Scripture:
Mark 14:38
“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.
The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” (NKJV)
Observation:
Our Lord, Jesus, has just awoken His apostles, Peter, John and James, (who were asleep in the garden of Gethsemane while Jesus was alone in prayer) encouraging them to always remain alert and to discern when they were under spiritual attack (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus is telling them and us not to let our pride or self-confidence lull us into a spiritual sleep allowing the Enemy to sneak in.
Application:
Although our spirit may well be willing enough, our unredeemed flesh still remains attached and we cannot always refrain from doing what we know is wrong. In other words, as long as we live under the curse of sin we will always fall prey to Satan and our sinful natures. And in order for people to fight the good fight of being all that God calls us to be, we need His redeeming Power along with His unconditional mercy and grace (Colossians 1:13-14). The incredibly strong unseen forces that are relentless in their quest to drag us away from the Truth and the goodness of God are much too powerful for our human strength alone. We must, dear friends, remain alert at all times and realize that our flesh is weak and the only way to win the battles of sin is through the power of our Almighty Redeemer, Jesus Christ. It is also important to know that no matter who we think we are or how confident we may feel, everyone will always fall short and loose some of the battles in our fight against ungodliness. But the great news is; the only Living God, our Savior, will always be there to pick you up in forgiveness and give you the strength and confidence to continue on with your battles, for He, the Lord Jesus, has defeated sin and death once and for all time (Romans 6:10). So stay alert, my friends, and clothe yourselves with Christ, because only with His holy and saving covering will you be victorious!
Prayer:
Dear LORD, help me to understand when I am under spiritual attack and when I am, give me both the strength and wisdom to be victorious in my stand against ungodliness. Thank You for the hope that You give us, Lord Jesus, for without You we would surely fall prey to all those enemies that want only our destruction. The blessed hope that You have promised is what gives me the strength to win one battle at a time for Your Glory!
Amen
Sunday, February 27, 2011
"A Day To Come"
Scripture
Mark 13:36
Don’t let Him find you sleeping when He arrives without warning.
What I say to you I say to everyone; Watch for His return! (NLT)
Observation:
Jesus’ return is imminent (Matthew 24:50, 25:13), (Mark 13:32-27), (Luke 12:40), (1 Corinthians 16:22), (Philippians 3:20), (1 Thessalonians 5:2), (Titus 2:12-13), (Hebrews 10:25), (James 5:7-9), (1 Peter 4:7), (Revelation 1:3, 22:7, 12, 20) just as it is written in God’s Word, and all of God’s words are, in fact, the ultimate standard for truth (John 17:17).
Application:
As Christians who believe and except the authority and inerrancy of Scripture we cannot know for sure when this event will take place, but we can surely prepare ourselves and be ready at all times. Although the Bible is quite clear about the future of His creation and its final restoration, what is not so clear is the exact time and sequence of these future events to come. Rather than trying to map out the course of these end times events in order to predict the warnings of our Lord, Jesus Christ, I believe that our Lord Jesus is telling us that there is no better time than the present (Revelation 1:3) to put our lives safely in His hands, admitting all our sin and rebellion against Him, asking for His forgiveness, and to live a life of repentance by allowing Him to transform our lives from darkness into light so that we will not only be able to stand blameless and holy before the Almighty LORD God Himself, but so we will shine brightly in His truth for others to see and prayerfully follow (Matthew 5:16). The end, my dear friends, is closer than it has ever been, and I ask you to fully believe in the words of our Creator and take heed to His Divine Revelation.
Prayer:
Thank You, dear Lord, for the Hope You give us in Your Word. How awesome is Your mercy and grace that we do not deserve. For without the Truth You have so graciously given, LORD God, our future would be bleak indeed. Thank You for the urgency found in the truth of Your Divine Revelation, so that we can prepare our hearts and make ready for Your Glorious Return!
Mark 13:36
Don’t let Him find you sleeping when He arrives without warning.
