Monday 9/4: Philippians 2
Philippians 2:12&13..."work out your own salvation (not work FOR your salvation but work OF your salvation and actively pursue spiritual maturity) with fear and trembling (careful, critical self-examination), for it is God (NOT YOU) who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure!"
See you tomorrow at Philippians 3.
See you tomorrow at Philippians 3.
Tuesday 9/5: Philippians 3.
Philippians 3:10-"that I may know Him (Jesus) (intimately and more completely) and the power of His resurrection (which fills and overflows, and is available and active in believers), and (that I may share in) the fellowship of His sufferings (as I suffer the world for His sake), being (continually) conformed (to His likeness) and even to His death."
See you tomorrow at Philippians 4
See you tomorrow at Philippians 4
Wednesday 9/6: Philippians 4
Duh, Philippians 4, not Ephesians 4🤭.
God gives us the only successful "prescription," in verse 6, for what ails us, while revealing the "medicine" in verse 7! There seems to be an epidemic of anxiety and worry and fear in our modern society, even among God's people...the only "fix" is to possess "the peace of God which passes all understanding"(through and by the Work of Jesus in our lives) because God's peace "guards our hearts and minds," thus removing the doubts and distrust which are the foundation of our anxieties and worries! Now the only way to "get" this "medicine" and enjoy it's healing is to TRUST God...friends, what a FRIEND we have in Jesus!
🎶"Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior still our Refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer!"
God's got THIS!...relax and rest in His loving embrace!
See you tomorrow at Colossians 1.
God gives us the only successful "prescription," in verse 6, for what ails us, while revealing the "medicine" in verse 7! There seems to be an epidemic of anxiety and worry and fear in our modern society, even among God's people...the only "fix" is to possess "the peace of God which passes all understanding"(through and by the Work of Jesus in our lives) because God's peace "guards our hearts and minds," thus removing the doubts and distrust which are the foundation of our anxieties and worries! Now the only way to "get" this "medicine" and enjoy it's healing is to TRUST God...friends, what a FRIEND we have in Jesus!
🎶"Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care? Precious Savior still our Refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer!"
God's got THIS!...relax and rest in His loving embrace!
See you tomorrow at Colossians 1.
Thursday 9/7: Colossians 1
Colossians is Paul's celebratory description of just who Jesus is in this letter to a local church that had begun to believe that just Jesus just wasn't enough! Instead of arguing against THEIR position, Paul just lays out The Person and Position of Jesus, the Christ....100% GOD while still 100% man! The people of the church at Colossae (and perhaps you and I) needed to be assured and convinced that Jesus IS enough! Christ alone... there's only one Jesus and He alone is ALL in ALL! Colossians 1:15-18 gives this TRUTH in a "nutshell"... "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence."
See you tomorrow to wrap up the week with Colossians 2.
See you tomorrow to wrap up the week with Colossians 2.
Friday 9/8: Colossians 2
Colossians 2 proves, again, the falseness of living in natural, fleshly, and worldly wisdom... Christ is ALL sufficient and in Him and through Him and by Him we have ALL we need and should then live our lives "ALL in" for God in the presence and power of the indwelling Spirit who is "ALL in" in ALL believers! There! Is that ALL clear?! We tend to reverse God's process by "working" for our salvation and then living as if we've already attained spiritual maturity and ignore the "works" He has given us to "work"...whereas God's program is salvation first, as free gift of God and totally apart from human effort, and then "growing" towards spiritual maturity by "working" the "works" He gives us to "work!" Our "works" are not to gain salvation, but out of appreciation and obedience because we have been given ALL the salvation, possible and required, freely! "As you therefore have (freely) received Christ Jesus the Lord (as a gift), so (now, DO something to "prove" it and) walk in Him, (naturally resulting in this spiritual condition) rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it (the working of faith and the faith of "working") with thanksgiving."
See you Monday at Colossians 3. Go to church this Sunday and focus on God's worship and God's Word!
See you Monday at Colossians 3. Go to church this Sunday and focus on God's worship and God's Word!
Monday 9/11: Colossians 3
Good Monday morning folks! Colossians 3:15-17 "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." To enjoy the peace OF God, one must first establish peace WITH God through God's process of regeneration for those who trust Christ Jesus as Savior. In order for the "word of Christ to dwell richly (in us) in all wisdom," we must first and foremost devote ourselves to the reading, studying, and living of the Word of God! And if we actually fulfill verses 17 in part or fully, verses 15&16 WILL be evident and true in our lives as we "seek
those things which are above."
See you tomorrow at Colossians 4.
those things which are above."
See you tomorrow at Colossians 4.
