2009 09 Sept

Daily Devotions for September 2009

Fair use Copyright Credit:

Jesus, the Creator; Robert T. Barrett

This month's memory verses:

Matthew 9: 36-38

But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

THEME - Jesus Christ, Creator/ Sustainer

It is our desire to make these devotionals readily available to anyone who can use them. We pray that as you daily read and meditate on God's Word, you will be able to use these to help you spiritually grow in your daily walk with the Lord.

Please email us to share a testimony of how this ministry has been a blessing to you,

Please email us to request these devotions be sent to you daily via email!

Read Past Devotionals in the Devotional Archive!

Most References are From: AV (Authorized Version)1769; (Commonly known as the KJV 1611 Authorized Version)

To read a devotional please click on the day # below or scroll down

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Hebrews 1:5

Hebrews 1:5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son. Is there a reference any place in the Bible that refers to angels as the Sons of God? No! Neither in the New or Old Testament does God refer to angels as His Son. However, in Job 38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? In the context of this verse you will see that God is talking about the creation and the angels (created beings) are shouting as they see the beauty of the handiwork of Christ, the Creator. In Colossians 1:15-17 Who (Christ) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Note in the above, Christ is not only the Creator, but He also keeps it running. Christian's, forget about "mother nature" she does not exist! All nature is subject unto Christ and Him alone, never forget that. Don't be guilty of propagating this propaganda forced upon us by the humanists and Darwinian proponents.

Luke 2:7 And Mary brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Again we see the words "first born". They only refer to Christ being her first child. In spite of what our Catholic friends say, Mary did have other children. According to Matthew 13:55-56 and John 7:5, we see that Mary had several other children. These were the children of Mary and Joseph. Jesus was younger than His mother, but as old as His Father. Jesus was with His Father in eternity past and ever present in heaven interceding for us. In the everlasting eternity of the future, He will be with the Father also and with us in glory. He is very God and very Man, the God-Man! Please read 1 Corinthians 15:44-49 where you will see He is the "Second Adam" and the "Last Man."

September 2nd

Jesus Worshipped by Angels

Hebrews 1:4-8

If you remember, at Mt. Sinai as God spoke His law to the people; they were terrified. They did not want God to speak with them; they wanted Moses to speak to them as God's messenger. There is a great fascination with angels today. One of the greatest similarities between all the religions of this world is the way that they see angels. The word angel is simply a translation of a word meaning messenger. Angels are messengers of God.

Sadly, once you go above angels, the religions of this world have important substantive differences in the way they see God. Both Hinduism and Islam, make good and evil a part of God. Simple logic ought to tell us that all pantheistic worldviews make both good and evil a part of God. In its view of sovereignty, Islam makes God the author of all, including evil. Angels, as the messengers of God, provide a diluted view of spirituality. It is the same diluted view that the people desired at Sinai. As long as we are not dealing directly with God, we feel more comfortable in our sin. We don't feel the same accountability. Regardless of what we may feel, none of us can remove ourselves from important spiritual and moral responsibility.
In the book of Hebrews, some Jewish Christians were more comfortable with the Old Covenant than with Jesus. They were in danger of apostasy. They were in danger of turning from Christ and returning to the Old Covenant. The Jewish people believed that angels were involved in the giving of the law at Sinai. In affirming the deity of Jesus Christ, the author of Hebrews under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, declares that all the angels worship Jesus. Jesus is God. Only God is worthy of worship. Only God is good and perfect. The day is coming when every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
Jesus is Jehovah God veiled in human flesh. Compare Isaiah 40:3 with Matthew 3:3. Matthew quotes this prophecy of Isaiah about Jehovah God and applies it to Jesus Christ. This is one of several examples. Jesus is the final and complete revelation of God to fallen humanity, for He is God come to earth as man.

September 3rd

Creator of the Angels

Hebrews 1:7 and Col. 1:15-18

One of the most favorite times in LCA pre-school is saying, "Who made the (sky)?" with the answer being, "God did!" Today's texts' particular question is, "Who made the angels?" with the obvious answer being, "God did!" In fact, God made everything, absolutely everything, including the angels. There are some folks who don't understand just who God is, so let's bring some scriptural clarity to the confusion. Genesis 1:1 ...God created. Right from the beginning statements in God's Word it is already assumed that God does not need our definition, or where He may have come from, as He has always been. In Gen. 1:26 He says, "Let us make man in our image." Already we see God "defining Himself" to mankind. In Gen. 3:22; and 11:7 we see the next statements bringing further clarity to the Godhead.

So just who is God anyway? He is the Creator of all things. He is the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, one God, three persons, thus the Trinity. 1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. So how did Christ have a part in the creation of angels? Well He has always been and He was from the beginning, He is God. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The simple truth of Jesus Christ is also established by more than two witnesses in 1 John 1:1-3. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. We understand then that angels are created beings, created and used by God for His purposes. We are not to worship these created beings. We are to worship only God! Jesus Christ is God the Son, who came to earth in the flesh, the God-Man, the Savior of the world.

"Dear Lord Jesus, how we praise You for being our Creator and our Savior. Guide us in Your Truth for Your names sake. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen."

