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3 Responsibilities Concerning the Will of God (I Thessalonians 5:15-18) – Part 1
I Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Paul instructs all believers to do three things: Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks. All of God’s commandments in the Bible are beyond our ability to obey in the flesh, so we must rely on His indwelling Holy Spirit. If God leads you to do something, He will give you the strength, wisdom, and ability to fulfil it; you must trust Him. Keep in mind, what would be God’s will for someone may not be God’s will for you. But, rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks are always God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1. Our Praise - Rejoice evermore! (I Thessalonians 5:16) A Christian's joy does not spring from their circumstances, but from the blessings that are theirs because they are in Christ. “Rejoice always” does not mean to deny your feelings, put on a happy face, and never feel sad. So, what does Paul mean when he commands, “Rejoice always”? Remember, he wrote this to new believers who were suffering persecution because of their faith (I Thessalonians 3:3-4). So “rejoicing always” is a conscious attitude of contentment, hope, and happiness that comes from deliberately focusing on Christ and the eternal treasures that we have received freely from Him. Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” We are to rejoice in Jesus at all times. Rejoicing is better than complaining. It is also therapeutic for both the physical and the spiritual. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Proverbs 17:22). God has graciously laid hold of your life; He has chosen you (I Thessalonians 1:4). The Gospel has come to you with power (I Thessalonians 1:5), transforming your life now and your future (I Thessalonians 1:9). You have endured great trials (I Thessalonians 3:2), and Satan has launched some fierce assaults against you (I Thessalonians 3:5). But through it all, God has caused you to stand firm (3:8). Your testimony is a means of God's blessing to others (3:9). Look back over your Christian life and see what God has done: God has been teaching you (I Thessalonians 4:9). He has placed you among other believers who can encourage and build you up (I Thessalonians 5:11). He has revealed to you the ultimate outcome of your life: to be with the Lord forever in the great company of His people, with ever increasing joy (I Thessalonians 4:17). How can we develop a habit of rejoicing always? 1. SCRIPTURES: Everyday focus on the riches that God has freely given you in Christ. For example, Ephesians 1:3-14 says that you have all spiritual blessings in Him. God chose you in Him before the foundation of the world. 2. SPIRIT: Walk in the Spirit, not the flesh. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). To walk in the Spirit means daily to yield to Him and to rely on Him to control your life in every situation. It takes time to produce fruit. It doesn’t pop out on a tree the day after you plant it! But if you walk consistently by the Spirit, eventually the fruit of joy will be yours. 3. SING: If you’re feeling down, sing songs of God’s goodness, grace, and of His love. The longest book in the Bible is a songbook. Question to Consider: What could be more wonderful and pleasant than constant joy, prayer and thanksgiving? Point to Ponder: Christian joy flows from realizing our position in Christ. Who you are in Him, and what He has done for you. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I can rejoice today, not because of what I have done, but only because of what You have done for me. May I spend more time rejoicing and exalting You. In Jesus name, AMEN! This is Part One of a Three Part Series. Please visit our site tomorrow for Part Two. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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A Surrendered Life (Romans 12:1-2)
Romans 12:1-2, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The Scriptures challenge us to yield and do the will of God. Psalm 40:8, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. One man who delighted to do the will of God, no matter what the cost was Abraham Bininger, a Swiss boy from Zurich. He came with his parents to this country on the same ship with John Wesley. His parents died on the trip and were buried at sea. Young Abraham stepped down the gang-plank alone in a strange and bewildering land. A short time later he decided to take the Gospel to the natives on the island of St. Thomas, but when he got there, he learned that it was illegal for anyone but a slave to preach the Gospel to the slaves. He wrote to the governor of the island begging to become a slave himself that he might have the freedom to proclaim the gospel. The letter was forwarded to the king of Denmark who was so touched by Bininger's desire that he sent an edict to allow him to preach the Gospel where, when, and to whom he chose. This man, who presented his body as a living sacrifice, was greatly used of the Lord. There is no greater