Tuesday 9/12: Colossians 4
How many of us "hold fast to prayer" and refuse to "let go" of it? That's the direction Colossians 4:2 takes us... persistent prayer and, along the way, being alert and focused, both in staying awake (literally) and praying specifically...and overall, we are to pray TO God as we live FOR and IN God...with a spirit and attitude of thankfulness. "Lord God help us to be true, help us be timely, help us be tenacious in our prayers and our prayer life...help us to come seeking, help us to ask believing, help us to listen learning, and help us to go doing...in your power and purpose and pleasure, and in the Name of Jesus! Amen and AMEN!"
See you tomorrow at 1 Thessalonians 1.
See you tomorrow at 1 Thessalonians 1.
Wednesday 9/13: 1 Thessalonians 1
1 Thessalonians 1.
All true Christ followers KNOW He is coming back (John 14:3; Acts 1:8), we just don't KNOW exactly "how" nor precisely "when!" Lots of ink has been used, maybe even some blood spilt, many local churches split and new ones formed, and much debate on this point. While we differ from the NT churches in that we have God's Word, the Bible, to answer our questions and solve our problems, unlike the folks of 2,000 years ago personally receiving Paul's letters, there's still the "how" and "when" issues as they are not clearly and decisively "spelled out " for us in scripture. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul "clears up" much of the confusion and points them (and us) towards the ultimate goal of living FOR and IN Christ in assurance of our TOTAL salvation, and in such a way that we not be ashamed of our lives WHEN He comes back! "For they themselves declare concerning what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."
See you tomorrow at 1 Thessalonians 2
All true Christ followers KNOW He is coming back (John 14:3; Acts 1:8), we just don't KNOW exactly "how" nor precisely "when!" Lots of ink has been used, maybe even some blood spilt, many local churches split and new ones formed, and much debate on this point. While we differ from the NT churches in that we have God's Word, the Bible, to answer our questions and solve our problems, unlike the folks of 2,000 years ago personally receiving Paul's letters, there's still the "how" and "when" issues as they are not clearly and decisively "spelled out " for us in scripture. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul "clears up" much of the confusion and points them (and us) towards the ultimate goal of living FOR and IN Christ in assurance of our TOTAL salvation, and in such a way that we not be ashamed of our lives WHEN He comes back! "For they themselves declare concerning what manner of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come."
See you tomorrow at 1 Thessalonians 2
Thursday 9/14: 1 Thessalonians 2
1 Thessalonians 2:13 is the great "divider" of men, women, boys, and girls...the difference between being "saved" or "lost," between "walking in the Spirit" or walking according to the flesh, living FOR and IN the Kingdom of God or living for and in the "kingdom of this world," ultimately between following God or following satan....what we DO with the Word of God is paramount! Paul was thankful for the response of "First Baptist"😊 Church of Thessolonica. "For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the Word of God which you heard from us (Paul & company), you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe." The proof of their changes lives was their response to God's Word...it still is for us today!
See you tomorrow for 1 Thessalonians 3.
See you tomorrow for 1 Thessalonians 3.
Friday 9/15: 1 Thessalonians 3
Finally... fantastic Friday and 1 Thessalonians 3! Each "chapter" of this very personal letter of encouragement to a local church under persecution ends with a reference to Jesus'return, our HOPE in tough times...Jesus IS coming back to take us Home and "set things straight!" In light of THIS, our goal should be to live victoriously in His power and according to His Word in this broken upsidedown world in which we live while keeping our eyes on the endgame...His return! "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."
See you Monday at 1 Thessalonians 4.
See you Monday at 1 Thessalonians 4.
Monday 9/18: 1 Thessalonians 4
"Finally then, brethren (and sisteren 😇), we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification.." so begins the fourth "chapter" of Paul's personal letter of encouragement to the local church at Thessolonica. "Sanctification" is the process through which one is determined (to be) or made holy, and is active in our lives in three types or tenses: we HAVE BEEN sanctified (designated "holy" by God Himself at redemption from sin and adoption into His family), we ARE BEING sanctified (as we grow in grace and Truth through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives), and we WILL BE sanctified (or made holy finally and completely and perfectly when Jesus comes to "wrap things up!") The first came in the PAST and is our POSITION before God, the second is the PRESENT and ongoing PROCESS of "more Jesus and less me," and the third is coming in the FUTURE when we are finally PERFECTED at Christ's return as we see described in one of the most encouraging and enlightening passages in all the Bible.. "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words"
(4:13-18).
See you tomorrow at 1 Thessalonians 5.
(4:13-18).
See you tomorrow at 1 Thessalonians 5.
