Faith could be defined as truths that persuade one to believe the source of that truth. It is written that without faith it is impossible to please God. Enoch had the testimony that he pleased God. He was rewarded by not experiencing death. He was so persuaded by the truths of God that he preached them! How much do we want to please God? We must listen in order to hear. But listen to what? To the message that came from the very lips of Jesus: all men are sinners and only through Jesus' atoning death on the cross can one find peace with God. There is absolutely nothing a person can do in their own power to win salvation, because that which separates man from God could only be paid by the true man and true God, Jesus Christ. As we listen, we hear; as we hear, our walk with God grows; as we grow, we find that it is impossible to separate the hearing from the speaking. Share those truths that persuade to belief, because they come from the One who is True.
As we consider service as Christians, we need to consider our role as citizens. Our Scripture is from the song of Deborah and Barak. Deborah, a female judge of Israel, and Barak had just successfully led the people against the oppressors, the Canaanites. They were successful because the people followed them. It is in vogue today to criticize our political leaders. Most assuredly there are a number that should be replaced. But complaining won't do it. We who name the name of Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord need to do two things. We need to follow our leaders, wherever this will not go against God's Word. And when these leaders shouldn't be followed, or prove incompetent, we should work to remove them just as diligently as we follow. Scripture teaches that all authority is God-given. Sometimes political leaders are bad because the people deserve them. In serving our Lord, let us consider part of this service as being good, conscientious citizens, and act like it.
There is war in heaven. Satan, a powerful angel, has come forward and accused God falsely. The battleground is creation, especially humankind. God created us for His glory. The accuser Satan has purposed to take glory from God, to whom alone it is due. The devil's program is simple, with one goal; take glory from God (for himself). This is accomplished when either a person does not come to a knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (thus dying in sin) or a person is saved but becomes useless in God's service. Don't let the latter happen to you. Our relationship to Jesus is a living one. His words are life, our food. But if that is all we do, we do not bring God the greatest glory. That glory comes when those words living in us are manifested back to God, asking to accomplish His will. Do you want God's greatest glory from your life? Pray Jesus' words back to the Father, and receive the power to do His will. You will then bear fruit as only a true disciple can.
It is rare in life to find a friend which one can really call a best friend. It is a gift from God. Jonathan was the eldest son of Israel's first human king, Saul. As such, he stood as the heir apparent in the royal house. When Saul died, the crown would pass to Jonathan. But once Jonathan came to know David, he could say without rancor, "I will be next to, or after, you." This is a high model of friendship, one which exemplifies the self-sacrifice God calls all his children to. But how difficult it can be! Jonathan was ready to die for David. Instead, in the end, he died for his father, Saul. But Jonathan died to something greater while he lived. He died to a pride most would consider his right. Is there a friendship or a relationship God has provided for you that has not borne fruit to God's glory? Perhaps we need to see as Jonathan did, and prefer a friend over ourself.
This man was a giant raised to fight and kill. A man today about six feet tall might weigh 200 pounds ... the same as Goliath's armor! Goliath's spear was as big as a weaver's beam, and its head weighed 25 pounds! Goliath will ever be the perfect example of a bully. How many have you known? Today bullies don't usually come in the nine foot tall variety. Rather, they may hold positions of power, authority or have a lot of money or hold personal leverage over you. Bullies are always looking for a way to exercise their advantage. Goliath challenged the Israelites to single combat, scaring them to death. Today you may have a bully to fight. Remember David, the shepherd boy. No fine armor, coat of mail, sharp sword, or years of training. He was physically small. But he had one thing the bully never would have; God was on his side. Is there a bully you need to face? Probably more than anything, this one needs Jesus. Ask for God's help, like David, and face that bully.
If you took this verse by itself, and didn't check the context, you would say God was speaking with pleasure of the people's approach to Him for worship. Worship is essentially an approach to God. But in context, God is really saying these people only had an outward appearance of delight. The people's delight was in form, not content. Later in this chapter God says that these people were approaching Him for their own pleasure, not His. We need to be warned. God knows every motive and thought. Christians can fool themselves about their own motives. Only when God is asked to sort things out, will we find what it really is that motivates us. Are you approaching Almighty God with a humble spirit, to wait upon Him, to give Him glory and honor? Or are you approaching Him for the sake of form, because it's the thing to do, or the place to be? Beware, God knows. If you don't know what you're doing, ask God, He will clarify it for you.
