Month: May 2015

Young and Old(er) Men

Monday, May 11, 2015

“The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head” (Proverbs 20:29 KJV).

Young or old(er), today’s Scripture says we both have something of which to be proud.

As a young man, I realize that I cannot speak as an old(er) one. All I can say about advancing in years is what I have witnessed in the lives of others. With the passage of time, there is an increasing disconnect between the inner man and the outer man. As we age, what our inner man wants to do is often not what our outward man is even capable of doing. While our physical bodies grow slower and frailer as the decades pass, our soul and spirit still want to behave as we did in our younger decades. Such an oddity is captured by the phrase, “the young at heart.”

Today’s Scripture says that a young man has one chief reason to boast—his strength. Generally, his bones have more calcium than an old man’s, so a young man’s bones are heavier and stronger. Also, the young man’s muscles have not deteriorated yet. The older man, however, has a chief reason to boast too—his grey head. His hairs are not receiving melanin to the extent that a young man’s hairs are, so his hairs have greyed and eventually they will turn completely white.

With age comes wisdom. “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness” (Proverbs 16:31). A grey-haired (older) Christian is someone who has not only had experience in life in general, but who has had experience in God’s life (true life). That is the “beauty of old men.”

The young Christian man will not be able to boast forever—if the Lord tarries, reality assures us that his body will become old. Likewise, the old(er) Christian man will not boast forever—when the Lord comes, reality assures us that his body will become brand new! So, in the Lord’s grand design, it will all level off eventually. We just need to literally “give it some time….” 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is the difference between a minister, a pastor, and an evangelist?”

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 10, 2015

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10 KJV).

Today is Mother’s Day, so we dedicate this devotional to godly women (specifically mothers). I especially dedicate this to the virtuous woman who has been in my life for almost 27 years… my mom!

Today’s Scripture is the first verse of the Bible’s “Virtuous Woman” passage (Proverbs 31:10-31). King Solomon explained that the virtuous woman:

  • has a husband who safely trusts in her (verses 11,12).
  • is not lazy, but is strong because she works to feed and clothe her family and herself (verses 13-19,21,22,24,25,27).
  • pities the poor and needy (verse 20).
  • has a husband who is well-known because of her godly lifestyle (verse 23).
  • opens her mouth with wisdom, and speaks kindly and lovingly (verse 26).
  • has children and a husband who praise her (verse 28).
  • excels in what she does (verse 29).
  • has works that praise her (verse 31).

Verse 30 explains the virtuous woman is “a woman that feareth the LORD.”

The Apostle Paul wrote that godly women should: not slander/gossip, not be controlled by alcohol and emotions (sober minded), be teachers of good things, love their husbands and children, be cautious and modest, maintain the home, be “good,” and should obey (respect) their husbands… “that the word of God be not blasphemed” (Titus 2:3-5). A Christian woman, especially a mother, should be a virtuous woman in beliefs as well as in deed. She needs to set an example for her children (especially her daughters).

A Christian woman and/or Christian mother places her faith in this sound Bible doctrine, the indwelling Holy Spirit will then take that doctrine and transform her for God’s glory (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Her mind will be renewed by sound Bible doctrine, and that will transform her outward activity (Romans 12:1,2).

Are you a Christian woman or Christian mother who desires to be the woman God intends you to be in Christ Jesus? Place your faith in this sound Bible doctrine, and God will take care of the rest!

 HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO OUR READERS WHO ARE MOTHERS!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

Thank God!

Saturday, May 9, 2015

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 136:1-3 KJV).

O give thanks unto the LORD, the God of gods, the Lord of lords!

Scripture is replete with thanksgiving directed toward God. Actually, over 125 times, saints offer thanks to the God of Israel, the God of the Bible. Pause and consider the last time you thanked God for what He has given you. When was it? Do you even remember? 🙂

Every passing day, as soon as we open our eyes from sleep, we need to thank Father God that He has given us another day of His grace. We are over 700,000 days into the Dispensation of Grace. It will not last forever. Our lost family members and friends will not enjoy God’s grace indefinitely. God’s wrath is two millennia closer than it was in the New Testament times.