September 4th

The Lord Jesus Christ is not just a 'teacher" a "prophet" or a "great man" as some would identify Him. He is the God-Man! Hebrews 1:8 Unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. John 1:1, 3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. In the above quotations, we see what the Scriptures say about the Christ as Creator and Keeper.
In the first verse above, the Father tells us that Jesus is God and has a throne in heaven forever and ever. In the second passage, we see Jesus was eternally with the Father and that He was the Master Craftsman who spoke the universes into space. And lastly, we see the word "dwelleth," it is continuous action. Christ is in the Godhead, not from the beginning, but always has been; because every thing we know has had a beginning it is impossible for our finite minds to comprehend or conceive that God did not have a beginning, but was from everlasting to everlasting. We must accept this great truth by faith and faith alone.
The trinity is an enigma to the human mind, however, in the beginning God said, "let us make man in our image". And mankind is a tripartite, meaning he has a body, soul and spirit. In order for us to be in the image of God, it means that the Godhead also is Tripartite. A child was once asked to explain the trinity and this was her answer, "Three in one, and one in three, and the one in the middle died for me."
"TRINITY" This word is not in the Scriptures and is derived from the Gr. Trias (three), first used by Tertullian (A.D. 220), to express this doctrine. The propositions of the doctrine are: 1) That God is one, and that there is but one God (Deut. 6:4; 1 Kings 8:60; Isa. 44:6; Mark 12:29, 32; John 10:30). 2) The Father is a distinct divine Person, distinct from the Son and the Holy Spirit. 3) That Jesus Christ was truly God, and yet was a Person distinct from the Father and the Holy Spirit. 4) The Holy Spirit is also a divine Person, distinct from the Father and the Son.

The Eternal King

Hebrews 1:8-13

Jesus Christ is the King of kings from eternity to eternity. I would remind you that God does not exist in time and space. Time and space exist in God. This is the teaching of God's Word to us. Note the language of our text. We read in verse 8, unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever... Jesus is King in heaven and the day is coming when he will be King on earth. Note the language of our text again, sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool...

Now kings do not come as humble servants. They must exercise authority regardless of the consent of significant numbers of people. The power of the Messiah is not like that. It is as we read in Matthew 20:25,26 25 ... Jesus called them (his disciples) unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister...

.
Christ's kingdom will come when this earth receives Him. We sing about this at Christmas as we sing, "let earth receive her king". Jesus is a servant King. The character of His leadership is dramatically different from most of our experience now. According to the Bible, the day is coming when Jesus will be received as King by the kingdoms of this world. At that time, He will remove the curse of sin from this earth and God's plan of redemption will take a great step forward.
Sadly, even this will not be sufficient. In Psalm 2 after Satan is released for a season, people on this earth will gather in rebellion. Without fully purging sin from our hearts and separating our hearts from all evil, we will never be fit for heaven. In many ways, the race is maturing. It is maturing in evil and it is maturing in good. We read in Genesis 3:15 ... I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. There is a seed of the woman, which has its fulfillment in Christ. There is a seed of the serpent, which has its fulfillment in the Antichrist. Part of that fulfillment is that the kingdoms of this world will one day become the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ.

September 6th

God the Son, Jesus Christ is the Creator of all nature and the universe. Psalm 102:25 Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of thy hands. This is a direct quotation from the Old Testament of the deity of Jesus Christ, the Son, who created the universe, and one day will destroy the heavens and earth that He created. The earth is changing but He remains unchanged. Immutability is just another characteristic of the divine essence and another Old Testament statement to the Son's deity.
Jesus Christ is God's only begotten Son. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. This is Jesus Christ, our Savior! Jesus, the one who has the name above all names. Philippians 2:6-11 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Who is this Jesus? He is the Creator of all things. He created the angels, and you and me. Jesus is above the universe as the Sovereign Ruler of all. The world is changing and passing away, but Jesus is unchangeable. The old earth will perish, but Jesus Christ is Eternal and will rapture all those who have accepted Him as their Savior. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Say, are you ready to meet the Lord Jesus Christ?! If so, rejoice! But if not, be ready for the judgment!

September 7th

Christ is the Renewer of Creation

Heb. 1:11-12; Col. 2:9-10; 2 Cor. 5:17-19

Hebrews 1:9-10 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: Our Saviour earned a special anointing from the Father because of Christ's agreeing to come down to this wicked earth and take upon Himself the likeness of sinful men that he might save us. The cross was the greatest event that changed the destiny of the human race.
The next two verses give us the even greater truth and that is, that Christ was God. He took upon himself the likeness of sinful flesh, yet without sin and in the flesh He was still the God/Man. He is head over all principalities. He has the power over darkness, the demons of this world and has defeated Satan. That was part of the great victory at the cross. Satan thought he could defeat God and His Christ, but the resurrection broke the power of death and hell. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Colossians 2:9-10.
2 Corinthians 5:17-19 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. These three verses confirm that Christ is the renewer of life. He is the Creator of the "new person" in Christ. The day will come and its not far away when even nature will be renewed and there will be no more sin on this planet. 2 Peter 3:9-14 tells us that this old world shall be baptized by fire and all sin and debauchery will be destroyed by fire. Out of that fiery conflagration shall come forth a new and glorified earth, the believer's home for all eternity. Lastly, our Saviour dwells in heaven in His human body and we are told in I John 3:2 that we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is.

