith and hope … between belief and confidence in the revealed invisible attributes of God. And the whole chapter gives us a glimpse of those who exercised their faith in ways that pleased God. As the writer elaborates: “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen. It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed His approval of his gifts. (Citing Genesis 4:4) Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith. It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying — “he disappeared, because God took him.” (Citing Genesis 5:24) For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.

Yes, our relationship with God is rooted in this concept of faith … of believing what we cannot see … of knowing within our inner beings what we cannot necessarily prove. These are the foundations of faith through which God sees the truth and integrity of our hearts toward Him. There is desire for obedience that comes through faith. (Cf. Romans 1:5; 16:26) There is a righteousness that comes by faith. (Cf. Romans 1:17; 4:5; 4:13; 9:30) Indeed, everything in our understanding of God is dependent upon faith. Of great importance is the understanding of this truth:

Romans 3:19-26 (NIV)

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. 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. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— He did it to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

My friends, I hope you are challenged and encouraged by this look into the depths of faith … what it is and what it means. The Bible is full of scriptures that address our fellowship and intimacy with Father God. But none of these will ever be realized without genuine faith in Him. Yes, “It is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.” (Cf. Hebrews 11:6)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. ~ Romans 5:1-5