August 9, 2014
When Ezra arrived in Jerusalem with offerings for the Temple, he discovered that many of the priests and leaders had led the people into sin. In response, he tore his clothes, pulled out his beard and prayed a prayer of repentance. In his prayer, he spoke of the reality that their “condition” of guilt prevented them from standing in God’s presence. This sad reality continued until the Lord Jesus offered Himself on the cross for our sins and the Temple curtain separating us from a holy God was rent. Our “condition” of sin, separation and death was placed upon Christ, while His righteousness, Sonship, and life were ascribed to us who believe.
August 8, 2014
Paul rebuked the Corinthians who claimed to be followers of Paul or Apollos. He was not interested in the approval of men. His desire was to be found faithful by the Lord Jesus. He saw no value nor credibility in the evaluation of others or even his own self-evaluation. He recommended that we all wait until the Lord’s return to see what secret motives would be revealed and what praise offered. In the meantime, stop comparing one brother or sister with another. After all, anything good comes from God. And in the end, Christ deserves all the praise.
August 7, 2014
Paul uses a farming analogy to compare witnessing with planting. The one who sows and waters is the witness and the seed is the gospel. Yet, the seed comes from God and only He can make it grow. This removes both the pressure of success and the temptation to take credit. As the late Bill Bright used to say, “Success in witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.”
August 7, 2014
The Church is the people, not the steeple. And the One who holds them together and makes them one is the Holy Spirit of God. Remembering this, we work to build up people rather than places or programs. God’s strategy for the Kingdom is making disciples.
August 6, 2014
When the enemies of God hear there is a new work being planted, they often volunteer to help. One of the most dangerous ploys of the evil one is disguised as an offer of assistance. It’s tempting to accept because a new ministry is nearly always lacking in both people and financial resources. This sense of desperation can lead to accepting an infiltration that hinders the new ministry from within. The returning exiles to Jerusalem wisely refused to fall for this trap. Of course, their refusal merely unmasked the enemy’s true motivations. The enemies of God then began an external attack. We shouldn’t be surprised that enemies come against us in ministry. But we can wisely avoid being unequally yoked with those who would destroy from within.
August 5, 2014
It is God’s plan that the “message of the cross” should enliven human hearts, yet it is also that which certifies that others are already dead. We often try human wisdom to reason and persuade, but it is the gospel alone that saves. And it is the gospel that reveals others to be lost. Only the message of the cross has the power to show we are already dead in our sins before making us alive in Christ. This message is a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others, but to us who believe it is the very power of God.
August 4, 2014
What a wonderful life goal David had! To live in the Lord’s house, to delight in His perfections and to meditate on Him. It is the fulfillment of this goal that Christ promises to make possible in John 14:1-3 when He speaks of preparing a place in the Father’s house for us. Some people wonder what they would do in this eternal abode, but David didn’t. He understood the eternal and ever-engaging nature of God’s “perfections” and looked forward to spending eternity delighting and meditating on them. If we can spend lifetimes considering God’s creation, then what wonders must await those who dwell in the Creator’s home and delight in Him.
August 3, 2014
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand. I’m going to second service today to hear my son preach and to to publicly praise the Lord! God is good!
July 22, 2014
Christ is “my rock:” He is my firm foundation and anchor. Christ is “my fortress:” He is my shelter when storms come and fears set in. Christ is “my Savior:” He is my sacrifice and sure salvation, the sweet fragrance that pleases God and saves me. Christ is my all. He is mine and I am his. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand.
July 21, 2014
We don’t serve God by following a checklist, but by living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Legalism does not please God as it only reveals our unrighteousness and prideful hearts. This “new way” of living is not about effort or earning, but believing and receiving. Those who have found the “new way” have the law once inscribed in stone, now written on their hearts. This “new way” frees us to truly serve God.