Hebrews 1:14- 2:4
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? --
The answer, of course, is yes. These are God's holy angels in Heaven who refused to follow Lucifer in his rebellion, but stayed faithful to God.
For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. --
We are told so often throughout all of the Old and New Testaments to "pay attention." Here, we are encouraged to pay much closer attention, the reason is that One much greater than angels has accomplished a much greater work. If we don't pay much closer attention to focus on these things, we are vulnerable to easily slip off of that Rock of Truth.
For if the word spoken through angels (the Law) proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense, --
This says that the Old Testament Law was not ever to be changed in any way, neither added to nor reduced to ignore parts, and everyone who didn't obey it was accountable.
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken by the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, --
How could we ever talk our way out of being held accountable for ignoring what Christ Jesus our Lord did for us. Jesus, Himself, taught His disciples what He was doing and what it would accomplish for us, and the writer of Hebrews says that God made it real to them that heard it.
God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. --
This says that God had the disciples perform miracles and supernatural signs and wonders to let the hearers know that what was being preached was His Truth. And then God gave His Holy Spirit to live in those who believed and put their trust into what Jesus finished on the Cross and His Resurrection, and were given the gifts of the Holy Spirit so they could also teach others this Truth, and be believed by their hearers. These gifts were according to His own will; He gave different gifts to different people, so that they could work together helping one another to get everything done.
So the Law was given, and had to be obeyed; then Jesus was born, lived, taught, was Crucified, and rose from the dead. This is much greater than the Law, because He fulfilled all of that Law that dealt with the sacrificial system, so it never needs to be acted out again. Now we are responsible to pay much closer attention to respond to Jesus, Who is so much greater than the angels, to take to heart what He finished for us, in our place; and to not drift away little by little back into the world's ways.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Why God Destroys Nations
Leviticus 18:22-30
(22) Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind, it is abomination.
(24) Defile not yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the Nations are defiled which I cast out from before you;
(25) And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land vomits out her inhabitants. (Continue reading to v.30 to get the whole story.)
Romans 1:22-32
(22) Professing to be wise, they became fools.
(26) For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions, for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural (lesbians), and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts (homosexuality) and receiving in their own persons (physical health) the due penalty of their error (the unhealthy consequences of this lifestyle).
(32) And, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same (openly), but also give hearty approval to those who practice them (they promote it).
This is an abomination, it turns God's stomach sick. And it pollutes the land so that it vomits out the people there who are doing this. This is something that causes God to destroy the peoples and nations who accept it as normal: Look at Sodom and Gomorrah, Greece was once a world power, Rome was once a super-power, all the great empires of the past that are no more.
And God will also destroy America's influence in the world. If we as God's people work together to bring God's righteous ways back into our national life, He may relent, as Nineveh repented and turned from their wicked ways at the preaching of Jonah, and God relented and didn't destroy them until the next generation.
Wake up, Church, see what is happening in our own Nation, get up off your duff and do what you can, each one of us, to promote what is right in our national life, from the grassroots up through the levels of local, state and federal government. "If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land."
When each of us does what we can, then we will be a greater movement than all the deceived masses who are promoting unrighteous wickedness.
Let's get to it!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(22) Thou shalt not lie with mankind as with womankind, it is abomination.
(24) Defile not yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the Nations are defiled which I cast out from before you;
(25) And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land vomits out her inhabitants. (Continue reading to v.30 to get the whole story.)
Romans 1:22-32
(22) Professing to be wise, they became fools.
(26) For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions, for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural (lesbians), and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts (homosexuality) and receiving in their own persons (physical health) the due penalty of their error (the unhealthy consequences of this lifestyle).
(32) And, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same (openly), but also give hearty approval to those who practice them (they promote it).
This is an abomination, it turns God's stomach sick. And it pollutes the land so that it vomits out the people there who are doing this. This is something that causes God to destroy the peoples and nations who accept it as normal: Look at Sodom and Gomorrah, Greece was once a world power, Rome was once a super-power, all the great empires of the past that are no more.
And God will also destroy America's influence in the world. If we as God's people work together to bring God's righteous ways back into our national life, He may relent, as Nineveh repented and turned from their wicked ways at the preaching of Jonah, and God relented and didn't destroy them until the next generation.
Wake up, Church, see what is happening in our own Nation, get up off your duff and do what you can, each one of us, to promote what is right in our national life, from the grassroots up through the levels of local, state and federal government. "If My people, who are called by My Name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land."
When each of us does what we can, then we will be a greater movement than all the deceived masses who are promoting unrighteous wickedness.
Let's get to it!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Life Is In The Blood
Leviticus 17:11-12
(11) For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life.
This is a general principle that holds true in every age. Physical life is in the blood circulating through the body giving life to all its parts. If the blood flow is cut off from any body part, that part dies. God had His people offer to God the blood of the sacrifices to show that the animal was giving its life instead of the person dying to pay the debt of the sin.
That's why Jesus shed His Blood at Calvary, as the Perfect Lamb of God, the Perfect Sacrifice, that not only covered a sin (like the animal sacrifice), but paid in full the whole debt of sinfulness that we all, each of us, owed to God.
(12) Therefore I said to the children of Israel, "No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourns among you eat blood."
So they were not to take any blood as food for themselves; nor anyone else who lived among them.
And the New Testament Church was also to still obey this principle according to the letter the Church Leaders sent to the Gentile believers:
Acts 15:29
That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols (nothing placed before God, or beside God) and from blood (here it is, no eating any blood as food) and from things strangled (not healthy to eat) and from fornication (general word for any sexual activity outside of the marital relationship): if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.
So if we, God's New Testament Church, stay away from these four things in particular, then our lives will go well, will succeed: but if we ignore or twist any of these principles, then we will not do well; we will be sick, we will have relationship problems, things just will not go very well for us in any area. When we take seriously the life principles God teaches us in His Manufacturer's Instructions, our lives will go well, we will be successful in what we do. But if we think we know better, and that times have changed and things that were destructive before aren't any more, then we will face the consequences of our choices, we will suffer the failures that come with acting against the way God designed this World and this Earth and this Universe to run.
It's our choice.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(11) For the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life.
