Scripture:
Romans 4:4-5
When people work, their wages are not a gift.
Workers earn what they receive.
But people are declared righteous because of their faith,
not because of their work. (NLT)
Observation:
The apostle Paul is telling us what God said of Abraham (Genesis 15:6) many centuries before as an illustration of faith in contrast to works. Paul is expanding on the declaration of justification by faith, saying that the act of declaring a person righteous before God is set completely apart from any kind of human works. If salvation were based on our own effort, God would owe salvation as a debt to be paid—but salvation is “always” a sovereignly given gift of God’s amazing grace (Ephesians 2:8); the gift that no one deserves, nor can be earned. For a gift is just what it is—a freely given. It is only those who relinquish all claims to goodness and acknowledge their ungodliness who become candidates for justification (Luke 5:31-32).
Application:
When a person faithfully receives the greatest gift ever given to mankind and repents of their ungodly living, the Holy Spirit of the Living God will take up residence in your heart and give you all that you need to live a righteous life that will not only benefit you, but everyone around you as well. The only way that I am able to fight the sinful nature we all inherited, is with the power of the Holy Spirit that lives within me. There is absolutely no other way that I or anyone would be able to fight the good fight well enough to win the battle for our souls without God’s sovereign strength and wisdom. And the only way to victory and everlasting life, my friends, is by accepting the gift of His saving grace, and then live your life faithfully in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Prayer:
Thank You, Father, for this greatest gift a person could ever receive. Because of Your great love for Your creation; the people You call Your own, we can now come into Your Holy Presence and walk with You again. What better gift is there than the gift of forgiveness? The Gift that has no favorites, One that cannot be earned, and certainly One that is never deserved.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Hope For All
Scripture:
Matthew 12:20-21
“A battered reed He will not break off,
And a smoldering wick He will not put out,
Until He leads justice to victory,
And in His name the Gentiles will hope.” (NASB)
Observation:
Here the apostle Matthew is quoting the words of God through the prophet Isaiah to demonstrate (contrary to the typical Jewish belief) that the Messiah would not arrive with political agendas, military campaigns, and with great fanfare, but with a gracious and gentle touch—giving hope to the entire known world. Shepherds used the reed to make their flutes, but once cracked or worn it became useless for making music. A smoldering wick is also deemed useless for it gives no light. These two examples represent people who were also deemed useless to the world. Our Savior, the Christ Jesus, came to restore and rekindle such people, not to break or quench and throw them away. We find in these verses words that speak of His tender compassion toward the lowliest of the lost. He did not come to gather the strong for a revolution, but to show mercy and grace to the weak and hopeless.
Application:
Simply knowing who our mighty and loving God is, can and will bring joy to anyone no matter who you are or what your circumstances may be. The coming of our Lord, Christ Jesus (Luke 2:11), to save the lost and hopeless and to redeem His people (Titus 2:11) gives us reason to rejoice and sing praises to His glorious name. When you know His Truth that the world hates and tries to hide in darkness, it is like a breath of fresh air or the coming of spring after a long and blistery winter. Receiving the gift of new life from the Savior of the world is the message of Christmas, my friends, and one we can celebrate with joy even when darkness and trouble are knocking at our door (1 Peter 1:6).
Prayer:
I ask You, Lord God, to continue touching my life in ways that You can only do. Thank You for the hope you bring to this world that is covered in darkness trying to hide Your Truth and rob us of the joy You bring. Help me, dear Lord, to shine with Your glory so that all who are lost will see Your magnificent Light and receive Your hope!
Matthew 12:20-21
“A battered reed He will not break off,
And a smoldering wick He will not put out,
Until He leads justice to victory,
And in His name the Gentiles will hope.” (NASB)
Observation:
Here the apostle Matthew is quoting the words of God through the prophet Isaiah to demonstrate (contrary to the typical Jewish belief) that the Messiah would not arrive with political agendas, military campaigns, and with great fanfare, but with a gracious and gentle touch—giving hope to the entire known world. Shepherds used the reed to make their flutes, but once cracked or worn it became useless for making music. A smoldering wick is also deemed useless for it gives no light. These two examples represent people who were also deemed useless to the world. Our Savior, the Christ Jesus, came to restore and rekindle such people, not to break or quench and throw them away. We find in these verses words that speak of His tender compassion toward the lowliest of the lost. He did not come to gather the strong for a revolution, but to show mercy and grace to the weak and hopeless.
Application:
Simply knowing who our mighty and loving God is, can and will bring joy to anyone no matter who you are or what your circumstances may be. The coming of our Lord, Christ Jesus (Luke 2:11), to save the lost and hopeless and to redeem His people (Titus 2:11) gives us reason to rejoice and sing praises to His glorious name. When you know His Truth that the world hates and tries to hide in darkness, it is like a breath of fresh air or the coming of spring after a long and blistery winter. Receiving the gift of new life from the Savior of the world is the message of Christmas, my friends, and one we can celebrate with joy even when darkness and trouble are knocking at our door (1 Peter 1:6).