September 8th

God's Message to Us

This text is fascinating. The Jews believed that God used the angels in giving the law at Sinai. No where else in the Old Testament do we find this, but it was a deep part of Jewish tradition. In the book of Hebrews, God's Word supports this ancient tradition.
At Sinai, God spoke directly to the people from the mount. Jesus was God come in the form of human flesh. Both of these are very direct. Some Bibles include the words of Jesus in red. According to our text, there may be some Biblical support for this idea. That is that God's Word through messengers though a serious matter is not as serious as God's direct words to us.
When it comes to major issues, we need to be mindful of the Ten Commandments. When it comes to major issues, we need to be mindful of our Lord's words to love God absolutely and to love others, as we love ourselves. Jesus said that on these two principles the entire message of the Bible rests. When it comes to major issues, we need to be mindful of the apostolic account of the things that Jesus said and taught. Sadly, we read at Sinai that the people preferred Moses and angels. Could it be that they understood this principle of accountability and God in His grace allowed angels to bring the law to Moses?
What was Jesus' message to us about priorities? Jesus said that we need to be witnesses. We need to win souls to Christ. We need to fish for men. We need to make disciples. Evangelist Bob Jones said, it takes evangelistic unction to make orthodoxy function. Why is that? It is because of the emphasis in Jesus' last words to His disciples in Matthew 28:19, 20 which give the great commission. Matthew 28:19,20 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Sadly, most today are involved with trying to figure out which one of us is the greatest. The standard of judgment for many is various standards of holiness, size of budgets, and numbers of people. We need to realize that our main calling is to preach the Gospel.

He Gives Confirmation of the Word of God

Have you ever heard this statement, ''I couldn't "'afford to pay" attention? Today's text is quite pointed, "How can we afford "not to pay" attention. Hebrews 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.; There are many folks today who seem to think that they can claim salvation as just a statement of profession and then live like they want to live and somehow they will make it to heaven; but in fact this is contrary to the very Word of God. We cannot neglect this great Salvation that Jesus Christ, God's only Son brought to the world. If we do, we will enter into eternity without a Savior and will be condemned to Hell for not choosing God's only Son, Jesus Christ. Did you know that just by not choosing God's way to eternity, you have already made your choice? By just saying, "not yet, not today, some other time," you are already deciding your eternal destiny. The simple fact is this; By not repenting of your sin and turning to Jesus Christ to save you, you have made your choice to spend an eternity in the lake of fire. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation. Think about it! If disobedience to the older covenant of law brought swift judgment, how much more severe will be the judgment of disobedience to the new Covenant Gospel of salvation, which was brought by the Son, Jesus Christ, who is superior to the angels. The messenger and the message of the new Covenant are greater than the messengers and the message of the older Covenant. So it stands that the greater the privilege, the greater the punishment for disobedience and neglect. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation. Most importantly, if we reject the Gospel message, brought by Jesus Christ Himself, there will be no escape from judgment. Lastly, How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation, because there has been so many faithful witnesses to salvation. Jesus, Himself, was the first to bear witness of salvation. With these eternal truths before our eyes today, no one who rejects the simple plan of salvation (repentance and submission) can expect to escape the judgment of God. Where do you stand today? How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation. Heavenly Father, we tremble as we thank You for Your Great Salvation.

September 10th

Hebrews 2:5-8

Hebrews 2:5-8 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. 6 But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands: 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. To simplify verse 5, God has not put angels in charge of this world or the world to come. The first man (Adam) was put in charge but he failed so God sent (Christ) the second Adam, and He is in charge. Christ is in charge of a new race of humanity, by this we mean the "born again ones" who are a new creation in Christ 2 Cor. 5:17.

In verses 6-7, we see the "Son of Man" was, in his humanity, the seed of David through Mary his mother. Mary was a Jewish maiden chosen of God to bring the bodily presence of God into our world. In Christ's humanity he was made a little lower than the angels, even as we are. We see glory added to glory for Christ. Here we see Christ is set over the works of God in a unique way. All created creatures: all the orders of the angels, Satan and all demons, the human race, the animal kingdom and all visible and invisible creation, all are subject to Christ.

Verse 8, records "all things are in subjection to Him" This is also found in three other passages: Isaiah 45:22-24, Romans 14:11and Philippians 2:9-11. It has been said that if it is found in the Bible one time that's good enough for me, but here we find this great truth four times and when we see it that often we need to, for sure, heed it. Philippians 2:9-11 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Yes, every created being will bow to Christ! We must either bow now or at the Great White Throne. The choice is yours!

August 11th

Jesus Superior to Angels

Hebrews 2:5-9

Lines of authority are very important. In a recent study, we talked about dispensations. A dispensation is a stewardship. The idea of stewardship involves responsibility. The Biblical authority in the home is the father and mother. No state house or church building has ever birthed a child. Sadly, we live in a day when both the church and the state feel the authority to interfere in the home. This is wrong. It is a disregard for Biblical authority.
According to our text, God created angels on a higher order than man. They are greater in power, authority and wisdom. We would be wise to remember this. Satan, for example, has been involved in this earth at least since his temptation in the Garden of Eden. He and the serpent were cursed for this breach of protocol. Part of that curse is that Jesus Christ will bruise his head (Genesis 3:15). A Roman spike literally bruised Jesus Christ's heel. Where a literal interpretation is possible, I believe we should take it first. This is helpful in leading in the right direction as we go on to deeper spiritual truth and applying it to our lives.
Jesus Christ was God in the form of human flesh. His power to cast out demons gave evidence to His authority over angelic spirit beings. God created the angels as His messengers. These messengers are his special servants to His people. We read concerning angels in Hebrews 1:14... are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Who sent these spirits? God sent these spirits. He is the one with authority over the angelic spirit world. This is an indication that He is God.
Satan was the greatest of all angelic spirits. He fell into pride and sin; we read, 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. Good is greater in power and might, than evil. That which is true, that which is right and pure will overcome all evil. According to Hebrews 2:8, Jesus has all authority and power. 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. Jesus is God.