This is a general principle that holds true in every age. Physical life is in the blood circulating through the body giving life to all its parts. If the blood flow is cut off from any body part, that part dies. God had His people offer to God the blood of the sacrifices to show that the animal was giving its life instead of the person dying to pay the debt of the sin.
That's why Jesus shed His Blood at Calvary, as the Perfect Lamb of God, the Perfect Sacrifice, that not only covered a sin (like the animal sacrifice), but paid in full the whole debt of sinfulness that we all, each of us, owed to God.
(12) Therefore I said to the children of Israel, "No soul of you shall eat blood, neither shall any stranger that sojourns among you eat blood."
So they were not to take any blood as food for themselves; nor anyone else who lived among them.
And the New Testament Church was also to still obey this principle according to the letter the Church Leaders sent to the Gentile believers:
Acts 15:29
That you abstain from things sacrificed to idols (nothing placed before God, or beside God) and from blood (here it is, no eating any blood as food) and from things strangled (not healthy to eat) and from fornication (general word for any sexual activity outside of the marital relationship): if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.
So if we, God's New Testament Church, stay away from these four things in particular, then our lives will go well, will succeed: but if we ignore or twist any of these principles, then we will not do well; we will be sick, we will have relationship problems, things just will not go very well for us in any area. When we take seriously the life principles God teaches us in His Manufacturer's Instructions, our lives will go well, we will be successful in what we do. But if we think we know better, and that times have changed and things that were destructive before aren't any more, then we will face the consequences of our choices, we will suffer the failures that come with acting against the way God designed this World and this Earth and this Universe to run.
It's our choice.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, June 27, 2016
How Blessed Is The Man
Psalm 40:4
How blessed is the man --
How happy, prosperous, aware of the benefits is the person, the male or female member of mankind.
Who has made the Lord his trust, --
The one who has decided to choose the Lord God, the Maker of everything that exists, to be the One to believe, trust in and follow, to love and obey.
And has not turned to the proud, --
Who has not let pride turn him away from the simplicity of honestly and openly trusting.
Nor to those who lapse into falsehood. --
Who has not slipped off the rock (v. 2) or thoughtlessly turned to the right or to the left, forgetting to "be careful" and "pay attention" to what God wants for us.
O my Father, You have told me over and over, all through Your love letter to me, the Bible, to be careful to pay attention to the principles presented there; the attitudes and choices You have set before me to follow Your ways, to obey Your Manufacturer's Instructions for the operation of this world You have made for us. Thank you for Your Spirit of Truth Who lives in my spirit, to teach me Your ways and to strengthen me to do what is needed to accomplish Your will for me. That I may complete my part of Your great Plan of the Ages, decided before anything began to exist, and put into motion at the Creation.
Father, keep me steadfast on that Rock, that I may never lapse into any way contrary to Your righteous Plan. And I know that Your love for me and for all of Your Creation will do only what is good for us, and will bring to You all the credit, all the glory, for having done it all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
How blessed is the man --
How happy, prosperous, aware of the benefits is the person, the male or female member of mankind.
Who has made the Lord his trust, --
The one who has decided to choose the Lord God, the Maker of everything that exists, to be the One to believe, trust in and follow, to love and obey.
And has not turned to the proud, --
Who has not let pride turn him away from the simplicity of honestly and openly trusting.
Nor to those who lapse into falsehood. --
Who has not slipped off the rock (v. 2) or thoughtlessly turned to the right or to the left, forgetting to "be careful" and "pay attention" to what God wants for us.
O my Father, You have told me over and over, all through Your love letter to me, the Bible, to be careful to pay attention to the principles presented there; the attitudes and choices You have set before me to follow Your ways, to obey Your Manufacturer's Instructions for the operation of this world You have made for us. Thank you for Your Spirit of Truth Who lives in my spirit, to teach me Your ways and to strengthen me to do what is needed to accomplish Your will for me. That I may complete my part of Your great Plan of the Ages, decided before anything began to exist, and put into motion at the Creation.
Father, keep me steadfast on that Rock, that I may never lapse into any way contrary to Your righteous Plan. And I know that Your love for me and for all of Your Creation will do only what is good for us, and will bring to You all the credit, all the glory, for having done it all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
Reason Together With God
Isaiah 1:18-20
"Come now, let us settle the matter [let us reason together]," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." --
God is pleading with His people, with us, to come to our senses (reason together) and recognize how all of our poor choices, missing the mark of perfection--sins--are complicating our lives and causing all our problems and troubles. Sins are not black, they are a deep red, a scarlet or crimson. But God is offering a way to "clean up" all the messes, making them as pristine as the new fallen snow, as bright white as the newly shorn fleece of wool.
"If you are willing and obedient," --
We need to decide to choose His ways and pay attention to do what He tells us to do.
"You will eat the good things of the land;" --
Doing what is right will result in our enjoying the benefits of this world.
"But if you resist and rebel", --
To decide to make our own ideas of what we want to do for ourselves instead of listening to and taking to heart His ways.
"you will be devoured by the sword." --
The consequences of bucking reality: by war, by the vote, by the cutting tongue.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
"Come now, let us settle the matter [let us reason together]," says the Lord. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." --
God is pleading with His people, with us, to come to our senses (reason together) and recognize how all of our poor choices, missing the mark of perfection--sins--are complicating our lives and causing all our problems and troubles. Sins are not black, they are a deep red, a scarlet or crimson. But God is offering a way to "clean up" all the messes, making them as pristine as the new fallen snow, as bright white as the newly shorn fleece of wool.
"If you are willing and obedient," --
We need to decide to choose His ways and pay attention to do what He tells us to do.
"You will eat the good things of the land;" --
Doing what is right will result in our enjoying the benefits of this world.
"But if you resist and rebel", --
To decide to make our own ideas of what we want to do for ourselves instead of listening to and taking to heart His ways.
"you will be devoured by the sword." --
The consequences of bucking reality: by war, by the vote, by the cutting tongue.
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Always With Us
Hebrews 13:5-6
Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; --
Do not let getting paid be your first priority, appreciate what you already have been given; focus on enjoying what you already have, not on other things you want that you don't have yet.
for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you, --
(Quoting Deuteronomy 31:16 and also Joshua 1:15) God promised Joshua in both of these books that He would never abandon him to his own devises, but would be faithful in staying with him through conquering all the pagan peoples who were occupying the Promised Land.
