Romans 15:4 "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."
15 Now I want to make clear for you, brothers and sisters, the gospel I preached to you, which you received, on which you have taken your stand 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold to the message I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. 6 Then he appeared to over five hundred brothers and sisters at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one born at the wrong time,[a] he also appeared to me.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, so we proclaim and so you have believed.
Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
The Great Mystery of Faith …
Christ Has Died, Christ Is Risen, Christ Will Come Again!
That is our statement of faith—that Jesus Christ died for our salvation, Christ rose from the dead, and Christ will return again in glory.
Questions surrounding death and dying have faced mankind ever since the fall:
“What will happen when I die?
Will I go somewhere when I die, or is this it?
Is there any significance to my life?
What does it all mean?”
All of God’s Scripture is timelessly relevant, and it provides answers to these questions.
Paul, for example, addresses the issues of resurrection and eternal life in 1 Corinthians 15. Without the resurrection, he says, our faith would be in vain.
Our salvation would be false, for we would still be living in sin.
Death would prove to be stronger than God. Jesus’ claims would be untrue: He would not be Lord, and He would not be returning.
History would have no goal or purpose, and the human race would be going nowhere.
Since that’s the “reality” in which unbelievers live, it’s no wonder there is so much angst in our world!
But the Christian can say, “Hey, not so fast! Don’t say history is going nowhere and all is meaningless! Consider the resurrection.” We believe Christ rose from the dead and promises each of His followers full resurrection—not a resurrection only of soul but one of body and soul(1 Corinthians 15:42-49).
Paul speaks of the death, resurrection of Christ as being “of first importance” in the gospel message (v. 3). The proclamation that Jesus died for our sins, was raised on the third day, and appeared in the flesh to the apostles and disciples was the foundation of everything Paul taught (vv. 3–7).
Even though it was something that happened in history, this was more than just a summary of historical facts. Paul says this is the message that we must stand upon, hold to firmly, and by which we are saved (vv. 1–2).
It is the only message that can actually save us because it calls us to believe in the One who has died for our sins and rose again.
Paul preached this gospel of resurrection both as something he had “received” and as a fact that he had witnessed.
Both are important.
The gospel that Paul proclaimed was handed down to him, not by the other apostles but by revelation from Christ (Galatians 1:12).
Although Paul spoke of it as “my gospel,” it is really Christ’s gospel (see Rom. 2:16; 16:25; 2 Tim. 2:8).
Paul also encountered the living Christ who called him to be His special messenger or apostle (vv. 9–11). We do not believe in fables but in something that is a matter of history and revelation. Christ is risen. He is risen indeed!
Go Deeper
John Locke, 18th-century British philosopher, wrote of Christ’s resurrection that it is “truly of great importance in Christianity; so great, that his being, or not being the Messiah, stands or falls with it.”[1]
1“A Second Vindication of the Reasonableness of Christianity” in The Works of John Locke, in Nine Volumes (Rivington, 1824), 6:341-42.
It is the resurrection that proves that Jesus is who Scripture claims He is, the resurrection that seals our salvation, and the resurrection that transforms our lives.
You can visit the burial sites of Buddha’s ashes, Muhammad’s body, and Gandhi’s urn, but the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth is an empty one.
Belief in the resurrection is the narrow gate through which we enter, and it’s the only one that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).
All our hope hangs on this fact: Jesus is alive!
Because of this hope, we can say that this life is not all there is; it is simply the appetizer, the first course.
Shadows fall on our greatest successes on this earth.
We lose loved ones.
We’re confronted by sin.
Even our best days leave us longing for something more.
But the fact is that we are only preparing for a day yet to come, when these former things will pass away and the new, resurrected kingdom will come.
The resurrection of Jesus is what gives purpose to all you do today, and comfort in all your trials, and hope for all your tomorrows.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Praying …
Psalm 16 Complete Jewish Bible
16 (0) Mikhtam. By David:
(1) Protect me, God, for you are my refuge. 2 I said to Adonai, “You are my Lord; I have nothing good outside of you.” 3 The holy people in the land are the ones who are worthy of honor; all my pleasure is in them.
4 Those who run after another god multiply their sorrows; To such gods I will not offer drink offerings of blood or take their names on my lips.
5 Adonai, my assigned portion, my cup: you safeguard my share. 6 Pleasant places were measured out for me; I am content with my heritage.
7 I bless Adonai, my counselor; at night my inmost being instructs me. 8 I always set Adonai before me; with him at my right hand, I can never be moved; 9 so my heart is glad, my glory rejoices, and my body too rests in safety; 10 for you will not abandon me to Sh’ol, you will not let your faithful one see the Abyss. 11 You make me know the path of life; in your presence is unbounded joy, in your right hand eternal delight.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
In Mark 8:38, after sharply rebuking Peter, Jesus speaks directly about the cost of being ashamed of Him. He warns those in listening distance that if we deny Him, if we are embarrassed by Him in this life, we will face denial in eternity.
Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, knowing that he would be crucified there. And Peter had rebuked him, earning Jesus’ harsh reprimand: “Get behind me, Satan!” (Mark 8:31-33).
Now Jesus had gathered a crowd along with his disciples, and he challenged everyone to self-denial, to “take up their cross” and follow him.
For to have full life, he explained, we need to give our whole life to God. This means not simply letting go of all we’re tempted to hold on to, but also giving over 100% oneself cheerfully to others and for others in our gratitude to God.
I read about a French soldier who was so seriously wounded in World War I that his left arm had to be amputated. The surgeon was utterly grieved that this young man would have to go through the rest of his life maimed.
He wanted to break the news personally, so he made sure to be at the man’s bedside when he awoke.
“I’m so sorry,” the doctor said, “but you’ve lost your arm.” The soldier’s response was startling: “I did not lose my arm, doctor; I gave it for France.”
A Bold Unashamed Faith in the Gospel – in a Broken World
Today, we are focusing on a powerful and, quite frankly, sobering verse in Mark’s gospel. Jesus speaks directly about the cost of being ashamed of Him.
He warns that if we deny Him in this life, we will face denial in eternity.
This is a call to live a life that’s bold, unwavering, and unashamed of our Savior.
Together, we will explore what it means to stand for Christ in a world that often stands against Him.
1. Understanding the Call:
Being Unashamed of Christ and His Message (Mark 8:38)
In Mark 8:38, Jesus says, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
The Greek word used here for “ashamed” (epaischynomai) means to experience a sense of shame or embarrassment.
