Matthew 26:41
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
I Corinthians 10:12-13
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
I Timothy 6:8-10
But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Temptation. It is something that everyone of us have fallen for. Because of our sin nature, we have the desire to follow after the desires of the flesh. Even Jesus knew how weak our sinful flesh is. Like he said in Matthew 26, "The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." We need help if we are to overcome temptation. Paul, in I Corinthians, knew the battle each of us has with temptation. Notice, it is not God who tempts us, but He does keep us from being tempted "beyond what [we] can bear". The beautiful part is that there is a way out, always. Before I end today's topic, please note that I Timothy 6:8-10 is clear about not being content. The desire of riches leads people into "temptation, traps, and foolish and harmful desires that PLUNGE men into RUIN and DESTRUCTION." Contentment in Jesus Christ is a wonderful thing.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Antichrist
I John 2:21-23
I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
I John 4:2-4
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Matthew 7:14-16
I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
I John 4:2-4
This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Matthew 7:14-16
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?"
This is the easiest set of verses I have read in a long time. Due to that, this is going to be an extremely short lesson. Clearly, anyone who does not proclaim Jesus as the Christ, or Messiah, is not of God. Yes, this can be difficult for some people to stomach. However, it's as clear as someone who does not stand for communism is not a communist. In the very words of Jesus in Matthew 12:30-31, "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." Want to know where someone stands? Listen carefully. As Jesus said in the verses in Matthew 7, the false prophets "come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."
Monday, June 23, 2008
Becoming the Translation
Acts 13:47
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' "
Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Missions. It is our calling. Jesus said it to his disciples in the book of Acts. He wanted them to make disciples, not only where they were, but to continue to preach to all. For some, the Lord may have them to stay locally. Romans 12:6-8 talks about the different gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit. For some, they have the gift of giving. Their mission could be where they are. If so, they may be blessed financially to help those around them and even those out in the field. Either way, each of us are called to be ambassadors of Christ and to preach the Gospel of him. Like Acts 13 says, God has made us a light to the Gentiles that we may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. We have a grand opportunity to do something that is our calling and, ultimately, has far more eternal value than we can comprehend. So what are we waiting for? Let's start where we are making "disciples of all nations". Our God is good. Our Christ is life. Why should we keep such a beautiful gift hidden and tucked away!
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: " 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' "
Matthew 28:19-20
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
Galatians 3:14
He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Missions. It is our calling. Jesus said it to his disciples in the book of Acts. He wanted them to make disciples, not only where they were, but to continue to preach to all. For some, the Lord may have them to stay locally. Romans 12:6-8 talks about the different gifts we receive from the Holy Spirit. For some, they have the gift of giving. Their mission could be where they are. If so, they may be blessed financially to help those around them and even those out in the field. Either way, each of us are called to be ambassadors of Christ and to preach the Gospel of him. Like Acts 13 says, God has made us a light to the Gentiles that we may bring salvation to the ends of the earth. We have a grand opportunity to do something that is our calling and, ultimately, has far more eternal value than we can comprehend. So what are we waiting for? Let's start where we are making "disciples of all nations". Our God is good. Our Christ is life. Why should we keep such a beautiful gift hidden and tucked away!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Nothing But The Blood
Romans 5:9-10
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Ephesians 1:7-8
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Hebrews 9:11-12
When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
Before I begin, I will give a few definitions on some of the words.
Justification, in Christian theology, is when one has been acquitted or declared innocent.
Redemption, in Christian theology, is a ransom paid by the blood of Christ that delivers us from the bondage of sin.
We see in Romans that through the blood of Jesus Christ, we, meaning Christians, have been declared innocent in the eyes of God. Because of this, His wrath passes over us. I'm not going to post the verses, but in Exodus, the Feast of the Passover is established as a precursor to this very thing. Whereas, the children of Israel were to cover the doorposts with lamb's blood that would keep the Angel of Death from bringing God's wrath upon the firstborn male of their house. Back to the verses in Romans, it says that the blood of Christ has saved us from God's wrath, but how much greater is life in Christ if His death did so much! Wow!
