Sunday, March 31, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
The Hands of the Carpenter
It was Joseph of Arimathaea who had the honor of taking the body of Jesus down from the cross. Think what it would be like to have to pull the cold and lifeless hands of the Son of God from the thick, barbed Roman nails.
These were carpenter’s hands, which once held nails and wood, now being held by nails and wood. These were the hands that broke bread and fed multitudes, now being broken to feed multitudes. They once applied clay to a blind man’s eyes, touched lepers, healed the sick, washed the disciple’s feet, and took children in His arms. These were the hands that, more than once, loosed the cold hand of death, now held firmly by its icy grip.
These were the fingers that wrote in the sand when the adulterous woman was cast at His feet, and for the love of God, fashioned a whip that purged His Father’s house. These were the same fingers that took bread and dipped it in a dish, and gave it to Judas as a gesture of deep love and friendship. Here was the Bread of Life itself, being dipped in the cup of suffering, as the ultimate gesture of God’s love for the evil world that Judas represented.
Joseph’s shame, that he had been afraid to own the Savior, sickened him as he tore the blood-sodden feet from the six-inch cold steel spikes that fastened them to the cross. These were the "beautiful feet" of Him that preached the gospel of peace, that Mary washed with her hair, that walked upon the Sea of Galilee, now crimson with a sea of blood.
As Joseph reached out his arms to get Him down from the cross, perhaps he stared for an instant at the inanimate face of the Son of God. His heart wrenched as he looked upon Him whom they had pierced. This face, which once radiated with the glory of God on the Mount of Transfiguration, which so many had looked upon with such veneration, was now blood-stained from the needle-sharp crown of thorns, deathly pale and twisted from unspeakable suffering as the sin of the world was laid upon Him. His eyes, which once sparkled with the life of God, now stared at nothingness, as He was brought into the dust of death. His lips, which spoke such gracious words and calmed the fears of so many, were swollen and bruised from the beating given to Him by the hardened fists of cruel soldiers. As it is written, "His visage was so marred more than any man" (Isaiah 52:14).
Nicodemus may have reached up to help Joseph with the body. As the cold blood of the Lamb of God covered his hand he was reminded of the blood of the Passover lamb he had seen shed so many times. The death of each spotless animal had been so quick and merciful, but this death had been unspeakably cruel, vicious, inhumane, and brutal. It seemed that all the hatred that sin-loving humanity had for the Light formed itself into a dark and evil spear, and was thrust with cruel delight into the perfect Lamb of God.
Perhaps as he carefully pried the crown from His head, looked at the gaping hole in His side, the deep mass of abrasions upon His back, and the mutilated wounds in His hands and feet, a sense of outrage engrossed him, that this could happen to such a Man as this. But the words of the prophet Isaiah rang within his heart: "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities . . . the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all . . . as a lamb to the slaughter . . . for the transgression of my people he was stricken . . . yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him . . .by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many" (Isaiah 53:5–11).
Jesus of Nazareth was stripped of His robe, that we might be robed in pure righteousness. He suffered a deathly thirst, that our thirst for life might be quenched. He agonized under the curse of the Law, that we might relish the blessing of the gospel. He took upon Himself the hatred of the world, so that we could experience the love of God. Hell was let loose upon him so that heaven could be let loose upon us. Jesus of Nazareth tasted the bitterness of death, so that we might taste the sweetness of life everlasting. The Son of God willingly passed over His life, that death might freely pass over the sons and daughters of Adam.
May Calvary’s cross be as real to us as it was to those who stood on its bloody soil on that terrible day. May we also gaze upon the face of the crucified Son of God, and may shame grip our hearts if ever the fear of man comes near our souls. May we identify with the apostle Paul, who could have gloried in his dramatic and miraculous experience on the road to Damascus. Instead, he whispered in awe of God’s great love: "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14).
These were carpenter’s hands, which once held nails and wood, now being held by nails and wood. These were the hands that broke bread and fed multitudes, now being broken to feed multitudes. They once applied clay to a blind man’s eyes, touched lepers, healed the sick, washed the disciple’s feet, and took children in His arms. These were the hands that, more than once, loosed the cold hand of death, now held firmly by its icy grip.
These were the fingers that wrote in the sand when the adulterous woman was cast at His feet, and for the love of God, fashioned a whip that purged His Father’s house. These were the same fingers that took bread and dipped it in a dish, and gave it to Judas as a gesture of deep love and friendship. Here was the Bread of Life itself, being dipped in the cup of suffering, as the ultimate gesture of God’s love for the evil world that Judas represented.
Joseph’s shame, that he had been afraid to own the Savior, sickened him as he tore the blood-sodden feet from the six-inch cold steel spikes that fastened them to the cross. These were the "beautiful feet" of Him that preached the gospel of peace, that Mary washed with her hair, that walked upon the Sea of Galilee, now crimson with a sea of blood.
As Joseph reached out his arms to get Him down from the cross, perhaps he stared for an instant at the inanimate face of the Son of God. His heart wrenched as he looked upon Him whom they had pierced. This face, which once radiated with the glory of God on the Mount of Transfiguration, which so many had looked upon with such veneration, was now blood-stained from the needle-sharp crown of thorns, deathly pale and twisted from unspeakable suffering as the sin of the world was laid upon Him. His eyes, which once sparkled with the life of God, now stared at nothingness, as He was brought into the dust of death. His lips, which spoke such gracious words and calmed the fears of so many, were swollen and bruised from the beating given to Him by the hardened fists of cruel soldiers. As it is written, "His visage was so marred more than any man" (Isaiah 52:14).