Jesus places this warning in the context of the “adulterous and sinful” days—meaning times filled with rampant spiritual unfaithfulness and sin.
Jesus is calling us to a life that’s different from the world, one where we openly live our faith and share His truth without embarrassment or fear.
This is echoed in Romans 1:16 (NLT), where Paul boldly declares,
“For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.” Here, Paul reminds us that the gospel is mightily transformative; it’s not something to hide but something to proclaim.
Think of a tall lighthouse that stands tall against the crashing waves, its light shining for for miles around for all to see. Like that lighthouse, we are meant to brightly shine, not to be hidden or ashamed, regardless of the pressure we face.
“We are not called to blend in but to stand out for Christ. When we understand the power of the gospel, there is no room for embarrassment.” – Rev. Francis Chan
2. The Consequences of Denying Christ (Mark 8:38; Matthew 10:33)
The second part of Mark 8:38 is challenging: “…the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Jesus is referring to His second coming, where He will return as Judge.
He warns that if we are ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of us on that day.
This parallels Matthew 10:33(NLT), “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.”
The warning is crystal clear:
our relationship with Christ should be public and vocal and steadfast.
Mark 4:21-25 New King James Version
Light Under a Basket
21 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? 22 For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
24 Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. 25 For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
If we reject or hide Him now, we risk being separated from Him for eternity.
This is not a call to perfection but to commitment—to live as His followers, even when it’s challenging.
If there are areas in your life where you’ve been reluctant to share your faith or to live boldly for Christ, now is the time to seek courage.
Pray for strength to be a witness. Embrace every opportunity to reflect Christ in your actions and words.
Imagine standing before a crowd and being asked, “Are you with Him?”
In that moment, our answer reflects where our hearts truly lie—are we proud to stand with our Savior, or are we too ashamed, too fearful to proclaim His name?
“To deny Jesus with our words or actions is to deny the One who gave His life for us. We must choose daily to stand for Him.” – David Platt
3. Living Boldly in a World Opposed to Christ (Romans 12:2; Philippians 1:27)
Living unashamed means standing out. Romans 12:2 (NLT) reminds us, “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.”
As believers, we’re called to be different—not conformed to the world but transformed by the Word.
Philippians 1:27 (NLT) tells us, “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.”
Our citizenship is not of this world, and our lives should reflect our heavenly home.
As ambassadors for Christ, we have the privilege and responsibility of representing Him.
This boldness isn’t just about words; it’s about how we live.
It’s showing integrity when no one else is.
It’s choosing love when the world chooses hate.
Living unashamed of Christ is as much about actions as it is about proclamations.
Think about soldiers who represent their nation.
They stand tall and proud, bearing their country’s emblem with honour. As Christians, we bear the name of Christ—let’s wear it with courage and integrity.
“Faith is not believing in spite of evidence; it is obeying in spite of consequence.” – Dr. John MacArthur
Conclusion: The Reward of a Life Lived Unashamed
Jesus doesn’t call us to a safe or easy faith but a courageous one.
Mark 8:38 reminds us of the weight and beauty of this call—to live unashamed for Him, knowing that one day soon, we will stand before Him. The rewards of faithful obedience far outweigh any worldly consequence.
Call to Action:
Let’s commit to living boldly, embracing the gospel in every area of our lives. Let’s share it openly, love without fear, and live unashamed of our Savior.
Invitation:
If you haven’t yet placed your faith in Jesus, today is the day to start. He invites you into a relationship that is eternal and unbreakable.
Accept Him as your Lord and Savior, live a life marked by His courage and love.
In the Name of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Let’s Pray,
Psalm 119:105-112 Authorized (King James) Version
נ Nun
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. 107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word. 108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments. 109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. 111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
22 Now, compelled by the Spirit, I’m going to Jerusalem. I don’t know what will happen to me there. 23 What I do know is that the Holy Spirit testifies to me from city to city that prisons and troubles await me. 24 But nothing, not even my life, is more important than my completing my mission. This is nothing other than the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus: to testify about the good news of God’s grace.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Compelled to Count My Life as Nothing?
Acts 20:24 Amplified Bible
24 But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life].
What an incredible 180 degree we are witnessing with Paul!
Earlier in Acts 9, Luke wrote that a young Pharisee named Saul had made it his only life’s mission to utterly eradicate all those who believed in Jesus as God.
Now, here in Acts 20:22-24 we read where he now counts his only life mission to be his freely going into harm’s way – not to arrest anyone, but, at all costs, up to and including his own arrest, even his own death, to be a faithful and true and overly joyful minister and preacher and a teacher of the Gospel of Christ.
As many times as I have studied this passage, for the first time I find myself as being in genuine awe of Paul’s transformation – 180 degree change is awesome.
Have you thought about what can hold people back from a deep sense of awe?
We could answer that question in a general way by saying that sin is what keeps us from enjoying a deeply compelling , full life of ministry and mission with God. But have you also wondered about how compelling, how subtle sin can be?
Sometimes we don’t realize how much our sinful tendencies can deceive us.
For example, I’ve noticed one thing that has a strong hold on many, many people, myself included: individualism. If you live in the West, you know that this frequently shows up in a phrase like “Do whatever makes you happy.”
I’m all for being happy, but what happens when that “happy” is taken too far?
We end up putting ourselves first in everything we do.
One of the hardest addictions to recover from is the selfie life.
Paul taught that he counted his life as nothing in comparison to what he had gained by following Jesus.
His deep sense of awe was grounded in setting aside his own plans, dreams, and desires so he could devote 100% of himself to God’s greater purpose for his life.
Paul was not consumed with creature comforts or conveniences, and he found contentment in focusing on the life Jesus had in store for him.
The greatest battle we might be drawn into fighting in developing, maturing our faith can be against holding back from giving Jesus everything in our life.
For Paul, this was not masochism—some strange hatred of happiness, health, or physical life.
So what, then, did Paul mean by declaring his life valueless? Simply this: that he did not regard his life as so precious a possession as to be held on to at all costs.
People will too often say, “Well, as long as you’ve got your health, that’s all that matters!”
But that is not all that matters! Our bodies are passing away.
We’re crumbling even as we live and breathe.
We may have our health today, but a day will come when we do or will not.
Unless we’re able to say with Paul, “To live is Christ,” we cannot legitimately affirm with him, “and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
The only way that death can be gain is if Christ is everything.
And if Christ is everything, as Paul says He is, then we can declare with him,
My life is not ultimate. I don’t need to protect it as the most precious thing I have. I want to spend it for the most precious person I know.
