Repent and Let God Clean Your Spirit

Scripture: Ezekiel 36: 25-27

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and do them.

Scripture Commentary: Let God make you clean

God is telling us He will make us clean if we come to him and repent. We go through life sinning, but God will forgive us.

God will restore you physically and spiritually. No matter how impure your life is right now, God offers you a fresh start. You can have your sins washed away. Receive a new heart for God, and have his Spirit within you, if you accept Him as your Lord and Savior. If you try to go through life alone, you will fail.

Do not lose all sensitivity to sin. Regain sensitivity by recognizing your sin for what it is. Repent and ask for forgiveness from God. If we do this, the Holy Spirit will guide us, making us responsive and receptive to God’s truth. Be thankful. God’s invitation is open to all of us.

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Ezekiel Chapter 36

Behold, the Day Cometh

Scripture: Malachi 4: 1-2

For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

Scripture Commentary:

Behold, are you prepared to receive our Lord Jesus Christ today? Malachi closes his messages by pointing to the final day of judgment. For those who are committed to God, judgment day will be a day of joy, the day eternity in God’s presence begins. Those who have ignored God will not like judgment day.

If you have ignored God, you must change your way of living. Turn to Jesus and ask for forgiveness. In asking for mercy you must repent; change your sinful way of living.

Christians must help by being faithful to the love, honor, and respect in teaching others the ways of our Lord. God is our healing warmth. His warmth will never burn out.

Malachi ends the Old Testament by calling us to turn to God and prepare the way for others to serve him as he has served you.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Malachi Chapter 4

Rejoice! His Coming Is Promised

Scripture: 2 Peter 3: 3-4

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? For since the father fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.

Scripture Commentary: Jesus’ return is promised

God is not slow; he is not on our timetable. Scoffers will say that Jesus is never coming back, but that is Satan talking. Jesus is giving us time to repent and turn to him. God gave us a promise – Jesus is coming back for His own.

The Christians who accepted Christ but returned to their sinful way of life have been given a chance to realize their error. Do not be like a person sinking in quicksand who refuses to take the rope thrown to him. Don’t turn away from Christ and refuse the only way to escape eternity in hell.

What would you like to be doing when Christ returns? Are you working for our Lord Jesus Christ? Or are you working for worldly things? We must not sit and wait for Christ to return. We should live with the realization that our time is short. There is work to do in His name.

This world will end, so put your confidence in what is eternal. Do not be bound to this earth’s finite treasures and pursuits.

Are you spending more time piling up possessions? Or are you striving to work for God?

Do the work God has called you to do. His return is promised.

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2 Peter Chapter 3

Plead Your Case Before the Mountains

Scripture: Micah 6: 1-3

Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me.

Commentary: The people built pagan altars in the mountains

God called to the mountains to confirm the people’s guilt. The mountains would serve as excellent witnesses, for it was in the high places that the people had built pagan altars and had sacrificed to false gods.

Can you say God has done something wrong? Can you say you have done no wrong?

God has been patient with you, as he had been patient with the people. He always loves and guides you, providing every opportunity to return to him.

Do not be like the people in Micah’s day. They forgot the covenant and its benefits. They turned away from God. God continued to be kind to these forgetful people, but their memory made them forget his kindness.

Do not forget God’s mercy. Turn to him.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Micah Chapter 6

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