I don’t mean a fistfight, praise God! But the church needs to rise up and be the church. We need to contend for the faith, friends! It’s time to fight but fight in the Spirit and with God’s word. Let’s be used to rescue others so they can join us in the fight against evil!
Bible Reading: Jude
We are starting and finishing the final book of our Bible reading plan, the book of Jude, or Judah. A brother of Jesus speaking mostly to Messianic Jews, Judah was aware of a crisis facing the church of corrupt teachers because of their way of life. Their immoral lifestyle indicated a lot about their walk with God. The danger of leaders not living a godly lifestyle corrupts the church of the righteous standard the church is to set.
According to Gotquestions.org
The Book of Jude is closely related to the book of 2 Peter. The date of authorship for Jude depends on whether Jude used content from 2 Peter, or Peter used content from Jude when writing 2 Peter. The Book of Jude was written somewhere between A.D. 60 and 80.
Contend for the true Christian faith. The Book of Jude is an important book for us today because it is written for the end times, for the end of the church age. The church age began at the Day of Pentecost. Jude is the only book given entirely to the great apostasy.
It’s Time to Fight! Contend for the Faith by Resisting Sin
Jude 1:3
“Dear friends, although I was eager to write you about the salvation we share, I found it necessary to write, appealing to you to contend for the faith that was delivered to the saints once for all. 4 For some people, who were designated for this judgment long ago, have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.”
Friends, we can see evidence today in the body of Christ of compromise in the area of immorality.
If we tolerate the sin of immorality, we are tolerating evil. Some will say it is judgmental or unloving to call out sin, but it is unloving to let someone remain in sin.
Jude is asking us to contend for the faith. How are you contending for the faith? How are we to do so?
It’s Time to Fight! Contend for the faith—Call out sin
9 “Yet when Michael the archangel was disputing with the devil in an argument about Moses’s body, he did not dare utter a slanderous condemnation against him but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 10 But these people blaspheme anything they do not understand. And what they do understand by instinct—like irrational animals—by these things they are destroyed.”
How we call out sin makes a difference. Our goal should be redemption and restoration, not condemnation. And we dare not compromise the standards. God set the standard and fulfilled it on our behalf, not so we would fail to live up to that standard.
It’s Time to Fight! Contend for the Faith—Examine the Fruit
16 These people are discontented grumblers, living according to their desires; their mouths utter arrogant words, flattering people for their own advantage.
It’s Time to Fight! Contend for the Faith—Remember
17 But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. 18 They told you, “In the end time there will be scoffers living according to their own ungodly desires.” 19 These people create divisions and are worldly, not having the Spirit.
It’s Time to Fight! Contend for the Faith—Build up your faith
Friends, we need to build up our faith by being in God’s word, being prayed up and keeping ourselves in the love of God.
Scripture of the Day: Jude 20-23
“20 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. 22 Have mercy on those who waver; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”
Application
Fight for the faith.
Stay awake and faithful. This world needs us to stay on mission.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #364 Jude
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: Jude 20-23
“20 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting expectantly for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. 22 Have mercy on those who waver; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”
Sometimes we want to avoid problems and hindrances, yet sometimes it might be the path of most resistance that leads us to a place of the most fruitfulness in our own lives. Don’t pray for no problems. Pray for perseverance and strength to be faithful in those problems that God may be glorified.
Bible Reading: Acts 27-28
I imagine we all can identify with Paul on some level with the shipwreck he encountered when he ended up on the island of Malta.
I personally identify because I am married to a man whose ancestry lineage is to the isle of Malta.
But actually, I daresay we are all a bit unsettled in the wake of the pandemic this year. Like an uncertain storm that swept out of nowhere, we are looking for safe harbor.
And Paul found safe harbor even as the wind and the waves swirled around him.
The Path of Most Resistance—Safe in the Eye of the Storm
Acts 27:14
14 But before long, a fierce wind called the “northeaster” rushed down from the island. 15 Since the ship was caught and unable to head into the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 After running under the shelter of a little island called Cauda, we were barely able to get control of the skiff. 17 After hoisting it up, they used ropes and tackle and girded the ship. Fearing they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the drift-anchor, and in this way they were driven along.
18 Because we were being severely battered by the storm, they began to jettison the cargo the next day. 19 On the third day, they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20 For many days neither sun nor stars appeared, and the severe storm kept raging. Finally all hope was fading that we would be saved. 21 Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul then stood up among them and said, “You men should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete and sustain this damage and loss.
The Path of Most Resistance—Finding Courage during Hindrances
22 Now I urge you to take courage, because there will be no loss of any of your lives, but only of the ship. 23 For last night an angel of the God I belong to and serve stood by me 24 and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. It is necessary for you to appear before Caesar. And indeed, God has graciously given you all those who are sailing with you.’ 25 So take courage, men, because I believe God that it will be just the way it was told to me. 26 But we have to run aground on some island.”
