Pathways of Life Each day has several scriptures listed in order to completely read the Bible through in a year. The passage in parenthesis is where the lesson is taken from and will give you an overview of the entire Bible in a year, but you will not read through the Bible in a year. I pray that this is a blessing to you throughout the year.
November
NOVEMBER 1
Luke 14 - 17 (Lk. 17:1-10)
"For in many things we offend all. . . ."
James 3:2
Many times things happen in our lives whereby we are hurt, disappointed, or offended by another person. Some people let these things build up inside of them until these things affect their walk with the Lord. They really try to forgive others because they know they need to forgive and because they know God wants them to forgive. Yet, the hurt stays, and they become bitter towards others. Their faith dwindles, and their lives are no longer pleasing to the Lord (Heb. 11:6).
In today's reading, Jesus tells us that we can expect occasions for stumbling (offenses). Since others are not perfect, much less ourselves, we know that they will do things that will hurt us. So, don't be so shocked when it happens! But, "take heed to yourselves" (17:3). If your brother does something wrong, go to him and talk about it. If you fail to do that, which many do, then you open yourself up to bitterness and hardness of heart. If the brother repents, then forgive him. Even if it is seven times a day, don't think you are doing a heroic act in repeatedly forgiving him, but realize that you are just doing what is required of you (17:10).
We tend to get bitter when we think that we are more "spiritual" than others, yet James 3:2 tells us that in many ways we all offend others. Let us, therefore, clothe ourselves with humility when someone offends us, knowing that there are times we have caused others to be offended. Let us forgive that we may be forgiven.
NOVEMBER 2
Luke 18 - 21 (Lk. 18:1-14, 35-43)
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
James 5:16
In Luke 18, we find four examples of people praying. Since prayer and communion with the Father were of such importance in Jesus' life here on earth, He wants to make sure that we understand and practice divine principles of prayer.
In verses 1-8, Jesus gives a parable for a purpose--to encourage us to never give up praying and entreating the Lord to avenge us of our adversary. We know that we don't fight flesh and blood but evil forces of wickedness. Satan is our adversary, and we are to never quit warring against him. Never quit spiritual warfare, for God will avenge us speedily. Don't quit, for your victory may be just around the corner!
Jesus then tells a parable which shows the necessity of brokenness and humility. The Pharisee, in this parable, prayed a prayer reminding himself of all his wonderful deeds. But, he never touched heaven, for it says he prayed "with himself." In contrast, the sinner came to God and begged for mercy. He touched God's heart and went away justified. Let us never trust in our good works to bring us special favor from God. All our righteousness is as filthy rags. When we come humbly to God, He will show mercy.
Lastly, in chapter 18, we find a blind beggar crying out for mercy. Others tried stopping him, but he would only cry out louder. He had an earnestness, for he knew Jesus was his only hope. There were probably other blind men waiting as well, but they were not healed. "They were not going to make a fool of themselves! If Jesus wanted to heal them, He knew where they were." Yet, Jesus loves those who are willing to press in, to cry out loud, and to seek His mercy.
How is your prayer life? Do you lack perseverance, humility, or earnestness? May God give us what we need to pray effectual, fervent prayers.
NOVEMBER 3
Luke 22 - 24 (Lk. 22:39-62)
" . . . And Peter followed afar off."
Luke 22:54
While Jesus was praying in the garden, He told His disciples to pray that they would not enter temptation. However, when He returned, they were fast asleep. He admonished them to rise and to pray lest they enter into temptation, for He knew that within the next twenty-four hours they would have their faith tested like never before. Immediately after Jesus said this, Judas came and betrayed Him with a kiss. Jesus was arrested and taken to the high priest's house. "And Peter followed afar off," (22:54).
While keeping his distance and trying to save his own neck, Peter still wanted to keep an eye on the Lord. So he followed Jesus as far off as he could while still staying in touch with Him. This was his downfall. Because he did not stay close to Jesus and let it be known that he was a disciple of His, he was tempted to deny the Lord. And he did.
There was another disciple (John) who did not leave the Lord's side (Jn. 18:15). John had openly made himself known to the high priest and had gone into the high priest's house with Jesus. John, the one noted for his love relationship with the Lord, stayed as close as possible to his master. Because he stayed as close to Jesus as possible and consequently was known for being His disciple, John did not enter into temptation.
Do you walk with Jesus, or do you follow afar off? Do others know you as a disciple, or do you keep it hidden when Jesus Christ is being mocked and ridiculed? If we will stay close by Jesus' side, we will be spared temptations that come to those who try to keep in touch with Him and who also try to stay as close to the world as possible. May we be like John who didn't want the world but who sought to be with Jesus no matter what the cost!
NOVEMBER 4
John 1 - 3 (Jn. 1:35-51)
" . . . What seek ye? . . ."
John 1:38
Andrew was one of Jesus' first disciples. He had a hunger for God, and he followed John the Baptist's teaching on the baptism of repentance. One day when John pointed out to them the Lamb of God, Andrew began to follow Jesus. That may seem like a simple step, yet as humans we find we all resist change. Andrew was comfortable with John's message. He knew it was true. "What would all the others think?" Andrew overcame these temptations to not move on and sought Jesus.
Many people seek a lot of things in life. Some seek security. Some seek money. Some seek fame. Still others seek different things. Jesus turned when He saw Andrew and the other disciple (probably John) following Him, and He asked, "What seek ye?" It would be good if we periodically asked ourselves the same question. What am I looking for in life? What's my goal? What do I really want out of life?
The disciples answered the Lord by saying that they did not just want a passing acquaintance and every so often stop and exchange a few words. They wanted to meet Jesus as a friend and to spend time with Him. Is that what we desire and do in our lives, or is our relationship with Him one of chance meetings and infrequent roadside talks? May we take the time to cultivate a close relationship instead of using the hit or miss kind of relationship.
We take time to go and see real friends, whereas casual acquaintances are talked with as we meet them by chance. Let us seek the Lord like the disciples did and not have just a casual relationship with Jesus Christ.
NOVEMBER 5
John 4 - 6 (Jn. 4:27-42; 6:22-29)
"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."
John 6:29
Jesus told His disciples that what really satisfied and fed Him was not food but doing the will of God and finishing all His work. Natural food cannot quench the thirst and hunger inside of our spirit, but doing what God wants and completing all His will for our lives can.
It is important that we do all that God has for us to do. It does not satisfy if we know we have started to do the
work that God has for us and never complete it. In John 5:36, Jesus tells us that the Father gave Him works to finish--not just to start but to finish.
How can we make sure we do what God has appointed us to do? How can we work the works of God? In John 6:28, the people asked Jesus the same question. Jesus told them that to do the works of God they must believe on Him. In other words, faith predicates works. We labor to believe on Him by praying, by studying the Scriptures, by fasting, and by removing influences in our lives that discourage faith.
NOVEMBER 6
John 7 - 10 (Jn. 7)
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
2 Timothy 3:12
At times, it is easy to think of Jesus walking around Israel healing people, attracting huge crowds, doing miracles with everyone excited about His being around. But, as one reads through John's gospel, he finds that things were not always tranquil. Everywhere Jesus went there was warfare.
In today's chapters, we constantly find that the Jews, Pharisees, and other religious leaders were opposing Jesus and trying to get Him to make a mistake so that they could discredit His ministry. Let's note the Scriptures that show there was opposition:
7:1 - The Jews sought to kill Him.
7:20; 8:48,52; 10:20 - He was accused of being demonic.
7:30 - The Jews sought to take Him.
7:32,44 - The religious leaders sent men to take Jesus.
7:45-52 - They ridiculed those who believed in Jesus and called them ignorant and deceived.
8:1-11 - The scribes and Pharisees tried to trick Jesus.
8:13, 33-59 - The opposition openly argued against His teaching.
8:59 - The Jews tried to stone Him.
9:22 - The Jews put social pressure on anyone who believed on Jesus.
10:31 - The Jews tried stoning Him again.
10:39 - The Jews again tried to take Jesus by force.
As one can see, Jesus caused quite an uproar. Not only was He continually attacked, but also the early church was harassed, debated, scorned, persecuted, and ridiculed. Yet, it grew stronger and stronger.
Jesus didn't promise us an easy life, but He did promise us an abundant, overcoming life. He does not take away hardship, but He gives grace to overcome in every situation. All that desire to live godly are promised that there will be opposition. If our godliness is measured by the amount of opposition and persecution we suffer, how godly are we?
When persecution and ridicule arise, don't be defeated, but thank God for His stamp of godliness upon your life.
NOVEMBER 7
John 11 - 13 (Jn. 12:1-27)
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve . . . but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
Joshua 24:15
We have seen that Jesus had tremendous opposition during His ministry. At various times, the Jews had tried to stone Him, and they were constantly looking for opportunities to arrest Him. When Jesus taught, they argued, ridiculed, accused, and slandered Him. Now, in chapter 12, things are coming to a climax. Jesus is just days away from crucifixion. If He stays in Jerusalem, death by the Jews is inevitable.
