Psalm 6:9
“The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.” In times of need, often our first reaction is to seek someone to listen. Someone who cares. Someone who understands. How often do we seek help from anyone or anything other than the Lord? Our flesh’s first instinct is to find comfort anywhere else. He created us, but sin often gets in the way of our good intentions. Psalm 6:8 “Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.” He cares. 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” He understands. Hebrews 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” When we go to Him, He not only hears and rescues us, but He also secures and directs us. Psalm 40:1-2 “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” Bible Reading: Genesis 21-22 | John 11
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Romans 3:24
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” What does it mean to be justified? Someone years ago came up with this phrase…”Just-If-I’d Never Sinned.” That’s how God sees those who have trusted Christ as their Saviour. He sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ and not our own. That is justification, or the means of being justified. We have no righteousness in and of ourselves. Romans 3:10-12 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” We are nothing without Him. John 15:5 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” But through Him… We are redeemed. Redemption is only found in Jesus Christ. We are justified. Justification is only found in Jesus Christ. “…freely…” Salvation is a gift… and gifts are free. “…by his grace…” Grace is being given something we do not deserve… and its by the grace of God that we are have the opportunity to place our faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Bible Reading: Genesis 19-20 | John 10 Acts 8:36
“And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” Chapter 8 of the Book of The Acts gives us a clear picture as to the process of a baptism. We are introduced to the eunuch of Ethiopia in verses 27 and 28 as he is riding in his chariot reading out of Isaiah 53. Philip obey the Holy Spirit as He nudged him to go to the eunuch. Acts 8:30 “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?” How many times has the Holy Spirit told us to talk with or visit someone, and we refused? The eunuch’s response is convicting. Acts 8:31 “And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.” The eunuch began asking questions, and Philip showed him Who Jesus was. Someone is waiting for us to show them the Truth of the Word of God. Then as they continued to travel, the eunuch saw a certain water, and asked what he had to do to be baptized. Philip gave him a simple answer. Acts 8:37 “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Many modern day translations of the Bible omit this verse. Doing so, changes the whole context of this portion of Scripture. To read verse 36, then immediately continue to verse 38, we miss the answer to the eunuch’s question. Acts 8:38 “And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.” Without the answer to his question, this implies that someone can be baptized any time they want without anything taking place beforehand. It more importantly implies that baptism leads to salvation, which is not true. Acts 8:37 “And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” One must believe before they are baptized. Many people are being taught the false doctrine of baptismal regeneration because the translation they use simply does not teach them they must believe before they are baptized. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward transformation that has already taken place within the life of a believer. Bible Reading: Genesis 17-18 | John 9 Romans 9:17
“For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.” In Exodus 9, the Lord had Moses go unto Pharoah and speak for Him. Exodus 9:1 “Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me.” Moses obeyed. He went to Pharoah multiple times and told him what the Lord had said. He did not proclaim his own opinion, but he spoke “Thus saith the Lord”. In Romans, Paul writes “For the scripture saith unto Pharoah…” This further illustrates that when Moses spoke for the Lord, it was not to be taken as Moses’ words or even as what he would have done. No, it was the LORD, the Almighty God speaking. Paul reminds the church at Rome of this Truth as he explains the great heaviness and continual sorrow he had for his people. Romans 10:1 “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.” When we listen to the preaching of the Word of God, we must remind ourselves that it is not the preacher delivering the message who speaks the Truth, but the very Words of God which he proclaims. Today it seems, more than ever, that we substitute the truth of the man of God for the Truth of the Word of God. May we listen with open hearts to what the Lord has to say, while also being willing to declare His Name to all around us as we have opportunity. Although not everyone is called to be a pastor, we are all responsibly to carry out the Great Commission of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Declare His Name today. Bible Reading: Genesis 15-16 | John 8 Acts 4:20
“For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Peter and John admitted they could not obey they command of the Sanhedrin. Acts 4:18 “And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.” They were point blank told not to speak the name of Jesus. How would you respond to such an order? Unfortunately, the day is likely soon coming that each of us will be faced with the same situation as the disciples. How will you respond when you are told that you cannot speak the Name of Jesus anymore? Peter and John simply stated they had no choice. There was no deliberation or weighing the pros and cons. They knew immediately that they would continue to speak the Name of Jesus regardless of the consequences. They knew it was better to obey God rather than men. When persecution comes, remember how Peter and John responded. Acts 4:21 “So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.” The Lord was glorified in their boldness to proclaim His Name no matter the cost. In times of distress, we must choose Him. Trials will come, but His grace is sufficient. Any circumstance we face is another opportunity for God to get the glory. Speak His Name today. Bible Reading: Genesis 13-14 | John 7 Acts 5:11