Every passing day, as soon as we open our eyes from sleep, we need to thank Father God for the Lord Jesus Christ. Over 100,000 people die and enter the eternal flames of hell every single day! How we need to thank the Lord Jesus Christ that He saved us, that He delivered us from such a horrible fate! We will never know just how close we came to dying and going there as lost people.

Every passing day, as soon as we open our eyes from sleep, we need to thank Father God for the Holy Spirit. There are 45,000 religions and denominations in this world, and how fortunate we have been that He has shown us Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as means of forgiveness of sins and Paul’s apostleship and epistles as means of Christian spiritual growth.

Dearly beloved, I cannot emphasize it enough. There is so much deception, and we need to be ever grateful that Father God has us, grateful that we have His Son (Jesus Christ), grateful that we have His Word (King James Bible), and grateful that we have His spokesman to us (Paul)! 🙂

God on the Go

Friday, May 8, 2015

“And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV).

Saints, when we are “on the go,” God is “on the go” with us!

Society has millions of professing “Christians.” Many of them say, “I was born a Christian.” (?) Unfortunately, most of these people are unable to define the term “Christian.” They declare their denominational affiliation or membership in a local assembly, but that is all they know. They have not actually studied the Bible to learn about Christians. They have no idea who the Holy Spirit is or where He is. They talk like they know Him but they do not. They are not possessing Christians, and thus, not really true Christians at all.

If you have relied exclusively on the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, His finished crosswork as complete and final payment for your sins, you are a possessing Christian. Today’s Scripture says that you are “the temple of the living God.” The God of the Bible is not some dead idol of wood or stone. He is the living God, and He lives in us Christians. Chapter 6 of 1 Corinthians says that we who have believed the Gospel of Grace unto eternal life, are “the temple of the Holy Ghost.” The third member of the Godhead lives within us to guide and strengthen us.

As JEHOVAH lived in Israel’s Temple in Jerusalem in time past, so He lives in us Christians today. Contrary to popular belief, He does not dwell in church buildings: “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands” (Acts 17:24). There is no manmade “house of God” today. God lives in us Christians, and we take God the Holy Spirit literally everywhere we go (even to the places of “ill repute”). Remember, friends, if we would not want to take the Holy Spirit into a place, we had better not take ourselves there either! 🙂

A Prayer According to God’s Will

Thursday, May 7, 2015

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV).

On this United States’ National Day of Prayer, we pray you pray according to the Lord Jesus Christ’s will for today!

Today, religious people—the general public, clergy, and government officials—will assemble nationwide, like they do every year, and pray for spiritual and moral revival of the “Christian” (?) United States of America. We commend their noble efforts, but God’s Word says there will be no godly revival of any of the world’s Gentile nations until Jesus Christ returns to earth at His Second Coming (Isaiah 11:9; Isaiah 59:20–60:3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Revelation 11:15; et cetera).

The LORD’s words to King Solomon are often quoted on this day: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Friends, this is certainly God’s Word, but has nothing to do with Gentiles in the United States in the Dispensation of Grace. This verse has a context often overlooked—the nation Israel under the Mosaic Law, praying in relation to God’s Temple in Jerusalem (verses 15,16). Actually, that Temple was destroyed over 19 centuries ago! Unlike Israel, the United States was never a divinely-founded nation. The American people as a whole are not God’s people like Israel was.

Rather than praying 2 Chronicles 7:14, remember today’s Scripture (God’s Word to us Gentiles). The verse following today’s Scripture says, “[God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Pray for those in authority, that they would trust Jesus Christ alone as their personal Saviour, and then grow in His Word to them so they can make wise decisions on behalf of the people they govern.

Avid Ambassadors for Christ!

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

“I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8 KJV).

Do you “delight” in the will of the Lord?