In the heat of this dilemma, we see that certain Greeks, who have traveled from their homes to worship Jehovah during the Passover, came to the disciples desiring to see Jesus. While the local leaders were breathing fire and plotting His death, news came to Jesus that a group from another country wanted to see Him.
To many of us, this would have been our answer: "Since things are dangerous in Jerusalem, we'll go to the Greeks, where they'll appreciate all that we'll do for them." But, Jesus did not look for an easy way out. He obeyed His Father. The time had come. It was time to go to the cross and to deny Himself so that much fruit would come forth.
Each day of our lives, we face decisions like Jesus faced. Will we choose an easy way out, or will we take up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow the Lamb? If we fail to take up our cross, Jesus says we are unworthy to follow Him (Mt. 10:38). May we daily choose what God wants, even though it may not be pleasing to our flesh. This is the only way to fruitfulness. When we face decisions, let us stop and consider what Jesus wants us to do, not what we want to do.
NOVEMBER 8
John 14 - 17 (Jn. 16:1-15)
"And when he [the Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."
John 16:8
When one thinks of the Holy Spirit, he may think of various things. Some people think of the Holy Spirit as a force or a power. While it is true that the Holy Spirit has power and force, He is much more than an impersonal force. He has a personality. He is not an "it," but indeed the Holy Spirit is a person like Jesus and the Father.
Furthermore, when others think of the Holy Spirit, they think of goose bumps, tingles, and overwhelming feelings and emotions. Granted, the Holy Spirit's work may produce these at times, but they are not the goal of His ministry.
In John 16:9-11, we find the focal point of the work of the Holy Spirit: to convict and convince of sin, righteousness, and judgment. On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon 120 prayer warriors. The result was that men were pricked to their heart and about three thousand were saved (Acts 2:37-41). When Peter and John healed the lame man by the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 3) another five thousand believed. Wherever we see the Holy Spirit moving, we find people being convicted of sin and trusting in the righteousness of Jesus Christ and the works of darkness being judged.
At times, we can be afraid of the moving of the Holy Spirit. Yet, it is only as we allow Him to freely move in whatever way He chooses that we will see souls saved. Our ways are not God's ways. May we trust Him so explicitly that we don't fear the sometimes hard-to-understand movings of the Holy Spirit. Let us not resist the Holy Spirit so that souls may be brought to salvation through Jesus Christ.
NOVEMBER 9
John 18 - 21 (Jn. 19:1-30)
"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost."
John 19:30
While being cruelly tortured on the cross, Jesus still wanted to make sure He had finished everything the Father had sent Him to do. For instance, He told John to take care of His mother. Then, when He knew that all things were accomplished, He took a drink and said, "It is finished," and died.
What was Jesus referring to when He said, "It is finished"? In earlier chapters of John's gospel, we find that Jesus said that it was important for Him to finish the work which He was sent on earth to do (Jn. 4:34; 5:36). When Jesus was hanging on the cross, He was aware that He had indeed accomplished all that the Father had wanted Him to do. He had finished His work, had accomplished all things, and had fulfilled all Scripture. Now, He was free to go.
Just as Jesus was sent to earth to obey the Father daily and to fulfill all His will, so also we have been made by God to obey Him daily and to fulfill His will. In Acts 20:24, Paul speaks of desiring to finish his course. Just before his death, he writes that he had indeed finished his course (2 Tim. 4:7).
How can we be sure we will hit the mark and fulfill all that God has for us? The key is to obey every day, hour, and minute the voice of the Holy Spirit and to be constantly sensitive to His leading. A journey is made up of small steps, and our life is directed by our daily decisions. It is imperative that we daily obey His voice so that at the end of our journey not one thing God has for us will be left unfinished. May we finish the work God has called us to do.
NOVEMBER 10
Acts 1, 2 (Acts 2)
"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Acts 1:8
In Acts 2, we find that the promise of the Father, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, was given to the church. The disciples had already received an impartation of the Spirit of God (Jn. 20:22), but now the Holy Spirit was released as a mighty rushing wind instead of as the breath of God. When the Holy Spirit was outpoured, He manifested Himself by a supernatural utterance of tongues. The people praised and magnified the Lord in languages they never knew. Peter saw the opportunity, stood up, and proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit convicted the listeners' hearts (2:37), and about three thousand were saved, baptized in water, and continued to walk with the Lord on a daily basis.
The Holy Spirit desires to save men, transform them, and cause them to walk with the Lord. He desires to move through us. Let us note how God likes to perform evangelism:
1. He looks for those that will let Him move supernaturally through them (Acts 2:1-4).
2. By the power of the Holy Spirit, He arouses attention (Acts 2:5-13).
3. He desires to speak through us (Acts 2:14-36).
4. He convicts of sin and grants salvation (Acts 2:37-41).
5. He moves the new disciple to continue in prayer, in study of the Scriptures, and to fellowship with other Christians (Acts 2:41-47).
Many try to evangelize without the power of the Holy Spirit moving through them. They may get "decisions," but they usually fail to get true disciples. Consequently, we need the power of the Holy Spirit in order to witness as we ought. Have you really experienced Pentecost in your life? Does your life radiate the power of God? Let us open our hearts and ask Jesus to make the second chapter of Acts a reality in our own lives so that we can witness in the power of the Holy Spirit and can see much fruit that remains.
NOVEMBER 11
Acts 3 - 5 (Acts 4:23-35)
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. . . ."
2 Chronicles 16:9
In Acts 3-5, we see the church operating with many displays of the power of God. Yesterday, we read of three thousand being saved initially; today, we read of five thousand being born again with many more believing on a daily basis. Today's church desperately needs to see the power of God manifested, as it was in those days.
If we study about the early church, we will discover some reasons why God was free to move in such power. In Acts 2:42-47, we see a tremendous spirit of unity. In Acts 4:24-35, we again find that a key to the power of God was their willingness and ability to pray in one accord.
Another reason why many Christians do not have God's power working in their lives is because they harbor hurt feelings and bitterness towards others. Matthew 18:21-35 tells us that if we fail to forgive others when God has forgiven us of so very much, we will be delivered over to the tormentors. Matthew 6:15 tells us that if we will not forgive others, God will not forgive us. Therefore, we walk around with an account against us, and it stops the blessing of God from coming upon us.
Do you have hurts or unforgiveness against others? First John 1:9 says there is a way to get rid of it. We must (1) call it sin and confess to God that our hurt feelings is sin, then (2) as we confess our sin of unforgiveness to the Lord, He will cleanse us of it. We can't get rid of hurt feelings by ourselves. Only God can remove it. May we make sure that we take care of our wrong attitudes that God may be free to show Himself strong on our behalf.
NOVEMBER 12
Acts 6 - 9 (Acts 8)
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
Mark 16:15
What are the keys to effective evangelism and to having new disciples of Christ born into the kingdom of God? In Acts 8, we find some important keys to successful evangelism. We see that the church is being persecuted by Saul and the Jews. The result was that they were scattered abroad. But, did they try to go hide? No! They went everywhere preaching the good news of Jesus Christ. It was not just the twelve apostles, but everyone was preaching Christ to others.
For effective evangelism, everyone must know that they have a part in fulfilling the great commission. All are called to preach the gospel. These people went everywhere looking for those with whom they could share Jesus. Do you go through your day expecting to tell others about Jesus? Let us begin to!
Another key to effective evangelism is the display of God's power. The people in Samaria saw that Jesus was alive by the miracles that took place. Let us ask God to display His power as we witness.
In Acts 8, we see Philip obeying the inner voice of God. God told him to do something which seemed quite silly. "Why leave revival to go into a desert?" Yet, as Philip left, he had a part in changing Ethiopia. Let us not argue with the inner voice of the Holy Spirit. Let us obey and see God bring forth fruit as we go out looking for opportunities, displaying His life, and being led by His Spirit. Do your part in fulfilling the great commission!
NOVEMBER 13
Acts 10 - 12 (Acts 11:1-26)
"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."
Romans 1:16.
In Acts 10-12, we find God opening the door of Christianity to the Gentiles. Peter went to Caesarea and broke Jewish tradition by entering the home of a Gentile. The Holy Spirit was poured out, and all knew that God accepted the Gentiles as well. Peter was a well-known apostle, and God continued to use him.
God not only uses "big-name" preachers, but He uses all those who obey and want to serve Him. There was a group of Christians that decided to go to Antioch. Now, Antioch was known for her immorality and worship of the idol Daphne. Antioch was a name equivalent to immorality and pursuit of pleasure. These Christians began to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, and a church was born. From Antioch, God touched the whole world with the gospel.
Who were these courageous souls that would share the gospel in this haven of immorality? No one knows, for they were just ordinary Christians willing to be used of God. As a result, they founded the most vital New Testament missionary center in the world.
These men were able to believe God for the worst sinners. While others preached only to the Jews, they preached to the Greeks. May we not just talk about Jesus with good church folk, but may we learn to share Jesus with all those who need Him. Just as God was trying to teach the early church to go beyond the walls of their traditions, God wants to challenge us to share Jesus with those who have nothing in common with us.
NOVEMBER 14
Acts 13, 14 (Acts 14:19-23)
". . . we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God."
