The End…

 

How appropriate to read of the end of evil and the promise of a new life on the last day of a year. While the events seen by John in Revelation may not happen in 2026, just thinking about it builds anticipation in my heart.

Evil’s ending includes the final judgment on a ‘woman’ who represents immoral living. She “glorified herself” but “her plagues will come in a single day, death and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her” and those who profited from her will fear and mourn yet the “saints and apostles and prophets” will rejoice. 

“Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just; for he has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.” (Revelation 19:1–2)

After (?) this, more celebration, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”. . . . These are the true words of God.” (Revelation 19:6–9)

Then a white horse ridden by the righteous Judge called Faithful and True, clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and named the Word of God, with the armies of heaven, following him on white horses. He strikes down the nations and rules. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Even so, the beast and the kings of the earth gather to make war against Him. They are defeated and thrown alive into the lake of fire or slain by His sword.

An angel binds Satan for a thousand years, shutting and sealing the pit, then allowing his release for “a little while.” Those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 

The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:1–6)

Satan is released “to deceive the nations. . . .  to gather them for battle” against the saints, “but fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

Then John saw a great white throne with the dead standing before it. God opened the book of life and these were judged and, “if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.” 

Finally John sees a new heaven and a new earth, the holy city. . . . coming down out of heaven. . . . and heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 

“Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. . . . It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:5–8)

Then he describes the Bride of Christ as a city of jewels without need of light “for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb . . . . But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation 21:27)

He saw the river of the water of life, the tree of life, knowing Jesus’ servants will reign forever and ever. And He says: 

Behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. . . . I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. . . .  Let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. (Revelation 22:17)

PRAY: Jesus, on the eve of a new year, prepare me for twelve new months of both groaning and growing in grace, yet glorify Yourself in all that will happen.

A Call to Endure…

 

Some fictional stories jump from scene to scene with events that overlap in time and are confusing to the reader or viewer. I’m not sure this was happening in John’s visions of the end, but it seems like it. He just announced the victory of Jesus, then tells of the activity of Satan. What came when? I’m not going to speculate. I just know that these things will happen, such as:

The whole world will worship “the beast” which was given great power by “the dragon” who seems to be Satan. This beast “opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God. . . . was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them” and had authority over all who worshiped it.

If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints. (Revelation 13:10)

Another beast shows up, like the first, and performs great signs even to making an image of the first beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived, even giving breath to it and allowing it to mark those who would not bow to it so they could not buy or sell.

Then John saw Jesus with the 144,000 who had His name written on their foreheads and he heard a new song. Another angel arrived proclaiming the gospel to all the people and the judgment to come. A second followed announcing the fall of Babylon, and a third saying those who worship the beast and its image will be tormented forever. 

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!” (Revelation 14:12–13)

One like Jesus came to reap the earth, and throw those under His wrath into God’s winepress and blood flowed from the winepress, as high as a horse’s bridle. Then John saw seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished. And a “sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name who were singing. . . .  Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!” (Revelation 15:2–3)

Seven angels with seven plagues appeared and were told: “Go and pour out on the earth the seven bowls of the wrath of God.” So the first angel went and poured out his bowl on the earth, followed by horrid images of the results, and then each of the seven doing the same and destroying everyone and all things. Still people cursed the name of God and did not repent or give Him glory. Demonic spirits  assemble leaders for battle and the seventh angel poured out his bowl as a voice said, “It is done!” 

Everything fell, cities, mountains, islands, hailstones — yet people still cursed God. Angels showed John the judgment of a sinful “prostitute” who was “drunk with the blood of the saints, the blood of the martyrs of Jesus.” The angel told him what would happen to her and the beast and all that these evil entities represented. Eventually:

They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” (Revelation 17:6–14)

PRAY: As I read this, Jesus, the details do not matter. You will conquer all evil for You are Lord of all. If I watch these events as a suffering martyr — no matter.  I am called and chosen, a redeemed and transformed sinner yet faithful because of all that You have done in my life. Holy God, I worship You!

Beginning of the End

 

There are many interpretations of Revelation and much disagreement. I have a commentary that looks at this last NT book through OT thinking. It helps with the symbolism. Also, someone recently pointed out that what John saw could be tanks, helicopters and other items that were not in existence at that time so he described them the best he could. 

However, God always reveals what His people need to know; therefore, I can trust Him to do that. He also says I will be blessed as I read this NT book. Today, it is chapters 7 to 12.

John saw 144,000, sealed from every tribe of Israel and then: 

A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.” 

One of the elders said: “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” My commentary says these were the martyrs of John’s time, but the text does not confirm this, only that they worshiped Jesus Christ.