So that we confidently say, "The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?" --
(Quoting Psalm 118:6) The Psalmist has applied this promise not only to Joshua, but to all of God's people. And the writer of Hebrews also has understood this promise as to all of us who have put our trust in Christ. Jesus, Himself promised to always be with us, "even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
So, no matter what we face, we know that Jesus will always be with us to strengthen us in the right priorities of life. We can always choose to do what we know is right, even if the world doesn't approve, or thinks we're foolish.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Let your character be free from the love of money, being content with what you have; --
Do not let getting paid be your first priority, appreciate what you already have been given; focus on enjoying what you already have, not on other things you want that you don't have yet.
for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you, --
(Quoting Deuteronomy 31:16 and also Joshua 1:15) God promised Joshua in both of these books that He would never abandon him to his own devises, but would be faithful in staying with him through conquering all the pagan peoples who were occupying the Promised Land.
So that we confidently say, "The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?" --
(Quoting Psalm 118:6) The Psalmist has applied this promise not only to Joshua, but to all of God's people. And the writer of Hebrews also has understood this promise as to all of us who have put our trust in Christ. Jesus, Himself promised to always be with us, "even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20).
So, no matter what we face, we know that Jesus will always be with us to strengthen us in the right priorities of life. We can always choose to do what we know is right, even if the world doesn't approve, or thinks we're foolish.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, June 21, 2016
Lack Of Knowledge
Hosea 4:6, 14
My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge, because you have rejected knowledge.
A people without understanding will come to ruin.
Whenever people decide that they themselves are intelligent and smart enough to figure out for themselves what they want to choose, and reject what God has clearly set forth in all His creation: His beauty, order out of chaos, life itself; then they sink into deceptive ways. When they reject the Truth, then their lies lead them away from life into death, away from order into chaos. When people embrace false ways (false gods), then they keep themselves from being able to understand how God made this world to work, and end up "throwing a monkey wrench into the works." Then they wonder why they have such troubles and broken relationships and poverty of satisfaction in all the material goods they have gained.
Let us turn to the Lord, the Maker of our world, and learn His ways He designed this environment to operate. And let us humble ourselves before Him, realizing how our prideful choices (sins) have separated us from Him; and how He has already done the unthinkable, to still love us so much that He sent His only Son to be that Perfect Sacrifice to pay our debt to God in full, in "becoming sin" (bearing our sin-nature on the Cross) "for us" (in our place, each one of us) (II Corinthians 5:21), and now "will heal us, He will bind up our wounds" (6:1).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge, because you have rejected knowledge.
A people without understanding will come to ruin.
Whenever people decide that they themselves are intelligent and smart enough to figure out for themselves what they want to choose, and reject what God has clearly set forth in all His creation: His beauty, order out of chaos, life itself; then they sink into deceptive ways. When they reject the Truth, then their lies lead them away from life into death, away from order into chaos. When people embrace false ways (false gods), then they keep themselves from being able to understand how God made this world to work, and end up "throwing a monkey wrench into the works." Then they wonder why they have such troubles and broken relationships and poverty of satisfaction in all the material goods they have gained.
Let us turn to the Lord, the Maker of our world, and learn His ways He designed this environment to operate. And let us humble ourselves before Him, realizing how our prideful choices (sins) have separated us from Him; and how He has already done the unthinkable, to still love us so much that He sent His only Son to be that Perfect Sacrifice to pay our debt to God in full, in "becoming sin" (bearing our sin-nature on the Cross) "for us" (in our place, each one of us) (II Corinthians 5:21), and now "will heal us, He will bind up our wounds" (6:1).
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, June 20, 2016
God's Principle: The Law Of Attraction
I John 5:14-15
And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
The world has gotten hold of this principle, and they call it "The Secret." When we know what we want, and it is in line with how God made this world to work, and we ask for it with a sure confidence that we have received it, even before we actually have it in hand, then the "law if attraction" will bring that answer into our reality. We have the requests which we have asked from Him. This is the way God told us this world operates. Even when the world system does not acknowledge God as the Giver of the answer, when they firmly believe they will get what they're asking for, they do receive it. It works, because it's God's principle. How much more confidence do we have, who know the Giver of good gifts, and trust Him to bless us for His glory!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
The world has gotten hold of this principle, and they call it "The Secret." When we know what we want, and it is in line with how God made this world to work, and we ask for it with a sure confidence that we have received it, even before we actually have it in hand, then the "law if attraction" will bring that answer into our reality. We have the requests which we have asked from Him. This is the way God told us this world operates. Even when the world system does not acknowledge God as the Giver of the answer, when they firmly believe they will get what they're asking for, they do receive it. It works, because it's God's principle. How much more confidence do we have, who know the Giver of good gifts, and trust Him to bless us for His glory!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, June 19, 2016
God Tells All
Amos 3:7
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.
God loves us, and He will never pull a surprise on us unawares. He always has recorded in His Word, the Bible, the plan He has set into motion in this whole Universe to run in an orderly fashion, and told us how to cooperate with the way He has designed this Earth to operate. He did not leave anything to Chance: He decided all the parameters and set into play all the operations of how this world is to run. And He wants us to follow His Manufacturer's Instructions in obeying all the rules, all the principles that are open for us all to see and learn. Then we will enjoy all the blessings, all the bounty this Earth can give us.
And He also told us what the consequences would be if we disobey, if we try to make our own decisions against how He made things to run. When we ignore Him and His ways, we encounter troubles, trials and griefs; we find that violence increases and freedoms are denied; we see both our Nations and our personal lives and families destroyed. Just like He said would happen.
Even when the World happens on His principles by accident and follow them, they reap the same bounty of this Earth. That's how He designed it. So it is our choice. We can consult the Owner's Manual to discern the "right" way to do things, or we can consider ourselves smart enough to decide for ourselves instead, and suffer the consequences.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets.
