Month: May 2018

Let Nothing Separate You and Your God

Scripture: Isaiah 59:1-2

Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 

Scripture Commentary: For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.*

God can and will do everything for you. He will love you unconditionally, show you mercy, and give you eternal life. In return, he seeks openness, confession, and your request for forgiveness.  Let nothing separate you and your God.

Sin offends God and separates us from him.

God can neither ignore nor tolerate sin as if it did not matter. If someone treats you poorly and doesn’t apologize, do you continue having a relationship with them, or do you shut them out of your life? Why shouldn’t God do the same when you treat him wrong?

If you live a life of sin, you force God to turn away from you.

Dying with sin means no forgiveness, and we separate ourselves eternally from God. God wants us to live with him forever, not live in eternal damnation.

Choose to live the life with God.

If you confess that you believe God gave his only Son to save the world so that neither you nor I, nor anyone, should perish; and you choose to live a Christian life, then God is with you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 59

**Additional Reading:
Isaiah Chapter 41

For God So Loved the World … That Means You!

Scripture: John 3: 16, 36

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.(16)   He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.(36)

Scripture Commentary: God’s love resides in the mercy he shows us every day

The Gospel vocalizes its full purpose in the John 3:16 verse. God so loved the world that he gave the human part of his Son to save us. This same love resides in the mercy he shows us every day.

Who among us would put ourselves, let alone one of our own children, to death for anyone? God knows us all, and he loves us all that much. He has declared his true love for us … so much more than we can ever comprehend.

God allows us to choose Jesus and eternal life … or not

Some still reject God’s offer of salvation even with the knowledge of what he does for us. Verse 36 spells out the results of rejecting the Son. Rejecting Jesus Christ equals rejecting God the Father. By rejecting God we are calling him a liar.

God allows us to choose him or not. Choosing Jesus means choosing an eternal life with God. Rejecting Jesus means you choose God’s wrath. The choice of God’s wrath is the final and fatal decision that plants you in hell “where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9: 47-48). Embrace Jesus and live with the Father.

Read the Entire Chapter:
John Chapter 3
Mark Chapter 9

Read Other Posts on the Book of John:
Christ is the True Vine
The Productive Branch Bears Fruit
The Holy Spirit Will Guide You to Understanding

 

The Wicked Do Not Seek God

Scripture: Psalms 10: 3-6

For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.  The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.  His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them.  He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity.

Scripture Commentary: Why are you upset when wicked people prosper?

Some people succeed in everything they do, and they brag that no one, not even God, can keep them down.  There is an incompatibility in the wicked between blind arrogance and the presence of God in their hearts.

We may wonder why God allows these people to amass great wealth while they despise God as they do.  Why are you upset when wicked people prosper?  Are you angry about the damage they’re doing or are you just jealous of their success?

God will punish the wicked in his time

Keep in mind that God’s guiding influence is not in these people’s lives.  We must gain the right perspective on wickedness and wealth.  The wicked will surely be punished because God hates their evil deeds.

Wealth is only temporary.  Do you know of anyone who was able to take their wealth with them into death?

It is not necessarily a sign of God’s approval if a person is wealthy.  Don’t let wealth or the lack of it become your obsession.  True wealth is with the One and Only, Jesus Christ.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 10

The Prayer of an Old and Gray-Headed Man for Rescue

Scripture: Psalms 71: 18

And even when I am old and gray-headed, O God, do not abandon me,
Until I declare Your [mighty] strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.

Scripture Commentary: You are never too old and gray-headed to serve God

A person is never too old and gray-headed to serve God, never too old to pray.  As we face the sunset years, we recognize that God has been the constant help in our lives.

Remembering God’s lifetime of blessing will help us see the consistency of his grace throughout the years, trust him for the future, and share with others the love he has for us.

God has no limitations

Although age may stop us from certain physical activities, it needn’t end our desire to tell others about all we have seen God do in our lives.    We must never despair, but keep on expecting his help no matter how severe our own limitations become.

When your situation seems hopeless, remember that in your long life he kept you safe from harm even when you did not acknowledge him.  Do not leave this earth without sharing the love of God.

Exalt God

He is our security; we must cling to him.  Take the time each day to be still and exalt God.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 71

Living for God In A Deceitful World Can Be Difficult

Scripture: Psalms 12: 1-5

Save and help and rescue, Lord, for godly people cease to be,
For the faithful vanish from among the sons of men.   They speak deceitful and worthless words to one another; With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.  May the Lord cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things [in boasting];  Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord and master over us?”  “Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”

Scripture Commentary: Do not speak wicked and deceitful words

Living for God in a deceitful world can be a difficult and lonely battle.  We may be tempted to believe that lies are harmless, even useful at times.

God does not overlook lies, flattery, deception, or boasting.

Each of these sins originates from a bad attitude that is eventually expressed in our speech.  The tongue can be our greatest enemy because, though small, it can do great damage.  Be careful how you use your tongue.

God loves and cares for the weak and needy.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 12