Ephesians is another verse dealing with the blood of Jesus. We see that it was the only payment that would be accepted. It is the ransom that no one else could pay. Think back to the Old Testament, way before Christ. Up until the death of Christ, the only way to receive forgiveness of sins was to shed the blood of a spotless lamb. A sacrifice had to be made. Once Jesus laid down His life for us, the final sacrifice was made. Why did He do this? Ephesians says that it was because of God's grace. In other words, He gave us what we did not deserve (life in Christ) and did not give us what we did (death everlasting because of sin). The verses posted from Hebrews elaborates that Christ became the high priest. In the Old Testament, only the priest came before God to place the sacrifice for the many. However, we now have a great high priest in Christ, whom we can take our sins to. For eternal redemption has been established by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Ephesians 1:7-8
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
Hebrews 9:11-12
When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.
Before I begin, I will give a few definitions on some of the words.
Justification, in Christian theology, is when one has been acquitted or declared innocent.
Redemption, in Christian theology, is a ransom paid by the blood of Christ that delivers us from the bondage of sin.
We see in Romans that through the blood of Jesus Christ, we, meaning Christians, have been declared innocent in the eyes of God. Because of this, His wrath passes over us. I'm not going to post the verses, but in Exodus, the Feast of the Passover is established as a precursor to this very thing. Whereas, the children of Israel were to cover the doorposts with lamb's blood that would keep the Angel of Death from bringing God's wrath upon the firstborn male of their house. Back to the verses in Romans, it says that the blood of Christ has saved us from God's wrath, but how much greater is life in Christ if His death did so much! Wow!
Ephesians is another verse dealing with the blood of Jesus. We see that it was the only payment that would be accepted. It is the ransom that no one else could pay. Think back to the Old Testament, way before Christ. Up until the death of Christ, the only way to receive forgiveness of sins was to shed the blood of a spotless lamb. A sacrifice had to be made. Once Jesus laid down His life for us, the final sacrifice was made. Why did He do this? Ephesians says that it was because of God's grace. In other words, He gave us what we did not deserve (life in Christ) and did not give us what we did (death everlasting because of sin). The verses posted from Hebrews elaborates that Christ became the high priest. In the Old Testament, only the priest came before God to place the sacrifice for the many. However, we now have a great high priest in Christ, whom we can take our sins to. For eternal redemption has been established by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Trusting The Right Person
Deuteronomy 1:31-33
and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.
2 Samuel 7:28
O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.
Psalm 37:2-4
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the LORD and do good;dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
I Peter 2:5-7
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,"
Trusting in God has eternal benefits. I could even point out the benefits that we have on this side of death. As we see in the book of Deuteronomy, the children of Israel had been protected and guided by God through the desert. Yet, after all that He did for them and the visible evidence of God, they still turned their backs on Him. This is a major statement. Think about the times you or someone else would say "If only God was visible then I would believe, or I would be a better Christian, etc." The fact is that no matter, we are sinful creatures that will run after the sin that we hold so dear to us. Take for instance, the verses above from the book of John. Jesus is trying to console His disciples. However, these are the same who have seen Him perform miracles, walk on water, etc. What do they do when He is taken away to be crucified? They deny Him out of fear. They were more afraid of what would happen to them. But wait! There's a beautiful side to all of this. The same people who opted to not trust in His deliverance were forgiven. Peter was forgiven by Jesus. Why? Jesus loved him and Peter was willing to repent of it. We see in Peter's own words in the book of I Peter, "the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame". What are we waiting on?
and in the desert. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." In spite of this, you did not trust in the LORD your God, who went ahead of you on your journey, in fire by night and in a cloud by day, to search out places for you to camp and to show you the way you should go.
2 Samuel 7:28
O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.