joy a person can know than to know that they are doing the will of the Lord. The Lord calls for all of us to be a living sacrifice and to submit ourselves for His service with all our heart. When we surrender our purpose and will to God and allow Him to use us as He sees fit, amazing things happen. The world is shaken not by the wise, the mighty, the intelligent, or the skilled, but by those who have yielded to God. Paul said it was "reasonable" for us to surrender our lives, but many today seem to think that it is too much to ask. Instead of surrendering, they cling tightly to their own desires and interests. How much better it is both for us and for a world in need if we surrender and let God choose our path! Each and every morning, teach yourself to begin your day with a prayer of dedication in which you earnestly and reverently present yourself and all that you are to God’s purposes. Don’t assume that because you did it yesterday, you don’t need to do it today. Every day you need to take a step closer to the Lord and to make a commitment more serious than the one you made before. Questions to Consider:
Points to Ponder:
PRAYER: Father, teach me that I may know how to be more Christlike that I may please You and that You would be glorified. I know that I will never accomplish this without the Holy Spirit. So right now, I yield to Him. In Jesus name, Amen! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Going All Out (Philippians 3:13-14)
Philippians 3:13-14, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. It was a fog-shrouded morning, July 4, 1952, when a young woman named Florence Chadwick waded into the water off Catalina Island. She intended to swim the channel from the island to the California coast. Long-distance swimming was not new to her; she had been the first woman to swim the English Channel in both directions. The water was numbing cold that day. The fog was so thick she could hardly see the boats in her party. Several times sharks had to be driven away with rifle fire. She swam more than fifteen hours before she asked to be taken out of the water. Her trainer tried to encourage her to swim on since they were so close to land, but when Florence looked, all she saw was fog. So she quit... only one-half mile from her goal. Later she said, "I'm not excusing myself, but if I could have seen the land, I might have made it." It wasn't the cold or fear or exhaustion that caused Florence Chadwick to fail. It was the fog. “Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.” Hannah More. Many times we too fail, not because we're afraid, or because of the peer pressure, or because of anything other than the fact that we lose sight of the goal. Maybe that's why Paul said, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). Two months after her failure, Florence Chadwick walked off the same beach into the same channel and swam the distance, setting a new speed record, because she could see the land. May my heart continue to be determined, driven, and directed to make it my purpose to please Him in all I do (II Corinthians 5:9). There are several goals I want to achieve for the Lord, but here are four that are a priority. 1. I Want to Comprehend Christ (Philippians 3:10). God has revealed His grace and glory to me in the person of His Son. Still, I want a growing, spiritual, experimental knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. I want to know all that he has done for me. I want to know him, to know him fully. 2. I Want to Be Totally Committed to Christ (Galatians 2:20). I want to lose my life totally to Christ and in Christ, so that I can truthfully say with the apostle Paul, ‘For to me to live is Christ.’ I want to be committed to Christ as He was to the Father, so that my heart says to Him in all things, ‘Not my will, but thine, be done.’ It is my constant prayer that God will give me a heart committed to the Lord Jesus Christ, committed to His will, His gospel, His people and to the cause of His glory in this world. 3. I Want to Be Conformed to the Image of Christ (Romans 8:29). My heart hungers to be more like Him, conformed to Him; to be like Him in love, tenderness, and thoughtfulness; in zeal, dedication, and devotion; in purity, holiness, and righteousness. 4. I Want to Live in Communion with Christ (I John 1:3, 7). Contrary to what many contemporary sermons suggest, as Christians, life’s journey is not going to come without obstacles and adversities. We cannot pursue the acceptance of the world and at the same time expect to be pleasing to Him. Although it costs to follow in the footsteps of Christ, it will be worth to hear Him confess us before the Father and say, “Well done!” Prayer: Father, I know these goals are not achievable in this life. These are the things for which my soul craves and I refuse be satisfied with less. Help me to press toward these every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com A Blessed Walk (Psalm 119:1)