What mattered most to Paul was that he finished his life trusting Christ and carried out to the best of his abilities the ministry Christ had given him.
He felt a compelling resolve to complete the task of testifying to “the gospel of the grace of God” everywhere he could reach.
There’s a God sized task!
There’s a God sized purpose, significance, an agenda, a God sized calling!
And this is a task that has been entrusted to all of us—the Great Commission to let everyone we meet to learn, to know the good news of God’s amazing grace.
In today’s context, how are any of us, like Paul, to live a life of urgency so that you might keep going until the end?
You must run your race with all your might, with the finish line in view.
Don’t look for an opportunity to bow out or slow down before the final lap is over. Run with all of your strength and run right through the tape, gripped by Christ’s compelling love, energized by God’s Spirit, and guided by God’s word.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Praying,
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
3 I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. 4 I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy. 5 I’m glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry of the gospel from the time you first believed it until now. 6 I’m sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
I’ve often been reminded that the gospel message is all about people being in community, people supporting each other in community, ministering to the people in community, partnering with people in community (Acts 2:43-47).
I have to agree, but only if it is first of all about three Persons: the triune God—God, the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Paul reveals that his own memory of Philippian believers leads him right back to their Creator, Savior, and Counselor.
The gospel begins with the Father, God for us. God revealed his loving character to Moses: “I have indeed seen the misery of my people … I have heard them crying out … and I am concerned … So I have come down to rescue them” (Exodus 3:7-8).
The Father then sent Jesus, God with us (John 3:16-17). Because he deeply loves his people, Jesus offers the invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
Today we receive God’s love through the Holy Spirit, God in us! The Bible asks, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?” Then the Bible also affirms for us, “You were all bought at a price. Therefore honor God” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
The Christian gospel reveals the unrelenting compassion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit toward all people.
Therefore, we can declare;
John 10:26-30 English Standard Version
26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,[a] is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
Therefore, we can ask, with Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us”? This God does not need explanation so much as he deserves our joyful adoration.
Therefore, we can dare to emphasize;
Romans 8:37-39 English Standard Version
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
How about partnering, being in mission and ministry with the churches in your neighborhood?
How about partnering, being in mission and ministry with the churches in your community?
How those prayers about partnering, being in mission and ministry with the new church plants, the struggling, smaller Churches in your communities?
In the name of God, the Father, and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 133 English Standard Version
When Brothers Dwell in Unity
A Song of Ascents. Of David.
133 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity![a] 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert[a] the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be [b]accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.
Call to Apostleship
11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Scroll through your host of social media feeds, and you will undoubtedly be bombarded by myriads and myriads of different voices, opinions, conclusions.
Some of those messages safely grounded in legitimately proven theories, are sourced from verifiable resources. Still, some of those messages are downright dangerous laced by half truth’s or no truth at all but they are written so cleverly that they are easily believed and in turn is accepted and then become the norm.
But a lie is still a lie no matter how it sounds, no matter how often it is granted the status of truth, no matter how clever, smart, intuitive, educated the teacher.
Now that we have the internet, the World Wide Net, the Dark Internet, the sheer volume of messages is far greater now than during the time of the early church, the consequence of listening, adhering, not verifying truth, remains the same.
With such a burden of weight of information, what are those authentic truths?
Sourced from the Word of God or sourced in the glib clever words of charlatans?
Paul doesn’t beat around the bush about this in his Galatian letter. Immediately following his greeting (vv. 1–5), he gives the main reason for this letter: it is his concern about the impending apostasy of these precious young churches (v. 6).
This is perhaps Paul’s most passionate and zealous letter. Since it was possibly also his first epistle, he may have still been learning to temper his emotions.
His shock and outrage almost leap off the page!
It was unfathomable to him these followers of Christ—with whom he had shared the true grace of God—were now being so easily drawn away by a “different gospel,” which was actually “no gospel at all” (v. 6).
Paul then points a finger at the source of the problem.
Some unnamed influencers had come to the region and were creating confusion by “perverting” the gospel (v. 6). While the English verb “pervert” means to alter the course or distort what was intended, the Greek verb is even stronger.
It describes the act of turning the subject into something completely different.
These meddlers were twisting, turning the gospel into something utterly false.
To underscore the severity of the situation, Paul even pronounces (twice!) a divine curse on anyone— himself and angels included—who would proclaim a different gospel (vv. 8–9).
The only true, authentic gospel was the good news of Jesus Christ, which Paul had preached to the Galatians from the beginning, and the only appropriate motivation for this gospel ministry was centered solely to please God alone.
Going Deeper
2 Timothy 2:14-19New King James Version
Approved and Disapproved Workers
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to [a]strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and [b]idle babblings, for they will [c]increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of [d]Christ depart from iniquity.”
Paul says here to study to show thyself approved unto God; we are to not just read God’s Word but we are to fellowship with it, study it, ponder it, asking the Lord to reveal the deeper truths, reveal the real living meaning into, unto, us.
I find myself to many times just reading and not mediating on the Word. If we are not careful we can unknowingly be put in a situation where someone asks us about something in God’s Word and we are unable to answer because we have not yet been studious enough, prayerful, and grasped the meaning in our heart.
This can put us to shame as a Christian. One of our greatest gifts to others is to be able show ourselves able to rightly divide God’s Word and pass it on to them.
Matthew 6:19-21 New King James Version
Lay Up Treasures in Heaven
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What we put our time into is what we will be knowledgeable about. For example I know people who are very knowledge about classic and collectible cars and movies especially old western and crime and detective (Perry Mason etcetera.)
They can tell you who starred as most of the characters of those movies.
They have invested their time into them and became knowledgeable in them.
Me, on the other hand know very little about them because even though I enjoy watching them I have not invested the same quantity of my own time in them.
On the other hand I can tell you things about writing these biblical devotions as I have written, best guess is well over 1600 of them, shared them over the globe.
As Christian we need to invest time in God’s Word as much as possible, study and mediate upon it so we are able to answer any person’s question about the Lord and Salvation through Him.
Don’t get me wrong; it is alright to love other things and be knowledgeable about them but our first priority should be to know God personally in our heart and to be knowledge in His Word. When we do this we will never be ashamed of the Word of God and God will always be able to use us to bring others to Him.
Proverbs 4:20-24 New King James Version
20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a [a]deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.
What “perverse lips,” “deceitful mouths” or “false gospels” vie for your attention and loyalty, contribute to your confusion, muddle up God’s Word?