Unless the New Testament Scriptures commented on today’s Scripture and its context, it would remain mysterious. Hebrews 10:5-9 reveals that today’s Scripture was Jesus Christ’s humble confession to follow Father God’s will. Jesus Christ had so filled His mind and heart with the “Old Testament” Scriptures, that He knew what had to be done. As a loving Shepherd tending His sheep, He would teach His people, the Jews, His Word (Isaiah 40:11). He would have a healing ministry to confirm that Word (Isaiah 35:3-6). Yes, He knew He would go the way of the Cross and die, too (Isaiah 53:3-12).

Hebrews 10:5-7: “[5] Wherefore when he [Jesus] cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou [Father God] wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: [6] In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. [7] Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” As Psalm 40:6-8 suggested, Father God gave His Son Jesus a physical body so that physical body could be offered for our sins. How did the Son react? He “delighted” to do His Father’s will (today’s Scripture)!

We should be so delighted and so passionate about preaching Jesus Christ and sharing His Word rightly divided. In fact, someone (a Christian, actually!) suggested that all of my intense ministry activity was due to some sort of medical, social, or mental “disorder” or “issue” that afflicted me! (Hahahaha) No, it is not that I have issues, I have the Holy Spirit and I submit to His working in me. There is nothing special about me. I am a nobody. We are all just common people with a heart desire to have Christ’s words dwell in our hearts richly. We have a heart desire that that Word then work in us so that it bursts forth from us in word and deed! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What does ‘a land flowing with milk and honey’ mean?”

Pernicious

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

“And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of” (2 Peter 2:2 KJV).

What does “pernicious” mean?

The New Oxford English Dictionary defines “pernicious” as “having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.” Our King James translators rendered that Greek word apoleia elsewhere as: “destruction” (Matthew 7:13; Romans 9:22; Philippians 3:19; 2 Peter 3:16), “waste” (Matthew 26:8; Mark 14:4), “perdition” (John 17:12; Philippians 1:28; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 6:9; Hebrews 10:39; 2 Peter 3:7; Revelation 17:8,11), “die” (Acts 25:16), “damnable” (2 Peter 2:1), and “damnation” (2 Peter 2:3).

We read today’s Scripture in context: “[1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. [2] And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. [3] And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

Apoleia appears thrice in 2 Peter 2:1-3 (once per verse). The Holy Spirit emphasizes this very serious matter in Israel’s program. The worst of all heresies in Israel’s program, chiefly during the end-time portion, is to deny Jesus as Christ and to accept Antichrist. Throughout Matthew through John and Hebrews through Revelation, Israel is recurrently warned about deception, especially regarding a counterfeit Messiah (Matthew 24:23-26; Mark 13:21-23; John 5:43; 1 John 2:22; 1 John 4:1-4; 1 John 5:1-5; 2 John 7-11; Jude 4). What is most destructive to a Jew living in Israel’s program is to accept the wrong Messiah. Participating in Satan’s policy of evil will qualify that Jew for God’s righteous wrath at Jesus Christ’s Second Coming (Matthew 3:7-12; Hebrews 10:25-31).

Dear friends, “pernicious” doctrine and false teachers are not unique to Israel’s program. Let us be on guard today in the Dispensation of Grace, and flee those who do not “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). If they do not preach Jesus Christ as found in Romans through Philemon, avoid such “false teachers” and “pernicious ways!”

Thought It, Wrought It, and Brought It

Monday, May 4, 2015

“[Jesus of Nazareth] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it” (Acts 2:23,24 KJV).

As a dear brother of old wrote, “Salvation—God thought it, God wrought it, and God brought it!”

Using his brain of mind-boggling capabilities and ingenuity, man has devised various gadgets, systems, and machines. However, about the eternal penalty of his sins, mankind is at a loss for thoughts. No human mind could have devised the plan of salvation as found in the Holy Bible. In fact, mankind in his natural state is unaware that he is even lost. He is too prideful to admit that he needs his Creator to also be his Saviour. “I am doing the best I can! I am not that bad! I am better than so-and-so, blah, blah, blah….”