Nicodemus may have reached up to help Joseph with the body. As the cold blood of the Lamb of God covered his hand he was reminded of the blood of the Passover lamb he had seen shed so many times. The death of each spotless animal had been so quick and merciful, but this death had been unspeakably cruel, vicious, inhumane, and brutal. It seemed that all the hatred that sin-loving humanity had for the Light formed itself into a dark and evil spear, and was thrust with cruel delight into the perfect Lamb of God.
Perhaps as he carefully pried the crown from His head, looked at the gaping hole in His side, the deep mass of abrasions upon His back, and the mutilated wounds in His hands and feet, a sense of outrage engrossed him, that this could happen to such a Man as this. But the words of the prophet Isaiah rang within his heart: "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities . . . the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all . . . as a lamb to the slaughter . . . for the transgression of my people he was stricken . . . yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him . . .by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many" (Isaiah 53:5–11).
Jesus of Nazareth was stripped of His robe, that we might be robed in pure righteousness. He suffered a deathly thirst, that our thirst for life might be quenched. He agonized under the curse of the Law, that we might relish the blessing of the gospel. He took upon Himself the hatred of the world, so that we could experience the love of God. Hell was let loose upon him so that heaven could be let loose upon us. Jesus of Nazareth tasted the bitterness of death, so that we might taste the sweetness of life everlasting. The Son of God willingly passed over His life, that death might freely pass over the sons and daughters of Adam.
May Calvary’s cross be as real to us as it was to those who stood on its bloody soil on that terrible day. May we also gaze upon the face of the crucified Son of God, and may shame grip our hearts if ever the fear of man comes near our souls. May we identify with the apostle Paul, who could have gloried in his dramatic and miraculous experience on the road to Damascus. Instead, he whispered in awe of God’s great love: "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14).
Monday, March 25, 2013
Have I Betrayed Him?
Luke 22:48
The kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Let me be on my guard when the world puts on a loving face, for it will, if possible, betray me as it did my Master, with a kiss. Whenever a man is about to stab religion, he usually professes very great reverence for it. Let me beware of sleek-faced hypocrisy, which is assistant to heresy and infidelity.
Knowing how easily the unrighteous are deceived, let me be wise as a serpent to detect and avoid the designs of the enemy. The young man, devoid of understanding, was led astray by the kiss of the strange woman: May my soul be so graciously instructed today that the seductive tones of the world may have no effect upon me. Holy Spirit, let me not, a poor frail son of man, be betrayed with a kiss!
But what if I should be guilty of the same dreadful sin as Judas, that son of perdition? I have been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus; I am a member of His visible church; I sit at the Communion table: All these are so many kisses of my lips. Am I sincere in them? If not, I am a base traitor. Do I live in the world as carelessly as others do, and yet make a profession of being a follower of Jesus? Then I am exposing my faith to ridicule and leading men to speak evil of the very name Christian. Surely if I act inconsistently, I am a Judas, and it were better for me if I had never been born. Dare I hope that I am innocent in this matter? Then, O Lord, keep me so. O Lord, make me sincere and true. Preserve me from every false way. Never let me betray my Savior. I do love You, Lord Jesus, and though I often grieve You, I still desire to remain faithful even unto death.
O God, forbid that I should be a high-sounding professor and then fall at last into the lake of fire because I betrayed my Master with a kiss.
The kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Let me be on my guard when the world puts on a loving face, for it will, if possible, betray me as it did my Master, with a kiss. Whenever a man is about to stab religion, he usually professes very great reverence for it. Let me beware of sleek-faced hypocrisy, which is assistant to heresy and infidelity.
Knowing how easily the unrighteous are deceived, let me be wise as a serpent to detect and avoid the designs of the enemy. The young man, devoid of understanding, was led astray by the kiss of the strange woman: May my soul be so graciously instructed today that the seductive tones of the world may have no effect upon me. Holy Spirit, let me not, a poor frail son of man, be betrayed with a kiss!
But what if I should be guilty of the same dreadful sin as Judas, that son of perdition? I have been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus; I am a member of His visible church; I sit at the Communion table: All these are so many kisses of my lips. Am I sincere in them? If not, I am a base traitor. Do I live in the world as carelessly as others do, and yet make a profession of being a follower of Jesus? Then I am exposing my faith to ridicule and leading men to speak evil of the very name Christian. Surely if I act inconsistently, I am a Judas, and it were better for me if I had never been born. Dare I hope that I am innocent in this matter? Then, O Lord, keep me so. O Lord, make me sincere and true. Preserve me from every false way. Never let me betray my Savior. I do love You, Lord Jesus, and though I often grieve You, I still desire to remain faithful even unto death.
O God, forbid that I should be a high-sounding professor and then fall at last into the lake of fire because I betrayed my Master with a kiss.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Paul Washer preaches Gospel
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Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Venezuelan evangelicals call for prayer after Chávez’s death
RICHMOND, Va.—As Venezuelans mourn the death of President Hugo Chávez and face an uncertain future, the nation’s evangelical community urges Christians around the world to be in prayer for their country.
Chávez, 58, died Tuesday, March 5, after battling cancer. The leader had served as Venezuela’s president for 14 years.
