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?
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