How can we, with all diligence guard our heart and mind from those influences?
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 19 New King James Version
The Perfect Revelation of the Lord
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.
19 The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament[a] shows [b]His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their [c]line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has set a [d]tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. 6 Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, [e]converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the [f]honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of [g]great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [h]strength and my Redeemer.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice,19 for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[a]
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
MERRY CHRISTMAS … well, almost … Just a few more days till the celebration.
What if you heard that your former pastor is in prison, do you get concerned?
What happened?
Did he do something terrible or was he there to bring or take the Gospel to the prisoners that Christ may be preached even behind the foreboding prison walls?
The Philippians had heard that Paul was in a Roman prison, so Paul reassured them he was there because of his mission to share the good news about Jesus.
Does that mean I need to commit a crime that I may be a prisoner like Paul?
Once behind prison walls serving the length of my sentence to preach Jesus?
Even if it is this close to the celebration of Christmas and since I am not going anywhere any time soon and the guards are not just going to unlock the doors?
No, certainly not … because I certainly value my freedom and you should also.
And to that Paul added an encouragement: there is a higher purpose; the gospel was now being preached much as a result of his being a prisoner for Christ!
That was good news, but there was a flipside (isn’t there always a flipside?): some of those preachers had some very wrong, selfish motivations.
For some reason known but to God, they preached against Paul even as they preached the gospel. Maybe envy or personal gain drove them to try to turn the spotlight onto themselves. That wasn’t honest or minimally Christlike at all.
But how did Paul respond to that? “What does it matter?” he wrote. Really?!
Didn’t it bother him that some folks were preaching out of selfish ambition?
Apparently not.
Why?
Paul was head over heels in love with Jesus and the good news of salvation.
So if Christ was being preached and the message rang true, Hallelujah!
That jaw-dropping truth is a challenge for us all.
Do we love Jesus so much that we can let other concerns drop?
Even if we don’t like a certain preacher, are we excited enough about the gospel to rejoice that it is being shared anyway?
That’s a tough one. But by grace alone Paul achieved that mindset.
We can too.
Can’t we?!?
Philippians 1:18-19 Amplified Bible
18 What then [does it matter]? So long as in every way, whether in pretense [for self-promotion] or in all honesty [to spread the truth], Christ is being preached; and in this I rejoice.
Yes, and I will rejoice [later as well], 19 for I know [with confidence] that this will turn out for my deliverance and spiritual well-being, through your prayers and the [superabundant] supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ [which upholds me].
We may not like or approve of certain ways some Christian leaders, groups, organizations, and churches are proclaiming the Christmas story this year, yet we may want to take a step back and look at the whole picture.
Although it’s difficult to observe, as often we can see how some seem to have ulterior motives rather than being motivated by the beauty of God’s message.
Yet, still, they may be reaching out to those who may not have heard it before.
Even if we don’t like their tactics and methods, we want to recognize that God is able to save those who hear His truth despite how it is being presented to them.
It’s hard, too, for those of us who seek to handle God’s word with reverent fear and trembling and who understand the call and utmost importance of handling it correctly to see others seeming to deal carelessly with it.
2 Timothy 2:15 instructs, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”
Understanding God holds us accountable for the words we speak, write, and present to the world; we know He will also hold those responsible who are not so concerned in how they handle it.
Like Jesus warned in Matthew 12:36, we are to be cautious. “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
Praising God in the Midst of People’s Carelessness
Still, despite their careless handling of His word, God is able to save through it, and for this we want to be thankful and praise God—not for the people who are doing so with little regard for how they present His truth, but for how He is able to reach out in remarkable ways through the most haphazardly ways His truth is presented.
We want to keep in mind the most important thing is that Christ is preached at Christmas, and that involves a broad spectrum of how it is accomplished.
Like the Apostle Paul explained in Romans 10:14, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”
In the grand scheme of life, isn’t it better for those to hear Christ than not to hear Christ at all, even if it’s not done in a way or method we would present it?
God Has His Ways
Because God has His exclusive ways of speaking to individuals’ hearts, we don’t know how He might move a person’s heart in the most unexpected time and unlikely places when it seems like nothing good could come from the situation.
I have heard several people saying why they don’t, wont celebrate Christmas.
Still, in their argument, they quoted Scripture and actually told the Christmas story to those who were nearby listening while trying to make a point against it.
Thankfully, instead of attempting to shut the discussion down, God gave him insight and wisdom to recognize in their attempt to discredit the story of God’s Christmas gift, they were actually spreading the truth of it to those in the group who may never have heard it before – I doubt that was their original intentions.
Although the disgruntled shoppers didn’t realize it that afternoon, they were preaching Christ and possibly unknowingly through it, God was stirring hearts, warming, quickening spirits with the Gospel of His Christmas gift of Salvation.
Isaiah 55:8 describes how “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord.”
Intersecting Faith & Life:
If troubled by how the Christmas story is being presented and represented in your community of churches and in the world at large, pray for God to reach through all of the carelessness and move individuals’ hearts to receive Him.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray …
Psalm 84 English Standard Version
My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord
To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith.[a] A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
84 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.
3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.[b] 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.
8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah 9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed!
10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, in the likeness of ourselves; and let them rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, and over all the earth, and over every crawling creature that crawls on the earth.”
27 So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them: God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air and every living creature that crawls on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Here! Throughout the whole earth I am giving you as food every seed-bearing plant and every tree with seed-bearing fruit. 30 And to every wild animal, bird in the air and creature crawling on the earth, in which there is a living soul, I am giving as food every kind of green plant.” And that is how it was. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good. So there was evening, and there was morning, a sixth day.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
Good news begins right at the beginning. The good news found at the beginning of things in Genesis 1 is there is a God who makes and upholds all that there is, and that we humans, male, female, are made in the image of this amazing God.
We don’t look like God, of course, for God is Spirit—but this means, among other things, that we are God’s representatives. We are called to take care of all that God has made—and not just the creatures mentioned in these verses, but also the unfolding of all human history that follows, in all its deep complexity.
Amazing! Mere mortals are endowed by their Creator with the dignity and the honor of representing the infinite God, acting on God’s behalf to care for his creation with all its diverse infinite potential. We are God’s agents with a most prestigious, singularly unique job description – Stewards of Creation. And this leads us, with high joy, gratitude, to a profound sense of identity and calling.
