Month: September 2020

A blessed Thursday morning to you, my brother. I pray that our Good God would pour out His peace upon you today!

Read Psalm 43. Selah.

This little psalm, a continuation of (or connected to) Psalm 42, is “A Contemplation of the Sons of Korah”.  It is one of 7 or 8 psalms attributed to the sons of Korah, who were Levites ministering before the LORD as musicians.

In just the opening 2 verses of this short passage, an important and timely lesson is presented for every Believer. The psalmist, who according to the word has been oppressed; lied to; treated unjustly; and even dwells in an ungodly nation – that very same psalmist does not run to “the system” for help, he doesn’t bring his grievances before other people, he doesn’t rant and rave and demonstrate.  So, what does our aggrieved psalmist do?  He turns his face to God, and cries out to Him “vindicate me!”.  The word vindicate is the Hebrew “shaphat”, meaning “to judge”.  Effectively, the psalmist is crying out to the LORD for justice to be done, for goodness to reign, and for the psalmist’s oppressors to be punished.  By placing his plight before God, the writer knows that he has given his problems over to the ultimate Ruler, who cannot help but rule righteously.  We would do well to learn this lesson – the world is unjust, but we have a holy and righteous God who is always willing to take up our cause!

Then, in vv 3, the writer turns from crying out to God to declaring that the LORD’s light and the LORD’s truth is the unfailing way out of his despair.  Simply stated, the psalmist is proclaiming “LORD, these problems are too big for me – but You are mightier than every injustice I am experiencing- I give all of this to You!”.
And through his willingness to trust in God, to recognize God in all of God’s goodness and power and holiness and righteousness, the psalmist’s joy and hope and praise is restored.  And note this – not just joy, but exceeding joy!

My brother, be encouraged as you head out today!  I encourage you to inscribe these scriptural truths on your heart: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans‬ ‭8) and “Our God will fight for us.” (Nehemiah‬ ‭4).

LORD, I thank You that I can cry out to You in the face of any injustice, and You hear me!  My lips will praise You, God, for delivering me, and for restoring the exceeding joy and the hope I have in You!  Amen!

A wonderful Wednesday morning to you, friend! May our Good God bless you and all of your loved ones today!

Read Mark 13:28 – 37.

Our reading today consists solely of the words of Our Lord as He answers a question posed by four of His disciples. In this “end times” discourse, Jesus describes in great detail the signs and events leading up to His return.  And then, beginning in vv 28, Our Lord abruptly shifts gears to tell His followers (including all of us) what we should be doing as we wait for Him.

vvs 28 – 32 comprise what is commonly known as “The Parable of the Fig Tree”.  Jesus, using a simple and familiar reference for the disciples, cites the fig tree’s perfect routine of “tender branches -> leafing -> then summer” to tell all of us that end times events will follow one after another in a pattern that will be readily discernible.  This parable is related to the commendation given to the “sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (I Chronicles‬ ‭12:32‬).   Some translations read that the sons of Issachar were more “noble”, because they had an understanding of the times in which they lived, and knew exactly how their people (Israel) should respond. Brothers, in these critical times, let us each ask our Good God to give us vision and understanding, so that we will know what to do!

In vvs 32 – 37, Jesus clearly cautions that only the Father knows when the Son will return – not the angels, and not even the Lord Jesus Himself!  Having said that, however, Jesus does clearly instruct us on what we are to do while we are waiting:

vv 33:  take heed – WATCH – pray

vv 34:  have authority – work – WATCH

vv 35:  WATCH

vv 36:  don’t sleep

vv 37:  WATCH

I think it is pretty obvious that Our Lord expects us to WATCH while we are awaiting His return.  The Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary includes these entries (among others) for the word watch:  to keep vigil as a devotional exercise; to be attentive or vigilant; to keep guard; to keep someone or something under close observation; to be expectant; to observe closely in order to check on action or change; to take care of : TEND.

We generally think of watching as a completely passive activity.  For example, we while away our time as we idly “watch” a television program.  But, considering the word “watch” in the context of both the dictionary definition(s) above and the admonition of Our Lord Jesus as contained in today’s scripture, it is clear that the instruction to “watch” is anything but passive.

Look again at how the word watch is defined, but this time review the definitions from the perspective of a Believer and a “Kingdom Builder” – think about what it means to “watch” given what you know about Our Lord’s expectations and instructions. And, from today forward, commit to WATCH as Jesus commands: actively and with discernment.

Lord Jesus, You have surely promised that You are returning – gloriously, and suddenly!  Until that day, Lord, give me wisdom, and insight, and understanding. Help me to properly and actively watch for Your return, Jesus.  Give me the strength and endurance and perseverance that I need to watch for You!  Amen!

Greetings to you in the Name of Jesus on this Tuesday, my friend!  I trust you had a blessed holiday weekend!

Read II Thessalonians 1:1 – 12 (again).

Last Friday, we covered the opening three verses of Paul’s second letter to the Believers at Thessalonica.  In just the third verse, we learned that Paul commended them for (and commented on) their thanks, faith, and love.