“Wednesday, scores of people came into the street [in Caracas] to view his funeral procession and show their respect for the fallen leader,” said a Christian worker in Venezuela. “Leaders from many countries around the world have also gathered for the funeral service on Friday.”
The country has declared seven days of mourning for their president.
Consejo Evangélico de Venezuela (The Evangelical Council of Venezuela), a Venezuelan organization of evangelicals including the National Baptist Convention of Venezuela, issued a statement Tuesday on their website and Facebook page, offering condolences to the president’s family and all Venezuelans, and calling for Christians to pray for peace and unity in their nation.
The statement urged Venezuelans to “avoid hatred, damaging language and confrontational attitudes” during this time of national grief and to “look to God as our only giver of grace and truth.”
Alluding to political divisions and tensions that have plagued Venezuela during the Chávez administration, the statement encouraged Venezuelans to “live together in the midst of differences” and to “maintain a heart free of bad feelings so that we may see the hand of God acting in our country.”
Citing several verses from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the statement also challenged Venezuelans to be peacemakers — “be a country that constructs peace and rejects confrontation.”
The Christian worker explained, “Venezuela plays a critical role in influencing the affairs of Latin America and has one of the largest petroleum reserves of any country in the world.
“The capital, Caracas, is one of the least evangelized cities in Latin America,” the Christian worker added. “Thus, the death of the president behooves Christians everywhere to pray not only for the peace and unity of the nation, but that its citizens will use the death of their fallen leader to reflect upon the frailty of life and seek eternal security in the person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
By Laura Fielding
Chávez, 58, died Tuesday, March 5, after battling cancer. The leader had served as Venezuela’s president for 14 years.
“Wednesday, scores of people came into the street [in Caracas] to view his funeral procession and show their respect for the fallen leader,” said a Christian worker in Venezuela. “Leaders from many countries around the world have also gathered for the funeral service on Friday.”
The country has declared seven days of mourning for their president.
Consejo Evangélico de Venezuela (The Evangelical Council of Venezuela), a Venezuelan organization of evangelicals including the National Baptist Convention of Venezuela, issued a statement Tuesday on their website and Facebook page, offering condolences to the president’s family and all Venezuelans, and calling for Christians to pray for peace and unity in their nation.
The statement urged Venezuelans to “avoid hatred, damaging language and confrontational attitudes” during this time of national grief and to “look to God as our only giver of grace and truth.”
Alluding to political divisions and tensions that have plagued Venezuela during the Chávez administration, the statement encouraged Venezuelans to “live together in the midst of differences” and to “maintain a heart free of bad feelings so that we may see the hand of God acting in our country.”
Citing several verses from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), the statement also challenged Venezuelans to be peacemakers — “be a country that constructs peace and rejects confrontation.”
The Christian worker explained, “Venezuela plays a critical role in influencing the affairs of Latin America and has one of the largest petroleum reserves of any country in the world.
“The capital, Caracas, is one of the least evangelized cities in Latin America,” the Christian worker added. “Thus, the death of the president behooves Christians everywhere to pray not only for the peace and unity of the nation, but that its citizens will use the death of their fallen leader to reflect upon the frailty of life and seek eternal security in the person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
By Laura Fielding
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
How to Obtain Blessings
Read: Romans 4:20
Christian, take good care of your faith, for faith is the only way in which you can obtain blessings. If we want blessings from God, nothing can fetch them down but faith. Prayer cannot draw down answers from God's throne unless it is the earnest prayer of the man who believes. Faith is the angelic messenger between the soul and the Lord Jesus in glory. Let that angel be withdrawn, we can neither send up prayer, nor receive the answers. Faith is the telegraphic wire that links earth and heaven--on which God's messages of love fly so fast that before we call He answers, and while we are still speaking He hears us. But if that telegraphic wire of faith is snapped, how can we receive the promise? Am I in trouble? I can obtain help for trouble by faith. Am I beaten about by the enemy? My soul leans on God by faith. But take faith away--in vain I call to God.
There is no road between my soul and heaven. In the deepest wintertime faith is a road on which the horses of prayer may travel--ay, and all the better for the biting frost; but blockade the road and how can we communicate with the Great King? Faith links me with divinity. Faith clothes me with the power of God. Faith engages on my side the omnipotence of Jehovah. Faith ensures every attribute of God in my defense. It helps me defy the hosts of hell. It makes me march in triumph over my enemies. But without faith how can I receive anything from the Lord? The one who wavers--who is like a wave of the sea--should not expect to receive anything from God!
So, then, Christian, pay attention to your faith; for with it you can win all things, however poor you are, but without it you can obtain nothing. "If you can! All things are possible for one who believes."1
1Mark 9:23
Christian, take good care of your faith, for faith is the only way in which you can obtain blessings. If we want blessings from God, nothing can fetch them down but faith. Prayer cannot draw down answers from God's throne unless it is the earnest prayer of the man who believes. Faith is the angelic messenger between the soul and the Lord Jesus in glory. Let that angel be withdrawn, we can neither send up prayer, nor receive the answers. Faith is the telegraphic wire that links earth and heaven--on which God's messages of love fly so fast that before we call He answers, and while we are still speaking He hears us. But if that telegraphic wire of faith is snapped, how can we receive the promise? Am I in trouble? I can obtain help for trouble by faith. Am I beaten about by the enemy? My soul leans on God by faith. But take faith away--in vain I call to God.
