Saturday, April 25, 2020
Just Go
Verse of the day: 1 Samuel 30:9-10, So David went, he and the six hundred men who were with him, and came to the Brook Besor, where those stayed who were left behind. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so weary that they could not cross the Brook Besor.
We can learn a lot from David’s actions following the tragedy he faced due to his own backsliding. Let us not forget that David was running from Saul, was rejected by the people he chose to dwell amongst (the Philistines, chapter 29), came back to his dwelling place to find that his family and the families of his men had been taken, their homes burned, and the men now wanted to stone him (v. 1-6). What did he have left? From a human perspective, David had nothing left and no one to turn to. From a spiritual perspective he still had everything because He still had God. David’s response in this time of trouble to was to find strength in the LORD (v. 6). In verse 7 and 8 we are told, “Then David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, ‘Please bring the ephod here to me.’ And Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 So David inquired of the LORD, saying, ‘Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?’ And He answered him, ‘Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.’” It is no great secret that we are all having to deal with the world’s current situation and the panic and fear that has paralyzed many. However, this is a time rich with opportunity. It is a time when we need to do as David did and strengthen ourselves in the Lord our God! Note what David did once he turned to the Lord. He did not sit around whining and complaining. He did not panic or allow fear to stress him out. He did not sit idly, but took to prayer, seeking God’s guidance in what he should do next. Once he received instruction from the Lord, he moved to action. He did not sit around waiting for further confirmation. He did not make excuses about not being able to go do what God was instructing him to do, once he inquired of Him. He simply went. Obedience is the one things we can do that will demonstrate how much we trust the LORD. If David had failed to obey the Lord in pursuing the Amalekites, he would have never recovered his family and it would have been a great failure of his faith. There are far too many Christians today that have allowed fear and panic overwhelm them to the point of being disobedient to God’s commands. We have been commanded to preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Some of us have been convicted to use this time to start a study or reach out and encourage others, but have instead focused on what is happening in the world and have paid more attention to news media than to the Word of God. It’s time to take our eyes off the world and its foolishness and put our eyes back where they belong, on God and His Word. The things that are unfolding around us, and before our eyes, have already been spelled out for us the pages of our Bibles. The time of the Lord’s return, to get His church, is drawing nearer and nearer! It is imminent! It will come as a thief in the night! Why are we being idle? Why are we standing around paralyzed by the enemies’ greatest weapons fear and isolation? Like David obediently went…we too have to just go! Go where? Go find a person to tell about Jesus, what He has done and that He is coming back. Go find a brother or sister in Christ to encourage in the Lord. Go find a study to start or participate in, so that we can encourage one another. Our inability to gather together, and the attempts to silence our message is not an excuse to become silent and hide. God has blessed us with the ability to meet by way of other methods and platforms. The church is not the building we meet in. WE are the church. Every single born again believer that is indwelt by the Spirit is the church. We are all in Christ Jesus and He in us. Let us obediently behave and serve like we really believe that! JUST GO!
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
Sunday, April 12, 2020
It Is Not Over
Verses of the Day: John 20:3-7, Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. 4 So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. 5 And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
Happy Resurrection Sunday! This is the day we celebrate the fact that our Lord and Savior Jesus is not dead! Today, just as it was on that day, the tomb is empty! For the disciples, that would be a day when their joy would return. The sorrow of seeing their Teacher, their Lord, beaten, tortured, crucified, and put in a tomb would be dwarfed by the joy of seeing the tomb empty, and our God and Savior Jesus alive! Today we celebrate the fact that we have a Risen Savior, a Living Hope. 1 Peter 1:3-5 tells us, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Death could not defeat Him and the grave could not hold Him. Acts 2:24 declares, “Whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.” But the Good News does not end there! There was something very significant that was put in these verses for us. Verse 7 says, “And the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.” A minor detail that in and of itself seems meaningless, yet it has great significance. The linen that wrapped His body remained, signifying that His body was not taken; it was not stolen. The handkerchief was left behind, as one to be used to wipe their tears, and this was a moment of celebration, and not of sorrow, for Jesus was alive! But even greater than that, as was and is the custom of one leaving their meal for a moment and leaving ones napkin folded as a symbol of our return to the meal and fellowship, the handkerchief was neatly folded as a reminder and symbol that this same Jesus who the grave could not hold is the same Jesus that will someday return to take us to be with Him forevermore! So today, let us not only celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, but let us also be watchful for the return of our Lord, Savior and King!
