Will You Magnify the Lord? (Luke 1:46-47) – PART 2
Luke 1:46-47, “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” This is Part 2 and the conclusion of the devotion. If you missed Part 1, look to yesterday’s devotion. 1. Path of the Magnifier: Most magnifying glasses usually have a handle on them. The handle gives the owner the ability to use the lens to magnify what he desires. It enables him to take it wherever he needs it. In the same manner, our lives are to be this way. God can use you to magnify Jesus Christ if you will yield to the control, to the hand of God. By submitting to His control, direction, and will, He will put you where you need to be. You will be willing to go wherever He directs and leads you. The Lord is willing and able to place people that perhaps only you can reach for Him. Are you available to Him? That’s what a magnifier of God does. Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” By humbling and submitting yourself to the Lord, you will have greater ability to magnify God. In turn, God will magnify you as you magnify Him. 2. Purity of the Magnifier: Notice: if the lens is smeared with dirt, it’s not going to be as much help to you. It is very difficult to use any dirty magnifying glass because the view is smeared or distorted. When the magnifying glass is clean, it is consistent with its purpose and use for you. This is why it is so important to keep the lens clean so that the magnification is clear and the glass is effective. In the same manner, if you are going to effectively magnify Jesus Christ with your life, it is critical that your life is clean. I Corinthians 16:20, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” Sin issues need to be dealt with and conquered in your life so that people will be focused on the Lord and not your sins and imperfections. Bearing spiritual fruit in your personal character and in your witness for Christ will help you immensely to magnify Him. 3. Praise of the Magnifier: Those who magnify the Lord also have a desire to point others to Him so that they will magnify Him, too. Magnifiers enjoy worshiping and honoring God with others. They do not compete in their worship, they complement one another in worship and praise. Magnifiers develop close relationships with other believers who love to magnify God. Their love for Christ generates a love for Christians. In fact, a great verse for Christian friends, a church family, or a husband and wife and their family is Psalm 34:3, “O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together”. May God’s praise be upon our lips continually and consistently. May we spend each day magnifying HIM! Perhaps the next time you use a magnifying glass this devotion will remind you of how we should magnify the Lord. Prayer: Heavenly Father, as Mary’s desire was to magnify and praise You, so is my desire. Guide my steps that I may encounter others who need to know You. Help me to humble myself that they may see You in me. I will magnify You and praise You before all others when given the opportunity. 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
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Will You Magnify the Lord? (Luke 1:46-47) – PART 1
Luke 1:46-47, “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” What’s evident is the utter humility of Mary. Mary was thrilled with what the Lord had done for her. All she could do was magnify the Lord over what had happened. Her very soul and inner being magnified and praised the Lord. She sought zero acclaim. She found great rejoicing in the Lord her Saviour. Mary's firsthand experience with God prompted her to magnify Him. If you already have possession of a magnifying glass, or the next time you use one, may this devotion remind you of how we should magnify the Lord. There are great lessons that we can learn from studying from a magnifying glass. Below are at least six ways we can magnify the Lord Jesus Christ. 1. Purpose of the Magnifier: The purpose of a magnifying lens is to enable objects that are small, or very far away to the eye to be seen up close. Ironically, this is our purpose as Christians. I Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” As children of the Lord, we have a purpose to magnifying Jesus Christ so that He who is far away in Heaven, and basically unknown or invisible to the lost, can be revealed by our lives by having a close walk with Him. Those who are without Jesus in their hearts are spiritually blind. By magnifying Christ and sharing the Gospel, we provide an opportunity for people to be saved and get to know Him. Our lives as Christians are to be like the magnifying glass. We all are to be magnifiers of the Lord Jesus Christ. 2. Power of the Magnifier: The greater the bend in the lens, the more it leads to a stronger or more powerful magnification. John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” A flatter or less curvature lens yields less magnification. What a great truth for us. The more we bend to his will and kneel to the LORD, the greater we will magnify Jesus Christ. 3. Plan of the Magnifier: Matthew 5:14-16, “Ye are the light of the world…Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” A magnifying glass is doing no good as long as it is in the secretary’s desk or on the shelf, only when it is a in hand. Only at this time is it fulfilling the purpose for which it was made. If we are to be a useful magnifier of the Lord, then we must be willing to fulfill God’s purpose for our lives. Prayer, Lord, I desire to magnify You. You have proven time and time again that Your presence puts everything else in a different light. Even through the admittedly imperfect lens of my life, may others watching catch a glimpse of Your greatness. In Jesus’ name, amen. Please revisit the webpage tomorrow for the conclusion of this devotion. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Lessons from Eagles for Soaring Saints (Isaiah 40:31) – PART 2
Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” 2. Sight of the Eagle An eagle has the best eyes of any animal alive. They are known for their keen eyesight. As humans, our eyes have 200,000 visual receptors per square centimeter. An eagle by comparison, has 1.6 million receptors per square centimeter. So what does that mean? If you and I had the eyesight of an eagle, it would mean we could read 3-inch letters on a billboard a mile away. We could see a rabbit 2-3 miles away and chart a course to catch it. With human sight, we would struggle to see a quarter at 35 yards. With the eyes of an eagle, we could spot a quarter at 200 yards. As Christians indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we have two sets of eyes operating in us. The first set is our normal, natural eye which we use to see the natural world in which we live. However, we also have a second set of eyes. They are the eyes of the Spirit of God. II Corinthians 4:18, “While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” Since we all who know Christ as Saviour, have the Holy Spirit living on the inside of us, we also have His eyes available to us to see life and situations from God's perspective. The eyes of the Holy Spirit give us guidance and direction. Our spiritual eyes help us to gain wisdom and discernment. They enable to know what is true and what is false, what is good and what is bad, what is wise and what is foolish. They help us to discern those who are wise and those who are foolish, or wicked. These eyes enable us to see truths and insights in the Scriptures. In fact, the Bible strengthens our spiritual eyes. Our spiritual eyes direct our minds heavenward. They focus our attention upon the Lord Jesus Christ and help us to not become distracted by the cares of this world. Colossians 3:1-2, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” 3. Storms and the Eagle Eagles never run and hide as they see storms approaching. They have the ability to adjust their body out of joint, in order to ride the winds of the storm. As the winds blow, the eagle will spread her wings and let the winds push her up to great heights, gliding through the skies. As it does this, it rests its wings as the storm pushes it higher and higher. While the storm is raging, the eagle rises above it. It does not escape the storm. It uses the storm to lift it higher. God allows storms in our lives so we might soar closer to Him and rest in Him. Storms or trials can be used by God to develop our character, faith, and spiritual maturity if we respond the right way to them. They help us to learn to wait on the Lord and bring us to greater spiritual levels. Like the eagle, our spiritual eyes enable us to see in our storms or trials. They enable us to see life from God's point of view. The eagle likes to face the sun and fly towards it as if he thought he could reach it. For a long time, people wondered how they could face the sun so without being made blind. But we know now that they have a covering for their eyes that keeps them from all harm from the strong light. As the eagle can fly directly into the sun to foil attackers, we too can fly directly to the Son of God when we are under attack. Believers can come boldly unto the throne of grace in their time of need. As the eagle gets into trouble if his eyes dry up, we too, get into trouble when our eyes dry up and we lose our compassion and burden for others. II Corinthians 4:17-18, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” James 1:3-4, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” I Peter 1:7, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Just as the storm gives the eagle a larger view of the land and enables him to see more, your trials can give you a larger view and perspective about your life. When you are going through a storm, you tend to be more teachable, looking for answers and guidance. You also find out those who are close friends and those who are not. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help me to have the wisdom to learn to trust You and wait for Your timing. Give me peace during my season of affliction. Lord, I choose to trust You and wait for You to act. Please give me rest and peace, 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 Lessons from Eagles for Soaring Saints (Isaiah 40:31) – PART 1
Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” There are lessons to be learned while we wait on God that can't be learned at any other time. We need to learn to trust Him despite circumstances, or to be content with what we have, or don't have, in light of all that He promises. These lessons, when embraced, will work in us a deeper level of trust and a greater capacity for resting in God. So, while you wait for what you hope for, allow the Lord to accomplish the desire for which He hopes for you. In this portion of Isaiah, we will take a good look at the eagle. The lessons from this magnificent bird will help us and challenge us to spiritually soar for the Saviour. When we wait upon the Lord, we shall renew our strength. The word "renew" means "to change, to pass from one state to another, or to exchange." When we wait on God, we exchange our weakness for His strength. What we cannot do, He can. What we cannot see, He can. When we are weak, with His strength, we become strong. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. Isaiah told us that if we will wait upon the Lord, we will mount up with wings as eagles. What is he talking about here? We want to take a look at the eagle and learn lessons from this bird that will help us to grow in our faith and walk closer to the Lord. Eagles are wonderful birds. In fact, they are mentioned 34 times in the Bible. This is more than any other animal in the Word of God. From the earliest of times, eagles have been symbols of strength, bravery, courage, independence, and a symbol for the Lord. The traits and characteristics of the eagle provide insights for us about our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and how to spiritually soar. We will note first of all the strength of the eagle. 1. Strength of the Eagle The wings of the eagle are absolutely beautiful and graceful. When its wings are extended, they have a span of 7 to 7 1/2 feet. Eagles have about 7,000 feathers on their bodies averaging around 14 pounds. Pound for pound, the eagle is one of the strongest creatures in the animal kingdom, able to catch and carry salmon to small antelope. An eagle has enough strength in its claws to break the bones in a man's forearm by merely grasping it firmly. Eagles are extremely swift and one of the fastest animals on this planet. On a straight course, he can fly up to 50 miles per hour. When he is swooping down upon his prey, he can reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour. Yet, at this speed, he can spread his wings and tail, causing an aerial skid and stop within twenty feet. They can fly at extreme heights, too. Airplane pilots have reported seeing eagles flying at 15,000 feet. The eagle's great strength reminds us that we should be strong. Paul told us in Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help me to have the wisdom to learn to trust You and wait for Your timing. Give me peace during my season of affliction. Lord, I choose to trust You and wait for You to act. Please give me rest and peace, In Jesus name, Amen. Thank you for visiting the website and reading PART 1 of this devotion. Please revisit tomorrow for PART 2. If this post has blessed you in any way, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com The Christians Greatest Need (Proverbs 8:11)
Proverbs 8:11, “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” In May of 2012, a 32-carat Burmese ruby and diamond ring—that was part of the collection of Lily Safra, one of the richest women in the world—was sold at an auction. The pre-auction estimate for the sale was $3–5 million, but the final sale price ended up at $6.7 million. It is believed to be the most expensive ruby ever sold. As valuable as rubies are, the Bible tells us that wisdom is far better and more valuable. That which is most valuable with God is not recognized by men as a treasure. No earthly treasure can compare to wisdom because nothing else offers the same protection, benefits, and blessings that wisdom does. People often spare no expense to increase their wealth, but the same is not always true concerning wisdom. Wisdom’s instruction is far more precious than gold, silver, or rubies. All the other things that men desire is not worthy of being compared to wisdom and her teachings, yet the great majority of men place little or no value on wisdom’s teachings. Solomon used the image of searching for silver and hidden treasures to illustrate the effort required to gain wisdom (Proverbs 2:5-6). James and Solomon tell us that God gives us wisdom if we ask for it (James 1:5; Proverbs 2:6). 1. Wisdom’s Source. For wisdom is God alone. The throne of God in heaven is the place that we must go to get wisdom if we are to have it. Every river has a source and if the source dries up then the river would dry up. Lake Victoria is the source for the Nile River and God is the source for wisdom. This is the promise from God that we can have if we want it bad enough. These promises connect the wisdom of God from his throne to our life. As a river flows from it source, so wisdom flows from the heart of God to those who are thirsty for it. 2. Wisdom’s Supply. God's wisdom is more abundant than the water that fills all our oceans in the world today. Every Christian in the world could ask God for wisdom and receive a generous supply and it would not put the heavenly reservoir in jeopardy. This source will never dry up because God's resources cannot be exhausted. This is a pure source that has no corruption from man. 3. Wisdom’s Satisfaction. We can have God’s wisdom and it will greatly enrich our life. The wisdom of God is perfect and it has no flaws in it. Nothing in this world can satisfy or substitute for the wisdom of God. Godly wisdom is superior to anything that is in this world, consider the following verses. Proverbs 8:11, “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.” Ecclesiastes 9:16, “Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.” Ecclesiastes 9:18, “Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good.” 4. Wisdom’s Significance. Silver, gold, and rubies, even in superabundance, are only "things." But things can dominate our lives. The poor man may spend his life worrying about the things he does not have. The rich man may spend his life worrying about the things he does have. Yet Jesus said, "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 12:15). The world of thought is far more important than the world of things. Things are deceptive. They hold our thoughts down so that we become occupied with the material, the physical, and the temporal. Continually, Solomon stresses the blessing of having wisdom. It should be the desire of every Christian to delight in having wisdom. It is more precious than rubies. It will preserve you against danger and destruction and promote you into leadership. It will cause your father to be pleased with you. Wisdom is the principal thing! When you give wisdom to others you will receive it, too. The consequence of our generosity is we will reap generosity in our own lives. Wisdom would have us look up. A desire for wealth will fasten our focus on this world. Wisdom would teach us to wait and work towards the life to come, to lay up treasure in Heaven, and to become "rich toward God" (Luke 12:21). Wisdom is better than wealth. Wealth can be lost, but wisdom partakes of the infinite nature of God and endures forever. PRAYER, Father, Your Word says that You will give us wisdom if we will ask for it. Forgive me for all the times that failed to ask You for it. Your wisdom is available to me at all times. Thank You for those You have allowed to come into my life to help me become wiser. 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 Changed Man (Luke 19:8)