There is no road between my soul and heaven. In the deepest wintertime faith is a road on which the horses of prayer may travel--ay, and all the better for the biting frost; but blockade the road and how can we communicate with the Great King? Faith links me with divinity. Faith clothes me with the power of God. Faith engages on my side the omnipotence of Jehovah. Faith ensures every attribute of God in my defense. It helps me defy the hosts of hell. It makes me march in triumph over my enemies. But without faith how can I receive anything from the Lord? The one who wavers--who is like a wave of the sea--should not expect to receive anything from God!
So, then, Christian, pay attention to your faith; for with it you can win all things, however poor you are, but without it you can obtain nothing. "If you can! All things are possible for one who believes."1
1Mark 9:23
Life after Death
Some don’t believe that we have a soul that continues on after death. This verse clearly shows that physical death occurs when the soul separates from the body (in the same way that spiritual death is separation from God).
1 Kings 17:21 And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” 22Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and herevived.
1 Kings 17:21 And he stretched himself out on the child three times, and cried out to the Lord and said, “O Lord my God, I pray, let this child’s soul come back to him.” 22Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and herevived.
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Memory is God's Officer!
“We won’t need any one to condemn us at the bar of God; it will be our own conscience that will come up as a witness against us. God won’t condemn us at his bar; we shall condemn ourselves. Memory is God’s officer, and when He shall touch these secret springs and say, ‘Son, daughter, remember’—then tramp, tramp, tramp will come before us, in a long procession, all the sins we have ever committed.” D. L. Moody
2 Samuel 24:10 And David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”
2 Samuel 24:10 And David’s heart condemned him after he had numbered the people. So David said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done; but now, I pray, O Lord, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”
Effect of the Law
One effect of the Law: it brings the knowledge of sin, convicts the conscience, and makes the wrath of God understandable as the just consequence of sin. Use the Law to reach the lost as Jesus did. (See Mark 10:17 for an example of Jesus using the Law.)
“When the sinner sees the awful consequences of breaking the Law of God—that he cannot escape the certainty of judgment—he will see his need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. When we preach future punishment by the Law, the sinner comes to Christ solely to flee from ‘the wrath to come.’” Charles Spurgeon
“When the sinner sees the awful consequences of breaking the Law of God—that he cannot escape the certainty of judgment—he will see his need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. When we preach future punishment by the Law, the sinner comes to Christ solely to flee from ‘the wrath to come.’” Charles Spurgeon
Friday, March 15, 2013
Idol Worship
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Needing a breakthrough?
. . . may the God of peace . . . produce in you through the power of Christ all that is pleasing to him . . .
–Hebrews 13:20,21 (TLB)
When I was a boy, radio was just coming of age. We would gather around a crude homemade set and twist the three tuning dials in an effort to establish contact with the transmitter. Often, all the sound that came out of the amplifier was the squawk of static; but we knew that somewhere out there was the unseen transmitter, and if contact was established and the dials were in adjustment, we could hear a voice loud and clear. After a long time of laborious tuning, the far distant voice would suddenly break through and a smile of triumph would illuminate the faces of all in the room. At last we were tuned in!
In the revelation that God established between Himself and us, we can find a new life and a new dimension of living, but we must “tune in.” There are higher levels of living to which we have never attained. There is peace, satisfaction, and joy that we have never experienced. God is trying to break through to us. The heavens are calling. God is speaking! Let man hear.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to be so attuned to Your will that I will experience all that You so lovingly wish to bestow
–Hebrews 13:20,21 (TLB)
When I was a boy, radio was just coming of age. We would gather around a crude homemade set and twist the three tuning dials in an effort to establish contact with the transmitter. Often, all the sound that came out of the amplifier was the squawk of static; but we knew that somewhere out there was the unseen transmitter, and if contact was established and the dials were in adjustment, we could hear a voice loud and clear. After a long time of laborious tuning, the far distant voice would suddenly break through and a smile of triumph would illuminate the faces of all in the room. At last we were tuned in!
In the revelation that God established between Himself and us, we can find a new life and a new dimension of living, but we must “tune in.” There are higher levels of living to which we have never attained. There is peace, satisfaction, and joy that we have never experienced. God is trying to break through to us. The heavens are calling. God is speaking! Let man hear.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to be so attuned to Your will that I will experience all that You so lovingly wish to bestow
Restored by Grace
Read | Luke 15:11-16
Independence is a highly valued quality. We teach it to our children, and we demand it for ourselves. There is even a statue called the Independent Man on top of the Rhode Island State House—it stands as a tribute to self-sufficiency and freedom.
The story of the Prodigal Son, however, shows us a less positive aspect of independence—one which, sadly, is woven into the fabric of human nature. The wayward son takes charge of his own life and shuns his father’s care and protection. Fortunately, the story doesn’t stop after revealing the boy’s downward spiral of sin; it also shows us the restoring grace of God.
Sin means acting independently of God’s will. It begins with a desire that is outside His plan. Next comes a decision to act on the desire. When we do, we find ourselves, like the prodigal, in a “distant country,” which is anywhere outside the will of God. To remain there requires deception. We deceive ourselves by thinking that we know better than God and ignoring any consequences. Defeat follows. For a time all may seem fine, but like the reckless son in the story, we’ll find that our way leads to defeat. Finally, we will arrive at despair resulting from famine of spirit, emotions, or relationships. That leads into desperation, where our choices are few and distasteful.