Moving deeper in our passage, Paul continues to commend the Thessalonians on their steadfastness and thereby instructs all of us on how to live during periods of “persecutions and tribulations”.  So, what are some of the keys in enduring through tough times?:

1st key (vv 4) – Patience.  In Luke 21, Jesus is speaking to the disciples about the end times; during His detailed discourse about the end of the age, He makes this extraordinary statement: “By your patience possess your souls”.  Webster’s dictionary provides this synonym for patience: long-suffering. My brother, our very souls depend on our ability to be patient, to be long-suffering; knowing that we are indeed Heaven-bound!

2nd key (vv 4) – Faith.  In his first epistle, the apostle John writes “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”.   Our faith; that is, our absolute trust in the LORD and the completed work of His Son; is both our victory and also the way we overcome the world!

3rd key (vv 4. 5) – Endurance.  Because we as Believers “endure” (vv 4), we are manifesting evidence of a righteous God and are being counted worthy of the Kingdom of God.  The writer of Hebrews conveys this same thought in Hebrews 10:  “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:”.  And what is that promise?  According to I John, “And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life.”.

4th key (vvs 6-10) – Foresight.  Much like a physical key has teeth and cuts, both of which are necessary to operate the lock, this spiritual key also has two dimensions.  In these verses, we read in detail about the coming return of Our Lord – on the one hand, His return brings righteous judgement on those who are persecuting His people; on the other hand, it brings rest and restoration for those that belong to Him.  Because we have been told (and know!) that He is returning in all of His glory, we are better able to withstand the trials that we face.

Finally, my brother, I leave you today to walk in the fullness of this mighty benediction from vvs 11 and 12 of today’s reading:  “Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”.  Amen!

An excellent Friday morning to you, my friend!  Let us thank Our Lord Jesus for His grace towards us during this past week.

Read II Thessalonians 1:1 – 12.

This is Paul’s second letter to the early church at Thessalonica, a church that he established during his second missionary journey.  Interestingly, according to the account in Acts 17, Paul was only able to minister the Gospel for a short time in Thessalonica before he  and Silas were sent away from the city because of trouble stirred up by unbelieving Jews and “evil men from the marketplace”.  So, Paul is writing to a church that continued to grow after his brief ministry and hasty departure; but also continued to be persecuted by those who did not believe.  And today’s reading reflects that Paul is writing to encourage a group of Believers that has been facing trials and persecution.

As you reflect upon today’s passage, pay attention to the following:

In vv 3, Paul uses the term “we are bound to thank God”.  What a great proclamation!  The life of a Believer should be a life filled with thankfulness to God, so much so that we feel that we are “bound” to thank Him.  Psalm 100 puts it this way: “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”  Yes, we thank You, LORD, always and forever!  Amen!

There are 2 more phrases in vv 3 that are worthy of consideration: Paul, speaking of the persecuted Thessalonian church, says “your faith grows exceedingly”.  Not just that their faith is growing, but it is growing exceedingly.  It is as if the entire group echoed the simple request the apostles made of Jesus in Luke 17 “Increase our faith.”.  I wonder what would happen in both our churches and our world if every Believer, when faced with trials and persecution, would just utter the words of the disciples and say to the Lord “Increase our faith.”?
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Next, Paul commends the church because “the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other”.   Again, Paul uses a superlative to describe the love that exists among these Believers – their love for each other “abounds”.  The Word is filled with commandments for us to love others, and we know that Our Lord Jesus instructed us to love one another.  And Jesus Himself warned us that in the last days, love would diminish (Matthew 24):  “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”.  But it appears that Paul is writing to a group that truly “gets it”; that is, they are embracing the commandment to love, they are genuinely walking in love, and love abounds. My brothers, we are living in a time that we also should be actively pursuing love.  And because love is commanded, it is something that we can choose to do – we can actually make a decision to love each other. The apostle Peter says this about love in the Body of Christ: “And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”” (I Peter‬ ‭4:8‬).‭ Again, I wonder what would happen in our churches and in our world if we, as Believers, abounded in love?

In just these opening few verses of our scripture, we have covered thanks; and faith; and love.  The LORD willing, we will look at the rest of this passage next Tuesday (Monday is a holiday).

Through the long weekend, my brother, I pray that thanks to God will be continually on our lips; that our faith will be increased; and that our love will abound, all in the Precious and Powerful Name of Lord Jesus!  Amen!

Greetings to you on this Thursday morning, my brother!  May Our Good God pour His blessings and His peace upon you and your loved ones today!

Read Psalm 24. Selah.

It is thought that this Psalm of David was written at the time that the ark of The LORD was brought into Jerusalem after having been captured by the Philistines. According to 2 Samuel 6: “So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness. And so it was, when those bearing the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen and fatted sheep. Then David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.”

