"Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (2 Corinthians 3:4-6).
As believers in Christ we have confidence and boldness to live victoriously through Christ in us. We have no sufficiency in ourselves before God. Our sufficiency comes from God. God equips us and emboldens as ministers of life through the Holy Spirit He has given us. Notice the contrast between being ministers of the "letter" (the Law) versus being ministers of the Spirit: "For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" (verse 6).
Jesus spoke of this in John 7:38-39: "Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, "Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." Now this He said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified."
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Deep Calls to Deep
"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God" (Psalm 42:1). "Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your waves have gone over me" (Psalm 42:7).
Such beautiful descriptions of our spirits longing for and calling out to God! God desires our hearts and the yearning and pleas of our hearts to Him.
I pray with David: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way" (Psalm 139:23-24). I want my heart and my ways to be totally Yours, O Lord.
Such beautiful descriptions of our spirits longing for and calling out to God! God desires our hearts and the yearning and pleas of our hearts to Him.
I pray with David: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way" (Psalm 139:23-24). I want my heart and my ways to be totally Yours, O Lord.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Promises of God are Yes
"For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge" (2 Corinthians 1:20-22).
The promises of God are sure and steadfast. We are "fully assured that what God has promised, He was (and is) able to perform" (Romans 4:21). We know that our God is faithful for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). He is able to keep His promises and is faithful to keep His promises. He cannot lie--it's impossible for Him to lie (Hebrews 6:18). So, this hope in His promises we have as an anchor to our souls--"a hope both sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:19).
The promises of God are sure and steadfast. We are "fully assured that what God has promised, He was (and is) able to perform" (Romans 4:21). We know that our God is faithful for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). He is able to keep His promises and is faithful to keep His promises. He cannot lie--it's impossible for Him to lie (Hebrews 6:18). So, this hope in His promises we have as an anchor to our souls--"a hope both sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:19).
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
August 26, 2009
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
Praise God for being our Comforter! Notice that He does not comfort us simply for ourselves. He comforts us so that we may be a comfort to others. God many times works through people to bless and comfort other people. We are to take how we have been comforted and comfort others in the same way.
Praise God for being our Comforter! Notice that He does not comfort us simply for ourselves. He comforts us so that we may be a comfort to others. God many times works through people to bless and comfort other people. We are to take how we have been comforted and comfort others in the same way.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
August 19, 2009
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
He accomplishes through His divine work what the flesh could never achieve.
I love 1 Corinthians 12:18 in the New American Standard Bible: "But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." He has a design and purpose and gifting for each member of the body. He has placed each member just as He desired. Through His glorious design and love the members with their diversity of gifts become one healthy functional body to carry out His glorious purposes. This very important body is the church...built and loved by God (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:10; 4:1-16).
He accomplishes through His divine work what the flesh could never achieve.
I love 1 Corinthians 12:18 in the New American Standard Bible: "But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." He has a design and purpose and gifting for each member of the body. He has placed each member just as He desired. Through His glorious design and love the members with their diversity of gifts become one healthy functional body to carry out His glorious purposes. This very important body is the church...built and loved by God (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 3:10; 4:1-16).
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
August 18, 2009
1 Corinthians 11:17 - "But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse."
What stunning words! A church that assembles "not for the better but for the worse". In the case of the Corinthian church the Christians there carried their divisiveness into the assembly. So, instead of building each other up, they were tearing each other down. And, when they met to take the Lord's Supper, they did not "wait for one another" (1 Corinthians 11:33). Instead, they made it a self-serving, self-focused event ("each one goes ahead with his own meal" - verse 21). Rather than focusing on the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ and on being united with their brethren in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:17), they pursued their own selfish interests. So, Paul said, "...it is not the Lord's Supper that you eat" (verse 20).
Remembering Jesus' great sacrifice for us should produce in us a deep gratitude and love for the Lord. This should also produce a deep and selfless love for His children.
