Life is filled with “Whys”. Why do children suffer? Why do terrible things happen to decent people? Why do the wicked prosper? The “Why’s” could go on forever.
I’m not sure that we can adequately address the “Why” questions in this life, but there’s some help for us in the trials of Job. He lost his family, fortune, fitness, and friends, but during his pity party, he never lost faith.
Job 19:25-26 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Job learned that it wasn’t because of the sins as accused by his so-called friends. It happened for the glory of God. In the end, God restored everything to him, including ten more children.
“Whys” are designed to mature us and help us become more like Jesus. God’s purpose in trials is not to destroy us, but to perfect us.
Regardless of how dismal and dark the valley, trust God, and He’ll allow you to taste the sweetness of victory.
Psalm 46:1-2 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Friday, July 31, 2015
Spiritual Contentment
If we are going to obtain true spiritual contentment, we must learn to heed the voice of God as He draws us to Him. We must learn to deal honestly with our sins, our transgressions and our iniquities before Him in humble confession and repentance.
Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
David was a great singer. He was a great king and a great saint. But he was also a great sinner, committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband, Uriah, put to death in battle (2 Sam. 11). He has something to teach us about sin and how to deal with it properly.
True spiritual contentment is defined as a heart that is clean, forgiven and honest before the Lord. David had experienced the depths of sin and the heights of the grace of God. He’s telling us that spiritual contentment is found in spiritual cleansing.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
David was a great singer. He was a great king and a great saint. But he was also a great sinner, committing adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband, Uriah, put to death in battle (2 Sam. 11). He has something to teach us about sin and how to deal with it properly.
True spiritual contentment is defined as a heart that is clean, forgiven and honest before the Lord. David had experienced the depths of sin and the heights of the grace of God. He’s telling us that spiritual contentment is found in spiritual cleansing.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:] And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
The Message Of The Cross
We are living in a world where the bloody message of the cross is being replaced by a bloodless message that lacks power and hope. Instead of hearing the devastating but life changing news that men are sinners, people hear a message that tells them, "I'm OK and you’re OK”.
The Bible is clear when it tells us that the way to be saved is for the sinner to accept by faith what the Bible teaches about Jesus and His atoning death on the cross.
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The cross is God's statement of love to the world. The blood of Jesus has the power to change every life touched by it! There really is wonder working power in the blood of Jesus.
Has the blood been applied to your life? Are you saved?
The Bible is clear when it tells us that the way to be saved is for the sinner to accept by faith what the Bible teaches about Jesus and His atoning death on the cross.
Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The cross is God's statement of love to the world. The blood of Jesus has the power to change every life touched by it! There really is wonder working power in the blood of Jesus.
Has the blood been applied to your life? Are you saved?
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
We Need To Follow God
When it came time for Israel to cross the Jordan River to the promise land they were challenged to go after the Ark of the Covenant--that special place that symbolizes the presence and power of God.
As believers today, we need to learn to go after God---the Ark of our Salvation. We need to follow Him with holy reverence and allow His Spirit to lead us through His Word. We need to pray often, examine our lives, and put away sin.
Do we fully trust the promises of God? Do we understand that He’s greater than any problem we’ll ever face. Unbelief won’t get us past our obstacles.
Almighty God pushed back the waters of the Jordan for His people, and they crossed over on dry ground like they crossed the Red Sea. Wow! God promised them Canaan and they’re about to take it.
Romans 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
God has a plan for us. It requires faith. It will show us what the Lord can do in our lives.
As believers today, we need to learn to go after God---the Ark of our Salvation. We need to follow Him with holy reverence and allow His Spirit to lead us through His Word. We need to pray often, examine our lives, and put away sin.
Do we fully trust the promises of God? Do we understand that He’s greater than any problem we’ll ever face. Unbelief won’t get us past our obstacles.
Almighty God pushed back the waters of the Jordan for His people, and they crossed over on dry ground like they crossed the Red Sea. Wow! God promised them Canaan and they’re about to take it.
Romans 4:21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
God has a plan for us. It requires faith. It will show us what the Lord can do in our lives.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
The High Calling
For many, Christianity is about being a church member, avoiding the “big sins”, being a good neighbor, friend, and parent. They don’t pray or read the Bible as they should and they attend church when it’s convenient.
Being a genuine Christian is about a higher calling. The Apostle Paul was the kind of Christian God wants us to be. He wrote the Philipi Church about it.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The “high calling in Christ Jesus” involves a consecrated life. On this path every mile reveals more of God’s glory. Every valley proves His sweetness, and every burden His grace.
As we experience His grace, His presence, His power, His glory, and His blessings, we develop a desire to know Jesus better, to study His Word, and to put Him first in our lives.
The consecrated life is dead to the world but alive to God, His word and His will. All it wants is what God wants.
Being a genuine Christian is about a higher calling. The Apostle Paul was the kind of Christian God wants us to be. He wrote the Philipi Church about it.
Philippians 3:13-14 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
The “high calling in Christ Jesus” involves a consecrated life. On this path every mile reveals more of God’s glory. Every valley proves His sweetness, and every burden His grace.
As we experience His grace, His presence, His power, His glory, and His blessings, we develop a desire to know Jesus better, to study His Word, and to put Him first in our lives.
The consecrated life is dead to the world but alive to God, His word and His will. All it wants is what God wants.
Monday, July 27, 2015
The Mishap
How often do you go to your family reunion and return with a “shiner”, bruised knee, and busted lip? The Watson Family wasn’t always brutal. Only kidding. Arms full, I stumped my toe and hit asphalt, face first.
This reminds me of the lives of believers. God blesses us with family, friends, health, and supplies our needs. It’s smooth sailing. Then the world is pulled from under our feet. It might be a medical diagnosis, divorce, death, depression, fear or a hundred other things. We feel like we’re living in a tunnel and can’t find the exit.
Jesus is always with believers and their trials. You never walk alone. He will help you. He will bring you through the tunnel. Trust Him.
Hebrews 13:5-6 . . . . I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Praise God, The Lord was with me and my clumsy mishap. It could’ve been worse---busted head, concussion. Actually, it didn’t hurt that much even if I did bleed. I may not look good, but God is still good.
This reminds me of the lives of believers. God blesses us with family, friends, health, and supplies our needs. It’s smooth sailing. Then the world is pulled from under our feet. It might be a medical diagnosis, divorce, death, depression, fear or a hundred other things. We feel like we’re living in a tunnel and can’t find the exit.
Jesus is always with believers and their trials. You never walk alone. He will help you. He will bring you through the tunnel. Trust Him.
Hebrews 13:5-6 . . . . I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
Praise God, The Lord was with me and my clumsy mishap. It could’ve been worse---busted head, concussion. Actually, it didn’t hurt that much even if I did bleed. I may not look good, but God is still good.
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