Category: spiritual growth and maturity

A Higher Education: It Is Up to You

Sunday, May 19, 2013

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12 KJV).

Seven years ago today, I graduated high school. Consequently, we dedicate this devotional to high school students who are nearing graduation.

Are you about to graduate high school? What would God have you do afterward? Go to college? Trade school? Something else? What career should you pursue? If you do plan on education after high school, where should you attend school? These are tough questions, and while God’s Word does not answer them, you can make decisions that conform to sound Bible doctrine—that is God’s will.

In today’s Scripture, Paul encourages downcast Timothy. Timothy was considerably younger than the Apostle Paul. Older people who are teaching false doctrine are intimidating young Timothy: “Tim, you are too young to teach God’s Word. Let us handle it.” Young Timothy conceded, became silent, and allowed the (“older and wiser”) false teachers to continue teaching their damnable heresies (cf. 1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 1:5-8). Paul replied, “Timothy, Speak up! Let no man despise thy youth!”

Christian youth can be just as effectual in their station in life as Christian adults. The lost world is watching us Christians, and we need to be sure that our actions are in accordance with the sound Bible doctrine we claim to believe (lest we be guilty of confusing the already-puzzled unbelievers). Whether “young or old,” our speech, our lifestyle, our acts of love, our determination, our belief in sound Bible doctrine, and our separation from that which God hates, is the way we communicate to the lost world God’s Word and its preeminence in our lives and hearts (today’s Scripture).

Above all, dear graduates, whatever you do post-graduation, “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). After all, it really is not your life—it is Christ’s life in you (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:4), so He alone deserves the glory!

*Based on a Bible study by the same name, which can be read here. Also, see the study “The Spirit-Filled Student.”

Mother: A Virtuous Woman

Sunday, May 12, 2013

“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 25 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!

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

What a Show to Behold!

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

“To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,” (Ephesians 3:10 KJV).

The angels are watching, but what is the quality of the “programming?”

Angels have been around since just before the creation of man. As the LORD God reached down into the dust of the ground and fashioned a body of flesh and blood, and breathed into its nostrils the breath of life, the angels just observed in silence. What was God doing? What was He making? When Adam stood up and walked around, the angels watched him. And just what was this odd creature’s purpose?

The angels beheld the disobedience of Adam and Eve, and they witnessed the results of sin on creation, which never seemed to operate properly anymore. For the last 6,000 years, the angels have watched man, and they still have no idea why God would ever want anything to do with such a pathetic creature, who has brought nothing to God but heartache.

In today’s Scripture, we learn that the angelic host that lives and functions in the heavenly places is watching us Christians. Imagine an amphitheater scenario—we are on ground level, and the angels are high up in the stands, watching us as we go about daily living. Paul even wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:9: “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.”

The angels expect shameful activities from lost, sinful man, but what do they see when they watch us Christians? Do they see the “manifold wisdom of God” as today’s Scripture mentions? Do they see a repeat of the life of Jesus Christ? Or do they see the manifold foolishness of man, a repeat of the life of Adam? If we members of the Church the Body of Christ would just let this sink into our thinking, it would certainly make a difference in the way we act toward the lost world and toward fellow Christians.

A Creature of Darkness Not in Darkness

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

“And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God” (Luke 4:33,34 KJV).

Israel may not recognize her Messiah, but this devil does!

You would think that, after almost 2,000 years, the Church the Body of Christ would know its doctrine, duty, walk, and destiny. Alas, darkness prevails—as if Paul’s epistles were never written! The Body of Christ cannot adequately affect the culture around it for God’s glory because, like the lost world, not even most professing “Christians” know sound Bible doctrine.

Sadly, Satan and his cohorts usually know more about what the Lord Jesus Christ is doing, than His own people. Satan knows God is not dealing with Israel as He did before Paul’s salvation (many Christians still do not understand that). The devil knows that Paul is our apostle (many Christians still do not know that). Satan knows about false “bibles” (many Christians are still oblivious to that). The devil is aware that God is currently administering grace and not law (many Christians still do not understand that). The devil knows we the Church the Body of Christ are not “spiritual Israel” (many Christians do not know that either).

Spiritual ignorance also plagued Israel, as the LORD affirmed: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… thou hast forgotten the law of thy God” (Hosea 4:6). Hundreds of years later, we read in today’s Scripture that while Israel does not recognize Jesus as her Messiah, a fallen angelic spirit of Satan says to Jesus, “I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God.” That devil was more aware of God’s program than Israel, God’s earthly people, was!