Then an angel offered incense and prayers of all those before God’s throne and this rose before God. Then seven angels with seven trumpets begin to cry out. The first four told of woes that would destroy one-third of almost everything. Another angel cried, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!” (Revelation 8:13)

The first of these last three woes is described with detail:

Then from the smoke came locusts on the earth, and they were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth. They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any green plant or any tree, but only those people who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads. They were allowed to torment them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone. And in those days people will seek death and will not find it. They will long to die, but death will flee from them. (Revelation 9:3–6)

The next woe was the release of four angels to kill one-third of humanity, but even those who were not killed “did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood. . . . nor did they repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.” (Revelation 9:20–21) Such a horror!

Then, as John was about to write what he was seeing, he was told, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.” 

There is more. Two witnesses show up “who will prophesy for 1,260 days” then be killed by “the beast that rises from the bottomless pit” and those still alive will, “make merry and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to those who dwell on the earth. But after the three and a half days a breath of life from God entered them, and they stood up on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them.” 

Then an earthquake and more deaths, and the third woe soon to come, without any description, except the the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying: 

The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15)

More severe cosmic events and a war in heaven follow as the angels fight the “dragon” and defeat him. Then Satan, the deceiver of the whole world, is thrown down with his angels. Then John hears this: 

Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:7–11)

PRAY: Oh Lord, after this, another war ensues, but its meaning and symbolism are not clear to me. What is clear is that those enemies — the world, the flesh, and the devil — are defeated and You win and all who trust You are conquerors also.

God reveals the things we need to know…

 

We woke this morning to a cold house. Our furnace quit during the night. It is -21o Celsius outside with a windchill and was colder than that all day yesterday. I’m thankful for wool sweaters and the promise of a repair person to come soon. 

I’m also thankful for a big-picture God. He gives me this to think about right now:

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. (Revelation 1:1–3)

Most people are fearful of this last book of the Bible. It begins with this promise though, so I will look for that blessing and even read it aloud. Here is more good news:

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:4–8)

Before writing anything, John heard a voice and saw Jesus:

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this. As for the mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand, and the seven golden lampstands, the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. (Revelation 1:17–20)

It gave me joy to realize that Jesus explained to John what he was seeing. This Jesus whom I trust does not always explain the things that I see or that happen to me, but what I need to know, He is willing to make known to me. 

For your servant’s sake, O Lord, and according to your own heart, you have done all this greatness, in making known all these great things. (1 Chronicles 17:19)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

Some things that Jesus explains in today’s reading include a warning not to abandon the love I have for Him, but continue to love Him and show it in the way I live.

I’m also not to fear suffering, even being persecuted to death. I’m not to deny faith in Christ or fall into legalism or false teaching, but remain faithful to what I know and hold fast to Him, listening to His words and waiting for Him and whatever He invites me to do. 

John saw a scroll and many angels declaring only Jesus is worthy to open it because of His death and resurrection. He also heard all creatures worship Him. 

Next, Jesus releases riders on horses to conquer, to take peace from the world, to control food supplies, and to slay one fourth of the earth. He also revealed those slain for their faith, saying more would join them. A great earthquake follows with destruction and all crying that the wrath of God had come. 

PRAY: Jesus, the descriptions in this last part are not pretty, but my desire for justice feels an odd anticipation. You will deal with all sin and evil in those who call on rocks and mountains to hide them from You. No hiding. No one will stand unless they stand with faith in You. I feel sorrow for them, yet am at peace that Your holy plans will happen. 

I’m also thankful for the small stuff — a quick cleanup of a frozen vent and our heat came back on. I’m so thankful that Your will for our good also never changes.

All is calm…

Christmas has traditions for most families. We do the usual stockings stuffed with small surprises, gifts under a decorated tree, turkey and all that goes with it, and much joy that Jesus came. But one traditions is odd. Our daughter lives more than 3000 km from here but we and her brother get on the phone and play Boggle, amid a lot of laughter and threats of cheating. This year, our granddaughter got a day pass and spent twelve hours with us on boxing day. Part of that was helping her granddad begin a 3600 piece Lego castle. In all this, the joy of Jesus kept my heart lifted in the energy of His grace. 

Today I read and identified with these words: “I rejoiced greatly to find some of our children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father” (2 John 4) and “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4)

I tend to focus more on bad news than good news, so this passage also popped out:

But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. (Jude 17–23)

The last few lines give me a sense of what God wants from me, but the Lord would not let me linger there. He gave me this to keep the joy flowing:

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24–25)

And then this as if Jude needed an exclamation mark:

And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, (1 Corinthians 1:30)

PRAY: Jesus, you have become wisdom from God for me. This is why I must boast only in you and not in myself or my so-called wisdom. Please reveal more and more of your glory and grace to my heart. I want to bow before You quicker, lower, and with more joy than ever before. You are my majestic and merciful King. Open the eyes of my heart a bit wider to behold the great hope to which you’ve called me in the gospel. Deepen my adoration of you, Jesus, and loosen my grip on my so-called treasures. What do I have that you have not given me? 

