“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him” (Hebrews 11:6)

November 12, 2012

Sola Fide (Faith alone). God is not pleased by our effort, but by our faith. It is Christ’s work that satisfied God. It is our faith in Christ’s finished work that pleases Him.

“Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near (Hebrews 10:25)

November 11, 2012

Don’t neglect meeting together with other believers. We need mutual encouragement and especially as the Day of Christ’s return draws near. Will we see you at church today?

“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30)

November 10, 2012

God is still looking for men who will “stand in the gap” for their families, communities and nation. Who will it be?

“Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28)

November 9, 2012

Christ has already dealt with sin’s penalty of death. Now we await His promised return to remove us from sin’s presence and to unite with Him in glory.

“Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit… I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!” (Ezekiel 18:30-32)

November 8, 2012

God warned Israel through His prophet Ezekiel to repent before their sins destroyed them. Sin = suffering. As when we stick our hand in the fire, our skin blisters, so when we sin, there is pain. The sin itself brings its own judgment and ultimately death. Yet, God in His grace offers a way out through Jesus, His Son. He took sin’s suffering, separation and death, so that we could “Turn back and live!”

“We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands” (Hebrews 8:1-2)

November 7, 2012

There is a reality more real than ours, a worship more true, a ministry more effective and a Priest more perfect. We do not lean therefore, on our own worship, ministry and human leaders. They only point to Jesus and His work. We lean on Christ alone.

“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy” (Proverbs 27:6)

November 6, 2012

Are your friendships based on flattery or fidelity? Are your ears open to correction? A true friend will tell you the truth about you. What kind of friends have you chosen to hear?

“Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that will make them fall into sin. Why should I listen to their requests?” (Ezekiel 14:3)

November 5, 2012

There is an idol that no one can see outwardly, but is just as surely built up and worshiped in the human heart. This idol of the heart comes between us and God. It causes a religious self-delusion and makes one susceptible to sin. It makes prayer ineffective. Remove the thing that has stolen your heart and taken first place ahead of loving God! Make God your first love.

“Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring” (Proverbs 27:1)

November 4, 2012

We put dates on our calendars and plan for events a year in advance, yet we have no promise of tomorrow. Be careful not to brag of your plans. Instead say, “Lord willing…” (James 4:15). Or as those in the South say, “Lord willin and the criks don’t rise…” Or as the old preacher of my youth taught me to say, “If the Lord delays His comin and lets me live another day, I plan to be doin such and such tomorrow!”

“Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him” (Psalm 105:4)

November 3, 2012

The Psalmist reminds us to continually search for God and His strength. This is an important daily discipline to learn. Don’t leave your house in your own strength. First, seek the Lord and draw on His renewing power. Learn to abide in Christ and in His enabling strength. Then you can join the apostle Paul in saying, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” (Phil.4:13)!