Remembering Jesus' great sacrifice for us should produce in us a deep gratitude and love for the Lord. This should also produce a deep and selfless love for His children.
Monday, August 17, 2009
August 17, 2009
"Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God" (1 Corinthians 11:11-12).
God made man and woman interdependent on each other, not independent of each other. Thus, we are to honor each other. In Christ we understand this. Further, we recognize the words of Galatians 3:28-29: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise." We are joint heirs in Christ!
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). Amen.
God made man and woman interdependent on each other, not independent of each other. Thus, we are to honor each other. In Christ we understand this. Further, we recognize the words of Galatians 3:28-29: "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise." We are joint heirs in Christ!
"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). Amen.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
August 15, 2009
"The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them" (Psalm 34:7).
This reminds me of the account in 2 Kings 6:8-23 where Elisha and his servant are surrounded by enemy horses and chariots from Syria. The servant cries out in fear. Elisha responds: "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (verses 16,17).
God provided a great deliverance and victory for this man of God, Elisha (and Israel). He surrounded Elisha with angelic warriors...they delivered him. If God be for us, who can stand against us (Romans 8:31). "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7).
This reminds me of the account in 2 Kings 6:8-23 where Elisha and his servant are surrounded by enemy horses and chariots from Syria. The servant cries out in fear. Elisha responds: "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Then Elisha prayed and said, "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (verses 16,17).
God provided a great deliverance and victory for this man of God, Elisha (and Israel). He surrounded Elisha with angelic warriors...they delivered him. If God be for us, who can stand against us (Romans 8:31). "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7).
Friday, August 14, 2009
August 14, 2009
"And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground" (Nehemiah 8:5,6).
Ezra lead Israel into the word of God and the people responded with worship of God. I love this response. The word of God should lead us to a greater reverence for and appreciation of God. I love the expressions of worship in verse 6. They spoke an "Amen, Amen" and lifted their hands in worship and bowed their heads in worship with their faces to the ground. One person described worship as: recognizing God for who He is and recognizing ourselves for who we are and responding accordingly. Appreciating the glory and holiness of God, we are amazed and grateful that He has made us His children in Christ Jesus even though we were so unworthy and defiled. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Ezra lead Israel into the word of God and the people responded with worship of God. I love this response. The word of God should lead us to a greater reverence for and appreciation of God. I love the expressions of worship in verse 6. They spoke an "Amen, Amen" and lifted their hands in worship and bowed their heads in worship with their faces to the ground. One person described worship as: recognizing God for who He is and recognizing ourselves for who we are and responding accordingly. Appreciating the glory and holiness of God, we are amazed and grateful that He has made us His children in Christ Jesus even though we were so unworthy and defiled. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
August 13, 2009
"Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up" (1 Corinthians 8:1). "For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idols temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died" (1 Corinthians 8:10,11).
While the words of this chapter have been misused by some to simply make others conform to their judgments or preferences, Paul certainly teaches us important principles about living in a loving and considerate way for our brothers and sisters in Christ who struggle with certain weaknesses. We should be sensitive to those things that cause someone to sin. With Paul we should also say that even if "food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat , lest I make my brother stumble" (1 Corinthians 8:13).
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3,4).
While the words of this chapter have been misused by some to simply make others conform to their judgments or preferences, Paul certainly teaches us important principles about living in a loving and considerate way for our brothers and sisters in Christ who struggle with certain weaknesses. We should be sensitive to those things that cause someone to sin. With Paul we should also say that even if "food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat , lest I make my brother stumble" (1 Corinthians 8:13).
"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others" (Philippians 2:3,4).
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
August 12, 2009
"You are a hiding place for me; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with shouts of deliverance" (Psalm 32:7).
In the verses that precede these words in Psalm 32 David discusses his misery when he kept silent about his sin before God. When he confessed his sin, God forgave Him. In this David recognizes and praises God for being his hiding place. Interesting...he had tried to hide his sin from God and was in misery. When he opened up about his sin to God, God forgave him. The burden was lifted. His misery was relieved.