Acts 14:22
Acts 13 and 14 give us an account of Paul's first missionary journey. Although different things happened at different places, one thing remained constant--they had opposition and persecution wherever they went. Did they get discouraged and give up? No! They knew that Jesus does not call us to an easy life. He calls us to lay down our life for Him.
In Acts 13:52, we see that after Paul and Barnabas were persecuted and expelled from Antioch in Pisidia, they were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. It's not something we can work up. The anointing of the Holy Spirit came upon them as they suffered for Christ's sake. First Peter 4:14 tells us that if we are reproached for Christ's sake, we are happy for the Holy Spirit rests upon us. Peter goes on to say that we should not suffer for sin. There is no glory or anointing in that. But, when we are reviled and persecuted for Christ's sake, there is an increase in the anointing of the Holy Spirit on our lives.
God wants us to come to the place where we quit having to suffer because of things we have sown (Gal. 6:7) and begin to suffer for righteousness's sake. When we suffer for Him, He will give us an anointing of joy. We will never be exempt from suffering while here on this earth, but we can determine why we suffer. Lord, let us suffer for Your sake, not for our own mistakes, ignorance, and sins.
NOVEMBER 15
Acts 15 - 17 (Acts 16)
". . . I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord."
2 Corinthians 2:12
On the second missionary journey, Paul and Silas went through the regions of Phrygia and Galatia. When they came to Asia, they were forbidden by the Holy Ghost to preach the gospel. God closed the door by forbidding them to go. So they decided to go into Bithynia, but again the Spirit would not allow them to go. Consequently, they went down to Troas.
It would seem as if the word "down" has special significance. God had called them to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, but now every time they tried to obey, God slammed the door right in front of them. It would be easy to feel down, discouraged, and frustrated at this point. Yet, it was at this time that God opened up the door to Macedonia, a whole new area where God Himself wanted to move. They realized that God had only closed certain doors to open far greater ones!
When in prison, all the doors were shut. There was no way of escape. But, as they prayed and sang praises, God opened up the doors! Yes, God is the God who controls the doors of every opportunity in our lives. Don't get discouraged because He closes doors or doesn't allow you to do something. He only closes the door so that we will turn our direction to something much greater which He has chosen for us. Learn to thank God for closed doors, because it means He has a door to open for you that is far better.
NOVEMBER 16
Acts 18 - 20 (Acts 20:13-38)
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood."
Acts 20:28
When Paul saw the elders of the church at Ephesus, he gave them the command to take heed to themselves and tho those God had entrusted to their care. In First Timothy 4:16, Paul wrote to Timothy to take heed to himself and to the teaching that he might save himself and those that heard him. Both Scriptures tell us to take heed to our own spiritual lives first and then to those whom God wants us to feed. The reason is this: if we are not doing well spiritually, we will never be able to impart spiritual life to those that God wants us to touch.
In Song of Solomon 1:6, we find the virgin stating that she doesn't want anyone to look upon her, for she is black. She had been taking care of other vineyards, but she had not kept her own vineyard. At times, we can get so busy looking after others that we neglect our own relationship with the Lord. If that goes on, we will soon find that we have no life to give to others, for we have failed to take heed and to pay attention to ourselves.
NOVEMBER 17
Acts 21 - 23 (Acts 22:1-21)
"Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. . . . "
Philippians 3:8
When Saul met with the Lord Jesus on the Damascus road, he responded with a question. This question became a driving force throughout his life and caused him to become a man that God could use to turn the world to Jesus.
His first question was, "Who art thou, Lord?" This question arises out of a desire to know the Lord. Saul didn't just want to have a wonderful experience, but he wanted to know the One behind the experience. Later, in Philippians 3:8-10, we find again that his heart's cry was to know Jesus Christ. He said that he counted all things loss in comparison with knowing Jesus Christ. His cry was still "that I might know him."
Is your primary goal in life to know the Lord Jesus Christ better, or are you more concerned about prospering in your financial life, having a nice car, or even doing good things? The Lord wants us to get to know Him. He wants us to make time to study the Scriptures, to pray, to worship, and to do acts of obedience. In our daily lives, it is often easy to let other concerns crowd out our desire to know Him. Paul didn't let the desire to know Jesus become anthing less than his number one priority. May we as well make sure that our relationship with the Lord is our first priority.
NOVEMBER 18
Acts 24 - 26
"And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men."
Acts 24:16
In Acts 24, Paul gives his defense for the fake charges brought against him. One thing he states is that he always disciplines himself and endeavors earnestly to have a conscience that does not offend God or man.
The conscience is a faulty of man's spirit, the deepest area in man, beyond his mind, emotions, and will. It is in our spirit that the Spirit of Christ dwells when we are born again. Paul said that when his conscience judged something as wrong, he didn't argue, rationalize, or ignore his conscience. He obeyed what God wanted.
This is a real key in our Christian walk. When God tells us to do or not to do something by our conscience, we must be careful that we don't grieve what the Holy Spirit wants. If we do grieve the Spirit, we create a rift in our relationship with Him,a dn many have made shipwreck of their faith by not obeying God's direction through their conscience (1 Tim. 1:19). Paul tells us in First Timothy 1:5 that what God is really after is love out of a pure heart, and good conscience, and a sincere, true faith.
Let us not ignore our conscience. In doing so we can develop a seared conscience (1 Tim. 4:2), a defiled conscience (Tit. 1:15), or an evil conscience (Heb. 10:22). The first step to making shipwreck of our faith and relationship with Christ is by ignoring, being insensitive, or goind directly against our conscience's quiet judgment. We need to learn to hear and to give heed to our conscience.
NOVEMBER 19
Acts 27,28
"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. . . . And these signs shall follow them that believe. . . . They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them."
Mark 16:15, 17, 18
In the great commission given in Mark's gospel, there is also given a promise of protection from calamity that may be incurred, such as snake bites and poisonings. In Paul's travels, we find that God was continually watching out for him. Even when the ship set sail not heeding God's warning (27:9-11), God still had His hand of protection upon Paul. The soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners, but God moved the centurion's heart towards Paul. At Melita, a viper bit Paul, yet it had no affect on him. While it was true that life was not without challenging situations, Paul was always protected against accidents.
Many of God's people live in fear that some catastrophe will happen to them. They fear car accidents, airplane crashes, freak happenings, etc. Yet, God promises to be with us. Paul was allowed to suffer for the gospel's sake and for christ's sake, but we find that God was true to His promise of divine protection from storms, accidents, etc. Meditate upon the following Scriptures if you have a problem with fear of catastrophe, and let God's Word bring a new faith in your heart: Luke 21:14-18, Psalm 91, Psalm 34, 2 Chronicles 16:9, and Psalm 125:1, 2.
NOVEMBER 20
Romans 1 - 4 (Rom. 1:1-17)
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. . . ."
Romans 1:16
Paul declared in Romans 1:15 that he was ready to preach the gospel to those that lived at Rome. He gave two reasons why he wanted to share the good news about Jesus. These two things motivated him and also will motivate us to share the gospel.
First, he said that he was under an obligation to all. Why was he under obligation? Because he had been freeely given salvation. Therefore, he was required to freely give the gospel to others. When we are born again, we are under obligation to take the good news to others. We have no choice, for we are debtors to those that need to hear. May we realize our obligation.
Second, Paul said that he would preach because he was not ashamed of the gospel. Are you ashamed to share the gaspel? Maybe you don't realize the power there is in the gospel, as Paul did. The Greek word for salvation is "soteria." It means all of the following:
1. salvation from physical sickness (Lk. 8:36)
2. salvation from danger (Mt. 8:25)
3. salvation from a crooked, perverse, worldly influence (Acts 2:40)
4. salvation from sin (Mt. 1:21)
5. salvation from God's wrath and punishment (Rom. 5:9).
Yes, the gospel has power to heal, to keep, to cleanse from sin, and to deliver from hell. Jesus died to meet every need of mankind. He is relevant! People die looking for Him! Begin to share the gospel (all of it!), and let the power of God save, heal, and deliver those who trust in Jesus. May we never be ashamed to share the gospel, but like Paul, let's be eager to preach to others.
NOVEMBER 21
Romans 5 - 8 (Rom. 5)
"But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you . . . That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. . . ."
Matthew 5:44, 45
Romans 5:8 shows us the loving heart of God. For while we were sinners, at enmity with God, the Lord died for us that we might have true life. This was totally unheard of! Most people would not even die for a good man, but Jesus laid down His life for His enemies. Matthew 5:45 tells us that god sends rain on the just and the unjust thus showing His love for even those who hate, rebel, and curse Him. What tremendous love!
Because this kind of love is practiced by God Himself, he can command us that we are to love our enemies and to do good to those who hate us. He is not asking us to do something that He hasn't done.
It does not take too many experiences for us to realize, however, that this kind of love is not natural to us. This God kind of love is supernatural. We cna't work it up, but we must ask god to release it in our lives so that we cn love our enemies. Since god commanded that we love like he does, He has grace available for us to do it.
Let us never settle for anything less in our lives than God's kind of love--to love, bless, and do good to our enemies from our heart. Who hate you, says evil about you, or makes fun of you? Ask God to give you His love for them and to show you how you can express His love in a tangible way. Pray for them. Do good to them. Bless them. It will qualify you as one of God's children, for you are indeed acting like the Father.