Prayer:
I ask You, Lord God, to continue touching my life in ways that You can only do. Thank You for the hope you bring to this world that is covered in darkness trying to hide Your Truth and rob us of the joy You bring. Help me, dear Lord, to shine with Your glory so that all who are lost will see Your magnificent Light and receive Your hope!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
The Glory of God
Scripture:
Luke 2:28-32
Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God saying,
“Lord, now I can die in Peace!
As You promised me, I have seen the Savior
You have given to all the people.
He is the Light to reveal God to the nations,
and He is the Glory of Your people Israel!” (NLT)
Observation:
Eight days after Jesus’ birth and after His circumcision in the Temple, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem for the purification offering, as required by the Law of Moses. It was here they met a devout and righteous man named Simon who had been told by an angel of the LORD that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. This psalm of praise, the forth of five psalms found in the Gospel of Luke, is a heart felt expression of one man’s extraordinary faith.
Although this particular man called Simon is not mentioned anyplace else in the Bible, he is certainly worth mentioning because of his amazing faith. It seems to be our human nature that we get impatient or lose hope when we have to wait for something we are in dire need of or something we desire and long to have. And much like Abraham’s wife Sarah, we often grow weary of waiting on the Lord and take matters into our own hands, often finding ourselves discouraged and feeling even more hopeless. It is for this very reason that we must fully trust in the Lord our God, for He knows perfectly what we need and when we need it.
Application:
Because God is holy (Psalm 99:9), He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), nor can He give us false promises and hope. And for all who believe in God’s Word as Truth there is no longer the need to wait for the Messiah, because He has come and provided the salvation that all peoples are so dire in need of. For every man, woman, and child who is borne into this world cannot (by their own will or strength) save themselves from the final judgment of God by obeying the Law of Moses; it is impossible without the saving grace of God. It is by faith in Christ Jesus our Savior that we are saved from the power of sin and death which hangs over our heads and enslaves our lives (Romans 3:25). And it is with this faith that we receive both the strength and the wisdom of God, through His Holy Spirit, that we are able to maintain our righteous standing before our eternal holy and just God. My dear friends, now that we have faith in God’s salvation we must wait patiently, once again, with the steadfast faith of Simon; for Jesus is coming back, just as His words in the Book of Revelation tell us, to completely destroy the old and fallen way of life so that He can bring in the new and perfect everlasting life for those who put their faith in the Truth that the LORD Almighty has so graciously provided.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord God, for Your abundant mercy and grace that provided us with the salvation that is impossible for us to earn, no matter how good we think we are. And thank You for the hope that Your salvations brings into a world that is consumed with false hope. You, O Lord, are truly the Savior of the world!
Soap December 28, 2010
Scripture:
Luke 2:28-32
Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God saying,
“Lord, now I can die in Peace!
As You promised me, I have seen the Savior
You have given to all the people.
He is the Light to reveal God to the nations,
and He is the Glory of Your people Israel!” (NLT)
Observation:
Eight days after Jesus’ birth and after His circumcision in the Temple, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem for the purification offering, as required by the Law of Moses. It was here they met a devout and righteous man named Simon who had been told by an angel of the LORD that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. This psalm of praise, the forth of five psalms found in the Gospel of Luke, is a heart felt expression of one man’s extraordinary faith.
Although this particular man called Simon is not mentioned anyplace else in the Bible, he is certainly worth mentioning because of his amazing faith. It seems to be our human nature that we get impatient or lose hope when we have to wait for something we are in dire need of or something we desire and long to have. And much like Abraham’s wife Sarah, we often grow weary of waiting on the Lord and take matters into our own hands, often finding ourselves discouraged and feeling even more hopeless. It is for this very reason that we must fully trust in the Lord our God, for He knows perfectly what we need and when we need it.
Application:
Because God is holy (Psalm 99:9), He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), nor can He give us false promises and hope. And for all who believe in God’s Word as Truth there is no longer the need to wait for the Messiah, because He has come and provided the salvation that all peoples are so dire in need of. For every man, woman, and child who is borne into this world cannot (by their own will or strength) save themselves from the final judgment of God by obeying the Law of Moses; it is impossible without the saving grace of God. It is by faith in Christ Jesus our Savior that we are saved from the power of sin and death which hangs over our heads and enslaves our lives (Romans 3:25). And it is with this faith that we receive both the strength and the wisdom of God, through His Holy Spirit, that we are able to maintain our righteous standing before our eternal holy and just God. My dear friends, now that we have faith in God’s salvation we must wait patiently, once again, with the steadfast faith of Simon; for Jesus is coming back, just as His words in the Book of Revelation tell us, to completely destroy the old and fallen way of life so that He can bring in the new and perfect everlasting life for those who put their faith in the Truth that the LORD Almighty has so graciously provided.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord God, for Your abundant mercy and grace that provided us with the salvation that is impossible for us to earn, no matter how good we think we are. And thank You for the hope that Your salvations brings into a world that is consumed with false hope. You, O Lord, are truly the Savior of the world!
