The Company You Keep (Psalm 119:63)
 
Psalm 119:63, I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
 
David made a wise decision. He abandoned the workers of iniquity and associated with them that feared the Lord. He pledged that he would be a friend to anyone who feared and obeyed the Lord. Perhaps some of God’s faithful people were standing by him as he endured intense persecution. Knowing in his heart that his enemies could easily turn on other followers, he promised his loyalty and support to all fellow believers who kept God’s laws.
 
David here describes his associations. It was with those who feared God and were obedient to His Word. That lesson remains particularly true for this day. Our associates and friends ought to be those who fear God and are completely obedient to His Word. If we choose companions that fear God and keep His precepts, then we will have true friends. Two people that are close to God will draw near to each other. Your friends will be those whom you have things in common. Be a spiritual Christian and you will have spiritual companions. The Bible puts it best in Proverbs 18:24, A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
 
David’s companions manifest the kind of faith he possesses. Trials and persecution should strengthen our decision to remain obedient to God, to stand fast in our faith. As believers in today’s world, we are facing increasing pressure to back down from our faith in Christ and our faithfulness to God’s inspired Word. So, while the world turns further away from the truths of Scripture, and while hostile governments, religious fanatics, and godless societies continue to rise, we must determine to stand fast for our Lord and His holy Word. It was David’s desire to be united and in fellowship with those who loved the Lord and His Word. It was his goal to live in such a way that those who loved and feared God would want to fellowship with him. May the Lord help us to live in such a way that our life is a source of strength, blessing, and encouragement to others to live for Christ. We are greatly influenced by our friends and companions. Companion here is one that is an associate, or one knit together. Two requirements for those we associate with are that they fear God and keep His commandments.
 
1.       The Selection of Friends “I am a companion of all them”
Those two words reflect a choice. Your companions are those you choose. You must determine in your heart to keep good company. Good company does not come by accident; we must pray, seeking the Lord for godly companions. You must choose godly company if you want good company. It is often said we will become like the books we read, the media we watch, and the friends we keep.
 
2.       The Sorts of Friends “that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.”
Those who have reverence and respect for God will be good company. Those who disrespect God, mock God, and criticize God are those you should stay away from in the company you keep. People that live by the Word of God are good people to associate with in fellowship. Godly people are good companions. A person who is evil is one you do not want to associate with in life. He will lead you down the wrong path, but Biblical friends will be there to hold you up when you stumble.
 
Proverbs 13:20, He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Looking at this verse, it is easy to see that if you hang around people who are wise when it comes to the Lord, then you will be wise as well. If you hang around people who witness, then you will witness as well. If you are around people who are taking a stand for Christ, it is going to help you take a stand. Proverbs 27:17, Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Jonathan was attempting to finish his project but struggling to complete it in time. Tom, a new neighbor walked over and offered to help. Tom had a collection of nice tools and had everything needed for the job. When they finished the job, Jonathan was amazed at Tom’s collection of tools and asked him what he made with such tools. “Friends mostly,” Tom answered.
 
Questions to Consider:
Do you live your life in such a way that people know you are a Christian?
Do godly people feel comfortable around you because of your love for God?
Are you helping your friends grow closer to Christ?
Do your friends sharpen you spiritually or do they dull you?
Who are your friends?
Are they wise or foolish?
 
Points to Ponder:
We are to be careful about the company we keep.
Those you spend your time with will have an influence in your life.
When you find godly friends, they contribute to your life.
Ask Christ to help you draw your friends into a closer relationship with Him today.
Keeping God's Word will be easier if we have friends that want to keep it too.
Choose companions that bring you closer to the Lord.
 
PRAYER: Lord, thank You for saving my soul and for Your gift of eternal life. You used a friend and a co-worker who lead me to You. You have given me a church family who loves You and prays fervently for me. You have given me my very best friend, my wife, who stands by my side faithfully and encourages me. May I serve You faithfully, in Jesus name, AMEN.
 
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Abel (Genesis 4:4; Hebrews 11:4)

Genesis 4:4, “And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:” Hebrews 11:4, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

Abel, the second son of Adam and Eve, was a shepherd who had strong faith in God. His name means “breath” or “vapor” in which describes his brief life. Also, which is a reminder as to how frail and fleeting life is (James 4:14). Abel was Adam’s second son; he was a faithful worshiper of God (John 4:24). He gave God a pleasing offering of a first-born lamb. He was killed by his older brother Cain, whose offering was not pleasing nor accepted by the Lord. His blood cried out for vengeance to God.