This is good news for everyone, of course—but perhaps especially for people whose sense of identity and purpose are diminished, are uncertain, whose own ability to live creatively, joyfully and fully, completely and purposefully are held back because of poverty or anything else that hinders their participation in life.
Good news for the poor begins with a reminder that they all bear God’s image.
God has been reaching out since the beginning of time—desiring to live in a close relationship with all of humankind But because of our sin…because we have turned our backs on God and (in essence) told Him to butt out of our lives…we are separated from Him.
From the start, God has created a way for us to reconnect to Him by offering us salvation: an incredible gift of grace that comes through the life, death, and resurrection of His son, Jesus. And we receive this gift of grace the moment we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior—turning our lives over to Him completely.
Each and everyone of us comes to this decision differently because each and every one of us has a uniquely different experience…or path, journey to Jesus.
Even though each of our journeys is singularly unique, the Bible shows us that there are some key (and consistent) components every true follower of Jesus experiences.
Let’s look at those five key components…
STEP 1 – Hear the Gospel
As you may already know, the “gospel” literally means “good news.” The good news of the gospel begins with God, the Creator of everything. And He is holy…which means He is set apart from anything that is un-holy. And God is perfect (or whole), without any defect. And He is righteous…which means God always does what is right. And He is just. His justice is always fair.
So, because God is the Creator; Holy, Righteous, Perfect and Just, we have a problem. We who are human are none of those things. We are created by God (in his image), but — here’s the bad news — we are everyone of us, without any exceptions, fallen and broken and un-very holy…imperfect, unrighteous and unjust, learned PhD’s in sinning. Just as the Apostle Paul writes in Romans…
“What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. And just in case you thought you could try to be good enough to earn good standing with God.” – Romans chapter 3, verses 9-12
Exactly how many broken links (or sins) does it take to break the chain of our connection to God)? The answer: One. All it takes is one broken link or one sin to break our connection God. And all of us have sinned—at least once.
All of us, without exception have broken our connection to God. Another thing we might tell ourselves is, “If I really clean up my act…it will automatically be enough to connect me back to God.”
Once again, as Paul writes…
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23
So there it is. The Bad News.
But here’s the Good News. Here’s the gospel…
“But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished — he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.” –Romans 3:21-26
Sin separates us from God. And what is sin? The biblical definition of sin is actually an archery term meaning: missing the mark. We have all sinned or missed the mark of God’s perfection. And the punishment for this is death. Someone has to pay for these mistakes. We all know, deep in our hearts, what justice is. When a wrong has been committed, someone has to pay for it.
The Good News is that Jesus — the Incarnation or God in the Flesh — the one who never sinned or missed the mark, took our place and paid for our mistakes.
Jesus took on ALL our sin when he died on the cross.
The Apostle Paul put it this way…
“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 rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” – Romans 5:1-11
And that belief is so strong that you are “cut to the heart”.
You have that utter realization that the only way back to God is through Jesus.
This is the way some of the first people to hear the Good News felt…
“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’” – Acts 2:37
This “cutting to the heart” can only come from God.
Just as Jesus says here…
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” – John 6:44
Looking back over this, we Hear the Gospel, then Believe what we’ve heard and then we repent.
STEP 3 – Repent
“To “repent” literally means to “turn away”.
We must turn away from sin or turn our backs to sin…putting our backs to our old way of life. And when we turn from sin, we naturally turn towards God—doing a complete about face. As Jesus was spreading the Good News He said…
“The time has come,” (Jesus said). “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” – Mark 1:15
The next logical step to repenting from our old way of life, from our old life of sinning is to share this change in our hearts or to confess to some other people what’s happened.
STEP 4 – Confess
Confession or to confess simply means to say it out loud—to say what is true out loud and publicly recognize that: God is holy and perfect and you are not.
Confessing to other people means our speaking to our true belief that God has reconnected you back to Him through Jesus…because Jesus has taken your sin to the cross, and that you want to repent and so turn away from our sins and from our sinful past.
Paul says it best here…
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” – Romans 10:9-10
But from the beginning it needs to be clearly understood the journey isn’t over.
It continues and will continue on and on and on because this is all about becoming more like Jesus.
As we begin this new life as a follower of Jesus, we have this gift of the Holy Spirit…which is God’s Spirit literally living inside us…guiding us and prompting us to grow and become more and more like Him. More and more like Jesus. And we do this by following Jesus’ words found in the Bible—through Bible study.
And we do this by reminding ourselves we are living and acting as Jesus did.
Doing the things Jesus did, like loving others, caring for the “least of these.”
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 8 New American Standard Bible 1995
The Lord’s Glory and Man’s Dignity.
For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of David.
8 O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth, Who have [a]displayed Your splendor above the heavens! 2 From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established [b]strength Because of Your adversaries, To make the enemy and the revengeful cease.
3 When I [c]consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have [d]ordained; 4 What is man that You [e]take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a little lower than [f]God, And You crown him with glory and majesty! 6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, 7 All sheep and oxen, And also the [g]beasts of the field, 8 The birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, Whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
9 O Lord, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold [a]into bondage to sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. 17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. 19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.
The Word of God for the Children of God.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen, amen.
“Perhaps God brings us to the end of our resources so we can discover the vastness of His.”
Have you ever felt this way?
“At the end of your resources?”
Have you ever seen or watched a zealous, eager young Christian or older Christian desperately trying to do something for God and ending up after a while so completely discouraged and defeated that they just want to quit?
In fact, they probably do and are on the very brink of making that decision.
But that is a very hopeful stage.
Jesus said that those who are poor in spirit and have come to the end of their own resources are blessed (Matthew 5:3).
Why? That is the time when God can give you something.
When you have come to the end of your own resources, then he can give you his.
That is why the Old Covenant is,
“Nothing coming from God, everything coming from me, while the New Covenant is, Everything coming from God, nothing coming from me.”
You only have to look at yourself in the mirror for a relatively short period of time to see how much of your life is lived, invested into that Old Covenant.
You expect success by virtue of something resident in you: your ancestry, your training, your personality, character, your good looks or something like that.
This attitude produces the kind of person that reckons upon his own resources: that is they’ll keep repeating to self that “I’ve got what it takes, I can do that.”
Now they may be very modest in their language.
We learn all kinds of little subtle tricks to hide this kind of egoism.
We say, I have never really had any special training for that, but I have had some experience in it, and I will do my best.
Thus we are subtly saying to people, I have got what it takes.
