Archive for November, 2011

  • 10 Nov

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    CHOSEN VESSELS

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    “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.”
    Acts 9:15

    Paul had been traveling to Damascus to continue his persecution of Christians when he met the Lord and was converted to faith in Christ. God instructed Ananias to go to Paul and, among other things, to let Paul know that He had a very special place for him in His work. The Lord said of Paul, “he is a chosen vessel unto me.” What a testimony this is to the grace of God, that someone as contrary to the Christian faith as Paul, was chosen to be a vessel for God. It is equally true to say that we are vessels for the Master’s use. God has a purpose for each of our lives. He desires to use each of us in His service.

    It is such an uplifting truth to know that God has a specific will for us. This is especially encouraging when we realize that, like Paul, we all have been guilty of rejecting Christ or His will. This is a great boost to our sense of personal significance and purpose. Every person needs the assurance that his life matters for good. God has chosen us to serve Him. Of course, we understand that God’s will is not the same for everyone. We should also understand that our greatest satisfaction or fulfillment comes from knowing that we are doing that which God wants us to do. We have also been chosen to serve the King.

    Ananias informed Paul that God had chosen him to “bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” Paul was a great missionary to the Gentiles. He took the message of salvation through Jesus’ death and the grace of God to those who had never heard. God used Paul, as He had used few others, to impact cities and continents with the story of God’s grace. None of us would compare ourselves to the Apostle Paul, but we have the same God and the same promises. He wants to use us as well. We are not all called to go to other nations, but we are all chosen and commanded to witness and tell others of salvation.

    We should keep in mind that the most important thing about the vessel is not the vessel itself, but that which the vessel contains. As God’s vessels, we contain the Spirit of God, Who indwells us and transforms us, as well as the Word of God that teaches us. It is our privilege and responsibility to faithfully carry the Gospel of grace to others.

  • 09 Nov

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    DON’T LISTEN TO EVERYTHING YOU HEAR

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    “Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee: For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.”
    Ecclesiastes 7:21, 22

    We have heard children sing the chorus, “Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear.” The truth in this simple song is most important. The Scripture warns us about the danger of believing everything we hear. The information we hear and the things we believe can have a tremendous effect on our lives, emotionally as well as spiritually. We need to exercise keen discernment in how we listen. Some things we hear may hurt us. The text says, “lest thou hear thy servant curse thee.” Sometimes we would be better off not hearing certain things.

    Just as importantly, we need to realize that everything we hear is not true, accurate, or to be taken seriously. Some of what we hear may be exaggerated or completely false. These verses remind us that we, too, have been guilty of saying things that should not have been said. “For oftentimes also thine own heart knoweth that thou thyself likewise hast cursed others.” This is one reason the Bible speaks so strongly against talebearing and slander. The effect of what we hear, or what we say, should not be underestimated.

    On the positive side, faith comes by hearing God’s Word; and encouragement can come from edifying words. Truth has the power to bolster our faith, but negative reports can diminish our confidence in God. We are benefited by accurate words and sound wisdom, but we should not take heed to “all words that are spoken.” Jesus warned Jairus not to believe the report that had been given unto him concerning the health of his daughter, but rather to believe God. How many people have been discouraged and offended by a confession that is contrary to the Word or will of God?

    We need to be careful about what we hear. We can hear and believe something and thus form an opinion, only to find out later that what we had believed was not true. God instructs us about the danger of being careless listeners. Proverbs 14:15 tells us, “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” It is very naive to take to heart everything we hear. Above all, we need to listen to the truth of the Word of God and godly counsel. God very clearly cautions about taking into our hearts and minds everything that we hear.

  • 08 Nov

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    REDEEMED FROM . . . REDEEMED FOR

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    “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
    Titus 2:14

    What did God have in mind for us when He saved us? What did He redeem us from, and what did He redeem us for? We will forever be grateful for our salvation. How is it that God could love us as He has? He has brought to us forgiveness of sin, an opportunity to begin again by the grace of God, and the privilege of reconciliation and fellowship. But, our perspective of salvation is primarily personal. We see how we have benefited from our new life, but it is possible to overlook God’s purpose.

    The Scripture allows us to grow in our understanding of God’s goals in our redemption. Thank God, He redeemed us to rescue us from lives of sin. He specifically says “that he might redeem us from all iniquity.” We were slaves to sin and self and needed to be redeemed. Our salvation certainly provides forgiveness for all our past sins, but God wants to continue to deliver us from the sinful practices of our flesh and the lustful ways of the world. His plan is to “purify unto himself a peculiar people.” God wants the lives of His children to be surrendered and dedicated to Him.