NOVEMBER 22
Romans 9 - 12 (Rom. 9:1-20)
"So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy."
Romans 9:16
In today's verse, we see that what we become in God's kingdom is not continuent on our ability, our will, or our strength. Rather, it depends on receiving mercy from God. We can do all kinds of works, but if we don't have an impartation of the life of God in our lives, all our works are dead. the key for us is to obtain mercy from God.
How can we be sure that God will be merciful to us? For one, we know that god's very nature is one of mercy. He delights in beiing merciful! In Exodus 34:6, 7, we find that when God was showiing Himself to Moses, the first characteristic He described was His mercifulness. We need to see God as the One wwho looks for people to be merciful to. As we belive in god's desire to show mercy to us, it opens our heart to receive from Him.
Is there anything we can do that enables us to receive God's mercy in a greater way than we every have before? Yes! Matthew 5:7 says, "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." In Second Samuel 22:26 and Psalm 18:25, we find that with the merciful, God will show Himself merciful. In other words, if we show mercy to others, God will be merciful to us.
In Romans 9:17, Pharoah is given as an example of someone who did not recieve mercy from God. yet, as one looks at his life, we find that he was never merciful, but he hardened himself against God and God's people. Therefore, God hardened his heart during the ten plagues. Let us not be like Pharoah, but let's show mercy to many that God would be free to show mercy to us.
NOVEMBER 23
Romans 13 - 16 (Rom. 15)
"I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done--by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit ."
Romans 15:18, 19 (NIV)
What was accomplished in Paul's ministry was not a porduct of his great intellectual ability or of some wonderful program he had come up with. The fruit of his ministry came by what Christ did through him. Paul was just a vessel. Jesus did the work. Paul testified tha the Gentiles turned to the Lord because they were convinced by the power manifested in the signs and miracles done through the Holy Spirit. When Paul's preaching was coupled with the demonstration of the Holy Spirit, people believed!
Paul declares in 15:19 that he fully preached the gospel of Christ through signs and wonders by the power of the Spirit. Indeed, the gospel of the kingdom is not fully preached by words only. The power of god must be released in conviction, in healing, in signs, in gifts, in miracles, indeliverance or in whatever meets the need at the moment. First Corinthians 4:20 tells us that the kingdom of God isn't just words, but it is evidence by power.
How are you trying to evangelize and to fulfill the great commission? It must be by both preaching the kingdom and by demonstrating the kingdom. May God give us a hunger to fully preach the gospel! May we pray, fast, and study the Word till there is a continual flow of the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Don't be satisfied with less than God has for you!
NOVEMBER 24
1 Corinthians 1 - 4 (1 Cor. 1:18 - 2:5)
"But God hath chosen the follish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak . . . base . . . despised . . . and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are."
1 Corinthians 1:27, 28
In First Corinthians 1:27, 28, we see the kind of instruments God uses to accomplish His purposes and to display His power. Notice that the list is not the academic elite, the financial tycoon, or the political genius. God takes those that are weak, base, and despised (those that know their need for Him) and uses them to display His power.
In these verses, we see a perfect balance between knowing our inadequacy and lack and knowing who we are in Christ. We can do nothing without Him, yet all things can be done with Him. Many Christians major on one side while neglecting the other. Inferiority complexes, depression, lack of confidence, and related problems are often a result of concentration on what we are not, instead of what we are in Christ. Others become presumptuous by forgetting that it is not them, but Christ in them that works as He wills.
We need both sides to be strong in our life. We must know our helplessness, but also we must know Christ's power that works within us so that we are not limited by ourselves. We must display the power of God wherever we go in a humility that is characteristic of Jesus Christ.
NOVEMBER 25
1 Corinthians 5 - 8 (1 Cor. 7)
"Let us walk honestly. . . ."
Romans 13:13
In First Corinthians 7, we find Paul using some interesting phrases. He is teaching concerning marriage, separation, and the duties and obligations of marriage. In verse 10, he gives a command, yet says it is not his command but the Lord's. In verse 12, he says, "to the rest speak I, not the Lord." In verse 25, he says, "I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful." In verse 40, he again speaks of his judgment and says that he thinks he also has the Spirit's mind on the matter.
From these phrases, we see that Paul could distinguish and honestly share with the people what was clear scripturally, what he thought the Spirit was saying, and what he thought was best. Many of us confuse the three and give our opinions as gospel truth, sharing what we think as best as a commandment from God. We must learn, like Paul, to honestly portray God's commands and not to teach what we think is best as His commands. It will bring an honesty into our lives that will enable us to hear more clearly what God is saying. If we just lump all our ideas and judgments along with God's commands, it will stop us from hearing what God has to say.
Let's be honest! Don't give your ideas, prejudices, and pet teachings as God's command if He doesn't command or teach it! If we will honestly look at all we believe, God will adjust our thinking and beliefs to His truth.
NOVEMBER 26
1 Corinthians 9 - 12 (1 Cor. 9)
"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more."
1 Corinthians 9:19
First Corinthians 9 contains a list of some of Paul's rights when preaching the gospel. In verse 5, he said that he had a right to travel with a wife as dome of the other apostles did. In verses 6-10, he said that he had the righ tto not work when preaching the gospel, for those that hear should take care of the one bringing forth the Word of God.
In verse 20, he said that when he was around Jews he head the right to not be under the Law, yet for the sake of the gospel he gave up his right to do so that he might win them. He gave us his right to not work for a living while he was preaching the gosple and counted it a privilege to do so. He gave up his right to travel with a wife that he might have more freedom to serve the Lord without hindrance (see 1 Cor. 7). To those who were weak, Paul gave us his strength and became as one that was weak that he might gain their souls.
December DECEMBER 1
2 Corinthians 10 - 13 (2 Cor. 11)
"But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God ."
2 Corinthians 6:4
In the church at Corinth, there were those who discredited Paul's ministry. In chapters 10-13, Paul was forced against his will to commend himself and the ministry that God had given him. Second Corinthians 10:10 tells what these certain individuals were saying about Paul and how they were trying to discredit him. So Paul gives reasons why his ministry is valid and of God:
1. 11:6-20 Paul did not bring bondage on them but freely preached the gospel with the support of other churches. A true minister does not put weights on others but lifts the weights off others.
2. 11:21-33 Paul was willing to deny himself and to suffer for Christ's sake. Those that just want a comfortable profession are not the true ministers, but those who willingly lay down their lives for others are.
3. 12:1-4 Paul had tremendous meetings with the Lord. Those that minister need to have constant meetings with God. They need to allow God to quicken their hearts so that they have a message to share.
4. 12:6-10 Paul gloried in the fact that he had no natural strength on which he could lean. He had to rest in God's grace. We must learn that when we think we are strong in ourselves, we are weak. But, when we rely on God, we can touch others in a special way.
5. 12:12,13 Signs and wonders confirmed Paul's ministry. We need the Lord to confirm our message with souls saved, bodies healed, and lives changed.
May we look at what proved that Paul was an able minister and ask God to work these into our lives so that we can be able ministers as well.
DECEMBER 2
Galatians 1 - 3 (Gal. 3)
"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?"
Galatians 3:3
The theme of Galatians is relationship versus ritual. Paul had to write to the Galatians because they had returned to legalism. Paul asked them if they had received the Spirit, had seen miracles, or had begun their walk with Jesus by rituals and laws? No! It was by the Holy Spirit.
In chapters 1-3, different points are given to emphasize the importance of relationship, not ritual. In 1:12, Paul stresses the revelation that comes from a relationship with Christ. In 2:8, he emphasizes how Christ worked mightily in him. In 2:16, we are told that we are justified by faith and not by works.
Further, 3:24 tells us that the purpose of the law was to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. People have not changed much over the past nineteen hundred years, for many still revert to a ritualistic Christianity after they are born again by the\Spirit and by the Word of God. They try to do many things--things they know Christians should do--with their own ability. They even try to mature in Christ by their own strength. Yet, Paul tells us we can't be made perfect by our own efforts (3:3). True Christian maturity and spiritual growth are only accomplished as we allow the Holy Spirit to deal with our motives, actions, words, etc. As we respond to Him and seek His help, we find that He does the work and changes us by His power. How gloriously He does it! No longer is it us striving to be good, but we are motivated to cultivate a relationship with the Lord. Then, out of that intimate fellowship with the Lord, we are changed by Him.
Let us not trust in ritualistic actions or forms, but let us draw near to the Lord. If we guard our relationship with Him, making sure we do nothing that would hinder it, we will find we are doing above what any rule could ever ask.
DECEMBER 3
Galatians 4 - 6 (Gal. 5:14 - 6:10)
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Galatians 6:9
There is a law under which we all live and operate: the law of sowing and reaping. Not only do we all know that this law is true in nature, but also it is true in all other aspects of life. What we sow we will eventually reap!
