Read: Revelation 22:1-5
There shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it. --- Revelation 22:3
The Bible In One Year:
Numbers 23-25
Mark 7:14-37
How grateful we are for the wonders of the world that God has created for us as our home in time. Though blighted with evil and pain, the earth is full of beautiful things that dazzle our senses. Early some mid-summer morning, take a walk in a flower garden and absorb its beauty and fragrance. Then think about all of its loveliness --- a faint glimpse of heaven's glory.
Years ago I stood outside a cabin high in the Rocky Mountains. As far as I could see, all the peaks were snow-covered and glistening under the light of a full moon. What an over-whelming spectacle that was! Yet still, just a glimpse of heaven's glory.
Listen to the thrilling cascade of harmony in Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Then imagine the rapturous sound of angelic choirs.
Our Savior assured His disciples that He would return to His Father and His eternal home to prepare a place for those who simply believe. It will be a place of such splendor that nothing on earth can compare with it.
The only requirement for entry is personal faith in Christ and His atoning death and resurrection. Trust in His sacrifice, and one day He'll welcome you into that glorious beauty and joy. --- Vernon Grounds
Brightest and best of that glorious throng,
Center of all, and the theme of their song,
Jesus, our Savior, the pierced One stands,
Lovingly calling with beckoning hands. --- Ludlow
CHRIST OPENS THE DOOR OF HEAVEN TO THOSE WHO OPEN THEIR HEART TO HIM.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Saturday, February 04, 2006
The Blackness Of Midnight
Read: Revelation 20
They are ... wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. --- Jude 12-13
The Bible In One Year:
Exodus 36-38
Matthew 23:1-22
When I was a young boy, our family visited an old abandoned copper mine. Having descended into the mine, our guide suddenly turned off his flashlight and we were enveloped by an oppressive blackness. It seemed as though we could feel the darkness.
Through the years, the memory of our descent into that pit has reminded me again and again of Jesus' words concerning the lost, who are "cast out into outer darkness" [Matthew 8:12]. As terrifying as it was to be in that cave for just a few moments, imagine what it would be like for eternity!
We don't hear much about hell these days. But that doesn't mean there is not such place.
Have you ever thought about where you will spend eternity? According to the Scriptures, you will spend it in one of two places --- either heaven or hell.
If you have never made sure of heaven, why not pray something like this right now: "Lord Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again from the dead. I now receive You as my Savior. I don't want to be lost. I want to go to heaven. Save me!"
Jesus promised, "The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" [John 6:37]. --- Richard De Haan
Be not afraid of the darkness ---
Even the darkness of night;
Trusting in Christ brings salvation ---
You will be walking in light. --- Hess
EVERY SINNER MUST BE PARDONED OR PUNISHED.
They are ... wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. --- Jude 12-13
The Bible In One Year:
Exodus 36-38
Matthew 23:1-22
When I was a young boy, our family visited an old abandoned copper mine. Having descended into the mine, our guide suddenly turned off his flashlight and we were enveloped by an oppressive blackness. It seemed as though we could feel the darkness.
Through the years, the memory of our descent into that pit has reminded me again and again of Jesus' words concerning the lost, who are "cast out into outer darkness" [Matthew 8:12]. As terrifying as it was to be in that cave for just a few moments, imagine what it would be like for eternity!
We don't hear much about hell these days. But that doesn't mean there is not such place.
Have you ever thought about where you will spend eternity? According to the Scriptures, you will spend it in one of two places --- either heaven or hell.
If you have never made sure of heaven, why not pray something like this right now: "Lord Jesus, I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose again from the dead. I now receive You as my Savior. I don't want to be lost. I want to go to heaven. Save me!"
Jesus promised, "The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" [John 6:37]. --- Richard De Haan
Be not afraid of the darkness ---
Even the darkness of night;
Trusting in Christ brings salvation ---
You will be walking in light. --- Hess
EVERY SINNER MUST BE PARDONED OR PUNISHED.