God loves us, and He will never pull a surprise on us unawares. He always has recorded in His Word, the Bible, the plan He has set into motion in this whole Universe to run in an orderly fashion, and told us how to cooperate with the way He has designed this Earth to operate. He did not leave anything to Chance: He decided all the parameters and set into play all the operations of how this world is to run. And He wants us to follow His Manufacturer's Instructions in obeying all the rules, all the principles that are open for us all to see and learn. Then we will enjoy all the blessings, all the bounty this Earth can give us.
And He also told us what the consequences would be if we disobey, if we try to make our own decisions against how He made things to run. When we ignore Him and His ways, we encounter troubles, trials and griefs; we find that violence increases and freedoms are denied; we see both our Nations and our personal lives and families destroyed. Just like He said would happen.
Even when the World happens on His principles by accident and follow them, they reap the same bounty of this Earth. That's how He designed it. So it is our choice. We can consult the Owner's Manual to discern the "right" way to do things, or we can consider ourselves smart enough to decide for ourselves instead, and suffer the consequences.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, June 18, 2016
God's Principle Of The Tithe
Nehemiah 10:37, 38
...The Levites are they who receive the tithes in all the rural towns.
...And the Levites shall bring up the tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse.
God gave His laws and commandments and rules to His people so they could be an example to the rest of the world of how cooperating with the way God made this world to operate will bring its benefits and its bounty to them. All through the whole Bible we learn that to follow God's ways will bring us the blessings of the Lord.
Here we see the principle of the tithe. The people pay their tithes on their income to the Levites who are local in all the rural towns, then the Levites pay their own tithes on this income to the Priests at the Temple. So everyone prospers when this is followed. My local church follows this principle: our members give our tithes to the church, and the church gives a tithe of this income back to God by financing other ministries and missions that serve one another and the world. And my church is prospering, even through these "hard times."
I can testify to my own experience. My family began to tithe when we were "poor," when I had to prioritize my bill-paying, deciding which bills I could put off and how much I could pay on others. I knew that we couldn't "afford" to tithe, so I took God's share out first, then prioritized the rest as per usual. After a while I noticed that I didn't need to prioritize my bills any longer, as I was paying them each week. We didn't have any increase in income, nor any reduction in our bills, but God "stretched" the 90% to cover more than what the 100% was covering before we were tithing! I still don't know how He did it, but I've been thankful ever since, and God did prosper my family through the years and decades. And I still trust Him to meet all my needs, as I need.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
...The Levites are they who receive the tithes in all the rural towns.
...And the Levites shall bring up the tenth of the tithes to the house of our God, to the chambers of the storehouse.
God gave His laws and commandments and rules to His people so they could be an example to the rest of the world of how cooperating with the way God made this world to operate will bring its benefits and its bounty to them. All through the whole Bible we learn that to follow God's ways will bring us the blessings of the Lord.
Here we see the principle of the tithe. The people pay their tithes on their income to the Levites who are local in all the rural towns, then the Levites pay their own tithes on this income to the Priests at the Temple. So everyone prospers when this is followed. My local church follows this principle: our members give our tithes to the church, and the church gives a tithe of this income back to God by financing other ministries and missions that serve one another and the world. And my church is prospering, even through these "hard times."
I can testify to my own experience. My family began to tithe when we were "poor," when I had to prioritize my bill-paying, deciding which bills I could put off and how much I could pay on others. I knew that we couldn't "afford" to tithe, so I took God's share out first, then prioritized the rest as per usual. After a while I noticed that I didn't need to prioritize my bills any longer, as I was paying them each week. We didn't have any increase in income, nor any reduction in our bills, but God "stretched" the 90% to cover more than what the 100% was covering before we were tithing! I still don't know how He did it, but I've been thankful ever since, and God did prosper my family through the years and decades. And I still trust Him to meet all my needs, as I need.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, June 17, 2016
Change My Attitude
Genesis 16:9
Then the Angel of the Lord said to her, "Return to your mistress and submit yourself to her authority."
God told Hagar to change her attitude. It was Hagar's negative attitude toward Sarai that caused Sarai's mistreatment of Hagar, that Hagar was running away from. As a purchased slave in that time and culture, Hagar knew that Sarai was her boss, and had the authority of life and death over her. Today we don't understand that, but Hagar did. It was not just dysfunction that she introduced into this family by her attitude, it could have been very dangerous to her, as well. But a key to healing relationships lay with the one who first decided to react negatively to family members. When Hagar changed her attitude and returned to Sarai and submitted to her authority over her, then the family was able to function again.
I need to always be careful to watch my own attitudes, and not automatically react to others negatively. I need to pause and remember to consider how my response will be received. I don't want to be the one to cause any family or friendship problems.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Then the Angel of the Lord said to her, "Return to your mistress and submit yourself to her authority."
God told Hagar to change her attitude. It was Hagar's negative attitude toward Sarai that caused Sarai's mistreatment of Hagar, that Hagar was running away from. As a purchased slave in that time and culture, Hagar knew that Sarai was her boss, and had the authority of life and death over her. Today we don't understand that, but Hagar did. It was not just dysfunction that she introduced into this family by her attitude, it could have been very dangerous to her, as well. But a key to healing relationships lay with the one who first decided to react negatively to family members. When Hagar changed her attitude and returned to Sarai and submitted to her authority over her, then the family was able to function again.
I need to always be careful to watch my own attitudes, and not automatically react to others negatively. I need to pause and remember to consider how my response will be received. I don't want to be the one to cause any family or friendship problems.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Set A Guard Over My Mouth, O Lord
Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
David was wise to ask God's help to control his words. So often the words we say are not helpful. We all need to pay attention to what we say, and not to spew forth whatever comes into our mind. We need to let God put a guard over our mouth, and consider how our words will be received by the hearer.
I remember praying on my way to my daughter's, because my attitude toward her was critical. So I asked God to give me His words, and keep me from speaking in a negative manner to her. And when I got there I heard myself complimenting her instead of criticizing her. It was all God and none of me.
God will always answer our prayers when prayed according to His will for us. And I need not be surprised when He does exactly what I asked Him to do, in me, for me and through me. And He will do the same for every one of His children.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
David was wise to ask God's help to control his words. So often the words we say are not helpful. We all need to pay attention to what we say, and not to spew forth whatever comes into our mind. We need to let God put a guard over our mouth, and consider how our words will be received by the hearer.
