God Has Made It Plain

Scripture: Romans 1: 18-20

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

Commentary: God has revealed himself in and through his creation

Does anyone have an excuse for not believing in God? God makes His truth plain.

The Bible answers with an emphatic no. God has revealed what he is like in and through his creation. Every person either accepts or rejects God. Don’t be fooled. We all have an inner sense of what God requires, but many of us choose to ignore it. Our moral standards are always better than our behavior.

Suppressing God’s truth in order to live our own way is no excuse. We know the truth, so we know the consequences. Some will ask how can a loving God send anyone to hell.

Paul says God has revealed himself plainly from creation to all people. We know when we are doing something wrong because that is the Holy Spirit within us. To be in denial of our spirit is to be in denial of God.

God graciously gave us his word and the Holy Spirit within us so that we might fully believe in him and live the life of his love.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Romans Chapter 1

Teach Me, Lord, and Order My Steps in Your Word

Scripture: Psalms 119: 129-136

PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

Scripture Commentary: Be prepared for change as you apply God’s Word

Double-minded people cannot make up their minds between good and evil. But when it comes to obeying God, there is no middle ground; you must take a stand. Either you are obeying Him or you are not. Either you are doing what He wants or you are undecided. Have your ordered your steps in His Word?

Faith comes alive when we apply Scripture to our daily tasks and concerns. We need discernment so we can understand and we need the desire to apply Scripture where we need help.

The Bible is like medicine in that it goes to work only when we apply it to the affected areas. As you read the Bible, be alert for lessons, commands, and examples that you can put into practice.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 119

Can a Man Have Faith Without Works?

Scripture: James 2: 14-18

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Scripture Commentary: True faith always results in a changed life

When someone claims to have faith, what he or she may have is intellectual agreement with a set of christian teachings, and as such, it would be incomplete faith. True faith transforms our conduct as well as our thoughts. Faith brings us salvation; active obedience demonstrates that our faith is genuine. True faith always results in works/deeds but the deeds do not justify us.

While it is true that our good deeds can never earn salvation, true faith always results in a changed life and good deeds. In your new life you are asking Christ to change your old ways to His ways, and saying I will obey you Lord and live as a christian.

If our lives remain unchanged, then we don’t truly believe the truths we claim to believe. Have you allowed Christ into your life? If you have, are you are living as Christ asks?

Read the Entire Chapter:
James Chapter 2

Rejoice, Be Glad for God is Good

Scripture: Psalms 118: 24-29

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD. God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Scripture Commentary: The psalmists’ prayers often ended in rejoicing!

There are days when the last thing we want to do is rejoice. Our mood is down, our situation is out of hand, and our sorrow or guilt is overwhelming. We can relate to the writers of the Psalms who often felt this way.

No matter how the psalmists felt, they were always honest with God. As as they talked to God, their prayers ended in praise.

Often we don’t feel like rejoicing. Be sure to tell God how you truly feel. You will find that God will give you a reason to rejoice.

God has given you this day to live and to serve Him – be glad!

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 118

Jesus Came Into the World to Save Sinners Like Me

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1: 12-15

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Scripture Commentary: We are all sinners saved by grace

Paul wrote this letter to Timothy saying that he was a sinner, a blasphemer, a hunter of God’s people, and a murderer. We are all sinners.

When you look at Paul’s past and see how God forgave and used him, think of yourself -and ask God to forgive you, and to use you for His kingdom.

No matter how shameful your past, God can and will use you if you ask for his forgiveness. Do not feel that your faith in Christ is inadequate. Once you place yourself in His hands, He will help your faith and love grow.

Jesus’s purpose for coming into the world was to save sinners like us. No sinner is beyond His saving power.

Paul never forgot what he was before Christ saved him. Do you remember what you were like? Humility and gratitutde should mark your life as a christian. Never forget that you are a sinner saved by grace.

Read the Entire Chapter:
1 Timothy Chapter 1

Idols Cannot Speak, See, Hear or Help You

Scripture: Psalms 115: 1-9

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. O Israel, trust thou in the LORD: he is their help and their shield.

Scripture Commentary: Don’t place idols above the intangible realities of God

The psalmist asked that God’s name, not the nation’s, be glorified. Too often we ask God to glorify His name with ours. We may pray for help to do a good job so that our work will be noticed. Or we may ask that a presentation go well so we get the applause. There is nothing wrong with looking good or impressing others. The problem comes when we want to look good no matter what happens to God’s reputation in the process. Many people worshiped idols: statues of wood, stone or metal. They took pride in what they could see and had contempt for what they couldn’t see.

