Royce's-Reflections

Couples Night Out III

2011-03-28T08:31:00.013-05:00

Pelican's Point: March 26, 2011

Couples Night Out

2010-10-21T22:46:00.016-05:00

A great time had by all, down at the Old School Diner!

October 9, 2010:

Sights of Summer

2010-10-21T18:56:00.020-05:00

Summer time with Family and Friends: Myrtle Beach, SC; June 2010

Myrtle Beach, SC; June 2010

Fernandina Beach, FL; May 2010

Suffering

2010-08-10T08:50:00.003-05:00

Suffering in this life is inevitable. Suffering is not the exception to the rule; it is the rule! Mark it down. You will suffer in this life. If you are not in a storm of life at this time, it's either because you just came out of one or you're about to enter into another one. Suffering is a mystery, and we must come to respect the mystery. We don't have all the answers. But we know the One who does. Job said that "Man who is born of woman, is of few days and full of trouble." Job 14:1. I take comfort in that verse. Why? Because Jesus was born of woman. He knows and understands our suffering and pain (see Hebrews 4:15).
In today's reading from My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers quoted 1 Peter 4:19 and then said these words: "Choosing to suffer means that there must be something wrong with you, but choosing God's will--even if it means you will suffer--is something very different. No normal, healthy saint ever chooses suffering; he simply chooses God's will, just as Jesus did, whether it means suffering or not. And no saint should ever dare to interfere with the lesson of suffering being taught in another saint's life."
At this point I need to interject a thought from Eugene Peterson for all you would be comforters (including myself) who are quick to rush in and relieve the suffering in some one's life. "Another person's suffering is the place where God is at work. Angels should fear to tread there. So should we! But if we do tread there, we should take off our shoes, recognizing that we are on sacred ground. And we should be quick to hear and slow to speak. (James 1:19)." In other words, as we say in Kairos Prison Ministry, "Listen, listen, love, love." Don't be like Job's friends, quick to give advice. Just listen to them, weep with them and pray for them. Remember, it is sacred ground where God is at work in their life.
Oswald went on to say, "The saint who satisfies the heart of Jesus will make other saints strong and mature for God. But the people used to strengthen us are never those who sympathize with us; in fact, we are hindered by those who give us their sympathy, because sympathy only serves to weaken us...If we accept the sympathy of another saint, our spontaneous feeling is, 'God is dealing too harshly with me and making my life too difficult.' That is why Jesus said that self pity was of the devil (Matthew 16:21-23)".
Yes, suffering is a mystery and we must come to respect it and grow through it. We often quote Romans 8:28 but we neglect Romans 8:29. God's plan is to conform us to the image of His Son and our Savior. Remember Job 14:1? Remember this: God has one Son without sin --Jesus. But God has no children without suffering. Even Jesus suffered. He was born of woman, few of days (on this earth) and full of trouble. But, without sin, so that you and I could be saved forever and forever removed from this sin-fallen world of suffering.
Just some thoughts put together from all of my 'today's readings'. Maybe it will speak to your heart as well.
God bless,
Bro. Royce

Special Days

2010-05-27T08:36:00.063-05:00

Pictures of some special days in May, honoring our babies, mothers and graduates! Enjoy!

National Honesty Day

2010-04-30T08:14:00.003-05:00

Did you know that today is National Honesty Day? I didn't either until I read today's daily devotional in "Our Daily Bread". "Author M. Hirsh Goldberg established National Honesty Day in the early 1990s as a way to honor the honorable and encourage honesty. He said that April 30 was selected because “April begins with a day dedicated to lying [April Fool’s Day] and should end on a higher moral note.”" --ODB
That brings me to my thought for today. April begins with a "lie", so to speak, and ends with truth. It begins with a fools day and ends with a wise man's day. What a contrast! This kind of contrast is seen throughout the Book of Proverbs. In fact, it's seen throughout the Bible. 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 says, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God..." Paul continues this contrast in the following verses: 1 Corinthians 1:19-25.
The Psalmist David says in Psalm 14:1, "The fool has said in his heart, 'there is no God.'...." Notice where the fool says it...'in his heart.' Not in his mind, but in his heart. The heart is speaking of the volition, the will. The mind refers to the intelligence. When the fool says there is no God, he is saying it from his heart, from his will. In other words, in his mind he knows there is a God, but in his heart, by his own foolish volition, he refuses to believe there is a God. Technically, as well as theologically, there is no such thing as an atheist. Why? Because God has created eternity in man's heart (see Ecclesiastes 3:11). Man knows there is a God. He knows there is a higher, creative power. The problem is he just refuses to believe it. He refuses to believe what his mind already knows. It's real simple. If you have a building, then it stands to reason (in the mind) that you have a builder. If you have a watch, then you have a watch maker. And we have a creation, thus there is a Creator. And His name is Jesus, for by Him and through Him, all things were created (see Col. 1:16).
So the fool knows in his mind. But what makes him a fool is his unbelieving heart. Someone has quipped that April Fools Day should be celebrated by the atheist. So let's make today, National Honesty Day, a day that we, as believers, celebrate the truth. And truth is a Person, Jesus Christ. For He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." -John 14:6. Truth day for the believer is everyday. In fact, truth day is everyday for everybody! It's just that the fools refuse to believe it!

Principle To Live By

2010-03-15T04:58:00.003-05:00

This morning I want to pass on a devotional that really spoke to my heart. Instead of trying to comment on it, I'll just quote the devotional in its entirety.

"We must shape the powerful and transforming thought in our minds that the goodness and faithfulness of God follow hard on our heels to turn every tragedy into a triumph and every loss into a gain. It is easy to affirm this as we look back--the challenge is to affirm it with equal conviction as we look ahead.
If you can get hold of this truth and absorb it into your life as a working principle, then it will transform your attitude toward everything. Never again will you be at the mercy of circumstances. In Acts 5:40-41 we read an astonishing statement: 'After they called the apostles and had flogged them...Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing...' Rejoicing? Over injustice? How is it possible to rejoice over an injustice? Because they believed with David, that the last word was not with men, but with God--"goodness and faithfulness" would follow them and turn the situation to their advantage. When you can rejoice over injustice, you are indomitable.
Another verse from Acts that always intrigues me reads thus: 'The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph and sold him into Egypt, but God...' (Acts 7:9). That phrase 'but God,' is at the end of every injustice--He has the last word! And just as God used the injustice done to Joseph to feed the Egyptian people and his own family, so He transforms every sorrow, every bereavement, every tragedy. Christianity may not explain everything, but it most certainly transforms everything."
----written by Selwyn Hughes, Everyday With Jesus Bible, A One Year Reading Bible, p.295

Snowy Night In Georgia

2010-02-14T23:24:00.004-06:00

Our rainy February Friday turned into a snowy February night. When it was all said and done by midnight, we had received near 2 inches of the freshly fallen snow. As I woke up Saturday morning, much of the landscape was still covered in a blanket of white. It was then when I thought about Isaiah 1:18 when God said, "'Come now, and let us reason together', says the LORD, 'though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow....'" I'm glad my sins are covered and are now white as snow. Praise God for His forgiveness, mercy and grace. And the next time you see snow, just remember, when you place your sins under the red blood of Jesus, they turn white as the driven snow. God bless you all. Pray for us as we travel to NC for the Bible conference. (And hopefully, we won't run into any snowy travel problems.)
Bro. Royce

Christmas

2009-12-18T13:29:00.002-06:00

As Christians, during the Christmas season, we often correct the secular world by saying, "Jesus is the Reason For The Season". While that helps some folks get back on focus, the better answer and the true reason is this: "You and I are the Reason For The Season." For you see, Christ came, lived, died and rose again for you and me. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.... (John 3:16). For God so loved you and me. Put your name in that verse. "God so loved Royce...." "God so loved ______" Remember, you are the reason for the season.

I want to leave you with some profound words by Mark Lowery:

I wonder if (Mary) realized then that those were the same fingers that had scooped out the
oceans and formed the seas. Mary probably counted those little toes—I wonder if she realized
that those were the same feet that had walked on streets of gold and had been worshipped by
angels. Those little lips were the same lips that had spoken the world into existence. When
Mary kissed her little baby, she wasn’t just kissing another baby - she was kissing the face of
God. 33 years later she’s standing on a hillside watching blood pour from His veins, from the
side of her own son... and she didn’t open her mouth. What a great testimony to the fact that
He wasn’t just a great prophet He wasn’t just a great preacher He wasn’t just a great teacher He was the virgin born son of God. He was our Savior. And... He didn’t just die for us, He died for His own mother. The baby boy she had delivered on that 1st Christmas was now on a cross delivering her.
Mark Lowry

The Big Day

2009-08-20T04:39:00.013-05:00

Here's a few pictures from Amanda's big day. It was a big day for everyone, daddy included. Enjoy! God bless,

Bro. Royce

Church

2009-07-28T06:30:00.002-05:00

I just completed a "chapter a day" reading in the Book of Acts. What a joy it was for the last several chapters to read about the "adventures of Paul" and his mission trips. The Book of Acts closes with Paul under house arrest in Rome. He lived this way for two years, awaiting his trial. Eugene Peterson has an interesting comment on Acts 28:30-31.

"Paul lived for two years in a rented house in Rome, with a soldier to guard him as he awaited trial. During this time Paul did three things: 1) He welcomed all who came to see him (he was permitted visitors); 2) He preached the Kingdom of God; and 3) He taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. Welcomed, preached, taught. Paul turned his house into a church by doing those three things--welcoming, preaching, teaching. But the moment a church ceases doing these things, it ceases being a church.... And that's it. We don't know how many came to see Paul. We don't know where the house church was located. We simply know that those things took place, simply and naturally, as an overflow of Paul's heart." --Eugene Peterson, Conversations.

Prayer:

"Lord, thank You for the great influential life of the Apostle Paul. I cannot do all Paul could do. But I can invite people and welcome people to my church where the Gospel is preached passionately and the Word of God is taught faithfully. Help me to use my gifts to build up the Kingdom, one soul at a time. Thank you Jesus, in Your Name I pray, Amen."

Final June Update

2009-07-06T07:55:00.023-05:00

Above are some pictures from the June Higher Call Mission Trip at Island Creek Baptist Church in Pikeville, Kentucky. June closed out as one of the best mission months ever. The trip to Kentucky was one of the best "Higher Call" trips we've ever been on. Then, as you know, we shattered all records in VBS. Then two weeks ago our youth grew by leaps and bounds on the Super Wow Trip, and the GA camp was a great success. And last week, we fed the World Changers as they did their mission work right here in Savannah, GA. Truly, lives have been touched, and God has been glorified. I want to thank everyone who took part whether it was through prayer support, financial support, giving, serving, and/or going, you are truly blessed for your part.

In Christ,

Bro. Royce

June Update #2

2009-06-20T08:06:00.005-05:00

Vacation Bible School closed last night with Family Night and ended as the greatest VBS we've ever experienced here at Sand Hill. For the week we had 252 enrolled and averaged 194 each night, breaking 200 on two of the nights. But the greatest number of all was the 7 decisions for Christ. A big "thank you" to all who participated, served and worked in every capacity. And above all, all the glory goes to God!

Now pray for our Youth and GA girls. Our youth will be in Super WOW next week (June 22-26) and our GA girls will be in GA camp. So lift these up in your prayers this week as the mission month of June continues. God bless you all,

Bro. Royce

June Update

2009-06-16T07:42:00.002-05:00

In the midst of a flurry of activities I wanted to pause, take a breath, and give you an update on our mission efforts thus far. Our Kentucky Mission Trip was an amazing success for God's glory. God gave us strength, safety, and good weather to frame up and dry in an over 6000 square feet sanctuary and Sunday School rooms. Both the Island Creek Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Pikeville were some of the most gracious, loving folks we've ever met. God is doing some mighty things in the mountains of Kentucky.

Today, we are entering our third day of Vacation Bible School. We have had record crowds thus far. We had 173 Sunday night and 192 on Monday night. The challenge is if we hit 200 I get a pie in the face and if the youth class consistently has 25 each night, Shawn, our Youth Pastor, also gets a pie in the face.

Continue to pray that all of our efforts to minister the Gospel will not return void and that God gets all the glory. And if you are in the local area, we invite you to join us for supper at 5:30 pm and VBS at 6:00 each night through Thursday of this week.

May God richly bless,

Bro. Royce

June

2009-06-01T22:53:00.003-05:00

June will be a busy month. 15 of our folks will be going to Kentucky with the Higher Call Builders to help the FBC of Pikeville build a mission church. For those of you who don't know, the Higher Call Builders was the same group that came here six years ago and helped us build our new church.

Then our Vacation Bible School kicks off June 14 and runs through June 18 with family night June 19. (See www.sandhillbaptist.com for details). Then, June 22-26 our Youth will be heading to Jekyll Island for Super Wow. And the last week of June we will be feeding the World Changers.

Lots going on this month. We covet your prayers. Pray for all that are involved and pray that lives will be changed. And pray that God gets the glory. God bless,

In Christ,

Bro. Royce

What 'cha Reading?

2009-05-05T15:23:00.004-05:00

As someone who reads a lot, I'm often asked, "Bro. Royce, what are you currently reading?" Right now I'm reading "11 Indispensable Relationships You Can't Be Without", by Leonard Sweet. With characteristic style and wit, Len digs down into Scripture and pulls up 11 relationships that we need in this life's journey. For example, we need a Jonathan, a true friend. We need a Jethro, someone who'll kick us in the butt when we need it. We need a Barnabas, an encourager. There's more. And Len gives you a bonus at the end, a 12th relationship we all need. Good read. Hope you enjoy. God bless,

Bro. Royce

One Thing

2009-05-04T05:21:00.003-05:00

Psalm 27:4. David said there was one and only one thing that he desired and that was to dwell in the very presence of God. "I'm only asking God for this one thing", says David. What about me? I've asked God for hundreds of things. But David asks for the one and only important thing: the very presence of God in his life. In Luke 10:42, Jesus had to point out to Martha that Mary had chosen the 'one thing' that was needed, the one thing that was essential--spending time at Jesus' feet, listening to His Word. My prayer today is David's and Mary's: "Lord, I simply desire to sit at Your feet this morning and listen to Your Word, Amen."

Revival Update

2009-04-30T05:29:00.003-05:00

I write today simply asking everyone to pray. Our evangelist, Brother J. O. McLeod, has taken a fall and has broken his arm. It is a nasty break and it will be impossible for him to come preach our revival this coming Sunday. So I ask that you pray for Bro. J. O. McLeod. And pray for our revival. We will have a one day revival this Sunday. I'll be preaching in both services. If you are in the local area, we invite you to come and experience revival with us this Sunday May 3. Hope to see ya there. God bless,

Bro. Royce

One Body

2009-04-29T07:44:00.003-05:00

"Hey, brother Royce. Did you get lost in the Tabernacle?" That's probably a question being asked as to where I've been. No, actually we are in a Tabernacle study on Wednesday nights here at Sand Hill, but for those outside of our local area, we are also in a new building transition (moving into new facilities); so, I've needed the much time off from blogging. We'll get back to it soon, but here's a thought for Exodus 26 from Warren Wiersbe:

"Ten curtains, fifty loops, fifty clasps, forty sockets, twenty boards, two veils--yet one sanctuary. 'That it may be one tabernacle', Exodus 26:6; 'that it may be one', Exodus 26:11. Diversity, yes; but unity in diversity."

Paul said, "For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ..." 1 Cor.12:12-13.

Have a blessed week and if in the local area, you are invited to our revival beginning this Sunday with Evangelist J. O. McLeod from St. Augustine, FL. (May 3-6).

Sunday: 11:00 am and 6 pm

Mon.-Wed. 7:00 pm each night.

Hope to see ya there!

Tabernacle

2009-04-24T07:08:00.003-05:00

Exodus 25. Back on March 16th blog, I gave you an outline for the book of Exodus (see Exodus 1 "Ignorance", Monday March 16, 2009). Today we enter into the third part of that outline, emphasizing the HOUSE OF GOD. This section will detail the construction and instructions for the Tabernacle. Let me give you some interpretive tools to help in your Tabernacle study.

In Exodus 25:3-9 we have the material list and what they will represent consistently throughout the Bible.

1. Metal:

Gold--typifies deity and glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and divine righteousness as seen in the mercy seat, Exodus 25:17.
Silver--typifies redemption, as seen in the atonement money, Exodus 30:12-16. This is the price of redemption. Thus, it symbolizes the precious blood of Christ.
Brass--typifies judgment. Used in the brazen altar, which symbolizes Christ's bearing the fires of God's wrath in judgment at Calvary.

2. Colors:

Blue--the heavenly color. Represents the heavenlies. Typifies Christ as the spiritual One, or the Heavenly Man. He was...Heb.7:26.
Purple--Typifies Christ as the sovereign One. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Rev.19:16. Purple is known as the royal color.
Scarlet--is the color of redemption. Why? Because scarlet represents man's sin (Isaiah 1:18). This typifies Christ as the sacrificial One. Scarlet depicts Him as the Suffering Servant.

3. Fabrics:

Fine Linen speaks of righteousness.
Goat's Hair speaks of atonement. The scapegoat and goat sacrifice is in mind here.
Ram's Skin dyed red, speaks of devotedness in the priestly office. These rams' skins symbolize Christ's death as He was obedient unto death...(Phil.2:8), devoted to be a covering for His people.
Badger's Skin speaks of holiness, repelling every form of evil (see Heb.7:26). This was a tough, durable, weather resistant material that was ideal for tent making, but not attractive to look at. Christ was not attractive on the cross either, "having no form nor comeliness... (Isaiah 53:2).

4. Wood:

Acacia Wood. This is the only wood used in the Tabernacle. This was a very hard wood that was weather and insect resistant. Sometimes it is translated "incorruptible wood". This speaks of the incorruptibility of the human nature of our Lord Jesus (See Psalm 16:10)

Now that you are equipped with some information, read the rest of this chapter. Notice what the Ark and Mercy Seat is made of. The wood covered in Gold is Christ's incarnation: His deity and humanity. The mercy seat is solid gold because only deity (God) can save. This will aid you in your Tabernacle study. See ya' next week. God bless.

