Priestly garments Christianresources.co | Tuesday, May 31, 2016 By Restoration Publications
When we are baptised into the death of Christ, we are also made adequate to serve as priests in the temple of His corporate body. The most fundamental requirement of service and participation in the house of God is to be clothed appropriately. Regarding priestly garments, Yahweh said to Moses, ‘They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they enter the tent of meeting, or when they approach the altar to minister in the holy place, so that they do not incur guilt and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and to his descendants after him.’ Although we are not sons and daughters of Aaron, we have been called to be a kingdom of priests. This is according to the order of Melchizedek. Like Aaron and his sons, we also must be clothed appropriately for participation in the priestly activities of Christ’s house.
Priestly garments symbolise a person’s mandate, or authority, for serving God. On this point, Isaiah eloquently stated the dilemma for every believer. ‘For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.’ Our own righteous deeds are motivated by the other law within us. And while our aspirations for serving God may be admirable, they do not achieve the righteousness of God. They are filthy garments that need to be removed and replaced.
Through baptism, we are able to put off the pursuit of our own righteousness, and put on the garment of Christ’s priesthood. This is what Paul meant when he wrote, ‘For all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ’. Being clothed with Christ has two implications for us. Firstly, we are able to priest, or present, ourselves as a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable to God. Secondly, we are brought into His corporate priesthood as a member of His body.
Further Study: Isaiah 61 | Daily Proverb: Proverbs 31
References:
Exo 28:43
"They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they enter the tent of meeting, or when they approach the altar to minister in the holy place, so that they do not incur guilt and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and to his descendants after him.
Rev 1:6
and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Isa 64:6
For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
Gal 3:27
For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Rom 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Rom 13:13-14
Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. (14) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
The Soldier Principle Walk In The Word | Monday, May 30, 2016 By James MacDonald
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him (2 Timothy 2:3–4, esv).
When you join the military, life changes fast. Good-bye, civilian life. Hello, military life. No civilian gear. Standard issue clothing. No individual hairstyles. Limited contact with family and friends. (No calling mama during boot camp sessions.) No personal possessions: no camera, no watch, no designer sunglasses. Regimented schedule. Stricter laws with stiffer punishment than civilian life. Move when and where you’re told. Carry out orders without expressing your personal opinion.
Why so strict? Because soldiers can’t afford distraction. Soldiers can’t afford the luxury of individual freedom because it distracts them from the mission.
“As soldiers of Christ Jesus, we’ve been given a mission.”
The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to use a military analogy to describe the Christian life. Paul called Christ-followers “good soldier[s] of Christ Jesus.” And soldiers know how to focus.
As soldiers of Christ Jesus, we’ve been given a mission—but many of us are too distracted to focus on the mission. Take our smart phones, for example. Our phones are meant to enrich our lives, but do they? Many of us are glued to our screens. Our families have to compete for our eye contact and attention. Some people are disciplined with Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and some people are consumed by them.
We see this scene constantly: a family dinner, five people sitting together but looking at their own phones. Is that a close family? Might they be closer if they put their phones down and looked at each other? Since when did “talking” to someone who isn’t with us become better than talking to someone who is with us?
We’re distracted people! How many mornings last week did you wake up, make your bed, do your morning hygiene drill, brew a cup of coffee, check email, and then race right off into the day without taking time to center your life, to look up, to be refreshed? You may be physically clean to start your day but spiritually still a mess (see Ephesians 5:26).
When we get a spare moment, do our minds and thoughts drift to God and grace, or do we so abhor downtime that we instantly search for a cheap filler? News headlines and pictures of your cousin’s cat aren’t inherently bad, but what’s being crowded out in your mental space?
Soldiers don’t do this. If you could see soldiers in the trenches in the midst of a battle, they’re not texting their friends. They can’t afford to be distracted. There’s too much on the line.
And that’s Paul’s point to Timothy. When Paul wrote this letter, he was in prison, nearing the end of his life. Paul wasn’t years or months away from dying. He was weeks or days off. He dashed off a final letter to his protégé with some vital instructions. Paul warned Timothy to expect suffering and to take it like a soldier. And don’t get distracted.
Because distraction drains grace, and it drains us, and our goal is “to please the one who enlisted [us].” Listen up, soldiers: Focus on the mission.
Journal
•What are some distractions in your everyday life?
•How focused are you on your eternal mission?
Pray
Lord God, forgive me for getting entangled in and distracted by my life. I find it so easy to let my focus wander. Help me to think like a soldier, to focus on my mission and on my leader, Jesus Christ. I want to please Him. Help me to set aside distractions today and to center my thoughts and life on You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
God Is the Great I AM Christian Broadcasting Network | Friday, May 27, 2016 By Nina Keegan
God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM (Ex 3:14-15, KJV)
Two small words, three simple letters, "I AM."
