Better Or Worse?
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Posted:Jan 1, 2015 4:29 am
Last Updated:Jan 2, 2015 4:08 am 16236 Views
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Read: 2 Timothy 3:1-5,10-17
You must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of. 2 Timothy 3.14
Bible in a Year:
Genesis 1-3; Matthew 1
At the beginning of each new year, experts give their predictions about the economy, politics, weather, and a host of other topics. Will there be war or peace? Poverty or prosperity? Progress or stagnation? People everywhere are hoping that this year will be better than last, but no one knows what will happen.
There is, however, something we can be certain about. A guest speaker at my church suggested that when we ask if the world will get better or worse, the answer is Yes, to both!
Paul told Timothy, In the last days perilous times will come; . . . evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them
2 Tim. 3:1,13-14.
The inspired Word of God instructs, corrects, and encourages us as we follow God´s path vv.16-17. J. B. Phillips described the Scriptures as our comprehensive equipmentâ that prepares us fully for all branches of God´s work.
As the spiritual darkness of our world grows deeper, the light of Christ shines more brightly through all those who know and love Him. Jesus is our joy and hope today, tomorrow, and forever!
Heavenly Father, the trouble in this world can
divert our eyes from You. Thank You for Your Word
that helps us stay focused. May we find our delight
in Your love and share it with others today.
The powers of evil around you are no match for the power of Jesus within you.
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Standing On The Edge
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Posted:Dec 31, 2014 4:52 am
Last Updated:May 2, 2024 2:56 pm 16285 Views
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Read: Joshua 3.9-17
[The Israelites] set out . . . to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before [them]. âJoshua 3.14
Bible in a Year:
Malachi 1-4; Revelation 22
My little girl stood apprehensively at the poolâs edge. As a nonswimmer, she was just learning to become comfortable in the water. Her instructor waited in the pool with outstretched arms. As my hesitated, I saw the questions in her eyes: Will you catch me? What will happen if my head goes under?
The Israelites may have wondered what would happen when they crossed the Jordan River. Could they trust God to make dry ground appear in the riverbed? Was God guiding their new leader, Joshua, as He had led Moses? Would God help His people defeat the threatening Canaanites who lived just across the river?
To learn the answers to these questions, the Israelites had to engage in a test of faithâthey had to act. So they âset out from their camp to cross over the Jordan, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before [them]â v.14. Exercising their faith allowed them to see that God was with them. He was still directing Joshua, and He would help them settle in Canaan vv.7,10,17.
If you are facing a test of faith, you too can move forward based on Godâs character and His unfailing promises. Relying on Him will help you move from where you are to where He wants you to be.
Lord, weâre prone to quickly forget Your goodness
and care for us. May we trust You today and
into the new yearâwhatever uncertainties we
face. You are the God who can be trusted.
Fear fades when we trust our Father.
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He Leads Me
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Posted:Dec 30, 2014 5:46 am
Last Updated:Dec 31, 2014 6:13 am 16380 Views
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Read: Psalm 23
He leads me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2
Bible in a Year:
Zechariah 13-14; Revelation 21
In Istanbul, Turkey, in 2005, one sheep jumped off a cliff and then nearly 1,500 others followed! In the end, about one-third of them died. Not knowing which way to go, sheep mindlessly follow other members of the flock.
No better word picture than sheep can be found to illustrate our need for a trustworthy leader. We are all, Isaiah wrote, like sheep (Isa. 53:6). We tend to go our own way, yet we desperately need the sure direction of a shepherd.
Psalm 23 describes the trustworthiness of our Good Shepherd. He cares for us (v.1); He provides for our physical needs (v.2); He shows us how to live holy lives (v.3); He restores us, comforts us, heals us, and bountifully blesses us (vv.3-5; and He will not abandon us (v.6).
What a comfort to know that God gently but firmly leads us! He does so through the urging of the Holy Spirit, the reading of His Word, and through prayer. God is the reliable leader we need.
In acknowledgment of our dependence on the Lord, we can say with the psalmist, The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
Like sheep that sometimes wander from the flock
In tangled paths of life to lose their way,
I need my Shepherdâs hand and watchful eye
To keep me always, lest I go astray.
The Lamb who died to save us is the Shepherd who lives to guide us.
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Delay May Not Mean Denial
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Posted:Dec 29, 2014 5:27 am
Last Updated:Dec 29, 2014 5:29 am 16412 Views
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Read: John 11:21-35
When [Jesus] heard that [Lazarus] was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. John 11.6
Bible in a Year:
Zechariah 9-12; Revelation 20
My sons birthdays are in December. When they were small, Angus quickly learned that if he didn't receive a longed-for toy for his birthday at the beginning of the month, it might be in his Christmas stocking. And if David didn't receive his gift for Christmas, it might appear for his birthday 4 days later. Delay didn't necessarily mean denial.