The Path of Most Resistance—Trusting When God Redirects
Paul was headed to Rome. And he ended up in Malta.
Sometimes we have our goals and we have our destination in sight, but God’s plans lead us elsewhere.
Can we trust God when the storms surge? Can we trust God when our course changes? God leads and He also intervenes.
The Path of Most Resistance—Leads to a place of peace
Through the shipwreck, the viper’s bite, all of the turmoil . . . led Paul to unhindered ministry. Those are beautiful words, friends. Resistance is a common theme that is experienced by those who want to serve God faithfully. We have to persevere. Who knows? We might enjoy a respite like Paul
“30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”
The Path of Most Resistance—Stay Faithful
Paul was faithful in times of resistance or hindrances. And He was faithful when there were none. Sometimes we can get lazy when there are no hindrances. But we need to have our game face on at all times. God will provide rest when we need it.
You all ready for 2021? It’s coming like a freight train. Frankly, 2020 was such a mixed bag of blessing and hardship for me. I was not ready for all it brought, but God was. The path of most resistance might not be what we asked for, but God gave us strength for it and He is enough.
Scripture of the Day: Acts 28:24
“Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.”
Paul was not called to achievements or numbers. He was called to faithfulness. Faithfulness in times of trouble and peace. Everyone did not love him and he suffered much because of the message he carried. But he was faithful.
Application
Will we be faithful in the new year? Have we been faithful to the mission this past year?
The path of most resistance might be used to prepare us for God’s purposes in our lives. Trust God even when hindrances stand in our way.
Don’t lose heart when there is resistance or hindrances. God is still making a way where there seems to be no way.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #363 Acts 27-28
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: Acts 28:24
“Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.”
Merry Christmas Eve, y’all! What a God we have! He created us and loved us. He gave us His Law so we would know right and wrong. And when we messed up and could not keep His Law, He came down to earth to save us and meet the Law on our behalf. We don’t deserve it, but God’s grace wins every time. In all the struggles and strife on the earth, we can rejoice because in the end God wins.
Today we are reading from Esther 6-10, but I am also grabbing highlights from Deuteronomy, Revelation, Psalms and the book of Songs for Christmas weekend.
Yesterday we read the conclusion of Deuteronomy. These are Moses’ last words to the people before he died. Here Moses blesses the tribes. He was like a father who was blessing his children. Moses was saying what would happen to them in the future.
And then Moses died. Not of natural causes. But by the word of God (see Deuteronomy 32:49-50). And God Himself buried Him.
Deuteronomy 34:4-7
4 The Lord then said to him, “This is the land I promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross into it. 5 So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the Lord’s word. 6 He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows where his grave is. 7 Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died; his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not left him.”
The Sanctity of Human Life
The fact that God buried Moses is significant to me and stuck out as I read it. Human life is sacred because ultimately it belongs to God. It is to be valued. God did not burn Moses when he died, like we see in the culture. God buried him. There was an excellent article by renowned theologian and pastor, John Piper, on this topic that I will include in my blog post of today’s Bible time: https://world.wng.org/content/burying_vs_burning. Cremation versus Burial is the gist of this article and why we don’t see cremation as being Biblical.
“What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor and raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. And it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body” (1 Corinthians 15:37, 42–44).
Fire typically has to do with judgment in Scripture. There’s my two cents.
In the End God Wins—God Will Not Be Mocked
Esther 6-10
In the book of Esther, which is today’s reading, we see three great biblical principles at work. First, we will reap what we sow.
Galatians 6:7 ESV
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
2 Corinthians 9:6 ESV
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”
Haman sowed discord and hatred. His hatred went past Mordecai to the point where he wanted to kill all of the Jews. And his own judgments fell on his own head. The gallows he created for Mordecai became his own gallows. He reaped what he sowed.
In the End God Wins—God is Sovereign
A second principle is dealing with the sovereignty of God. God truly does work all things together for good. He works in all of our circumstances.
Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
Esther 6:1-11
“That night sleep escaped the king, so he ordered the book recording daily events to be brought and read to the king. 2 They found the written report of how Mordecai had informed on Bigthana and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, when they planned to assassinate King Ahasuerus. 3 The king inquired, “What honor and special recognition have been given to Mordecai for this act?” The king’s personal attendants replied, “Nothing has been done for him.”
In the End God Wins—God is in Control
4 Then the king asked, “Who is in the court?” Now Haman was just entering the outer court of the palace to ask the king to hang Mordecai on the gallows he had prepared for him. 5 And the king’s attendants answered him, “Haman is there, standing in the court.” “Have him enter,” the king ordered. 6 Haman entered, and the king asked him, “What should be done for the man the king wants to honor?” And Haman thought to himself, “Who is it the king would want to honor more than me?”