What I say to you I say to everyone; Watch for His return! (NLT)
Observation:
Jesus’ return is imminent (Matthew 24:50, 25:13), (Mark 13:32-27), (Luke 12:40), (1 Corinthians 16:22), (Philippians 3:20), (1 Thessalonians 5:2), (Titus 2:12-13), (Hebrews 10:25), (James 5:7-9), (1 Peter 4:7), (Revelation 1:3, 22:7, 12, 20) just as it is written in God’s Word, and all of God’s words are, in fact, the ultimate standard for truth (John 17:17).
Application:
As Christians who believe and except the authority and inerrancy of Scripture we cannot know for sure when this event will take place, but we can surely prepare ourselves and be ready at all times. Although the Bible is quite clear about the future of His creation and its final restoration, what is not so clear is the exact time and sequence of these future events to come. Rather than trying to map out the course of these end times events in order to predict the warnings of our Lord, Jesus Christ, I believe that our Lord Jesus is telling us that there is no better time than the present (Revelation 1:3) to put our lives safely in His hands, admitting all our sin and rebellion against Him, asking for His forgiveness, and to live a life of repentance by allowing Him to transform our lives from darkness into light so that we will not only be able to stand blameless and holy before the Almighty LORD God Himself, but so we will shine brightly in His truth for others to see and prayerfully follow (Matthew 5:16). The end, my dear friends, is closer than it has ever been, and I ask you to fully believe in the words of our Creator and take heed to His Divine Revelation.
Prayer:
Thank You, dear Lord, for the Hope You give us in Your Word. How awesome is Your mercy and grace that we do not deserve. For without the Truth You have so graciously given, LORD God, our future would be bleak indeed. Thank You for the urgency found in the truth of Your Divine Revelation, so that we can prepare our hearts and make ready for Your Glorious Return!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
"Living With God"
Scripture:
Mark 12:26, 27
God spoke to him saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
“He is not the God of the dead,
but the God of the living.”
Observation:
God is telling Moses that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are not dead, but alive (Exodus 3:6). These three patriarchs are still very much alive even though their earthly bodies have been dead for many years. We have God’s Word and His promise to back up this truth. Our Almighty God is definitely not the God of the dead, and this truth still holds true today, for our God is with all those who are alive in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior; both those who are still living and breathing in this life as well as those who have passed on (Romans 14:8-9).
Application:
There are times when this truth is very hard to except because many of us know people who have died without knowing the Lord their God, and sadly, once we experience our earthly death God will forever separate Himself from those He has never known as well as those who have rejected Him. This is why it becomes crucial for those who believe in the “Good News” of Jesus Christ to share their knowledge of salvation with those who have never heard the Truth, and also with those who have heard the Truth but struggle with accepting and believing it. Once this life ends, my friends, there is no other chance for redemption (Hebrews 9:27-28). This truth sounds rather cruel, but it has to stand in order for God to be who He is, for He would not be God if He were not fully righteous and just. He cannot go against Himself.
Prayer:
How I thank You, Lord God, for giving me chance after chance in this life to see Your Divine Plan and the part I have in it. I know it is only because of Your mercy and grace that I have been spared the final consequences of my sins against You. And I ask You, Lord, to help me gain the strength and wisdom I need to share Your saving revelation with those who do not know the Truth about this precious life You have given us. Help me to prioritize my life in ways that will better enhance Your kingdom for those who cannot see beyond this world.
Amen
Mark 12:26, 27
God spoke to him saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?
“He is not the God of the dead,
but the God of the living.”
Observation:
God is telling Moses that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are not dead, but alive (Exodus 3:6). These three patriarchs are still very much alive even though their earthly bodies have been dead for many years. We have God’s Word and His promise to back up this truth. Our Almighty God is definitely not the God of the dead, and this truth still holds true today, for our God is with all those who are alive in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior; both those who are still living and breathing in this life as well as those who have passed on (Romans 14:8-9).