I remember praying on my way to my daughter's, because my attitude toward her was critical. So I asked God to give me His words, and keep me from speaking in a negative manner to her. And when I got there I heard myself complimenting her instead of criticizing her. It was all God and none of me.
God will always answer our prayers when prayed according to His will for us. And I need not be surprised when He does exactly what I asked Him to do, in me, for me and through me. And He will do the same for every one of His children.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Be Not Afraid Or Discouraged
II Chronicles 20:15
He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'"
Do not be afraid or discouraged --
Fear and discouragement are never from God. The most repeated commandment in the whole Bible is "Do not fear." Being afraid betrays a lack of trust in God, in His love and His provisions to release us from whatever armies are pursuing and attacking us.
The battle is not yours, but God's. --
We never need to fight on our own against the adversary. When we give God the credit due Him and praise Him, focusing on Him instead of the opposing army, then God works on our behalf to take away the danger (vs.21-23), and results in our gaining a benefit (vs. 24-26). It took them three days to gather up all the plunder!
God will always give us the victory over our enemies, forces much stronger and numerous than we could ever face on our own. Just trust Him to do it, believe He will, then stand back and watch Him work!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.'"
Do not be afraid or discouraged --
Fear and discouragement are never from God. The most repeated commandment in the whole Bible is "Do not fear." Being afraid betrays a lack of trust in God, in His love and His provisions to release us from whatever armies are pursuing and attacking us.
The battle is not yours, but God's. --
We never need to fight on our own against the adversary. When we give God the credit due Him and praise Him, focusing on Him instead of the opposing army, then God works on our behalf to take away the danger (vs.21-23), and results in our gaining a benefit (vs. 24-26). It took them three days to gather up all the plunder!
God will always give us the victory over our enemies, forces much stronger and numerous than we could ever face on our own. Just trust Him to do it, believe He will, then stand back and watch Him work!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Both To Will And To Work
Philippians 2:13
For it is God --
Not us, this is at His initiative, not ours.
Who is at work in you --
God is doing something inside us.
Both to will --
God puts the "want to" into our minds and emotions for us to desire what He wants for us.
And to work --
God also gives us the power, authority and ability to do the things He wants us to do, through His Spirit; things we could never accomplish on our own.
For His good pleasure. --
God is good, and how God planned and designed this Universe and this World to work is for our good. When He sees what He made operating well, that gives Him pleasure. When we do the things He planned for us to accomplish in His strength, then He is "having fun with His toy" (Big Boys have Big Toys), deriving pleasure, and we get the benefits.
Isn't it wonderful how God designed this Earth to function, and when we follow His rules for living, the result is beneficial to us here in this life; and God will even reward us eternally for doing what He enables us to do here. He is such a Good God!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For it is God --
Not us, this is at His initiative, not ours.
Who is at work in you --
God is doing something inside us.
Both to will --
God puts the "want to" into our minds and emotions for us to desire what He wants for us.
And to work --
God also gives us the power, authority and ability to do the things He wants us to do, through His Spirit; things we could never accomplish on our own.
For His good pleasure. --
God is good, and how God planned and designed this Universe and this World to work is for our good. When He sees what He made operating well, that gives Him pleasure. When we do the things He planned for us to accomplish in His strength, then He is "having fun with His toy" (Big Boys have Big Toys), deriving pleasure, and we get the benefits.
Isn't it wonderful how God designed this Earth to function, and when we follow His rules for living, the result is beneficial to us here in this life; and God will even reward us eternally for doing what He enables us to do here. He is such a Good God!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, June 13, 2016
To Live Is Christ
Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. --
Paul dedicated his whole life to the one, singular purpose of promoting and proclaiming Christ Jesus. He lived his life the way Jesus would have, in his shoes. So he could say, for him to live his life is Christ working through him, every moment of every day.
Could I say that about my own life?
And to die is to receive all the eternal rewards he had earned, but even more, to be with his Lord who he had loved and served and suffered on account of all his life. All would prove to be worth the great eternal gain of benefits that he will be enjoying forever.
O Father, turn my eyes to look upon You in all You are doing in me, through me, and all over this World. Let me rejoice in not only Your benefits here, but also in the sorrows and sufferings that accompany living here. I yearn for You, for You are my Source and my supply and my Sustainer. You are Life and Light, and with You are joys forevermore!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. --
Paul dedicated his whole life to the one, singular purpose of promoting and proclaiming Christ Jesus. He lived his life the way Jesus would have, in his shoes. So he could say, for him to live his life is Christ working through him, every moment of every day.
Could I say that about my own life?
And to die is to receive all the eternal rewards he had earned, but even more, to be with his Lord who he had loved and served and suffered on account of all his life. All would prove to be worth the great eternal gain of benefits that he will be enjoying forever.
O Father, turn my eyes to look upon You in all You are doing in me, through me, and all over this World. Let me rejoice in not only Your benefits here, but also in the sorrows and sufferings that accompany living here. I yearn for You, for You are my Source and my supply and my Sustainer. You are Life and Light, and with You are joys forevermore!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Changing Minds
Mark 5:1-20
This is the story of how Jesus healed the Demoniac who had a legion of demons. After He healed him, he was "sitting down, clothed and in his right mind," and it scared the people. We tend to be frightened by whatever we don't understand, so they asked Jesus to leave. But Jesus left the healed man there, instead of letting him follow Him; and he spread the news all over the Ten Cities region (Decapolis) of what Jesus had done for him.
Mark 7:31-37
The next time Jesus was in that region they accepted Him, and "were utterly astonished, saying 'He has done all things well.'"
Jesus never did stay where He wasn't wanted or forced Himself on anyone. When the people were too scared to listen to Him, He left; but He left there a witness, to soften up the hearts and sensibilities of these people. Then they didn't need to be frightened of Him any more and trusted Him to heal the deaf mute, and were extremely impressed.
When we tell our stories of how good God has been to us, we change their view of God from a "grumpy old Man" to the Truth of His beauty and compassion and gentleness and mercy and grace.