Zakery Daniel
Luke 2:28-32
Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God saying,
“Lord, now I can die in Peace!
As You promised me, I have seen the Savior
You have given to all the people.
He is the Light to reveal God to the nations,
and He is the Glory of Your people Israel!” (NLT)
Observation:
Eight days after Jesus’ birth and after His circumcision in the Temple, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem for the purification offering, as required by the Law of Moses. It was here they met a devout and righteous man named Simon who had been told by an angel of the LORD that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. This psalm of praise, the forth of five psalms found in the Gospel of Luke, is a heart felt expression of one man’s extraordinary faith.
Although this particular man called Simon is not mentioned anyplace else in the Bible, he is certainly worth mentioning because of his amazing faith. It seems to be our human nature that we get impatient or lose hope when we have to wait for something we are in dire need of or something we desire and long to have. And much like Abraham’s wife Sarah, we often grow weary of waiting on the Lord and take matters into our own hands, often finding ourselves discouraged and feeling even more hopeless. It is for this very reason that we must fully trust in the Lord our God, for He knows perfectly what we need and when we need it.
Application:
Because God is holy (Psalm 99:9), He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), nor can He give us false promises and hope. And for all who believe in God’s Word as Truth there is no longer the need to wait for the Messiah, because He has come and provided the salvation that all peoples are so dire in need of. For every man, woman, and child who is borne into this world cannot (by their own will or strength) save themselves from the final judgment of God by obeying the Law of Moses; it is impossible without the saving grace of God. It is by faith in Christ Jesus our Savior that we are saved from the power of sin and death which hangs over our heads and enslaves our lives (Romans 3:25). And it is with this faith that we receive both the strength and the wisdom of God, through His Holy Spirit, that we are able to maintain our righteous standing before our eternal holy and just God. My dear friends, now that we have faith in God’s salvation we must wait patiently, once again, with the steadfast faith of Simon; for Jesus is coming back, just as His words in the Book of Revelation tell us, to completely destroy the old and fallen way of life so that He can bring in the new and perfect everlasting life for those who put their faith in the Truth that the LORD Almighty has so graciously provided.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord God, for Your abundant mercy and grace that provided us with the salvation that is impossible for us to earn, no matter how good we think we are. And thank You for the hope that Your salvations brings into a world that is consumed with false hope. You, O Lord, are truly the Savior of the world!
Soap December 28, 2010
Scripture:
Luke 2:28-32
Simeon was there.
He took the child in his arms and praised God saying,
“Lord, now I can die in Peace!
As You promised me, I have seen the Savior
You have given to all the people.
He is the Light to reveal God to the nations,
and He is the Glory of Your people Israel!” (NLT)
Observation:
Eight days after Jesus’ birth and after His circumcision in the Temple, Joseph and Mary took Him to Jerusalem for the purification offering, as required by the Law of Moses. It was here they met a devout and righteous man named Simon who had been told by an angel of the LORD that he would not die until he saw the Messiah. This psalm of praise, the forth of five psalms found in the Gospel of Luke, is a heart felt expression of one man’s extraordinary faith.
Although this particular man called Simon is not mentioned anyplace else in the Bible, he is certainly worth mentioning because of his amazing faith. It seems to be our human nature that we get impatient or lose hope when we have to wait for something we are in dire need of or something we desire and long to have. And much like Abraham’s wife Sarah, we often grow weary of waiting on the Lord and take matters into our own hands, often finding ourselves discouraged and feeling even more hopeless. It is for this very reason that we must fully trust in the Lord our God, for He knows perfectly what we need and when we need it.
Application:
Because God is holy (Psalm 99:9), He cannot lie (Titus 1:2), nor can He give us false promises and hope. And for all who believe in God’s Word as Truth there is no longer the need to wait for the Messiah, because He has come and provided the salvation that all peoples are so dire in need of. For every man, woman, and child who is borne into this world cannot (by their own will or strength) save themselves from the final judgment of God by obeying the Law of Moses; it is impossible without the saving grace of God. It is by faith in Christ Jesus our Savior that we are saved from the power of sin and death which hangs over our heads and enslaves our lives (Romans 3:25). And it is with this faith that we receive both the strength and the wisdom of God, through His Holy Spirit, that we are able to maintain our righteous standing before our eternal holy and just God. My dear friends, now that we have faith in God’s salvation we must wait patiently, once again, with the steadfast faith of Simon; for Jesus is coming back, just as His words in the Book of Revelation tell us, to completely destroy the old and fallen way of life so that He can bring in the new and perfect everlasting life for those who put their faith in the Truth that the LORD Almighty has so graciously provided.