Luke 19:8, “And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.” When Adoniram Judson made preparation to go to Burma, God spoke to his heart about people that he had wronged before he was saved. During his years when he lived in New York City and was indulging in the sinful lifestyle of this world, he had cheated several men out of their money. Adoniram realized that God would not bless his ministry until he cleared his conscience with these men and made restitution. Judson made a trip to New York and sought out the people that he had wronged and asked for their forgiveness. He returned the money that he had wrongfully taken from them and returned home with a new peace and joy in his heart and greater boldness in his speaking. When we look at Zacchaeus, we find he truly repented and his life was drastically changed for the better. He became concerned about those who were stricken with poverty, giving half of his wealth to the poor. He didn't have to do that, but he wanted to help them. He began to use his money as a tool of blessing, focusing on others instead of himself. Zacchaeus was a rich man that did what the rich young ruler refused to do. Also, Zacchaeus wanted to clear his conscience and make matters right with other people. He was concerned about restitution for people he wronged, restoring four-fold what he had taken from others. His restitution was more than what was required of him. A pastor once shared a story when he was in a service. The preacher said there was a meeting in progress at which several women were giving their testimony. One woman kept silent. She was asked to testify but refused. She was asked why and she answered, “Some of these women who have just given their testimony, owe me money, and I and my family have been hungry because we cannot buy food." A few women had no credibility at all because their actions did not back up what they claimed. A Christian's testimony is utterly worthless unless it is backed by deeds which guarantee its sincerity. It is not a simple change of words which Jesus Christ demands, but a change of life. True confession of sin and genuine faith in Christ will result in positive character change that will be evident through godly actions. No one can become acquainted with Jesus, accept His offer of salvation, and at the same time remain defiant, dishonest, and uncharitable toward others. When a sinner is converted, there will be great changes made. "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature” (II Corinthians 5:17). Zaccheus certainly made some tremendous changes after he met Jesus Christ. When a person is truly converted, there will be consecration in his life and lips. Zaccheus was concerned about the needy. He wanted purity in his conduct which meant he would be honest. Christianity has produced this attitude in the world. When Zacchaeus testified this to the Lord, Jesus said, "This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Restitution is a key proof in convincing others that you have trusted Christ as your Saviour. For most people, all they remember is what you were like before you were saved, especially if you were a cheat. If you go to these people and tell them about Jesus after you are saved, but you have not made offenses right, then you have no credibility. If you seek their forgiveness for wrongs in the past, if you make restitution for financial matters or damages, then you give credibility when you tell them about what has happened to you. You also create curiosity about Jesus Christ. If you have an opportunity to make things right with God and others, don't let the opportunity slip away. PRAYER: Father in Heaven, help me to learn from the example of Zacchaeus. May my life continue to be changed and challenged to live a life that brings glory and pleasure to You. 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 NO Greater Love! (John 3:16)
John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” A gem dealer was strolling the aisles at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show when he noticed a blue-violet stone the size and shape of a potato. He looked it over, then, as calmly as possible, asked the vendor, "You want $15 for this?" The seller, realizing the rock wasn't as pretty as others in the bin, lowered the price to $10. The stone has since been certified as a 1,905-carat natural star sapphire, about 800 carats larger than the largest stone of its kind. It was appraised at $2.28 million. It took a lover of stones to recognize the sapphire's worth. It took the Lover of Souls, the Lord Jesus Christ, to recognize the true value of ordinary-looking people like us. The love that God has for us is summarized in a nutshell in this well-known verse of the Bible. If there was one verse that summarized the heart of the Bible, this would probably be the verse. All of the highways of divine truth meet in this metropolis. John 3:16 is the hub of revealed truth. For this reason it is one of the first verses translated into other languages of the Bible.
