Category: encouragement

Sustained!

Thursday, March 1, 2018

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:1-5 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be sustained by the love of God.

The world looks at suffering and wonders how anything good can result—they have neither Jesus Christ nor hope. Sadly, even most Christians are deceived here. When disaster comes, they assume God does not love them, that He is punishing them, that He is angry with them. Friends, God’s love needs to sustain us, keep us from falling apart in troublesome times. We can glory in tribulation and find value in suffering! Very, very, very, VERY, VERY, VERY few believers, unfortunately, ever reach that point, as denominationalism binds them in immaturity.

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. God is not angry with us because He considers Christ’s sacrifice of Himself as sufficient payment for our sins. This knowledge helps us understand that our problems/tribulations/difficulties do not stem from any controversy God has with us. Of course, such understanding comes from the rightly divided Word of God. We do not grab the verses that talk about God being angry with and punishing Israel, and assume He is talking about us.

Whereas Israel’s troubles meant God was punishing her for disobedience (see Leviticus 26:14-46 and Deuteronomy 28:15-68), difficulties mean something else entirely for us. God’s love is found at Calvary, not in our circumstances. Romans 5:8 says: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” And 2 Corinthians 5:14, “For the love of Christ constraineth [propels, motivates] us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:….” Christian friend, until you are home in Heaven, let God’s infinite love carry you through ALL of life’s difficulties!

Bible Q&A #470: “What are some verses to help me stop focusing on myself?”

Succoured!

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18 KJV).

Without further delay, we should let the succouring Saviour succour us.

The Book of Hebrews is not written to us members of the Church the Body of Christ. It refers to “the world to come” (Hebrews 2:5), the ages to come, events after our Dispensation of Grace. Still, because of parallels, we can benefit from Israel’s Scriptures at times.

Hebrews concentrates on the time of immense suffering, the abundant temptation and persecution, that Israel’s Little Flock will experience during the Antichrist’s rule (recall Psalm 10?). The writer of Hebrews reminds them of the Lord Jesus Christ being there to “succour” them, to assist them in their time of great need. As Christ suffered, but relied on Father God, so they can rely on Him to see it through their dark days.

Harmonizing with Hebrews, James and Peter both wrote to Israel suffering under the Antichrist. For example, James 1:2: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;….” And verse 12: “Blessed [happy!] is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” Finally, 1 Peter 1:6,7: “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing [Second Coming] of Jesus Christ.” This is how believing Israel should view her end-times distress.

If God will comfort believing Israel during the worst (!) period of human history, then surely, brethren, He can aid us in our times of need. When we face difficulties, we know that He has equipped us to fully endure them. First Corinthians 10:13: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Did not God send messengers to Gentiles prior to Paul’s apostleship?”

Stabilized!

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

“And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15,16 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be stabilized by sound Bible doctrine.

Today’s Scripture mentions those who are “unlearned.” It here represents the Greek word amathes, literally “without understanding.” The adjective “unstable” also describes them: the Greek term is asteriktos, or “not fixed.” Ephesians 4:14 strikingly illustrates: “…children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Think of a ship rocking back and forth as each breeze and wave push it here and there, zigzagging, with no certain course. Imagine a tower swaying in the wind, leaning, ready to topple. Destruction is approaching!

The Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle Peter about individuals “wresting” the Bible. They distort the meaning of verses to force the Scriptures to agree with their theological system. There is particular emphasis on these “Bible butchers” attacking the Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon. Destruction is imminent!

Notice the example in 2 Timothy chapter 2, particularly verses 16 and 18: “[15] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. [16] But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. [17] And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; [18] Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” Those who refuse to “rightly divide the word of truth” are in fact those condemned in today’s Scripture.

Unless we understand the Bible dispensationally, dear friends, we will lack internal (spiritual) stability. Our Christian lives will not function properly. When tragedy strikes, we will be unstable… unable to handle it as Father God intended. Right division is not an option!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Does God see us Christians as sinners?”

Superstitious!

Sunday, February 25, 2018

“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:14,15 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to guard against superstition.

When tragedy strikes, people plead for God to stop it. They pray for the criminal’s apprehension, a miraculous recovery from an illness or mortal injury, floodwaters to recede, earthquakes to cease, poverty and war to disappear. When these things continue, it is supposed that God does not love them, was not listening, or could not care less. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Dear friends, what masquerades as “Christianity” is usually nothing but vain superstition. Most church members have not a clue as to what God is doing today—not a clue! How skilled they are in what God did in time past—miracles, signs, wonders, Sabbath days, water baptism, tithing, et cetera. They are naïve as to what He is doing in the but now. Dispensational Bible study is completely foreign to them; hence, they cannot find where they fit in God’s timeline for the ages. They are totally unable to locate their information in Scripture. They just grab whatever verses fit their agenda/denomination; context means nothing.