Friday, February 03, 2006
The Obedience Factor
Read: Matthew 3:13-17
Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. --- Matthew 3:15
The Bible In One Year:
Exodus 34-35
Matthew 22:23-46
Dewey VanderVelde refused to be baptized. He steadfastly resisted, even when his wife and daughters were baptized one Sunday afternoon.
Years later, his pastor preached on the baptism of Jesus. He pointed out that John the Baptist initially refused to baptize Jesus, but Jesus said, "It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" [Matthew 3:15]. The pastor then added this comment: "If Jesus obeyed the will of the Father, so should we."
After the message, Dewey asked to be baptized. He said that he should have obeyed the Lord's command much sooner, and he regretted having been so stubborn.
The issue, of course, was more than just baptism; it was obedience. The same may be true for us. We may be stubbornly disobeying the Lord in a certain area of our life --- lying, cheating, stealing at work, not giving to the Lord.
Here's what we must face: Jesus obeyed the Father in everything. His submission took Him from the height of popularity to abandonment. It took Him from public adoration to solitary suffering. It took Him to Pilate's judgment hall, the terrible road to Calvary, the cross, and the tomb.
Let it be today that we willingly decide to obey the Lord in everything. --- Dave Egner
O give us strength to quench the urge
To do things our own way;
And help us, Lord, to heed Your Word,
Its precepts to obe. --- Sper
TRUE FAITH WILL OBEY WITHOUT DELAY.
Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. --- Matthew 3:15
The Bible In One Year:
Exodus 34-35
Matthew 22:23-46
Dewey VanderVelde refused to be baptized. He steadfastly resisted, even when his wife and daughters were baptized one Sunday afternoon.
Years later, his pastor preached on the baptism of Jesus. He pointed out that John the Baptist initially refused to baptize Jesus, but Jesus said, "It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" [Matthew 3:15]. The pastor then added this comment: "If Jesus obeyed the will of the Father, so should we."
After the message, Dewey asked to be baptized. He said that he should have obeyed the Lord's command much sooner, and he regretted having been so stubborn.
The issue, of course, was more than just baptism; it was obedience. The same may be true for us. We may be stubbornly disobeying the Lord in a certain area of our life --- lying, cheating, stealing at work, not giving to the Lord.
Here's what we must face: Jesus obeyed the Father in everything. His submission took Him from the height of popularity to abandonment. It took Him from public adoration to solitary suffering. It took Him to Pilate's judgment hall, the terrible road to Calvary, the cross, and the tomb.
Let it be today that we willingly decide to obey the Lord in everything. --- Dave Egner
O give us strength to quench the urge
To do things our own way;
And help us, Lord, to heed Your Word,
Its precepts to obe. --- Sper
TRUE FAITH WILL OBEY WITHOUT DELAY.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
The Right Light
Read: 1 John 1:1-7
He put the lampstand in the tabernacle of meeting, across from the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. --- Exodus 40:24
The Bible In One Year:
Exodus 31-33
Matthew 22:1-22
Eating in the dark is no fun. Low light in a restaurant is one thing; eating in a room with no light at all is another. The same is true in our walk with God. Unless we take advantage of the light He gives, we will miss seeing what He is doing for us.
We have an Old Testament picture of this --- the tabernacle. As the priest entered a room called the Holy Place, he could see only by the light of a golden lampstand [Exodus 25:31-40]. Like everything else in the room, it had been carefully fashioned according to the pattern God gave Moses [v.40].
The lampstand is a picture of spritual light. The gold speaks of value. The oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The six brances coming out from the center shaft portray unity in plurality. The symbol of the almond blossom is linked to God's anointed priesthood [Numbers 17:1-8]. When all this is combined with a New Testament reference that uses a golden lampstand to represent the church [Revelation 1:20], we have the complete picture. God gives light through the Spirit, who works through His congregation of anointed people [1 Peter 2:9].
Yes, the Holy Spirit provides us with the light we need. Are we daily spending time in prayer and reading God's Word so that we can take advantage of it? --- Mart De Haan
Holy Ghost, with light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn my darkness into day. --- Reed
THE LIGHT OF GOD'S HOLINESS CONVICTS THE SINNER AND GUIDES THE SAINT.