I praise You for coming into a world where everything is broken, but You came to make all things new, even me. I look forward to the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord, to the glory of God the Father. It’s going to be a loud and large day. This Christmas I’m thankful I could say, “Be still, my soul” . . . and experience Your calm glory and quiet mercy, and worship You with quiet certainty that Your will is being done. This I pray in Your wise and worthy name. Amen.

The Lord knows…

 

A NT verse says that the Lord knows who belongs to Him. Sometimes we don’t. Instant fellowship may not happen. Or that person does not go to church, so assumptions are made. Or they do go to church but are not believers. What I love about 1 John is that He gives some clues that help many Christians affirm their own faith as well as those who might be a puzzle. One of them is the admission and confession of sin:

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8–10)

Another one shows up in the things that seem priorities. While Christians can fall into this trap too, it will fade away when confessed:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

For certain, the mark of a true Christian is not about church attendance but the way we live:

You may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. . . . Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

Righteous is demonstrated by love. “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” and “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 

Love is expressed in obedience. Those who know God have a rapport with one another, but those who are not are not very interested in what true Christians have to say.

While true Christians have the Spirit and confess that Jesus is the Son of God, this love is not always perfect. For that reason, He works to change our lives, and to cast out all fears so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.” 

The Lord also works to change His children, giving them the ability to overcome the pull of the world by increased faith. If someone has new life, it is because they have Jesus. 

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (1 John 5:11–12)

PRAY: This encourages me for I know several people who puzzle me with righteous living yet I’m not sure if they belong to You, Jesus. For this, You tell me if I see sin in others, I should pray for them: “If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and You will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; and You do not say that I should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death.” (1 John 5:16–17 personalized) Praying for others to grow in their faith is as important as praying that they have faith. May Your Spirit and Your will shine in the lives of all, particularly those that are a puzzle to me. Amen.

To God be the glory…

 

Waking this morning with thoughts of Jesus born two thousand plus years ago, I wondered what He would say to me today. It is not a surprise that He gives instruction about living for Him until He comes, and then ending with the promises that He will return. I think of those who mock that promise. Don’t they know that thus far God has kept every promise He makes? He said His Messiah would come the first time and change lives — and He did.

Today I repeat His words and write “to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:1–2) Isn’t this what Christmas is all about? Jesus came so we could know God, experience His grace, be at peace with Him, and receive His righteousness — multiplied beyond our wildest dreams!

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. (2 Peter 1:3–4)

This Christmas I know more clearly what the gift of this Christ-child looks like unwrapped. He does in me all that is promised so that I can: 

Make every effort to supplement my faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are mine and are increasing, they keep me from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, be all the more diligent to confirm my calling and election, for if I practice these qualities I will never fall. (2 Peter 1:5–10, personalized)

I know that the Word of God is not written just by men, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:20–21) I also know that false prophets also exist and bring in destructive lies that deny Christ. Even though this means judgment for them, many follow sensuality and the true way is blasphemed. Their greed exploits God’s people with false words, but thankfully, the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials. 

My part is to recognize how these false ideas can entangle and defile me, and be watching out for them and for those scoffers who exist. They follow their own sinful desires and mock the idea that Jesus will come again. They forget that what God has already done to judge the world with a flood and that He will judge it again with fire. He is not slow to fulfill this promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward all, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 

Jesus will return. At that time, the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:9–13)

PRAY: Jesus, these are hard thoughts on this day of celebrating Your first coming, but I’m thankful for all reminders to not be carried away with the error of lawless people and lose my stability and faith in You. Instead, You keep giving me the gift of grace and deeper knowledge of You, my Lord and Savior. To You be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

Open His gifts…

 

As I pray for those who do not yet know Jesus, the Bible seems clear that one day He will speak to them, whether this day or on their death bed. I can share the gospel with them, but it is that ‘visit’ from God that will make the difference. I’m praying for them and know how important that my life matches my words. Integrity not hypocrisy:

Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12)

The rest of this NT book offers a description of honorable conduct. Some of it might surprise even God’s people. . . .  

Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 

Doing good is not about rigid rules as some might think. It means I’m to live in freedom but not use that to cover sinful selfishness. Instead, I’m to serve God and honor everyone, loving other Christians and fearing God. This includes honoring political leaders and respecting anyone in authority over me, no matter what they are like. The Lord says: “This is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.”

This is being like Jesus, not retaliating, but trusting the Righteous Judge. It applies also to marriage. If hubby was not obeying the Lord, I’m to remain respectful with a gentle and quiet spirit. Husbands are to understand and honor their wives. This is so our prayers are not hindered by any selfish demands put on each other. 

In all of life, God asks for “unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” This is about godly speech, doing good, and seeking peace. The eyes of the Lord are on me, and my obedience is important because it means He is open to my prayers. 