Prayer:
Thank You Lord God, for Your abundant mercy and grace that provided us with the salvation that is impossible for us to earn, no matter how good we think we are. And thank You for the hope that Your salvations brings into a world that is consumed with false hope. You, O Lord, are truly the Savior of the world!
Zakery Daniel
Scripture:
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet,
and send portions to him who has nothing prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is our strength. (NASB)
Observation:
After the High Priest Ezra, with some help from the Levites, read and explained God’s Law, the people of Israel, including Ezra, were filled with sorrowful remorse and wept, not only for their rebellion against God, but also for the terrible consequences that their sin brought upon the entire nation of Israel. It was then that the governor, Nehemiah, told his people to rejoice in this day of revelation; the day when they not only came to understand both their sin and its punishment, but most importantly, the saving grace of the merciful and Almighty God.
Application:
As I ponder my days gone past, I realize that the word “joy” was a word I only heard during the Christmas season; a word that had no true significance for me other than a temporary feeling that masked my pain of living too many years without hope. For the first fifty-five years of my life I can remember times when I did feel the joy of Christmas tugging at my heart even though I could not grasp the incredible message of hope that Christmas brings. But now with humble thanksgiving, I am able to understand and believe with confidence that God has walked among us on earth, fully man, yet fully God (Luke 1:35). He came to show us the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). It is God’s nature to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10) and there is no better reason for rejoicing, my dear friends, than celebrating the human birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Knowing the Truth of Christmas can bring the kind of joy which can be celebrated every single day of the year. It is the true joy of Christmas that gives us hope when we are hopeless; that gives us strength when we have no strength left; and gladness when there is nothing but sorrow. This amazing joy you experience in knowing that the God of all creation is the same God who loves you enough to save you from a path of self-destruction to a path that brings life, is feeling the joy of heaven, which brings such a gladness to the heart that nothing of this world will ever be able take away from you.
Prayer:
Thank You for the joy that now fills a once joyless heart. What a precious gift You have given Your people, dear Lord; the gift of Light for a world engulfed in darkness; a gift we can all truly rejoice in no matter what this world brings, because the joy this Light brings is an everlasting joy that cannot be taken away!
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet,
and send portions to him who has nothing prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is our strength. (NASB)
Observation:
After the High Priest Ezra, with some help from the Levites, read and explained God’s Law, the people of Israel, including Ezra, were filled with sorrowful remorse and wept, not only for their rebellion against God, but also for the terrible consequences that their sin brought upon the entire nation of Israel. It was then that the governor, Nehemiah, told his people to rejoice in this day of revelation; the day when they not only came to understand both their sin and its punishment, but most importantly, the saving grace of the merciful and Almighty God.
Application:
As I ponder my days gone past, I realize that the word “joy” was a word I only heard during the Christmas season; a word that had no true significance for me other than a temporary feeling that masked my pain of living too many years without hope. For the first fifty-five years of my life I can remember times when I did feel the joy of Christmas tugging at my heart even though I could not grasp the incredible message of hope that Christmas brings. But now with humble thanksgiving, I am able to understand and believe with confidence that God has walked among us on earth, fully man, yet fully God (Luke 1:35). He came to show us the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). It is God’s nature to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10) and there is no better reason for rejoicing, my dear friends, than celebrating the human birth of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Knowing the Truth of Christmas can bring the kind of joy which can be celebrated every single day of the year. It is the true joy of Christmas that gives us hope when we are hopeless; that gives us strength when we have no strength left; and gladness when there is nothing but sorrow. This amazing joy you experience in knowing that the God of all creation is the same God who loves you enough to save you from a path of self-destruction to a path that brings life, is feeling the joy of heaven, which brings such a gladness to the heart that nothing of this world will ever be able take away from you.
Prayer:
Thank You for the joy that now fills a once joyless heart. What a precious gift You have given Your people, dear Lord; the gift of Light for a world engulfed in darkness; a gift we can all truly rejoice in no matter what this world brings, because the joy this Light brings is an everlasting joy that cannot be taken away!
The Christmas Message
Scripture:
Luke 2:9-11
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them;
and they were terribly frightened.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold,
I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (NASB)
Observation:
This “Good News” which announced the arrival of baby Jesus is indeed as joyful today as it was two thousand years ago to these lowly, yet righteous shepherds. Knowing that the Creator of life left the glory of heaven to take on a fully human existence in order to live and suffer and die so that all peoples of the world would be set free from the power of sin and death, and have the opportunity to share in His heavenly glory is truly, my friends, a reason for us to rejoice.