“7 Then Haman told the king, “For the man the king wants to honor: 8 Have them bring a royal garment that the king himself has worn and a horse the king himself has ridden, which has a royal crown on its head. 9 Put the garment and the horse under the charge of one of the king’s most noble officials. Have them clothe the man the king wants to honor, parade him on the horse through the city square, and call out before him, ‘This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.’”
10 The king told Haman, “Hurry, and do just as you proposed. Take a garment and a horse for Mordecai the Jew, who is sitting at the King’s Gate. Do not leave out anything you have suggested. 11 So Haman took the garment and the horse. He clothed Mordecai and paraded him through the city square, calling out before him, “This is what is done for the man the king wants to honor.”
There are no coincidences. There are only God-incidences. They happened to turn to where Mordecai had rescued the king. Haman happened to be in the palace. God is good. He is sovereign overall. God is in control.
In the End God Wins—If God is for us, who can be against us?
And the third key principle I saw is that if God is for us, who can be against us? We will have enemies who hate us without cause, but God sees. And He will fight for us. There is no greater advocate. What a good God! Victory is ours in Jesus Christ!
Romans 8:31-32
“31What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?”
In the End God Wins—Our Inheritance
Revelation 21-22
We finish the book of Revelation tomorrow. Truly I was weeping in reading it this morning. What an inheritance is ours!
Revelation 21:1-8
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 I also saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.
3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away.
5 Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new.” He also said, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” 6 Then he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will freely give to the thirsty from the spring of the water of life. 7 The one who conquers will inherit these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son. 8 But the cowards, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their share will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
No more death, friends. No more grief. And No more crying or pain. I can’t even describe the joy these words bring to me.
In the End God Wins—Our Reward
Revelation 21:22-27
“22 I did not see a temple in it, because the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 Its gates will never close by day because it will never be night there. 26 They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27 Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Read also: 22:1-5, 12-13, 18
12 “Look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me to repay each person according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. 18 And I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book.”
In the End God Wins—Praise Him!
Psalms 148-150
Saturday’s reading from the Psalms brings all of these Scriptures into a point of praise. The word praise or Halal is mentioned 12 times in Psalm 148, 4 times in Psalm 149 and 13 times in Psalm 150. The word Hallelujah is taken from the same word – הָלַל (halal). And this word means to shine; to flash forth light, to praise, make a show or make a boast. Friends, let’s boast and shine forth how awesome our God is as we celebrate Christmas! Our God saves! He redeems and restores! He is good! And He is faithful!
We praise God because He made us and all of creation.
Psalm 148:5
“5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded, and they were created.”
We praise God because He saves us!
Psalm 149:3-4
“3 Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and lyre. 4 For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.”
And we praise God because He gives us life! We can breathe!
Psalm 150:6
“Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Hallelujah!”
Scripture of the Day: Revelation 21:3
“3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God.”
Application
In the end, God wins! Praise Him now!
God is sovereign and in control!
The inheritance we have is greater than we could ever think or imagine.
3 Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look, God’s dwelling is with humanity, and he will live with them. They will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them and will be their God.”
Our culture tells us to be true to ourselves. But when our own hearts are deceitful, we might have a problem. Being semper fi to truth is the defining attribute of believers.
Bible Reading: 3 John
Today we are reading from the book of 3 John. John’s letter to Gaius . . .
3 John 1:3 “For I was very glad when fellow believers came and testified to your fidelity to the truth—how you are walking in truth.”
Semper Fi to Truth—Always Faithful
That word fidelity means faithful. It makes me think of the U.S. Marine’s slogan, “Semper Fi”. Semper Fidelis is a Latin phrase that means “always faithful” or “always loyal”.
John was saying that Gaius was always faithful to the truth. Other people spoke about this loyalty to God’s word.
When we are faithful to the truth, it will impact all of our life.
Scripture of the Day: 3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.”
Loyalty to the truth is shown by how we live out that truth in our life. We will walk in truth—in our speech, in our conduct.
Semper Fi to Truth—Speaking Truth
Ephesians 4:15
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
And it will be evident to all around us.
3 John 1:5-6a
“Dear friend, you are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers and sisters, especially when they are strangers. 6 They have testified to your love before the church.”
Semper Fi to Truth—Commitment
What do people testify about us? Do they see our commitment to truth? To God’s word? And do we support those who stand for truth?
It will not be popular to do so in a culture where truth is relative.
3 John 1:8
“Therefore, we ought to support such people so that we can be coworkers with the truth.”