Do You Really Know Him?

2009-04-23T09:00:00.003-05:00

In Exodus 24 God calls Moses, Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders partly up the mountain; and later will call Moses all the way up to give him the blueprints of the Tabernacle. Pay attention to Exodus 24:9-10. These men saw God. Now we're not told exactly what they saw as far a description of God, but we are given details of what was under His feet. This would be a Theophany, for no man can see God's face and live (Exodus 33:20). But none the less, these men were in the presence of God.

Here's what I don't want you to miss. These men included Nadab and Abihu who are in the inner circle with Moses and seem to have a privileged position. I think they are there for our learning. Later in Leviticus 10:1-2, you'll discover that they get destroyed by fire for offering strange fire before the Lord. Now the lesson we draw from these two men is this: Office and position are no guarantee of salvation. One of the most horrifying passages in all of Scriptures is where men will say, "but Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name? And then Jesus will declare to them 'I never knew you; depart from Me...'" Matt.7:22-23. How awful and devastating that will be, for someone to have been in church all their life, even holding key positions in the church, but have no relationship with Jesus Christ. Make sure today that you truly know Him. Make sure today that you have genuinely been born again. Don't stand on the brink of eternity and gamble with your soul. Receive Christ as Savior today!

Christophany

2009-04-22T08:30:00.003-05:00

In Exodus 23 I want us to pay attention to vss.20-23. Here God promises that the children of Israel would be guided and kept in their way through the wilderness to the land of promise. Who is this Angel that will be guiding them? It can be none other than the pre-incarnate Christ. This is what theologians refer to as a Christophany. A Christophany is very similar to a Theophany which is a physical, audible, and/or visible manifestation of God. In short, it is a visible appearance of God in bodily form in the O.T. times. A good example of this would be in Gen.18.

A Christophany is just such an appearance of Jesus before His incarnation. In Christophanies He is often called "the Angel of the LORD" i.e., "Angel of Yahweh". Another good example of a Christophany is Joshua 5 where Joshua met the "Commander of the LORD's army", and there Joshua worshiped Him. (note: men don't worship angels.) And here, in Exodus 23:21 the children of Israel are commanded to obey His voice and not to provoke Him, or He would not pardon their transgressions...(Exodus 23:21). Angels don't pardon people. Only Christ can pardon. So again, this lets us know that this is a Christophany.

What's the lesson in all of this? The key to victory for the Israelites in the upcoming takeover of the Promised Land would not be Israel's skill but the presence of this Angel, who, again, is the pre-incarnate Christ. And that's the lesson for us. The key to victory over the evil one in his territory, this world, is the presence and power of Jesus Christ in our lives!

God First

2009-04-21T08:51:00.003-05:00

Exodus 22 involves property laws and moral principles. These laws covered theft, dishonesty, and careless destruction of property. In some cases the penalty was restitution amounting to double the loss. The remaining laws of this chapter deal with moral principles and thus offers protection for vulnerable people such as virgins, widows and orphans. But the one mandate that stands out is found in Exodus 22:31 "And you shall be holy men to Me...." We are to respect God and put Him first in everything. Jesus summarized this in Matt.6:33. If we truly love God with all our hearts, we will have no desire to hurt others. But if God is not first, we will start exploiting people to get what we want. We are supposed to worship God, deny self, love others, and use things. Unfortunately, today we have turned this upside down. Today, people worship self, ignore God, love things and use people. And if God is not first in your life, you will migrate toward this flawed model. Let's be sure to put God first in our lives each and every day.

God's Pro-Life Law

2009-04-20T05:58:00.006-05:00

Exodus 21. Today we return to our chapter by chapter devotionals and chapter 21 contains laws concerning violence. Pay close attention to Exodus 21:22-25. This should answer all the pro-life/ pro-choice arguments. Under God's Law, if two men were fighting and in the process one of the men injured a pregnant women (who possibly was trying to break up the fight), and that woman lost her baby; then the man was guilty of murder and would be sentenced with the death penalty "life for life". This is the first recorded case of a penalty for the murder of the unborn. This tells me that for God, life begins at conception. It's not a fetus; It's a baby! It is life! And we must fight for the unborn who cannot defend themselves.

Now I realize there may be some reading this who have made some bad choices in life and abortion was one of them. You may be thinking that God will never forgive me of this horrible act. But I will remind you that the only sin unforgivable is the sin of blasphemy (Matt.12:31-32) When you genuinely repent of this horrible choice, God can and will forgive you. But on the other hand, we need to shout it from the roof tops to our younger generation that abortion is WRONG! That abortion is SIN because it is murder. I know the pro-choice folks don't like what I'm saying, but this is God's Word. And God's Word is final.

Let us pray for the unborn of this nation and this world. Let us fight for their protection. Let us only vote for candidates that are pro-life. I don't care what a candidate promises. If his value system is wrong, every other decision he makes in office is tainted with the blood of the unborn. And too, let us pray for those women who have made this horrible decision and now are suffering from incredible guilt of that decision. May they find the open arms of Jesus and His forgiveness today. God bless, Bro. Royce

No Blog Today

2009-04-14T06:34:00.003-05:00

Everyone looking for Exodus 21--I'm working on some other things this week. We'll resume blogging in Exodus next week. See you then. God bless.

Royce

Ten Commandments

2009-04-13T06:26:00.004-05:00

Exodus 20. To fully understand the Ten Commandments, you really need to be familiar with the book of Romans, particularly the first eight chapters. It's there that Paul makes his case that we're all sinners and in need of God's righteousness. Also, it would be good to read and study Matthew 5, 6, 7--The Sermon on the Mount--because if you think the Ten Commandments are tough, wait until the Lord explains them to you. Any conception you might have had about them will be blown away when you realize what Jesus is saying to you.

You need to recognize that one of the purposes of the Law is to show us God's righteousness. If it were possible for you and I to keep these laws, then Jesus died in vain. Does that mean we shouldn't try to keep them? No. We should obey all the commandments, but understand they are an expression of love, not legalism. And it's here that we are seeing God's righteousness in order to understand the price He had to pay for us to be deemed righteous--for us to be in His presence. This basis will help you understand why it took the sacrifice of Jesus Christ to make this possible.

Now for a summary of the Law, Jesus gave us one. "...Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself....on these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Matt.22:37-40.

He Is Risen!

2009-04-10T06:47:00.001-05:00

It doesn't take one long to realize how the resurrection of Christ radically changed the disciples. Peter's fear was changed into courage and James' doubt into faith. It was the resurrection which changed Saul the Pharisee into Paul the Apostle and turned his persecuting into preaching. It was the resurrection which changed the Sabbath into Sunday and the Jewish remnant into the Christian Church. All of this transformation because of one of my favorite passages: Luke 24:5-6 "...why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen!" Oh how that changed everything. And oh how it has changed me. But unfortunately, there are many people who still seek for Him among the dead. Dead religion will not save you. Jesus is not there. He is alive! The leaders of all other religions are still in the grave. Jesus is not. He is at the right hand of the Father seated in Heaven (Eph.1:20 ). He is the One in Whom I have placed my trust--Jesus the One and only One who has conquered death. As John Stott said, "It is fitting that a supernatural person should enter and leave the earth in a supernatural way. This is in fact what the New Testament teaches and the Church believes. His birth was natural, but His conception was supernatural. His death was natural, but His resurrection was supernatural." [Stott, "Basic Christianity", p.45]God has provided a way to Himself (John 14:6 ). Have you gone that way? Have you placed your faith in the One and only Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God? Then, why not? He is offering you the free gift of salvation. Why not receive Him today? You'll be eternally glad you did.Hallelujah what a Savior!

See ya Sunday on Resurrection morn,Bro. Royce

Purpose in Calling

2009-04-09T07:44:00.005-05:00

Exodus 19. The Israelites reached the base of Mount Sinai two months to the day after leaving Egypt. But note what verse four says. Where did God take them? To Mount Sinai? To the wilderness? Exodus 19:4 tells us that God didn't take them somewhere but to Someone-Himself! God calls us unto Himself! We see the same thing in Samuel's life (1 Sam.2:35). God's original call on Samuel's life was "for Myself". God's original call was not to a place, a position, or an assignment, but unto Himself. If you neglect developing your personal relationship with God, you have tainted the essence of why He called you.

Again we see an example with the disciples. When Jesus called His disciples, Mark says that "He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach..." (Mark 3:14). Spending time with Jesus precedes ministry. You forfeit your right to minister if you haven't spent time with God. Jesus wants us to spend time with Him developing an intimate relationship, before we run off to do ministry. Again, God calls us to Someone before He sends us somewhere. And that Someone is Himself. As Henry Blackaby says, "God does not make us successful, prosperous, or influential to satisfy our worldly ambitions. He frees us for one purpose, so we can know Him! His work in our lives is a means to that end!" After Adam sinned, God called Adam's name out loud: "Adam, Adam, where are you?" God was wanting to spend that intimate time with Adam as they had done before. God is calling out your name today. 'Royce where are You? I wanted to meet with you this morning, but where were you?' Now you fill in the blanks: '____________ where are you? _________ where were you? I wanted to spend some quality time with you through my open Word. But you were not there.'

Will you go there now? I trust you will, God bless.

Wisdom of Others

2009-04-08T05:51:00.004-05:00

Exodus 18. The third dire situation we see Israel in, and particularly Moses, is that of the overwhelming demands of ministry. Here, God sends Moses' father-in-law with some good advice. Also, you need to make note that Jethro is not of the congregation of Israel. Will God speak through someone not of the congregation of the church? Absolutely.

1. The Welcome of Moses: Exodus 18:1-12

Pay close attention to Exodus 18:8. God's deliverance should be our chief topic in conversation.

2. The Wisdom of Jethro: Exodus 18:13-27

In relying on God, we often rely on the wisdom God has given others, even if they are not a Christian. For example, if I had cancer I would want the best cancer doctor around. If I had heart trouble, I would want the best heart doctor I could find. Some Christians piously say, "Well I want a Christian doctor." But I say give me the doctor that's an expert in his field, and I'm smart enough to know that God is sovereign and has given that doctor his abilities whether he's a Christian or not. Now if he is a Christian, then that's a plus. If not, then God has the opportunity to work miracles before his eyes, because being an expert in his field, that doctor will know his own human limitations. And when God heals, he'll know it. Then, as a patient, you have the opportunity to testify for God and His healing hand. But the bottom line here is, listen to the wisdom of others, even if they're not apart of the church.

Now go back and read Exodus 18:8-12. Sounds like old Jethro got saved and became a Yahweh worshiper that day.

Defeat and Victory

2009-04-07T05:42:00.002-05:00

Exodus 17. As the children of Israel moved toward Sinai, they were still being led by the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. But the Lord was still directing Israel into difficult and dire situations in order to prove His power and build their faith. Life's journey involves much more than just reaching a destination. If we aren't growing in faith and growing in knowledge of God, then we're wasting our opportunities. Salvation is not just about getting to heaven. It's more than that. It's about sanctification; it's about getting heaven into us. It's about trials and tribulations. It's about tests. And here Israel is tested again in the first dire situation of this chapter.

1. An Old Test Repeated: Exodus 17:1-7

Israel had a long way to go before they would qualifiy as a godly nation. So far, every new trial they experienced only brought out the worst in them. Once they arrived at Rephidim, they again found themselves without water. They had failed the test before. How would they do this time? God had provided for them last time. Would they trust Him this time? No. They failed again. Why? Because their hearts were still in Egypt. They're still worldly. They hadn't made a clean break from Egypt/ the world. Christians that keep failing these kinds of tests haven't made a clean break from the world. They doubt God. But there must be a break from the world. That's what these tests do....teach us to depend totally upon God.

2. Conflict With Amalek: the Flesh: Exodus 17:8-16

In this second dire situation, we see Israel having to rely upon God in this conflict. Amalekites are descendants of Esau (Gen.36:12, 16), and thus they are a picture of the flesh. Do realize that when you got saved, you entered into spiritual warfare. The flesh does not fight with those that it rules. Israel did not have to fight in Egypt. But now liberated from Egypt they have to fight. Once delivered from the bondage of sin, one must fight the good fight. One must put on the whole armor of God (Eph.6:10-20). How do we win in this war? By prayer and by the Word of God. That battle was won up on the hill, by prayer. And it says that Joshua defeated them by the edge of the sword (Exodus 17:13). The sword is one of the Holy Spirit's idioms for the Word of God (Heb.4:12). Victory is by prayer and by the Word of God. Those are two things we need to walk in every day, which basically is the definition of someone walking in the Holy Spirit. If you're walking in the Spirit, that means you are walking in prayer and the Word of God. Do this daily. It's the only way to have victory!

Daily Bread

2009-04-06T06:13:00.003-05:00

Exodus 16. Again we find the Israelites complaining, but this time it's over something to eat. In Exodus 15:24 it was "What shall we drink?" Now, in chapter 16, it's "what shall we eat?" I think Jesus said something about "take no thought saying, "What shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink?..." (Matt.6:31-34). Jesus told us to not worry. Even as this country sinks deeper and deeper into recession and possibly a depression, I think God is teaching us this very lesson: RELY ON GOD FOR OUR DAILY NEEDS. He taught us to pray, "Give us this day our daily bread..." Matt.6:11.

So, God promised to meet the needs of this griping bunch, but He would test their faith. He was going to test them in two ways: First, 1) By charging them to gather bread every day for that particular day. They were to gather only a day's supply; no more; no less. And secondly 2) By commanding that they gather twice as much on the sixth day for their rest on the seventh. Then God would prove Himself (Exodus 16:6-7). In this journey called life we live on the promises of God. We depend upon Him daily to supply our every need. Each day becomes a test. Each day we learn to pray "give us THIS DAY our daily bread..." Have you prayed today for today's needs? Do so now and trust God with the results.

Tests

2009-04-03T07:27:00.004-05:00

Exodus 15. Some of the greatest disappointments follow the greatest victories. And at the end of chapter 15 we see such a case. Verse 23 says that "they came to Marah..." (Exodus 15:23). Let me ask you, who led them there? Did they stumble in there by accident? Were they lost? Or, did God bring them there? Why did God bring them there? Verse 25 gives the reason: it was there that God tested them (Exodus 15:25). God was testing His people, not because He didn't know what was in their hearts, but because they didn't know what was in their own hearts. People often say, "Well I know my own heart." But they forget that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jer.17:9). The children of Israel had just witnessed the miraculous hand of God, and you would think [they even thought] they would be faithful followers of God. But God brings them to a point of no water to test them to see what was in their hearts.

That is why God tests us--to enable us to see what's in our hearts. The Lord tests us to bring out the best in us. The devil tempts us to bring out the worse in us. The Lord tests us to encourage spiritual growth. The devil test us to encourage spiritual immaturity. The attitude we take towards our difficult and disappointing situations determines which direction we go in life. In other words attitude determines altitude. If we trust God and obey His word, we'll pass the test and grow. But if we doubt God, disobey Him and complain, we'll fail the test and remain immature (James 1:12-18).

Visual Salvation

2009-04-02T06:05:00.002-05:00

Exodus 14. Two key verses, in this dramatic chapter, capture our attention: Exodus 14:13, 30. Jonah learned from the fish's belly what the Israelites learned from the shores of the Red Sea: "Salvation is of the LORD" (Jonah 2:9). If it's not all of the Lord, it's not salvation at all. For we are saved by His grace through faith, and there's nothing we can "do" to accomplish our salvation (Eph.2:8-9). Salvation is not '"do" something'; it's already done! We are to stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. Our part is simply to fear not and believe.

That brings me to a question: can one see salvation? I'm reminded of Peter and John standing before the Sanhedrin. They saw the boldness of Peter and John (Acts 4:13). Can you see salvation? You will see the miraculous results. You will see the miraculous change in one's life. And if you can't, then one has to question whether salvation occurred in the first place. Do others see Jesus in you?

Our Youth

2009-04-01T06:24:00.003-05:00

Exodus 13. In giving Moses the reminders of details concerning the festival and firstborn, I want you to pay attention to Exodus 13:8. We are to share our testimony and especially with the next generation. And our testimony should be personal: "this is...what the LORD did for me..." Salvation is personal if it is real. Salvation is personal if it is genuine. I often ask people, 'to you, who is Jesus?' I get back many answers: "He is the Son of God, crucified, buried, rose again on the third day..." "He is the Savior of the world" etc. All of these answers are theologcially correct. But my question is TO YOU who is Jesus? The correct answer is HE'S MY SAVIOUR! It must be personal or else no salvation has taken place.

And we must pass our faith on to our children because unbelief is always one generation away. John Maxwell said, "One generation cannot do without the other...The older generation is our link with the past; the younger generation is our link with the future, and we need both!" Winston Churchill once said, "If we draw up conflict between the present and the past, we lose the future." In other words, if there is a constant negative attitude toward our youth and younger generation, we lose the future. Scores of churches have unconsciously (and sometimes knowly) run all the younger folks off with the attitude: 'we're going to do things around here the way we did it 50 years ago'. Well, you'll have no church in the next 50 years because you run the future church off. The younger generation is our link with the future and if we draw up conflict between the generations, we lose the future. Our task is simply tell them what God has done for us. Then let them work out their own salvation (Phil.2:12) in the context of their own generation. Today, take the time to pray for our youth and youth pastors around the globe. And pray for your children and grandchildren. Then take those opportunities to share with them what God has done for you. God bless.

Passover

2009-03-31T08:01:00.004-05:00

Exodus 12. I apologize for getting this out late today. I am recovering from some unknown allergic reaction and the medicine the doctor gave me causes me to sleep. But we can't let this day go by without commenting on this grand chapter of Exodus.