The Lord tells us in 6:7 not to be deceived. This carries the thought that some of God's people are deceived in this matter. There are "Christians" who think that they can do whatever they want during the week and that there will be no consequences if they just confess it on Sunday. They may be forgiven, but the seeds that they have sown will spring up and eventually bring forth an evil harvest in their lives. God will not be mocked! If we live by our own desires and will, we will experience corruption and destruction. If we live according to the Spirit, we will have abundant life forever. What kind of crop are you sowing?
Galatians 6:9 instructs us not to get tired of doing good to others, for a day will come when we will reap for all the acts of love and kindness, financial generosity, and good will that we have sown. Don't stop doing good because it doesn't seem to be worth it. There is a harvest day coming. Hallelujah! It may seem like no one notices, yet God takes notice. He is a debtor to no man, and He will surely give back according to that which has been sown.Don't be weary and give up! Your day of reaping may be just around the corner. Be careful to maintain your good works (see Titus 3:8) that you may be able to enjoy your harvest.
DECEMBER 4
Ephesians 1 - 3 (Eph. 1)
"Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 1:2
In Matthew 5:18, Jesus tells us that even the minute details of God's Word will endure and will be fulfilled. Second Timothy 3:16 tells us that all Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. Yet, there are many parts of God's Word that we tend to skim over without really taking note of them.
Often people read through the greeting or closing of an epistle without stopping to realize its tremendous importance. They are not written to make the book longer or to flower it up a bit. The Holy Spirit placed them there for our profit! It is interesting to note that all the greetings from Romans through Philemon include a prayer for grace and peace. In all closings from Romans through Hebrews, a prayer for grace from the Lord Jesus is again offered. God often repeats something to get our attention. Even if we don't realize it, we all need God's grace.
Grace is two-fold. It includes unmerited favor and divine enabling by God's Spirit. Paul said, "But by the grace of God I am what I am." It wasn't by his striving but by God's enabling that he became what he was. Ephesians 2:8 tells us that we are saved by grace. Our salvation is not of ourselves; it is the gift of God. In Ephesians 3:7, 8, Paul again refers to God's grace that enabled him to do what he did.
Oh, how we need God's unmerited favor and His enabling power. Anything we are or ever will be can only be accredited to His grace and power. So, let us not boast of our ability, but like Paul, let us boast of how His grace and His power overcame our weaknesses (see 2 Cor. 8:9). Paul knew how important receiving grace was in his life, therefore, he repeatedly prayed for grace to be bestowed on all the churches. Let us pray for the same.
DECEMBER 5
Ephesians 4 - 6 (Eph. 5:22 - 6:9)
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it."
Ephesians 5:25
After Ephesians 1-3 tells of the heights of spiritual blessings in Christ, the latter part of Ephesians gets down to the nitty-gritty of personal relationships. It deals with three important relationships: husband-wife, parent-child, and employer-employee. In each relationship one party is the head of the relationship, and the other is to be submissive to the head. The head can set the tone of the relationship just as Christ did for the church when He gave Himself for her. Yet, probably one of the hardest things to learn is how to be a godly, self-denying spouse, parent, or employer.
Jesus told His disciples in Matthew 20:25-28 that they knew how the world operated. Those in the chief position lorded it over those under them. But, we are to be different. Christ told husbands to love their wives as He loves the church and gave Himself for her. The Greek word for love here is "agape," which means a self-denying love for the good of the other party. This love doesn't seek its own comfort or will, but it seeks the best for the other (1 Cor. 13:5). How rare this is in relationships! Everyone wants to do his own thing, have his own way, and be his own boss. Yet, we need to be self-denying leaders. Let us deny ourselves for someone today, even if we are in a position over them. Remember, the greatest in God's kingdom are servants of all.
DECEMBER 6
Philippians 1 - 4 (Phil. 1:1 - 2:11)
"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him ."
Philippians 2:7, 9
When Paul wrote an epistle, God would often prompt him to give his qualifications for writing such a letter. In nine of his letters, he stated that God had called him to be an apostle. In three, he opened by saying that he was a servant of Jesus Christ. In Romans and Titus, Paul first said he was a servant, then secondly an apostle. When James listed his authority for writing, he called himself a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ (Ja. 1:1).
In Second Peter 1:1, Peter called himself a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ. Jude, in his epistle, also referred to himself as the servant of Jesus Christ. In society there is not much glory in being a servant, for everyone strives to make it to the top so that they can be the boss. Philippians 2:1-11 tells us that Christ is "boss." He existed as God in eternity past, yet because of His true greatness, He was able and willing to humble Himself to become a servant. God says that we are to have that same attitude (Phil. 2:5). When the writers in the epistles referred to being a servant and an apostle, they always put servanthood before apostleship, for before someone is exalted by God into a place of authority, they must learn to be a servant.Jesus was exalted because He was willing to humble Himself. Many of God's people never obtain what God has for them because they are unwilling to be a servant and to humble themselves before others.
May we learn to humble ourselves as a servant that in God's time He may exalt us according to His foreordained plan (see 1 Pe. 5:6).
DECEMBER 7
Colossians 1 - 4 (Col. 3)
". . . Be ye thankful."
Colossians 3:15
In Colossians 1:3 and 1:12, we find that Paul was a thankful man, for he told us that he gave thanks to God the Father in his prayers. In chapters 2:7, 3:15, 3:17, and 4:2, he instructed the church at Colosse to be thankful as well. Although thanksgiving was not a major theme in the book, it just kept reoccurring because it was such a natural part of Paul's daily experience.
In Scripture, we find three different levels of thankfulness. The first level is made up of those who can only thank God at times when things are going well. Like a little child, they are content as long as God meets their own desires. It is good to thank God when everything is running smoothly, but God wants us to mature to a higher level of thankfulness.
The second level of thankfulness is found in First Thessalonians 5:18: "In every thing give thanks. . . ."In this level, we don't magnify our circumstances or problems, but we magnify the Lord. Instead of letting circumstances get us down, we count our blessings, fixing our minds on all the good things that God has done for us. This level is good, but there is still a higher level of thanksgiving.
Ephesians 5:20 instructs us to give thanks always for all things. This takes the wisdom of God to see that all things do work together for good according to His purpose for our lives (Rom. 8:28). When we see that God's hand is in our trial, we can count it all joy (Ja. 1:2), knowing that this trial of our faith works greater maturity and fruitfulness in us.
Let us be thankful, not just for the good, not just in the trial, but let us learn to see God's hand orchestrating every situation in our lives to bring us to His best. Then, we can truly thank Him for all things.
DECEMBER 8
1 Thessalonians 1 - 5 (1 Th. 5)
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Scripture teaches that man has been created as a triune being. He is made up of three parts: body, soul, and spirit. The body is our physical body that is conscious of the world through the five senses. The soul is the seat of our personality and includes our will, intellect or mind, and our emotions. Our spirit is the very inner part of man where we can have communion and fellowship with God. When we are born again, the Holy Spirit comes to reside in our spirit. It is in our spirit that we have the life of God.
Hebrews 4:12 tells us that there needs to be a dividing between our soul and spirit. In other words, we must learn to distinguish between that which comes from our will, mind, and emotions and that which comes from our spirit (conscience, intuition, and communion). Jesus said that He is looking for worshippers who will worship in spirit and in truth (Jn. 4:23, 24).
Worship that originates from our emotions, mind, or will is not the worship God desires and accepts. We must learn to obey the dictates of our spirit and to discern them from our soul's desires. The best way to begin to develop our spirit is to spend time in God's Word (Heb. 4:12), to pray in the spirit (Jude 20), and to obey the voice of our conscience. God will gradually use His Word to bring us to a place where there is a dividing between our soul and our spirit, thus, bringing us to spiritual maturity.
DECEMBER 9
2 Thessalonians 1 - 3 ( 2 Th. 3)
"For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat."
2 Thessalonians 3:10
In our day and age, there is a growing dependence on the government for survival. Although many programs of relief are basically beneficial, there is a tendency to think that "they owe it to me." Some programs actually encourage people to not work in order to qualify for their checks.
Hence, our nation is fast becoming a nation full of lazy, slothful people. God's primary cure for slothfulness is hunger. In Genesis 3:19, God told Adam and Eve that with"the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread." In Second Thessalonians 3:10, God commanded that those who were lazy and refused to work should not get handouts. They were to work for what they got. God expects His people to be industrious, to work hard, and to have initiative to do what they are supposed to do. Proverbs 22:29 says, "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings. . . ."
Let us not be lazy, indolent, or slothful, but let us be those who work as unto the Lord by being diligent in our business. As one searches the Scriptures, he will discover that God wants us to work hard, not to hardly work.
DECEMBER 10
1 Timothy 1 - 3 (1 Tim. 1)
"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
1 Timothy 1:5 (NIV)
In First Timothy 1:5, Paul gives the goal or purpose for his instruction and teaching: "love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." Of all other Christian virtues, love is singled out for us. Love is listed first, for it is the primary fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22, 23) and the very character of God (1 Jn. 4:16). True faith is how we begin our walk with God and indeed how we live our lives with the Lord (Rom. 1:17). In First Corinthians 13:13, faith and love are listed among the three enduring characteristics which we are to have in our lives. But, what about a good conscience?