The Lord tells us repeatedly in His Word that He is the great "I AM." I thought about that and wondered why He never added anything else to that statement. I felt like God was being so vague and most certainly leaving out all the wonderfully important details and awe inspiring adjectives that He could have used to enhance His own resume or curriculum vitae. Yet, He chose not to. At no better time do the words "less is more" or "simple abundance," hold more truth. God's unvarnished, powerfully simplistic, two small words say more about this most awesome God than a whole novel ever could. They assure us that not one miraculous trait defining our God could ever be left out. "I AM," says it all. The magnitude of that is amazing - HE JUST IS!
I realized, after I pondered this fact for a while, that if the scriptures would have actually added the enormous sum of greatness that would be necessary to define those two impactful words, the Bible would have tripled in size. The possibilities are infinite. You simply cannot list everything that God is!
Those two words are profoundly meant to be followed by whatever we need them to say and whoever we need God to be at the time. We get to continuously fill in the blanks as needed. There's no limit on how many chances we get to fill in those voids. We can unceasingly call on Him. He is what we need, when we need it. He is never on vacation, never asleep on the job. He is not too busy with more important things. He is never too tired, too angry, too frustrated, or too overwhelmed to be whatever it is we need. His customer service ranks the highest of all. He never puts us on hold or lets our message go to voice mail. What do you need God to be today?
His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, NKJV)
When we are sad, depressed or lonesome, God is our loving, kind, edifying, friend, savior, and counselor. He is our bountiful provider when we fall on hard times. God is our divine healer when we are sick. He is our mighty protector who guards us and keeps us safe and free from harm. He is the teacher that fills us with knowledge and wisdom and orders our steps. He is the architect that draws the well thought-out plans for our lives. He anoints us with talents, abilities, ease, and purpose. God is the prince and author of peace. He will go to battle for us and fight for us. He is our deliverer. He is our dwelling place, our secret safe haven of hidden security. He is our unbridled joy. He is our towering strength. He is our restored energy when we are exhausted. He is our motivator when we need encouragement. He is a shoulder to cry on and our stoic voice of reason. God is the master of miracles and the supernatural creator of everything.
He fulfills our dreams. He validates us. He is our hope and our future. God is our infallible guide on this path of life. He is the very essence of our being and He is the definition of pure love. He is, after all, our Father, the great "I AM."
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM. (John 8:58, KJV)
In Hebrews 13, The Word says that God will NEVER leave you nor forsake you. So I like to follow the words I AM with the word Here. God is here, now. Always. God is everything and anything we will ever need and He is always with us. He will never leave, never!
Imagine God being with us wherever we go, through thick and thin, through the good, the bad, the blessings, and the storms. No matter what, He is there. He is a shield of armor in the face of adversity, hovering over us providing safety and His masterful protection. He follows us everywhere. He will not forsake us. That is God's sweet promise. The Word of God does not lie. It is our personal guarantee and every word is gloriously still alive today.
God is The Great I AM.
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:8-9, NIV)
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Like Sheep Our Daily Bread | Thursday, May 26, 2016 By Lawrence Darmani
Read: Isaiah 53:1-6 | Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 28–29; John 9:24-41
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way. Isaiah 53:6
One of my daily chores when I lived with my grandfather in northern Ghana was taking care of sheep. Each morning I took them out to pasture and returned by evening. That was when I first noticed how stubborn sheep can be. Whenever they saw a farm, for instance, their instinct drove them right into it, getting me in trouble with the farmers on a number of occasions.
Sometimes when I was tired from the heat and resting under a tree, I observed the sheep dispersing into the bushes and heading for the hills, causing me to chase after them and scratching my skinny legs in the shrubs. I had a hard time directing the animals away from danger and trouble, especially when robbers sometimes raided the field and stole stray sheep.
As our shepherd, He calls us back to safe pasture
So I quite understand when Isaiah says, "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way" (53:6). We stray in many ways: desiring and doing what displeases our Lord, hurting other people by our conduct, and being distracted from spending time with God and His Word because we are too busy or lack interest. We behave like sheep in the field.
Fortunately for us, we have the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us (John 10:11) and who carries our sorrows and our sins (Isa. 53:4-6). And as our shepherd, He calls us back to safe pasture that we might follow Him more closely.
"Shepherd of my soul, I do wander at times. I’m grateful that You’re always seeking me to bring me back to Your side."
If you want God to lead you, be willing to follow.
INSIGHT:
Isaiah 53 is part of a “servant song” that includes Isaiah 52:13–53:12 and focuses primarily on the Servant’s suffering, which would be fulfilled in the crucifixion of Jesus. The Old Testament provides several foreshadowings of that suffering, and each brings its own perspective. In the Passover (Ex. 12), we see the cross from the Father’s perspective as Christ becomes our Passover Lamb. In Psalm 22, we see the cross from the perspective of Jesus Himself as David describes Christ’s suffering experience. Isaiah 53, however, describes the cross from the perspective of humanity. It tells us what they saw, what they failed to see, and what they desperately needed to see—the depth and passion of God’s rescuing love.
