Message from Scripture: 8/31/2021

 

Our Scripture for today comes from Heb. 4:7; “He again fixes a certain day, ‘Today,’ saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.’”

 

I recently read the words, “Right now counts forever.” What a powerful thought is expressed by this. The Hebrew writer, quoting from Psa. 95:7, reminds us today is really the only day we have. Yesterday is past, and we can’t go back and undo, or modify, what was done then. Tomorrow is yet to be, and we really have no assurances how things will go then either, of what can alter our plans or reshape the path we take in life. Today is all we have, and in reality, we don’t know what it will bring with it either.

 

So, what we do right now matters, because it may be the only time we have to make a difference in our lives, or the lives of others around us. It’s all we have, and how we use it can affect whether or not we spend eternity in heaven or hell. Remember the person who thought he had many years still ahead of him, to enjoy the wealth he had accumulated? Jesus related what God said of him in Luke 12:20. “You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?” It truly is folly to live life as if we have an infinite amount of days to do what should be done. We will have assurance because we took care of the important things in life, not postponing them for what is uncertain in the time we have left in life to accomplish anything.

 

What have you used most of today for? Did you take care of those things that really matter in life, or have you put them off for some uncertain time in the future? The rich man related in Luke 16:19-31 no doubt thought his life of luxury would go on much longer than it did. What a tragedy for him to lift up his eyes and find himself in torment. Let’s go out and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, knowing each day we have really counts forever. How are you using your time? God bless.

 

Robert

 

Living with Purpose

 

When God created each part of the world, He pronounced it good (Gen. 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25). With the creation of male and female, though, it was very good (Gen. 1:31). In creating humanity, God made us in His image (Gen. 1:26). Our life, then, is not by accident, but by intelligent design. The Psalmist realized this when he wrote, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb” (Psalm 139:13). The fact of creation attests to the value of human existence.

 

Of greater importance than this, however, is the sacrifice offered by Christ for our redemption. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). These words of Jesus emphasize how important we are to Him and the Father. The sacrifice of Jesus was established in the mind of God “before the foundation of the world,” and was accomplished “for you” (1 Pet. 1:20). We are not so much tissue or organic matter in the sight of God! We are loved by Him, on whose behalf He made the greatest sacrifice, showing the greatest example of love (1 John 3:16).

 

Understanding the depth of God's love should help us recognize the importance and value of our existence. No situation is impossible, no problem too great, no condition so desperate, that we should despair of life. In a society that is accustomed to discarding the unwanted (whether of things, unborn life, relationships, and so much else), it’s easy to believe no one cares, that life doesn't matter.  But it does matter!  We are of value by virtue of our Creator, and in Christ, we have eternal value (Col. 3:4).

 

When life feels discouraging, remember the value you have in the eyes of God. Realize the great love exhibited for you in Jesus. Take consolation in the promise of Scripture, “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom. 8:31). Everyone is loved by God, everyone is precious to God, everyone can find a life worth living in Christ (John 10:10). Make the spiritual your focus for living, because it alone will endure when all that surrounds is gone. “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-39).

 

μαράνα θᾶ (1 Cor. 16:22)

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/28/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from Psa. 119:165: “Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.”

         

The psalmist, in the 119^th Psalm, extols the virtues of the word of God in each verse, reminding us of the value it has to us in our relationship with God. In this verse, he speaks of how we can have great peace, meaning a wholeness, soundness, a tranquility to one’s existence that only God can provide.

 

It begins with loving the law, the instructions or teaching God offers in His word. To the psalmist, that would be the Law of Moses, but how much more are we blessed to have the fulness of what the Law pointed to in Christ and His gospel. We have the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15), which only Christ can offer, a peace unlike anything the world has to offer (John 16:33). We will never have peace if we pursue what the world has to offer, as it is sin-based. Only Christ and the spiritual provides genuine peace, even in the midst of trials and troubles.

 

The psalmist also tells us, as long as we love God and His word, as long as we seek to live by its principles for our lives, we have a source of strength that can keep us from stumbling. Peter reminds us of this when he wrote, “Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 1:10-11). If we love God, we will love His word, we will practice His word, we will have a peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:7), and confidence we are right with God. No wonder Satan doesn’t want us to spend time in Scripture!

