1 John 2:1 "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"
Advocate: "a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate. One who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor."
Jesus Christ, the Holy Son of God, is my advocate. Our goal is His perfection, yet we know this is not attainable this side of Heaven. But we strive on, knowing that when we fail we have an Advocate, pleading our cause. That is truly unfathomable. Jesus, the One Who suffered, bled, and died for the very sin we commit, loves us that much. His sacrifice on the cross covers us and guarantees our forgiveness.
Take some time to think on that.
Friday, June 30, 2017
Wednesday, June 28, 2017
Governor
Nehemiah 5:14 "Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that is, twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor."
If you asked most people, they would tell you that Nehemiah was a prophet. Some might get that he was a builder and an amazingly good general contractor. However, few would get that he was also a governor. He was appointed to this position and served in it for 12 years. Politics in the Bible?
The arena of politics is often seen as dirty, a "no-go" zone for Christians because of its bad reputation. However, Nehemiah had an open hand when it came to where God wanted him to serve. A cup bearer for a heathen king? Yes, Lord. A builder in the most dangerous construction zone ever? Yes, Lord. A political governor? Yes, Lord.
We would be wise to never limit God's ability to use us wherever we are. Am I where I want to be right now? If so, let God use you everyday. If not, let God use you everyday.
If you asked most people, they would tell you that Nehemiah was a prophet. Some might get that he was a builder and an amazingly good general contractor. However, few would get that he was also a governor. He was appointed to this position and served in it for 12 years. Politics in the Bible?
The arena of politics is often seen as dirty, a "no-go" zone for Christians because of its bad reputation. However, Nehemiah had an open hand when it came to where God wanted him to serve. A cup bearer for a heathen king? Yes, Lord. A builder in the most dangerous construction zone ever? Yes, Lord. A political governor? Yes, Lord.
We would be wise to never limit God's ability to use us wherever we are. Am I where I want to be right now? If so, let God use you everyday. If not, let God use you everyday.
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
His Sword Girded By His Side
Nehemiah 4:18 "For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me."
As Christians, I believe we all have a desire to live a peaceful life. It makes thing so much easier as we attempt to fulfill all our Christian duties. However, that is rarely how life works. And it is often in times of peace that Christians become complacent.
Trials and tribulations work in our lives in ways that times of peace cannot seem to accomplish. Think of the character, dedication, courage, and fortitude that was built in these Hebrews as they built the wall with their sword by their side, ready at a moment's notice to begin fighting. Building the wall surely would have been easier in a peaceful time, with no danger of fighting. Yet, there were lessons they had to learn which peace could not teach them.
In times of calm and peace, there is just as much reason to trust God as in times of war and tribulation. However, our human hearts rarely see it this way. Therefore, God often sees fit to put us through hardship in order to teach us to trust in the times of peace.
Am I going through a hard time right now? Is my longing for peace causing me to miss the lessons God is trying to teach me right now?
As Christians, I believe we all have a desire to live a peaceful life. It makes thing so much easier as we attempt to fulfill all our Christian duties. However, that is rarely how life works. And it is often in times of peace that Christians become complacent.
Trials and tribulations work in our lives in ways that times of peace cannot seem to accomplish. Think of the character, dedication, courage, and fortitude that was built in these Hebrews as they built the wall with their sword by their side, ready at a moment's notice to begin fighting. Building the wall surely would have been easier in a peaceful time, with no danger of fighting. Yet, there were lessons they had to learn which peace could not teach them.
In times of calm and peace, there is just as much reason to trust God as in times of war and tribulation. However, our human hearts rarely see it this way. Therefore, God often sees fit to put us through hardship in order to teach us to trust in the times of peace.
Am I going through a hard time right now? Is my longing for peace causing me to miss the lessons God is trying to teach me right now?
Monday, June 26, 2017
The Tekoite Nobles
Nehemiah 3:5 "And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord."
It always amazes me. There are certain people who get a brief mention in the Bible, the Holy Word of God. And perhaps it's only one mention. They may have lived a long life, done many different things, yet their legacy, or the part of their legacy God saw fit to put in the Bible, is summed up in a phrase or a single sentence.
And that's it. These nobles of Tekoites have one sentence to describe their lives and their impact on the world. They "...put not their necks to the work of their Lord." How tragic. A whole life, and this is how they are remembered.
What is my life in a sentence? Realizing that I may not have a tomorrow, what is the legacy I have right now? It is well and good to have plans for making a difference for God in the future, however we are not promised an earthly future in which to carry out those plans. It's here and it's now that we must live the love of Christ, letting it make the impact that our human failings cannot. Even if it just means putting my neck into the work, whatever that may be, of my Lord.