Or we look at the demands, the specific problem, the situation we are asked to enter into or perform, and we say,
“I don’t have what it takes. I can’t do that. Don’t ask me to do a thing like that. I am just one of those select people that was behind the door when the gifts were passed out, and I just can’t do anything like that. I am not confident enough.”
But who are you looking at when you say something like that?
You are only looking at Yourself!
You are reckoning on your steadfast belief in your own un-resources but your eye is fixed on the same person, yourself.
So both responses are wrong.
One view focuses on our power, our abilities, our willingness, our experience, our over drive to succeed, while the other view focuses on our un-resources, our inabilities, our inexperience — but both fix the focus only upon ourselves.
Why can we not just Overcome Ourselves?
In his letter to the Roman church, the apostle Paul wrote,
“for what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate… For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” (Romans 7:15, Romans 7:19-20)
Sound familiar?
Like Paul, many Christians find themselves in a similar spiritual battle.
We want to do what is right but struggle to overcome our rebellious, sinful nature.
We fail, we falter, we do the very things we hate and know are wrong, and when we mess up, we can often grow weary, so disheartened and even overwhelmed.
We ask ourselves:
Why is following in the footsteps of Jesus so hard? Why do we do the things we know are wrong? Why do we continue to sin when we’re supposed to be redeemed, new creations in Christ Jesus?
Paul attempted to address these many questions, describing the battle between sin and righteousness, the all-important, life-changing power of God’s grace.
What Does ‘What I Want to Do I Do Not Do, but What I Hate I Do’ Mean?
Amazingly, even a Christian as mature as Paul understood that just because we love the Lord and delight in His ways (Isaiah 58:2), it does not mean that we are perfect or will always obey Him.
Paul went so far as to call himself the “chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) and a “wretched man” (Romans 7:24), recognizing though God’s way is spiritual, he was not (Romans 7:14).
Even redeemed, Christians make mistakes because we are at constant war with our old, sinful nature, which is continuously fighting to reclaim its true place of influence in our lives.
When we sin, our sinful intrudes again into our nature and climbs back into the driver’s seat, dumping us straight into the backseat, steering us away from God.
This is why Paul wrote,
“if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” (Romans 7:16-17)
And how do we know we have sinned and are being steered away from God?
God’s word, the Bible, which Paul refers to as the law of God (Romans 7:22).
The law of God is what exposes sin and shows us where we have fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
Unfortunately, when we examine our lives by this law, we see just how warped, cracked, and imperfect we still are (Romans 3:23).
And next to the law, no one is righteous, not even one (Romans 3:9-11).
This is why, in Romans 7, Paul places such prominence on the doctrine of grace.
Under grace, Paul argued, believers are free from the law’s condemnation.
This doesn’t mean that the law is useless or obsolete, or that Christians have the freedom to keep sinning and doing whatever they want (Galatians 5:13).
“the law may discover sin, and convince of sin, but it cannot conquer and subdue sin.” Forgiveness, redemption, and the power to actually overcome sin in one’s life can only come through the power and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, which is freely offered to those who come to Christ through faith (Hebrews 9:14).
As a man who desired holiness, Paul hated his many sins because he longed to be more like Christ.
His sin was a reminder that no amount of spiritual knowledge, willpower, or hard work can save a person.
Only God can transform and redeem a stubborn, rebellious heart, and only Christ can conquer sin in one’s life.
“Who will set me free from the body of this death?” Paul asked, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24-25)
Saved once and for all (Hebrews 10:10), we are each being transformed into the perfect, holy image of Christ over time.
How Can I Apply Romans 7:15 Today?
As Christians, our old, sinful nature likes to rear its ugly head and drag us down, hold us back, or keep us from the righteousness of God.
We will sin, make mistakes, fall down, sink, turn back, and otherwise surrender to our sinful nature because we are still works in progress (Ephesians 2:8-10), being changed, and transformed, and fashioned into the likeness of Jesus Christ each and every day (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Like Paul, we will often hate the things we do and regret the mistakes we make because we long to live lives that are holy and pleasing to God.
This longing reveals that the word of the God and Holy Spirit are alive and active, steering us towards God.
The beauty of God’s and grace, however, is that we are no longer judged or condemned for each and every sin or shortcoming.
We are no longer slaves to sin but new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17).
And though our salvation comes through Christ’s death and resurrection, the process of becoming more like Him, is ongoing.
So just remember, on your worst day, God’s grace is sufficient for you.
Your greatest victory has already been won.
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 New American Standard Bible 1995
Purpose of the Preacher
9 In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly.
11 The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like [a]well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the [b]writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.
13 The conclusion, when all has been heard,is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. 14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.
Today, and every moment of everyday, give yourself grace, take it easy, God is always at work in your life, slowly but purposefully making you more like Him.
So be kind to self, patient in His perfect process, and trust in His perfect timing.
His best for you is done, being done, and is still to come.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Let us Pray,
Psalm 13 New American Standard Bible 1995
Prayer for Help in Trouble.
For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
13 How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? 2 How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me?
3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, 4 And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken.
5 But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the Lord,because He has dealt bountifully with me.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
We return to the “Great Invitation” from Isaiah 55:1-3.Today, let us take a more considered and studious look at God’s own words in this passage. And perhaps at the end of the devotion, let’s even dare to ask Him to give us some measure of His own passion for the gospel that He has called us to proclaim.
Isaiah 55:1-3 AKJV
55 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.
The Word of God for the Children of God. In Excelsis Deo! Alleluia! Amen.
In the original language, it’s the Hebrew interjection—”Hoy!” And it’s a word that serves a whole lot of purposes in Scripture. In some places, it is used as a lamentation—that is, as the verbal expression of someone’s own sorrow over something: “Ah!” or “Alas!” In other places, it is used as a way of expressing sympathy or compassion over the sorrowful situation of someone else: “Woe!”
But sometimes—as in the case of our devotional passage today—it’s clearly meant to serve as a bold, attention-getting cry: something like, “Hey!”, or “Yo!”, or—as it is among some people groups even today—”Hoy!”
And let me suggest two other interesting things about this. First of all, think of that last, very practical function of this word—as an attention-getter.
Does not this let’s us undeniably know that God is not particularly shy about the gospel? He is not indifferent as to whether or not people hear it or receive it.
The gospel is a wonderful invitation from the living God to enter into eternal life; and without hesitation, He shouts it loudly, clearly! “Hey! Yo! Over here! Attention! I have something I want you to hear—something you truly need!”
And second, think of the emotion that’s loaded into this word. Some Hebrew scholars have suggested that we should also see God’s use of this word in this passage as expressing the full range of its undeniable emotional implications.