What is the Gospel? Crosswalk.com | Wednesday, May 25, 2016 By Pastor Dr. Jack Graham of PowerPoint Ministries
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.
1 Corinthians 15:3-5
One popular question that’s being thrown around in theological circles these days is, “What is the Gospel?” Well, whenever I’m asked that question, I always respond the same: “The Gospel is Jesus Christ.”
Now what do I mean by that? Well, think of it this way: you can take Buddha out of Buddhism and still have the basic tenants of that religion. You can take Muhammad out of Islam, and you’d still have the same principles. But if you take Christ out of Christianity, there is nothing left because our faith is not in a system, but in a person.
Christianity at its very heart is not a code; it’s not a cause; it’s not a creed; and it’s not a church. Christianity is Christ! It is the Gospel concerning Jesus. So when we’re asked that question, “What is the Gospel?”, we know our answer doesn’t consist of a list of rules or a philosophy on life. The Gospel is a person.
Stop trying to just live according to rules. Instead, live according to the life of Christ in you. Allow Him to determine your steps. And as you press into Him, He’ll transform the way you think, how you act, and will give you joy like you’ve never experienced!
THE GOSPEL IS JESUS CHRIST – NOT A LIST OF RULES OR A PHILOSOPHY. BELIEVE IN HIM AND ALLOW HIM TO LIVE HIS LIFE THROUGH YOU!
A Vesture Of Glory DCLM - Daily Manna | Tuesday, May 24, 2016 Deeper Christian Life Ministry
2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-9
Key Verse: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven" (2 Corinthians 5:1, 2).
Paul here speaks of our body as the 'house' in which our real self dwells. We dwell in our body as in a house because the real 'you' is the spirit-man within. He explains in metaphoric expressions, in comparison to there spiritual and glorious 'body' that is to come, that this present earthly body is likened to a fragile 'tent' because it originates from that which is of this earth. Our hope of being clothed with a body from God motivates inward expectation to be transformed from this earthly 'body' in which we presently dwell, into the heavenly body that will dwell painlessly in the eternal heaven, which, of course, is our final goal.
The greater our perception of the desired eternal heavenly dwelling, the more we understand that the burden our present 'body' does not confine us to this world. Those who feel comfortable in this present 'dwelling' and concentrate all their efforts in pleasing it do not fully understand the glory that will be revealed hereafter. The believer who has his mind on things above "groans" to be relieved of the confinement and limitations of this earthly body and be embodied with the glorious body of immortality.
Paul says here, that all that happens to us in time are for the purpose of transiting the faithful into a glorious body for eternal existence. We are therefore to live our lives like that of Abraham who though present in this 'tabernacle', was neither subject to its allurements nor moved by its troubles because "he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God".
Thought for the day: The glory ahead surpasses the troubles around.
Bible Reading in one Year: 1 SAMUEL 10-11
GOD’S POSSIBILITIES The Upper Room | Monday, May 23, 2016 By John Bown (Minnesota, USA)
Read Matthew 17:14-21
Jesus looked at [the disciples] carefully and said, “It’s impossible for human beings. But all things are possible for God.” - Matthew 19:26 (CEB)
I am part of a small ministry based in the United States that raises funds to do work in Guatemala, and our board recently returned from a week-long mission trip there. Unlike many other missions, where work is done by groups traveling from the US, the work that we fund is done by Guatemalan youth. In an area beset by poverty and crime, involving youth is a great way for this ministry to thrive. Not only have the youth learned from weekly Bible studies, but they have also found that by serving others with these projects, they are serving Christ. Over the six years that we have been in existence, we have seen a big increase in the number of youth that are active within the ministry.
As we were having dinner one night on the trip, I asked our founder if she had envisioned the growing impact of the ministry when it first started. “Not at all,” she said, “but God did.”
We often limit our vision to what we believe is possible. But God’s realm of possibility is very different from ours. I know that God will not grant us everything we ask for, but I have seen God respond to people who ask with faith. No request is too big; all things are possible with God.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you for listening when we ask for your help. Help us to serve others as a way of serving you. Amen.
Thought for the Day
No prayer request is too big or too small for God.
Be Conscious Of Your Position In Christ Joseph Prince Ministries | Friday, May 20, 2016
John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
In this verse, Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” He did not say, “I am the vine, try to be the branches.” In other words, He wants us to realize that we are already the branches. We do not have to struggle to become the branches.
As His branches, we only have to abide or remain in Christ our vine. How do we do that? We do that by simply being conscious every day of our position in Christ. Because we have received Christ, we are in Christ and are accepted in the Beloved. (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 1:6) God accepts us because we are in the Beloved and He is in us. And that is how God sees us today when we come into His presence.