Sometimes when we contemplate the holiness of God, our minds stumble and falter. We cannot grasp what it means to be without sin. We long to understand it, move closer to it, be more like Him, as He commands us to be. It is good that we can see sin for what it is; it is also good to be able to see the effects of sin in our lives. It is wonderful to experience forgiveness and cleansing from sin. But to be holy! Perhaps on that day, when He breaks through time and takes us to be with Himself, we will be like Him for we shall see Him as He is - Holy! Until then, we need to be actively preparing ourselves for that time. The first part of this preparation is to obey God. As we do, we become more like Jesus. Choose obedience, and learn more of holiness.
The Lord wants each of us to realize that nothing is unseen to Him: He knows our thoughts, intentions, dreams, and attitudes as well as our words and actions. It is foolish to think that we can hide anything from God! Unconfessed sin manifests in may ways: a blockage of spiritual growth; a disruption in interpersonal relationships; a deterioration in our physical well-being; and an interruption of our emotional stability. Sometimes the Lord reveals our sin and convicts us of it, personally and privately. Other times He may expose our sin to others, even publicly. Either way, at the first awareness of it, we should confess it and seek forgiveness with cleansing. Do you have any unconfessed sin in your life? Right now is the time to deal with it!
The Bible tells us that we Christians will give an account for every idle word spoken. While this may include empty and superfluous chatter, it also may mean words spoken that are not followed by action. Could you and I survive a requirement to do all that we say we are going to? How would that requirement change our conversations? How many fewer meetings would there be if we had to match, hour for hour, talk with action? Decide today to match your words with actions.
We can be so thankful that the Lord hasn't said, "You cried to me in trouble and I withhold my help because you are getting just what you deserve!" For so many times, the trouble that we are in is because we have disregarded His guidance and have gone our own way. But He doesn't stipulate that we must be free of sin, guilt, blame, or anything else. The mere fact that we cry to Him, as unto a father, is enough to cause Him to respond. Have you been in trouble and refused to ask for help from God? Did you think you could handle it just fine by yourself? Do you think that God will withhold His help from you, for some reason? If you are His child, call on Him today, to help you in your trouble. He will hear and answer, and save you.
At first reading, this verse appears absurd! To teach younger women to be self-controlled is reasonable, but to teach them to love? Doesn't love, springing up in our hearts, rage uncontrollably, and bring with it extreme exhilaration, extraordinary excitement, and an enchanted expectation of a fairy-tale romance? The older women do the younger women a grave disservice by saying and doing nothing to prevent them from plunging headlong into disillusionment, bewilderment, and prolonged depression. Someone needs to tell them what real love is and what it is not - for their own sake, as well as for the husband and the children. Are you a young woman needing to be taught? Seek out an older Christian woman to help you. Are you an older Christian woman? Teach the young women.
According to Lockyer's ALL THE WOMEN OF THE BIBLE, Hagar bore Abraham his first son, Ishmael, founding the Ishamaelite and Arab peoples. This occurred because Sarah ran ahead of God, trying to fulfill what was promised - an heir. But our God is a sovereign God. There are practical lessons to be learned from Sarah and Hagar: it is foolish to act hastily in times of trial and difficulty; it is prudent to watch for God's care over the lonely; it is clear that there is Divine purpose in the life of everyone, no matter how obscure or friendless; and in the midst of hardship and trouble, God brings strength, comfort, and encouragement. Are you growing weary of waiting on God? Don't fall to the temptation of Sarah, running ahead of God and creating trouble. Make a new decision to wait on the Lord today, He is faithful and will not let you down.
A very important part of worshiping God is learning of Him. Micah is looking forward to a time when all the earth will acknowledge God, and the nations of the earth will strongly desire to come to Jerusalem to learn of and from Him! What a precious privilege we have today, who are believers. We may partake of this teaching even now. As we learn about God, His power, knowledge, presence, justice, love, hatred of sin and more, we are drawn ever up, "to the mountain of the Lord," a height above all heights! And as we grow and climb ever higher, we are able to come "to the house of the God of Jacob," and find there a special place of praise and adoration. We may worship God when alone, but there is nothing to replace the sense of wonder, awe and joy when we come together with brothers and sisters in Christ. Take advantage of this privilege today, and partake of God's Word in churches where it is still taught.