Application:
There are times when this truth is very hard to except because many of us know people who have died without knowing the Lord their God, and sadly, once we experience our earthly death God will forever separate Himself from those He has never known as well as those who have rejected Him. This is why it becomes crucial for those who believe in the “Good News” of Jesus Christ to share their knowledge of salvation with those who have never heard the Truth, and also with those who have heard the Truth but struggle with accepting and believing it. Once this life ends, my friends, there is no other chance for redemption (Hebrews 9:27-28). This truth sounds rather cruel, but it has to stand in order for God to be who He is, for He would not be God if He were not fully righteous and just. He cannot go against Himself.
Prayer:
How I thank You, Lord God, for giving me chance after chance in this life to see Your Divine Plan and the part I have in it. I know it is only because of Your mercy and grace that I have been spared the final consequences of my sins against You. And I ask You, Lord, to help me gain the strength and wisdom I need to share Your saving revelation with those who do not know the Truth about this precious life You have given us. Help me to prioritize my life in ways that will better enhance Your kingdom for those who cannot see beyond this world.
Amen
"Truth In Worship"
Scripture:
Psalm 50:23
“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God.” (NASB)
Observation:
It is only right that we (God’s created people) should honor the only true living God with praise and thanksgiving, for without His mercy and grace our troubled lives would be lived in vain. We have an incredible loving God who did not create us and then leave us to our own demise, but One who has compassionately watched over His creation from the beginning, trying to direct our paths away from destroying ourselves.
Application:
I find it so incredibly amazing that the living God of the universe (the creator of everything that is) left the glory of heaven and lowered Himself by taking on an imperfect human body to live in a cruel and heartless world that hated Him and all His ways. And He did this to save His beloved creation (Genesis 1:31) from the darkness of certain death and destruction. Our LORD, Jesus Christ, did not have to come and rescue us, my friends; He came because He is by nature a saving and just God (Isaiah 45:21). He gave us His Word so that we could decide for ourselves what is true and what is not, because He knew that once we came to believe and understand the Truth about who He is and who we are not, that we would sing praises to Him with thanksgiving in our hearts. You have, dear one, an awesome God who has graciously given you the only Way to overcome and defeat this fallen world (1John 5:4-5) that wants to fill your mind with lies and deceit from the Enemy who hates God and all that is good. This is reason enough for you to worship and bring honor to the lover of your soul; the One true living God who personally created you for His glory and to bring honor to His name!
Prayer:
Help me, dear Lord, to stay focused on the reason I am here. Help me in my times of trouble to look to You for the strength to persevere in this troubled world. Help me to see Your glory in all my circumstances and be ever so thankful for the mercy and grace You provide in spite of my dysfunctions and weakness. Thank You, dear Jesus, for rescuing me from certain death and destruction. To You I give all the glory, now and forevermore!
Amen
Psalm 50:23
“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God.” (NASB)
Observation:
It is only right that we (God’s created people) should honor the only true living God with praise and thanksgiving, for without His mercy and grace our troubled lives would be lived in vain. We have an incredible loving God who did not create us and then leave us to our own demise, but One who has compassionately watched over His creation from the beginning, trying to direct our paths away from destroying ourselves.
Application:
I find it so incredibly amazing that the living God of the universe (the creator of everything that is) left the glory of heaven and lowered Himself by taking on an imperfect human body to live in a cruel and heartless world that hated Him and all His ways. And He did this to save His beloved creation (Genesis 1:31) from the darkness of certain death and destruction. Our LORD, Jesus Christ, did not have to come and rescue us, my friends; He came because He is by nature a saving and just God (Isaiah 45:21). He gave us His Word so that we could decide for ourselves what is true and what is not, because He knew that once we came to believe and understand the Truth about who He is and who we are not, that we would sing praises to Him with thanksgiving in our hearts. You have, dear one, an awesome God who has graciously given you the only Way to overcome and defeat this fallen world (1John 5:4-5) that wants to fill your mind with lies and deceit from the Enemy who hates God and all that is good. This is reason enough for you to worship and bring honor to the lover of your soul; the One true living God who personally created you for His glory and to bring honor to His name!