Application:
The hope that Christmas brings (this greatest event in human history) is for everyone who ever was or will be borne into this world; from the lowest to the highest; for the poorest to the richest, and for the worst of us to the best of us. The birth of God into this fallen world has given us the only hope there is, if we are to experience any peace at all while living this hard and unpredictable life that spares no one the pain and uncertainty that it brings. There are so many deprived people in this world who live every day of their lives in disease and hunger and in persecution and fear; innocent people who are hoping for something; for anything that will ease the darkness they are living in. But even for those who suffer unmercifully there is the Good News, for when Jesus brings the hope of heaven into their lives, it becomes their peace and joy and the one thing they can look forward to with certainty—the only Truth that will bring comfort and peace to their weary souls. Christ Jesus is the only Hope anyone has in this cruel and unforgiving world. Only Jesus has the power to truly comfort and bring peace to our weary souls; souls who long for the pain and suffering to end so that they, too, can find some joy in living.
If the Lord our God had not been borne to us, our Savior, this world would be a place without hope, without joy, and without the only Light that saves us from the dark wrath that this fallen world brings. I pray that the hand of God will touch all people this Christmas Season, so that every soul would hear the truth of why we should celebrate this special time of year. The birth of Jesus our Lord brings both joy and light to the world—a world that needed the Savior then, and a world that is still very much in need of the Savior today!
Prayer:
I now find much joy in this difficult life, dear Lord, thanks to the loving grace and mercy that show us who You are. You are truly the joy that lights the world and causes us to rejoice, even when rejoicing is the least of things we want to do. Thank You, O LORD, for the saving power that your birth and death and resurrection have given us, for without You………There would be no life.
Luke 2:9-11
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them,
and the glory of the Lord shone around them;
and they were terribly frightened.
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold,
I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (NASB)
Observation:
This “Good News” which announced the arrival of baby Jesus is indeed as joyful today as it was two thousand years ago to these lowly, yet righteous shepherds. Knowing that the Creator of life left the glory of heaven to take on a fully human existence in order to live and suffer and die so that all peoples of the world would be set free from the power of sin and death, and have the opportunity to share in His heavenly glory is truly, my friends, a reason for us to rejoice.
Application:
The hope that Christmas brings (this greatest event in human history) is for everyone who ever was or will be borne into this world; from the lowest to the highest; for the poorest to the richest, and for the worst of us to the best of us. The birth of God into this fallen world has given us the only hope there is, if we are to experience any peace at all while living this hard and unpredictable life that spares no one the pain and uncertainty that it brings. There are so many deprived people in this world who live every day of their lives in disease and hunger and in persecution and fear; innocent people who are hoping for something; for anything that will ease the darkness they are living in. But even for those who suffer unmercifully there is the Good News, for when Jesus brings the hope of heaven into their lives, it becomes their peace and joy and the one thing they can look forward to with certainty—the only Truth that will bring comfort and peace to their weary souls. Christ Jesus is the only Hope anyone has in this cruel and unforgiving world. Only Jesus has the power to truly comfort and bring peace to our weary souls; souls who long for the pain and suffering to end so that they, too, can find some joy in living.
If the Lord our God had not been borne to us, our Savior, this world would be a place without hope, without joy, and without the only Light that saves us from the dark wrath that this fallen world brings. I pray that the hand of God will touch all people this Christmas Season, so that every soul would hear the truth of why we should celebrate this special time of year. The birth of Jesus our Lord brings both joy and light to the world—a world that needed the Savior then, and a world that is still very much in need of the Savior today!
Prayer:
I now find much joy in this difficult life, dear Lord, thanks to the loving grace and mercy that show us who You are. You are truly the joy that lights the world and causes us to rejoice, even when rejoicing is the least of things we want to do. Thank You, O LORD, for the saving power that your birth and death and resurrection have given us, for without You………There would be no life.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Good News
Scripture:
Romans 8:1-4
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus
from the power of sin that leads to death.
The Law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature.
But God put into effect a different plan to save us.
He sent His own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful.
God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
He did this so that the requirement of the Law would be fully accomplished for us
who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. (NLT)
Observation:
The Lord Jesus singled out the apostle Paul, once an avid persecutor of the Christian faith, to teach the world the message of salvation through faith, for the Law that God had given to Moses was a law of obedience that had no saving power on its own.
