Follow the Truth

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. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became goals and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Romans 1: 18-22

Commentary:

Why is God angry at sinful people? They substituted the truth about him with a fantasy of their own imagination. They have stifled the truth God naturally reveals to all people in order to believe anything that supports their own self centered lifestyle.

God cannot tolerate sin because his nature is morally perfect. He cannot ignore or condone such willful rebellion. God wants to remove the sin and restore the sinner to his kingdom. He is able to, as long as the sinner does not stubbornly distort or reject the truth.

The Lord’s anger erupts against those who persist in sinning. Repent. Make sure you are not pursuing a fantasy rather than the true God. Don’t suppress the truth about him merely to protect your own life style.

You are given the choice of either accepting or rejecting God. Don’t be fooled. No excuses will be accepted when God judges your response to him. Begin today to give your devotion and worship to him.

Trust in the Lord

Scripture: Proverbs 3: 5-7, 12

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil. For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Scripture Commentary: ‘Lean not unto thine own understanding’ means that you trust in the Lord for all things

For three years a man did something that he felt was a good investment for himself and his family. He waited and waited and no return on the investment came.

From the beginning he put it in God’s hands, but God had to show him something. Even though he put it in God’s hands, he thought it would produce immediately. The lesson he learned was that God’s time is different from his own.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart: and lean not unto thine own understanding.” The man did not follow this.

God answered the man in his own time. God knows what is best for us and when is best for us. He is a better judge of what we want than even we are. We must trust him completely in every choice we make, and not be wise in our own eyes. He will make your path straight and protect you.

Proverbs Chapter 3

Don’t Live Like the Gentiles

Scripture: Ephesians 4: 17-19

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

Scripture Commentary: Living the christian life is a process

“Futility of their thinking” refers to the tendency of humans to think in their way instead of God’s way. Intellectual pride, rationalizations, and excuses all keep people from God. People should be able to see a difference between Christians and non-Christians because of the way Christians live.

Living the Christian life is a process. Christians don’t automatically think all good thoughts and express all right attitudes. Continuous obedience to God means continuous change.

Do you see a process of change for the better in your thoughts, attitudes, and actions? Although change may be slow, it comes as you trust God to change you. Put yourself in God’s hands and leave the flesh out. See the true light of our Lord Jesus Christ in your life.

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Ephesians Chapter 4

You Don’t Have to Be a Slave to Sin

Scripture: Ephesians 2: 1-5

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the craving of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.

Scripture Commentary:

The fact that all people, without exception, commit sin proves that without Christ we have a sinful nature. We are lost in sin and cannot save ourselves.

Does this mean only Christians do good? Of course not. Many people do good things and are kind to others. On a relative scale, many are moral, kind, and law-abiding. Comparing these people to criminals, we would say they are very good indeed.

But on God’s absolute scale, no one is good enough to earn salvation. Only through being united in Christ’s perfect life can we become good in God’s sight. God does not take us out of the world or make us robots. We will still feel like sinning, and sometimes we will sin.

The difference is that before we became Christians, we were dead in sin and were slaves to our sinful nature. Because of Christ’s resurrection, we know that our bodies will also be raised from the dead, and that we have been given the power to live as Christians. The penalty of sin and its power over us were miraculously destroyed by Christ on the cross. Through faith in Christ we stand acquitted, not guilty before God.

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Ephesians Chapter 2

The Circumcision of Christ Cuts Your Sinful Nature

Scripture: Colossians 2: 10-12

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

Scripture Commentary: Spiritual circumcision cuts you away from your old sinful nature

In Colossians 2: 10-12, God is talking about circumcision, but not of the flesh. The circumcision that he is referring to is of our old, sinful past life. This is the cutting off of the old self and the birth of the new. We are all sinners, but through the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ we have been made anew.

When we bury the old flesh and have been risen with the new spirit in His baptism, we become His people. With our new found faith in Jesus we are reformed again. No longer are we to follow the old life that we had been living. This baptism parallels the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. It also portrays the death and burial of our sinful old way of life, followed by our resurrection to a new life in Christ.

Remembering that our old sinful life is dead and buried with Christ gives us a powerful motive to resist sin.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Colossians Chapter 2

Judgment and Hope

Scripture: Isaiah 66: 1-4

Judgment and Hope

This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be? Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?” declares the Lord.

These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word. But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a person, and whoever offers a lamb is like one who breaks a dog’s neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig’s blood, and whoever burns memorial incense is like one who worships an idol. They have chosen their own ways, and they delight in their abominations; so I also will choose harsh treatment for them and will bring on them what they dread. For when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, no one listened. They did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.”