Prayer:
Help me, dear Lord, to stay focused on the reason I am here. Help me in my times of trouble to look to You for the strength to persevere in this troubled world. Help me to see Your glory in all my circumstances and be ever so thankful for the mercy and grace You provide in spite of my dysfunctions and weakness. Thank You, dear Jesus, for rescuing me from certain death and destruction. To You I give all the glory, now and forevermore!
Amen
Saturday, February 12, 2011
"New Life"
Scripture:
Ezekiel 11:19-20
“And I shall give them one heart; and put a new spirit within them.
And I shall take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a
heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances
and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.”
Observation:
We are all borne into this fallen world with a deceitful heart (Jeremiah 17:9) and with time these hearts become hardened with self preservation because of all the difficulties we face in order to survive. But in spite of these dysfunctions, many of us go through our lives thinking that we do have a heart of flesh and that we are “good enough” in the eyes of God. But the truth is, my friends, none of us will ever be good enough (Psalm 14:2, 3) to stand in the presence of our Holy God without the covering of Christ.
Application:
We are all borne with a sinful nature and until Jesus takes us home, we will live with our sinful nature. But the “Good News” is; God has replaced His old covenant with us when He came into our world to renew our lives in Christ Jesus, because now we have the opportunity to walk in His Holy Presence once again. The apostle Paul tells us in his second letter to the Corinthians that when any person begins to live their life in Christ they become a different person, for the old-self has given way to a new-self and the old life will soon fade away (2 Corinthians 5:17). Unfortunately, this does not mean we become exempt from the troubles of this world and our lives will become easier, but what is does mean, though, is that along with this new life there comes renewed Hope in spite of our circumstances. When we accept the Son of God as our Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit will take up residents in our hearts and our sanctification begins immediately. We will begin to view this life through the eyes or our Savior and He will equip us with good and righteous ways of dealing with this fallen world and its never ending assault on us. This new life in Christ does not mean that our lives will automatically get easier and wonderful, but the LORD will give us the means to overcome this fallen world; giving us a true and purposeful meaning so that we can lead a godly life-style that is pleasing to Him. And all this newness we receive through Christ Jesus our Lord, will then give us an encouraging picture of the glorious transformation that is yet to come when Christ returns to restore His creation—the final and complete transformation that will be well-worth any and all the hardships we will inevitably face until that day arrives!
Prayer:
Thank You, dear LORD, for coming and rescuing Your children from certain death. I ask You in the Name of Your Son, Jesus, to help me shine with this Good News of Hope that is for everyone. Please renew in me each day the everlasting hope that You promise, because it is this hope that will help me live the righteous and holy life You have called me to live.
Amen
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Generous Helpings of Peace
(Matthew 10:13) And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Peace is a possession given to us by our Lord: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (John 14:27). We, like Him, can generously give it to others. If we extend it to troubled people but they refuse it or scorn it (how foolish and fearful), we don't lose it. We can receive it back untarnished, perhaps even stronger and more potent than before.
I can't give away what I don't have. So what, then, do I do with the peace that my Lord offers me? Do I refuse it as an absurdity, choosing instead to believe the sovereignty of my chaotic circumstance? Do I submit to my doubts and fears as though those were better masters than Jesus Christ? Yikes!