I’m not to fear those who ill-treat me, but honor Christ and “Be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” in a gentle and respectful manner.” It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 

Jesus could return at any time. For that reason and for the sake of my prayers, I’m to be self-controlled and sober-minded, loving others, meeting their needs without grumbling, and serving them with the gifts and grace that God give. This is to glorify Him, not me.

I could be insulted for the name of Christ, but am blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon me. I must trust Him and do good, no matter what. I’m also to be humble in all this for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 

PRAY: Jesus, all this reminds me to humble myself for at the proper time, You will lift me up. I can cast all my anxieties on You, because You care for me. I can be sober-minded and watchful even though my adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour me. I can resist You, firm in faith. I know others suffer too, and that after I suffer, You, the God of all grace who has called me to Your eternal glory, will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish me. All this is the Gift that came to a stable, died on a cross and now lives forever to bless all who trust You. Hear my prayers for others to know and receive the wonder of Your gift to them.

The Power of Salvation

God reminds me today of all that He has done and is doing in my life. Because of His faithfulness I live in His mercy which is “new every morning.” As we age, forgetfulness is common, yet the  only sign of amnesia in the Lord is that He forgets to remember my sins against Him! These thoughts fill me with peace, joy, and hope. His words of truth keep changing my life. 

He tells me to “Count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2–4) 

Joy in trials once seemed impossible, but as He shows His goodness, then I start to see it, even before the trials are over.

He bids me to ask for wisdom, trusting Him. If I cannot do both He patiently keeps showing me that He is the source of wisdom and His wisdom can be trusted. 

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” not from me, not from the kindness of others. He is the first source, the origin of goodness and this produces humility and thankfulness. 

When I watch the congregation go forward to participate in communion, I see that partiality is foolish. We all stand before Him, saved sinners remembering what He has done for us. There is no rich or poor, only family — together to thank and glorify our Savior. 

He also reminds me that the praying field is level; “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” No little/big sins. It is just sin that we fight — and salvation by faith that we share. Yet this salvation is not mere talk. If it is real, it show up:

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 

Faith without works is only talk, not saving faith. Saving faith changes lives. God says, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?… For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” 

One example of faith is tongue control. The Bible says it is “a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!”  So I need the grace of God and the power of God to know when to speak and when to shut up. I also need His wisdom: 

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
God also points out the reason some of my prayers bounce off the ceiling: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions” and He tells me what to do about it — in this order: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. . . . Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, I will live and do this or that.” As it is, “You boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. So if you know the right thing to do and fail to do it, for you it is sin.” 

He tells me of His patience and this changes my ’I want it now’ focus. He tells me of His healing power and I pray for the sick and for those who sin, but also confess my own, and more easily see that prayers coupled with simple obedience have great power. Yet as Piper says, the promises God made to Abraham and the prayer prayed through Mary all found their fulfillment in Jesus. My prayers are answered only because of Him.

PRAY: My Lord and God, I praise you for your grace and your mercy, and Your incredible power to speak to a sinful person and change their life, my life. Thank you for sending Jesus and making such miracles happen. 

Accepting God’s rebukes

This morning I was upset at my spouse for using something in the pantry that I’d planned to use for Christmas dinner. It didn’t take the Lord long to remind me that He could feel like that every time I forget to do what He plans. But I know His patience. Sigh. I often do not have it.

He tells me this; that I need to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and run with endurance the race that is set before me.” To do this, I must keep looking to Him who is the founder and perfecter of my faith. He endured the cross, considered the shame worthless, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. He endure all hostility for the joy set before Him and did it so I would not grow weary or fainthearted. My struggle against sin has never made me shed blood. (Hebrews 12:1–4)

It was a kind rebuke. I know He loves me and wants me to be like Him. I also know that rebuke is another evidence that I belong to Him and am a child of God. He patiently endures the sins of those who are not, but treats me as a good father treats his child and disciplines me for my good, that I may share his holiness. What is a mere staple from the pantry compared to having the patience and kindness of the Lord Jesus Christ? 

A little spanking is nothing compared to what any sin deserves. As I prayed, He reminded me that I am in a kingdom that cannot be shaken. His rebukes enable me to offer acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for my God is a consuming fire and Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. His love and care never change. (Hebrews 13:8)

At that, I went upstairs to make my usual drink, either lemon/honey or herbal tea, and thought how much good this has done to my body. Then I read this:

Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. (Hebrews 13:9)

I almost laughed. God’s grace is my health and energy. While He might use whatever I eat or drink to make me healthy, my heart is stronger because of God’s unconditional care and kindness. 

And He wants me to pass that along. He adds: “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:16) This is another reminder: The love of God is like the love of Jesus — it involves sacrifice, giving up what I’d like to keep for myself and sharing it with others — like that item in the pantry and much more.