 

What a great promise God offers us through His word! Let’s go out today to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, knowing the rich blessings He provides us when we connect our lives with Him in submission to His will. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/27/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from 1 Kings 18:21: “Elijah then came near to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you go limping with two different opinions?  If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him.’”

         

What a victory Elijah had over the prophets of Baal! The contest on Mt. Carmel revealed, without a doubt, that “The Lord indeed is God” (1 Kings 18:39), as He consumed the sacrifice Elijah offered. On the heels of victory, though, came discouragement, in the form of Jezebel. She was so upset over the death of her false prophets, she threatened to either kill Elijah, or be killed in the process (1 Kings 19:2).  Elijah was frightened, and traveled for 40 days to escape her wrath. It was while he sought refuge in a cave at Horeb that God asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9).

         

Elijah was to be God's spokesman to the people of Israel, not to scorpions and snakes in the desert. He was not where he needed to be. He needed to realize what God expected of him. He needed to trust in the God who gave him victory, and to recognize the strength He provided. 

 

Where are we in our lives, and what are we doing there? Are we hiding our faith, and need to get back where God wants us, where we belong? God has given each of us a life to live, and He offers us help, strength, and purpose to live it. 

          

God's mercy and grace calls us to a noble and holy way of life (Titus 2:11-13). We should always abound in the love of God, and seek to live by His standard. In doing so, we can be positive examples to others around us. That is where God wants us to be, and there, with His help, we can be what He wants us to be, to His glory and our eternity. Let’s serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with a purpose. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/25/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from 2 Cor. 13:5: “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test.”

 

In our Scripture today, Paul uses two terms about ensuring we are where we should be spiritually, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory (Col. 1:27). The first term, examine, comes from the Greek word πειράζω (peirazo), which means to know what a person's weakness or strength is. The second term, examine, comes from the Greek word δοκιμάζω (dokimazo), which means to try, prove, discern, distinguish, or approve. It has the idea of proving a thing to see whether it is worthy or not. In both cases, Paul is emphasizing that we should know where we are spiritually, not to guess, or assume, or just feel we are what we think we are.

 

There are two ways to carry out what Paul here commands of us. We must search the Scriptures to make sure what we think is what it actually says. We must also consider how we live compared to what Scripture says we should be. We are not perfect, but we must be willing to assess ourselves spiritually, otherwise we are prone to being deceived by Satan that we’re in a state we may not really be in. Remember the illustration Jesus used of the Pharisee and tax collector (Luke 18:9-14). The Pharisee had deceived himself into thinking he was exactly what God wanted, that his life was exemplary of what the Law demanded. He was deceived. It was the tax collector, who knew his true state, and humbled himself before God, confessing he was a sinner, who stood justified.

 

We must examine ourselves today, so when God examines us in judgment, we can stand approved. Don’t assume anything, but know for sure. Paul said, “So then, the one thinking to have stood, beware lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). Today, let’s make sure we know what we think we know, and are where we think we are, so we can go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ fully, faithfully. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/24/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today comes from 2 Tim. 3:16-17; “Every Scripture is God-breathed, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that God's man may be equipped and completely ready for every good work.”

 

In this passage from God’s word, Paul reminds Timothy of why he needs to be a continual student of Scripture. It is source is divine, coming directly from the Father. It is profitable, meaning helpful, useful, advantageous when it comes to living life in Christ. This is true because it teaches us what is right, what is wrong, how to get right, and how to stay right. The end result of such is we become equipped, or complete. The term carries the thought of that in which all the parts are complete or whole, what they are supposed to be, so that they might serve their intended purpose. That purpose is for us to be completely fit for living in Christ, engaged in good works, in contrast to those that are worldly, sinful.