He put the lampstand in the tabernacle of meeting, across from the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. --- Exodus 40:24
The Bible In One Year:
Exodus 31-33
Matthew 22:1-22
Eating in the dark is no fun. Low light in a restaurant is one thing; eating in a room with no light at all is another. The same is true in our walk with God. Unless we take advantage of the light He gives, we will miss seeing what He is doing for us.
We have an Old Testament picture of this --- the tabernacle. As the priest entered a room called the Holy Place, he could see only by the light of a golden lampstand [Exodus 25:31-40]. Like everything else in the room, it had been carefully fashioned according to the pattern God gave Moses [v.40].
The lampstand is a picture of spritual light. The gold speaks of value. The oil symbolizes the Holy Spirit. The six brances coming out from the center shaft portray unity in plurality. The symbol of the almond blossom is linked to God's anointed priesthood [Numbers 17:1-8]. When all this is combined with a New Testament reference that uses a golden lampstand to represent the church [Revelation 1:20], we have the complete picture. God gives light through the Spirit, who works through His congregation of anointed people [1 Peter 2:9].
Yes, the Holy Spirit provides us with the light we need. Are we daily spending time in prayer and reading God's Word so that we can take advantage of it? --- Mart De Haan
Holy Ghost, with light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine;
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn my darkness into day. --- Reed
THE LIGHT OF GOD'S HOLINESS CONVICTS THE SINNER AND GUIDES THE SAINT.
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
My Compliments
Read: Colossians 1:3-8
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ... since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love. --- Colossians 1:3-4
The Bible In One Year:
Exodus 29-30
Matthew 21:23-46
When I receive a compliment, it gives me a warm, inner glow. At times I have felt guilty for enjoying a commendation. After all, isn't that a form of pride? But I have concluded that it is not wrong to feel good when we receive a sincere compliment because of something we have done.
By finding pleasure in being commended, we allow others to exercise their gift of encouragement. Their words can lift our spirits.
We also show that pride hasn't gained the upper hand in our lives when we praise others. A proud person is so preoccupied with himself that he doesn't notice what others do and has no desire to compliment them.
Paul freely commended his friends in Colosse because he knew it would encourage them. And we should do likewise.
Give people a pat on the back when they deserve it. Compliment the child who does something well. Commend the single mother who regularly brings her children to church. Encourage the man who keeps helping others even though he receives little appreciation from them. Keep trying to please God and the people around you.
No need to feel guilty about feeling good when someone compliments you. --- Herb Vander Lugt
FOR FURTHER THOUGHT
How do I respond when someone commends me?
Why is it sometimes hard to accept a compliment?
Do I freely praise others for their accomplishments?
PRAISE LOUDLY, BLAME SOFTLY.
We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ... since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love. --- Colossians 1:3-4
The Bible In One Year:
Exodus 29-30
Matthew 21:23-46
When I receive a compliment, it gives me a warm, inner glow. At times I have felt guilty for enjoying a commendation. After all, isn't that a form of pride? But I have concluded that it is not wrong to feel good when we receive a sincere compliment because of something we have done.
By finding pleasure in being commended, we allow others to exercise their gift of encouragement. Their words can lift our spirits.
We also show that pride hasn't gained the upper hand in our lives when we praise others. A proud person is so preoccupied with himself that he doesn't notice what others do and has no desire to compliment them.
Paul freely commended his friends in Colosse because he knew it would encourage them. And we should do likewise.
Give people a pat on the back when they deserve it. Compliment the child who does something well. Commend the single mother who regularly brings her children to church. Encourage the man who keeps helping others even though he receives little appreciation from them. Keep trying to please God and the people around you.
No need to feel guilty about feeling good when someone compliments you. --- Herb Vander Lugt
FOR FURTHER THOUGHT
How do I respond when someone commends me?
Why is it sometimes hard to accept a compliment?
Do I freely praise others for their accomplishments?
PRAISE LOUDLY, BLAME SOFTLY.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)