July 31, 2024
Matthew 8:8 “The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed”
A centurion, meaning a Roman army officer who commanded 100 soldiers, came to Jesus because he had a servant at home sick, paralyzed, and in great pain. Jesus said He would go to his house and heal him. But the centurion answered with today’s verse that he was unworthy for the Lord to enter his house and he spoke something that revealed his faith: “Speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” He didn’t believe Jesus had to be physically present, touch the sick man, or even be near his house to heal him. He believed if Jesus would only speak words of healing, the servant would be healed even though he was a distance away. Jesus was amazed at his faith and said, “I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Jesus said to the centurion, “Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee” and the servant was healed. The God who spoke the universe into existence with just the power of His Word can heal us, deliver us, save us, and provide us with the same power of His spoken Word. The Bible says in Jeremiah 1:12, “Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten (watch over) my word to perform it.” The Bible, God’s Holy Word, is the revealed Word of God to us and just as the spoken Word of God has all power, the written Word of God carries God’s glory. When we believe the Bible, we believe whatever God said in it has come to pass, is coming to pass, and shall come to pass. The enemy wants to block people from trusting God’s Word and he does so by attacking their desire to read and hear the Bible. Like the various soils of the parable in Luke 8, the enemy wants to fill our lives with anything and everything that can keep the good seed of God’s Word from producing the fruit of faith. Where is your Bible right now? Close by or sitting in a pile of dust somewhere? Do you read it, study its promises, and act upon its truths? Believing that because God said it, it has the power to change lives, do miracles, and break the power of darkness? The power of God is manifested in His Word.
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July 30, 2024
Acts 27:20 “And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away”
This verse is from the account of a great hurricane and Paul, along with 275 other people, was trapped in a ship in the middle of the storm. The storm was so massive, lasting many days, that they had given up hope their lives would be spared. Sometimes things come our way, trials and circumstances, that last so long and are so severe that it seems there is no way out. Sickness might hit us, financial problems or a job loss, a divorce we never saw coming, or any number of things like this hurricane that keep pounding us and totally disrupting our lives. Or, it might be the times we are living in now, when it seems like the whole world is about to crash all around us. The values and confidence we had in our nation and its greatness are slipping away. The enemy wants us to give up hope and lose faith in God’s ability to save us. But like a ship needs an anchor in troubled seas, the Bible says hope is an anchor of our souls. The Scriptures tell us in Psalms 119:114, “Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” During the great storm, Paul spoke to the people on board with a Word from God: Acts 27:23-26, “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.” When the mighty storm in today’s verse was over, all the people on board made it safely to land. They were soaking wet, some swimming and some holding onto boards from the now sunken ship, but they were all safe. We may not always like the way God brings us through, but we can have hope that He will always be with us and deliver us. Sometimes He says, “Peace be still”, and the storms cease. Other times, He encourages us to “Hold fast” and He brings us through the wind and waves with His mighty hand of grace.
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July 29, 2024
1 John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him”
Today’s devotion looks back again at a verse that’s so important when we start to evaluate where we stand in our relationship with God. It’s so important that we need to think about it often and use it as a guide to where we set our desires. The “world” here is not the planet Earth or the people on the planet. It refers to what Thayer’s Greek Definitions calls: “The aggregate of things earthly, the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc. Things which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God, and are obstacles to the cause of Christ”. It can be anything that might not seem evil in its own right but when we set our affection on it, it separates us from God’s will for us or becomes a sin or an idol. When God’s love is mature in us, we come to a place where this world and what it offers looks like a trash can compared to what the Lord can give us and do for us. And that’s not being selfish or self-serving to think about our possibilities in Christ. We belong to the One who Created all things and wanting what He wants for us, knowing it is better and more richly satisfying than anything this world can offer, is a part of His will for us. We would rather have a couple of small fish and some bread than to own the ocean and fields they came from. Because, we know that whatever God blesses in our favor, turns to our joy and complete satisfaction. We should have verse 17 permanently stamped on our hearts: “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.” The words “The love of the Father” means, “The love for the Father” and speak to us about whether or not our desire for God and His will are supreme with us. All of the Law and the commandments were to help bring us to a place where we love God and other people. When we fasten our affections on this world and what it offers, it will fight against and eventually root out, our love for God as the supreme love in our lives. Let’s see the world for what it is: a deceptive distraction from an amazing and satisfying life the Lord offers us when we love Him above all else.
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July 28, 2024
Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever”
It’s hard to imagine a world where nothing changes. The past few decades have seen more change and upheavals than people a few hundred years ago could imagine. When my grandmother was born, there were no automobiles where she lived as the first cars did not appear on the roads of Virginia until 1899. But today’s verse declares that Jesus never changes. It looks back to verses like Malachi 3:6, “For I am the LORD, I change not” and Psalms 102:25-27, “Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed: But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end.” This causes many people to stumble because it presents a truth that cannot be explained by our limited powers of reason and logic. It seems to go against everything we experience and see around us. But it is an unfailing truth: Jesus is always the same. It is a bit more complicated than that, however, because Jesus in His glorified body is different than He was when He walked among people in a natural body. But as far as His person, His nature, who He is, and what He will forever be, He is unchangeable because as God, He is an eternal being. This gives us indescribable comfort when we look at ourselves and the world around us. It’s sometimes overwhelming to see things falling apart, our bodies changing, and our society in disarray. Just as Jesus is eternal and unchanging, the new birth He gave us has made us immortal beings. He gave us the promise in John 10:28, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” When we look to the Lord, worship Him, and pray to Him, we’re identifying with the only true immortal and unchangeable God. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end and He inhabits eternity. It is embodied in the simple words of the Old Hymn, Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand: “Time is filled with swift transition. Naught of earth unmoved can stand. Build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God’s unchanging hand.”