September 12th

The Most Humiliation of All Beings

Hebrews 2:9

Today, we are going to look at what God had planned in Jesus Christ and what God has done in Jesus Christ. Do you realize that God has a plan, not only for the whole world, but also for each of us individually? God's plan offers mankind the only hope he will ever have for eternity because of sin and evil. Jesus Christ is who brings that hope. Let's take a closer look. First, we see that God made Christ a little lower than the angels to suffer and taste death for every man. The word "taste" means to experience or to partake of. God sent Christ into the world to experience death (the wages of sin) for every man. Christ had a full measure of God's Spirit and He obeyed God perfectly without ever sinning. Therefore, He secured perfect righteousness, and He stands as the perfect and ideal Man before God. This means that because Jesus Christ died on the cruel and shame-filled cross, His death would cover and free men from ever having to die. Even better, when He arose from the grave, His resurrection would assure that men could arise and live eternally. Best of all, when He was exalted into heaven, His exaltation would make it possible for man to be exalted into heaven and to rule and reign over the universe for God. So, Jesus Christ suffered and tasted death for every man, and because He has died, God has crowned Him with the glory and honor of heaven. God has exalted Him to the height of heaven, to His own right hand of authority and power. This is Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Because Jesus "became obedient unto death... God also has highly exalted Him." Phil. 2:8,9. By His redemptive work, Christ has fulfilled all that is required as the supreme representative of mankind. By His incarnation, substitutionary sacrifice, and victory over sin and death, 1 John 4:10...the propitiation for our sins, Jesus has fulfilled man's original purpose. As we see in the last part of our text, ... he by the grace of God should taste death for every man; everyone who truly believes, that is. The death of Christ can only be applied to those who come to God in repentance of their sin and by faith, submit their lives to Him in humble obedience. Is this where you stand today?!

"Dear Gracious and Merciful Father, we humbly fall on our knees and repent, asking You to forgive us of our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We ask You, Jesus to save us. Amen."

September 13th

All Things Were Created by Christ

Hebrews 2:10, John 1:3, Psalms 33:6, Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:16, Hebrews 1:10

Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. Other translations use the word "in" rather than "by", and the Greek substantiates this. Vincent, one of the great Greek scholars of the New Testament, says of this passage, "In Him, within the sphere of His personality resides the creative will and creative energy, and in that sphere the creative act takes place." Next we note, "heaven and earth, visible and invisible" and this includes all creation, space, matter, and energy. It is difficult for us to understand that all visible and invisible things are the product of one Personality. The smallest particle of dust that reflects light in the sunbeam, shining through a window, and a single drop of water was created for and in Him, but every drop is still in existence. We hear about how we need more water today, but not a drop of the original water has ever been lost. It may have changed into some-thing else, but it's all still here.

The words, "thrones, dominions, principalities and powers" refer to the angels in heaven and the demons in hell. These particular words are directed to the believers at Colosse because angel-worship had crept into the church. Paul had to straighten them out, because they were trying to count how many angels could stand on a pinhead at one time. They were discussing the various grades of angels and trying to figure out how many angels stood between God and man. Remember, there was a time when Paul was stoned at Lystra because the people gave them Greek gods names and thought of them as angels, Acts 14:8-23. In the Greek culture of New Testament days, angels were worshipped and this writer has seen the stone, winged statues that are still standing in Greece today.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. Christ is the one Mediator and the only one. There is none other name given among men, Acts 4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Christ is not only the Creator, but our Mediator, Praise God!

September 14th

Jesus Our Redeemer

Hebrews 2:10-13

In the councils of God from eternity, God planned our redemption. The trinity has ever been a great mystery. We cannot overemphasize that Christians are monotheistic. We believe in only one God, however, the work of God the Father in our redemption is much different from that of God the Son. There is a covenant of redemption at work between God the Father and God the Son that was forged somewhere in eternity past.
This covenant involved the absolute submission of God the Son to the Father. We read in Psalm 40:7,8 7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. This is a reference to the coming of Jesus Christ to this earth. Jesus loved the Father and delighted to do the will of the Father. The spirit of righteousness involved here is described in the book of Philippians. Philippians 2:5-8 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
God the Father rather than dedicate Himself to redemption, dedicated Himself to being the just sovereign of the universe. Now remember God is one. We dare not allow ourselves to think in terms of the existence of more than one God. This is wrong. God is one in essence and three in person. God the Father, being just, must punish evil and reward good.
Part of this reward is mentioned in Philippians 2:9-11. Here we read that 9 God also...hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord... Jesus is the one an only Redeemer. He was tempted in all points like we are yet without sin. He is the only man who has ever lived that is free from all sin. As such, He is the only Redeemer. He is the one and only Savior of fallen humanity.

September 15th

Perfected Through Sufferings

Jesus Christ suffered greatly on the cross. We cannot even begin to describe or imagine the depth of suffering and agony that was placed upon our Savior as he took the sins of the world upon His shoulders. How He voluntarily died in ultimate shame, His disciples deserting Him. How he was mocked and beaten, being spit upon, His beard being yanked and torn out, a crown of thorns being cruelly thrust down upon His bleeding head, nails being driven into His hands and feet, unable to breath, in merciless pain and agony, suffocating and hanging shamefully naked in front of the crowd of mockers (some who were healed by Him no doubt and some who received bread from Him) who unmercifully cried out, "CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!".... Rejected!... Isaiah 53:6, 10 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 10Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief:
Can you just for a moment begin to see and look upon the suffering Savior, who went to the cross for you... who died in your place? The glorious truth is this, Jesus died so that you don't have to. You see, Hebrews 2:10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. What God did through the sufferings and humiliation of Jesus Christ on the cross was perfectly consistent with His sovereign righteousness and holiness. Without Christ's humiliation and suffering, there could be no redemption. And without redemption, there could be no glorification. Jesus Christ was made the captain of our Salvation. He has led the way into heaven as our forerunner. We understand that in His divine nature He was already perfect. However, in His human nature, Jesus Christ was perfected through obedience, and that included suffering in order that He might be an understanding High Priest, as an example for all believers.