 

Every day we have the opportunity to serve Christ and live for Him. We are not to be sluggards spiritually, to bury our talents as Jesus said in Matt. 25:25. By committing God’s word to our minds and hearts, we can better recognize the opportunities that exist around us for doing good, to make an impact in the lives of others, to show Christ in what we say and do (Col. 3:17). How else can a sinful world see there is a better way? How else can others know there is a kind of life that leads to eternal life, rather than eternal condemnation?

 

We can do this if God’s word is active and alive within us. It will lead us in right paths, and reflect the image of Christ to those around us. No wonder the psalmist said, “Consider how I love your precepts; LORD, give me life according to your faithful love. The entirety of your word is truth, each of your righteous judgments endures forever” (Psa. 119:159-160). Let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, according to the will of God, for it leads us to life. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/21/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is 1 Pet. 4:11: “If anyone speaks, as the declarations of God; if anyone serves, as by the strength God supplies, in order that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom is the glory and the power into the ages of the ages. Amen.”

 

When I read these words of Peter, I sometimes wonder if his mind recalls the Pharisees Jesus dealt with so frequently, who had supplanted the will of God for their traditions. Sadly, it had happened for so long, and so often, they were unaware that, instead of upholding the word of God, they had substituted their own interpretations and ideas in its place. Jesus Himself said of them, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. For you don’t go in, and you don’t allow those entering to go in” (Matt. 23:13).

 

Paul wrote to Timothy, “They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Tim. 4:4). The term myth carries the meaning of that which is full of falsehood and pretenses. It may sound noble, but it doesn’t carry the truth in it. It is the vehicle some may use to accomplish their own personal goals, in contrast to what Scripture actually teaches. Perhaps Peter also recalled the words of the Lord to him and the apostles, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven” (Matt. 16:19). We have liberty in Christ, but the Lord has also bound those principles that stand forever established, in heaven and on earth.

 

It takes wisdom to know and apply the word of God accurately. May we pray for that wisdom, and seek to live by His will for us, and not by traditions, as God and His word saves. Today, let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who makes all this possible. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/20/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Rev. 6:9: “When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered because of the word of God and the testimony they had given.”

 

Our Christian brothers and sisters in the first century faced perilous times simply for wearing the name of Christ, for seeking to live faithful lives for Him. They could be beaten, or arrested, or have their family mistreated, or be executed. As the Hebrew writer reminds us about those recorded in the Old Testament, “Others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground” (Heb. 11:35-38).

 

Paul would add for those of us who live under the new covenant, “In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). It may be taking verbal abuse, it may be physical abuse, as some Christians in foreign countries are currently experiencing. What about us? “Oh, that won’t happen to us,” some say. How can we know what the future holds? How can we know how we would respond, in faith or denial, if it happens? Looking at the decisions we make for Christ today, in the relative ease we still have, can offer some clues. Do we take our faith lightly? Do we find it hard to be faithful today where we still have religious freedom, or are we willing to put everything at risk for the name of our Lord? What we prioritize today is how we no doubt would respond then.

 

Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). Let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, no matter what. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/19/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Phil. 1:23: “Having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better.”

 

I recently read an article that spoke of how Christians are to be otherworldly people. This is a significant way to speak of how we are to view life. Jesus Himself emphasized this when He prayed to the Father, “I have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world (John 17:14). Peter echoed this thought when he wrote, “I urge you as strangers and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires that war against you” (1 Pet. 2:11).

 

In our Scripture today, Paul emphasizes the desire to depart this life and be with Christ is “very much better.” This is how he was able to face death with such confidence. The eternal is more real than today, as it will last forever, while this world will one day be destroyed, and possibly before then, our bodies will wear out and we shall die. This is the consequence of sin (Rom. 5:12), and nothing can stop it.

 

Living otherworldly, then, means we don’t fear death, because we know what lies ahead. If life is all about Christ, then death is gain. Jesus’ death makes this possible for us, so that “through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (Heb. 2:14-15). This is how those early Christians “did not love their life even when faced with death” (Rom. 12:11).

 

May we always be bold and courageous to go out and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, knowing whatever happens, or whenever it happens, our destiny in Christ lies in eternal life. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/18/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Rom. 12:11: “Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.”

