James 4:4
“…know ye not that friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” So many people today, even Christians, are friends of the world not realizing the enormity of their decisions. Our verse tells us plainly that friendship with the world makes us the enemy of God. It all starts with compromise. Ask a substance addict if they became one after their first drink of alcohol or hit of a drug. Ask the adulterer if it began at the first glance at someone else’s husband/wife. Compromise seems innocent at the beginning. It might begin with a friend who seems like they are a good influence. Or maybe even a pastor who changed his viewpoint on something to fit with the times. Many think that in order to get more people to come to church, we need to lower our standards so that church will be more inviting. This happens everyday by the changing of the Scripture, the compromising of separation, and the choice of songs. Music is often the first thing that is compromised, then separation, and then the Bible. We may roll our eyes at this, but it's a proven fact by mere observation. Compromise is enmity with God. Let’s be careful who we let into our lives, and be cautious of what they are bringing with them. Bible Reading: Exodus 28-29 | Matthew 19 | Psalm 9
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Matthew 24:4
“And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.” The devil may give us what we think we want or need, disguised as a blessing “sent from God”. He may arrange the right thing to be given by the wrong person, which opens up the door of compromise. Before you know it, you are knee deep in compromised decisions and doctrine. If you've been around the ministry very long at all, you've seen people from all facets of ministry compromise on a “minor” issue, only to be completely derailed and out of commission in a matter of time. Young Christians, laymen, singers, ministry workers & leaders, deacons, preachers, missionaries, evangelists, pastors. None of us are immune to the wiles of the devil. He wants to distract us, deter us, devour us and destroy us. He can’t take our salvation, but it’s up to us to protect our testimony. The devil is depicted by many as a man in a red suit, with horns and a pitchfork. This could not be any further from the truth. Oftentimes, Satan comes to us wrapped up in exactly everything we ever wanted. We can learn from the many examples in the Bible of the devil’s subtle tactics and Someone’s response to him. Let’s take a look at Who we can learn from… Ask Eve. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise…” Genesis 3:6 “The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.” Genesis 3:13 Ask Abraham. “And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.” Genesis 16:2 Ask David. “…and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and enquired after the woman.” II Samuel 11:2-3 Ask Solomon. “So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me…And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy…Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 Ask Jesus. “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written…” Matthew 4:10 Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan himself, yet without sin. Protect yourself from being deceived by disguised “blessings”. Bible Reading: Exodus 26-27 | Matthew 18 | Psalm 8 John 8:32
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Have you ever felt chained to something? Maybe not physically, but perhaps mentally, emotionally or even spiritually. It’s easy to let something or someone control us to the point where we are restrained beyond our original desire. Regardless of whatever has you chained today; you can be released of its hold on you. You can be free through the Truth! Our church has an addiction recovery ministry for those who struggle with being chained to a substance or situation. We are all addicted to something. It may not be alcohol or drugs; but it could be social media, television, the Internet, or even food. We need not judge those who are addicted to a substance, when we ourselves have allowed something else to grab ahold of us. One night as I was painting in another room of the church, I overheard the congregational hymn “Victory In Jesus” being sung. The sounds of those who were once addicted to something in this world were singing at the top of their lungs that they had found victory in Jesus Christ alone. It was convicting. I heard an old, old story, How a Saviour came from glory, How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me; I heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood’s atoning, Then I repented of my sins And won the victory! O victory in Jesus, My Saviour, forever. He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood. Eugene Bartlett, 1939 No matter what struggle we are facing in our lives, we can find victory in Him! Search the Truth of His Word today. You are sure to find help for your situation. Bible Reading: Exodus 24-25 | Matthew 17 | Psalm 7 Matthew 5:44
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Although we cannot avoid criticism, we can learn how to Biblically respond to those who criticize and take advantage of us. Jesus Christ tells us to… Love them. Bless them. Do good unto them. Pray for them. Easier said than done, right? That is because in our flesh dwelleth no good thing, and to love those that hurt us is contrary to our fleshly desires. If we only love those who love us, what reward do we have? As hard as it is, we are to seek to love those who aren’t our favorite people. God sometimes uses the pressure of opposition to teach us the power of prayer. If we take our frustrations and disappointments to Him in prayer, we will have a much better outcome to our situation. When we pray for people, we will treat them differently. When we pray for our critics and those who tend to misuse their relationship with us, we can respond to them with grace. Not all critics are our enemies. Sometimes our actions and attitudes require our friends to hold us accountable. We learn in Proverbs 27:6, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend…” Those who know us best can often see things we don’t, and can help us in our efforts and purpose. If you have a friend who helps you see the bright side of things, and encourages you to do right when others fail you, be thankful for them today. Remember that Christ Himself dealt with criticism and persecution. “And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee? And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly.” Matthew 27:12-14 He is the Ultimate Example of dealing with critics. Bible Reading: Exodus 22-23 | Matthew 16 | Psalm 6 Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Criticism is disabling. If you have tried to purposefully do anything, especially for the cause of Christ, you are sure to have faced it. One thing that is easy to forget during the course of a critic’s attack is that God has allowed it. His sovereignty doesn’t disappear while the critic’s voice has your mind and ear. The Lord prepares us for His purpose in our lives, and sometimes, He uses even criticism to mold us into what He would have us to be. Most of the time, when it seems like criticism is all around you, God is preparing you for a season of growth in your life and ministry. Take time to pause and discern the criticism you receive. Ask the Lord to help you decide what changes He would have you to make, or for the grace and strength to continue in your purpose despite the critics. Jesus Christ, our High Priest, was touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet He was without sin. Isaiah 53 tells us that “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth…” He didn’t respond to His critics. His example shows us that we can endure the hardness of criticism without surrendering to the fight or losing our testimony. Like a soldier, we can press on toward the mark of our high calling and rejoice in our reward with the knowledge that we are more like Christ when we are persecuted. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” Resolve to rejoice! Bible Reading: Exodus 20-21 | Matthew 15 | Psalm 5 I John 3:13
