Hope For All

Romans 15:4

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."

The Scriptures are full of examples of God's grace, patience, comfort and hope. So, as we are ministered to through His Word, we can then minister to others in time of need.

The key word in this verse is patience. We need to be as patient with God as He has been patient with us. I don't know about you, but I would have given up on me long before He did. I’m still learning and the older I get the more I realize just how much I don’t know about what I don’t know.

Finally Paul speaks of our hope in the Scriptures. Hope is an expectation of a coming good and is most often referred to in conjunction with the second coming of Jesus Christ. A hope not just for himself but for all.

The advice in our text then is this; read the scriptures, learn form them, be patient and look toward His return.

The Truth

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13)

Submit To Government

Romans 13:1

“Let every soul be subject to the government authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God”

Paul makes it very clear here that we as Christians are subject to higher powers. For there is no person in power but that God has not ordained him/her to be there. While you might not respect the person who is in power, you must realize the Lord has ordained him or her to be there for His greater purposes and submit to their leadership.

This verse then should change our perspective on everything that is currently happening. The Lord knows where He is in His prophetic calendar and He is lining up events that will fulfill prophecy.

As believers we know that all of society must fall apart, Jesus himself said it is inevitable (Matthew 24:37). Current events in Israel, Iraq, Missouri, prove just that. Therefore, we are to pray for those in government and authority over us, for they are divinely ordained and in need of Spiritual direction.

The truth

“Therefore, submit yourselves to every institution of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme,” (1 Peter 2:13)

Comfort of the Scriptures

Romans 15:4

"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."

The Scriptures are full of examples of God's grace, patience, comfort and hope. So, as we are ministered to through His Word, we can then minister to others in time of need.

But patience is the key word in this verse. We need to be as patient with God as He has been patient with us. I don't know about you, but I would have given up on me long before He did. I’m still learning and the older I get the more I realize just how much I don’t know about what I don’t know.

Finally Paul speaks of our hope in the Scriptures. Hope is an expectation of a coming good and is most often referred to in conjunction with the second coming of Jesus Christ.

The advice in our text is sound. Read the scriptures, learn form them, be patient and look toward His return.

The Truth

“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?” (1 Thessalonians 2:19

“Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:13)

Law of Liberty

Romans 14:5b

“Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

The law of liberty has created great controversy within the church. In Paul’s day it centered on such matters as: what food to eat, what day to worship, how to be baptized. Today we see similar debate concerning; smoking, drinking, dancing, movies – most of which are not clearly spelled out in the Word.

In Ch.14 Paul clearly points out that, you might have a conviction or a persuasion (and that is ok) but, don’t push that on someone else. Rather, let every man be persuaded in his own mind concerning what liberties he should take without laying a guilt trip on anyone else, in controversial matters. Instead, live by your convictions and let others see the advantage so they in turn may be persuaded.

The Truth

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful; all things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:23,31)

Renew Your Mind

Romans 12:2

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

The idea is rather simple: We are to allow the transforming Word of God to work within us and produce outward results, instead of permitting external pressures to shape us.

 If we meditate on God's Word daily, it will influence our thoughts and help us grow to be more like Jesus Christ. Then we will act in a manner that pleases Him.

Pressures of the world will continue to try to shape our character, but they will not succeed if God's Word is changing us from within.

The Truth

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18)

All Things

Romans 11:36

“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

This is about as all-inclusive as Paul could have stated it. All things means just that - all things. The hill called Golgotha, the thorns that pierced His brow, even the tree from which the Cross was formed, that brought His agonizing death. How great is His love for His creation, that He would die for it to redeem it?

From Genesis, “In the beginning” to Revelation, “I am the beginning and the end”; we see the message of Jesus and how all things were created through Him and for Him.

The Truth

“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and on the earth, visible and in visible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16)

Saving Faith

Romans 10:9

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

This verse does not say; could be saved or might be saved but it states will be saved.

I remember confessing my faith in Jesus before a large congregation and making the same confession of faith before being baptized many years ago. I recall, as a young person, this overwhelming feeling of joy. That simple childlike faith changed my life and put it forever into His hands.

To this day He remains closer than a brother - He has never forsaken me, even in my darkest days. He has always forgiven me seventy times seven. I am His and He is mine and no one can snatch me out of His hand. He is the good Shepard - I know His voice and He knows my name and someday, He will give me a new name.

The Truth

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32)

God’s Sovereignty

Romans 9:15

“I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”

This means that God’s mercy and compassion cannot be subject to any cause outside His free grace. Just as a jury may decide the right to life or death, so the judge of all the earth has a right to spare or condemn the guilty, as may seem best in His sight.

In Exodus 33:19, God had mercy on the Israelites by not destroying all of them for their idolatry while Moses was on the mount. The whole nation deserved to be destroyed, yet God only killed 3,000 people, not because they were more wicked or less godly, but simply because He chose to be merciful.

