Dilemma in the Den of Lions (Daniel 6:10) – PART 3
Daniel 6:10, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” Nathan Hale, a great American patriot during the evolutionary War, was captured and hung by British soldiers. His now famous final words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country." He was willing to die for his nation and its freedom. Here in Daniel 6, we find a man that would rather die than to give up his prayer time with God. These 120 conspirators plotted against Daniel that they might destroy him. They just used a falsehood to King Darius in Daniel 6:7. They lied to the king by telling him that all the presidents and princes were in agreement on making a decree that prevented anyone from asking a petition from any God or man, except the king. Then they flattered the king by elevating him to equal ground with Deity. Darius, having been lied to and flattered with praise, signed the decree. Daniel, knowing the writing was signed, went into his house, and his windows being opened in his chamber toward Jerusalem, kneeled down and prayed three times a day and gave thanks as at other times. Daniel was a busy leader, but not too busy to pray. If we are too busy to pray then we are too busy! We, as God’s people, need to maintain a constant attitude of prayer. We shouldn’t wait until disaster strikes before we try to pray. Daniel’s prayer time was already open. He prayed and thanked God as he always did. Here was a man who had a consistent walk with God. Daniel was such a godly man that no threat would stop him from praying. Daniel knew full well what this decree meant and to whom it was aimed. Daniel is one of many in the Bible that were devoted to the Lord in the face of death. It did not change him at all, and his enemies were counting on it! He was not going to pray to any man. He was faced with the conflict between man's law and God's law and chose to follow the Lord, no matter what the cost. Daniel was in his mid to late eighties and had a very consistent walk with God through the years. There was nothing more precious to Daniel than his relationship with God. He was a man of high integrity and was about to be tested and revealed for all of us to see. Daniel placed a high priority on prayer; his prayer life was by conviction. Psalm 55:17, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.” It takes diligence to pray consistently and frequently. E.M. Bounds described the depth of its meaning to devoted heart. “The word prayer expresses the largest and most comprehensive approach unto God. It gives prominence to the element of devotion. It is communion and intercourse with God. It is enjoyment of God. It is access to God.” Points to Ponder: We will be tested to see where our priorities are. We must honestly ask ourselves, how much of a priority do we place on prayer? Questions to Consider: How precious is your prayer life to you? Have you committed a time and place where you will pray to the Lord regularly? PRAYER: Father in Heaven, I’m often reminded to pray and leave the results up to You. As You stopped the mouths of the lions from killing Daniel, I depend on You to deliver me from our adversary, the devil. As I humbly turn to You, help me to follow You faithfully all the days of my life. In Jesus name, Amen! This was PART 3 of the series titled “Dilemma in the Den of Lions”. Please visit the website tomorrow for Part 4. If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
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Dilemma in the Den of Lions (Daniel 6:4-9) – PART 2
It was those in high position who envied Daniel and as a result they conspired against him. Jealously was the motive for the lions' den for Daniel. His high position was an obstacle to the other rulers who sought to take advantage of their power. His testimony was like salt and light to their evil ambition (Matthew 5:13-14; John 3:20). Daniel’s profession was matched by his practice. These conspirators could find no ground for complaint or any fault against him (Daniel 6:4). His books were in order. His numbers all added up. No bribes had been taken and witnesses to the contrary could not be found. These men investigated Daniel's performance but could find no fault in his work. These men hated Daniel because he was a righteous man who would expose their corruption and would not let them unjustly profit from their position (John 3:19-21). Few men in high places have much character, so Daniel would not be liked by his peers. Jealousy is a powerful and destructive force. These men felt that the only way they could entrap Daniel was in the matter of his worship of God. The Word of God had a huge impact in Daniel's life and will impact your life, too. Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Daniel was a man of godly character and consistency. Could this be said of you? What kind of example are you to others? The challenge of God's Word is to have a sterling life that is right with God and with men. The Bible says in Daniel 6:6, they assembled together with the king. 1.They fibbed (lied) to the king (Daniel 6:7a) They told the king it was unanimous – but Daniel (the chief) was not with them. The ungodly will seek to use their power to destroy the innocent, and if they have no information on them that can bring them down, they will make up lies (I Kings 21:13). 