Semper Fi to Truth—Set Free
The thing about the truth is it sets us free from the bondage of lies in our culture, from false perceptions that are understood through God’s word, and from lies in our own mind.
John 8:32 ESV
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
But how we apply the truth to our life will require diligence on our part. The truth is something we have to seek after. We find it as we study God’s word.
2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
We are not perfect and the deception all around us can cause us to lose focus. But God wants to help us.
Psalm 86:11 ESV
“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name.”
And the Holy Spirit, our Helper, lives within us.
John 14:17 ESV
“Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
Application
May we be faithful to God’s word – to His truth, more than any other lie this world offers.
Romans 3:4, “Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written: “So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.””
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #357 3 John
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: 3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are walking in truth.”
“If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” This familiar question always provokes reflection. Will our witness be enough? Or will we just live in a Christian culture? Some will think we are out of our mind to live passionately for Jesus. Living like a Jesus freak won’t just be believing something. We will do something about what we believe.
Bible Reading: Acts 25-26
Paul’s passion and boldness convict us to earnestly live out what we say we believe. There was no ambiguity about what he believed. He was not trying to satisfy a religion or a denomination. He was sold out, living for Jesus. And . . . He was a Jesus freak.
Living Like a Jesus Freak—How to Be a Jesus Freak
I looked up the definition of this term, first coined by D.C. Talk, I believe. A Jesus freak is a fervent evangelical Christian. Paul was so fervent in His love for God and in spreading the Gospel, that he was willing to die for it. This was not just religious zeal. This was a passion that comes from a relationship with God who chose to die on our behalf.
When we get it – really understand what Christ did for us, we are consumed with incredible joy and want to share the salvation that rocked our world and changed our lives with others. We have the cure for cancer!!! How can we keep it to ourselves?
But there will be hurdles that stand in our way. How will we handle those? Paul teaches us a few things about being a Jesus freak.
Living Like a Jesus Freak—Even if it means being tried
If you have never stood in a courtroom while being falsely accused, it might be hard to fully relate to what Paul was enduring. I remember being in a courtroom while someone falsely accused me of things. Assumed motives. Tables turned. But God. What is particularly painful is that Paul was a pharisee. He was a Jew among Jews. And it was his own people who were accusing him. All because of what he believed and spoke about.
Acts 25:24
“24 Then Festus said, “King Agrippa and all men present with us, you see this man. The whole Jewish community has appealed to me concerning him, both in Jerusalem and here, shouting that he should not live any longer.”
Paul stays on mission. This is about God’s glory. Not about him.
Friends, what about us? There may come a day when we are hated for what we believe. When we are persecuted because we do what Christ commanded—tell others the good news about salvation. What will be our response? What is our response now when people accuse us? Do we have a defense for what we believe and why we believe it? Or are we defensive?
Living Like a Jesus Freak—Be Bold
Paul appealed to Caesar. He was bold. He did not shrink back in the face of fear and testing. Festus did not find anything worthy of a charge against Paul. And as Paul made his case before King Agrippa, he also agreed that Paul had not done anything deserving of death.
But Paul was after something more than just his own deliverance. He wanted the people to be delivered from their sin, so they could know God.
Sometimes we get trapped in the pursuit of comfort. We don’t want to be persecuted. Paul cared more for the souls of the very people trying him than he did his own freedom.
Living Like a Jesus Freak—Know Why You Believe.
Simply put, know the God You Believe In and know how to communicate that faith.
4 “All the Jews know my way of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived as a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand on trial because of the hope in what God promised to our ancestors, 7 the promise our twelve tribes hope to reach as they earnestly serve him night and day. King Agrippa, I am being accused by the Jews because of this hope.
8 Why do any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? 9 In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 I actually did this in Jerusalem, and I locked up many of the saints in prison, since I had received authority for that from the chief priests. When they were put to death, I was in agreement against them. 11 In all the synagogues I often punished them and tried to make them blaspheme. Since I was terribly enraged at them, I pursued them even to foreign cities.”
Paul shared about his conversion experience. Paul shared his testimony. Friends, we would not have a testimony if we did not first have a test. Don’t be afraid of tests. Being a Jesus freak will be hard, but it is what we are called to.
Scripture of the Day: Acts 26:17-18
“17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
Friends, God is sending us, too. People will think we are crazy. Even from within the church sometimes.
24 As he was saying these things in his defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You’re out of your mind, Paul! Too much study is driving you mad. 25 But Paul replied, “I’m not out of my mind, most excellent Festus. On the contrary, I’m speaking words of truth and good judgment.”
Living Like a Jesus Freak—Know What You Believe.
Be able to communicate what you believe, friends. The world is desperate for truth.
Application
Living like a Jesus freak is not being religious.
Are you willing to share what God has given to you with others?