"O Lord God how we weep in sorrow when we realize how Christ suffered on our behalf! But oh, how we rejoice, knowing that You did this so we wouldn't have to. Jesus is our suffering Savior, made perfect through suffering. May we, too, suffer obediently for His names sake."

September 16th

Living in Christ leads to a Sanctified Life

Hebrews 2:11, Romans 5:16

Heb. 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Galatians 5:16 and 18 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ... But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Led by the Spirit: If you act under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and if you make the Word of God your rule and the grace of God your principle, it will, hence, appear that you are not under the law. Paul begins with the works of the flesh, in verses 19-21 The Holy Spirit can never be comfortable with those who immerse themselves in the filth of the flesh. The righteous and holy God never admits such into his favor and presence, unless they be first washed and sanctified, and justified in the name of our Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God, 1 Corinthians 6:11.

Paul specifies the fruit of the Spirit, in verses 22, 23. These Spiritual, attributes are: love, joy, peace, the first three are directed towards God. The second three are to our fellow Christians and others we seek to win to Christ: long-suffering, gentleness, goodness and the last three are directed toward self: faith, meekness, and temperance. These are not nine different fruits, but rather they are all fruit of the indwelling Holy Spirit. There is no law against these as we saw in verses 19-21 above.

And those that are Christ's, says Paul (those who are Christians indeed, not only in show and profession, in sincerity and truth), have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. We still have fleshly temptations, but we are in the process of eradicating them, one by one. This is called progressive sanctification. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. To be self-crucified is to recognize sin and plead the blood on it; to put it away and every time it raises its ugly head to defeat us, we turn a deaf ear and tell the Tempter that we are dead with Christ and sin has no more dominion over us.

September 17th

Joint Heirs with Christ

Colossians 1:18-23

Redemption is not rooted in the justice of God. Redemption is rooted in the grace and mercy of God. All of fallen humanity is lost in sin and as such, already justly condemned to hell. This world was already condemned when Jesus came into it. All who do not believe in Christ are already condemned. John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
Our redemption is only possible through our union with Christ. Christ and all that believe are one body. 1 Corinthians 12:12,13 12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. The church is all those then, who have been born of the Spirit and united with Jesus Christ.
It is this union with Christ that elevates us above angels. Angels are above man, but saints are above angels. I wonder are you numbered among the saints of God. Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth. Why is that? It is because Jesus is the King of heaven and the kingdoms of this earth are destined to one day become the kingdom of our Lord. Jesus is coming and all the saints will come with Him. The saints will share in all that glory and all that power. Romans 8:16,17 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
If we follow Christ, we will find a cross, however, all who find a cross will also find a crown. We, who are made in the image of God in Christ, become a part of the actual family of God. This is what it means to be a saint. God has given man dominion over this earth. It seems that the saints play an important part in God's purpose for this world. When the king comes again, He will be surrounded by tens of thousands of His holy saints. Christ and the saints hold a higher position than that of angels.

September 18th

Adopts Children to God

Adoption; most of us know what this means to some extent. It is important that we understand more thoroughly what is involved with the process and most importantly, how God views this very important step for believers. Back in verse 12 we see the phrase, "My Brethren" which is quoted from Psalm 22:22. Jesus had taught that those who do the will of the Father in obedience to His word are His brothers and mother. (Matt. 12:50) Interestingly, He never directly referred to His disciples by the title of "brethren" until after His resurrection. Not until He had paid the price for their salvation, did they truly become His spiritual brothers and sisters. We see that the use of the term "my brethren" demonstrates His full identification with mankind in order to provide complete redemption. God the Father had sent Jesus Christ to share equally with the sanctified, who are believers. Sanctified means set apart and separated unto God. In other words, through Christ, true believers are born again, spiritually born of God. They are literally adopted into the family of God and God becomes their Father. God places them into the position of brethren with Christ! Let us personalize this. None of us deserve it, we haven't earned it, but just by repentance and trusting Christ to save us, God sets true believers apart and adopts them into the family as brethren. We see a beautiful picture here in that now believers get to share in the same worship as Christ, because Christ now lives within them, stirring them to learn more and more about God. Finally, we see that Christ is able to present true believers to God because of His work on the cross. We must diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Without Christ, God sees men as sinners and condemns them to Hell, but through Christ, true believers are seen as righteous and are adopted into the family. It is Christ's work of redemption that we must realize. We are sinners in the hands of an Angry God, condemned to Hell, but Jesus Christ our Savior paid the price for sin and we, then, are able, Heb. 4:16 therefore (to) come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Adoption into the family of God!