The Greek word for our conscience is "suneidesis," which means (1) a joint knowledge of God and man, (2) a knowledge of our acts, state, or character as to right or wrong, and (3) the guide in the inner man that approves or condemns our actions. It is in our conscience that the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin (Jn. 8:9) and guides us in our daily affairs. Paul says we are to have a pure and a good conscience (1 Tim. 1:5; 3:9), implying that it is possible to have a conscience that is not good or not pure. Scripture lists four types of consciences that are not good:
1. Seared
(1 Tim. 4:2) After frequently disobeying th inner voice, our mind gets seared or unable to function correctly.
2. Weak
(1 Cor. 8:7-13) Created by ignorance of God's Word and ways, it is weak and sickly. When religious traditions are more important than God's Word, our conscience is weak. Hence, we think we must carry out our traditions. This is overcome by the Word of God.
3. Defiled
(Tit. 1:15) After seeing or doing all kinds of evil, the conscience accepts this as a part of life.
4. Evil
(Heb. 10:22) In salvation, our conscience needs to be cleansed.
Our conscience is very important. It is where God applies His Word to our lives. It involves practical, daily, nitty-gritty Christian living. Let us not neglect our conscience but listen and obey it so that we can have a pure, awakened, perfect, good conscience.
DECEMBER 11
1 Timothy 4 - 6 (1 Tim. 5:1-16)
"But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."
1 Timothy 5:8
There comes a time in our lives when our parents grow older, become widows or widowers, and find themselves alone and without work. The tendency in today's society is to think they are past usefulness. Like a worn out vehicle, they tend to get shunned and left alone to fend for themselves.
Paul addresses this problem in First Timothy 5. In the days when the state did not support the elderly, we find that Christians were to take care of their widows. If a widow had no family, then the church was to take her under their care.
Although our society has changed, God's order of responsibility has not changed. It is still our responsibility to meet the needs of the elderly in our families. God holds us, not the state, responsible for their care. The state cannot take care of their loneliness, feelings of rejection, and need for love and friendship found only in a home setting. Yet, we can and must!
Scripture sternly warns us that if we fail to take care of our elderly family members, we are worse than an infidel. "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction. . ." (Ja. 1:27). May the Lord renew our minds and attitudes, and may He fill us with His love to care for the needs of the elderly.
DECEMBER 12
2 Timothy 1 - 4 (2 Tim. 2:1-15)
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
2 Timothy 4:7
As Paul was approaching the end of his earthly existence, he likened his time here on earth to a battle that had to be fought. He told Timothy to endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2:3). In 2:4, he refers to our life as a life of spiritual warfare. In First Timothy 1:18, he told Timothy to war a good warfare. Over and over we find that our birth into the kingdom of God is also a call to battle spiritual foes.
Many Christians never do much spiritual warfare. They stumble from one crisis to another not aware of what is really happening. First Peter 5:8 tells us to be alert and on the look out for our enemy. Yet, many of us only see the natural side of things instead of spiritual forces behind natural events. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that we do not wrestle against other people, but our spiritual warfare is against wicked spiritual forces.The truth of the matter is that we usually react to people and situations rather than seeing the spiritual forces that need to be battled. Evil forces influence people to do things that are evil. We need to fight demonic forces rather than the person or persons affected by it. Through prayer, love, speaking God's Word, praise, worship, the gifts of the Spirit, and acts of obedience, we destroy the works of the enemy. When we react to the visible, tangible realm, however, we get discouraged, hurt, depressed, and defeated. Our weapons are not fleshly, but spiritual.
Let us learn to fight the fight, to engage in warfare, and to destroy the works of the devil.
DECEMBER 13
Titus 1 - 3 Philemon (Phm.)
"That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus."
Philemon 6
As Paul and Timothy wrote to Philemon, they made note of his love and faith towards God and all the saints. In verse 6, they emphasized the importance of acknowledging every good thing within him in Christ Jesus. As Philemon realized all the good things Christ had done in him, he would be able to effectually communicate the faith.
It is all too easy to look at what we lack and at what we are not and become discouraged. We see we don't have enough love, wisdom, faith, power, etc., operating in our lives, and we dwell on our inabilities and insufficiencies. God does not want us to focus on what we are not, but on what we are. We are to acknowledge all the good Christ has done in us. After all, we have come a long way. He has saved us, and He has changed our talk, our walk, and our entire lifestyle. He's changed us! We need to sit down and to tell the Lord how much we appreciate all that He's done. There is much more to be done in our lives, but praise the Lord, He's already done a lot!
When we focus on His ability and the good He has done, we find that we can effectively share the gospel. If we are in despair, our ability to communicate our faith is greatly hampered. We must not dwell on what still needs to be done, but we must acknowledge all the wonderful things God has already accomplished. Then, we will be able to go and share the good news with others.
DECEMBER 14
Hebrews 1 - 3 (Heb. 1)
"Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."
Hebrews 1:9
Before we are born again, we try all kinds of ways to obtain happiness, peace, and contentment. Everyone in the world is seeking to fill his inner void full of gladness. This search brought us to Jesus. For we found out that only Jesus could cleanse us from sin and calm our troubled souls.
Yet, after being saved, many fail to continue on the way of inner peace and joy. We initially obtained our rest when we realized our ways were wrong, asked forgiveness, and turned from our evil ways to follow the Lord. When we came to hate the sin in our lives and desired to walk in righteousness, peace and rest settled in us.
The way to continue to grow in peace and gladness of heart is still the same. Jesus was anointed with the oil of gladness because he loved righteousness and hated wickedness. We need to do this in our own lives! Many Christians are restless and lack peace. When you look at their lives, you see that they are content to live with sin and iniquity in their lives. Many don't hate sin as they ought, and therefore they live with it. They lose their anointing of joy and settle back to a subnormal Christian experience.
Do you really hate sin and love righteousness in your life? Are you content to not be completely upright in business, work, etc.? If so, you are settling for much less than God has for you. Let us shake off the apathy and learn to love righteousness and to hate iniquity.
DECEMBER 15
Hebrews 4 - 7 (Heb. 4:1-11)
"There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God."
Hebrews 4:9
In Hebrews 3:11 to 4:11, the word "rest" occurs eleven times. Verse 1 tells us to fear lest we should be found to have fallen short of His rest. In the next two verses, we find that the condition for this rest is faith. Just as Israel failed to enter the rest of the promised land the first time, we can fail to enter God's rest as well. Israel had celebrated the Passover, which typifies salvation. They had crossed the Red Sea, which is symbolic of water baptism. They had met God at Mount Sinai, which portrays the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Yet, they failed to enter God's rest because of unbelief. It takes living faith to bring us into God's rest.
Hebrews 4:7 gives us keys to the faith that will bring us into rest--having a soft heart and hearing His voice. In Romans 10:17, we learn that faith comes by hearing. So when we have our hearts open to Jesus and spend time in the Word, He quickens the Word to us. Daily we should hear His voice and walk in obedience to Him. That is walking in faith. That is the rest of God. No longer are we struggling to do this or that, but now we wait in His presence, seek out what He is saying, and do what He wants. Like Hebrews 4:10 says, we have ceased from our own works and do what God says. Instead of our striving, God is now working through us (see Eph. 3:20). No longer is Christianity a list of do's and don't's, but it is a living relationship! This takes the work and the struggle out of living the Christian life and replaces it with a relationship and rest.
DECEMBER 16
Hebrews 8 - 10 (Heb. 10:19-39)
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works."
Hebrews 10:24
After sharing what Jesus Christ has done--how He brought a better covenant built on better promises, instituted a better priesthood and presented a better sacrifice so that we could enter into God's presence--the writer of Hebrews encourages us to respond in the following ways:
1. Draw near to God (10:22).
2. Hold fast the profession of our faith (10:23).
3.Consider how to spur others to love and good deeds (10:24).
4. Exhort one another as we gather together (10:25).
Note that two of these commands are Godward and that two involve our relationship with others, thus amplifying the two great commandments in Scripture (Mt. 22:36-40).
Today's humanistic society tries to get us to believe that our Christianity is a private affair. They want us to keep to ourselves and not to try to push anything on others. This attitude often infiltrates into Christians' relationships with each other. We don't get involved with how others are doing spiritually. We see that they are slipping away, and yet we keep to ourselves. Here in Hebrews, however, we are told to consider how we can spur others onward in the things of God. We are to encourage one another and not to lose heart.
When we realize how great the punishment is for someone who sins willfully after fully knowing the ways of God, we will have a burden to be our brothers' keepers. We need to look after others, but we also need to make ourselves accountable to others that they might spur us on to greater things in God. None of us have perfect spiritual vision, but as we watch others and let others watch out for us, we will see clearly and will go on with God without wavering.
DECEMBER 17
Hebrews 11 - 13 (Heb. 13)
"Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account ."
Hebrews 13:17
Hebrews 13 is a chapter of practical living. Twice in this chapter it talks about those who have the rule over us. In 13:7, the Scripture tells us to remember those who have the rule over us. This refers to those that have spoken the Word of God to us. We are to follow their faith considering the outcome of their lives. In 13:17, we are told to obey them that have the rule over us and to submit ourselves to them. Note that they don't demand it, but we submit ourselves for our own good. There is a safety in being submitted to the leadership of the local church. When we have to make major decisions, our safety is to have it confirmed by those who know the ways of God. It is essential that we let our spiritual leaders reprove us, correct us, discipline us, encourage us, and instruct us in the ways of God. No man can make it by himself. The Christian life cannot be properly lived in a "lone ranger" style. We must be submitted to others for our own protection.