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July 27, 2024
Mark 10:13-14 “And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God”
The disciples here did not understand the Lord’s love for children and they did not understand the lesson that children teach us. When people brought their children to Jesus so that He might touch them, meaning they wanted to dedicate their children to God to receive the Lord’s blessing on them, the disciples rebuked them. Some people do not see children as important and they act as if children have no place in the worship of God. A common practice in many churches is to shuffle children away from the congregation and have someone keep them in a children’s program while the adults meet in the auditorium. But children need to be a part of the whole experience. They need to hear adults pray and watch adults worship, and they need to feel they are a part of their family that meets together with other families in the house of God. Children’s programs have their place but they should never be used as if children are not welcome in the worship service. The Bible tells us when Jesus saw the disciples trying to keep children away from Him, our Lord was “much displeased” meaning He was angry. He told them to bring the children to Him and stop trying to shut them out. The innocence and trusting hearts of children are a picture of what God wants from all People. The Bible tells us that Jesus said in Matthew 18:3-5, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.” The scriptures tell us in Mark 10: 16, “And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.” The enemy wants to destroy children because he knows God loves them and that their souls are precious. But we will bring our children and grandchildren before the Lord because our Savior is reaching out to them. He wants to touch them and bless them.
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July 26, 2024
Psalms 63:1 “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is”
These are unsettling times. Widespread war again threatens Europe, the Middle East is a powder keg with a short fuse, America’s government is an unmitigated mess, and people everywhere are uneasy, frightened, and uncertain of the future. We have always needed the Lord but we need Him now more than ever. We need the fullness of His presence and the comfort of His peace. We need His power to direct us and we need strong faith in His Word. Most of us are hoping and praying that new leaders will be elected this fall, leaders who will help our country turn away from the insanity and chaos that’s been all around us for the past few years. We want a return to commonsense and a place of clarity of what is right and wrong and leaders who will do what is right in the sight of God and for our nation. Each day that we wake up and see God’s sun rising in the east is a day of hope and promise. Another day the Lord gives us to consider our ways and choose to follow Him. He promises us that every morning, His mercies are new, and He urges us to declare, “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it”. We have very little power or influence to change the big picture of our world, but God is unlimited in His power and He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we are able to think or ask. If God’s people would get up every morning and seek the Lord first, surrender to Him before we start our day, and begin proclaiming His great Name, His goodness, and His everlasting faithfulness, we can, by our faith in Him, make a difference every day. Before our feet touch the floor, we could begin thanking God for letting us see another day, and begin to thank Him that He is with us, fighting our battles for us, and working all things for our good. We could turn off the morning news and turn on the praise. Lay aside the cell phone, open the Bible with our cup of coffee, and start the day early with some promises from God’s Word. God’s not dead, not on vacation, He has not removed Himself from His creation, and His ears are open to our voices. He is listening when we say, “You are my God and I’m seeking You early this day. Oh God, help us.”
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July 25, 2024
Philippians 1:12 “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel”
From a natural point of view, when Paul was arrested in Jerusalem as recorded in Acts 21, then taken to Caesarea, and then shipped off to Rome as a prisoner, it might seem like God had forsaken him. When he wrote the Epistle of Philippians to the church at Philippi, he was in a Roman jail, awaiting to appear before Caesar having been accused of dishonoring the Temple at Jerusalem and instigating riots. We know that there are accounts in the Book of Acts when the Lord miraculously delivered people from prison (Acts 5:17, 16:25). So why didn’t God intervene when Paul was in the Roman jail and set him free? Paul answers in today’s verse. His ordeal in his arrest and then being in prison in Caesarea for 2 years and then in prison in Rome for another 2 years were times when he was doing God’s work. He was falsely accused by those who hated him and the gospel and they thought they were shutting him down by throwing him in jail. But just as God always does, when the devil and the world come against God’s people, the Lord turns it all around for His glory and our good. While he was in jail, Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon and carried on a prison ministry, winning many people to the Lord. It is certainly praiseworthy that the Epistles written while Paul was in prison, so wonderfully proclaim our freedom in Jesus Christ. Our takeaway from this is that God always uses us, even at times when seems like there’s no way we are in a place of ministry. His grace is at work in us in prison cells, hospital rooms, times of great trials, and moments when we think He seems far away. Paul said that all that had happened to him served to spread the good news of Jesus Christ even further. Whenever the Lord allows us to go through times that seem unfair, times that are confusing and we wonder how God could use them for our good, may we remember that He has ordered our steps. We have God’s promise in Romans 8:37, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Praise God, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (2 Corinthians 4:17).”