Lord, help me embrace this peace--Your peace--that You've offered me. You paid dearly for it so I could enjoy it and be strengthened by it. Help me to give Your peace away as generously as You have.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Spiritual Healing
Scripture:
Mark 2:16-17
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners,
they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”
When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician,
but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (NKJV)
Observation:
A repentant person is one who sorrowfully recognizes the fact that they are indeed a sinner and decides to turn from their sinful ways and walk humbly in the presence of God. And then there are people who do acknowledge their sinfulness, but think they are too righteous to repent of their sins. These kinds of self-righteous people are not the main focus of our Lord, instead He came to rescue those people who were sick and without hope—those who were unaware of their condemnation.
Application:
Jesus not only came to heal His children physically, but most importantly, He came to heal our sin condition, which is for more devastating then our physical condition (1John 1:9). But in order to allow God’s healing power to repair the damage, we must first acknowledge our sickness and then admit our inability to fix it (1 Corinthians 1:25). Even though Jesus came to heal and give hope to the less fortunate, we must remember that no one is beyond the healing power of God. It makes little difference to the LORD where you stand in the world; He came to heal and give eternal life to everyone no matter how far they have strayed from the Truth. The world in its fallen state is merciless to every man, woman, and child, and the only hope any of us have is found in the grace and sovereignty of our LORD God, Jesus Christ. There is absolutely nothing, my friends that our Almighty God cannot heal and save (1 Chronicles 29:11). From the moment He arrived in our world, the Lord Jesus has been bringing forgiveness and healing to multitudes of sick and sinful people who have cried out for His healing touch!
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for the hope you have brought to this fallen world. Thank You for the healing you have so graciously provided. And thank You for giving me Your power to change the things I cannot and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen
Mark 2:16-17
And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners,
they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”
When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician,
but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (NKJV)
Observation:
A repentant person is one who sorrowfully recognizes the fact that they are indeed a sinner and decides to turn from their sinful ways and walk humbly in the presence of God. And then there are people who do acknowledge their sinfulness, but think they are too righteous to repent of their sins. These kinds of self-righteous people are not the main focus of our Lord, instead He came to rescue those people who were sick and without hope—those who were unaware of their condemnation.
Application:
Jesus not only came to heal His children physically, but most importantly, He came to heal our sin condition, which is for more devastating then our physical condition (1John 1:9). But in order to allow God’s healing power to repair the damage, we must first acknowledge our sickness and then admit our inability to fix it (1 Corinthians 1:25). Even though Jesus came to heal and give hope to the less fortunate, we must remember that no one is beyond the healing power of God. It makes little difference to the LORD where you stand in the world; He came to heal and give eternal life to everyone no matter how far they have strayed from the Truth. The world in its fallen state is merciless to every man, woman, and child, and the only hope any of us have is found in the grace and sovereignty of our LORD God, Jesus Christ. There is absolutely nothing, my friends that our Almighty God cannot heal and save (1 Chronicles 29:11). From the moment He arrived in our world, the Lord Jesus has been bringing forgiveness and healing to multitudes of sick and sinful people who have cried out for His healing touch!
Prayer:
Thank You, Lord, for the hope you have brought to this fallen world. Thank You for the healing you have so graciously provided. And thank You for giving me Your power to change the things I cannot and the wisdom to know the difference.
Amen
Joy In Forgiveness
Scripture:
Psalm 32:1, 2
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
Yes, what joy for those whose record
the LORD has cleared of guilt. (NLT)
Observation:
As imperfect, sinful human beings, there is never a day that we do not disobey our perfect and holy God, and for many people (as it had been for me) I was totally unaware that my lifestyle was one of total disobedience; going against the very grain of God’s will and purpose (Psalm 36:1-2). It was not until I began to know and understand the LORD our God that I came to realize just how undeserving I was for God’s mercy and grace and forgiveness. My lifetime of rebellion and total disregard for God was more than enough reason for His wrath to be poured out on me. But what an incredibly loving and forgiving God we have, my friends, One who gives us chance after chance to admit our rebellion and ask for His forgiveness, so that He can put our sinful life to rest and remember it no more!