Then they will be able to listen to the Gospel, that Good News of how Jesus paid their eternal debt in full on the Cross, and rose from the dead to give us New Life.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
This is the story of how Jesus healed the Demoniac who had a legion of demons. After He healed him, he was "sitting down, clothed and in his right mind," and it scared the people. We tend to be frightened by whatever we don't understand, so they asked Jesus to leave. But Jesus left the healed man there, instead of letting him follow Him; and he spread the news all over the Ten Cities region (Decapolis) of what Jesus had done for him.
Mark 7:31-37
The next time Jesus was in that region they accepted Him, and "were utterly astonished, saying 'He has done all things well.'"
Jesus never did stay where He wasn't wanted or forced Himself on anyone. When the people were too scared to listen to Him, He left; but He left there a witness, to soften up the hearts and sensibilities of these people. Then they didn't need to be frightened of Him any more and trusted Him to heal the deaf mute, and were extremely impressed.
When we tell our stories of how good God has been to us, we change their view of God from a "grumpy old Man" to the Truth of His beauty and compassion and gentleness and mercy and grace.
Then they will be able to listen to the Gospel, that Good News of how Jesus paid their eternal debt in full on the Cross, and rose from the dead to give us New Life.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Make The Most Of Every Moment
I Peter 4:7-8
The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. --
Peter reminds us here that we haven't got much time left, so we need to make the most of each moment every day. To be in an attitude of prayer, practicing the presence of the Lord, as Brother Andrew wrote. And the over-arching atmosphere over all is love. Love keeps us aware of others' needs, others' sensibilities, how they will receive what we do and say. Then when they do or say, we can let it slide. Love smooths over and cushions all the rough places in our relationships, and, instead of taking offense, we will remember where they're coming from and not take it personally. I think this is key in my relationships.
O my Father, please teach me to love my loved ones with Your love; to let slide any offenses and be aware of whatever it is they need from me. Let me be Christ to them today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. --
Peter reminds us here that we haven't got much time left, so we need to make the most of each moment every day. To be in an attitude of prayer, practicing the presence of the Lord, as Brother Andrew wrote. And the over-arching atmosphere over all is love. Love keeps us aware of others' needs, others' sensibilities, how they will receive what we do and say. Then when they do or say, we can let it slide. Love smooths over and cushions all the rough places in our relationships, and, instead of taking offense, we will remember where they're coming from and not take it personally. I think this is key in my relationships.
O my Father, please teach me to love my loved ones with Your love; to let slide any offenses and be aware of whatever it is they need from me. Let me be Christ to them today.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, June 10, 2016
Endless Resources
Isaiah 40:27-31
Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"? --
Why do people think that they're invisible, life is not fair and nobody cares?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the Earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. --
You know you've been taught all about God, Who He is, what mighty, miraculous things He has done, and His eternal being. Remember Who He is.
He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. --
Whatever we lack, however we come up short, God will supply our need.
Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, --
Even the strongest and most virile athletes and warriors have a limit to their strength and stamina.
Yet they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, and they shall walk and not faint. --
Those who fully trust in the Lord will never run out of resources.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"? --
Why do people think that they're invisible, life is not fair and nobody cares?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the Earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. --
You know you've been taught all about God, Who He is, what mighty, miraculous things He has done, and His eternal being. Remember Who He is.
He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. --
Whatever we lack, however we come up short, God will supply our need.
Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, --
Even the strongest and most virile athletes and warriors have a limit to their strength and stamina.
Yet they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they will mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not grow weary, and they shall walk and not faint. --
Those who fully trust in the Lord will never run out of resources.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Word Study On "Faith"
Hebrews 4:1-16
(2) The word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. --
This is believing; conviction of the Truth revealed; fidelity, being faithful to and living according to the Truth.
(3) For we who have believed ... --
This comes from the same root word: to have faith, to entrust oneself into Christ's care.
(6) ... failed to enter because of disobedience. --
This is from a word that means "unpersuadable," so it means obstinate, rebellious, disobedient. So because they did not take to heart to believe the Truth of what their own eyes had seen to put their trust in God to have their own best in mind and follow His ways; instead they still thought they knew better, and refused to follow the "Manufacturer's Instructions," so they missed out on the blessings God wanted to give them.
(11) Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience. --
This is the same word that is in v.6. We need to hold fast, diligently, to the trust we have put into God and Christ Jesus. He never changes, so no matter what's going on down here, He's still on His Throne.
(14) Since then we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. --
This is two words: "homo," meaning the same; and "logos," an utterance: To say the same thing. So we are to rely so completely on Jesus because of Who He is, what He went through and experienced, and what He accomplished on the Cross on our behalf: What we have been taught by God in His Word.
(16) Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the Throne of Grace. ...
Our confidence is to be such a solid knowing of God, His character, His love, His faithfulness, His power to do everything He wants to do and His goodness to only want to do what would be good and beneficial for us; that we have boldness, out-spokenness, frankness, bluntness, speaking plainly and openly before God's Heavenly Throne itself.
To have the freedom of a little child to climb up onto his daddy's lap for a hug.
That is the "faith" we are to have. This chapter tells us that the benefits (the "rest") God has planned for His people before the world was created, has not yet been fully given; He still has benefits (rest) left for us today, too. We only need to trust Him completely to access it.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
(2) The word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. --
This is believing; conviction of the Truth revealed; fidelity, being faithful to and living according to the Truth.
(3) For we who have believed ... --
This comes from the same root word: to have faith, to entrust oneself into Christ's care.
(6) ... failed to enter because of disobedience. --
This is from a word that means "unpersuadable," so it means obstinate, rebellious, disobedient. So because they did not take to heart to believe the Truth of what their own eyes had seen to put their trust in God to have their own best in mind and follow His ways; instead they still thought they knew better, and refused to follow the "Manufacturer's Instructions," so they missed out on the blessings God wanted to give them.
(11) Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience. --
This is the same word that is in v.6. We need to hold fast, diligently, to the trust we have put into God and Christ Jesus. He never changes, so no matter what's going on down here, He's still on His Throne.
(14) Since then we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. --
This is two words: "homo," meaning the same; and "logos," an utterance: To say the same thing. So we are to rely so completely on Jesus because of Who He is, what He went through and experienced, and what He accomplished on the Cross on our behalf: What we have been taught by God in His Word.
(16) Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the Throne of Grace. ...