There is a special communion with God where we realize the unique relation of the Son with the Father. Set aside foolish debates and contemplate in adoring wonder this marvelous relationship which produces such love for people like us! Jesus, standing in Solomon's Colonnade, is addressing the Jewish leaders. He explained that His sheep listened to Him. He gave them eternal life holding them all in His (and His Father's) hand and no one could remove them. Jesus said He and the Father were one essence, of a kind. They knew exactly what He claimed, and desired to stone Him to death for blasphemy. Those who know God must know Him through Jesus; Jesus explains God the Father. He told these Jewish leaders, if He failed to do what the Father did, they shouldn't believe Him. If they would believe the things He did, they might come to know the Father in the Son and the Son in the Father. Listen to Jesus today, the words He spoke, take note of the things He did, and discover God!
What we do when no one else is around to observe us, is what we really are. Are you a Jacob-type, putting up whatever facade is most useful to gain your purpose? The greatest spiritual tests come when we are alone. We may ask, God, where are you? We may seek Him, like Job, but we don't see Him. Job was a righteous man, familiar with such a test. He knew at those times when God seemed most remote, He was still perfectly aware of what Job was doing. God knows the ways we take, the things we think and do. This word, deed or thought, we would never entertain or do if we practiced the presence of God. Job's sense of God's knowing is not a dread one. Rather, He speaks as though it is expected. "When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold." Job knew it was a trial. Be aware, there is a trial in the times when we least sense God with us. Then we prove how close our walk with Him is. Guard yourself from "forgetting" God's presence.
How we see ourselves in our work will have everything to do with how others may or may not see Jesus Christ. As Jesus pointed out, when unbelievers have authority or power, they lord it over others. But the principle for the believer is completely opposite. We are to be servants. We all like to have the recognition of our peers for what we do well. But we must take heed to this verse, and check to see if that human attention is our primary motivation for our work. God tells us to serve Him and do all our work with one guiding principle. It is God whom we serve, not man. Some of us know this principle, but practice it only in part, grudgingly. But the teaching is that we serve "with good will" as to the Lord. It is amazing what this attitude of service will do for you and those around you. If this isn't your attitude, ask God to help you have it. You'll receive peace and power, and others will see "Christ in you, the hope of glory."
This short verse carries great meaning. The time is still close to when Adam and Eve and been sent out from Eden (due to the first act of disobedience, sin). Cain had killed Abel (the first murder) and Eve gave birth to Seth whose name means "Granted," because God granted another son in place of Abel. This verse represents another "first." Men started to call on the name of the Lord. The Hebrew translated "Lord" here is actually God's special name, which may be pronounced "Yahweh." God no longer walked with His children as He had with Adam and Eve. Sin had entered the sphere of existence and humankind was separated from their Creator. This separation gave birth to murder, sickness and other difficulties. "Enosh" literally means, "Man is Frail." Experiencing life's difficulties, he called out to his Creator for help. Acknowledge this basic motivation for prayer; recognize your frailty. Call on God today, and receive His help.
In this day of strained marriages, what wonderful counsel! The question is asked, why is only the husband told to love his wife, while the wife is told to respect her husband. When the first man and woman sinned, the blessings of the Garden of Eden turned into curses. Man, instead of cultivating a garden in paradise, was to continue to cultivate, but by the sweat of his brow and the ground would produce thorns. Woman, instead of having the joy of bringing a life into the paradise of the Garden, would bear children with great pain and have a strong desire to control her husband. Man is motivated by his work, and is very self-centered. Woman desires a safe place for her children and for that she needs control. Hence, the man is to love the woman, "as himself" neutralizing his selfish nature. The woman is to respect, trust, her husband and not try and control him. If your marriage doesn't have this balance, it's yours in Christ today. Obey His Word and gain the blessing.