“And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.” Barnabas, among others, sold his land then brought the money and laid it at the apostles feet for it to be used for the ministry. Ananias and Sapphira saw how Barnabas was received of the disciples, and must have wanted the same reception, so they too sold a possession. Acts 5:1-2 “But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.” However, they chose to keep back part of the price. They brought a certain part of the money and laid it at the feet of the apostles expecting to receive the same reward. Peter discerned right away that there was a different motive behind the couple’s gift. Acts 5:3-4 “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Our motives will always come through eventually. Ananias fell down and died immediately after Peter rebuked him. This caused great fear to come upon all that heard of what had occurred. Sapphira was then given an opportunity to confess what they had done, and she chose to lie again. She too fell down and died immediately after she made her choice. What has to happen to cause us to fear the Lord? God may use us as an example to cause great fear to come upon those around us if we continue to choose our own motives over Him. Our actions have consequences. Choose to obey Him today. Bible Reading: Genesis 11-12 | John 6 Acts 5:41
“And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” They were beaten. They were commanded not to speak in the Name of Jesus. Acts 5:40 “And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” They were released. Instead of choosing to run and hide, they did what would have likely been the furthest from our minds… They rejoiced. While wounded from the beating they had endured at the hands of their persecutors, they chose to rejoice. How could they find a reason to rejoice in the midst of their pain and suffering? They were counted worthy to suffer shame for the Name of Jesus. We may not find ourselves with physical wounds of persecution, but we often bear scars from what we endure in our service to Him. He suffered for us as He took our place. May we choose to rejoice because we have been counted worthy to suffer for Him. Acts 5:42 “And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” Proclaim His Name today, and every day. Bible Reading: Genesis 9-10 | John 5 Acts 4:14
“And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.” The rulers, elders, scribes, the High Priest, and many others gathered together in Jerusalem to question Peter and John. Acts 4:7 “And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?” The Sanhedrin had seen the evidence of the power of the Name of Jesus when the impotent man was healed. He now stood before them whole. Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost when he answered their question. Acts 4:10 “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.” He went on to declare that no other name can bring their salvation. Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” The boldness of Peter and John had an effect on those around them. Acts 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Does anyone marvel at your boldness? We can be bold for many things, but these men set an example for us to strive for because they were known to have been with Jesus. Could someone say that about you? Proverbs 28:1 “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Their boldness reminded the people that God had miraculously healed the impotent man as he stood in their midst. Acts 4:16 “Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.” Those who were once questioning with an agenda were now silent because it was evident that God alone had done the work. When God does something, no critic can overthrow it. May we bold enough to proclaim the Truth, and silent enough to allow the works of the Lord to speak for themselves. Bible Reading: Genesis 7-8 | John 4 1 Corinthians 1:26-27
“For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;” Have you ever noticed that God seems to call the most unlikely people to do His work? This is no accident, for there are no accidents or coincidences with God. He chooses the most improbable people and situations to manifest His power, grace and love through. 1 Corinthians 2:5 “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” If He only used those who we in our human flesh deem worthy to be called we would put our faith in the ability of a person instead of God’s power to use them. God gets the most glory when a situation seems most unlikely. Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” Moses had a stammering tongue and considered himself to be a worthless speaker. But God called him, and used him beyond both Moses’ ability and the opinions of others. He allowed Moses to lead the children of Israel through the wilderness and used him to display God’s power in many miracles along the way. When they reached the Red Sea they had nowhere to turn…except to God. That impossible moment allowed God to manifest His power in an incredible way that no one even thought possible at the time. You may feel like there is nothing you can offer the Lord in service to Him. That is how He wants us to feel, for it is then that He can work through us. He is not looking for the wisest person to do His work; He simply wants the willing. Disregard your ability or inability to accomplish something for Him. Ask Him to use you in spite of you. When we get ourselves out of the way, it is then that He can use us. What situation seems the most unlikely to happen in your life? You may feel as if you are standing at the edge of the Red Sea with nowhere to turn. This is where God wants to use the weak things of this world to confound the mighty. He knows right where you stand and just what you need. 1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” Bible Reading: Genesis 5-6 | John 3 Acts 10:20
“Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.” Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit nudge you to do something or speak to someone; yet you end up having an internal tug-of-war in an effort to convince yourself that you do not need to follow through? The Holy Spirit told Peter to go. But He did not stop there, He continued with another admonishment…”doubting nothing”. The Lord knows that our flesh wants us to doubt everything that He tells us to do. When Peter was told to go and not doubt, he was also given a specific reason why there was no sense in worrying or doubting the direction. “…for I have sent them.” What better reason could he have heard for the fact that there was no reason to doubt? None. The Lord had sent them, and that was all Peter needed to know. The Word of God is packed full of promises and encouragement of how we too have no reason to doubt when He directs our path. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” There is no reason to doubt when He directs you. Bible Reading: Genesis 3-4 | John 2 |
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