Psalm 119:1, Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Can we know if and when God is pleased with how we are living our lives? Eric Liddell, Scottish missionary and athlete of the 1924 Olympics stated, “In the dust of defeat as well as the laurels of victory there is glory to be found if one has done his best”. Another statement he made was, “And when I run, I feel His pleasure”. Liddell lived a life that honored the Lord on and off the field. He gave God all the praise and glory. Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. This blessed psalm begins with blessing. One condition for God’s blessing is being “undefiled in the way of life.” The word undefiled has the sense of being without ‘blemish’ or ‘upright.’ The greater thought is that those who keep themselves undefiled by sin in the pathway of life are blessed. Those who walk in the law of the Lord will in fact be undefiled. As we hide God’s Word in our hearts, we will not sin against Him. Living a life which is undefiled by sin is a blessing in and of itself. Sin brings nothing but trouble, loss, destruction, and misery. The Word of God is crucial in developing a life undefiled by sin. Psalm 119:133, Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. God has given us His precepts and laws. He has pathed the way on which we are to follow on our journey. We have assurance that we can walk according to His will and avoid unrighteousness if we purposely choose to accept His instructions and diligently follow them. If we are devoted to this commitment, this will result in a life that is blessed, happy, and content. This requires seeking Him with all our heart, observing the Lord’s testimonies and promises, walking in the way of integrity, living a life that honors Him. Psalm 16:11, Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; It is pleasing to be able to read God's commandments and expectations and not be ashamed. We can only worship and praise the Lord if our heart is upright, obedient, and faithful, for He has blessed us in revealing His way to guide us. He will not forsake those who are careful about following His statutes.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I sincerely desire the fullness of Your blessings and want to keep my life pure and blameless. Give me a heart to seek You above all else so that sin, worldly determination, and self-gain have no attraction for me. Help me treasure Your Word in my heart, make Your law and Your statutes the foundation of my convictions and life values, give heed to Your testimonies, and find joy and delight in following them. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post has blessed you in any way, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Thank You, LORD! (Psalm 107)
Psalm 107, O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; How often we fail to thank the Lord for His goodness and mercy to us. It should always be upon our lips. It always has been (and always will be) the duty of God’s people to testify of His goodness. We, the redeemed, have an obligation to open our mouths before others of the goodness of God to us. He certainly delivered Israel from the hands of their enemies. To this day, God delivers His people from the attack of the devil. Lord, thank You for saving my soul! When we are grateful for the people in our lives, thing’s God has blessed us with, or the circumstances we find ourselves in, it creates a spirit of thankfulness within us. However, when we pick apart the family and friends who are beside us, find displeasure with the things we have, or find fault with our circumstances, it creates a spirit of discontentment. What’s wonderful about being grateful is that things in our life don’t have to change, for us to be grateful. We can simply change our perspective by finding gratitude in our present circumstance whatever they may be. As a result, we will live a life with thankfulness. We should be thankful to the Lord for our family. I Thessalonians 5:18, In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. And that thankfulness comes from sincere place of gratefulness. In which, that gratefulness precedes gratitude that we find in every area of our life. Sure, we may have challenges with those we love; we may desire to live better and do better. But the truth is, God gives us more when we prove to Him that we are faithful and grateful with where He has us. If we can’t be grateful in our small house, how are we going to be grateful living in a larger house with larger expenses? Often, we complain about fuel prices. Consider those who don’t have a car. Many of us dread doing laundry every week. Well, instead of dreading the laundry, how about while you’re folding the clothes, you thank God for the clothes you have. How about thanking God for your family who is alive and well for you to do laundry for? What about cleaning the house? We don’t think there’s a single person who finds joy in cleaning the toilets, but when we change our perspective and choose to thank God for providing a roof over our heads, and that we’re not living on the streets, then we will gladly clean the toilet. What about having to get up every day and go to work? Sure, we would all like to pursue our dreams, or retire. But instead of