September 19th

God took upon Himself a Human Nature

Hebrews 2:14-18 and Romans 8:3

Heb. 2:14-18 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. It is the writer's desire to give an exegesis of the above verses and also include Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Verse 14: tells us that Christ had to become a man in order to know the problems of temptation, suffering and death. As God, our Saviour had no experiential knowledge of these three troubles that plague mankind. He had to take upon him the weakness of the flesh and likeness of sinful flesh to understand Satan's insidious temptations and all that we go through and yet be without sin, (Cf. Rom. 8:3 above).
Verse 15: The fear of death is built into our conscious mind because it means separation from life and loved ones. Christ suffered death and came forth from the tomb. He has guaranteed us that death no longer has any dominion over us and the grave is not the end, but in Christ is the beginning of a new, everlasting life, (1 Corinthians 15:50-58).
Verse 16-17: Christ did not take the nature of angels, who also are created beings, but human nature that He might be the Saviour of all mankind. And now we see Him as the Great High Priest, not sacrificing bulls, goats and lambs, but as the Perfect Sacrifice a once for all giving of Himself in behalf of all the human race.

Verse 18: Having gone through all that we faced, He now empathizes with us and lifts us above the fears of suffering and death. Amen!

September 20th

Conquered Death

I Corinthians 15:51-57

I don't believe that this world would have known death were it not for sin. We read that as Adam and Eve were in the garden, God warned them about the coming of death if they ate the forbidden fruit. We read that God did not create hell for humanity. He created hell for those angelic beings that fell, the devil and his angels. It would have been inappropriate for God to create hell for those made in His image.
Because Jesus was without sin, death had no power over Him. Jesus said, John 10:17,18 17 ... I lay down my life, ... 18 No man taketh it from me, ... I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again... Jesus had such power because He was without sin. He was the second Adam, the perfect man. Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded. He was both God and man. He was God in every sense that God is God, and He was man in every sense that Adam was man. When He faced life, He faced it as Adam. When He faced life, He faced it in every sense that you and I do except for sin. We read in Hebrews 4:15 where Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
In this life, Jesus did not use His divine power. We read in John 5:19.... Jesus... said unto them, ... The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. His power over death then came from His righteousness as a man. As we noted, death would not have come into this world if sin had not entered. Jesus was without sin. Death had no power over Him. God created the first Adam with a holy moral nature, however, as character is born of experience, it was not possible to create Adam with a holy moral character. The person of Jesus' humanity was the second person of the Trinity. His person was in God the Son. God the Son had a holy moral character. Therefore, it was impossible that He should sin though the temptations were real.
Jesus in his full humanity conquered sin, death, and hell. He rose again and lives forever. All born of the first Adam will die. All born of the second Adam will live forever. The day is coming when all who have been born of the Spirit will put away sinful flesh and will be recreated in the image of Christ.

September 21st

Conquered the Devil

Hebrews 2:14; 1 John 3:8

Most people are really afraid of what lies beyond the grave after physical death, and rightfully so. They ought to be so afraid that they fall on their knees and repent of their sin unto Almighty God and call upon Jesus Christ to save them. You see, Satan is the prince of the air. He is the ruler of the earth and before Christ died on the cross, and only because God allowed him to, Satan temporarily held the power of death as a threat over mankind; but praise be unto God for winning the victory over death and sin! Has there ever been any doubt?! Christ's perfect life paid the price of sin and He rose up from the grave, conquering once for all, death and its cruel sting. How did He do this? First, we realize that Jesus Christ is God, come in the flesh. Jesus delivered man by willingly becoming a man himself. He took part of human flesh. The difference between Christ and us is that He willingly took part of flesh, where as you and I had no say in the matter. We were born into sin from human parents, but Jesus was not born of man, but of God the Holy Spirit, and He willingly determined and purposed to take part of human flesh and blood. He humbled Himself to such a degree that He would leave heaven above in order to come to earth and live as a man. He delivered mankind by willingly going to the cross to die for us. We all die and there is no escaping that fact. Death is all around us. We die and will never again experience this life, as such. We die because of sin and death is the result of sin. That is why a Perfect one was required. Jesus was without sin and so He could offer the Perfect sacrifice. Through His death on the cross, Jesus was then able to secure the power over sin and death once and for all. Should mankind be afraid of death? Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. What about people who profess Christianity, but have no fruit? Matthew 7:19; 13:42 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Yes, death without Christ is to be feared, but death with Christ is glorious. Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. 2 Peter 3:12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God. Amen.

September 22nd

Christ made it Possible for all Mankind
to be Delivered from the Fear of Death

Hebrews 2:15; Ephesians 4:8-10; Matthew 12:40 and Psalms 16:10

The fear of death is in every mind, because there is an uncertain fear that there may be something beyond the grave. Even those who call themselves atheists are fearful of what's beyond the grave. Our text verse reveals this great truth. And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. Hebrews 2:15
There are many interpretations or guesses about the following Scripture. The best one we can find is that our Saviour went into the bowels of the earth and released the souls of the Old Testament saints who were in Paradise as recorded in Luke 16:19-21. Jesus is speaking of the two compartments in the place of the pre-resurrection dead. Those on the other side of the great fixed gulf were in a place of torment. Ephesians 4:8-10 tells us of the saints who died before Christ's resurrection and their release from the place where Satan held them. Christ took them from Abraham's bosom into glory according to these verses, and they are now in the presence of the resurrected Saviour.
Psalm 16:10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. This verse has a two-pronged meaning. David knew that God would not leave his soul in Hades, (or the unseen world) the place of the dead, and he also knew that The Holy One (Christ) would not see corruption. Our bodies will see corruption, but because Christ was raised the third day, His body did not. Our corrupted bodies will be raised incorruptible when the trumpet shall sound and the New Testament saints leave this earth in the blessed rapture.
Job gives us a marvelous testimony of his faith in life after death. Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: 27 Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me. The above is the most informative testimony of an Old Testament saint believing in everlasting life, in the presence of His Lord. Do you have that kind of faith? I do!

