1 Peter 1 The Saving Work Of The Spirit”

“Chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood.” (v.2)

In the opening verses of Peter’s first letter, the apostle referred to the role of the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Son in saving us (v.2). Our salvation began with the Father’s loving plan, made possible by Jesus’ atoning death on the cross (to provide forgiveness and cleansing), and was completed by the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in us. While the trinity may be a confounding concept, it can be clearly seen here at work in the salvation of those mentioned by Peter in verse 1, and our lives today as well. 

The more clearly we see and appreciate the unique role each Person of the Godhead has in our salvation, the more intimate will be our daily walk with Him. Where would we be without God's call on our life? Lost, stumbling around in a dark world. Where would we be without the cleansing blood of Jesus for our sin? Dead in our trespasses with no hope of eternity. Where would we be with His Spirit to guide our steps? Doing what seems right in our own eyes with no light of truth in us. 

Thank you Father in Heaven, for sending Your Son as a sacrificial substitute for our sin, who sits at Your right hand to make intercession for us. And for not leaving us alone without a comforter, but gave us Your Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth. Amen.   

The Truth: “God, from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and the belief in the truth (His Son).” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)

James 5 “Be Patient”

“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.” (vv. 7-8)

Farming takes patience and perseverance. Farmers have to wait for many things beyond their control. They wait long days for the winter to thaw so they can begin planting. They wait for the weather to shift and bring rain to offset droughts, and the sun to push away clouds. They wait for calves to be born and chickens to lay eggs. They wait on plants to grow and for the harvest to come. Meanwhile they persevere at the task, tilling the soil, feeding the animals, putting seed in the ground. 

It's no wonder then that James compares our lives as believers to farmers. Certainly his readers knew what it took to cultivate the land with hard work, patience, and perseverance. Those same qualities are integral to our lives as believers as well, while we patiently wait for our Lord’s return. We too must continue to persevere through many things beyond our control here on earth; a pandemic, the economy, layoffs, quarantines, accidents, sickness, and even the deaths of family and friends. Yet none of these things should deter us from our task of serving the LORD, and planting the seeds of His kingdom, for we know we are only pilgrims passing through and this world is not our home. 

Therefore, persevere, plant the seeds of faith and hope around you, and know that your patience will bring forth good fruit in His timing - For your life and your future are in His ultimate control.

The Truth: “Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4) 

James 4 "Life Is Short"

 "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (v.14)

Today’s passage is a sobering reminder that life is filled with uncertainty. James makes it very clear that life is "a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away." And because of this we ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that" (v.15).

Managing our financial futures, planning for retirement, developing a living trust, working hard and looking ahead to our golden years, these are important and show good wisdom. However, because any day may be our final day on earth, we also need to be sure that we are just as ready to stand before God as well.

So easy to get caught up in the here and now, in the material as oppose to the eternal. Life is short and the little things that seem so important to us now, pale in comparison to a path that has a more eternal value.  As mentioned eailier there is nothing wrong in planning for the future, or desiring to have better life here on earth. Just make sure God is in the process and you don't spend time filling your barns and not being able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. 

As C.T. Studd put it, "Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, "Thy will be done"; And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say 'twas worth ot all." 

Are you prepared to meet your maker? If not, now is a good time to repent of your sin, and ask Him into your heart, to become the LORD of your life. You can do that today by praying the prayer, "Connect With God" to the righthand side of this page. You will be eternally thankful you did. God bless. 

The Truth: “Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.” (Psalm 39:5)

James 3 “Heavenly Wisdom”

“The wisdom that is from above is… without hypocrisy.” (v.17)

When there is a discrepancy between what we say and what we do, we create confusion in the minds of others. That's why many nonbelievers do not take the gospel message seriously. A Christian who makes the greatest impact on a watching world, and who furthers the cause of Christ, is one whose actions are in harmony with his speech.

When James spoke of the "wisdom that is from above," he described it as "pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (v.17). This wisdom does not require a high IQ or a great SAT score. It comes from a rebirth of our hearts and our spirits to a life truly taken captive by God, which allows us to speak and do the truth.

The opposite of this of course is wisdom which is not from above, but of the world, man's wisdom. Man's wisdom seeks to gain its own way, it is not peaceable, nor gentle, or willing to yield. It is not without partiality or hypocrisy, and generally comes with an agenda. Oh you will hear one message, but the end result will be far from the truth.  

Only when actions and words agree, does the message become loud and clear, and without hypocrisy. 

The Truth: “Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.” (Matthew 23:1-3)

James 2 “Faith Without Works Is Dead”

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (v.26)

Which is more important faith or works? At the close of chapter 2, James answers emphatically: both are! Works “complete” our faith—they show that it is awake and alive. Faith and actions work “together” (v. 22). They are not in competition and they are both necessary in the Christian life.