It always amazes me. There are certain people who get a brief mention in the Bible, the Holy Word of God. And perhaps it's only one mention. They may have lived a long life, done many different things, yet their legacy, or the part of their legacy God saw fit to put in the Bible, is summed up in a phrase or a single sentence.
And that's it. These nobles of Tekoites have one sentence to describe their lives and their impact on the world. They "...put not their necks to the work of their Lord." How tragic. A whole life, and this is how they are remembered.
What is my life in a sentence? Realizing that I may not have a tomorrow, what is the legacy I have right now? It is well and good to have plans for making a difference for God in the future, however we are not promised an earthly future in which to carry out those plans. It's here and it's now that we must live the love of Christ, letting it make the impact that our human failings cannot. Even if it just means putting my neck into the work, whatever that may be, of my Lord.
Saturday, June 24, 2017
Darkness and Light, Lies and Truth
1 John 1:6-7 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
Light: of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it. That which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly.
Darkness: of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell.
Fellowship is some of the glue that holds Christ's church together. However, true fellowship cannot occur if there are secrets being held back. Darkness is a cloak, it is secrecy, it is deception. Light is openness, exposed, fearlessly honest.
Fellowship has the idea of "joint participation". It is walking this path toward Christ-likeness with our fellows. This can only happen when each "fellow" is walking in openness. Think of attempting to build a house without ever talking to your fellow workers.
Truth and light will results in real fellowship that spurs each fellow believer on to love and good works. Darkness and lies will only end in misery and failure. Where am I walking today?
Light: of truth and its knowledge, together with the spiritual purity associated with it. That which is exposed to the view of all, openly, publicly.
Darkness: of ignorance respecting divine things and human duties, and the accompanying ungodliness and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell.
Fellowship is some of the glue that holds Christ's church together. However, true fellowship cannot occur if there are secrets being held back. Darkness is a cloak, it is secrecy, it is deception. Light is openness, exposed, fearlessly honest.
Fellowship has the idea of "joint participation". It is walking this path toward Christ-likeness with our fellows. This can only happen when each "fellow" is walking in openness. Think of attempting to build a house without ever talking to your fellow workers.
Truth and light will results in real fellowship that spurs each fellow believer on to love and good works. Darkness and lies will only end in misery and failure. Where am I walking today?
Thursday, June 15, 2017
"If....But..."
Nehemiah 1:8-9 "Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there."
The balance of God's righteousness and mercy is absolutely unfathomable to our human minds. Though His standard is perfection, He is moved to mercy by our humanity. Because of this, we often see in the Bible an "If...But" situation.
Disobeying God's laws has consequences. "If" we transgress, those consequences will come. Humble repentance also has consequences. "But" if we turn back to Him confessing our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive. He has chosen to set His name in His church body. Humble, repentant individuals will be gathered together. And that is when God can work.
Have I transgressed God's commandments? When I do transgress, what is my response?
The balance of God's righteousness and mercy is absolutely unfathomable to our human minds. Though His standard is perfection, He is moved to mercy by our humanity. Because of this, we often see in the Bible an "If...But" situation.
Disobeying God's laws has consequences. "If" we transgress, those consequences will come. Humble repentance also has consequences. "But" if we turn back to Him confessing our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive. He has chosen to set His name in His church body. Humble, repentant individuals will be gathered together. And that is when God can work.
Have I transgressed God's commandments? When I do transgress, what is my response?
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Forfeited
Ezra 10:8 "And that whosoever would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and the elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away."
Put yourself in this situation. Imagine, your day to day life, how it's always been, then having to drop that all within 3 days or else everything you own will be lost and you will be cast out from your country. There are very few of us who have ever faced such an immediate, life-changing occurrence.
This begs the question - how serious am I about my relationship with God? If there was a sin in my life, I knew it was a sin, and that it was separating me from God, would I be willing to drop everything, completely change my life in order to make it right?
We rarely see it this way, but the alternative to the above response is a forfeiture of our life. Any life not surrendered utterly to Christ is forfeited. So ask yourself, how serious are you about this relationship with God?
Put yourself in this situation. Imagine, your day to day life, how it's always been, then having to drop that all within 3 days or else everything you own will be lost and you will be cast out from your country. There are very few of us who have ever faced such an immediate, life-changing occurrence.
This begs the question - how serious am I about my relationship with God? If there was a sin in my life, I knew it was a sin, and that it was separating me from God, would I be willing to drop everything, completely change my life in order to make it right?
We rarely see it this way, but the alternative to the above response is a forfeiture of our life. Any life not surrendered utterly to Christ is forfeited. So ask yourself, how serious are you about this relationship with God?
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
Less Than Our Iniquities Deserve
Ezra 9:13-14 "And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such deliverance as this; Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?"
