What it is it within man that he must go to such extremes to prove himself worthy? A quiet life lived without excesses, listening to the Holy Spirit and being doers of God’s word pleases God who is full of compassion and mercy to all His creation.
Out of all the nations, God had chosen Israel to be instructed in His law. But the real test of the distinctiveness of these people was their response to God’s revelation. These promises, attached to the fifth commandment, were applicable to all of the commandments.
5:32 “Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
psalm 101:1-2
If we forgive others freely and treat others with dignity and respect we will be doers and not just hearers of God’s word made flesh. Christ within the hope of glory!
David the king declares his purposes and asks for God’s help in maintaining righteousness. This brief psalm has a tone of strong judgment, indicating a desire not only to preserve the innocent and protect the needy, but also to maintain the reputation of God against the attacks of His foes.
A Psalm of David.
1 I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.
2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way.
Oh, when will You come to me?
I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
David the king declares his purposes and asks for God’s help in maintaining righteousness. This brief psalm has a tone of strong judgment, indicating a desire not only to preserve the innocent and protect the needy, but also to maintain the reputation of God against the attacks of His foes.
A Psalm of David.
1 I will sing of mercy and justice; To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.
2 I will behave wisely in a perfect way.
Oh, when will You come to me?
I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Hebrew 13:17
Respect those whom God, who controls all things in heaven and in earth, has put in places of power. If they can do their work without undue strife we all benefit. They will answer to God!
Leaders would give an account of their service at the judgment seat of Christ.
13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Leaders would give an account of their service at the judgment seat of Christ.
13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Hebrews 4:9-11
We must cease trying to earn salvation and rest in the knowledge that in Christ alone and in His work on the cross we will find rest. We need to let the Holy Spirit do His perfect sanctifying work in us. We will succeed if we keep the gift of faith given to us by the Father.
Jews commonly taught that the Sabbath foreshadowed the world to come, and they spoke of “a day which shall be all Sabbath.” The rest is not automatic. Determined diligence is required. The danger is that believers today, like the Israelites of the past, will not stand, but fall in disobedience.
4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
Jews commonly taught that the Sabbath foreshadowed the world to come, and they spoke of “a day which shall be all Sabbath.” The rest is not automatic. Determined diligence is required. The danger is that believers today, like the Israelites of the past, will not stand, but fall in disobedience.
4:9 There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. 10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
2 Timothy 2:20-21
It is up to us to decide to follow Jesus Christ and then to allow His sanctifying transformation through the Holy Spirit. When we are in it for the long haul we become useful for God’s good works that He prepared for us to do before we were born.
The imagery of the house is used to describe two categories of believers. Gold and silver represent believers who are faithful and useful in serving Christ. Wood and clay represent believers who fail to honor the Lord. Master is a strong term for God’s authority over the lives of believers regardless of their level of spiritual maturity. We choose to serve the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit in order to be useful to our Master.
2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
The imagery of the house is used to describe two categories of believers. Gold and silver represent believers who are faithful and useful in serving Christ. Wood and clay represent believers who fail to honor the Lord. Master is a strong term for God’s authority over the lives of believers regardless of their level of spiritual maturity. We choose to serve the Lord in the power of the Holy Spirit in order to be useful to our Master.
2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
1 Thessalonians 4:12-13
A quiet life lived without strife and using the talents given to us by God is a blessing indeed! If we are at peace with ourselves others will want what we have in Christ. We need to pull the plank out of our own eye before we feel the need to pull the plank out of someone else’s. Christ’s gives us His peace, in the inner man, not the false peace that the world offers. He came with shouts of “Peace, peace to the people on earth”.
Paul exhorted the Thessalonians believers to lead a quiet life, not referring to a lack of activity but rather to an inner quietness and peace befitting the Christian faith. They should not be busybodies but should mind their own business. Usually people who are busy running other people’s affairs do not run their own affairs well. A Christian’s house should be in order as a testimony to others. Paul also exhorted the Thessalonians to work with their own hands as he had done among them. Paul admonished the Christians to be dedicated and productive workers so that they might bring honor to Christ’s name.
4:11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
Paul exhorted the Thessalonians believers to lead a quiet life, not referring to a lack of activity but rather to an inner quietness and peace befitting the Christian faith. They should not be busybodies but should mind their own business. Usually people who are busy running other people’s affairs do not run their own affairs well. A Christian’s house should be in order as a testimony to others. Paul also exhorted the Thessalonians to work with their own hands as he had done among them. Paul admonished the Christians to be dedicated and productive workers so that they might bring honor to Christ’s name.