Hosea's name means, "Jehovah is Salvation." He lived during a time in Israel's history when God was drawing to a close His longsuffering patience with the unfaithful nation. Society had turned far away from God, and evil was everywhere. Families were broken and idols worshiped. The United States of America during the last half of the 20th century wouldn't be a bad comparison. God told Hosea to take a wife who was a whore, because that was the role Israel had played to Him. His bride she was, but she sold herself to strangers. Gomer, Hosea's wife, had three children, each named for God's view of Israel. Hosea has been called God's first prophet of grace, for he redeemed his wife, and paid her price, just as Jesus has done for us. We have not deserved His grace, but we are beneficiaries of it. Let's act on this grace while we still have the time, and spread the good news of the redemption paid for by Jesus Christ, and the salvation it brings!
There are many new strategies today in the local church to make things more "meaningful," less formal. Baby-boomers have common identifiers which must be taken into consideration when a worship service is being planned. The consequence is that there is a lot of innovation today in worship, much of it good. But no matter how "upbeat" the message, how catchy the chorus tunes and lyrics, no matter what instruments are used to accompany, the worshiper must be prepared. All the "new" in church today doesn't guarantee to make us more fruitful in our service, or God-honoring in our lives. What is required is what the Puritans called "heart-work." Just as our Scripture says, "...it is with your heart that you believe...." Look into your heart. What do you find there from this past day, week, month? Confession, repentance and prayer are matters of heart-work. Without this work, your worship will be hollow. With it, your worship will be God-honoring. Look today.
How precious this Scripture must be to those who literally have been abandoned by their mother and father. It is estimated that there are 110 million such children, "street kids" they're called, in the world today. Oh, that someone would go and tell them of our heavenly Father's great love for them! What do you suppose these children say to themselves if they can't lay claim to this Scripture? The Father-heart of God is something to ponder. His Word is full of admonition to care for the widow, the poor, the fatherless. How are we doing in this area? What are you doing to obey His commands in this area?
If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior we have made the most important decision to choose life. With this vital decision, we have been set on a course where God can bless us. Because we have been given eternal life and temporal blessings, our response should be overflowing adoration and thankfulness to God! But is it? We get caught up in the day-to-day struggles, the selfish and trivial exchanges, and we forget what we have in Christ and who we are! Today, take the time to reflect back on that day you chose life; consider what God has prepared for you in eternity; review what God has blessed you with temporally. Then rejoice and spend some time in worship, thanking Him and praising Him. He's waiting!
We, as believers, are servants through whom others come to believe in Christ. Each one of us has a part to play. As this passage goes on to say, some plant and some water. Planting and watering are necessary steps toward harvest. Note also, that it is the Lord who has assigned you your task; you do not get to choose what you will or will not do. It is our responsibility to place ourselves in the Lord's hands, through surrender, through study of His Word, through fellowship with Him in prayer, through uniting ourselves with others who are like-minded, so that He can commission us to begin. The harvest is quietly going on around us as the Lord calls those who are His. Be prepared to participate in this harvest. You have a task. If you don't know what it is, ask your Father, and He will tell you.
Frequently, when we pray, we tell God the first and last name of the person we are praying for. The Lord already knows, just as He knows all the details of the problem. God is omniscient: He already knows everyone and everything. What God wants from us is our acknowledgment that we understand our need, and the awareness that we are totally dependent on Him for everything. Since He already knows, what do we really need to say to Him? Let's choose to keep our words few and specific before our Lord. Then we will be effectual and fervent and our prayers will prevail!
This is true for every born-again Christian, and should cause us to reflect upon how we view our family. Do we dare grumble against it, knowing that it was God-ordered? Do we dare take it for granted, knowing that it is God's gift to us? For those who had/have good families, this is probably not a problem. But so many of us haven't had the wonderful Christian background we wished we had. What do we do now? Begin today, by asking God to forgive any resentment or unforgiveness in your own life. Some of the bad habits we or other members of our family practice may have been handed down through generations; confess those sins of your family. Ask God to make you a light among them - to lead them to Him. Let today be the day to start anew, right where you are with your own family!