The night of death has arrived just as God said. But God made provision for the children of Israel. The death angel would "passover" their houses because of the blood. And we know that eternal death will not touch those who have the blood of the Lamb applied over the "doorposts" of their hearts. Jesus is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor.5:6-7; John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19).

Let me first give you the Lamb's Qualifications:

1. It had to be one year old, in the prime of its life. Jesus was crucified in the prime of life at 30 years old.

2. It had to be without blemish. Again see 1 Cor.5:6-7 and 1 Peter 1:18-19.

3. It had to be a lamb. John the Baptist said, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God 28 times in the book of Revelation.

Now let's draw two very important lessons from this section:

1. We are to appropriate Jesus' blood by faith.

We're not saved by admiring Jesus' example, but by APPLYING HIS BLOOD (Exodus 12:13). Note that it says "when I see the blood...."; not "when I see your good works" or "when I see your baptism certificate" or "when I see your church membership". No! It says "when I see the BLOOD on the doorposts of your heart, then I will pass over you." How do you put it there? By faith. We are saved by grace through faith (Eph.2:8-9).

2. When you are born again, the calendar starts all over for your life.

Did you notice that God's redemption started Israel's calendar all over again? (Exodus 12:2). When you are born again, the calendar starts all over for your life. Praise God! Have you applied the shed blood of Christ by faith? Do so today before it's to late. God bless.

Different

2009-03-30T06:36:00.003-05:00

Exodus 11. The tenth and final plague is announced in chapter 11, though it is not recorded until chapter 12 (Exodus 12:26-39). This plague of death would not affect Israel. Isarel's firstborn would be covered and protected by the blood of the lamb. And against none of the children of Israel would a dog move its tongue (Exodus 11:7). In that day, dogs were not kept as pets, but were roaming nuisances. So their peculiar silence would be an unsettlling calm. Why? So they would know that the LORD does make a difference between Egyptians and Israel (Exodus 11:7).

Dear believer, do know that God makes a difference between you and the world (Egypt). There is a distinction. There is a difference. I have known people who claim to be Christians, but there was no difference in their lives. They still live like the world and have no time for Jesus. Dear friend, if you take Jesus as your Savior then there will be a difference in your life. Are you different? The Apostle Peter wrote that "we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people..." (KJV) of 1 Peter 2:9. We are different, and it is God who makes the difference!

One and Only God

2009-03-27T05:21:00.005-05:00

Exodus 10 contains the eighth and ninth plagues. As each plague descended upon the land, the Egyptian people realized how powerless their own gods were to stop it (Exodus 10:7). Hapi, the bull god, god of the Nile and Isis, goddess of the Nile, were helpless and could not stop the water from being turned into blood (Exodus 7:14-25). Heqet, goddess of birth, with a frog head, could not prevent the frogs from infesting the land. And when they died their decaying bodies reeked. Hathor, goddess with a cow head and Apis, the bull god, were helpless as the Egyptian livestock died in droves (Exodus 9:6). Re, the sun god along with Horus, a sun god, could not stop the eerie darkness from covering the land for three full days (Exodus 10:21-22). And Monday and Tuesday, we shall see that Min, the god of reproduction and Heqet, the goddess of birth who attended women at childbirth and Isis the goddess who protected children, all were helpless in the death of all the firstborn children (ch.11-12).

The Egyptian gods were not personal and not exclusive--any and all could be worshiped. And they were numerous. By contrast, the God of the Hebrews, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was and is a living personal Being, who is the one and only true God, the one and only God who should be worshiped. Is He the only God of your life? He is a jealous God and will have no rival. Let me recommend a good commentary on this passage. You won't have to go to the book store to pick it up. You already hold it in your hand. Read Isaiah 45. Follow other Scripture references in the reference column of your Bible. Remember, the Bible is its own best commentary. God bless and have a great weekend.

God's Desire

2009-03-26T05:33:00.005-05:00

Exodus 9. As you continue to study these plagues, keep in mind the purposes of God in and through them. First, He was manifesting His power to Pharaoh and his officials and proving to them that He alone is the true living God. Second, He was exposing the sham religion of Egypt and the vanity of the many gods they worshiped. Third, He wanted to make His name known in all the earth (Exodus 9:14). This was a phrase repeated often throughout the plagues (Exodus 7:5; 7:17; 8:10, 22; 9:29; 10:2). God's ultimate purpose is still that all men repent, that no one perish, and thus all be saved (2 Peter 3:9; 1 Timothy 2:4). God's glory is spread both through the gospel and through displays of His wrath, but one way or another, everyone will bow the knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil.2:10-11). God gave the Egyptians an opportunity to repent. He's giving you too an opportunity to repent and be saved. Today is the day of salvation. (2 Cor.6:2). Don't put it off any longer. Call upon Him today as your Savior (Rom.10:9-10, 13).

God's Warning

2009-03-25T05:20:00.004-05:00

Exodus 8. As we continue to see the powerful hand of God, able to deliver the children of Israel from bondage, chapter eight records the next three plagues: Frogs, Lice and Flies. Now there's something found in the first two plagues but missing in the third one. What is it? It's a warning. The first two plagues contained a warning: "If you don't let my people go...the water will be turned to blood" and "frogs are going to come up from everywhere". Now in this third plague, there is no warning. Moses just does it. As you study these ten plagues, you will see a pattern develop. They are clustered in a strange way. It will be warning, warning, then no warning.

1. Warning..................1

2. Warning..................2

3. No Warning

4. Warning..................3

5. Warning..................4

6. No Warning

7. Warning..................5

8. Warning..................6

9. No Warning

10. Warning................7

Seven out of the ten plagues came with warnings. Seven is God's complete, perfect number. God's warnings are complete. God always warns before He judges. The wicked dead will have no excuse when they stand before the Judge at the Great White Throne Judgment in Revelation 20. And dear believer, God warns before He judges sin in your life. What is He warning you of today?

The Counterfeiter

2009-03-24T05:18:00.002-05:00

Exodus 7. The first six chapters of Exodus show our need for redemption. The next several chapters (specifically chapters 7-14) show God's ability to perform that redemption. This section begins with the first of the ten plagues: the water turned to blood.

Egyptian religion was full of idolatry, which is connected with demonism (1 Cor.10:20). "Magic", i.e., "demonic miracle" was the only language the Egyptians understood in the realm of religion. Moses and Aaron would have to communicate with Pharaoh in a language that he understood. Pharaoh's two magicians are named for us in the New Testament. The Apostle Paul gave us their names and would use them to teach an important truth: in the last days, Satan will attack God's truth and God's people by imitating the works of God (2 Tim.3:8). As Jesus taught in the parable of the tares (Matt.13:24-30, 36-43), Satan is a counterfeiter who "plants" imitation Christians in this world. Satan has an imitation gospel (Gal.1:6-9), a counterfeit righteousness (Rom.10:1-3), and even counterfeit ministers who spread his lies (2 Cor.11:13-15). And Satan will one day produce a false Christ who will deceive the whole world (2 Thess.2:1-12).

In these last days we need to be alert to Satan's devices and tactics. We need to put on the whole armor of God (Eph.6:11-18) and stay close to God (James 4:7-8). There, in James 4, James tells us to resist the devil, not assist him. Are you resisting him or assisting him?

Encouragement From God's Word

2009-03-23T06:17:00.004-05:00

Exodus 6. We last saw the frustration of Moses in chapter five. There we learned the lesson that, when you obey God, opposition often comes. But Moses did the right thing. He took his burdens to the Lord (Exodus 5:22-23). Today, in chapter six, we read God's response. How did the Lord encourage His struggling servant? First,

1. God told him that He was the same God that appeared to the patriarchs (Exodus 6:2-3).

2. God remembered His promise to Israel (Exodus 6:4).

3. God felt their burdens (Exodus 6:5).

4. God said that He would save them (Exodus 6:6-8).

Notice the seven "I will" statements in vss.6-8. When we know that God is in control and we claim His promises, then we can experience peace and courage in the battles of life. Again, when you serve God, you will encounter opposition. That's not the exception to the rule. It is the rule! That's when we must get alone with God, pour out our hearts to Him, hear His Word, and gain strength from His promises. For Moses, God's latest word contained little by way of new information, but those words of comfort came through in a new and fresh way. And these promises of God enabled Moses to 'carry on', to move on in obedience, and to lead the children of Israel out of bondage and into freedom. May God's Word and His promises become fresh, new and alive to you today. And may they enable you to move out in obedience to follow Him into a new day and new week. And remember, not one promise of His word has ever failed! (1 Kings 8:56).

Obedience

2009-03-20T05:06:00.004-05:00

As we read Exodus 5 we feel for the Israelites. All their hopes of deliverance were dashed when Pharaoh cruelly imposed heavier burdens upon the people, requiring the same number of bricks, but compelling them to gather their own straw. Even Moses began to doubt the whole plan in Exodus 5:20-23, as he appeals to the LORD. Moses was discovering that his obedience to the word of the LORD only aggravated the evil He wished to remove. Instead of receiving gratitude from his countrymen, Moses was loaded only with reproaches. His faith and obedience were being tested. No great work of God is ever accomplished without severe testing, and Moses' career was no exception. Moses did the right thing. He went to the LORD and poured out his heart before Him.

Moses is frustrated. The people are worse off than when he started. And so, we have the lesson. LESSON: When you obey God, opposition often comes. It's not always smooth sailing. We, as believers, err in thinking when we assume that being in God's hand and being in God's will means that there will be no difficulties; and then we get upset when things DON'T go smoothly. We've got to realize that opposition is not necessarily a sign of failure, but is many times a sign of obedience! As we close, do know and understand these two things: 1) When God sends you on a task, and you obey, the mission will not end in failure. It may seem like it's failing, but it will not fail. 2) It is better to be in God's will and to provoke reactions than to run away and accomplish nothing. Obedience to God and opposition from the world go hand in hand.

Availability

2009-03-19T06:13:00.002-05:00

Exodus 4. Today we see the final two objections of Moses. In Exodus 4:1 Moses says that the people will not believe him. God's response was "what is that in your hand?" (Exodus 4:2). Then He told Moses to throw the rod down and it became a serpent. When Moses picked it up, it became a rod again (Exodus 4:3-4). Why? So that the people will believe that the LORD had appeared to Moses (Exodus 4:5).

Moses last objection was a lack of eloquence (Exodus 4:10). God's response was "who made your mouth?"(Exodus 4:11). In other words, God was saying 'I know what I'm doing when I called you. I am the Creator here. And I will supply what you need to fulfill this calling.'

LESSON: A very important lesson we need to learn is this: God is looking for 'availability' not 'ability'. When we present ourselves as available servants, God then supplies the ability. So remember, God is not looking for ability (He'll supply that). He's looking for availability. Are you available? Or do you still give God excuses and objections? Our response should be that of Isaiah "Here I am, send me." (Isaiah 6:8).

The Call of Moses

2009-03-18T05:24:00.005-05:00

Exodus 3. Today we read of Moses' call to deliver Israel. God was at work to prepare His servant for a great ministry of deliverance. Note:

1. What Moses Saw: 3:1-3.

As Moses looked, a common desert thorn bush was on fire yet was not consumed. The prickly bush pictures the sinful enslaved Israelites, since thorns are the result of the curse of sin (Gen.3:17-18). The fire symbolizes their suffering and tribulation, yet the bush not being consumed shows that all the persecutions visited upon them would not annihilate them. This burning bush also says something of Moses. God can take an insignificant bush, ignite it, and turn it into a miracle. That's what He wanted to do with Moses, and that's what He wants to do with you.

2. What Moses Heard: 3:4-10.

Moses vision was followed by his call. The One who called him revealed Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God also revealed His mission and purpose. The LORD said that He had seen the oppression of His people, heard their cry, and was going to come down to deliver them. (Exodus 3:7-8). That's God's promise to you. Regardless of what you are going through right now, be assured that God sees, hears and will come to deliver you from your tribulation.

3. What Moses Did: 3:11-4:17.

Moses should have rejoiced because God was at last answering prayer. He should have submitted to God's will by saying, "Here I am! Send me!" But instead he argued with God and proposed many excuses and objections. His first objection was...

Insignificance: "who am I?" (Exodus 3:11). God's response: (Exodus 3:12). God promised to be with him and promises to be with us.
No Authority: Moses' second objection was that he had no authority (Exodus 3:13). God's answer was "I AM WHO I AM...thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent you..." (Exodus 3:14). Jesus sends us out under His authority. See Matt.28:18-20. We'll note two more objections tomorrow.

The Preparation of Moses

2009-03-17T05:27:00.003-05:00

Exodus 2. We'll break this chapter down into three parts:

1. The Redemption of Moses: 2:1-10

2. The Murder of Moses: 2:11-15

3. The Marriage of Moses: 2:16-22

In the first part, God was preparing for Himself a leader. In all of these experiences, God is preparing Moses to be the one to lead the children of Israel out of bondage. But first, Moses is to be delivered himself. The application for us here is: If God is going to use someone to lead others to Christ, that someone has to be redeemed first.

In the second part, as God was preparing Moses, we see in Exodus 2:11 that Moses went out to visit his brethren when he was grown. Acts 7:23 tells us he was 40 years old at this time. We know nothing of Moses life during these 40 years. But now we come to the first recorded event in his life since his birth and deliverance, and it is this record of Moses' murder of an Egyptian. Why is Scripture silent for 40 years? Well, the verse says when Moses was grown (Exodus 2:11), or that could read "grown up". In other words, when he had matured. Was this the first time he went out among his brethren? No. Surely he had been out of Pharaoh's court many times, but this time was different. Something happened in Moses' heart. His insensitivity became compassion. The application for us here is: When God prepares us to be instruments of redemption in His hand, first we have to be redeemed (v.1-10) and then we're to have compassion for the lost. Much of the lack of growth in the Kingdom of God can be attributed to a lack of compassion for the lost.

So Moses has compassion for his brethren, but he goes about it the wrong way. He kills the Egyptian and buries him in the sand. Moses is going to try to redeem Israel one Egyptian at the time. But God's way would be better. God will bury the whole army under the Red Sea. Thus, you've got to do God's work, God's way.

One parting thought: Moses was a murderer. King David was a murderer and adulterer. The apostle Paul was a murderer. I'm glad God uses imperfect people to do His work, His way, or else none of us could serve in His Kingdom work in His redemption plan.

Ignorance

2009-03-16T05:54:00.006-05:00

Exodus 1. Today we move into Exodus which continues the story of the nation Israel. They went down to Egypt as 70 people (Exodus 1:5), but came out 2 million strong. It's in Exodus that we find Israel in bondage. Thus, this book tells of her redemption which becomes a picture of our redemption through our Passover Lamb, Jesus Christ. The book breaks down as follows:

1. LIBERATION: The emphasis on the HAND OF GOD: ch. 1-18.

2. SEPARATION: The emphasis on the HOLINESS OF GOD: ch. 19-24.

3. HABITATION: The emphasis on the HOUSE OF GOD: ch. 25-40.

Today, pay attention to Exodus 1:8. The new king knew nothing about Joseph, and he knew nothing about God. Pharaoh was ignorant of history and paid very little attention to it. He was ignorant of the great contribution Joseph had made to Egypt. Joseph had literally saved Egypt and the surrounding known world from starvation.

Ignorance. What is ignorance? It is a lack of knowledge. It is an unawareness. God says, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). Why? "Because you have rejected knowledge." Ignorance is one thing, but willful ignorance is inexcusable. The New Testament word for "ignorance" is "agnoia" (where we get our English word "agnostic"). Look at Eph.4:17-18. After writing of the vanity of man's thinking (Eph.4:17), Paul goes on to write of man's ignorance (Eph.4:18). Wuest says, "this ignorance is not caused by something external, but by man himself." This describes our agnostic world. They say that we can't know there is a God, but they say this only because they DON'T WANT TO KNOW. It's being willing ignorant, or as one preacher put it, "stupid on purpose." If man would just believe, he would be freed from the prison of his own ignorance (Acts 17:30 and 1 Peter 1:14). This kind of willful ignorance not only affects unbelievers. Sometimes it even shows up in church, and willful ignorance is inexcusable.

Next Devotional Reading

2009-03-12T07:00:00.002-05:00

Having completed Genesis on our chapter per day schedule, I was going to next go to Matthew. But the more I thought about it, I believe we'll start with Exodus and continue the story line, for it's in Exodus we see the story of redemption. Then when we conclude Exodus, we'll go to one of the Gospels and there read about our Redeemer. So we'll take a couple of days off and then pick up Exodus 1 Monday morning. Everyone have a great week and see you back here Monday.

Empty Tomb

2009-03-11T07:26:00.002-05:00

Genesis 50. I'm blogging a little later this morning. Yesterday, I had all three vehicles down. I worked late into the night and got two out of three back on the road again. Now I've got to get to work on our Wednesday Bible study, but first let me give you a parting thought on this final chapter of Genesis. Here we see the death and burial of two great men: father and son, Jacob and Joseph. The Bible teaches us that death isn't an accident, it's an appointment (Heb.9:27). The ratio of living to dying is still one to one: for everyone born, everyone dies--no exceptions. Thus we see the death of Jacob and Joseph in this final chapter of Genesis. Man began in a beautiful garden (Gen.2-3); We leave him, for now, in a coffin in Egypt. The book of Genesis ends with a full tomb. The Gospel story ends with an empty tomb! Praise God. "O death where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?" (1 Cor.15:55-57).

Shiloh

2009-03-10T05:55:00.003-05:00

Genesis 49 records the last words of Jacob, words that are loaded with prophetic insight. In verse one, we come to a very important phrase: "in the last days" (Gen.49:1). This is the first time this important phrase occurs in Scripture. This phrase in verse one qualifies for what is known as "The Law of First Mention". The first time any subject is introduced in the Bible, it is of special significance, and the Bible student needs to sit up and take notice. The Holy Spirit gives the clue there to the place and significance of that subject as it relates to the whole Bible. For example, in Genesis 22:2 we have the first mention of the word "love". This speaks of the love of the father for the son. The second time the word "love" is used is found in Genesis 24:67 where "Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her." This speaks of the son's love for his bride. Put these two together and you have the love of the Father for His Son and the love the Son, the Lord Jesus, has for His Bride the Church.

