Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Will of God
Scripture:
Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
so that you may prove what the will of God is,
that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB)
Observation:
The apostle Paul is explaining how, as believers in Christ, we should live our lives according to God’s good and perfect will. The world’s contemporary thinking and system of values always has and always will be dominated by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4). It is a self-absorbing system of pleasure which focuses on the here and now. And the only way we will ever escape its grip and renew our minds is through the power of the Holy Spirit, who softens our hearts and changes our thinking process through consistent study and meditation on the truth found only in God’s Word (Psalm 119:11, 12).
Application:
Most of us, through no fault of our own, are taught the world’s view of living. And if the world view is all we learn and see, then it is the world view that we base our knowledge on and live accordingly. And in most cases it doesn’t take long to discover that the only way to survive in this harsh and unfair life is by hardening our hearts and surrounding our selves with those things that can numb our pain and give us pleasure. Even though God has created within us the moral differences between right and wrong, it is impossible for anyone to overcome their sinful nature without God’s help. We want to do the right thing, but self gratification trumps the will of God and leads us down a path of self-destruction and eventually eternal judgment.
The truth, my friends, is that your life of sin and rebellion has been fully justified by Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior (Acts 13:39). You now have a new and better way to live your life, one that is not only pleasing to God and to those with whom you surround yourself with, but your life will gain a glorious new purpose that will fill your heart with the peace and joy of the Lord; the kind of peace and joy that gives us the strength and security to face another day with hope.
Prayer:
I hate to think about how the world would be without You, dear Lord. For I know that when I lived without You in my life, I lived with hopelessness in a life that deemed meaningless and futility. But now my life is filled with hope and meaning and a future that is beyond my imagination. Thank You for the gift of salvation and Your Holy Spirit to guide us Home.
Beginning Anew
Scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creature;
The old things passed away;
behold, new things have come. (NASB)
Observation:
What the apostle Paul is pointing out to the new believer’s in Corinth is the inexhaustible and profound truth’s about man’s redemption through Christ Jesus our Lord. As believers of the Good News we all share in the security of forgiveness of sin and spared the final judgment of God; that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ; that we will be resurrected into eternal life with Christ and receive our promised inheritance; and that we will also share in Christ’s divine nature.
Application:
What the human birth of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, brought to the entire world was a message of divine hope (John 10:27-28). The Lord knew that man could not redeem himself enough to walk in His presence, for we cannot control our sinful nature without God’s amazing grace and intervention. Once you humbly admit your rebellion against God’s will and ask Him to forgive you your sins and you promise to repent, your regeneration begins immediately. The Lord begins to open your eyes to those eternal truths that you have never seen, nor heard of; truths that will change the way you think about life and its purpose (Acts 26:18). And as your life is being transformed, your priorities, your value system and beliefs, the things that you love, and the plans that you have will gain an all new perspective—temporal things of this world will no longer control the way you live, instead, your new eternal perspective causes you to focus on the Creator, the God of Glory; the One who gave you life and the One you were fashioned after (Ephesians 2:10). God gives us a new beginning each and every day. We should, then, begin each day in thanksgiving, asking the Lord to continue His good works in us so that we will shine in His everlasting glory for all to see.
Prayer:
Thank You, O Lord, for leading me in truth. How wonderful it is to see this life through Your eyes. Indeed, the view is better and the journey more rewarding. Thank You for the hope and security You have given me, for without it I would be hopeless and lost.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creature;
The old things passed away;
behold, new things have come. (NASB)
Observation:
What the apostle Paul is pointing out to the new believer’s in Corinth is the inexhaustible and profound truth’s about man’s redemption through Christ Jesus our Lord. As believers of the Good News we all share in the security of forgiveness of sin and spared the final judgment of God; that we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ; that we will be resurrected into eternal life with Christ and receive our promised inheritance; and that we will also share in Christ’s divine nature.
Application:
What the human birth of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ, brought to the entire world was a message of divine hope (John 10:27-28). The Lord knew that man could not redeem himself enough to walk in His presence, for we cannot control our sinful nature without God’s amazing grace and intervention. Once you humbly admit your rebellion against God’s will and ask Him to forgive you your sins and you promise to repent, your regeneration begins immediately. The Lord begins to open your eyes to those eternal truths that you have never seen, nor heard of; truths that will change the way you think about life and its purpose (Acts 26:18). And as your life is being transformed, your priorities, your value system and beliefs, the things that you love, and the plans that you have will gain an all new perspective—temporal things of this world will no longer control the way you live, instead, your new eternal perspective causes you to focus on the Creator, the God of Glory; the One who gave you life and the One you were fashioned after (Ephesians 2:10). God gives us a new beginning each and every day. We should, then, begin each day in thanksgiving, asking the Lord to continue His good works in us so that we will shine in His everlasting glory for all to see.