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July 24, 2024
Obadiah 1:3-4 “The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD”
The book of Obadiah is a prophecy against the Edomites, the descendants of Esau who intermingled with the Horites and formed a nation. The two lines of people who descended from Issac’s two sons Jacob and Esau we always pitted against each other. The Jewish people were the offspring of Jacob and carried God’s blessings. The Edomites persecuted their brothers, the Jews, for centuries until they finally joined with the Jews in 70 AD to fight against the Romans, and the Edomites were utterly destroyed. The prophecy of Obadiah 1:10 was fulfilled, “For thy violence against thy brother Jacob shame shall cover thee, and thou shalt be cut off forever.” But God tells us the problem with the Edomites was their consuming pride. Pride deceives people by making them believe things about themselves and others that are not true. Pride refuses to submit to God and the ways of God and instead, follows the schemes of the flesh and the devil. Pride puts money, inheritances, worldly wisdom, sin, and stubbornness over humility and honesty. And pride calls its treasure trove of rebellion, “the truth”. People filled with pride usually argue, “But I’m not proud, I’m a humble person”. Pride deceives until even common sense is lost. The Edomites had fortified themselves in the rugged mountains near Mount Seir, making their homes so high up in the clefts, that they believed they were indestructible and this seemed true for many years. Pride causes people to think they can get by with their sins and when God does not immediately pass judgment on them, pride puffs them up even more and they continue as if they have escaped. The Edomites felt safe and secure in their way of life while living in their fortress and refused to consider that they were standing against God and His people. But in His good time, God brought them down. They were completely crushed and removed from the earth. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit (stubborn, arrogant, selfish attitude) before a fall. May the Lord help us to follow the way of 1 Peter 5:6, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”
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July 23, 2024
Proverbs 21:2 “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts”
The Bible calls David a man after God’s own heart. One of the things that makes him stand out is that he always took full responsibility for his sins and failures. When he sinned in the affair with Bathsheba and Nathan the prophet confronted him, we have David’s prayer recorded in Psalms 51:2-4, “Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight.” When he disobeyed God and took a census of the people and the Lord determined to punish Israel because of David’s sin, he prayed this prayer in 2 Samuel 24:17, “And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house.” Many people are not this way. They will not own up to their sins and failures and they will not accept the consequences. Today’s verse tells us no matter what they do, say, or how they live even if it is all wicked, immoral, and corrupt they will argue they’re doing nothing wrong. They spin the truth and try to spread the blame, denying all personal accountability. But God’s plan for us is to own our errors, confess them, and receive God’s mercy. The Lord never intended for us to continue our lives shamefaced and belittled by our failures and our example is in David who, once he acknowledged his sins, entered into the presence of the Lord with thanksgiving and praise knowing he was wanted and welcomed by his heavenly Father. We have the wonderful and precious promise from God in 1 John 1:8-9, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The Lord “pondereth” the hearts meaning He determines our motives and if we will but acknowledge our errors, He is ready to immediately forgive us, never remembering our sins against us.
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July 22, 2024
Psalms 57:7 “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise”
The words, “My heart is fixed”, do not mean my heart has been repaired. It means my heart is steadfast, confident, and securely determined. Does that describe your faith? The Lord wants us to get to a place in our Christian life and walk with God that no matter what happens, no matter what our circumstances are, we remain solid, determined, and unshakable in our trust in God. When Job was in a season of his life that was so painful, so horrendous that we can’t describe his suffering, the Bible records his words in Job 13:15, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him”. Job had reached a crossroads where he would either buckle to the pressure and uncertainties of his dilemma and turn away from God or he would face his situation with a heart that was steadfast in faith in the One who made Heaven and earth, the One who completely holds life and death in the power of His hands. Praise God for the times when all control over our lives is taken from us and we too have to make the choice either to fall apart or fall into the hands of God’s grace, trusting Him with steadfast faith. I know personally that 2 rounds of cancer has changed me forever and I would not exchange what has happened to me in the past 4 years for anything in this world. I thought before it all happened that my heart was fixed, and confident in faith. But now, I know for certain that it is. God used the cancer and the treatments to do for me what no amount of Bible study, no years of preaching and pastoring, and no other spiritual experience could do. He made my hope stronger, heaven more real, this life more temporary, and the future so bright it’s blinding in splendor. I discovered I’m not at all afraid of death and I’m more than ready to live all the days I have left for His glory. Today’s verse tells us that when our heart is steadfast, we will sing and give praise. When our heart is confident in God and His goodness, we can’t help but praise Him. Say these words out loud with me: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, Bless His Holy Name.”
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July 21, 2024
Psalms 119:154, “Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word”
When we pray this prayer for God to plead our case, we’re asking Him to step into our situation and intercede on our behalf. We’re asking Him to undertake our cause and be our defender and protector. At the same time, we’re asking Him to breathe life into us just as He has promised to do. The words, “quicken thou me”, means to revive, recover, restore, and make prosperous. In the context of this verse and the previous one where the prayer is for God to deliver us from suffering, it pictures us in a time when we are battle-weary, exhausted, and need the Lord to take over the fight and restore our strength. Our devotionals often address that we live in exhausting times. Not many of us have even the leisure to sit back and enjoy what we have. It’s because of the pace of our world and a fulfilment of Daniel 12:4, “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.” Some of you may be going through things that you never saw coming. You’re facing hardships with family, illnesses, financial stress, and a host of other problems. You’re praying that your children and grandchildren will get back on track and that you will overcome all the enemy is throwing at you. But we can pray today’s verse as a prayer for God to come to our aid, to defend and protect us, and to restore us from our weaknesses. He knows when we are weary and fatigued from life’s battles and He is a present help in those times. At least 11 times in Psalms there are requests for the Lord to quicken us and in the New Testament, we are told He does it by the Holy Spirit. He will refresh us, restore us, and give us life. The lyrics of the old song, “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” say: “Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn”. And, when we get to that place, we can have faith that, according to His Word, God will help us. The Lord is a stronghold, the Deliverer of those who trust Him and may we cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us.