Application:
When we are able to live our lives freed from the guilt and shame that had once held us captive and in the dark, it will bring an incredible amount of everlasting joy knowing that the LORD has cleared your sin debt forever and given you a new start and a new life in His Son, Christ Jesus (Romans 6:22). And once your old life is dead and buried you will be able to move forward with renewed hope and strength knowing that the Lord of the universe is for you and directing your path. When Satan, the ruler of this fallen world, no longer controls the way you think, God will not only give you the wisdom to except this life as it is, but He will also give you the power to overcome it and change (Romans 12:2).
Prayer:
I come humbly before you, O LORD, thanking You for Your abundant mercy and grace. I cannot express the joy You have given me through Your forgiveness and for giving me a new life that brings You glory; a life that has given my life-journey hope for tomorrow, peace about the past, and the joy for today—a joy unlike any I have ever experienced. Thank You, Lord Jesus!
Amen
Psalm 32:1, 2
Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
Yes, what joy for those whose record
the LORD has cleared of guilt. (NLT)
Observation:
As imperfect, sinful human beings, there is never a day that we do not disobey our perfect and holy God, and for many people (as it had been for me) I was totally unaware that my lifestyle was one of total disobedience; going against the very grain of God’s will and purpose (Psalm 36:1-2). It was not until I began to know and understand the LORD our God that I came to realize just how undeserving I was for God’s mercy and grace and forgiveness. My lifetime of rebellion and total disregard for God was more than enough reason for His wrath to be poured out on me. But what an incredibly loving and forgiving God we have, my friends, One who gives us chance after chance to admit our rebellion and ask for His forgiveness, so that He can put our sinful life to rest and remember it no more!
Application:
When we are able to live our lives freed from the guilt and shame that had once held us captive and in the dark, it will bring an incredible amount of everlasting joy knowing that the LORD has cleared your sin debt forever and given you a new start and a new life in His Son, Christ Jesus (Romans 6:22). And once your old life is dead and buried you will be able to move forward with renewed hope and strength knowing that the Lord of the universe is for you and directing your path. When Satan, the ruler of this fallen world, no longer controls the way you think, God will not only give you the wisdom to except this life as it is, but He will also give you the power to overcome it and change (Romans 12:2).
Prayer:
I come humbly before you, O LORD, thanking You for Your abundant mercy and grace. I cannot express the joy You have given me through Your forgiveness and for giving me a new life that brings You glory; a life that has given my life-journey hope for tomorrow, peace about the past, and the joy for today—a joy unlike any I have ever experienced. Thank You, Lord Jesus!
Amen
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
The Race of Grace
Scripture:
Acts 20:24
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself,
so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received
from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (NKJV)
Observation:
As the apostle Paul neared the end of his life, he was able to look back without regret or remorse. He had been able to accomplish, through the Lord’s power, all that God had called on him to do.
Application:
I spent most of my life on this earth consumed in self-worthlessness; living in a life that gave me little peace about my existence. I walked and sometimes ran through this life-journey void of joy and any hope of finding it. I was so wrapped up in self-pity and hopelessness that the thing I desired most was death. Without the Lord our God, my life became meaningless and the race I was running was headed towards a cliff that would finally end in disaster and death (Isaiah 10:4). It was only by the grace of God that He stepped in and stopped me from destroying the precious life He had given me (Ephesians 2:8). Once I refocused my sights on the finish line and set my eyes on the One who had given me my start—the One who took my old life and gave me a new life—all things changed for me. My eyes were not only opened to the real truth about this life, but it also gave me a much clearer picture of the life I would find when I crossed the finish line.
The race I am now running has given me more joy than I ever thought possible; not a worldly kind of joy but an eternal joy that nothing can steal from me. When you know the Savior, the Lord our God, Jesus Christ, you will know where your life-journey is headed and His peace will settle over you. The direction of your race will change and you will not only be excited about reaching the finish line, but you will want to bring as many misdirected souls with you as you can. This race is not about us, dear friends, but about our gracious and merciful God and His marvelous plan of redemption for everyone! (Titus 2: 11-14).
