Month: February 2024

Remember the LORD and His Word on Leap Year Day!

Thursday, February 29, 2024

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:7-9 KJV).

Since it actually takes 365.25 days for the Earth to revolve once around the Sun, an extra day is inserted into our calendar every four years. Unless it is our birthday (celebrated every four years), February 29 is just another day of God’s grace, but we need to make the most of it by remembering Him and His Word.

“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read…” (Isaiah 34:16). “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:4). “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Timothy 4:13). “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7). “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

The Christian life will not operate on the basis of ignorance because it cannot operate on the basis of ignorance. We need to take our Bible—the King James Bible, if we are English speakers—and read, study, and believe its sound doctrine. It is especially important that we pay attention to the Books of Romans through Philemon, God’s current dealings with man. Only when our faith is resting in an intelligent understanding of God’s Word to and about us, will it make a difference in our life for His glory.

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil” (Proverbs 3:5-7).

To Spite the LORD! #6

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (Exodus 7:11 KJV).

Is it really wise for us to spite the LORD? In the grand scheme of things, will He or we lose?

The Book of Exodus opens with an extremely intense spiritual battle Satan is waging with the LORD God. It is a complex conflict, abounding with vindictiveness and counterfeits at the beginning, but moving closer and closer to war’s end both the victor and the loser become clearer and clearer to us. There was spite and an imitation might, but only one won in that day and only that one was right. Thousands of years later after this situation, we even now can make a simple application.

If we wish to waste our time and energy being dead in our trespasses and sins, refusing (as lost people) to trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour (the Gospel of the Grace of God of 1 Corinthians 15:3,4), or (as Christians) rejecting His life as manifested through grace principles (Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon), we have on both counts been given liberty (freedom to choose). Overall, though, it is we who will lose, for we are contributing to our own misery, confusion, dissatisfaction, and spiritual loss.

Indeed, we can copy the life of Christ, but only so far—until reality hits us that we have aligned with fakery. Yea, we can fool ourselves into believing we are invincible, self-sufficient, our own authority, our own god. We can pretend like our false theological system is correct, our “scholarship” is beyond all doubt, and our religious leaders would never lie to us; but we would be just as mistaken as the Egyptians were in Moses’ day. Echoing Pharaoh of old, we can request “one more night with the frogs,” too stubborn to humble ourselves before LORD and too eager to remain in our pathetic lot. The blame falls squarely on us, and us alone.

“Wherefore then do ye harden your hearts, as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? when he had wrought wonderfully among them, did they not let the people go, and they departed?” (1 Samuel 6:6).

To Spite the LORD! #5

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (Exodus 7:11 KJV).

Is it really wise for us to spite the LORD? In the grand scheme of things, will He or we lose?

Although the magicians of Egypt twice copied the LORD with the transformation of a rod into a snake, the LORD’S rod ate the magicians’ rods (Exodus 7:10-12). Once the first plague fell because of the LORD, the magicians were able to duplicate it but not reverse it (change the blood back into water); moreover, when their people required potable water, the magicians could not provide (Exodus 7:19-25)! By the time the second plague arrived, the magicians could also produce frogs but could not remove them; only the LORD could take them away (Exodus 8:5-15)!

As touching the third pestilence, the magicians could not copy the lice, but they did admit it was God’s work that could not be overcome (Exodus 8:16-19). According to the record of Scripture, from henceforth, the magicians made no more attempts to intervene—unable to counterfeit and still powerless to reverse anything. They do not appear in the case of flies the fourth judgment (Exodus 8:20-32), or the murrain or infectious disease the fifth punishment (Exodus 9:1-7). Now, the LORD God begins sparing Israel and judges Egypt only (Exodus 9:4). Again, the magicians cannot re-direct the punishment from their own people toward Israel.

With the sixth plague, the magicians show up in the Scriptures: they too are suffering from the blains, boils, or blisters, and cannot stand before Moses (Exodus 9:8-12). Some Egyptians are actually beginning to heed the LORD through Moses at this point (Exodus 9:20). The seventh judgment is hail and fire, reserved for Egyptians and their crops, whereas Israel is safe (Exodus 9:18-26). No magicians could help Pharaoh here either (Exodus 9:27-35)! With the locusts, the eighth plague, only the LORD could take them away (Exodus 10:12-20). By the time of the ninth judgment, the darkness that could be felt, Egypt was afflicted while Israel had light (Exodus 10:21-23). Once God struck Egypt with the tenth and final plague, the death of the firstborn, the magicians could raise no one from the dead (Exodus 12:29,30).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

To Spite the LORD! #4

Monday, February 26, 2024

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (Exodus 7:11 KJV).

