Jonah 1:3
"But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. So he went down to Joppa, found a ship which was going to Tarshish, paid the fare and went down into it to go with them to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord."
Any step away from God is a step down the wrong path. Whenever we run in the opposite direction of the Lord’s call or command, you can be sure Satan will have a ship ready for us to set sail on - and we’ll pay a heavy price for it. I’ve been on that boat, to my Tarshish. I have experienced the cost and like Jonah, I knew it was wrong when I did it.
But thankfully, our King is merciful, compassionate, slow to anger and desirous that all should be saved (2 Peter 3:9) - Me, You, the Ninevites, that person you don’t want to forgive who has wronged you in some way. The Gospel is for everyone, not just a chosen few. So, share it and do not flee from the call.
The Truth
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Never Rejoice Over The Fall Of Others
Obadiah 1:12
"Do not gloat over your brother's day, the day of his misfortune. And do not rejoice over the sons of Judah in the day of their destruction; Yes, do not boast in the day of their distress.”
The message to us is to NEVER "rejoice" over the fall of others; friends and enemies alike. Instead, pray for them and if possible, reach over to their need and lift them up.
The Truth
"He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished." (Proverbs 17:5b)
"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles." (Proverbs 24:17)
Monday, December 8, 2014
Forces of Wickedness
Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Behind any kind of confrontation our struggle seems to be, against flesh and blood. After all, there are physical flesh and blood human beings who take a stand against us. But there is more. Behind the anger of the moment we are also encountering the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Life is much more scary than one may think. There are spiritual forces of wickedness - rulers, powers and forces of darkness that are bent on your destruction and mine.
You and I need protection - more accurately, a protector.
The Truth
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Behind any kind of confrontation our struggle seems to be, against flesh and blood. After all, there are physical flesh and blood human beings who take a stand against us. But there is more. Behind the anger of the moment we are also encountering the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Life is much more scary than one may think. There are spiritual forces of wickedness - rulers, powers and forces of darkness that are bent on your destruction and mine.
You and I need protection - more accurately, a protector.
The Truth
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)
Friday, December 5, 2014
Follow God
Ephesians 5:1
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.”
Here Paul is telling us (with the word therefore), that it only makes sense to follow the one who has forgiven you. Ch.5 explains how to walk (follow) after Jesus; in love, in “the light” of scripture, in wisdom and in harmony with our marriages.
In following Christ’s examples we become servants, as opposed to being served. Our focus is on others and not ourselves. As Jesus said, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave.” (Matthew 20:26-27) And then He continued, “just as the Son of Man (Christ) did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
The term Christian signifies we are followers of Christ. May we, by the power of the Spirit, walk by His example daily.
The Truth
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children.”
Here Paul is telling us (with the word therefore), that it only makes sense to follow the one who has forgiven you. Ch.5 explains how to walk (follow) after Jesus; in love, in “the light” of scripture, in wisdom and in harmony with our marriages.
In following Christ’s examples we become servants, as opposed to being served. Our focus is on others and not ourselves. As Jesus said, “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave.” (Matthew 20:26-27) And then He continued, “just as the Son of Man (Christ) did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28).
The term Christian signifies we are followers of Christ. May we, by the power of the Spirit, walk by His example daily.
The Truth
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Forgive Each Other
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
As God has forgiven us so much in Christ, can we do any less for others?
Kindness, tenderness, forgiveness (unconditional), this is what Paul is requesting of the church body, even when others don’t forgive you.
That’s tough to do on our own but, the impossible for you and I is possible for God, especially when you and I are “forgiven” in Christ. Then, we find ourselves acting in His strength, His love and not in our own. Jesus said, “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.”(Matthew 7:12) Be kind to others and more often than not, they will be kind to you.
Forgiveness is not a burden God places upon us, but rather a safeguard for our mental health and emotional stability. If there is someone toward whom you’re bitter, do yourself a huge favor and forgive them – even as God has forgiven you.