PRAY: Oh Lord, the God of peace who brought You from the dead, and made You the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of Your eternal covenant, I must rely on You to equip me with everything good that I may do Your will. Work in me whatever is pleasing in Your sight, and may You be glorified forever and ever. Amen.

 

God’s Gift

Nearly a month ago I ordered a sewing machine part from a store in another city. They put it in the mail but it never arrived. I told them. I also prayed that if God wanted me to have that part it would show up. He did the unexpected by putting on the heart of someone in that store to send me another one! It seemed a little gift from the Christmas child who loves me. 

Then there is the bigger gift. Charnock ends his amazing book with a long section on the patience of God. He says, “We were all condemned in the womb; our lives were forfeited the first moment of our breath, but patience hath stopped the arrest; the merciful Creditor deserves to have acknowledgment from us, who hath laid by his bond so many years without putting it in suit against us.” 

Charnock reminds me that many were not interested in His gift or His patience and are now in an eternal prison. He reminds me also that God would not wait one instant to punish fallen angels or give them a moments space of repentance, yet He prolongs the life of many sinners to innumerable moments, to 420,000 minutes in the space of a year, or even longer. As this theologian  says, the damned in hell would think it a great kindness to have but even a moment’s respite as a space to repent in.

This points to the big gift, the One who came to a manger and then to a cross — for me. His story is prefigured in the OT sacrifices — yet they were never enough:

For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ” When he said above, “You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings” (these are offered according to the law), then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. . . . When Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:1–14)

Jesus is enough — what a gift! He describes it; He even unwraps it and makes it mine:

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds, then He adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. (Hebrews 10:16–18)

He encourages me and tells me to endure “so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised… for you are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” (Hebrews 10:35–39)

 PRAY: Oh my gracious God, patience is Your perfection and Your “slowness to anger” demonstrates the greatness of Your power over Yourself. You put that patience in me, certainly to endure the nasty things of life, but also an unwillingness to get even with others who are not at all like You. When You arrived here, Magi brought You gifts, yet You are the gift, my King, my High Priest, and the Healer of my soul. What can I say? Thank You is not enough. Yielding to Your transforming power magnifies Your glory and yet even that is part of Your gift to me.

 

 

Awed by Jesus, my High Priest

 

Someone once told me that she never reads the OT. She said, “I am a NT girl.” This morning, reading Hebrews again blessed me with a heart full of worship and praise, and I felt sorry for anyone who is not reading the OT and connecting it with the rest of the story in the NT.

For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:26–28)

A priest mediated between the divine and human realms. Functions included teaching God’s precepts, performing sacrifices and rituals, receiving tithes, pronouncing blessings, and distinguishing between clean and unclean. Now Jesus is called our high priest:

The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:21–25)

Because Jesus lived and died and rose again, He is my High Priest. He did what God promised He would do to change His people, something the law could not do or any efforts to keep it:

I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:6–12)

The OT shows that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Thus God sent His Son and Christ has entered not into holy places made with hands, but into heaven itself, to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Nor was it to offer himself repeatedly, as the high priest enters the holy places every year with blood not his own. He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. (Hebrews 9:22–28)

So I eagerly wait. I know that my High Priest forgave and accepted me, enables me to love Him and obey Him, and to not turn away from Him. His blood is called the “blood of the eternal covenant” and God will “work in us that which is pleasing in his sight through Jesus Christ.” I am in awe that Jesus Christ bought this blessing in the salvation purchased at Calvary. My security is in Him, the High Priest that was modeled by the OT priests, imperfect as they were and imperfect as any effort I could attempt to be righteous without Jesus, my forever Priest.

PRAY: The richness of what is recorded in Your Word, Jesus, is almost too much for my feeble mind to fully grasp. I’m so thankful that You also give understanding and let me have glimpses of Your glory, so undeserved on my part yet such a great gift of grace rooted in Your love and mercy. 

God’s amazing patience

When I read or hear of people injuring people, it makes me want to punish them. Is this a tiny taste, a very tiny taste of God's emotions toward injustice and sin? And what about my own sin? The many times I’ve ignored His will to do my own?

Adam was punished for one sin, Moses excluded from Canaan for a his unbelieving words. Ananias and Sapphira lost their lives for one sin against the Holy Spirit. One sin ruined the beauty of the world, defaced the works of God, and separated humanity from our Creator.

How many contradictions against Himself has God experienced? Is not the greatest miracle His patience with our/my sinfulness? Sins of ignorance. Deliberate or careless sin. Neglecting to do what I know I should do. Numerous, constant, unloving, not listening. O admirable patience! He bears with many sins of humanity, but does not bear with sinning angels for one sin.

