Message from Scripture: 6/6/2020
Today’s message from Scripture comes from Matt. 2:11; “And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”
Typically, this time of year isn’t associated with the events of Christ’s birth. We don’t know the exact time Christ was born, be we do know He came into this world in flesh and blood, to fulfill God’s plan of salvation for mankind. Some time after His birth, wise men, or Magi, from the East came to worship Him. What they would offer as gifts in homage and adoration would have significance as to who He was, as to where His life would lead.
One gift was gold, which is typically associated with royalty. This gift would be helpful in providing for the needs of this new family, but it also reflected their attitude toward Jesus as King of Kings, as they came to worship Him (Matt. 2:2).
A second gift they brought was frankincense, a fragrant gum that played an important role in the Old Testament priesthood, in the offering of sacrifices to God. It was an ingredient in an incense made only for the Lord (Ex. 30:34-38). It was to be added to grain offerings and offered on the altar to God (Lev. 2:1; 6:15). It was an appropriate gift to offer Jesus as Lord (1 Pet. 3:15).
The third gift was myrrh, a fragrant substance used for a variety of purposes but two especially in connection with Jesus. As an additive to wine, it was used to deaden pain (Mark 15:23). It was offered to Jesus to deaden the pain of His crucifixion, but he refused to take it, enduring every ounce of suffering our sins brought to Him. It was also used for embalming the dead, and was an ingredient in the spices designed for anointing Jesus' body (John 19:39-40). It played an important part in testifying to Jesus as our sacrifice for sins.
Jesus is our King, our Lord, and our sacrifice. Even from His youth, there is assurance of who He is and what He would accomplish for us. As the angels proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). Have a great day. God bless.
Robert
Bible
Saturday, June 6, 2020
Friday, June 5, 2020
Message from Scripture: 6/5/2020
Today’s message from Scripture comes from 2 Tim. 1:5; “I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also.” The importance of faith from one generation to another is emphasized here.
The way every human being is created by God is for the purpose of relationships; we need contact with others, personal interaction with others, for us to have whole and healthy lives. If we ever hope to have a chance of eternal life, it will come through the encouragement we receive from others. But what about ourselves? The path of personal interaction isn’t a one-way street, but one that travels to and from us.
How many figures of Scripture commend themselves to us as positive examples of godliness, people who lived by faith and whose lives encourage us to live by faith. Also, we should not be so caught up in ourselves that we forget there are others who look to us as examples, either good or bad. What kind of influence do our lives offer to those who are around us today, to those who will follow us someday? Solomon said in Prov. 17:6; “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.” We can draw strength from the faithfulness of others, and those coming up behind us should draw strength from our faithfulness as well.
There is a hymn that expresses these words. “Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful, May the fire of our devotion light their way, May the footprints that we leave, Lead them to believe, and the lives we live inspire them to obey, O may all who come behind us find us faithful.” What do those growing up after us learn about faith, hope, and love in God and Christ? Do they find us faithful? It’s something to think about.
Robert
Today’s message from Scripture comes from 2 Tim. 1:5; “I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also.” The importance of faith from one generation to another is emphasized here.
The way every human being is created by God is for the purpose of relationships; we need contact with others, personal interaction with others, for us to have whole and healthy lives. If we ever hope to have a chance of eternal life, it will come through the encouragement we receive from others. But what about ourselves? The path of personal interaction isn’t a one-way street, but one that travels to and from us.
How many figures of Scripture commend themselves to us as positive examples of godliness, people who lived by faith and whose lives encourage us to live by faith. Also, we should not be so caught up in ourselves that we forget there are others who look to us as examples, either good or bad. What kind of influence do our lives offer to those who are around us today, to those who will follow us someday? Solomon said in Prov. 17:6; “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.” We can draw strength from the faithfulness of others, and those coming up behind us should draw strength from our faithfulness as well.
There is a hymn that expresses these words. “Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful, May the fire of our devotion light their way, May the footprints that we leave, Lead them to believe, and the lives we live inspire them to obey, O may all who come behind us find us faithful.” What do those growing up after us learn about faith, hope, and love in God and Christ? Do they find us faithful? It’s something to think about.
Robert
An Empty Person
“He feeds on ashes. His deceived mind has led him astray, and he cannot rescue himself, or say, ‘Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?’” (Isa. 44:20).
While we know of individuals who have little of this life’s possessions, or of its prestige, or even the necessities to exist, for others, there is more of everything, and everything tends to be bigger and better; yet amid the fullness of prosperity there lives multitudes of empty people. Many of the extremes of our age are merely efforts to find some meaning for life. Isaiah says of those who worship idols are following after that which is empty, and in doing so become empty people; what about the idolatry modern life causes people to pursue?