Faith is defined as believing God and acting on what God has said or revealed. God had revealed the way of sacrifice, and both Cain and Abel knew what He had said. Abel believed, and by faith he brought an animal sacrifice. Cain didn’t believe and decided to come his own way. Cain and his offering of the fruit of the ground were not accepted. Cain was rejected because he came his own way not God’s way. John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me.” The Bible couldn’t say it any clearer. The only acceptable approach to God is through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Abel’s offering foreshadowed the greatest offering ever made, Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. Jesus Christ was the best sacrifice offered to God. In Him is no sin (II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 9:14; I Peter 2:22; I John 3:5). He is absolutely holy. The shedding of the blood, which occurred in the slaying of the animal in sacrificing it, foreshadowed salvation through the blood of Christ. "Without shedding of blood is no remission" (Hebrews 9:22); "the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:7); and "being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him" (Romans 5:9). The slaying of the lamb spoke convincingly of the Lamb of God "slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8), and "the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Cain's offering did not foreshadow Christ at all; there was no lamb, hence no blood, no Christ, no cross.

When Abel brought “the firstlings of his flock” (Genesis 4:4), he was acknowledging his trust in the perfect Lamb of God who would one day be slain for sin. He knew his brother’s offering was a rebellious declaration against God. Cain exalted his own efforts at righteousness while Abel humbled himself as a sinner who needed a Saviour. Cain and Abel describe the great conflict between Satan and the Lord Jesus Christ. The first murder in the Scriptures signifies the rage of Satan and evil men crucifying Christ which led to the ultimate sacrifice of the Lord Jesus giving His life for sinners.

Abel came God’s way. God’s way was the way of animal sacrifice. Abel’s sacrifice looked forward to the one Great Sacrifice that was to come in the future. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, would go to the cross and die for the sins of the world. Abel believed God and acted on what God had said. This is what faith is all about. Abel came to God believing what He had revealed and he offered his sacrifice to God by faith. God’s way today is to approach God on the basis of the one Great Offering that was pictured in Abel’s sacrifice, the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Abel’s “more excellent sacrifice” pointed to Christ, the perfect offering for sin. Jesus was “a lamb without blemish and without spot” (I Peter 1:19). The lamb slain by Abel represented the coming “Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Abel was not made perfect through his own works. It was not Abel who professed himself righteous, it was God who declared that Abel was righteous. He “was righteous” through the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary. Abel was declared righteous by the very mouth of God because Abel, by faith, offered the one sacrifice which spoke of Jesus Christ, Who, by dying on the cross of Calvary, provided mankind with salvation.

"He being dead yet speaketh." One does not stop speaking when he dies. Our lives send messages long after we have died, and it is not just what we may have on our tombstones. What decides whether your message is a good one has to do with faith. What will your life say after you have died? The truth is that your life will speak after you died by how you lived before you died.

PRAYER: Help me to be a dedicated ambassador, to preach the Gospel fearlessly and ceaselessly. Give me the confidence to preach the Gospel at all times under whatever condition and make me an useful instrument to further Your Great Commission. I ask you to give me the grace to proclaim Your good news so that other people can be saved also. Do not let me be an obstacle to evangelization, but help me to support it and to spread it further. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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When Satan Strikes (Matthew 4:1-11)

Matthew 4:1, “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.”

A "Bonehead of the Day" e-mail reported on an innovative toy recently released for distribution: A U.S. company has an action figure called Invisible Jim that is selling rapidly in Britain for about $2.80. Why is it called Invisible Jim? Because all you get is the packaging. There is no Jim. "Lack of dashing eyes", "realistic fake hair", "as not seen on TV", and "camouflage suit sold separately" are some of the features listed on the package. The company says they have received no complaints about the empty boxes. A spokeswoman for the distributor says that when the first shipment arrived, they thought there was some mistake at the factory—that they sent the packaging without the product. Good marketing, good packaging, empty box. Sounds a lot like temptation and sin. Temptation always comes in an attractive package with empty promises.

As soon as our Lord was baptized and began His public ministry, He was tempted of the devil. While He was in the field of carpentry, chipping away at wood, the devil was undisturbed. But as soon as He began to lay the axe to the root of Satan’s kingdom, our Lord was tempted by the devil. The very first thing that is recorded concerning our Lord’s public ministry is His temptation. Here is a fact of life from which there is no escape in this world: if you are a child of God, if the Spirit of God is in you, you will be tempted of the devil.

Satan tempted our Lord to three things.
1. Satan tempted Jesus to an act of unbelief, to distrust God (Matthew 4:3-4).
2. Satan tempted Jesus to an act suicide (Matthew 4:5-8).
3. Satan tempted Jesus to an act of idolatry (Matthew 4:8-10).

Satan is a real adversary to our souls. The Word of God tells us that that the devil is real, an adversary with whom we must do battle continually. The beast of hell sought an assault to the very throne of God, or the Son of God! From Matthew 4:1-11, in eleven verses we are told three times that Satan attacked the Lord Jesus Christ. “No matter how many pleasures Satan offers you, his ultimate intention is to ruin you. Your destruction is his highest priority.” - Erwin W. Lutzer His goal is the everlasting destruction of souls. He continually seeks whom he may devour. For nearly 6000 years he has been trying to destroy and draw into hell as many as he can.