Application:
There is no greater blessing in this life, than receiving and believing in the Good News of our Lord, Christ Jesus, for this is when true life begins—as it did for me six years ago today. It was not until the Lord came knocking at my door and offered me His free gift of salvation that I discovered the real meaning of living a life with joy and gratitude (Revelation 3:20). It was only after the Lord opened my eyes to His Truth and filled my heart with His Peace that I was finally able to live this life with thanksgiving in my heart and experience the joy of living by walking in the Spirit of the Lord our God, Christ Jesus. Like most people of this world, there have been many dark and difficult circumstances in my life that I was unable to look beyond, which, without God, held me in bondage to sin and depression—a depression that took away any joy I found in living, even though the Lord had given me plenty that I could rejoice in. And like many, I looked for the joy of living in all the wrong places and for all the wrong reasons, and then when discovered, I was unable to recognize it and where it came from. My, dearest friends, we deserve nothing but condemnation for our rebellion against God’s holiness. It is only because of God’s mercy and grace that any of us have been spared the full consequences of our sin (Ephesians 2:4-7). It is only by the love of the Father that we have any hope at all in a world that is infected with sin and death. Even the poor and suffering souls who have no reason to believe in hope, there is Hope in Jesus, especially when you have the Spirit of God living in your heart and directing your path. We know that life in this world is short, but what many do not know is that the eternal life we find in Christ Jesus is forever. And by the Word of His promise, it will be worth any suffering that we will endure in this hard and difficult life-journey (Romans 8:18). For those of us who are alive in Christ, we can set our eyes on what lies beyond our painful circumstances, and what we see brings us a joy that is far above and beyond any joy that the world is able to give.
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for setting me free from the power of sin over my life and the fear of death which rules this world. Thank you for covering me in righteousness so I can now come into the very presence of the Living God. I am so grateful that You have taken those heavy burdens that weighed me down into the depths of depression so I could come back into the Light which has given me a new and fresh breath of life.
Romans 8:1-4
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus
from the power of sin that leads to death.
The Law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature.
But God put into effect a different plan to save us.
He sent His own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful.
God destroyed sin’s control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
He did this so that the requirement of the Law would be fully accomplished for us
who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. (NLT)
Observation:
The Lord Jesus singled out the apostle Paul, once an avid persecutor of the Christian faith, to teach the world the message of salvation through faith, for the Law that God had given to Moses was a law of obedience that had no saving power on its own.
Application:
There is no greater blessing in this life, than receiving and believing in the Good News of our Lord, Christ Jesus, for this is when true life begins—as it did for me six years ago today. It was not until the Lord came knocking at my door and offered me His free gift of salvation that I discovered the real meaning of living a life with joy and gratitude (Revelation 3:20). It was only after the Lord opened my eyes to His Truth and filled my heart with His Peace that I was finally able to live this life with thanksgiving in my heart and experience the joy of living by walking in the Spirit of the Lord our God, Christ Jesus. Like most people of this world, there have been many dark and difficult circumstances in my life that I was unable to look beyond, which, without God, held me in bondage to sin and depression—a depression that took away any joy I found in living, even though the Lord had given me plenty that I could rejoice in. And like many, I looked for the joy of living in all the wrong places and for all the wrong reasons, and then when discovered, I was unable to recognize it and where it came from. My, dearest friends, we deserve nothing but condemnation for our rebellion against God’s holiness. It is only because of God’s mercy and grace that any of us have been spared the full consequences of our sin (Ephesians 2:4-7). It is only by the love of the Father that we have any hope at all in a world that is infected with sin and death. Even the poor and suffering souls who have no reason to believe in hope, there is Hope in Jesus, especially when you have the Spirit of God living in your heart and directing your path. We know that life in this world is short, but what many do not know is that the eternal life we find in Christ Jesus is forever. And by the Word of His promise, it will be worth any suffering that we will endure in this hard and difficult life-journey (Romans 8:18). For those of us who are alive in Christ, we can set our eyes on what lies beyond our painful circumstances, and what we see brings us a joy that is far above and beyond any joy that the world is able to give.
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for setting me free from the power of sin over my life and the fear of death which rules this world. Thank you for covering me in righteousness so I can now come into the very presence of the Living God. I am so grateful that You have taken those heavy burdens that weighed me down into the depths of depression so I could come back into the Light which has given me a new and fresh breath of life.
Comfort
Scripture:
Psalm 119:81-82
My soul languishes for Your salvation: I wait for Your word.
My eyes fail with longing for Your word;
While I say, “When will You comfort me?” (NASB)
Observation:
Much like King David is doing in this Psalm, our hearts and souls also long for God to deliver us from this hard and difficult life. We long for that day when all the pain and disappointment will cease; the day when there will be no more death and destruction; the day when we are no longer loaded down with all the doubt and fear that hold us captive to sin and then robs the joy that God has for us. And like David, many of us cry out night and day for God to deliver us from our times of darkness, praying for the comfort and the answers that only our Creator can provide.