Tuesday 9/19: 1 Thessalonians 5
After giving a very sobering picture of the world's wicked boundless perversion of God's gift of human sexuality (4:3-8), and comfort and encouragement in the "Blessed Hope" (4:13-18) which removes us from this crazy world before "The Day of the Lord" brings our Holy God's righteous judgement on sinful humanity (5:1-3), Paul reminds us of our calling to be the bold, witnessing people of God (in joy and thanksgiving) leading people to Him before "time runs out" and "the window of opportunity passes (5:4-22)...and ...to...PRAY!
See you tomorrow at 2 Thessalonians 1.
See you tomorrow at 2 Thessalonians 1.
Wednesday 9/20: 2 Thessalonians 1
2 Thessalonians 1 starts with a very positive example of positive reinforcement as Paul praises the church for their lived-out faith, and love among themselves and others, BEFORE sharing deficiencies and necessary "adjustments"....a good lesson I would do well to learn (probably all of y'all would too😇)! A huge portion of 2thess is focused on the Second Coming of Jesus, and chapter one proves that claim by reminding the people of the challenge to live RIGHT in the light of His Return!
See you at chapter 2 tomorrow.
See you at chapter 2 tomorrow.
Thursday 9/21: 2 Thessalonians 2
2 Thessalonians 2..."But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions (foundational doctrines) which you were taught, whether by word or by our epistle."
The Holy Spirit, through Paul, makes it abundantly clear that all who are "saved" are GOD-CHOSEN to salvation (v13) and saved for the glory of God, AND He makes it abundantly clear that we, His chosen vessels, have responsibilities in the process as the "chosen" saved ones are saved through "belief in the truth" (v13) AND having been called by The Spirit of God through the sharing of the Gospel (v14), (speaking and hearing)...and in anticipation of my not being capable of reconciling these two seemingly contradictory truths (election and free will), we're told to simply "stand fast (bold, stable) and hold (tightly, tenaciously) to the foundational doctrines (traditions) of God...I don't HAVE to understand, just BELIEVE!
See you tomorrow at 2 Thessalonians 3.
The Holy Spirit, through Paul, makes it abundantly clear that all who are "saved" are GOD-CHOSEN to salvation (v13) and saved for the glory of God, AND He makes it abundantly clear that we, His chosen vessels, have responsibilities in the process as the "chosen" saved ones are saved through "belief in the truth" (v13) AND having been called by The Spirit of God through the sharing of the Gospel (v14), (speaking and hearing)...and in anticipation of my not being capable of reconciling these two seemingly contradictory truths (election and free will), we're told to simply "stand fast (bold, stable) and hold (tightly, tenaciously) to the foundational doctrines (traditions) of God...I don't HAVE to understand, just BELIEVE!
See you tomorrow at 2 Thessalonians 3.
Friday 9/22: 2 Thessalonians 3
2 Thessalonians 3:10 is a very interesting thought in light of our current "welfare state" and our ill-placed and mis defined sense of "compassion" on the "needy"....while we ARE admonished and required to help those who cannot provide for necessities, here, the Bible is very clear that we are not to be enablers, or to put it a more coarse way, we shouldn't "throw bad money after good"...if one is physically capable of working to provide for themselves, then the church (or the government , or individuals) should NOT provide for them! Very clear in principle but can get a little "foggy" in practice, and that's why god makes provisions for children, widows, and those unable to physically provide for themselves....
Things that make you go "hmm"..
See you Monday at 1 Timothy 1
Things that make you go "hmm"..
See you Monday at 1 Timothy 1
Monday 9/25: 1 Timothy 1
The ultimate source of the problems Paul addressed in his personal letters to local church bodies was unsound doctrine...in other words they stopped "sticking to" the Word of God...they drifted from their anchor, and his 1st letter to Timothy is no exception. Here, Paul is encouraging a young pastor to "stand" firm in God's Words (as taught him by Paul since the canon of Scripture had not yet been gathered) and "fight" the false teachers of false teachings that had and were infiltrating God's churches! When we look around at the likes of Andy Stanley, Rick Warren, and a host of others, we see the same false teachers of false teachings in our day, along with many churches and even entire denominations rejecting the clear teachings of the Bible, and flagrantly promoting ungodliness within their people... "Lord God give us the boldness to stand true to YOU and "stick to" Your Word in this wicked generation!"
See you tomorrow with 1 Timothy 2.
See you tomorrow with 1 Timothy 2.
Tuesday 9/26: 1 Timothy 2
As this was originally a personal letter from Paul to Timothy, and remembering there were no chapter or verse divisions, 1 Timothy 1 flows smoothly and logically into 1 Timothy 2. Paul goes from exposing false teachings and fighting false teachings to praying for the salvation and reclamation of the false teachers along with "all men" (obviously the generic term for humanity both "men" and "women"), "exhorting" Christ followers of every era to make use of our ultimate power source..."Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
See you tomorrow at 1 Timothy 3.
See you tomorrow at 1 Timothy 3.