Today we still may value tangible objects rather than intangible realities. Those who spend their time obtaining tangible objects are as foolish and empty as the idols themselves.

There are times when we feel isolated, alone and abandoned, even by God. Be encouraged when depressed by problems or struggling with self-worth. God keeps you in His thoughts.

Do you have the faith to trust God? Will you place yourself in His hands?

Who will get the credit when God answers your prayer? Because He will respond.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 115

Seek Christ Above All Things

Scripture: Colossians 3: 1-5

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Scripture Commentary: What will you say when you stand before Christ?

We are a very weak group of people because we have so many things to distract us. Satan is a powerful foe. He puts distractions in our path so we go astray. The lottery, casinos, money – all of the things that if you have Christ in your life, you do not need.

If you think about it, the Lord Jesus Christ has given you a roof over your head, food on the table and clothes on your back. Anything else is greed, not need. Forget about the temporary things of this world and focus on the permanent life with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Consider the pharaohs who buried their treasure to take with them to the afterlife. It is still here.

The question is what are you taking to God? Are you studying His Word, spreading His Word, living His Word?

The things that you have – home, car, clothes, and money are not needed in God’s house. What are you going to say when you stand before Our Lord Jesus Christ? Hopefully you’ll say, “I served you!”

Read the Entire Chapter:
Colossians Chapter 3

Christ Is a Great Light Piercing the Darkness

Scripture: Isaiah 9: 2, 6

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.(2) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.(6)

Scripture Commentary: His life is the light that shines through the darkness*

In a time of great darkness, God promised to send the light to shine on everyone living in the shadow of sin and death. During times of gloom and despair, we fear that our sorrows and troubles will never end.

Take comfort in this certainty: although the Lord may not always take us around our troubles, if we follow Him and if we believe wholeheartedly, He will bring us safely through.

Do you really believe in Our Lord Jesus Christ?

He is both “Wonderful Counselor” and “The Mighty God.” God wants to protect us from bad choices, but he still gives us the freedom to choose.

When will you listen to God?

Must we be like Judah and suffer calamities before we will listen to the Word of God? Consider what God is telling you, and obey Him before your time runs out. Open your heart and soul and you will hear Him clearly telling you that He loves you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 9

*John 1: 5 (New International Version)

Be Strengthened in the Faith as You Were Taught

Scripture: Colossians 2: 6-8 (NIV)

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

Scripture Commentary: Be strengthened by your faith in Christ

Receiving Christ as Lord of your life is the beginning of life with Christ; however, you must follow his leadership by being rooted, built up, and strengthened in the faith.

Christ wants to guide and help you with your daily problems. You can live for Christ by: (1) committing your life and submitting your will to him; (2) seeking to learn from him, his life, and his teachings; and (3) recognizing the Holy Spirit’s power in you.

Just as plants draw nourishment from the soil through the roots, so we draw our life-giving strength from Christ. The more we draw our strength from him, the less we will be fooled by those who falsely claim to have life’s answers.

Many man-made approaches to life’s problems totally disregard God. To resist heresy, you must use your mind, keep your eyes on Christ, and study God’s Word.

If Christ is your strength, you will be free from human regulations. He will always bring you through any situation, good or bad.

His love makes the bad good. That is how you learn.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Colossians Chapter 2

How Would You Answer the Call, “Whom Shall I Send?”

Scripture: Isaiah 6: 8-10

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.

Scripture Commentary: Isaiah was willing to answer the Lord’s call, “Whom shall I send?”

The more clearly Isaiah saw God, the more aware Isaiah became of his own powerlessness and inadequacy to do anything of lasting value without God. But he was willing to be God’s spokesman. Isaiah was willing to answer the Lord’s call, “Whom shall I send?”

God told Isaiah that the people would listen but not learn from his message because their hearts had become calloused beyond repentence. How is your heart? Are you so into yourself that when God calls you can’t hear Him?

God’s patience with their chronic rebellion was finally exhausted. His judgment was to abandon them to their rebellion and hardness of heart.

Why did God send Isaiah if he knew the people wouldn’t listen? Although the nation itself would not repent and would reap judgment, some individuals would listen. God is merciful even when He judges.

We can gain encouragement from God’s promise to preserve his people. If we are faithful to Him, we can be sure of His mercy. Consider what God may be telling you, and obey Him before time runs out.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 6