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November 26

Scripture for today: Daniel 2:24-3:30; 1 Peter 4:7-5:14; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 28:15-16

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“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9 NKJV).

From: November 26, 2020

A “ONE ANOTHER” FOR THANKSGIVING

The apostle Peter reminded believers of the importance of loving and serving “one another.” This instruction included being “hospitable.” In other words, be friendly and welcoming to one another, giving of yourself and your substance as others have need. Open up both your homes and your hearts to one another.

Peter further instructed to do it without “grumbling.” Grumbling expresses a heart of ingratitude. It is an attitude that defeats the action of hospitality. For it shows that the gift was given begrudgingly. But when we are hospitable with gratitude in our hearts, the gift is given and received with joy and love.

So on this wonderful holiday, remember to be hospitable (giving) to one another with gratitude (thanks). When you put them together, you have THANKS + GIVING!

And remember one more thing. There are 59 “one another commands in the New Testament, but you can’t do the “one anothers” without one another! So make sure to get together with one another today. You might be able to knock out several of the “one anothers” in one day. 🙂

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your many blessings on us. We are overwhelmed with gratitude. Help us to show hospitality and thanks this day by the way we share our lives with one another, giving You all the glory and thanks. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the future” (Daniel 2:28 NLT).

From: November 26, 2019

WHO IS THIS GOD OF HEAVEN?

Daniel introduced Nebuchadnezzer, king of Babylon, to the God of heaven. He made it clear that what the king had asked of his wisemen was an impossible task, but the God of heaven had revealed the answer. For Nebuchadnezzer had asked that his wisemen tell him his dream and also give its interpretation. Failure to do so would result in all of the wisemen being executed. A death sentence hung over their heads until the Lord gave Daniel the answer that the king sought.

The divine title, “God of heaven,” is only in the Bible 23 times. It is in the Old Testament 21 times, occurring primarily in those books where the Jews were interacting with men of other religions, stressing that their God was no mere tribal deity, but the true God who ruled over all creation from His throne in heaven. The title appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in the book of Revelation, and again to show God as the one true God over all creation.

Daniel informed Nebuchadnezzer that it was the God of heaven who had given the king the dream and had revealed its secret to Daniel. Not only that, Daniel told the king that it was actually the God of heaven that had given him his throne. Nebuchadnezzer was so affected by Daniel’s words that he proclaimed, “Truly, your God is the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings, a revealer of mysteries” (Dan. 2:47). This was just the beginning of Nebuchadnezzer’s pronouncements concerning Daniel’s “God of heaven.” For before Daniel’s account of his reign is done, the prideful and polytheistic Nebuchadnezzer will humble himself, declaring that the Lord is the “Most High God” and the “King of Heaven” (Dan. 4:34-37).

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we are like Daniel in the sense that we too are exiles in this world. Teach us to declare Your Name to the nations, so that they might humble themselves and glorify You. Strengthen our resolve and give us wisdom to reach our generation with the Gospel. Send revival to this land. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8 NLT).

From: November 26, 2018

LOVE COVERS ALL WITHOUT A COVER-UP

The apostle Peter emphasized the importance of staying together as a Christian community in the face of increasing persecution. The “most important” feature of such a unified community is love. For love doesn’t look for offense or imperfection. Indeed, it overlooks such things, keeping “no record of wrongs” (1 Cor. 13:5).

In Genesis 9, Noah’s son, Ham, saw his father’s drunken nakedness and told his brothers about it. However, Shem and Japheth backed into Noah’s tent, covering him with a robe, not wishing to see their father in such a state. Which of the sons acted in love? Wasn’t it the ones who covered their father’s sin?

Peter’s instruction is a reference to the Proverb, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins” (Prov. 10:12). This is not an encouragement to cover-up, compounding one’s sin by lying about it or failing to confront it privately. No, it is a covering of love that patiently seeks to maintain relationship through thick and thin. It looks for the best in others, rather than fault-finding. Love helps the sinner make things right.

It was God’s great love that moved Him to send Christ to be the covering for our sins. For Christ is our covering. His blood has covered our sins. And we are hidden in Him, having “put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27), we are now all one in Him. And since our sins are covered, there is no need to cover-up. We can be ourselves in Christ, knowing that we are deeply loved.

“and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:4 NKJV).

From: November 26, 2017

The pastor is to serve as an under-shepherd, caring for the “flock of God,” which is the church. He serves under the authority of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. His service is not to be motivated by vainglory, power, nor riches. Yet, he is to rely on the Lord who called him to also provide for him and his family from the work of shepherding. His ultimate motivation is to stay busy with kingdom work, while looking for the Chief Shepherd’s appearing. For on that Day, he will “receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”

As I look back on 26 years as a pastor, it has been the awareness that I work for Jesus as an under-shepherd, that the church is His flock, not mine, and that my reward is in His hand, that has sustained me. I have often felt as Isaiah did about my work as a shepherd, but just as he did, I have been encouraged by the Lord’s promise:

“I have labored in vain;

I have spent my strength for nothing at all.

Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,

and my reward is with my God.” – Isa. 49:4

“Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:17-18 ESV)

From: November 26, 2016

Standing firm for your faith against an idolatrous culture often leads to persecution. Yet, the three Hebrew exiles, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, chose to remain faithful to God in spite of the threat of execution. They expressed their sincere belief that God was able to rescue them from Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace if He so willed. But they also proclaimed their firm determination that they would rather burn than bow to false gods. They recognized that their true fate was not in a worldly king’s hands, but in God’s hands.

“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling” (1 Peter 4:9 NKJV)

From: November 26, 2015

A good word for the season. Be “hospitable” (Literally in the Greek, “lover of strangers”). And do it without “grumbling” (murmuring, complaining, the opposite of gratitude). Put them together and you have: THANKS + GIVING. Be ‘giving’ towards everyone, especially strangers and do it with a ‘thankful’ heart. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT)

From: November 26, 2014

Don’t be like the antelope that wandered from the herd only to be eaten by a lion. Stay alert and stay together! Don’t be tempted to isolate yourself in times of trouble. The Church is the body of Christ and we need each other. Begin your week worshiping together and gather during the week in one another’s homes, devoting yourselves to the Word, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayer. Stay with the “herd” and stand firm together against the evil one.

“The king answered and said to Daniel, ‘Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery’” (Daniel 2:47)

From: November 26, 2013

Nebuchadnezzer, king of Babylon, had a dream concerning his and all future human kingdoms. He knew it was important, so he asked his wise men to tell him both the dream and its meaning… or die. They could not. But God revealed both to Daniel, one of the Hebrew captives from the Babylonian conquest of Judah. After Daniel gave the interpretation, the king promoted him to his right hand in command and proclaimed the above truth about God. When we share God’s wisdom with the world, sometimes it gets us elevated and sometimes persecuted, but always noticed for His Name’s sake.

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8)

From: November 26, 2012

Don’t be like the antelope that wandered from the herd only to be eaten by the lions. Stay alert and stay together! The Church is the body of Christ and we need each other. Begin your week worshiping together and gather during the week in one another’s homes, devoting yourselves to the Word, the fellowship, the breaking of bread and to prayer. Stay with the “herd” and stand firm together against the evil one.

“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray” (1 Peter 4:7)

From: November 26, 2011

Peter’s instruction to leaders still holds true. Live with the end in sight. Not in a morbid sense, but with a sense of urgency and anticipation. The end is always near. We will all face God. Live looking and praying for His return.