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #356 (Acts 25-26)
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: Acts 26:17-18
“17 I will rescue you from your people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a share among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”
Today’s reading in the book of Revelation reveals the seven bowl or vial judgments which are the final judgments of the tribulation period—God’s wrath against sin.
I believe the beginning of Revelation 16 and other verses that describe the mark of the beast hold a fearsome warning that many of us want to make sure we are not the recipients of.
Revelation 16:1, “Then I heard a loud voice from the temple saying to the seven angels, “Go, pour out the seven bowls of God’s wrath on the earth.” 2 The first angel went and poured out his bowl on the land, and ugly, festering sores broke out on the people who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image.”
Ready or Not?—Fear Not!
To be clear, the mark of the beast is not something we will accidentally do or receive. It will be a willful decision to worship the antichrist. What we have to be is discerning in these times. The enemy of our souls is a deceiver. But if we are in God’s precious word, we will be aware and not easily deceived.
Revelation 17:8(b)-9(a)
“8 The beast that you saw was, and is not, and is about to come up from the abyss and go to destruction. Those who live on the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast that was, and is not, and is to come. 9 This calls for a mind that has wisdom.”
Ready or Not?—Keep Watch!
These bowls and the judgments contained in the book of Revelation are not for those who profess Christ. Nonetheless, we need to be sure of our salvation and on the watch, friends.
Revelation 16:15
“15 “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Ready or Not?—Good News!
Friends, there is good news for us as we read the book of Revelation. We who have accepted the gift of salvation and believed that Christ died for us have been forgiven. God does not judge us as our sins deserve. And we will overcome with Christ.
Revelation 17:14
14 These will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings. Those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.”
What ought our response to be? The Psalmist says it well. In our reading for tomorrow,
Ready or Not?—God is Faithful!
Psalm 145:8
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in faithful love. 9 The Lord is good to everyone; his compassion rests on all he has made. 10 All you have made will thank you, Lord; the faithful will bless you.”
God is kind. Forgiving. And God is good. Righteous. Perfect. Yet He draws near to us.
Psalm 145:17-21
“17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all his acts. 18 The Lord is near all who call out to him, all who call out to him with integrity. 19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry for help and saves them. 20 The Lord guards all those who love him, but he destroys all the wicked. 21 My mouth will declare the Lord’s praise; let every living thing bless his holy name forever and ever.”
Our God who executes judgment also gives mercy. Our God is holy. He cannot condone sin. But He sets His love on those who will accept it.
Psalm 146:5-10
“Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them. He remains faithful forever, 7 executing justice for the exploited and giving food to the hungry. The Lord frees prisoners. 8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. And the Lord raises up those who are oppressed. The Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord protects resident aliens and helps the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked. 10 And the Lord reigns forever; Zion, your God reigns for all generations. Hallelujah!”
Scripture of the Day: Psalm 147:11
“The Lord values those who fear him, those who put their hope in his faithful love.”
God’s love for us is compared to the reading in Song of Solomon 5-6. His love is faithful. His love endures. And His love is devoted.
Solomon 6:3(a)
“I am my love’s and my love is mine.”
When we belong to Jesus, we also need to prove faithful.
Application
Friends, let’s be on the watch and stay alert.
Let’s not believe all of the theories out there. Let’s be people in our word so we can recognize and interpret the times we live in.
And let’s be in the word so we are ready to share it.
And let’s fear God and hope in Him alone.
Those who hope in God will never be disappointed.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #353-355: Revelation 16-20, Psalms 145-147, Songs 5-6
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: Psalm 147:11
“The Lord values those who fear him, those who put their hope in his faithful love.”
It can be easy to be overcome with grief and pain when life becomes overwhelming. But when life’s circumstances seem impossible, God’s favor changes everything.
Bible Reading: Esther 1-5
Today we are starting a new book of the Bible, the book of Esther. We are not sure who the author is of the book of Esther that was written about 100 years after the Babylonian exile in the kingdom of Persia, likely written between 460 and 350 B.C.
The book of Esther is unique in that God is not mentioned in the book of Esther, and yet His sovereign direction is evident in each scenario.
King Xerxes might have thought that he was in control. Yet as he was manipulated by Haman, God still moved and “happened” to have Esther appointed as queen.
Haman, the enemy of God’s people thought he was in control. But God trumped his plans, too.
We see this principle at work:
Proverbs 16:9
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
Psalm 37:23
“The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD, and He delights in his way.”
Proverbs 16:1
“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.”
Proverbs 16:8
“Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.”
Proverbs 19:21
“Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.”
Proverbs 20:24
“Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way?”
Gotquestions.org:
“The purpose of the Book of Esther is to display the providence of God, especially in regard to His chosen people, Israel. The Book of Esther records the institution of the Feast of Purim and the obligation of its perpetual observation. The Book of Esther was read at the Feast of Purim to commemorate the great deliverance of the Jewish nation brought about by God through Esther. Jews today still read Esther during Purim.”
