Are you living by faith today? Are you trusting more in the unseen than in what you can see?

Are you living by faith today? Are you trusting more in the unseen than in what you can see?

Friday, August 4, 2017 / No Comments

August 4

Romans 1:16-17 (NIV) 16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

The Apostle Paul lived in a world that was similar to ours. Philosophies and a variety of religious beliefs permeated the Roman world. The preaching of the cross was quite contrary to the religions man had created, but Paul was not ashamed to be different. He did not mind not fitting in, for he knew the power of God that could save anyone who would believe. We need to carry that kind of confident boldness into our world.

Since Paul would later say that God does not respect one person over another, what does this mean that the gospel is to the Jew first? Certainly it is not first in importance. Throughout Scripture we can see that it is God's order. Even Jesus' ministry went to the Jew first. Even though God knew that they, as a nation, would reject Him, He still went to them first. It is God's desire that all receive the salvation He has provided for them, and He knows the best order to make that possible.

Verse 17 is the verse that broke through to Martin Luther's conscious mind and showed him salvation was not attainable by works. To be justified with God, to be made acceptable in His eyes, can only happen through faith. No amount of good deeds, no particular ritual, simply a heart that places its hope and trust in the God that made us through the way provided by the cross. Abraham believed God. That belief was credited to him as righteousness. Everyone comes to God the same way, as Martin Luther later summed up, "By grace alone; through faith alone".

To live by faith includes more than a one-time comprehension of God's sufficiency. It is a daily reliance on His all-sufficiency. It is a daily dependence on His power, provision, and His life to be what He calls each of us to be.

Consider: Are you living by faith today? Are you trusting more in the unseen than in what you can see?

Draw near to God now so that He does not have to use tragedy to draw you back

Draw near to God now so that He does not have to use tragedy to draw you back

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August 4

2 Chronicles 12:1,5 (NIV) 1After Rehoboam's position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD...

5Then the prophet Shemaiah came to Rehoboam and to the leaders of Judah who had assembled in Jerusalem for fear of Shishak, and he said to them, "This is what the LORD says, 'You have abandoned me; therefore, I now abandon you to Shishak.'"

Rehoboam began with greed and immediately lost two-thirds of the nation. That did not humble him. He continued in his pride. After strengthening his army and defenses, he abandoned the law of the LORD. As the leader went, so went the nation. They followed his bad example in forsaking God.

An innumerable army, led by the king of Egypt, came against him and captured all the cities he had fortified and armed. One by one they fell. Then the prophet Shemaiah came and told Rehoboam that since they had abandoned God, God had abandoned them. Since they wanted to proceed without God, God allowed them to. What would our life be like without the protection of the hand of God? When a man or family or nation is walking in the fear of the LORD, they are surrounded by a protecting influence. You will never know all the things the LORD spared you from that the enemy planned against your life. That is why the end of the LORD's prayer says, "Deliver us from the evil one."

When we step outside of a trusting dependent relationship with God, that invisible hand of protection is lifted and the enemy is allowed in to bring us to our senses. It worked for Rehoboam. He and his leaders humbled themselves and said, "The LORD is just." Then God could have mercy on them and allowed Jerusalem to remain, though subjugated. All the treasure amassed in the temple was carried away by the enemy. Sin has consequences, and though we are allowed to continue and are restored relationally, there is a great loss because of our rebellion.

Consider: Draw near to God now so that He does not have to use tragedy to draw you back.

When we face the inevitable difficulties of life, let us follow this Christ centered example

When we face the inevitable difficulties of life, let us follow this Christ centered example

Thursday, August 3, 2017 / No Comments

August 3

Acts 27:23-25 (NIV) 23Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me 24and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' 25So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me.

When Paul returned to Jerusalem, James and the elders encouraged him to go to the temple with others for rights of purification. They reasoned that this would show the Jewish believers that Paul was one with them in keeping the Law. Some Jews from Asia spotted Paul. Making false claims, they stirred the crowd into a frenzy almost killing him. The Romans came to the rescue. After numerous indecisive trials, Paul appealed to Rome.