But desperation is not the end of the prodigal’s story. Nor is it the end of ours when we sin. Jesus gave this account of an earthly father’s forgiving love because He desired to point us to the restoring grace of our heavenly Father. God waits with open arms for us, His wandering children.
Independence is a highly valued quality. We teach it to our children, and we demand it for ourselves. There is even a statue called the Independent Man on top of the Rhode Island State House—it stands as a tribute to self-sufficiency and freedom.
The story of the Prodigal Son, however, shows us a less positive aspect of independence—one which, sadly, is woven into the fabric of human nature. The wayward son takes charge of his own life and shuns his father’s care and protection. Fortunately, the story doesn’t stop after revealing the boy’s downward spiral of sin; it also shows us the restoring grace of God.
Sin means acting independently of God’s will. It begins with a desire that is outside His plan. Next comes a decision to act on the desire. When we do, we find ourselves, like the prodigal, in a “distant country,” which is anywhere outside the will of God. To remain there requires deception. We deceive ourselves by thinking that we know better than God and ignoring any consequences. Defeat follows. For a time all may seem fine, but like the reckless son in the story, we’ll find that our way leads to defeat. Finally, we will arrive at despair resulting from famine of spirit, emotions, or relationships. That leads into desperation, where our choices are few and distasteful.
But desperation is not the end of the prodigal’s story. Nor is it the end of ours when we sin. Jesus gave this account of an earthly father’s forgiving love because He desired to point us to the restoring grace of our heavenly Father. God waits with open arms for us, His wandering children.
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Come to our Senses
The ungodly are not in their right mind. Like the prodigal son who “came to himself” (Luke 15:17), it is only when we realize our appetites are unclean that we come to our senses, confess our sins, and repent. When we turn to Christ we receive “a sound mind” (see 2 Tim. 1:7).
2 Chronicles 6:37 yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness’;38and when they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been carried captive, and pray toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and toward the temple which I have built for Your name
2 Chronicles 6:37 yet when they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication to You in the land of their captivity, saying, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong, and have committed wickedness’;38and when they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, where they have been carried captive, and pray toward their land which You gave to their fathers, the city which You have chosen, and toward the temple which I have built for Your name
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Sin beyond measure
Read: Romans 7:13
Beware of thinking lightly of sin. At the time of conversion, the conscience is so tender that we are afraid of the slightest sin. Young converts have a holy timidity, a godly fear of offending God. But sadly very soon the fine bloom upon these first ripe fruits is removed by the rough handling of the surrounding world: The sensitive plant of young piety turns into a willow in later life, too pliable, too easily yielding.
It is sadly true that even a Christian may grow by degrees so callous that the sin that once startled him does not alarm him in the least. By degrees men get familiar with sin. The ear in which the cannon has been booming will not notice slight sounds. At first a little sin startles us; but soon we say, "Is it not a little one?" Then there comes another, larger, and then another, until by degrees we begin to regard sin as but a small matter; and this is followed by an unholy presumption: "We have not fallen into open sin. True, we tripped a little, but we stood upright for the most part. We may have uttered one unholy word, but as for most of our conversation, it has been consistent." So we toy with sin; we throw a cloak over it; we call it by dainty names.
Christian, beware of thinking lightly of sin. Take heed in case you fall little by little. Sin a little thing? Is it not a poison? Who knows its deadliness? Sin a little thing? Do not the little foxes spoil the grapes? Doesn't the tiny coral insect build a rock that wrecks a navy? Do not little strokes fell lofty oaks? Will not continual drippings wear away stones? Sin a little thing? It put a crown of thorns on Jesus' head and pierced His heart! It made Him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe. If you could weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity, you would run from it as from a serpent and abhor the slightest appearance of evil.
Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Savior, and you will see it to be "sinful beyond measure."
Beware of thinking lightly of sin. At the time of conversion, the conscience is so tender that we are afraid of the slightest sin. Young converts have a holy timidity, a godly fear of offending God. But sadly very soon the fine bloom upon these first ripe fruits is removed by the rough handling of the surrounding world: The sensitive plant of young piety turns into a willow in later life, too pliable, too easily yielding.
It is sadly true that even a Christian may grow by degrees so callous that the sin that once startled him does not alarm him in the least. By degrees men get familiar with sin. The ear in which the cannon has been booming will not notice slight sounds. At first a little sin startles us; but soon we say, "Is it not a little one?" Then there comes another, larger, and then another, until by degrees we begin to regard sin as but a small matter; and this is followed by an unholy presumption: "We have not fallen into open sin. True, we tripped a little, but we stood upright for the most part. We may have uttered one unholy word, but as for most of our conversation, it has been consistent." So we toy with sin; we throw a cloak over it; we call it by dainty names.
Christian, beware of thinking lightly of sin. Take heed in case you fall little by little. Sin a little thing? Is it not a poison? Who knows its deadliness? Sin a little thing? Do not the little foxes spoil the grapes? Doesn't the tiny coral insect build a rock that wrecks a navy? Do not little strokes fell lofty oaks? Will not continual drippings wear away stones? Sin a little thing? It put a crown of thorns on Jesus' head and pierced His heart! It made Him suffer anguish, bitterness, and woe. If you could weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity, you would run from it as from a serpent and abhor the slightest appearance of evil.
Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Savior, and you will see it to be "sinful beyond measure."
Playing with fire
Read | Proverbs 6:20-35
Respect for authority is not always automatic. The story about a new football coach illustrates what I mean.