Hiding from God is not a place of security or peace. Trusting and hiding in God, we are "preserved from trouble" and are surrounded with "shouts of deliverance" (Psalm 32:7).
In the verses that precede these words in Psalm 32 David discusses his misery when he kept silent about his sin before God. When he confessed his sin, God forgave Him. In this David recognizes and praises God for being his hiding place. Interesting...he had tried to hide his sin from God and was in misery. When he opened up about his sin to God, God forgave him. The burden was lifted. His misery was relieved.
Hiding from God is not a place of security or peace. Trusting and hiding in God, we are "preserved from trouble" and are surrounded with "shouts of deliverance" (Psalm 32:7).
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
August 11, 2009
1 Corinthians 7:17 - "Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him."
These words are so loaded. The verses that further elaborate. For example, if you were uncircumcised at the time of your call to Christ, don't seek to be circumcised (verses 18-19). It seems to me two calls of God are discussed in this passage: a call in life and a call to Christ. These calls points to God's having a purpose for each of us in our lives. God made us for a purpose. With David we can praise God with these words of Psalm 139:13,16: "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb" (v. 13) ... and... "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
God's purpose for each of us is further described in 1 Corinthians 12:18 - "But as it is, God arranged the members of the body, each one of them, as He chose." We have a purpose and a place designed by God in what we do with our lives each day and in the body of Christ (the church).
O Lord, open our eyes to see all that you designed us to do and be faithful in doing those things by the strength that only You can provide.
These words are so loaded. The verses that further elaborate. For example, if you were uncircumcised at the time of your call to Christ, don't seek to be circumcised (verses 18-19). It seems to me two calls of God are discussed in this passage: a call in life and a call to Christ. These calls points to God's having a purpose for each of us in our lives. God made us for a purpose. With David we can praise God with these words of Psalm 139:13,16: "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb" (v. 13) ... and... "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
God's purpose for each of us is further described in 1 Corinthians 12:18 - "But as it is, God arranged the members of the body, each one of them, as He chose." We have a purpose and a place designed by God in what we do with our lives each day and in the body of Christ (the church).
O Lord, open our eyes to see all that you designed us to do and be faithful in doing those things by the strength that only You can provide.
Monday, August 10, 2009
August 10, 2009
Well, I am back from vacation. I hope you have continued your reading in the One Year Bible. Today, I am struck again with the incredible words in 1 Corinthians 6:19,20: "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."
We were bought with a price...the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins. When Jesus arose from the dead and returned to His Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to us to empower us (2 Timothy 1:7,14;2 Corinthians 4:7), enlighten us (John 16:13), strengthen us (Romans 8:2-11), help and comfort us (John 14:26), help us in our praying (Romans 8:26-27) and assure us of eternal life (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:5). We are the temple of the Holy Spirit...the dwelling place of God. What a great blessing and honor and a great responsibility! So, we are to give God glory in the way we conduct our lives. In our passage today we are told that fornication is a sin against our body and, thus, a sin against the very temple of God! So, with Paul we say and agree: "Flee from sexual immorality"..."glorify God in your body."
We were bought with a price...the sacrifice that Jesus made for our sins. When Jesus arose from the dead and returned to His Father, He sent the Holy Spirit to us to empower us (2 Timothy 1:7,14;2 Corinthians 4:7), enlighten us (John 16:13), strengthen us (Romans 8:2-11), help and comfort us (John 14:26), help us in our praying (Romans 8:26-27) and assure us of eternal life (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:5). We are the temple of the Holy Spirit...the dwelling place of God. What a great blessing and honor and a great responsibility! So, we are to give God glory in the way we conduct our lives. In our passage today we are told that fornication is a sin against our body and, thus, a sin against the very temple of God! So, with Paul we say and agree: "Flee from sexual immorality"..."glorify God in your body."
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
August 4, 2009
Psalm 27:1 - "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:4 - "One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple."