 

The New Testament is filled with passages like our reading today, which reminds us God wants us to be involved in serving Him. Since we all should know we are to serve the Lord, let’s consider the attitudes by which we are to serve Him today.

 

First, we should serve our Lord with honor. We should show honor when we serve because we serve an honorable God, who is filled with glory and reflects that in what He offers us. We should do no less in showing others we reflect this aspect of our Lord. God’s will should be our guide in what we say and do, as it was for Timothy (Phil. 2:21-22).

 

We should also serve our Lord with excellence. Joseph did this even under difficult circumstances, in Potiphar’s house as well as in prison (Gen. 39-40). He would not have been sought out by Pharaoh, or promoted to second in command, by doing less. Even Jeremiah reminds us, “Cursed is the one who does the LORD’S work negligently” (Jer. 48:10).

 

In addition to these, we should also serve our Lord with a view to eternity. How we live and obey God today has an impact on where we will be beyond this life. “Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).

 

God has placed us, at this point in time, where we are, to serve and glorify Him, that others can know Him and find life in Him. Today, let’s go out and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with honor, excellence, and eternity in view. It makes a difference for ourselves and those we interact with. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/17/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is 1 Pet. 4:18: “And if a righteous person is saved with difficulty, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”

 

This passage of Scripture is one most of us don’t often consider. It can be distressing to contemplate the implications of Peter’s words. Of course, that there will be those saved is clearly taught in Scripture. Jesus said, “He who has believed and has been immersed will be saved” (Mark 16:16).  He is pictured as welcoming certain ones into His eternal kingdom (Matt. 25:34).  Of course, to those who are faithful to death, they will receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10).

 

This way of faithfulness is what Peter is writing about in the Scripture we are considering today. It is with difficulty those who are righteous are saved. There will be challenges, trials, and temptations the child of God must overcome to remain faithful. Jesus also pointed out, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).  While the path is not promised to be easy, the righteous are being saved.

 

That is not said, however, about the godless and sinner, those who actively engage in wrongdoing. Peter is asking what hope is there for the sinner, if the righteous are, with difficulty, being saved?  Peter’s question implies that those who don’t obey the gospel, those who don’t live faithfully, can’t expect to escape punishment at the time of the final judgment.

 

It may be with difficulty the righteous are saved, but they are being saved.  Not so for the sinner. Today, let’s go out and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, showing the world the way that, even with difficulty, one can have the hope of eternal life. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/16/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Phil. 2:16: “Holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”

 

The message of the gospel was important to the apostle Paul. It was by hearing that message he learned how wrong he was about Jesus, and found the promise of eternal life for himself. It was by preaching the message of the gospel he offered that same promise to others. It would be for the truth of the gospel he would offer his life. Obviously, Paul had a love and appreciation for the gospel, as it truly is the word of life, the word that offers life.

 

Our challenge, then, is to do what Paul challenges us all to do, to hold fast to it, to its message, its truth, and it’s hope. The Greek term for hold fast carries the idea to hold up or on, meaning to hold back in the sense of to retain, not to lose, persevering in the acknowledgement and practice of the Christian doctrine. But it is a challenge. Paul knew that challenge in a real and personal way. Living the Christian life means we remain faithful to the call of the gospel no matter what. Compromise should not be an option.

 

Satan, however, calls us to compromise, or outright abandon the faith, the word of life. This is why we must stay focused on Scripture, and find ways to incorporate it into everyday living, that it stays alive within us, and helps accomplish God’s goal of life in us. We must be able to distinguish truth from error, walking in the light from walking in darkness. This is where our reason to glory comes, that, like Paul, we don’t run or toil in vain, but for what really matters. Satan just wants to destroy us; God wants to honor us in Him, and can do so if we stay true to the end.

 

Today, let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, knowing what we find in the end, if we never give up. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/14/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is 1 Thess. 4:11: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.”

 

Paul is writing this letter to these new Christians in Thessalonica, in an environment that was hostile to faith in Christ. They were facing persecution from the Jews, and opposition from Roman society. How can you live the Christian life and honor God in a culture like this? The short answer is to live one’s life in such a way no one can complain or find fault with it. The principles he enumerates to them are appropriate in any age. Don’t go about being boisterous, or loud and abusive to others. Mind your own business, and work honorably and honestly so others, seeing this type of behavior, will know you pursue those things that are good, for yourself, for others, and for society in general.