Application:
But unlike David and all God’s people of the Old Testament times, we have the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has provided us with the salvation that was prophesied from the beginning of time (Genesis 3:15). We now have in our hands, both the New and Old Testament with words that can be read or listened to and understood by most peoples of our world today. And unlike David, we need not look too much further into the future for the return of our Savior, for His return is so much closer now than it was when David wrote this Psalm. There is also no need to rely solely on the words of the prophets any longer, for our Lord has not only come and fulfilled His promise to us (John 3:16), but He has also given us the Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts for eternity, and to comfort us with His peace (Romans 8:16) until He returns to take us Home. Although the hour is rapidly approaching, my dear friends, there is still time to prepare our hearts and share the Good News of Hope to the hopeless and lost, because the LORD our Savior wants no one left behind.
Prayer:
O Lord, how I praise You for the blood You shed for the salvation I do not deserve. And as I walk this righteous path that leads to everlasting life, I will rejoice in thanksgiving for all that You have done and all that You are. There is no other god like You, O Lord; One who forgives fully and saves us from the self-destruction that living for this world brings.
Psalm 119:81-82
My soul languishes for Your salvation: I wait for Your word.
My eyes fail with longing for Your word;
While I say, “When will You comfort me?” (NASB)
Observation:
Much like King David is doing in this Psalm, our hearts and souls also long for God to deliver us from this hard and difficult life. We long for that day when all the pain and disappointment will cease; the day when there will be no more death and destruction; the day when we are no longer loaded down with all the doubt and fear that hold us captive to sin and then robs the joy that God has for us. And like David, many of us cry out night and day for God to deliver us from our times of darkness, praying for the comfort and the answers that only our Creator can provide.
Application:
But unlike David and all God’s people of the Old Testament times, we have the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, who has provided us with the salvation that was prophesied from the beginning of time (Genesis 3:15). We now have in our hands, both the New and Old Testament with words that can be read or listened to and understood by most peoples of our world today. And unlike David, we need not look too much further into the future for the return of our Savior, for His return is so much closer now than it was when David wrote this Psalm. There is also no need to rely solely on the words of the prophets any longer, for our Lord has not only come and fulfilled His promise to us (John 3:16), but He has also given us the Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts for eternity, and to comfort us with His peace (Romans 8:16) until He returns to take us Home. Although the hour is rapidly approaching, my dear friends, there is still time to prepare our hearts and share the Good News of Hope to the hopeless and lost, because the LORD our Savior wants no one left behind.
Prayer:
O Lord, how I praise You for the blood You shed for the salvation I do not deserve. And as I walk this righteous path that leads to everlasting life, I will rejoice in thanksgiving for all that You have done and all that You are. There is no other god like You, O Lord; One who forgives fully and saves us from the self-destruction that living for this world brings.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Word of Life
Scripture:
Psalm 119:49-50
Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life. (NKJV)
Observation:
There is no greater Hope, than the hope we have in the Creator of life and the God of our salvation, Christ Jesus (Psalm 146:5). Who else can better comfort our discouraged souls and give us peace amidst the afflictions we suffer in this world, than the One who voluntarily took upon Himself the sins of the world and the wrath of God in order that we could stand righteous in our sin before the LORD? My dear friends, when you begin to understand and believe in the Truth that our gracious God has given us, you will learn to pray with confidence and put your hope in the mercy and grace of our Loving God (1 Chronicles 16:34), because the Word of the LORD is “Truth” itself and all of His promises hold true (Psalm 119:160).
Application:
There have been many people throughout the age of man who have spent their entire lives without experiencing the joy of God’s Truth and go to the grave never knowing the Hope of true joy in this life that was created in and for God’s glory. But because of God’s incredible mercy and grace there have also been many, like myself, who were once living a life (dead in sin) without any hope but death itself, that have now been made alive in Christ who gives us hope and peace in all our circumstances. Through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit can breathe into any dying soul the precious gift of eternal life that He, the Author of Life, has promised to all who humbly come to Him believing in the Truth that He has so graciously given to us.
Prayer:
Thank You, O Lord, my God, for the Hope that brings life to those who are walking dead in their sin. It is such a blessing to be able to see Your Truth come alive even in the mist of all the chaos in this world. How awesome it is to be able to walk in Your Light with confidence, knowing that our faith in you is our saving grace.
Psalm 119:49-50
Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life. (NKJV)
Observation:
There is no greater Hope, than the hope we have in the Creator of life and the God of our salvation, Christ Jesus (Psalm 146:5). Who else can better comfort our discouraged souls and give us peace amidst the afflictions we suffer in this world, than the One who voluntarily took upon Himself the sins of the world and the wrath of God in order that we could stand righteous in our sin before the LORD? My dear friends, when you begin to understand and believe in the Truth that our gracious God has given us, you will learn to pray with confidence and put your hope in the mercy and grace of our Loving God (1 Chronicles 16:34), because the Word of the LORD is “Truth” itself and all of His promises hold true (Psalm 119:160).