Psalm 37:2-4
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the LORD and do good;dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
I Peter 2:5-7
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,"
Trusting in God has eternal benefits. I could even point out the benefits that we have on this side of death. As we see in the book of Deuteronomy, the children of Israel had been protected and guided by God through the desert. Yet, after all that He did for them and the visible evidence of God, they still turned their backs on Him. This is a major statement. Think about the times you or someone else would say "If only God was visible then I would believe, or I would be a better Christian, etc." The fact is that no matter, we are sinful creatures that will run after the sin that we hold so dear to us. Take for instance, the verses above from the book of John. Jesus is trying to console His disciples. However, these are the same who have seen Him perform miracles, walk on water, etc. What do they do when He is taken away to be crucified? They deny Him out of fear. They were more afraid of what would happen to them. But wait! There's a beautiful side to all of this. The same people who opted to not trust in His deliverance were forgiven. Peter was forgiven by Jesus. Why? Jesus loved him and Peter was willing to repent of it. We see in Peter's own words in the book of I Peter, "the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame". What are we waiting on?
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Talking to God
Genesis 4:26
Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD.
Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Matthew 6:5-6
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Prayer is the topic of the day. After reading these verses, you may wonder what the one from Genesis has to do with it. Well, I thought it would be an interesting little verse since it is the first time prayer is mentioned in the Bible. As for the other verses, the clarity in them is immense. Please note that the Lord hears the prayers of the righteous. This does not necessarily mean that He answers them according to the way that the righteous would want. However, He is inclined to listen and He always answers prayers in His own way. I can think of times in life where I prayed to God that someone would not die only to have them pass away. There is a verse in the Bible that says that God sometimes calls people from this life to protect them from evil. (When I find it, I will add it.) So before we can make the age-old statement about how a loving God can allow people to die, we have to think that maybe, just maybe, things on the other side are a lot better than here. In other words, it is our ignorance of what is ahead that tends to mar our view on death. Yes, the very act of death is a horrible thing in which we have caused ourselves. (Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.) So there is an option outside of death. There is the eternal, you know, never-ever-ever ending, life that comes with having Christ Jesus in our lives. Speaking of the true Lord of all, His words on prayer are clear in Matthew 6. We are not to make a spectacle of ourselves as did the religious leaders of the time (Pharisees). John 17 is a full chapter in which Jesus is praying for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers of Him. If you want to see the heart of Christ, that is a wonderful chapter to dive into. Sample of His prayer for those who believe in Him: (John 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one) Prayer is our lifeline, our way to talk to our Father. He is listening and He always answers. However, just like Jesus said in His prayer to God that He taught His disciples, "Your will be done". One could easily spend a very long time reading the verses in the Bible that deal with prayer. Dive in and enjoy it. People often say that we know nothing about God because He is so mysterious. The unfortunate aspect of that statement is that we do not take the time to read the Bible to find out about Him.
Seth also had a son, and he named him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD.
Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Matthew 6:5-6
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
Prayer is the topic of the day. After reading these verses, you may wonder what the one from Genesis has to do with it. Well, I thought it would be an interesting little verse since it is the first time prayer is mentioned in the Bible. As for the other verses, the clarity in them is immense. Please note that the Lord hears the prayers of the righteous. This does not necessarily mean that He answers them according to the way that the righteous would want. However, He is inclined to listen and He always answers prayers in His own way. I can think of times in life where I prayed to God that someone would not die only to have them pass away. There is a verse in the Bible that says that God sometimes calls people from this life to protect them from evil. (When I find it, I will add it.) So before we can make the age-old statement about how a loving God can allow people to die, we have to think that maybe, just maybe, things on the other side are a lot better than here. In other words, it is our ignorance of what is ahead that tends to mar our view on death. Yes, the very act of death is a horrible thing in which we have caused ourselves. (Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.) So there is an option outside of death. There is the eternal, you know, never-ever-ever ending, life that comes with having Christ Jesus in our lives. Speaking of the true Lord of all, His words on prayer are clear in Matthew 6. We are not to make a spectacle of ourselves as did the religious leaders of the time (Pharisees). John 17 is a full chapter in which Jesus is praying for Himself, His disciples, and for all believers of Him. If you want to see the heart of Christ, that is a wonderful chapter to dive into. Sample of His prayer for those who believe in Him: (John 17:22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one) Prayer is our lifeline, our way to talk to our Father. He is listening and He always answers. However, just like Jesus said in His prayer to God that He taught His disciples, "Your will be done". One could easily spend a very long time reading the verses in the Bible that deal with prayer. Dive in and enjoy it. People often say that we know nothing about God because He is so mysterious. The unfortunate aspect of that statement is that we do not take the time to read the Bible to find out about Him.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Self-Control > Winning A War
Proverbs 16:32
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
Proverbs 29:11
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Anger. It can be quite damaging not only to others in the path of one overcome by it, but by the very person who embodies it. We notice that there is a difference in being angry and being completely consumed in our anger. In these verses, we see that the Bible is saying that a patient man, a man who can control his emotions, is greater than a warrior. However, this warrior isn't just some regular guy on the battlefield, he is an awesome force to be reckoned with considering he is able to overthrow not a small camp, but an entire city! As for the patient man, his power is greater than the warrior. I understand fully what is being said. I can remember a time when I would let anger take over me. My thought process seemed to be non-existant once that happened. That is where I failed to be a patient man. Really and truly, who would want to be like the warrior, destroying a city, only to stand in the middle of the debris and destruction to find that diplomacy could have not only saved the city, but saved lives of those on both sides of the battle. Consider a boxer. He/she keeps a level head. Why? Because when one gets angry, they forget the plan and become sporatic. Yes, it is possible that they would win from sheer anger alone at times, but they often leave themselves open for a finishing shot. Keep the gloves up. Keep your focus.
Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
Proverbs 29:11
A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
Anger. It can be quite damaging not only to others in the path of one overcome by it, but by the very person who embodies it. We notice that there is a difference in being angry and being completely consumed in our anger. In these verses, we see that the Bible is saying that a patient man, a man who can control his emotions, is greater than a warrior. However, this warrior isn't just some regular guy on the battlefield, he is an awesome force to be reckoned with considering he is able to overthrow not a small camp, but an entire city! As for the patient man, his power is greater than the warrior. I understand fully what is being said. I can remember a time when I would let anger take over me. My thought process seemed to be non-existant once that happened. That is where I failed to be a patient man. Really and truly, who would want to be like the warrior, destroying a city, only to stand in the middle of the debris and destruction to find that diplomacy could have not only saved the city, but saved lives of those on both sides of the battle. Consider a boxer. He/she keeps a level head. Why? Because when one gets angry, they forget the plan and become sporatic. Yes, it is possible that they would win from sheer anger alone at times, but they often leave themselves open for a finishing shot. Keep the gloves up. Keep your focus.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Nothing But the Truth...So Help Me God
Exodus 4:11-13
The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."
Mark 13:10-11
And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
Luke 19:37-40
When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
The verses in Exodus are dealing with excuses. To give a brief overview of what is going on, we are shown that Moses is trying to find any reason to not do what the Lord has told him to do: go before Pharoah and tell him that the Lord commands him to let His people go. It's easy to think that if we were in Moses' shoes we would not have been afraid. However, when I dig deep inside, I even have a fear of going to another country to preach the Gospel of Christ. My fear isn't of an army like Pharoah's, but of leaving my own comfort zone. Everything I know is here is what I think. I don't know anything about anywhere else. But, as we travel into the book of Mark we see that the gospel must be preached to the nations first. If we dig a little bit farther back, we see that Jesus is asked when the temple would be destroyed. In his answer, Jesus is talking about the end of time. We have been given a task to preach to the world. Fortunately, per Jesus, "just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit" (Mark 13:11). Finally, when looking at the verses from Luke, we see that those following Jesus, literally and spiritually, cannot hold back what they know to be true. What a glorious picture is painted here. The King of Kings, Jesus Christ, is greeted just as that. This scene is but barely a taste of what is in store when He finally makes His return. You see, Jesus Christ is King. It is the part that He has chosen to share Heaven and that we who have accepted Him, have become adopted sons and daughters of the living God. We are heirs. What have we to fear?