What the devil wants to do then is to get you to focus on your condition instead of your position in Christ. The condition you are facing could be financial lack or deteriorating health. The devil wants you to focus on your condition and forget your position—that you are the righteousness of God in Christ and that you are seated with Him in heavenly places at the Father’s right hand. (2 Corinthians 5:21, Ephesians 2:6) He wants you to forget that you are an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)
The devil knows that once you focus on your position in Christ, it will give you the power to change your condition and circumstances. John 15:5 says that you will bear “much fruit”. This means that when you pray against any lack, abundant supply will flow. When you pray for healing, sickness will leave.
My friend, none of these things can happen by your own doing, but by His life which flows through you. Just as sap flowing through the branches of a vine will cause them to bring forth fruit, His life flowing through you will bring forth a bountiful harvest of provision, healing and miracles. You only need to remain conscious of who you are in Christ!
Thought For The Day: Remain conscious of who you are in Christ and you will bear much fruit.
Great Literature Our Daily Bread | Thursday, May 19, 2016 By Joe Stowell
Read: Psalm 119:97-104 | Bible in a Year: 1 Chronicles 7–9; John 6:22-44
How sweet are your words . . . , sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103
Recently I came across an article describing what constitutes great literature. The author suggested that great literature “changes you. When you are done reading, you’re a different person.”
In that light, the Word of God will always be classified as great literature. Reading the Bible challenges us to be better. Stories of biblical heroes inspire us to be courageous and persevering. The wisdom and prophetic books warn of the danger of living by our fallen instincts. God spoke through various writers to pen life-changing psalms for our benefit. The teachings of Jesus shape our character to become more like Him. The writings of Paul orient our minds and lives to holy living. As the Holy Spirit brings these Scriptures to our minds, they become powerful agents for change in our lives.
Lord, thank You for Your Word and its powerful influence in my life.
The writer of Psalm 119 loved God’s Word for its transforming influence in his life. He recognized that the ancient Scriptures handed down from Moses made him wise and more understanding than his teachers (v. 99). It kept him from evil (v. 101). No wonder he exclaimed, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long,” and “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (vv. 97, 103).
Welcome to the joy of loving great literature, especially the life-changing power of God’s Word!
Lord, thank You for Your Word and its powerful influence in my life. Help me learn to put its truth into practice.
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to change the people of God.
INSIGHT:
When we hear the word law, we think of obligations and regulations, so the psalmist’s exclamation of love for God’s law might sound strange to our modern ears. However, the Hebrew word translated “law” is torah and literally means “direction” or “instruction.” At this point in Israel’s history, Torah had become the designation for the books of Moses. In the Hebrew context it included more than just the religious and civil regulations. It also included the stories, songs, poems, and laws in the first five books of the Old Testament. Yahweh had spoken, and His instructions and directions—whether through law, story, or song—always lead to wisdom (Ps. 119:98).
A Faith Worth Passing Down Crosswalk.com | Wednesday, May 18, 2016 In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley
2 Timothy 1:3-5
The most precious thing we can pass down to children is our faith--the confident conviction that God is who He says and will do all He has promised. Timothy's strong relationship with Christ didn't materialize out of thin air; it grew as a result of his mother and grandmother's example.
Here are ways we, too, can hand down a rich legacy to the next generation:
1. Teach practical biblical principles. Kids need to know God's views on material wealth (Ps. 24:1), meeting needs (Phil. 4:19), and direction in life (Prov. 3:5-6).
2. Model character through lifestyle. How we live--whether with transparency, peace, and perseverance, or with fear, anxiety, and self-reliance--loudly communicates what we believe about God.
3. Serve God by serving others. Actions show that our faith is real (James 2:26). If we want kids not to develop a self-centered perspective, servanthood is key.
4. Intercede for them. Children won't forget hearing us pray regularly for them.
5. Communicate love. Young people need to know we love them the way God loves us--unconditionally rather than based on what they do or don't do. Spoken words of love breathe life into their hearts. And as we affirm them for trusting God, they see that we value their spiritual growth.
As parents, we must be intentional about leading and inspiring our sons and daughters to follow Christ. But even those without children of their own can leave a legacy. The example to follow is Paul: though neither married nor a natural parent, he was a spiritual father to many (1 Cor. 4:14-16).
Read The Good News Today? Joseph Prince Ministries | Tuesday, May 17, 2016 By Joseph Prince
Matthew 6:33 …seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
God doesn’t want you grabbing the newspaper first thing in the morning and reading all the bad news in the world. He knows that if you do that, your heart will be full of cares, anxieties and even fears.
This happened to a mother who read in the newspaper that children from China studying in our local schools were becoming top students. She wrote to the press, voicing her concerns about the stiff competition her child would face from these students, even for the top jobs in Singapore in the future.
When you are reading the newspapers, magazines, medical journals, economic reports, watching movies or surfing the Internet all the time, then you are getting your “nourishment” from these sources instead of God’s Word. Now, I am not against these things. But if you constantly feed only on earthly things which cannot satisfy, you will fill your heart and mind with cares and worries.