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July 20, 2024
1 Timothy 1:5 “Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned”
Our conscience as used often in the scriptures, refers to the awareness within us of what is right and what is wrong. It is calibrated by what we believe is true. When we hear God’s Word, the Holy Spirit works within us to embed God’s truth upon our consciences. And, the Word of God convinces, convicts us, of what is good and right or what is evil and wrong. One way to expound today’s verse is: God’s plan for us, the reason He gave the commandments of the Law and then sent Jesus as the new way, the new commandment, was to teach us to love, to clear our consciences of guilt, and to show us how to walk in sincere faith. The gospel tells us that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin; period. When we receive that truth and are born again, it clears our conscience of guilt, a reset of our moral awareness. From that point on, the Holy Spirit is present within us to lead us to do right and to turn away from what is wrong. He uses our consciences to prompt us to follow God’s ways. This is why it is so important to be sensitive to His prompting. The instant we know we’ve done wrong in any way, we should turn away from what is wrong, ask God to forgive us, ask forgiveness of anyone else that we may have injured by our wrong, and receive the truth that the blood of Jesus has already taken away our sin before we even asked. God wants us to have a good, clear conscience. Consider 1 Timothy 4:1-2, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.” This passage tells us the conscience can be hardened by sin until it cannot be used by the Holy Spirit to make us aware of what is right and wrong. May the Lord help us to walk with Him in sincere faith, filled with His love, in agreement with His Word, and keep our consciences sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading. It is the way of Acts 24:16, “And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”
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July 19, 2024
Matthew 6:27 “Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
This verse is taken from the Lord’s sermon on the mount. It is a section dealing with worry or anxiety. Jesus pointed to the world around us, to the birds and flowers, and taught that God takes care of His creation and if He cares for the birds and flowers, we can be comforted that He takes care of us. The word “thought” here means to worry or be troubled and He is telling us that worrying about things doesn’t change them. If we worry that we are too short it never makes us taller. Many people in the world are filled with stress and stress breaks us down. It damages our bodies, robs us of happiness and joy, and affects every area of our lives. God’s will for us, His plan and purpose for our lives, is to be joyful and at peace. This can only come in a world filled with anxiety when we fully trust Him and walk in His ways. Jesus isn’t teaching us to stop living and sit and wait for God to solve all our problems. He takes care of the birds but they do not sit huddled on a tree branch waiting for their Creator to fill their mouths. They are industrious and busy, and they go about their business singing. We often sit on the back porch and listen to them singing and calling to each other and are reminded that they never sit around brooding and sullen because things are not going the way they want. The Bible assures us that God will supply all our needs. He is always working on our behalf and tells us never to worry about anything. Sometimes that’s not easy because our minds, the enemy, and the world around us can keep whispering that things are not going to work out in our favor. But that’s the time to remind ourselves of God’s promises and take courage that He will never fail. That’s not to say there’s no pain or disappointments in this life but no matter what comes, Jesus is a faithful friend. The Bible says in Psalms 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”. We receive in our hearts, the words of Jesus in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
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July 18, 2024
2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight”
This is a well-known verse that we hear often. But what does it mean to walk by faith? It certainly does not mean that we simply believe in God, because many people believe there is a God but do not follow His ways. But a part of its meaning is explained in 1 Peter 1:8, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” We have never visually seen the Lord, heaven, and what God has prepared for us. We do not see the angels of the Lord that encircle us, and we can’t usually see what God is doing behind the scenes to deliver us, answer our prayers, and provide all things for our good. But we believe these things are true and exist just as surely as the natural world around us exists. We stand on this faith and live our lives, make our choices, and conduct ourselves while trusting in what we do not see. The Bible says of Moses in Hebrews 11:27, “By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.” We talk to God in prayer and worship Him as if He is in the room with us, which we know by faith that He is. Like Abraham, who trusted God’s promises even though he didn’t see any evidence that they were coming to pass, we trust God’s Word and declare its outcome in our lives before we see the proof that it’s happening because our faith tells us it is a certainty. When we walk by faith, the things we see with our natural eyes and understand with our human reasoning might tell us the opposite of what God says. As the three Hebrew boys were being brought to the fiery furnace, they could see the flames, smell the smoke, and feel the heat. But their faith in God kept them from bowing down to Nebuchadnezzar’s demands. When David ran towards Goliath with a rock and a slingshot, he could see the giant’s size, his seemingly impenetrable armor, and hear his defiant roar. But David’s faith in God propelled him forward against impossible-looking odds. When we know we are a child of God, that His favor surrounds us, and that He is working all things for our good, we push down the fear and unbelief and declare what is true, even when what we see denies it. We walk by faith.
July 17, 2024
Job 23:10 “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold”
There is never a moment that God doesn’t know where we are and the situation, we’re in. He knows every step we take and every trial we’re going through. In Job’s case, God didn’t send the trouble but He allowed it. Our trials and the storms of life we go through might be from the enemy, from the circumstances of the world around us, or they might be the fallout from our own bad choices. But God is faithful and He will always deliver us. When Job’s trouble hit him, he went through a period where he was confused and frustrated. And, in his misery, he even despaired of his life. Even his friends who allegedly came to comfort him, offered no comfort only accusations. Job called them miserable comforters. Yet he came to a place where his faith in God strengthened and he declared today’s verse that he knew the Lord was with him, watching over him, and when the trial was over, he would come out better than ever. When we’re in a time of trouble it may seem there’s no way out. We might be filled with fear, uncertainty, and sorrow. But we have to remember that God is with us in our trouble and that we have His promise that He will bring us out. The Bible says in Psalms 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all”. The word “afflictions” here means distress, trouble, grief, and calamity. Our trials may be small, make us uncomfortable, and only last a little while. Or, they might be hurricane-sized and blow us in a direction where there seems to be no hope or end in sight. But our God is faithful and will never fail us. His plan is to use trials to strengthen our faith, and to cause us to rely fully on Him. He promised that He would deliver us out of them all. And, although our trials may seem to be times of uncertainty and confusion, He promised in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”.
