No temple could be seen in the city, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light. The nations of the earth will walk in its light, and the rulers of the world will come and bring their glory to it. Its gates never close at the end of day because there is no night. And all the nations will bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil will be allowed to enter—no one who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty—but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Revelation 21:22-27
As we approach the moment when the calendar changes from 2005 to 2006, by tradition, many of us think about what or where we can improve in the New Year. As believers in the only true God and His Son Jesus Christ, it is appropriate (may I say a product of our new nature), to strive to be better tomorrow than we were yesterday. I challenge you to make your personal improvement resolution and stick to it.
That being done, I ask, what resolution will you make for the Kingdom? Will you resolve to share the love of Jesus Christ with those who don’t know Him so that names will be added to ‘the Lamb’s Book of Life’? Will you set a goal and make it a priority to lead someone to Christ in 2006? Babbie Mason sings a song titled, “Each One, Reach One”. If every believer in Jesus Christ led just one person to the Lord in 2006, what a tremendous impact that would be in Kingdom building. Of course, the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) for the believer is to offer the gospel not to just one but to every one.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Thursday, December 29, 2005
FINISH THE RACE
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.
2nd Timothy 4:6-8
The longer the race, the more difficult the finish.
Many long years ago, I ran track in high school. We had to practice long and hard in preparation for race day. Our coach pushed us and pushed us and when we didn’t think we could take it any more, he pushed us some more. Practice was always more difficult than the track meet itself. Coach knew that those hard practices would pay off. If you ran in the sprints, you had to be prepared to run your race multiple times; the middle distances maybe only a couple heats; and the long distance runners a single race. I found that even with hard practice, finishing well in the longer races was always more difficult.
The Christian’s life is like a marathon. We don’t know the length of our service for Christ, but we should prepare to run the race all the way and finish well. Daily practice (Bible study, meditation, praise and prayer) will enable you to proclaim like the Apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”
Prepare yourself for a gold medal finish!
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
RIGHTEOUSNESS, JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS
For the LORD grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise planning will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.
Proverbs 2:6-11
When we have studied and gained godly wisdom, the Proverbs writer tells us in chapter 2, verse 9, “Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time.” Too often, the world is turning its back on these three godly principles but God tells us to seek them out in every situation.
1. There is right and wrong. It doesn’t say politically correct, socially acceptable or commonly practiced. For every situation, there is a right path to take and the only way to know this is to have God’s word buried in your heart.
2. God is a just God. Within His justice there are penalties or consequences for sin. As we learn His ways and follow His example, we too come to understand when justice is being carried out or needs to be administered. Walking a just path can be difficult. Every parent who administers tough love to a wayward child understands this and it is heart-breaking. Imagine how it broke God’s heart when He sent His Son to die for our sin.
3. God is always fair and we must be as well. Judgment day is being held back until all of God’s creation has the opportunity to accept or reject His love. That is the ultimate in fairness. As (in the words of Jabez) our territory is enlarged, we must be diligent in our Godlike fairness and equality.
Only “knowledge and understanding” of God’s word will enable you to stay on the paths of righteousness, justice and fairness.
Proverbs 2:6-11
When we have studied and gained godly wisdom, the Proverbs writer tells us in chapter 2, verse 9, “Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will know how to find the right course of action every time.” Too often, the world is turning its back on these three godly principles but God tells us to seek them out in every situation.
1. There is right and wrong. It doesn’t say politically correct, socially acceptable or commonly practiced. For every situation, there is a right path to take and the only way to know this is to have God’s word buried in your heart.
2. God is a just God. Within His justice there are penalties or consequences for sin. As we learn His ways and follow His example, we too come to understand when justice is being carried out or needs to be administered. Walking a just path can be difficult. Every parent who administers tough love to a wayward child understands this and it is heart-breaking. Imagine how it broke God’s heart when He sent His Son to die for our sin.
3. God is always fair and we must be as well. Judgment day is being held back until all of God’s creation has the opportunity to accept or reject His love. That is the ultimate in fairness. As (in the words of Jabez) our territory is enlarged, we must be diligent in our Godlike fairness and equality.
Only “knowledge and understanding” of God’s word will enable you to stay on the paths of righteousness, justice and fairness.
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
THE BATTLE WITH SECRET SIN
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.)
Romans 8:5-9
To gain an understanding of the title Oswald Chamber’s devotional book – “My Utmost for His Highest” – read today’s (12/27) devotional. We will never be able to give our utmost until we win the battle with secret sin.
I was challenged in a talk once with the question, “Where do your idle thoughts go?” You may be winning the sin battle when you are in public but are you surrendering to sin in your private life? That’s where most of us fall … when nobody is looking … when we are away from home … when nobody around us knows our name or our face … when no one can see what we are doing. Are you stealing on the job (either materials or time)? Are you being unfaithful in your marriage? Are you allowing evil to enter your body through your eyes, your ears or your mouth (pornography, bad jokes, alcohol or drugs)?
To win the battle with secret sin, you must not be “controlled by your sinful nature”. You must surrender to the control of the “Spirit of God living in you”. When your sin nature has controlled an area of your life for a long time, the battle to surrender to the Spirit of God can be long and difficult but only when this battle is won can you give your utmost for His Highest.
Romans 8:5-9
To gain an understanding of the title Oswald Chamber’s devotional book – “My Utmost for His Highest” – read today’s (12/27) devotional. We will never be able to give our utmost until we win the battle with secret sin.
I was challenged in a talk once with the question, “Where do your idle thoughts go?” You may be winning the sin battle when you are in public but are you surrendering to sin in your private life? That’s where most of us fall … when nobody is looking … when we are away from home … when nobody around us knows our name or our face … when no one can see what we are doing. Are you stealing on the job (either materials or time)? Are you being unfaithful in your marriage? Are you allowing evil to enter your body through your eyes, your ears or your mouth (pornography, bad jokes, alcohol or drugs)?
To win the battle with secret sin, you must not be “controlled by your sinful nature”. You must surrender to the control of the “Spirit of God living in you”. When your sin nature has controlled an area of your life for a long time, the battle to surrender to the Spirit of God can be long and difficult but only when this battle is won can you give your utmost for His Highest.
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