One day, before practice, the coach posted a sign that read, “Do not walk on the grass.” About half of the team followed the instruction, but the rest of the players ignored it—the sign didn’t make sense to them since practice was always held on that field. Later the coach explained that he was testing the players to see who would be likely to follow his game plan and who might buck the new system. He learned quite a lot in those few minutes.
The Lord has specifically instructed us not to yield to the lusts of the flesh. While the Bible indicates that pleasure is associated with sexual intimacy, it also clearly warns us about the dangers of operating beyond the boundaries of God’s protective will. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expanded on Old Testament teachings by explaining that it’s not just our actions but even heart attitude that can overstep God’s limits (Matt. 5:28).
Periodically doing a “heart checkup” will reveal where you stand and help to keep you safe. Ask, What’s my reaction to God’s boundaries? and then remind yourself that they are meant for your good.
Do you test the Lord’s limits to see how strong they are or to find weak points? Are you one who has to understand His rules before accepting them? Submitting to God’s plan brings safety and blessing (Deut. 11:27). Confess any resistance, and pray for the strength to submit.
Respect for authority is not always automatic. The story about a new football coach illustrates what I mean.
One day, before practice, the coach posted a sign that read, “Do not walk on the grass.” About half of the team followed the instruction, but the rest of the players ignored it—the sign didn’t make sense to them since practice was always held on that field. Later the coach explained that he was testing the players to see who would be likely to follow his game plan and who might buck the new system. He learned quite a lot in those few minutes.
The Lord has specifically instructed us not to yield to the lusts of the flesh. While the Bible indicates that pleasure is associated with sexual intimacy, it also clearly warns us about the dangers of operating beyond the boundaries of God’s protective will. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expanded on Old Testament teachings by explaining that it’s not just our actions but even heart attitude that can overstep God’s limits (Matt. 5:28).
Periodically doing a “heart checkup” will reveal where you stand and help to keep you safe. Ask, What’s my reaction to God’s boundaries? and then remind yourself that they are meant for your good.
Do you test the Lord’s limits to see how strong they are or to find weak points? Are you one who has to understand His rules before accepting them? Submitting to God’s plan brings safety and blessing (Deut. 11:27). Confess any resistance, and pray for the strength to submit.
Living Outside Yourself
Dear brothers, I have been talking to you as though you were still just babies in the Christian life . . .
–1 Corinthians 3:1 (TLB)
Some people have received Christ but have never reached spiritual maturity. They have been in church all their lives, and yet they have never become mature Christians. They are still considered “spiritual children” and “babes in Christ.” They know little Scripture. They have little desire to pray, and bear few of the marks of a Christian in their daily living. To say, “I will resolve to do better, I will muster all my will power and revise my way of living,” is noble, but futile. A corpse could as well say, “I will—through sheer effort—rise out of this coffin and be a living man again.” You need a power outside yourself. You cannot get over the habits and chains that are binding you. You need outside help. You need Christ.
The Bible tells of a bridge of faith which reaches from the valley of despair to the high hills of glorious hope in Christ. It tells where we are, but beyond that—it tells where we may be in Christ. Now, of course, you will not be completely mature until you are in the presence of Christ, but you should be growing every day as a Christian.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, work through me this day, that I might be maturing as a Christian and come to know You better, that I might know Your perfect will for me.
–1 Corinthians 3:1 (TLB)
Some people have received Christ but have never reached spiritual maturity. They have been in church all their lives, and yet they have never become mature Christians. They are still considered “spiritual children” and “babes in Christ.” They know little Scripture. They have little desire to pray, and bear few of the marks of a Christian in their daily living. To say, “I will resolve to do better, I will muster all my will power and revise my way of living,” is noble, but futile. A corpse could as well say, “I will—through sheer effort—rise out of this coffin and be a living man again.” You need a power outside yourself. You cannot get over the habits and chains that are binding you. You need outside help. You need Christ.
The Bible tells of a bridge of faith which reaches from the valley of despair to the high hills of glorious hope in Christ. It tells where we are, but beyond that—it tells where we may be in Christ. Now, of course, you will not be completely mature until you are in the presence of Christ, but you should be growing every day as a Christian.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, work through me this day, that I might be maturing as a Christian and come to know You better, that I might know Your perfect will for me.
Monday, March 11, 2013
Near Death Experiences
Omni magazine (March 1985) reported a study by Dr. Maurice Rawlings (at the time a devout atheist), cardiologist and professor of medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Chattanooga and author of the book To Hell and Back. He and his emergency room colleagues are constantly treating such cases. It is now standard that those who have near-death experiences later speak of having experiences of light, lush green meadows, rows of smiling relatives, and tremendous peace. However, in his study (also reported in his book Beyond Death’s Door), Dr. Rawlings obtained new information by interviewing patients immediately after resuscitation while they are still too shaken to deny where they have been. Nearly 50 percent of the group of 300 interviewed reported lakes of fire and brimstone, devil-like figures, and other sights hailing from the darkness of hell. He says they later change their story because most people are simply ashamed to admit they have been to hell; they won’t even admit it to their families. Concludes Dr. Rawlings, “Just listening to these patients has changed my whole life. There’s a life after death, and if I don’t know where I’m going, it’s not safe to die.”
Job 14:10 But man dies and is laid away,
Indeed he breathes his last
And where is he?