Is it really wise for us to spite the LORD? In the grand scheme of things, will He or we lose?

God’s second judgment on Egypt: “And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt” (Exodus 8:5-7). As with the rods transformed into serpents, and the first plague (blood turned into water), the magicians of Egypt imitated the LORD. Think of all those disgusting frogs overrunning the land (verses 8-14)!

Now, watch carefully as touching the third pestilence: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast” (Exodus 8:16-18). “But they could not!” Verse 19 is especially astounding: “Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.” Perhaps Pharaoh executed these men because of their “blasphemous” admission!

The magicians of Egypt also could not duplicate plagues four through 10—flies, murrain (infectious disease), blains (blisters or boils), hail and fire, locusts, darkness, and death of the firstborn (chapters 8–12). In fact, “And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians” (Exodus 9:11). Egypt’s religious leaders are unable to save it from the LORD’S unmitigated fury….

To Spite the LORD! #3

Sunday, February 25, 2024

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (Exodus 7:11 KJV).

Is it really wise for us to spite the LORD? In the grand scheme of things, will He or we lose?

Egypt’s magicians used occultic (satanic) power to prove they could match the LORD God. “See, Moses and Aaron, our deities are equally mighty. Whatever your ‘God’ can do, they can do and even outdo!” This is actually not as clever as it first appears. For example, re-read Exodus 7:10-12 (today’s Scripture): “And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.”

Initially, it really looked like the God of Israel was inferior to whatever or whomever Egypt was worshipping. At least two snakes were produced to contend with the LORD’S solitary serpent. However, the LORD’S rod ate the Egyptians’ rods—but Pharaoh and his servants were unimpressed, so Israel was not freed. Once the first plague was meted out, Egypt’s bodies of water—streams, rivers, ponds, pools, and so on—were blood. Water, especially the Nile River (Egypt’s primary water source), had been worshipped as a god. Now, it was contaminated because of the LORD God.

“And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said. And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, neither did he set his heart to this also. And all the Egyptians digged round about the river for water to drink; for they could not drink of the water of the river” (Exodus 7:21-24).

The magicians added to their people’s misery with water so filthy and odors so foul….

To Spite the LORD! #2

Saturday, February 24, 2024

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (Exodus 7:11 KJV).

Is it really wise for us to spite the LORD? In the grand scheme of things, will He or we lose?

Pharaoh and the other Egyptians viewed themselves as superior to the Israelites. After all, the Jews were their slaves, and Pharaoh himself was believed to be the Egyptian god Horus reincarnated in human flesh. Who were Moses and Aaron compared to this mighty king of Egypt? Who was this “LORD God of Israel” who challenged his authority? With a heart lifted up with pride, the king of Egypt was not the least bit intimidated. “As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?” (Exodus 9:17). “And shewedst signs and wonders upon Pharaoh, and on all his servants, and on all the people of his land: for thou knewest that they dealt proudly against them. So didst thou get thee a name, as it is this day” (Nehemiah 9:10).

The king of Egypt and his magicians were drawing on Satan’s power (see today’s Scripture). Since they had given themselves over to the Devil, to do his work and entertain his thoughts, they were not about to hearken to the LORD God who was confronting them through Moses and Aaron. These Egyptian magicians were never identified in the Book of Exodus, but, as per the biblical principle of subsequent narrative, the Holy Spirit reveals their names through Paul: “Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was” (2 Timothy 3:8,9).

In short, the ministry of Pharaoh’s magicians consisted of nothing more than counterfeiting the LORD’S work (re-read Exodus 7:10-12,19-22; Exodus 8:5-7). Actually, whereas Aaron’s rod resulted in one snake, the magicians seemed to outdo him by producing two! It appeared as though the LORD God was less than powerful than the gods of Egypt, right? The magicians copied the LORD, but they were still limited.

By “spiting the LORD,” they were inflicting injury only upon themselves….

To Spite the LORD! #1

Friday, February 23, 2024

“Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments” (Exodus 7:11 KJV).

Is it really wise for us to spite the LORD? In the grand scheme of things, will He or we lose?

The LORD God endowed Moses with miracle-working power: “And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods” (Exodus 7:10-12).

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers, and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood; and that there may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and in vessels of stone. And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments:…” (Exodus 7:19-22).

“And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt” (Exodus 8:5-7).

Imagine these revolting circumstances….