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July 16, 2024
James 3:8-10 “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be”
The little book of James carries a powerful punch in dealing with one matter in particular; Our unruly tongues. I write a lot about the words we speak because, with our words, we can honor God and encourage people to follow Him. We can be peacemakers in a world of strife. Likewise, with our words, we can bring a reproach on the name of the Lord, stir up trouble, and wound others to their cores. James tells us here that the same tongue that praises the Lord can curse people who are made in the image of God. The Bible concludes with, “These things ought not to be so.” Proverbs 10:19 tells us that the more we talk, the more likely we are to sin. But wise people know when to keep their mouths shut. Have you ever gotten carried away in a conversation and later regretted what you said? The scriptures tell us our tongues are set on fire from hell. Every person has both a pail of water and a pail of gasoline so to speak. Whichever one we dump on a bad conversation will determine whether we stoke the flames of hell or put them out. God’s will for us is given in James 1:19, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” The same tongue that praises God should be blessing and encouraging others. We sometimes act as if we can straighten the whole world out just by criticizing people, pointing out their flaws and failures, and condemning everything we don’t like. But the God that created us didn’t give us the ability to speak so that we can be destructive and slanderous. We might try to cover the sins of our words by saying, “Well, I was just telling the truth”. But we are not the truth nor the source of truth. God is the truth and He loves the very people we condemn just as much as He loves us. He didn’t say, “Condemn, slander, and belittle your enemy”. He said, “Love your enemies and do good to those who treat you badly”. Let’s reread these words in James and may the Holy Spirit fill us with the desire to speak the things that are good and Godly.
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July 15, 2024
Romans 12:4-5 “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another”
The human body, composed of different organs or members, serves as an analogy for the body of Christ. We need our hands, feet, noses, mouths, and so on to function at our optimum. While each member is different, they each have their purpose and all work together to make us fit and whole. When one organ isn’t working as it should, it affects the entire operation of our body to some degree. Similarly, we are all plugged into the body of Christ and each of us is unique and contributes to the body in some way. A problem occurs when we do not give each other the latitude and respect to be the person God has created and called us to be and we expect all members of Christ’s body to be the same. The Lord expounds on this analogy in 1 Corinthians 12:14-18, “For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” Some of the divisions that happen in the church are when people do not understand that although we are all part of Christ’s body, we have different callings, different personalities, different preferences of worship, and different levels of understanding of God’s Word. We should be encouraging each other to use the gifts, talents, callings, and purposes God has given us no matter how different they may be. When my wife and I visit the Pentecostal and Apostolic churches, they’re often shouting, jumping, and raising the roof. When we visit the more traditional Methodists, they’re often quieter, more reserved, and follow a more organized method of worship. But the good news: they’re all honoring the Lord in their own way. Likewise, some people are leaders, some have ministries, some are drawn to singing, some are involved in outreach, and some are content to support the work of the Lord, and remain behind the scenes. Let’s stop pointing the finger at those who are different from us and pray for each other, encourage each other, and know that if we are saved, we’re all going to the same heaven.
July 14, 2024
Malachi 3:14 “Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?”
Sometimes it looks like people who do not follow the Lord are better off than people who do. This is exactly what the people in Malachi’s day thought. They looked around at people who were arrogant, people who were evil, and people who provoked God with their wicked ways, and they all seemed to be blessed, prosperous, and unjudged by the Lord. The scriptures tell us the people said,” So now we call arrogant people blessed. Not only are evildoers encouraged, they even tempt God and get away with it.” It’s tempting to think that when we follow the ways of God, we give, sacrifice, turn away from temptation, and try to walk in obedience, and what we get in return is trouble, ridicule, and more trials. But what we forget is that, although the Lord is good to us here and now, the best is yet to come. We’re living out this human life, laying up treasures in heaven, and when this life is over, we will step into our eternal destiny. But the world is enjoying the only pleasure they will ever have, and when their life here ends, they will be separated from God and punished for their disobedience. Whenever the temptation comes to think that serving the Lord is useless and that we’re getting the short end of the stick, we have to lift our eyes heavenward and remember that glory, honor, and an eternal life of unspeakable blessings await us. Verses 16-17 tell us: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” But that’s not to say that this life is without rewards. God loads us daily with benefits and is always with us, encouraging us and leading us into paths of righteousness for His namesake. Our best life is when we stop comparing ourselves to the world around us and focus our eyes on Jesus, the Author and finisher of our faith.
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July 13, 2024
Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”
We are living in the times spoken of in 2 Timothy 3:1: “This know also, that in the last days perilous (dangerous, violent, difficult, and troubling) times shall come”. The Bible gives us a summary of what some people will be like: People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, and show no gratitude. They will have no respect for what is holy and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God. They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let God’s power change them. In times like these, we who have been born again have the Holy Spirit within us and He will help us stand firm in these troubling times and live as today’s verse encourages us. We will hold fast to the profession of our faith without wavering. Our faithful God promised us He will never leave us or forsake us. He promised He would carry our burdens, fight our battles, and supply all our needs. The truth of God’s Word is the only unshakable thing in the universe and when we keep a tight grip on our profession of faith, we are following the words of 1 Corinthians 15:58: ”Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” In our Lord’s parable, the wise man dug deep and built his house on the rock. No storm of rain, wind, or water could move it. I don’t know about you but by God’s grace I’m standing on the Rock of Ages and no matter what happens in the world around me, I’m holding tight to God’s promises and God can not fail. The wonder of it all is that it’s not my grip on Him that’s sustaining me but it’s God’s unfailing grip of grace on me that’s keeping me safe. By God’s grace, I’m stormproof, death-proof, and hell-proof. The ship of grace, the old ship of Zion, is indestructible, unsinkable, and will land us safely on heaven’s shore!