September 23rd

The Second Adam

Hebrews 2:16-18

We often think of Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This is true, however, it is also true that Jesus rendered perfect obedience as a man. In our redemption, all our sin was placed on Jesus Christ. He paid the just penalty for sin. What is the just penalty for sin? We read in Romans 6:23that " the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. The contrast here is not just between physical life and physical death, but eternal life and eternal death.
We need to realize that Jesus is our righteousness. Of ourselves, we do not possess perfect righteousness. Of ourselves, all our righteousness is as filthy rags, the prophet tells us. Once we believe, we are made partakers of the very righteousness of Jesus Christ. Jesus not only died for us, He rendered perfect obedience to the law for us. Just as we inherit a sin nature from Adam, we inherit forgiveness of sin and perfect righteousness from Jesus Christ.

As Jesus rendered perfect obedience, divine power played no part. In our text, we read (Hebrews 2:17) that " in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. When it came to this life, Jesus faced life as we face it. Think of the tempter coming to Him challenging Him to turn stones to bread. Why would that have been so wrong? It would have been wrong because we cannot do that. It would have been wrong because God's will for His life was to face life just as you and I face it with all human weakness, save for sin. Jesus healed the breach between God and man. He is the one and only perfect mediator.
It was not the divine power, but the divine character that provided perfect redemption. The outcome was certain. He had a holy moral character. He could not sin though He was tempted. Sadly, all humanity was plunged into sin in Adam, but God working in the person of Jesus Christ guaranteed our redemption. Jesus is able to save all that come to Him, however, if we would come, we must do so in faith and submission.

September 24th

Suffered Temptation and Won so He Could Succor Those Tempted

Hebrews 2:18

Every one of us has been tempted in some way or another and most, if not all of us, have given in to temptation. We fail so many times and yet, 1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. God the Son, Jesus Christ became man's great High Priest, so that He could be merciful and faithful to us. Jesus was "behooved" constrained and moved to be a man in order to sympathize and feel for man. Why? There are 4 reasons that we will look at today. First of all, Jesus Christ became our great High Priest so that He could be merciful to man. Man needs mercy and it is mercy that is our only hope of ever living with God. Unless God loves man so much that He will pour out His mercy upon us, man is doomed and lost for eternity. So Jesus became our faithful High Priest. Secondly, Jesus became our High Priest so He could be faithful to God. God loves man with an eternal love and so He willed that Christ come to earth and deliver man from sin and death and judgment. So Christ was faithful. Thirdly, Jesus became our High Priest to be the propitiation or payment for man's sin. It was His blood, His sacrifice, His death, His suffering, and His cross that caused God to accept Jesus as our payment and when He died, the righteousness, perfection and justice of God was satisfied. Finally, Jesus became our High Priest so that He could succor them. Isaiah 63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. This means that Christ can help and relieve and assist us when we run and cry out to Him in our suffering and pain, trials and temptation. He knows exactly how we feel and is perfectly able to comfort and help us in every situation and condition and trial that we go through. In fact, Jesus suffered so much more than any man will ever suffer. His suffering reached the depth of humiliation. That way, He can also be the perfect sympathizer, because He can identify and feel each problem and trial that we face. Jesus Christ can succor, help, feel, care for, and look after every person no matter what their condition, trial, or temptation. Amen.

September 25th

Christ was not taken from among men
But was sent from Heaven

Hebrews 5:1-5

Hebrews 5:1-5 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. Most teachers believe that the Book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were straddling the fence of uncertainty as to whether they should stay with Christianity or return to the Old Testament faith. They were being ridiculed and considered traitors to their former faith.

The Apostle Paul, as we believe, was the author of Hebrews, guided by the Holy Spirit, reminds them that all Old Testament priests were chosen from the tribe of Levi and anointed with oil to perform the duties of the Tabernacle and Temple worship. However, their work was not a lasting work and therefore had been brought to an end by the Final Sacrifice of Christ on the cross. To return to the old ways was to deny the work of Christ and become anathema. If Christ's work was denied there was no hope of salvation or heaven. The Apostle goes further in the 6th chapter as he develops this theme. Reading again, the 5th verse above, we see that Christ was also chosen of God to become that last Great High Priest and to offer Himself as the final sacrifice. We know from John 17 that Christ willingly gave himself, not to glorify Himself, but to glorify His Father. John 17:4-6 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. 5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. 6 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. What a great Saviour we have! Praise Him today and every day for what He did for you!

September 26th

Hebrews 3:1-6

The Old Covenant began in Abraham. Abraham is the father of many nations. The nations of this world had their roots in the family. Part of God's purpose for Israel was that the other nations would see that blessed is that nation whose God is the Lord. In the book of Revelation, we read of the Holy City. This city has twelve foundations and twelve gates. The twelve foundations have the names of the twelve apostles. The twelve gates have the names of the twelve patriarchs. Israel began with the twelve tribes. The church began with twelve apostles.
In our text, Moses is described as a servant in God's house and Jesus is said to be a Son. There is a difference here. The Bible speaks of the present church as a family. The apostles address God's people as brothers. Brothers come from the same father; all who are redeemed and in Christ. There is no other way of salvation. We read in John 14:6 that Jesus said " I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. A son is greater in standing in the house than a servant. The point in our text is that Jesus is of greater standing than Moses.
This present church age is superior to those that preceded it. Consider a few texts in this regard. The union we have with Christ through the Spirit of God is something unknown in other dispensations. In John 14:12 we read where Jesus said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do... The works in believers through God's Spirit will be greater than the works of Jesus. How can this be? God was working by His Spirit through Jesus. If God works by His Spirit through all who believe, this has to be a greater work if for no other reason than the greater number of people.
In 1 Peter 2:17, we are told that we should Love the brotherhood. The brotherhood is the family of God; all who believe are in Christ. They form one family. We even read that they form one body. God offered to make a great nation of Moses as he had done with Jacob. Moses refused. In Christ, God is making a great household of faith. Are you in that house?