Three times Satan tempted our Lord with great offers that convincingly appeal to the nature of mankind. But three times our Lord foiled Satan’s temptations by quoting the Scriptures. Three times (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10) Jesus met Satan's "if" head-on. Our strategy to escape the temptations of Satan is for us to bury ourselves in the Word of God. The Bible is the final authority and is unchanging. Jesus used the Scriptures as an effective weapon against temptation. Satan tried to misuse God’s Word in order to tempt Jesus to sin. At times, people who oppose God will also misuse the Bible in an attempt to persuade believers to do something they know is wrong or unwise. Some will often take a verse out of context to support a sinful lifestyle. This why it is important for Christians to know God’s Word thoroughly and be aware of those who try to misuse Scripture to support their own opinions or satisfy their own selfish desires.

Satan’s first temptation took advantage of His physical hunger for food. During the forty-day fast, through prayer and meditation on God’s Word, Jesus was strengthening and preparing Himself for the work His Father had sent Him to do. Fasting gives up a physical craving to fulfill a greater spiritual need. It involves a switching of priorities. Fasting prioritizes prayer and fellowship with God to feed the spirit instead of the stomach. A person's life is not just physical, but a spiritual side requires God's truth in order to fully live. As our Lord Jesus was tempted, so we shall be. The devil mercilessly tempted the Son of man to eat during a time of prolonged fasting, but he could not successfully lure Him to convert stones into bread.

The devil even sought to justify the temptations from Scripture and talked freely about angels, about God, and about grace. This is proof that Satan will use any and every means to prevent the Lord from fulfilling His purpose in your life. The devil knows the Bible, and he uses it. If he can’t convince you to act independently of God, he’ll work through your weaknesses. The devil tempted Jesus to jump from the temple, the problem was that doing so ignored God’s plan. Satan urged Jesus to fulfill God’s will for His life in a way that would bypass the cross. We are never to use disobedience to back God into a corner in order to force Him to fulfill his plan. You have no obligation to the devil (James 4:7). Too often, God’s people attempt to worship and serve God on their terms. If Jesus is their Lord, He would be the ultimate authority in their life, including worship.

Satan wants your worship; he wants you to bow to him. It is inconceivable for us of Christ to be worshipping at the devil’s feet. Yet Satan tempts the Lord’s church to bow herself before him rather than preaching and proclaiming the Gospel. Satan stands no chance when it comes to the believer who constantly confronts the devil with the Word of God. The Lord Jesus Christ is just the Saviour that tempted people need! May we run to Him for help and lay our troubles before Him. You will always find that His ear is ready to hear, His heart is ready to feel, and His hand is ready to help. He understands our sorrows, temptations, and troubles!

PRAYER: Father, I ask you in the name and through the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ to bind and rebuke Satan and to put a hedge of protection around me and each one in my family. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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The Watchman (Ezekiel 3:17; 33:7)
Ezekiel 3:17, “Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.” Ezekiel 33:7, “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.”

The Titanic is one of the worst maritime disasters in history. The British luxury liner Titanic (46,000 gross tons) of the White Star Line, on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York City, struck an iceberg about 95 miles south of the Grand Banks of Newfoundland just before midnight on April 14, 1912. Of the more than 2,220 persons aboard, about 1,513 died. The ship had been proclaimed unsinkable because of its 16 watertight compartments. Nevertheless, the iceberg sufficiently damaged the Titanic to make it sink in less than three hours. Investigations found that the ship had been steaming too fast in dangerous waters, that lifeboat space had been provided for only about half of the passengers and crew. Warnings came, however, the response was “You’re jamming up our signals.” The Californian, the closest ship to the scene, had not come to the rescue because its radio operator was off duty and asleep. A warning can be a matter of life and death.

The Intelligence Agency of a nation is of critical importance in protecting its people. Whether a satellite or a plane in the sky, a mechanical or human spy, or a soldier or guard on the border, a nation’s ability to gain intelligence determines its capability to protect itself. In ancient history, a nation protected itself by establishing fortified cities and outposts along its borders, as well as by posting military patrols at key locations throughout the land. But most important of all were the watchmen who were strategically posted along the walls of a city. It was the watchman’s duty to scan the horizon for any approaching enemy and to be alert to any danger within the city, such as fire or civil disturbance. As God’s man, I must take the Word of God forth to the world, proclaiming the glorious message of salvation to every human being of every generation.

