Scripture: Psalm 124: 2-3, 6-7

² If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us:³ Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us … ⁶ Blessed be the Lord, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. ⁷ Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

Scripture Commentary:

Where would you be if the Lord was not on your side? When you think back, you will see how the Lord has brought you into this place and time. Remember a time when you felt trapped by overwhelming problems and saw no way out. Even at that time, God brought you through. It wasn’t because you asked but because He loves you.

Everyone has gone through life trying to deal with problems on their own, not calling on God. But when we reflect, we know it wasn’t us but God who got us through.

There will always be problems but with God there is no problem too big or small.

You can always turn to Jesus Christ for He said knock and the door shall be opened, and ask and it shall be given.

Psalm 124 compares our problems to a bird trapped in the fowler’s claws. But the God who created the birds and you can loosen what may be holding you back.

Call on God and see.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Psalm 124

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Psalms:

God the Creator

Thank Jesus For His Goodness … and Talk About It!

Scripture: Romans 14: 10-12

¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister^[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ¹¹ It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”^{[b] 12} So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

Scripture Commentary:

Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Do not let the world dictate how you should live. Your faith in Christ is stronger than the ways of this world. You will come into contact with sinners but do not fall into their pattern of living.

You are to avoid certain activities, people and places to protect your spiritual life.

It is important to take a self-inventory to find out your strengths and weaknesses. No one is perfect and Satan knows this. He will seek out your weakness to use for his mission.

The questions you must ask yourself are these:

• Is what I’m doing a sin?
• Can I influence others for good and not be influenced by them?

Do not be defiled by the world; rather go and serve God. Do not fear or avoid your differences. Accept them, handle them, and love one another.

Don’t expect everyone to agree with you on every subject. You are not perfect and you don’t know everything; you are only human.

Ask God for help.

Listen to Him; He will direct your paths. Put your faith in Him. As verse 12 says, “So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Romans 14

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Romans:

We Are Branches Grafted Onto The Tree of Life

Worship the Creator, The One True God

Scripture: Genesis 50: 15-17

 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers were frightened. “Now Joseph will pay us back for all the evil we did to him,” they said. ^16-17 So they sent him this message: “Before he died, your father instructed us to tell you to forgive us for the great evil we did to you. We servants of the God of your father beg you to forgive us.” When Joseph read the message, he broke down and cried.

Scripture Commentary:

How hard is it to forgive? In 1877, American abolitionist (and escaped slave) Frederick Douglass met his former master, Thomas Auld. Douglass had written a strong condemnation of Auld’s cruel treatment of his slaves. But when the two met near the end of Auld’s life, Douglass forgave his former master. They cried, were reconciled, and parted as friends, according to Douglass’ autobiography. Douglass had accepted God, and in doing so, God showed him how to forgive, let go of what was evil, and embrace the love God had given each of us.

With Joseph, God took his brothers’ evil deed and turned it for good. If Joseph was not where God had placed him, the outcome would have been different. Ask God for help when you are in places you don’t want to be. When someone wrongs you, forgive them and pray for them.

“Forgive them: for they know not what they do.”

In Luke 23:34 Jesus asks the Father, “Forgive them: for they know not what they do.” Joseph not only forgave his brothers but also reassured them, offering to care for them and their families.

Joseph demonstrates how God graciously accepts us.

Even when we have ignored or even rejected God, He graciously forgives us.

In this last chapter of Genesis, Joseph’s life is coming to an end. He had no doubt that God would keep His promise, and one day bring the Israelites back to their homeland. This was a lifetime of faith Joseph had in God.

What is your faith in God? Is it strong enough to take you to the end of your journey?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Genesis 50

Luke 23

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Genesis

What Punctuation Mark Describes Your Life?

How Will You Live Your Life?

Scripture: 2 Peter 2: 21-22

It would be better if he had never known about Christ at all than to learn of him and then afterwards turn his back on the holy commandments that were given to him. ²² There is an old saying that “A dog comes back to what he has vomited, and a pig is washed only to come back and wallow in the mud again.” That is the way it is with those who turn again to their sin.

Scripture Commentary:

If you don’t know something then you can’t be held accountable. But when you have the information, then you are accountable for it. Peter is speaking about someone who has learned about Christ and how to be saved, has been positively influenced by Christians, but then rejects the truth and turns again to their sinful ways. This person is worse off than before because s/he has rejected Christ.

That person has been given a chance for salvation but refused to accept God’s grace and mercy. S/he returned to Satan’s hell hole. These people become slaves to a world of lust, greed and sinful desires and become lost.