Wednesday 9/27: 1 Timothy 3
1 Timothy 3 gives God's qualifications for the pastor (bishop) and deacons of the local church...one focuses on meeting the people's spiritual needs, while the other their physical needs. He then tells us all "how to conduct (ourselves) in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed in in the world,
Received up in glory."
See you tomorrow at 1 Timothy 4.
God was manifested in the flesh,
Justified in the Spirit,
Seen by angels,
Preached among the Gentiles,
Believed in in the world,
Received up in glory."
See you tomorrow at 1 Timothy 4.
Thursday 9/28: 1 Timothy 4
Following the qualifications for the leaders of the church and the statement of sound doctrine in 3, 1 Timothy 4 tells of a great spiritual "falling away" to come and then encouraged Timothy to live as he should and challenged him to preach as he must!
See you tomorrow with the wrap up of week 39 with 1 Timothy 5.
See you tomorrow with the wrap up of week 39 with 1 Timothy 5.
Friday 9/29: 1 Timothy 5
In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul tells Timothy to "no longer drink only water (inferring that he routinely abstained from alcohol), but use A LITTLE wine FOR your STOMACH'S SAKE and your frequent INFIRMITIES." Their "wine" wasn't our "wine," their water wasn't clean, Paul was encouraging the use of a "medicine" to treat a health condition....addto that, that in order for fermented juice to reach today's common level of alcohol content a fermenting additive/activity must be introduced (purposely increasing the alcohol content), and we can readily see, if honest, that not only is the Bible NOT encouraging regular alcohol use as a common beverage, but actually placing it in the arena of a medicine of sorts. When purposely increasing the alcoholic content, the Bible specifies the resulting drink as "strong drink," and only speaks of it in a negative light except for its use as a sedative or narcotic for someone with critical health conditions who is dying. "'Why are you picking on drinking alcohol?' you might ask." I would respond, "what possible good can come from drinking a beverage that alters one's mood, attitude, reasoning skills, even chemical balance?" Any answer you could give has to do with feelings, likes, and dislikes...nothing GOOD, really and actually GOOD, ever comes from alcohol use. In fact, more lives are disrupted and even destroyed from drinking alcohol than anything else. You say, "I can stop anytime I want!" I doubt it (the desire rarely goes away), but even if YOU can, what about your children and others who maybe can NOT "just quit"...and you "own" part of the responsibility by helping lead them down this path. Is the destroyed life of your child or someone else's worth your fulfilling the self-centered desire of your flesh? Do yourself a favor...stop spending energy trying to convince yourself that "God is ok" with drinking and drunken Christ-followers (sounds just like Jesus, huh?), and give total sobriety and abstinence a try...everyone will thank you except the alcohol producers and your friends who are already "trapped" as well. Let something, rather SOMEONE else fill and control you..let another Spirit "run your life" instead of "ruining it!"
"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (wasteful expenditure, idle diversion); but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God." (Eph 5:15-21)
See you Monday at 1 Timothy 6.
"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, in which is dissipation (wasteful expenditure, idle diversion); but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God." (Eph 5:15-21)
See you Monday at 1 Timothy 6.
Monday 10/2: 1 Timothy 6
1 Timothy 6:11&12.
Good Monday morning Godly ladies and gentlemen! "But you, O man (and woman) of God, flee these things (see previous verses) and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith..."
It's time for godly manly men and godly womanly women to stand!...will you stand with me for God and Right?! If we're going to claim ourselves to be "Christ followers" then we ought to actually and really and completely FOLLOW Christ!
2 Timothy 1 tomorrow.
Good Monday morning Godly ladies and gentlemen! "But you, O man (and woman) of God, flee these things (see previous verses) and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith..."
It's time for godly manly men and godly womanly women to stand!...will you stand with me for God and Right?! If we're going to claim ourselves to be "Christ followers" then we ought to actually and really and completely FOLLOW Christ!
2 Timothy 1 tomorrow.
Tuesday 10/3: 2 Timothy 1
Paul's second letter to spiritual son and local church pastor Timothy was apparently his last correspondence before being executed for his faith in Christ. Notice the topic of his conversation wasn't complaining about his imprisonment or coming death, but about the grace and mercy of God in his own life and concern for the ongoing work of God in the local churches and individual lives!... Paul's surrender and commitment to Christ "trumped" everything else in his life!
See you tomorrow at 2 Timothy 2.
See you tomorrow at 2 Timothy 2.
Wednesday 10/4: 2 Timothy 2
2 Timothy 2:2 spells out the works of God working in the workers He has called to work on the workers He has chosen to become workers working on those He has called to become workers...the formula for making disciples and doing the Kingdom work...learn from others about Jesus and teach others about Jesus! REPEAT!
See you tomorrow at 2 Timothy 3.
