Romans 8: 35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Even as it is written, (Psalm 44:22) "Yet for your sake we face death all day long; We are considered sheep to be slaughtered." Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
"Tribulation" -- trouble, problems, bad news.
"Anguish" -- sorrow, mourning, loss.
"Persecution" -- slander, attacks, imprisonment.
"Famine" -- not getting enough to eat.
"Nakedness" -- not having adequate clothing.
"Peril" -- danger.
"Sword" -- war.
"Death" -- dying.
"Life" -- living it.
"Angels" -- spirit beings, demons.
"Principalities" -- spiritual authorities.
"Things present" -- what is now.
"Things to come" -- anything in the future.
"Powers" -- strength or ability.
"Height" -- even on Mars, should we go there.
"Depth" -- nothing in the deeps of the oceans, or in hell.
"Any other creature" -- anything else that was created, anything that exists.
Nothing we could ever do, nothing that anyone or anything could ever do to us, nothing that could ever happen to us, nothing that exists now or ever will exist, could ever cause God's love for us to ever be less than His "agape" love He showers on us abundantly every moment of every day, that Jesus, God's Christ and our Lord, has demonstrated by His birth, death, and resurrection for us. We are secure!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Preparation For What He Has Planned
Exodus 2:9
Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me and I shall give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him.
Wow, Moses' own mother could have him back as a child, and was even paid, to care for and teach him about his own heritage as a Hebrew of the Tribe of Levi, and their God Who chose his ancestor Abraham. That's why, when he became an adult, Moses knew who he was: That he was adopted out of the Hebrew Nation into Pharaoh's family to be educated in all the learning of the Egyptians to be the next Pharaoh.
God took care of Moses, and prepared him with education, pomp and circumstance, and also with quiet pastoral training on the "far side of the desert." God knew the plans He had for Moses, and took His time in preparing him very meticulously for the role He had for him.
I don't ever want to complain about God's taking His time with me, either. I know He is preparing me for the eventual role He has planned for me. Just as Moses didn't know how his role would pan out until He actually led Israel from their slavery in Egypt; so I don't know how my life will flow when God deems me ready to live out and accomplish the plans He has for me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Then Pharaoh's daughter said to her, "Take this child away and nurse him for me and I shall give you your wages." So the woman took the child and nursed him.
Wow, Moses' own mother could have him back as a child, and was even paid, to care for and teach him about his own heritage as a Hebrew of the Tribe of Levi, and their God Who chose his ancestor Abraham. That's why, when he became an adult, Moses knew who he was: That he was adopted out of the Hebrew Nation into Pharaoh's family to be educated in all the learning of the Egyptians to be the next Pharaoh.
God took care of Moses, and prepared him with education, pomp and circumstance, and also with quiet pastoral training on the "far side of the desert." God knew the plans He had for Moses, and took His time in preparing him very meticulously for the role He had for him.
I don't ever want to complain about God's taking His time with me, either. I know He is preparing me for the eventual role He has planned for me. Just as Moses didn't know how his role would pan out until He actually led Israel from their slavery in Egypt; so I don't know how my life will flow when God deems me ready to live out and accomplish the plans He has for me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, January 16, 2017
His Government
Isaiah 9: 7
There will be no end to the increase of His government . . .
God's Kingdom, His government, is where He rules. Today He rules in our hearts, His Kingdom is within us.
When Jesus returns, He will set up His rule over the whole world, He will exercise His authority as King of the World.
When this Earth is no more, He will make a New Heaven and a New Earth, and we will reign with Him as His kings and queens. And His Kingdom will include the whole Universe.
That is as far as we are told. But even that is not the end--the increase of His Government will never end! What wonders await us then, and forever more?
I want to spend my life in this age preparing for this glorious future God has planned for me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
There will be no end to the increase of His government . . .
God's Kingdom, His government, is where He rules. Today He rules in our hearts, His Kingdom is within us.
When Jesus returns, He will set up His rule over the whole world, He will exercise His authority as King of the World.
When this Earth is no more, He will make a New Heaven and a New Earth, and we will reign with Him as His kings and queens. And His Kingdom will include the whole Universe.
That is as far as we are told. But even that is not the end--the increase of His Government will never end! What wonders await us then, and forever more?