It was natural for Martha and Mary to send for Jesus when Lazarus became seriously ill (John 11:1-3). Perhaps they looked anxiously along the road for signs of His arrival, but Jesus didn't come. The funeral service had been over for 4 days when Jesus finally walked into town v.17.
Martha was blunt. If You had been here, she said, my brother would not have died (v.21). Then her faith flickered into certainty, Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You v.22. I wonder what she expected. Lazarus was dead, and she was wary about opening the tomb. And yet at a word from Jesus, Lazarus spirit returned to his decaying body vv.41-44. Jesus had bypassed simply healing His sick friend, in order to perform the far greater miracle of bringing him back to life.
Waiting for God's timing may also give us a greater miracle than we had hoped for.
My Savior hears me when I pray,
Upon His Word I calmly rest;
In His own time, in His own way,
I know He'll give me what is best.
Time spent waiting on God is never wasted.
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Delay May Not Mean Denial
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Posted:Dec 29, 2014 5:20 am
Last Updated:Dec 29, 2014 5:23 am 16334 Views
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Read: John 11:21-35
When [Jesus] heard that [Lazarus] was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. John 11.6
Bible in a Year:
Zechariah 9-12; Revelation 20
My sons birthdays are in December. When they were small, Angus quickly learned that if he didn't receive a longed-for toy for his birthday at the beginning of the month, it might be in his Christmas stocking. And if David didn't receive his gift for Christmas, it might appear for his birthday 4 days later. Delay didn't necessarily mean denial.
It was natural for Martha and Mary to send for Jesus when Lazarus became seriously ill (John 11:1-3). Perhaps they looked anxiously along the road for signs of His arrival, but Jesus didn't come. The funeral service had been over for 4 days when Jesus finally walked into town v.17.
Martha was blunt. If You had been here, she said, my brother would not have died (v.21). Then her faith flickered into certainty, Even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You v.22. I wonder what she expected. Lazarus was dead, and she was wary about opening the tomb. And yet at a word from Jesus, Lazarus spirit returned to his decaying body vv.41-44. Jesus had bypassed simply healing His sick friend, in order to perform the far greater miracle of bringing him back to life.
Waiting for God's timing may also give us a greater miracle than we had hoped for.
My Savior hears me when I pray,
Upon His Word I calmly rest;
In His own time, in His own way,
I know Heâll give me what is best.
Time spent waiting on God is never wasted.
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In The Neighborhood
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Posted:Dec 26, 2014 5:17 am
Last Updated:May 2, 2024 2:56 pm 16490 Views
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Read: John 1:1-14
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. —John 1.14
Bible in a Year:
Haggai 1-2; Revelation 17
It was the buzz of our neighborhood. A famous professional football player had moved in just two houses down from where we lived. We had seen him on television and read about his great skills on the field, but we never thought he would choose to reside in our neighborhood. Initially, our expectations were that we would welcome him into the neighborhood and we would all become great friends. But his life was obviously far too busy for any of us to get to know him personally.
Imagine this: Jesus—the Lord of the universe and Creator of all things—chose to dwell among us! He left heaven and came to this earth. As John says, “We beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father” John 1.14. Jesus chose to become intimately involved with all who will come to Him. And, even more significant, for those of us who have received His redeeming love, the Holy Spirit has now set up residence in our hearts to comfort, counsel, convict, lead, and teach us.
When you think of the Babe in the manger, remember how special it is that He not only moved into our “neighborhood,” but that He did it so He could bless us with the intimate privileges of His residence within us.
Lord, I’m amazed that You, the greatest One of all,
would take up residence within us! Help us to
treasure the gift of Your presence as our ultimate joy.
Draw us to Yourself to enjoy intimacy with You.
Take advantage of the gift of God’s presence
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The Smells Of The Stable
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Posted:Dec 25, 2014 4:07 am
Last Updated:May 2, 2024 2:56 pm 16644 Views
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Read: Luke 2:15-20
They shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.” —Matthew 1:23
Bible in a Year:
Zephaniah 1-3; Revelation 16
A stable? What a place to give birth to the Messiah! The smells and sounds of a barnyard were our Savior’s first human experience. Like other babies, He may even have cried at the sounds of the animals and the strangers parading around His temporary crib.
If so, they would have been the first of many tears. Jesus would come to know human loss and sorrow, the doubts his brothers and family had about Him, and the pain His mother experienced as she saw Him tortured and killed.