God “feels” great emotional pain and sorrow over the condition of those who have been separated from Him because of their sin—as if He cries out, “Alas!”.
He also knows the grievous eternal destiny that sin has put people into; and that unless by His grace they receive the redemption He has provided in Christ, they would be eternally lost and damned—as if He now also cries out, “Woe!”
And these things motivate Him to shout, in great boldness, so that they might hear what He has done to rescue them, and that they might heed His offer of salvation—as if He likewise also cries out, “Hey! Give Me your attention!”
The Bible tells us God is not willing that any lost man or woman perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). And so, He is deeply emotional about it! He is earnest about it. He is forceful about it! He is willing to be bold and loud in declaring it! He is compelling His spokesmen John the Baptist to about 700 plus years later verbally and physically point to Jesus and cry out, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).
And dear brothers and sisters of mine; how could you and I be indifferent over something which God Himself announces with a loud “Ho!”? I fervently pray; May our Creator God give US something of that earnestness with which He Himself proclaims the offer of Good News to this, OUR lost and dying world!
Another thing we see in this ‘gospel offer’ is . . .
2. GOD’S INCLUSIVENESS.
Look who God’s loud call is directed to—”Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters . . .” (v. 1). It doesn’t matter whether they are high in standing among men, or lower than the lowest of people. It doesn’t matter who they may be, where they may have come from, or even what they may have done in the past. The only requirement is that they are “thirsty” for the “waters” of spiritual refreshment that God offers to the parched soul. They—whoever they may be—are welcomed to come and drink.
Whenever I think of this invitation, I think of the story of Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. She came to draw physical water from a well; and Jesus sat by the well and asked her for a drink. She was surprised by this; because the Jewish people had no dealings with Samaritans like her. And yet, Jesus told her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water” (John 4:10). He went on to explain to her; (John 4:13-14 AMP)
13 Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. But the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water [satisfying his thirst for God] welling up [continually flowing, bubbling within him] to eternal life.”
What a wonderful thing!—”living water”!—”a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life”!
In another passage, Jesus stood before the people, cried out; (John 7:38 AMP)
38 He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’”
We’re told that “this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive” (John 7:39). And did you notice, in the passages we’ve just looked at, who may receive this water? “Whoever . . .” “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink!” “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters . . .”
What a gift of God’s grace such thirst is—to so thirst that you come to Him for the waters of spiritual refreshment! If anyone thirsts for the waters that God calls us to, it’s because God has graciously given them the spiritual thirst that longs to be quenched. And they—whoever they may be—are invited to come.
This is a gospel call that you and I should really be excited about! It’s the most inclusive invitation which could ever be given unto anyone and everyone—the invitation to take up the greatest offer that could ever be made, whoever it may be who hears it! May God give us more of His very own zeal in proclaiming it!
Here’s another aspect that we see in this ‘gospel call’ . . .
3. GOD’S GRACE.
God says, “And you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes come, buy wine and milk without money and without price” (v. 1).
Here, God shifts metaphors. It’s not just the waters of spiritual refreshment that He offers to the thirsty soul. Now, He offers good food to the spiritually hungry. He offers the invitation to come to a table, as it were, that is stocked with spiritual wine for joy and spiritual milk for the nourishment.
And it does not matter one tiny bit that the one hearing the invitation has no money. These things are offered to be taken “without money” and “without price” (or “without cost”). Those who have nothing to offer or to give in trade are still, forever more, without partisanship, invited to “come, buy and eat”.
But isn’t that still a strange thing to say to someone?—to come and “buy” what is without price when they themselves have not one dime to their names? How can you “buy” when you have no money? I suggest that we’re offered to come and “buy” what costs us nothing—not because there is no price, but because the price is already fully paid on our behalf by Another! As Jesus Himself said,
John 6:51 Amplified Bible
51 I am the Living Bread that came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread [believes in Me, accepts Me as Savior], he will live forever. And the Bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh (body).”
The most satisfying food which anyone can eat is that which God gives.
And it’s offered freely to those who can do nothing to buy it for themselves through their own works. Those who have “no money” are invited to “come, buy and eat” the most sumptuous fare—”without money and without price”.
It’s already been purchased for us by Jesus Himself; and it’s offered to us as an undeserved gift of God’s grace.
God is zealous about offering “wine and milk”, free of charge to the destitute souls of lost people around us, that He would pay the price for it with His own precious Son.
How then could we not be likewise zealous to proclaim this offer ourselves?
Notice also . . .
4. GOD’S COMPASSION (v. 2).
I believe that His heart breaks over the desperate confusion of lost men and women, who try vainly to fill the empty place in their souls with all the wrong things. As He offers good food to them free of charge, you get a sense of how His heart yearns that they take the offer. “Why do you spend money for what is not bread,” He asks; “and your wages for what does not satisfy?” (v. 2).
I believe God truly grieves to see people wandering around desperately in their lostness, with an aching void in their soul. They are truly, legitimately ‘hungry’ within. But they wander from this false philosophy or religious practice to that; or from this relationship to that; or from this worldly pleasure to that; or from this material possession to that—always spending all their efforts and energies trying to find the one sure thing that fills the God-shaped void in their hearts.
And yet, He stands as it were with His arms outstretched to them and says, “Why do you constantly throw all your efforts and energies away? Why do you keep searching around in vain? Why spend your money for that which is not bread? Why spend all your hard-earned wages for that which does not satisfy?
“I have true bread and wine to offer you free of charge! I have abundant waters to offer you that will truly refresh your soul! Why do you keep wandering? Why should you keep refusing it? Why do you keep wasting? Why? Why? Why?”
When I think of this, I again think of another thing that we are told in the Bible about the Lord Jesus. We’re told that He went about preaching in different cities and villages; teaching people, preaching the gospel of the kingdom to them, and healing them of every sickness and disease. It says, (Matthew 9:36-38 AMP)
36 When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion and pity for them, because they were dispirited and distressed, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is [indeed] plentiful, but the workers are few. 38 So pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
Dear brothers and sisters of mine;
How do we NOT dare to ask God to give us even a portion of His own brokenness of heart for lost and needy souls; and to help us feel the compassion He feels as He looks at their disparate wanderings and their failed attempts at spiritual satisfaction? How do we NOT dare to ask Him to help us feel as He feels toward their efforts to grasp after everything but the one thing they need the most?
How restless we should ALL be to proclaim the gospel of their salvation if He did!