Here in chapter 2 James gives us two examples of faith in action, Abraham and Rahab. Abraham is identified because of the offering of his son Isaac to God, believing God would raise him from the dead to fulfill His promise to him (v. 23). Rahab, at great risk to her own safety, harbored spies (v.25) and misled representatives of the king of Jericho believing in God to save both her and her family (Joshua 2:4-6). Her bravery is recounted again in Hebrews 11:31 among other great examples of faith.

The key here is faith, believing in God, and once you have that, dramatic works of obedience will follow as a natural outpouring of your belief. As John Calvin put it, “Faith alone justifies, but the faith that justifies is never alone.”

The Truth: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)

James 1 “Crown Of Life”

“Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (v.12)

Temptations and trials often occur at the same time. While there is a fine line between them, every hardship holds the potential to "makes us or break us." 

In the Book of Job we saw how God allowed Satan to touch Job’s property, his children, and eventually his health, to cause Job to deny God. But Job endured the hardships, never once denying his LORD and was ultimately rewarded by God with twice what was taken from him (Job 42:10).

As Christians, this speaks to us loud and clear. That when a trials come, Satan will be there to try and get us to (as Job’s wife suggested to him) “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). But fear not, for God will also be there to strengthen us through each trial, and will reward those who diligently seek Him. 

While it may be hard for us to "Count it all joy when we fall into various trials," we can be assured that God will strengthen us to endue the testing, and perfecting the work He began in us. And while we can all agree that the trial itself is not joyful, it equips us better to minister to others who may themselves experience a similar if not the same testing.     

The Truth: "Be confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6) 

1 Chronicles 29 "The End Of David's Reign"

And they made sacrifices to the LORD and offered burnt offerings to the LORD on the next day: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. So they ate and drank before the LORD with great gladness on that day. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him before the LORD to be the leader, and Zadok to be priest. Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, submitted themselves to King Solomon. So the LORD exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. (vv.21-25)

This was a special day, probably celebrated after the death of David when Solomon formally took the throne. These sacrifices were used to feed the people of Israel, and they ate and drank before the LORD in a great feast of communion with God and one another. 

The statement, "They made Solomon the son of David king the second time," refers to the first time back in 1 Kings 1:38-39 when it was done hastily, suddenly, and in [an irregular manner], by reason of Adonijah’s sedition; but here we see it done properly. However whether it was before or after David’s death is questionable. 

Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, submitted themselves to King Solomon. So the LORD exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

This was true, but the wise reader understands that this was only because David had made this possible. The majesty of Solomon was really inherited from the work and wisdom and godliness and prayers of his father. 

So David's reign comes to an end. Other kings over Israel or Judah had reigns longer, more secure, or more prosperous than David’s reign – but none were more glorious or godly. David remains Israel’s model king, pointing us to Jesus the Messiah, Israel’s greatest king.

The Truth: "This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham...." (Matthew 1-17)

1 Chronicles 28 “Finish The Work”

Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished.” (v.20)

This verse speaks volumes on so many levels. First, we see great fatherly advise from David to Solomon, exactly what you would expect from a warrior – “Be strong, be courages, attack (act), have no fear.” Next, we can see excellent spiritual encouragement, “My God is with you, He will not fail you, He will not leave you, you will complete the work.” Finally, we see there is a plan, a goal, a life direction to be fulfilled.

Therefore, when your heart and flesh begin to fail you, when you begin to question and wonder if your life-plan can be fulfilled – remember this passage, “God is with you.” He has plan for you, and there is a pattern, an ideal, a design, based on the possibilities which God sees to be within you. And, He has given you an abundance of stored provision to complete the task – so do not give up, finish the work!

The Truth

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)

1 Chronicles 27 "King David's Army"

"This is the list of the Israelites—heads of families, commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, and their officers, who served the king in all that concerned the army divisions that were on duty month by month throughout the year. Each division consisted of 24,000 men.” (v.1)

The military force of Israel numbered twelve divisions of 24,000 each. Every man served one month a year. This made king David’s continual standing army 24,000 strong each month and could be increased to 288,000 when needed. Concerning David’s leaders, officers, and military advisors, they were men who had proven themselves faithful to him in the past. King Solomon would later write, “For by wise counsel you shall make war: and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 24:6) He knew that the strength of wisdom isn’t solitary; it (wisdom) understands and relies upon the wisdom of others. It knows how to use the wise counsel of others and the safety of a multitude of counselors.

In today’s day and age, military readiness and good council are absolutely necessary. They provide a feeling of security and peace to all under their umbrella. It also says to those who would try and do us harm, we are watchful, ready and prepared. Similiarly as Christians, we need to stand armed, ready to do battle against Satan’s assaults on our personal lives, having received good council from God’s Holy Word daily.

The Truth

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)

1 Chronicles 26 "The Gatekeepers"

"And they cast lots for each gate, the small as well as the great, according to their father’s house. The lot for the East Gate fell to Shelemiah. Then they cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise counselor, and his lot came out for the North Gate; to Obed-Edom the South Gate, and to his sons the storehouse. To Shuppim and Hosah the lot came out for the West Gate, with the Shallecheth Gate on the ascending highway; watchman opposite watchman. " (vv.13-16)

Here we see that the order and arrangement of the service for the gatekeepers was arrived at the same way that they determined the order and arrangement for the priests in their service, by the casting of lots. This means that David let the LORD decide when it came to organizing and ordering these offices, and he did not let prestige or position determine their appointments. 

