Word For the Day

  When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, "Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?" And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:16-17 NAS95) The scribes and Pharisees considered themselves to be righteous. They based this on their keeping of the Law of Moses along with other laws/traditions designed to help them better keep the Mosaic Law. Two points concerning this self-righteousness. One, the scribes and Pharisees really didn’t keep the Mosaic Law perfectly. No one could. Two, their self-righteousness excluded them from Jesus’ call to sinners. As long as they saw themselves as righteous, they remained blinded to the truth. Jesus came to call sinners. A critical part of salvation is the need to repent. To repent you must know yo...

 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!  (Romans 11:33 NAS95) The text of Romans 11:33 is a conclusion to what Paul had previously wrote. After he had expounded the doctrines of Salvation, justification, predestination, and other eschatological issues, its as if he is overwhelmed with the majesty of it all.  This is an appropriate response to the glories of Christ. It is indeed humbling to contemplate the divine attributes along with the condescension of Christ. I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how He could love me, a sinner condemned unclean wrote Charles Gabriel as he contemplate his salvation. All too often days are filled with the affairs of this life to the neglect of divine contemplation and prayer. That will surely lead to spiritual stagnation. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). There are no shortcuts! Let Pa...

 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment (Philippians 1:12-17 NAS95). Paul had a mission to preach the Gospel at any and all cost. His devotion to Christ and the Gospel was a source of great encouragement to many. No matter in what circumstance he found himself, he would preach the good news of Jesus Christ. For Paul preaching the Gospe...

 Jesus answered them and said, Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled (John 6:26 NAS95). Jesus spoke these words to the people after He had fed five thousand of them with only five loaves of bread and two fish. They saw Jesus as a meal ticket and entirely missed the purpose of the miracle. They wanted food for their stomachs when they needed food for their souls. Today, just like that multitude, many attend church for what they can get. Jesus said He was the Bread of Life. Be careful to seek Jesus and not the things of this world. Friendships, positions, emotional support, orthodoxy as a salve for conviction, a need to be respected in the community and other fleshly desires are no substitute for Christ. Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal (John 6:27 NAS95). Remember, Je...

 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me (Philippians 1:6-7 NAS95). What God begins, God completes. This is a good thing. Left to our own strength, we would never remain faithful. Thankfully, we have a helper, the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to Nicodemus, The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit (John 3:8 NAS95). Paul’s confident assertion about the Philippians was based on two things: God’s character and the effects of the Holy Spirit.  Concerning His character the Book of Hebrews says: For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmati...

 The Apostle Paul had a great love for those who were committed to the same goal of glorifying Christ through the proclamation of the Gospel. With that in mind he writes. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:9-11 NAS95). The Philippians were helpful to Paul when he was in prison. All they did for him and the Gospel entrenched in Paul a great love for them. To that end he wanted them to have all they could have of Christ. He desired their love would abound more and more. He knew this increase would come form a deep understanding of who God is. He prayed they would have real knowledge and discernment that would lead to the fruit of righteousness in Christ to the glory of God. ...

For the choir director. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm (Psalms 40:1-2 NAS95). Tribulations and trials are part the Christian walk. Jesus said, “ I n the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b NKJV) . However, w ith trouble comes temptation. Believers often seek comfort from friends and other believers by asking for prayer . However, those p rayer requests, on occasion, sound like complaints. This is not said to condemn anyone or make anyone feel ashamed. Who hasn’t complained about their situation a t one time or another? Everyone is tempted to do just that. It is part of our sinful nature. On the other hand, Jesus prayed, Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me , but He immediately followed those words with, yet not My will, but Yo...

Do not judge so that you will not be judged. "For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? "You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces (Matthew 7:1-6). I have heard people flippantly say to others, Judge not lest you be judged, as a way to excuse their sinful behavior. While there is an element of truth in this statement, it misses the mark. Instead of a way to deflect a charge, it is a warning not to be critical of others...

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God (Psalms 42:11 NAS95). There are seasons in life that prove most difficult. Sometimes you can lose hope if you only look through mortal eyes. However, it is important to remember, while your flesh is mortal, your soul is eternal. The psalmist teaches you and me a very good lesson here. His focus does not remain on his bad circumstances, but on His God. Instead of wallowing in his anguish, he turns his eyes upward. It is best not to decry “Oh this is the worst day of my life!” Do as the palmist and remember your blessed position in Christ. Very often, the trials you and I face are there to improve our relationship with God. James says this very thing. Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you...

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way (Psalms 139:23-24 NAS95). How willing are you to have God search your heart? Of course God knows all of your thoughts, emotions and motives without your permission. You can’t shut God out as He knows all things. However, the question is are you willing to let God expose your inner thoughts? We love ourselves and hate to have our egos damaged. We don’t like to see the evil intentions of our heart exposed to the light of truth. However, there is nothing more important than looking into the perfect law of liberty to see who we really are (James 1:25) One mark of an unbeliever is an unwillingness to acknowledge God in their mind (Romans 1:28). It is a gracious act of the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you. We are commanded not to be conformed to this world. The means to that end is the transformation of your mind (Romans 12:2). Exposure to G...