    Salvation has to do with both what we are saved from and what we are saved to. We have been saved from a life of sin to live a life of separation unto God. We have been redeemed from unholy living that we might live holy lives. We need to maintain a consciousness of His desire to purify us for Himself. This is the fruit of the grace of God working in us. Not only were we redeemed that we might be a peculiar and purified people, but also we were redeemed that we might serve the Lord with our lives.

    Our text reminds us that God wants us to be “zealous of good works.” He saves us to purify us, that we might be vessels for His service. Thank God that we have been
    redeemed from a lifestyle of selfishness and sin. We are also grateful that we have been redeemed for a life of holiness and service to the Savior. There is something seriously wrong with a view of salvation that excludes us from the responsibility of serving our Lord. We are to be zealous about living for God and His work. God wants to use us to labor for Him and influence others. We have been redeemed from our lost condition that we might serve our Lord.

  • 07 Nov

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    JEHOSHAPHAT’S COMMITMENT TO TEACH

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    “Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Benhail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people.”
    II Chronicles 17:7, 9

    In the third year of his reign, Jehoshaphat implemented something that would potentially bring positive change to his people for generations to come. He sent teachers throughout the land to instruct the people of Judah. The people of the kingdom were taught according to “the book of the law of the LORD.” This is another aspect of Jehoshaphat’s national reforms which is worthy of consideration.

    In our nation, there is strong opposition by liberal elements to remove the influence of the Bible from our society. First, the Word of God was first removed from our public schools. Now, there are many court battles regarding the display of the Ten commandments in government buildings, as though it is dangerous for the public to
    be exposed to God’s law. Satan hates the Bible and fears the powerful influence it can have on the lives of listeners and learners. Evil forces have succeeded in moving our nation further away from our Christian roots by limiting public exposure to the truth.

    If we are going to see true and impacting revival in our homes or our nation, that revival will have to be sustained by the teaching of the Word of God. Jehoshaphat understood the importance of teaching his constituents what the Bible said. We may never get the Bible back into the classrooms of our government schools, but we must teach it where we have opportunity. This is one reason for Christian schools. We are obligated to provide our children with an education that includes the Word of God and is based upon biblical principles.

    We must also be teaching God’s truth in our homes and in our churches. Young and old need to know what God says, and why we believe as we do. This has been the
    downfall of many families. We have failed to explain to our children, from the Bible, why we so strongly believe the things we do. If we are going to see genuine change in our generation and prepare the next generation, there must be a return to the authority of the Word of God.

  • 06 Nov

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    JEHOSHAPHAT’S HOLY AGENDA

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    “And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the LORD: moreover he took away the high places and groves out of Judah.”
    II Chronicles 17:6

    Jehoshaphat continued to bring about national reform by ridding the land of the places of false worship. This was a step that most leaders of Israel or Judah were not willing to attempt, and was certainly one of the most challenging decisions for any leader. It is one thing to prevent some evil practice from beginning, but quite another thing to remove it after it has been permitted.

    One cannot help but wonder what it might be like if such a revival occurred in our nation. Few leaders are willing to honestly and seriously deal with the real roots of our nation’s problems. Imagine what it might be like if the sale of alcoholic drinks became illegal. What if adultery, sodomy, pornography, abortion, and gambling were again considered criminal activity? What kind of faith and courage would it require to rid our land of the false worship of satan, or to make it a requirement that the biblical account of creation be taught in our government schools? What would it take for the Lord’s Day to be recognized and reverenced as it once was in this land?

    We admire the spiritual courage that caused Jehoshaphat to implement radical reforms in his nation. Even if these changes were not legislated in our country, a sure sign of regeneration and revival would be the forsaking of such sinful behavior in the lives of individuals. This is an indication of true repentance. When God was working in Ephesus and when people were serious about cleansing their lives before the Lord, they burned the residue of their sinful practices. They purposed to leave a life of rebellion and cleave to the Lord. This is the kind of attitude toward sin that we need not only in our nation, but also in our churches and in our individual hearts and homes. It must have been a tremendous challenge for a leader like Jehoshaphat, to cleanse a nation of compromise and sin that was previously acceptable. We can see how much easier it would have been if such behavior would never have been allowed to begin with. You never have to stop a habit you never begin.