In light of this, consider next . . .
5. GOD’S PLEASURE (v. 2).
God does not want lost people to wander around aimlessly and fruitlessly. He doesn’t want to see them spending all that they are and have on false gods and false religious practices and false philosophies. He says, “Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance”—or, as it is in the King James Version, “in fatness” (v. 2).
“Fatness”, in the older sense of the word, referred to the choicest and most delightful of food. And God is here inviting those who are truly hungry in their innermost being to “listen carefully” to Him—that is to hear His voice, and truly ‘hear’ the offer He is making toward them—and to eat what is truly good for them unto the full delight and satiation of the inner-most being!
In other words, it is God’s good pleasure—in His gracious gospel call—to invite even the most neediest of sinners to come to Him and truly become “satisfied”. (1 Chronicles 29:16-19, Psalm 16:8-11, Psalm 36:7-10, Psalms 147 and 149)
I wonder if you and I have ever seriously thought about how sinful people shun the gospel out of an over exaggerated, irrational, “phobic” fear God will take from them what little happiness they genuinely believe they have in sin. And do you and I begin to realize that the problem is not that they want to be happy?
It is absolutely a good thing to want to be happy! Rather, their problem is that they don’t want to be happy enough! God wants more happiness for them than they want for themselves! 100% Infinite JOY! (Philippians 4:4-9, 10-20 AMP)
He isn’t saying, “Listen carefully to Me, and eat dry bread crust and swamp water. Come to Me, and let your soul suffer and be burdened and miserable.” What a blasphemous thought! And yet, that’s what so many people think!
Rather, He’s saying, “Abandon all your ‘dead-end’ searches for happiness through sensuality, or material possessions, or useless grasps after power.
“These things will never in your lifetime make you happy. True happiness, true contentment, and true satisfaction is My free gift to you.” “Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in My abundance!”
If we only saw things as God saw them—if we only understood that it’s God’s great pleasure to offer people the fullest experience of abundant delight forever through a covenanted connection, Koinonia relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ—then we would be more zealous to proclaim Jesus to them!
And let us also diligently and prayerfully consider that He also says to the lost sinner, “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live” (v. 3).
And here, in respect to His undeniable proclamation of the gospel,
I thoroughly believe we all ought to be seeing, proclaiming and testifying to . . .
6. GOD’S LONGING (v. 3).
When I read those words, I think of a passage from Ezekiel 33:10-11 AMP.
10 “Now as for you, son of man, say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus you have said, “Truly our transgressions and our sins are on us, and we are rotting away because of them; how then can we live?”’ 11 Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord God, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back (change your way of thinking), turn back [in repentance] from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
It would be hard to find a more passionate expression of God’s longing for the lost sinner then what we read in that passage. Ezekiel was told to tell the people what they say in His hearing, “If our transgression and our sins lie upon us, and we pine away in them, how can we then live?” (v. 10).
What a desperate situation! What hopelessness.
And yet, God wanted Ezekiel to tell them that He says,
Ezekiel 33:11 The Message
11 “Tell them, ‘As sure as I am the living God, I take no pleasure from the death of the wicked. I want the wicked to change their ways and live. Turn your life around! Reverse your evil ways! Why die, Israel?’
That’s God’s longing: “Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live.”
He takes no delight in the death of the sinner! He desires that every last broken, wounded, fallen man or woman live! He 100% paid the price so they could live!
And in His proclamation of the gospel, it’s almost as if He grabs hold of the lost man or woman by the shoulders and says, “Look! I want you to live! But you cannot live apart from Me! You cannot live unless you come to Me! Incline your ear to Me! Hear My words! Come to Me; and surely your soul shall live forever!”
May it be that our longing for the lost is like God’s own longing! May it be that we become zealous to preach the gospel to them that says, “Listen! Hear! Live!”
So far in all this, we have seen something of God’s zeal in His own offer of the gospel. We have seen His earnestness in that He boldly cries out to be heard.
We have seen His inclusiveness in that He says, “Everyone come!” We have seen His grace in that He invites the poor of spirit, “Buy without money!”
We have seen His compassion in that He encourages the hungry soul, “Eat what is good!” We’ve seen His pleasure toward the needy soul in that He says, “Be satisfied!” And we’ve seen His own heart’s longing for the lost in that He says, “Hear and live!”
May it become our own fervent prayer that we likewise become so gripped with these things that we ourselves, without hesitation, without evasion, proclaim the gospel to the lost people around us with a fuller measure of His own zeal!
But in closing, there’s one more absolutely essential someone to consider;
and that’s . . .
7. GOD’S SON (v. 3).
He makes a promise to those who hear His call, and who come to Him for life. He says, “And I will make an everlasting covenant with you—the sure mercies of David”.
This is something that would have been particularly meaningful to the Jewish people. David was their greatest king; and God had made the greatest promise to him that any king on earth had ever received. God had told him,
“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:12-13). He promised, “And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever” (v. 17).
God promised David that a King would come from his lineage Whose throne and whose kingdom would be “established forever”. This points ahead to Jesus.
It’s in Jesus that “an everlasting covenant” of “the sure mercies of David” would be made with those who heard and responded to God’s gospel call.
The Apostle Paul spoke of this when he said, (Acts 13:32-34 AMP)
32 And we are bringing you the good news of the promise made to our fathers (ancestors), 33 that God has completely fulfilled this promise to our children by raising up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten (fathered) You.’ 34 And [as for the fact] that He raised Him from the dead, never again to return to decay [in the grave], He has spoken in this way: ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David [those blessings and mercies that were promised to him].’
All the promises of God for the salvation of lost men and women are fulfilled in Jesus—who died for our sins and was raised again for our justification. Eternal life, and eternal joy, are all wrapped up in Him; and “all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20). And He is very zealous to present His beloved Son to the world as our Redeemer.
How could, in such a state of being as our world communities are, we not look to such a wonderful Savior, not also be zealous to proclaim Him to this world?
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Letus now PRAY,
Lord, the eyes of all look to You in hope; and You give them what they need. You open Your hand and your heart, satisfy the hunger, thirst of every living thing.
We, too, turn to You again, longing to be filled—to eat of the Bread of Life, to drink from Your life-giving streams, to taste Your goodness and live.
May the time we spend together in Your presence nourish our hearts and minds (Psalm 34:8 -10); may it strengthen our connection and relationship with You, and renew our commitment to live in this world as Your faithful disciples.
For You alone are God, the Creator, the Author, Source and Sustainer of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 