As a watchman, God gave Ezekiel some warnings regarding his ministry. According to Ezekiel 33:6, God will hold a watchman accountable. A watchman (one positioned in a tower or on the city wall to look out for invaders or approaching disaster) who saw destruction coming and did not sound an alarm to warn the people would be held responsible for their deaths. In God’s kingdom, a pastor who does not warn those who are uncommitted or rebellious against God about the danger of judgment will be held accountable for the people’s spiritual destruction. All Christians have the responsibility to share their faith with people who are spiritually lost or without a personal relationship with God and to help fulfill the mission Jesus gave to the church (Matthew 28:19)We will give an account to God if we refuse to obey Jesus’ Great Commission (Acts 20:26).

Ezekiel was to be a watchman, warning that all who continued to resist God would be punished with death (Ezekiel 3:18). If Ezekiel failed to warn the wicked, he would be held accountable for their deaths. Faithful men of God today embrace Ezekiel’s example by warning those in their congregations who are behaving in ungodly ways that they will be excluded from God’s kingdom if they do not repent (I Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 5:18-21; Ephesians 5:5). God’s people are to be taught that they must admit their sins, turn from their own selfish ways, and begin to follow God’s purposes. Those who fail to warn the unfaithful will themselves be accountable to God for people’s spiritual destruction. We must always remember that God has given us the responsibility to take His message of forgiveness and new life through Christ to the entire world (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). This message includes the warning of eternal death for all who refuse to accept Christ’s forgiveness. God has made all of Christ’s followers his watchmen (Matthew 18:15). According to Ezekiel 33:7, God had made Ezekiel His watchman. God emphasized again that Ezekiel was to faithfully continue to warn the people to turn from sin and to accept God’s salvation. Today, the church and its pastor must help spread the message of spiritual salvation through Jesus Christ to all nations (Ezekiel 3:18).

I believe we all are accountable for giving the Gospel to the lost. We have a responsibility to try to tell people how to be saved either by witnessing to them or giving them a gospel tract. Do you have friends or loved ones that need the Lord? If so, make an effort to tell them about Jesus Christ and how to be saved. If you don't know Christ, you can turn to Him right now. According to an old legend, a man became lost in his travels and wandered into a bed of quicksand. Confucius saw the man's predicament and said, "It is evident that men should stay out of places such as this". Next, Buddha observed the situation and said, "Let that man's plight be a lesson to the rest of the world”. Then Mohammed came by and said to the sinking man, "Alas, it is the will of God”. Finally, Jesus appeared and said, "Take my hand, brother, and I will save you”. If you know not the Lord, He will save you if you will ask Him.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, thank You for those You sent my way to share the Gospel with me. Help me, that I may share the Gospel with those You allow me to connect with. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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Is God Able?...He is More Than Able! (Daniel 3:16-18)

Daniel 3:16-18, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

When Robert Morrison was on his way to China, where he would serve as a missionary, the captain of the ship was skeptical of his calling and gave him a hard time. As Morrison was leaving the ship, the captain said to him, “I suppose you think you’re going to make an impression on China”. “No”, Robert Morrison replied simply, “I don’t think I will make an impression on China, but I believe God will”.

The furnace that we read about represents trials and testing. Like these believers, our faith is put to the test sometimes. They would not bow, bend, budge, break, or burn to this world. What did they find in the furnace?
1. They Found the Presence of God (Daniel 3:25).
God’s presence gave them courage, comfort, and council.
2. They Found the Protection of God (Daniel 3:26).
God protected them from their fall, their foes, and their fire.
3. They Found the Promise of God (Daniel 3:28).
They trusted in God’s Word, way, and will.
4. They Found the Power of God (Daniel 3:27).
They were not singed, didn’t smelled, nor did they suffer.
Imagine the testimony of these men when they came out of the fiery furnace.

The three young men answered firmly: they refused to plead for their lives. Trusting and loving the Lord with all their hearts, they surrendered themselves into the hands of God. They informed the king that they did not need to defend themselves, that their first loyalty belonged to the Lord and Him alone. Moreover, they knew that their God was able to save them from the fiery furnace. In fact, they were casting themselves upon the Lord to actually rescue them. But even if the Lord chose not to deliver them, they still could not betray Him. No matter what the king did to them, they could not worship the gods of Babylon, nor the gold image that represented the state. The strong, steadfast faith of these young men is a perfect picture of total surrender to the Lord.

In times of trial or temptation, the one thing we need above all else is a strong, steadfast faith. The three young men could have easily compromised their faith. They could have done what we are so often tempted to do and take the easy way out. A solid, unwavering faith is needed to withstand the temptation to compromise. Throughout life, we will face critical decisions just as Daniel’s three friends did. If we choose to deny the Lord, we may escape the threats and the suffering for a brief time, but the day of departure from this world will still come. Therefore, the Lord encourages us to place our faith in Him and to grow a strong and steadfast faith.

Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” Throughout the Bible, there are examples of God demonstrating His ability. The whole point of prayer is to ask God to do what we cannot do in our own strength or ability. If we think that we can pull it off ourselves, then we don’t need to pray. God often puts His people in impossible situations to display His power and glory. God is not just able to do beyond what we ask, but abundantly beyond. But that’s not enough, He is able to do far more abundantly beyond what we ask. But, we still aren’t to the limit: The Lord our God is the God of omnipotent ability. The Omnipotent God operates in a realm that is far beyond our ability to even understand. His ability is absolute. What limitless power! His power is unlimited. He can do anything He wills. Omnipotence knows no obstacles. He is not hanging around or just sitting there—He is working within us. Whatever is required to accomplish the purposes and promises of God, “He is able” to perform.

God is never defeated. Though He may be opposed, attacked, or resisted, still the ultimate outcome can never be in doubt. Do you serve a God that can? From Genesis to Revelation, we see God’s mighty power at work. He is the God that walked with the 3 Hebrew children in the fiery furnace and rescued them out of Nebuchadnezzar’s evil hands. He is the God of Daniel who quieted the mouths of the Lions and was able to deliver him from their grasp. He is the God of Moses who parted the Red Sea and drowned the Egyptian army that pursued God’s people. He is the God of David that guided the single stone from David’s slingshot to Goliath’s head. He is the God that raised Jesus from the dead and defeated death, hell, and the grave. He is a God that is greater than my understanding or ability to explain who He is. He is the Lord God almighty. How big is your God? Is He a God that can?

PRAYER: Father, although I will never fully understand Your Almighty power, I do know that nothing is ever too hard or difficult for You. I know that Your plans for me are far larger than I can imagine. Help me to never limit or hinder Your work in and through my life. In Jesus name, AMEN!

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Danger of Drifting (Hebrews 2:1)

Hebrews 2:1, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”

The warning is strong. We must heed the truths we have heard lest we slip away from them. The truths which we have heard are the truths of salvation, of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Salvation has now been offered to man; man can now become acceptable to God and live eternally with God. Man can now live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; he can now conquer the trials and temptations, bondages and enslavements, sins and death of this world. Man can now live triumphantly and abundantly in this world and live eternally in perfection in the other world. But we must give more earnest heed to the Gospel of salvation, or else we will slip away from the truths of salvation.

What must be done for an individual to drift away from the Lord? What takes place in a Christian’s life that causes him to go backwards in his walk with God? The answer is nothing. As the tide takes objects further and further out to sea, even so the believer in Christ can become distant from the Lord by doing absolutely nothing. Therefore, it is crucial that we are growing and walking with the Lord in our fellowship with Him.

The writer of Hebrews addressed this when he said in Hebrews 2:1, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip”. Swimming against the tide takes discipline, diligence, and intentional effort. Drifting is possible. And worse, it’s happening all around us. Many churches today are drifting instead of continuing. Decades ago, religious movements began urging churches to embrace all religions and to withhold from teaching core doctrines in order to embrace the culture. While it is true that not all culture is wrong, it is true that the world is no friend to the child of God or the local church. I John 2:1-16, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Many churches today are so concerned with “relevance” that the lost world can’t see the difference Christ makes in a life! The church is becoming more “relevant”, that is, accepting the world around us until our message starts to sound like every other message the culture enjoys. That is why we must guard against drift. After all, keeping the faith is not guaranteed. That’s why God commands us to purposefully do it. I Corinthians 16:13, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” II Thessalonians 2:15, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”

For most of us, the threat is not so much that we should abruptly about-face from the Lord, but that we should drift into sin. While there are few people who deliberately and, in a moment, turn their backs on God; there are many who day by day drift farther and farther away from Him. We are seeing a falling away from truth when we should see a standing up for Christ. II Thessalonians 2:3, “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” If we are to make a true impact for Christ, not just build a large crowd or membership, but see lives changed with the Gospel, we must be steadfast in the truth. II Timothy 3:12–14, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.”

Maybe you are on the drift today. You go to church, and the service is going on around you, but you are not especially engaged. You are focused on your phone—your mind is on social media rather than the Son of Man. You see a pastor in front speaking from the Bible, and while other people seem eager to hear what he has to say, you are on the drift, not expecting anything significant to happen to you.

Drifting is a slow process. What seems like small, incremental moves can eventually lead to significant and dangerous distances. Doing nothing, saying nothing, being nothing, and attempting nothing may not seem like inherently evil acts of sin, but the reality is such apathetic tendencies causes the strongest of swimmers to drift. Guard yourself from spiritual indifference! Persevere against the waves, refuse the melancholy pull of the world. Keep pressing until you reach the heavenly shoreline!

Questions to Consider:
Can you identify with a person who is on the drift?
Has the Word of God become dull to you?

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Compelled To Be Compassionate (Jude 22)

Jude 22, “And of some have compassion, making a difference:”

Jesus felt other’s hurts. He wept, He hurt, and He did something about it. He had compassion on the sick, suffering, sinful, suppressed, shattered, secluded, and un-saved. Jude 22 tells us that our compassion makes a difference in the lives of others, “and of some have compassion, making a difference”. Compassion is feeling another’s sorrows or hardships and doing what you can to help. It is not fact, but act.