See you tomorrow at 2 Timothy 3.
Thursday 10/5: 2 Timothy 3
Does 2 Timothy 3 describes our current society's spiritual condition or what?! And speaking of "perilous times" and those who are "lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God," we have an urgent crisis in our communities...Anderson County for sure and surrounding counties as well, as people aptly described in verses 1-5 are busy destroying normal childhoods and smashing a rational moral compass by promoting their godless "alphabet agenda" and the accompanying perversions! Books in our tax-payer funded public libraries (saw some in Norris Public Library yesterday, myself), geared towards kids, describing in print and detailed cartoon pictures with captions, sexual actions and activities that I will not mention by name or description, and many of our elected "representatives" are themselves pushing this wickedness upon our community and our children! It's time for us to be the "salt" and
the "light" God chose, created, and called us to be...time for Godly Manly Men and Godly Womanly Women to stand, turn on The Light and share The Truth...in love!
2 Timothy 4 tomorrow
the "light" God chose, created, and called us to be...time for Godly Manly Men and Godly Womanly Women to stand, turn on The Light and share The Truth...in love!
2 Timothy 4 tomorrow
Friday 10/6: 2 Timothy 4
Flowing out of yesterday's call to stand for God and Right, 2 Timothy 4 charges us to "Preach the Word!" We are to be "cocked and ready" to share God's Word at ALL times and in EVERY situation... to be on a "hair trigger" to convince, rebuke, and/or exhort as the circumstances merit, and done so "with all long-suffering (long and patient endurance of offense) and (with the goal of) teaching (the blind The Truth)." It's our job as God's representatives to do our best to LEAD people to Him through faith in His Son Jesus ..we can't "make them drink," but we are responsible to get them to the "water" if at all possible!
See you Monday at Titus 1.
See you Monday at Titus 1.
Monday 10/9: Titus 1
Good Monday morning my Christ following friends! After reminding Titus of the qualifications for local church leaders, in the first part of chapter 1 of the letter bearing his name, spiritual mentor Paul describes the monumental work facing Titus and others "holding fast the faithful word as (they have) been taught, that (they) may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." When surrounded by people (in and out of the church) who "are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons" it is very difficult to remember to "hate" their sin (and respond biblically and lovingly), yet LOVE the person created in the image of God. Christ followers, then as now, had their "work cut out for them!"... that's why we MUST live in the power and position of "grace, mercy, and peace from our God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior."
See you tomorrow at Titus 2.
See you tomorrow at Titus 2.
Tuesday 10/10: Titus 2
Titus 2:6&7. Even when "away from God" and "living in the world" as a young man, I rarely drank MUCH alcohol at one time...I always figured, first of all, that if I had my faculties about me I could better handle most any situation that may arise, AND, I make a big enough fool of myself "on my own" and didn't need any "help" from alcohol, but also had in mind what others might think...both those who might be offended, and others that might be led astray, and of course, my heavenly Father! Sounds like we get our commonly accepted meaning for NOT being "under the influence" of alcohol, "sober," from these and other Bible verses like them: "Likewise, exhort the young men (applies to everyone) to be sober-minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an
opponent maybe ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you." Let's you and me stop "straddling the fence" in all and every area of life, pick our side and STAND completely and unquestionably for our Lord!
See you tomorrow at Titus 3.
opponent maybe ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you." Let's you and me stop "straddling the fence" in all and every area of life, pick our side and STAND completely and unquestionably for our Lord!
See you tomorrow at Titus 3.
Wednesday 10/11: Titus 3
Titus 3:14 "And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful." It's time again for Christ followers to "step up" in appreciation and celebration of God's Grace in our lives as our Lord's birthplace and her people have been viciously attacked. Urgent needs in Israel need to be met...prayer, first of all, for the suffering (much worse than the media reports), the losses (entire families including children) and God's hand of mercy on Israel, and of justice on their despicable enemies...financial aid through reputable organizations like "Friends of Israel," and more locally, through our CBA and NFBC (I have an email i can forward with specific needs and instructions on how to get them delivered to Israel)...and for those with certain skills, physical mission work is requested. The world is as humanly blessed as it is directly because of the "good works" of Christ followers over the last 2,000 years! Our salvation came directly from the God-man, our
Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, Who Himself was born in Israel, Son of David, Son of Abraham of whom "the whole world will be blessed!" Time to get to blessing!
See you tomorrow at Philemon.
Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, Who Himself was born in Israel, Son of David, Son of Abraham of whom "the whole world will be blessed!" Time to get to blessing!
See you tomorrow at Philemon.