Our confidence is to be such a solid knowing of God, His character, His love, His faithfulness, His power to do everything He wants to do and His goodness to only want to do what would be good and beneficial for us; that we have boldness, out-spokenness, frankness, bluntness, speaking plainly and openly before God's Heavenly Throne itself.
To have the freedom of a little child to climb up onto his daddy's lap for a hug.
That is the "faith" we are to have. This chapter tells us that the benefits (the "rest") God has planned for His people before the world was created, has not yet been fully given; He still has benefits (rest) left for us today, too. We only need to trust Him completely to access it.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Hope For The Living
Ecclesiastes 9:4-6
Anyone who is among the living has hope --
Even my mother-in-law who had Alsheimers' became a Christian, realizing that Jesus took her place on the Cross. And God placed this memory of being saved directly into her long-term memories, because she had lost all her short-term memory capacity!
For the living know that they will die, --
So they can prepare for death.
but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, --
There's no second chance after death to earn any more than they already have in life.
and even their name is forgotten. --
Very few people's names are still known years, decades and centuries after their death.
Their love, their hate, and their jealousy have long since vanished; --
Vanished from this world, as their life has left this world.
Never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. --
Only while we live can we have an influence on what happens in this world. When we die, that opportunity ends. No one who is is dead--no saint, no ancestor--can any more have any part in Earthly happenings. They may be able to watch us (see Hebrews 12:1), but they can't do anything for us. It's all up to us now.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Anyone who is among the living has hope --
Even my mother-in-law who had Alsheimers' became a Christian, realizing that Jesus took her place on the Cross. And God placed this memory of being saved directly into her long-term memories, because she had lost all her short-term memory capacity!
For the living know that they will die, --
So they can prepare for death.
but the dead know nothing; they have no further reward, --
There's no second chance after death to earn any more than they already have in life.
and even their name is forgotten. --
Very few people's names are still known years, decades and centuries after their death.
Their love, their hate, and their jealousy have long since vanished; --
Vanished from this world, as their life has left this world.
Never again will they have a part in anything that happens under the sun. --
Only while we live can we have an influence on what happens in this world. When we die, that opportunity ends. No one who is is dead--no saint, no ancestor--can any more have any part in Earthly happenings. They may be able to watch us (see Hebrews 12:1), but they can't do anything for us. It's all up to us now.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
God Is Beautiful!
Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time....
God has put His beauty into everything He has made. I marvel at the beauty of the clouds, the trees, the water. Everywhere I go I see His beauty--in the mountains, in the desert, in the snow. I see Him in the stars and in the order He has put into all His works. I admire His faithfulness to His Truth, to keep the chaos from overcoming the order of the sun, the moon and the stars, and the seasons on this Earth until He has completed all His purposes for us. He is beautiful!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
He has made everything beautiful in its time....
God has put His beauty into everything He has made. I marvel at the beauty of the clouds, the trees, the water. Everywhere I go I see His beauty--in the mountains, in the desert, in the snow. I see Him in the stars and in the order He has put into all His works. I admire His faithfulness to His Truth, to keep the chaos from overcoming the order of the sun, the moon and the stars, and the seasons on this Earth until He has completed all His purposes for us. He is beautiful!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, June 6, 2016
The Spirit Of Life
Ecclesiastes 3:18-21, and 12:7
I also said to myself, "As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath (spirit of physical life); humans have no advantage over animals [in this respect]. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all came from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the Earth?"
And the dust returns to the ground it came from and the spirit returns to God Who gave it.
We see here that all living things have a spirit of physical life (breath) that leaves the body at death, leaving the body dead, to decay into the dust from which it was originally taken at Creation.
And we see that the spirit of Man returns to God Who gave it (when He breathed the breath of life into Adam, and Adam became a living being, Genesis 2:7). So we also see here that the spirit of life in the animal most likely returns to the Earth.
Solomon could not see past death, but he still, in his wisdom, came to the right conclusion.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I also said to myself, "As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath (spirit of physical life); humans have no advantage over animals [in this respect]. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all came from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the Earth?"
And the dust returns to the ground it came from and the spirit returns to God Who gave it.
We see here that all living things have a spirit of physical life (breath) that leaves the body at death, leaving the body dead, to decay into the dust from which it was originally taken at Creation.
And we see that the spirit of Man returns to God Who gave it (when He breathed the breath of life into Adam, and Adam became a living being, Genesis 2:7). So we also see here that the spirit of life in the animal most likely returns to the Earth.
Solomon could not see past death, but he still, in his wisdom, came to the right conclusion.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, June 5, 2016
The Fruits Of Our Labors
Ecclesiastes
Solomon, the wisest person who ever lived, the wisest king who ever reigned, wrote this book at the end of his life. All his life he watched and observed and studied every field of science and the humanities, and he recorded his findings here.
The key phrase in this book is, "under the sun" (16x). This refers to our life here on this Earth. In this world, no matter how great we are, or how much we accomplish, we will have to leave it all when we die. So it's all "chasing after the wind," or "toil[ing] for the wind" (4x).
So the best we can hope for in this World is to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labors (2:24, 3:12-13, 5:18-20, 8:15). This is a gift from God. I knew a man who worked hard every moment of every day of his life and built a beautiful home for his family and filled it with all kinds of lovely and interesting things. But he could never just sit down and enjoy the work he had done. God had not granted him this gift.
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Solomon, the wisest person who ever lived, the wisest king who ever reigned, wrote this book at the end of his life. All his life he watched and observed and studied every field of science and the humanities, and he recorded his findings here.
The key phrase in this book is, "under the sun" (16x). This refers to our life here on this Earth. In this world, no matter how great we are, or how much we accomplish, we will have to leave it all when we die. So it's all "chasing after the wind," or "toil[ing] for the wind" (4x).
So the best we can hope for in this World is to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labors (2:24, 3:12-13, 5:18-20, 8:15). This is a gift from God. I knew a man who worked hard every moment of every day of his life and built a beautiful home for his family and filled it with all kinds of lovely and interesting things. But he could never just sit down and enjoy the work he had done. God had not granted him this gift.
Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Why God Can Do All Things
Job 42:2
I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Lord God, Behold, You have made the heavens and the Earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You!