These gatekeepers had the responsibility for security, both in a practical and spiritual sense. They made sure that only those who were ready to serve and worship God could come to the temple and its associated building. Their work had to be organized and arranged just as much as the work of the priests who officiated at the sacrifices.

And, in our churches today there are many who work to carryout these same responsibilities insuring both order and security for all who come to worship. So, how are these men to be selected today?

J.P. Morgan writes concerning the selection of gatekeepers, “Our method is not that of casting lots, but of seeking the direct guidance of the Spirit. But we need to remember that in our choice of men for office in the work of the Church of God, the things of privilege, which too often count in human affairs, must have no weight with us.” (Morgan)

F.B. Meyer also writes, "But chiefly we are concerned with the temple of the heart. We surely need the doorkeeper there, for in the history of the inner life there is so much going and coming; such troops of thoughts pour into the shrine of the soul, and pour out. And often, in the crowd, disloyal and evil thoughts intrude, which, before we know it, introduce a sense of distance and alienation from God.” (Meyer)

Churches today would do well to follow David's example in selecting the gatekeepers of the church, look to the heart not to prestige or position.

The Truth: "But the LORD said unto Samuel, "Look not on his countenance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him; for the LORD sees not as a man sees. For man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

 

1 Chronicles 25 “Selection Of The Musicians”

The number of them (Musicians), with their brethren who were trained in singing to the Lord, all who were skillful, was two hundred and eighty- eight.” (v.7)

This chapter deals with the musicians, those who were skilled or gifted in music and prophesy. These musicians were divided into twenty-four companies, with twelve in each compamy, totaling two hundred and eighty eight who served in the temple (v.7). Once again we see that lots were casted to determine order of service (v.8), which is specificly laid out in verses 8-31.We find two purposes for these musicians in our text; 1) “to prophesy with harps” and 2) “to give thanks and direct praise to God” (v.3). 

Although we seldom see prophesy being fulfilled through music in the church today, this doesn’t mean it can’t be. Prophedic songs can be given by the Spirit and should be sought by all musicians in prayer to God, who gives us eyes to see His good and perfect will. 

Praise and thanksgiving on the other hand, are still alive and well within the music ministry of the church today. This long and blessed task of bring the congregation into a Holy reverence of a Holy God is an awesome responsibility, and one that must be balanced in so many ways. Bringing a congregation into a spirit of thankfulness and praise by putting the focus on God and not on one’s self, should be the task of all who minister in music. 

The Truth

Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” (Psalm 134:1-2)

1 Chronicles 24 “The Division Of The Priests”

“They divided them impartially by casting lots…” (v.5)

This chapter deals with the division of the priests, their order, and rotation of service in the temple. These decendances of Aaron were seprated into twenty-four courses, 6,000 men in each course, and each course served two weeks in the temple. Their order of service was determined by lot, throwing title and rank right out the window, and any contention along with it.   

Churches today, and individuals as well, can get hung up on this very thing; order, rank, position, title, badges, reserved seating, causing contention and even a haughty spirit within the body. Order, responsibility, accountability, dependability are all vital when serving in the ministry, but check your ego and your motivations for service through prayer.  

Remember, we all serve the same God and He is no respector of persons, title, or position.  

The Truth

 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matthew 20:16)

1 Chronicles 23 “The Levites Given New Responsibilities”

David had said, “Since the Lord, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem forever, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.” (vv.25-26)

From the earliest days of the wilderness wanderings, the Levites had the job of caring for and transporting the tabernacle. But, with the establishment of a permanent place of worship, David now gives new duties to the Levites and lowers the age to begin at twenty (v.27). The complete list of their duties can be found in verses 28-31, but they center around helping Aaron’s descendants in the service of the temple of the LORD (v.28).  

Today every church needs helping hands to perform the practical work of its ministry. So much so, that men and women of all ages should have no problem finding an area in which to serve. Therefore, prayerfully seek how you might be of service to Him in your church, maybe even in a new area of responsibility previously not conducted.

The Truth

“For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)

1 Chronicles 22 “Seek The Lord”

 “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise, therefore, and build the sanctuary of the Lord God..” (v.19)

Here in chapter 22 David had given Solomon everything he would need to build the temple; the location, materials, workmen, and even charging the Israelite leaders with the responsibility of aiding Solomon after he (David) died (v.19). All Solomon needed to provide was the action of building.

However, before turning this monumental task over to his son, David encourages Solomon to “seek the Lord” with his heart and soul for wisdom and guidance. What great spiritual and fatherly advice we see here from king David. This advise is also relevant to us, espically the order. Seeking should always come before serving. 

Before charging ahead into any direction in our lives we should slow down, spend some time at the feet of Jesus, wait on His direction, and we will be blessed.

The Truth

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)