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
Saturday, April 11, 2020
God Will Not Be Stopped
Verse of the day: Matthew 27:62-66, On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.
Yesterday we celebrated the death of our Savior. We discussed the blessings of His last words on the Cross. However, what happened between His crucifixion and the morning His tomb was discovered empty? Well, foolish human wisdom and arrogance was in full play. The priests and Pharisees, as well as government officials, decided that they would put an end to God’s plan by placing guards to protect the tomb. Protect the tomb? No, it was more like they were trying to protect their own desire to have the people’s praise as their spiritual leaders. They wanted to continue to have control over their followers, dictating how they should live and how they should follow laws that they themselves were not able to keep (Matthew 23). They refused to believe and give Jesus the glory that belonged to Him and Him alone. Their arrogance and pride were no better than Satan’s pride; the same pride that led to his fall. How often do we, filled with our pride, think that we can arrange circumstances to make things work out the way WE want them to? How often do we decide that we are our own gods, and we know what is best, in spite of what God’s Word tells us? It seems that the Pharisees were actually in a panic. Let us not forget what happened when Jesus was crucified. Matthew 27:50-54 tells us, “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51 Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, 52 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” How silly we are to think that we can thwart God’s plans with our miserable tactics. How does God react to these feeble attempts? He laughs. Psalm 2:1-4 tells us, “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, 3 ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the LORD shall hold them in derision.” At the same time that the Pharisees and others are plotting to stop God’s plan, the disciples are hunkered down, feeling hopeless and probably wondering what will happen to them now that Jesus is gone? They hid themselves in fear over what might be done to them if they are identified as “Jesus followers”. What a hopeless time. Three days must have felt like an eternity. However, regardless of what man plots, regardless of how often we are persecuted for being followers of Jesus, the one thing we need to remind ourselves and each other of is, “God will not be stopped!” Just like the death could not keep Him in the tomb, so it is with man’s foolish wisdom and plans. They cannot stop God’s plan for each of our lives. We are living in uncertain times, from man’s perspective, and the world is in a panic. This is the time, especially as we celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, for us to let the Light of Jesus shine brightly! Let us be encouraged by the fact that our God is unstoppable, and encourage one another with that truth. God has a plan and is in full control, even in the midst of circumstances that seem to be out of control. As we wait for one more day to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, let us spread a message of encouragement to those who are currently feeling hopeless. Our God is alive and well, and because of that we have a Living Hope. His Name is Jesus!
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
Friday, April 10, 2020
Last Words
Verses of the Day: Luke 23:34, Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Luke 23:43, And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” John 19:26, When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Matthew 27:46, And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” John 19:28, After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” John 19:30, So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. Luke 23:46, And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ ” Having said this, He breathed His last.
Today is both a sad day and a day to celebrate. Sad, because Israel, in not recognizing their Messiah, chose to have Him crucified. John 1:10-11 tells us, “He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” Yet, this was right in line with God’s plan to bring us eternal life; that Jesus, His only begotten Son, would give His life for us. Jesus Himself said this in John 19:11, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” With that said, I would like us to reflect on Jesus’ last words on the Cross and celebrate the blessings of their significance.
1. “Father, forgive them…” This serves as a reminder for us that God’s forgiveness is available to us in Christ Jesus. Those who stood around Him mocking Him did not deserve His forgiveness, just as we do not deserve it today, but it is just as available to us today as it was on that day.
2. “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” What did this thief do to deserve eternal life? Nothing! What have we done to deserve eternal life? Nothing! God’s salvation comes to us by His grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), and only in Jesus Christ. For He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. None of us can come to the Father, but by Him (John 14:6).
3. “Woman, behold you Son!” In His time of unimaginable suffering, Jesus was more concerned about providing and taking care of His mother than He was of His own well-being. Jesus promised that if we set our sights on the Kingdom of God first, He would take care of our every need. What are you worried about today, unnecessarily? Hold on to His promise and let go of your worry! (Matthew 6)
4. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Amazingly, we see the first time God the Father turned His back on God the Son. Why would He be willing to endure such suffering? He did it for us. 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” Yes, the wrath that we deserved was poured out on Jesus in order that we might have life eternal in Him. He was reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).