Jesus doesn’t want you to end up worrying about your life—what you will eat, drink or wear—as these are the things that the Gentiles (people of the world) seek. He says that your heavenly Father knows very well that you need these things. (Matthew 6:31–32)
That is why He promises you that if you would seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, all these things that the world seeks after will be added to you. It will not just be given but added, which means greater in quantity and quality!
If you are faced with lack, don’t pursue material goods. Pursue God your provider. If you are sick, don’t pursue the “cure”. Pursue God your healer.
My friend, don’t grab the newspaper or call your friend first thing in the morning to talk about the latest bad news. Instead, grab your Bible and read all the good news God has for you for the day. And as you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all the things that the world is running after will be added to you!
What Happens To Our Faith When Our Hero Is Taken Away? Northwood Church Of Christ | Monday, May 16, 2016 By David Maxson
Reading for May 16th: 2 Chronicles 21-24
Now after the death of Jehoida the princes of Judah came and paid homage to the king. Then the king listened to them. And they abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols. 2 Chronicles 24:17-18
Tell me what's wrong with this statement about Joash in 2 Chronicles 24:2...
"And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest."
Did you catch that? It didn't say he did what was right all the days of his life. It said, "all the days of Jehoiada the priest."
Our text confirms this summary of his reign. Before the death of Jehoiada, Joash actively sought to restore the true worship of God in the temple. Yet after Jehoiada's death, Joash abandoned the LORD.
Jehoiada was like a father to Joash. He, along with his wife Jehosheba, saved young Joash from the wicked queen Athaliah. No doubt, Joash's godliness early in his reign was at least in part due to the fact that he was thankful for Jehoiada.
But what happened when this all-important figure was taken from his life? He did a 180 and turned from serving God.
This is a warning to us. If our motive to serve God is to please our parents, a significant mentor, a spouse, etc., then what will happen to our obedience when that influence is taken away?
What about you? Are you trying to please God or some important person in your life?
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Celebration Of Peace And Truth DLCM - Daily Manna | Friday, May 13, 2016 By Deeper Christian Life Ministry
ESTHER 9:29-32
Key Verse:"Then Esther the queen, the daughter of Abihail, and Mordecai the Jew, wrote with all authority, torn confirm this second letter of Purim" (Esther 9:29)
The book of Esther, one of the two books named after women, brings to the fore a profound interplay of God's power, sovereignty and His matchless grace and mercy. Gods will must always triumph over that of man and his evil machinations. Everywhere in the book of Esther, God's power and providence can visibly be felt. The Jews were now engaged in the war of survival. In the other provinces, they had won their battle in one day, but the battle of Shushan lasted for two days.
In both instances, however, it was beyond any doubt that their quick and smooth victory was a clear evidence that God was fighting for them. There was the need for the Lord to save and preserve a remnant for the fulfillment of His promise of the coming messiah. Our text shows clearly that in spite of cultural inhibitions among the Jews which precluded women from being loud and outspoken but merely stayed quiet and served in the home, Esther broke through these cultural norms.
She stepped out, did the unexpected, and put her life on the line in order to help God's people. Now it was celebration time and the Purim had to be observed throughout their generation by every family, province and city. No matter our station in life, God is able to use anyone, regardless of his or her place, to achieve the seemingly impossible. And for this to happen, we must be open, available and ready. Are you ready to be used of God? It is entirely up to you.
Thought for the day: Evil will never triumph over good.
Bible Reading in one Year: 2 CORINTHIANS 1-4
Ambassador of Love Our Daily Bread | Thursday, May 12, 2016 By Randy Kilgore
Read: John 3:9-21 | Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 15–16; John 3:1-18
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:17
In my work as a chaplain, some people occasionally ask if I am willing to give them some additional spiritual help. While I’m happy to spend time with anyone who asks for help, I often find myself doing more learning than teaching. This was especially true when one painfully honest new Christian said to me with resignation, “I don’t think it’s a good idea for me to read the Bible. The more I read what God expects from me, the more I judge others who aren’t doing what it says.”
As he said this, I realized that I was at least partly responsible for instilling this judgmental spirit in him. At that time, one of the first things I did with those new to faith in Jesus was to introduce them to things they should no longer be doing. In other words, instead of showing them God’s love and letting the Holy Spirit reshape them, I urged them to “behave like a believer.”
We are to be ambassadors of God’s love and mercy.
Now I was gaining a new appreciation for John 3:16-17. Jesus’ invitation to believe in Him in verse 16 is followed by these words. “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Jesus didn’t come to condemn us. But by giving these new Christians a checklist of behaviors, I was teaching them to condemn themselves, which then led them to judge others. Instead of being agents of condemnation, we are to be ambassadors of God’s love and mercy.
Father, help me not to judge others today. Let me learn this until it changes me into someone more like You.
If Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world, that’s probably not our mission either!
INSIGHT:
In John 3:1–21 Jesus is having a conversation with a religious leader named Nicodemus and tells him these important things about the kingdom of God: God’s Spirit gives new life and entrance into His kingdom, and this is not obtained by our own efforts (vv. 5–8). God sent Jesus to show us His love, not His condemnation (vv. 16–18). People hide in the darkness because of their sin, but Jesus is the Light and whoever follows Him is in the light (vv. 19–21).