    If we could personalize this practice of Jehoshaphat, we could see the need of cleansing our own lives of sin. Tolerated sin is too common in our day. However, simply acknowledging sin is not enough. We must be willing to forsake it; purging it from our lives.

  • 05 Nov

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    JEHOSHAPHAT’S SPIRITUAL PURSUIT

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    “And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.”
    II Chronicles 17:3, 4

    A key component of Jehoshaphat’s able leadership as the king of Judah was his spiritual priorities. He was a seeker of God and “sought not unto Baalim; But sought to the LORD God of his father.” He did not follow the ways of the world, but rather obeyed the commandments of the Lord. Because he chose to follow the Lord and obey Him, the Lord established his kingdom in the land.

    What a better world this would be if more of our leaders were committed to seeking and obeying the Lord. To seek the Lord means that we are following after the Lord to know Him. It also means we are people of prayer, wanting to know God’s will, and desiring, above all else, to be pleasing to Him. We all need God’s wisdom and counsel, and this is especially true for those who are responsible to lead others. We all should be seekers of God, seeking Him consistently and sincerely. As long as we put God first, seeking His direction and pleasure in all things, we can expect that He will bless our lives.

    Sometimes people are more interested in what friends think, or what is popular, than what pleases God. Jehoshaphat looked to the Lord “and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel.” We should not follow the religious trends of the day. We all have had times when we put personal desires or ambitions in front of the Lord in our daily lives, but this is not the way of blessing. God promises to bless the lives of those who seek Him first. The Lord is a jealous God and He wants, and deserves, to be first in our lives. He wants us to consult Him first, love Him first, and thank Him first.

    Jehoshaphat was a leader with spiritual priorities and pursuits. What a blessing it is when we know that we are served by elected officials who are not ashamed to admit with honesty that they pray often for God’s leadership in their lives. What a sense of security for wives or children to know that the man of the house is truly a seeker of God. What a source of confidence for church members to know that their pastor is seeking and obeying God, not men. Let’s follow Jehoshaphat’s example by leading others as we follow the Lord.

  • 04 Nov

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    JEHOSHAPHAT’S STRONG DEFENSE

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    “And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel. And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken.”
    II Chronicles 17:1, 2

    Jehoshaphat was one of the outstanding kings to lead the nation of Judah. His father, Asa, was also a king of Judah that “did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God” (II Chronicles 14:2). Jehoshaphat’s priorities and leadership continue to serve as good examples for each of us. Our text reveals that Jehoshaphat, after assuming the leadership of the kingdom, sought to strengthen his defenses against the enemy and possible attacks.

    This is a good lesson for any country as far as their national security is concerned. There are those in political office who consistently downplay the importance of a strong national defense. They seem to be so naive that they think all our enemies are friendly, and there is really no need to concern ourselves with the possibility of future attacks. Those same people want us to believe that if all the private citizens would surrender their personal weapons, it would help solve the crime problem. This logic is foolish and dangerous. A strong defense was Jehoshaphat’s first order of business. There are many groups that would seize the opportunity to attack our nation at the slightest sign of military vulnerability. Of course, our greatest national defense is the hope that God would defend us. He has promised to defend and bless nations who honor Him and seek to obey His Word.

    This action on the part of Jehoshaphat illustrates something in our spiritual lives as well. All of us are subject to spiritual attack–individually, in our homes, or in our church family. Because we know that attacks will come, we should make certain that we are prepared. The Bible encourages us to put on God’s armor and prepare for the enemy’s assault. We are to walk in the Word of God, live by faith, arm ourselves with truth, keep our sins confessed, and stay in a prayerful attitude at all times. We are to be careful that we do not give a foothold to the enemy. Our spiritual adversaries are always trying to capitalize on any opportunities to hurt us spiritually, to attack our families, etc. We must be vigilant and realize the value of a strong spiritual defense.

  • 03 Nov

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    ENCOURAGING OURSELVES

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    “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
    I Samuel 30:6

    We have all been there. Perhaps not on the same scale that David found himself, but we can certainly identify with the emotional difficulty he was in. When David and his men returned to Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had invaded and burned the city and had taken the women and children captive. The people blamed David and “spake of stoning him.” In the midst of it, he needed a boost of encouragement; but there was no place to find it. So he did what we also must learn to do; he “encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”

    Adversity can be most discouraging. Although we all like to think that we can weather the storms and be strong in times of intense difficulty, we must admit that sometimes it has the effect of getting us down. David was a brave soldier and a faithful servant of God, but our text says that he became “greatly distressed.” He desperately needed some encouragement. Isn’t it wonderful when God sends us encouragement? Perhaps it comes through a friend or family member. Maybe it comes through a timely sermon or a song that lifts our hearts and lightens our burdens. This should be a lesson for us to allow God to use us to encourage those who are going through trials.