We who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour are “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Hence, let us walk in spiritual light: let us walk by faith in sound Pauline Bible doctrine and not be in darkness….

333’s 700th – Receive Ye the Word of God as Such

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

“For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV).

Beloved, only by God’s grace, we reach another milestone….

According to today’s Scripture, the Thessalonians received the message of grace they heard from Paul, Silas, and Timothy (1:1) and then they believed it. Notice, they recognized that this message was not of human origin, but the Word of the God of creation. The result? Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10: their changed lifestyles “sounded out [‘echoed’] the word of the Lord” to the whole then-known world!

We do not look at circumstances to see God working: today, He is working “in [our] inner man” (Ephesians 3:16). If we want the God of the Bible to work mightily in our lives, today’s Scripture tells us how He does it in the Dispensation of His Grace. He takes sound Pauline Bible doctrine that we study, receive, and believe, and He uses it to “effectually work in [us].”

Thus, for the last 700 days, we have labored to provide you with as much sound Pauline Bible doctrine that we can possibly cram into these brief studies, to the intent that you will place your faith in that doctrine, enabling God the Holy Spirit to work in and through you.

Daily Bible studies such as these allow God to renew your mind, which He will then use to transform your life for His glory: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2). Receive ye the Word of God as such, and with the eyes of faith, see Him work mightily in you!

Beloved, thank you for praying for us in this endeavor “to make all men see;” how we thank God for you and pray for you upon every remembrance. Onward to #800! 🙂

Never Look Back

Monday, April 29, 2013

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Philippians 3:7,8 KJV).

I was recently encouraged to hear two dear brothers in Christ discuss their transition from being denominational preachers to grace preachers. The Apostle Paul summarized his in today’s Scripture.

Saul of Tarsus was a religious zealot: he was a religious leader of Israel, a wealthy Pharisee (Jesus had condemned Pharisees as self-righteous and greedy.) Jesus Christ and His Jewish believers were a threat to Saul’s religion; thus, Saul mercilessly hunted down and dragged these Messianic Jews to prison. In Acts chapter 7, through the prophet Stephen, the Holy Spirit pleaded with Israel’s leadership to accept Jesus as their Messiah. Alas, unbelieving Israel stoned Stephen to death—Saul witnessed it with pleasure! (Saul was highly influential in Israel’s fall before God.)

God’s wrath on wicked Saul of Tarsus, the whole world, and especially Israel, was swiftly approaching. Just before that wrath fell, God’s grace and peace interrupted it.

In Acts chapter 9, once Saul thought he had arrested every Jew in Jerusalem who had believed Jesus was Messiah, he headed north to Damascus to arrest Messianic Jews there. Before he reached Damascus, he personally met the risen, ascended, and glorified Lord Jesus Christ and was never the same again! He trusted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour, and he quit his silliness in religion. For the next 35 years, he preached the grace of Jesus Christ, the Person he had so vehemently opposed.

Once he made the transition from the traditions of men to the message of God’s grace to us in Christ, Paul lost his fame and fortune (sounds familiar, huh?). His salary as a denominational leader dwindled, his “friends” scattered, and he was branded a “heretic” (sounds familiar, huh?). So what! In his own words, that was all “but dung” (today’s Scripture)—he “won Christ,” and never looked back… May we follow his ensample. 🙂

A Doxology of Doctrine During Distressing Days #7

Sunday, April 7, 2013

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” (2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV).

A brief, light annoyance—an everlasting, much heavier weight of praise and worship….

While difficult circumstances are not enjoyable, they can be learning opportunities. Even the Apostle Paul needed spiritual growth. He finally learned how to change his outlook on suffering: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

The “treasure in earthen vessels” of 2 Corinthians 4:7, the “power of Christ” of 2 Corinthians 12:9, and the “inward man being renewed day by day” of 2 Corinthians 4:16, are summarized in Philippians 4:13—“Christ which strengtheneth me.” Hence, Paul wrote, “for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).

God’s abundant grace (2 Corinthians 12:9) enabled Paul and Timothy to endure suffering in order to minister to these Corinthian believers: “For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:15). God strengthened them, which caused other believers to be thankful to God for giving Paul and Timothy provisions in Christ that got them through their difficult circumstances.