Gaylord Kambarami, the General Secretary of the Bible Society in Zimbabwe, tried to give a New Testament to a very belligerent man. The man insisted he would roll the pages and use them to make cigarettes. Mr. Kambarami said, "I understand that, but at least promise to read the page of the New Testament before you smoke it." The man agreed, and the two went their separate ways. Fifteen years later, the two men met at a convention in Zimbabwe. The scripture-smoking pagan had found Christ and was now a full-time evangelist. He told the audience, "I smoked Matthew and I smoked Mark and I smoked Luke. But when I got to John 3:16, I couldn't smoke anymore. My life was changed from that moment." Aren't you glad God's book is more than just words on paper? A number of wonderful insights are revealed in this verse about the love of God. We find that the greatest lover of all lovers here in this verse. It is God. The greatest degree of love is revealed. He SO loved us. "So loved" shows His magnitude of love for us. God is the lover and the giver. Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In the December 4, 1989, issue of Newsweek magazine, there was an article about a little known mental disorder called erotomania. It is a mental illness in which a person has the delusion that he or she is the object of someone's love. Some imagine love affairs that continue for years, yet it all exists only in the imagination of the sufferer. The title of the article was "The Delusions of Love." While romantic love may have many delusions, there is no delusion about God's love. He loves you. The Bible has much to say about the love of God. As a man who expresses his love in a letter for the woman he loves, God has expressed much about His love for us in His Word. Bible Insights on God's Love 1. It is Universal in its offer. "He so loved the world." 2. It is Unknown in its fullness. Ephesians 3:19, “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.” 3. It is Unbroken in its ministry. Romans 8:35-39, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 4. It is Unending in its character. Jeremiah 31:3, “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” 5. It is Unrivaled in its example and challenge to us. I John 3:16, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” Prayer, Father in Heaven, thank You for loving all the world, not just some of the world. Help me to continue to grow in my love for You and for everyone else. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Farewell But Not For Long! (II Thessalonians 3:16-18) – PART 4
II Thessalonians 3:16-18, “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” IV. God’s Grace (II Thessalonians 3:18) Paul concludes his prayer, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (II Thessalonians 3:18). The word grace refers to God’s undeserved favor, or undeserved love and acceptance. God’s grace is embodied in the Lord Jesus Christ. We receive fellowship, a very special and personal fellowship. The church was dear to Paul. He sensed ever so deeply a close tie, a spiritual fellowship that bound his heart to the believers. He became concerned and was aroused to write and deal with the problems that had infiltrated the church. He wrote because of the special bond of fellowship between him and the church. This fact is expressed in John 1:17, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”. There are at least five kinds of grace: 1) Saving grace. There is nothing we can do to earn or deserve our salvation because God’s grace is a free gift (Ephesians 2:8). God’s grace can only be received through Jesus Christ. Paul express this fact in Romans 3:24, “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”. The word justified means “to declare righteous.” It has been described as “just as if I’d never sinned”. When we are justified, God declares that all the demands of the Law have been fulfilled on our behalf through Christ’s death on the cross. Because salvation is all by grace, it is given freely, unearned, and undeserved as a gift to the recipient. 2) Empowering, or strengthening, grace. We cannot live the Christian life in our own power. Therefore, when we are saved, God gives us spiritual power. This power enables us to fulfill God’s will for our lives, which can be very difficult at times. We read in Acts that the apostles preached with great power about Christ’s resurrection because great grace was upon them all (Acts 4:33). 3) Equipping, or gifting, grace. God’s power is revealed in our lives through the various gifts He gives us. Every believer has at least one spiritual gift, also called a manifestation of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:7). There are at least twenty gifts, or categories of gifts, listed in the New Testament (Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12:8-10; Ephesians 4:11; I Peter 4:9). Romans 12:6 describes the source of all spiritual gifts. Romans 12:6, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith...” 4) Enduring, or sustaining, grace. The best example of this type of grace is when Paul had a “thorn in the flesh”. He doesn’t tell us what the “thorn” was. Three times Paul pleads with the Lord to take away this problem because it is