God never lacks in mercy, a continual attribute of His character – a truth that every saved sinner should never forget. Salvation is never initiated by mans choice or merited by mans effort. Salvation always begins in God’s sovereign, gracious, and eternal will. Those who receive God’s mercy receive it solely by His amazing grace.

Consequently, there is no more humbling doctrine in all of Scripture, than that of election and we as believers should not be afraid of it, but rejoice in it.

The Truth

“So then it is not of him who wills, nor him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” (Romans 9:16)

Depression Antidote

Romans 8:1 “Free from Condemnation”

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Romans 8 has been described as the true antidote for depression because it covers all three common areas of depression; the past, the present and the future.

Here in verse 1 Paul speaks of being free from passed sin – one of Satan’s oldest condemnation tools. I thank God for sending His Son Jesus to free me from my past. It does haunt me sometimes, for I am human and my mind can go to places I don’t want it to but when it does I go right to Romans 8:1. Thank you Jesus.

Jesus showed His compassion and love through forgiveness in the parable of the unforgiving servant when he responded to Peter question, “How often are we to forgive? Seven times?” Jesus answered him, “Seventy times seven.” Meaning don’t keep track, just forgive.

If we are truly in Christ, all our sin (past, present and future) are covered in the blood of Jesus. So when God looks at us He doesn’t see our sin, He sees us in His Son.

The Truth

He who believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned; but he who does not believe in Him is condemned already because he did not believe in the name of the only begotten son of God.” (John 3:18)

The Newness of Life

Romans 7:6 “Delivered from the Law”

“But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit an not in the oldness of the letter.”

Having been in Christ through faith (salvation) and identified with Christ through baptism, Paul now speaks of the New Covenant – an entirely different way of living in the newness of the Spirit. We are to walk in the Spirit, respond to the Spirit, obeying, yielding and asking for direction in our lives – throwing off the yoke of legalism (the law).

The Truth

“No longer will I give you tablets of stone, but I will write my will upon the tablet of your heart.” (Jeremiah 31:33)

Baptism

Romans 6:4

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Jesus was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life.”

Our identification with Jesus Christ is symbolized by baptism. We (who have been baptized) received this new identification of, the death and burial of our old life - while becoming publically linked to Jesus in a new life. Through salvation then we are in Christ, while through baptism, we identify with Christ.

The Truth
“Therefore, if anyone be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)

Disobedience vs. Obedience

Romans 5:18

“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.”

What a contrast in these two men. Adam’s life brought death and judgment but Jesus’s death brought eternal life and righteousness. Adam’s disobedience made all men sinners but Jesus obedience can make all men righteous. Adam’s action brought the law but Jesus’s gift (His selfless sacrificial act) brought grace.

The Bible tells us that having been justified by faith we now have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1) Yet the world, through all it’s efforts, cannot attain peace because it has not embraced the “prince of peace.” Apart from Jesus Christ, there is no true peace, no forgiveness of sin, no justification of life, no grace through His righteousness and no eternal life.

Obedience or Disobedience, life or death, condemnation or justification it’s your choice because God has given you a free will. Thank you Jesus for your selfless gift to all mankind. Help us now to accept it by faith, Amen.

The Truth

“Choose this day whom you will serve……But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)

Abraham Believed

Romans 4:3a “Abraham Believed”

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness.”

Here Paul makes his point on justification based on history. He points to Abraham and how God declared him righteous (justified) not based on any good works, nor based on the fact that he was perfect but simply because, Abraham believed. (Genesis 15:6)

As Chuck Smith use to say, “belief is connected to the agent doing the work and there is nothing to difficult for God.”

The Truth

“And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.” (Romans 4:21)

From Condemnation To Justification

Romans 3:20-22

“Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (v.20)

The law only condemns us. Jesus pointed this out in his sermon on the mount when He spoke about the sin of adultery beginning in the heart, “But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 6:28) Under this interpretation, many would be guilty of breaking the law both then and today. But let's keep reading.

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets.” (v.21)

Here Paul tells us that justification is apart from the law, not a part of the law. This means the law cannot free you; it can only bring you to the realization that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. So, where is the justification? Keep reading.

“Even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe.” (v.22)

Paul now gets to the point that justification is for all mankind and there is only one way to become justified, through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. Everyone sins; everyone falls short of the glory of God. But, God sent a propitiation for us, to justify and redeem us. Hallelujah!

The Truth

“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16)

Condemnation vs. Identification

Romans 2:1b

“For in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself: for you who judge practice the same things.”

Judging others is a practice Jesus warned against in His sermon on the mount, “Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” (Matt. 7:1-2)

As Christians, we are not to make judgments of others in condemnation (in anger, accusatory) but we are to judge for identification (in wisdom). Jesus said, “beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing.” (Matt. 7:15) and “By their fruits you will know them.” (Matt. 7:16) Meaning, be vigilant and on guard to identify something that is off or out of place and correct it.