It was a crucial time in Jewish history. The entire Jewish race could have been exterminated. And it was a simple Jewish girl who God used We see in the character of Esther how one puts themselves under the favor of God.
God’s Favor Changes Everything—Esther was submissive.
Esther 2:15
“Now when the time came for Esther to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested.”
God’s Favor Changes Everything—Esther was under authority.
She followed Mordecai’s leadership even when it was hard to do.
God’s Favor Changes Everything—Esther was bold and brave.
Going to the king and requesting a meeting was not something usually done – even by the queen.
Esther 4:16
“16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”
Sometimes we can get caught up in seeking the favor of man, which is so fickle and futile. But the favor of God is what we need to seek.
God can move the heart of kings, governments, and people. He is the one in control. Haman was an Agagite and enemy of God’s people. But he could not destroy God’s people because God moved and He is over all.
When God seems absent, when His people are unfaithful, God has not abandoned His people or His promises.
Trust God’s providence even when we can’t see it working.
Scripture of the Day: Esther 4:14
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the royal position for such a time as this.”
Application
For such a time as this, be available for God’s purposes.
Rely on God’s favor, not man’s.
Be submissive and under authority and God will use you in big ways.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #352: Esther
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: Esther 4:14
“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to the royal position for such a time as this.”
One of the most significant battles we will face in this life is the battle of the mind as we war within and try to defeat sin. But next to that chief battle is the need to be wise regarding the influence of people around us that can pull us away from devotion to God. God’s people need to recognize and resist corruption in order to carry out the mission they have from God. Moses provided a battle plan on how to resist corruption as he handed over the leadership to Joshua.
Bible Reading: Deut 31-32
Moses is handing over the leadership of God’s people to Joshua. Sometimes it is hard when God is moving us on to a new calling, and for Moses it was moving toward his death. What a sober moment.
There was comfort in the knowledge that God was going with them and before them, but His Holy presence also created a reverent fear. God was with them—they needed to be holy, too.
And as they traveled to the promised land, God gave warnings through Moses that still apply to us today. As we travel in this life and toward the calling of God in our lives, are we going with God? God is with us, but are we with Him?
How to Resist Corruptions—Remember
Moses shared a song with God’s people to help them remember. This song was chock full of lessons for them. My kids have teased me that when there was sin in the camp I would sing a song that spoke to that situation. I would make it up on the fly. Honestly, this happened automatically sometimes. But songs are powerful. They are more easily memorized, though Moses’ song was pretty lengthy. But here in Deuteronomy 31-32, Moses shares key principles that help us to resist corruption.
How to Resist Corruption — #1 Remember that God is with you.
Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
Sometimes it will be hard in our calling. Remember that God is with you. Don’t give in to the discouragement. Stand firm in God’s calling on your life.
How to Resist Corruption — #2 Don’t fear the people around you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.”
When we give in to the fear of man, we become a people pleaser instead of making pleasing God our chief aim. We can begin to adopt their sinful practices. This is what God’s people were doing in the time of Moses.
How to Resist Corruption — #3 Keep the Word of God central in your life.
Deuteronomy 31:12-13, “Gather the people—men, women, dependents, and the resident aliens within your city gates—so that they may listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and be careful to follow all the words of this law. 13 Then their children who do not know the law will listen and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
How to Resist Corruption — #4 Watch out for and resist corruption. Keep yourself pure.
Deuteronomy 31:29, “29 For I know that after my death you will become completely corrupt and turn from the path I have commanded you. Disaster will come to you in the future, because you will do what is evil in the Lord’s sight, angering him with what your hands have made.”
Worldliness causes corruption. We are not called to be worldly, but other-worldly. We need to guard against negative, sinful influences in our culture and in people in our lives.
How to Resist Corruption — #5 Remember what God has done for you.
Deuteronomy 32:3-7
“For I will proclaim the Lord’s name. Declare the greatness of our God! 4 The Rock—his work is perfect; all his ways are just. A faithful God, without bias, he is righteous and true. His people have acted corruptly toward him; this is their defect—they are not his children
but a devious and crooked generation. 6 Is this how you repay the Lord, you foolish and senseless people? Isn’t he your Father and Creator? Didn’t he make you and sustain you? 7 Remember the days of old; consider the years of past generations. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will teach you.”
When we consider the character of God and His kindness toward us—Truly – that we have been saved though we were just as corrupt as they were back then—we need to consider how any idol, any deviation from God’s perfect plan is not preferable and it in fact destroys us. Corruption ruins God’s people. Sin does not deliver the promises it makes.