 

This advice from Paul is just as valid today as it was almost 2,000 years ago. Being nice to others stands out today, where so many are rude and hateful. Doing the right thing, when so many have no concept of what is good, and pursue a course of selfishness, is noteworthy. People understand it is different to the philosophy of the world in general. Even Jesus said, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).

 

Paul reminded slaves, in what they did, they were serving the Lord Christ (Col. 3:24). We are all called to do our best at whatever it is we do. It does make a difference, not only today, but as we stand before God to be judged for eternity. Let’s go out and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in all we say and do, knowing it has a great impact on those who need Him most desperately. God bless.

 

Robert

 Where No One Stands Alone

 

 

The promise of God’s love and provision through Jesus is constant and sure.  Even in the most difficult times, we know God will be there to help us and care for us (Matt. 6:33).  We know His love for us is unfailing (Rom. 8:38-39).  We have certainty in knowing the promise of eternity is secure (Heb. 6:17-19).  We can have assurance as did our brethren in the first century, when times were just as troubling and uncertain.  “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 22:13).

 

There is nothing we can face that God does not already know.  There is no crisis or difficulty in life that is greater than His strength, His love, or His promises.  We cannot deal with anything in life that He is not willing to go through with us.  What confidence we should have then, no matter our problems, our circumstances, or uncertainties, because our Lord is always there to help, comfort, and provide. 

 

It's no wonder, then, that Paul encourages us, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4). Why, and how? “I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). We can have confidence through whatever life throws our way, that the God who knows and understands, is also working His purposes out for us. It is often hard for us to see this, because our perspective is completely different from that of God. As the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end, and everything in between, He has the whole picture of human existence. We do not.

 

Our response, then, is to trust Him who promises to care and provide for us. The trials of life can test our faith, challenging us to hold on to God when everything around tells us to do otherwise. If we cling to the promises of God, though, the future is bright, because we know we will win in Him. The temporal nature of life challenges us to live for what is eternal. We can be up to the task, as God is greater than our sin, and will bring His purposes to pass (1 Thess. 5:24).

 

Let us remember what is written in Proverbs, which can carry us through all life throws against us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Prov. 3:5-6).

μαράνα θᾶ

​Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/13/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Matt. 10:28: “Don’t fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

 

In our Scripture reading today, Jesus points out there is more to life than our physical existence. To allow our fears to dominate us, to control us, is a response that comes from sin. We see this in the garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve, having sinned by eating the forbidden fruit, sought desperately to hide from God. By violating God’s will, the warning God offered of physical death became a reality, and fear has gripped humanity over experiencing this ever since. The irony of it all is, until our Lord returns, with only two exceptions, everyone who has lived has also died. No efforts on the part of mankind have been able to stop it. Somehow, someway, everyone will die.

 

Jesus, however, tells us the fear of dying is not the divine response, as it is sin based. To fear God, to understand He has our lives, our eternity, in His hands, is the better response. It drives us to Him, to find forgiveness, and life as He intends it to be lived. Instead of fear, there is hope, and promise, and peace, no matter what happens in the flesh. Since it is He who judges, and determines by His righteousness heaven or hell for each of us, we should place our trust in Him.

 

There is no greater sadness than to see a loved one pass from today. There is no greater assurance than to know we can meet again. There is no greater fear for some than to think one will die, but there is a greater fear, that one will die lost. As long as there is life, there is hope. Sin binds us in its fetters to cause distress and terror, but Jesus sets us free and offers us the promise that death is the door to eternal life (Heb. 2:14-15).

 

Today, let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in confidence, that no matter what happens, if today we meet the Lord, He will welcome us with open arms. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/12/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is 1 John 2:15: “ Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

 

To the casual reader, this admonition from John seems to be in conflict with the attitude of God, when Jesus said, “For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). There is no disagreement in the two, as Scripture is speaking of loving in two different ways.