The Centurions #7

Thursday, February 22, 2024

“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,…” (Matthew 8:5 KJV).

What are “centurions?”

A centurion was the commanding officer of a century, a group of 100 Roman soldiers. Such military men did not appear in the record of Holy Scripture until politically-fallen Israel was subjected to yet another Gentile world-power—the Roman Empire—in the years leading up to Christ’s birth. It is thus beginning in the New Testament that we read of centurions, from Christ’s earthly ministry (Matthew to John) and even until the very end of the Acts period (Acts chapter 28). Their presence in the land of Canaan indicates Israel is under “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24), dominated by Gentile global rulers until Christ’s Second Coming and subsequent Millennial Reign (when Israel will once again be the head of the nations, God’s chief nation in the Earth).

Even though the centurions were pagan Romans, they were not completely without spiritual light from Israel’s God. Some of them were even walking by faith in the Bible information they had. However limited their spiritual understanding was, they were thankful for that which they did have (which was in stark contrast to unbelieving Israel, who had more spiritual light but could not care less about it!). Recall Matthew 8:5-13 (today’s Scripture); Luke 7:1-10; Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:39; Luke 23:47; Acts 10:1-4,22; Acts 27:1,3,31,32,43; and Acts 28:16. It is here at this second point that we can make personal application.

Truly, dear friends, we do not have all the answers because we do not know everything that can be known. This should not discourage us, however, since we still have access to the Holy Bible that teaches us what we need to know. If we are appreciative of the few sound Bible doctrinal truths we know, if we trust the sound Bible doctrine we have learned thus far, God will value that attitude and provide us with more light. Yet, if we decide to set aside the Scriptures rightly divided, and take up in their place the tenets of philosophy or vain religious tradition or theological speculations of men, we will be in a lot even worse than ancient unbelieving Israel was. Remember the (believing) centurions!

The Centurions #6

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,…” (Matthew 8:5 KJV).

What are “centurions?”

Even though they were Romans or Gentiles—without Israel’s covenants and without Israel’s Bible—some of the centurions were believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. For example, read of that nameless centurion who stood at Christ’s cross when He died. “Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54). “And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God” (Mark 15:39). “Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man” (Luke 23:47).

We do not know who that centurion was—and his identity makes no difference whatsoever. What the Holy Spirit did by including him and his profession of faith into the Scriptural record forever was indict unbelieving Israel whose people could never bring themselves to say a single positive word about the Lord Jesus! Here was a Gentile—a pagan man without a Hebrew Bible and without any covenants with JEHOVAH God—who saw and ultimately declared about Jesus, “Truly this was the Son of God!” Oh, what a pity… but there is something even more!

Doubtless, the most famous centurion of all time was Cornelius of Acts chapter 10, who recognized his need for more spiritual light. He was willing to bless Israel as per Genesis 12:3 (see Acts 10:1-4,22). Cornelius was such a sincere seeker of Bible truth that God actually sent the Apostle Peter to preach to him. By the time of the close of Acts chapter 10, Cornelius and his Gentile friends and relatives have trusted in Christ—with Israel still in unbelief!

Finally, whereas lost Israel repeatedly tried to harm and kill the Apostle Paul throughout Acts, Julius the centurion (a heathen Roman!) was kind to him, listened to him, and sought to save his life (Acts 27:1,3,31-32,43; Acts 28:16).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

The Centurions #5

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him,…” (Matthew 8:5 KJV).

What are “centurions?”

Ephesians 2:11,12 defines God’s dealings with mankind in “time past:” “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:….” Romans 1:18-32, Acts 14:15-17, and Acts 17:26-30 describe these Gentiles or nations as being handed over to Satan.

Those Gentile disadvantages stood opposite of Israel’s privileges or blessings: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 9:4,5). Also, Romans 3:1,2: “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” The Hebrew Bible—the Old Testament Scriptures—was given to Israel, not the Gentiles.

It is therefore highly exceptional to find centurions, or Roman (non-Jewish, or Gentile) military leaders, in the Biblical record who are more eager to believe Israel’s God than Israel is. For instance, in today’s Scripture, the centurion has faith Christ Jesus can heal his sick servant. Read Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10. “When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” (Matthew 8:10). “When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” (Luke 7:9).

This believing Gentile centurion condemned Israel for unbelief (since national Israel had such a negative view of Jesus Christ, but non-Jews were favoring Him!). If we study the Scriptural record again, we can locate similar situations wherein (Roman) centurions are receptive to Israel’s God whereas Israel is not….