Introduction During my years as a Director of Education, Minister of Education, and Senior Pastor, there is one thing I have learned without question. There is no end to the books, programs, classes, techniques, and tools meant to improve or garner evangelism in the local church. Unfortunately, all of them that I have seen could focus more on a fundamental need.  I don’t mean to sound harsh, but it seems, the goal of these resources is, without them stating such, to embolden terrified, sin-laden-Christians to participate in outreach through the use of humanistic means without first dealing with the witness himself. Let me give a disclaimer before I give you an example of which I speak. Most of the tools, I won’t say all, have a proper Gospel included in their methodologies. Also, no matter the messenger, the Word of God can and will accomplish what God desires (Isaiah 55:11). However, humanistic goals and a lack of spirituality cannot sustain a lasting evangelistic effort. Evangeli...

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. (Matthew 5:7) As believers we have received so much mercy already. Let us be thankful for the rich blessing God has poured out on us. However, there seems to be something more here. If not more, then at least a correlation. The correlation is mercy will be met with mercy. Those who are merciful shall obtain mercy. How does this play out in our lives? Well, the implication is believers should have and cultivate a spirit of mercy and forgiveness.  Mercy is an intrinsic quality of the Holy Spirit.  For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:16-17).  Having the Holy Spirit in our heart, we have the capacity and duty to be merciful. Believers will never come under a judgment of condemnation, but we are told to deal w...

One might think the filling promised to those who hunger and thirst is the imputation of Christ righteousness. Clearly, those who seek after Christ in faith trusting His atoning work, will be imputed with Christ righteousness. However, this understanding seems to be outside the context. Christ is speaking to His disciples at this point. He left the multitude and went up on a mountain and sat down to teach them. Most would agree He is describing the ideal attitudes believers should demonstrate.  Ideally, we should hunger and thirst for righteousness. This craving is at its greatest when we have immersed ourselves in the Scriptures. The Word of God is a lamp, and it provides reproofs and instruction (Pr. 6:23). For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). As we consider our lives we will see many s...

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). NKJV There is no better example of meekness than our Savior. When facing the cruel world leaders He restrain the use of His power in order fulfill His ministry to save His elect.  Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders and scribes and the whole Council, immediately held a consultation; and binding Jesus, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pilate. Pilate questioned Him, "Are You the King of the Jews?" And He answered him, "It is as you say." The chief priests began to accuse Him harshly. Then Pilate questioned Him again, saying, "Do You not answer? See how many charges they bring against You!" But Jesus made no further answer; so Pilate was amazed. (Mark 15:1-5) NKJV Why was Pilate amazed? Wasn't it because the response he received was much different than expected? Pilate expected excuses and pleading. Of course, he received neither excuses nor pleading. Jesus co...

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. (2Pet. 1:2-3) Sometimes we make the Christian life more difficult than it need be. We complicate it by interjecting human reason into our walk that robs us of grace and peace. We unconsciously look to works in hope of  a means of grace. We employ asceticism thinking we need to appease God or prove to Him we are worthy to be granted a blessing. These misguided efforts will only lead to despair. Peter tells us plainly that God has granted everything we need pertaining to life and godliness through the true knowledge of God. It’s not complicated. If you want grace and peace in your life you need to increase your knowledge of God. That increase of knowledge is not to be interpreted as knowledge only in an academic sense. While raw fa...

And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Mat 14:28-31) The Lord has impressed upon this writer that there is starting faith and ending faith. Both are grounded upon the solid ground of faith in Christ, however they differ in resolve. It seems easier to start a ministry or take a path by faith, than it does to finish it.  Considering the amount of faith it took for Peter to ask Jesus to bid him come is amazing. Then to get out of that boat and start to walk to Jesus is even more amazing. Who would do that? So it is surprising to read the words of Jesu...

As believers we have been made citizens of the kingdom of God. We used to be  children of the world. We were depraved, unable to seek God. However, God chose us to be His children. We were made citizen of His kingdom through that redemptive process called salvation. Jesus Instructs the Disciples How to Live in His Kingdom? He does this in Matthew 5 during His Sermon on the Mount. In that sermon He makes a number of statements commonly called the beatitudes. He says a lot more than what we will look at today, but today we will focus on eight beatitudes. 1. Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit Those who are poor in spirit have a right assessment of their spiritual condition. They realize they have no righteousness in themselves. They have come to understand the truth that the only righteousness one may obtain comes by faith in the only righteous person who ever lived--Jesus Christ the Righteous. Those who are righteous have heard the Gospel, repented of their sins, and have believed in Jes...

If you ask people, “Do you believe there is a God?” most would say yes. Of course this statement must be qualified. A person saying “I believe in God” does not necessarily mean that person is resting their eternal soul on the one true God described in the Bible. Still, it remains that most people acknowledge the existence of a god of some form. Why? The answer is simple. God has made Himself known to all men. This is an inescapable reality. Notice how clear the Bible is on this point. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful,...