A “this life only” philosophy offers a superficial view of life. The phrase, “he feeds on ashes” is a proverbial saying used to refer to that which has no purpose. To feed on ashes means taking a wrong turn somewhere down the path of life and finding oneself following a very artificial way of life. Any view of life that doesn’t include God presents a tragic distortion. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
A “this life only” philosophy is a commitment to a lie. The empty person’s basic fault is not a lack of commitment; it’s a commitment to what is not true. He does not seem able to say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” The empty person faces the struggles and trials of life with nothing more than a lie in his hand, a lie which somehow believes everything will work out all right (Rev. 3:15-17). The bad news is that, in the end, a life based on all the lies of the world will not work out all right; nothing works out all right apart from God. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
The empty person sees life as an end in itself, but it is not so; life is a battle to determine who, or what, to serve in God’s eternal kingdom. The empty person seeks only to dodge danger and stay alive. The wise person commits himself to the service of the eternal God and loses himself in the life it calls one to live; it’s in this very experience that emptiness fades away and fullness becomes a reality. “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (2 Tim. 1:12).
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Robert
“He feeds on ashes. His deceived mind has led him astray, and he cannot rescue himself, or say, ‘Isn’t there a lie in my right hand?’” (Isa. 44:20).
While we know of individuals who have little of this life’s possessions, or of its prestige, or even the necessities to exist, for others, there is more of everything, and everything tends to be bigger and better; yet amid the fullness of prosperity there lives multitudes of empty people. Many of the extremes of our age are merely efforts to find some meaning for life. Isaiah says of those who worship idols are following after that which is empty, and in doing so become empty people; what about the idolatry modern life causes people to pursue?
A “this life only” philosophy offers a superficial view of life. The phrase, “he feeds on ashes” is a proverbial saying used to refer to that which has no purpose. To feed on ashes means taking a wrong turn somewhere down the path of life and finding oneself following a very artificial way of life. Any view of life that doesn’t include God presents a tragic distortion. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Eph. 2:10).
A “this life only” philosophy is a commitment to a lie. The empty person’s basic fault is not a lack of commitment; it’s a commitment to what is not true. He does not seem able to say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” The empty person faces the struggles and trials of life with nothing more than a lie in his hand, a lie which somehow believes everything will work out all right (Rev. 3:15-17). The bad news is that, in the end, a life based on all the lies of the world will not work out all right; nothing works out all right apart from God. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
The empty person sees life as an end in itself, but it is not so; life is a battle to determine who, or what, to serve in God’s eternal kingdom. The empty person seeks only to dodge danger and stay alive. The wise person commits himself to the service of the eternal God and loses himself in the life it calls one to live; it’s in this very experience that emptiness fades away and fullness becomes a reality. “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (2 Tim. 1:12).
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Robert
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Message from Scripture: 6/4/2020
Today’s message from Scripture comes from Matt. 13:44; “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
In Jesus’ parable, this person went and sold all he had in his joy. Later in His ministry, Jesus would offer someone the opportunity to go and sell all he had, only for that person to leave in his sorrow (Matt. 19:22). The difference between these two individuals has to do with the value they placed on what they were giving up. The kingdom of heaven has far greater value than any earthly possession, but this rich young man of Matt. 19 placed a greater value on present possessions than eternal life.
The promise of eternal life seems unreal to many, or a distant promise that is unrelated to today’s needs and wants. It is easily discarded for this world’s treasures. But for us as Christians, we must realize life in Christ and service in His kingdom holds promise here and now, as well as eternally. The blessings Christ offers us today far surpass anything the world offers, and in the end, eternal life, which is the greatest gift of all. How can anything compare with the value of that which is to be received in Christ?
Does the spiritual have this kind of value in our lives? Is living the Christian life a source of joy, or does forsaking the way of the world bring sorrow? What we value differs from person to person. May we look to that which is eternal, and rejoice in the riches we have in Christ. May our love for Christ and His grace towards us be our greatest treasure. Have a great day in treasuring your life in Christ. God bless.
Robert
Today’s message from Scripture comes from Matt. 13:44; “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
In Jesus’ parable, this person went and sold all he had in his joy. Later in His ministry, Jesus would offer someone the opportunity to go and sell all he had, only for that person to leave in his sorrow (Matt. 19:22). The difference between these two individuals has to do with the value they placed on what they were giving up. The kingdom of heaven has far greater value than any earthly possession, but this rich young man of Matt. 19 placed a greater value on present possessions than eternal life.