God's Wisdom for Daily Living BibleResources.org | Wednesday, May 11, 2016
Devotional Scripture
Proverbs 16:11(KJV):
11 A just weight and balance are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
Proverbs 16:11(Amp):
11 A just balance or scales are the Lord's; all the weights of the bag are His work (established on His eternal principles).
Thought for the Day
A pair of scales is a symbol for justice and equity. Scales were used in Biblical times to determine quantity and price of certain goods (see Day 67). Dishonest men used stones weighing less than they were supposed to, thus cheating their customers out of what they paid for. People could not see the deception, but God could and declared it an abomination (Proverbs 11:1). God is the Author of all that is balanced and just.
Many Biblical teachings are also out of balance. Some take extreme views of God's Word; using a "false weight" by pulling out portions of Scripture and building them into false doctrines. Scripture must be considered in context and compared with other verses to give them true "weight" and bring teaching into balance. Using portions of Scripture out of context is like creating a false balance, resulting in error. Unbalanced teaching has caused a great deal of division in the body of Christ. Those on the outside are affected, since they see extremes that should not exist, and therefore want no part of Christianity.
We have all been out of balance at times. Walking in perfect balance with the Lord is not easy. However, the Holy Spirit desires that we learn this balanced walk. It is the only way we will come into maturity. When we learn a new truth, we are often like a pendulum. Sometimes we swing too far in one direction because we are so eager to hear and practice new things. However, after these are learned, it is important that we swing back into balance, incorporating what is newly learned with the whole of what has already been learned. If we "camp" on just one new aspect of truth, and forget everything else, we end up in advocating extremes that bring discord and possible deception into our lives.
Jesus is the Rock. He is solid and stable; He does not change. For this reason, we can trust the word He has spoken to us. If He said it, it is truth because He cannot lie. If we believe what He has said, faith in His Word will produce those things promised to us. Knowing only portions of the Word can cause us to become unbalanced. We must seek to know the whole truth and completely surrender to the will of God for us to be victorious Christians. Stressing only one portion of God's Word invariably results in error. This is the reason for many "faith" failures today. It is not so much lack of faith that fails to produce the answers that people seek, but faith in something that God has not said. This is the result of failing to "rightly divide the Word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
Prayer Devotional for the Day Father, we come to You in Jesus' most precious name, thanking You for Your love for us. Lord, You see the areas in our lives that are not in balance. We ask that You reveal those to us and help us to walk in the path of righteousness and Your holy balance. Deliver us from error and all that is an abomination to You. Heal us today spirit, soul and body so that we might serve You by walking in a victorious Christian life. Let our lights shine so that truly others might see Your love in us. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
When Angry, Sin Not! Christian Devotional on How to Deal With Anger Heavens Inspirations | Tuesday, May 10, 2016 By M.S.Lowndes
"When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]." Ephesians 4: 26-27 (AMP)
Anger is a natural emotion we all have from time to time. Even the most placid among us feel anger at times. It's not exactly wrong to feel anger, after all Jesus displayed anger when he drove out the moneychangers. I believe it's all in how we handle our anger.
If we respond to people and situations in an explosion of angry words and gestures, ranting and raving, then that expression is obviously the wrong way - it's merely 'venting' the anger. When we do this, it's the people around us that get hurt the most.
Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). ~ Ephesians 4: 31 (AMP)
With Jesus at Our Side Truth For Life | Monday, May 09, 2016 By Alistair Begg
Come, my beloved, let us go out into the fields . . . Let us . . . See whether the vines have budded.
Song of Songs 7:11
The bride was about to engage in hard work and desired her beloved's company in it. She does not say, "I will go," but "let us go." In like fashion, it is a blessing to work when Jesus is at our side! It is the business of God's people to be trimmers of God's vines. Like our first parents, we are put into the garden of the Lord for usefulness; let us then go out into the fields.
When God's people are thinking properly, they desire to enjoy communion with Christ. Some may imagine that they cannot serve Christ actively and still have fellowship with Him; they are mistaken. There is no doubt that we may easily neglect our inward life in outward exercises and be forced to say, "They made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard have I not kept!"1 There is no reason why this should be the case except for our own foolishness and neglect. It is certain that a professing Christian may do nothing and end up just as lifeless in spiritual things as those who are most busy.
Mary was not praised for sitting still, but for her sitting at Jesus' feet. Even so, Christians are not to be praised for neglecting duties under the pretense of having secret fellowship with Jesus: It is not sitting, but sitting at Jesus' feet that is commendable. Do not think that activity is in itself an evil: It is a great blessing and a means of grace to us. Paul called it a grace given to him to be allowed to preach; and every form of Christian service may become a personal blessing to those engaged in it. Those who have most fellowship with Christ are not recluses or hermits, who have time on their hands, but tireless workers who are toiling for Jesus and who, in their endeavor, have Him side by side with them, so that they are workers together with God.