Consider five things that compassion does:
​1. Compassion’s Help. The world is full of people that are hurting, and many people suppose that nobody cares. The Psalmist penned the most heartbreaking words in Psalm 142:4, “I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul”. We all know of people who are in a hopeless and desperate situation. May we seek for opportunities to offer help to those that have encountered hurt. We must be constantly looking to help the hurting. The life of many suffering people has been uplifted from the visit of one who has compassion. We must always pray and seek for compassion and never allow ourselves to become calloused. Your faithful ministry of compassion will be rewarded in glory.

2. Compassion’s Healing.
As we seek the opportunity to help people, we can help bring about their spiritual healing. I am not talking about the physical nature of their healing, but the spiritual, the mental, or their physiological well-being. The Lord will open many doors to those who are committed to ministering the compassion of Christ. The healing of the secluded. In visiting lonely people, God may allow you to kindle a friendship that helps produce healing in their heart. The healing of the shattered. A visit to the physician may bring healing to a broken hand, but will it heal a broken heart? The compassionate encounters opportunities that very well could mend the broken hearted. The healing of scattered. Never give up on being compassionate to others even if it seems that are not responding. In ministry, will not always see immediate results, but it is patient and enduring. The compassionate believes in the power of God’s promises and does not lose hope. Scripture never tells us how long the prodigal was gone from home, yet when he finally returned, his father was still watching for him and ran to meet him. The healing of sinfulness. The greatest encounter we will ever have is the one that leads a lost sinner to a loving Saviour.

3. Compassion’s Hope.
The compassionate can shed hope upon the dark dreary despair that faces those he or she encounters in their everyday affairs. Our daily affairs should evolve into opportunities for our ministry. It should be taken as a blessing to offer mercy and grace to those that the world has bruised, battered, and beaten. The compassionate proclaims hope in these last days. Hope is free and abundant at the feet of our blessed Saviour, Jesus Christ. In this day of struggles and suffering, a ray of hope that shines forth from the darkness would help many a people. Divorce and defeat have entered the homes of many, however, it’s the compassionate that offers hope to the home. The leaders of our homes need a word of hope. The loved ones in our homes need a well-placed word of hope and encouragement. The home has been abused, abandoned, and abhorred by society. The home must have a friend that tenderly breathes a word of hope into the lives of those grasping for anything to help them survive.

4. Compassion’s Honor.
In Jude, we find that the writer challenges us to display compassion upon the sinner. In displaying this compassion, we could win him or her to Christ. The difference between Heaven and Hell could be the compassionate doing the right thing concerning a lost soul. It would do us well to consider the people that God places upon our path.

5. Compassion’s Heaven.
The compassionate can make a difference in the lives of many a person; namely the saint and the sinner. The compassionate has a heavenly ministry in dealing with the unconverted. The compassionate seeks and sees the guidance of God as he or she embraces this ministry of compassion. Every one will make a decision in this life. The decision will be made for Christ or against Christ, but it will be made.

As we go through each day, we must remember the multitudes of people who are sick, suffering, sinful, suppressed, shattered, secluded, and un-saved. Where all other sources may fail, our Biblical compassion can make a difference in their lives. More than any other past year of ministry, I am thrilled with the opportunity that God has given His people to make a difference. May we anticipate what He will do in and through our lives!

Prayer: Lord, I desire so much to be compassionate. Use me as a vessel of compassion for a world in need. I want to be aware of those in need. Please let me see those around me that are in need of hope. Compel me to listen to them, to hear their needs. Let me be what others need, Lord. In Jesus name Amen.

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Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Spirit-Filled Worker.”

Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 7

Glorifying God in the Workplace (Colossians 3:23-24)

Colossians 3:23-24, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the LORD, and not unto men; Knowing that of the LORD ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the LORD Christ.”

Paul encouraged Christians to consider all of their efforts and labor as a service directly to the Lord. As Christian employees, we must work with a view toward God’s judgment, in both reward and discipline. We must work as though Christ were our employer, knowing that all work performed “for the Lord” will someday be rewarded (Colossians 3:24; Ephesians 6:6-8). The Spirit-filled worker is to work hard and to do their work for the Lord. This will make certain the quality of the work is admirable which is vital if one is to have a good testimony for God. What we do is ultimately to the Lord and not unto men. This certainly is true in the work place as referred to above, but also in any other venue of life. As our earthly supervisors give compensation for our labor, keep in mind, we will also receive compensation from the Lord. This life is hard and many unfortunate circumstances make life even more difficult than it already is. As a child of God, what this world offers, I do not envy. As a child of God, I’m promised a benefit package that is out of this world. The reward is called an "inheritance" which means payday is coming soon. We are promised an inheritance of eternal life in Christ. God records, remembers, and will reward you for your service for Him. Remember, your labor is not in vain (I Corinthians 15:58).