Prayer:
Thank You, O Lord, for leading me in truth. How wonderful it is to see this life through Your eyes. Indeed, the view is better and the journey more rewarding. Thank You for the hope and security You have given me, for without it I would be hopeless and lost.
Knowledge and Wisdom
Scripture:
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is
beginning of knowledge. (NASB)
Observation:
The Proverbs of Solomon is a collection of short and to the point truths that King Solomon, the son of David, put together to help his people develop the skills needed for godly living (2 Chronicles 1:11). Because the word proverb means “to be like,” this is a book of comparisons between common, yet solid images and life’s most profound truths. The overall meaning of the word fear (used throughout the Book of Proverbs, especially in the first nine chapters) is reverence for God; being submissively in awe of our Creator and the truth of His sovereignty over the life of His creation (Job 28:28).
Application:
Most people, especially those who have lived enough years upon the earth, know that having knowledge certainly helps one, not only extend their life, but also helps them live in more comfort. All of us can make statements about life and truth in the context of our experiences and the world’s view of survival, but only those who live in the truth of God’s Word have the ultimate knowledge that comes from the Creator; knowledge that will not only fill your heart with the peace and joy that only comes from knowing the Truth, but will also save you from a life of sinful living that will lead to its final consequences; unimaginable pain and suffering and eternal separation from God.
Most of us know how terrible and hopeless this world would be without Jesus’ first coming. And all Christians everywhere know how their lives were before they learned and believed in the Truth (found only in the pages of the Bible) and what incredible, never before realized insight and joy it brought them. And in my prayers for this new year, which unfortunately promises us another year of more uncertainty and doubt, is that the Son of God, the true Light of the world (John 9:5), will shine brightly in this unmanageable and out of control world to touch and give hope to the millions of people who are afraid and without hope; just as He has done for thousands of years. It is my hope that there will be many who do not know the Lord; those who are lost and hopeless and in need of a Savior, will find the peace and certainty that knowing Him brings to our lives. But it is my deepest and most profound hope that all peoples who are suffering at the hands of the worst this life can bring, will find the peace, comfort, and the abounding joy of the Lord which will ease their pain until He comes to take them Home.
Prayer:
Oh, Lord, please help me live my life knowing You, giving me the ability to hear when You speak to my heart, those things that always stand true; the truth’s that will lead me down a path of peace and thanksgiving that You promise will comfort and strengthen me until You come to take me home.
Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORD is
beginning of knowledge. (NASB)
Observation:
The Proverbs of Solomon is a collection of short and to the point truths that King Solomon, the son of David, put together to help his people develop the skills needed for godly living (2 Chronicles 1:11). Because the word proverb means “to be like,” this is a book of comparisons between common, yet solid images and life’s most profound truths. The overall meaning of the word fear (used throughout the Book of Proverbs, especially in the first nine chapters) is reverence for God; being submissively in awe of our Creator and the truth of His sovereignty over the life of His creation (Job 28:28).
Application:
Most people, especially those who have lived enough years upon the earth, know that having knowledge certainly helps one, not only extend their life, but also helps them live in more comfort. All of us can make statements about life and truth in the context of our experiences and the world’s view of survival, but only those who live in the truth of God’s Word have the ultimate knowledge that comes from the Creator; knowledge that will not only fill your heart with the peace and joy that only comes from knowing the Truth, but will also save you from a life of sinful living that will lead to its final consequences; unimaginable pain and suffering and eternal separation from God.
Most of us know how terrible and hopeless this world would be without Jesus’ first coming. And all Christians everywhere know how their lives were before they learned and believed in the Truth (found only in the pages of the Bible) and what incredible, never before realized insight and joy it brought them. And in my prayers for this new year, which unfortunately promises us another year of more uncertainty and doubt, is that the Son of God, the true Light of the world (John 9:5), will shine brightly in this unmanageable and out of control world to touch and give hope to the millions of people who are afraid and without hope; just as He has done for thousands of years. It is my hope that there will be many who do not know the Lord; those who are lost and hopeless and in need of a Savior, will find the peace and certainty that knowing Him brings to our lives. But it is my deepest and most profound hope that all peoples who are suffering at the hands of the worst this life can bring, will find the peace, comfort, and the abounding joy of the Lord which will ease their pain until He comes to take them Home.
Prayer:
Oh, Lord, please help me live my life knowing You, giving me the ability to hear when You speak to my heart, those things that always stand true; the truth’s that will lead me down a path of peace and thanksgiving that You promise will comfort and strengthen me until You come to take me home.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Faith That Works
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.
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.
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!
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