Let us remember then, in anything we have to do for Jesus, we can do it and should do it in close communion with Him.
1) Song of Solomon 1:6
Family Bible reading plan : • Isaiah 7 • James 1
Sing It Out! Insight For Living Ministries | Friday, May 06, 2016 By The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Charles R. Swindoll
Scriptures: Exodus 14:23–15:22
After God drowned Pharaoh's entire army in the sea, for the first time in history Israel found herself living in the Egyptian desert, out in the open, completely on her own. The Hebrews had begun their journey to the land of Canaan. God had proven Himself faithful; the nation had walked through the sea on dry land. How awestruck they must have been! As a result, they sang a song of great praise to God. All the way from verse 1 to verse 21 of Exodus 15 they continue to sing.
Have you ever done that? Have you ever, on the spur of the moment, scratched out a song of praise to the Lord? I recommend it to you; it's actually an exciting experience. You say, "Well, Chuck, that's fine for you, but I'm not some kind of eloquent, creative poet. I don't have that gift. Words don't flow through me like that."
Really? How do you know if you never try? The next time you go through an experience, and God proves Himseld faithful, stop and think, Maybe I could write a song. (Even if it's for an audience of One.) That's how praise songs are born. Why not compose one today?
On the heels of this Hebrew song of triumph and gratitude comes a word denoting a particular time; "then." When? After the Red Sea. After the first flush of freedom. After their wonderful song of praise. Scripture records, "Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur."
What a description of the Christian life! All of us have been through the Red Sea. Spiritually speaking, believers have all been placed in God's family through the cross. We have come to know the Lord Jesus. And in coming to know Him, we have been delivered for the first time from bondage to the old life. How glorious! Freed from the domination of our old master, we have been given a new song, a new life, a new beginning. But in this beginning we quickly discover we must endure some wilderness experiences. Looking back, we later realize they were deserts designed by God for a very real purpose. But what a come-down after our Red Sea conversion.
God has designed your wilderness experience for a very special purpose. "Charles R. Swindoll"
Standing Strong Through the Storm (FAMILY PERSECUTION) Bible Gateway | Thursday, May 05, 2016 By Paul Estabrooks
“…I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.” Matthew 10:35-36
Anyone who has become a Christian in a family of unbelievers can testify to the hundreds of ways persecution can be experienced. Jesus warned us up front about this in chilling language. It was Jesus who experienced this from his own family, being chided and misunderstood (Luke 2:48), and his “own people did not accept him” (John 1:11).
Most families in the world are not nuclear in nature, but extended, so an entire web of kinship relations are fouled up by the action of becoming a Christian. It can be very difficult to make one’s way in the world accordingly. We could even say it is one’s family culture that rejects the Christian witness. One reason for this is over-familiarity. Jesus generalizes from his experience of rejection in Nazareth saying, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown” (Matthew 13:57).
This goes right back to the dawn of human history. The first recorded act of violence was due to family persecution—Cain murdering his brother Abel out of religious jealousy. King David bemoans the betrayal of a close friend in Psalm 41:9, “Even my bosom friend in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted his heel against me.” Jeremiah is dismayed to find members of his own family involved in an assassination plot against him; “…even your kinsfolk and your own family, even they have dealt treacherously with you; they are in full cry after you” (Jeremiah 12:6).
In China today, if a student converts to Christianity it is the parents that insist he or she give up her faith, for fear of an inferior work placement bringing dishonor to the family. In many Buddhist societies, like Burma, to become a Christian is tantamount to saying “I am no longer Burmese.”
It is family misunderstanding that is often hardest to bear. After all, we long for the love of those who have nurtured us. To have that love relationship ruptured ranks as one of the greatest traumas a human being can face.
In Pakistan, a father was asked why he murdered his daughter. He answered simply, “I didn’t murder my daughter. When she became a Christian, she was no longer my daughter.” He will never be charged for his crime.
RESPONSE: Today I will treasure my family and watch for Satan’s subtle attacks against it.
PRAYER: Pray for those experiencing Satan’s deadly tactic of persecution from family members.
Out of the Ruins Our Daily Bread | Wednesday, May 04, 2016 By Tim Gustafson
Read: Lamentations 5:8-22 | Bible in a Year: 1 Kings 16–18; Luke 22:47-71
He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins. Ezra 9:9
In the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem you’ll find Tiferet Yisrael Synagogue. Built in the 19th century, the synagogue was dynamited by commandos during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.
For years the site lay in ruins. Then, in 2014, rebuilding began. As city officials set a piece of rubble as the cornerstone, one of them quoted from Lamentations: “Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return; renew our days as of old” (5:21).
It takes time, but we can always trust Him.
Lamentations is Jeremiah’s funeral song for Jerusalem. With graphic imagery the prophet describes the impact of war on his city. Verse 21 is his heartfelt prayer for God to intervene. Still, the prophet wonders if that is even possible. He concludes his anguished song with this fearful caveat: “unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure” (v. 22). Decades later, God did answer that prayer as the exiles returned to Jerusalem.