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July 12, 2024
Acts 5:29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men”
Peter and the other apostles had been preaching about Jesus and their message angered the high priest and the religious leaders. These were the ones who hated Jesus and had caused Him to be crucified just a few weeks prior. To shut down the message of Jesus, His resurrection, and the hope of eternal life by Him, they arrested Peter and the other Apostles and threw them into prison. An angel of the Lord came, opened the prison doors, set them free, and told them: “Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life”. When the religious leaders heard that the men they had just thrown into prison were back preaching about Jesus, they were furious and said: “Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” It was then that Peter and the Apostles spoke the words in today’s verse. Their courage cost them because although the religious leaders didn’t put them back in prison, they had the Apostles beaten. Sometimes, it takes a lot of backbone, and raw courage to stand up for Jesus Christ and do what is right. The world around us might be religious but like the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, they have a different agenda than following the ways of God. When Peter and the Apostles preached the gospel, it was offensive to the religious crowd who wanted the religious mess they had schemed up and not what God had for them. Like some today, they had their form, their recipe of Godliness that was far from the truth of the gospel. They loved the outward display of false piety and holiness but their hearts were far from God and His message of love. But God is calling us to stand firm with Jesus Christ and follow Him no matter the consequences. If we will not deny Him before this world, then He will not deny us before the Heavenly Father. God is not teaching us the way of anarchy. But when the world tries to shut down the gospel message, our duty is to obey the call of God, not the demands of men. Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
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July 11, 2024
Ephesians 4:1-3 “I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”
If God has freely given us His grace, completely forgiven our sins, and saved us eternally, does it matter how we live? The first three chapters of Ephesians tell us that God loves us, chose us, adopted us as His children, gave us an inheritance, and exalted us with Christ to sit in heavenly places. Our sins have been completely forgiven, and the Lord has made us new creations, sealing us with the Holy Spirit until the day He comes and takes us to our heavenly home. But here, He is encouraging us to live the kind of life that measures up to what God has called us to be. We live with integrity and high standards, not to win God’s love and favor, but because He has set His love on us and crowned us with favor. Children of the King should not live as if they are nasty, decrepit rats. We belong to a good family that has been washed clean by the blood of Jesus, and how we behave is a reflection on our Heavenly Father. Our Lord teaches us to be humble, meek, patient, and loving. He is telling us to follow the path of peace and to make an effort to stay unified. Those of us who despise the false doctrine that teaches salvation comes through our good works, are sometimes criticized as teaching saved people can live any sinful way they choose. But we believe Titus 2:11-12: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.” This is not to save us or to keep us saved; but it is a description of a life lived in thankfulness and honor for the Lord God Almighty who loves us. So, we follow Ephesians 5:15-16: “See then that ye walk circumspectly (carefully, deliberately, and exactly), not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” We live according to the principles of Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who is in heaven.” It matters how we live.
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July 10, 2024
1 Timothy 6:6-8 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content”
It’s hard to be content because the Bible describes our nature concerning this in Proverbs 27:20, “The eyes of man are never satisfied.” When I was a kid, we would spend hours looking through the Sears-Roebuck, JC Penny, and Montgomery Ward catalogs, astonished at the number of things for sale and wishing for stuff. In fact, people called those catalogs “Wish Books.” Today’s world scrolls through Amazon, Walmart, and other online stores with the same roving eyes. And, the daily deliveries on our street by the Amazon trucks show us that people are buying their wares. It’s not against God’s will for us to want to better ourselves because that would destroy initiative, creativity, and the pursuit of excellence. But it is against God’s plan for our lives to be discontent, unhappy, and always looking to the things we do not have, thinking that having them would satisfy us. The Scriptures here teach us that godliness, meaning to live one’s life with reverence towards God and the things of God with contentment, meaning a frame of mind viewing one’s lot as sufficient (Mounce), is a very good way to live. It is gain, a word meaning prosperous and rich. It’s a good thing to sometimes look around us at what we have, think about the things we are hoping to get, and then quote verse 7: “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” A great starting point for our thoughts is verse 8: “And having food and raiment (clothing), let us therewith be content.” The word raiment here means a covering and can refer both to a roof over our heads or clothes to cover us. The simple necessities that used to satisfy people are now never enough, and when we are driven by discontent, that’s a short path to ingratitude. A good rule for us is to be content and thankful for what we have, but always keep working and doing our best. Not so that we can fill our lives with more stuff, but to be used by the Lord. And then, we can use what He allows us to have to be a blessing to others. How much stuff do most of us already have? We could give half of it away and never miss it.
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July 9, 2024
Luke 5:30-31 “But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick”
Jesus associated with people the religious crowd of His day shunned. Here, He is being confronted because His disciples also associated with people the self-righteous crowd looked down on. The point the Lord makes is that when people are sick, that’s when they need a doctor, and sinners need a Savior. The problem with the scribes and Pharisees was that would not admit they were sin-sick and needed rescuing. It is in this same sense we look at people today and say if a person is sick and knows there is medicine and doctors that could help deliver them, why would they refuse treatment? Yet spiritually, that is exactly what we are doing. The sickness of sin and its symptoms are evident in every area. From our homes to the government, our nation is languishing like a sick man on his deathbed. Yet instead of running to the Lord, the healer, we burrow deeper into the very things that are poisoning us and become sicker still. The medicines that many people have prescribed for themselves to make them feel better are the poisons of drugs, alcohol, hedonism, perversions, and scorn for the things of God. But “feeling better” is not the same as being healed because trying to treat the symptoms of a disease doesn’t take away the disease. We need spiritual healing that corrects the path we’re on and restores reverence for the name of the Lord. We need leaders who are truthful, honest, and who love this country God gave us and refuse to sell it out. We need homes that look to the Bible and honor the things of God. We need moms, dads, and grandparents who set examples of what it means to live for the Lord. We need churches that are more about the gospel and teaching the Word of God than putting on just another show of music and technology. Unlike the religious crowd of Christ’s time, let’s acknowledge our sin-sickness, our failures, and our need for revival and turn to the Lord our healer, our fountain of mercy, and our restorer. I believe Jesus is coming soon. But I also believe there are opportunities all around us to follow Isaiah 55:7, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon”.