Here, in Genesis 49:1, we have the first mention of "last days" and it is used in conjunction with the sons of Jacob, the twelve tribes of Israel. This gives us a dispensational clue. The term "last days" or "latter days" is used fourteen times in the Old Testament, and it's concerned with the last days of Israel, not the church. The last days of Israel will be different from the last days of the church. Jacob is talking about the last days of the nation Israel and what is going to happen to them. He begins a march down through the centuries of Israel's history right into the future Millennial Kingdom. Each son represents a period of their history along the way. For more on this see John Phillips work "Exploring the Future".

For a final thought look at Genesis 49:10. History tells us that in AD 7, the high priest put on sackcloth and ashes and marched in the streets of Jerusalem wailing and crying out in despair. Why? Because the government of Rome had just taken away their right of 'capital punishment' -the rule of the law-their political sovereignty. No more could they stone anyone for serious offenses as prescibed in the Mosaic Law. They had lost their political sovereignty and "Shiloh (Messiah) hadn't come, (so he thought). Little did he know that at that very time, up in Nazareth, was a boy of 9 or 10 years old named Jesus. Shiloh had come. And He shall come again! Praise God! Come quickly Lord Jesus! Rev.22:20.

Second Born

2009-03-09T05:35:00.003-05:00

Genesis 48. Jacob's benediction upon Joseph's two sons explains why Ephraim and Manasseh ranked as two independent tribes. Jacob adopted them by the ceremony of taking them between his knees (Gen.48:12). This adoption and blessing upon them was to ensure that they would remain true to Israel's God. Jacob's move was by faith (Heb.11:21), and once again, the younger was preferred over the elder. This is the fifth time in the book of Genesis that we see a reversal of the birth order. God had chosen Abel, not Cain; Isaac, not Ishmael; Jacob, not Esau; and Joseph, not Reuben; and now He chooses Ephraim over Manasseh. Warren Wiersbe offers an interesting note here: "While we have no biblical grounds for doing it, one is tempted to see the cross pictured in the crossing of Jacob's hands. The sinner's birth order is reversed when he or she trusts Jesus Christ, for it's the second born whom God receives, not the firstborn. All of this is made possible because of our Lord's sacrifice on the cross." [Wiersbe, O.T. commentary]

Whether we can make the biblical application here or not can continued to be debated by the scholars and theologians, but the fact remains true: If you're born once, you die twice. But if you're born twice, you only die once. Jesus said, "you must be born again" (John 3:3). Have you been born again? Trust Christ today as your Lord and Savior.

Pilgrimage

2009-03-06T06:35:00.003-06:00

Genesis 47. When the elderly Jacob met Pharaoh he blessed him and then said, "The days of the years of my pilgrimage are one hundred and thirty years; few and evil have been the days of ...my life." (Genesis 47:8-9). Everyone has some word picture to describe life: a battle, a race, a journey etc. Jacob's word picture was that of a pilgrimage. What is a pilgrim? Websters says that a pilgrim is 1) a person who travels about; a wanderer. 2) a person who travels to a shrine or holy place as a religious act. [Websters New World Dictionary]

Thus, a pilgrimage is a journey made by a pilgrim to a holy place. Jacob was on a journey to a holy place--the Promised Land; the land that was promised to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The patriarchs were pilgrims and strangers on the earth (Heb.11:13-16), and so are we (1 Peter 1:1; 2:11). As the old hymn says, 'this world is not my home, I'm just a passing through...' Our time is brief here. Even Jacob recognized that. One hundred and thirty years were just a "few". And not only were they "few", they are troublesome. The word "evil" used here means "misery" "troublesome". Job said it this way: "Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1).

As a pastor, I see lots of sickness and death. And it amazes me how desperate some Christians are to be healed and remain in this troublesome, miserable world. Now don't get me wrong, I don't want to die before my time, but my goal is to get out of this world. My goal is to see Jesus. My goal is to journey to a holy place, to a tabernacle not made with hands and there stand in the presence of my Savior. You see, I'm a pilgrim, just passing through. I'm on a journey to a place called heaven. I'm like Paul who said, "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain", my desire is like his and that is "to depart and be with Christ which is far better" (Phil.1:21-23)

I don't know why some believers fear death and cling to this world. Maybe it goes back to the old saying: "You're not prepared to die, until you're prepared to live." And Paul was prepared to live. His whole life was wrapped up in Christ: For me to live is Christ! What are you living for? If you're not living for Christ, you're not prepared to die for Him.

Sing with me:

"What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see;

When I look upon His face, the One who saved me by His grace;

When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promise Land;

What a day, glorious day that will be...."

Following God

2009-03-05T07:33:00.002-06:00

Genesis 46 records Jacob's journey to Egypt. Jacob was apprehensive about packing up and moving to a new location this late in life. And the location that he was moving to was Egypt, the very place his grandfather Abraham had gotten into trouble (Gen.12:10ff). But God came to Jacob at night and assured him that it was safe for him and his family to relocate (Gen.46:2-4). Change is something we all fear. New situations and new surroundings can frighten us and make us uncomfortable. What should we do? Seek the Lord. Ask him in prayer whether to proceed or not. When we recieve the answer from Him, we can then proceed in confidence. God is faithful and will never lead you down a path in which you find yourself backing up later. Solomon gives us a good parting word in Proverbs 3:5-6.

Away

2009-03-01T13:42:00.002-06:00

Everyone,

I'll be away from my computer until Wednesday, and I'll resume with the devotionals on Thursday. Pray for our safe return from the conference we'll be attending. To stay on track, continue reading a chapter a day:

Genesis 43: Monday

Genesis 44: Tuesday

Genesis 45: Wednesday

Genesis 46: Thursday

Genesis 47: Friday

God bless,

Bro. Royce

Salvation of Jacob's Family

2009-02-27T06:01:00.004-06:00

Genesis 42. The rest of Genesis (ch.42-50) involves "The Salvation of Jacob's Family". Today is the beginning of that process, and that process begins with repentance. Some have questioned as to why Joseph didn't immediately reveal his identity. Joseph's last memory of his brothers was their cruel treatment of their own flesh and blood. So Joseph will test his ten brothers to see if they are still evil and treacherous or have they changed over the years? In fact in Genesis 42:15, Joseph will test them to see if they had been as cruel to Benjamin as they had been to him. Benjamin was his only full brother, and he wanted to see him face to face.

This whole experience brought the ten men to the place where conviction was starting to germinate in their hearts. True reconciliation requires sincere repentance and humble confession of sin. From a human point of view, Joseph would have been happy for "instant reconciliation", because then he could have seen his father and his brother Benjamin much sooner. But like a skilled physician, Joseph was patient, knowing this was the correct way to bring about true and sincere reconciliation.

God Himself is the skilled physician of our hearts and would be happy for "instant reconciliation", but He knows true and sincere reconciliation requires repentance. The first word of the Gospel is "repent" (Matt.4:17, Mark 1:15). Repentance first. Then comes reconciliation. This is true in all relationships.

Exaltation of Joseph

2009-02-26T05:05:00.004-06:00

Genesis 41. I want to thank each of you for your prayers. My family and I are on the mends and are doing much better. God has answered our prayers and healed our sick bodies. So all the praise and glory to Him. Now for today's devotional thought:

We're now well into the last section of Genesis that deals with Joseph and his life. Joseph's life is a typology of Christ. Remember, we studied typologies back on Feb. 3 in Genesis 24, and Joseph's life is a foreshadowing of Christ's. Let me give you just a few parallels:

1. His Position: Loved By His Father: Gen.37:3-4.

Jesus, of course, was loved by His Father: "This is My beloved Son in whom I'm well pleased."

2. His Mission: Sent To His Brothers: Gen.37:13-14.

The Lord Jesus was sent to His brethren, the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

3. His Rejection: Rejected By His Own: Gen.37:8

The Jews "would not have this man reigning over them". Luke 19:14; John 1:11.

4. His Crucifixion: They Plotted To Kill Him: Gen.37:18-20.

5. His Resurrection: He Was Raised Up!: Gen.37:28

Joseph was raised from the pit. Jesus raised up on the third day.

6. His Ascension: Taken Away: Gen.37:28ff

After Joseph was sold, he was taken away for many years. Christ ascended up into heaven. He told His disciples that they should see Him no more until His return. And in today's reading (Gen.41) we see Joseph exalted to the throne and placed in charge of the affairs of Eygpt, second in command to Pharaoh. Remember, I titled this part of Joseph's life "The Exaltation of Joseph" (39-41).

Lesson: Self Promotion can never replace Divine Promotion. Joseph's self promotion (in ch.37) was when he was a boy telling his family of his dream. And it happened again in prison when he took matters into his own hand and tried to get the chief butler to exalt him (ch.40). Now, some 23 years later, it's God who promotes him. Self Promotion can never replace Divine Promotion.

And again, the typology stands out. Pharaoh had Joseph to ride in the second chariot and cried out before him "Bow the knee!" (Gen.41:43). I know another "Joseph" of whom we'll bow the knee to. In fact, Scripture says that "every knee shall bow...and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!" (Phil.2:9-11). Have you bowed the knee to Him and confessed Him as Savior and Lord of your life?

7. His Marriage: He Takes A Gentile Wife: Gen.41:45.

One more typology I don't want you to miss. Joseph marries an Egyptian, not a Hebrew girl, and thus he takes a Gentile bride. The New Testament teaches us that Jesus is the Bride Groom and we, the church, are His Gentile Bride!

Charles Spurgeon once said, "Cut the Bible anywhere you wish, and it'll bleed red the blood of Jesus." Look for Jesus everywhere in your Bibles. Today we find Him in Genesis 41. Amen!

The Exaltation of Joseph (39-41)

2009-02-24T04:27:00.005-06:00

Genesis 39. Continue to pray for us. Everyone in the Hendry household is sick. I can't even focus or concentrate. I can't even sleep. I just feel bad. But I know God is going to get us through this. Lord willing, I will resume blogging on Thursday. I would title Genesis 39-41 "The Exaltation of Joseph".

Ch.39: Joseph the Faithful Steward: Today

Ch.40: Joseph the Forgotten Slave: Wednesday

Ch.41: Joseph the Famed Statesman: Thursday (I'll resume blogging here).

In today's reading, pay close attention to Genesis 39:2, 3, 5, 21, 23. The LORD was with and blessed Joseph. God is as much with His servants in a prison as in a palace. He does not desert us, however low we may be brought. How comforting to know this from Joseph's life and Jesus' lips: "...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." (Matt.28:20).

Pray for us

2009-02-23T06:45:00.003-06:00

I won't be posting a devotional today. Our whole family is sick, and I just feel too bad to post this morning. Pray for us. But in order to stay on track, go ahead and read Genesis 38 and note the corruption in the family continues. And note that this chapter vividly contrasts the immoral character of Judah with the moral character of Joseph in the coming chapters. God bless.

Bro. Royce

Corruption In The Family

2009-02-20T05:28:00.007-06:00

Genesis 37. The rest of Genesis will focus on Joseph. Today we see the corruption in his family. Jacob’s family is in a hostile environment. They are strangers in this land. They do not possess this land…yet! They are covenant people in covenant with God, and one day they will possess it. So you’d think they would band together in order to survive. Instead, they are at each others throats. There is trouble in the tribe.
Today, our families are in a hostile environment. 50% of marriages are ending in divorce. That’s just the ones that go down to the court house and make it legal. Many more are divorced even though they live in the same house, drive the same car, and eat at the same table. They just haven’t made it official yet. There’s much fighting and many broken homes. There is an enemy out there, called Satan, who wants to destroy your family and mine. And yet we, like Jacob’s family, can’t see the bigger picture.
So the question is how does a family survive today? With our text before us I think we can answer that question by asking another question. What is destroying our families? If we will learn what’s destroying our families then we can make the necessary changes. We’ve got to know what the problem is in order to produce the solution. Several basic problems we need to identify.

1. GOSSIP (the tongue) Genesis 37:2
Joseph brought back a bad report on his half-brothers. A 3 inch tongue can knock down a 6 foot man. Did you know that the snail has teeth on its tongue? A well known scientist examined a snail's tongue under a microscope and counted 30,000 teeth. Many people have teeth on their tongues. Bodies have been broken, lives destroyed, reputations have been ripped and souls have been slain by the tongue. James says we can tame wild animals, but we can’t tame the tongue (James 3:8). We can tame Flipper, Trigger, Shamu, and Lassie, but we can’t tame the tongue. But God can. If you give Him your tongue? No. If you give Him your heart. “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.”, says Jesus. The tongue will destroy your family.

2. FAVORITISM Genesis 37:3
The coat of many colors was more than just a pretty garment. It was a long sleeved robe that was worn by authority; worn by one who would be a future leader. It was an honor normally given to the first born. And of course the dream backs that up. One day Joseph would be over his family. Now Jacob should have known better. He has experienced, first hand, how damaging favoritism is. One might argue, “yea, but it’s God’s will.” Yes it’s God’s will. But it’s the way you go about arriving at God’s will that hurts or blesses. If you go after God’s will God’s way, the journey will be pleasant. But if you go after God’s will your own way, the journey will be miserable. Jacob should have known better. Favoritism will destroy your family.

3. HATRED (bitterness) Genesis 37:4
As you see, one problem breeds another problem. They hated Joseph. Hatred is something that will destroy you. “…those that hate the righteous shall be desolate.” Psalm 34:21. Those who have caused hurt and who have hated all who live righteously will one day find themselves forsaken, wretched, and alone. This family ended up desolate and desperate during the famine and would have to be helped by the one they had previously hated. Hatred will destroy your family.

4. BOASTING Genesis 37:5-10
Joseph’s youthful pride caused friction with his brothers. Joseph thought he was ‘the highest hog at the trough.’ And he would be, one day. But don’t brag about it. Let’s not be so pious. Let us remember that we are saved by grace. Don’t brag about how spiritual you are. This will damage your witness to family members, and you’ll never be able to win them to Jesus.

5. ENVY Genesis 37:11
Envy is a feeling of resentment aroused because of another person’s qualities, possessions or position, and the desire to have them for oneself. Joseph’s brothers envied him because of the favoritism shown him and the position he claimed. When you envy others you hurt them and you. Envy doesn’t enrich you, it empties you. It doesn’t lift you up, it lowers you. When you let envy and jealousy simmer, it then begins to plot- Genesis 37:18-20. Then it erupts-Genesis 37:23-27. Then it deceives-Genesis 37:31-35. When you turn green with envy, you’re ripe for trouble. But a heart full of love has no room for envy. My friend, envy will destroy your family.

CONCLUSION: There are more problems here. There’s betrayal, lying, no mercy, and no reconciliation. But I hope you’ve recognized something else. These things will not only destroy your family. They will also destroy the family of God-the church family. How’s the church going to survive in enemy territory? First, we have to be able to identify the problems. And the root of all problems is a problem called ‘sin’. Now, what’s the solution? The solution is Jesus. The solution for Jacob’s family would be Joseph. Later, he’ll be their deliverer in the famine. Joseph is a type of Christ: A foreshadow of Him to come. Note the parallels: Vs.3 His father loved him dearly. Vs.2-A shepherd. Vs.4-Hated by his brothers. Vs.13-14-Sent by his father. Vs.20-Others plotted to harm him. Vs.28-Sold for the price of a slave. What a picture of Jesus! How are you going to survive eternity? How are you going to be delivered? Only by trusting in Jesus. The problem is sin. The solution is Jesus. Have you placed your faith in Him today?

Crowning Reward

2009-02-19T05:34:00.005-06:00

Genesis 36 is a long chapter containing many names, but is the end of the story as far as Esau is concerned. The Edomites are named in the Old Testament only because they are a part of the story of Israel. "Esau" and "Edom", the avowed enemies of the Jews, are mentioned over two hundred times in the Bible, but "Jacob" and "Israel" are found over two thousand times!

We can still learn something from this chapter. I want us to focus on one verse that concerns some of Esau’s in-laws (Genesis 36:24). Now compare v.25 to v.1-2 (Genesis 36:1-2 cp. Genesis 36:25). Here we learn that Anah is Esau’s father-in-law and Ajah is his wife’s uncle. And in this list of names that usually makes for dull reading, the Holy Spirit gives us a footnote; gives us a bit of narrative in v.24 about these two brothers when they were younger and were out tending to their father’s donkeys.

How many times have you woke up on a Sunday morning, and you went through your normal routine of getting ready for church? How many moms faithfully get up and get their families ready for church? How many times have we come to church in the same old routine, doing the same old thing, week in and week out. But then on one given Sunday, God just shows up in such a powerful way. Somebody gets gloriously saved. Somebody is moved to tears. Somebody joins the church. Somebody is touched by God. God moves in your heart in a powerful way. And what you’ve experienced is an ‘Unforseen Blessing’.
That’s what we read about in our text. Anah and Ajah were out tending the animals for their father. They were out doing what they always had done. And then the Holy Spirit records for us that they come into an unforseen blessing. [mules -KJV; springs of water -NKJV]. Either way, it was an unforseen blessing. He wasn’t looking for anything, but because he was out there doing what he was supposed to be doing, he found some unforseen, unexpected blessings.

Anah went on to become a chief (Genesis 36:29). He went on to receive a crown. [By the way, this is why old carnal Esau marries his daughter. It’s for political gain; selfish motive]. But the point is Anah went on to receive the crown. Listen when you faithfully serve the Lord, and even though it becomes monotonous at times, there’s coming a day at the Judgement Seat of Christ, when you’ll hear those words: "Well done my good and faithful servant". And there you’ll receive your crown!