Scripture of the Day: Deuteronomy 32:46-47
“…Take to heart all these words I am giving as a warning to you today, so that you may command your children to follow all the words of this law carefully. 47 For they are not meaningless words to you but they are your life, and by them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
God’s word is not meaningless. It is our very life. We dare not stray from it. His Word protects us from the world. May we live by it.
One last verse that stood out to me was in Deuteronomy 32:9, “But the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob, his own inheritance.” Recently we talked about God being our portion. Friends, we are also His portion. We belong to Jesus. Let’s act like it. Let’s be godly, not worldly and escape the corruption of this world.
Application
Be genuine believers who uphold God’s word.
Don’t give in to the culture or corruption
Guard against sinful influences in your life.
Fear God, not man.
Keep the word of God central in your life.
Remember what God has done for you.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #351: Deuteronomy 31-32
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: Deuteronomy 32:46-47
“…Take to heart all these words I am giving as a warning to you today, so that you may command your children to follow all the words of this law carefully. 47 For they are not meaningless words to you but they are your life, and by them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
If we know the truth, our life will be impacted. We will walk in truth. We will obey God’s commandments. And we will love one another. This love is not superficial. It is sacrificial and sincere. Living the truth out makes the gospel visible to others.
Bible Reading: 2 John
We are reading the book of 2 John today, a small one chapter letter that the Apostle John wrote to the “elect lady”, which some commentators believe is a local church, others believe it to be an actual lady, but regardless, the message in this letter is to the bride of Christ.
With practical takeaways for the church, John writes to compel believers to:
Walk in truth
Obey the commandments
Love one another
Guard the teachings of Christ
Living the Truth Out—The Importance of Doctrine
What we believe matters . . . a lot. Our doctrine needs to be correct or we live in error and teach others lies. We need to be diligent to search for truth in God’s word and to examine both our life and what we believe.
According to Gotquestions.org “The Book of 2 John is largely concerned with an urgent warning concerning deceivers who were not teaching the exact doctrine of Christ and who maintained that Jesus did not actually rise in the flesh but only spiritually. John is very anxious that true believers should be aware of these false teachers and have nothing to do with them.”
This is so applicable today. We have got to be in the word of God so we can discern what is biblical teaching and what is not. Just because something is called “Christian” does not mean that it is. And just because someone claims to be a Christian does not mean that they are. John provides key things that should be in the life of a believer.
Living the Truth Out—Steps to Living the Truth
Walk in truth
2 John verse 4, “I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in truth, just as we have received a commandment to do from the Father.”
It is the truth that sets us free.
How we walk reflects what we believe, otherwise, we are hypocritical.
Walking in truth means the Bible is our authority—not man, culture, or self.
We need to be aware of philosophies that are influencing us.
Obey the commandments
2 John verse 6, “And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you are to walk in it.”
Obedience defines our relationship with God. If we love Him, we will do what He says.
When we obey His commandments, we don’t rationalize and come up with what those commandments are. He has revealed them. Our job is to study and to follow.
John 14:15, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
John 14:21, “Whoever has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”
John 14:23, “Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make Our home with him.”
John 15:10, “If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.”
1 John 2:3, “By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments.”
1 John 5:3, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.”
Love one another
2 John verse 5, “Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.”
1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
It is possible that we can turn people away from Christ by how we treat one another. This ought to make us get over ourselves, and just love everybody, right?
1 John 4:7, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
1 John 4:11, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:20, “If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”
Guys, how we treat one another reflects the love of God or not. How we treat the least of these is how we treat Christ (Matthew 5). Even if you don’t like someone, you can still choose to love them. Get over offenses and put on love.
Guard the teachings of Christ
2 John 8-11 “Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God; the one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.”
Titus 1:9, “He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.”
2 Timothy 4:2-4
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
Scripture of the Day: 2 John:9
“Anyone who goes too far and does not remain in the teaching of Christ does not have God; the one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
Application
Remain in God’s word daily so we don’t get deceived.
Love one another fiercely. Warts and all.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #350: 2 John
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: 2 John:9
“Anyone who goes too far and does not remain in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
There’s a word this year that has stood out to me again and again. Portion. We can want someone else’s portion, but it will not satisfy us as much as what God has for us. And more importantly, nothing will satisfy us like God being our portion. When God is our portion, we are satisfied more than any other portion this world affords.
We are going to be covering some ground today from the reading over the weekend and today’s reading. I am going to start with the Psalms
Psalm 142
“1 I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy. 2 I pour out my complaint before him; I reveal my trouble to him. 3 Although my spirit is weak within me, you know my way. Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me. 4 Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me.
5 I cry to you, Lord; I say, “You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.” 6 Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. 7 Free me from prison so that I can praise your name. The righteous will gather around me because you deal generously with me.”