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July 8, 2024
Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live”
These words are part of what Moses said to the Israelites before he died. It is a pivotal verse in that it describes a fork in life’s road and gives a choice as to which path to take. Although it was given to Israel, the principles of what it teaches are just as valid for us today as they were for them. And, as it is recorded in the Scriptures, it is the everlasting Word of God. The Lord was saying to His people that the life they live and the choices they make will determine the character and tone of their lives, and their choices will have consequences. It is simple: choose the ways of life and live and enjoy blessings, or choose the ways of death and suffer cursing. For the Jews, it encouraged them to follow the ways of God as laid down in the Law of Moses. For us, it is encouragement to follow Jesus Christ, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I don’t know about you, but I choose life. This is one of the verses I called out to the Lord when I was going through the battle with cancer. I would pray to God and say, “Lord, I know life and death are in Your hands. But as much as I have any part of this trial I’m in, I choose life that I might live”. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”. This principle is in every choice we make, every day. We either choose God’s way or the way of the world and the flesh. When we know what God’s Word says, we have His roadmap for us. And, when we choose to do things His way, it pleases Him and blesses us. Sometimes it’s hard to choose God’s ways because they go against what this world wants and expects. But when we dig in our heels and follow the Good Shepherd, we are choosing life and blessing, even though at the moment, it might not seem like it. Can you declare out loud with me right now, “I choose life, and I choose to live for the Lord”? Remember His promise: “I have come that you might have life and that you have an abundant one”.
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July 7, 2024
1 Peter 1:23 “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever”
Today is my birthday and I turned 68. It’s hard to believe the “70” milestone is just ahead and I can remember when I was young thinking that 30 was old. I’m thankful for the years the Lord has given me and for all His blessings. The words of Psalms 37:25 come to mind: “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread”. God has been good to me. The thing I’m most thankful for is that when I was a young man, I was born again. Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3, that unless we are born again, we cannot see the kingdom of God and we must be born again. Today’s verse tells us that the new birth comes by the Word of God. That is, on our part, we hear the Bible truth about sin and the Savior. And, we believe it and confess it. On God’s part, the God who doesn’t see time as a continuum, saw us in heaven with Him before the creation of the world. My 68-year-old body is as good as brand new because my glorified body is already a reality. Praise the Lord! The second thing I am very thankful for is that I understood and received the message of God’s grace and that the Lord established my Bible faith on a grace foundation. I was raised in a home and went to church as a child where they taught people are saved or, at least they remain saved, by their good works. Praise God for His amazing grace! Not only to save us but to keep us eternally safe and secure. Grace means we get what we do not deserve and is a companion to mercy which means we do not get what we do deserve. We get life and eternal salvation and do not get wrath and destruction. And finally, I’m thankful for God’s patience and faithfulness. Through all my wrong turns and errors, the Lord has been patient and faithful to me, correcting me, and guiding me back to the plan He has for me. Nothing I’ve done or failed to do surprised Him and, in every situation, He has shown His love to me. Through all my trials including the last 4 years of facing cancer twice, He has delivered, healed, and blessed me despite my circumstances. For my birthday praise to God, I declare the words of Psalms 86:5 “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee”.
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July 6, 2024
Psalms 16:5-6 “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage”
The word “lines” here means ropes or cords that mark boundaries. It is a picture of areas that are roped off and set apart for us to enjoy. Outside the boundaries, the world around us wanders aimlessly and can never find peace. Each of us is unique, made in the image of God, and has a destiny of hope, greatness, and glory if we will just follow the Lord. That is the meaning of “Thou maintainest my lot”. In Bible times, small stones called lots were cast much as we might cast dice and used to settle disputes or as a way of determining a solution. The Bible teaches that God has a purpose and direction for our lives and that He has our good in mind in all things. It may not seem like it sometimes when we go through trials, have days when we don’t feel good, and we don’t get the answers to our prayers quickly or in the way we wanted. It may seem like we are at the mercy of fate as if our lives are like a hand of cards that are dealt or like the unpredictable outcome of the roll of the dice. But God maintains our lot meaning He controls the outcome and nothing is by chance with Him. He controls the forces that are trying to blow us one way or another. And when we follow Him, trusting in His Word, He will keep us within the boundaries of blessings He has purposed. This is where we walk by faith, holding tightly to His promises, and trusting He has an inheritance for us that is good and pleasant. The Apostle Paul, when he was still called Saul, fought against his destiny. When Jesus stopped him in his tracks and said, “It is hard for you to kick against the pricks (meaning pokes, stings, and prods), the Lord was telling Him that He had a better way, a way where his life would have a great purpose, a destiny he couldn’t imagine. When Saul surrendered to God’s call, God changed his name to Paul and set him in the places he had roped off for him. Jesus is calling us to follow Him, to turn away from the confusion of this world, and to become what He created us to be. He has places roped off for us; places where we can flourish, find joy, and discover our goodly heritage.