The most inconspicuous place for superstition in a Christian’s life is prayer. Doubtless, superstition abounds in most prayer lives. Church members are asking or demanding God do things He is not doing today. He has already declared in His Word to us, the Pauline epistles of Romans through Philemon, what He is doing today. However, they go to the rest of Scripture—what God did long ago and what He will do yet future—and try to make Him do that now. We cannot make God do something He is not doing. Just because the Bible says it, that does not mean that it is God’s Word to us. Do we build a boat as Genesis chapter 6 says? Do we bring a trespass offering for touching an unclean animal as Leviticus chapter 5 commands? See, stop grabbing things haphazardly from the Bible and start respecting contexts.

Our latest Bible Q&A: “But what if they read the Bible at my church…?!”

Suffering!

Saturday, February 24, 2018

“For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Romans 8:22,23 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to be prepared to suffer.

Dear friend, suffering is rampant—violence, sickness, injustice, cruelty, et cetera. Eventually, people get overloaded with burdens and sorrow, thus resorting to drugs, alcohol, and (sadly) even suicide, to cope.

Suffering has three sources. Firstly, we have the curse of sin: no matter what we do, we live in a fallen creation. Thus, disease, physical limitations, and death plague us. Short of the Lord’s coming for His children, they too will hurt, grow old, and die. Contrary to popular belief, Christians do suffer physical difficulties and corporeal pain—we are not guaranteed physical healing until the Rapture (today’s Scripture)! Secondly, our mistakes result in suffering. Whether deliberately or inadvertently, those poor decisions lead to terrible consequences. Someone will make a poor choice today and it will negatively affect you. You will make a mistake today and hurt someone.

Thirdly, there is the special (rare) suffering found in 2 Timothy 3:12: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (Acts 14:22 reads in part, “…we must [!] through much [!] tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”) This applies exclusively to Christians. Since we are in “enemy territory”—living as Satan’s evil world system operates—we will encounter resistance. Various degrees of persecution will follow us. The more we yield our lives to the Holy Spirit working in us, the more contrary we become to Satan’s policy of evil. If Satan cannot entice us to change the sound Bible doctrine we preach and teach, then he will intimidate us into silence (loved ones mistreating/shunning us, enemies trying to harm/kill us, governments trying to oppress/imprison us).

However, in the context of today’s Scripture, we learn: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (verse 18). No matter how much we suffer here, dear saints, the eternal glory awaiting us is infinitesimally greater!

Shocked!

Friday, February 23, 2018

“Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1 KJV).

Without further delay, we need to learn how to avoid shock.

Immediately after tragedy strikes, two things occur. Firstly, those who have had absolutely no time for God suddenly begin telling Him to do something for them. Secondly, those seeking to shift blame from themselves and sinners like them, begin to viciously accuse Him.

No matter how wicked our human nature is, we reach a point—however brief—when we realize our great limitations. Regardless of how high our skyscrapers get or our submersibles go, no matter how advanced our technology becomes, regardless of how great our understanding of the universe becomes, we are truly weaklings in the grand scheme of things. In those fleeting seconds before we conceitedly suppress that truth, we reach out to any “higher being” who may happen to be listening to or watching us in our pathetic plight. Whatever “it” is, if our situations and circumstances are grim, we can look to “it” for comfort or culpability. If “it” does not respond as we expect, we then bitterly lash out at “it.”

The Psalmist in today’s Scripture is puzzled: times are troubling and God is hiding! Reading through the psalm, we learn that its writer is really a member of the Little Flock, Israel’s believing remnant, suffering greatly under the reign of the despotic Antichrist. Shock and fear will grip these saints living beyond our day. Evil incarnate is ruling unfettered. Believing Israelites, scattered across the Middle East, are being imprisoned, tortured, and beheaded. Where is the supernatural deliverance? These Messianic Jews need to understand why God is delaying His return to forcefully crush the Antichrist.

As concerning God’s dealings with us in the Dispensation of Grace, we see a parallel in today’s Scripture. Where is God in our times of trouble? Again, Satan’s evil world system must run its full course. God has not abandoned us. He is indeed present, and we need not be shocked or troubled that evil prospers despite the existence of a loving God. Friends, if we acknowledge the reality of suffering and the presence of an intelligent Creator, we can shield ourselves from such devastating surprise.

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Is Hell almost full?”

Paul’s Stocks and Bonds

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

“And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks” (Acts 16:23,24 KJV).

Financial stocks and bonds are sources of great wealth. The Apostle Paul, although poor (2 Corinthians 11:27; Philippians 4:11-13), had much experience with “stocks” and “bonds.”

As the context of today’s Scripture proves (verse 12 onward), he, Silas, Luke, and others travel to Philippi (northern Greece) to preach the Gospel of Grace. A Gentile religious woman, Lydia, and an unnamed devil-possessed slave girl are two of their converts. The girl’s owners—furious that their “money-making machine” has disappeared—drag Paul and Silas into the marketplace (court). There, they persuade the authorities to arrange for the Apostles to be beaten with rods (“caning”). Paul and Silas receive “many stripes [wounds].”

Paul and Silas are then imprisoned, eventually evangelizing the jailor and his household (today’s Scripture to the chapter’s end). While captive, their feet are “fast [secure] in the stocks.” The “stocks” were an instrument of punishment consisting of an adjustable wooden structure with holes for securing a person’s hands and feet. Confined to such a device, criminals could be subject to public ridicule and abuse of all kinds. What torture Paul and Silas were willing to endure for our Lord Jesus Christ!