4:11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, 12 that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Colossians 4:17
We all need to accomplish what God has created us to do. May we ask Him to help us to live every day for His glory and to benefit others.
17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
Monday, June 21, 2010
Colossians 3:23-24
Give 100% in everything that you do. It honors God who gives talents to each of us to use for His glory.
The strong motivation to serve someone well is found in the future reward that Christ gives to those who are faithful in this service. We normally think we receive eternal rewards for spiritual practices like reading the Bible, prayer, or evangelism. Here Paul asserts that all work done to the honor of Christ will bring an eternal reward.
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
The strong motivation to serve someone well is found in the future reward that Christ gives to those who are faithful in this service. We normally think we receive eternal rewards for spiritual practices like reading the Bible, prayer, or evangelism. Here Paul asserts that all work done to the honor of Christ will bring an eternal reward.
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Colossians 4:9-14
What a wonderful thing it is to pray for ourselves and others that we will have abundant life in Christ and that our lives will reflect His truth through good deeds. Joy in the Lord is our strength!
Paul’s prayer for the Colossian Christians is a model for us. As soon as he heard of the new faith of the Colossians, he began interceding with God for them, asking Him to give them knowledge, wisdom, strength, and joy. He prayed that the new believers at Colosse would grow into Christian maturity so that they might walk before God, pleasing Him and producing good works.
God has liberated believers from the dominion of darkness. The apostle uses the common symbolism of light and darkness for good and evil, for God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom, that is found throughout the NT. The kingdom from which believers have been rescued is the kingdom of darkness.
4:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Paul’s prayer for the Colossian Christians is a model for us. As soon as he heard of the new faith of the Colossians, he began interceding with God for them, asking Him to give them knowledge, wisdom, strength, and joy. He prayed that the new believers at Colosse would grow into Christian maturity so that they might walk before God, pleasing Him and producing good works.
God has liberated believers from the dominion of darkness. The apostle uses the common symbolism of light and darkness for good and evil, for God’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom, that is found throughout the NT. The kingdom from which believers have been rescued is the kingdom of darkness.
4:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Ephesians 4:11-16
Christ appoints people into positions in the church to encourage believers to build up the Body of Christ. Together in unity we can accomplish the good works which He planned for the Church before the world began. The truth of the salvation given to us in Jesus Christ, God’s ultimate love gift to mankind, will set us free.
Apostles, meaning “envoys,” or “ambassadors,” in its strict sense refers to those who saw Christ in resurrected form, performed miracles, and were specially chosen by Christ to tell others about Him from their eyewitness accounts. Prophets delivered direct revelations from God. They foretold God’s actions in the future, and they proclaimed what God had already said in the Scriptures. Evangelists are gospel preachers who help bring people into the body of Christ. They do so by presenting Christ’s offer of free salvation by grace through faith. Pastors do all for the church that a literal shepherd does for sheep: feeds, nurtures, cares for, and protects them from enemies. A shepherd’s task is not to acquire sheep. While the Greek ties the two titles teachers and pastors closely together here, elsewhere they are listed separately.
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Apostles, meaning “envoys,” or “ambassadors,” in its strict sense refers to those who saw Christ in resurrected form, performed miracles, and were specially chosen by Christ to tell others about Him from their eyewitness accounts. Prophets delivered direct revelations from God. They foretold God’s actions in the future, and they proclaimed what God had already said in the Scriptures. Evangelists are gospel preachers who help bring people into the body of Christ. They do so by presenting Christ’s offer of free salvation by grace through faith. Pastors do all for the church that a literal shepherd does for sheep: feeds, nurtures, cares for, and protects them from enemies. A shepherd’s task is not to acquire sheep. While the Greek ties the two titles teachers and pastors closely together here, elsewhere they are listed separately.
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Ephesians 2:10
We were equipped with the talents and drive for God’s purpose in our life in our mother’s womb and it is brought to life in the salvation offered to us in Christ Jesus….what an awesome God we serve!
Christians have been saved by grace. The grace of God is the source of salvation; faith is the channel, not the cause. God alone saves. Salvation never originates in the efforts of people; it always arises out of the lovingkindness of God. We cannot do anything to earn our salvation. The past tense of the verb saved in this passage indicates that the believer’s salvation has already occurred in the past, at the Cross.
2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Christians have been saved by grace. The grace of God is the source of salvation; faith is the channel, not the cause. God alone saves. Salvation never originates in the efforts of people; it always arises out of the lovingkindness of God. We cannot do anything to earn our salvation. The past tense of the verb saved in this passage indicates that the believer’s salvation has already occurred in the past, at the Cross.