The Truth
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25)
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
As God has forgiven us so much in Christ, can we do any less for others?
Kindness, tenderness, forgiveness (unconditional), this is what Paul is requesting of the church body, even when others don’t forgive you.
That’s tough to do on our own but, the impossible for you and I is possible for God, especially when you and I are “forgiven” in Christ. Then, we find ourselves acting in His strength, His love and not in our own. Jesus said, “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them.”(Matthew 7:12) Be kind to others and more often than not, they will be kind to you.
Forgiveness is not a burden God places upon us, but rather a safeguard for our mental health and emotional stability. If there is someone toward whom you’re bitter, do yourself a huge favor and forgive them – even as God has forgiven you.
The Truth
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25)
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
For Your Glory
Ephesians 3:13
“Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.”
Here the Apostle Paul is saying, “Don’t worry about what I am going through, it is meant for your edification.
Tribulations are not all about punishment. Yes they can be corrective in nature but they also reshape us, refine us, that we might help others. How else can the world see the mystery of Christ in us – not when things are easy, not when things are comfy, but they see the mystery when things get rocky.
Yes, God allows Situations to be difficult, (the rain falls on the just and the unjust) but it is always for a purpose and it is always based in His love. The world gets to see the mystery of Christ in you, your hope of glory. And in seeing this mystery, they are drawn to the Master.
A.W. Tozer was right when he said that, “before God can use a man greatly, He must also allow him to be hurt deeply.”
The Truth
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
“Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.”
Here the Apostle Paul is saying, “Don’t worry about what I am going through, it is meant for your edification.
Tribulations are not all about punishment. Yes they can be corrective in nature but they also reshape us, refine us, that we might help others. How else can the world see the mystery of Christ in us – not when things are easy, not when things are comfy, but they see the mystery when things get rocky.
Yes, God allows Situations to be difficult, (the rain falls on the just and the unjust) but it is always for a purpose and it is always based in His love. The world gets to see the mystery of Christ in you, your hope of glory. And in seeing this mystery, they are drawn to the Master.
A.W. Tozer was right when he said that, “before God can use a man greatly, He must also allow him to be hurt deeply.”
The Truth
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
FORMER Children of Wrath
Ephesians 2:3
“Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”
That’s you, me, Paul, everyone who has ever lived – “All have sinned.” (Romans 3:23) We are all by nature, “Children of Wrath.” It’s not only the gross “lusts of our flesh” that plague humanity, but also the secret “desires of the… mind” that are a deep and very real problem. God knows our thoughts and we are condemned by them.
But the good news is that “wrath” is the FORMER state of all who trust in the LORD Jesus Christ. For by His grace, “we have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:8)
Thank you LORD!
The Truth
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
“Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.”
That’s you, me, Paul, everyone who has ever lived – “All have sinned.” (Romans 3:23) We are all by nature, “Children of Wrath.” It’s not only the gross “lusts of our flesh” that plague humanity, but also the secret “desires of the… mind” that are a deep and very real problem. God knows our thoughts and we are condemned by them.
But the good news is that “wrath” is the FORMER state of all who trust in the LORD Jesus Christ. For by His grace, “we have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:8)
Thank you LORD!
The Truth
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Monday, December 1, 2014
Forgiveness
Ephesians 1:7
“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
Redeemed, purchased, liberated, ransomed, freed – by His death, through His blood and His total payment for the sins of man on the cross.
Many think it was unwise of God to lavish such redemption and forgiveness on guilty sinners. But it was in all wisdom and prudence that He gave this to us. (Ephesians 1:8)
Thank you LORD.
The Truth
“Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)
“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
Redeemed, purchased, liberated, ransomed, freed – by His death, through His blood and His total payment for the sins of man on the cross.
Many think it was unwise of God to lavish such redemption and forgiveness on guilty sinners. But it was in all wisdom and prudence that He gave this to us. (Ephesians 1:8)
Thank you LORD.
The Truth
“Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)