We are “doing the best we can?” That ought to make us stop and think… our “best” is riddled with flaws, so will God accept “our best” or will He only accept absolute perfection? We are “not that bad?” Then Jesus Christ wasted His life and death, and God the Father wasted His Son! “I am better than so-and-so.” Sure, we may be “better” than other sinners, but whether a sinner with “much” sin debt or a sinner with “some” sin debt, the sin debt is still there. Whether big or small, any sin debt prevents entry into God’s heaven!

Israel and Rome wanted to get rid of Jesus Christ, and yet, in God’s knowing beforehand, He had Jesus Christ come to Earth so that when they would put Him to death, His death would be the fully satisfying payment for our sins. Jesus Christ suffered and died for us, and was raised again. He then commissioned the Apostle Paul to preach to us Gentiles that wonderful message of Calvary: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

He thought it for us, He wrought it for us, and He brought it to us! 🙂

Ye Will Not Come to Me

Sunday, May 3, 2015

“And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40 KJV).

Today’s Scripture settles the issue once for all—people choose hell for themselves!

Certain theological circles (those that embrace Calvinism) argue that no one can truly go to heaven unless God first chose him or her to go to heaven. Does God really “predestinate” or “elect” some people to go to heaven and others to go to hell? No, it is theological mumbo-jumbo. It is not Bible, just theological speculation that amounts to nothing. It is not God’s Word, just man’s word that will profit us nothing.

Reading today’s Scripture with its context: “[39] Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. [40] And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” And verse 43, a reference to the Antichrist: “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” Will we believe the Lord Jesus Christ’s simple words? Or, will we believe what a fallible theologian says? Jesus affirmed that the reason why His audience did not have eternal life was because they refused to come to Him! It was not because God selected them for hell and eternal damnation. They thought their religion made them “good enough” without Jesus, so Jesus did not force Himself on them.

Again, just days before He died, Jesus Christ stated in Matthew 23:37: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” Why did Jerusalem not come to Jesus? Was it because God selected them for unbelief? For hell? For judgment? No! He said He wanted often to gather them to Himself but they refused to come. God did not select them for hell; they chose hellfire for themselves.

Beloved, may we never take away someone’s free will: it is their (eternal) loss if they refuse to come to Jesus Christ by faith. We need to respect their choice.

The Key to Harmony

Saturday, May 2, 2015

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32 KJV).

Behold, the key to harmony!

We all recall times when fellow Christians mistreated us. We all remember times when we wronged other Christians. While Father God has granted us abundant forgiveness in Christ (today’s Scripture), it is very difficult to apply that forgiveness to others. What they did to us hurt, and what we did to them hurt. Some wrongs are especially painful, very tough to relinquish (which then fester to become grudges). When we see these people, what they did to us immediately comes to mind. It was five, 10, 20, or over 50 years ago, but we still remember what happened. Our emotions (tainted by sin) then get involved, and how we want to lash out at them!

As a brother in the ministry once said, “We grace Christians need to be the kindest, gentlest, most loving people.” Today’s Scripture should be committed to memory. No, we are not to be doormats, but we should make every possible effort to make any situation better, especially if it involves another member of the Church the Body of Christ (Romans 12:18; Galatians 6:10). Sometimes, because of pride, the other party refuses to yield. They decline to reconcile—no apologies are offered, no kindness is shown, wrongdoing is denied, et cetera. Some matters just cannot be straightened out. Unfortunately, they will only be made right in heaven (when neither person’s flesh is in the way).

We need to take a moment to pray for those who have wronged us. If they are unsaved, may we be burdened to pray for their salvation unto eternal life. They need to believe the Gospel of Grace now before they die and go to hell and have to pay for those sins forever. If they are Christians, we need to pray ever so earnestly that they grow in God’s grace, and straighten up, and hurt the cause of Christ no more. Yes, they have done us wrong, but Jesus Christ took care of it at Calvary, and we need to send those wrongs there! 🙂