Is there someone whom you let lead, guide, rebuke, correct, and teach you? Or, do you try to do it your own way? God ordained church leadership for our safety. Let us not cast it away but plug into God's ordained way of discipleship. Those who have tried to make it alone will find that they are years behind in spiritual growth. Let's not waste years, but let us follow those who follow the Lord.
DECEMBER 18
James 1, 2 (Ja. 1:26 - 2:26)
"If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."
James 1:26
James introduces himself in James 1:1 as a servant of God. He could have said that he was the head of the Jerusalem church or that he was the one who had the final word when Paul and Barnabas disputed with others concerning the law (Acts 15), but instead, he just called himself a servant. He knew what true Christianity was all about.
In those days, like today, there were those who seemed religious yet were never born again. They never had had a life-transforming experience that changed their lifestyle, goals, attitudes, and actions. James confronted those who claimed to be Christians but had never really been changed. If they could not bridle their tongue, they were deceiving themselves and their religion was worthless. Pure religion was to meet the needs of others and not to adapt the lifestyle of the world or to be influenced by the world.
James says that if we profess faith in Jesus Christ, it will show up in our works. Though we can never be born again by works, good works will automatically come into our lives when we receive new life from God. Many people, even the devils, believe there is a God, but their lives are not changed through faith in Jesus Christ.
May we not deceive ourselves into thinking we are doing all right when actually our religion is in vain. Are you born again? If not, ask God to forgive you of your sins and to grant you His divine life. If you are born again, be a servant and do something for someone in need, thus fulfilling the royal law: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," (Ja. 2:8).
DECEMBER 19
James 3 - 5 (Ja. 5:13-18)
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."
James 5:16
In James 3-5, we find several keys to receive from God what we need. This Scripture tells us how we can receive answers to prayer and how we can have the power of God released in our lives.
In James 3, God speaks about the power of the tongue. In 3:6, we find that the tongue sets our course in life. If we are always saying negative things, then our course in life will be full of negative things. The Scripture has a lot to say about our confession. We are to be a people who by faith speak words of faith and hope. Note the following Scriptures on our words: Hebrews 10:23; Romans 10:9, 10; Romans 4:17; Luke 12:8. If we always talk about how we are going to get sick, we will reap from those words. If we confess Christ as our supplier, we will reap His supply. A real key to receiving from God is speaking what God's Word says instead of what we think, see, or imagine.
James goes on to give other keys to receiving from God in chapters 4 and 5:
1. Ask with the right motive.(4:1-5)
2. Humble and submit ourselves to God.(4:6-10)
3. Resist the devil.(4:7)
4. Call for the elders of the church to pray and anoint with oil.(5:14)
5. Pray in faith.(5:13-16)
6. Confess our faults to one another and pray for each other.(5:16)
7. Continue to daily persist in prayer.(5:17)
We must learn to use all the keys of the kingdom so that we become all God wants us to be. Look back over each key, meditate on it, and ask God how you can incorporate it into your own life.
DECEMBER 20
1 Peter 1, 2 (1 Pe. 1)
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 1:7
Peter wrote this letter to Christians that were suffering persecution, yet we find no trace of discouragement or despair. In 1:8, we find that the people were rejoicing "with joy unspeakable and full of glory." Even though they had "manifold" trials, they were greatly rejoicing (1:6). First Peter 1:7 tells us why they were rejoicing so much: their trial would result in eternal benefits at the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In James 1:2-4, we read that we are to count it all joy, or consider it good, when we fall into various trials. The Greek word for "divers" is the same as the Greek word for "manifold" in First Peter 1:6. It means many different kinds of trials; each one being unique. James goes on to tell us that we are to rejoice when we face trials because every trial will bring us to a spiritual maturity which we previously have not had. We will be more like Jesus if we respond correctly to the trial. The end result will then be an eternal inheritance which before we did not have.
We all go through "manifold" trials. Yet, at times we don't rejoice in them as we should. In First Peter 4:10, Peter talks about the manifold grace of God. In other words, for each particular trial that we go through, God has exactly the amount of grace we need to maintain the victory throughout the trial. Praise the Lord! There is grace and power available for every trial. Let's cry out to God and by faith appropriate the grace we need in our hour of testing. Then, we too will be able to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
DECEMBER 21
1 Peter 3 - 5 (1 Pe. 3:1-9)
"Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife . . . that your prayers be not hindered."
1 Peter 3:7
We know from First Corinthians 9:5 that Peter was married and took his wife with him on his travels. He did not travel by himself, but as an example to others, he took care of his wife. That may not seem like much, yet we note that the early church's leadership did this as an example.
Today, men often go on business trips and leave their wives home to fend for themselves. The result is that the wife often becomes frustrated, lonely, and insecure. While the husband is being fulfilled in his work and business affairs, his wife is becoming increasingly discontented with their marriage. After addressing the wives, Peter then turned his attention to the husbands in 3:7.\He tells husbands to do two things: dwell with them according to knowledge and give honor to them.
What does it mean to dwell with them according to knowledge? It means that husbands are to take time to learn what makes their wives act the way they act. There is a tremendous difference in the emotional, rational, and physiological make up of a man and a woman. When a man learns to delight his wife, to meet her needs, and to be aware of how she functions, he has become a wise man. As he adjusts himself to her and lives with her according to what he has learned, a harmony will come into the marriage that will cause answers to their prayers to be released in a new way.
How is your marriage? Are you following God's plan? If not, you are missing out on something really wonderful. Let's be the partner God wants us to be so that our marriage can be all that God has ordained for it to be.
DECEMBER 22
2 Peter 1 - 3 (2 Pe. 1)
"Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth."
2 Peter 1:12
God's purpose for Second Peter is found in chapter 3 verse 1: to stir up their pure minds to remember the words that had been spoken. In 1:12, 13, Peter told them that he would not be negligent to constantly remind them of things they already knew, but he would stir them up by causing them to remember what had previously been spoken. In verse 15, he shared how he wanted them to have these things in remembrance even after he had deceased.
Some people are always looking for a "new revelation." Although we do need to constantly hear what God has to say and to let him unfold His Word to us, we also have a tremendous need to hear again what we have heard before. Peter made no apologies for going over the same thing again. He recognized that people need to hear what they have already heard that they might be stirred up to follow the Lord. It is important that we remember what we have heard.
Can you remember Sunday's sermon? If not, then shame on you! We all need to constantly meditate and reflect on what we have heard. We can take notes, get a cassette tape, or use other means to cause our minds to be stirred up by remembrance. Let's not forget what we hear from week to week, but let us take steps to help us remember. Peter saw its importance to vital Christian living, and may we see it as well.
DECEMBER 23
1 John 1 - 5 (1 Jn. 1:1 - 2:11)
"And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."
1 John 1:4
The apostle John, also known as John the beloved, was the writer of this letter. When one reads this letter, it is not hard to see the emphasis placed on love. A form of the word "love" is used forty-six times in this short book. In First John 1:3, John wrote that the reason for his words was so that they would have fellowship with God and with others. This sums up the two great commandments given to us by Jesus Christ. We must love God and others.
Not only is love emphasized in First John, but the Holy Spirit also emphasizes sin. Sin is referred to twenty-eight times in these five chapters. In 2:1, John stated that one of his purposes for writing was so that they would not sin. Throughout the book, John emphasized that we must not just talk about Christ, but we must live in a way that shows that Jesus is Lord of our lives. John very bluntly tells us that if we continue in sin and hate our brother, we do not love God (4:20).
John gave one other reason for writing this epistle in chapter 1 verse 4: that our joy may be full. God does not want our lives to be a drudgery. Rather, He came to give us joy to the fullest. Two important keys to inner peace and joy are the two things John talked about most in this book: love and taking care of sin. If we live in sin or despise our brother, our joy will dry up. But as we confess our sins, turn from them, and learn to love God and others, the joy of Jesus will begin to flood our soul.
Do you want joy? Then take time to deal with these two areas. Most reasons for Christians lacking joy fall under the two categories mentioned above.
Let's look and see what may be blocking the joy in our lives. As we confess it to Him, He will forgive us and cleanse us from our iniquity.
DECEMBER 24
2 John 3 John Jude (3 Jn.)
"Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love ."
3 John 5, 6 (NIV)
Third John is a short letter written to a man named Gaius. He had some outstanding characteristics for which he was commended. John notes that he was a consistent Christian, walking in the truth, and in verses 5 and 6, he is commended for his hospitality and for his love to the brethren and to strangers.
In First Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8, Paul lists the qualifications for church leaders. One quality that a man must possess is to be "given to hospitality." The Greek word for hospitality is "philoxenos," which literally means "a lover of strangers." In Romans 12:13, we are again instructed to be given to hospitality. Apparently, this is very important to God since He brings it to our attention various times.
