From: September 9, 2024
“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men” (Proverbs 22:29 ESV).
There is a biblical theology of work. God works. God made man in His own image and gave him work to do too. The modern view that there is a division between secular and sacred work is in error. For all work is sacred when done “as to the Lord” (Col. 3:23).
And as the proverb says, when work is done with skillful excellence, even kings take notice. Such a worker will “stand before” well known and important people. Their work will become a platform from which to communicate. Will they accept glory for themselves or will they give glory to God?
Jesus worked. He said, “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:17). A right theology of work teaches us that there is no work that is to be considered beneath us, for Jesus Himself washed the disciples feet. And a right theology of work also teaches us to rest, for Jesus Himself knew when to rest. All work is sacred when done in Jesus’ name and for God’s glory.
So let’s get to work!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we know that our works cannot save us. For we have been saved by grace through faith in the redemptive work of Your Son. Yet we also know that You have created us to do good works and to do them with all our hearts for You and for Your glory. Therefore, strengthen us this day to work heartily for You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 9, 2023
“I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4 NLT).
The gospel is simple. So simple that people nearly always want to complicate it. Just as the law of the garden was simple: “Don’t eat.” So the gospel is simple: “Take and eat” (Matt. 26:26). The apostle Paul had preached the simple gospel to the Corinthians. But false teachers had come in trying to add or subtract from his message, preaching a “different gospel.” He warned them not to be deceived as Eve was in the garden.
When you hear someone ask, “Did God really say?” You should be on alert. Anyone who questions the reliability of the Word of God is speaking with the serpent’s tongue. The serpent didn’t tempt Adam and Eve to steal, kill or destroy. He merely tempted them to question God’s Word. The rest followed as a result.
The gospel calls us to place our faith in the finished work of Jesus. Not earning, but receiving. Christ died for our sins. Repent and believe. The simple gospel calls us to a “pure and undivided devotion to Christ.” No more, no less.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the finished work of Jesus. For we have believed in Him and received forgiveness of sin and eternal life. We are Yours. Deliver us from the temptation to complicate Your gospel or to question Your Word. Strengthen us to always stand in the true gospel without wavering. Empower us to proclaim it to the whole world as You have commanded. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 9, 2022
UPSIDE-DOWN MORALITY–THE SIGN OF IMPENDING WOE
The Lord declared impending judgment on Judah through the prophet Isaiah for their rejection of His law and the confounding of His Word. “What sorrow.” He said. Or as in other translations, “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.” For their thinking had become so warped by sin that they called evil–– good, darkness–– light and bitterness–– sweet. A nation with such an upside-down morality will not long stand, even one that began as God’s chosen. Yet God still loved Judah. This was why He sent them prophets such as Isaiah to warn them, so that they might repent.
Do you see a similar tendency towards an upside-down morality in our culture today? God says that sorrow awaits those who call evil good and good evil. Indeed, God says “woe” to those who do such things, warning that sin brings sorrow and suffering.
We can try to redefine morality according to our own desires, but sorrow will always follow. As the Word says, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we pray for our nation and for the generations that follow, that revival would come on our land and that the Good News would be heard and believed. Send preachers like Isaiah that will boldly declare Your Word. Give the people ears to hear. Let Your Spirit move, so that we see a great spiritual awakening. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: September 9, 2017
There is a theology of work. God works. God made man in His own image and gave him work to do too. The modern view that there is a division between secular and sacred work is in error. All work is sacred when done “as to the Lord” (Col. 3:23). When good work is done with excellence, even kings take notice. Such a worker will “stand before” well known and important people. Their work will become a platform from which to communicate. Will they accept glory for themselves or will they give glory to God? Jesus worked. He said, “My Father is working until now, and I am working” (John 5:17). A right theology of work teaches us that there is no work that is to be considered beneath us, for Jesus Himself washed the disciples feet. And a right theology of work also teaches us to rest, for Jesus Himself knew when to rest. All work is sacred when done in Jesus’ name.
From: September 9, 2016
The psalmist David wrote that God is continually looking for one that would seek Him with understanding. The implication was that there were none among the “children of man” that truly sought God. They might seek a place or a theology, or even God’s hand. But who was seeking the Lord’s face with understanding? David didn’t see anyone. And so, he exclaimed, “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!” (Psa. 53:6). David’s prayer was answered when God sent Jesus. For it was Jesus who clarified what it meant to seek God with understanding. He said that God is seeking those that would worship Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). Then, He revealed Himself as the Christ, the One by whom we might be born again in the Spirit, and the One who is the Truth by which we might worship God with understanding. God is still looking. He is looking to see what we will do with Jesus.
From: September 9, 2015
The gospel is simple. So simple that people nearly always want to complicate it. Just as the law of the garden was simple– “don’t eat,” so the gospel is simple– “take and eat.” The apostle Paul had preached the simple gospel to the Corinthians, yet false teachers were trying to add to his message. He warned them not to be deceived as Eve was in the garden. When you hear someone ask, “Did God really say?” You should be on alert. Anyone who questions the reliability of the Word of God is speaking with the serpent’s tongue. The gospel calls us to a faith of purity and simplicity. Believe and receive. No more, no less.
From: September 9, 2014
Atheism is a heart not a head condition. The atheist claims intellectual reasons for unbelief, but the root actually lies in a “corrupt” heart. This condition of the heart is like a computer program with corrupted files, it does not respond as its designer planned. Intellectual proofs will not change a corrupted heart. A spiritual heart transplant is required.
From: September 9, 2012
A fool says there is no God, but the wise seek Him. Ironic that the modern atheist claims superior intellect, yet God calls him a fool. The wise search for God, but cannot find Him without revelation. Jesus is the supreme revelation of God. Looking to Christ as Lord and Savior, God finds us. God is looking for seekers.