 

God loves the world, meaning the people of the world, with a love that desires the best for everyone, which is why He sent His Son into the world, that through His sacrifice the opportunity for eternal life would be available to everyone. Peter puts it this way; “The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9).

 

When John speaks of the love of the world, he is thinking of loving worldliness, of the lusts and desires of the flesh, of sinful attitudes and conduct, which only will condemn us. Paul speaks of this to the church in Ephesus; “We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also” (Eph. 2:2-3).

 

We as children of God are called to love others, but not their sins. We want to encourage others to find the beauty of life in Christ, by leaving behind the sins of the flesh which only condemn. Our lives should be a testimony of God’s grace and forgiveness, not of the sinfulness of the world and the judgment it brings.

 

Today, let’s go out and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, not reflecting sin but righteousness, truth instead of error. Let’s help others find eternal life. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/11/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Ex. 25:9; “Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.”

 

When you examine Scripture, you discover God has always had a pattern.  Regarding our Scripture for today, the New Testament authenticates this concept of following a patter, as it records Moses was faithful to build the tabernacle exactly as God had said, according to His pattern (Acts 7:44).

 

It shouldn’t surprise us, then, that the New Testament speaks about God’s pattern for us today.  Paul reminded the church in Corinth that what he taught, he taught “everywhere in every church” (1 Cor. 4:17).  On a personal level, Paul exhorted Timothy to “follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 1:13).  Whether with the church or the individual, in doctrine and practice, there is a divinely given pattern we must follow.

 

Where is this pattern, you may ask?  It isn’t found in our desires, as these vary with each person. It isn’t in human ideas or creeds, as these often are contradictory. It’s in God’s inspired word (2 Tim. 3:16-17). We must take care not to alter God’s message to suit us (Gal. 1:6-9), but to alter our lives to suit and please God (Eph. 4:15).

 

It’s interesting that even Christ Himself yielded in obedience to the will of God, to offer us salvation. He is the source of eternal salvation to those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9).  God has always had a pattern, even for the Son of God.  As we go about today, let’s do so serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, following His pattern for our lives, and showing others the way that leads to eternal life. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/10/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Prov. 14:12; There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”

 

“Everyone has an opinion about something,” is a familiar saying.  It also seems to reflect how we as a society feel. Opinion, however, shouldn’t be equated with truth. In our pluralistic society, many, in favor of tolerance, have rejected objective truth. Everyone’s opinion is to have equal weight and validity. While there are times when one’s opinion should be considered in making decisions, there are times when they must not. The truth of Scripture, for example, will remain true, no matter what popular opinion may be. 

 

What do we do with Scripture? We can ignore it, or even reject it, but it doesn’t change what God has revealed. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion” we hear, but our opinions must conform to the word of God, if we hope for eternal life.  "He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day” (John 12:48).  "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 7:21).  Of course, putting aside our personal opinions to allow God’s will its place in our lives, is the greatest expression of love. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

 

Opinions, by definition, often are not based on absolute certainty or positive knowledge, but what seems probable to one’s own mind. We don’t always have all the facts, but God does, and He reveals His complete and perfect will to us in His word.  God’s will, and not our opinion, is what will matter on the day of judgment.  Today, let’s go out and serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, basing our lives on what we know is true. It does matter. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/9/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Heb. 4:14. “Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”

 

Referring to Christ as our high priest not only speaks about what Christ accomplished for us through His sacrifice and shed blood, but also of the new covenant which Jesus, of necessity, is mediator.  Why was it necessary for there to be a change of covenants with the coming of Christ, from the Law of Moses to the gospel?  There was a different sacrifice offered for forgiveness of sins, from the blood of animals to the blood of the Son of God.  Without the death of Christ, all those animal sacrifices would have been completely ineffective, “For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins” (Heb. 10:4).  It took the sacrifice of one tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin, for redemption to be offered (Heb. 10:9-10).