The promise of eternal life seems unreal to many, or a distant promise that is unrelated to today’s needs and wants. It is easily discarded for this world’s treasures. But for us as Christians, we must realize life in Christ and service in His kingdom holds promise here and now, as well as eternally. The blessings Christ offers us today far surpass anything the world offers, and in the end, eternal life, which is the greatest gift of all. How can anything compare with the value of that which is to be received in Christ?
Does the spiritual have this kind of value in our lives? Is living the Christian life a source of joy, or does forsaking the way of the world bring sorrow? What we value differs from person to person. May we look to that which is eternal, and rejoice in the riches we have in Christ. May our love for Christ and His grace towards us be our greatest treasure. Have a great day in treasuring your life in Christ. God bless.
Robert
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Message from Scripture: 6/3/2020
Today’s message from Scripture comes from Eph. 5:1-2; “Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.”
How much do we think about what we say and do, and the impact it will have on others? Recent events in society reminds us how sin is so active, and how seeking what one wants personally doesn’t always align with what God wants, and how destructive it can be. Not just the actions we take, but the motives from which such actions come are important to God. This is why, to counter some of the selfish actions Paul mentions in Eph. 4:25-31, we are asked to follow in the footsteps of Christ, to imitate God and what is godly.
Several years ago I remember seeing a teenager wearing a T-Shirt which said, “I am my own role model.” We understand that such a philosophy only leads to sinful conduct, but so many revel in it today. It is sinful as it only considers what one wants, not the needs of others. It is sinful as it only takes one’s desires into consideration, not the will of God. I will never forget years ago a Christian scream to me, “This is what I want!” with no consideration of its impact on others. I believe at some point in time, this is what we all see in ourselves if we are being honest with ourselves.
Jesus said we must take off the old self to put on the new self (Eph. 4:22-24). He said we must deny ourselves (Matt. 16:24). He said through Paul by inspiration to live is Christ (Phil. 1:21). He said through Peter by inspiration Christ must be Lord in our hearts, that before anything else, He comes first (1 Pet. 3:21). May we humble ourselves and seek first His kingdom, His righteousness. If we will, Christ will truly be our role model. God bless.
Robert
Today’s message from Scripture comes from Eph. 5:1-2; “Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.”
How much do we think about what we say and do, and the impact it will have on others? Recent events in society reminds us how sin is so active, and how seeking what one wants personally doesn’t always align with what God wants, and how destructive it can be. Not just the actions we take, but the motives from which such actions come are important to God. This is why, to counter some of the selfish actions Paul mentions in Eph. 4:25-31, we are asked to follow in the footsteps of Christ, to imitate God and what is godly.
Several years ago I remember seeing a teenager wearing a T-Shirt which said, “I am my own role model.” We understand that such a philosophy only leads to sinful conduct, but so many revel in it today. It is sinful as it only considers what one wants, not the needs of others. It is sinful as it only takes one’s desires into consideration, not the will of God. I will never forget years ago a Christian scream to me, “This is what I want!” with no consideration of its impact on others. I believe at some point in time, this is what we all see in ourselves if we are being honest with ourselves.
Jesus said we must take off the old self to put on the new self (Eph. 4:22-24). He said we must deny ourselves (Matt. 16:24). He said through Paul by inspiration to live is Christ (Phil. 1:21). He said through Peter by inspiration Christ must be Lord in our hearts, that before anything else, He comes first (1 Pet. 3:21). May we humble ourselves and seek first His kingdom, His righteousness. If we will, Christ will truly be our role model. God bless.
Robert
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Message from Scripture: 6/2/2020
Today’s message from Scripture comes from Titus 2:14; “He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.”
In Titus 2, Paul speaks of how God is concerned with our response to moral issues, and how He offers us help on responding as we should. Living in sin only condemns us, and God wants to redeem us from sin, from the lawlessness and iniquity we’ve lived in that necessitated sending Christ to begin with. God also wants to call us into a special relationship with Him through Christ, to be His special, or unique, people. The KJV used the word “peculiar,” which, in our day and time, carries the idea of being odd, not usual or normal. The Gk. word used here lit. means “beyond substance;” it carries the idea of abundant, costly, select. It refers to God's people in whom He has a special interest, one which is unique from His common concern for mankind in general.
It occurs to me, that if we are peculiar to God, meaning of special interest to God by our union with Him in Christ, His own people identified by the lives we live for Him, then we will be peculiar to the world, odd, different, out of step with what it values and what it lives for. It is a matter of perspective, isn’t it? The world is enslaved to sin, but has been deceived into thinking that is the right way to live, while we are enslaved to God, knowing it’s truly the right way to live, if one is thinking eternally.