Correction, done with love and grace and not condemnation or judgment, is healthy for the body, backed by scripture and can restore one to fellowship.

The Truth

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” (Galatians 6:1)

To Everyone Who Believes

Romans 1:16b

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth”

The promise of the gospel (the good news) reveals God’s love and His willingness to wash away our sin by the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. This revives our lives, it gives us a clean slate and real purpose in life.

By believing in His finished work, we then walk through life with the power of His Spirit in us knowing that; what has begun in faith, will also be completed through faith. (Phil.1:6) This is the staying power of our Christian walk, the anchor for the storms of life.

The Truth

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)

Purpose, Prayer and Prophecy

Jon Courson, in his commentary on the Old Testament stated that, “there are three words that characterize Daniel’s life; purpose, prayer and prophecy.” I couldn’t agree more so let’s take a closer look.

First, Daniel was a man who purposed in his heat that he would walk with God - a man of commitment, conviction and the courage in stand up against the world system and for the Lord. Very rare attributes both then and now.

Second, Daniel was a man of prayer, disciplined in seeking the Lord a minimum of three times daily. He constantly; sough the Lord’s direction for his life, interceded for others, asked for wisdom, humbled himself in sackcloth and ashes and many times in fasting’s.

Thirdly, Daniel was a prophet. He was so interested in prophecy that he was used as a vehicle. In fact, the book he wrote (Daniel) is perhaps the most prophetic book in the entire Bible as it is the key that unlocks the Book of Revelation.

What an excellent life to seek to parallel. Lord help us all.

The Truth

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.” (Isaiah 55:6)

Be Wise - Turn To Righteousness

Daniel 12:3

“And they that be wise, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament: and they that turn to righteousness, as the stars forever and ever.”

The tribulation will be one of the darkest periods in human history. However, during that time God will have His shinning lights on the earth that, through their wise behavior and clear testimony, will teach others the way of righteousness. No matter how troublous the times have been, or will become, the darkest hours afford the largest opportunity for letting the gospel light shine.

In the light of what is happening prophetically, we should be motivated to share our faith and the good news, to win others to Christ. For as we turn others to Jesus, they will shine as stars forever.

Praying for the coming Harvest Crusade. Hoping to add thousands of bright lights.

The Truth

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." (Proverbs 11:30)

Stand Strong

Daniel 11:32b

“but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

The desecration of the temple, (in 170 B.C.), so incensed the people (the Jews), that Judas Maccabaeus gathered together a group of zealots and began to attack the Syrians. After 5 years, the Maccabaeus overthrew the Syrians and threw them out of Jerusalem. Eventually, the Jews retook the temple and purified it. Today the “Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah” in the Jewish calendar, celebrates the retaking and rededicating the temple unto God.

No matter how big an enemy might be or how unreasonable the odds might seem, the people who truly know their God shall stand strong and perform great exploits.

The Truth

“If God is for us, who can stand against us.” (Romans 8:31)

Daniel's Words, Were Heard

Daniel 10:12

“Then he (an angel) said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.”

Like Daniel, our prayers are heard and like him we must be persistent. We must strive, in our prayer life, to understand what God wants to accomplish in our present situation. Humbling ourselves before the creator of the universe is a good start, as God is not some genie we can summon for our three wishes. True revelation and understanding will come as we truly seek His will and not our own.

The Truth

“Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

Daniel's Prayer

Daniel 9:3a

“Then I set my face before the Lord God to make request in prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes.”

This is one of the great chapters of prayer in the Bible. Here Daniel is interceding for the nation of Israel, asking God to have mercy on them and forgiveness for their rebellion and disobedience. By all indications this prayer took most of the day as we see later in the verse that it was done with fasting.

The most important area of service that we can do for our King and His kingdom is to pray – and more so as we see the Day of the Lord approaching.

The Truth

“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)

Accomplishing The King's Business

Daniel 8:27

“And I, Daniel, fainted and was sick for days; afterward I arose and went about the king’s business.”

The vision of the end times was so real it made Daniel sick but he was able to see it for what it was, a prophetic look at the future.

Like Daniel, we too must go about our King’s business - of saving; family, friends and those who God brings to us, from the end of days. Not only am I talking talking about eternal destiny here but; the tribulation period and the suffering and persecution that goes along with it.

May we all be seeking to accomplish, “The King’s” business - adding souls to the book of life.

The Truth

"For then shall be a great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be."(Matthew 24:2)

"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation [even] to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." (Daniel 12:1)

Ruling Forever

Daniel 7:18 "Ruling Forever"

“But the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.”

This vision of the tribulation period brought grief to Daniel and had quite an impact upon his mind. However, the Lord also sent encouragement by letting him know, that even though these things would come to pass; judgment would be carried out and the saints of the Most High would possess the kingdom forever. That’s us. Hallelujah!

The Truth

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” ( Isaiah 9:6,7)