Some people are recognized for their greatness in this life, while God honors others in the life to come. Henry C. Morrison was a faithful missionary who served the Lord in Africa for over 40 years. He recalls that emotional day when he and his wife boarded a ship on their way back to the United States. His mind flooded with memories of the wonderful experiences they had enjoyed on the mission field. He began wondering what it would be like to return to his Midwestern hometown. “Will anyone there still remember us?”

Aboard that same ship that day with Henry and his wife was the former President of the United States, Teddy Roosevelt. He was returning from a big game hunting trip in Africa. When the ship pulled into the New York harbor, there were thousands of people there to greet him. The crowds cheered and the bands played. There were signs, banners, and billboards everywhere saying, “Welcome Home!”

As the dear missionary and his wife left the ship, they saw that no one had come to welcome them back home. Not a single person was there to welcome the missionaries. With a heavy heart, Henry Morrison went to his hotel room and told his wife, “Honey, it just doesn’t seem right, for 40 years we poured our lives into ministry and service. And yet we come back to America and not a single soul comes to welcome us home, it’s as if no one cares when we return. Yet the president goes over there for a few weeks to kill some animals and the whole world takes notice!”

His wife came and sat down next to her husband. She put her hand on his shoulder and said to him, “Henry, you have forgotten something. You’re not home yet!” If we forget that He is the one who rewards us, it is easy to become discouraged and apathetic. Although there is certainly a sense in which God rewards us on earth, as promotion and exaltation come from the Lord (Psalm 75:6-7), He will especially reward us in Heaven (I Corinthians 3:11-15; Matthew 25:21).

POINTS TO PONDER:
To glorify Christ, employees must obey with an expectation of God’s judgment and reward.
No work is just work. It is a way to serve Christ. Each person is called to work.
Maybe you spend long hours working with children each day, or you work a mundane office job.
Never forget that this world is not your home.
Serve your Saviour faithfully each day, and He will reward you for your labors — just keep in mind, you’re not home yet.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
Have you ever experienced a work environment where it was hard to maintain joy?
How can we glorify Christ in the workplace?
Do you ever feel like the things you do for Christ are overlooked?

PRAYER: Lord, I know that my labor in your harvest is not in vain. Strengthen my hands that I may not get weary in Your work. In Jesus' name. Amen.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
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Thank you for reading Lesson 7 of Spirit-Filled Worker Series. And the Series in its entirety.

Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Spirit-Filled Worker.”

Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 6

Christians in the Workplace – Part 2

Ephesians 6:7-9, “With good will doing service, as to the LORD, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the LORD, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”

We have all heard the saying “good jobs are hard to find”. For the most part, good jobs are hard to find because employers are basically self-centered and self-serving. They do not often put their employees’ interests first. And so it is rare to find a job where the employer genuinely cares about your welfare. Paul says that the Christian is to serve their employer as unto Christ, doing service as to the Lord. The employee is to consider their service as being rendered directly to the Lord. Anyone who takes this passage seriously and demonstrates it will have a good work ethic.

“With good will doing service” (Ephesians 6:7). With good will means being helpful in your service. The employer or manager expects at least two things from his workmen and that is diligence and loyalty. The believer should be helpful to their supervisor by the way they perform their duties. Service obligations in the secular realm must be done by the believer as the will of God. This service must be done primarily as unto the Lord. This will help the service to be holy, not poor in performance. Christians can glorify Christ by working willingly. Paul encourages a cheerful and glad service. He says the believer should serve with a good attitude, not with a begrudging spirit. He tells them to put their heart and soul into their work because, after all, they are doing God's will.

Christians can glorify Christ by working eagerly. "The same shall he receive of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:8). Paul reminded them that the ultimate reward is coming. No act goes unnoticed. Men may not always give you proper compensation for your work, even though you are following the Lord's directions regarding doing the work. But whether man compensates you or not, God will compensate you. Believers will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ and be rewarded based on present faithfulness (Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6-11; II Corinthians 5:10). Think about how this perspective would change the way one could work. Keep in mind that you do not work primarily for your employer. You work primarily for Jesus Christ Who sees your every motive and action, even when your earthly boss is not there.

Employers also have an obligation to see to it that they treat their employees right. If you have people that work for you, treat your workers the way you would treat the Lord. As you desire to please the Lord, desire to be a blessing to those who work for you. They, too, will answer to God for their action and their respect of persons with him. In His time, God will reward you beyond anything you can imagine. Just remember, Spirit-filled employees respect their supervisors and do great work. Christian employers should treat their employees as the employer would want to be treated if he were an employee. He should be fair, reasonable, and understanding. He should not play favorites, because his Master in Heaven does not show partiality.