All these hardships—and so much more—awaited the baby trying to sleep that first night. Yet from His very first moments, Jesus was “God with us” Matt. 1.23, and He knew what it meant to be human. This would continue for over three decades, ending at His death on the cross.
Because of His love for you and me, Jesus became fully human. And being human allows Him to identify with us. Never again can we say that no one understands us. Jesus does.
May the Light that entered the world that night cast its brilliance into the deepest corners of our souls this Christmas, giving us the peace on Earth of which the angels spoke so long ago.
Father, help our hearts to know the
love of Christ and to honor Him
with our unyielding devotion in
this and every season. We love You.
Jesus understands.
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Lasting Peace
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Posted:Dec 24, 2014 5:37 am
Last Updated:Dec 25, 2014 4:08 am 16699 Views
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Read: Ephesians 2:13-19
He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation. —Ephesians 2:14
Bible in a Year:
Habakkuk 1-3; Revelation 15
On Christmas Eve 1914, during the First World War, the guns fell silent along a 30-mile stretch of the Western Front. Soldiers peered cautiously over the tops of trenches while a few emerged to repair their positions and bury the dead. As darkness fell, some German troops set out lanterns and sang Christmas carols. Men on the British side applauded and shouted greetings.
The next day, German, French, and British troops met in no man’s land to shake hands, share food, and exchange gifts. It was a brief respite from war that soon ended when the artillery and machine guns roared to life again. But no one who experienced “The Christmas Truce,” as it became known, would ever forget how it felt and how it fueled their longing for lasting peace.
In Isaiah’s prophecy of the coming Messiah we read, “His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). By His death on the cross, Jesus removed the “no man’s land” between us and God. “For He Himself is our peace”
Eph. 2:14.
In Jesus we can find lasting peace with God and harmony with each other. This is the life-changing message of Christmas!
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Only in Christ can true peace be realized
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What Really Matters
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Posted:Dec 23, 2014 2:47 am
Last Updated:Dec 24, 2014 5:32 am 16986 Views
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Read: 2 Corinthians 9:10-15
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! —2 Corinthians 9.15
Bible in a Year:
Nahum 1-3; Revelation 14
When our were living at home, one of our most meaningful Christmas morning traditions was very simple. We would gather our family around the Christmas tree where, in sight of the gifts we were receiving from one another, we would read the Christmas story together. It was a gentle reminder that the reason we give gifts is not because the Magi brought gifts to the Christ-. Rather, our gifts of love for one another were a reflection of God’s infinitely greater Gift of love to us.
As we rehearsed the familiar story of angels, shepherds, and the manger scene, it was our hope that the magnitude of what God had done that first Christmas would overshadow our best attempts at displaying our love for each other.
Nothing could ever match the gift God has given us in His , a reality which echoes in Paul’s words to the church at Corinth, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Cor. 9.15.
Clearly, God’s willingness to send His to be our rescue is a gift that words cannot fully comprehend. This is the gift that we celebrate at Christmas—for Christ Himself is truly what matters most.
’Twas a humble birthplace, but O how much
God gave to us that day;
From the manger bed what a path has led,
What a perfect, holy way!
Jesus Himself is the greatest Christmas gift ever given.
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Remember The Wrapping
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Posted:Dec 22, 2014 2:35 am
Last Updated:Dec 23, 2014 2:47 am 16835 Views
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Read: Philippians 2:5-11
[Jesus] made Himself of no reputation . . . coming in the likeness of men. Philippians 2.7
Bible in a Year:
Micah 6-7; Revelation 13
At our house some Christmas events are the same each year. Among them is my wife Martie´s appeal to the and grandkids as they attack their gifts: Save the paper, we can use it next year! Martie loves to give nice gifts, but she also appreciates the wrapping. Presentation is part of the beauty of the gift.
It makes me think of the wrapping Christ chose when He came as a redemptive gift to rescue us from our sinful selves. Jesus could have wrapped Himself in a mind-boggling show of power, lighting up the sky with His presence in a celestial show of glory. Instead, in a beautiful reversal of Genesis 1.26, He chose to wrap Himself in the likeness of men Phil. 2.7.
So why is this wrapping so important? Because, being like us, He is no stranger to our struggles. He experienced deep loneliness and the betrayal of a dear friend. He was publicly shamed, misunderstood, and falsely accused. In short, He feels our pain. As a result, the writer of Hebrews tells us that we can come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Heb. 4:16.
When you think of the gift of Jesus this Christmas, remember to keep the wrapping in mind!
Lord, thank You for wrapping Yourself in our
likeness! Remind us that You understand our
struggles and that we can confidently take advantage
of the mercy and grace You offer to make us victorious.
Don´t disregard the wrapping of the best Christmas gift of all.
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