Prayer:
Help me, my Lord, to keep my focus on You, so that my life on this fallen world will reflect Your glory.
Help me finish this race with glory and honor. Be my Trainer, Lord, so that I can finish my race with You at my side. And let me be a beacon for others to follow, so they, too, will cross the finish line into an everlasting life made perfect!
Amen
Acts 20:24
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself,
so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received
from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (NKJV)
Observation:
As the apostle Paul neared the end of his life, he was able to look back without regret or remorse. He had been able to accomplish, through the Lord’s power, all that God had called on him to do.
Application:
I spent most of my life on this earth consumed in self-worthlessness; living in a life that gave me little peace about my existence. I walked and sometimes ran through this life-journey void of joy and any hope of finding it. I was so wrapped up in self-pity and hopelessness that the thing I desired most was death. Without the Lord our God, my life became meaningless and the race I was running was headed towards a cliff that would finally end in disaster and death (Isaiah 10:4). It was only by the grace of God that He stepped in and stopped me from destroying the precious life He had given me (Ephesians 2:8). Once I refocused my sights on the finish line and set my eyes on the One who had given me my start—the One who took my old life and gave me a new life—all things changed for me. My eyes were not only opened to the real truth about this life, but it also gave me a much clearer picture of the life I would find when I crossed the finish line.
The race I am now running has given me more joy than I ever thought possible; not a worldly kind of joy but an eternal joy that nothing can steal from me. When you know the Savior, the Lord our God, Jesus Christ, you will know where your life-journey is headed and His peace will settle over you. The direction of your race will change and you will not only be excited about reaching the finish line, but you will want to bring as many misdirected souls with you as you can. This race is not about us, dear friends, but about our gracious and merciful God and His marvelous plan of redemption for everyone! (Titus 2: 11-14).
Prayer:
Help me, my Lord, to keep my focus on You, so that my life on this fallen world will reflect Your glory.
Help me finish this race with glory and honor. Be my Trainer, Lord, so that I can finish my race with You at my side. And let me be a beacon for others to follow, so they, too, will cross the finish line into an everlasting life made perfect!
Amen
The Path of Truth
Scripture:
Psalm 25:5
Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation. (NKJV)
Observation:
This petition of King David’s, which was written thousands of years ago, is one we should whisper each and every morning before we begin our day and before we pick up God’s Word in search of the Truth.
Our gracious and loving God left the glory of heaven and traveled across the cosmos to become flesh and blood as we are flesh and blood (John 1:14) in order to save us from our enemies and personally teach us how to live a righteous life of hope in a world that is against us (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Application:
Once a person understands this truth, their God given common sense will begin to tell them that maybe; just maybe, this is a path worth looking into. And once the decision is made to walk in the truth of God’s redemptive plan, the Spirit of God will lead us, step by step, down the only path that will lead to an amazing life-journey unlike anything this world has to offer.
As I began to learn who our God is and all that He has provided, it became quite apparent that I should trust in Him, for the world I had trusted most of my life had always let me down; it had chewed me up and spit me out, and the only promise it could keep was my eventual destruction and death. My dear friends, there is no one better to trust than the God who came and suffered the penalty for our sins and rebellion in order to save us from death (Romans 5:6). Is it better to trust in a world that can only promise you temporary rewards and eternal death, or the only God who can promise you everlasting rewards and eternal life? We cannot win the battles of life by trusting in the world and in our own power. The powerful forces that rule this dark and dying world cannot be defeated without the Lord our God to defend us and provide the strength we need to persevere with peace and joy. Which path makes better sense to you? One that leads to darkness and death, or one that leads into the glorious Light of eternity?