God originally gave these commands to slaves who had no rights, no health insurance, no paid vacations, and no salary. So, think how much more binding they are today for us, who, in comparison, labor in a worker's market. However, maybe you work in a place where your good work and Christian attitudes go unappreciated. If so, you shouldn't get discouraged because of the promise that is found in Galatians 6:9. God records, remembers, and will reward you for your service for Him. Remember, your labor is not in vain (I Corinthians 15:58).

Prayer: Lord, I want you to be glorified in my life and in this place of business that I may be a living witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Guide me with your wisdom and help me to work through every challenge and conflict. Let me be a beacon for you and a blessing to my coworkers. In Jesus' name. Amen.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
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Thank you for reading Lesson 6 of Spirit-Filled Worker Series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Lesson 7 of Spirit-Filled Worker Series.

Today’s devotion is an excerpt from a Bible Study Series taught at Fellowship Baptist Church, titled “Spirit-Filled Worker.”

Spirit-Filled Worker Series – Lesson 5

Christians in the Workplace – Part 1

Ephesians 6:5-6, “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;”

We have all heard the saying “good help is hard to find”. For the most part, good help is hard to find because people are basically self-centered and self-serving. They usually don’t put the concerns of their employer first, unless it somehow benefits them. This passage points out in strong terms what the world's problem really is. It is not an economic problem; it is a spiritual problem. Hunger and economic relationships between individuals and nations can only be solved when men turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is Lord, and when men serve Him as Lord, they serve Him in all they do. This means they work for Him; and in working for Him, they work not only to provide for themselves, but also to secure enough to give to others (Ephesians 4:29).

A Spirit-filled worker is eager to do a good job. The conduct of a person’s service speaks of the quality of their service. God wants believers to be good employers; doing a good job that would glorify Him. A Christians influence in the workplace results in setting a high standard at work. We can glorify Christ by working reverently because we are working unto Christ. As employees, we are to serve with reverence and respect toward our employers. This means we must respect authority in the workplace. Christian workers are to be loyal and obedient to their employers. We are to follow their instructions and put in a full day's work for a full day's pay. Laziness and shoddy workmanship are poor testimonies and clear signs a person is not filled with the Spirit. Singleness of heart means we have our minds focused, concentrated on our jobs, and work to the best of our ability. The role of the supervisor is to instruct the employee on what to do, not the other way around. One way we show respect is by not fussing, feuding, or fighting, but by shining as lights.

The Spirit-filled employee doesn’t only work hard when the employer is watching, but when the supervisor is away. We can glorify Christ by working wholeheartedly. This means the service will be diligent, not lackadaisical. It is not half-hearted service. It is service that does the job right. To glorify Christ, employees must obey without eye service. Those who serve with "eyeservice" (when someone is looking) or as "menpleasers" (to gain the applause of men) will not serve faithfully. They will only serve when someone is looking, or when someone will praise them. Every believer should live every day with the motivation, I fear the Lord. I am no longer my own. I belong to Christ as my Lord. I must do His will. I must live to please Him. Someday I will stand before Him to receive the reward for my faithful obedience.

Let’s set the scene. Imagine gym class. While doing push-ups, the students stay in the up position while the gym teacher is not looking. Many are like that in the workplace. When the supervisor is around, they work diligently, but when the supervisor is not, they crack jokes, and play on social media, etc. Believers should endeavor to deliver sixty minutes of work for every hour of pay. The idea here is that we don't just work because the boss is watching. We don't serve to be seen of men, we serve because it is the will of God and we know He is watching. In a lifetime the average employee is at work about 90,000 hours. This means the 90,000 hours, or an average of forty-five work years, we spend at work obeying this passage count as doing service, as to the Lord. Do you work without eye service—delivering a day’s work whether your supervisor is around or not? We do not obey our bosses or schoolteachers simply when they happen to be in the room watching us. Rather, we do our work “from the heart”. We show up on time; we do quality work; we put in a full day and report our hours correctly whether anyone is watching or not. Whether or not the boss sees us, the Lord does, and it is Him we serve. At the end of each day, may we receive a good report.

Questions to Consider:
As a Christian, do you strive to do your work with excellence and for God’s glory?
Do you see your workplace (home, school, job, etc.) as God’s calling and as your opportunity to be His witness?
If not, what could you do differently to honor the Lord at work?
If you are an employer, do you lead with excellence and treat everyone fairly, knowing that God is your Master and He is watching how you treat your employees?
If not, what could you do differently to honor the Lord at work?

PRAYER, Lord, may I bring Your presence with me to work today. Thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with. Work through me in the power of the Holy Spirit. Help me to serve with the singleness of heart that I might do Your will and glorify You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
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Thank you for reading Lesson 5 of Spirit-Filled Worker Series. Please visit this website tomorrow for Lesson 6 of Spirit-Filled Worker Series.