One reason hospitality is so important is because it expresses brotherly love. In fact, the first part of the Greek word for hospitality literally means "brotherly love." Love is something that must be expressed to be real. First Peter 4:8-10 gives us some keys to being hospitable:
1. It comes out of a heart of fervent love.(v. 8)
2. We should do it without grudging, as a joy, not a duty. (v. 9)
3. We should give because God has given to us.(v. 10)
Are you hospitable? Gaius was to two groups: the brethren and strangers. It is easy to be hospitable to certain people we like, but are we hospitable to those we don't really know? Make it a point this Christmas season to be hospitable to someone you don't really know. Remember, some have entertained angels unawares. Maybe you will host an angel this Christmas season!
DECEMBER 25
Revelation 1 - 3 (Rev. 1)
"In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple."
Isaiah 6:1
In Revelation, we find John banished on an island for preaching the Word of God (1:9). He was going through a period of tribulation. One Lord's day as John was in the Spirit, he saw Jesus and then received a revelation of what would happen in the end times. But note that he first had a vision of the majesty and Lordship of Jesus Christ. Isaiah was in despair when King Uzziah died, and he too, saw the Lord high and lifted up. Many times we get caught up in intellectual discussions concerning the last days and never see Jesus as the beginning and end, the alpha and omega, and the first and last. No matter what may happen, Jesus is sitting on His throne, and He is in control from the beginning of time until the end of time.
We are approaching Christmas time, when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Yet, we must learn to celebrate much more than His birth. We need to see Jesus as King of kings and Lord of all. In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus speaks to various churches.
He speaks with authority and power as the Head of the church and as One who rules and reigns. As we read Revelation, let us focus on Jesus Christ. We need to see that He is the King and is worthy of our total surrender, our worship, and our lives. "Heavenly Father, we want to see Jesus."
DECEMBER 26
Revelation 4 - 6 (Rev. 4:1-11)
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created."
Revelation 4:11
Things work best when we use them correctly. At times, when I have needed a hammer, I have taken a wrench and used it to hit what needed to be pounded. While doing it, I was aware of the fact that a hammer would do a much better job than my wrench. The wrench, on the other hand, could turn nuts and bolts much easier than my hammer. They both worked best when they were used for the purpose for which they were designed. When they got away from that, they had problems, and the situation was frustrating and unproductive.
Revelation 4:11 tells us that God created all things for His pleasure. That includes us! We have been made to bring pleasure to God. Many times we forget that and think that we are here on earth to bring pleasure to ourselves. When we live that way, we become frustrated and unproductive. Like a wrench used for a hammer, things seem out of place. We were and are created to bring pleasure to the Lord. Let us keep that in mind throughout our days. When our goal is to be pleasing to Him, we will experience a peace and a rest that comes from doing what we were designed to do.
DECEMBER 27
Revelation 7 - 9 (Rev. 7:1-14; 9:1-4)
". . . in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise."
Ephesians 1:13
In Revelation 7, a group of faithful ones are sealed. In Revelation 9:4, we find that those who have the seal of God will be protected from terrible plagues and destruction that will occur during the great tribulation that shall come upon the earth. Although we may not be absolutely sure what the seal means in this end time book, we do know what it means throughout other New Testament writings. Ephesians 1:13 says that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Second Corinthians 1:22 also refers to us being sealed and having the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
When one is born again, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in his heart. That person now has the life of God within to guide, teach, and help in every situation. We have been born into a family with God as our Father and protector.
Many times in Scripture we find the Lord protecting His people. Psalm 91 tells about how He covers us and protects us from pestilence, plagues, and all kinds of evil. We have a seal upon our lives, and nothing can happen to us without the permission of the Lord.
A seal shows authority and ownership. When we fail to submit to God's authority and ownership of our lives, we open up an avenue for the enemy to destroy or steal what God wants us to have. Let us submit to Him. Second Chronicles 16:9 says ". . . the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him."
May our hearts be perfect towards the Lord, and may we submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ so that His seal of protection is evident in our lives.
DECEMBER 28
Revelation 10 - 12 (Rev. 10)
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Peter 4:11
In Revelation 10, there is a break as the action shifts from the second woe to a vision of an angel and a book. A voice from heaven spoke to John and told him to take the opened book and to eat it. After eating it, he was told that he must prophesy to many people, nations, tongues, and kings.
At the beginning of Ezekiel's ministry in Ezekiel 2:8 - 3:2, a scroll was rolled open before him, and he was commanded to eat the scroll. Immediately after eating the scroll, he was told to go speak to Israel the words God had given him. In Jeremiah 15:16, Jeremiah testifies that he had found God's words and had eaten them. He also was a spokesman for God.
There are several things we see in these examples. First, we must note that God must unveil or open up His Word to us so that we can partake of it. Until the Holy Spirit illuminates the written Scriptures, we just have head knowledge. But when God opens His Word to us, we find that we can eat it and truly live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. How important it is to let the Holy Spirit speak to us as we study the Scriptures.
Second, we note that we must eat the Word before we can be a mouthpiece for God. If we never let God feed us through His Word, we cannot expect to be His spokesman. The Word must be in our heart in abundance, for out of the abundance of the heart, we will speak.
Do you want to be a spokesman for God? Then, ask Him to open up His Word, eat it (meditate on it), and let it become part of your life. As you do this, God will be able to speak His Word to others through you.
DECEMBER 29
Revelation 13 - 15 (Rev. 14:1-13)
" This calls for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints."
Revelation 13:10 (NIV)
In Revelation 13:5-10, the beast is given power to wage war against the saints and to overcome them. He tries to get all to worship him. Deliverance from death and/or persecution is not promised, but what has been ordained by God will be accomplished. This situation calls for the saints to have patient endurance and faithfulness. If being a Christian means imprisonment, we must accept it without murmuring. If it means death, we must stay faithful to the Lord. The word for patient endurance is "hupomone," which does not mean passive endurance. But, it means courageously and victoriously accepting hardships that come our way and allowing God to turn them into blessings.
In Revelation 14:12, the saints are given another call to patient endurance and faithfulness to Jesus. Here, the call is in context with the terrible wrath of God on all who worship the beast. Those who turn from the Lord in the time of trial and persecution will surely be severely judged. Because of this, God calls for patient endurance to all those who obey His commands. There is no mercy for those who have known the living God, have partaken of the Holy Spirit, and have known the right way, and have deliberately turned away when persecution came (see 2 Pe. 2:18-22).
Jesus said that the love of many will grow cold, but he that endures to the end shall be saved (Mt. 24:12,13). Don't let your love and loyalty grow cold but put on the "whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand," (Eph. 6:13).
DECEMBER 30
Revelation 16 - 18 (Rev. 17:1 - 18:10)
"And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."
Revelation 18:4
It is not surprising that God has people who have remained in spiritual Babylon (identified as Rome in 17:9). Even in her most corrupt days, there has probably been a remnant who has not bowed the knee or kissed the hand of Baal. It has always been that a few sincere, though benighted, saints have perpetuated organizations which are an offense and a stumbling block. But this is not the will of God.
Often it is argued that one should stay in a church or organization, whose actions and sins are deplorable, in order to redeem those there for God and man. Such arguments may be true in the first stages of apostasy. A strong protest may arrest error. But as time goes on and the protests and arguments are unheeded, when the majority have taken a stand against what God wants, we have no alternative but to come out and be separate from them that we might not partake of their sins.
It has been proven that the place of strongest influence is from without, not from within. Lot lost all influence in Sodom, but Abraham, who stayed apart from her, was able to exert a mighty influence on Sodom's history. Time and time again reformers throughout history have been forced to leave and to "go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach."
Are you beating your head against a wall by trying to change an organization or church that has decided against God's ways? Come out from her and be separate so that you will not partake of her sins and receive the judgment decreed for her.
DECEMBER 31
Revelation 19 - 22 (Rev. 21:1-6, 21; 22:1-6)
" . . . Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."
Revelation 21:3
When people think of eternity, many things come into their minds. Some think of the pearly gates; others think of mansions and streets made of pure gold (without potholes). Others look forward to eternity because there will be no tears, no hunger, and no pain or sorrow. There will be no sickness and no death. Yet, as wonderful as all these things will be, there is something far greater than all of these that we will experience, for Revelation tells us over and over again that God Himself will be there! There is no need for the sun or moon, for the glory of God will be the light. God Himself shall dwell with His people. This has to be the greatest thing about eternity for the redeemed.
What do you look forward to in heaven? If what interests you are mansions, golden streets, and no sorrow or pain, then your desires may still be quite carnal. That which you look forward to in eternity is probably what you are striving for here on earth. If a mansion in the sky is your dream, then check out your desire for a mansion in this life. If physical comfort is your goal in eternity, it probably is your goal for the here and now. If your longing for eternity is to be in the presence of God, to bask in His glory continuously, then your desires here on earth probably reflect the same.
Many of us have to admit that our reason for wanting to dwell in heaven is for the carnal benefits. Although things will be better than we could even imagine, the highlight and main attraction will be God Himself. Let us begin to spend time in the presence of the Lord in our daily lives and taste of heaven while we are still here in this life.