complaining that you have to get up and go to work, thank God that you have a job and you are not unemployed. Psalm 100:1-5 teaches us that every night, we have the opportunity to thank God for protecting us during the day. Every morning, we have the privilege of waking up to thank God for another day to fulfill His purpose for our life. 1. Be Heard! – Make a joyful noise unto the Lord (Psalm 100:1) 2. Be Happy! – Serve the Lord with gladness (Psalm 100:2) 3. Be Humble – Know the Lord has made us, and not we ourselves (Psalm 100:3) 4. Be Holy! – Enter His gates with thanksgiving (Psalm 100:4) 5. Behold! – The Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generation (Psalm 100:5) PRAYER: When I say “Thank You,” Lord, help me pause long enough to really mean what I’m saying. Help the attitude that should trigger those words be a more constant part of my character. Show me where I’m most lacking in gratitude, and give me strength to give You genuine thanks for those trying places. And I will be forever grateful, in Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com God is Good…All the Time (Genesis 39:19-23) – Part 2
Genesis 39:19-23, And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper. Joseph continued to trust God and to seek His glory, and give Him the glory for what He has done (Genesis 41:14-16). Ultimately, this moment was not about Joseph; it was about God. Joseph found favor with God and gave God the glory whether he was in prison or the palace. Likewise, as believers, we must stand firm on the Word of God and always seek God’s glory. Therefore, we are to submit to God’s plan even when we cannot understand it (Isaiah 55:8-9). We are to believe in the God of the promise even when it is difficult to believe in the promise of God. Because God is faithful and sovereign, we live with full trust in Him, knowing that even when obstacles appear to prevent His mission, He may use those very obstacles as part of His plan to bring glory to His Son. Potiphar had Joseph thrown in prison “where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.” Nevertheless, “the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.“ The keeper of the prison promoted Joseph making him a trustee. He quickly became the overseer of the prison. The keeper thus entrusted Joseph with oversight of the entire prison, “because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.” All things were working together for good. God had a greater plan for Joseph and his family. Being in prison was part of the preparation of that plan. Joseph foreshadowed Jesus through his experiences, highlighting God’s greatest act of redemptive reversal in Scripture. Joseph went from favored son to slave. He suffered unjustly in Potiphar’s house and in prison, but God later exalted him to a place of prominence (the second most powerful person in Egypt) allowing Joseph to save his people. Jesus humbled Himself by leaving His throne on high, taking on flesh, and coming to earth as a servant (Philippians 2:6-11). Jesus suffered unjustly at the hands of the ones He came to save, rejected, wrongly accused, and forsaken (Matthew 27:32-56). Unlike Joseph, Jesus was not granted freedom; the sinless Saviour was crucified and buried. But on the third day, God revealed His greatest act of redemptive reversal to the world. Jesus resurrected, arose from a tomb that could not contain Him (John 20:1-18). Sin had been forgiven. Death had been defeated. And Christ returned to His exalted place of glory with the Father, where He now reigns for us for all eternity. Points to Ponder: God is at work even when we can’t see it. The circumstances you face today are no challenge to the power and purpose of God. Like Joseph, we might not be able to see God’s plan at any given moment, but we will see it one day. Questions to Consider: How will you respond when it is difficult to feel God’s presence or trust in Him and His promises? How can you begin to view obstacles in your life as opportunities to share Christ with others? What are some ways you can encourage one another to continue trusting in God and His promises in difficult circumstances? PRAYER: God, You are present even when I can’t see Your sovereign hand at work nor feel Your omnipresent love. Grant me the faith to continue trusting You even in the midst of adversity and suffering, knowing that You are molding me into the image of Your Son. Help me to encourage others with the truth as they endure suffering. In Jesus name, Amen. If this post has blessed you in any way Please share this website and its articles with others www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com God is Good…All the Time (Genesis 39:19-23) – Part 1