Coming Back To God

2009-02-18T05:23:00.002-06:00

Genesis 35. If chapter 34 was about disobedience, chapter 35 is about obedience. In fact, this chapter is about faith, revival and radical obedience. The name of the Lord wasn't mentioned in chapter 34, but 'God' is mentioned ten times in chapter 35, and He used His name 'El Shaddai' , which means 'God Almighty, the all sufficient One.' This chapter is about Jacob coming back to God.

But as you read this chapter, you soon note that Jacob's new step of faith didn't prevent him from experiencing new problems and trials. In chapter 35, Jacob buried a dear friend (Gen.35:8), a precious wife (Gen.35:18-20) and a beloved father (Gen.35:29). Many people think that when you become a Christian that problems and burdens in life go away. Nothing could be further from the truth. Suffering is not the exception to the rule; IT IS THE RULE! Jesus said, "Blessed are you WHEN they persecute you...." (Matt.5:11). Paul said, "...all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus WILL suffer..." (2 Tim.3:12). It's WHEN, not IF. It's WILL, not MIGHT. Job said that man is born of woman, few of days and full of trouble (Job 14:1). Now there's a verse we can draw strength from. Why? Look at it again. Man is born of woman.... Even Jesus was born of woman. And He suffered. He understands what we are going through. He identifies with us (Heb.4:14-16). Thank God, He knows and He understands.

Yes, those who teach that our commitment and dedication to the Lord automatically protects us from troubles and tears need to read this chapter carefully. God had forgiven Jacob, but Jacob still had his share of trials and troubles. But thank God, He's always there for us. Amen!

Catastrophe in Canaan

2009-02-17T05:35:00.004-06:00

Genesis 34. Yesterday, in Genesis 33:17, Jacob moved to Succoth and built a house. God had told him to go to Bethel, but he didn't do what God asked of him. As a result, this chapter is a catastrophe in Jacob and his family's life. Jacob built a house in Succoth, and then moved to Shechem (housing market must have been good; it was time to sell)(Genesis 33:18-19). And though he pitched a tent in Shechem, the Scripture is reminding us that Jacob is settling down in the land; settling down in the world. It's obvious that Jacob wasn't in a hurry to obey God and return to Bethel. We commend him for erecting an altar and giving public witness of his faith (Genesis 33:20), but sacrifice is no substitute for obedience (1 Sam.15:22).

It appears that Jacob had intentions of going on to Bethel, but his delays are costly. And delayed obedience is DISOBEDIENCE. Let me just pause here a minute and give you a good definition of obedience: Obedience is doing what God tells you to do, when He tells you, and with the right attitude! Much of what Christians call obedience is really disobedience. And disobedience has catastrophic consequences. This chapter is riddled with those kinds of consequences: rape, murder, lies, deceit, are the obvious ones. One consequence you may overlook was Jacob's lost testimony. What good was it for Jacob to build an altar and worship the true God before his pagan neighbors if his children were going to act like pagans?

Yes, this is a chapter riddled with catastrophe, but oh what valuable lessons we learn--the primary ones--THIS WORLD IS NOT OUR HOME, and--LET US OBEY GOD--according to the definition above! Are you settling down in this world? Are you getting comfortable here? Are you delaying in some decision that God has clearly spoken? Then be forewarned, catastrophic consequences are just around the corner!

Contrast in Brothers

2009-02-16T06:08:00.004-06:00

Genesis 33. Today we see a contrast in two brothers. In this chapter Esau acts more godly and Jacob has reverted back to his old scheming ways. There has been a change of heart in Esau. He's no longer bitter over losing his birthright and blessing. Instead, he is content with what he had. The fact that Esau ran to his brother, embraced him and kissed him, and wept is evidence that a change had taken place in his heart.

Life can bring us some bad situations. We can feel cheated as Esau did, but we don't have to remain bitter. We can forgive those who have hurt us and be content with what we have. This is where Esau is at this point in life.

But Jacob, on the other hand, acts ungodly. He's back to his old scheming ways instead of trusting God. By putting Rachel (his favorite wife) and Joseph (his favorite son) behind the other family members, he created a new problem in the home, and it's no wonder (later) why Joseph's brothers hated him. You certainly knew where you stood in Jacob's household! When Esau ran up to Jacob and kissed him, that gave Jacob an open door to talk with Esau about the past and get family matters straightened out. But instead of confessing his sins and giving witness to God's grace in his life, Jacob spent time begging Esau to accept the gifts he had sent. Remember, Jacob had seen God 'face to face', and he says nothing about it. A golden opportunity to witness--LOST!

What about us? Are we squandering golden opportunities? Are we bypassing those open doors to testify of God's goodness and grace in our lives? Here's Jacob, a child of God, yet acting like the world. And here's Esau, who is of the world, yet acting like a child of God, with forgiveness in his heart. What a contrast! Often I wonder if that's not what's wrong with the church. People sitting on the front row acting like the world. Check your heart. And don't pass up opportunities to testify for Jesus.

Communion With God

2009-02-13T05:34:00.005-06:00

Genesis 32. Here we see Jacob's confrontation and communion with God. Here is where we come to the second great spiritual crisis in Jacob's life. This place would be named Peniel (Gen.32:30). Bible students need to pay close attention to Jacob's two encounters with God. The first encounter took place at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-22). The second encounter took place here at Peniel. At Bethel he saw the ladder, while at Peniel he saw the Lord. At Bethel he became a believing man. Here he became a broken man. At Bethel he became a son of God. Here he became a saint of God. At Bethel, twenty years prior, he learned the great lesson of salvation. Here, at Peniel, he had to learn the equally great lesson of sanctification. God touched Jacob's heart at Bethel. At Peniel, He claimed his life. What happened at Bethel took care of his beliefs. What happened at Peniel took care of his behavior. Jacob came away from Bethel with a new spring in his step. He came away from Peniel with a lasting limp in his walk. At Bethel he died to sin. Here at Peniel, he died to self. And it's only when we die to self, that we'll see the face of God. That's what Peniel means literally: the 'Face of God'.

There was a time when Moses desired to see God's glory (Exodus 33:18). But God said to Moses, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me and live" (Exodus 33:20). What does that mean? It means if you see the face of God you will die. In other words, only dead men see God. But in our text today, it says that Jacob saw God face to face (Gen.32:30). How come Jacob didn't die? Oh but he did. He died to his 'self'. He died to his agenda. He knew first hand of what the Apostle Paul would write later: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me...." (Gal.2:20).

To see the face of God means to live in His manifest presence. Most Christians never live or walk in the manifest presence of God. Why? Because they will not die to self. They died to sin at Calvary (Bethel). But they refuse to die to self at Peniel. Are you a Christian? If so, then you died to sin at Calvary. All that is left for you to do is to sign off on your death certificate of your sin nature. In a word, it's called "surrender". It's a call for you to be a living sacrifice (Rom.12:1-2). When you finally die to self, you will then step into the manifest presence of God, because only dead men see God!

Conforming To God's Will

2009-02-12T06:00:00.003-06:00

Genesis 31. Jacob had been away from home twenty years. Now it's time to go back. But how did he know? How did he know it was God's will? How do we know God's will? How does God direct us? Well first, He directs us through the inner witness in the heart. Sometimes we call it a 'tug on our heart' or a 'gut feeling'. But for the Christian, who is walking daily in prayer and is earnestly expecting God's 'still small voice', we know that inner witness for who He is: The Holy Spirit. God still directs us with that inner witness of the heart, just like he did Jacob who had an inner desire to return home (Gen.30:25).

Second, God directs us, as He did Jacob, through outward circumstances around us (Gen.31:1-2). Toward the end of those six critical years, Jacob noticed that his in-laws weren't as friendly toward him as before. Circumstances aren't always the finger of God pointing out His way (Acts 27:1-15), but they can be significant indicators of God's will. When God wants to move us, He occasionally makes us uncomfortable and "stirs up its nest" (Deut.32:11).

The third and most important way God leads us is through His Word. God had already spoken to Jacob in a dream (Gen.31:10-13), but Jacob remained in Padan Aram to acquire his wealth. Then God said to him, "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you" (Gen.31:3).

There is a fourth factor, and that is confirmation from others. Jacob took time to share his thinking with Rachel and Leah. Both Rachel and Leah agreed that their father hadn't been fair with Jacob or loving toward them, and then it was time to make a new beginning.

Is it time for you to make a new beginning? Are you facing some big decisions like changing churches or changing jobs/careers? Whatever decision you're facing, know that this pattern is always found in the Bible. Henry Blackaby, in his monumental work called "Experiencing God", said that when these four factors line up, then you can proceed knowing that it is the will of God. When the inner witness of the Holy Spirit, the outward circumstances, the Word of God, and the confirmation of others ALL LINE UP, then you can be assured that God is conforming you to His will. All that is left is for you to obediently step forward and follow Him. When God shows you these four things around a certain decision you need to make, what you do next really indicates whether you believe God or not. You'll either step forward in obedience or stay put in disobedience. The decision is yours!

Children of Jacob

2009-02-11T05:49:00.009-06:00

Genesis 30. The Jews looked upon parenthood as a stewardship before God, and this was especially true in the case of Jacob, whose descendants would multiply "as the stars of heaven" (Gen.22:17). God would honor him by making him the father of the twelve tribes of Israel, but the fact that four different women were involved in building his family would create for Jacob one problem after another. This chapter could also be titled "The Competitive Home". The man who had grown up in a divided and competitive home (Gen.25:28) would himself create a divided and competitive family.

Jacob's wives knew that children were blessings from God (Psalm 127:3-5; Psalm 128:3-6). This knowledge is evident in the contest between Leah and Rachel for Jacob's affection. Though their motive was wrong, the fact remains: children are a blessing from God. Throughout Scripture we find a running theme that highlights children as blessings from the hand of a loving and merciful God. We see Jesus gathering up the children in His arms (Matt.19:14). Yes, they can get on our nerves at times, but children are indeed a blessing from God.

How do you view children? As a blessing? Or a hassle? What's your attitude when you hear children cry during church? People often ask me does children crying in church distract you in your preaching? My answer is 'no'. I would rather hear that little fellow crying in church, than to hear him crying from a jail cell in eighteen years, because some sourpuss, so called Christian had him put out of the service as an infant. I'd rather have them crying under the sound of the gospel than, cry behind the clanging of jail cell doors closing. Catch yourself the next time children frustrate you and remember that even the smallest children are gifts from God.

Con Man Conned

2009-02-09T20:32:00.004-06:00

Genesis 29. I'm writing this on Monday night to let you know that I will be in a Sunday School conference in Macon, Georgia on Tuesday, when most of you will read this. I won't elaborate on Genesis 29 in great detail because 4:00 am will come too soon. But I do want to take the time to say "thank you" to all who read, and I hope that this "chapter by day" devotional has been of some help to you all. God bless each and everyone and be like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).

The Con Man Conned

Jacob who deceived his father was deceived by his father-in-law. This man known as the 'deceiver', the 'heel grabber', who passed himself off as the firstborn son, now receives Laban's firstborn daughter to be his wife. The con man is now conned. It's an inescapable law of life that that we eventually reap what we sow (Gal.6:7-8). As it has been said so many times, we can't sow bad seed and then pray for crop failure. We eventually reap what we sow. Let's sow good seed today. In fact, let's sow the seed of God's Word today. And then the harvest will be a good harvest!

Covenant Confirmed To Jacob

2009-02-09T06:09:00.003-06:00

In Genesis 28 we see:
1. Jacob's Venture: 28:1-9

Here we see Jacob as a lonely fugitive. Jacob the deceiver is now blessed but banished. To protect Jacob from Esau's wrath, Isaac sent him away, reassuring him that the God who blessed his grandfather and father would also bless him. But even though he left with his father's blessing, Jacob faced an unknown future, and his brother still wanted to kill him. Not an encouraging beginning for a new chapter in his life. But God was still in control (Rom.8:28).

2. Jacob's Vision: 28:10-15

Jacob was literally between a rock and a hard place. But that night, Jacob made several discoveries that helped change his life. He discovered that God was with him and working for him and had a perfect plan for his life.

He sees the angels of God: 28:10-12. During a dream at Bethel, Jacob sees angels ascending and descending upon a stairway reaching from earth to heaven. Jacob may have been separated from home, but he was not seperated from heaven. John Phillips points out that "Jacob learned that there was such a place as heaven, and that heaven is not only an actual place; it is an accessible place. Centuries later, in talking to Nathanael, the Lord Jesus identified Himself as the ladder that Jacob saw. He is the link between earth and heaven; being the God/Man, He bridges the gap between deity and humanity, heaven and earth. We can approach God and reach heaven only through Jesus. That night, Jacob learned a truth centered in Christ. It was a saving truth." See John 1:51.
He sees the God of the angels: 28:13-15.

3. Jacob's Vow: 28:16-22

Upon waking, Jacob promises to serve God, but only if God protects him and provides for him. A selfish prayer to say the least, but nonetheless, Jacob is a changed man. To wrap it up, here are some spiritual lessons from the characters we have seen in the last few chapters:

Isaac: 1) We must never put our own way ahead of God's Word. 2) Parental favortism can cause division in the home. 3) It's possible to be saved yet carnal. Let us walk in the Spirit.

Rebekah: 1) Let God work out His will. Don't take matters into your own hands. 2) Favoritism, in the home or elsewhere, always breeds trouble.

Esau: 1) We should never trade spiritual treasures for earthly treasures: (Gen.25:29-34; Heb.12:16-17). 2) Many of God's blessings, once missed, can never be reclaimed.

Jacob: 1) It is possible to pursue the right goal (Gen.25:23; Rom.9:10-13) in the wrong way (Gen.25:29-34; Gen.27:1-19). 2) We should never place conditions on our promises to God.

Crumbling of the Family

2009-02-06T06:06:00.004-06:00

Genesis 27. Today we see the crumbling of the family. Isaac knew he was going to die, and yet his greatest desire was to enjoy a good meal at the hand of his favorite son and cook, Esau. When Isaac's father Abraham prepared for death, his concern was to get a bride for his son and maintain the covenant promise. When King David came to the end of his life, he made arragnements for the building of the Temple. Someone has well said, "The end of life reveals the ends of life." When sideshow promoter P.T. Barnum was dying, he asked, "What were today's receipts?" Instead of seeking healing in his hurting family, all Isaac wanted was a savory meal. Isaac's philosophy was "If it feels good, it is good!"

His wife Rebekah, knowing that Jacob was chosen to receive the covenant blessing, immediately took matters into her own hands. She lived by the philosophy "The end justifies the means!"

Jacob's concern wasn't "Is it right?" but "Is it safe?" He was worried about the eleventh commandment: "Thou shalt not get caught!" That was his philosophy.

I see Esau as an impatient, pragmatic kind of guy. Back in chapter 25, he "came in from the field, and he was weary", thus he sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. See his own words in Gen.25:31-34. Esau's philosophy was: "It's all about the here and now!" He had no concern, whatsoever, for the future.

Four characters. Four tragic philosophies on life. What's your philosophy? How about we make Paul's philosophy our philosophy? "And He [Christ] died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again." 2 Cor.5:15. Let's make that our philosophy: "Christ died for me; Now I shall live for Him!"

Covenant Confirmed To Isaac

2009-02-05T06:10:00.004-06:00

Genesis 26. God confirmed the Abrahamic covenant to Isaac. He had no reason to doubt. He had every reason to trust God. But today we see Isaac's faith waver. True faith is always tested, either by temptation within us or trials around us (James 1:1-18), because a faith that can't be tested can't be trusted. God tests us to bring out the best in us, but Satan tempts us to bring out the worst in us. Isaac faced two temptations.

1) The Temptation To Run: 26:1-6

When Isaac faced a famine, he decided to go to Gerar, the capital city of the Philistines, and get help from Abimelech. The safest place in the world is in the will of God. Why? Because the will of God will never lead us where His grace can't provide for us. Unbelief asks, "How can I get out of this," while faith asks, "What can I get out of this?"

2) The Temptation To Lie: 26:7-11

Isaac may flee from the famine, but when he put himself in a situation that offered no escape, he had to turn to deception to protect himself. Abraham committed this same sin twice. Like father like son. Each new generation must experience the same tests as previous generations, only to discover that the enemy doesn't change and that human nature doesn't improve.

When Isaac found himself in difficulty, he was tempted to run and to lie. We'll face the same two temptations throughout life. Remember the enemy doesn't change his tactics. Let's walk by faith and trust God all the way. [thoughts from Warren Wiersbe today...]

Closing Years of Abraham

2009-02-04T06:17:00.004-06:00

Genesis 25 records, for us, the closing years of Abraham and the beginning of Isaac's home. Gen.25:21 shows us that it was a Disappointed Home; then Gen.25:22-23 tells us that it was a Distressed Home. And finally, Gen.25:24-28 reveals to us that it was a Divided Home, a division that began in the womb. Jacob's name means "supplanter" "heel grabber", "deceitful". Jacob, as we shall see in coming chapters, was a trickster, a con. He was a scoundrel from the beginning. And in the words of Eugene Peterson, "God used a scoundrel to begin his community of faith....Jacob was the charter member. He came out of the womb grabbing the heel of his twin brother, Esau, as if to trip him up and overtake him. He hadn't even cleared the birth canal when he started this kind of behavior that would characterize his life: grabbing by any means necessary to get ahead of whoever was in his way."
Why would God begin his nation with such a character? Because it gives you and me hope. Jeremiah 17:9 says our heart is "deceitful". This Hebrew word is a derivative of the word "Jacob". You see, there is a little "Jacob" in all of us. That gives me hope. God used Jacob. He can use me. "God doesn't pick out the best and most promising people to make up the Body of Christ. He picks scoundrels." [Eugene Peterson] That gives us all hope! Amen.