Anytime someone complains about evil being proof that a loving God cannot exist, it merely proves that they have no idea what they are talking about. It merely shows that they have no understanding of Who God is nor do they have any understanding of how vile man is.
Anyone complaining about that, saying that evil in the world is a bad thing, obviously considers themself to be mostly excepted from this evilness. Or else they wouldn't be wanting God to get rid of the evil. We see what others are doing and call it evil, and make exceptions for ourselves. However, we know that one sin is all it takes to make us less than perfect. And perfect is God's standard.
Therefore, to anyone complaining about that, they need to take a minute a realize that God is being good in the midst of the evil. He is being good because he is punishing them less than their iniquities deserve. They deserve eternal death right now. But God is patient. He offers deliverance, a chance at salvation.
Anytime someone complains about evil being proof that a loving God cannot exist, it merely proves that they have no idea what they are talking about. It merely shows that they have no understanding of Who God is nor do they have any understanding of how vile man is.
Anyone complaining about that, saying that evil in the world is a bad thing, obviously considers themself to be mostly excepted from this evilness. Or else they wouldn't be wanting God to get rid of the evil. We see what others are doing and call it evil, and make exceptions for ourselves. However, we know that one sin is all it takes to make us less than perfect. And perfect is God's standard.
Therefore, to anyone complaining about that, they need to take a minute a realize that God is being good in the midst of the evil. He is being good because he is punishing them less than their iniquities deserve. They deserve eternal death right now. But God is patient. He offers deliverance, a chance at salvation.
Monday, June 12, 2017
I Proclaimed a Fast
Ezra 8:21 "Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance."
Fasting is not a part of our culture anymore these days. And perhaps that is a bad thing. Ezra says here that fasting was so that they could afflict themselves. "Afflict" here means to humble, bring oneself low, be bowed down. When hungry, we become weak, we see how truly frail and helpless we are without God's constant provision.
This "forced humility" allows us to clear our minds of distractions, to see what truly matters. This allows us to seek God with a clear mind, to find His right way for us and our possessions as well as for those who we influence.
For what thing in your life do you need God's direction? Can I set aside a day to fast and pray, seeking God's right way for me? Is finding God's right way worth a day without food to me?
Fasting is not a part of our culture anymore these days. And perhaps that is a bad thing. Ezra says here that fasting was so that they could afflict themselves. "Afflict" here means to humble, bring oneself low, be bowed down. When hungry, we become weak, we see how truly frail and helpless we are without God's constant provision.
This "forced humility" allows us to clear our minds of distractions, to see what truly matters. This allows us to seek God with a clear mind, to find His right way for us and our possessions as well as for those who we influence.
For what thing in your life do you need God's direction? Can I set aside a day to fast and pray, seeking God's right way for me? Is finding God's right way worth a day without food to me?
Friday, June 9, 2017
Seek, Do, Teach
Ezra 7:10 "For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments."
The Word of God is deliberate. The words are not just put there because that's where they were put. All Scripture comes from the inspiration of God Himself, therefore we know there is a purpose behind every word. In a way, what Ezra is doing here is what we in the New Testament are called to do - make disciples. Yet he didn't just go out and do it. There was a process.
The first step was to prepare his heart to seek the law of the Lord. The word 'prepare' means to make ready, to firmly establish. Ezra's heart was set on seeking, his heart was not about to move from that. He had made his mind up, he was dedicated. The second step was to do it. After he sought God's law, Ezra followed through. It went past a head knowledge (which puffs up) into a heart knowledge that brought action. God's law became Ezra's way of life. And finally the third step was to teach the statutes and judgments.
If Ezra had skipped any of these steps, he surely would've fallen flat on his face. But because he followed these steps, in this order, God blessed him with success. I am called to make disciples in a very similar way. Which step am I on? They are a continual process as we grow and mature, but one must follow the other.
The Word of God is deliberate. The words are not just put there because that's where they were put. All Scripture comes from the inspiration of God Himself, therefore we know there is a purpose behind every word. In a way, what Ezra is doing here is what we in the New Testament are called to do - make disciples. Yet he didn't just go out and do it. There was a process.
The first step was to prepare his heart to seek the law of the Lord. The word 'prepare' means to make ready, to firmly establish. Ezra's heart was set on seeking, his heart was not about to move from that. He had made his mind up, he was dedicated. The second step was to do it. After he sought God's law, Ezra followed through. It went past a head knowledge (which puffs up) into a heart knowledge that brought action. God's law became Ezra's way of life. And finally the third step was to teach the statutes and judgments.
If Ezra had skipped any of these steps, he surely would've fallen flat on his face. But because he followed these steps, in this order, God blessed him with success. I am called to make disciples in a very similar way. Which step am I on? They are a continual process as we grow and mature, but one must follow the other.