Thursday 10/12: Philemon
Verses 8&9 of Philemon offer an interesting and effective method of "sharing the Truth in love" as rather than presenting the correct "Christ followers behavior" and then "shoving it down Philemon's throat," Paul appealed to him to make the correct, God pleasing choice voluntarily, according to the Spirit of Love and Grace within him. "Sharing the Truth in love" is our "marching orders"....in the words of Adrian Rogers: "Loveless truth is brutal. Truth less love is hypocrisy. Love in truth is necessary." (I would add: and merciful, and loving, and graceful, and Christ like!)
See you tomorrow at Hebrews 1.
See you tomorrow at Hebrews 1.
Friday 10/13: Hebrews 1
Hebrews is ultimately ALL ABOUT JESUS! We may not know for sure who wrote Hebrews, but it's glaringly obvious that the writer of Hebrews KNEW Who was being written about! In chapter 1 the case is made that God's Son is MUCH better than God's Prophets, much better than God's Angels, in fact, God's Son IS God Himself!... Jesus "through whom also He (God the Father) made the worlds; who being the brightness of His (God's) glory and the express image of His (God's ) person, and upholding all things by the word of His (God's) power, when He (God the Son) had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty (God the Father) on high..."
Kind of tough to keep straight which "HE" is being referred to...oh, wait! He IS He...just as God said to Moses (Ex 3:14) "I AM WHO I AM!"...and Jesus said to the Pharisees (Jn 8:58), "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
See you Monday at Hebrews 2.
Kind of tough to keep straight which "HE" is being referred to...oh, wait! He IS He...just as God said to Moses (Ex 3:14) "I AM WHO I AM!"...and Jesus said to the Pharisees (Jn 8:58), "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM."
See you Monday at Hebrews 2.
Monday 10/16: Hebrews 2 : 1
"God's Word for me in 2023" with Pastor David - Hebrews 2:1 "Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard (the Gospel and Bible Truth), lest we drift away."
Here are some good convicting/convincing comments from DA Carson about "drifting away" (I don't know much about him, but like what he says here)...
"We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated."
Let's you and I give "more earnest heed" to not NOT drift away from God and his Word.
See you tomorrow at Hebrews 3.
Here are some good convicting/convincing comments from DA Carson about "drifting away" (I don't know much about him, but like what he says here)...
"We drift toward compromise and call it tolerance; we drift toward disobedience and call it freedom; we drift toward superstition and call it faith. We cherish the indiscipline of lost self-control and call it relaxation; we slouch toward prayerlessness and delude ourselves into thinking we have escaped legalism; we slide toward godlessness and convince ourselves we have been liberated."
Let's you and I give "more earnest heed" to not NOT drift away from God and his Word.
See you tomorrow at Hebrews 3.
Tuesday 10/17: Hebrews 3
To the Israelites there were few people, if any, more important than Moses...Hebrews 3 continues it's "superiority of Christ" teachings by showing that as builder of the house of Moses, and Son rather than servant of the builder, Christ is over (superior) to Moses! "Therefore" in verse 7 points us back to and through chapters 1-3 as Jesus is shown as not only the ultimate revelation of God but actually, literally God Himself, so we are called to FOLLOW Him...to be careful not to drift, and definitely not follow the example of the rebellious Israelites who turned away from God!
See you tomorrow at Hebrews 4.
See you tomorrow at Hebrews 4.
Wednesday 10/18 Hebrews 4
The beginning of Hebrews 4 concludes a categorical comparison begun in chapter 3...a compare and contrast between two categories of people: those who "grab hold" of God's Grace and Mercy by personal faith in God's Provision, and those who remain lost "in the wilderness" of their sin and sinfulness by rejecting God's Love.
"For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry 40 years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest..." Choose wisely, friend.
Hebrews 5 tomorrow.
"For who, having heard, rebelled? Indeed, was it not all who came out of Egypt, led by Moses? Now with whom was He angry 40 years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. For we who have believed do enter that rest..." Choose wisely, friend.
Hebrews 5 tomorrow.
Thursday 10/19: Hebrews 5
Hebrews 5 verses 12-14 are SO convicting...to me...to us... convicting AND convincing... exposing how little we know and understand of God's Word, how little effort and energy we invest in it, and the results of our lack and laxity.
"Oh God, I am sorry, SORRY for my my lackadaisical attitude, if not outright willing ignorance of Your Word...I pray for my people, Father, some of whom may be even more "babyish" than I...Lord, right now, THIS minute, engage us with Your Word...the "adult food," that we can be the disciples, disciplers, husbands, wives, parents, children, teachers and leaders you have called and created us to be! Father, cause us to hunger and thirst for Your righteousness, Your will, Your Word...in the name of Jesus, and for His sake we pray, AMEN!"
Wrap up week 42 with Hebrews 6 tomorrow, see you then.