Genesis 39:19-23, And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper. Joseph had been serving Potiphar faithfully and had caused Potiphar to prosper. He had been true to God and to his master. Potiphar had seen this. He knew Joseph’s character and his dedication to God. However, his circumstances were about to abruptly change when Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of attacking her. Repeatedly Potiphar’s wife asked Joseph to sleep with her, but he refused every time because he was an honorable and faithful man. Even when no one was around, he fled from her temptation, but she held on to his garment and he left it in her hand. Rejected for the last time, Potiphar’s wife used the garment to falsely incriminate Joseph before her husband, so he had Joseph placed in prison. For the second time, Joseph was wronged and again, he remained dedicated to the Lord. Once again it involved his garment (Genesis 37). Now Potiphar became enraged because of Joseph’s garment his wife gave to him along with her fictitious story. Although Joseph did what was right and fled from the temptation, he was thrown into prison. At this moment, one might expect Joseph to lash out at God and curse Him and die. But no, there isn’t even a hint of it. Scripture tells us that Joseph continued in full obedience to the will of God. Joseph’s circumstances continued to become more difficult, but his faith in God grew. Though Joseph was treated unjustly and his conditions worsened, his hope in God did not waver. Joseph knew that the situation he was facing was not good but God always is. Adversity and injustice seemed to be a continual part of Joseph’s life in Egypt, but so were God’s presence and goodness. Whether in Potiphar’s house, or in prison, Joseph continued serving God, accepting God’s goodness to him and extending it to others, and God made everything Joseph did prosperous. Like Joseph, we should avoid any situation that could invite such temptations. We should avoid people and settings that could lead us to danger. And if we are being tempted to be unfaithful, we should resist. We should tell a trusted friend to keep us accountable. As much as it depends on us, flee also youthful lusts (II Timothy 2:22). As Christians, we need to follow the same example of Joseph. Joseph resisted her advances (Genesis 39:7) and said, “how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:9) Since God extends kindness to us even when our circumstance is difficult, we should respond by showing kindness to one another, even to those who wrong us (Matthew 5:44; 7:12). When we are hurting, we tend to want to hurt others. But we need to put this desire to death, and instead, follow the path of Jesus who served others through His suffering. We need the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts, purging the sinful contempt we often have for those who persecute us, replacing it with love. Point to Ponder: • God is good even when our circumstances are difficult.
Question to Consider:
PRAYER: Father, thank You that You gave me Your Word to instruct me in my daily walk with You. I seek your wisdom that I might avoid the snares of the enemy. Help me abide in You so closely that I depend only on You and not in something that could enslave me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. If this post has blessed you in any way Please share this website and its articles with others www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com What the Bible Does for Us (II Timothy 3:16-17)
II Timothy 3:16-17, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. There are many books in the world today that are based on man's opinion of something. Whether the topic is politics, sports, the weather, self-help, or society, sometimes not everything published in a book is true. But there is one book we can trust. We know God's Word is true because it comes from God. In a day when so many things are based on opinion, God's Word is based on truth. All 66 books; 39 in the Old Testament, 27 in the New Testament. Every one of 1,189 chapters. All 41,173 verses and 3,566,480 letters--all Scripture is God-breathed. God’s Word is inspirational, instructional, incorruptible, and inexhaustible. The greatest verse about Biblical inspiration is also a great verse about Biblical application. II Timothy 3:16-17 not only tells us who gave us the Bible but also why it was given. God breathed out His Word for our benefit. Every part of it is profitable. Waiting in its pages is a wealth of blessings ready to teach, reprove, correct, and train us in righteousness. We call the Bible “God’s Word” because it contains what He wants to say. He speaks into our lives through it. Each verse and every word accomplish at least one of the purposes listed in today’s passage. No matter what our need, God has provided a response in His Word. There are numerous things the Bible does for us. Here in II Timothy 3:16-17 are four of them: 1. The Bible Teaches Us. The word doctrine means that which is correct and right (core teaching). Whatever we find in Scripture is truth that's worth being taught. Every time we read it, we should be asking, what is God teaching me in this passage? 