He warns those who hear His Word: “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.” (Hebrews 2:3–4)

The patience of God makes me ask the same questions as the NT writer: “What is man, that you are mindful of him” yet the answer is quickly given in the Son of man who was “made for a little while lower than the angels and crowned with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.” (Hebrews 2) This Son is Jesus, God in human flesh…

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:14–18)

And because of Him, God is patient with me. He bore all that sin and set me free from its penalty. To this, the NT warns to hang in there, to respond to Him and live out the truth of what He has done:

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. . . . For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:12–19)

They failed because of a lack of faith. Since faith comes by hearing, how important to be hearing the Word of God. 

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:6–12)

Charnock offers this incredible thought: “And there is good reason to think that the patience exercised towards some, before converting grace was ordered to seize upon them, will bear a great part in the anthems of heaven.”

Yet even here and now, I can rejoice in the same way Paul expressed: “I received mercy for this reason, that in me… Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:16–17)

PRAY: Again today You startle me and leave me shaking with both conviction and joy. Yes, my sins are a numerous as eye blinks, yet Your patience led You to the cross to die for each one — because You love me. I am overwhelmed at this, not only about my messy life, but about Your incredible patience, a mercy given not only before I knew You but that You patiently keep working to rid me of my persistent old nature that keeps forgetting that it is dead and acts as if I do not belong to You.

Motivation is important

One of our friends seemed driven to helping people. He admitted that he always felt like he needed to “do something” yet this attitude was affecting his health. I prayed that if something was awry, the Lord would intervene.

He did. I don’t know what, but the change is obvious. This man is settled, happier, listening to what the Lord wants done instead of being driven to help even those who don’t need help. When I read this verse today, I realized how the people of God can slide into thinking other than God wants us to think. 

To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. (Titus 1:15–16)

While these words are for those in extreme denial, I can see that to the needy, all people are needy. If I am not trusting God, I cannot see spiritual truth well. If I am overcome by a sense of uselessness, I cannot imagine feeling adequate. If I slump into feeling too unworthy to be loved by God, I can be driven to prove my value. A good dose of the gospel changes that.

For some time, I had a sense of worthlessness and my ambition to ‘be valuable’ began to drive me to say YES at times when I should have said NO — not that the task didn’t need someone to do it, but my motive to ‘do something’ was selfish. This brings no glory to Christ.

One area where this came out was a deep desire to obey the following passage. At first, I didn’t notice that it was written to a pastor, but I did notice that few older women were doing it. My ambition was to change that.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3–5)

But personal ambition is useless as well as dangerous. No one that I know of was changed by my efforts to change them. Eventually God showed me that His power is perfected in weakness, that my efforts were weak and useless, and I needed to seek Him for everything: writing this, doing daily chores, even stitching quilts, as well as talking to people, everything. Finally He gave me time with another older woman, a quiet and shy person, and behold, she is fulfilling this Titus 2 passage. 

I’m to live the gospel each day. It isn’t about personal ambition. Jesus isn’t using ‘driven’ people, only those filled with His Spirit and obedient to His voice.

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:3–8)

Most of the time obedience is nothing lavish or even things I notice, but being Spirit-filled is not a self-aware condition. It is listening and being God-aware and devoted to glorifying Jesus Christ. For some, this happens sooner rather than taking years to learn how stubborn we humans can be.

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:14)

PRAY: Lord, I had no idea this would be Your focus for me today. My to-do list is long, and You know how often I need reminding of the importance of abiding in You. Without You, I am nothing and the effort I put out must be at Your direction — not my self-focused ambitions.

Be safe without fear…

While we marvel at the work God is doing in a certain person’s life, a few friends fearfully say, “Oh, she is not out of danger yet.” I don’t understand that. When someone enters the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus Christ, their lives are in His hands. Any ‘danger’ they face is used for good in their lives. Not only that:

God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Power, love, and self-control are works of the Holy Spirit. All Christians have the Spirit who takes us from living by our ideas, whims, or fears to Knowing that God wants the best for us. It is a journey, but eventually He shows us that the power to love is real and it changes us from selfish living to people motivated by love. This includes our prayers.

John Piper explains that if our prayers seem unheard, it could be that they have been motivated by selfish reasoning rather than the love of God. He adds that the reason God answers the prayers of those who believe in the name of Jesus and love others like Jesus is that God loves to magnify Jesus.

Godly love is not a feeling. It is action that involves sacrifice. This is why the NT says this about how I should live: 

No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. . . . Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (2 Timothy 2:4–21)

God wants me to stick to what He says. Fear is not it. I need Holy Spirit power that puts off selfish flesh and live in love and self-control. This means I must:

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:23–26)

This is not easy. I read the news and want to hide and not be involved in this messy world. God even tells me to avoid much of what is going on:

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1–5)

Instead, I’m to ‘hide’ in God’s Word so I can live in this world as He wants.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

There is a sense of immediacy to this. “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.” (2 Timothy 4:3–4)

PRAY: Oh dear Lord Jesus, I need not fear, not for myself or for other Christians, even those new to the faith. You give me and all Your children the ability to live for You and You promise: “The Lord will rescue (us) from every evil deed and bring (us) safely into his heavenly kingdom.” This is why I can say, ”To You be the glory forever and ever.” Amen. (2 Timothy 4:18)



 

Beyond Reproach?