Commission By Abraham

2009-02-03T05:45:00.005-06:00

Genesis 24. Abraham, now very old, commissioned his oldest servant to go and find Isaac a wife. This chapter is rich in typology. What is a Biblical typology? Simply put, a Biblical type is a "foreshadowing" of what was to come at a later time. Through a person, place or thing, a Biblical type points toward a NT fulfillment. These types or models are sometimes called pictures or Biblical pictures. And here we have a beautiful picture of Jesus the Bridegroom and the church-the Bride of Christ. Note the following "types".
1. Abraham, a type of a certain king [and father] who arranged a marriage for his son (Matt.22:2).
2. The unnamed servant, who may be Eliezer (Gen.15:2), is a type of the Holy Spirit. Eliezer's name means "helper". The Holy Spirit is called our Helper in John 14:16. And, like Eliezer in this "typology", the Holy Spirit does not "speak on His own authority" but takes of the things of the Bridegroom with which to win the bride (John 16:13-14).
3. This servant, a type of the Holy Spirit, is seen enriching the bride with the Bridegroom's gifts (1 Cor.12:7-11; Gal.5:22-23).
4. This servant is seen as a type of the Spirit as bringing the bride to the meeting with the Bridegroom (Acts 13:4; Acts 16:6-7; Rom.8:11; 1 Thess.4:14-17).
5. Rebekah is a type of the Church, the 'called out' virgin bride (Gen.24:16; 2 Cor.11:2; Eph.5:25-32).
6. Issac, a type of the Bridegroom "not seen" as yet, whom the bride nevertheless loves through the testimony of the unnamed Servant (1 Peter 1:8).
7. Isaac, a type of the Bridegroom who goes out to meet and receive His bride (Gen.24:63; 1 Thess.4:14-17). [notes from The Scofield Study Bible]

Now armed with this information, I want you to go back and look at chapter 22. There we saw Abraham, the father, taking Isaac, his only son, up Mount Moriah to sacrifice. (Again rich typology of Father God and Jesus His Son). But pay close attention to Gen.22:19. The verse says that Abraham returned unto his young men. There's something strange about that verse. Where is Isaac? The answer, of course, is that it's implied that Isaac went along with them--that he did come back down the mountain (Gen.22:5). But that's not what verse 19 says. It just says that Abraham returned [alone] back to his young men. Isaac is last seen on the mountain. Where is he? He isn't seen again until the end of chapter 24 when he is united with his bride. What a beautiful picture of the Son, Jesus Christ the Bridegroom, going up Mount Calvary, last seen on the cross and at His ascension, and will be seen again when He returns to rapture His Bride, the church, home. And there we'll sit at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb! (Rev.19:7-10).

Yes, Genesis 24 is a great love story. But it can be your love story if you trust Jesus Christ and say like Rebekah, "I will go." And if you already belong to Jesus, then be like the faithful servant and tell others the good news about the marriage and the glorious wedding feast that they can become part of, if they'll just trust in Jesus as their Savior. Invite them to say, "I will go!" Amen!

Cave of Abraham

2009-02-02T06:04:00.004-06:00

Genesis 23. Today we see the death of a princess. Sarah had been a good wife to Abraham and a good mother to Isaac. Yes, she had her faults, as we all do, but God called her a princess (Gen.17:15) and listed her in the "Hall of Faith" (Heb.11:11).
1. Abraham's Tears: 23:1-2
We can feel Abraham's pain as he weeps over his wife's grave. At funerals I remind people it's okay to cry. Tears are to the soul what soap is to the body--they cleanse the soul. Grieving is one of God's gifts to help heal broken hearts when people we love are taken from us in death. But as believers, our grieving is different. Paul told the Thessalonians not to sorrow "as others who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). The grief of a believer should be different from that of an unbeliever, because we have hope: resurrection hope! And remember, the God who washes away all of our sins, will also wipe away all our tears in glory (Rev.21:4).
2. Abraham's Tomb: 23:3-20
The key phrase in this chapter is used seven times "bury my [the, thy] dead". Even though Sarah was gone, Abraham showed respect for her body and wanted to give it a proper burial. When he purchased the cave of Machpelah for a tomb, he was making a statement of faith to all who were there. He did not take Sarah back to their former home in Ur but buried her in the land God had given him and his descendants. He did not ignore the body but gave it a proper burial in view of the promised resurrection. And by the time Genesis ends, it ends with a full tomb. Abraham's tomb is quite full. Sarah was buried there, and then Abraham, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah (Gen.49:29-31); and then Jacob joined them (Gen.50:13). Genesis ends with a full tomb, but the four gospels end with an empty tomb! Jesus conquered death and has removed its sting (1 Cor.15:55-58). Because of His victory--His empty tomb, we need not fear death or the grave!

Command To Abraham

2009-01-30T04:56:00.005-06:00

Genesis 22. This chapter becomes one of the key chapters in all the Bible. First, it is confirmation of the all important Abrahamic covenant. Note the following sequence:

Genesis 12--The Initiation of the Covenant
Genesis 15--The Ratification of the Covenant
Genesis 22--The Confirmation of the Covenant

Second, we see the test of Abraham's faith. Note the outline of the chapter:
1. Abraham's Sorrow 22:1-8

The Order: 22:1-2. Here we see the test of Abraham's faith. God commands Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac as a burnt offering. This test did not come out of the blue. Gen.22:1 says, "After these things..." After what things? After all the years of God stretching and growing Abraham's faith. After all the years of surrender. After all the years of trusting in God. And with each step his faith grew. Now comes the ultimate test. "Abraham, take now your son, your only son Isaac whom you love...and offer him..."
The Obedience: 22:3. Along with Isaac and two servants, Abraham heads out for the land of Moriah. Mount Moriah is a ridge system of mountains. The highest peak in this system is a place you're familiar with--Golgotha.
The Ordeal: 22:4-8. We see in verse seven Isaac's question: "Father, where is the lamb?" And Abraham answers in verse eight: "God will provide a lamb my son..."

2. Isaac's Submission 22:9-10: Isaac allows Abraham to bind him on the altar. [don't miss the typology in this chapter: Isaac is a type of Christ "obedient to the point of death" Phil.2:5-8. Abraham is a type of the Father who "did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all" Rom.8:32; John 3:16. The ram, a type of substitution--Christ offered as a burnt offering in our stead -Heb.10:5-10.]
3. God's Substitute 22:11-24

The Nature of Abraham's Offering: 22:11-13. He is commanded to offer up a nearby ram instead of Isaac.
The Name of Abraham's God: 22:14. "Yahweh Yireh" "the LORD Will Provide".
The Number of Abraham's Descendants: 22:15-19. Numerous as the stars....
The News Concerning Abraham's Family: 22:20-24

What has God done here? He has tested Abraham's faith. See Heb.11:17-19. Abraham has passed the test. See James 2:21-24. What was the test? 1) Abraham, are you faithful? 2) Abraham are you grateful? Abraham was faithful (did what God told him to do), and Abraham was grateful (when he saw the ram. Look at John 8:48-59, paying close attention to John 8:56.
APPLICATION: What does God want to know about you? 1) Are you faithful? 2) Are you grateful? The answers are up to you. The test in life will bear out the answers.

Celebration of Abraham

2009-01-29T05:52:00.003-06:00

Genesis 21 is a celebration of birth. The promise of a son is now fulfilled. Isaac is born. His name means "laughter", and this time it was not laughter of unbelief (Gen.18:9-15). The birth of Isaac revealed the power of God. That was the reason God waited so long: He wanted Abraham and Sarah to be "as good as dead" so that their son's birth would be a miracle of God and not a marvel of human nature (Rom.4:17-21). Abraham and Sarah experienced God's resurrection power in their lives because they yielded to Him and believed His Word. Truly, faith in God's promises releases God's power (Eph.3:20-21; Phil.3:10).
Paul expounds on Isaac's birth in his letter to the Galatians. In Galatians 4:28-29, Paul makes it clear that Ishmael represents the believer's first birth (the flesh) and Isaac represents the second birth (the Spirit). Ishmael was "born of the flesh" because Abraham had not yet 'died' and was still able to begat a son (Gen.16). Isaac was "born of the Spirit" because by that time his parents were both 'dead' and only God's power could have brought conception and birth. Ishmael was born first, because the natural comes before the spiritual (1 Cor.15:46).
When you place your faith in Jesus Christ, you experience a miracle birth from God (John 1:11-13), and it is the work of the Holy Spirit (John 3:1-8). Abraham represents faith, and Sarah represents grace (Gal.4:24-26), so Isaac was born "by grace...through faith" (Eph.2:8-9). This is the only way a lost sinner can enter the family of God (John 3:16-18). And joy results when lost sinners repent and come to the Lord (Luke 15:7, 10). That's a celebration!

Carnality of Abraham

2009-01-28T06:23:00.002-06:00

Genesis 20. This chapter teaches us that believers do sin. Of course we found out yesterday that Lot was a believer (from the NT- 2 Pet.2:7-8), but he was so carnal he looked like the world. Abraham, on the other hand, is a believer of character and integrity. When you meet him you know instantly that he is a believer. You walk away from Abraham knowing, without any doubt, that he is a Yahweh worshiper. But this chapter shows us once again that genuine believers do have laspes in faith.
What did this one lie cost Abraham? First, it cost him character. He also lost his testimony. How could Abraham talk to his pagan neighbors about the God of truth when he himself had told a lie? Lot lost his witness in Sodom, and Abraham lost his witness in Gerar. He also lost his ministry, for instead of being a source of blessing (Gen.12:1-3), he was the cause of judgment. While Abraham was in Gerar, no babies were born (Gen.20:17-18).
What did Abraham do? He repented of his sin. The fact that God answered his prayer for Abimelech is evidence that Abraham confessed his sins and that the Lord had forgiven him (Psalm 66:18-20). We must deal with our sins humbly and honestly, confessing them to God and forsaking them, and then claim His promises of forgiveness (1 John 1:9; Micah 7:18-19; Isaiah 55:6-13). Abraham and Sarah made a new beginning and so can you.

Carnality of Lot

2009-01-27T04:58:00.004-06:00

Genesis 19. There is a great contrast in the characters of Abraham and Lot. These two men are representative of the spiritual and worldly (carnal) believer. Abraham was a friend of God. Lot was a friend of the world. Abraham was a pilgrim and stranger, only passing through this world, but Lot had gradually abandoned his tent and settled down in Sodom. Instead of keeping his eyes on the heavenly city (Heb.11:10, 14-16), Lot looked toward Sodom and began to walk by sight (Gen.13:10-11). Then he moved his tent near Sodom (Gen.13:12), and finally he moved into Sodom (Gen.14:12). Now if Lot had of gone to Sodom because God had directed him to do so, his being there would have fulfilled divine purposes. After all, God put Joseph in Egypt, Daniel in Babylon, and Esther in Persia, and their presence turned out to be a blessing. Worldliness is not a matter of physical geography but of the attitude of the heart ( 1 John 2:15-17). Lot's heart was in Sodom long before his body arrived there. Lot was conformed to the world (Rom.12:2). And in the end, all that he lived for went up in smoke and was buried somewhere in the area around the Dead Sea today.

Lot is a warning to all believers today not to love the world, become friendly with the world, or be stained by the world (James 1:27), because the day of reckoning finally comes. Because of his carnal lifestyle, Lot had no godly influence on anyone. Remember, if God could have found just ten righteous people in Sodom, He would have spared the city. But Lot had not won anyone to the Lord outside of his family. Lot is so worldly it's hard to even tell if he himself was saved. Had it not been for the New Testament, we would have never known that Lot was even a saved man. When he vanishes from the O.T. Scriptures, we see him drunk in a cave committing incest with his daughters. But the N.T. calls him "righteous Lot" in 2 Peter 2:7-8. How is your testimony? Where does your heart long for? This world or that heavenly city? Are you being conformed to the image of Christ or are you being conformed to this world? Meditate on these things today.

And one final note to think about. Why did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah? Because of homosexuality? Wrong. Wrong? Yes, wrong answer. It goes deeper than that. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because the city and city government condoned, legalized and even promoted (in your face) homosexuality. Homosexuality is a sin and always has been and always will be. In fact Billy Graham once said that if homosexuality was okay, then God would have to raise up Sodom and Gomorrah and apologize. But what I want you to see and think about is this fact that this wicked city legalized and promoted this gross sin. And then I think about our own country with the push for "same sex marriages". I cringe when I think about the day when our government will legalize and promote this. God is the same today, yesterday and forever. God does not change. Pray for our nation. The Christian remnant in this nation is the only dam holding back the judgment of God. Let's intercede on her behalf. Pray for revival!

Compassion of Abraham

2009-01-26T06:01:00.005-06:00

Genesis 18. In this chapter we see the compassion and intercession of Abraham. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were exceedingly wicked (Gen.13:13), because the men of these cities were given over to sexual practices that were contrary to nature (19:5; Jude 7; Rom.1:27). The words "sodomy" and "sodomize" come from the name of this city.

And what do we see Abraham doing? He is interceding on their behalf. Why would Abraham want God to spare such wicked people? Of course, Abraham's first concern was for his nephew Lot and his family. But even apart from Lot's situation, Abraham did not want to see all those people die and be lost forever. God is "not willing that any should perish" (2 Peter 3:9), and He "desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim.2:4). The people of this city were lost in their sins and the "wages of sin is death" (Rom.6:23) and that means eternal death. But Abraham is an intercessor, and intercessors have compassionate hearts; and, like God, they desire that all men be saved and that no one should perish.

What about you? Are you interceding on behalf of your lost family, friends, co-workers, classmates? Remember, before you talk to your lost friends about God, talk to God about your lost friends. Pray for them. Intercede on their behalf. Charles Spurgeon said, "If they [lost sinners] will not hear you speak, they cannot prevent your praying. Do they jest at your exhortations? They cannot disturb you at your prayers. Are they far away so that you cannot reach them? Your prayers can reach them. Have they declared that they will never listen to you again, nor see your face? Never mind, God has a voice which they must hear. Speak to Him, and He will make them feel. Though they now treat you despitefully, rendering evil for good, follow them with your prayers. Never let them perish for lack of your supplications". [Metropolitan Pulpit, vol.18, Spurgeon]

One final note on intercession. Not only does intercession involve compassion, lack of intercession is a sin. See 1 Sam.12:23. There Samuel said, "...far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you;...." Neglected prayer is sin. Let's intercede on behalf of all those who are perishing.

Changing of Names

2009-01-23T06:25:00.005-06:00

Genesis 17. In this chapter God reveals Himself as Almighty God. The Hebrew name is El-Shaddai, and this is the first time it occurs in Scripture. "El" means God and speaks of power (eg. Elohim). "Shaddai" literally means a mountain or breast. Metaphorically, a mountain is a "breast" that rises up from the plain, and certainly a mountain is a symbol of strength. But the name goes beyond just strength and power. The name also means to to enrich and to make fruitful. This is no better illustrated than in the first occurrence of the name here in chapter 17. To a man ninety-nine years old and "as good as dead" (Heb.11:12), God said, "I am Almighty -El-Shaddai- God...I will make My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly...I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you and kings shall come from you..." 17:1-6. Now, why would God reveal this name to Abram at this time, at the close of thirteen years of silence? Because the Lord wanted Abram to know that He is the God who is all-sufficient and all powerful, and that nothing is too hard for Him. God says "I will" twelve times in this chapter. He is about to do the miraculous.
Now what did this new revelation from God change for Abram and Sarai? It changed their identity. God changed their names. Abram now becomes Abraham and Sarai becomes Sarah. Abram meant "high father". Now Abraham means "the father of a multitude". Sarai possibly means "contentious". Her new name, Sarah, now means "princess". This new revelation has changed their identity.
That's what happens to us. When our spiritual eyes are opened and we see our great sinfulness and His great mercy...we receive Christ as our Savior and we become a child of God. Our identity changes. We're no longer lost. Now we're saved. We're no longer an enemy of God (Rom.5:10); we're now a child of God. We have become a new creation in Christ ( 2 Cor.5:17)!
Before you leave this chapter, make one other important note. The only one in this chapter whose name did not change was Ishmael. Why? Because he is the product of flesh (remember, yesterday's reading, trying to help God out...in the flesh). His name did not change. Why? Because that which is born of flesh remains flesh and cannot be changed. Meditate on these things today. God bless.

Compromise of Abraham

2009-01-22T06:05:00.005-06:00

Genesis 16. Turn on the news any time, any year, any decade, and conflict in the Middle East will be in the headlines. Whether it's Israel fighting Hamas or Hezbollah, or Palestinians, it's Israel fighting somebody. And as seen in this last confrontation in Gaza, the terrorist organizations always provoke the fight. Why is this? Well, it all goes back to Genesis 16 and Abram's lapse into unbelief. When Abram was 85 years old, his wife Sarai basically said, "Look, I'm barren. We're never going to have children at this rate. We're not getting any younger. So take my maid Hagar and go in and have children by her." Abram did, and Hagar became pregant and gave birth to Ishmael.

This one compromise by Abram has led to conflict between Jews and Arabs for several millennia. Later Abram, [then he'll be Abraham] and Sarah will have a son Isaac. Isaac becomes the father of Israel while Ishmael becomes the father of the Arabs. And these two half-brother nations have been fighting ever since. Add more fuel to the fire, Muhammad came from the line of Ishmael, and it was Muhammad who founded the world religion of Islam. All of this because of one compromise; one laspe into unbelief. One attempt to "help God out".

The proverbial story of the bar burning down comes to mind. A church was praying for a local bar to close its doors. It seemed that their prayers were never going to be answered. Then one morning, they woke up to the news that the bar had burned to the ground. Later two ladies of the church were chatting over the news, and one lady said she wondered why God took so long. The other lady (now arsonist) said, "Well, honey, sometimes you've got to put feet to your prayers."

While it's true that prayer combined with inaction is presumption upon God. Prayer with wrong action is sin against God. Be careful in trying to help God out. If your actions violate God's Word or contradict Scripture in any way, then it's wrong. And, as we learn from today's chapter, any compromise has great and grave consequences. How about let's do this: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on you own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6. The Message renders this passage this way: "Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything own your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He's the one who will keep you on track." Life is far too complex to figure it out by ourselves. Let's simply trust God and leave the rest up to Him! God bless.