I want to spend my life in this age preparing for this glorious future God has planned for me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, January 15, 2017
Life-Style And Godliness
II Timothy 2: 4-7
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday (civilian) life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Paul gives Timothy three very different and varied examples of life-styles: The Soldier, The Athlete, and The Farmer; demonstrating that the attitudes of graciousness, sound doctrine, obedience to the rules and patience, as well as discipline, self-control and perseverance under hardship, are all applicable to every life-style and mode of living.
The Fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23 do not discriminate as to path of life. No matter if we live an active or sedentary life, whether our talents bring us into the arena or the library, the halls of government or the halls of academia, we are all to pursue sound Doctrine, obedience to that Doctrine, and always put God first.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday (civilian) life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Paul gives Timothy three very different and varied examples of life-styles: The Soldier, The Athlete, and The Farmer; demonstrating that the attitudes of graciousness, sound doctrine, obedience to the rules and patience, as well as discipline, self-control and perseverance under hardship, are all applicable to every life-style and mode of living.
The Fruit of the Spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:22-23 do not discriminate as to path of life. No matter if we live an active or sedentary life, whether our talents bring us into the arena or the library, the halls of government or the halls of academia, we are all to pursue sound Doctrine, obedience to that Doctrine, and always put God first.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, January 14, 2017
All Will Worship
Psalm 148: 13
Let all of these praise the Lord's Name
Because only God's Name is high over all.
Only God's majesty is over Earth and Heaven.
"All these" are what verses 1 through 12 have been listing.
All in Heaven: His angelic messengers, His angelic military forces;
all that are in the Heaven of Space--all the stars, sun, moon, waters above the sky.
From the Earth: Sea monsters, ocean depths;
Weather: Fire, hail, snow, smoke, stormy wind that obeys Him.
All the geography: Mountains, hills, trees; all the animals; wild and tame and what creep along the ground and fly in the sky.
And all the people: from the Kings, princes and rulers down to the common who are old and young.
"All these," all of Creation, will one day "praise the Lord's Name." Most of these already bring glory to our Maker, by obediently doing what they were made to do. Only demons and Mankind choose to rebel against God's good rules for living in this age.
But when Jesus returns, all of the whole Creation--including Angelic beings who sinned and all of Mankind who refused God's offer of Salvation--will bend the knee and worship and praise Him Who is High over All, Whose Majesty is over Earth and Heaven. (See also Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11; and Philippians 2:10-11.)
Are you now "bending the knee" and acknowledging that Jesus is Lord, the Lord God of the Old Testament, Who is the Creator and Lawgiver, and the Sacrificial Lamb of God Who took our place in Death so He could give us His Life, and will return soon to this Earth as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the King of the World? Or are you waiting for His return, to be compelled to admit the Truth of Who Jesus is and what He has done?
He is either your Savior or He will be your Judge, your choice. My prayer is if you have yet to choose to seek His Truth, and been led to acknowledge that He took Your place on the Cross, then may you now make this decision, no matter what you think it may cost you. Nothing is equal to the wonder and joy of knowing Him (not just knowing about Him). I will enjoy being the first to welcome you into God's own Family, after the Angels' party for you in Heaven.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Let all of these praise the Lord's Name
Because only God's Name is high over all.
Only God's majesty is over Earth and Heaven.
"All these" are what verses 1 through 12 have been listing.
All in Heaven: His angelic messengers, His angelic military forces;
all that are in the Heaven of Space--all the stars, sun, moon, waters above the sky.
From the Earth: Sea monsters, ocean depths;
Weather: Fire, hail, snow, smoke, stormy wind that obeys Him.
All the geography: Mountains, hills, trees; all the animals; wild and tame and what creep along the ground and fly in the sky.
And all the people: from the Kings, princes and rulers down to the common who are old and young.
"All these," all of Creation, will one day "praise the Lord's Name." Most of these already bring glory to our Maker, by obediently doing what they were made to do. Only demons and Mankind choose to rebel against God's good rules for living in this age.
But when Jesus returns, all of the whole Creation--including Angelic beings who sinned and all of Mankind who refused God's offer of Salvation--will bend the knee and worship and praise Him Who is High over All, Whose Majesty is over Earth and Heaven. (See also Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11; and Philippians 2:10-11.)
Are you now "bending the knee" and acknowledging that Jesus is Lord, the Lord God of the Old Testament, Who is the Creator and Lawgiver, and the Sacrificial Lamb of God Who took our place in Death so He could give us His Life, and will return soon to this Earth as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah and the King of the World? Or are you waiting for His return, to be compelled to admit the Truth of Who Jesus is and what He has done?