2. God’s Word Reproves Us. The word reprove means what is wrong. It is the precision instrument of the Holy Spirit, often stopping us in our tracks through the conviction of sin. When the Lord says “Don’t” in Scripture, He always means, “Don’t hurt yourself.” He graciously reprimands us. 3. God’s Word Corrects Us. The word correction means how to get (it) right. A sincere child of God wants to stay right with the Scriptures. Notice: It is we, not the Bible, that needs correcting. The Scriptures never need adding to, correcting, nor updating. It not only points out the wrong, it also provides the right response. The Bible straightens out our lives like nothing else. On our own we steer in wrong directions, but God consistently directs us in the way we should go. 4. Scripture Trains Us in Righteousness. The phrase “instruction in righteousness” speaks of how to keep it right. It is an absolute guide for the lifelong process of discipleship God wants to bring about. We will never outgrow our need for His guidance. Truth, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness are all ways God brings light to our lives by His Word. When we need to see where we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going, we have a trustworthy source of guidance in the book God wrote. This is the picture described in Psalm 119:105, Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. But there’s a catch in this great promise about the benefits found in Scripture. Note the last phrase in the verse: “. . . That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” All that God has for you in His Word may come to you if you dig into it. But if your Bible remains closed, though the benefits are all there, you have not accessed them. Amazing things can happen when you open your Bible. Get familiar with it. Figure out how to find your way around. Ask for help. The spiritual maturity you long for will never be a reality until you practice regular, careful study of Scripture. Becoming a disciple of Jesus—one who is equipped to carry out the tasks He places before you—will always involve His Word. When you are reading His inspired thoughts, the Lord is breathing into you His truth, loving reproofs, gracious correction, and the guidance you need. Questions to Consider: What parts of Scripture do you gravitate to most often? Which ones do you tend to avoid? Since it’s all profitable, how do you think you could benefit by taking time to familiarize yourself with books and chapters in the Bible you have rarely visited? Prayer, Lord, thank You for breathing out Your Word and using faithful servants to record it for the rest of us. Thank You that I can hold it in my hands, open it at will, and anticipate that the words my eyes fall on are for my benefit, to teach, rebuke, correct, and train me. I desire that every time I read the book You wrote I would delight myself in it. I thank You today, for the precious gift of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Charge it to My Account (II Corinthians 5:21)
II Corinthians 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. The stealing had to stop. Deep in the heart of Russia, local police were on the lookout for a thief who got away with hundreds of dollars’ worth of merchandise. Neither the local businesses nor the residents could afford the losses or the increased prices any longer. The stealing became a federal crime. The Russian czar made the offense punishable by 40 lashes. Police finally caught up with the crook and brought her to the Town Square, where she would be tied to a post to get 40 lashes. The czar came, along with hundreds of villagers from the city. But the czar recognized the woman’s face as that of his mother. Everyone looked at him to see what he would do. Would he pardon her, or would he make her pay the price for her crime? The czar knew the crime had to be punished, but he also knew his mother could not survive 40 lashes. So he walked over to the post where his mother was tied and took off his shirt. He chose to take the lashes in her place and the people were touched. Over 2,000 years ago, the world was guilty and condemned before God because of sin. We deserved to spend eternity in Hell, but God took our place through His Son on the cross. He didn’t just sweep our sins under a rug and pretend nothing ever happened. He didn’t say, “I’ll let it go this time—just don’t do it again.” Blood had to be shed. When Jesus died on the cross for our sins, He paid the purchase price for our redemption. Three days later, He arose from the dead as proof that His payment had been accepted by the Father. You and I can be completely forgiven for every sin we’ve ever committed, or will commit, if we just accept Christ’s free gift. The very core of the principle of justification is here presented. The great substitutionary work of Christ is in view. God made Jesus to be sin for us. He, the sinless One, who never knew sin and never will, had the iniquity of us all laid on Him. Nevertheless, God imputed to Him our sin that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. It is the very heart of the great doctrine of justification. Jesus placed your sins on his account. If you will go to the LORD, He will take Christ’s righteousness, which is perfect, and He will accredit it to your account so that when you stand before Him, you will stand before God as though you have never sinned. Not because you’re sinless, but because of your account. If you will receive Jesus Christ (Gospel) He will credit your account with perfection because He has already accredited your sin onto Jesus Christ. Jesus earnestly wants to impute your sin to His record and impute His righteousness to your record. Friend, the price has already been paid for your sins. Accept Christ’s free gift today and you will find complete forgiveness. Prayer: Father in Heaven, thank You for sending Jesus to pay for our sins that we would be made righteous in Your sight. Every day I want to live to bring honor and glory to You and to share my testimony and the Gospel with others. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Divine Washing Machine (Revelation 1:5)