5. “I thirst!” This was evidence of Jesus’ humanity. Jesus, the only Perfect Man to ever walk the earth, suffered as a human being and can completely relate to our sufferings. Hebrews 5:14-16 clearly tells us, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
6. “It is finished!” What exactly was finished? Jesus finished what He had come to do in accordance to prophecy and His Father’s will. His suffering was finish, and the devil was defeated. What was needed to open the doors to Heaven for us was finished. Receiving salvation does not need any of our works added. The work is finished and eternal life is now available by God’s grace alone.
7. “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.” The greatest demonstration of His love was announced in this statement. No one, absolutely no one, could take Jesus’ life. He voluntarily gave it up for us. In John 15:13, Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
These last seven words of Jesus on the Cross are a wonderful reminder of how blessed we are as born again believers. It is also a reminder of the importance of our duty as God’s children to tell a lost and dying world about what our Lord and Savior has done for us, and the world.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13)
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Celebrating the True Judge
Verse of the day: John 12:14-16, Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: 15 “Fear not, daughter of Zion; behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.” 16 His disciples did not understand these things at first; but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about Him and that they had done these things to Him.
Today we celebrate Palm Sunday, the day we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry at Jerusalem; a day when the people cheered his arrival, but for the wrong reason. Israel was expecting Jesus to arrive on scene and liberate them from Roman oppression. Just a few days later they would cry out, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” (John 19:6). What the people did not understand was that Jesus had come, not to liberate them from Roman oppression, but to free them from the bondage of sin. If they had recognized and accepted Him as their Messiah, even though under Roman oppression, they would have been truly free. His mode of travel was one that pointed to Him as Judge. He could have ridden through those gates on a horse, which was kept by great men and used for war, as noted by commentator Matthew Henry. Instead, Jesus chose to ride the colt of a donkey, which was usually the transportation used by the sons of a judge, as demonstrated in Judges 5:10 and Judges 12:14. Interestingly, Matthew 21:4-7 indicates that Jesus rode on both the donkey and the donkey’s colt. This is significant in that Jesus by doing this He was showing that He was riding in the place of both God the Father and God the Son. In John 10:30 Jesus Himself said, “I and My Father are one.” Unlike the people of Jerusalem, we have the advantage of being able to look back on this event and see Jesus for who He is. He is Lord, Savior, and Judge. As our Savior, He gives us eternal life. As Lord, we should be living our lives in obedience to His Word. As Judge, we will stand before Him to give an answer for the life we are choosing live either for Him or for our own selfish motives. The bottom line is that today, as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphant entry, let us also celebrate Him as Savior, Lord and Judge. It is easy to see from what is happening in the world right now that the day is drawing near for His return. He will return to fulfill the promise He made in John 14:1-3, “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” He will first come to get His beloved bride, the Church! (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) However, let us also remember that this Humble Judge who came as the Lamb of God will also return as the Judge who is the Lion of Judah. His judgement will be fair, just, and fierce! Revelation 19:11 clearly tells us, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.” I beseech those who may be reading this, who have not called upon Jesus yet, not to make the same mistake the people of Jerusalem made on that day. Do not wait until tomorrow, for we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Do not reject the invitation to receive Jesus by faith. In John 3:18-19 Jesus said, “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Let today be the day of your salvation. Brothers and sisters, let us use this day to celebrate the triumph or our King by sharing Him with others in this lost, troubled, and dying world.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
Thursday, April 2, 2020
Proclaim the Gospel to Every Creature
Mark 16:14-15, Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
As the signs of the times lead us to believe the return of Jesus could be soon...I believe we need to get the Gospel message. Until the Good Lord calls me away from this world to come home, I want to make it clear that I believe in Jesus Christ as the True Lord and Savior. Despite the fact that I am human and I fail sometimes (a lot), He has reserved a home in heaven for me. I believe, based on God’s Word, that Jesus is the Son of God and that He lived a perfect and blameless life. He was crucified and died a horrific death for our sins. On the third day, He defeated death and rose from the grave! He loves us all dearly (far more than we deserve) and forgives our sins if we believe and call on His name. His word says "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).
If the Holy Spirit moves you and you’re not ashamed, share this message with everyone you know needs Jesus, before it is too late!
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