According to Lockyer's ALL THE WOMEN OF THE BIBLE, Hannah means "gracious" or "favor." Like Sarah, Hannah was barren and was so sorrowful that she, too, probably suggested to her husband take another woman to bear him children. Although the Lord had "shut up her womb," her heart was still open toward Him and she promised to dedicate her first born to Him if she had one. Hannah is a beautiful example of how a blessed character can be produced in the most unpleasant, even difficult circumstances of life. And how the character of a mother can be a foreshadowing of her children. Hannah prayed and God answered her prayers in a mighty way. In your difficult family circumstances, follow Hannah's example both in character and in action. It will honor God and bless you and yours.
These verses give a great outline for the church today! The church was brand new. People were being saved daily. The newness of the relationship with Jesus and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit provided the believers with such love for one another that they spent their time together daily, not just on one day of the week. Together they ate their food with happy and giving hearts and with praise in their mouths for their God. No wonder they had favor with all the people! Don't forget, these were the same "people" who had recently participated in Jesus' death. Take a pulse check and see if your only time of gathering together is once a week. The New Testament tells us of just one sign by which the church will be known, believers' love for one another. It isn't love if you can only bear the fellowship once a week. Decide to be a regular part of it, and thank God for the church, the medium for His message.
What greater task can there be than to seek to know our Creator? He has revealed Himself as completely as our finite mind can comprehend, in both His creation and Word. In the ten commandments God only uses one adjective to describe Himself; "jealous." We all know of God's love, justness, righteousness, wisdom, and more. But how often do we reflect on this fact, He is jealous. This is both wonderful and alarming at the same time. It is wonderful that the Creator of the universe, Himself uncreated, should so strongly desire our attention. On the other hand, we need to note that when we ignore our God, or even just not give Him the full and complete place which is His due in our lives, we are in jeopardy of His wrath. Consider whether you regularly, devotedly spend private time with your Creator. This is not in groups; just you and Him. Do it and be blessed, or ignore it at your own risk.
John the Baptist was telling his audience Jesus was coming. He pointed ahead to Jesus and called people to repent. Jesus would do more; He would not only call the people to change their sinful ways, but also give them the power to do so. Why speak of fire? Scripture is always to the point. What does fire do? It does three things: gives light, warmth and consumes something. When the Spirit comes into your life, count on these three things: into the light He brings dark habits and they must be changed; He brings comfort like warmth where there hasn't been comfort; and lastly, He consumes. What is consumed? As the believer willingly confesses and releases a portion of his/her life to God's control, this portion of sin/weakness is consumed like the sacrifices of old. And like those sacrifices, something is given in their place. It is the control of God's Spirit; strength to the believer, glory to God. Desire the Fire and be all you can be, in Jesus Christ!
We are all kings or judges to a certain degree because these titles fit anyone in authority. Even if this doesn't describe you in your business, many people have the kind of authority implied here in their family, church or community. If you are a leader, it is well to act wisely, i.e. obeying God. Also, no one in authority or leadership can afford to have an attitude which denies receiving instruction. Those who are willing to receive instruction are capable of instructing and thus leading others. Those who aren't willing, aren't capable. This Scripture makes it clear, it is the Lord we serve. Serving with fear doesn't mean fear of punishment, but rather a fear defined as reverential awe and respect. Witnessing God's power as we lead, we can "rejoice with trembling," because it is a very exciting experience. This trembling comes with a growing knowledge of the One whom you serve. If this is not your style of leadership, meditate on this verse, and become wise.
Regarding this verse, consider the godly aged. In our society older saints often feel they are not doing their part. They can't help with the children; their bodies won't cooperate to do certain physically hard work; they have difficultly hearing or seeing; they feel like they can't contribute anymore. This idea must be eradicated! If you are someone like this, or know someone like this, consider Anna who was very old (Luke 2:36,37). She spent her time worshiping, fasting and praying. Praying. And she was shown the Savior, in answer to her prayers! Older saints today need to be encouraged to pray and not be permitted to think they are second class servants! Younger ones are not able to pray like Anna. God has ordained His power be bent to earth to do His will, THROUGH PRAYER. Encourage older saints in this manner. They are literally on the front lines, bringing God's power to bear on the things of the earth. No one else can render this service; encourage them!