“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” John 15:18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” Have you ever felt hated by this world? Maybe even hated by other Christians? You are not alone. In fact, Jesus Christ Himself warns us in the Gospel of John that we will be hated by the world because it hated Him first. We are partakers of this hatred because we follow Him. Think of all the martyrs that gave their lives for the cause of Christ. Many died so that we could have our Bible today. God preserved His Word through His people taking a stand amidst the hate and persecution of the world. Most of the disciples died at the hands of those that hated them. Peter was crucified, and demanded to be hung upside down because he didn’t feel worthy to be crucified in the same form as Jesus gave His life. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was also crucified. Luke was hanged on an olive tree. The Romans beheaded Paul. John was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil, but by miracle he exited without injury. He was the only apostle who escaped a violent death. William Tyndale, a well-known Bible translator who produced the first translation of the New Testament from Greek to English, after 17 months in a gruesome prison finishing his work, he was strangled and burned at the stake. He is known for praying, “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes,” at his dying breath. Christian, take comfort today in the fact that though the world may hate us, we are the called according to His purpose… and because of that He is working it together for our good. John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Bible Reading: Exodus 18-19 | Matthew 14 | Psalm 4 Leviticus 11:44
“For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” I Peter 1:15-16 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Not only should we do all things without murmurings or disputings, but we should also be aware of our manner of conversation. The Word has much to say about the words we speak. I Timothy 4:12 “…be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” James 3:13 “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.” Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” We’ve all heard the saying… “If you don’t have any thing nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” How much trouble could we avoid if we would just keep our thoughts and opinions to ourselves sometimes? My pastor advises people all the time to “Believe every thing you say, but don’t say every thing you believe.” “A closed mouth gathers no feet.” Unknown Bible Reading: Exodus 16-17 | Matthew 13 | Psalm 3 Philippians 2:14
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings:” If we were all honest, we would all say that we struggle with this verse. I venture to say that any that would disagree need to put their pride aside, and admit the truth. This includes the eye-rolls as well as the huffs and puffs that we all have a habit of doing whether we realize it or not. This is one of those verses that is easy to just read on past and pretend its not there. Verses 13 & 15 are much more encouraging, aren’t they? But verse 14 is just as important, and has been placed there for a purpose. It is just as inspired as the rest of the verses in chapter 2. In verse 15 we find that we can be blameless, harmless, the sons of God, and without rebuke amidst of a perverse nation. We can shine as lights in this dark world. But in order to do that, we must do all things without murmuring and disputing. That’s the conditional part of this promise. Our flesh gets the best of us more often than not, doesn’t it? Our carnality wants to make us roll our eyes when people are asked to help put up the chairs after an activity at church, or when youth workers are needed in the 4 year old class. When your boss asks you to do something that you would rather not, what is your reaction? Whether in the office, the classroom, the post office or the church house… “Do all things without murmurings and disputings.” A friend of mine mentioned Colossians 3:17 to me one day. “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” When he first quoted it, I was reminded of how I have used that verse as an encouragement for me to do my best whenever I’m serving Him. But my friend told me about how much he was convicted by that verse, and it opened my eyes at just how true that is. What if Jesus Christ Himself asked for people to stack chairs after an event? What if He asked for workers in the 4 year old class? People would be lining up to work, and the chairs would have never been stacked up so fast. But according to Colossians 3:17, we are commanded to do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus; and not only that, but to be thankful for the opportunity. If that’s not convicting about our murmurings and disputings, few things will ever reach our carnal hearts. Bible Reading: Exodus 14-15 | Matthew 12 | Psalm 2 John 1:40-42
“One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus...” Andrew was not well known; but he wasn’t looking for fame. He was quiet; but he was bold. Andrew was a fisherman who left his nets to follow Jesus and fish for men. Andrew was always referred to as Simon Peter’s brother. As his name means, he was strong and courageous, a warrior; maybe not in word, but definitely in deed. He may not have been known as a great preacher, or written any books, but he brought people to Jesus. The first person Andrew brought to Jesus was his brother, Simon Peter. He brought the preacher of Pentacost to Jesus. Thousands upon thousands came to know the Lord… because Andrew was a soul winner. After hearing of all the miracles that Jesus did, a great multitude began to follow Him. Jesus asked Philip where they could buy some bread to feed the people, knowing that He would be performing a miracle in order to feed 5,000 men plus women and children. Andrew spoke up about a lad that he knew there. He brought the boy, along with his five loaves and two fishes to Jesus, and the rest is Biblical history. From Andrew we can learn the importance of bringing others to Jesus. Who have you brought to Jesus? What could Jesus do through you bringing someone to Him? Only time will tell… our job is to go and tell. Bible Reading: Exodus 12-13 | Matthew 11 | Psalm 1 |
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