Don’t take Satan and his supernatural powers of evil lightly. Don’t become arrogant about defeating him. This can only be done with Jesus Christ with you and only if you accept Christ as your Savior.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

2 Peter 2

Read Other Commentary from the Book of 2 Peter:

Rejoice! His Coming Is Promised

One Day Is as a Thousand Years

Sermon – Part Two: What Have I Done Wrong? Answer Me!

Scripture: Micah 6: 1-3

Listen to what the Lord is saying to his people: “Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaint.  ² “And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord’s complaint! For he has a case against his people Israel! He will prosecute them to the full. ³ O my people, what have I done that makes you turn away from me? Tell me why your patience is exhausted! Answer me!

How do we answer when God asks, “What have I done to you that you act this way?”

God has given His instructions, which is The Bible.  The Bible is His Word on how to treat people, how to live and how to worship.  We have been like a revolving door to God.  In 1 Kings 14: 23, “sacred stones” were placed next to pagan altars.  They were supposed to represent deity.

Rehoboam was a powerful king but he was not satisfied.  God allowed Shishak of Egypt to invade Judah and Israel.  This invasion did not destroy Judah and Israel but it weakened it to a point that it wasn’t as strong as it had been.  The people became spiritually corrupt and immoral.  They lost everything.  When God is gone from our lives, everything else becomes useless, no matter how valuable we think it is.

God used His prophets to deliver His messages to His people throughout the Old Testament.

Did they listen?  Do we listen? 

What was prophesized over 3,000 years ago is still being told to us today.

God is saying both then and now, “I am your Father, your Creator, your One True God who loves you.  Why do you disobey Me and place other gods before Me?  Why do you hurt me?    If you are not treating people fairly, showing mercy and humility, how can you say you love Me when you disobey my teaching?”

God, from His high desk in the courtroom looks out at us and says, “What do you have to say?”

There is silence. Heads are hung low and mouths are motionless.  Eyes are downcast, and hearts and souls are not responding. 

Search yourself. 

There is nothing you can say.  The people of the Old Testament had judges, kings and prophets. We, on the other hand, have The Word, The Bible, and Jesus Christ.  As Psalm 139: 23-24 says, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”   We have no excuse.

Today God asks our streets, highways and alleys to testify about our lives.  God tells these entities to testify.  After their testimony Gods asks if there is a rebuttal?

Again, silence, heads hanging low, mouths motionless.

God looks out at all of the generations of people standing before Him in silence.

Then a voice is heard.  “Father, have mercy, for they know not what they do.”

We turn to see who speaks these words.  Our eyes see this Bright Light in Jesus Christ, our Advocate.  He is pleading on our behalf.  He makes recommendations for clemency. 

Jesus Christ was beaten, nailed to the cross, pierced on His side and died for our sins.  Now He stands before God, His Father, asking God to pardon us for our sins, and to forgive and excuse us of our errors.

This Jesus says to His Father  in Luke 23: 34, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  His love for us never waivered.

What about our love for God, the Father, His Only Begotten Son, and the Holy Spirit?  Has our love waivered?

God gives you a chance – this day and at this time – to follow Him. 

He loves and forgives you.  The court is still in session.  Your judgment has not yet been handed down.  All have sinned and have come short of His love.  None except Jesus meets the requirement.

God will forgive and forget.  You need only repent and ask for forgiveness.

Where is your place in line and what will your testimony be?  What is your answer when God asks, “What have you done in My Name?”

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Micah 6

1 Kings 14

Psalm 139

Luke 23

Read the first part of the sermon, What Have I Done to Turn You Away?

Sermon – Part One: What Have I Done Wrong?

Scripture: Micah 6: 1-3

Listen to what the Lord is saying to his people: “Stand up and state your case against me. Let the mountains and hills be called to witness your complaint.  ² “And now, O mountains, listen to the Lord’s complaint! For he has a case against his people Israel! He will prosecute them to the full. ³ O my people, what have I done that makes you turn away from me? Tell me why your patience is exhausted! Answer me!

Why do we turn from God?

God is holding court in Micah 6: 1-16.  He is both judge and prosecutor.  In verse 1 God tells the people to stand and “state your case.”  The people have been living in sin by building altars to pagan gods.  These altars were built on high mountains for sacrifices to false gods. 

We put up barriers in our dealings with one another and we put up altars to false gods with our lifestyles.  We place what we think is important before God, like money, cars, homes and social standing, just to name a few.

The mountains are the witnesses in Micah’s time, and God calls them to testify to how the people built these altars to false gods on the mountains He made.  In our time, the mountains are our streets and highways.

God called to the mountains in Micah’s time to confirm the people’s guilt.  God asks our streets and highways to confirm our guilt today.  The streets testify to the killing of babies, children, men and women when all they did was be in the way of a bullet, knife, or other weapon wielded by another.  People are being held up for money, jewelry, or just because of the color of their skin, or the way they walk, talk, or dress.