Scripture Commentary: God pronounces judgment and through Jesus offers hope

Even the beautiful temple in Jerusalem was woefully inadequate for a God who is present everywhere. God cannot be confined to any human structure.

God will lift up the humble, judge all people, destroy the wicked, bring all believers together and establish the new heavens and the new earth. Our society urges us to be assertive, and to affirm ourselves.

Don’t let your freedom to choose lead you away from God’s pathway to eternal life.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Isaiah Chapter 66

Wait Upon the Lord

Scripture: Zephaniah 3: 8-11

Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the Lord, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.

For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the Lord, to service him with one consent.

From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy doings, wherein thou hast transgressed against me: for then I will take away out of the midst of thee them that rejoice in thy pride, and thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain.

Scripture Commentary: Is your life for God or for your own enjoyment?

God will judge all people according to what they have done. Wait upon the Lord. Justice will prevail. God will punish evil doers; he will bless the obedient.

God will remove the proud people and leave the meek and humble. God opposes to the proud and haughty of every generation. He will reward those who are meek and humble, both physically and spiritually, because they trust in him. Self-reliance and arrogance have no place among God’s people or in his kingdom.

Ask yourself, is my life for God or for my own enjoyment? Is my reform merely an outward show, or do I live and preach the Word of our Lord Jesus Christ? Do I lift his name up with praise and song?

Summarily, are you ready to gather together and pray, and walk humbly with God? Are you ready to do what is right, and to hear the message of forgiveness, love, and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Read the Entire Chapter:
Zephaniah Chapter 3

Do You Believe Christ is Raised From the Dead?

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15: 12-14

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ is not been raised, our preaching is useless and so if your faith.

Scripture Commentary:

Do you believe that our Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead? Do you believe that you, a follower of Jesus Christ, will be raised from the dead?

When we were neither believing nor following Jesus, we were dead in our spiritual body. Place yourself in his hands; give your lifestyle to him. Then you will be raised from the dead.

If you truly believe that Jesus Christ won the ultimate victory, that fact alone must affect the way you live right now. We Christians know that our life is beyond the grave and that our life on earth is only a preparation for our life that will never end with Jesus Christ.

We all face limitations here on earth, but with Jesus we have no limitations. Because of Christ’s resurrection, nothing we do in His name is in vain.

Do not hesitate to do good because you don’t see the results right away. God works on His own time, not ours. Do the work for God that He has placed you here to do, and he will take care of the rest.

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1 Corinthians Chapter 15

Jesus’s Prayer is That He Glorifies God

Scripture: John 17: 1-5

Jesus’s Prayer

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the work began.”

Scripture Commentary:

This entire chapter is Jesus’s prayer. From it, we learn that the world is a tremendous battleground where the forces under Satan’s power and those under God’s authority are at war. Satan and his forces are motivated by bitter hatred for Christ and his forces.

Jesus prayed for his disciples, including those of us who follow him today. He prayed that God would keep his chosen believers safe from satan’s power, setting them apart and making them pure and holy, uniting them through his truth.

How do we get eternal life? Jesus tells us clearly here – by knowing God the Father through his Son, Jesus Christ. Eternal life requires entering into a personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ.

When we admit our sin and turn away from it, Christ’s love lives in us by the Holy Spirit. Before Jesus came to earth, he was one with God. At the time of this prayer, when his mission on earth was almost finished, Jesus was asking his Father to restore him to his original place of honor and authority.

Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, and Stephen’s dying exclamation in the book of Acts, attest that Jesus did return to his exalted position at the right hand of God. Jesus is the only way to God.

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John Chapter 17

Keep Your Promise – Declare the Truth of God

Scripture: Psalms 66: 16-20

Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Scripture Commentary: Who are we to bargain with God?

People sometimes make bargains with God. We often declare in times of trouble that, “If you heal me, or get me out of this mess, I’ll obey you for the rest of my life.”

Who are we to bargain with God?

Our confession of sin must be continual because we continue to do wrong. This does not mean that after we recover with God’s help we forget what he did and resume our old lifestyle.

God always keeps his promise and we must do the same. With true confession, God requires us to listen and stop our sinful ways.

David confessed his sin and prayed, “Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins.”

If you are going to be a servant of God you must live as God intended. When we refuse to repent or when we harbor and cherish certain sins, we place a wall between us and God. It assures all of us who believe in Christ that by trusting him we can overcome evil.

Nobody is beyond redemption, you and I can be made clean of sin.

Read the Entire Chapter:
Psalms Chapter 66