harassing, or tormenting him. The Lord told him in II 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”. When we pray about a problem, God will either remove the problem, or He will give us enduring grace to bear it. 5) Refining grace. As Christians, how we speak to people is very important. Jesus died not only to redeem our souls, but also our mouths. A redeemed mouth is a gracious mouth. How we speak to unsaved people can either help draw them to Christ or drive them away. Our speech should always be with grace (Colossians 4:6). The word grace means our speech should always be kind, courteous, respectful, and loving. Gracious speech is not rude, crude, or dominating (Ephesians 4:29). This is basically talking like Jesus. Our Lord’s speech is described in Luke 4:22, “And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?” If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Farewell But Not For Long! (II Thessalonians 3:16-18) – PART 3
II Thessalonians 3:16-18, “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” III. God’s Truth (II Thessalonians 3:17) Paul typically dictated his epistles to a scribe or assistant. After what Paul dictated was written down, he frequently ended the letter with his own handwriting (I Corinthians 16:21; Galatians 6:11; Colossians 4:18; Philemon 19). This assured his readers the letter was not from false teachers writing letters in Paul’s name (II Thessalonians 2:2). Paul knew it is impossible to grow spiritually without the truth of God’s Word. Paul described the importance of God’s truth in II Timothy 2:15. One of the things we must do to stay alive is eat! Along with air, water, and sleep, our bodies need food. The nutrients contained in the food we eat keep us healthy and strong. When we eat food, we digest it, and the nutrients of the food become that fabric of our whole being. When you eat of the meal of God, that grace that gives you each day, all the sudden the love of God becomes the fabric of your soul. He wants you feasting and feeding day by day on His love, mercy, and grace so that you are an embodiment, a reflection, of the love of God. Consider what Jesus said in John 6, “I’m the bread of life”. In Jesus, there will always be enough for us. He will not only be with us until our dying days, but throughout the ages of eternity. His presence, His power, and His provision is in the barrel of my soul. He is enough to take you to the end of this old, dry, thirsty, starving world until you enter Heaven. If we neglect to nourish our physical bodies, our health will inevitably decline. The human soul works the same way! We must regularly feed on God’s Word to stay alive and spiritually healthy. We must continually and purposefully nurture our souls with the Word of God. I Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” Job 23:12, “Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” It is vital to our spiritual survival that we are daily in the Word of God. Spurgeon said, “We quickly lose the nourishment and strength of yesterday’s bread. We must feed our souls daily upon the manna God has given us.” I Timothy 4:13, “Till I come, give attendance to reading.” Because reading God’s Word is a command, we must consistently stick to a plan. Our approach cannot be hit and miss. When you eat at a familiar restaurant, you may enjoy trying something new every now and then. When you have your time with God, try to incorporate a variety in your approach as well. It could be easy to fall into a routine during your quiet time with the Lord. Yet, there are different ways to read God’s Word, and I encourage you to vary your approach from time to time to keep your devotions fresh and vibrant. Here are a few methods to consider incorporating into your devotional life. 1. Read God’s Word. Vary your approach to reading God’s Word. Keep in mind, the Lord never instructs us in His Word on any order to read His Word, He just instructs us to do it! If you have trouble getting started or keeping committed to reading the Bible, I would exhort you to try a couple of different methods. You may want to read the books of the Bible in chronological order, or pick a particular book of the Bible to read through several times. There are many different Bible-reading schedules you can follow. Read through the Bible in a year. Read one Proverb a day, corresponding with the day of the month. Read at least fifteen minutes per day. Read until you receive a blessing or a truth. 2. Study God’s Word. Charles Spurgeon said, “Do not be content to just read the words of Scripture. Seek to grasp the message they contain.” In addition to reading, we should study the Scriptures. II Timothy 2:15 exhorts, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Determine to intentionally read God’s Word to understand the truths contained therein. 3. Meditate on God’s Word. George Mueller’s testimony challenges us on our meditation of Scripture: “The first evening that I shut myself into my room, to give myself to prayer and meditation over the Scriptures, I learned more in a few hours than I had done during a period of several months previously.” When was the last time you “shut yourself into a room” for the sole purpose of meditating on the words and promises of God to you? In God’s eyes, why we do something is far more important than what we do. Why do you spend time with God? Is it out of a sense of duty or out of a heart of love for Him? How is your attitude as you enter God’s presence? Is it one of heartless service, or humble surrender? If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Farewell But Not For Long! (II Thessalonians 3:16-18) – PART 2