 

This morning it seemed a good plan to simply summarize 1 Timothy and see what God wants me to think about and pray about today.

Oppose false teachers, including those who devote themselves to endless genealogies that promote speculations.

Use the law to evaluate those who do not believe, it is not Christians.

Remember all that God has done for me and glorify Him, as Paul did:

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:12–17)

Hold fast to what God shows me without falling back into sin.

Pray for everyone that we may live in peace and remembering what Christ has done. First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–4)

Hold high standards for leaders and their wives, including myself. Learn quietly remembering that Eve was so easily deceived.

Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (1 Timothy 2:11–14)

Know how to behave in the church practicing godliness and maintaining truth with great focus on what Christ has done.

Remember that some will depart from the faith and fall into sin, that includes not being thankful but giving in to demonic lies.

Teach these things to others, not myths but focus on godliness and hope in Christ.

Let not one despise my example, devoting myself to what God has given me to do. Use His gifts to do it and persist, keeping a close watch on myself and what I am doing. God will use it to save others.

Treat others as family members. Honor widows, particularly those who live out their faith rather than straying from God.

Honor elders and all in authority over me. Rebuke those who sin in obvious ways. 

Understand the false and sinful motivation of false teachers. Godliness with contentment is my goal.
Beware of the love of money as it leads to all kind of evil.

Vigorously pursue godliness. Jesus is coming — honor Him.

Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (1 Timothy 3:16)

Charge those with wealth to be humble, generous, and good — storing up a more valuable treasure. 

Avoid false teachers who steer others away from faith.

If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. (1 Timothy 6:3–5)

PRAY: Lord, You know my heart and You know which of these teachings is most vital for me. I pray for discernment that I will not be deceived like Eve. Also, I pray for a deeper desire to pray, to share these truths to others, and to honor those over me and all others in Your family. Most of all, give me great desire to honor You and many opportunities to do that. 

God's Patience

Some say that the world is in rebellion against God. This is based on media reports. However, in Christian circles the news of thousands putting their faith in Christ does not get reported by secular media. 

This is one reason for caution in predicting the return of Christ. However, Scripture does give hints that His second coming is marked by current events. The NT gives a description that could be contemporary:

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. . . . And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:3–12)

God still remains to be patient, yet as one author says, He might be holding back His visible wrath, yet that delay could be more dreadful than a quick punishment for sin. In not striking down those who rebel against Him, He is allowing them to do their own thing out of the hardness and corruption of their hearts without any striving with them, therefore making themselves even more fit fuel for his vengeance. “So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.” (Psalm 81:12)

Even though this seems like patience, it is part of God’s judgment in that increased sin will certainly give those who are judged an eternity to reflect on the length of His divine patience on earth, and their inexcusable abuse of it.

As for God's patience, He reigns in the midst of his enemies to show his power over Himself, as well as over sinful rebels. He suffers a great interval of time between the saying what He will do and the performance of it — to show that He has not forgotten His word, or repented of it, or neglects it that sinners might not perish, but change their minds. “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) God would rather be pleased with a conversion than the destruction of rebels. 

It is a terror that God has anger, but a deep hope for me that He is slow to it in the lives of those on my prayer list. Jesus died for my sin and faith in Him assures me of no more condemnation, yet I shudder for those who resist His saving mercy. However, I cannot save them, only share Jesus with them, pray and do whatever God asks of me.

I’m to pray for those who also share the gospel — that the word of the Lord may be honored, and that God will protect them from evil and from those without faith. God is faithful and will guard us. May we who do believe have confidence concerning His power in our lives so we will do what He says and direct our hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. I’m not to get tired of doing good, and that includes kindness to those who have not yet arrived where God wants them to be. (2 Thessalonians 3:1–17)

PRAY: Thank You Lord Jesus Christ for loving me and giving me great hope through Your patience and grace. Please continue to comfort my heart as I pray for others to be brought to faith and then established in every good work and word.

He is coming again…

 

We soon celebrate the arrival of God in the flesh, marveling that He chose to come as a baby, grow up as we do, and then die for our sins. But He is coming again. And why is it taking such a long time?