Job 14:10 But man dies and is laid away,
Indeed he breathes his last
And where is he?
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
What does Paul mean in Romans 10:9?
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9 KJV)
“believe in thine (your) heart, God hath (has) raised Him from the dead”. Christ’s Resurrection was the supreme validation of His ministry. Belief in it is necessary for salvation because it proved that Christ is who He claimed to be and that the Father had accepted His sacrifice in the place of sinners. Without the Resurrection, there is no salvation. “thou (you) shalt (will) be saved”.
"..saved". Don't just think of it as being saved from Hell and getting to go to Heaven. It is much more than that. Reread the verse again and changed the word 'saved' to some of these: 'Justified', you are no longer seen in the eyes of a Holy God as a transgressor (law breaker), but seen as if you had lived the perfect sinless life of Jesus Christ. 'Redeemed', you are no longer under the Genesis curse. Through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world and through one man Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man, paid the penalty for you. It's like going to court, the Judges gives you a heavy fine which you can't pay, and just before they take you off to jail, someone you didn't know comes into the court room and says, "Your Honor, I'll pay that fine." Another word would be 'Forgiven'. That means your track record would be wiped clean. No criminal history at all! Your background check would show no violations of breaking the Law! That's good news! And that's what the word 'gospel' means! Reread the Bible verse and try the word 'Accepted'. I've met many people that have said, "If God truly knew all that I have done in my life, there is no way He would ever forgive me". I am here to tell you that that is a lie straight from the mouth of Satan himself. Look at the track record of some of the people that God used in the Bible. Noah was a drunk, Jacob was a liar, Joseph was abused, Samson was a womanizer, Rahab was a prostitute, David had an affair and was a murderer, Jonah ran from God, and Peter denied Christ. You don't have some kind of special problem that has been dealt out to you, you have sin and God is in the business of forgiving sinners and accepting them no matter how deep their stains might be. We, as human beings, have a desire to be accepted and God offers His ultimate loving acceptance as a free gift. You don't have to earn it, pay it back, or do something impressive to receive it. You just have to humble yourself and repent of your sins and do what the Bible verse says. Trust in Jesus Christ! The last word I would like you to use when rereading the verse is 'Sanctified'. The definition of this word is: to make Holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate; to purify or free from sin; render legitimate or binding. It a nutshell it basically means, you belong to God. You are His. Jesus tells us in John 10:29 "My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." That means we can't loose the free gift. If God has called you, God will keep you. He is always faithful! There will begin a change in you and your life will reflect that change. It doesn't me that you prayed a prayer one time and go back to doing all those things that were sinful. That is what repentance is. Turning from sin. Jesus said that he who puts his hand to the plow and looks back, is not fit for the Kingdom. Basically, don't use the grace of sanctification for an occasion of the flesh. It's like saying, "Well, I can go look at porn cause God will forgive me". You know what we truly are doing in those moments? We are trample the precious blood of Jesus Christ underneath our feet. We are not esteeming the sacrifice, or rather, we are showing we care nothing about the cost Jesus paid so that we would be sanctified, accepted, forgiven, redeemed, and justified.
Are you all these things? Have you done the things Paul spoke of in the Bible verse? Has God been pulling at your heart as you've read this? Have you seen that for God to be Holy, Just, and Good, He must punish sin and you can't save yourself? Have you truly repented and put your faith in Jesus Christ alone? I'd like to encourage you to do so now. Now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation. Pray. Talk to your Heavenly Father. Confess your sins to Him and repent of them. Ask for forgiveness, and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead. If you have done that today, would you please email us here at walkingntheway@gmail.com. We would love to here how God has spoken to you and to congratulate you on the most important decision you will ever make in your life. Feel free to contact us with any question you may have. Thank you for reading this and may God richly bless you!
“confess…the Lord Jesus”. It's not a simple acknowledgement that He is God and the Lord of the universe, since even demons acknowledge that to be true and at least tremble (James 2:19). This is the deep personal conviction, without reservation, that Jesus is that person’s own master and sovereign. This phrase includes repenting from sin, trusting in Jesus for salvation, and submitting to Him as Lord. This is the volitional element of faith.