2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
1 Corinthians 15:10
It is only by God’s mercy and grace shown to us in Christ Jesus that any of us can receive and keep the faith. Because of His unmerited goodness to us we strive to do His will and He blesses our efforts and prayers. To God be all praise and honor.
Even though Paul got a late start and did not have the discipleship training that the other apostles did, he traveled further, established more churches, and wrote more Scripture than all of them. But Paul attributed his success to the grace of God.
15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Even though Paul got a late start and did not have the discipleship training that the other apostles did, he traveled further, established more churches, and wrote more Scripture than all of them. But Paul attributed his success to the grace of God.
15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
1 Corinthians 4:12-13
Being a follower of Christ’s defines how we should handle life….I fail most times but victory comes when we turn it over to Him and let Him move!
Paul lists the hardships he had suffered in Christ’s ministry, both physical challenges and verbal abuse.
12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
Paul lists the hardships he had suffered in Christ’s ministry, both physical challenges and verbal abuse.
12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
Monday, June 7, 2010
1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Any good we have done in our life here on earth out of our love for God will be tested by adversity and the tribulations of life and revealed for the glory that it gives to God. If we remain faithful to the truth found in Christ Jesus we will be saved.
Paul had established the church at Corinth on the foundation of Christ. These building materials refer to the quality of work done by the Corinthians, and possibly also to their motivations or the kinds of doctrines they taught. Some “good work” is actually self-centered aggrandizement. The true value of such “service” will become obvious to all in the day of God’s judgment.
12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Paul had established the church at Corinth on the foundation of Christ. These building materials refer to the quality of work done by the Corinthians, and possibly also to their motivations or the kinds of doctrines they taught. Some “good work” is actually self-centered aggrandizement. The true value of such “service” will become obvious to all in the day of God’s judgment.
12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Acts 20:32-35
We are saved by faith through no works of our own and we are sanctified, changed, by the power of the Holy Spirit. We are blessed in all things by God to be a blessing to others….it is God’s way!
20:32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
20:32 “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. 34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
Thursday, June 3, 2010
John 17:4-5
Our lives should give God the glory and honor that He deserves. Just as Jesus completed the work that He was sent on earth to do so should we fulfill the will of God for our lives.
Jesus made known the Father by completing the work God gave Him to do. Jesus looked to the Father to restore Him to the glory He had in heaven before He left.
17:4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
Jesus made known the Father by completing the work God gave Him to do. Jesus looked to the Father to restore Him to the glory He had in heaven before He left.
17:4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
John 6:26-29
Sometimes we come to Christianity because of our physical needs not out of our spiritual need for a Savior.
We will always have physical needs as long as we live on this earth BUT they will perish. The Word of God is eternal. Our eyes are opened to the truth of the salvation of Jesus Christ and then we are sealed and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The impression that one must work for eternal life is quickly corrected when Jesus adds which the Son of Man will give you. The Son provides life as a gift. The Father has authorized and authenticated the Son as the Giver of life.
26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
We will always have physical needs as long as we live on this earth BUT they will perish. The Word of God is eternal. Our eyes are opened to the truth of the salvation of Jesus Christ and then we are sealed and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.
The impression that one must work for eternal life is quickly corrected when Jesus adds which the Son of Man will give you. The Son provides life as a gift. The Father has authorized and authenticated the Son as the Giver of life.
26 Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”
28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”
29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
John 4:34-38
Without food we cannot live, our spiritual life depends upon doing the will of God. It is His will that all be saved. Whoever will hear and accept His gift of salvation in the works of Jesus Christ will be saved. It is our job to get the word out to all people of the truth of the existence of God, that there is hope of life after death and the path to Him is in the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Joy in the truth is our strength!!
This food is not simply knowing the will of God, but doing it. This verse highlights the obedience of Jesus to God in His ministry and foreshadows His words on the Cross. Jesus offered His disciples an opportunity to do something that would be “food” for them. The reaper of a spiritual harvest receives wages—that is, fruit which brings joy. The disciples were going to reap the harvest that Christ had sown.
4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
This food is not simply knowing the will of God, but doing it. This verse highlights the obedience of Jesus to God in His ministry and foreshadows His words on the Cross. Jesus offered His disciples an opportunity to do something that would be “food” for them. The reaper of a spiritual harvest receives wages—that is, fruit which brings joy. The disciples were going to reap the harvest that Christ had sown.
4:34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
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