Application:
There have been many people throughout the age of man who have spent their entire lives without experiencing the joy of God’s Truth and go to the grave never knowing the Hope of true joy in this life that was created in and for God’s glory. But because of God’s incredible mercy and grace there have also been many, like myself, who were once living a life (dead in sin) without any hope but death itself, that have now been made alive in Christ who gives us hope and peace in all our circumstances. Through God’s Word, the Holy Spirit can breathe into any dying soul the precious gift of eternal life that He, the Author of Life, has promised to all who humbly come to Him believing in the Truth that He has so graciously given to us.
Prayer:
Thank You, O Lord, my God, for the Hope that brings life to those who are walking dead in their sin. It is such a blessing to be able to see Your Truth come alive even in the mist of all the chaos in this world. How awesome it is to be able to walk in Your Light with confidence, knowing that our faith in you is our saving grace.
Believing The Unseen Truth
Scripture:
John 20:29
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed?
Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
Observation:
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus is speaking to the Apostle Thomas who was not present the first time Jesus had appeared to His disciples after His death and resurrection. Doubting Thomas, as he is often called, had told his fellow disciples that He would have to see and touch Jesus in order to believe that Jesus had conquered death.
Application:
As imperfect human beings living in this imperfect world , many of us have difficulty believing in things that we cannot actually see with our own imperfect eyes. For example; even though we are in the mist of a raging spiritual warfare for our very souls (Ephesians 6:12), the unbelieving people of this world pass it off as a myth of the disillusioned religious fanatic, or just another great theme for a science fiction novel. Or how about the day when Christ will return to Earth in all His glory to judge both the living and the dead (Revelation 20:11-13); Fact or fiction? The unseen Truth of not?
I wonder how many times you have said, “I’ll have to see it to believe it?” I know there are many new Christians out there who struggle with their faith wishing that Jesus would some how show Himself so they could be sure that His Word is the absolute Truth. But I also know there have been many lost souls, like myself, who were so lost and so hopeless and had so given up that when the Savior called we reached out in blind faith to grab hold of the hand of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. For many of us this was our last hope, because any other option would have had the same unfulfilling results as before. Because everything in our fallen world has been infected with sin, the world can only temporarily satisfy the hungers of our sinful nature. The world, with all its recourses and will never be able to fulfill the deep desires of our hearts, because it is only God who can satisfy completely (John 6:35). My dear friends, until the King of kings and the Lord of all lord’s returns to take us Home, we must trust with as much human faith as we can possibly muster, for only then will our imperfect eyes be changed so that we will be able to see and touch and experience the Perfect Truth of our Glorious God.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord God, for the Hope you have given our world through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Never before have I ever been able to identify anything that could satisfy my deepest desires until you came into my life. Although the struggles of life remain, my desperate search has finally ended. For it is only You who can fill the emptiness that once engulfed my heart. You are the only Hope this world has and so I put my trust in You alone!
John 20:29
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed?
Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
Observation:
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus is speaking to the Apostle Thomas who was not present the first time Jesus had appeared to His disciples after His death and resurrection. Doubting Thomas, as he is often called, had told his fellow disciples that He would have to see and touch Jesus in order to believe that Jesus had conquered death.
Application:
As imperfect human beings living in this imperfect world , many of us have difficulty believing in things that we cannot actually see with our own imperfect eyes. For example; even though we are in the mist of a raging spiritual warfare for our very souls (Ephesians 6:12), the unbelieving people of this world pass it off as a myth of the disillusioned religious fanatic, or just another great theme for a science fiction novel. Or how about the day when Christ will return to Earth in all His glory to judge both the living and the dead (Revelation 20:11-13); Fact or fiction? The unseen Truth of not?
I wonder how many times you have said, “I’ll have to see it to believe it?” I know there are many new Christians out there who struggle with their faith wishing that Jesus would some how show Himself so they could be sure that His Word is the absolute Truth. But I also know there have been many lost souls, like myself, who were so lost and so hopeless and had so given up that when the Savior called we reached out in blind faith to grab hold of the hand of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. For many of us this was our last hope, because any other option would have had the same unfulfilling results as before. Because everything in our fallen world has been infected with sin, the world can only temporarily satisfy the hungers of our sinful nature. The world, with all its recourses and will never be able to fulfill the deep desires of our hearts, because it is only God who can satisfy completely (John 6:35). My dear friends, until the King of kings and the Lord of all lord’s returns to take us Home, we must trust with as much human faith as we can possibly muster, for only then will our imperfect eyes be changed so that we will be able to see and touch and experience the Perfect Truth of our Glorious God.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord God, for the Hope you have given our world through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Never before have I ever been able to identify anything that could satisfy my deepest desires until you came into my life. Although the struggles of life remain, my desperate search has finally ended. For it is only You who can fill the emptiness that once engulfed my heart. You are the only Hope this world has and so I put my trust in You alone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