Covenant with Abraham

2009-01-21T05:52:00.004-06:00

Genesis 15. We'll break this chapter into two parts:
1. Abram's Faulty Assumption: 15:1-3
Here we find the first 'fear not' (KJV) ever mentioned in the Bible. God tells Abram, 'do not be afraid.' Abram had just completed a daring rescue of Lot in chapter fourteen. Fear after a battle is not unusual, but fear and faith cannot live very long in the same heart. God assures Abram, "I am your shield." 'Do not be afraid because I am going to protect you' is what God is assuring him. But not only does Abram fear. He doubts God's promise. Abram complains that upon his death that all his goods will be passed on to Eliezer, one of his servants from Damascus. Eliezer will then become the heir to the covenant.

2. God's Faithful Assurance: 15:4-21
God tells Abram that the promised heir will be Abram's own son and that Abram's descendants will be as numerous as the stars in the heavens. God's promise to Abram was one to stagger the imagination. Yet it was not impossible. A God that can create numerous galaxies and innumerable stars can certainly give Abram countless seed. Note v.6. Abram was counted righteous, not when he believed the promise that took him out of Ur of the Chaldees, but when he believed the promise regarding the Seed (see Rom.4:3; Gal.3:6 and James 2:23). Abram had faith, but faith in what? Faith in the promise of the Seed. We are saved by grace through faith; faith in Jesus Christ the Seed (Gen.3:15-the Promised Seed). Christ is the Seed. It is not mere faith that saves--but faith in Christ that saves! Sing with me:

"We have heard the joyful sound; Jesus saves, Jesus saves;/ Spread the tidings all around; Jesus saves, Jesus saves;/ Bear the news to every land, climb the steeps and cross the waves;/ Onward tis our Lord's command; Jesus saves, Jesus saves!"

Find you a hymn book or pull up the lyrics online and continue singing. God bless!

Courage of Abraham

2009-01-20T05:36:00.002-06:00

Genesis 14. Whereas chapter 12 revealed the Call of Abraham and chapter 13 revealed the Conflict of Abraham, chapter 14 reveals the Courage of Abraham. A coalition of kings, including the king of Sodom, rebelled against the king of Elam and his allies. Abram's nephew Lot was taken captive along with the other citizens of Sodom. When Abram heard that his nephew was taken away as a prisoner of war, he armed his 318 trained servants to go on this rescue mission to get Lot back. The 'special operation' was successful and Abram returned victorious. That's when he faced a new battle.
When Abram returned he was met by two kings: Bera, King of Sodom, and Melchizedek, King of Salem. Bera offered Abram all the spoils in return for the people, while Melchizedek gave Abram bread and wine. Abram rejected Bera's offer but accepted the bread and wine from Melchizedek and gave him tithes of the spoils.
Abram had to choose between two kings who represented two opposite ways of life. Sodom was a wicked city, and Bera, its king, represented the dominion of the this world system with its appeal to the flesh. Bera means 'gift' suggesting that the world bargins for your allegiance. But Sodom means 'burning', so be carful how you choose. If you bow down to Bera, everything you live for will burn up one day. That's what happened to Lot.
Melchizedek means 'king of righteousness', and Salem means 'peace'. Hebrews 7 and Psalm 110 both connect Melchizedek with Jesus Christ, the "King of Peace" and the "King of Righteousness". So when Abram rejected Bera and accepted Melchizedek, he was making a statement of faith, saying "Take the world, but give me Jesus". Lot should have made the same decision, but he chose to return to his life of compromise.
Which king are you choosing today? Who will you serve? The 'king' (ruler) of this world or the King of Kings and Lord of Lords? Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." (Matt.6:24). Choose Christ today. (1)

(1) Much indebted to Warren Wiersbe, Wiersbe Bible Commentary OT, vol.1, for these thoughts today.

Backsliding

2009-01-19T06:03:00.008-06:00

Genesis 13. After Abram's carnal stint down in Egypt (12:10-20), he returns to Bethel where his altar was. Note vs.1 closely. "Abram went up from Egypt..." Remember, Egypt always represents the world. And Scripture always states that God's children "go down into Egypt" or "up from Egypt". And when you go down into Egypt (world) you can't take your altar with you. The practical lesson here is simple: Never abandon your altar. Stay in fellowship with God no matter what the circumstances may be. If you have disobeyed God and He is disciplining you, go back to the place where you left Him and make things right.
After Abram makes it right with the Lord, his nephew Lot abandoned his altar as well. Strife and conflict arose between Lot's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Abram. Abram graciously told Lot to choose any part of the land to take and graze his animals. As you know, this is where Lot foolishly chose the plain of Jordan that went down near Sodom and Gomorrah. Here we see the backsliding of Lot. It occurs in 3 steps; three steps that took him away from God (and us too).
1. Step One: "He lifted his eyes as saw...." v.10
The first step of sin is the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes (1 John 2:16). "Eve saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes..." (Gen.3:6). Satan tempts us through the "eye gate".
2. Step Two: "Then Lot chose..." v.11
Sin is always a choice. We can't use Flip Wilson's line "the devil made me do it." Sin is a choice. Eve "took of its fruit and ate..." (Gen.3:6). And do understand, that every choice has a consequence. As Adrian Rogers used to say, "you can chose your choices, but you can't choose your consequences."
3. Step Three: "Lot dwelt...(and) pitched his tent even as far as Sodom" v.12
At first Lot just moved in the vicinity of sin (Sodom). But when it was all said and done, he moved within the city limits and pitched his tent there. Later, as we'll see in chapter 19, all of this cost Lot his family.
Lesson: Lot had left his altar and moved into sin. You can't take the altar with you into sin. Lot left God behind and it destroyed his home. I cannot tell you how many times I've seen homes destroyed, families broken, lives destroyed because of this very same thing: Some Christian, abandoning God, and destroying his or her home. What a tragedy. Again, you can choose your choices, but you can't choose your consequences. The neon signs of this world are flashy, catchy and alluring. But don't buy into the devil's lie. Sodom looks good on the outside, but it's nothing but heartache and destruction on the inside. Stay close to God. Stay near your altar. You'll be eternally glad you did!

Call of Abraham

2009-01-16T05:10:00.008-06:00

Genesis 12. We now come to the major transition in the book. God pauses His work with the human race and begins working with the Hebrew race, in order to save the human race. The first eleven chapters recorded the origination of the nations-the human race, while chapters 12-50 record the election of the Jewish nation-the Hebrew race. We saw four main events in those first eleven chapters (Creation, Fall, Flood, Nations); now we'll see four main characters: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.
And we begin with Abraham. Chapter 12 records the Call of Abraham. His name hasn't been changed yet, so we'll refer to him as Abram, just as the text does. Salvation comes because God calls in grace and sinners respond by faith (Eph.2:8-9). God called Abram out of idolatry (Joshua 24:2) when he was in Ur of the Chaldees (Gen.11:28,31,15:7), a city devoted to Nanna the moon-god. Abram did did not know the true God until God graciously called him.
After a delay in Haran, Abram finally makes it to Canaan Land. You'll note in Abram/Abraham's life that whereever he goes, his life is always marked by his tent and his altar (12:7-8; 13:3-4, 18). The tent marked him as a "stranger and pilgrim" who did not belong to this world (Heb.11:9-16; 1 Peter 2:11), and the altar marked him as a citizen of heaven who worshiped the true and living God. He gave witness to all that he was separated from this world (the tent) and devoted to the Lord (the altar). Note that. Abram never built a house. He always pitched a tent showing that he was a pilgrim just passing through. Whenever Abram abandoned his tent and his altar, he got in trouble.
APPLICATION:
The same holds true for you and me. We are called by God's grace and we respond by faith. That's justification as the NT teaches. Then we are marked by our tent and altar, that is, we're just pilgrims passing through this world, and one day we will lay this old tent of flesh down to take up our new heavenly bodies (see Philp.3:20-21 and 2 Cor.5:1-10)--That's our sanctification and glorification, as the NT teaches. And anytime we abandon our tent and "build a house", in other words, settle down in this world as our home, then we too get in trouble. We then move into carnality. Who or what are you living for today? Are you living for the Lord? Or are you living for this world? Jesus said, "What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" -Matt.16:26. What is your life marked by?

Tower Building

2009-01-15T05:25:00.003-06:00

Genesis 11. In ch.10 we saw the completeness of man's dispersion with the Table of Nations. Now in ch.11 we see the cause of man's dispersion with the building of the Tower of Babel. Man built this tower as a monument to his own greatness. But God put a stop to this arrogant behavior by causing all the people to speak in different languages. This is what caused the people to scatter all over the earth. This tower could be called a tower of rebellion.
What about your life? Do you build towers of rebellion in your life? If you do, do you know what it will bring? Confusion! Just as God brought confusion to the Babel tower builders, He will bring confusion in your life if you stubbornly build towers of rebellion. Note some towers of rebellion:
1. Tower of Self Advancement: 11:2-3
The tower was built with brick. Brick made of clay is a fitting symbol of our sinful flesh. When you build towers of self-advancement in your life, it is the carnal flesh that says, "I'm going to do what I want to do. I'm going to tend to my own agenda." The carnal Christian looks just like the world because he is building a tower of self-advancement. He is building up his own kingdom rather than God's kingdom (see Matt.6:33). Whose kingdom are you trying to advance? Yours or God's.
2. Tower of Self Preservation: 11:4 "build a tower"
They had a worldly purpose to build a tower for protection and self defense. They were out to protect themselves, but doing so without God. We are guilty of the same thing in the spiritual realm. When someone wrongs us, we want to wrong them. We want revenge. We want to preserve our name, our reputation or whatever. We end up building towers of self preservation.
3. Tower of Self Assertion: 11:4b "make a name..."
These people wanted to become famous as the giants before the flood. Motivated by pride, they wanted to make a name for themselves. They feared the Lord would scatter them and they would not achieve greatness. They wanted to enhance their fame. It is an attempt to steal God's glory. We often build monuments to ourselves and use bricks of pride, criticism, jealousy, envy, anger, and bitterness. There is a lot of pride in the church today. Everybody wants to be the 'quarterback' instead of a team player. Let's be like Paul and say, "God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Gal.6:14.
4. Tower of Self Righteousness: 11:4 "reach heaven"
They had a religious purpose for building the city and great tower: to reach heaven by themselves, that is, through their own effort. Man tends to build towers of self righteousness by using bricks of works. But our righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). We're not saved by works. We're saved by grace through faith (Eph.2:8-9). And with that, I'll leave you with a quote:
"Religions are man's search for God; the Gospel is God's search for man. There are many religions, but one Gospel."
---E. Stanley Jones

70 Nations

2009-01-14T05:54:00.007-06:00

Genesis 10-11 closes out our first section of Genesis dealing with the human race. Let's review. We've seen the A) Creation of Man (1-2); B) Corruption of Man (3-5); C) Destruction of Man (6-9); D) Now we see the Dispersion of Man (10-11). The chronological order of chapters ten and eleven have been reversed. The order looks like this:

1. The Cause of Dispersion: ch.11 (Tower of Babel)
2. The Completeness of the Dispersion: ch.10 (Table of Nations)

Seventy nations came from Noah's three sons. Seventy is the number of universality. The number 7 speaks of divine perfection. It is one of God's 'perfect' numbers. The number 10 speaks of Ordinal Perfection. It marks completeness of order. There are 10 commandments containing all necessary duty. 10 is the basis in mathematics of the decimal system. It marks completeness of order, the full round of anything. Take these two numbers (7 and 10), multiply them, and you have 70 nations, symbolizing the whole world of nations--the complete origin of all peoples of the earth. This table of nations is representative of the totality of all peoples. Now read Luke 10:1-16. Jesus sent forth the 70 disciples. The reason, the implication: The Gospel is to be preached unto the whole world! Church, let's obey our divine mandate (Acts 1:8) and proclaim the Gospel to the entire world! Amen!

Rainbows

2009-01-13T05:47:00.004-06:00

Genesis 9. Three men in Scripture saw rainbows. Noah saw the rainbow after the storm. But the prophet Ezekiel saw the rainbow in the midst of the storm in the remarkable vision he had in Ezekiel chapter one. The Apostle John saw the rainbow before the storm of judgment broke loose in Rev.4:3. The application for God's childeren is this: In the storms of life always look for the rainbow of God's covenant promise. Like John, you may see the rainbow before the storm; like Ezekiel, you may see it in the midst of the storm; or like Noah, you may have to wait until after the storm. But you will always see the rainbow of God's promise if you look by faith. That's the Old Testament version of Rom.8:28. The rainbow reminds us of God's faithfulness and grace. God hasn't promised that we'll never experience storms in life, but He has promised that the storms won't destroy us. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you." Isaiah 43:2. [For further study on "storms" see Acts 28 and my blog "Storm Stories", Thursday, August 7, 2008 blog.]

Holy Spirit

2009-01-12T06:08:00.004-06:00

Genesis 8. If you ever find yourself in a storm of life, then go read Genesis chapter eight, because the major theme of this chapter is rest and restoration after the storm. This chapter records the end of a storm and the beginning of new life and hope for God's people and God's creation. [Warren Wiersbe Bible Commentary, Vol.1].
Also, note vs7-9. Noah sent out a raven and a dove. The raven kept going, but the dove came back. The old prince of preachers, Charles Spurgeon, gives us an explanation. Speaking of the raven first he said, "This foul bird could light on carrion [dead flesh and floating carcasses] just as wicked men find delight in sin. However, the dove [which is a picture of the Holy Spirit] found no rest on polluted things."
Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:30, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." And in 1 Thess.5:19 he says, "Do not quench the Spirit." We grieve the Spirit by sins of commission, and we quench the Spirit by sins of omission, by not doing what we should do. Both types of sin cause the the dove of the Holy Spirit to not land on you, if you will. Be filled with the Spirit (Eph.5:18), and in order to do that, we must confess our sins before God (1 John 1:9). Then you'll walk in the Spirit and not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Gal.5:16). For a final passage, read Matt.3:16-17.

Don't Be A Fool

2009-01-09T05:38:00.004-06:00

Genesis 7. Here's an excerpt from one of the British commentators: "For a hundred and twenty years the wits laughed, and the 'common sense' people wondered, and the patient saint went on hammering and pitching at his ark. But one morning it began to rain; and by degrees, somehow, Noah did not seem quite the fool. The jests would look rather different when the water was up to the knees of the jesters; and their sarcasms would stick in their throats as they drowned.
So it is always. So it will be at the last great day. The men who lived for the future, by faith in Christ, will be found out to have been the wise men when the future has become the present, and the present has become the past, and is gone for ever....[These scoffers]...will awake too late to the conviction that they are outside the ark of safety, and that their truest epitaph is, 'Thou fool'." [Expositions of Holy Scripture, by Alexander Maclaren].
Christ is coming again, and this earth will be destroyed by fire in a future day. But the scoffers are still with us. "...knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.' For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water, by which the world that men existed perished, being flooded by water. But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men...." 2 Peter 3:3-7.
I've just quoted a portion of 2 Peter 3. Take the time to read that entire chapter. Man may think that God is not going to return and that He is not going to destroy this old wicked world one day, but he had better think again. Christ is coming and is coming soon! And just like in Noah's day, these scoffers will awake too late to the conviction that they are outside the ark of safety, and that their truest epitaph will read: 'Thou fool!' Don't be a fool. Trust Christ today.

Walking With God

2009-01-08T04:57:00.002-06:00

Genesis 6. REVIEW: Thus far, we've seen:
1. The Creation of Man: ch.1-2
2. The Corruption of Man: ch.3-5 (now we see...)
3. The Destruction of Man: ch.6-9

Chapter six will cover the preparation for the flood; chapter seven will cover the protection during the flood; and chapters eight and nine will cover the particulars following the flood.

OVERVIEW of ch.6:
Let me borrow the words of Warren Wiersbe to help us today: "Except for the increase in violence and crime, the times were pretty good. People were 'eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage' (Matt.24:38), and life was going on as usual. When friends met at the market or at a wedding feast, they laughed about Noah and his family ('imagine building that big boat on dry land!')....One day, Noah and his family entered their 'boat' and the rains came. 'It can't go on forever', the people said, 'it'll stop one of these days.' But it rained for forty days and forty nights. ...the water continued to rise, and within five months, the whole earth was under water and everything that breathed was dead. Everything, that is, except Noah and his family, the eight people everybody laughed at." [Warren Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT, Vol.1, p.37-38.]

APPLICATION:
What kind of person was Noah? He was the kind of person you and I should be in this present day, wicked world. What kind of man was he? 1) He was a righteous man -v.9. "Just" before God. How was he "just" or "justified" before God? The way anyone of us are justified. He had placed his faith in God and thus, God justified him, saved him. Salvation is always a gift from God (John 3:16). Have you placed your faith in Christ and received the gift of eternal life? Second, 2) He was a blameless man -v.9. The word is "perfect" but it means 'perfected', 'complete', 'whole'; in other words, a man of integrity. If "righteous" describes Noah's standing before God, then "blameless" describes his conduct before people. He was a man of integrity. And finally, 3) He was a man who walked with God -v.9. Note the wording of that carefully. "Noah walked with God". Enoch also walked with God (ch.5:24). Enoch and Noah walked with God. You know what our problem is? Our problem is that we want God to walk with us...go where we want to go. We want God to adjust His agenda to ours. NO! NO! It's the other way around. We're to walk with God! We're to go in His direction! We're to go where He is working! We go where He is blessing! His agenda becomes our agenda! What kind of person is God looking for in these wicked last days? A person of His righteousness. A person of integrity. And, a person who walks with Him! Will you be that one? Yes, the world may laugh at you, but God will smile upon you. Amen.

