October 29, 2014
David understood something about God’s “love and justice.” He had learned both the loving mercy and the holy righteousness of God. Some today would view God with an “either/or” perspective. They “either” focus too much on God’s love, making Him a saccharine sweet, permissive push-over grandparent with a white beard (like Santa). “Or” they see an angry judge who is to blame for every war, disease, terrorist attack and natural disaster that befalls us. However, the Lord’s character is not simply “either/or,” but “both/and.” He is “both” full of love “and” holiness. The two traits are fully and equally His. Certainly the greatest revelation of God’s love and justice is seen in the cross of Christ. It was God’s great love that sent His Son and God’s great holiness that was satisfied by Christ’s sacrifice. At the cross we see God’s love and justice intersect.
October 28, 2014
Be careful not to judge those who are lost as if you are better than they. Remember that God saved us not according to us, but according to Jesus. We have not earned salvation, nor are we able to work at keeping it. It is the mercy and grace of God which is revealed in Christ Jesus that both saves and keeps us. For we were once lost and dead in our sins too, but now we are washed clean and made alive spiritually because of Christ. So, stop judging others and stop judging yourself too. Rest in Christ’s finished work. Announce to everyone you meet this Good News of God’s grace and mercy that is found in Christ alone.
October 27, 2014
In the midst of God’s revelation to the prophet Jeremiah of Babylon’s future destruction, He revealed yet more of Himself. God is not just a local god, standing watch over little Jerusalem. No, He is the God over all creation. He is the omnipotent One who not only created the earth but the whole universe with divine understanding, so that even the stars are ordered according to His will. And not only has He created all, but with His omniscient wisdom, He sustains all. Our God is both Creator and Sustainer, holding everything together. The Lord expanded Jeremiah’s understanding of Himself, so that he might worship and trust Him more fully. Those who realize both the size of the universe and this revelation of God’s great power and wisdom are able to lift their eyes from their tiny perspective and trust in this great God.
October 26, 2014
Seventy years later this prophecy was fulfilled as Cyrus came from the North and destroyed Babylon. The latter part of the prophecy, that no one would live there again, is still true over 2,400 years later. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon were considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but now there is only desert in its place. It is said that Saddam Hussein planned to rebuild Babylon anew in his modern Iraq, yet the sand still blows over the supposed site. God’s Word continues to stand, but Babylon has fallen never to rise again.
October 25, 2014
Paul gave final instructions to Timothy as he faced the real possibility of execution for preaching the gospel. He wanted Timothy to be unafraid of suffering and willing to work hard for the sake of the Good News. Like a captain issuing orders to one of his men, Paul charged Timothy to “fully carry out” his mission. Notice Paul’s particular language. “Work” – make telling others the Good News about Jesus something you labor at, not just occasionally or accidentally, but with the awareness of one who has been employed by God to do so. “Fully carry out” – don’t balk in the final stretch, but run with all your might across the finish line. Jesus was obedient to “fully carry out” His ministry, even unto the cross. This is our commission too. Finish well. Starting well is good, but finishing well is most important. Are you willing to fully carry out the ministry God has given to you?
October 24, 2014
“Inspired” – From the Greek word, Theopneustos, which literally means, “God-breathed.” The Bible is a spiritual book and it is spiritually discerned. It is useful not only for knowing, but for doing. It is therefore both spiritual and practical. It contains the gospel which gives us the wisdom to receive salvation, so it is the Book of Life. The Spirit of Christ uses the Word to wash us and to conform us to His image, preparing us for our wedding day (Eph. 5). The Bible is unique. There is no other book like it. It is the written Word of God.
October 23, 2014
What was the “Good News” that Paul preached? Answer: Christ crucified and raised from the dead. This is the news event that we are to proclaim. For the gospel is not good advice, it’s good news. And news is to be announced. Some will believe and some won’t. But for those who do believe and accept this good news as truth, theirs is eternal life in Christ. Many of us are news “junkies,” glued to our 24 hour news stations and internet outlets. We ask if others have seen the latest football score or weather report. Yet, do we “always remember” to proclaim the greatest good news of all?
October 22, 2014
What causes us to feel shame to speak of Jesus? There are at least three reasons: 1) Lack of spiritual zeal. We don’t feel worthy to talk about Jesus because we are not living as we should. 2) Believing the enemy’s lies. These lies tells us that people aren’t interested in Jesus or that they will reject us or make fun of us. Our politically correct culture lies to us that it is inappropriate to speak of Jesus. 3) Lack of knowledge. We feel that we don’t know enough to be able to witness. Yet, witnessing is just telling others what Christ has done for you. Paul told Timothy to “never be ashamed.” Are you able to say, “I’m not ashamed to tell others about Jesus?”
October 21, 2014
Money is a means of exchange, a morally neutral thing that is useful when rightly used. Yet, the love of money is idolatry. It puts money in the place of God. Rather than saying “in God we trust,” it puts its trust in money. The one who loves money sees serving God as a means to get more money, rather than money being a means to serve God. How can we tell if the love of money has infected our hearts? When we feel unable to give to His ministry, or to go on His mission, we may be suffering from the love of money. Giving is the antidote to greed.
October 20, 2014
Up until that time, all of the prophecies that the Lord had given Jeremiah had been delivered orally. So the Lord instructed Jeremiah to get a scroll and have every message recorded in writing. Jeremiah enlisted Baruch to be his secretary and repeated every message for him to write down. Later, when the scroll containing all these prophecies was read to King Jehoiakim, the king burned the scroll in his fireplace and ordered Jeremiah arrested. Yet, this did not stop God’s Word. For God hid Jeremiah from the king and had him repeat all the messages once again for Baruch to write down. In the end, King Jehoiakim was killed by the Babylonians as Jeremiah prophesied, but the writings of Jeremiah remain to this day. Heaven and earth may pass away, but the Word of God remains forever.