"Oh God, I am sorry, SORRY for my my lackadaisical attitude, if not outright willing ignorance of Your Word...I pray for my people, Father, some of whom may be even more "babyish" than I...Lord, right now, THIS minute, engage us with Your Word...the "adult food," that we can be the disciples, disciplers, husbands, wives, parents, children, teachers and leaders you have called and created us to be! Father, cause us to hunger and thirst for Your righteousness, Your will, Your Word...in the name of Jesus, and for His sake we pray, AMEN!"
Wrap up week 42 with Hebrews 6 tomorrow, see you then.
Friday 10/20: Hebrews 6
It's time for many of God's people to "grow up" in the knowledge and "things" of God, yet so often we use our time and energy on topics and activities that "miss the mark"...much words and movement, but little results.
"...leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection..."
Are Bible truths like those listed in verses 1&2 important to our initial and abiding faith...to our establishment and growth in God's Word and Will and Work? Certainly! The problem comes when we don't grow beyond those "foundation" truths and move into a deeper, more intentional, more intimate relationship with God Himself through Christ and His Spirit, with God's Word, with our Christ-following brothers and sisters, and with the primary objectives for which God saved us: His Worship and His Word....going deeper into His Word in order to know Him more fully ourselves AND to make Him more obviously and more fully known to others! Lost (unsaved) men and women, boys and girls NEED to be introduced and brought into a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus.... it's their ONLY hope! Christ-followers need to be brought (led by example) into the deeper more intimate more intentional relationship with God in Christ Jesus! It is my calling, and yours, to DO ALL within our abilities, opportunities, and power to see that the lost come to salvation in Jesus, and the saved "grow up" to be "like" Jesus! Plenty of "work" not many laborers, and maybe not much time, so let's GO!
See you Monday at Hebrews 7.
"...leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection..."
Are Bible truths like those listed in verses 1&2 important to our initial and abiding faith...to our establishment and growth in God's Word and Will and Work? Certainly! The problem comes when we don't grow beyond those "foundation" truths and move into a deeper, more intentional, more intimate relationship with God Himself through Christ and His Spirit, with God's Word, with our Christ-following brothers and sisters, and with the primary objectives for which God saved us: His Worship and His Word....going deeper into His Word in order to know Him more fully ourselves AND to make Him more obviously and more fully known to others! Lost (unsaved) men and women, boys and girls NEED to be introduced and brought into a saving knowledge of Christ Jesus.... it's their ONLY hope! Christ-followers need to be brought (led by example) into the deeper more intimate more intentional relationship with God in Christ Jesus! It is my calling, and yours, to DO ALL within our abilities, opportunities, and power to see that the lost come to salvation in Jesus, and the saved "grow up" to be "like" Jesus! Plenty of "work" not many laborers, and maybe not much time, so let's GO!
See you Monday at Hebrews 7.
Monday 10/23: Hebrews 7
All this talk about Melchizedek is very hard to follow, and those of the "minute detail persuasion" likely LOVE the intricacies of this discussion... that's not me, lol, and I don't . The writer's ultimate point in "going on and on" about this mysterious High Priest seem to be so that after describing and "building Melchizedek up," he can then show him as an example of the Ultimate High Priest, Christ Jesus the Son of God, Who Himself is immeasurably greater than the almost immeasurable Melchizedek! "But He (Jesus), because He continues forever (eternal), has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."
At the moment of my "repent and cast myself at the feet of Jesus" initial salvation, Jesus, my Savior and Great High Priest was in Heaven's throne room interceding on my behalf..."I brought another one in, Father!"
When I fail or fall with all of Heaven and the world watching, Jesus intercedes, "this one is one of Mine... I'm working in him and on him and through him."
One day, when I myself stand in the very presence of the God of the Universe, My High Priest Jesus will be there to claim me and intercede for ME!
"Thank You Lord Jesus for taking me and making me one of Yours!"
See you tomorrow at Hebrews 8.
At the moment of my "repent and cast myself at the feet of Jesus" initial salvation, Jesus, my Savior and Great High Priest was in Heaven's throne room interceding on my behalf..."I brought another one in, Father!"
When I fail or fall with all of Heaven and the world watching, Jesus intercedes, "this one is one of Mine... I'm working in him and on him and through him."
One day, when I myself stand in the very presence of the God of the Universe, My High Priest Jesus will be there to claim me and intercede for ME!
"Thank You Lord Jesus for taking me and making me one of Yours!"
See you tomorrow at Hebrews 8.