Thursday, June 8, 2017
The Heart of the King
Ezra 6:22 "And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel."
The Bible makes it very clear. In Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Imagine, a nation in captivity, a conquered people, not only being told to go back to their homeland and rebuild their temple, but being provided with everything they could possibly need to do so. What could possibly possess a king to do that for his captives?
The only answer is the power of God. When we are seeking God, desiring earnestly to do His will, He will make the way clear for us and give joy. Proverbs 10:22 "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."
Whatever obstacle appears to be in my way as I seek God's will, remember that He holds it in His hand.
The Bible makes it very clear. In Proverbs 21:1 "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will." Imagine, a nation in captivity, a conquered people, not only being told to go back to their homeland and rebuild their temple, but being provided with everything they could possibly need to do so. What could possibly possess a king to do that for his captives?
The only answer is the power of God. When we are seeking God, desiring earnestly to do His will, He will make the way clear for us and give joy. Proverbs 10:22 "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."
Whatever obstacle appears to be in my way as I seek God's will, remember that He holds it in His hand.
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
The Eye of Their God
Ezra 5:5 "But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter."
God governs in the affairs of men. He has purposes and plans that He is working through the actions of men. It's almost humorous when you think about the fact that mere humans think they can interfere in the working of the God of the Universe.
The Bible speaks several times of God's eyes. 2 Chronicles 16:9a "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him...." Often, the Bible says it is in God's eyes that righteous men found grace. 1 Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."
Nothing escapes His eyes, good or bad. I, for one, desire to find grace in His eyes. I desire to see His cause prosper through my life. Are you comfortable with the eyes of the One True God being over you? How can you find grace in His eyes today?
God governs in the affairs of men. He has purposes and plans that He is working through the actions of men. It's almost humorous when you think about the fact that mere humans think they can interfere in the working of the God of the Universe.
The Bible speaks several times of God's eyes. 2 Chronicles 16:9a "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him...." Often, the Bible says it is in God's eyes that righteous men found grace. 1 Peter 3:12 "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."
Nothing escapes His eyes, good or bad. I, for one, desire to find grace in His eyes. I desire to see His cause prosper through my life. Are you comfortable with the eyes of the One True God being over you? How can you find grace in His eyes today?
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
Frustrating a Godly Purpose
Ezra 4:4-5 "Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia."
The devil is in constant opposition to the things of God. Therefore, it follows that anytime God's people work toward something within God's will, the devil is there to do his best to frustrate or stop that work.
Is there something that I feel called to do, yet my hands feel weak? Is there something in my life that I know to be God's will, yet I am troubled in my move toward that thing? If it truly is God's will, it is nothing more than the devil attempting to oppose the God of the universe. Heed him not.
The devil is in constant opposition to the things of God. Therefore, it follows that anytime God's people work toward something within God's will, the devil is there to do his best to frustrate or stop that work.
Is there something that I feel called to do, yet my hands feel weak? Is there something in my life that I know to be God's will, yet I am troubled in my move toward that thing? If it truly is God's will, it is nothing more than the devil attempting to oppose the God of the universe. Heed him not.
Monday, June 5, 2017
The Ancient Men Wept
Ezra 3:12 "But many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:"
The Bible doesn't specifically say, however we can make the assumption that the weeping of the ancient men came because they saw how feeble the new foundation was compared to the old temple. Solomon's temple had been a true wonder in its magnificence. Anything that attempted to come after it would likely pale in comparison. Hence the tears and the weeping.
The temple was not for God as much as it was for the people. It was a symbol of the relationship between God and His people. It was the sign that He had chosen His dwelling place with the Hebrews. When it was destroyed, so was that symbol. But when it was rebuilt, its grandeur was lessened. If one were to view the temple as a symbol, seeing its glory reduced comparatively would be a painful sight.
As my Christian walk goes through ups and downs, do I ever look back and weep for what my relationship with God used to look like?
The Bible doesn't specifically say, however we can make the assumption that the weeping of the ancient men came because they saw how feeble the new foundation was compared to the old temple. Solomon's temple had been a true wonder in its magnificence. Anything that attempted to come after it would likely pale in comparison. Hence the tears and the weeping.
The temple was not for God as much as it was for the people. It was a symbol of the relationship between God and His people. It was the sign that He had chosen His dwelling place with the Hebrews. When it was destroyed, so was that symbol. But when it was rebuilt, its grandeur was lessened. If one were to view the temple as a symbol, seeing its glory reduced comparatively would be a painful sight.
As my Christian walk goes through ups and downs, do I ever look back and weep for what my relationship with God used to look like?
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