King David was celebrating the return of the glory of the LORD, which dwelt with the ark – it was the place of His glory.  The ark was where His glory abided, and when it was taken by the Philistines according to I Samuel 4 “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”.
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These historical passages do serve to support the idea that Psalm 24 celebrates the return of the glory of the LORD to Israel.  In the final three verses of this short psalm, the phrase “King of glory” appears five times; notably, this is the only place in all of scripture that this title for the LORD appears.  This idea of the glory of the LORD, the actual presence of His glory, is significant.

And while there are other portions of Psalm 24 that are worthy of our consideration, today we will focus on one other phrase (vv 1):  “The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.”.  This statement is really meaningful – the psalmist is painting a picture that everything in the world, every corner of the earth, belongs to God, and He intends to fill it.

So, let’s put these two concepts from today’s psalm together – the LORD is the King of glory; and He intends to fill the earth He created. How does He accomplish this?  Through you and I ((vv 1) “those who dwell within”)!  Each of us were created in His image, we bear His image; and because His Spirit is within us, we are vessels of His glory.  Numbers 14 puts it this way: “Then the LORD said: “I have pardoned, according to your word; but truly, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD”.  And Psalm 72 says “And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.”
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So, my brother, as you go out today, remember that you are bearing His image; and you are taking His glory. You are on a mission from the KING OF GLORY to fill the earth with His glory.

My prayer for each of us today is from Psalm 71: “Let my mouth be filled with Your praise And with Your glory all the day.” Amen!

A blessed Wednesday morning to you, my friend!  Isn’t our God good for giving us another day?  Yes He is!

Read Ephesians 1:1 -14.

Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus was written while he was imprisoned in Rome.  Ephesians is one of four “prison epistles” penned by Paul; the others are Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  It is fascinating to consider the very idea of “prison epistles” in the current context of “lockdowns” and closures and travel restrictions. Despite being literally locked-up, Paul found a way to preach the Gospel and to encourage Believers! For Paul, being in prison was no barrier and no excuse. Brothers, let each of us take a page out of Paul’s playbook – let’s do what we can to build God’s Kingdom, despite having to deal with social distancing and viral mania.

So, let us examine today’s passage. Each of us, as Believers, should rejoice in and embrace these words – they read like a list of “member’s benefits” that we have received through the redemptive work of Jesus.   Benefits like:

(vv 3) – being blessed with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ”

(vv 4) – through Him, we each are made “holy and without blame before Him in love”
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(vv 5) – because of Jesus we have received “adoption as sons”

(vv 6) – and, He has “made us accepted in the Beloved”

(vv 7) – “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”
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(vv 9) – He has revealed to all of us “the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself”

(vv 10) – when “the fullness of the times” assuredly comes, He will gather us all, “both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him.”

(vv 11) – “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance”

(vv 13) – because you have believed and have trusted Him, “you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”
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‭‭(vv 14) – Christ alone “is the guarantee of our inheritance”

What an awesome list!  Blessing and surety and acceptance and adoption and holiness and knowledge – and it all comes with a guarantee!  And the guarantor is no less than He who shall (Isaiah 9) “be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”.

My friend, take heart! You are the recipient of all of His benefits and blessings, and they are available to you today!

Lord Jesus, thank You for the benefits, the fullness of life, that You came to bring me!  I receive them all. Lord, help me to walk confidently in Your power today, appropriating all that You have given me, so that I can bring glory to Your Name!  Amen!

Good morning!  Let us walk in Our Lord’s peace as we go out on this Tuesday that He has given us!

Read Isaiah 42:1 – 9.

As you read this clearly Messianic passage announcing the coming Savior, it is important to remember that these words were written about 700 years before the birth of Christ.  And as if to underscore the significance and surety of this prophetic declaration about His Son, The LORD tells us (vv 9): “Behold, the former things have come to pass, And new things I declare; Before they spring forth I tell you of them.”.  My friends, what a wonderfully powerful, yet personal God we have!  He has such an intimate love for His children that He is willing to openly share His plan of salvation and restoration with us.  And before we move on to address today’s scripture, think about this – there is no other religion, no other worldview, that coherently deals with the issue of evil in the world; and provides an answer, a remedy for that evil, like what is conveyed to us through the Bible. That is, a loving, just, and holy God sending His own Son into a fallen world as a sacrifice and to redeem all of mankind – and through His own sacrifice, reestablishing a relationship with every person willing to believe.

So, let us examine some of what our Good God says about His Son in today’s reading:

vv 1 – God the Father upholds Jesus, delights in Him, and has given Him His Spirit.

vv 1 – 3 – These verses are directly quoted in Matthew 12; and we see the details walked out by Jesus as we read all of the gospel accounts.

vv 4 – God declares that His Son will not fail!

vv 6 – The LORD Himself says He has called His Son in righteousness; and that the LORD will hold His Son’s hand.  What a glorious picture!  And through His Son, The LORD establishes a new covenant, and also gives light to the Gentiles. Here is how the apostle Paul relates this “extended invitation” and new covenant in Ephesians 2: “Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”.

We who were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

My brother, be encouraged today!  God loves you, and He has shown you His love through His Son.  Let us praise Him for all that He has done for us, today, and always!  Amen!