When God is Our Portion
When God is our portion, we have an inheritance.
The Hebrew word for portion is Hay-leck “cheleq”. It means an allotment, a share, a part. We have a part in the Kingdom of God. We get to share in a relationship with the One Who is over all. He loves us. He chose us. Don’t let this inheritance be something we easily dismiss. It is the greatest portion we will ever have. This word occurs sixty-two times. It is used as a synonym of “lot” (gôrāl) when it is a share of booty divided among the victors (Gen 14:24) or of offerings among the priests (Lev 6:10). More commonly it refers to a ‘share in an inheritance.’
We aren’t forgotten. We have a portion with the God of this universe. And part of that portion is revelation that God gives us. If you remember Deuteronomy 29:29, “The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.”
The Psalmist first reveals his troubles and his sin – he confesses his sin to find God’s forgiveness. And God reveals to the Psalmist and to us.
When God is Our Portion—We Belong
When God is our Portion belong to Him.
Psalm 143: 8-10
“Let me experience your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in you. Reveal to me the way I should go because I appeal to you. 9 Rescue me from my enemies, Lord; I come to you for protection. 10 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground.”
When God is our portion, we are also His. We belong to Him. We don’t have to worry about what the future brings. Our God is already there. This means we don’t have to worry about all that we see about the end times in the book of Revelation.
When God is Our Portion—We Do Not Fear
In our reading from the book of Revelation 11-15, God sends two witnesses to call out the sins of the people. “John does not tell us who these two witnesses are. Many Bible teachers say that these men are Moses and Elijah. Some teachers say that they are Enoch and Elijah. But we cannot be sure who they are” (Easy English Bible Commentary).
According to Gotquestions.org, “in Revelation chapter 12, John sees a vision of a woman “clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars” (Revelation 12:1). Note the similarity between this description and the description that Joseph gave of his father Jacob (Israel) and his mother and their children (Genesis 37:9-11). The twelve stars refer to the twelve tribes of Israel. So the woman in Revelation 12 is Israel.”
When God is Our Portion—He is Our Deliverer
“Additional evidence for this interpretation is that Revelation 12:2-5 speaks of the woman being with child and giving birth. While it is true that Mary gave birth to Jesus, it is also true that Jesus, the son of David from the tribe of Judah, came from Israel. In a sense, Israel gave birth—or brought forth—Christ Jesus. Verse 5 says that the woman’s child was “a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up to God and to His throne.” Clearly, this is describing Jesus. Jesus ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11) and will one day establish His kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:4-6), and He will rule it with perfect judgment (the “rod of iron”; see Psalm 2:7-9).”
“The woman’s flight into the wilderness for 1,260 days refers to the future time called the Great Tribulation. During the future tribulation period, the world will be ruled by a godless man presiding over an evil governmental system. We see this beast in in Revelation 13. The Bible associates this end-times ruler with a terrible beast in Revelation and in Daniel.”
“In Revelation 13 John sees a nightmarish vision of a dragon and two beasts. The first beast comes out of the sea and receives power from the dragon, or Satan. In Revelation, the term beast refers to two related entities. Sometimes “the beast” refers to the end-times’ empire. The seven heads and ten horns indicate that the beast will be a coalition of nations that rises to power to subdue the earth under Satan’s control. Later references to “the beast” in Revelation picture an individual—the man who is the political leader and head of the beastly empire.”
The book of Revelation is an impetus for us to be busy spreading the gospel. The end times are coming. We who know Jesus need to help others escape the coming punishment.
When God is Our Portion—We Will Be Persecuted
Today’s reading is from the book of Acts 23-24. If we could all express at the end of our life what Paul did at the beginning of Acts 23:1, we would be blessed.
“Paul looked at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience to this day.”
Notice Paul said this to the Sanhedrin. These were not buddies, but religious leaders who persecuted Paul.
When God is Our Portion—We Will Be Rescued
Acts 23:10-11
“10 When the dispute became violent, the commander feared that Paul might be torn apart by them and ordered the troops to go down, take him away from them, and bring him into the barracks. 11 The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Have courage! For as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so it is necessary for you to testify in Rome.””
The LORD Himself comforted Paul. God is our rescue when we run to Him as our portion rather than anything else in the world.
Scripture of the Day: Acts 24:15-16
“I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous. 16 I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men.”
Application
When God is our portion, we must share that portion with others.
We who have hope in Christ have got to live well so others can find and know Christ, too.
𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘁 12 𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧.
Day #346-349: Rev. 11-15, Psalms 142-144, Songs 3-4, Acts 23-24
𝒱𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒟𝒶𝓎: Acts 24:15-16
“I have a hope in God, which these men themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection, both of the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Seeing Deep Blog by Denise Pass 