In Charnock’s wonderful book, the author writes a long section on God’s patience. He illustrates from Bible accounts such as in 1 Samuel where we are told that even though God spared the Amalekites a long time after the injury committed against the Israelites in their passage out of Egypt to Canaan, but when he came to deal with them, he would destroy them  quickly and utterly. His patience has limits. Isaiah describes this in vivid language:

For a long time I have held my peace; I have kept still and restrained myself; now I will cry out like a woman in labor; I will gasp and pant. I will lay waste mountains and hills, and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn the rivers into islands, and dry up the pools. And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them. They are turned back and utterly put to shame, who trust in carved idols, who say to metal images, “You are our gods.” (Isaiah 42:14–17)

This morning’s news tells of one city in the middle east that is nearly out of water. This is just another description of disasters everywhere in the world. Earthquakes, floods, freak weather, and more. Are we in a phase where God is saying, “I’ve had enough”? Some polls say that we are in a “post secular” period where people are again thinking that God is real and involved in this world. Are such thoughts prompted by these many disasters and the rising evil in human behavior?

The NT has hints that this messy world is telling us that Jesus will come soon. While some scoff, others look again at what He says will happen:

For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:15–18)

PRAY: Lord, You clearly say no one knows the day or the hour, but You do give signs of the times. You also tell Your people how to live, not in fear, or as if we need to worry, but to behave as usual. I’m to respect those who mentor me, be at peace with all Christians, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all, seeking to do good to everyone. Also continue to rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, heed the Holy Spirit, listen to what You say, value godliness and avoid evil. You will set me apart for Yourself and keep me blameless until You come. You are faithful and You will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:12–25)  
And I am certain of this that You will work together all things for good, for those who belong to You and are being transformed into Your image. We are justified and glorified. If You are for us, who can be against us? You gave up Your life and gave it to me — You will graciously give me all things! (Romans 8:28–32) And even though I long to see Your face, when that time will happen is up to You.

A God of Order

Quilters have what is called a stash. We buy fabric that we like and it adds up. Not all. Some will get a pattern and only the fabric needed to make it. But even doing that results in scraps and very few quilters can throw them away. I often joke that scraps are like rabbits and multiply in the dark.

Lately I’ve been challenged to re-sort my stash. A couple of quilting books stress the value of it, but the main challenge came from the Bible: 

But all things should be done decently and in order. (1 Corinthians 14:40)
For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. (Colossians 2:5)

I don’t know the mind of God about order in a fabric stash, but humans use various means such as the color wheel (by hue), or lights, mediums, darks (by value) or by busyness such as small, medium, and large prints, or even theme such as Asian, animals, and trees. 

However, I do know that the order mentioned in the Bible is not about fabric. In the OT, some family members are sorted by birth order. Sacrifices were laid out in a specified order. At least two people put their house in order before dying. Worship services had a certain order. Some prospered because they ordered their ways before the Lord. Luke wrote an orderly account of Jesus’ life. Churches were put in order regarding their leadership. Much was done in order to tell others about Jesus and to glorify God.
 
I recently read of a well-known writer who didn’t have faith in Christ but he believed there was a God because of the order in the universe. While humans mess it up (sinfulness always resists what God desires), order is a blessing. A tidy desk, a made bed, dishes washed are easy, but not all orderliness comes without much sweat. It looks like this:

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12–17)

In family relationships, it looks like this:

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:18–24)

For me, the main challenge is order in daily attitudes and actions:

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:2–6)

PRAY: So far, my fabric is all over the place. The hues are sorted, but the prints with prominent hues have yet to hit those piles. The values are a puzzle so maybe I should go with pattern sizes? What is a delight is that as You guide me in life, You also help me with this. You are a God of order, of putting things together in relationships that make sense and that glorify You, a God of details who created color and light and dark and shadows and patterns. Thank You for guiding me to be orderly!

Jesus is all I need…

How good to read a Bible book in one sitting. God gives me a big picture look, yet this one is filled with sparkling highlights. I am blessed by the author’s attitude as Paul wrote it from prison. First, he gives great assurance:

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6) 

Then he shows me how to think about today’s TV evangelists that are so obviously preaching with personal motives:

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, (1:12–18)

God keeps speaking to me though, about the same thing: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (2:3–4)

He wants me to be like Timothy who is “genuinely concerned” for the welfare of others. He also wants me to “count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” and consider any of it as “rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own.” I’m to be willing to “share His sufferings” knowing that He will rescue me, even from death.(3:7–11)

I can’t ever think I’ve arrived, put must press on (3:12–14) rejoicing in the Lord as I live for Him. He is with me so I need not get anxious about anything, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let my requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus." (4:4–7)

He tells me how to think so I’m at peace, and teaches me how to respond when brought low or abound, to face plenty or hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me because my God will supply every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (4:8-19)

PRAY: Lord Jesus, I sit here in worship, filled with joy and peace. “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but You are the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Psalm 73:25–26)

LATER: Today, our granddaughter was able to get up from her hospital bed and walk around it — first time since her terrible fall two months ago! She still has a cast and a brace on her arms, and her exploded knee is tightly wrapped, but we are elated at God’s blessing on her and the good healing of her other leg.