"..saved". Don't just think of it as being saved from Hell and getting to go to Heaven. It is much more than that. Reread the verse again and changed the word 'saved' to some of these: 'Justified', you are no longer seen in the eyes of a Holy God as a transgressor (law breaker), but seen as if you had lived the perfect sinless life of Jesus Christ. 'Redeemed', you are no longer under the Genesis curse. Through one man (Adam) sin entered into the world and through one man Jesus Christ, who is fully God and fully man, paid the penalty for you. It's like going to court, the Judges gives you a heavy fine which you can't pay, and just before they take you off to jail, someone you didn't know comes into the court room and says, "Your Honor, I'll pay that fine." Another word would be 'Forgiven'. That means your track record would be wiped clean. No criminal history at all! Your background check would show no violations of breaking the Law! That's good news! And that's what the word 'gospel' means! Reread the Bible verse and try the word 'Accepted'. I've met many people that have said, "If God truly knew all that I have done in my life, there is no way He would ever forgive me". I am here to tell you that that is a lie straight from the mouth of Satan himself. Look at the track record of some of the people that God used in the Bible. Noah was a drunk, Jacob was a liar, Joseph was abused, Samson was a womanizer, Rahab was a prostitute, David had an affair and was a murderer, Jonah ran from God, and Peter denied Christ. You don't have some kind of special problem that has been dealt out to you, you have sin and God is in the business of forgiving sinners and accepting them no matter how deep their stains might be. We, as human beings, have a desire to be accepted and God offers His ultimate loving acceptance as a free gift. You don't have to earn it, pay it back, or do something impressive to receive it. You just have to humble yourself and repent of your sins and do what the Bible verse says. Trust in Jesus Christ! The last word I would like you to use when rereading the verse is 'Sanctified'. The definition of this word is: to make Holy; set apart as sacred; consecrate; to purify or free from sin; render legitimate or binding. It a nutshell it basically means, you belong to God. You are His. Jesus tells us in John 10:29 "My Father, who hath given them unto me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." That means we can't loose the free gift. If God has called you, God will keep you. He is always faithful! There will begin a change in you and your life will reflect that change. It doesn't me that you prayed a prayer one time and go back to doing all those things that were sinful. That is what repentance is. Turning from sin. Jesus said that he who puts his hand to the plow and looks back, is not fit for the Kingdom. Basically, don't use the grace of sanctification for an occasion of the flesh. It's like saying, "Well, I can go look at porn cause God will forgive me". You know what we truly are doing in those moments? We are trample the precious blood of Jesus Christ underneath our feet. We are not esteeming the sacrifice, or rather, we are showing we care nothing about the cost Jesus paid so that we would be sanctified, accepted, forgiven, redeemed, and justified.
Are you all these things? Have you done the things Paul spoke of in the Bible verse? Has God been pulling at your heart as you've read this? Have you seen that for God to be Holy, Just, and Good, He must punish sin and you can't save yourself? Have you truly repented and put your faith in Jesus Christ alone? I'd like to encourage you to do so now. Now is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation. Pray. Talk to your Heavenly Father. Confess your sins to Him and repent of them. Ask for forgiveness, and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart God raised Him from the dead. If you have done that today, would you please email us here at walkingntheway@gmail.com. We would love to here how God has spoken to you and to congratulate you on the most important decision you will ever make in your life. Feel free to contact us with any question you may have. Thank you for reading this and may God richly bless you!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
The Will to do God's Will
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 6:9, RSV
By merely reviewing the first few lines of the Lord's Prayer, we gain a renewed respect . . . a healthy and wholesome sense of reverence for our Almighty God and Father.
Rather than causing us to run from Him and hide in fear, I find that such an awesome respect makes me want to come close to Him, to wait quietly for Him to work.
And so I urge you to slow your pace, to approach His "hallowed name" thoughtfully.
Take time!
Give Him the respect He deserves. Wait on God.
In return, He will give you a clearer vision. Furthermore, He will soften your will and make you want to know and do His will.
Hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 6:9, RSV
By merely reviewing the first few lines of the Lord's Prayer, we gain a renewed respect . . . a healthy and wholesome sense of reverence for our Almighty God and Father.
Rather than causing us to run from Him and hide in fear, I find that such an awesome respect makes me want to come close to Him, to wait quietly for Him to work.
And so I urge you to slow your pace, to approach His "hallowed name" thoughtfully.
Take time!
Give Him the respect He deserves. Wait on God.
In return, He will give you a clearer vision. Furthermore, He will soften your will and make you want to know and do His will.
The Lonely Servant's Life
So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord . . .
–1 Kings 17:5
As messengers of God, we will often lead lonely lives. “All men forsook me,” said Paul. It is a price we have to pay; there is a loneliness in the Gospel. Yet you will not be alone, because you will be ministered to by the Spirit of God, as Elijah was ministered to at the brook Cherith. A true messenger lives a burdened life. If he is the Lord’s vessel, he carries in his heart a burden for souls none can share but those who know it firsthand.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Just as Your Spirit took care of Elijah, I know I am not alone in Your service, almighty God.
–1 Kings 17:5
As messengers of God, we will often lead lonely lives. “All men forsook me,” said Paul. It is a price we have to pay; there is a loneliness in the Gospel. Yet you will not be alone, because you will be ministered to by the Spirit of God, as Elijah was ministered to at the brook Cherith. A true messenger lives a burdened life. If he is the Lord’s vessel, he carries in his heart a burden for souls none can share but those who know it firsthand.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Just as Your Spirit took care of Elijah, I know I am not alone in Your service, almighty God.
Monday, March 4, 2013
Attract Fish
During Open-air preaching, one way to attract “fish” is to use any type of entertainment, such as playing a guitar and singing. If it would help me pull in a crowd, I would sing, if I could. If I could dance or juggle or smash wood with my fist, I would use that skill for the glory of God. If you have a talent of any sort, give serious consideration to using it to reach the lost. Some Christians have a great talent but set it aside, thinking that it was just part of their old, sinful life. Then resurrect it for the sake of the unsaved. If you can do sleight-of-hand (magic), do it. Rekindle the skill.
However, make sure that any entertainment is used to attract people to the message, rather than distract them from it. If it continues while you’re witnessing, people won’t be listening to your words. So once you have their attention, stop the entertainment, but keep it handy, and do something else for your listeners when you have finished speaking to leave them with a positive note.
However, make sure that any entertainment is used to attract people to the message, rather than distract them from it. If it continues while you’re witnessing, people won’t be listening to your words. So once you have their attention, stop the entertainment, but keep it handy, and do something else for your listeners when you have finished speaking to leave them with a positive note.
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