Tuesday 10/24: Hebrews 8
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." Perhaps you recall these words of Jesus in Matthew 5...Hebrews 8 describes the fulfillment of this promised fulfillment! As we're told of the NEW Covenant of God with His creation, we move from knowing and failing in our attempt to physically "live out" the Law to having the Law "written" in our hearts...going from repeated sacrifices in attempt to remove the sin-guilt to the "once for all," complete and total sacrifice of the finished work of Christ...and in place of our totally insufficient human effort, we now are reconciled to God through faith in His Son! The Old Covenant (the Law) reveals to us our helplessness to save ourselves, the New Covenant, that of God's Grace and Jesus' provision, reveals to us our redemption and reconciliation to God.
See you at Hebrews 9 tomorrow.
See you at Hebrews 9 tomorrow.
Thursday 10/26: Hebrews 10
Among others teachings, Hebrews 10 calls us to "put up or shut up"...to "practice what we preach," as we're challenged to actually live out the New Life in Christ which we claim to have received...if folks around us cannot see difference between a "saved" man and a "lost" man, we gotta a major problem! Part of that "difference," a BIG part, is displayed in our personal "intimate investment" in a local assembly of Christ-followers...a Church Family! It's so much more than mere attendance or involvement, as we " hold fast the confession of our Hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more as you see the Day approaching."
Find a (church) family and get "intimate" with the people and "invested" in the maintenance of, and the work through, THAT particular local body of Christ...no waiting, no excuses...do it NOW because you can't possibly be all that God has created and called you to be running solo... we're designed to be "together".. with God AND one another!
See you at Hebrews 11 tomorrow.
Find a (church) family and get "intimate" with the people and "invested" in the maintenance of, and the work through, THAT particular local body of Christ...no waiting, no excuses...do it NOW because you can't possibly be all that God has created and called you to be running solo... we're designed to be "together".. with God AND one another!
See you at Hebrews 11 tomorrow.
Friday 10/27: Hebrews 11
Hebrews 11 is often named the "Triumphs of Faith," "Faith's Hall of Fame," "Heroes of Faith," etc...but what is this "faith" spoken of?
Noah Webster's 1828 "American Dictionary of the English Language" has a great descriptive definition:
"1. Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority and veracity, without other evidence;"
But it gets even better with an amazingly biblical definition: "4. Evangelical, or justifying, or saving faith, is the ascent of the mind to the truth of divine revelation, on the authority of God's testimony, accompanied with a cordial Ascent of the will or approbation of the heart; and entire confidence or trust in God's character and declarations, and in the character and doctrines of Christ, with an unreserved surrender of the wheel to his guidance, independence on his merits for salvation. In other words, that firm belief of God's testimony, and of the truth of the gospel, which influences the will, and leads to an entire reliance on Christ for salvation."
See you Monday for Hebrews 12.
Noah Webster's 1828 "American Dictionary of the English Language" has a great descriptive definition:
"1. Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting on his authority and veracity, without other evidence;"
But it gets even better with an amazingly biblical definition: "4. Evangelical, or justifying, or saving faith, is the ascent of the mind to the truth of divine revelation, on the authority of God's testimony, accompanied with a cordial Ascent of the will or approbation of the heart; and entire confidence or trust in God's character and declarations, and in the character and doctrines of Christ, with an unreserved surrender of the wheel to his guidance, independence on his merits for salvation. In other words, that firm belief of God's testimony, and of the truth of the gospel, which influences the will, and leads to an entire reliance on Christ for salvation."
See you Monday for Hebrews 12.
Monday 10/30: Hebrews 12
Good Monday morning! Hebrews 12 begins with "therefore..." The "therefore" is there for to encourage and challenge us that since we have so great a "cloud of witnesses (to and of The Faith) who have "blazed the trail" and made the way plain, we are to remove every barrier, set our eyes on Jesus, and live out The Faith to it's fullest with our fullest! It can be challenging...but it IS God's call for our lives, and our joy to do His will!
See you tomorrow at Hebrews 13.
See you tomorrow at Hebrews 13.
Tuesday 10/31: Hebrews 13
As we wrap up Hebrews, it's good to remember that this letter is all about Jesus' superiority in everything and God's sovereignty over everything! Hebrews 13 gives some practical applications to live out these two overriding Truths in our lives. Verse five really grabs my attention as we live in such a materialistic world and are a people consumed with "stuff and things"...bigger houses, better cars, nicer clothes, more money...you know what I mean. There's nothing inherently wrong in liking or wanting or owning "stuff and things," even really nice "stuff and things"...the problem comes when "stuff and things" become our passion, our focus, our "end game!" Having the God of the Universe say to me, "I will never leave you nor forsake you," ought to put my desires and "druthers" concerning "stuff and things" in proper prospective...after hearing our Lord assure us of His eternal Presence and His unbreakable Promise, how could we obsess over temporary and fragile "stuff and things?!"
See you tomorrow at Jesus' half brother James' very practical and to the point letter...at chapter 1.
See you tomorrow at Jesus' half brother James' very practical and to the point letter...at chapter 1.