Later, in Acts 20:22-24, Paul confessed: “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” These “bonds” are chains, shackles, instruments of imprisonment. The Apostle is in “bonds” in Acts 25:14; Acts 26:29; Ephesians 6:20; Philippians 1:7,13-16; Colossians 4:3,18; 2 Timothy 2:9; and Philemon 10 and 13.

“Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound” (2 Timothy 2:9).

Thou Art The Man to Restore—Times Four #6

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

“If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep” (Exodus 22:1 KJV).

How can this help us understand some of the tragic deaths associated with the Davidic dynasty?

Re-reading 2 Samuel chapter 12: “[5] And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: [6] And he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. [7] And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man….” David never forgot his solemn words: he DID INDEED restore fourfold!!!

Solomon’s older brother—David’s first child with Bathsheba, an unnamed newborn (?) baby—died. David’s firstborn son, Amnon, was then assassinated. Next, Absalom, Amnon’s younger brother, was murdered. Burying three of his children was most difficult for David. After his demise, though, a fourth son died. Adonijah, Solomon’s older half-brother, twice endeavored to usurp David’s throne that God promised to Solomon; Solomon finally executed Adonijah. Yea, as God predicted, David’s house would perpetually experience violence (see 2 Samuel 12:10). In addition to the above four deaths, several decades later, David’s royal descendants died prematurely in 2 Kings 11:1-2 and 21:23.

Dear friends, stop and think. These Scriptures are not “dead history” or “superstitious fairytales.” Our sin comes at a price—VERY HIGH!! It not only negatively impacts us, but those around us… not just now, but for decades or centuries to come!! It ultimately cost the Lord Jesus Christ His life to pay for our sins! No, David did not die because of his sin with Bathsheba—but four of his sons did! Never forget, dear brethren, sin is serious beyond imagination. BEFORE we act, we had better think long and hard of the consequences!!!!!

As Christians, let us remember: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Galatians 6:7,8).

Reversed to Be Perverse

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20 KJV).

While shopping the other day, I noticed a woman. Something was odd though. The closer I looked and the harder I thought, the more I began to realize that that “woman” was really an effeminate man dressed as a woman!

Today’s Scripture describes one of the reasons the nation Israel is about to go into Assyrian captivity. There are various “woes,” or declarations of condemnation, issued in this context (see verses 8,11,18,20,21,22). One of these rebukes the LORD God issues is Israel’s perverted sense of standards. A complete reversal of touchstones has resulted in perversion abounding in God’s nation. Evil is called good; good is called evil. They regard darkness as light, and light as darkness. To them, sweet is bitter and bitter is sweet.

In today’s language, non-Christian is Christian and Christian is non-Christian. Life is considered non-life; non-life is regarded as life. Man is woman, and woman is man. Right is wrong, and wrong is right. Nonsense is titled logic, and logic is called nonsense. God is regarded as man and man is deemed God. Following laws is illegal; being unlawful is acceptable. Love is hate, and hate is love. The Body of Christ is Israel, and Israel is the Body of Christ. The Holy Bible is considered irrelevant; the speculations of fallible men are exalted as ultimate truth. Glancing into the future, Antichrist will be viewed as Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ will be viewed as Antichrist. God’s children will be considered Satan’s people, and Satan’s children will be regarded as God’s people. Perversion ad infinitum!

Thankfully, in His own time, the God of the Bible will set all things right. Dear friends, no matter how far sinful man drifts from his original purpose in creation, all hope is not lost. Our world is headed for the Tribulation, God’s wrath, and has been for millennia. We will not change the course of this present evil world, but we can share the Gospel of the Grace of God with others, that they may be delivered from this present evil world too (Galatians 1:4)! 🙂

Strong Participants Wanted

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:11-14 KJV).

The nation Israel should be matured in God’s Word—alas, they are not!

I attended my nephew’s recent basketball tournament. For the last few months, our team had diligently practiced and played regular games. At the tournament, we competed against several proficient teams and won… first place! One particular player did exceptionally well, scoring numerous points all by himself (some amazing distant shots). After our final victory, I asked his mother, “He practices a lot, huh?” She replied, “Oh, yes, all the time!” Indeed, it showed.

Watching all those young men playing basketball, I could see who was expert and who was novice. All were clumsy at times—tripping, falling, slipping, and/or throwing too high or too far. A select number were remarkably skilled. These particular individuals strategized: they were not aimlessly wandering the court. They knew how to block opponents, pass the ball to their teammates, outmaneuver rivals without dropping the ball, and so on. Knowledgeable coaches, careful training, focused teamwork, and good sportsmanship were all key to first place!

If only the members of the Church the Body of Christ cooperated as players of a sports team do. Instead, we see it as a competition against other believers in Jesus Christ: the flesh envies, complains, pouts, and attacks. If only we could be as skilled in handling the Word of God rightly divided as undefeated sports players. There is always room for improvement but, sadly, more room has been given to ignorance, immaturity, slothfulness, and carelessness. Israel of old was rebuked in today’s Scripture. Let us learn the lesson she never did! 🙂