Tombstone Lane

2009-01-07T06:03:00.004-06:00

Genesis 5 is one of the most discouraging and depressing chapters in the Bible. Why? Because it is like walking through a cemetery. Some have called it "tombstone lane". God had told Adam that if he ate the forbidden fruit, then he would surely die. And die we do. This chapter is a list of "so and so begot so and so and lived 'x' number of years and died." The only exception is Enoch, who was caught up by God, which is a picture of the rapture.
The wages of sin is death, and Moses, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, emphasizes this fact as he writes chapter five. We are sinners, and we die. Remember the lie Satan told Eve, that she would become like God? But we are far from becoming like God; we are as mortal as ever. We still grow old and die. For everyone born, everyone dies. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom.6:23).
Have you received the gift of eternal life? Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ? Why not do so now? You have no promise of tomorrow. The Bible says the day of salvation is today (2 Cor.6:2). There's an old story of a monk who told his students to get saved the day before they died. One of the students raised his hand and said, "But teacher, we don't know when that day will be. We don't know the day we're going to die." "Exactly", said the aged monk, "therefore, get saved today!" My friend, don't put off your salvation another minute. Trust Christ today!

Another

2009-01-06T05:38:00.004-06:00

Genesis 4. The corruption of man continues. Whereas Adam and Eve's sin was vertical, in that it affected their relationship with God, it now becomes horizontal, affecting relationships with man. Cain rises up and kills his brother Abel. Abel was to have been the direct line to the Messiah. Mankind has not only sinned, now man has done away with the solution for his sin [destoyed the line to the Messiah/Savior]. But look at 4:25. "Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son and named him Seth, 'For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.'" You might want to circle that word "another" in your Bible. For you see, God gave man "another" chance. That's the grace of our Lord. When you feel like you've blown it, when you have sinned against God and have let Him down once again, God steps in, and in His amazing grace, gives you another chance. Thank God He gives us "another" chance. This New Year gives us another chance. Another chance to get it right with God. Won't you repent and come back to Him? He's standing with open arms waiting to give you that second chance. Seth went on to father Enosh, and thus the line continued all the way to Christ. [see Luke 3:23-38]. Thank God He gave mankind another chance.

It Is Written

2009-01-05T06:08:00.005-06:00

Genesis 3. Chapters three through five now record the corruption of man. This corruption began when man fell into temptation. What was the temptation? What was the one thing that caused Eve to reach out and take the forbidden fruit? What one tactic did Satan use to cause Eve to fall? It was simply to create doubt concerning God's Word. "Has God indeed said....?" In other words, "Eve, did God really say that? Are you sure that's what He meant?" Satan's tactics are the same today. When he tempts us, one of the first things he does is to attack God's Word, thereby creating doubt in our minds. He attacks God's Word in the following manner. First, he gets you to...

1. Doubt The Truth: 3:1 "Has God indeed said..." (then, he gets you to...)
2. Deny The Truth: 3:4 "You will not surely die." (then, he gets you to...)
3. Disregard The Truth: 3:5 "you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (and finally he gets you to...)
4. Disobey The Truth: 3:6 "she took of its fruit and ate"

But my friend, we can count on God's Word. His Word is Truth! And we are sanctified by His Truth (see John 17:17). And "there has not failed one word of all His good promise..." 1 Kings 8:56. Therefore, what we need to do is heed the psalmist: "Thy Word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:11. You have begun the New Year off right by reading God's Word every day. The one thing Satan will try to do is to tempt you to neglect this; because He knows if you read God's Word daily, you will be victorious. Remember, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, the one thing He did to combat that temptation was to quote God's Word to Satan. Three times Jesus said, "It is written...." "It is written..." "It is written..." (see Matt. 4:1-11) When you've got plenty of "It is written..." in your heart, you'll be victorious over Satan's temptations and tactics. It is written; thus, let us read! Keep reading God's Word each day. You'll be glad you did.

Finished

2009-01-02T05:00:00.004-06:00

Genesis 2. Chapters one and two both deal with the creation story. Chapter one tells the story with a wide angle lens. Chapter two zooms in for a closer view. Chapter two is a zoom lens dealing specifically with the creation of man. Chapter one is a chronological overview of creation, whereas chapter two is a topical overview. Think of it like placing a specimen under a microscope (ch.1), then by clicking from the weaker lens to a more powerful lens (ch.2), you are able to view certain parts up close under greater magnification. That's what chapter two is all about. It is up close and personal, giving us a little more understanding of the creation of man.
The subject of 2:1-3 is God resting. Note what is different about this day (2:1), when compared to the other six days (ch.1). There is no refrain: "and the evening and the morning..." This is theologically significant because the seventh day had no end, and therefore is viewed as eternal. Whereas the human work week recurs after each Sabbath, the Sabbath rest of God is eternal since creation's work is finished. God didn't rest because He was tired. God rested because creation was complete! He didn't rest because He was weary, but because He was satisfied with the completion of a job well done and completed.
There is a lesson here for us. Few things are as sweet as accomplishment. Proverbs 13:19a says, "The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul..." The Hebrew word for "accomplished" is a verb that means "to come to pass; to be done; to happen; to finish". It is akin to our word "thorough." Webster defines "thorough" as "carried through to completion...complete in all respects." What about us? Often we start a task but never finish it. We start a book and quit. We start a new project and quit. We start college and drop out. We start a job and then quit it. We make 'New Year's' resolutions, but give up by February. We start out with good intentions, and then we fail to see it through; we fail to carry it to completion. But Proverbs 13:19 says that if we complete it, be faithful to the end, finish the project, finish the book, complete the course etc., then it is sweet to the soul. Why not dig in and refuse to give up until the task is done? Why not tighten your belt a notch and wade into that unpleasant job with renewed determination, so that you can write "It is finished" over it? And when you accomplish a task thoroughly, satisfaction follows.
Prayer:
"Dear Heavenly Father, give me the wisdom to see what I ought to do, courage to begin it, loyalty to continue it, and strength to complete it. And Father, as I face the task of this day, grant me the faith and fortitude to develop my plans prayerfully and to make my decisions wisely for Your glory and for the good of others; In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
One More Thought:
There was another time when God declared something that was finished. It's found in John 19:30 when, from the cross, Jesus cried, "It is finished." Creation was finished in Gen.2:1. Redemption was finished in John 19:30. God has only one other project to complete: YOU! Romans 8:29 says that He has predestined you to be conformed to the image of His Son... and Philp.1:6 says, "...He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." Amen!

Dark and Void

2009-01-01T06:56:00.003-06:00

Genesis 1. The Bible is about the revelation of God and the redemption of man. It begins with God [In the Beginning God....] and closes with Jesus Christ [The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.]. I can't think of a better way of beginning the new year than to begin it the way the Bible begins...with God...with His Word. So first we need to look at the big picture:

OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE:

The Old Testament Records The Preparation For Christ
The Gospels Records The Manifestation Of Christ
Acts Records The Propagation Of Christ
The Epistles Record The Interpretation and Explanation Of Christ
Revelation Records The Consummation Of Christ

The Old Testament is the Account of a Nation: Israel.
The New Testament is the Account of a Man Whom That Nation Produced: Jesus Christ.

OVERVIEW OF GENESIS:

The Origination Of The Nations [the human race]: Gen.1-11
The Election Of The Jewish Nation [the Hebrew race]: Gen.12-50

Genesis 1-2 records the creation of man, while 3-5 records the corruption of man. Then chapters 6-9 records the destruction of man, while chapters 10-11 record the dispersion of man. I realize this has been a lengthy opening for the first day, but we needed to lay a good foundation for the start of a new year.
Now for a devotional thought look at 1:2 again. The earth was dark and void. We too are dark by nature and thus disordered. But it's the Spirit of God that moves and works in the dead heart. If God can fill a void earth, He can fill a void life as well. When you place your faith in Christ, you become a new creation. See 2 Cor.5:17. Is your life void? Do you want to be successful in this new year? Then begin the way the Bible begins--with God 1:1. Begin everyday with God and place your faith in Him, and the Spirit of God will move in you. God bless you all and may you all have a "Happy and Holy New Year!"

Bible Reading Next Year

2008-12-31T05:54:00.004-06:00

January 1st gives Christians a new opportunity to once again begin reading through their Bibles in the upcoming new year. There are several Bible reading plans out there that you can follow. You can even buy One Year Bibles where the Scripture portion for each day is already marked. If you have never read through the Bible, I challenge you to do so. It is very rewarding.
However, the older I get, I now find it more rewarding to read smaller portions and meditate on those passages longer. The goal is not to just check it off our daily list and blow through the Bible in a year. The goal is to be nurtured with God's word...to read it slow....meditate on it [which, in essence, means to chew on it], and digest it slowly. When we slow down and read smaller portions we have a better opportunity of hearing God speak.
This past year (around May) I started posting some devotionals daily on chapters taken from the New Testament of which many of you now read. I don't post on the weekends for two reasons. One is for me. I already have a heavy preparation load as it is [3 sermons per week, plus the Sunday School Class notebook that we are building here at Sand Hill]. So the weekend off gave me time to mediate over my studies for Sunday. Plus, the weekend off gave you time to mediate over your own particular Sunday School Lessons etc. This year we'll continue that pattern with a 5 day reading, weekend off. Now I do have other devotional material that I read seven days a week, and I hope you do too. This blog devotional is not meant to substitute your devotions, only to supplement them.
So, with that said, here's our plan for the next year and years to follow. It is a one chapter a day reading plan that mixes up NT and OT throughout the next four plus years. At the beginning of each month I'll lay out the months reading for you, but it basically works like this. Thursday, January 1st, we begin with Genesis 1. Friday the 2nd, we read Genesis 2. Weekend off. Monday, January 5th, we resume with Genesis 3, and so forth. A chapter each day...weekend off. That means we will finish Genesis early March. We'll then have a few passages from Psalms and Proverbs. Then we go to Exodus. Then Matthew. And we keep alternating. I'll lay it out for you each month. But again, the goal is not to blow through the Bible. The goal is to let the Bible soak into you. And again, this is not to substitute your own devotional readings, just to supplement it. Looking forward to a New Year and hearing God speak through His Word. God bless each of you and have a Happy New Year!
Bro. Royce

Glimpse of Heaven

2008-12-30T03:34:00.005-06:00

Revelation 21-22. I couldn't sleep, so I'm blogging pretty early today. Thus, I'll take this time to finish Revelation, and tomorrow I will give you the details on our new Bible Reading plan for next year. It will be a Monday through Friday plan with weekends off, but more on that later.
Today, what a fitting way to close out the old year by reading these last two chapters of God's Word. Here we, along with John, get a glimpse of heaven. Let's peek through the gates together as we catch A Glimpse Of A Place Called Heaven.

I. HEAVEN IS A GENUINE PLACE: 21:1-3

Heaven is a as real as that computer screen of which you are reading this from. In fact, there are really three heavens! That's right! First, there is the atmospheric heaven--the sky. The place where the birds fly; the air above us. Then, there is the astronomical heaven - -the starry heaven. This is where the stars and the planets reside. Then, there is the third heaven. This is the place where God lives. The place all the saints of God dream about. This is the place we long to be. This is the place we call home! This was the place where both Paul (2 Cor.12) and John (Rev.4:1) were caught up to, and now John is revealing to us that which was revealed to him. Heaven is a real place!

II. HEAVEN IS A GLORIOUS PLACE: 21:1-7; 9-26

Never has there been a city described like this city! To attempt to describe its glories is to exhaust all the adjectives and descriptive language known to man. Paul must have had this in mind when he said, "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Cor. 2:9.

III. HEAVEN IS A GUARDED PLACE: 21:4-27

A. Guarded For The Saved: v.8, 27. - "To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,", 1 Pet. 1:4. Heaven is an exclusive place! Really, it has been created for a select group of individuals! Only those with the proper credentials will be allowed within the gates of that city! In fact, the entrance requirements are so strict that there is only one way to get in! If anyone tries to get in another way, they will be forever banished from that city! There is only one Door, John 10:9, and His name is Jesus, John 14:6.

The only way to get into Heaven is through faith in Him! The Bible says, "You must be born again.", John 3:3; 7. This means that you must trust Jesus and Jesus alone to save your soul. Religion will not save you. Going to church will not save you. Being good will not save you. The only thing that will save you is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, [Acts 16:31]. Are you saved? Are you sure that if you died today that you would be granted access into Heaven? If there is even the shadow of a doubt in your mind, then I beg you in the name of Jesus, please get this settled today!

B. Guarded From Sorrow - Please understand that nothing from this world will enter that world! In fact, in these two chapters there is an extensive list of "No more" things. Notice a few of them:

1. V. 1 No More Sea - Division and separation

2. V. 4 No More Sadness - Tears; He who washed away our sins, will wipe away our tears.

3. V. 4 No More Sleep - Death; no cemeteries or funeral homes.

4. V. 4 No More Sorrow

5. V. 4 No More Suffering

6. V. 22 No More Sanctuary - Temples

7. V. 23 No More Sun - Not needed!

8. V. 25 No More Sundown - No night

9. 22:3 No Scourge - No curse there!

Hallelujah! That sounds like the place I want to go! How about you?
The classic Bible commentator Matthew Henry, anticipating that some would unduly mourn his passing, wrote these words of comfort and assurance: "Would you like to know where I am? I am at home in my Father's house, in the mansions prepared for me here. I am where I want to be--no longer on the stormy sea, but in God's safe, quiet harbor. My sowing time is done and I am reaping; my joy is as the joy of harvest. Would you like to know how it is with me? I am made perfect in holiness. Grace is swallowed up in glory. Would you like to know what I am doing? I see God, not as through a glass darkly, but face to face. I am engaged in the sweet enjoyment of my precious Redeemer. I am singing hallelujahs to Him who sits upon the throne, and I am constantly praising Him. Would you like to know what blessed company I keep? It is better than the best on earth. Here are the holy angels and the spirits of just men made perfect. I am with many of my old acquaintances with whom I worked and prayed, and who have come here before me. Lastly, do you want to know how long this will continue? It is a dawn that never fades! After millions and millions of ages, it will be as fresh as it is now. Therefore, weep not for me!"

Sing with me:
"What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon His face; the One who saved me by His grace. When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land; What a day, glorious day, that will be!"

The Millennium

2008-12-29T06:48:00.002-06:00

Revelation 20. This chapter gives us details of what will happen after Christ returns (ch.19). We'll follow Harold Willmington's outline to highlight this chapter.
1. The Great Chain: 20:1-3

The Prisoner: 20:1-2. An angel captures and chains Satan for 1000 years.
The Prison: 20:3. The devil is confined to the bottomless pit for 1000 years.

2. The Great Reign: 20:4-6

The Resurrection of the Just: 20:4a. Those martyred during the Great Tribulation are now raised from the dead.
The Rule of the Just: 20:4b-6. They now reign with Christ for 1000 years.

3. The Great Revolt: 20:7-10

The Adversary: 20:7. After 1000 years, Satan is released from his prison.
The Apostasy: 20:8. He then goes out and deceives the nations.
The Attack: 20:9a He and his armies attack Jerusalem.
The Annihilation: 20:9b-10. Satan's henchmen are consumed by the fires of heaven (9b) and Satan himself is consumed by the fires of hell (v10).

4. The Great Throne: 20:11-15

The Judge: 20:11. The Savior is seen sitting on His throne.
The Judged: 20:12-13. All the unsaved throughout human history are now judged.
The Judgment: 20:14-15. To be thrown into the lake of fire forever.

Climatic Conclusion

2008-12-26T07:08:00.002-06:00

Revelation 16,17, 18, 19. Yesterday's reading was chapter 16. Today's reading is chapter 17 with the weekend's reading consisting of chapters 18-19. Due to the Christmas holidays and spending time with family, I'm not blogging in depth on these chapters, but I do want to give you the basic thought in each one.
16:1-9: First four bowls of wrath, but no repentance.
16:10-11: Another bowl, and still no repentance.
16:12-16: An empty Euphrates: Invitation to Armageddon.
16:17-21: The earth shakes; hail falls.
17:1-18: Religious Babylon Destroyed.
18:1-24: Commercial Babylon Destroyed.
19:1-6: The Heavenly Hallelujah Chorus.
19:7-10: The Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
19:11-16: The Glorious Appearing of Jesus Christ.
19:17-21: The Battle of the Great Day of God Almighty.
These chapters present a climatic conclusion for this age. Chapters 20-22 will be the grand finale.
I hope this helps in your reading for yesterday, today, and over the weekend. We will close out Revelation next week, and then begin a new Bible reading plan for the new year. Details coming soon! God bless and have a great weekend!

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T09:50:00.003-06:00

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Two Songs and The Bowls

2008-12-24T06:51:00.002-06:00

Revelation 15. Contents of this chapter: Two songs, then the seven bowls of wrath. As the seven angels prepare to pour out the seven bowls of God's wrath (15:1), [which will be the climax of His wrath], a great choir composed of the victorious martyrs will sing the song of Moses, which was the very first song in Scriptures, commemorating God's bringing of His people out of Egypt; And they are singing the song of the Lamb, celebrating His bringing of them into His millennial Kingdom (15:2-4). Thus, this chapter contains the first and the last songs in Scripture.
The song of Moses was sung by Israel after God miraculously delivered them through the Red Sea. Note the comparison of these two songs:

The Song of Moses was sung near the Red Sea. (Exodus 15)

The Song of the Lamb is sung near the glassy sea (Rev.15:2).

The Song of Moses dealt with rescue.

The Song of the Lamb deals with rescue.

The Song of Moses was sung by those brought out of Egypt.

The Song of the Lamb is sung by those brought to heaven.

This song in heaven is the praise to God for His answer to their prayer, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Rev.6:10. God is now about to avenge in this climatic judgment of these seven golden bowls full of His wrath. It seemed earlier that Anti-Christ was winning. But in the end, the true Christ wins! Your circumstances at this moment may appear as defeat and despair. But take comfort in God's promises. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom.8:35-39.