On the way to Rome, the ship ran into a fierce storm. Everyone gave up hope of surviving, but Paul had seen a messenger of the Lord. In the morning, he gathered them and told them of the visitation. This angel told Him the same thing Jesus had said to the disciples when they thought He was a ghost walking on the lake. "Do not be afraid!" God sees your situation and is there with you.

Paul was told that he had a job yet to do in testifying to Caesar, but He also said that God had graciously given him the lives of all who sailed with him. Paul must have been praying for them. What a testimony he was to the soldiers and other prisoners! Everything he said came to pass. His peace in the storm, his prayers for them, and his testimony on the island surely won a number of them to Jesus. Paul passed on to them what he had obtained from the Lord, courage and faith.

Remember: When we face the inevitable difficulties of life, let us follow this Christ centered example. Pray for others. Hear from the Lord, and pass on the faith and courage that He imparts to you for a testimony to those around you.

Your obedience results in more fruit than you can imagine

Your obedience results in more fruit than you can imagine

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August 3

2 Chronicles 7:11-12 (NIV) 11When Solomon had finished the temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the LORD and in his own palace, 12the LORD appeared to him at night and said: "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices.

After Solomon finished praying, fire fell from heaven and consumed the sacrifices. It was a sign that God was involved in all that was done, and it was acceptable as a shadow of the heavenly temple. The glory of the Lord so filled the temple that the priests could not minister. Everyone fell on their faces and worshipped with the words they had sung earlier, "He is good; His love endures forever." Then Solomon sent the people home, and they were full of joy because of all God had done for David and Solomon and for His people. When we know God is at work in our lives for our good, we can be full of joy. When we see He is involved in our leaders' lives, we can be full of joy for we know they will be leading according to His direction.

Then, when all the festivity was over, the LORD appeared to Solomon. He promised that He had heard the prayer of Solomon. He gave Solomon the assurance that His eyes and ears would be open toward prayers prayed in that place. Even today the Jews claim this promise, praying at the Western Wall.

God chose that place for Himself as a temple of sacrifice. Almost 1000 years later, on that same mountain, He would present Himself as the sacrifice for the sins of the world. He had indeed chosen that place as a temple of sacrifice. Sometimes, when the LORD speaks, He has much more in mind than we can fathom. His words are always filled with a depth that is beyond our comprehension. We do as He leads, and then He does the impossible and fills our meager labor with greater importance than we can imagine. Then He says, "Well done", as if we had a hand in all the greatness He accomplishes. He is good and His love endures forever!

Consider: Your obedience results in more fruit than you can imagine. Praise God!

What does Paul's example speak to your heart?

What does Paul's example speak to your heart?

Wednesday, August 2, 2017 / No Comments

August 2

Acts 20:24, 27, 31 (NIV) 24However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me–the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace

27For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God.

31So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

When Paul arrived at Miletus, he sent for the elders (overseers or bishops) of the church at Ephesus. The church had grown so much that he could not address them all, so instead, he spoke to the church leaders. He told them that the Spirit was leading him to Jerusalem but also warning him that it meant hardship. Yet Paul was not worried about his life; he was concerned about finishing the tasks the Lord had given him. That task was telling people about God's grace. That should be the focus of our message.

Paul didn't pull punches when it came to speaking the truth about the word. It often caused him persecution, but he refused to compromise. He would not water down the Gospel for personal acceptance or safety or self- advancement. Repentance and dying daily are not a popular gospel, but it is the true Gospel. Anything short of that is not the whole will of God.

Then Paul warned them about the heresies that were about to enter the church. He told them the source of those teachings would be men who wanted others to follow them personally. Pride has a way of making us think we see something no one else does. It causes us to elevate ourselves above others. Paul had taught faithfully for so long so that they would be grounded in the truth and able to recognize it from a lie. His letters can help us do the same. You can't sit there at Ephesus under Paul's teaching, but you can read the letter to the Ephesians and other churches.

Notice that he unceasingly warned them with tears. Paul wasn't afraid to show emotion. He could foresee wolves coming into the flock. That broke his heart. A teacher who demonstrates genuine love is a powerful influence on the flock.

Consider: What does Paul's example speak to your heart?