 

There was also a change in priesthood for this sacrifice to be offered.  Priests under the Law of Moses could not offer themselves for the sins of the people, as they were sinners as well.  As our high priest, Jesus offered His own blood to cleanse us of our sins (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

 

The Law of Moses was fulfilled through Christ and was taken away, nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14). To try to add elements from it to the new covenant, the gospel, creates another gospel that cannot save (Gal. 1:6-9). To live by the Law of Moses is to live under the shadow of what the gospel would be. To live by the gospel is to have the fulness of what God always intended for us, for the forgiveness of our sins, for the way of life that comes with it. Let’s serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with gratitude for who He is, what He has done for us, and what only He can offer us. We can show others the fulness of life we have for today, and eternity. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/4/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is Heb. 11:6. “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

 

When we consider what we must do to be saved, and to live the Christian life, faith is an essential part of pleasing God. But we would also ask, what kind of faith? James reminds us, “In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself (Jas. 2:17). It must be a faith that is more than just an acknowledgement of certain truths or realities, as even demons believe and tremble, but that faith does not profit them (Jas. 2:19).

 

In the pages of the New Testament, the term faith carries with it obedience, when it speaks of being saved, of living a life that does please the Father. The word obey comes from a Greek term that literally means “to hear under.” In secular Greek, it spoke of one standing at a door, listening intently, almost eavesdropping. Later, the word came to mean obedience, because after one hears and understands a command or request, he should obey it.

 

If we truly believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, then we must hear what He has to say, and do what He says. Jesus asked the question, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). Today we live in a world of skepticism, where many believe Jesus was a good person, but not divine. Some believe Jesus sinned, and that however you want to approach Him is acceptable to Him. This is contrary to Scripture, which is self-authenticating about it’s claims to being God-breathed. Faith, true faith, will lead us from just knowing who Jesus is, to doing what Jesus says for us to be forgiven of our sins, and to live the right kind of life.

 

Today, may we know the truth, obey the truth, and live the truth, that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may be truly honored. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/3/2021

 

Our message from Scripture today is 1 Pet. 1:22. “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart.”

 

It’s interesting to read these words of Peter, and to realize that obedience to the gospel should result, or terminate, in a genuine love for one another. While we associate obeying the gospel with salvation from sin, which is true, it also should bring about genuine love as well. It should be foreign to every child of God, in our relationship together in Christ, to allow selfishness and hatred to exist. 

 

What blessings belong to us in the Lord’s church by counting seriously loving one another, just as we do our own desire to be saved?  There is less strife and more service. There is greater humility and more glorifying of God.  There is more consideration of how to help others overcome sin.  The church becomes more of what God wants it to be, and more of a testimony to a world filled with sin that we truly are His children. Jesus prayed, “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21).

 

Paul would write the church in Philippi, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:3-5). This is what a sincere brotherly love, where we love one another earnestly from a pure heart, does. Today, lets go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ from such motives, that the world will know we belong to Christ. God bless.

 

Robert

 

Message from Scripture: 8/2/2021

 

Today’s message from Scripture comes from Gal. 6:9: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

 

Life in Christ is not the only way of life that is available to us. As surely as God desires all to be saved (1 Tim. 2:4), Satan seeks to deceive and destroy us (1 Pet. 5:8). One of his tools against us is that of discouragement, in every way possible. He tempts us to stay isolated from our family in Christ, where his influence speaks loudly to us, as we have cut off the encouragement we can offer each other. He tempts us with fear, making us believe we do not have the spiritual resources to keep on living spiritually, that we are incapable of being what God wants us to be. He tempts others to criticize what we do, which leads to depression. In these and many other ways, he seeks to cause us to give up, to feel we are incapable of being what God wants, that we are unable of living up to God’s will.

 

Paul, by the inspired word of God, offers us a different perspective. We must never give up, for there is value in seeking and serving. Satan tries to push us down, but God lifts us up (Jas. 4:10). To yield to Satan will only bring sorrow, while pressing on will bring lasting joy. May we be encouraged in all God offers us for victory, and remember, we will only fail when we fail to press on. “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:57-58).

 

Let’s go out to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ today, finding the strength God provides through His Son. May our confidence always be in His promises and His help. God bless.

 

Robert