The spiritual fortitude and spiritual growth that resulted in these believers helped them to better understand how to deal with their own troubles, and it stored in their inner man the capacity to eternally function one day in the heavenly places for God’s glory. Therefore, this doxology—this praise to God—is not only here and now, but literally “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (today’s Scripture).

Remember, the issue is not the vessels—our frail, perishing physical bodies—but rather the treasure—the life of Jesus Christ—they contain. A doxology indeed! 🙂

A Doxology of Doctrine During Distressing Days #6

Saturday, April 6, 2013

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” (2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV).

A brief, light annoyance—an everlasting, much heavier weight of praise and worship….

It is very difficult not to focus on our temporary suffering. After all, we see it. It is equally hard to focus on the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. After all, we cannot see it… sort of. In reality, we can see it! The verse following today’s Scripture reads: “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (verse 18).

How do we “look…at the things which are not seen?” Hebrews 11:1 tells us: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). When we place our faith in what God’s Word says about suffering in the Dispensation of Grace—which would be the contents of Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon—then we, by virtue of spiritual eyes, see what God sees. He is manifesting the very life of Jesus Christ in our mortal body (2 Corinthians 4:10,11). “…Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” (verse 16).

The spiritual fortitude and edifice of sound Bible doctrine that God the Holy Spirit is constructing within our inner man, is eternal, for the inner man (soul and spirit) is everlasting. Our physical body experiencing the present sufferings is temporary, for the physical body is temporary. Actually, the same word—“moment”—used to describe the duration of our present suffering (today’s Scripture), is equivalent to the split-second rapture that will one day catch us members of the Body of Christ up into heaven’s glory (1 Corinthians 15:52)!

By allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us as we believe this sound Bible doctrine, it brings God praise now… and forevermore….

A Doxology of Doctrine During Distressing Days #5

Friday, April 5, 2013

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” (2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV).

A brief, light annoyance—an everlasting, much heavier weight of praise and worship….

One of the primary causes of the charismatic movement, besides a failure to understand the Bible dispensationally, is that its proponents are seeking God’s power and love. They believe that God needs to demonstrate His power and His love for them by removing their troubles and healing their sick bodies. They want literal, physical, visible proof of God’s presence. Because it is ironic, the thought never occurs to them that God’s wisdom, love, and power could be—and are—demonstrated by Him not removing their troubles and sicknesses.

In the context of today’s Scripture (4:1–6:18), the Apostle Paul discussed the ministry we have as “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). He lists various afflictions that he and we Christians suffer, but concluded: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). Notice, “that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” Why do we have the treasure—the life of Jesus Christ—in our earthen vessels—our weak, limited physical bodies? So the exceeding greatness of God’s power can be demonstrated and our inadequacy in and of ourselves can be manifested.

When the Apostle Paul later commented about his various sufferings, he wrote: “And [the Lord] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9,10).

To wit, we can and do endure difficult circumstances, not because of ourselves, but due to God’s power strengthening us by transforming our inner man to become the very life of Jesus Christ. What a concept….!

A Doxology of Doctrine During Distressing Days #2

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” (2 Corinthians 4:17 KJV).

A brief, light annoyance—an everlasting, much heavier weight of praise and worship….

All sorts of afflictions plague us—daily annoyances, life-threatening accidents, illness, painful results of our mistakes and those of others, physical death of loved ones, et cetera. Then, there are the troubles associated with being a Christian in this Satan-dominated world. Burdens, burdens, burdens! These circumstances cause us to grow weary and depressed. They generate doubt and gender all sorts of questions. “Is God angry with me?” “Is He punishing me because of un-confessed sin?” “Does God really love me?” “Just why am I suffering?” These uncertainties only add to the despondency.

In the context of today’s Scripture (4:1–6:18), the Apostle Paul discussed the ministry we have as “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-12: “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.”

Paul and Timothy, authors of 2 Corinthians (1:1), have suffered in the ministry for the sake of these Corinthians’ salvation and spiritual growth. They are “troubled on every side,” but they are not worrisome. Their suffering is difficult to comprehend, but they are not hopeless. They are persecuted, but the Lord is with them. Symbolically, they are thrown down, but their inner man has remained intact. This is God’s power, making the very life of Jesus Christ evident in their souls and their lives, and we have it too in Christ….