Maybe we should think of ourselves as peculiar, but not as those outside of Christ would. Why live like the world, only to end up condemned eternally? Why not live like Christ, so no matter what the world may think, we know we are special to Him, having a hope eternal in heaven. “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). Have a great day. God bless.
Robert
Today’s message from Scripture comes from Titus 2:14; “He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.”
In Titus 2, Paul speaks of how God is concerned with our response to moral issues, and how He offers us help on responding as we should. Living in sin only condemns us, and God wants to redeem us from sin, from the lawlessness and iniquity we’ve lived in that necessitated sending Christ to begin with. God also wants to call us into a special relationship with Him through Christ, to be His special, or unique, people. The KJV used the word “peculiar,” which, in our day and time, carries the idea of being odd, not usual or normal. The Gk. word used here lit. means “beyond substance;” it carries the idea of abundant, costly, select. It refers to God's people in whom He has a special interest, one which is unique from His common concern for mankind in general.
It occurs to me, that if we are peculiar to God, meaning of special interest to God by our union with Him in Christ, His own people identified by the lives we live for Him, then we will be peculiar to the world, odd, different, out of step with what it values and what it lives for. It is a matter of perspective, isn’t it? The world is enslaved to sin, but has been deceived into thinking that is the right way to live, while we are enslaved to God, knowing it’s truly the right way to live, if one is thinking eternally.
Maybe we should think of ourselves as peculiar, but not as those outside of Christ would. Why live like the world, only to end up condemned eternally? Why not live like Christ, so no matter what the world may think, we know we are special to Him, having a hope eternal in heaven. “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). Have a great day. God bless.
Robert
Monday, June 1, 2020
Message from Scripture: 6/1/2020
Today’s message from Scripture comes from Psa. 37:4; “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Many people claim God’s blessings in a variety of activities, thinking that what David expressed in the last part of Psa. 37:4 is some sort of guarantee that God will give us whatever we want. The Hebrew term translated desire carries the meaning of a petition or request. Does God always give us what we ask of Him? Does He approve and fulfill every desire we have? Experience itself tells us this is not true. Paul petitioned God three times for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, but God’s answer was not to eliminate his problem, but provide the grace for him to endure it (2 Cor. 12:8-10).
David isn’t telling us we have carte blanche to say or do whatever we please, and know we have God’s approval. We should not view a relationship with God as one-sided, as God existing to grant us our every wish while we do what we please. God wants something far better than that for us; He wants us to reflect His image today, so we can be with Him eternally.
All that we are, our motives of heart, our words and deeds, must be conformed to the will of God as revealed in the word of God. Living for self and claiming God’s blessings is a pretense, a deceit of Satan. So also is picking and choosing what part of God’s word we obey, and what we choose to ignore. Living for Christ and denying self is our greatest challenge, and with it, our greatest promise.
A passage I am very fond of is Phil. 4:4; “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” If our source of joy is in the Lord, our desires will be for Him and His blessings will be with us. How great it is to have God as our ally, that when His will becomes our will, delight is abundant in Him. Have a day filled with His joy. God bless.
Robert
Today’s message from Scripture comes from Psa. 37:4; “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Many people claim God’s blessings in a variety of activities, thinking that what David expressed in the last part of Psa. 37:4 is some sort of guarantee that God will give us whatever we want. The Hebrew term translated desire carries the meaning of a petition or request. Does God always give us what we ask of Him? Does He approve and fulfill every desire we have? Experience itself tells us this is not true. Paul petitioned God three times for his thorn in the flesh to be removed, but God’s answer was not to eliminate his problem, but provide the grace for him to endure it (2 Cor. 12:8-10).
David isn’t telling us we have carte blanche to say or do whatever we please, and know we have God’s approval. We should not view a relationship with God as one-sided, as God existing to grant us our every wish while we do what we please. God wants something far better than that for us; He wants us to reflect His image today, so we can be with Him eternally.
All that we are, our motives of heart, our words and deeds, must be conformed to the will of God as revealed in the word of God. Living for self and claiming God’s blessings is a pretense, a deceit of Satan. So also is picking and choosing what part of God’s word we obey, and what we choose to ignore. Living for Christ and denying self is our greatest challenge, and with it, our greatest promise.
A passage I am very fond of is Phil. 4:4; “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” If our source of joy is in the Lord, our desires will be for Him and His blessings will be with us. How great it is to have God as our ally, that when His will becomes our will, delight is abundant in Him. Have a day filled with His joy. God bless.
Robert
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