September 27th

Moses Predicted That Christ Would Be Like Him, Only Better

Hebrews 3:18

We are to, 13 "exhort one another daily, while it is called Today, because the time is short. Today is the day for salvation, for believing and walking in Christ. Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. James 4:14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. A person can be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin and miss eternal life and will be condemned to eternal death. Proverbs 29:1 He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy. Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. If you profess that you are a believer, but you have no spiritual fruit, 2 Peter 3:17...beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. Each day that you wake up in the morning is eternally important! 2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) After all this, people still provoke God and rebel against Him. Numbers 14:11,23 11 How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? 23 Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it. So God's righteous judgment is sure. Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die. And God must judge unbelief! Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Finally, unbelief shuts a person out. Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. Evaluation time: Where do you stand? Are you a possessor or just a professor? Many people died in the wilderness without Christ, even though they made a profession. "Dear Heavenly Father, may we come to know Christ as Savior! Amen."

September 28th

Christ was not of the descent of Aaron
or the Levitical Priesthood
Hebrew 7:11-14

Hebrews 7:11-14 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. In order to understand this passage, we need to go back before the Law and Levitical priesthood to Abraham in Genesis 14:18-20 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. Some teach that Melchizedek was what is called a theophany or that he was actually Christ in the flesh, blessing Abraham. This teaching is difficult to nail down because it poses some questions for which we have no answers. Melchizedek was certainly a type of Christ in that he was the king of a city called Salem, and that is part of the word for the Holy City, Jerusalem today. In David's day, the same city was called "Jebus" and it would be good for us to read the following two passages, (2 Samuel 14:18-25 and I Chronicles 11:4-9) because they lay the foundation for Jerusalem being the chosen city for the Temple worship.
Another interesting insight of Abraham and Melchizedek is found in Genesis 14:20. Abraham brought tithes to Melchizedek; this is the first mention of tithing. Some say, "that tithing was instituted under the law and therefore, since we are not under the law, tithing is not for the Church." They are wrong! In Hermeneutics, a form of Bible study, the "First Mention Principle," The first mention of a word or phrase remains the same thing in Scripture regardless of the dispensation.

September 29th

Jesus is Our Savior

This is the only use of the Greek word translated "author" in the New Testament. The word carries the idea that Jesus is the cause of salvation in the lives of those obeying. This teaching is in line with what we read in Philippians 2:13; For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. God works and we work, but salvation is of the Lord. In particular, salvation is in Christ.
Theologians speak of conversion. Faith and repentance bring conversion. Faith is a turning to Christ, and repentance is a turning from sin. It is spiritually impossible to turn to Christ without turning from sin. Jesus said to the people that except they repent from sin, they would perish. He was speaking of eternal damnation, not just physical death. If we repent from sin, we submit ourselves to God. Repentance then involves submission and obedience.
It is sad, but many that name the name of Christ today have no concept of repentance. Some avoid preaching on sin because people don't like it. They are more concerned with pleasing people than preaching the whole council of God. No one ever enjoys being told that they are wrong and confronted with sin. Yet, this is an important part of the responsibility of God's servants. The church is a kingdom, not a democracy. One of the key characteristics of false prophets was that they were focused on pleasing people, rather than pleasing God.
We read where the apostle Paul writes in Galatians 1:10... do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. Without a conviction of sin, there can be no repentance. There can be no conviction of sin without the working of the Holy Spirit and preaching on sin. It is only after the Spirit of God brings us to a sense of helplessness and hopelessness that we can look to Christ in faith, love and hope. It is only then, that Jesus can bring salvation and other blessings. We need to understand that we have no hope apart from the grace of God in Christ. God works in and through Jesus Christ to bring us back to Himself and the truth. Are you really sure that you are in Christ?

September 30th

Made a Way of Access Unto God Through His Blood

Hebrews 4:14-16; 10:19-23

Can we even begin to fully understand the grace of God in Christ Jesus as our Great High Priest?! The glorious truth is that Jesus is our Great High Priest who is able to fully understand us and is able to fully meet every need and situation that will carry us through this life of sin and suffering. We understand that Jesus Christ is in Heaven at the right hand of God the Father and that He is the very Son of God. He has made it possible for us to be saved and acceptable unto God. No other priest can do this. We have a High Priest who feels with us. He is touched and feels, and suffers with us. Isaiah 63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. Jesus was tempted in all things as we are, yet He was without sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. We can call upon God boldly, but note two things. It is God who sits on the throne, the seat of authority, power, honor, glory, respect, and reverence. We must always approach with great respect and reverence. It is God who is sitting on the throne of Grace; His grace, His love, His blessing. We can only approach the throne because of Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. We can now obtain the very mercy of God. God will forgive us and He will have mercy upon us, but when we come to the throne, we must ask Him for mercy. We must acknowledge that Christ paid our price for sin on the cross and He alone can represent us before God. Micah 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. We can now find grace to help in time of need. What a glorious promise! No matter what trial, trouble, or temptation that we may have, the very help of Almighty God is there and readily available to those who are true believers. And 2 Corinthians 12:9 and he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Amen.