I love these verses and say amen. The Lord is my light and my salvation and my stronghold. I do desire to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life and gaze upon His beauty. I thank God the Father through Jesus Christ for drawing me to Himself.
I love these verses and say amen. The Lord is my light and my salvation and my stronghold. I do desire to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life and gaze upon His beauty. I thank God the Father through Jesus Christ for drawing me to Himself.
Monday, August 03, 2009
August 3, 2009
Josiah, the son of an unfaithful and wicked King Amon, began to reign at age 8 (2 Chronicles 34:1). He began to serve the Lord at age 16. At 16 he "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord..." (2 Chronicles 34:2). He began a spiritual overhaul of his country, getting rid of the numerous idols set up by his grandfather, Manasseh, and worshiped by his father.
He proceeded to restore Judah to the ways and laws of God. What a powerful man he became at 16! We should never underestimate the potential of our young people nor the powerful ways that God can use them!
He proceeded to restore Judah to the ways and laws of God. What a powerful man he became at 16! We should never underestimate the potential of our young people nor the powerful ways that God can use them!
Sunday, August 02, 2009
August 2, 2009
2 Chronicles 32:24,25: "In those days Hezekiah became sick, and was at the point of death, and he prayed to the Lord, and He answered him and gave him a sign. But Hezekiah did not make return ("didn't respond with true thanksgiving" - TLB version) according to the benefit done to him, for his heart was proud."
King Hezekiah had been faithful to God in his reign as king over Judah. Near the end he gets sick and is near death. He prays to God for healing and is healed and his life is extended 15 years! What follows is disappointing. He may have spoken the words of thanks (Isaiah 38:18). But, his life's response appears to have been one of pride (he shows off the wealth of his kingdom to the king of Babylon -Isaiah 39:1-4). Isaiah rebukes this pride and lack of gratitude.
We should always give praise and thanks to God for what He does and has done for us. We should always give Him the glory for His answers to our prayers. But, our lives should also be lived in a way that expresses our gratitude to Him.
"Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you" (Psalm 25:20,21)
King Hezekiah had been faithful to God in his reign as king over Judah. Near the end he gets sick and is near death. He prays to God for healing and is healed and his life is extended 15 years! What follows is disappointing. He may have spoken the words of thanks (Isaiah 38:18). But, his life's response appears to have been one of pride (he shows off the wealth of his kingdom to the king of Babylon -Isaiah 39:1-4). Isaiah rebukes this pride and lack of gratitude.
We should always give praise and thanks to God for what He does and has done for us. We should always give Him the glory for His answers to our prayers. But, our lives should also be lived in a way that expresses our gratitude to Him.
"Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in You. May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you" (Psalm 25:20,21)
Saturday, August 01, 2009
August 1, 2009
I love the heart of King Hezekiah in today's reading. His heart for God (2 Chronicles 31:21) produces in him a heart for others. He reaches out to his long lost relatives in the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (2 Chronicles 30:1). Many make fun (2 Chronicles 30:10) of his messengers inviting them to come back to Almighty God...to come to the Passover celebration in Jerusalem. Some humbled themselves and accepted the invitation (2 Chronicles 30:11).
This reminds me that my love for God is what produces in me a love for others. It reminds that even though many will refuse the gospel invitation, some will humble themselves and come to the Lord. It teaches me the source of unity in Judah's obedient actions was God Almighty (2 Chronicles 30:12)!
I love how Hezekiah interceded in prayer to God for Judah and Israel's imperfect keeping of the feast. "May the good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary's rules for cleanness. And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people" (2 Chronicles 30:19-20).
This reminds me that my love for God is what produces in me a love for others. It reminds that even though many will refuse the gospel invitation, some will humble themselves and come to the Lord. It teaches me the source of unity in Judah's obedient actions was God Almighty (2 Chronicles 30:12)!
I love how Hezekiah interceded in prayer to God for Judah and Israel's imperfect keeping of the feast. "May the good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary's rules for cleanness. And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people" (2 Chronicles 30:19-20).
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