Revelation 1:5, And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. He “loved us”. This shows continual action. His love resulted in action. He washed us from our sins in his own blood. What a price He paid for our redemption. The price was blood. There is only one ransom, the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Concerning sin, the Bible declares, without shedding of blood, there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). Blood is the Divine requirement to pay for sin. The word “wash” means to “cleanse; to be loosed, set free, and released from sin! Jesus shed His blood on the cross and when we trust Him, His blood washes us whiter than snow and cleanses us from every stain of sin (I John 1:7). The text says, …washed us from our sins in his own blood,. Notice: “our sins” and “His Own blood”. All we had to contribute to our salvation was sin. He contributed His blood. And, His blood washes away all of our sins (Ephesians 1:7). The only Source of the cleansing our sins is by and through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our good works and own righteousness are as filthy rags in God's sight! He has washed us from our sins in His own blood! Jesus shed His own blood on the cross of Calvary in fulfilling that Divine requirement, so that He might wash us from our sins in his own blood. He loved us, before we were washed. He “loved us” all the way through; backward in time and eternity or forward as far as is possible. Before God created the Heavens and the earth, He loved us. We were stained in sins. Being washed means the stain has been taken away. Nobody can de-stain us like the Lord. The blood of Jesus is so powerful that it can get the stain out. As a matter of fact, the Lord used what you might call a divine washing machine. He takes that washing machine and once He places you in the divine washing machine, when you come out, you're whiter than snow. You are washed and free of stains. He has “washed us from our sins in his own blood.” The cleansing property of the blood of Christ is made clear. It is not the “washing”, but what’s in the “water” that cleanses. Detergent has a synthetic substance that wipes away and cleanses any dirty or foul matter. The blood of Christ is a “detergent”, in that, it separates us, frees us, loosens us “from our sins.” He is our surfactant for the guilt of sin. A surfactant is a surface-active agent or solution used for purging or cleansing. The detergent has agents that dissolve the dirt from the fabric and attaches the dirt to itself and is then flushed away. This fact can be read on the back of any detergent product. How did the blood of Jesus Christ set us free from sin? He had lived a sinless and perfect life as a Man upon earth. He was able to take our sins upon Himself and bear the punishment for them. He took our sins off of us, removed them, and died for them. Therefore, we are free and loosed from sin. Sin has been removed from us. We stand before God free of sin and acceptable to Him. But remember how: by the shed blood of Jesus Christ upon the cross. It is the shed blood of Christ upon the cross, His dying for our sins, that frees us from sin (Galatians 1:4, Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; I Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 5:9). John 8:36, If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. God alone can remove sin. This means that, for God, every sin you have ever committed, every evil thing you have ever done, you are still doing, and will continue to do forever, apart from God’s forgiveness. Only the omnipotent, eternal God, who controls all the factors of time, space and matter, could ever remove sin. He gives us freedom from the stain of sin. Guilt is the stain of sin. For many people, a visual stain on their clothes leads one to become embarrassed or ashamed. Christ’s cleansing power frees us from any and all guilt before God. PRAYER: Lord, thank You for the blood Jesus shed on the cross for my sins. I stand justified before You because of Christ’s sacrifice. In Jesus name, AMEN! If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com |
AuthorDr. Blackman is passionate about helping others grow in the grace of the Lord. His devotions are centered on how to grow closer to the Lord through a personal relationship with Christ. Archives
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