He is either your Savior or He will be your Judge, your choice. My prayer is if you have yet to choose to seek His Truth, and been led to acknowledge that He took Your place on the Cross, then may you now make this decision, no matter what you think it may cost you. Nothing is equal to the wonder and joy of knowing Him (not just knowing about Him). I will enjoy being the first to welcome you into God's own Family, after the Angels' party for you in Heaven.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, January 13, 2017
God's Reputation
II Kings 19: 14
After Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it, he went up to the Lord's Temple and spread it out before the Lord.
God will always defend His own Name, His reputation. Hezekiah spread out before the Lord the whole letter, that equated the Lord God of Israel with all the idols that Sennacherib and his predecessors had conquered and destroyed. They did not realize that the Lord is the God Who created and sustains us all, and all those other gods, the idols, were not gods at all.
So God sent His prophet Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that He heard his prayer, and was answering in such a way that Sennacherib would go down and be destroyed in a humiliating way, revealing God's power and authority. Because God will always defend His own reputation.
I must always remember that God's reputation is the only one I need to be concerned for, not necessarily my own. My own reputation is only important in relation to God's, as my life is to reflect God's goodness and glory.
May my life be an accurate testimony of God's character, in what He has done in my life, and wants to do in other lives, also.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
After Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it, he went up to the Lord's Temple and spread it out before the Lord.
God will always defend His own Name, His reputation. Hezekiah spread out before the Lord the whole letter, that equated the Lord God of Israel with all the idols that Sennacherib and his predecessors had conquered and destroyed. They did not realize that the Lord is the God Who created and sustains us all, and all those other gods, the idols, were not gods at all.
So God sent His prophet Isaiah to tell Hezekiah that He heard his prayer, and was answering in such a way that Sennacherib would go down and be destroyed in a humiliating way, revealing God's power and authority. Because God will always defend His own reputation.
I must always remember that God's reputation is the only one I need to be concerned for, not necessarily my own. My own reputation is only important in relation to God's, as my life is to reflect God's goodness and glory.
May my life be an accurate testimony of God's character, in what He has done in my life, and wants to do in other lives, also.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, January 12, 2017
God's Thought List For Us
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, Here it is, dear family members; listen up now.
whatsoever is true, What conforms to the actual reality as God made it.
whatsoever is honorable, Principled, honest, ethical, noble.
whatever is right, Appropriate, proper, suitable, legitimate.
whatever is pure, Authentic, unadulterated, unmixed, genuine, clean.
whatever is lovely, Beautiful, charming, agreeable, graceful, pleasant.
whatever is of good repute, Good reputation, good character, moral, chaste modest.
if there is any excellence Greatness, perfection, good quality, virtue.
and if anything worthy of praise, Compliment, recognition, ovation, commendation, esteem.
let your mind dwell on these things.
This is God's "thought list" for us all. We are to focus on the positive, and let the negative fade into the background.
Will Durant said, "The mind is formed by what it takes in." Also, it is said, "You are what you eat." The food I eat is the building blocks of my body. My media consumption determines the state of my mind and heart.
What would change if I filtered my reading and watching through this list: is it true? honorable? right? pure? lovely? Does it have a good reputation? Is it excellent? worthy of praise?
If not, then why would I want to waste my time on it?
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Finally, brethren, Here it is, dear family members; listen up now.
whatsoever is true, What conforms to the actual reality as God made it.
whatsoever is honorable, Principled, honest, ethical, noble.
whatever is right, Appropriate, proper, suitable, legitimate.
whatever is pure, Authentic, unadulterated, unmixed, genuine, clean.
whatever is lovely, Beautiful, charming, agreeable, graceful, pleasant.
whatever is of good repute, Good reputation, good character, moral, chaste modest.
if there is any excellence Greatness, perfection, good quality, virtue.
and if anything worthy of praise, Compliment, recognition, ovation, commendation, esteem.
let your mind dwell on these things.
This is God's "thought list" for us all. We are to focus on the positive, and let the negative fade into the background.
Will Durant said, "The mind is formed by what it takes in." Also, it is said, "You are what you eat." The food I eat is the building blocks of my body. My media consumption determines the state of my mind and heart.
What would change if I filtered my reading and watching through this list: is it true? honorable? right? pure? lovely? Does it have a good reputation? Is it excellent? worthy of praise?
If not, then why would I want to waste my time on it?
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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