Luke 1:37
The Angel told Mary: For nothing will be impossible with God.
Mark 10:27
Looking upon them, Jesus said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
God is the Maker of everything that exists. He designed every atom and every molecule and assembled them in an orderly fashion into all the matter that is--animal, vegetable and mineral. And every element in the Periodic Table and every other element we don't know about yet.
As the Designer and Maker and Inventor of everything, He is the Owner, and can do whatever He wants with it. He is fully knowledgeable of all the inner workings of His Creation, and no part of it (like us or demons) can keep Him from fulfilling all He has planned for it--His purposes cannot be thwarted.
And because He is good and true and faithful, His order and beauty are evident everywhere.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Jeremiah 32:17
Ah, Lord God, Behold, You have made the heavens and the Earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You!
Luke 1:37
The Angel told Mary: For nothing will be impossible with God.
Mark 10:27
Looking upon them, Jesus said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."
God is the Maker of everything that exists. He designed every atom and every molecule and assembled them in an orderly fashion into all the matter that is--animal, vegetable and mineral. And every element in the Periodic Table and every other element we don't know about yet.
As the Designer and Maker and Inventor of everything, He is the Owner, and can do whatever He wants with it. He is fully knowledgeable of all the inner workings of His Creation, and no part of it (like us or demons) can keep Him from fulfilling all He has planned for it--His purposes cannot be thwarted.
And because He is good and true and faithful, His order and beauty are evident everywhere.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, June 3, 2016
A Time For Every Purpose
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
God has provided us time: for times and seasons to do everything and to accomplish every purpose in this world. What purpose or activity is not included in:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to search and a time to give up searching,
A time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
A time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace.
Anything not in this list is either to always be done (like to pray), or to never be done at all (like to lie and deceive one another). Life is a balance, and things in this world cycle: the generations of people, the sun, the wind, water, human knowledge (1:4-9).
I want to do what I can, when I can, to accomplish what I can, in the times God has given me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.
God has provided us time: for times and seasons to do everything and to accomplish every purpose in this world. What purpose or activity is not included in:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
A time to search and a time to give up searching,
A time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
A time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace.
Anything not in this list is either to always be done (like to pray), or to never be done at all (like to lie and deceive one another). Life is a balance, and things in this world cycle: the generations of people, the sun, the wind, water, human knowledge (1:4-9).
I want to do what I can, when I can, to accomplish what I can, in the times God has given me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, June 2, 2016
The Innermost Being
Psalm 51:6
Behold, thou dost desire truth in the innermost being.
Our own hearts deceive us, and we lie to ourselves. There will always, in this life, be dark pockets in our hearts where we don't want to go, desires and attitudes that we don't want to face. David knew this, and he asked God to:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, (v. 10)
to dispose of all the dark places hiding there.
(Vs. 16-17) For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
There is nothing we can do to turn God's favor toward us, even the most precious thing we have, the most expensive sacrifice, or the hardest thing for us to do.
In the New Testament we learn that:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This repeats what David said in the Old Testament, showing that God does not change.
For He is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (II Peter 3:9)
When we confess, agree with God of the sinfulness of our sins, and turn around our attitudes about it because we regret the evil and unrest and turmoil that comes from our disobedience to the ways God made this world to operate; then God will be faithful to His promise to forgive our sins we've just admitted, and just because Jesus has already paid our debt; and He will also cleanse us of all the rest of the unrighteousness in our hearts we're not aware of yet.
I want God's Truth to saturate my life, even down to the inmost part of my being. Then I will be able to face myself, and to avoid temptation, and to resist the devil in the power of the Holy Spirit, and to show forth in my life God's love for others. And He will receive all the credit, all the glory, because it's all His plan, His program, His purposes and His power.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Behold, thou dost desire truth in the innermost being.
Our own hearts deceive us, and we lie to ourselves. There will always, in this life, be dark pockets in our hearts where we don't want to go, desires and attitudes that we don't want to face. David knew this, and he asked God to:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, (v. 10)
to dispose of all the dark places hiding there.
(Vs. 16-17) For Thou dost not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; Thou art not pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
There is nothing we can do to turn God's favor toward us, even the most precious thing we have, the most expensive sacrifice, or the hardest thing for us to do.
In the New Testament we learn that:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This repeats what David said in the Old Testament, showing that God does not change.
For He is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (II Peter 3:9)
When we confess, agree with God of the sinfulness of our sins, and turn around our attitudes about it because we regret the evil and unrest and turmoil that comes from our disobedience to the ways God made this world to operate; then God will be faithful to His promise to forgive our sins we've just admitted, and just because Jesus has already paid our debt; and He will also cleanse us of all the rest of the unrighteousness in our hearts we're not aware of yet.
I want God's Truth to saturate my life, even down to the inmost part of my being. Then I will be able to face myself, and to avoid temptation, and to resist the devil in the power of the Holy Spirit, and to show forth in my life God's love for others. And He will receive all the credit, all the glory, because it's all His plan, His program, His purposes and His power.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
His Banner Over Me Is Love
The Song of Solomon 2:4, 2:16, 4:9, 6:3
His banner over me is love,
My Beloved is mine and I am His,
You have stolen My heart, My sister, My bride; you have stolen My heart with one glance of your eyes,
I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine.
This book tells us of the joys of marriage. It also illustrates how our God loves us. Israel is called God's wife, and the church is the Bride of Christ. He loves us passionately, as a bridegroom is enamored with his new bride.
God's heart goes out to us from that first repentant look toward Him to save us. Now we are His much loved wife and He has given us Himself, courting us into His love; and He belongs to us as we belong to Him: we are to be one with Him as He is one with the Father.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
His banner over me is love,
My Beloved is mine and I am His,
You have stolen My heart, My sister, My bride; you have stolen My heart with one glance of your eyes,
I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine.
This book tells us of the joys of marriage. It also illustrates how our God loves us. Israel is called God's wife, and the church is the Bride of Christ. He loves us passionately, as a bridegroom is enamored with his new bride.
God's heart goes out to us from that first repentant look toward Him to save us. Now we are His much loved wife and He has given us Himself, courting us into His love; and He belongs to us as we belong to Him: we are to be one with Him as He is one with the Father.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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