    But, what if our encouragement does not come through the expected channels? David knew how to encourage himself. Circumstances can certainly deflate us emotionally, especially when it seems that trials and problems are only replaced by other difficulties. How can we encourage ourselves in the Lord? It is good to know that we are not alone in our problems. “David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” He knew that the God of the Bible, the true and living God, was his God; and he could turn to Him.

    It is also important in times of despair that we rehearse the promises of God through prayer, Scripture reading, and meditation. When our circumstances may seem hopeless, God’s Word, particularly the Psalms, offers hope. We can cast our cares on Him, knowing that He cares for us. No matter how difficult it may be, we are not alone. God is there to walk with us through the valleys, and we can encourage our hearts in the Lord.

  • 02 Nov

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    READINESS OF MIND

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    “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
    Acts 17:11

    Paul and company came to Berea after facing serious opposition in Thessalonica. The Scripture describes how attentive the Bereans were to the teaching and preaching of the Word of God. They “received the word with all readiness of mind.” Herein lies one of the most important factors contributing to our spiritual learning and growing in the grace of God. How receptive are we to God’s truth? Those in Berea were eager and willing to receive the message of God. Does this describe our attitude toward truth? We need to discipline our minds in anticipation of hearing God speak through the Scripture.

    Numerous factors can influence our attention to the Word of God. Desire will definitely have a bearing on how sincerely we listen to truth. If we have a hunger and a thirst for knowing God and learning of Him, our minds will be more ready to hear. We see much apathy in our day toward the Scripture, even among some who claim to be believers. They sometimes search for churches where the worship services are more entertaining because there is little appetite for truth-filled preaching or teaching.

    Another thing that can negatively affect the reception of Bible doctrine is an unwillingness to accept truth that conflicts with previously held beliefs. We have known many who were not willing to hear what the Bible teaches about some particular matter because they had their minds made up about what they believed, even though their belief may not have been supported by Scripture. The Pharisees were guilty of rejecting the message of Christ because they were committed to holding on to their non-biblical traditions. Pre-conceived notions will definitely hinder a “readiness of mind.”

    Others fail to receive the truth because they do not comprehend or respect the author of the message. God’s Word is not the message of men, but the revelation of God. These Bereans were not prejudiced against God’s truth, but “searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” When we are willing to learn and obey the Word of God, and not resist the message, there will be spiritual growth and understanding. God wants to reveal truth to us, but we must be willing to listen and receive it.

  • 01 Nov

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    QUALIFIED CANDIDATES

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    “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”
    Proverbs 29:2

    As citizens of this great country, we are privileged to exercise our constitutional right to vote for the political candidates of our choice. As our country moves further along the road that leads away from righteousness, it seems the election process is increasingly more critical. Who will lead our nation? Too many Christians are inactive and apathetic about this important matter. The Scripture teaches us that it is wise to select leaders who are righteous. “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice.” Morality certainly matters when it comes to serving in public office. Why would a Christian cast his vote for someone who approves of same-sex marriage, endorses abortion rights, or does not defend the display of the Ten Commandments? These are only a few issues, but they represent the fact that the value system of candidates should be of supreme importance to us when we vote.

    When our nation was founded, the majority of those who framed our founding documents feared God and honored His Word. When God was instructing David about those who would lead Israel, He said, “He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God” (II Samuel 23:3). Ours would be a stronger nation if we had more elected officials who feared the Lord and were truthful and just. Too often, politicians are insincere and will stand for anything if there is personal gain to be had. It is refreshing to find public servants who have strong convictions about important issues, beginning with the crucial moral issues that affect our families and our future.

    Those who claim that religion has no place in politics should not intimidate us. They are ignorant of the Bible, and they are also uninformed concerning our nation’s heritage. Benjamin Franklin said, “He who shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity, will change the face of the world.”

    We should pray for leaders that are not ashamed of their faith and their moral standards. We should also let our political leaders know of our concerns and inform them of the issues that are vital to us. A commitment to the sanctity of life, the preservation of the traditional family, and financial responsibility are qualities we need in our elected officials.

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