The people of Micah’s time could not answer the charges brought against them.  How can we answer God today?

God has not done anything wrong. 

God, both then and now, has been exceedingly patient.  He lovingly guides us and gives us every opportunity to return to Him.  We are in the courtroom today, and God asks, “What have I done to you that you act this way?”

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Micah 6

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Micah:

Plead Your Case Before the Mountains

Return next week to read part two of the sermon, What Have I Done Wrong?

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11: 3-5

³ But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. ⁴ For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough. ⁵ I do not think I am in the least inferior to those “super-apostles.”

Scripture Commentary:

Paul tells the Corinthians that smooth talking messengers deceived them with their smooth talking and false message. The deceivers masquerade as angels from God.

Don’t be tricked by outward appearances.

Today Satan’s disciples are in disguise using the Word to entrap you by telling you what your flesh wants to hear and follow. Satan and his followers deceive you by appearing to be attractive, good and moral.

The picture they present is not the truth nor is it an accurate depiction of who they represent. Do they teach that Jesus Christ is God’s Only Begotten Son and that He died on the cross and rose on the third day? Do they teach that Jesus came into this world to save sinners?

If not, they are false teachers and not disciples of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Paul presented his credentials to the Corinthians to keep them from slipping into Satan’s hands. Who are you listening to?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

2 Corinthians 11

Read Other Commentary From the Book of 2 Corinthians:

Are You Confirming Scripture or Conforming It?

Depend on God in Your Weakness

Scripture: Malachi 3: 6, 8-9

⁶ “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. ⁸ “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me.

Scripture Commentary: Are you robbing God?

To be honest some of us are robbing God. You rob Him when you know that you could have done more or have given more financially or physically but held back.

You know when you are doing it and you usually will tell yourself that is the best you can do … and you know you are telling yourself a lie.

God gave you a life, home, job and the money you have in your pocket. Look at it this way: God is your Creator. He is your boss on the job. He knows everything about you. He knows how much you are paid and how many hours you work, and what you do when you’re off.

Tithing is not only financial but also what you do for others. Everything you have is from God so when you refuse to return to Him a portion of what He has given, you are robbing Him.

When God gets you out of bed in the morning, what part of the day will you serve Him? What part of the money He puts in your pocket will you give Him? God only asks for a tenth. That is all.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Malachi 3

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Malachi:

God Shall Prepare the Way Before Me

Honor the Father so That It May Go Well with You

Scripture: Genesis 3: 1-3

The serpent was the craftiest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. So the serpent came to the woman. “Really?” he asked. “None of the fruit in the garden? God says you mustn’t eat any of it?” “Of course we may eat it,” the woman told him. “It’s only the fruit from the tree at the center of the garden that we are not to eat. God says we mustn’t eat it or even touch it, or we will die.”

Scripture Commentary:

The devil is the craftiest of creatures. There are three instances in the Bible where Satan asked questions, having a conversation with someone. This is the first instance. The second is in Job 1: 7-11 and Job 2: 2-6. The third is Matthew 4: 3-10.

Webster’s Dictionary defines a conversation as “an informal exchange, a familiar talk.” What does the last part of the word ‘familiar’ spell? L-I-A-R. This describes Satan. The thing about him is that he will do or say anything to get you to follow him.

We see in Job that he had to get permission from God to attack Job. With Eve he lied to sway her. He was lost before he even started the conversation with Jesus.

He has nothing to offer. Only God, through His Son Jesus Christ, has the truth to offer. God is our Father. His love for us is forever and truthful.

Read the Entire Chapters of the Scriptures Referenced:

Genesis 3

Job 1

Job 2

Matthew 4

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Genesis:

Don’t Be Ruled By Your Lusts

The Temptation of ‘Must Not’

Scripture: Job 1: 9-11

⁸ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” ⁹ “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. ¹⁰ “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. ¹¹ But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

Scripture Commentary:

Have you considered that Satan is not very intelligent? I say this because he knows God but he thinks he is better than his Creator. How stupid is that? He is accountable to God; God is not accountable to him.

All angelic beings, both good and evil, are compelled to present themselves before God to give an account of themselves. Before Satan made the proposal to God about Job, God knew what he had in mind. As with us, God knows what is in our hearts and minds. We can’t lie to ourselves so we shouldn’t think we can lie to God.

God is limitless.

Satan is not omnipresent and omniscient. He is only one being who needs his followers to do his work. Keep in mind that he has to get permission from God to do anything. Satan has limitations; God is limitless.

Each day God gives us a chance to repent and go to Him for help. His love for us is limitless as our love for Him should be.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Job 1

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Job:

Be Honest With God and Trust Him in Your Anguish

The Gain From Sin Lasts But A Moment