Our lives too may seem to be in ruins. Troubles of our own making and conflicts we can’t avoid may leave us devastated. But we have a Father who understands. Gently, patiently, He clears away the rubble, repurposes it, and builds something better. It takes time, but we can always trust Him. He specializes in rebuilding projects.
Lord, You have reclaimed us, and You are remaking us. Thank You for Your love and Your care despite our self-centered and destructive ways.
Thank You for true forgiveness and unity in You.
God will one day restore all the beauty lost before.
INSIGHT:
According to The Bible Knowledge Commentary, one characteristic of the book of Lamentations is the pattern of its laments. “Lamentations is a series of five laments, or funeral dirges; each chapter is a separate lament. A lament was a funeral poem or song written and recited for someone who had just died (cf. 2 Sam. 1:17–27). The song usually emphasized the good qualities of the departed and the tragedy or loss felt by those mourning his death. Jeremiah was lamenting the tragic ‘death’ of the city of Jerusalem and the results of her demise that were being experienced by the people. Thus he used the form of a funeral lament to convey the feeling of sadness and loss being experienced by the survivors.”
Sin and Redemption CBN | Tuesday, May 03, 2016 By J. Stephen Lang
Are there any sinners around any more? People are dysfunctional or not in touch with themselves or negative or uptight or immature or even in need of counseling -- but never sinful. Odd that we've discarded the word sin, since it covers all these categories, and more. It also covers all of us -- not just the cruelest and most criminal, but even people who seem well-adjusted. The Bible assures us that we all sin. Our sin -- seeking our own selfish way instead of God's way, making ourselves the center of the universe -- separates us from God. It mars our relationships with others. None of this has changed, even if we threw out the word sin because it seemed too old-fashioned.
"The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve."
Jeremiah 17:9
The LORD looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks for God. But no, all have turned away from God; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not even one!
Psalm 14:3
God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts.
From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities -- his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God.
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people, or birds and animals and snakes.
So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other's bodies. Instead of believing what they knew was the truth about God, they deliberately chose to believe lies. So they worshiped the things God made but not the Creator himself, who is to be praised forever. Amen.
Romans 1:18-25
The New Testament presents Jesus as the one who solves the sin problem. The image used is the one of sacrifice -- based on the Old Testament idea of sacrificing an animal as a "sin offering" to make peace with God. Jesus is the final "offering" -- a completely innocent person who lets himself be sacrificed to save sinners.
John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
John 1:29
God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. This is the wonderful message he has given us to tell others.
God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:19, 21
We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.
For all have sinned; all fall short of God's glorious ideal. Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God's anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us.
Romans 3:22-25
He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.
Romans 4:25
When you were slaves of sin, you weren't concerned with doing what was right. And what was the result? It was not good, since now you are ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the great gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:20-23
The Book of God's Promises -- Copyright, 1999 by J. Stephen Lang. All rights reserved, used with permission.
On The Decline Daily Manna | Monday, May 02, 2016 By Deeper Christian Life Ministry
AMOS 2:6-16
Every form of decay has its symptoms. For instance, dentists will tell you that when you begin to feel tooth sensitivity, or noticing some grey, brown or black spots on your teeth, or experiencing bad breath and unpleasant taste in your mouth, you have reason to worry about tooth decay. Far worse than tooth decay is moral decay such as the world is grappling with today.
It all stems from people's resolve to rebel against and oust God from their minds. In Prophet Amos' time, Israel was so degenerate that they grieved God. The symptoms of their decay as outlined by the prophet include less value for human dignity, cruel oppression of the poor, judicial corruption and abominable sexual perversions. The prophet reminded them of God's grace in their deliverance from Egyptian bondage and the miraculous displacement of the Canaanites whose land the Lord caused them to occupy. To them belonged the law, the prophets and Nazarites - which were to guide them in righteousness. They revelled in sin in spite of these divine privileges.
Their rebellion earned them terrible and inescapable ruin. Much more than the vices that Prophet Amos decried in Israel are upon the world today. People abuse every God-given privilege and practice. They delight in every known evil and are indeed inventing more. Like the degenerate Israel, they are doing everything to corrupt anyone that professes godliness - by coercion, persuasion or subtly. They resist every ray of light by attempting to drown the now unpopular voice of true preachers. But, as always, this all leads nowhere but self-destruction and eternal damnation.
Despite the prevailing perversion these days, you can choose to live away from the riotous noise of the molten calf worshippers, be an incorruptible Nazarite of God, holding on to faith in Christ and living for God's glory.
Thought for the day: The world may woo you ever but shouldn't win you over.
Bible Reading in one Year: JUDGES 1 - 4
Prayer: "But ye gave the Nazarites wine to drink; and commanded the prophets, saying, Prophesy not" (Amos 2:12)