2.They flattered the king (Daniel 6:7b) They appealed to the king’s pride. This is always the design of flattery. Three times, these 120 men gathered behind closed doors to conspire against Daniel (Daniel 6:6, 11, 15). It was their intent to remove Daniel from his position in the kingdom. Daniel performed so well at his job that the plotters concluded the only way they could "get him” was through his relationship with his God—that is, to make some law that he would violate in his faithfulness to God. It was an ingenious, though insidious, plot—and it worked just as they had planned. His conspirators were depending on Daniel being true to his convictions. They were correct. Daniel was going to pray to God even if it cost him his life. They suggested that prayers or petitions be made only to the king for thirty days. He was looked upon as a god. The plotters played on the pride of Darius with their petition by making him so great people had to forgo any petition to anyone except him for thirty days. They told the king that all the presidents and princes were in agreement on this law. This was a lie because Daniel was not a part of this. These ungodly men finally came to the conclusion in their diligent search that they had no “dirt” on Daniel and that he was clean. They had nothing that they could go to the king about to accuse him of. They could not find any fault or wrong doing in his conduct. What a testimony Daniel had that these men, who deeply hated him like the Pharisees hated Jesus, could not find anything wrong with him. It was not because they did not look, but they found nothing that they were looking for. Daniel was consistent in his conduct, consecrated in his character, and conquered in his calling. These are some principles that we need to remember as Christians. Prayer, Father in Heaven, I humbly seek Your grace and guidance that I might honor and please You in all I do. Help me as I encounter daily challenges at work that I may glorify You in all my activities with honesty, integrity, character, and fairness. I pray Your blessings on all I do. In Jesus name, Amen. This was PART 2 of the series titled “Dilemma in the Den of Lions”. Please visit the website tomorrow for Part 3. If this post has blessed you in any way please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com Dilemma in the Den of Lions (Daniel 6:1-3) – PART 1
Joe Lee told of an early work experience that helped shape the future course of his life. He got a job in his teens on one of the largest cattle ranches in California. One day, he was instructed to drive cattle from one pasture to another. On the way, he saw that a fence had fallen, and the cattle had gotten out. Rather than continuing, he stopped, rounded up those cattle and spent the rest of the day fixing the fence. Concerned that he would get in trouble for not finishing the job, he called his boss. When he told him what he had done, rather than getting reprimanded, he was praised for taking initiative. “Act like you would if you owned the place”, his boss told him. That principle of integrity—taking diligent care of everything placed in his hand made Joe Lee a great success in the business world, but most importantly as a Christian. Daniel 6 opens with the head of gold being replaced by the silver kingdom, the breast and arms of Media-Persia. King Darius rose to power around 538 b.c. When Darius took over the Chaldean kingdom, he appointed 120 princes to oversee the affairs of the Chaldean province. Over these princes, Darius appointed three presidents of whom Daniel was first in authority. Daniel was the leading president of three presidents that oversaw 120 princes. This was a new king, but he already knew that something was different about Daniel. The king discerned an excellent spirit in him. Daniel was preferred above all others because of his “excellent spirit.” His reputation as a man of wisdom was outstanding, and his character was impeccable. The king preferred Daniel because of his honesty and integrity. Standing for the Lord is not always easy, but Daniel displayed how to do it well. I Corinthians 10:31, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” Daniel's character could not be drowned by floods, burned by fire, corrupted by rust, stolen by thieves, or destroyed by moths. There may be times when we face persecution, prosecution, destitution, retribution, or execution. God, however, wants us to know that faithfulness to Him is always the right thing, in spite of the difficulties. Faithfulness and obedience to Him yield rich rewards and blessings. We never have to be ashamed of our faith in the Lord though the world may try to intimidate us into silence. It is important that we have a good testimony in this world and that others can see Jesus in us. Daniel completely embraced the things of God in his life. Daniel literally built his life on the Word of God and that was his strong foundation. It is important that we realize that God blesses attitudes and not abilities. There is nothing wrong with having ability, but if our attitude is not right, it does not matter what our abilities are. God can increase our abilities, but our attitudes are directly connected to our heart. There is not one person that can make the right choice for us, we must do it ourselves. There must be conviction in our heart that we are going to do what is right no matter what the consequences may be. We live in a world where people want to be politically correct and be praised, but we must be concerned about pleasing God above all else. Questions to Consider: Do you have an excellent spirit? Are you easy to work with? Do you work hard and do your best at what you do?" Points to Ponder: This was a great testimony for Daniel and a challenge to all of us to have the same kind of attitude. As Christians representing the Lord, we should do our best to bring honor to Him. Prayer, Father in Heaven, I thank You for Jesus Your Son. He is the perfect example of integrity and character. Teach me Your ways and guide my heart. My desire is to be more like Jesus in all my attitudes and actions in a manner that is pleasing to You. In Jesus name, Amen! This was PART 1 of the series titled “Dilemma in the Den of Lions”. Please visit the website tomorrow for Part 2. If this post in any way, has blessed you, please share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com 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 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 |
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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