The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD ? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."
But Moses said, "O Lord, please send someone else to do it."
Mark 13:10-11
And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.
Luke 19:37-40
When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!"
"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out."
The verses in Exodus are dealing with excuses. To give a brief overview of what is going on, we are shown that Moses is trying to find any reason to not do what the Lord has told him to do: go before Pharoah and tell him that the Lord commands him to let His people go. It's easy to think that if we were in Moses' shoes we would not have been afraid. However, when I dig deep inside, I even have a fear of going to another country to preach the Gospel of Christ. My fear isn't of an army like Pharoah's, but of leaving my own comfort zone. Everything I know is here is what I think. I don't know anything about anywhere else. But, as we travel into the book of Mark we see that the gospel must be preached to the nations first. If we dig a little bit farther back, we see that Jesus is asked when the temple would be destroyed. In his answer, Jesus is talking about the end of time. We have been given a task to preach to the world. Fortunately, per Jesus, "just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit" (Mark 13:11). Finally, when looking at the verses from Luke, we see that those following Jesus, literally and spiritually, cannot hold back what they know to be true. What a glorious picture is painted here. The King of Kings, Jesus Christ, is greeted just as that. This scene is but barely a taste of what is in store when He finally makes His return. You see, Jesus Christ is King. It is the part that He has chosen to share Heaven and that we who have accepted Him, have become adopted sons and daughters of the living God. We are heirs. What have we to fear?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
No Matter What, All Is Well
Job 36:10-12
He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.
Philippians 4:10-12
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Obviously, today's lesson is about being content. We are show contentment from two different writers in two very different circumstances. First, Job, the man who had everything taken from him, even his health, realizes that if we, as children of God, are obedient to the Lord and serve Him in all we do, we will not only live a prosperous life, but will be content with our lives in this world. Job learned how true this was. For the man who lost it all was given multiple times more than he had. As for the writer of Philippians, Paul, he had seen both riches and glory along with being poor, beaten, and imprisoned. However, in the case of Paul, he never did get his riches back. The key is that he knew that earthly riches were nothing, but to be rich in the Lord was of the greatest value. We see this in the following verses.
Philippians 1:22-24
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
Though he desired to be called from this earthly realm, he knew that God had His own plans in store for him and that there was a reason he was to continue here on earth. Though we might now understand where we are in life, let each of us be content in our situations, yet still working diligently for our Lord, for it is He who moves us and blesses us with what He so desires.
He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.
Philippians 4:10-12
I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
Obviously, today's lesson is about being content. We are show contentment from two different writers in two very different circumstances. First, Job, the man who had everything taken from him, even his health, realizes that if we, as children of God, are obedient to the Lord and serve Him in all we do, we will not only live a prosperous life, but will be content with our lives in this world. Job learned how true this was. For the man who lost it all was given multiple times more than he had. As for the writer of Philippians, Paul, he had seen both riches and glory along with being poor, beaten, and imprisoned. However, in the case of Paul, he never did get his riches back. The key is that he knew that earthly riches were nothing, but to be rich in the Lord was of the greatest value. We see this in the following verses.
Philippians 1:22-24
If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.
Though he desired to be called from this earthly realm, he knew that God had His own plans in store for him and that there was a reason he was to continue here on earth. Though we might now understand where we are in life, let each of us be content in our situations, yet still working diligently for our Lord, for it is He who moves us and blesses us with what He so desires.
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