Prayer:
I ask You, Lord God, in Your Mighty Name, to help me along this path that leads to life. Help me to remain strong and courageous in the midst of my troubles and those that are raging all around us. I know, dear Lord, that I need Your constant strength and wisdom, along with Your mercy and grace to win this battle for my soul. I love and honor You.
Amen
“Saving Grace”
Scripture:
Acts 4:12
“And there is salvation in no one else;
for there is no other name under heaven
that as been given among men by which
we must be saved.” (NASB)
Observation:
The apostle Peter, who has been filled with the Holy Spirit, is boldly proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ruling body and supreme court of the Jews, the Sanhedrin, who had helped condemned Jesus to death. Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin for healing a lame man in the name of Jesus and for teaching about the resurrection from the dead.
Application:
Because our God is by nature a gracious and merciful God (Exodus 34:6), He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as the final sacrifice for the sins of mankind. God became a man of human flesh, who lived a sinless life, becoming the perfect sacrificial Lamb that would fulfill God’s promise of redemption for His people. Although many Jewish people did turn to Christ for their salvation, the religious leaders condemned their conversion to Christianity and along with the Roman Empire, relentlessly persecuted them because of their faith. But because the power of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the believers the message of salvation spread throughout the world (Acts 1:8).
There are only two religious paths to salvation, by friends; a wide path that is dependent upon the good works we cannot accomplish on our own that ultimately leads to eternal death, and the narrow path of faith in Christ as our Savior, the only path that leads to eternal life.
It was the Son of God who created the heavens and the earth and everything in it (John 1:3), and so who would know better than the Creator what those whom He created needs? God knew that man would never be able to accomplish salvation on his own. So because of His unconditional love, mercy and grace our saving God took it upon Himself to make it possible for us to, once again, walk in His presence and enjoy His fellowship. The work has been done, my friends. Believe it! And walk your life-journey in peace knowing that what you could not achieve on your own has been graciously achieved for you!
Prayer:
Thank You, Father, for paving the way to salvation for your people. I am forever grateful for the Truth You have so graciously provided so that we, as imperfect as we are, can clothe ourselves in Christ Jesus so that we can come into Your holy presence.
Amen
Scripture:
Acts 4:12
“And there is salvation in no one else;
for there is no other name under heaven
that as been given among men by which
we must be saved.” (NASB)
Observation:
The apostle Peter, who has been filled with the Holy Spirit, is boldly proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ruling body and supreme court of the Jews, the Sanhedrin, who had helped condemned Jesus to death. Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin for healing a lame man in the name of Jesus and for teaching about the resurrection from the dead.
Application:
Because our God is by nature a gracious and merciful God (Exodus 34:6), He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as the final sacrifice for the sins of mankind. God became a man of human flesh, who lived a sinless life, becoming the perfect sacrificial Lamb that would fulfill God’s promise of redemption for His people. Although many Jewish people did turn to Christ for their salvation, the religious leaders condemned their conversion to Christianity and along with the Roman Empire, relentlessly persecuted them because of their faith. But because the power of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the believers the message of salvation spread throughout the world (Acts 1:8).
There are only two religious paths to salvation, by friends; a wide path that is dependent upon the good works we cannot accomplish on our own that ultimately leads to eternal death, and the narrow path of faith in Christ as our Savior, the only path that leads to eternal life.
It was the Son of God who created the heavens and the earth and everything in it (John 1:3), and so who would know better than the Creator what those whom He created needs? God knew that man would never be able to accomplish salvation on his own. So because of His unconditional love, mercy and grace our saving God took it upon Himself to make it possible for us to, once again, walk in His presence and enjoy His fellowship. The work has been done, my friends. Believe it! And walk your life-journey in peace knowing that what you could not achieve on your own has been graciously achieved for you!
Prayer:
Thank You, Father, for paving the way to salvation for your people. I am forever grateful for the Truth You have so graciously provided so that we, as imperfect as we are, can clothe ourselves in Christ Jesus so that we can come into Your holy presence.
Amen
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