II Thessalonians 3:16-18, “Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” The former principal of Princeton Theological Seminary, Charles Hodge, once interned at Princeton when he was still young. He tells the following story from his interning days: "It was my privilege to be the pupil-assistant of Professor Joseph Henry, the illustrious scientist. When, for the first time, electric signals were sent from point to point, the earth itself being used for the return current, Professor Henry put me at one end of the circuit, while he stood directing the experiments at the other. I can well remember the wonderful care with which he arranged them. Very often, when the testing moment came, he would raise his hand in adoring reverence and call upon me to uncover my head and worship in silence. He would say, 'Because God is here, I am about to ask Him a question.'" Hodge learned a valuable principle early in life-no matter where we are, God is with us. If you've ever faced an overwhelming circumstance, you can relate to the fact that though others may comfort you, sometimes your loneliness and desperation can control you. It is during those times when God desires for you to recognize His presence and rest in Him. God’s Presence (II Thessalonians 3:16b) Paul writes, “The Lord be with you all” (II Thessalonians 3:16b). God is omnipresent. How comforting to know that, wherever we are, God is there! We cannot hide from Him, nor can anything else hide us from Him. We are never alone, because He is always with us to guide and protect us. What gives us comfort is knowing that when we pray to the Lord, He is always near. I can’t think of anything that is more comforting than these words, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee”. This promise of His presence is found in the following verses: Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:5; Psalm 23:4; Isaiah 41:10; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5. The God of the universe, Who created and controls everything, is with us in our suffering, and He will never leave. Paul knows God is omnipresent, but his prayer is for the Thessalonians to experience God’s empowerment and comfort during their very difficult time. We are reminded of this promise according to Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”. Our most difficult struggles are no problem for God to handle. When troubles come, God’s presence is enough to get you through. No problem, whether emotional, physical, or spiritual, is too big for our God. If we will learn to take refuge in Him and lean on Him alone for strength, then with the psalmist we can face the most extreme crises with quiet confidence, because God is with us and He is sufficient. But we would be in error if we thought that God insulates us from problems. When you are discouraged, His presence will carry you through. When you are in darkness, it is not darkness to God. When things don’t make sense and you can’t understand anything, just recognize that God is present. While you can’t see through that darkness, God will become a bright, living reality to you, carrying you through. When you are lonely, His presence will cheer you up. People are lonely everywhere, but you can be alone and not lonely because the Lord’s presence is always with you. He has time for you like there was no one else except you. When you are worried, His presence will calm you down. He is with you. His enemies are your enemies, and your enemies are His enemies. You don’t have to worry if God is with you in trouble. Thank God that His presence calms you. Take time several times a day and get alone with God in a quiet place. The Bible says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God”. Read and meditate on this psalm over and over again. Have a quiet time with God and know that He is with you there. The psalmist is talking to God, not about God. He’s having a conversation. Talk to God about everything and fellowship with Him just as you would a friend. Share with Him your fears and your joys. The Bible says in Psalm 22:3, “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel”. When you praise Him, God reveals Himself to you. He’s always present, but He manifests Himself when you praise. If you’re having difficulty praying, begin to praise. Just praise the Lord! Prayer, Father, I confess that sometimes my fears reveal I’m not trusting You as I know I should but trusting in something or someone else instead. Thank you for reminding me just how fragile everything else is compared to You. Thank You for never leaving or forsaking me. Thank You for never letting me down and always proving Yourself trustworthy. Help me learn to trust You increasingly and banish fears from my life. 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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