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July 5, 2024
Hebrews 10:31 “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”
Pride and unbelief can blind us to the very thing that can make us wise and strengthen our faith. The Bible says in Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding”. But the deception of our depravity leads us down a path where we lose the fear of God, a state of awe, great respect, and astonishment beyond words. It is described in Romans 3:18, “There is no fear of God before their eyes” which looks back to Psalms 36:1, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes”. One of the lies of the enemy is to mock God as if He will not punish sin and that He does not demand and execute judgment. And yet, the words of today’s scripture speak of the seriousness of thumbing our noses at the mercy and grace of God. In verses 28-29, the Bible says, “He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”. The world does not want to think about facing God in the day of judgment and to soften the idea, even if they acknowledge God, they’ve formed an erroneous opinion that most everyone will come out “ok” in the end. They think that perhaps some extremely vicious and depraved sinners might have to be punished but that’s only a small percentage of humanity. Those of us who believe the Bible is God’s Word and have trusted Christ as our Savior, know that it is only by faith in Jesus Christ that we will be saved from God’s wrath and the white throne judgment. The promise of redemption is eternally true but so also is the promise of Romans 12:19, “For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord”. Today’s verse, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” is worth thinking about as we pray for the souls of those we love and encourage them to place their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
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July 4, 2024
Ephesians 6:24 “Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen”
We are people who sincerely love the Lord. We don’t love religion and religious things; we love Jesus and we are not ashamed to declare it. These words close the book of Ephesians, a book that begins by describing all God has done for us and how He has exalted us to heavenly places in Christ Jesus. In the face of all the bad news, all the stress that’s heaped on a lot of people, and the problems around the world, maybe it’s time to step back, take a deep breath, and declare that we love the Lord and that’s the foundation of who we are because He first loved us. I’m sitting here thinking about how blessed we are to be saved by God’s grace and living in a country where we are free to worship, free to live as we choose, and free to enjoy God’s blessings. How blessed we are to have a history rich in churches, missionary groups, and the esteem of the scriptures. Even though some have fought against the Word of God and fought to have it removed from our schools and our culture, the Bible is still preached, believed, and reverenced by multitudes. This 4th of July is known as Independence Day where we look back to when we won our independence. But it’s more than that; It’s a day when we celebrate freedom and the American Way which is the way that still declares, “In God We Trust”. The lying news would have us believe the entire country has slid into a liberal cesspool but that’s not the case. There are millions just like you and I who are thankful for our country, who respect the flag, and who look to God as the Creator and the One who has given us such a wonderful country. Since the first settlers arrived on these shores, we are and have been covered with the amazing grace of God. At our house, we have our American flag displayed on our porch and we know what it stands for. We know the price for our freedom was paid for by the sacrifice and blood of others and we never think about the 4th of July without thinking about them. We declare the words of Psalms 116:1-2, “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live”.
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July 3, 2024
Revelation 19:11-16 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS”
These words describe the revelation, the revealing, of Jesus Christ as He returns to take full possession and control of the world and its nations. Some people believe this is not reality but an allegory or symbolism. They deny that very soon, Jesus will return to do what no person has ever been able to do: bring peace, justice, and order to this world. The world has rejected God’s Word and the apostate church denies the reality of prophecy. These despisers of the truth are spoken of in 2 Peter 3:3-4, “Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation”. The Bible says they are willingly ignorant. Praise God for the ministers and teachers who are declaring the second coming and for the believers who are encouraging others to put their faith in what God has declared. We know the prophecies given to Mary before the Birth of Jesus have not all been fulfilled but they will. Those parts are: Luke 1:32-33, “And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end”. These are not spiritual allegories or symbolic mumbo jumbo. They are literal promises that are about to come to pass just as declared in today’s scriptures. In the words of Luke 21:28, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh”.
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July 2, 2024
2 Peter 3:13 “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness”
There is a sense of uneasiness all over the world. An expectation or awareness that something is about to happen hangs over us but most people have no idea what it is. The sense of uneasiness for this world is real because it’s the effect of peace being taken from this world. Survivalists and preppers are stockpiling food, water, weapons, and basic necessities because they fear that an apocalypse is coming soon. Governments are collapsing and the people in every country are appalled at the poor choices they have of people to lead us. Ongoing wars and violence are the headlines and although many voices are shouting for peace and safety, the world’s arsenal of weapons keeps growing and becoming more destructive. Believers are the ones who know what is on the horizon because we know what the Bible says. For the world, great tribulation lies ahead which the scriptures describe as being so severe, there’s never been anything like it on the earth. Widespread war, violence, disease, the catastrophic destruction of the natural environment, and the fall of civilization as we know it are all described in the Bible as the future. In Noah’s day, the only hope for survival was in the ark God told him to build and, in our day, the only hope is in Jesus Christ. He is our ark that God provided on the cross and just as every person who entered Noah’s ark was safe from destruction, every person that confesses Jesus Christ as their Savior is safe with Him. There is nothing this world can do to stop the judgment that’s coming. No human plan or person can change God’s decree. But praise God, all who run to Jesus to be saved WILL be saved and the Bible says in Romans 5:9, “We shall be saved from wrath through him”. He alone is our hope and He alone is our refuge and hiding place. Today’s verse tells us that God has promised us new heavens and a new earth but before we get there, many things must happen first as the end times unfold. But for us who follow Jesus, there will always be peace and the assurance of knowing our God has promised us He will always be with us and that He will protect us from the judgment that lies ahead.
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July 1, 2024
Luke 11:9-10 “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened”
Jesus spoke these words when He was teaching his disciples to pray. The principle is simple: Ask, seek, and knock and you will get a response. When Jesus was here, many people sought Him for many reasons. Some were sick and wanted healing. Some sought Him on behalf of others like the men who lowered the man through the roof. Then some were desperate for help like Jairus with a daughter at the point of death. The Bible says multitudes tracked Him down because they enjoyed the miracle of the bread and fish and wanted more. Nicodemus found the Lord at night and wanted to be saved. And, countless others like the very sick woman who pressed her way through throngs of people to touch the hem of His robe. We might ask this question: Whom or what are you asking for and seeking? I believe it would be safe to say that most people are not seeking the Lord. Pleasure, money, sin, power, happiness, and a lot of other things top the list for most of the world, but Jesus Christ? He’s at the bottom of most people’s priorities even those who claim Christianity. But Jeremiah 29:13 says,” And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart”. The promise is available to all people but it will not be forced on them. In Jesus’ time, not many, except for a few like Mary, who sat at His feet and the woman with the alabaster container of ointment, came looking for Jesus and searching for Him with all their heart. Huge numbers came to Him and were healed, delivered from demons, and privileged to see His miracles firsthand. But the Bible doesn’t tell us how many were actually seeking Him for who He is, the Eternal Everlasting Son of God. In fact, for a lot, when the Words of the Lord became too much for them, the Bible says, John 6:66, “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him”. May the Holy Spirit help us to begin each day looking heavenward and may He help us seek God and His kingdom.
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